Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars!)

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy of Happy Ever After at the Second Chances Sweet Shop!

This was my first time reading anything from this series, and now I’m definitely going back to check out the rest! 💖📚

The story follows Holly, a widowed mum and sweet shop owner, as she navigates her quiet life in the Cotswolds… until her best friend announces he’s engaged to a woman she barely knows 💍👀
What follows is a heartwarming, emotional story about friendship, change, and maybe even new love 🌸🍭

The setting is charming, the characters feel real, and while it didn’t quite hit 5 stars for me, it was still an absolute comfort read. Highly recommended for fans of cozy romance and small-town charm 🏡✨

I read the penultimate book in this series before Christmas so was thrilled to be offered this ARC, the final chapter.

This book centres around Holly and her reaction to her best friend Giles' proposal to the latest in a string of girlfriends.

This book is one of eight in the series so characters and themes have been well developed over time. I haven't read the entire series but this doesn't spoil the experience.

Last book in this series
Another lovely read
You just get lost in this ladies books
And great book to end with
Thanks Netgalley

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This final book starts a considerable period after the last one ended. 5 years have passed and the first few pages summarise events within that period, then the story starts. The usual characters are around plus a few new ones. There is little mention of lovely Bourton, or even the sweet shop. I thought parts of this story were unrealistic: the American family, which she'd only just met in the last book, were barely mentioned, and why hadn't Sienna met Faye as she lives close to Giles, surely he'd have introduced them when he was considering the marriage proposal? I thought Holly's thoughts and behaviours were completely selfish, making her unlikeable. It seems other reviewers liked this book but I didn't think it was the best in the series and although it tied up loose ends I wouldn't have wanted to read any more if it hadn't been the finale.

In this final instalment in the series, you get to see how Holly's life has evolved since Evan's tragic death. She been supported as ever, by her friends and family, none more so than by Giles who she regards as her closest friend in many ways. When Giles has some surprising news for her, her sense of reality takes a jolt and she spends the rest of the story coming to terms with her emotions and wishes for the future.

By the end of the story, you feel that Holy's life in the Cotswolds has reached a stable plain and that she will continue to thrive and to prosper. Before she gets to that stage, Holly tries to protect her life from more heartbreak. Her daughter is growing up a little but she has plenty to occupy her and some great plans for the business. With a gorgeous setting and a range of characters, you find humour and romance side by side in this gentle story.

In short: Friends and lovers

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was hilarious - I'm a bit bummed that I haven't read the others in this series (yet!!) as I really wish that I had known the characters more. The drama, the romance, the town!? I love it so much and find myself to be eager to read the rest.

I love a sweet British romance. Excellently plotted, wonderful scenery and characters tjat you fall in love with. Not to be missed.

This is probably my favourite book in this series. There was drama and there was romance, what more could you want? I’m not sure if there’ll be any more in the series after this particular ending but either way it was a great read

Such a heartwarming tale. With vividly portrayed, warm characters, this book is an absolute winner. Simply a joy to read.

I thoroughly enjoyed being back in this world. Holly is a wonderful character, and following her journey has been a delightful experience. Hannah Lynn knows how to evoke a wide range of emotions. All the characters feel like old friends, and I will be sad to see this story come to an end.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC.

Hannah Lynn's 'Happy Ever After at the Second Chances Sweet Shop' is a sweet and warm-hearted finale to the series. Back in the picturesque Cotswolds, we are with Holly as she makes her way through unexpected twists and turns in her own life whilst managing her dear sweet shop. Lynn expertly crafts a story of friendship, second chances, and having the courage to be true to yourself. The comfort and lovable characters make it like visiting old friends. It can be read as a stand-alone, but those who have been with Holly from the beginning will enjoy this as a good and sweet ending. It is the ideal cozy read for those who love cozy settings and heartwarming tales.

After difficult times, Holly is finally adjusting to her new normal. Her daughter Hope is happy, she’s created a beautiful home, and an unexpected offer may mean fantastic opportunities for her sweet shop, Just One More.

But her sense of calm is shattered when best friend Giles drops a bombshell – a proposal to Sienna, a woman Holly barely knows and who isn’t right for Giles at all.

For Giles’s sake, she tries to make peace with Sienna, throwing herself into wedding planning. But as everyone else cheers on the ‘happy’ couple, Holly’s left questioning whether her doubts are about them – or about something in her own heart…


Review: The eighth book is probably a bad place to start with a series. However, I’ve come in late with others and not had many problems. Sadly, the same cannot be said for this instalment of the Holly Berry Sweet Shop series – you really do need to have read the previous ones to have any idea what’s going on at first. I did eventually find my balance, but I still didn’t gel with the story.

First off is Holly. I understand being close to someone and not realising that your feelings go deeper. Holly has also had heartbreak, which makes her put her head in the sand even more. I’ll note that her hurt is not explained in this book – all you know is his name was Evan and he’s dead. No idea how or why.

Anyway, Holly. She has a child, but not with Evan. There was a one-night-stand (I think) with another guy, but they still get on and share childcare duties. He’s got married and Holly is friends with his wife. In fact, she has a tight circle of friends, most of whom have paired off.

She’s supposed to be 40, if I recall correctly, but her behaviour is very immature. She absolutely refuses to entertain that she might feel more towards Giles than friendship. Her friends are awful about this – seeing how well Holly and Giles get on but pussy-footing around the subject after Giles announces his engagement.

As Happy Ever After at the Second Chances Sweet Shop is only told from Holly’s POV, you don’t get to know how Giles met Sienna. Unless that’s in another book. Typical for romances lately, the “other woman” is a complete bitch. Shallow as a puddle with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Without the backstory, one is left wondering why Giles is dating her, never mind proposing.

And here is my problem with this book: there are mentions over and over of things that have happened in others, but no context for the story. It’s a shame because, Holly’s weird blinkeredness aside, the writing is really good. I kept reading because of that… and in the hope that someone would slap Sienna.

There is very little action in the sweet shop that the title mentions. Very little sense of place (the Cotswolds, apparently) and this lack is disappointing. I like to lose myself in a romance and I just couldn’t do that.

However, I will note again that I have not read the other books. Read in order, I might feel somewhat differently. If you haven’t read this series, I definitely recommend starting at the beginning!

**ARC Review: *Happy Ever After at the Second Chances Sweet Shop* by Hannah Lynn**

A perfectly bittersweet, heartwarming farewell to the charming world of **Just One More**, *Happy Ever After at the Second Chances Sweet Shop* is a **cozy hug of a book** that celebrates **love, friendship, and the courage to fight for your own happy ending.**

*The Story:
Holly has come so far. After all the heartbreak and rebuilding, she’s finally finding peace in her cozy home, with daughter Hope thriving and her beloved sweet shop offering new possibilities she never dared to dream of.

But when Giles—her best friend and anchor through so many storms—**suddenly proposes to Sienna**, a woman Holly hardly knows and can’t seem to trust, her newly balanced world tilts again.

Determined to be supportive, Holly throws herself into the chaos of wedding planning, even as a tiny, painful voice in her heart asks: **What if Giles is making a mistake? Or worse—what if she’s made one herself by letting him go?**

As confetti is thrown and vows are written, Holly must confront her own feelings and ask herself: **Does she believe in second chances not just for her sweet shop—but for her own heart?**

**Why You’ll Love It:**
🍬 **All the cozy Cotswolds charm** – Quaint villages, a sweet shop you’ll wish you could step into, and **characters that feel like old friends.**
❤️ **Angsty best-friends-to-lovers feels** – **Slow, tender, and full of pining**—Holly’s internal struggle is gorgeously messy and real.
✨ **A beautiful exploration of growth and healing** – It’s not just about romance; it’s about **knowing when to choose yourself and when to take a leap of faith.**

A fitting end to an enjoyable series. It’s lovely to see such an ending for Holly Berry after the ups and downs of previous books. This could be read as a standalone but I would recommend reading the rest of the series. Lovely to see how grown up Hope is and how the others in the groups have moved on with their lives. Definitely very sweet!

Thank you Netgalley

I loved this story, but that’s not a surprise to me as I love this series and Hannah Lynns books. I am sad to say this is the last book, but am looking forward to where Hannah takes me next.

This is an emotional read full of longing, heartbreak,love, friendship , manipulation and hope. I love the message that we could all do with remembering, sometimes things just don’t work out, sometimes they do and either way there’s a reason ultimately, but friendship, community, support is always there.

I was really happy with the resolution for this (no spoilers here) and highly recommend the series to anyone wanting a gorgeous reading experience.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I just finished Happy Ever After at the Second Chances Sweet Shop by Hannah Lynn, and it honestly made my heart so happy. The setting in the Cotswolds is super cozy, and I totally fell in love with Holly—she’s such a sweet, strong character trying to balance everything from running her adorable sweet shop to figuring out love and family stuff.

It felt like a warm hug in book form, with just the right amount of drama and romance. If you’re in the mood for something light, heartwarming, and totally charming, this one’s a little gem.

The perfect end to a brilliant series which I would highly recommend. Read it in order or you will have no clue what is going on
Very well written, great characters , sad to see it finish .
Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Hannah Lynn for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

Thank you boldwood books, Netgalley, & Hannah Lynn for the e-arc. This was a sweet love story. I enjoyed this book. I wouldn't mind reading more by this author.

I have adored each and every book in The Second Chances Sweet Shop series and I'm absolutely gutted that it's over.

We've come full circle with Holly and see her through so many pivotal moments in her life. The highs, the lows and the heartbreaks and those moments of joy, so it seems a fitting end.

A return visit to Just One More is always welcome...who doesn't love a good old fashioned sweet shop where you can buy a paper twist of sweets, a sugar mouse or Humbugs from a jar?

It was so lovely to catch up with Holly and some old faces, some new. I have become so emotionally invested in these characters over time it's going to be hard to say goodbye.

A charming and enjoyable read.

Happy Ever After at the Second Chances Sweet Shop is the eighth book in the Holly Berry Sweet Shop series. I have not read any of the previous books, and will be doing so as soon as possible. I'm not going to lie, parts of the book didn't make sense to me but only because I think they must have referenced a previous book in the series. This didn't detract from the story since I mostly figured everything out but I would definitely recommend reading the Holly Berry Sweet Shop books in order.

Love is in the air in Happy Ever After at the Second Chance Sweet Shop, but it isn't necessarily the best type of love or the kind of love anyone is expecting. Her bestie, Giles, just announced his engagement to a new person to the group. Sienna and Giles haven't been together very long (in Giles relationship terms) but yet he drops to one knee in front of their entire friend group and asks for her hand. Now Holly is faced the reality that her friendship with Giles may change, and she finally admits what her heart has been trying to tell her all along. But she might be too late.

I really enjoyed this story. I may not have a lot of the backstory but I loved the path carved out for a second chance romance. Holly gets into a few situations where she's unable to stand up or defend herself, which only makes her eventual assertiveness shine. When she finally gets the chance, she lets the person know her feelings. I love Giles and completely understand where he's coming from regarding his engagement to Sienna. You can only wait for someone for so long before moving on and, in many cases, when the person finally recognizes their feelings, love sometimes just isn't enough.

Broken hearts, longing, and manipulation fill this story. The story is also filled with love, compassion, realization, friendship, and support. Sometimes things just don't work out, other times, they work out just like they should, and sometimes you get a mix of both. I've been in Holly's shoes and when I finally realized what my feelings truly were, it was too late. There wasn't any reconciliation or even coming back together as friends. That actually worked out for the best for me. Now I'm married to an amazing man and our relationship is much better than the one I thought I missed out on.

Leave it to me to start the series with the final book...Lol. I never used to be this way. I was very strict about reading books in order, but lately I just start a series as soon as I discover it. I'll go back to the beginning eventually, but I can't wait to meet the characters and explore the locations, and so now, I don't wait.