I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This is book #2 in the when snow falls series and I loved it so much. It has a heavy theme but the there is so much banter and cute moments it makes the heavy feel less heavy. It is a grumpy and sunshine trope and I am here for every moment. Ben and Charlie are the best beautifully flawed characters that you total fall in love with as you are reading this book. If you like grumpy and sunshine trope this book is for you.

I did enjoy this book, though I will say it was a pretty typical story. Boy 1 meets boy 2, boy 1 convinces himself he's not good enough for boy 2, boy 1 continously breaks boy 2's heart, boy 1 finally gets head out of ass, boys are finally, officially together and in love. That's not to say I didn't like the story, I actually typically prefer stories where you know there will be a happy ending, so this book was right up my alley.

When London Snow Falls was a sweet, queer romance set against snowy London at Christmas time with just the right amount of angst to make it interesting.

A brilliant story filled with witty banter, a romance that is executed wonderfully. At times, the story was repetitive or lacked development but overall I enjoyed the story

my only complaint is that whole "i a dad my daughter comes first i can only work and study" was annoyingly repetitive. besides that, i felt like the romance was cute, the character development was believable and i appreciate the anxiety portrait.

4/5 cuz this looks So Fun but ive got a lot of things going on this week so i cant read but the cover is absolutely adorable and i always love books that take place in london so this book seems to have everything x

Charlie spends his days studying for university exams, working at a café and doing his best to keep his life together when he meets a cute customer named Ben (who Charlie quickly realizes is the front man of a popular indie rock band) who just keeps coming back. The two have hilarious and charming witty banter and instant chemistry.

However, Charlie is a ball of anxiety just trying to keep it together. His routine helps him combat his anxiety and inner demons and regulate his anxiety. He’s continually in his head (which any and all people plagued with an anxiety disorder can relate and attest to). He is imperfect and scattered and also clearly traumatized from the past and his homophobic family. Ben is continuously compassionate and understanding and an ideal partner for someone like Charlie.

These are two fictional characters (Charlie and Ben) that feel very, very real in that they’re imperfections make them completely three dimensional whole people.

This book is sensual, sexy and filled with deliciously witty banter, the feelings of hope, love and understanding and a very spot on portrayal of mental health and addiction issues and how they can illogically effect and wreak havoc on your life (I, like Charlie, have generalized anxiety disorder).

Finally, this book at the very beginning excellently lists out all the trigger warnings will encounter before reading so it’s laid all out there before you dive in.

This book was absolutely a five star read. I definitely recommend picking this one up.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Embrace for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a sweet if clunky romance. Charlie Renfrew's insecurities and anxieties felt a bit formulaic, and the metaphor of the falling snow didn't work smoothly at all. And yet, the main characters were adorable enough that I forgave the novel some of its clunkiness. This is certainly a pleasant afternoon read.

This was my first novel by Hayden Stone and I will definitely keep an eye out for more of his work, for the writing style and the characters that he creates.

I loved the interactions with Charlie/Ben and Charlie/Emily, the characters felt three dimensional and their dialogue felt authentic. Charlie was well written and his anxieties and cyclical thinking was quite repetitive but I feel this was intentional and felt quite realistic.

For me, I felt Ben and Charlie's relationship could have developed some more and I feel I would have preferred some POV from Ben as his character at times felt a bit too good to be true at times but this might just be me being cynical.

This book was sweet and easy to read and perfect for a quick read when the world is raining outside.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

❣Charlie Renfrew had a screwed up life where he deals with so much emotional pressure, anxiety disorder and most importantly trust issues. His life was totally messed up only revolving around the university, a part-time job at the cafe, his band and his 2-year-old daughter who is his top priority.

❣ When Ben Campbell a Scottish hottie🔥🤭 musician entered his life there was a spark at their first meeting at the cafe, Ben was the exact opposite of Charlie, Ben was bright, positive and with that grin of his😍🔥 and his blonde hair ( i think I have a thing for blondies🤭💞😉😜).

❣ Charlie thought it was a one-time hookup but when Ben slipped under his skin when he wasn't looking, Charlie found himself falling for Ben so hard that he couldn't stop thinking about Ben.🥰

❣ When London froze due to snowfall, Charlie thought Ben was his addiction and he was high due to Ben and sometimes he thought Ben was a hallucinogen too good to be true for his fucked up life.

🗯 OMG I'm so in love with Ben god is so cute, sweet, understanding, and adorable and his talent with wool.😍😩 He is so perfect in hand-knitted jumpers, hats with pompoms and scarves which he knitted himself, I love hand-knitted stuff and the colours he chose to wear Rainbows, pink oh god really so adorable.🥰💞💞
🗯 Ben has dyslexia still he is so perfect and talented with his music and knitting really amazing.💞

I really didn't like this book at first. It was very insta-lusty, and I found the first meeting of the main characters to be almost painfully awkward rather than cute. On the bright side, the insta-lust led to some pretty steamy scenes early on that kept my interest. lol. The characters had great sexual tension and it made for some really explosive scenes that were fun to read. Then I became a little annoyed at how quickly the insta-lust turned into insta-love, but once their relationship started I just pretended they had been together for a longer period of time. After that adjustment in my mind, I actually enjoyed reading their relationship dynamic as they struggled to make things work despite having very different outlooks, priorities, and life goals.

I was surprised by how good the mental health rep was in this book. Charlie was diagnosed with anxiety and depression, and the author provided a realistic, compelling look at living with those disorders and how they could impact the development of a new relationship. I really enjoyed the depth of his character and getting to experience his growth of learning to love himself and being vulnerable enough to let others love him, as well. The portrayal was so realistic, though, that it made reading from his intensely self-deprecating POV a bit tedious and repetitious at times, which honestly matches what my own lived experience with these disorders has been like. Unfortunately, it didn't always make for super fun reading, and I wonder if switching up some of the repetitive phrasing might have helped make it easier to get through the tedious parts.

I really liked all of the other characters, especially Emily and Ben. Emily was such a great support for Charlie despite their difficult circumstance. I just loved how she was always in his corner but wasn't afraid to call him on his BS in ways that were helpful rather than harmful. Ben. What can I say about Ben other than he is the boyfriend that anyone with a mental illness, or just anyone really, needs in their life? He was incredibly supportive and never gave up on Charlie even after Charlie pushed him away multiple times due to his anxiety making him freak out. His patience should make him a saint, especially given how quickly their relationship developed. I wish he had been a little more developed as a character, though, because he came off as somewhat two-dimensional. I think adding in his POV at times would have been helpful in deepening his character and breaking up the repetition of Charlie's narrative voice.

The plot was pretty repetitive. It was basically just the two main characters getting together and sort of breaking up over and over with some family drama thrown in for background noise. There was also plenty of miscommunication/lack of communication. So, if that or insta-lust/love is not your thing, this probably isn't the book for you. However, despite not enjoying those tropes, I ended up liking the book and the relationship of the main characters (I think mostly because I found the mental health struggles so relatable...and the author's ability to write great sexual tension and super steamy scenes didn't hurt). I was cheering the couple on by the end and even teared up at a couple of moments. Therefore, I rate this one 4 out of 5 stars.

Charlie has a lot going on in his life. He is a full-time student and working almost full-time at a cafe. He is supporting himself and his daughter and her mother. He also is in a band that has a heavy practice and gig schedule. He also has an anxiety disorder and is a recovering addict. When we meet him he is running on fumes and does not have room in his life to juggle one more thing. When Ben walks into his cafe - it sets Charlie's world on fire. Ben is a professional musician with his own difficult history - but Ben brings care and happiness to Charlie's world in a way he hasn't had previously.

This book delves pretty deeply into the meaning of family and who we choose to have in our lives - and the risks that involves. It takes a pretty close look at how forgiving yourself and giving yourself grace is pretty key to happiness and openness to love. Overall - I really liked this. Despite the heavy topics it covered - it still felt light and sweet. I think the book maybe wanted for a little more depth - and that kept it from being a four star read for me. I loved how it shows Charlie's growth and willingness to take a chance - but I wasn't sure it had that same level of depth and growth for Ben. Maybe not having Ben's perspective in the book made his character feel more two dimensional for me - especially in the face of how well we get to know Charlie.

I received this via NetGalley as an ARC, but these opinions are all my own.

This is a sweet romance between two young men in London. Charlie has promised himself that he will only have fun on Fridays and definitely no dating. He has too much on his plate between working full time, attending university full time, video calls with his daughter in Wales, and playing gigs with his band. His life is all neatly ordered and he is a miserable grump. Until Ben brings a storm of color and chaos into his life….

The book was well paced. Descriptions were on point. The dialect used for our Scottish lad (and his mum) did not interfere with the reader’s ability to understand. I appreciated the depiction of anxiety disorder, especially being overwhelmed by things that aren’t real. This is a hard thing for most people to understand and I am so happy it was presented so compassionately and accurately.
My favorite part of the book was messages that our past doesn’t need to define us and that everyone is worthy of love.
This was a fun light read. Definitely adult fiction though. Several scenes were very steamy. I DO NOT recommend for my middle school audience.

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

When London Snow Falls is a charming romance where Charlie, a barista/uni student/father/guitarist falls hard for fellow musician and apparent regular at his coffee shop, Ben. The problem is, Charlie has a strict dating ban. He's too busy providing for his friend and their daughter while also studying full time. It would be hard not to fall in love with Ben. He is the epitome of authentically, irreverently being oneself. For that reason Charlie is constantly plagued by anxieties: he doesn't actually have time for a relationship, does he? And even if he did, no one like Ben would fall for him... right?

WLSF is the perfect book to read for a cozy afternoon in when the weather is gloomy. I finished it in one (stormy and grey) afternoon. Ben and Charlie's love story was such a great escape. My only complaint is that, I don't know that the internal feeling of living with anxiety always translates well in novels. It was sometimes hard to read Charlie's inner monologue because his anxieties seemed so ... repetitive? Which, as an anxious person, totally makes sense to me, but the writing made it feel like the repetition of the cycle of anxiety wasn't necessarily on purpose, just incidental. The cyclical nature of anxious thoughts (say... I can't date because I have to work because I have to pass uni because provide for my family and therefore I cannot date because I have to...) just wasn't communicated quite how I wished it would have been. I do think, however, that Emily's character was such a great addition and finally drove home for Charlie that his anxious thoughts are not his reality, or they don't have to be. Their conversation was one of my favorites in terms of showcasing how disconnected from reality anxiety can make you and just the way it finally clicked for Charlie.

4 stars, a cute read mixed with some heavy topics, doing a wonderful job balancing the fluffy romance we all like to read with real and complex problems that make dating almost impossible for those of us who have dealt with any of the above. WLSF made me feel all the cute romance feelings but also feel very seen, navigating dating when you're not this perfect romcom love interest.

was a thrilling book and i was utterly charmed by each of the characters especially Carys ! the plot was beautifully crafted and felt to real and believable! plus the winter setting in london was almost dream like! definitely perfect for fans of boyfriend material. i was obsessed with the family relationships in this book, good, bad and the ugly and it made it feel so much more real instead of going for happy all the time. a delightful read

I received this book for free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

One of my reading goals for 2022 was to read more queer fiction so I was super happy when this book came across my page.

I wanted to love it, wanted to fall in love with the main character of Charlie, but throughout the entire book, I just found myself screaming at him, begging him to communicate with Ben. I so badly wanted him to open up and express the feelings he was having in an adult way, but it felt like he continually gave *justenough* to keep Ben happy while not opening up and telling Ben his entire story.

I will say that the spice level in this book was amazing. The love scenes between the two MCs were refreshing and fun while giving all those "new relationship" vibes.

While I love that this book had the underlying current of a mental health struggle, I do feel that it could have been portrayed slightly better however, I understand from personal experience how difficult it can be to open up about personal struggles surrounding mental health and addiction.

Mein Leseerlebnis

Denke ich an mein Leseerlebnis mit “When London snow falls” zurück, dann muss ich anfangen zu lächeln, denn ich hatte mit der Geschichte eine gute Zeit und habe die Charaktere ins Herz geschlossen.

Charlie und Bens Beziehung wird schnell körperlich und ist auch ziemlich sexy, trotzdem muss ich beim Gedanken an ihre Liebesgeschichte vor allem an Wörter wie süß, intensiv und hoffnungsvoll denken. Daran merkt man, dass die Geschichte so einiges zu bieten hat und beim Lesen keine Langeweile aufkommen sollte.

Man lernt Charlie und Ben beim Lesen gut kennen und es war für mich überhaupt kein Problem, sie mir als echte Personen darzustellen. Der Autor hat seine Charaktere vielschichtig angelegt, das habe ich beim Lesen sehr geschätzt.

Große Teile des Romans fand ich wirklich super, dass letzte Viertel fiel dagegen leicht ab. Ich hatte das Gefühl, dass sich die Geschichte in Bezug auf Charlies Bedenken und Ängste etwas im Kreis drehte, was mich teils frustrierte. Das eigentliche Ende fand ich aber wiederum schön und befriedigend.

Rückblickend bin ich froh, dem Roman eine Chance gegeben zu haben und bin gespannt auf das nächste Buch des Autoren. 🖤🖤🖤🖤

Für wen?

Wer Liebesromane mag, in denen Musik im Leben beider Hauptcharaktere eine wichtige Rolle spielt und in denen einer der Hauptcharaktere ernsthafte Bedenken gegnüber einer Beziehung überwindet, der sollte sich das Buch mal näher anschauen.

Auch weil die Geschichte viel zu bieten hat und nicht nur sexy, sondern auch herzerwärmend ist.

Huge thanks to Entangled Publishing for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review because Hayden Stone has done it again and I loved this book! Charlie and Ben are the kind of imperfectly real characters that I live to read! They are flawed and beautiful and I couldn’t put down this book. I’m a sucker for a grumpy and sunshine trope and these two tick that box so well. Hayden Stone is officially an autobuy author for me! Content warnings: drug use, addiction, emotional abuse, and homophobia. Note: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

4 stars. Overall, I loved Ben and Charlie's romance and their chemistry was really hot. That first scene at the coffee shop, i was not expecting that and loved it. However, Charlie's over-the-top insecurity made the book a little bit less enjoyable for me. I just kept expecting him to hurt Ben and Ben kept forgiving him, and was just so sweet overall. It was still a good romance and the mental health rep is important but I think it could have been handled a little bit differently and made the book less depressing.
*E-arc provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Okayyy. So, I could just plagiarize my review of An Unexpected Kind of Love, Hayden Stone’s debut, and put it on here. His sophomore story has the same witty banter and glorious cute moments while covering heavier themes. And there’s also lots of kissing…

I could and I’m trying not to, even though the feeling of those books is so alike. I liked both stories, but When London Snow Falls just wins in being my favorite. Despite frowning upon a few minor things, I raced through the story while smiles danced on my face and my heart opened up for Charlie and Ben. Charlie was such a cute mess, and Ben, aw, sweet knitting Ben (last week I read Bad at Love where the love interest crocheted, and now a guy who knits! Love this!!). Ben is the best boyfriend Charlie could have, anyone actually could have.

When London Snow Falls is a swoony romcom to read lying on a beach or by the swimming pool, or sitting curled up by the fire on a lazy Sunday afternoon (I think I’m plagiarizing now 😂). It’s insta love, so if you hate that, this is not the book for you. But if you love to have this fuzzy feeling in your chest and want to root for two sweet cinnamon buns, I highly recommend this story!

I received an ARC from Entangled Publishing (the trigger warnings are fab, btw!). I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*3.5/5*

This is the first book I’ve read by Hayden Stone. When London Snow Falls is the second book in the When Snow Falls series. I did not read the first book, but this book could be read as a standalone. For the most part, I did really enjoy this book. However, there were parts that felt like they dragged on.

I would appreciate the mental health representation, if it didn’t read like it was just thrown in there for plot purposes. Charlie deals with anxiety, while also having past problems with alcohol and drug abuse. I know everyone deals with these things differently, but the way they’re written in the book lacks depth. Charlie has a self-imposed dating ban, a two year old child with his best friend, and his parents are quite horrible. Ben, the love interest, doesn’t have much added to his character. This makes him seem perfect. I do love that Ben enjoys knitting.

The romance was good, but overall I just didn't connect with the characters.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.