Home for the holidays…

Or home for good?

A frightening diagnosis—and a subsequent breakup—forces marketing executive Penelope Shay to return to Cedar Ridge to find peace.

But when she learns her beloved childhood home is at risk of being sold, she’ll do anything to save it—even if it means teaming up with Matthew Banks, her high school boyfriend. The plan is simple: she’ll offer the contractor her marketing expertise on a project in exchange for his help to raise funds in a cookie contest.

As the two work closely together, old feelings quickly reignite. But with the uncertainties of Penny’s health looming, is a future together possible?

~Standalone~

This is a clean, sweet romance with either closed doors/fade to black, or only kissing.

Title:  Her Second Chance Christmas
Series:  ~Standalone~
Author:  Isabella Bruno
Published:  September 30, 2025
Publisher:  Love-Inspired (Harlequin)
My Rating:  4 stars

Her Second Chance Christmas is a standalone Christmas Romance bringing us Penelope and Matthew’s second-chance romance.  

Matthew and Penny were high-school sweethearts, yet events and decisions pulled them apart.  Recently, Penny has received a life-changing medical diagnosis, which has rocked her foundation, as it is the same condition that claimed her mother’s life.  Her jerk of a boyfriend dumped her because of the condition, and her beloved Nana is selling the family home, a place that Penny always thought would be hers one day to continue the family legacy.  To say that she’s in a spiral, spinning out of control, is an understatement.  

She’s returning home for several reasons, but never expected to run into Matthew again.  Her relationship with her brother has become a bit rocky, as he believes she just ran away and left him behind.  The siblings will enter into a cookie contest with a prize that could solve both of their problems… if they win.  Add one more thing to the ever-growing list of stress factors attacking her emotions right now.

I enjoyed Her Second Chance Christmas.  Frankly, right now, Penny is a hot mess, and she’s on overload with different emotions being tossed at her from all sides.  In addition to an emotional romance, there are several lessons included within this story that touched my heart.  Penny is running… trouble is, problems don’t go away just because you’ve changed locations.  They’re still there, constantly reminding us that they need to be dealt with.  

Relationships change, people make mistakes, but when we take a stand, make amends, those relationships can be mended.  I think what affected me the most, though, was Penny’s decision not to let those people who loved her, her brother, her grandmother, her newly rediscovered love for Matthew, know about how she’s medically in trouble.  They, of course, feel wounded and hurt when her diagnosis becomes a reality.  They could have leaned on each other, helped her… if they’d only known.

If you love a well-written, emotional second-chance romance, then Her Second Chance Christmas by Isabella Bruno is a perfect fit for you.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust.  It is my choice to leave a review, giving my personal opinion about this book.

This title is available at Amazon (affiliate link)