This was a nice interesting read. Any book with chocolate as a focus has got to be a good one and this was unusual in that instead of a story about finding love it was more about finding yourself as the two man characters are married already. I found Serena to be a likeable strong character and the Christmas setting just gave it an extra level of enjoyability.

After being away from home for 10 years, Serena Hunter comes back to Rabbit Leap to start a new life. Despite her mother’s objections, she leaves the family farm to open her own chocolate shop. Serena is one day away from realising her dream when Ritchie, her world-famous rock star husband, arrives in town to win her back. She tries to send him away but he has every intention of sticking around and getting his muse back. So between chocolate-making and forced family dinners, Serena will find out if Ritchie is really the changed man he claims to be.

My mouth watered throughout this book reading about all types of chocolate I didn’t even know existed. I loved the community feeling inspired by the small-town setting and the loyalty among (almost) everyone in the village. With entertaining characters, an atmospheric and snowy setting, and a laugh-out-loud and romantic storyline, this is an ideal book to get you in the Christmas spirit!

Serena escaped back to Rabbits Leap leaving behind her rock star husband. But now he's here at Christmas to try and win her back. Both strong and wanting their own way, but can Richie finally share his past with his wife.
A great festive read, with characters you hope get a happy ending.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the Publisher for this review copy, given in exchange for an honest review.

My first review of December, and what a perfect festive read to begin with!

This is my first Kellie Hailes book. It is also the third book in the Rabbits Leap series. Whilst it can be read as a standalone, it does make sense to have read the other books in the series first as some events from them are mentioned.

Serena has been back in her home town of Rabbit’s Leap for six months after leaving her husband, rock star Ritchie Dangerfield. She is a few days away from opening her very own chocolate shop when Ritchie walks back into her life, determined to win her back. Has Ritchie changed for the better, and can he persuade her to fall back in love with him?

What a lovely idea for a book! Serena obviously has past issues with her famous husband Ritchie, which I’m sure were in the previous books. She’s done remarkably well since leaving him, setting herself up in business with a handmade chocolate shop. This shop sounds absolutely divine, and the way it is described makes it look like it’s so easy to make handmade chocolates, although I’m sure it isn’t! Ritchie also sounds absolutely divine but there is obviously something which stop Serena going back to him.

It’s a romantic story that has moments of comedy in it. Ritchie being taught how to milk a cow bought a smile to my face for I think I would have the exact same thoughts of “eww, no way am I doing that!” The story is a little predictable but it does show that sometimes in life you have to follow your dreams, and things will work out one way or the other!

It is a lovely festive book, set in the run up to Christmas, and makes a perfect read for this time of year. So grab yourself a blanket and a hot chocolate (what else for this book!) and snuggle down for a lovely Christmas read!

Four Stars!

I love books like 'Christmas at the second chance chocolate shop'. They are perfect for a weekend in December, cozying up by the fire (or like me: cuddling with my cat near the central heating!) and just dream away into another world.

This book is somewhat more different than your standard 'single girl finds herself alone before Christmas and thinks she needs to spend the holidays with her family, again, but then meets someone and falls head over heels'. Kellie Hailes has done that different: Serena is married, but left her rockstar husband to spend her days in the countryside. That makes the story more special and the fact that Serena is following her dreams and doing what she loves instead of pleasing her husband (though Serena does have her flaws!), makes the story interesting.

What I really liked about 'Christmas at the second chance chocolate shop' is that it isn't your typical love story and there's more than people tell you. The characters are well written out and you form a bond with each and everyone of them. At the end of the story you'll definitely shed a tear, although the ending was a bit abrupt for my liking. I felt like there could've been added a couple more chapters. I did fall in love with the countryside and the whole small village code and the celebrations made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I think this book is perfect for the holidays.

Kellie Hailes has written a chicklit with a twist. 'Christmas at the second chance chocolate shop' is a bit different than most standard stories, which makes it more interesting. Cozy up by the fire and get a cup of hot chocolate and I know you'll enjoy the story from start till finish.

This is Serena's story - born on a small dairy farm in Rabbits Leap, she couldn't wait to leave the town for university, and then met and married a rock star and headed to Malibu, never to return. She's now back, after trying again with the family farm she's going for her own joy and has rented a shop with a flat above to open a chocolate shop. One thing though: Serena never told Richie, her husband, that she was leaving, or why.

Of course, Richie finally pulls it together and comes to find her: looking for answers of how to get his muse back, since he’s not been able to write a thing since she left. But, as a famous rock star, the town could be inundated with paparazzi – and the “cone of silence’ is invoked, ensuring that anyone who leaked his presence will be shamed and shut out of town, denied service and trust. Yes, someone broke that cone, and Serena said “the words” that are traditional, before the miscreant ran out of town. But this is less about the quirks and eccentrics in and of the town, and all about a journey. The journey of Serena to find her own joy – without the love of her life in Ritchie. It’s about her own relationship with her mother, who believes that the Hunter women are meant to be farmers, nothing more or less – and Ritchie’s learning to share his history and past, and discovering that his ignoring of his past and shutting Serena out of his history, his pain and his story have little room left if he wants a relationship with the only woman he will ever love.

Serena’s searching for something that fulfills her as a person – allows her creativity to flourish and make ‘something’ of herself that isn’t a dairy farmer or a wife who shops is at the core of this story. Her coming to revel in the joy she finds in creation, her ability to stick with something instead of run when things are tough, and of finally being honest with Ritchie, explaining why she left and how much she was hurting every time he shut her out. Ritchie grows too, learning to deal with ‘the girls’ at the farm and finding an admirer in Daisy, stepping up to Serena’s mother and speaking a truth that started to heal that rift, finally starting to write again and sharing his life with her: and his guilt over losing his temper and yelling just before she left. Oh the hurts and healing are strong here: from unsolicited advice from an admirer of Serena’s to the annual Christmas parade and being the rear end of the donkey, the laughter sprinkled through the story keeps the tone hopeful and bright – even when things get rough. It’s truly a joyous Christmas when this story ends- full of laughter, love and hope.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at < a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-9uE/”> <a> I am, Indeed </a>

A perfect book to cuddle up with during the chilly winter months.

What do you do when your marriage is over and you need to start a new life? Serena has a life any girl whats to live. She is married to a famous, talented and handsome rock start - Richie. She has a glamorous house, perfect vacations, jewelry... in the other words - her life is a golden cage.

After a decade of marriage, Serena leaves her husband and the sunny US and moves back to England into her parents' house. However, she is not interested in running the family business and decides to open her own chocolate shop. This causes a quarrel between Serena and her mom. But time goes by, and everything seems to come together. It's a day before the grand opening of her shop, the last thing Serena expects its Richie to show up at her doorstep. Is he too late? Is there a chance to save their marriage?

With a little bit of hope, love and a chocolate, everything is possible during this wonderful time of the year.

I really enjoyed this story. The lead characters growth and strength were wonderful to read about. In following her dreams and her heart she made quite a life for herself. She was also able to teach her husband and mom a thing or two. Great read

This is another delightful holiday romance. This is the first book I have read by Kellie Hailes, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I want to thank the publisher and Net-Galley for the opportunity to read this engaging story.

I always enjoy second chance romances, and this is a lovely one. The characters drew me in from the first page and kept me engaged from the first page to the last. The plot is unique, involving a rock star and his wife. She left him and returned to her hometown and opened Sweet Things, a chocolate shop.

Ritchie, the hero, finds he can’t write his music without her and comes to Rabbit Leap, hoping to find his muse. What he finds is the woman he loves. I love how he goes about winning her back. He is willing to sacrifice his music for her. The biggest reason she left him was because he kept a very big part of him concerning his past, closed up. He at last opens up his past and why he hates Christmas.

Serena’s character is feisty and independent. She leaves Ritchie because she craves that independence. She took a chocolate-making class and it becomes her passion. Although she loves her husband, she can no longer be his eye-candy on his arm. I loved her character and could feel her pain over her decision.

I’m so glad the hero and heroine found their happy ending. The ending of this tale brought tears to my eyes. If you enjoy heart-felt holiday romances, then you will love Christmas at the Second Chance Chocolate Shop. Happy reading!

5 - It was going to take a miracle of the Christmas variety to sort this situation out... Stars!

The third visit to the sleepy village of Rabbits Leap gave me two of my favourite things, Christmas and chocolate, all wrapped up in a lovely festive story.

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Kellie balanced out Serena and Ritchie’s story really well, with a couple dealing with marital issues you know going in there is going to be a bit of drama and angst going in, but they worked through everything without it all being dragged out too much. The secondary characters who I have come to know (and love) through the previous books also really helped as the story wasn’t just focussed on the one couple and their issues.

"You may have given up on us. But I haven’t. Out of all the things I have going on in my life you are the one thing I am certain about."

There are a few giggles interspersed along the way as well, and I loved that although Ritchie’s back story was quite heavy, the guy himself really didn’t take himself too seriously, and some of the things he ends up doing through the telling of the story were laugh out loud funny. I enjoyed getting to know Serena more as well, she has featured in the previous books quite a bit as a secondary character so getting her story, and having it told over the Christmas period was just perfect for me.

Well written, probably my favorite from the series (so far), I am hoping there are more books to come, the author certainly dangled a few carrots in regards to potential future characters. So I will wait with baited breath to see if my hopes become reality.

I loved this book. It’s the third book in the Rabbis Leap series but if your like me and hadn’t read the first two books do not worry you will fall right into the story.
This story focuses around Serena and her estranged husband Richie who is a successful rock star.
Serena is opening up her chocolate shop and does not expect her husband to turn up, after all she left him 6 months ago.
A great feel good book that will hook you in.

This is the first book by Kellie Hailes that I’ve read, and I was excited to read a Christmas book set in my home county of Devon! Serena is the wife of an American rockstar, Richie Dangerfield, and has been living the WAG lifestyle for ten years. Then she decides to return to her family in the Devonshire village of Rabbit’s Leap, and fulfil her dream of being a chocolatier and running a chocolate shop. But everything changes when Richie crosses the Atlantic to come and look for her, just a few days before the opening of her shop.

This was a lovely, chocolately, Christmassy read, and I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and HQDigital for an ARC in return for a fair and honest review.

It's been a long time since I stayed up after 3 in the morning to finish a book, but I didn't want to put this gem down! Such an incredibly sweet love story. This is my first time reading Kellie Hailed, but it definitely won't be the last!

After 10 years of marriage to rock star Ritchie Dangerfield, his wife Serena Hunter has had enough. No it's not of his cheating,he's not doing that but of his not seeing her as her own person but as an extension of him. She returns to her hometown of Rabbit's Leap in the sleepy Devonshire countryside. To show her husband and parents she can make it on her own she opens up a chocolate shop and makes all her own chocolates . Now it explains how she makes her chocolates and who doesn't love chocolate,I'll have to admit it has me craving some chocolate right now! Lovely book about being your own person and looking for that Christmas second chance romance.
Pub Date 05 Nov 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Serena has been married to rock star Ritchie for years but she is dissatisfied with her marriage - Ritchie is very closed in, he seems unable to relate to people, he doesn't want a family, close friends or even to go to family gatherings. Feeling that her life is going nowhere she decides to leave him and return to England to the sleepy little Devon village.

Settling back in to village life she decides that she is going to start her own business and set up a chocolate shop. Everything is working out fine until a few days before opening Ritchie appears to try and win her back....... can he change and open up or is it too late?

A lovely story with great characters and a feel good factor that leaves you with a warm glow

How great it was to be back in Rabbit's Leap, the little town in Devon, that has such a quaint name, interesting traditions, and is gearing up towards Christmas, and this time with all new characters, although you will recognise some of the Rabbit's Leap regulars if you have read the previous two books.

If you haven't read the previous two books then don't worry this can easily be read as a standalone, as its the first time we have properly met Serena and Ritchie.

Serena is back in the town and is about to open a chocolate shop. She left her rock star husband a note 6 months before saying she was leaving, not expecting him to turn up days before the shop is due to open. The story revolves around whether they can give each other second chances for various things.

Surprisingly for a book involving a chocolate shop it didn't really make me that hungry, don't get me wrong there were some choccy descriptions, but on the whole I didn't find my mouth watering continuously.

I was far more enthralled in the Serena and Ritchie story, and also Serena's relationship with her family, especially her mother.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, although was a bit surprised it finished at 85%. There are a few great romantic gestures in this, and some lovely Christmassy scenes too.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

4,5 stars
Cover's pretty irresistible and so is the story with chocolate, Christmas, self-discovery and love.

Serena has been married to famous rock-star Ritchie for a decade and stuck to her marriage vows through thick and thin, but there just comes a time when she thinks she cannot take it any longer. It is not because Ritchie has cheated on her or treats her badly in any way, but because of the walls he created around himself: he wouldn't let anyone in there, not even his wife. He does not want children, he does not do family gatherings and does not want Serena to do anything else than always be there for him.
But in between the life of luxury and playing "Main Groupie" of her husband's fans Serena has lost herself and realises that as much as she loves Ritchie, she will suffocate if she continues this way. While Ritchie is away on tour, she ups and leaves their home in Malibu to go back to her home village in Devon, England.
So the pre-Christmas season and Ritchie -who is determined to take her back to the life he thinks she belongs- find Serena in her small, cosy chocolate-shop preparing for the Grand Opening in the small village.
Ritchie thinks Serena -as usual- will not be able to resist her and will jump into his arms immediately. Serena thinks
Ritchie - as usual- is unable to change, to hear and to understand her.

But guess what? Both are in for a surprise they did not see coming.

This story is as solid and rounded as it can get and with just very minor drawbacks, almost perfect.

I liked how Serena and Ritchie are developing, both together and on their own.

The plot was also enriched by such intriguing and entertaining secondary-characters as Serena's parents & other members of the village community & the cows, of course (they play a major role in the book, believe me).
And it being Christmas-time, just makes it all the more alluring.

If you are looking for a cosy, fell-good Christmas-read, look no further.

At one time Serena and Ritchie had that most unusual phenomenon, a happy rock star marriage. And it certainly was everything Ritchie wanted, but Serena wanted something different, perhaps impossible to find… for her husband to actually listen to her, to see her as more than an extension of himself or his career. Their marriage ended and Serena returned back home to make a new life, a quiet life for herself. And as many rock star marriages or breakups go it might have been just another blip in the gossip columns. Until Ritchie came to Serena, with the determination to win his wife back. The thing is, Ritchie is too used to expecting something to happen – if he wants his wife back, for real and happy back, then he’s going to need to learn a few lessons. And where better to learn those lessons than this tiny, charming village where life moves much slower… and people’s real selves shine through, eventually.

Christmas at the Second Chance Chocolate Shop is funny, sad, and such a true slice of real life that it’s almost scary. When Ritchie walked into the village, expected Serena to just go back home with him because he loved her… well, yeah, that’s good but nothing changed so why should she? It’s the often times combination of comical clueless-ness that often made me crack a smile in this story. I’m not being mean, it’s just that some guys (and gals) can be so oblivious to reality that you either have to chuckle or throttle them. Laughter is definitely the better choice.

I enjoyed watching Ritchie and Serena connect once again. Those moments when they saw things from the other’s perspective. Sometimes love takes work, in fact it’s almost always work to stay in love unless you have a really solid foundation. The second time around I believe this couple understood each other, maybe loved a bit deeper, certainly with more realization that their way wasn’t the only way. It wasn’t easy, things that matter rarely are, but it was worth their anger, frustration, tears and smiles to finally see a light at the end of a very dark path for them.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Second chance Chocolate Shop and Second Chance Romance! Serena and Ritchie had their issues but he's grown up and even though she's quite happy in Devon, well, you know how this one will end. Hailes has done a nice job with the Christmas theme. This never gets too = too and always keeps a big heart. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Try this for a relaxing quick, happy read.