The Season of Second Chances—two novellas

by Kristina McMorris and T. Greenwood

I do not usually choose novellas and in the case of The Season of Second Chances, my thought was that this is a novel written by Kristina McMorris and T. Greenwood as a joint effort. I had read two works of historical by McMorris and consider her a very good author. It was on the basis of my appreciation for her work that I selected this book. I was unfamiliar with the work of T. Greenwood.

The Christmas Collector is McMorris’ contribution. It is the story of Jenna, a woman who inventories and prices goods in preparation for estate sales. In performing her job she has to confront her widowed mother’s addiction as a recovering hoarder and her fears that she too will become a hoarder. One of Jenna’s clients needs to move in with her adult children as she is loosing her ability physically to live alone. Her grandson Reece is initially resistant to that idea. Reece and Jenna are drawn together over a mystery box that holds secrets of his grandmother’s past. Sadly, this book is the perfect example of an excellent plot idea with multiple threads but not enough time or room in a novella to flesh out the characters.

Greenwood’s contribution, Gifted, is that rare novella that has an appropriately limited number of characters. The author jumps in with chapters that alternate between two storylines, and each time the reader finishes one chapter, the next chapter will demand attention. Each storyline equally clamors to be continued. Alex, a talented ballet dancer, is 19 years old and has given up her life to advance in ballet, pleasing her mother who because of an early pregnancy had to abandon her own career goals. Sofia is a 54 year old birth doula. She loves her mother, but she never had a close relationship with Simone who as an itinerant classical violinist spent much time traveling. When Sofia’s father dies, she finds that Simone has Alzheimer’s and needs Sofia to care for her. In her panic to locate her mother who goes missing on Christmas Eve, Sofia learns that they had a closer relationship than Sofia ever imagined. The author does a beautiful job of tying these two stories together.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Christmas Collector

Rating: 3/5

Category: Women’s Fiction, Novella

Publication: August 22, 2023—Kensington

Memorable Lines:

Business and pleasure don’t mix, she reminded herself, citing her boss’s basic rule. A clichéd concept but valid nonetheless. In fact, it was one her father had bulldozed right through, leaving Jenna and her mother in his trampled wake.

Disposing of others’ items had always brought relief—at least until the craving returned. Which it always did. Like an addiction, some might say. Like cigarettes or alcohol, or…hoarding.

Reporting the winter weather in Portland—rain, drizzle, downpour—had to be as thrilling as reporting sunshine in Arizona.

Gifted

Rating: 5/5

Category: Women’s Fiction, Novella

Publication: August 22, 2023—Kensington

Memorable Lines:

Her mother must have suspected something was wrong lately, because despite being a three-hour train ride away in Connecticut, she was hovering, the blades of her helicopter propeller sharp and steady and humming.

She envied that for Zu-Zu, ballet was joy, while for her, it felt like an obligation.

As she looked at the woman in the photo, her clear blue eyes and confident smile, she thought about how easy it was to lose your way, to forget why you were here. How easy it was to find yourself lost.

This book has two wonderful Christmas stories. The Christmas Collector by Ms. McMorris is about Jenna working as a home down-sizer. She is helping Stella getting her house ready to sell and move in with her son and his wife. Stella's grandson is against the move thinking his parents are rain roading her. He soon discovers that Stella can't live alone and helps is sorry he gave Jenna such a hard time.
Book 2, Gifted by T. Greenwood is the story of an 80 year old woman with dementia and a young ballerina who has just been fired from the production of the Nutcracker. The books is narrated by 3 women whose lives meet and intertwine. A beautiful Christmas story.

Two poignantly designed stories that will give you hope and just the right amount of festive spirit. The characters are lovely as is the story.

These two stories were magical, feel good stories with characters who drew me in right away. They were filled with mystery and love. Nice stories to read over holiday season.

The Season of Second Chances is a short anthology with two stories set at Christmas. Both of these stories have themes of Mothers and Daughters, reconciliation and second chances. Although not what I usually think of as Christmas stories, I loved the themes and how they relate to Christmas. THE CHRISTMAS COLLECTOR by Kristina McMorris is the first. Jenna Matthews' mother became a hoarder after her husband left her. Jenna has helped her remain on an even keel, and her job, as a professional declutterer for a company that deals with estates, has her working, even on the Thanksgiving holiday. Her most recent client has moved in with her son after a health scare. Jenna's company is helping to empty out a huge Victorian home so it can be sold. What she finds, as well as meeting the woman and her grandson has Jenna reevaluating her life. I liked where this story went. Jenna and her mom are not estranged, but have a tense relationship. There is a side story involving Estelle’s grandson, Reece, and his relationship with his girlfriend as well as his father. Estelle, has a secret she has been keeping from her family. All this meshes together well, with Jenna in the middle. I enjoyed the themes of family and reconciliation, as well as the respect given to women who served their county in the past.

The second story, GIFTED by T. Greenwood is also a story of relationships, but this one having to do with a mother pushing her daughter to fulfill her dream that was unfulfilled due to things in her life. There is a second story about a woman whose mother has dementia. She is caring for her mom, Simone, and although she loves her, she has always felt that her mom didn't love her as much as her career. When she leaves the house, because the door is left unlocked, Sophia is frantic that her mom is lost in New York City. I liked the this story a bit better than the first but they were both wonderful. The theme of parents pushing their children is a common one, and often ends in heartbreak and alienation, that is what Allie is afraid of if she quits ballet and goes home. When these two storylines came together, I loved it. This is one of those stories where I will be thinking about those characters for a long time to come. If you have ever seen The Nutcracker Ballet, it will make you want to see it again with new eyes. I enjoyed this book more than I had anticipated.

Two great stories that ring in the Spirit of Christmas. Novels about love, relationships, and finding your heart’s desire.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

2 very different Christmas stories by 2 different authors. Not your typical holiday stories, which I appreciated! Very heartwarming, sad, but yet hopeful. I really enjoyed these stories and will look for other books by these authors.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kensington Books for my copy of The Season of Second Chances by Kristina McMorris; Tammy Greenwood in exchange for an honest review. It published August 22, 2023.
Well, I devoured these two sweet stories! I did not think I would fly through these as quickly as I did, as I typically don't like short stories, but I've read Kristina McMorris before, and wanted to check this out. I am so glad I did! These did not feel like short stories at all! They had so much heart and depth, I loved both stories, and both sets of characters. The character development was so wonderful for both stories and I truly felt like I got to know everyone! Another bonus for these is although they're set at Christmas, they don't focus on Christmas, so really, you could read them any time of the year!

The Season Of Second Chances is a quick holiday collection with two short stories written by Kristina McMorris and Tammy Greenwood. This was such an emotional story, even heart breaking at times. If you have read other works by these two authors, you know they excel at writing emotional family stories and yet they brought us another one. Christmas stories aren't always going to be snowy and happy, sometimes they are going to be heart breaking and full of emotional damage. Both of these novellas are completely different, yet they are paired with the holiday theme. I absolutely adored both of these stories even though they brought tears to my eyes. The cover caught my attention, but at the same time it doesn't do the stories justice. Just by looking at the cover, I didn't think this book would make me shed tears, but as I kept reading, I kept shedding tears throughout the entire book. Both stories deal with love, forgiveness, and finding your heart's desire during the hardest times. Despite how different both of these stories are from each other, they both make for a heart felt holiday read. If you're looking for an emotional Christmas story, then look no further than The Season Of Second Chances. I can't recommend this book enough if you are looking for a holiday read that will make you shed tears.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND KENSINGTON BOOKS FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!

The Christmas Collector by Kristina McMorris- Jenna Matthews has made a career out of decluttering other people's lives. After a childhood marked by her mother's hoarding, it feels satisfying for Jenna to sort and evaluate other people's possessions. Jenna likes to sort people's possessions in certain categories, like the shoe box of WWII memorabilia she finds in an elderly clients home. Jenna finds so many possessions in this client's home that she feels like it can create a new unexpected path for many involved by these hidden secrets that have just been discovered thanks to Jenna.

Gifted by Tammy Greenwood- Christmas Even in New York City is always a portrait in holiday cheer, from the snowy grounds, to all the glittering Christmas lights and decorations. Yet Alex, who is a young ballerina has just been ousted from her ballet company. After Alex gets ousted, she's planning a bittersweet homecoming. That is until Alex crosses paths with a complete stranger. At eighty years old, Simone's memory is rapidly failing, she just can't seem to remember anything, but something has led Simone back to the place where she began her career as a professional violinist. Different as both women may be, Simone and Alex both understand the nature of ambition, self doubt, joy and regret.

This is a delightful combination of two stories that you can't miss for the Christmas season. Kristina McMorris, as always, draws you into the story as if you are living it. This is the first time I have read Tammy Greenwood. She has this same talent. Don't miss this book for your Christmas holidays.

Two short holiday stories, one book.

In the first story, Jenna is an estate salesperson. She has always felt she was doing people a service, helping them to separate the contents of their lives into 3 bins: donate, sell or trash. Of course, she also has the opportunity to sort through those contents, finding hidden gems (sometimes literally) and making a nice profit off the sales. When her latest client's grandson confronts her and questions her motives, she is forced to rethink her career decisions and their impact on others.

Alex, Sofia and Simone are the main characters in the second story, each at a turning point of her own. Alex is a young ballerina who is starting to question whether the goal she worked for since she was a child is really her dream, or is it just what her mother wants her to do? Simone is suffering dementia, and her daughter Sofia is her caregiver with a separate career of her own. When Simone leaves her home in the middle of the night, Sofia is distraught trying to find her. A silver alert brings Alex to realize who Simone is, and maybe make her choices more clear.

Thanks to the authors, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Two totally different stories of second chances but both are great reads.. I recommend this book and give it 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

The Season of Second Chances contains The Christmas Collector by Kristina McMorris and Gifted by T. Greenwood. I admit that I have a penchant for stories featuring the holidays and the magic that happens during that time of year. I have mixed feelings about The Season of Second Chances. The Christmas Collector had potential. It is told from Jenna and Reece’s point of view. I did find the story easy to read, but I did not feel that the characters were developed. There are repetitive details. I liked the grandmother’s story. I did feel that the romance portion was rushed. It is a nice story, but I did not feel the spirit of the season. Gifted by T. Greenwood is a story that I found depressing. The characters are developed and realistic. Neither Alex nor Sofia have had the best maternal relationships. I like how the Nutcracker ties into the story. There is a special scene at Union Station that I thought was sweet. A theme that resonates through both stories is finding your heart’s desire. I felt that the stories lacked joy, especially Gifted. Holiday stories should make you smile and put you in the mood for the holidays. Neither of the stories fulfilled those goals for me.

Two favorite powerhouse bestselling authors, T. Greenwood (Tammy) and Kristina McMorris, come together for a beautiful holiday Christmas collection, THE SEASON OF SECOND CHANCES —two heart-stirring stories of joy, love, forgiveness, family, motherhood, ambition, art, memory, miracles, and second chances.

~THE CHRISTMAS COLLECTOR by Kristina McMorris
We meet Jenna, who works for an estate sale company. She is to clear out the estate of Estelle Porter. In the process, she discovers a secret. Estelle has hidden her achievements from her family. Jenna finds WWII memorabilia, a photo of an army nurse, a medal, and a young serviceman. We also meet Reece, the grandson, and the family. In the process of Estelle's story, Jeanna finds a little romance for herself.

As always, McMorris (historical queen) brings her characters to life from past to present in this beautiful story of forgiveness, redemption, family, and memories. I enjoyed the note from the author and her personal experience. Many people in this era keep things private about their past; however, they always have fascinating stories.

Check out Kristina's The Ways We Hide, narrated by Cassandra Campbell. A riveting tale of a woman whose recruitment to British intelligence during WWII leads to a harrowing journey of love, betrayal, and a deadly game of chance.


~GIFTED by T. Greenwood is a fascinating story of two families— mothers and daughters. Set in New York on Christmas Eve, how will these two women's paths connect? Told from POV: Sofia, Alex, and past—Simone

We meet Sofia, single, a birth doula who cares for her mother, Simone. An accomplished violinist traveling the world and now has Alzheimer's. She and her husband had a beautiful romantic story-life, and he has since passed. Due to her career as a famous musician, she was gone often traveling and not always there for her daughter.

Next, we meet Alex, a nineteen-year-old ballerina who is unhappy and no longer passionate about dancing like her roommate. However, her mom lives through her as her dancing career was cut short by marriage and motherhood. This was her dream. Something happens at the last performance on stage, forcing Alex to second-guess her life as a dancer. She knows her mother will be devastated.

Simone goes missing on Christmas Eve, and she and Alex meet by chance leading us to an emotionally poignant scene when the two unlikely characters meet for a moving breathtaking performance finale. Two different artists at different places in their lives collaborate to create a moment of grace. Both women struggle with ambition, self-doubt, joy, and regret.

I loved this story! Trust me; it will move you and bring tears to your eyes. My favorite Christmas story this year! I adore T. Greenwood, a huge long-time fan, having read all her books. As in her previous work, the author shines regarding stories of art, ambition, mothers, and daughters. This magical story will warm your heart if you love New York at Christmas. I enjoyed the note from the author.

Tammy is the mother of a professional ballet dancer. I look forward to reading her upcoming novel, The Still Point coming Feb 20, 2024, about a pre-professional ballet conservatory and the mothers of the dancers who train there. I have the ARC and cannot to read!

Both stories were endearing; however, I resonated more with GIFTED, a favorite. Thank you, Tammy, for telling this story!

Thanks to Kensington Books for an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.

Blog review posted@
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Aug 22, 2023
My Rating: 5 Stars
Aug 2023 Must-Read Books

Thank you to the authors, Kensington Books and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book has two novellas by two different authors, which could feel random. However, they harmonize well due to the overarching themes of love, hope, and what a second chance can look like. I loved that both stories centered an old(er) woman, and explored the effects of memories on them and those near to them - even if their loved ones were not always aware of the past that had created those memories. Both stories give a hopeful perspective looking forward, without becoming saccharine. Lovely short reads.

Both of these novellas are about love, forgiveness and the importance of memories as we age. In both stories the central characters are two women, one old and one young. Although there is romance in the first story, it’s almost incidental to the relationships between the women and their families. The Christmas setting feels very appropriate for the theme of family reconciliation. Although I enjoyed both novellas, the first one resonated more with me.

The Season of Second Chances is two stories by two different authors, but both carry the same message of hope and promise. The first is about a woman who sells other people’s belongings for them. But then she discovers a picture from someone’s past and realizes that sometimes, life is in the “things”. The other story is about an elderly woman with dementia and a young ballerina trying to figure out life. When the two meet, they make something beautiful. These were very sweet stories and I really enjoyed them! Thanks #NetGalley and the publisher. .

It's been a hot summer here in Florida so the chance to think about cooler weather and the holidays was a welcome reprieve.

The Season of Second Chances is actually two novellas, quite different from each other, yet similar in the fact that they both focus on the importance of family.

In THE CHRISTMAS COLLECTOR by Kristina McMorris, we're introduced to Jenna, who works for an estate sale company. She's tasked with clearing out the house of Estelle Porter, who has secret that Jenna uncovers. Estelle's story is sad as she felt the need to hide her achievements, yet sweet because once her family learns the truth, they're proud of her. And yes, there's some romance thrown in for good measure.

GIFTED by T. Greenwood is the story of Sofia, who cares for her mother, Simone, who has Alzheimers. We are also introduced to Alex, a ballerina, who is struggling with the decision to move forward with her dancing as she feels this is more her mom's dream than her own. Simone was a famous musician who traveled the world, putting a strain on her relationship with Sofia. The story ties together both Alex and Sofia's struggles with their moms. When Simone goes missing on Christmas Eve, Alex finds her and their talents mesh to create a beautiful ending for the book.

Though both books are set during Christmas, I wouldn't say the book is a Christmas story, yet the stories are heartwarming, nonetheless.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for gifting me an advance copy of this book.

#NetGalley #TheSeasonofSecondChances

This book is comprised of two touching novellas. Both have older women and young women who have all lost something important in their lives. They take place during the holiday season. The stories are very different and so heartwarming. Perfect holiday read to get you in sync with your feelings and the goodness in life, despite downturns and disappointments,

This book contains two unrelated stories. In the first, The Christmas Collector, Jenna Matthews is responsible for decluttering an older woman's home since she'll soon be downsizing. Along the way, she uncovers a mystery that she can't seem to let go of. In tracking down the details to answer her questions, she finds a new passion and connection with the past. It's a sweet exploration of the memories we associate with the objects around us that are priceless to us, even though they may be meaningless to others.

In the second story, Gifted, we're transported through time as Simone, a woman with dementia, navigates around New York City to recapture her lost youth. Along the way, she encounters a young woman, Alex, who is questioning her future and what she wants out of life. As different as they are, their impact on each other's life is profound.

Personally, I resonated more with Gifted than with The Christmas Collector, mostly because I love someone with dementia and someone who was a ballet dancer. So I could easily picture them in this story. But both stories were enjoyable.

Thank you to Kristina McMorris, Tammy Greenwood, Kensington Books and NetGalley for an advance review copy.