Kathryn Freeman is not an unkown author to me. I absolutely loved Kathry’s book Before You, so I was very happy to read a new book from her. It had been a while since I read the blurb of the book before I started reading the book. I practically jumped right in the story without really knowing what it was about. On the cover you see a cosy house, Christmas trees, snow and santa’s sled. The cover is beautiful but not suitable for the story. Maybe it’s just me, but from the look of the cover alone I expected a different story.
Anyway, it’s just my opinion. This fact did not harm the book and changed that it was a heartwarming story that was a delight to read!

In A Second Christmas Wish Kathryn Freeman tells the story of Melissa Raven. Melissa does not have very fond memories of Christmas. For her, Christmas has always been overrated. It was never about the celebration of family, love, magic and the christmas spirit. As a child she’d suffered stilted conversation around formal dining table, just her and her parents. Melissa has learned to live with it, but it breaks her heart that her seven-year-old son, William, has had to live with it too. She promised herself next year it would be different. She’d wanted to give William a Christmas to remember – for the right reasons.

It was nearly three years since Melissa had left her husband Lawrence, one of the countrys leading designers. Leaving Lawrence took a lot of courage for Melissa. When she became pregnant, Lawrence wanted an abortion, which she refused. After the birth of her son, the boy was tolerated by Lawrence but no more. It took her five more years after the birth to decide to take that step of divorce. The moment you read about Lawrence, you abhor him. He is so coldhearted, oppressive and controlling, no wonder Melissa left him. Now Melissa did what she wanted not what was wanted from her.

Without Lawrence Melissa is build up her own life with her seven year old boy William. He is very shy, sensitive and someone who a lot of love and support. Melissa tries her best to break down his shell and it finally happens her friend Alice found a place for William for tennis lessons at her brothers tennis school which is owened by Daniel McCormick, former Wimbledon tennis champion and Melissas secret crush for years.

When they meet at William’s first tennis lesson wall starts to crumble. They are both instantly attracted by each other but William is her only priority and a new love interest is totally not in her plans. But then Williams father comes back in his life after years of silence. Willam is truly petrified by the thought of spending time with his father. Afterall it was his father who told him father Christmas don’t exist. With a bit of luck Melissa and William might learn to loosen up might just be able to find their festive spirit, and finally have a Christmas where all of their wishes come true …

A Second Christmas Wish is a great read if you are looking for something to ease you into the festive season but I really think that it would work at any time of year.

Was this book predictable? Absolutely. Not that I want to put all books of this genre on the same page, but here predictability was to be expected. Did I enjoy it less because of that? No, absolutely not. Who cares? It’s Christmas! We only just need happy endings. The story took it turns as exactly I expected them to be, which actually made it a nice reading experience for me.

This story is full of interesting and loveable characters. Unfortunately, I have to say that it was really difficult for me to warm to Melissa during the whole story. After what happend with Lawrence, Melissa has some serious trust issues towards all men. I can understand that when you’ve been with a horrible man for so long. Although towards the built up of the relationship with Daniel it was very frustrating sometimes. She is too much of a worrier and overly protectiv with William. Even though Melissa is not my most favourite heroine, I found her development from a painfully shy, unheard young model into Melissa Raven, supermodel and wife to the hottest designer in the country, great. Now she was the one who was constantly setting new trends. I was pleased for her that she is living her own life, not one made for her.

At first I thought Daniel was rich, snotty and unlikeable. That turned out differently very quickly. I loved him. He is a handsome charmer and it wasn’t hard to see why. The combination of rippling athleticism, dark good looks, compelling brown eyes and a dazzling smile was hard to igore. He’s not only the one who warms the heart of Melissa, he also helps William coming out of his shell and trying to convince him that father christmas really exists.

Despite these issues Freemans writing style managed to sucked me into the world of A Second Christmas Wish. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. A heart-warming tale of family, relationships and learning to trust again in a beautiful setting and invoking the magic of Christmas.

Actual rating 3.5

This is a story that had me smiling as I read, it is well written with a very good storyline the story flows smoothly from page to page. Melissa is divorced she was married to a man that believed if he did things she was to forgive him. When she finally takes their son William and leaves, I was rooting for her. They meet Daniel McCormick three years later, who makes them feel like this Christmas just might be special. William decides to make two Christmas wishes, one comes true and his last one has still not happened and it is New Years. I recommend this book. After reading this book I bought it.

I really enjoyed this story.

It was more than just a Christmas story. There was a lot going on with the characters with the backdrop of Christmas.

I liked that Melissa had a history. She seemed like a real person. It gave her a valid reason for not wanting to let anyone in.

The romance between Melissa and Daniel seemed real too. They were set up by his sister, and they fell in love quickly but it was very sweet to read.

William also grew as a character through the story. His letter to Santa reminded me of Miracle on 34th St, and you’ll just have to read the book to find out why!

This was a great Christmas story!

Lovely Christmas story, enjoyable and definitely one for the holidays.

I loved this book.....it reminded me the of Hallmark channel movies you watch, that leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. The characters are well written, with such compassion and emotions you would think they were real. I love stories where the main character gets a new chance at love after being so cruelly treated, and Daniels patience and love for both Melissa and her son was perfectly portrayed. Will definitely be reading more of her books

Really beautiful book cover, really enjoyed A Second Christmas Wish, such a lovely heart warming story!

This is a lovely Christmas romance. Melissa is a single mum, her son William is a shy introverted boy. Melissa was a model and is now a designer of women's clothing. Melissa is introduced to Daniel, her friends brother, who is a tennis coach. William takes tennis lessons and really likes Daniel. The attraction between Melissa and Daniel is instant. Can she let her guard down to love again? Read on.

A warm and cosy Christmas read! Melissa is an ex-model who is no longer interested in having a relationship thanks to her ex-husband the horrible marriage she shared with him. She wants to give all of her time and energy to her young son and to make sure he grows up happy and loved. Then she meets Daniel who is determined to be with her and of course everything changes! It was fun to see how Daniel bonded with Melissa's son and I really enjoyed it when her ex-husband got his. All in all a great Christmas read.