Code Red Christmas

The Coach's Boys Series, Book 5

By: Kristy K. James

Narrated by: Daniela Acitelli

When she promised 'until death do us part,' she meant it.

When Darby O'Hara believed in something, she believed in it forever, and her marriage rated at the top of that list. But she hadn't counted on a husband who devoted most of his life to his business. As the years passed, and he spent more and more hours away from home, her dreams of becoming a mother seemed to be just that - a dream. One that would never be fulfilled. Being patient hadn't worked. Talking hadn't either, and one day she decided she'd had enough. It was time to make a new life for herself. Maybe with the handsome and attentive Dylan.

Achieving success had always been important to him.

No one had ever loved their wife more than Cal O'Hara loved his, but he'd never figured out how to balance his personal life and his business. And then came the day she announced her intention to divorce him. In that moment he knew he'd do anything to win her back. When a holiday reprieve comes his way, he knows he's got one chance to make some serious changes. He's willing to give everything he has to win Darby back. The question is, will everything be enough to make her want to stay?

©2013 Kristy K. James (P)2016 Kristy K. James

Was There Second Chances

A good story of how love sometimes isn’t enough, when she feels like she not a top priority with her husband. She gave him enough time, and thinking maybe time to change things. Good. Story of a wake up call for both of them.Given ARC for my voluntary review and my voluntary review

Love The Series

I got this book via audiobook boom. I have listened to each of the coach's boys books and this one did not disappoint. Although Darcy came off a bit whiny I loved the way Cal did what he could to fix the problem once he came up against the brick wall of divorce. He made every effort to save his marriage. "Dar" is a word I never want to hear again. Dillion was a mean-spirited man and to get Darcy fired because she broke off their relationship is horrible. I read book 4 and felt that the stalker was the oldest daughter. I did not see why she did what she did coming. But it explains a lot. I hope in the next book the mother gets her comeuppance.
I am so glad that Clancy fell in love with the little girl and allowed her heart to heal both of them. these stories are very good and well written. I am not sure about the narration this time but the story did flow quite well.

Sometimes we need help finding our way back...

This is Cal and Darby's story and a bit different than its predecessors. Cal and Darby have been married for a number of years and things have gone a bit South. The story starts to unfold with Darby asking for a divorce--something unheard of amongst the Coach's Boys. While everyone else seems to be finding their happily ever after, Cal and Darby have hit the skids. Cal seems to be caught totally off guard when this happens.

The old saying that no one knows what goes on in a marriage except the two people in it really holds true for this couple. There's blame on both sides, misunderstandings, years-old guilt, deaths of loved ones... There's so much going on in this story. Add to that the fact that Ed is dealing with his family situation and it makes for an interesting plot line.

Everyone has their favorite books in a series. Each book brings its own dimension to a series and adds to the fleshing out of the various characters. I have to admit that Cal and Darby's story is not my favorite in this series. That being said, it is an integral part of the series and adds flavor and sparkle of its own to the overall group. The series wouldn't be complete without their story. It is an enjoyable story and well worth listening to--it has just never grabbed me by the lapels and shaken me like the others have.

Not so Christmas like

The story is not a sweet Christmas story. So if that's what your looking for this is not it! Rather, it's a story about what happens in life when life derails us. The story itself is sweet and somewhat predictable at times. I was a little confused by the stalker thrown in and that whole side trip it took me on with the other family? Perhaps there was a book before this and this was a follow up? I received this book audiobook at no charge in exchange for an honest review. I'm honest enough to say it for me would not be a holiday choice even if Christmas is at the end of the book. I tend to go for a different vibe. But in the end this book does deliver that warm sense of home and the importance of what friends and family mean. 😀

Code Red Christmas

Code Red Christmas: The Coach's Boys Series, Book 5
: Kristy K. James


Book 5 in the series finds the gang still together, except Darcy wants to divorce Cal. She feels neglected because of all the time he spends with his catering business. The listener gets mystery, suspense , romance , and lots of whiny drama! I read this as an e-book a few months ago, but I wanted to hear the audiobook..................I was very disappointed, not so much in the story, even though it had a different feel than earlier books.


The narration was nothing but WHINE!!!! It got on my last nerve. I will finish the series and hope the narration returns to previous books. Daniela Acitelli did so much better in the other books.



"I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator."

A perfect read!

When she promised 'until death do us part,' she meant it...
But achieving success had always been important to him...

I really enjoyed this second chance romance. Such a perfect read full of second chances, drama, mystery and love.

The narrator was perfect! So great.

I liked it!

This was the first book in the series that I listened to and I enjoyed listening. Darby is done with Cal. its to late she's moved on, she's fed up and I felt like she should be. She did come off a bit whiney but the story told me enough about why she got to that point. I liked Cal and I appreciated him trying. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher....
oh p.s. Dylan is a shit especially the way he kept calling her Dar.

Another good addition to the series

Any additional comments?

Another really good addition to the series. Entertaining, engaging and enjoyable. Mystery, suspense, misunderstandings, second chances and a little good clean romance. I have enjoyed all the books in this series and this one was no different.

This book is a bit different than the others as it deals with a divorce. Relationships take work. When you don't nurture your relationship, you drift apart and lose focus on the things that should really be your priorities. Most of us have ups and downs throughout our relationships and it's nice for a change to see a fictional couple that also has their ups and downs. There is more than one story line going on in this book and even though this is a shorter book the story flows well and nothing feels rushed or unfinished.

Dillon what a piece of work. Lucy was adorable. Loved that Cal was willing to do everything in his power to win his wife back even moving Kelly into their house. We finally know who the stalker is. I had my suspicions and I was right.

Daniela Acitelli does a really good job with the narration. She is the voice of this series. Pleasant voice. Clearly spoken. Nice even pace. Good character voices. She was able to bring the characters emotions to life through her narration.
The way she portrayed Dillon's voice was annoying but then he was an annoying character, and the voice she used for his was perfect. Very enjoyable.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher

Second Chances

I have enjoyed this series a lot. I have read most of them. This one was very unique because it deals with Divorce. After many years of being neglected, Darby decides she wants a divorce. Cal knew he had spent too much time working but he loves his wife and was totally blindsided by her mentioning divorce.

The narration was ok but for some reason it seemed a bit better on the previous books. I think Daniela Acitelli's voice was whinier than usual.

There are quite a few things going on in this story and we finally find out who the stalker from the previous books is. I did not see it coming!

This is a clean romance with some drama and mystery to make it more interesting. Great Series!

**This audiobook was provided free of charge in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion**

Very good

“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”
I'm glad that I chose this book because I found it to be a different but very good book, had a lot going on in a somewhat short time but summed up nicely