A Christmas Changes Everything is the fifth book in the Hickory Ridge series, now a full-length novel and was previously published as a novella Mistletoe and Holly.

Holly and Chace are God parents to Chace's twin nieces. Chace heads to his sisters to help care for the twins when he gets a call that his sister's husband was injured overseas, and she needs his help. Chace agrees to help Holly who is already taking care of the girls while she is away.

Holly and Chace used to be a couple but after she lost her brother, she gave Chace an ultimatum. Either choose his somewhat dangerous job or her. Holly has let her fear of losing those she loves to run her life. Since they broke off the engagement, neither has had another person in their life. Still in love with the other they do their best to put the girls first, but will they be able to keep their feelings in check or will mistletoe help bring them back together.

This was a fun Christmas story. It is lighthearted and perfect for quick afternoon read.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.2 s Annarella13.2k 143

A cute and festive Christmas second chance story. It made me smile, root for the characters and made feel positive emotions
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine2 s Nina Craig674 6

Chace and Holly are thrown together when Chace's sister must travel to support her injured husband and leave their two God Parents in charge of their children, Emme and Wren.

But while these two split up eight years previously, it doesn't mean the emotions they had for one another disappeared.

This novel is a great Christmas read filled with mistletoe, second chances and happy ever afters.

I loved how both characters are strong-willed and know exactly what they want. This novel showed us how sacrifices and compromise are needed in a relationship and things aren't always easy but it is possible.

I love this author and revisiting Hickory Ridge. There was a little cameo from a previous character but it didn't take away from the main novel and if you haven't read the previous books you will not feel left out; but this does not mean you shouldn't be reading this series!

Grace uses wise words with the quote:

'Don't borrow trouble by worrying about things you can't control'

This is something I believe in but is hard to follow, and something I needed to hear right now. 1 Marie314 9

This is my first time reading one of Isabelle's books and I don't think it will be the last. This is a perfect Christmas read it's sweet, funny and a great second chance story. The history between Chace and Holly is obviously their biggest hurdle, but put caring for their adorable twin god-daughters into the mix as well. But after all the time apart is the start still there, with all the christmas lights and seeing how capable Chace is looking out for their god-daughters can Holly keep her feelings separate. If you love hallmark films then this certainly is for you. I was lucky enough to receive this as an ARC copy and this is my own opinion and review of the book.1 Jen316 4

This is such a lovely romantic festive read. Holly McCade and Chace Dutton are called upon to look after their goddaughters when their father is injured by an IED and their mother rushes to be by his side. However Holly and Chace have history. She broke off their engagement eight years previously……. They obviously still have feelings for each other and looking after two seven year olds gives them an insight into what life would have been but can they have a second chance? I loved the interaction between the two main characters, the cheekiness of their goddaughters but most importantly how their deep love for each other played out. I read this in one day! Thank you to Rosewood Books and Netgalley for the 1 Jen Hasheider23

This one took a bit to get into for me. I had a hard time with chemistry between the two for the first half of the book. The storyline is a slow burn second chance romance as Chace and Holly take on a temporary role of watching his twin nieces. As the story progressed, I loved the relationship they began to build as they worked together to watch the girls. This was a sweet little romance that is the perfect taste for this Christmas season. netgalley-arcs1 Bren1,153 8

My 1st book by this author and I'm happy to say I loved it, but pose the question can Chase and Holly's love withstand the test of time guess you'll have to read it to get the answer you won't be disappointed or able to put it down.1 Ashley21 1 follower

This is an amazing Christmas book. Cuddle up by the fire, drinking hot cocoa kinda cozy. While the ending is a bit rushed and could have been expended a bit more - the rest of the novel is amazing. It sucks you right in and gives you all the Christmas feels.1 Cara1,616

I really enjoyed this lovely, romantic story by a new to me author. As a recently retired teacher myself, I applaud this author’s energy and look forward to more stories from her.

My only complaint was that the story ended abruptly. I expected at least another chapter to share the news with the twins and see how everything turned out for the sister and brother-in-law. I was invested in these characters, and feel cheated!1 Noriboo331 27

Light, Holiday second chance story with a teensy bit of angst surrounding a wounded relative.1 Kirsty W141 5

It only took one phone call for his world to change. After his brother in law was injured over seas, he is sent to his hometown to take care of his twin nieces and god daughters, only catch…he must work with his ex and childhood sweetheart to do so. One thing leads to another, conversations are had and second chances could be real. Chace and Holly were such a fun dynamic to read! They were definitely time I wanted to sit her down and be girl you need to talk to someone…and then she had her a hah moment!1 Patti Greene64 2

Holly and Chace and two adorable twins! This is one amazing Christmas story. It is such a special story. Holly and Chace are together helping take care of twin girls so their mother and be with her husband helping him recover. Holly and Chace have a history as they were engaged but Holly just couldn't go through with it because of Chace's career and the thought of her losing him.
Being together and helping take care of the twins, Holly and Chace reconnect and realize they both never really got over each other.
Will this help them have another chance? Will Holly be able to let her guard down when it comes to Chace and his career.
This story gives you all the feels. You will not be disappointed! It is great!1 Nik.The.Nerd111 1 follower

This was a great read! It was a quick, sweet romance that reminded me of a Hallmark movie! I enjoyed getting to know the characters and would recommend this book to a friend! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this arc in exchange for my honest review.1 K Kne212

This is a very sweet second change love story that takes place at Christmastime. Chace is a great great hero and Holly is likable as well. I was very worried for a while about how the author would give me a believable HEA, especially because Holly wasn't changing her stance on her feelings about Chace's job and his job made hiim happy. I did actually buy the resolution, so this book gets 5 stars from me. Well done.1 Viv79 1 follower

A Christmas Changes Everything
Isabelle Grace
2023
4 Stars


Thank you NetGalley and Publisher Inkubator Books for my copy of A Christmas Changes Everything by Isabelle Grace. I have not received any rewards or compensation for this review and therefore all views and opinions are of my own, the reviewer.

In summary: A second chance romance set in small town Hickory Ridge.

Book number 5 in the Hickory Ridge series by Isabelle Grace, first book I have read by this author. In this book, I enjoyed the way that Chace and Holly come together while enacting their god parent duties to their twin nieces. Both main characters have a lot of history together which is evident that they both should not have parted in the first instance. Meaning, the chemistry was well incorporated with Chace and Holly. I d the Christmas backdrop which felt an ideal place to set the main character’s reunion.
The writing was great, I did not feel that the characters struggled to come together as I had said earlier, the chemistry was well written and both characters compliment each other.
I recommend this book and intent to check out the author’s other works in Hickory Ridge.2 s Tiffany Farris75 8

The title literally tells it all, A Christmas Changes Everything. What do you do when you are in the same house with your ex fiancé 10 years later?
Holly and Chace are brought together to take care of their goddaughters. Can a little Christmas magic make things better?

I loved the small town atmosphere and will be going back and reading the rest of the series(I’m pretty sure this is book 5 but I wasn’t lost so I’m guessing you can read them as standalones)
I really enjoyed the twins and their Christmas shenanigans. A very sweet hallmark type Christmas novel!

Thanks to NetGalley for a chance at discovering a new author. 1 Debbie Ballard1,613 12

Loved reading the engaging and engrossing romance story. Chace and Holly haven't seen much of each other since Holly broke their engagement ten years ago, but when Chace's sister needs Chace and Holly to take care of her twins, Chace and Holly have to work together, and the chemistry between both of them simmers. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting love story.1 Susanne154 3

A wonderful Christmas second chance romance. Holly and Chace are thrown together to look after their god-children only to disvover they never got over their break up 8 years before. Despite Holly's misgivings, they decide to try again. Chace's plan to give them a chance was really sweet! And, for once, the children were funny and a great part of the story!

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.1 R Mmm118 3

Sweet second chance Christmas story. After eight years apart Chase and Holly are reunited after having to care for their godchildren. Once they put aside old hurts and miscommunications they found what they lost so long ago. What a great wintertime read. Thank you NetGalley for this free advanced copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily1 Ann Lorz1,673 22


You know me I love a Christmas/holiday story. Add that to it being part of a series I really d and I'm a happy camper. A Christmas Changes Everything was once a short novella that was part of a boxset. Since I didn't read the before I don't know how much it changed now that it's filled out some.

The idea of the story is a good one. I the fact that these two know each other and once had a relationship. A second change romance works smoothly in this story. Sometimes you find that the story works hard to put the couple together again but not with this one. The author was smart to have an emergency that cause the two to have to work together.

At the very first meeting of these two I have to admit that I didn't care for Holly. She came off mean. Thankfully you understand her pretty quickly and figure out she lashes out but doesn't mean what she says. She's very hurt about the past and I will say I don't blame her. I get she fell in love with military man, but she figured out pretty quickly that she couldn't handle that kind of life. The worry was too much for her.

At the time she wanted him to get out he could, and you understand why. In fact, I don't have a problem with his decisions. The fact that they broke up was the right thing to do. He deserved to have the life he wanted just her.

I'm not going to say more because you really should read it for yourself and see both sides of their feelings. The sweet part is that they really do love each other and have all the time they weren't together. Time together shows them what they really want.

I love the nieces and how Chance who is this tough can handle everything guy gets tired out by two seven-year-olds. Love it. Most of us have been there and you don't understand it until it happens to you. As whole this is a very enjoyable story that I really d.

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ARC received for an honest review contemporary family holiday ...more3 s Charlotte Baddeley236 9

Another sweet romance in the Hickory Ridge series although they get steamier as the series progresses. You always know you’re going to get a happy ending with this series no matter how many pitfalls there are along the way and these days that is no bad thing.

Holly and Chase were once engaged to be married but after the death of her brother in active service, Holly could no longer contemplate committing to a man who could be snatched away from her at any moment and despite being deeply in love she reluctantly breaks off the engagement. Fast forward a decade and Holly and Chase are thrown together when they commit to looking after their twin goddaughters whilst their mother races to be with her seriously injured husband in Europe. Unsurprisingly Holly and Chase’s feelings for each other haven’t cooled. If anything they are even more passionate about each other than ever. Can a relationship that couldn’t work a decade ago work now?

I really enjoy this series and had thought that once Isabelle Grace had married off all the Blackwood brothers that would be the end so am delighted she is now bringing happy endings for the remaining bachelors and bachelorettes in Hickory Ridge. Looking forward to the next book and if it is anything this one, even more red hot passion.
Linda J.1,283 12

4.25 STARS

This is a standalone story even though book 5 of the series.

I did the MC but it is a pet peeve of mine the theme of the story. The h and H still love each other. The h breaks up with him because his job is dangerous. She loves him too much to have to face if she gets the call he's dead. This is the problem I have. So she breaks up with him, and after 8 long years still loves him. Okay, so isn't she going to feel just as bad whether they are broken up or not? Enough of my pet peeve!

I d how they slowly found their way back to each other. The interaction with their goddaughters was entertaining. Especially how they tried to manipulate the H but the h saw right through it.

Lovemaking outside of marriage - heat level 3 out of 5. Crude words used several times. I felt the ending was rushed. I wanted to know about their Christmas with the girls. No mention was made about getting the girls presents. Did the mom come home in time for the holidays?

No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, romantic and about second chances, tad of steam. (ljb)1 W556 8

All I want for Christmas

After a decade apart, high school sweethearts Chace and Holly are forced to spend extended time together caring for their joint twin god-dsughters in the weeks before Christmas. It was heart-warming to watch then rediscover their feelings for each other. They learned an important lesson while being apart, that love can't be switched off a twinkling Christmas tree light.
But more important, they learn to communicate their concerns rather than running away from things that test their emotions.

I saw many possibilities for future stories lurking in the background, only barely hinted at by incidental bits of conversation. I can't wait for the next story to find out what is happening in the town of Hickory Ridge.

I received an Beta/ARC copy of this story directly from the author and voluntarily chose to share my review. 1 Bookishdays142

Another brilliant and romantic story set in the small town of Hickory Ridge. This time we follow Chance, an ex-military and Holly, his ex-fiancé. After eight years of their break up, they need to spend the holiday season with their goddaughters, because the father of the girls, who is deployed, is injured abroad and the mother of the girls needs to travel to bring him home.

Holly and Chance have to live in the same house during Christmas, even if they feel awkward around each other, but their feelings never change. I loved this couple, they are complex, human, with some internal conflicts and sense of duty. The twins are adorable and overall this is a modern Christmas tale with a deserved happy ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.1 Sarah1,072 9

I thought this was a cute love story. Its definitely a second chance at love story with characters who are laid back and easy to follow where you feel you are just catching up with friends. I d Holly and Kit the sisters are to fun and I hope Kit's story will come soon cause I can see it now she is going to be a pistol. Holly was super cautious when it came to Chace but not in the annoying way but more so that she didn't want to over do laying her heart back on the line. She was fun the fun aunt with Emme and Wren and those two kept everyone on the toes for sure. Chace was one of those guys you see what you get an he's not going to hold back where you stand with him. He was such a big push over when it came to his nieces it had me laughing because it was so relatable. Overall this book was a fun read, however there is sex and strong language so may not be suitable for all.
1 Michelle CornishAuthor 27 books97

A Christmas Changes Everything is a charming novel that captures the essence of the holiday spirit and the complexities of rekindled love. It's a testament to the enduring power of love and the possibility of new beginnings, making it a perfect read for the holiday season. Grace masterfully captures the tension and unresolved feelings between Holly and Chace. Their history, marked by a painful separation due to Holly's fears about Chace's dangerous job, is explored with sensitivity and depth. The narrative effectively uses the chaos of childcare and family responsibilities to bring them together, offering them a glimpse into the life they might have shared.1 Merry Jelks-Emmanuel7,519 118

Chace and Holly were once in a relationship that ended badly. She refused to marry Chace because his occupation that he chose could end in death and she couldn't handle it. Years later they reconnect when they come together to look after twin girls in the absence of their parents. The feelings between them are still there and taking care of the twins give them insight into what they could have had. Will the time spent together have them rekindling their love for a second chance to have happiness.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.2 s Reader_for_LifeTLG1,924 7

Second chance at love - Another great edition in the Hickory Ridge series, this story offers a second chance at love I'm glad I didn't miss. Chace and Holly are the perfect pair, even if it took them almost a decade to find their way back into each other's arms. The twins are adorable urchins who were good at winding up Uncle Chace. Mostly sweet and fun as readers soak in the Christmas season with the makeshift family but a touch steamy as Chace resolves to win back his lady.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.1 Bernie1,139 4

Christmas themed romance
Holly and Chase were engaged years ago, until she broke it off. Making him choose the military or her was unfair, though at the times she had reason. Now he is back, to help her look after their godchildren, both being appointed by his sister and her best friend. The details bring back painful memories but also serve as a reminder that the love they share still burns.
Second time romance and fears to be faced, honesty to come forward and decisions to be made.1 Marsha52

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