Member Reviews
What a lovely romantic and yet tear jerking story. Iris has a secret which her mother left her, a recipe for wonderful gelato. Moving to New York, she chances upon the very shop where her mother used to work. Things develop from the meetings with the Belotti family and the secret is eventually reveaked.
This is a beautifully written book and i very much enjoyed reading it.
Thank you for the chance to read and review it.
This is a five-star read that will keep you on the edge to the last page. This was so well done, as you could understand Iris, her past would mean that she only relies on herself, she has allowed herself to rely on Bobby, but that would have felt like a fluke, to take such a leap when you don’t trust your own judgement is a real hard choice. This will sweep you up and keep you hooked, you won’t be able to stop reading, as its just such a joy. Even in the not so joyful parts, you can’t help but cheer for everyone. Iris and Gio couldn’t come from more different backgrounds, and family, but sometimes it’s the complete opposite that makes you whole.
Oh my goodness, what a beautiful story! Josie Silver, you made me shed an emotional tear or two at the end!
The story centres around Iris, a woman who has fled an abusive relationship in the UK, to New York, where she hopes to rekindle memories of her late mother and her time as a singer in a band there in her youth,
She finds a surrogate family in the guise of Bobby and his partner when she takes a job in his noodle restaurant and ends up with a little home for herself just above her workplace.
She finds it hard to get out and about, the emotional scars from her previous relationship proving too deep to heal quickly, even though there are thousands of miles between them.
A visit out and about in New York with Bobby sparks a moment of recognition when she spots a familiar door that is the catalyst for so much. The possibility of new friendships and maybe even love, but it all ends up built on a couple of lies that grow bigger daily in her mind.
Geo is a kind-hearted man, still mourning the loss of his wife seven years ago. He is navigating another loss in the form of his uncle's memory. Santo is the only one with the secret family recipe for the vanilla gelato that is sold in Belottis, their age-old family gelateria, which is renowned for this very ice cream.
Iris could solve his dilemma, but not without recounting a tragic story from many years ago, that could fracture a solid family.
Somehow she becomes involved in helping Geo try to recreate the recipe and inadvertently becomes involved in his family and with him, too.
I don't really want to go into too much, because I really need you to go and read this beautiful story, which ends with such heart. I wasn't joking when I said I cried at the end!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business, Penguin, for an ARC.
I loved this book. It may not be winter but I read this book at the exact right time. I rarely ever cry at books but this book had me brushing tears from my cheeks over the last few chapters. This book was beautiful and a little heart wrenching. I loved the story, unique but not outlandish. <spoiler>her abusive ex brought up a lot for me. I appreciated that it wasn’t the main concentration of the story but it wasn’t brushed over.</spoiler> I loved that a lot of the characters had their own complex baggage and emotions that added to the story so well, allowing you to really feel for them, not just the main character. I loved the couple of chapters from Vivian’s perspective, to give us an insight in to her side of the story. I adored the writing style. I would definitely recommend.
Iris arrives in New York after leaving an abusive relationship following the death of her mother. She chose New York because of things connected to her late Mother . When she meets Gio & realises that their lives have become intertwined from the moment she has cross words with him in a Bookstore on Valentines Day. It's book about families of secrets & lies !There are sections that seem to drag on hence why I have only given it 4 Stars. #NetGalley, #GoodReads, #Amazon.co.uk, #FB, #Instagram, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/8a5b541512e66ae64954bdaab137035a5b2a89d2" width="80" height="80" alt="200 Book Reviews" title="200 Book Reviews"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/ef856e6ce35e6d2d729539aa1808a5fb4326a415" width="80" height="80" alt="Reviews Published" title="Reviews Published"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/aa60c7e77cc330186f26ea1f647542df8af8326a" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>.
if I had to choose one book this year it would be this one- heartwarming, heartbreaking and achingly romantic it is the most beautifully written story perfect to snuggle up with and loose yourself in. As indulgent as the gelato around which the story revolves it transports you straight to the heart of winter in New York, somewhere I’ve never been but having read this feel as if I have. The writing is utterly beautiful and evocative bringing both New York and the fabulous cast of characters vividly to life and drawing the reader in. I couldn’t put it down and cannot recommend it enough. The love story itself is so poignant and filled with heart wrenching intensity, the characters are relatable and lovable. The contrast between lonely Iris and the big, loud, warm hearted Belotti clan is stark but as she is drawn into their warmth and love so are we. The romance between Iris and the gorgeous Gio Belotti is the ultimate in slow burn romances and the way the characters are crafted and the story told has the reader 100%invested in their outcome. In essence this book is pure romantic indulgence guaranteed to out a smile on your face and warmth in your heart. Filled to the brim with warmth, love and Josie Silver’s writing magic you won’t regret picking it up!
Thanks Netgalley and the Publishers. Although still summer I actually enjoyed this winter book. Great location, great storyline and nice characters.
There’s something a little odd about reading a quite festive book whilst I’m on holiday but I was excited to receive an ARC of this lovely romantic comedy by Josie Silver.
Iris has made a new life for herself in New York. Her mother has died, and she’s fleeing a horrible relationship, when she meets a man in a bookshop. She accidentally tells him that her husband is dead, as a way of getting him to give her the last copy of a book, which doesn’t work.
When Iris happens across a gelato shop she recognises from her mum’s past, who should she find there, but the man from the bookshop. What is more, she has a secret he needs to know, and lots more that he doesn’t.
This is a warm, romantic tale, with two characters you can really root for. Add in a glorious Italian family, and some misunderstandings and you have a recipe for a fantastic read.
I just love this author, yet to be disappointed by any of her books and I have read them all. She writes such wonderful characters, that you end up caring passionately about and puts them in such great situations. This book was no different and I found I just didn’t want to put this book down. In fact I loved this book so much that I recommended it to my book club, as I know it will lead to great discussion.
Following the death of her mother and a bad relationship Iris leaves England and plans to start off again in New York, then in a chance encounter in a gelataria she finds a business in crisis and she sets out to try to help, recognising her personal connection to this place.
This sets in motion a number of chain events, and we find ourselves introduced to one of the most wonderful families you could wish to meet in fiction. Like Iris you find yourself totally enamoured by the whole situation, but you can feel a crisis coming at the same time.
As I say I loved this book, and strongly recommend it to all lovers of great fiction, and those that love great girl meets boy stories with a twist. I personally cannot wait to read Jodie’s next book and was just sorry to see this book end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I do love a story set in New York and couldn't resist requesting to read this novel.
Iris moves to New York, running away from her abusive ex and still grieving her mothers death. She finds herself working in a noodle shop and home is the flat above the shop. Bobby, the owner of the shop, is Iris's friend. One evening they go to a food festival and here she takes shelter outside a gelato shop. It reminds her of a storefront in her mother’s New York scrapbook.
The following day, Iris returns, wanting to sample some gelato. Unfortunately, the owner, Gio Belotti, tells her the shop is closed because the one person who knows the secret recipe is unable to tell them. Unknown to Gio, Iris has a secret. Her mother has the secret recipe in her scrapbook.
This story takes you on a roller coaster of emotions, and the storyline feels completely possible. The New York scenery is beautiful written. There is a whole host of loveable characters and a real sense of family.
A Winter in New York is my first book by @josiesilverauthor. It is a heartwarming story, and you definitely need some tissues close by. There will not be a more authentic Christmas read this year!
Thank you @netgalley and @penguinukbooks for the chance to read the advance copy.
I was rooting for the lead character, Iris, right from the start. She's a chef who’s moved from London to New York to make a fresh start after leaving her boyfriend. (We find out why she left him later in the book.) She passes a gelato shop she recognises from one of her mother's old photos, where she finds Gio. The story continues with how she helps him save the shop's future. The flashbacks to her mother’s experiences in New York years earlier add extra interest to the story. I knocked off one star because the saga of the gelato recipe went on a bit too long for me, which meant I struggled to really get into the story initially, but it was worth persevering. If you enjoyed Josie Silver’s previous books, I'm sure you'll love this one just like I did.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book... Iris a chef flees the UK and a mentally abusive boyfriend in New Year's Day, to New York, a place where she remembers her Mum was happy.
Iris struggles to gain confidence ...her ex nick name was 'little mouse' and the book effectively deals with the mental abuse (gaslighting) which sadly so many women and occasionally men suffer from.
Iris starts work at a noodle shop and the owner Bobby takes her out one night to a festival in Little Italy while his boyfriend is away ... the went to visit a gelato shop but it was closed... somewhere in the back of Iris's mind she recalls a photo of her mothers of the same shop.
The end is really weepy ... so have your tissues ready!
A fantastic book from Josie Silver. Following Iris as she escapes her abusive boyfriend by moving from London to New York. Here she starts to follow her dead Mother’s young life and the Italian family who she discovers met her Mother. Does she fall in love with Gio or do they go their separate ways. Thanks to Josie Silver and her publisher Thanks also to NetGalley.
Like every other Josie Silver book this is the perfect escape from daily life and an excuse to curl up with a hot drink and a blanket and be whisked away to New York. Perfect escapism for winter.
This is a classic rom com in book form. It has a great opening that has you hooked from the start; it’s a feel good book in a great location, you can just imagine this being made into a film.
Loved the book. I was hooked from the first chapter and fell in love with the family. I now want a big Italian. Family party to go to.
My thanks to Netgalley for my copy of A Winter in New York. When you read a romance you generally know what you are getting; boy meets girl, they face some adversity, all ends well. What makes a book like this is the characters and their journey and Josie Silver made sure this book has relateable characters, a believable and interesting journey and of course the inevitable happy ending.
This is a great book, although it did make me cry on several occasions and there were no cliches, just a heartwarming romance at it's best.
I loved this story. Josie has a very good style of writing and describing her characters. Iris left London in a hurry hoping not to be found. She goes to New York as her Mother had pursued a singing career there before her birth. She finds a job which includes a flat and forms a very good friendship with her Boss. She then falls upon a blast from her Mother’s past and the truth unfolds in a tale of family, friendship and romance. I would definitely recommend this book.
Beautiful, a real winter warmer. Cosy and uplifting.
I followed the characters through a beautifully crafted twisty love story that just kept me hooked. I can imagine reading this by the fireplace over the winter and loving every second.
This is such a lovely book to read. Escaping a toxic relationship, Iris has made her way to New York, a place where her late mother, Vivien, had found happiness, hoping that she too will find somewhere she feels at home. She gets slightly more than she hoped for but with so many secrets she knows it won’t go well.
I fell in love with Iris’ character straight away, an only child, now totally alone but determined to make a fresh start. The story has short flashbacks to Vivian’s life, giving little hints of what happened, which tempt you and make you want more. There are hints of domestic violence but well handled. I loved the idea of a big Italian family with decades of gelato making - only vanilla - and the comfort of a large, noisy home. As the story went on I couldn’t quite work out how it would end, but loved the way it did. Perfect reading, not just for summer but all year round.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.