I really liked this book. It is a wonderful second chance at love romance. I loved the characters, well most of them anyway. The author Casey Dawes developed well rounded characters, to the point that you can love or hate them. The story invoked some drastic emotions in me. I LOVED the protectiveness that Findlay had for Kerry Anne. I really enjoyed how Reese was determined to show Findlay how he as changed, and is worth giving their relationship going forward a chance.
There is some intrigue in this book, some things that will keep you guessing.
The book left me with some unanswered questions that, for me, needed to be answered in regard to the relationship between Findlay and Reese’s father. I think there needed to be… stop no spoilers, and I do not want to give anything away.
This is the first book I have read by Ms. Dawes, and I will certainly pick up more of her books in the future. I really liked her writing style.
Thank you NetGalley and Adams Media, Crimson Romance for the gift of this book. I really enjoyed reading it.
Thank you for reading my review.

Poor kid.

Small world. Li would have known, though. Sneaky woman.

Geez, Father of the Year. Not.

Sam is a spy. Nosy old man...

I bet her father was having an affair with his mom, and his dad found out.

Her ex is such a twit.

Well, I hate the therapist. Is she related to Chris, or maybe sleeping with him?

She's as stubborn as an old mule.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

Loved that this book had a great second chance romance along with some intrigue thrown in! Throughout their lives, you see the growth from their first time dating until the end of the book, Reese moved on from the dumb 16 year old who dumped his girlfriend, Findlay, and was so very patient with her.

Findlay was back home after her divorce and Reese was right when he called her on her attitude toward her ex, Chris. She was finally able to see that Chris also needed a second chance as he was facing some of his problem areas.

It was great that Findlay and Reese were able to work together and solve the old mystery of who was the real embezzler, and clear Findlay's father.

Great romance with a bit of intrigue and mystery thrown into the mix, and a HEA Christmas ending!

Second Chance Christmas is an intriguing mix of suspense, mystery, romance and a Christmas setting (for the majority of the story). I wouldn’t really call it a Christmas Romance myself, but there is a definite holiday feel to large portions of the story. The story is a suspenseful mystery with the possibility of a second chance at love for two people who as teenagers had the world ahead of them, a life time of loving each other until someone framed Findlay’s father for embezzlement and he took his own life. In one fell swoop Findlay not only lost her father, her family’s good name but the boy she loved when his father commanded him to break off their relationship. They were sixteen and they already knew true, devastating heartbreak.

Findlay moved away, married and had a daughter… and a nasty divorce. She’s returned home to provide a safe haven for her daughter’s special learning needs, prove to her ex-husband and the courts that Kelly Anne is best cared for in her custody and try to pick up the pieces of her shattered life, once again.

First on her list is a desperately needed job. When the only one that is available right now is at her father’s old company she hesitates, but no one seems to remember her so maybe this will work… or not. Reese is incredulous to find Findlay working at the company. He’s returned home from a diplomatic career to run the company as his father recovers from a heart attack. Discovering the daughter of the partner who betrayed him working there will probably send him into another heart attack. Then history seems to be repeating itself with small financial coding mistakes, then more until it’s obvious that what happened in the past is directed toward Findlay this time. Now it’s a rush to find out who framed her father before… and who is out to frame her today.

There are several story lines within Second Chance Christmas. While not confusing, it is enough to keep you on your toes and paying attention. Reese and Findlay still have feelings or more truthfully never really lost their love for each other. Mistrust, suspicions and life battering events will make it difficult for either to truly trust the other. Their past has to be dealt with before they can move on, and to have Reese’s trust will go a long way to allowing Findlay to see the good in anyone again.

I enjoyed this one, it set up a fascinating overall tale. There is more mystery and suspense than romance, in my opinion. Having former teenage lovers come back together amidst mistrust and issues makes Reese and Findlay really work for the romance aspect. There were times when my frustration levels with Findlay were through the roof. She cannot trust, she cannot see any other view except her own – ever. Yes, she’s been hurt beyond belief by events in her life but she is also making her own problems increase with her attitude. She’ll not find happiness until she can loosen up and believe in people again.

I would recommend this story to any reader who enjoys suspense, putting together the puzzle pieces and believes in second chances… in more ways than only romance.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

3.5 stars - Findley & Reese were a teenage couple torn apart by family & drama. Their fathers were friends & owned a company together until there was a betrayal & a death. Years later, Findley moves back into town with her special needs daughter & ends up working for the company Reese is managing for his father. The chemistry is still there but Findley doesn't trust him not to leave again. They decide to investigate the past events & grow closer. Will they find the truth? Will Findley give Reese another chance?

The plot is realistic & moves at a decent pace. The characters were well defined. This is unusual for me but I really couldn't warm up to Findley's character. I kept expecting her to put her daughter's feelings first but in trying to protect her, her feelings were the first thing hurt. There were a lot of things to like about this book (the character development, the plot, other characters) but if I can't connect with the main characters, I can't get into the story.

2.5☆
What I liked:
The writing style
Standalone
HEA

What I didn't like:
Findlay

I had a hard time staying interested in the story.