This book is the perfect feel good holiday read. You know how the story is going to end up, but enjoy the ride! I enjoy these heartfelt books during the holidays and this one was extremely well written.

A Chance This Christmas is a multi-layered story set in the Christmas crazed town of Yuletide. Rachel comes back after eight years after she was caught in a town scandal to attend her friend's wedding to Rachel's ex. She also meets up with longtime friend Gavin. He helps Rachel as she has to deal with a town that holds grudges. This story pushes some buttons as the "adults" of the town let a teenage girl become a scapegoat while covering up their own sins. I was also disappointed in Rachel's ex. Entertaining story!

I could easily picture this book being made into a tv movie. In a Christmas theme town, two old friends get a chance at love that they didn’t get the first time around.

Rachel Chambers left Yuletide, New York, eight years ago after a couple of embarrassing incidents that she wishes she could just forget. She returned home after making a pact with her girlfriends to make peace with the people of Yuletide and her former long-ago boyfriend who is planning on marrying her former best friend the following week. What Rachel didn’t expect was to run into her one-time crush, Gavin Blake, who is now a popular professional snowboarder. As it turns out, Gavin just might be the one who helps Rachel move away from her humiliating past and get her the respect she deserves from her hometown.

Some Christmas books you get mostly romance or too much holiday feel. But this book had a perfect balance of both. The Christmas theme town was a little bit cheesy. I would never visit it. But it fit in perfect with the story. I couldn’t help but cheer on Rachel and Gavin as their romance developed. It was just the right speed too, not too fast or dragged out too long. I was really happy when the town finally forgave accepted Rachel again. I really enjoyed this book.

A Chance This Christmas is a lovely whimsical contemporary Christmas story. Set in the town of Yuletide, where Christmas is celebrated every day, this story is a fabulous reminder of what is important at Christmas.
The stars of the show are snow boarder Gavin Blake designer Rachel Chambers, who is home eight years after scandal caused her to flee the town. The Yuetide she returns to has lost a lot of the community spirit Rachel remembers - the focus in town seems to be on the financial return to be gained from the various Christmas themed activities and shops in the town at the expense of goodwill and community spirit.
I love the way author Joanne Rock weaves Rachel’s and Gavin’s love story into their work to revitalise their home town. This, for me, is what Christmas is all about.

I received an arc copy of this book in exchange for my opinion of it. If you enjoy feel good Christmas romance stories, this has it all.

I truly enjoyed A Chance this Christmas by Joanne Rock, the third book in her Road to Romance series. When Rachel left her hometown the timing couldn’t have been worse. Her dad fled after embezzling money from the town, her ex-boyfriend hires a skywriter to propose to her, and she is caught kissing ex-boyfriend’s best friend Gavin. It was a relief for Rachel to reach design school and leave her troubles behind. Gavin attended a nearby prep school training to become a world class snowboarder. He enjoyed getting to know the teens in the town and interacting with them. After college and winning Olympic medals he returned to the town that never forgot Christmas, bought the house next door to Rachel’s mom and never forgot that kiss he shared with Rachel. When Rachel returns to Yuletide for the wedding of her best friend to her ex-boyfriend she hopes that the town will forgive her and to make amends with said ex-boyfriend. The chemistry and attraction Gavin and Rachel once shared is still there if not intensified. The more time these two spend together makes Rachel wonder if she can leave her dreams of NYC and give Gavin a second chance to explore the attraction and possible love they still share.

I really enjoyed reading this book and had trouble putting this book down, reading it in one day. Ms. Rock drew me in and did not let go until I read the last page. I definitely recommend this book to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Although I’ve had opportunities to read and review Joanne Rock novels before, I haven’t done so because those particular ones were about billionaires and that topic just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Now, after reading A Chance This Christmas I am thinking that she may even make billionaires palatable.

I loved Rachel and Gavin. It’s so obvious that they were destined for each other. I would love to have read their initial story as a YA novel and then have this where they meet up again years later attracted and yet holding back.

The flaw for me in this novel is that Rachel’s best friend and Gavin didn’t stand up for her years ago and tell the real story, that Rachel didn’t cheat when all of the townspeople think that she did, and disrespected their serving hero. I realize that these are the things that make romance novels, but when your guy and best girl friend don’t stand by you, it sucks.

All of the rest of the novel worked for me though. I loved how Rachel took the thing that she knew best, design, and made a difference in her friend’s life and made her ex-boyfriend’s sister respect her again, because that meant something to her. I loved how Gavin tried to intervene and make her life better.

If you’re looking for another book to help bring you into the holiday spirit, you might try this one on.

It’s sweet and filled with spirit and a second chance love.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As most know, I have been reading Ms. Rock since she started writing for Harlequin. I still read her Harlequin’s, her indies and now her books with Tule. Who, by the way, is one publisher that you need to be buying books from. You’d be surprised who writes for them and the books are just too good to pass up. Anyway, I never miss a chance to spotlight Ms. Rock on the blog. But, I do need to tell you before I start the review that this is book #3 in a series but they can totally be read as stand alones. I just need to go back and read the other girls stories. And yes, I have them on the Nook.

What really made the story for me is that not only is a second change story but it’s always about redemption. This town is so ugly to Rachel and in some ways to Gavin because of his association with her that I almost didn’t finish it. I know and I NEVER DNF a book but with this one, I seriously thought about it. They didn’t care about the facts about the scandal with Rachel’s dad and let’s not forget about the ex-boyfriend, Luke. Luke is a douche. Yes, I said it and Ms. Rock knows this. There is nothing to like about him at all. He treats Rachel like a piece of gum on the bottom of his shoe and never lets up. Even when his bride to be is forgiving. In fact, she wants Rachel at their wedding and makes every effort for Rachel to be included. Luke and his parents just want Rachel to be gone. Of course, I could tell the “why” but you really need to read the book to find out for yourself. I never saw it coming and in all honesty, I would have liked some more closure in regards to the town and the Harris clan.

Gavin is just too patient at times for me but he never gives up on Rachel and her acceptance back into the town and in his heart. I liked him from the start and their relationship is a slow build and emotional at times. He never had a bad thing to say about Rachel but at the same time, didn’t really stand up for her before she left. He realizes this and makes it his journey to make sure that the town sees how much they were wrong and Rachel is right. Nothing like a man standing up for his woman. I loved it. Rachel, on the other hand, wasn’t so sure about it. She really didn’t even want to be there but there she was. Her mom is a gem, too. I really liked how supportive she is of Rachel, regardless of the past and the possible future.

Overall, do yourself a favor and pick up this book. Heck, pick up any of Ms. Rock’s books. She never disappoints and always delivers the goods. Trust me and you’re welcome.

I'm a sucker for a good holiday romance book and this one fit that perfectly. I'm a Christmas nut just ask my friends and family so through the whole book I kept thinking I would love to live in Yuletide. I would fit in so perfectly. This story was great. My heart felt for Rachel. That was one thing that I didn't care for the town how the people had a grudge against Rachel and her mother. Those snobby people I could do without. I'm glad Rachel had Gavin in her corner. After learning the history between the two I was rooting for them the whole way. If anyone deserves a HEA it's definitely Rachel.

This book is about not just second chance romance, but a lot of other second chances. Rachel rekindles a relationship with an old flame and puts out other fires all over town, almost from the minute she returns home to the less charitable Christmas-themed town her father helped create then stole from.

A great series launch: the premise that a trio of gal pals make a pact, based on a radio life coach’s advice, to make peace with the past so they can move forward. That means each has to return to the place they escaped. For Rachel, that means clearing
the air with friends and a town that blamed her for her father’s sins, so she can attend her former BFF’s wedding to her ex-boyfriend, who still hates Rachel for the sins he thinks she committed —kissing another man, their other friend, at the exact moment he was trying to woo her back by skywriting a proposal in front of the entire town and her father was absconding with $14,000 of the town’s cash. Hard to overcome that kind of bias from the groom in order to be there for the bride on her big day.

The only person besides the bride and her mom who don’t verbally shun her in public is the man she was caught kissing, Gavin. The groom forgave the Olympic snowboarder long ago for his part in the fiasco, but won’t Consider Rachel was as much a victim of bad timing as anyone else. And groom Luke’s mom leading the town’s pitchfork wielding charge only serves to add flame to the broiling discord.

This chase to earn a second chance to end her reign as the town pariah is fraught with craziness but Gavin, who’s playin hooky from Olympic training to be there for Luke hiss wedding week can’t help chasing Rachel and a second chance with the one woman who truly stirs more than his libido. He wants to come home to the one town that accepted the poor lonely rich boy and made him a part of their merriment.

I’m a sucker for second chance romance and this one has so many layers. And the big finale wasn’t quite what I would have predicted. The one thing I would have liked was to find exactly where Rachel’s dad ended up, what happened to him in the 8 years following his departure from Yuletide. And, to see justice served.

An enjoyable read that is easy render an honest review: go get a copy and enjoy the merriment, hilarity and force of this holiday read.

What an enjoyable book to read that tackles the age old drama created when he "done her wrong" causes an entire small town to ostracize and alienate an innocent girl.
Rachel left Yuletide amid intense criticism and scrutiny because of her father's criminal actions coupled with her denial of proposal to the hometown hero. The hero, Luke, then failed miserably to defend her because he was mad at her and deep down thought she enabled her father to make a get away. No matter that she had broken off with him. Luke just never forgave her for this (and for being caught in the arms of his best friend, Gavin.)
Rachel answers the dare of a girlfriend pact to set the wrongs of her past right. She bravely travels back to Yuletide to face Luke and set things right with the town. Little does she know that Gavin has bought the house next door to her mother and he still harbors feelings for her. It is a probable, possible mess in the making for Rachel.

A quirky little Christmas town captures our attention and takes us on a fast-paced journey of forgiveness! The characters have a sweet connection and it’s fun getting to watch them try to ignore and then give in to the feelings they have for each other. Sometimes, you really can go home again!

Rachel Chambers never thought she’d be making this trek back home to Yuletide, New York after the scandalous way she left town, but a wedding invitation she never expected has her hoping to slink into town unnoticed. That doesn’t work out so well!

Short-lived ex-flame Gavin Blake now lives next door to her mother, and when he sees that she’s home, he doesn’t waste any time apologizing for his part in how she was treated all of those years ago. When he offers to pave her way back into the good graces of the town in exchange for her being his date to the wedding, how can she refuse?

The ghost of Christmas past haunts this delightful small town holiday romance! There's a lot of ghosts ( a whole town of it!) when Rachel comes back to the town that still hasn't forgiven her family for past mistakes. Still, she plans to attend her best friend's wedding to her high school ex and slink out of there as quickly as possible. But when a former crush comes back into her life, and the magic of Yuletide exerts its charms, can Rachel be forgiven and spend a fantastic Christmas with all her wishes coming true? This funny, sweet and charming romance definitely embodies the season of giving, Gavin and Rachel definitely deserve a happy ever after of their own.

A wonderfully entertaining tale
A feel good, heartwarming story about second chances. This story is about a love that blossoms amid making peace with past mistakes.

I have received a copy of this book with no expectation of a review. This is my honest, unbiased review.

A Chance This Christmas

Road to Romance Series - Book 3



By Joanne Rock

Tule Publishing - October 2017

Contemporary Romance



When Rachel Chambers' life had crashed around her, she had left Yuletide and not returned. Her mother even had to come visit her. Then she had made a pact with some friends which had sent her back to try and heal some rifts. The man the townsfolk thought she had jilted spectacularly was marrying an old friend, and Kiersten wanted her at the wedding. She had agreed, and from the first moment she steps into her home, she is verbally attacked by her mother's guest.

The only highlight was the chance to spend some time with Gavin Blake. Years earlier, they'd had only moments to briefly acknowledge the attraction between them when the reality of events intruded. Rachel's father was accused of stealing from the town, and he was on the run. Rachel had been publically proposed to by her ex-boyfriend, whom the town thought was still her current boyfriend, then found kissing Gavin. It had been too much then, and it was almost too much now.

Gavin had made choices in his career in snowboarding. He took breaks, and his friend's wedding was one of them. Seeing Rachel was an unexpected highlight and he planned to take advantage of this opportunity. He wanted Rachel to feel comfortable in her hometown, and not just for selfish reasons. She deserved it, as did her mother. They were not at fault for the man's actions. As he spends time with Rachel, he witnesses the hostility aimed at her, a victim even more than the town had been, and he begins to wonder if Yuletide has lost the true meaning of Christmas, and if the chance he and Rachel had is gone forever.

A Chance This Christmas is a fun reunion holiday romance. Rachel has developed an allergy to her home, and from the moment she enters her childhood home, it is obvious to see why. Fans of Christmas romances will enjoy all the holiday themed touches Joanne Rock adds to Yuletide. Gavin was an amazing hero standing up for Rachel and determined to keep her on course to find resolution. Although this is the third in a series, it completely stands on its own.







Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com

Sometimes it is harder to make peace with a whole town than it is with the one guy that everyone thinks you broke his heart; such is the case in Joanne Rock’s A Chance This Christmas. After turning down a very public proposal (let’s just say skywriting was involved) from her ex-boyfriend Luke, and the revelation that her father had embezzled from the town’s treasury, Rachel Chambers left Yuletide very quickly. Eight years later, after making a pact with her three best friends to let the past go, Rachel has come home. Needless to say, the town does not welcome her with open arms. Though after a few days, and a few expressions of support, including one from her high school crush, Gavin, Rachel realizes that Yuletide is where she is meant to be and Gavin is her forever. Rock nails the Christmas spirit in this novel. The town of Yuletide is over the top, but perfect for the season. Rachel’s second chance is all the sweeter for having earned it the hard way, through lots of effort.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.

This sorry is about a girl named Rachel who's been reluctant to return to her home town of Yuletide due to a misunderstanding that happened 8 years ago.

I was really disappointed in people of Yuletide how they treated Rachel. It just seem so strange and wrong to hold a grudge for so long even when everyone involved moved on.

Gavin who is partly to blame for hers »problems« with the town folks is determent to help her wining them over. He does everything he can think of to help her; from taking her to rehearsal dinner to challenging her to attend the bachelorette party for her friend. It was nearly impossible not to fall for Gavin and his charming ways. They had a thing for each other when they were younger – as they spent time together they realize that nothing has change between them and that the spark is very much alive and burning.


This whole story has you believing that there is really something special about Christmas time and if you love themed story’s - this one is for you.

***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***

Where else should a Christmas novel take place but in Yuletide. It is time for misunderstanding to come out and overcome. Enjoyable read.

A Chance This Christmas is a cute, fluffy holiday read. There are some questions raised by the premise (ie the heroine hasn't been home in eight years--where does an 18-year-old with no obvious means of support other than her now-single mother go during college and semester breaks? How and when did she reconcile with the friend whose wedding she's back in town to attend? Why hasn't her father been caught in all that time? Is he really that much of a criminal mastermind??) and more than a touch of insta-love by the story's end (yeah, they were high school friends--but one kiss and then no contact for the aforementioned eight years?) but if you're willing to let go of logic and just go with the feel-good holiday flow, then this Road to Romance series book 3 could be the story for you. At the very least, it'll have you looking forward to hot cocoa and ugly Christmas sweater weather.

Rating: 3 stars / C+

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

A Chance This Christmas by Joanne Rock was another brilliant masterpiece. This lady, can write well. I have not once experienced anything but heartfelt tales and unforgettable characters. Immediately, this story swept me off my feet. Sent me straight into the book. I felt everything the characters said and did.

A lot of past anger, regrets, and a bubbling romance are found here. I was cheering for the protagonists all the way. Their story started at the same time several big depressing events occurred. A young woman returned back home, and faced the past. At first, it wasn't easy. But with some help, a lot of patience, and some holiday romance, it got better each time.

Rachel was a young woman when her father embezzled money from their town. When her father did this, her past boyfriend proposed to her publicly. But she declined him. With that the town blamed her for her father's actions and for hurting the town's hero. However, that wasn't all. Rachel was caught kissing her former boiyfriend's best friend. And he did nothing to help her. Now, after all those years, Rachel has finally come back home. Facing the past, making amends, and then moving forward...until one man from her past jilts her world upside down again.

Gavin has always liked Rachel. But since his best friend liked her, he stayed away. Until he found out the two weren't together. But just as he finally got Rachel, all hell broke loose. Not once did he go to Rachel's side defending her. Now, with Rachel back in town, Gavin planned to win her over and help her face their town. Nothing comes easy...

A Chance This Christmas is a charming tale about mending the past, forgiving, and second chances at happiness. Joanne Rock created characters that were easy to love. I enjoyed following them as they grew. The romance was hot, the chemistry was felt, and the emotions were everywhere. Even the small characters were believable and enjoyable to read. Overall, I highly recommend this contemporary Christmas novel to all.