Reviewed by Scotty
TITLE: Sleigh Bells and Second Chances
SERIES: Love in Mission City
AUTHOR: Gabbi Grey
NARRATOR: Michael Dean
PUBLISHER: Gabbi Grey
LENGTH: 10hrs and 38mins
RELEASE DATE: October 2, 2024
BLURB:
Ryan
The moment I landed in that war zone, I knew I’d made a big mistake. I wasn’t a soldier, and my good intentions almost got me killed. Being wounded and shipped back home to Canada was both a blessing and a curse. I’m safe now, but I can’t stop thinking of the men I left behind. My therapist claims Healing Horses Ranch will help heal my wounds—physical and mental—but I’m not sure how much tranquility and wholesome fresh air I can take. Until I meet a beautiful, shy man who makes moving forward seem almost possible. Can I let go of the past and reach for a future with Simeon?
Simeon
I’ve made peace with being different from the folks around me. I love my home in Mission City, and if anyone needs something fixed, I’m the guy they call. When the owner of the therapy ranch hires me for a big project, I’m excited to get started. I always work alone, but one of the patients keeps hanging around, and I can’t bear to send him on his way. I can see how much he’s hurting. If helping me helps him, that’s a win for us both. As we share the work, something about that wounded man draws me deeper and deeper in. I’m no therapist, and I have my own issues, so am I a fool to be thinking about a future with a guy who’s likely to leave once he’s healed?
Sleigh Bells and Second Chances is a slow-burn, age-gap, hurt/comfort, mid-angst, gay romance novel with a shy handyman, a reckless former gamer, a precocious borrowed kid, and a therapy dog named Tiffany.
REVIEW:
Gabbi Grey’s “Sleigh Bells and Second Chances” is a heartwarming addition to the Love in Mission City series that offers a tender exploration of healing, love, and personal growth. This slow-burn romance follows Ryan, a wounded unofficial Canadian veteran of the war in Ukraine, grappling with survival guilt, and Simeon, a shy local handyman with a stutter, as they find solace and connection at the Healing Horses Ranch.
The novel has a sensitive portrayal of two vulnerable MCs, both fighting their own internal battles. Ryan, recovering from injuries sustained in Ukraine, arrives at the ranch seeking physical and mental healing, while Simeon has long struggled with the emotional scars of past bullying and parental rejection. Their gradual coming together is handled with remarkable delicacy, allowing a deeply authentic relationship to develop.
Simeon’s stutter is portrayed with particular sensitivity, avoiding stereotypical representations and instead presenting him as a competent, kind-hearted individual. The hurt/comfort elements are expertly woven into the narrative, providing emotional depth without feeling manipulative.
The audiobook is narrated by Michael Dean, and his approach to Simeon’s stutter is notably natural and respectful, bringing an additional nuance to the character’s portrayal. Unfortunately, some of the character voices sound somewhat similar, so back-and-forth dialogue can be confusing to follow at times.
One of the novel’s strengths is its supportive community setting. The characters from previous books in the Mission City universe provide a warm, low-angst backdrop that allows Ryan and Simeon’s relationship to breathe and develop slowly. The inclusion of Simeon’s supportive grandparents is particularly nice, offering a positive representation of LGBTQ+ family acceptance.
While the romance takes its time to unfold, the journey feels genuine and earned. The slow burn allows for a deeper connection between Ryan and Simeon, making their eventual coming together all the more satisfying. I much preferred this approach than the author’s shorter novels.
Though the novel can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the series in order, as well as the collection of shorts, to help set the scene.
RATING: 
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