Dashing Through the Snow

by Laura Rush

Dashing down the road,
On my little motorbike.
Christmas Eve alone,
Just trying to get it right.
But then the engine dies,
Smoke rising in the air,
Stranded under starry skies,
In need of some repair.

Oh, jingle my bells, engine fails,
Stuck out on the street,
On Christmas Eve, with no reprieve,
This ride’s no merry feat!
Oh, jingle my bells, broken trails,
My heart begins to sink,
But then I find a little bar,
And fate gives me a wink.

I walked in from the cold,
The lights were shining bright,
With every step I took,
The place just felt so right.
Then there, across the room,
A face from long ago,
My heart skipped a beat or two,
Could it really be so?

Oh, jingle my bells, engine swells,
The spark of love’s alive,
On Christmas Eve, I still believe,
In fate’s sweet, crazy drive.
Oh, jingle my bells, tales to tell,
Of love and second chance,
What started with a broken ride,
Might turn into a romance?

Book 2 in the Jingle My Bells Series. Can be read as a standalone.

Genres: Second Chance

133 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2024

Reviews

[ellie ୨୧*･ ( ivy’s version ) · Rating 2 out of 5]

❤️ christmas theme short novella 💚

Francesca and Heath broke up due to different value and point of view of living life
and they reunited after a year they broke up, on christmas eve stuck in a huge snowstorm

it is a really short novella so it was a quick read :)

[Chiara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've loved book 1, so I had high expectations for the second novella, but it failed.
I liekd how this book started, I was so curious to find out what had happened between Heath hand Francesca and at the beginning I was so caught up.
Then, I don't know what happened. The plot lost focus, the characters were talking about the others describing aspects of their personality that were never said before. For example, Heath talked with his sister about Francesca and how she was okay with leabing behind her spread sheets or her five year plan. That was the first time it was told Francesca was so precise and focused on her job. Or even the fact every sister knew about Heath, while in book 1 Francesca had only told Brim.

These discrepancies made me dislike the ending. Still, thank you love notes pr and author for an ARC of this novella

[Justine Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Love Notes PR and to the author for the ARC!❤️ This was a quick Christmas novella that I finished in under 24 hours. While the story had potential, it fell a bit short for me. I struggled to connect with the characters, and the ending felt rushed. It left me wanting more. The romance lacked that spark that makes me giggle or blush. There is one open-door scene, but it didn’t fully resonate with me. Also, even for a novella, the reconciliation after five years felt a little too sudden.

Overall, it’s an okay read; not something I’d go out of my way to recommend, but I wouldn’t discourage anyone from picking it up either. It just felt like something was missing. That said, I’m still curious about the other books in the series and would love to give them a try soon! 

OUT NOW!

Read if you like:
❤️‍🩹 Second chance
❄️ Holiday novella
💖 Mental Health rep
💋 It was always you

[Lauren Eschmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super cute. Sometimes I don’t love second chance but Laura did such a great job with it and in such a short time! I could kind of relate to Francesca so it was nice to see her branch out of her box and do something uncomfy.

[Laura Gerez · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review of Dashing Through the Snow by Laura Rush🎄✈️ 🍷🏍️❤️‍🩹📚

This book is everything I love about Christmas romance wrapped up in one sweet, emotional package. Heath and Franny completely stole my heart! Their love story, full of hurt and hope, is the kind of second-chance romance that stays with you. Seeing them reconnect after their fallout—on a stormy Christmas Eve, no less—was both heart-wrenching and heartwarming. You can feel their pain, but the spark between them is impossible to ignore.

Franny’s bond with her sisters was such a beautiful part of the story, too. Their banter and support added so much warmth and depth, making the whole world of the novella feel alive and real. Laura managed to pack so much love, growth, and holiday magic into this short read—it’s cozy, heartfelt, and absolutely perfect.

If you’re looking for a Christmas novella about love lost and found, with characters you’ll fall in love with, this one will make your heart melt. Heath and Franny’s story is proof that sometimes love is worth the wait. Obsessed.💘

TROPES
✨MC Romance
✨Rom-com
✨Second chance
✨Christmas novella
✨It was always you
✨Mental health Rep

🩵My Favorite Quotes🩵

“You coming in, baby, or you gonna sit on that bike, looking sexy and cold all day?”

“we’ve all been through the wringer when it comes to love, but that makes us pros at spotting red flags. We’re basically mentors at this point. Call us the Yodas of Christmas matchmaking, just… you know, without the lightsabers.”

‼️Book coming out November 28th on Amazon, and I'm already so excited for everyone to read it and love it as much as I did‼️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️/5

@ReadingLaurasLibrary
#Happyreading

[FionaBluesBookCafe · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are in the mood for a sweet second chance holiday novella Dashing Through the Snow by Laura Rush is for you. You will love watching Francesca and Heath find their way back to each other, as much as I did.

The Tropes:
🏍️ MC Romance
🎄 Rom-Com
🏍️ Second Chance
🎄Christmas Novella
🏍️ It Was Always You
🎄Mental Health Rep
The Blurb:
Dashing down the road,
On my little motorbike,
Christmas Eve alone,
Just trying to get it right.
But then the engine dies,
Smoke rising in the air,
Stranded under starry skies,
In need of some repair.

Oh, jingle my bells, engine fails,
Stuck out on the street,
On Christmas Eve, with no reprieve,
This ride’s no merry feat!
Oh, jingle my bells, broken trails,
My heart begins to sink,
But then I find a little bar,
And fate gives me a wink.

I walked in from the cold,
The lights were shining bright,
With every step I took,
The place just felt so right.
Then there, across the room,
A face from long ago,
My heart skipped a beat or two,
Could it really be so?

Oh, jingle my bells, engine swells,
The spark of love’s alive,
On Christmas Eve, I still believe,
In fate’s sweet, crazy drive.
Oh, jingle my bells, tales to tell,
Of love and second chance,
What started with a broken ride,
Might turn into a romance?

[Rosie | xo.rosiereads · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

What to Expect:
🏍️ MC Romance
🎄 Rom-Com
🏍️ Second Chance
🎄Christmas Novella
🏍️ It Was Always You
🎄Mental Health Rep

Dashing Through the Snow by Laura Rush is my first read by the author, and it’s a heartwarming holiday treat. If you love second chances wrapped in snowstorms and Christmas magic, this novella is for you.

Heath and Francesca are reunited by fate during a snowstorm on Christmas Eve. Their journey is filled with love, witty banter, and hope. Francesca’s bond with her sisters adds extra depth, making this short but sweet read even more magical.

This low-drama, low-spice second-chance romance has a touch of melancholy, leaning into healing and growth over festive cheer. While the pacing is quick, and the themes of anxiety and panic attacks add depth, these elements felt underexplored, leaving some threads unresolved.

Overall, Dashing Through the Snow offers a unique spin on holiday romance—perfect for readers seeking something cozy and emotional with a sprinkle of holiday magic.

Thank you to the author, Laura Rush, and the Love Notes PR team for the ARC opportunity.

[Christine Szeremeta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Hallmark Book

This book, just like the first in this series, is very Hallmark Like, but in a good way. Dashing Through the Snow is book 2 of a series of interconnected standalones. Our FMC, Francesca, is the older sister of Brimley, the FMC in book one, So, This is Christmas.

5 years after a heartbreaking breakup with Heath, our MMC, both him and Francesca are still struggling with the pain the breakup left them in. Giving hope on never seeing each other again, both just settle into life without each other. Giving up hope of reuniting because they are convinced they are too different for a relationship to work between them but as fate has it, after her motorbike breaks down, Franny finds herself walking into a small town bar where Heath is bartending, after being asked to come in to work a shift due to a call-off that day.

Laura takes us through the minds of our MCs as they battle their internal battles of heart break, and try to convince themselves that they are just too different to make a relationship work. There is a sexual scene and an on page anxiety attack, so double-check triggers before reading. Your mental health matters.

[Shae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as an arc and am grateful for the opportunity. This one was a second chance romance with low spice. It was open door but there was only one spicy scene that didn’t go into very much detail.

This novella used holiday magic to help two tortured souls find their way back together and work through their differences. The book was fast paced with a few key scenes that defined the plot of the book.

There was elements of mental health sprinkled in with anxiety and panic attacks but these weren’t really explained as anything more that the result of bad dreams and I felt like they were too frequent for this book considering the amount of explanation given for them throughout the story.

I felt this one was slightly unresolved as I was expecting something more to happen and it just didn’t. It was low drama but it was still a nice story.

Dashing through the snow was certainly a fitting title. This one took a more melancholy approach to holiday romance rather than the traditional Christmas cheer you usually see in holiday romances which made for an interesting read!

[Natalie Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:

YOU KNOW THE SAYING, LADIES: The way to a woman’s heart is to feed her and wear grey sweatpants because that dick print does wonders. Well, Heath? He understood the assignment and delivered with holiday magic, a swoon-worthy romance, and let me just say: FIREPLACE. Yes, I’m shouting it because it was THE moment!!! A short, sweet, laugh-out-loud story that I literally devoured in less than an hour. Picture this: Fran’s motorbike gives up on Christmas Eve, stranding her in the middle of nowhere. But instead of a silent night, she finds a cozy bar, a second chance at love, and Heath—her past, and oh-so-possibly her future. Fran and Heath had me rooting for them, laughing with them, and melting over lines like, “She’s mine, and I am hers, and that is all I need.” YES. PLEASE. The chemistry? Off the charts. The laughs? Endless. The holiday vibes? Perfectly wrapped with a bow. And if you’re wondering what the fireplace is all about... you’re just going to have to read it to find out.

[Katherine Gisleson · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75/5 ⭐️s
🌶️ - low spice, one minimally descriptive scene

LOVES:
- I like that they didn’t skate around the issue in their first meeting. They apologized and moved on.
- I do like the siblings of both main characters, though it felt like I saw more of those relationships than the one between the MCs.

CRITIQUES:
- It’s hard to fully grasp what their relationship was like in the past and what happened between them to really end things. It’s all so vague and confusingly described.
- The truck thing felt like a weird problem… if it was supposed to be reminiscent of their issues in the past, it didn’t come off that way
- I just never really felt the connection between the two main characters

I definitely didn’t love this. It felt like there was so little of the two main characters actually in the same vicinity. And not much really happened, the author was just grasping at straws to find drama. It was okay, but not what I was looking for.

Thanks to @lovenotes.pr for the eARC 💝

[Kayla Sooter · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was so cute! it gave me all the Hallmark feels without being too cheesy. i enjoyed watching Francesca & Heath find their way back to each other after breaking up because they had different lives they wanted to live. this book had some raw moments with Fran dealing with her panic attacks & i very much appreciate Laura not suppressing the emotions going into this book as it makes the story much better & very powerful. i loved the bond that Fran had with all of her sisters & how they stayed with her every step of the way, while also wanting her to do her own thing & live her life how she wanted to.

this quote: “I’ll try, Heath, because I’d rather be out of my comfort zone with you than drowning without you.” literally broke me. it’s just so sweet & i loved that Fran went out of her comfort zone just to be with the man she’s always loved.
Laura did such an amazing job writing this christmas novella. if u ever get the chance to read it, i promise u won’t be disappointed!

[hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE! As I had anticipated, this cozy second chance Christmas novella got me right out of my reading slump! A Laura Rush Christmas novella is just able to do that every time!

Heath and Franny have my entire heart! I absolutely adore them both! I was stressing for those two when they saw each other again for the first time after their fallout. However, it turned into this really cute and beautiful rekindling of two lost souls. CRYING! The setting, the entire Christmas vibe, THE CHARACTERS, and just everything about this is absolute perfection! I love how Laura was able to put so much plot line and character depth into this novella and yes, I’ll be sat every time a new novella out of this series drops!

This is such a cozy read and I mean come on who doesn’t want to read a second chance novella?! Laura you’re the best and I can’t wait for more to come! 💗

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series, but could be read as a standalone. It masterfully intertwines the threads of personal growth and rekindled love, creating a story that resonated deeply.

The main character’s emotional depth truly shines. Watching them navigate moments of raw vulnerability, including their struggles with panic attacks, felt both authentic and profoundly comforting. As someone who has faced similar challenges, I found the portrayal to be relatable and validating, offering a rare and meaningful connection. Rush doesn’t shy away from showcasing emotions that society often asks us to suppress, making the story all the more impactful.

Though I’m not typically drawn to second-chance romances, this book won me over with its heartfelt approach. Their journey felt earned and genuine, leaving me rooting for them with every page.

[Lilly S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Love Notes PR for providing me with this arc in exchange for my review.

I really wanted to love this. Maybe after reading back to back really great arcs this one just fell flat by comparison.

The idea seemed solid but the execution was just not interesting. Everything seemed to move too fast and be too convenient. There was a lot that didn’t make sense (“nightmares” about Heath). I also felt like the relationships (romantic and familial) weren’t very solid or fleshed out. I know this is one of a series but it felt like I walked into a movie an hour in and then left before the real ending. As short as this was it took me forever to read because I just didn’t care about the characters or the plot. At no point did I feel any connection to the characters nor did I feel invested in their lives.

I hate to leave a negative review but this just wasn’t for me.

[Destiny Imperati · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review ✨️

♡Heath & Francesca♡

5 years ago, they had a terrible breakup. They're both still heartbroken and trying to deal with the pain if left them. After a long time of hoping they'll reconnect, they eventually give up that hope. One day, Francesca is out on a ride on her motorbike, and it breaks down. She ends up going into the local bar, and Heath ends up being on a shift there.

I really enjoyed it when they finally reconnected! It was like it was meant to be. I haven't read the first book yet, but I'm definitely going to now! The author's writing was so good, and the characters she created were the best. The only thing I would change is the length! I wanted more so bad😍 I recommend this story to anyone looking for a cute, steamy holiday novella!

Tropes:
🌲Second Chance
❄️Holiday novella
🌲Mental health rep
❄️MC romance 🏍

Thanks so much to the author and Love Notes Pr for the ARC!

[Michelle Peralta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This holiday novella was a quick, sweet read that left me wanting more! Franny, dealing with anxiety and stress, ends up stranded on Christmas Eve when her motorcycle breaks down. She stumbles into a bar and runs into her ex, Heath. Their reunion sparks old feelings, and they quickly realize they balance each other perfectly—Franny’s strength and Heath’s wandering soul make them a great match.

Franny is a badass character, and Heath is the perfect counterpart to ground her. This novella is a fun, heartwarming holiday story with great chemistry and a lot of heart. Can’t wait to see what’s next in the *Jingle My Bells* series! Thanks to Laura Rush for the ARC! 🎄✨

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story centers on two characters who broke up because of their clashing worldviews. He’s a free spirit; she’s a straight-A perfectionist. On the surface, it seems like they’re too different to work. But Christmas, with its snow and magic, has a way of bringing people back together. :)

The reason I docked a star in my review is that their relationship felt codependent. Both characters clearly struggled after the breakup—sleep issues, obsessive attachments to certain things—it just didn’t feel healthy.

Still, it seems Santa Claus has a therapist license.

I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for a dose of Christmas spirit or for those who believe people can change.

[Lilian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heath and Francesca broke up five years ago when Heath left for his adventure while she refused to follow him, and decided to stay behind. When her bike breaks down, fate leads her to seek refuge at a bar which Heath is working at.

The one night leads them both to contemplate the what-ifs in their relationship. As this is a novella, things move quickly and there are definitely no draggy moments. I wished we had more flashbacks of their past though, before they broke up. It felt unnecessary as well that their breakup was blamed entirely on Francesca when Heath could also have chosen to stay.

[Yessenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I watch her leave, I feel a new sense of determination settle over me. This isn’t about just making things right with Heath. This is about taking control of my life—choosing what I want, not just what feels safe.

A sweet christmas second chance romance, where the couple split die to differences in what they wanted in life. But reconnect during a storm on Christmas Eve.

The banter between Francesca and her sisters was sweet, I enjoyed seeing them interact and be there for each other.

The reconnecting and realizing they can have a mix of chaos and comfort for their lives together.

[Cati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Laura Rush for sending me an ARC copy of the second book in the Jingle My Bells series! This was so cute! At the end of the last book we got a little peak at Francesca’s love life and I’m so glad that we got to see more of her and Heath’s story!

Franny is so strong and badass! She is loves her family but also has somethings that she is dealing with that she keeps close to her chest. She deserves happiness!

Heath is so good and has a wanderer’s soul and needs something or someone to ground him. That is definitely Franny. They balance each other so well.

This is a short and sweet holiday novella definitely perfect to get you in the holiday spirit! Heath and Francesca valance each other out so well! Can’t for the rest of the sisters to get a story too!

[Jessica Sirocca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six sisters, six stories, interconnected standalones. This is book 2 (Franny’s Story).
Very cute, short story - I read it in less than 24 hours in between the craziness of life. The story follows Franny and Heath, both lost the love of their lives and deserve a second chance. I really liked how this book showed two strong willed people that need to learn to compromise or make sacrifices.
I can’t wait to read the other sister’s stories! Each book releasing in November each year through 2028!
Release Date: November 28

[Saphira Reyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this as an ARC. It was a quick Christmas novella. While the plot seemed good, I ended up pretty confused. At the beginning it was my understanding that Francesca and Heath had discussed travel together, but later in the book, it is insinuated that Heath tried forcing her to travel, that it wasn’t ok, etc. Which doesn’t make sense with the beginning. And while it’s a novella, the sudden reconciliation after 5 years seems a little bit fast after just seeing each other at the bar and starting right away. I did like the writing so it is an author I’ll probably try again in the future.

[Chaos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didnt like this one as much. It still had the cute romance Christmas vibes, but Fran was a bit immature for me. She called Heath indecisive when she's the one actually being indecisive. Just because Heath didnt have a 5 year plan didn't mean he didnt know what he wanted. He wanted her. He loved her. She's the one that walked away because he wasnt ridged and controlling the way she was. I feel that their relationship issues were glossed over in favor of them getting together. Still cute and I still enjoyed the writing

[Bookreader B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚🌶

Dashing Through The Snow was a great Christmas themed novella! I really liked how the book started and continued to keep my attention throughout reading it.

Heath and Franny were together at one point and broke up due to being in different times of their lives. They eventually began hanging out together again starting from a stormy Christmas eve.

I really enjoyed the first book from Laura Rush in the Jingle My Bells series and this one was just as good!

[Nisha Bahadure · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m honestly at a loss for words with this book. I tried so hard to enjoy it, but I just couldn’t connect. It felt like something was missing—the story, the emotions, the chemistry—it didn’t quite come together for me. The first few chapters focused so much on their individual lives that I found myself wondering, 'Am I even reading a romance book?' Unfortunately, this one didn’t work out for me. I went in with high hopes, but it just didn’t deliver what I was expecting.

[Shyanne Blankenship · Rating 2 out of 5]

I unfortunately did not love this. It’s a short quick read (which I never mind!) but it wasn’t fun and festive like I was hoping. I was hoping to fall in love with Franny and Heath over the holiday season but it wasn’t in the cards I suppose

This was a second chance that I did not find believable. Neither of them seemed to have worked through the issues that caused them break up. And I had zero faith that they would last

[Nicole Langley · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me this book fell flat. There are so many things that could have been done that would have made this book much better. When reading, you get hints of the backstory but not many details. Then FMC and MMC meet, have some drama, send the night together and then the end.

I loved the first book in this serious and will continue to read the others. But I felt like this could have been written so much better.

[Tasha_loves_to_read · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two are just the cutest.
I adore this world Laura is creating. The sisters are so completely different but each of them in their own right great.
Heath and Franny will forever have my heart. They finally overcome their differences and sorted their issues out. You could feel the hurt and pain they shared but the spark they shared cannot be ignored!

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a cute Christmas Novella you must read.
This novella is 11 chapters it’s fast paced and well written, I really enjoyed it. It’s a cute second chance romance I think any Christmas lover would like. It has some spice I wouldn’t say it’s over the top spicy but like a solid 3.5 spicy, but it’s cute and I enjoyed it!