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calliek927's review
4.0
Ok, J.J. Knight is one of my new favorite rom-com authors! And I MUST read all the Pickle books. I loved this book. Rory and Mack are just so fricken perfect for each other, and it's damn disgusting.
2 for law student rivals who had an intense 2-year-long sexual relationship reunite. And it picks up where it left off, and then poof, it ends just like it did...
I loved the characters and their building in this, and this book has me wanting more of The Pickle Family series!
4.25 for sure, possibly even a 4.5. Love it.
2 for law student rivals who had an intense 2-year-long sexual relationship reunite. And it picks up where it left off, and then poof, it ends just like it did...
I loved the characters and their building in this, and this book has me wanting more of The Pickle Family series!
4.25 for sure, possibly even a 4.5. Love it.
smalltownbookmom's review
4.0
A steamy dual perspective, second chance at love holiday romance with tons of heart! I will never look at a mall santa the same way again! Sure there was a lot of delicious open door scenes in this book but it was also all about family and the ways that that simple acts of kindness can mean so much at Christmas. Thoroughly loved these characters and I can't wait to read more about the Pickle brothers books! Great on audio too.
andreatorres's review
4.0
4.25⭐️ The Perfect Christmas Read!
This book has been on my TBR since last Christmas, and I never got around to it. Until now. And I’m so, so glad I gave this book a chance. The cover is not my favourite, and although they say to not judge a book by its cover, I’ve gotten pretty good at telling if I’ll enjoy a book or not by the cover and blurb. Or so I thought. I picked up this book with very little expectations. Second chance romances are usually a bust for me, since I always think the reason why the MCs broke up in the first place is reason enough to stay away. Not this time.
Rory left Mack behind after law school with little to no explanation, moved to the other side of the country after a two year relationship because she knew it would be the best move for her career. Now, over a decade later, she’s heard Mack is working as a mall Santa… And she can’t help but go check it out for herself.
This book was absolutely wonderful. It’s Christmassy, it’s angsty in the best way, the chemistry between the MCs is insane... And although there were a couple details that were not my favourite, I know it’s a personal opinion and others won't have trouble with it. This book did just what I wanted to do, though – it put me in the Christmas spirit. So much so, that I’ve decided to put up my Christmas tree right after I’m done writing this review. Nov 30th is officially the holiday season, right?
I’m also definitely checking out the rest of the Pickle Series, because this is my first JJ Knight, but I’ll make sure it’s not my last.
⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.25 / 5
This book has been on my TBR since last Christmas, and I never got around to it. Until now. And I’m so, so glad I gave this book a chance. The cover is not my favourite, and although they say to not judge a book by its cover, I’ve gotten pretty good at telling if I’ll enjoy a book or not by the cover and blurb. Or so I thought. I picked up this book with very little expectations. Second chance romances are usually a bust for me, since I always think the reason why the MCs broke up in the first place is reason enough to stay away. Not this time.
Rory left Mack behind after law school with little to no explanation, moved to the other side of the country after a two year relationship because she knew it would be the best move for her career. Now, over a decade later, she’s heard Mack is working as a mall Santa… And she can’t help but go check it out for herself.
This book was absolutely wonderful. It’s Christmassy, it’s angsty in the best way, the chemistry between the MCs is insane... And although there were a couple details that were not my favourite
Spoiler
like the fact that Rory doesn’t ever have sex with anyone else but Mack IN HER ENTIRE LIFEI’m also definitely checking out the rest of the Pickle Series, because this is my first JJ Knight, but I’ll make sure it’s not my last.
⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.25 / 5
lisaluvsliterature's review
5.0
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!
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
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!
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
inkiereads's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
A great read to relax during Christmas!
Steam: explicit open door
Steam: explicit open door
lauriereadsrom1's review
5.0
Corporate attorney Rory Sheffield and sports agent Mack McAllister dated for two years during law school but went their separate ways after graduation. Rory took a job in Boston, while Mack moved to Los Angeles. Ten years later, they're both living in Los Angeles when Rory learns that her old flame has taken on a side hustle as a mall Santa. Determined to solve the mystery of why Mack would do such a thing when it seems so unlike the man she used to know, she tracks him down and accidentally causes a scene while waiting in line to sit on Santa's lap. Fortunately, Mack recognizes her immediately and is happy to reconnect. It's not long before their old feelings reignite, but just as it always has, career comes first for workaholic Rory. Can a little holiday magic help her and Mack overcome their differences and make their relationship work this time around?
Mack and Rory were such a great couple! They had both grown and changed in the years they were apart, but the chemistry between them was as strong as ever, and I loved the way they bantered and teased each other. Their relationship in law school was mostly based on crazy antics and an intense physical connection, but when they met again ten years later, their emotional connection grew quickly. The exact circumstances weren't the same, but they were both dealing with difficult family situations, which seemed to create a bond between them that wasn't there before.
Given the setup, this story easily could have become silly or turned into a slapstick comedy, but instead, it was truly fun and lighthearted with just the right balance of steam and emotion. I loved "Second Chance Santa" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance, holiday romance, and romantic comedy. I look forward to whatever the author writes next!
*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Enticing Journey Book Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.
Mack and Rory were such a great couple! They had both grown and changed in the years they were apart, but the chemistry between them was as strong as ever, and I loved the way they bantered and teased each other. Their relationship in law school was mostly based on crazy antics and an intense physical connection, but when they met again ten years later, their emotional connection grew quickly. The exact circumstances weren't the same, but they were both dealing with difficult family situations, which seemed to create a bond between them that wasn't there before.
Given the setup, this story easily could have become silly or turned into a slapstick comedy, but instead, it was truly fun and lighthearted with just the right balance of steam and emotion. I loved "Second Chance Santa" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance, holiday romance, and romantic comedy. I look forward to whatever the author writes next!
*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Enticing Journey Book Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.
ratetheromance's review
4.0
If you are looking for some serious STEAM amidst of sea of G-rated Holiday Romances,
lowkeyreader's review
4.0
I think this is a good second chance story with enough humour, steam, and fun. I really liked Mack and Rory's storyline. It was intriguing and kept my attention to see what's going to happen next between them. But it's not all fun with these two because they have their own issues too that they never told each other when they dated years ago. So now they're getting to know each other better than they did before. I enjoyed their story thoroughly.
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