Books & Spoons Review for HOLD HER AGAIN by Shannon Stacey

A country-music star returns home to win back the woman he loves in this charming holiday novella from New York Times bestselling author Shannon Stacey

Ava Wright isn't happy to see her high school sweetheart rolling into their hometown a few weeks before Christmas. He's only come back to bury his estranged father, but there's no way she'll be able to avoid him. No one can: he's become a country-music superstar since going solo and leaving Ava behind. 

Jace Morrow grew up believing "money can't buy happiness" was something people said to make themselves feel better. But now he knows it's the truth: no matter how many number-one hits he has, he'll never recapture the magic of singing with Ava. Missing her—loving her—and living with making the wrong choice in life were what made him who he is. 

When Jace is roped into being part of the town's annual Christmas party, he only cares about earning Ava's forgiveness. And though Ava's heart has never healed, she loved Jace too much and for too long to shut him out when he's hurting. As they fall in love all over again, they're both faced with choices for their future…and this time Jace intends to make the right one. 
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A well crafted, deeply emotional, second chance story of high school sweethearts who once wanted to reach the stars together but life and need for success draw them apart. 
Ever read one of those stories that pulverize your heart to dust with the angst, anger, and despair? Yes, Hold Her Again has those deep, dark emotions of pain, desertion, and guilt, having been left behind to seek fame and money. 
I enjoyed both of the lead characters. Ava Wright was a strong woman, she was comfortable with her life, she was not ashamed of her feelings. She was open about the pain and sorrow she had gone through when Jace Morrow left her behind, and she had no desire to go through that dark valley again. 
Jace Morrow had it all, fame, successful career, all the possibilities he could dream of, and the money to make them into a reality. The only mistake he made, was leaving Ava behind to seek the stardom. He missed her daily, made hit songs about the yearning towards her, yet it took six years, and his father death, to seek a contact with her again. 
The small town is charming, the preparations for the holidays engaging, it was easy to immerse myself into the story and let the multitude of feelings overtake my mind and heart, from the regrets to joy and jubilee, all the feels were there, tangible and real. 
With the shorter length of the story, I felt that the repentance and the awakening of the adoration and admiration anew was a little short lived. Yet with the epilogue, the author brought all the doubts and questions into a lovely, complete, and satisfying ending. 
A sweet, and captivating story about forgiveness, forever kind of love between soulmates, about small-town Christmas jubilation, and finding your place, your purpose, and aiming for your goals and dreams. 
~ Four Spoons

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Other Holiday Titles By The Author: