Every year for several years now I look forward to Ms. Stacey's holidays novellas. They're short, sweet, and have a happy ending. And this year's hero is a country musician! I like country music. So, pretty much a guaranteed win.

Jace and Ava were a high school couple who had a dream to write and record country music. Together. But when Jace is offered the chance to record, solo, he leaves Ava behind with barely a backward glance. But he's never forgotten nor has Ava forgotten, or forgiven, him. Neither has gotten over the other one, they still care about each other. But can Jace apologize and win back Ava? Can Ava forgive him? Can they make a life together or did Jace throw it all away 5 years ago?

Jace was an ass, abandoning Ava the way he did and at first, I didn't want to like him. But slowly he won me over, at the same time that he was winning Ava back. He apologized, he groveled, and he tried to make it up to her. One blogger, I don't remember now who, described Jace's story as one long grovel and when I thought about it, I realized they were right. I had initially been disappointed that there wasn't a grovel scene but in fact, Jace's part of the story is one extended apology and grovel. I loved that he didn't do a grand public gesture as I hate those. He really paid attention to Ava and listened while also pushing her, carefully but firmly, out of her comfort zone.

Ava had held onto her mad for five years but once Jace is back in town and they are dealing with each other, she just couldn't hold onto it. Her heart is softened by the fact that Jace's father died and that's why he's back. Jace and his father weren't close but still, a death in the family. Jace steadily woos Ava and her heart begins to melt. She forgives Jace but discovers one more obstacle: can she fit into Jace's world in Nashville.

Jace and Ava worked through their pain and their regrets, and found their second chance at a happily ever after. "Hold Her Again" was sweet, emotional, and just the right length. It had a sugary sweet ending that made me tear up but it fit the story.

This was such a “real” book. By that I mean the characters felt like they really did exist, and they were so everyday (even with the hero being famous), and acted so normal. I loved that about it. Shannon Stacey has built a solid and well-deserved reputation for writing contemporary romances about everyday people, and she is excellent at it.
I also loved that this was a reunion story - not just my favourite trope, but also one that works really well in shorter books.
I loved the angst in this one. As a talented young musician, the hero was faced with a choice: stay with his long-term, childhood sweetheart girlfriend who had been building dreams of a music career with him, or dump her and get a big recording contract on his own.
He chose to dump her, and went on to become a star. The heroine went home heartbroken, losing not just him, but also all of her dreams. And then she had to hear the song that made her ex famous every time she turned on the radio: it was about her.
There’s some serious grovelling to be done here, and there is a very strong reason why she doesn’t want to get back together with him when he finally returns home years later.
I loved the setup for the story, and I also liked how it was resolved in a shorter word count (30 000 words).
This was a great little reunion romance by an author I rely on to deliver a good read.

I love a second chance romance. Add in a country music star and I'm on it! Ava and Jace are high school sweethearts who leave their small town to pursue a music career together. When Jace is offered a contract that does not include Ava, he tells her he has to take this opportunity. Ava is devastated and returns to her small town, He heart never really mends.
When Jace returns home 6 years later for his estranged fathers funeral, he decides it time to try and make things up to Ava. He never stop loving her, and doesn't expect to get her back but he is gonna try. Ava is still hurting after all this time. She even gave up writing music lyrics. She isn't ready to forgive and forget. He hurt her too badly. Now this is where a short story can be an issue. I needed more groveling from Jace. Six years he stayed away...I needed him on his knees for weeks....begging for forgiveness. I needed a a big gesture to prove he can be trusted to not leave again. Overall the story was good.

Thank you Net-Galley, and publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I loved this story. I was gripped from page one and left wanting more at the end. This is a complete story, I just wanted more in the middle because I connected to the characters and wanted to stay in their world longer.

I loved Jace and Ava. They had their struggles and had a lot to overcome but I think they were stronger due to the struggles. The author made me feel what emotions her characters were feeling.

I am a huge country music fan and I would love to see this turned into a movie!

Ava and Jace were a perfect match; young and in love with big dreams of marriage, a family, and a country-music singing career. However, that all ended the night Jace left Ava behind and headed to Nashville with a solo singing contract in hand. Now Ava has spent the past five and a half years trying to make a life for herself and getting over the one man who held and then broke her heart. Meanwhile, Jace has spent the same time becoming a music sensation with only one regret: walking out on Ava.

Hold Her Again is another delightful (and probably my favorite) holiday-themed romance novella from Shannon Stacey. The night that Jace walked away to make it big was the night that Ava gave up on all of her dreams. Right from the start of the book, I was all “Team Ava”, and I couldn’t conceive of any situation that would put the pair back together. There is absolutely no doubt that Jace made the wrong choice five and a half years ago, and Ava’s hurt is deep. But Ms. Stacey puts together a genuine reconciliation that had my heart beating faster and brought a few tears to my eyes. It is hard to get over that kind of soul-deep hurt, but it is equally difficult to show honest regret and prove the apologies are sincere.

Ms. Stacey won me over with small gestures, while simultaneously moving the couple closer together over a short period of time. And it works because it is obvious this couple never stopped loving one another.

“The connection between them was still strong, and she thought of it like an invisible tread that was slowly darning the hole he’d left in her heart.”

Ava and Jace have that true love that lasts because they are “meant to be”, and after time, they realize second chances are worth the risk.

While Hold Her Again has a Christmas-themed setting, it’s a wonderful gift to give yourself any time of the year. Second-chance, feel-good romances are a weakness of mine, and Hold Her Again is a wonderful fit.

My Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot

When Jace and Ava left their little town to make it in the music industry, neither one of them knew that it would only be Jace that would be offered the opportunity for the big time. He decides he wants it, and leaves the love of his life behind as he heads for Nashville and skyrockets to success.

Ava returns home to her little town, her heart broken. She doesn't hear from Jace except for the hit song he wrote for her that stirs up all sorts of memories she doesn't want to hear about or face. I don't blame her. But when Jace returns home to lay his father to rest, there's no way Ava will be able to avoid Jace.

Hold Her Again answers the story of whether Ava can forgive Jace for what he did, and whether Jace can have it all, including Ava when he returns to Nashville. There's still love between these two and they have to work through their past hurts to see if the love between them can thrive again.

This was the perfect Sunday afternoon read for me. It's Shannon Stacey, so the writing is definitely good as are the portrayal of all the different emotions that Ava and Jace must face with his return to town. It wasn't easy for Ava to forgot how Jace devastated her, but there is still a spark between them, and that kept me reading until the very last page.

Hold Her Again is a very sweet second chance novella that is just perfect for when you are looking for something a bit shorter than a full-length novel, but it still packs all the emotions between the pages.

An ARC was provided for review.

A well crafted, deeply emotional, second chance story of high school sweethearts who once wanted to reach the stars together but life and need for success draw them apart.
Ever read one of those stories that pulverize your heart to dust with the angst, anger, and despair? Yes, Hold Her Again has those deep, dark emotions of pain, desertion, and guilt, having been left behind to seek fame and money.
I enjoyed both of the lead characters. Ava Wright was a strong woman, she was comfortable with her life, she was not ashamed of her feelings. She was open about the pain and sorrow she had gone through when Jace Morrow left her behind, and she had no desire to go through that dark valley again.
Jace Morrow had it all, fame, successful career, all the possibilities he could dream of, and the money to make them into a reality. The only mistake he made, was leaving Ava behind to seek the stardom. He missed her daily, made hit songs about the yearning towards her, yet it took six years, and his father death, to seek a contact with her again.
The small town is charming, the preparations for the holidays engaging, it was easy to immerse myself into the story and let the multitude of feelings overtake my mind and heart, from the regrets to joy and jubilee, all the feels were there, tangible and real.
With the shorter length of the story, I felt that the repentance and the awakening of the adoration and admiration anew was a little short lived. Yet with the epilogue, the author brought all the doubts and questions into a lovely, complete, and satisfying ending.
A sweet, and captivating story about forgiveness, forever kind of love between soulmates, about small-town Christmas jubilation, and finding your place, your purpose, and aiming for your goals and dreams.
~ Four Spoons

Hold Her Again by Shannon Stacey (contemporary, novella, Carina, October 2017)
 

 
Summary:
Ava Wright isn't happy to see her high school sweetheart rolling into their hometown a few weeks before Christmas. He's only come back to bury his estranged father, but there's no way she'll be able to avoid him. No one can: he's become a country-music superstar since going solo and leaving Ava behind.
 

Jace Morrow grew up believing "money can't buy happiness" was something people said to make themselves feel better. But now he knows it's the truth: no matter how many number-one hits he has, he'll never recapture the magic of singing with Ava. Missing her—loving her—and living with making the wrong choice in life were what made him who he is.
 
When Jace is roped into being part of the town's annual Christmas party, he only cares about earning Ava's forgiveness. And though Ava's heart has never healed, she loved Jace too much and for too long to shut him out when he's hurting. As they fall in love all over again, they're both faced with choices for their future…and this time Jace intends to make the right one.
 
Review:
Hold Her Again by Shannon Stacey is small-town, holiday romance that will embrace readers hearts with warm and fuzzy hugs. Jace Morrow is a country-music star who returns to his hometown after his father dies. He can’t escape Ava Wright, the woman he loved but left when offered a chance at stardom.
 
Neither Jace nor Ava has forgotten the other. Ava has never been able to get over Jace, but also hasn’t been able to get over the fact that he broke her heart when he chose his career over her. Meanwhile Jace regrets leaving Ava the way he did and knows that he still loves her. He isn’t sure if she will give him the time of day though.
 
Ava can’t avoid Jace, however. The town is too small and they have too many friends in common. Also, Jace gets hijacked into helping with the town’s annual holiday festivities which puts him into even further contact with Ava. Being home gives him time to reflect upon his relationship with Ava, on the way that he hurt her and what he wants for his future. He also has to deal with his past. His relationship with his father had been contentious, so things are very emotional for the singer as he has to deal with his father’s house and belongings.
 
Jace is so earnest and open about his feelings that it is at times difficult to believe that he was the same man who once hurt Ava so deeply. Meanwhile, Ava is reluctant to trust again. She has concerns about the future and whether or not she could ever fit into Jace’s superstar life. Ava has to face her fears before these two can reach their HEA. But fortunately, Christmas morning is the time for miracles to happen.
 
Reading Hold Her Again is like being wrapped up in a warm, cozy blanket while it is snowing outside. There is wonderful emotion, the protective embrace of small-town friends and family, and a hero who owns up to his past mistakes. This one is a perfect holiday read.
 
Shannon Stacey: http://shannonstacey.com/
 
Book Disclosure: An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

The danger of falling for a Shannon Stacey novel is that the love affair ends far too soon. I guess that proves to be both a good and bad trait. Good in the sense that I can finish in one sitting. Bad in the sense it's hard to come to the end. Hold Her Again is romance at it's sweetest and attraction at it's most hot. Jace and Ava are a volcano of emotions. From bittersweet longing to a towering inferno of heat, the outpouring of heart and the chance to begin again is as tempting as the season itself. Let the seduction begin.

4 stars

Hold Her Again by Shannon Stacey is a well written and enjoyable second chance love story.
I enjoyed the plot, it held my interest all throughout the book, I found myself turning the pages late into the night as I didn't want to put it down.

It was heartwarming watching Jace and Ava get their second chance at love, these two never stopped loving each other and while life was good there was something missing. And that something was each other.

Hold Her Again a sweet second chance romance that will touch your heart and perfect for the upcoming holiday season.

*Purchase Links*
Kindle: http://amzn.to/2hHJs20
iBooks: http://apple.co/2vjhAEy
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2uDz9wU
Nook: http://bit.ly/2fqCwFS
Google: http://bit.ly/2vjFJdW
Carina Press: http://bit.ly/2wFwhkP

*A big thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*

Shannon Stacey always seems to come up with the most wonderful and emotional holiday stories and she doesn't disappoint with this one. I adored this book. My only real complaint is that it's too short. I wanted more!

In this fantastic second chance story Jace Morrow returns to make things right with the one woman he can't get over. Five years ago he knows he broke Ava's heart but he thought it was the right thing to do. Now he knows what a mistake it was and will do anything for a second chance.

Great read that's perfect for the season. I definitely recommend it.

Wow just another book I totally love by this amazing author. One of my favourites authors and book. If your a hopeless romantic like me then this book is for you as it surely delivers it in spades and more. Very hard to put down and never wanted it to end. Would highly recommend this book and all Shannon Stacey books 😊

This a classic second chance story. Jace Morrow and Ava Wright were a young talented musical couple. They had hoped to one day hit it big in country music as a duo. Moving to St. Louis, Missouri they took a first step at getting that when Jace is offered a chance at mega success but without Ava. He takes it leaving Ava in the dust. Now several years later Jace's father dies bringing him back home for a funeral and a chance to see Ava. No real surprises in this story. Jace and Ava were both young when Jace left her but maturity has helped both see that mistakes were made on both their parts. Jace has to work and getting Ava back have no doubts there. It's a nice evening read you can sit back and enjoy with just enough angst and emotion to be enjoyable.

Stacey give us Ava and Jace and a quick, solid read. Ava was quick to forgive and deserves her HEA.

This review will post on 10/23 at www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews.com I have already put it on Goodreads.

4.5 stars

What a beautiful and touching love story Hold Her Again was. Shannon Stacey always makes my heart sing with her books and this one was no different.

The story of Ava and Jace was a bittersweet but beautiful one. They were meant to be together but circumstances, broken promises and broken hearts were keeping them apart. When they finally do get together, it’s perfect, fitting but, did Ava really forgive Jace for the decision he made 5 years ago?

I couldn’t blame Ava for her feelings or for the way she treated Jace when he came back to town. She felt betrayed and didn’t know how to get over loving the man that held her heart since they were teenagers and threw it away for a chance at fame. But, she knew she couldn’t ignore him or the reason why he was back in town. The townspeople were just waiting for her to break down and she wouldn’t give that to them. But, she had a huge heart … she may not have been able to forgive him but she couldn’t let him wallow in sadness either.

Jace knew he made a mistake 5 years ago and has been trying to find a way to make it right. He didn’t want to push her but he did want her to talk to him, listen to him. He knows that he will grovel if that’s what it takes. When she finally does agree to talk, he couldn’t be happier. Now, he will have the chance to tell her how empty life is without her.

I couldn’t stop reading this story. I knew that Shannon Stacey would find a way to bring the two of them together again. I just didn’t know how she was going to get Ava over the heartbreak. But, she did it beautifully. She did it with grace and elegance. Then, I shed a few tears at the end with a stunning happily-ever-after that really brought this story full-circle.

A sweet heartfelt Christmastime romance from Shannon Stacey. These two have this baggage that you don't actually get to open until 60% through, so it didn't seem like they had much time to work through it before you get to the end. But, I loved the sentiment and I always like Ms. Stacey's characters. I loved the ending!

I've been a Shannon Stacey fan since the first Kowalski romance and I don't see that changing anytime soon. She has a gift for contemporary romance, especially as it relates to showing the bonds between family and friends.

Hold her Again is a second chance novella that you reminisce about your own, one that got away story. It’s charming, with a lot of heart and the perfect amount of heat.

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

If you can't already tell, we're heading into the holiday season. And nothing points to this more than the release of books that have a Christmas theme or take place during and / or around Christmastime. I'll usually find myself reading at least a couple of books that take place during the holidays and Hold Her Again is the first of the year for me.

Once upon a time, Jace and Ava had plans. They were going to go to Nashville and make it big singing together. Well, all plans changed when Jace was offered the opportunity of a lifetime and decided to leave Ava behind. Ava returned to their small town of Cottonwood Creek, Missouri with her heart broken and her love of singing shattered.

Now, six years later, Jace returns to bury his father, and finally face up to what he did to Ava. He's never stopped loving her, and Ava feels the same, but can they move forward despite Jace's past decisions still weighing so heavily on the present?

I really enjoyed this novella. I thought that Shannon Stacey did a wonderful job really conveying the emotions surrounding Ava and Jace's relationship. I loved that there wasn't an easy answer. It was easy to see things from both Jace and Ava's sides, although I'll admit I side more with Ava's hurt as she lost not only the person she wanted to build a life with (and said he wanted to build a life with her too), but the way she lost it caused her to lose her love of singing and writing which was heartbreaking.

It's a story that shows that sometimes you can't really put the past behind you, but you have to decide if you can move forward. Jace's accomplishments from his decision to leave Ava and pursue the career he had always dreamed of cannot be denied, and really besides leaving Ava - which he regrets everyday since it happened - he's worked hard to get where he's at.I think Ava is faced with a tough decision. She may still have feelings for Jace, but everywhere she looks she's reminded of the fact that he left her. I think I mainly loved that there's really not an easy solution because you can't erase what's already happened.

I think the novella length was perfect for this quandary because it's kept from going back and forth too much from the past to the present. The ruminations are kept from becoming too repetitive. It's a sweet second-chance romance.

Hold Her Again is a beautiful, sweet second chance romance. I really enjoyed this short story and would recommend it to readers.