About the Author

Everyone says wear the hat, ride the cowboy, but no one ever says anything about divorcing him.

When I return to my favorite little cabin in Silverwood, Montana, for Christmas, I refuse to let anything ruin my five days of solitude or my plan to get my life back on track.

What I didn’t plan for was finding myself shacked up and snowed in with a grumpy cowboy.

But that’s exactly what happens when I run into my ex-husband, Hank Blue.

I’ve been dead set on forgetting the man whose heart I broke three years ago. Being stuck together means we’re forced to face the past and what tore our marriage apart in the first place. Even worse, I’m forced to remember everything about the man I loved. That rugged, handsome cowboy with a heart of gold. Those sweet kisses under the mistletoe. The yearning look in his sapphire eyes every time we touch. Soon, the only thing hotter than the fire in the hearth of our old cabin is the heat between us.

I’m falling for my ex-husband. Again.

And as Christmas approaches and my time in Silverwood ends, it’s clear that Hank still wants forever.

But I’m not sure if all the old feelings we stirred up can make up for the heartbreak of our past.

Is he just a cowboy I used to know?

Or is this a second chance wrapped up in a shiny red bow?

Review

The success of a second-chance novella depends on authors being able to convince readers that these two characters should get back together. Admittedly, I think that Ava Hunter does a decent job and builds a strong, believable emotional foundation rooted in shared history, grief, and lingering affection. The chemistry between Bellamy and Hank feels authentic, and several moments throughout the novella highlight why they should be together despite being apart for 3 years.

The story centers on Bellamy and Hank. Two characters who were once married and inseparable; however, grief changed the course of their relationship, leading them to divorce. Three years after their divorce, Bellamy decides to spend Christmas at the cabin after her painting career has stalled. She believes that returning to the Christmas tree farm will give her motivation to finish something. Bellamy assumes she will be left alone; however, upon arrival, she is face-to-face with her ex-husband. Hank never left the farm, nor has he ever stopped loving her. He’s been emotionally stuck, and now that she is back, he isn’t willing to let her go. Their reunion is inevitable despite both having their guards up and fearing getting their hearts broken again. Although I wasn’t particularly attached to the characters, I appreciated that they found their way back together.

That being said, the novella’s biggest weakness lies in the treatment of Bellamy. There seemed to be an imbalance. It seemed like Bellamy was the one who made the biggest sacrifices. She moved from the city to be with him. Lost her dog when they separated. The farm. Additionally, she again had to make another sacrifice to save the farm. It would have strengthened the story to see Hank risk more or truly give something up to earn their second chance.

Final Thoughts

'Tis the Season for a Cowboy succeeds in delivering a warm, emotionally grounded second-chance romance. While the treatment of Bellamy felt frustrating, it is a satisfying journey to see Bellamy and Hank back together.

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Book Summary

Ash Keller prefers to keep her heart colder than the morgue. Having sworn off love after a disastrous breakup, she’s learned to thrive in her new career as a death doula. When her millionaire client, Augustus Fox, asks her to accompany him on an all-expenses paid trip to mend family ties and fulfill last wishes, she agrees.

There’s just one nail in her coffin.

Nathaniel Whitford—her client’s absurdly gorgeous, grumpy doctor of a grandson—is along for the trip. A man who has hated her guts since she crashed his wedding years ago. It’ll be a miracle if she survives this vacation without being tossed into a volcano.

Still, Ash refuses to let Nathaniel’s smug smirk and rippling pectorals take her focus away from her death doula-ing duties. She can survive two weeks in paradise with his offensively handsome face. But when falling coconuts and family drama threaten to derail the vacation, Ash and Nathaniel strike a deal: Bury their animosity and make the vacation perfect for Augustus.

Soon, a tentative bond—and mutual attraction—forms between the unlikely pair. With every tropical misadventure and steamy late-night hookup, Ash realizes there’s more to Nathaniel than his barbed banter and uptight façade. Suddenly love seems more complicated than death. And as the trip comes to an end, Ash must decide whether she’ll keep her heart six feet under or risk it all…for better or hearse.

Review

Amongst Ava Hunter’s catalog, this may be her best. Correction, it is best to me. I have yet to read every book by her; however, I doubt it would top For Better or Hearse. This is a favorite of mine this year, and I would have been so disappointed if I had waited months to read this one finally.

Ash and Nathaniel start as enemies. Five years prior, she ruined his wedding day, and now they are forced to deal with each other for around two weeks. Neither is happy about it. They throw some great jabs at each other and have petty moments. Not only is this book hilarious, but it’s also very swoon-worthy and emotional.

Death is a major theme in this story. Ash is a death doula and is working for Nathaniel’s grandpa –Augustus— who has forced his family to spend time together before his death. His family is difficult and don’t get along. They spend a lot of time-fighting each other.

Augustus and Ash have such an amazing relationship and he truly adopts her as his own. While reading I had to mentally prepare myself for his death. I went back in forth on whether I thought the author would follow through with it or would a cure magically happen. Slight spoiler, there is no cure. His death isn't as emotionally brutal as I thought it would be. I’m grateful that both Ash and Nathaniel had beautiful moments with him before it happened. Augustus is highly crucial to both their arcs.

I found it quite interesting that Nathaniel’s profession contrasts with Ash’s. He’s an ER doctor and has distanced himself away from his family for personal reasons. I would even say that his distance causes him to go to dangerous places.

As for Ash, she’s someone who has been considered “different” her entire life; considered “too much”. She has tough skin, but words hurt, especially words from her ex-fiancé. I loved reading about her embracing herself and getting what she deserved at the end. I loved seeing Nathaniel and Ash put down their barriers and show their softer sides to each other.

Final Thoughts

For Better or Hearse gets a big A plus from me. I adored this story and the characters. The only issue is had was Nathaniel’s father. I felt like his personality shift felt a little underdeveloped. However, I can look past that. Ash and Nathaniel were outstanding, and I loved their personalities and how well the two of them came together and really took care of each other.

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