| Title | : | Last Chance Christmas (Road to Romance #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1943963703 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 117 |
| Publication | : | First published November 11, 2015 |
After weathering a tough year, J.C. sees Shea's arrival in Cloud Spin, Vermont, as a holiday miracle after the way he broke things off with her long ago. JC hopes that Shea will give him another chance to explore the chemistry still simmering between them. When two hearts with a history have a chance to reconnect at Christmas, will love get one last shot?
Last Chance Christmas (Road to Romance #1) Reviews
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This book was really cute! 😍
And considering that it’s the first Christmas book I’ve read this year, you can imagine how excited I was when I started it.
Just like the title implies, this book is about second chances and about an old flame which really turned into a fire in just a few days. I don’t usually agree with love in a few days... but this one was cute.
I also think the author should have paid more attention to the time line. Considering that Shea has been through a big injury 3 weeks ago, I don’t agree with her action. In reality, it takes a lot of time to heal. 3 weeks are just not enough... and this kind of bothered me.
Otherwise, I liked the story, the main characters were perfect for each other, I didn’t feel the age difference and I liked the ending. Especially those 3 notes (if you want to know what those notes are about, read the book!). -
💝 FREE on Amazon today (11/15/2018)!💝
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3.5 Stars!
Short and Sweet second chance romance just in time for the holidays ;) ⛄️ Characters were likable and I loved the “hockey town” setting for the book. This is definitely a read that can be done in one sitting. Perfect little gem to get in the Christmas 🎄🎄🎄 spirit! -
A fun Christmas story.
With all of the history, the story needed to be a bit longer. I felt like I jumped into the middle of a story. The romance felt like it was moving to fast, but it wasn't because the MCs knew each other. I just needed more of that history. Also, there was so much tension between the heroine and her family, some of that should have been parsed out.
Good story, just needed to be a bit longer or delete some of the past angst if it's not going to be delved into. -
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
Last Chance Christmas is a great read to get into the mood for Christmas, a second chance romance, a small town setting and snow. Shea is recovering from a car accident, lost her job and decides to spend Christmas in her hometown and make things right with her parents again. There she runs into her old flame JC. It was a quick and fun read, but that's at the same time my biggest complaint too, I wanted more. There is a lot of potential to the story and I liked the piece we got, but I would've liked more story, more scenes and a longer book. Their relationship progresses pretty quickly and a few things felt a bit rushed, like they happen too soon and a few plot lines aren't wrapped up, like Shea her relationship with her parents or how their future is going to be and what Shea will do next. Sure it wasn't necessary to know those parts, but I did want to know them.
Shea and JC are both great characters, I liked them and at the same time they also had some flaws. Those flaws made them real, but it also led to me wanting to shake some sense into them now and then. Shea is a headstrong women, who is used to running away and when things get hard she runs. I did like how she decided to come back to her hometown for a surprise visit and make things right with her parents. I liked how she followed her own dreams instead of following her parents wishes for her. She's willing to fix things now, but also afraid of getting hurt again. JC is used to taking decisions for others and thinks he knows what's best for them. He also is willing to admit when he does things wrong. Their issues are what drove them apart in the first place combined with JC not telling her something earlier and those issues almost keep them from making up now. It could be a bit frustrating at times, but at the same time I enjoyed seeing them figure things out.
I liked seeing these two meet each other again and figuring out what they want form each and from their life. They run into some issues, both from the past and their future. I liked the ending and how the story got wrapped up, there's a really sweet scene at the end. I just would've liked to see things go a bit slower. And they both avoided talking about the issues that separated them the first time, that it felt like they never resolved them. These two did have a lot of chemistry, but I had hoped for a bit more sweet scenes like the one at the end. There were a few of those, but it just felt like there wasn't enough time to really get to know these two and see them fall in love. And the conflict get's solved a bit too easily at the end and they never really talk things through.
The small town was a fun setting and I liked the role sport played and how this book showed both the bad and the good sides of it. The town likes their winter sports and it gives a certain charm to the town and how they and together in the spirit of sports and enjoy the outdoors. It shows how a town can come together for a common goal and I liked a certain scene where Shea and JC helped setting up a skate rink for local kids to play on and how it brought the whole community out. It definitely had some of those feel good Christmas type of scenes. The book also showed the damage sports can do in the form of JC's concussion and Shea her father who was still feeling the aftermaths of his injuries. I liked how the author didn't make it seem to rose coloured and also showed the bad sides of sport.
To summarize: I really enjoyed this novella. It really gets you into the Christmas mood. I liked the small snowy town and it was fun to see Shea return to her hometown and try and make things work with JC. Both characters had their flaws and at times it could be a bit frustrated. They did had chemistry, but I would've liked to see more of them falling in love again. There are some great scene between them and the end was really sweet. However I also felt like they didn't work out some issues and avoided talking about it. The ending also leaves things a bit open ended about their future and Shea never resolves things with her parents. All in all a great Christmas novella, although I had wished it had been a bit longer. -
Kitty's review posted at
Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Joanne Rock brought the small town, Northeast Christmas to life in Last Chance Christmas. The snow, the ice rink, the friendliness of off the town’s people … it all brought back memories of winter’s past for me and made me wish for the simpler times that I grew up with.
Shea has convinced herself that it’s time to face her past and make peace with her father. She didn’t follow the path that he set for her in life. Forgoing the hockey career that her father wanted to go into fashion left her spending her Christmas’s traveling and, as she is finally figuring out, lonely. While coming out of anesthesia she hears a talk show about making amends, facing your past before you could move forward. Being on crutches and having some broken ribs, she decides to head home for the holiday, especially after the final blow from her employer. Finding an empty house and her ex-boyfriend at her home when she pulls out, she feels like the universe is totally against her. Then finding out that the one thing that the whole community looked forward to every year was not done by her father for the last two years, she knows that she has no choice but to stay.
J.C. can’t believe his eyes when he turns the corner and the one that got away was standing there. Shea. His first and only true love. Looking dejected when she finds out that her parents decided to go to Hawaii for the holiday, he can’t help but convince her to stay with him. Hey, there’s a new door on the house and she can’t get in. There is enough room in his big house for both of them, and the sauna, and the hot tub and the fireplace ... should I keep going?
Well, as the towns people gather around and the festivities begin, Shea finds out the truth of just what J.C. did and she doesn’t know if she could handle him manipulating and lying to her again like he did so long ago. But, there’s a big problem, she never got over him, she’s still in love with him. Doing what she does best, she starts running. But this time, C.J. isn’t going to let her. He’ll make her listen to him and get her to understand this time around. He can’t lose her again.
Joanne Rock really rocked my world with the ending of this story. C.J.’s Christmas gift to Shea was so thoughtful, so romantic and so made me shed a tear. I was like, “Oh my God, how romantic”! C.J., even though he was a wee bit manipulative, was really a sweet and loving man. Shea definitely had a chip on her shoulder and it really took a lot for her to finally give in to her feelings. But, I really did enjoy this Christmas story. Like I said, it reminded me of growing up in the small town, of going to the outdoor skating rink that our school made, of snowball fights and just fun happy times with friends and family. So, thank you, Joanne Rock for bringing a smile to my face, for bringing back some wonderful memories and for writing a beautiful story about love lost then found and Christmas’ in a small town.
Review copy provided for an honest review. -
This is a delightful second chance romance with complex characters, plenty of surprises and is a great read.
A decade after leaving her home town, fashion buyer Shea Walker was involved in a serious car crash which left her battered and bruised but she’s recovering from operations to help fix her broken leg and, having listened to a life coach whilst in recovery, is returning home to try to make peace with her past. She decided to do so after finding out she’s lost her job as the company she works for has gone bankrupt. Unsure of her future she’s planning on seeing her parents to talk things over again but arrives to discover they’ve gone to Hawaii for the festive season. She never expected to see her ex, an ice hockey star, JC Royce but he’s also been injured and is home to recover. Although he married, he’s now divorced and he’s never really got over his first love. Having her literally fall last his feet is a dream come true for him and he’s determined to work to regain her trust and love this festive season.
Shea is a feisty, highly independent, stubborn and determined young lady. She’s quick to react, slow to calm down and is in need of plenty of tic to help her recover from her injuries and the shock of losing her job. JC is a star hockey player, a handsome hunk who she’s never forgotten or forgiven for disappearing from her life all those years ago. The attraction is still there, will they let their hearts or their heads rule them? Is there any chance for them to achieve their HEA?
A lovely story of a community pulling together, celebrating, supporting and helping each other, working towards a common goal as well as a great second chance romance. The characters are well developed, the plot sound and it is an enchanting novella for the festive season that I have no hesitation in recommending to anyone who enjoys their romance sprinkled with festive cheer and small community interactions.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley, too, for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for this, an honest review. -
This book felt like a generic, low budget movie. Heroine returns home to spend Christmas with her estranged parents after recovering from surgery/car accident three weeks prior and losing her job. After listening to a cheesy self-help radio talk show, she decides she needs to fix her past, so she can move on to her future. Task #1 Reach out to dear old dad who washed his hands of her when she decided ten years earlier not to pursue a hockey career. Task #2 Get over J.C., who broke her heart when he choose NHL over her. Well, surprise...surprise. Her parents went to Hawaii on vacation and none other than J.C. is standing outside their home.
She ends up staying at his house and reconnecting in more ways than one. With some steamy scenes, uninteresting subcharacters, and predictable outcome, I skimmed through this one in record time.
If you are looking for an uncomplicated, steamy read with a heroine who is quick to throw herself back into the arms of a guy she claims will likely break her heart again, this might be for you. I just expected a better storyline and didn't find the author's writing style engaging.
Title: Last Chance Christmas, Pages: 109, Author: Joanne Rock, stand-alone, HEA, no cheating, no love triangle
(This review is based on NetGalley ARC received in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.) -
Sounds like another one of those stories where the H gets everything and the h settles because her life sucks... so good thing he wants her eh??
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Shea was recently in a bad car accident that left her with broken ribs and a fractured ribs. When she called in to work to inform them that she would need some time off they told her that they were going bankrupt and she was out of a job. After hearing this news and dealing with her injuries, she decides to travel to her old hometown to patch things up with her parents. Only when she gets there, she runs in to the man that broke her heart when she was younger, and finds out her parents are on vacation. He sees how hurt she is and has her stay at his house so he can take care of her. They have the same chemistry they always had but a lot of unfinished conversations.
I really loved some parts of this and didn't care for other parts. JC broke her heart by choosing to follow his hockey career instead of following the plans that they made together as a couple. The years later just assumes it's okay to pick up where they left off because, why not, he's divorced now and doesn't want to be alone for Christmas? I still felt like there was a lot that needed to be said between the two of them at the end. I still feel like she got the short end of things because he stills gets everything he wants and she has to settle. I would have liked to see things with Shea's parents end a little bit better too. I think a longer conversation with her father would have been better. -
After being gone ten years, Shea Walker is back home for Christmas. She wanted to surprise her parents but the surprise is on her. They've decided to spend the holidays in Hawaii. She's hurt after being in a bad accident, unemployed since her company is going out of business, and now faced with the one person she never expected to see JC Royce. Pro Hockey player and the only man Shea has ever loved. Can she not catch a break???
You'll love this wonderful story of these two dealing with past hurts and getting to know the person they each are now. It's definitely one I recommend. -
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4 stars — I’m a fan of second chance romances…I’m not entirely sure why, but it’s just satisfying to see people grow from who they were when they were younger and fix the mistakes of their youth. And that was definitely the case with this book. Sure, they had their struggles and they almost fell into old patterns, but I got the satisfaction I was after by the time the book was finished.
I wasn’t sure about Shea at first…she was filled up with a lot of resentment and holding REALLY HARD onto grudges from her past. But as we get to know her, know her past, it makes sense for who she is. She doesn’t make excuses for those character traits, but she does eventually try to do better, which I really appreciate. I honestly expected something much different from the blurb, the fact that she’s hurt from the accident doesn’t play that much into the story. It was more about reconciling with her past.
JC was almost too good to be true…luckily he made some bad choices to prove he’s actually human. He was sweet, thoughtful, encouraging, supportive…very easy going. His personality definitely made him swoonworthy.
And the two of them together definitely had some great chemistry…both in the steamy moments, but also just in the fun flirting moments as well.
In the end it was a fast read, and probably a fast resolution, but it works for Christmas books, you know? -
Making peace and second chances - perfect for christmas and preventing this from being just another cheesy romance.
Shea is recovering from a car accident and has also lost her job so she's headed home to make peace with her parents and to spend christmas with them. Coming to a locked house, she finds out her parents are not there. But her ex J.C. is and he wants to make up with her...
He tries to convince her that they always had chemistry - well I'm convinced. I liked these two and they do have believable chemistry.
And I liked the small snowy town setting.
I felt like they didn't really work out their issues though but rather just didn't talk about them. Which also is quite authentic but the ending, as sweet and romantic as it is, just seems somewhat overcast regarding this.
Nice and quick atmospheric read which I would rate 3,5 Stars. And it's christmas so I'll just round. -
A cute Christmas romance story
Following an accident that left her with a fractured leg and two ribs, Shea Walker learns she’s being let go at her job as a buyer at a high-end department store in Manhattan.
Now it’s Christmas and Shea’s back at her parents' house in a small ski resort in Cloud Spin, Vermont, willing to make peace with her past and move forward in her life.
Enroute home, she runs into J.C Royce, her teenage beau, and a hockey player. Per his doctor’s orders, he’s rehabbing in Cloud Spin after sustaining a concussion.
Is Shea willing to smooth things over with her past and start a new chapter with J.C?
A cute Christmas romance story. -
Author's style was not my cuppa. Way too descriptive of boring details (I drifted off when the details of making an outdoor ice rink were discussed several times). I also didn't like the ending.
It will work for others. It had some good quotes and sweet dialogue. -
A sweet second chance story. Childhood friends and sweethearts who fate brought back together ten years later. They made peace with the way things ended a decade ago and found that their true happiness was with each other.
An easy wonderful, Christmas read. -
Gah! I devoured this sweet read in a matter of hours! I love the sports romance aspect too, it was amazing!
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I got this on my kindle since it was free and I was in the mood for a Christmas romance book. It was okay. The steamy scenes were great and they were my favorite part of the book. I didn't like how short this book was and how quickly everything moved. I wish the plot was a bit more flushed out.
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A sweet holiday romance that will take you back! Set in the snow and ice rink this hockey star gets a second chance to woo the girl who got away. While this book screamed Christmas, I couldn't get into the characters! There just wasn't enough passion between them to make me want to root for them to come back after all the years apart. Maybe adding angst or more of a love/hate relationship would have reeled me in.
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When Shea Walker is recovering from an automobile accident she decides she is going to head home for the holidays and try to mend her fractured relationship with her family. Shea doesn't however let her parents know she plans on coming to town for Christmas and when she arrives she finds they have taken off to Hawaii for the holidays.
Tired from the long drive and without a key to her parents home Shea doesn't have a place to stay so when she runs into her old flame J.C. Royce she reluctantly agrees to stay with him. J.C. and Shea had split up when J.C. chose a career in professional hockey over their relationship so Shea still harbors a grudge but decides she has chosen to confront past relationships so she should start with J.C.
A nice Christmas tale of two people brought back together that really never wanted to truly part. Loved the characters and where they were in their lives to make the story believable for them to come together. Being a novella the ending did seem a bit rushed but that happens a lot with the shorter stories so not a big let down.
Overall, nice romantic quick read.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress.... -
This book is about a second chance at love during Christmas time for 2 people who had a teenage romance, but ultimately ended up going their different ways. I happen to love Christmas romances, and second chance at love stories; in fact I just finished a book very similar to this one, I could read tons of these books and not be tired of this scenario, so I really enjoyed this book. Shea is returning to her hometown to hopefully rebuild her relationship with her parents; her dad wasn't happy with her career choice, and J.C. is back in town because he is on leave from his job as a pro hockey player due to a concussion. Shea and J.C. have never really forgotten about each other, but there are some hurt feelings between the two, so reconnecting is a bit difficult. Shea and J.C. have some really cute moments together, and they do have some sexy time, but I liked that they do other things too, and I enjoyed their chemistry with each other. I liked that J.C. really put himself out there for Shea, and how he helped Shea out with her injuries. The sauna and spa scenes were spicy, and I liked the banter between J.C. and Shea. I liked how the ending worked out, but I would have liked an epilogue. I liked the writing in this book, so I'll definitely check out more from Joanne Rock.
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After an accident, Shea Walker returns home to make peace with her family for the holidays. Upon her arrival, she bumps into her ex-boyfriend and current NHL star J.C. Royce.
I like Shea. I think it is noble that she wants to reconcile with her family.
J.C. is home for the holidays after time off from a concussion. I do not condone his lying to Shea, but I appreciate his reason for it. I like that he is persistent. He is a good guy who gives back to his home town.
Shea and J.C. have great chemistry, despite Shae wanting to deny it. Neither are completely up front with each other, which makes them both very human and believable. I love J.C. Christmas present to Shea. It was very clever.
Joanne Rock created a well-written and heartwarming story that is perfect for the holidays. This was an enjoyable story that was hard to put down.
Complimentary copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. -
Last Chance Christmas by Joanne Rock After an accident, Shea Walker returns home to make peace with her family for the holidays. Upon her arrival, she bumps into her ex-boyfriend and current NHL star J.C. Royce.
I like Shea. I think it is noble that she wants to reconcile with her family.
J.C. is home for the holidays after time off from a concussion. I do not condone his lying to Shea, but I appreciate his reason for it. I like that he is persistent. He is a good guy who gives back to his home town.
Shea and J.C. have great chemistry, despite Shae wanting to deny it. Neither are completely up front with each other, which makes them both very human and believable. I love J.C. Christmas present to Shea. It was very clever.
Joanne Rock created a well-written and heartwarming story that is perfect for the holidays. This was an enjoyable story that was hard to put down.
Complimentary copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. -
As always, Joanne Rock gave us an excellent book. Last Chance Christmas is a wonderful second chance story. After being in a horrible automobile accident in which she broke her leg and ribs she called in sick, only to find out that the company she worked for was going bankrupt.
So, after a ten year hiatus, she headed home for a hometown Christmas. Only, her parents had decided that this was the year that they would take their dream vacation to Hawaii.
Her luck went from bad to worse when she had no option but to turn to her high school sweetheart J.C for help.
Will she get a second chance at repairing a friendship with J.C. or will things only get worse? Find a cup of coffee or tea, light a fire and find out what happens.
I received this copy of Last Chance Christmas from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review -
Tis the season where the Christmas movies and books are coming out. The time to hope, and maybe even start over. Shea is recovering from surgery to her leg after an accident, so she heads home to try to mend her relationship with her parents. When she pulls up though she finds nobody is home.
Her first love J.C. is there though. She has to decide if she can learn to figure him for choosing hockey over her when they were kids. A lot has happened and hopefully as adults they can find there way back to each other.
This was a cute story, it was on the shorter side so very quick read. I would have liked a more developed ending, as it wrapped up a little too quickly.
**I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. -
I loved this story from beginning to end. There’s such a lovely thread of reconciliation throughout and a careful mapping of how two people, once in love, can find themselves back together. JC Royce, hockey star, is sure he and Shea Walker can make a go of it again now that they are older and not love-struck teenagers. Shea is still harboring shell shock from their break up years prior. He is certain her arrival in Cloud Spin, Vermont, is fate. She has not been back to her parent’s home in years and the one winter her parents are away for Christmas and JC is there recovering from a hockey related concussion, she comes home. Shea does not want to fall back into the love she so deeply held for JC only to have him leave her again for what she feels is the love of his life, hockey.
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It takes an almost tragedy and a chance encounter for two people to discover the benefits of home, heart and love. Joanne Rock's Last Chance Christmas has beauty of the season, the comfort of family and a chance to reconnect with a slower more uncomplicated way of life. Forced to slow down after a debilitating accident Shea seeks the comfort of home and familiarity to help her mend. She gets more than she thought when confronted with the one man she'd like to forget. I received an ARC of Last Chance Christmas in exchange for an honest review. Forgiveness, hope, charity and love prove to be the most precious assets on the path to healing the heart and body. Purely wonderful read.
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I found Rock's Last Chance Christmas to be pretty standard holiday romance fare, this time featuring a hockey player and a fashion buyer with a past. I found myself questioning the heroine's 6 hour drive at the beginning of the book and that set me up to be a bit more critical of the remainder. I did find the chemistry between the protagonists believable, but I think this story could have benefitted from a bit more story to build the characters and give us a stronger supporting chorus of characters. I'd give other books by Rock a chance, but am not likely to seek them out.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest reviews. The opinions expressed above are my own.
