A harried single-mom baker. A lost soul playing Santa. A Christmas Eve crash neither saw coming.

When enterprising baker-to-the-stars Anna bumps into an infuriatingly and possibly, maybe, slightly handsome Santa, their accidental meeting is anything but cute. Crumbs fly, tempers flare, and dreams deflate faster than a falling soufflé as Anna races to fix the orders for her VIP clients—including one of the potential angel investors for her coveted second shop.

More than anything, James just wants to get to the children’s hospital Christmas party on time to fulfill a longtime promise and make it through the next two hours—without his defensive walls crumbling.

The situation darkens as the clock ticks toward the investors’ Christmas Eve gala Anna must attend if she has any hope of fulfilling her business dream. But spending an afternoon together in the tiny, is-it-hot-in-here-or-is-it-just-me back room of her bakery with James reveals more in common than just delicious chemistry.

Over the span of only a single day, Anna and James help each other begin to heal deep wounds, but responsibility, loss, and emotional scars weigh heavy. Can two strangers who have sworn off relationships find the courage to unwrap the midlife gift of a second chance?

Sprinkled with humor and dusted with spice, the realistic characters in this low-conflict Christmas romance explore what it means to face heartbreak, follow dreams, and discover precious connections to the past where—and when—we least expect them. A contemporary holiday romance novel with cozy vibes and a touch of Christmas magic—smart, funny, tender, and quietly sexy, this heartfelt, character-driven story is a slice-of-life treat.

Content notes:

• This novel is based on and significantly expanded from the author’s previously published short story, “Santa and Anna,” part of the California Dreams Christmas Romance Collection.
• Dual point of view (POV)
• Mature themes but low steam; no open doors.
• Includes themes of past infidelity (secondary character), grief over (past) loss of a child and a parent, and terminal illness of a minor character.

Author bio:

Talya Blaine writes poignant, thought-provoking romance featuring characters over forty and swoon-worthy, caring male leads. Her stories range from sweet(ish), closed-door romance to fogged-up doors wide open—the characters and stories decide, the author…not so much. (Hint: You’ll find light, pastel covers on her closed-door stories and darker, moodier covers on the steamy ones.) She loves writing mature characters figuring out how to navigate second-chance romances alongside real-life issues, with all their grit and joy—and, of course, crafting a happy ending.