E-galley Review: Second Chance Santa by J.J. Knight

I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Second Chance Santa by J.J. Knight
on November 15, 2021
Genres: Adult Holiday Romance, Adult Romantic Comedy
Pages: 306
Source: the author
Format: E-galley
My Rating:
Goodreads
Buy on Amazon, Buy on Barnes & Noble

Blurb:

I never thought the love of my life would turn out to be — a mall Santa.

What has happened to Mack McAllister?

We were law school rivals.
Absolutely insane in bed.
Our two-year fling ended when we graduated.
He had his ambitions. I had mine.

We were going to slay the competition.
Now he’s sleighing it?

When I stalk him at Riverside Mall, he looks like Santa in every way. White beard. Rosy cheeks. Kid on his knee.

But I know better. That bowl full of jelly is hiding ripped abs.

I’ve been inside that suit.

Something’s happened to the Mack I knew ten years ago.

I don’t know how he feels about me now, but there’s only one way to find out.

Get in there and jingle those bells.
___________
Second Chance Santa is a holiday romantic comedy about the one who got away, the perils of resting Grinch face, and all the delicious ways to unwrap a candy cane.

My Review:

I was lucky enough to win a giveaway for a digital ARC of this from the author in her newsletter. I have loved the books in her Pickle series that I’ve read, I still need to finish that series. And I also liked Tasty Mango. Which was related to that other series as well. And I loved that this book pulled those characters in as well! I won’t say how, that would give away kind of a surprise twist in the plot.

But I started out really enjoying because it is a second chance story and I have a second chance romance I’d like to spark up myself. One thing I like about this author is that even with all the hilariousness of the things that happen and the funny banter, she not only brings the sexy times, but also gives the characters so much depth and background to give the characters more to overcome besides just the romantic aspects. I actually didn’t quite see some of what happened with these characters until it popped up.

The author did keep me hanging for a while longer with Mack’s back story, and I was anxiously turning pages (on an e-reader) to get to find out what made him take the path he was currently on.

Another part of the story that totally made me laugh was how the bit about how she had forgotten her password and had to stop and get a new link sent so she could change it and get into a website. I loved that part because while it may seem like such a mundane thing, it is honestly something that happens so often I was thrilled to see it actually put into a story. Even as small of a bit as it was, it really stood out to me that the author included those types of moments, making the story seem even more real!

Now, if only I can get Santa to bring me my own second chance romance this year!

The author did change the cover over on Amazon from what I’ve shared above, and I’m not as big of a fan because I think I’ve seen the image on other books, but I’ll share it below,

And finally, if you’d like to read my reviews of the other books related somewhat to this one, here are their links for you:

• Big Pickle
• Hot Pickle
• Tasty Mango