Such a fun read! Loved this one!

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.

I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. Viola Shipman did a great job of writing in a way that captures the readers attention, and makes you not want to put it down until you're finished! I would highly recommend it!

After an on-air outburst where Sonny Dunes drunkenly tells her viewers that she was replaced by an AI meteorologist, Sonny knows her career in Palm Springs, or anywhere for that matter, is over. So when her agent tells her she has a chance at being back on air, Sonny is excited that is until she realizes it is for a local news station in her hometown of Travers City, Michigan. She escaped that place a long time ago and besides she can’t stand the cold. How is she supposed to go back?

Sonny moves in with her mom, who is a hospice nurse, and slowly the two begin to reconnect. Sonny realizes her mom is getting older and that she’s missed the closeness they once had. What she is still struggling with is being the Chief Meteorologist at the local station. Not only is she working for a former college classmate who seems to have harbor some resentment, but she’s also over Polly Sue, who was supposed to be the Chief Meteorologist but is nothing more than a pain in her neck.

As weeks go by, Sonny has to participate in winter events which somehow end up making her look foolish and every day she finds it harder to keep at her job. Luckily she seems to have found a supporter in Mason, a local businessman. Still, she doesn’t know if she can take more humiliations and live with the memories of her sister and the fateful event that made Sonny leave Michigan and the cold weather.

While I enjoyed the descriptions of some of the winter events, like ice fishing and sledding, as those are so foreign to me living in Texas where just this Christmas I was in short-sleeves, the characters were not very likable. I got tired of reading about Sonny’s resistance to her hometown. Yes, I understand what drove her away but at 50 years old, I would think she’d have come to terms with the events. So unfortunately this was not a winner for me.

Sonny Dunes is a Southern California meteorologist, that is, until the day that the station replaces her with a virtual meteorologist to boost ratings with the younger demographic. When her on-air rant goes viral, Sonny has no choice but to return to her hometown in Michigan and regroup. Living with her mother in her childhood home stirs up memories that Sonny has always tried to bury. Will she be able to move forward and forgive herself for the past? Will a new job with an old frenemy be a step in the right direction?

The biggest issue that I have with this novel is the voice of the main character, Sonny. She is supposed to be in her 50's, but she sounds like a much younger person. Her frets and woes are not believable, which makes it difficult to connect with the character. Without spoilers, the situation in which Sonny finds herself in Michigan regarding her professional life being sabotaged seems to be staged. A fix is easy, but the author never goes there because of the plot points. The Secret of Snow is just an average read for me, so I hesitate to recommend it to other readers.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to read and review this book was entirely my own.

This is a light enjoyable read-- I enjoyed the contrasting settings of Traverse city and palm springs.

Another delightful story of forging ahead through adversity and discovering your true self. Losing a career you know and love is difficult in itself, but having a breakdown on television and fleeing to the hometown where painful memories reside makes it all the more so. A touching story with likeable small-town characters with a touch of a love story make this an enjoyable novel for anyone needing to get in the cozy spirit.

I adore Viola Shipman! She is one of my go to authors when I’m looking for a book that feels like home and a warm hug. I always expect some tears, some laughs and smiles, and a feel good ending with a great life lesson. This is a comfort book with friendship and love at its core and exactly what you’re looking for in a holiday book!

Unfortunately I DNF’d this book at about a third of the way. It could be a great storyline of second chances, changing in later life, friendship and love and the author does a great job of highlighting an beautiful area of northern Michigan but I had a real difficult time connecting with any of the characters. I especially found the main character to me quite immature for a 50 year old. This was disappointing to me because I enjoy reading books about women over 45 since I too am in this age bracket.

Thanks for the opportunity!

Another wonderful read from Viola Shipman! The Secret of Snow tells the story of Sonny Dunes coming home and confronting her past. Including a high school frenemy. Will Sonny find love along the way? Read The Secret of Snow and find out for yourself!

LA Meteorologist Sonny is forced out of her job after being replaced by AI and having a breakdown of sorts on live television. She then decides to return home to Michigan to lick her wounds while she figures out what to do next. While she's there she's offered a job at her local TV station, under than management of her college friend Lisa. As with most adults who have to move home, Sonny must face a few skeletons hiding in her closet.

I enjoyed this book, even if it took me a while to get into. I liked the relationship between Sonny (Amber Rose) and her mother. I enjoyed the reconciliation between Lisa and Sonny. I also enjoyed the growing friendship/mentorship between Icicle and Sonny. The underlying message of facing your past, facing your fears, facing your grief struck a chord with me.

Overall this book read like a cheesy Hallmark movie, but I did enjoy the relationships and growth that the main character faced.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Sonny Dunes is a 50 year old meteorologist in sunny California until she's replaced by AI. The only station willing to give her a chance is the local station where she grew up in northern Michigan. She is forced to confront her past: her new boss, a frenemy and the death of her younger sister who loved the snow. She participates in all the winter activities run by single father and widow, Mason who just might thaw her heart.

This book really gets you in the mood for snow and winter. It makes it seem so magical, when in reality I'm usually just freezing and miserable LOL I found Sonny quite immature for someone who is 50 but I wonder if it's because she's "famous" and famous people typically live in an alternate universe. I found the description of her grief quite touching. Although I wasn't a fan of her, I did really enjoy some of the other characters in this book.

I loved reading every moment of the story! We get a very fun setting a little holiday spirit and a sweet love story all in one. You will fall in love with this book and the magic of snow throughout. Reading this book was like a warm Christmas hug, I didn’t want it to end.

Viola Shipman never disappoints. In this holiday themed novel, we get a look into metrology. Sonny is a meteorologist and is replaced by and AI. She goes off the handle and it is on air. Sonny moves from her home in California back to her family home in Minnesota. She is hired by a woman she went to school with and is given a chance to prove herself. The memories from what happened years ago in Minnesota, haunt Sonny, but she works through in this heart warming book.

5 stars

I will admit i didnt entirely love Sonny at first. While I was sympathetic to her plight, I also feel like there are consequences to our choices but as I kept reading I realised that of course the author created a book is filled with emotion, sentimentality, hope, and second chances as it deals with tough issues like grief, guilt, mental health. The characters are flawed and relatable - laughing, struggling, or losing their cool when the pressures of life get a little too hot. As a middle-aged woman, I also appreciate having novels thay feature lead charcters with life experience. In this particular novel, Sonny's mom stole the show for me and I enjoy the romantic chapters but I like how it takes a gentle step back to the story as a whole.

Thank you to my book club, The Gloss, for this ARC! This book was a wonderful read. I felt connected to Sonny throughout and I loved watching her throughout the story.

Started a bit slow for me, but overall a good holiday read about a woman who goes back home after a very embarrassing career move that could have destroyed her and second chances. Fun, good writing. Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for allowing me to read and review.

Beautifully touching, story that accurately portrays the sorrow of loss but never loses the underlying theme of hope and redemption. There is a depth to Rouse's work that makes his writing stand apart in a crowded category. I tell others who might not read the "women's fiction" or romance genres ordinarily not to underestimate the power of his storytelling.

I absolutely loved this book! I found it hard to put down. I highly recommend reading it! You won’t be disappointed.

Meteorologist Sonny Dunes is fired from her long held position at a California television station. In an alcohol induced fit of rage, she goes on air and vents her anger. That moment goes viral and she is forced to slink home to her mother's house in Michigan. There Sonny must face the sadness she has been running from for more than 20 years.
The Secret of Snow is a sweet story with themes of forgiveness, acceptance of death, and the lives we choose to live.
I was given an ARC of this novel by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#netgalley
#thesecretofsnow
#violashipman

I really enjoyed this winter read. It’s the perfect story for around the holidays, A “not so young” meteorologist in Palm Springs has to go back home to Michigan after an incident causes her to lose her job. Her only offer is in her hometown - and it’s not what she expects! It has what you would expect from Viola Shipman - a touch of romance and a woman discovering her true self. it would make a wonderful holiday movie - happily ever after!
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.