December has arrived in all its glittery, slightly chaotic glory. With our school year done, I’ve got more time to tackle the end-of-year rush, enjoy some summery weather (at last!), and dive into a new read. ’Tis the season for stories with heart, healing, and a little holiday warmth, even if Christmas equals sunshine here in Australia rather than snow.
Enter The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter. I reviewed one of Ms Hunter’s books earlier this year, and even though she’s a prolific writer, I still have much of her catalogue to read! I’ve also heard great things about her Riverbend Romance series, and since Gray—our hero—lives in Riverbend Gap, fans of that series may spot some familiar threads. I can’t confirm crossovers, but readers who enjoy the Riverbend Romance world will probably enjoy this one too.
The Second Story Bookshop is a contemporary Christian romance between exes Shelby and Gray, once late-teen sweethearts. Their paths collide when Gray returns to his hometown of Grandville, NC, after Shelby’s Gram passes away, more than a decade after he left. The town holds little love for Gray because of his father’s past and its long memory… and Shelby hasn’t forgiven him for leaving after high school, either.
This moving, layered second-chance romance wrapped around my heart and squeezed tight. With complex characters and circumstances, this emotional tale plunged me into its depths, flicking my “justice button” on and off like a Christmas tree. Thankfully, Denise ties loose ends quickly with reader satisfaction in mind.
I suspect I won’t be the only one on Team Gray from page one. If you love wounded heroes who keep fighting through trauma, family complications, and the weight of their own history, Gray is your guy. Thoughtful and resilient, he carried the weight of this story so well.
Shelby took a little longer to win me over, but once she softened, found clarity, and returned to her kind-hearted self, I loved her. The side characters add their own charm: Shelby’s sister-in-law and best friend, Liddy, brightens each of her scenes, helped along with some adorable baby moments and even a mangy dog determined to be loved.
Expect spiced-up kisses, swoon-worthy hero moments, and enough emotional fuel to keep things interesting without overwhelming the romance. It’s heartfelt, faith-infused, and anchored in the warmth (and long-held grudges!) of small-town community.
If you’re looking for a romantic story with intensity and “all the feels”, I recommend The Second Story Bookshop for your next December read.
Until next time,
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