‘Tis the season – to rekindle?

Natalie is having a nightmare Christmas. Her daughter, Clem, has invited her dad over from Australia—and Natalie hasn’t seen her ex, tycoon Jon, for twenty-two years!

They agree for the sake of their daughter to pretend to be the perfect family, but Natalie soon discovers the spark between them never died!

After two decades of hurt, can she risk her heart for a second chance—or is this festive fling just for the holidays?

Titles in the Family Reunion in London duet include: Second Chance Under the Mistletoe by Kandy Shepherd ~ Christmas Surprise for Her Boss by Scarlet Wilson ~

This story may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult 18+ audience.

Title:  Second Chance Under the Mistletoe
Series:  Family Reunion in London (Duet)
Author:  Kandy Shepherd
Published:  October 28, 2025
Publisher:  Harlequin Romance
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Second Chance Under the Mistletoe is the first story in the Family Reunion in London duet, featuring Natalie and Jon, a couple who have been divorced for over two decades, reunited by their daughter, Clem, for Christmas… and wondering if the sparks they’re feeling might mean more than pretending to get along for the holiday season.

Natalie and Jon married young, too young, according to both sets of parents.  Natalie was pregnant with Clem, and their families pushed for the wedding… something that they both wanted eventually, but pressure from their families caused far more damage.  When Jon took a job in Australia to quickly earn enough for their own home, away from their parents, well, that turned out to be the worst mistake possible.  Lies were told or misunderstandings, depending on who is explaining what happened, but in the end, blame doesn’t matter for this couple who were in love and looking forward to a baby and a life together was torn apart by divorce.

Now, their daughter, Clem, is pregnant and wants to know her father better.  A family reunion over the Christmas season has been arranged, and the outcome will bring some unknown facts into play, and a love that never died gets a chance to rekindle… if two people can let go of the past and embrace what the future may hold.

I enjoyed Second Chance Under the Mistletoe by Kandy Shepherd so much.  It’s heartbreaking when parents, who for their own reasons, interfere with a couple’s future.  And when lies are told and facts are twisted to fit a particular narrative, well, for me, that’s even worse.  I loved watching Natalie and Jon figure out what had really happened years ago, to embrace the holiday together with their daughter, and perhaps, allow those returning feelings for each other time to grow.  They are different people today, yet there is still that special something between them that neither time nor circumstances has truly dimmed.  If you love a second-chance romance, especially around the holidays, and a couple that really does belong back together again, then you’d love Natalie, Jon, and Clem’s story.

*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)