“An absolutely heartwarming and thoroughly absorbing Christmas read” that brings together sweet romance and holiday cheer (Books and Me). For Melissa, Christmas has never been a very happy time. From her cold, distant parents to her manipulative ex-husband, Lawrence, she’s never experienced the warmth of the festive season, with a big happy family sitting around the table. Melissa is used to … table.
Melissa is used to going without the holiday spirit, but it breaks her heart to see what it’s doing to her seven-year-old son, William. While most little boys wait with excitement for the big day, William finds it difficult to believe that Father Christmas even exists.
Then the charming, kind-hearted Daniel McCormick comes into their lives. And with his help, Melissa and William might just have a Christmas where all of their wishes come true.
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This is a story that had me smiling as I read, it is well written with a very good storyline the story flows smoothly from page to page. Melissa is divorced she was married to a man that believed if he did things she was to forgive him. When she finally takes their son William and leaves, I was rooting for her. They meet Daniel McCormick three years later, who makes them feel like this Christmas just might be special. William decides to make two Christmas wishes, one comes true and his last one has still not happened and it is New Years. I recommend this book. I received an Arc through Netgalley and I am voluntary reviewing.
Most people think of Christmas as a joyous season, the main character in Kathryn Freeman’s A Second Christmas Wish, Melissa has had a few Christmases that weren’t so joyous. Can Melissa’s stroke of bad luck be turned around by a handsome tennis player named Daniel?
In the beginning of the story we meet Melissa who is under the controlling thumb of her soon to be ex -husband, Lawrence. During a Christmas dinner in front guests and their small son he lets the cat out of the bag that Melissa no longer wants to be with him. He also tells his son that Father Christmas does not exist. Melissa had begged him to stop, but in a manner typical of him he went ahead and did it anyway.
Fast forward years later, Melissa and her son are out on their own. Melissa is now a successful designer who swears off any man except for her son. Her friend Alice has some plans up her sleeve to fix that. Alice thinks that Melissa will be great with her brother Daniel. For weeks, Melissa plays cat and mouse with Daniel because like her previous relationship she feels pressured to be in something she isn’t ready for. Enter William, a shy chap who loves his mother more than anything and just wants to see her happy. Daniel puts in William’s ear that Father Christmas does still exist. Will his wishes to Father Christmas be able to put the holiday spirit back into the little boy?
It seems wishes do come true for the young and the old alike. William wishes for something materialistic along with something from the heart. His wish from the heart will make you melt and cheer for the underdog, while scolding Melissa under your breath at her stubbornness.
Kathryn Freeman gives us a heartwarming story for the season, it will leave you turning the pages to find out when Melissa gets her backbone again. This book keeps the spirit of Christmas alive for a small boy who once had his dreams crushed. And a mother who thought she would never love again. I give it a solid four stars.
A Second Christmas Wish by Kathryn Freeman is a wonderful holiday story about a young boys second wish for Father Christmas. Only William knows the purpose of his second Christmas wish!
The story begins with an unpleasant holiday meal with Melissa’s husband and in-laws. Melissa believes Christmas is a day for family, smiles, and having fun. On this holiday the turkey is too dry, the mother-in-law is too critical, and her husband Lawrence is too harsh about everything. Melissa and Lawrence have decided to divorce but she had asked her husband not to discuss it with the family during the holidays. He is very churlish and behaves badly. The tells little four year old William that Father Christmas does not exist.
The next chapter skips to Halloween three years later and Melissa is scheduling William for tennis lessons.The tennis pro now turned an instructor is the brother of Melissa’s best friend Alice. When Melissa and Daniel meet at the courts for Williams lesson, they both feel an attraction. But Melissa is very protective of her son and she has no plans for a serious romance which could possibly cause problems for William. As the holidays approach Melissa and Daniel become more than friends. This is a very sweet holiday story with a lot of serious issues to think about mixed in with the holiday cheer.
How much should a mother give up to ensure her child never feels that he is second place in her life?? Happy Holidays! (The Cover of this book is Beautiful!)
My third and final Christmas-themed ARC for awhile. This was good not great. I’m giving it a pick for its wonderful hero (the heroine not so much), but it’s really between a pick and so-so for me as it’s a bit too fluffy and stereotypical. Beautiful ex-model turned designer with son divorces her controlling hubby, falls for ex tennis star but is afraid to trust…until she’s not. 3.5/5 Thanks to NetGalley!