A heartbreaking read that will have you crying most of the story. Your heart will break for Holly and Hope. This was a nice addition to the series. Holly's friends are back to help here this trying time.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the Publisher and leaving a review by my own choice.

OMG ! I was expecting a light festive read Ito continue the series but instead got this intense beautifully written study of grief and loss and how family and friends are there for us when we really need them.. I cried loads but ended up strangely warm by the end.

Snowflakes Over The Second Chances Sweet Shop by Hannah Lynn

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

It’ll be a Christmas to remember …

Holly Berry is finally in a place where she can see her happy a beautiful daughter, who's growing ever sweeter by the day, a new home she can make her own, and – of course – her partner-in-crime, Evan.

But when tragedy strikes, Holly’s life is thrown into turmoil. And, perhaps in denial, she decides to cancel all of her Christmas plans in favour of some healing of her own.

She thinks spending time with Evan’s family will help, but it’s her own family she needs to be with right now. Luckily, they know this, and follow her out to the States to join her in her alternate holiday plans.

They say that time heals all wounds, and with her loved ones around her, can she hope for a brighter tomorrow…?

My Opinion

I would highly recommend that you read the previous books in the series before you make a start on Snowflakes Over the Second Chances Sweet Shop.

This is not your typical festive book, Hannah Lynn has written a relatively sad book - the book is still enjoyable though. Holly has a difficult time in this book, but you can see the way that her friends and family come together to help her.

I read this book in one weekend, and it is definitely one that I would recommend reading with a blanket and some tissues handy - it was difficult to put down.

Rating 4/5

I don't think I can talk to Hannah for a while. I have spent so much time crying while reading, it's no joke. From 20% I wanted to do a Joey and put the book in the freezer and never read it again. EVER AGAIN!

I think I have had a feeling what the end game will be, but this book hurts. It hurts so bad.

I love that we got to go to America and meet Evan's family. They were all so welcoming and all-inclusive, bar one, but there are reasons and I got those reasons.

It's hard to talk about this book, 1 because I don't want to spoil it and 2 because it is hard to discuss it. Hannah has got everything on point, every single emotion. She got with me with every smile and every tear...I used up my tissue box, I am talking ugly snot crying!

At the heart of the book is Hope and Holly. But Hope is just gorgeous and a proper ray of sunshine.

I love this series and I can't believe the next one is the last one. Cue more tears!!! One of my top books this year!

An emotional read. Set over a short period of time about a family coming together in grief. Explored different relationships and how blended families and friends cope.

Wow, this is not the Christmas story I was expecting.

When Evan was going to propose to Holly I was delighted for them, however, things didn't quite go to plan.

To help her heal, Holly decides to visit Evan’s family in America but not everyone is happy to see her.

I felt the book was very well written and the topics of loss, grief and heartbreak covered very sensitively. As in life, people deal with loss in many different ways.

I loved all the characters and their growth throughout the story and was delighted to be reunited with our favourites from the series.

I felt it to be an extremely emotional read which did affectme but I would still recommend it. I would suggest, though, that you have some tissues at the ready.

Thank you Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for my gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

If you are looking for a happy ever after Christmas romance this is not one. Holly thinks she is about to be engaged to the man of her dreams but he tragically dies in an accident rescuing a young boy from drowning. The story’s about family and friends coming together to support Holly in her grief. It explores family band friend relationships

I really enjoyed this story and I thought that it was a really good read overall.

The book had a well developed storyline that was strong and it was quite a moving story.

The book covers some tougher subjects like loss, coping with memories and a new family and getting the right balance and the author has covered them in a wonderful delicate way.

I found that the book was well written and I liked the character development.

It is 4.5 stars from me for this one, rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads and Amazon - very highly recommended!

Holly seems to have everything she wants, a lovely home, beautiful daughter, her own business and Evan!
When tragedy strikes Hollys life is turned upside down and she cancels Christmas. She thinks that by spending time with Evan’s family will help her heal but is it her own family and friends that she should be with in these awful circumstances? Can she move on and get her life back on track?
This is a lovely story but very sad, however it is written beautifully. I had tears on several occasions.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Holly is feeling happy with how her life is at present with her daughter and Evan.

But, when something happens, Holly will need the support of her friends and family to help her through the sad times.

Even with the sad times, throughout the story her daughter was one to make her smile.

I loved the setting and the characters, who you could relate to.

I recommend this book.

After tragedy strikes Holly and her daughter Hope travel to America to be with her partner Evan"s family.
This is the latest in the Second Chances Sweetshop series, it can be read as a standalone, however I would definitely recommend starting with the earlier books first. Be warned, this is a very emotional book dealing with grief. It is very well written, but this is always a difficult subject to deal with, but life isn't always sweetness and light and this is reflected in the story, although there is also a message about the importance of friends and family. I certainly hope to hear more of Holly and Hope's story in the next book in the series.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Holly is happy with her life with her young daughter and partner Evan. When tragedy strikes she will need family and her friends support more than ever. I cried bucket load of tears and it was heartwrenching but I could not stop reading. Through the sad moments there are glimpses of happiness. I think Holly's daughter was the shining light and her little personality made me smile. This is a beautiful addition to the series and I was thrilled to find out we will see more of Holly in a future book and life might be a bit happier for Holly. A well paced plot with likeable characters who are relatable as they are grief stricken.

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Hannah, what are you doing to us?? In the first 20% of this book, you get slammed with every emotion. And I mean EVERY emotion. My little heart was ecstatic with what was going on then BAM!

I adored the story of Holly and Evan getting together and was so happy for their ever after, so imagine my shock at this book! I cried and laughed my way through to the end, which did feel a bit abrupt but hope we see more of Holly in the future.

This had me gripped from the beginning, and I read most of it on a car journey. The writing style is fab, easy to read but giving you all the feels. If you like a cosy romance, pick this up (and the rest of the series too!)

Oh my goodness, I wasn’t expecting that - I had not read about the storyline in advance. This is part of a series but could be read as a stand-alone.
This is not the happy rom com that you might be expecting and is not really Christmassy. But I did enjoy it, I look forward to the next installment!

Oh my goodness, I wasn’t expecting that. It serves me right for not reading about the storyline. This is part of a series; I had actually read the previous book.
Spoiler alert!!!- this is not the happy rom com that you might be expecting. I’m still feeling a bit shell-shocked.

Evan planned to surprise his girlfriend, Holly, with a proposal she never saw coming. But as they arrived at the beach, they spotted a child venturing dangerously far onto the thin ice. Evan rushed in to save him, but tragically, he didn't make it. Devastated, Holly decides to cancel Christmas and head to America, where Evan's family lives. She and her daughter, Hope, leave England and begin a poignant journey of grief and healing. The story vividly captures their struggles, mistakes, and how they come together to face life's everyday challenges. Despite the sorrow, the book was impossible to put down. Although it's part of a series, I found it relatable and believe it stands alone, introducing readers to the characters and their journeys as if meeting new friends for the first time.

This is a very emotional story, when dear Holly has to face her devastating new reality.
She is fortunate to have the love and support of her lovely family and friends to tide her through her rollercoaster ride. It is realistic and heartwrenching. I couldn't put the book down.

Holly is surprised by her boyfriend Evan with a sudden weekend getaway. It’s a chance for them to rest and relax. Of course life had other plans.
This is a quick book which I read in one day. I wasn’t aware it was part of a series but it seems to stand alone. It’s a sad story and will tug at your heart strings.
I’m not sure the title fits the story and it’s not really a Christmasy story.

3.5 Stars. This book is one of a series, which I hadn't realized when getting it, and while you don't necessarily need to read the first I would highly recommend it to follow along easier. I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book, I think it was written well overall but I definitely was not in the right headspace for this as it is very sad. I would say if you're in a place where a sadder read won't affect you too much to go for it! It will be a quick read that is enjoyable. But if you're not in a sad book space I would wait until you're in a better headspace. This book deals with loss, love, and coping with grief. All of these things we all experience and are handled with care, I just urge readers to have caution with what they are able to handle at time of reading.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

This is another in the Sweet Shop series and while you don't have to have read the rest I'd probably suggest that you do before you read this one.

An easy read but not a light hearted happy one!