This wasn’t for me. I have not read the first in the series, and with the introductions to all the characters I definitely struggled to keep up at first..

Full disclosure: I didn’t end up finishing this . I don’t know what it was about the writing style but I could not get engaged, and when I realized I was picking up literally anything else but this, I decided to call it. Not every book is for everyone!

One Winter's Night is one cute little winter win! I really liked this adorable romance by Kiley Dunbar. Set in Stratford-upon-Avon, the story centers around two friends each struggling to get a breakthrough in their careers. Mirren is in the field of journalism, and after delivering a bit of a reckoning for the boys club at her work, she find herself living on Kelsey's barge and swearing off men altogether. Meanwhile Kelsey is long-distance dating an American stage actor and trying to launch her own business. Even though the story is set at Christmas and is plenty cozy, it's not overly saccharine. I really loved the female friendships and the upfront handling of sexual harassment in and out of the workplace. I also loved the themes of forgiveness and family. The Shakespeare excerpts at the start of each chapter were an added bonus!

If you're looking for a cute, Christmas romance, pick this one up! 🎄🎄🎄.75/5
One Winter's Night releases on September 16. Thanks #netgalley and @herabooks for the ARC.

A complex story at times and a love story. You don't have to have read the first one One Summer's night as Kiley doest an introduction. I love the description of Stratford and how she dealt with sexist men. It also had a happy ending and dealt with families who did not have fathers for different reasons in a sensitive way. A very good read

This is my first book by this author and after almost quitting the story, I am glad I did not. In the end it was a well-told story after I sorted the characters. A holiday setting with a very colorful cast of characters, lots of smiles, and the family angst. The location of Stratford-Upon-Avon and the Shakespeare theme was a treat.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hera Books for the advanced copy for me to review.

One Winter's Night was my first read by author Kiley Dunbar and it lived up to its expectation to be an uplifting and happy read. I had not read the prequel, One Summer's Night, but the author gave a short summary of facts to know at the beginning of the book, which was thoughtful. Even without reading this, though, I would have been fine. Kelsey is starting a new photograpy business in her newish home of Stratford-On-Avon. She is balancing this challenge along with a long-distance romance and her best friend, whose life has fallen apart, descending on her in her small apartment. Kelsey is a strong and likable main character and I especially enjoyed her loyalty and forgivness for her best friend Mirren. It was also nice to see Mirren (who we got hints of her life from the first book in the series) get her act together and find happiness. There were enough descriptions of Stratford-On-Avon to give a fun sense of place and I enjoyed being there, through Kelsey's eyes. There are upsets and dramas but they aren't too heartbreaking or irreparable, and I found that a happy read was just what I needed! I will be looking for more of the author's books.

Thank you to Hera Books, Kiley Dunbar, and NetGalley for the enjoyable read!

This heartwarming book literally cheered me up! Thank you @netgalley and @hera_books for sending an e-ARC in exchange of honest review.
Here's the blurb:
One winter's night, a badger arrives in the forest, cold and hungry. There is little food this harsh wintertime, but something special about the kind gentle badger moves Fox, Mouse and Hare. They each help as best they can, and badger goes on his way. But the storms are getting worse and the animals start to worry.
Christmas romances are always a good choice. This uplifting romantic book will take you to Stratford and it's beautiful surroundings.
Kelsey Anderson leaves her Shakespearean tour guide job and opens up her new photography studio. Her long distance relationship with Jonathan was perfect untill her best friend Mirren uncovers some scandal which can throw Kelsey's love life in fire.
Umm I liked Mirren. Her complex and wonderful behaviour portrays the kind of best friend we have in our life. Kelsey is my absolutely new favourite character. Her independent and confidence is awesome. And Blythe! I’m in awe of this character. In short, the characters of this book will not disappoint you.
The romance, Shakespearean vibes will give you cozy, warm feelings.

This sequel to One Summer’s Night is better than the first book. You can read this as a stand alone book too! So grab a cuppa and happy reading!:

Christmastime Romcom Leaves A Glow....
A Christmastime romcom to leave you with a glow. Enjoyable festive romcom, likeable protagonist, colourful supporting cast of characters and the wonderful backdrop of Stratford-Upon-Avon. A little predictable but, hey, it’s escapism, it’s Christmastime (in the book) so that’s just fine.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in exchange for a review.

This is the follow up to One Summer's Night which I read last summer and enjoyed but this book could be read as a standalone.

It follows the story of Kelsey Anderson who is living in Stratford Upon Avon who has spent the summer as a Shakespearian tour guide and is now trying to make ends meet by starting a photography studio. An easy enjoyable read as we follow the adventures of Kelsey and her best friend Mirren.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Having enjoyed reading One Summers Night I was looking forward to reading this one, and it didn’t disappoint.

The book/story follows Kelsey and Mirren, at Christmas time.

Kelsey is trying to get her photography business off the ground, whilst counting down the days until her beloved Jonathan comes back.

On the other hand, Mirren appears to be struggling with her journalism role as well as her recent split from her long-term partner.

In this story, there were a lot of new characters introduced,

I loved Blythe! I think we all need a lady called Blythe in our lives.

Theres love, heartbreaks, more romance,, as well as family angst all included in this lovely book and not forgetting GIN!

Absolutely a recommended read.

I absolutely loved Christmas at Frozen Falls, so I was super happy to see Kiley's new book on NetGalley. As explained at the beginning, this is the sequel to One Summer's Night, although you can read this as a standalone. I wasn't so sure about this. I didn't read One Summer's Night before this, so all the references to Kelsey and Jonathon's romantic summer together didn't really mean much to me, and I missed that aspect of watching two characters fall in love.

For me, it really drew me in at around 40% when we start to see more of Mirren. Not only do I really like their friendship together, but seeing her blossoming relationship with her love interest satisfied my need for blossoming romance! It was super romantic in Statford-upon-Avon at Christmas, but I didn't clock the Shakespeare references early on and by the end they were a bit too much for me and I just skipped over them. I also had a slight issue with Kelsey and Mirren actions. They were told to stay out of delicate family business and they still both decided to go ahead of it. I felt that whilst their intentions were good, it was pretty selfish and I just tried to ignore that bit as I loved the characters!

Saying all that, they were relatively small things for me and it was a lovely book that wasn't overtly festive, but gave you that cravable warm and homely feeling that you'll definitely want to sink in to this winter. If you want to go on a little reading staycation to Statford-Upon-Avon, I would definitely recommend!

An enjoyable read set in Stratford-upon_ Avon. Kelsey is a likeable main character and who wouldn’t love to listen to the stories of theatre told by the eccentric old actress Blythe. There are a few twists and turns and although the ending was predictable It didn’t detract from a good story well told

This book is a fun winter read. I enjoyed reading about the chsracters's lives and romance as they journeyed together through life. The best friend plot was fun and enjoyable. Personally, I didn't enjoy reading from the mind of someone who has cheated in a romantic relationship.

Thanks to Hera Books and NetGalley for a copy on exchange for a honest review.

Not as good as previous books but still an enjoyable read. . .
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I requested this after loving another book by this author. This wasn't as good but still enjoyed it. I felt it dragged a bit and then everything seemed to happen in the last few chapters.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Wasn’t too sure I was going to enjoy this book to begin with but once I got to grips with the characters I really enjoyed this book and it’s storyline. The characters were all brought together well but each had there own individual stories too.

This is a worthy and great follow up to One Summers Night. I loved both books as they made me feel as if I was living in Stratford-Upon-Avon! I loved this world of Shakespeare and how this book brought in previous characters from the first book. Great storyline that kept me gripped!

Apologies for the brevity and potential incoherence of this review, it is very hot today.

I really enjoyed this story, it was two lovely romances, with some nice Christmassy atmosphere. Some great character development, and just all round a lovely story. And of course happy endings for all. I have read the previous book in the series (One Summer’s Night), but this book would also work well on its own. The characters are great, and the story was a lovely way to relax for a few hours.

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

I had not read any of the other books by this author prior to this one but there was a handy catch-up summary at the beginning so you can read this as a stand-alone book.

The story follows close friends Kelsey and Mirren at Christmas time. Kelsey is trying to get her photography business off the ground and is counting down the days until her beloved Jonathan returns to her whilst Mirren is struggling with her journalism role and her recent split from her long-term partner.

I loved that this story was set in Shakespeare’s home town of Stratford-upon-Avon and there was a real appreciation of Shakespeare throughout the book.

I happened upon Kiley Dunbar and her debut last year, and after devouring the first one, I have awaited any other releases with great anticipation, and she's never failed to satisfy.
Hearing that the characters from One Summer Night, Dunbar's debut were getting another outing in One Winter's Night, made my summer.
I love Shakespeare, Stratford-Upon-Avon is a place we visited plenty when I was growing up, And though I've never been, Scotland and its. beauty has always enticed me.
One day I will visit.
And romance? Well, I love a bit of romance, so, having all these components in a book should be a guaranteed good read, for me, at least.
And it surely was!
Catching up with Kelsey Anderson, as the Scottish lass comes to grips with settling far south of her home town, in Shakespeare's land, attempting to set up a business fuelled by her passion for photography, with no good friends or family close by, and the love of her life off acting across the Atlantic was a joy.
And I loved the parallel story of Kelsey's best friend Mirren, the newly single, Scottish journalist who's finally had enough of the sexist world of broadsheet journalism, and finds herself swearing off men, jacking in her job, and jumping on a train to join her best friend, for a little while, as she straightens her life out.
There were a whole host of new characters introduced, including the old soak, propping up the local bar, who ended up being a rather famous actor in his prime, with a hidden secret, and Blythe.
Oh, I loved Blythe! Everyone needs a Blythe in their lives.
An eccentric elderly woman who was a force to be reckoned with in her prime, on stage, until life threw her some huge curveballs. Blythe may be a bit of a recluse, but she has amassed a veritable smorgasbord of memorabilia and hard-learned wisdom over the years, along with the talent of distilling her own extremely strong flavoured gins.
Kelsey's unusual, initial meeting with Blythe cements a multi-generational friendship that adds another layer to an already wonderful story.
So there's love, heartbreaks, more romance, Shakespeare, family angst, and GIN! What more could a reader want?
Absolutely a recommended read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.