Short synopsis: Iris moves to New York to find out more from her moms history and escape her abusive boyfriend. She goes to a small family owned Italian Gelateria and finds out she has the lost family recipe.

My thoughts: Josie Solver never disappoints, her characters are always so real! The side characters in this book really shine throughout the whole book. Geo’s big Italian family was so welcoming, and really amplified the found family trope.

It was a little slow going for the first half with all the gelato talk (now I need gelato) but the second half was so good as Iris stood up for herself!

The New York Setting at Christmas time was dreamy to say the least, I really need to visit NYC!

Read if you love:
* Gelato
* Dual Timelines
* Mother daughter stories
* Found family
* New York Setting

A Winter in New York by Josie Silver follows two characters who are brought together by unexpected circumstances in the bustling, festive atmosphere of New York City. Silver’s writing is enchanting, weaving together romance, personal growth, and the beauty of new beginnings.

In a manner reminiscent of The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston, the food imagery in this novel was nothing short of exceptional. The author skillfully weaves vivid, sensory-rich descriptions that evoke the distinct flavors, textures, and scents of the food, particularly the gelato, which becomes an integral part of the story.

Although I have never visited New York myself, the author's masterful descriptions of the setting transported me there effortlessly. Through their evocative writing, I could practically see the snowflakes drifting through the air and hear the hum of the city, even as I sat in my own quiet space. Is there anything more magical than New York in the wintertime? The city, with its unique blend of energy and charm, practically leaps off the page, creating an immersive experience that makes you feel as though you’re walking the bustling streets alongside the characters.

One of the highlights of the novel was Gio's family, particularly his sister, Sophia. Their dynamic felt so authentic and warm, and I quickly became fond of their deep bond and support for one another. The family business, steeped in tradition and the art of making gelato, added a layer of richness to the story, symbolizing both the warmth of family and the care that goes into creating something truly special. This was made even more poignant by the presence of Iris’ close-knit group of friends, who added to the theme of "found family" that runs throughout the novel. Their unwavering loyalty to each other, combined with their diverse backgrounds and personalities, created a strong emotional core that made the story even more heartfelt.

Overall, this book offered a heartwarming exploration of love, family, community, and overcoming hardship, all set against the backdrop of New York's winter charm. I'm deeply grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Iris arrives in New York City with a suitcase full of dreams and a heart heavy with recent losses. Trading her London life for the bustling streets of the Big Apple, she hopes to find solace and perhaps a fresh start. While wandering through a vibrant Little Italy street fair, she stumbles upon a quaint gelateria that feels oddly familiar. Inside, she meets Gio, the charming yet troubled owner, who reveals that their signature vanilla gelato recipe is at risk of being lost forever due to a family crisis. Coincidentally, Iris possesses the very recipe they're desperate to recreate—a secret her late mother held dear. Torn between helping Gio and protecting her mother's legacy, Iris embarks on a journey of love, secrets, and, of course, gelato.

Josie Silver crafts a heartwarming tale that blends the magic of New York with the rich flavors of Italian tradition. Iris's internal struggle is both relatable and poignant, as she navigates the complexities of honoring her mother's memory while forging her own path. Gio's endearing vulnerability adds depth to their budding romance, making their connection feel genuine and earned. The supporting cast, including Iris's vivacious best friend and Gio's tight-knit family, brings warmth and humor, creating a tapestry of relationships that enrich the narrative. However, some plot developments tread familiar ground, and the pacing occasionally lingers, but the emotional payoff is well worth the journey.

With a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, "A Winter in New York" serves up a delectable story of love, loss, and the sweet taste of new beginnings. It's a reminder that sometimes, the key to moving forward lies in embracing the past and adding a scoop of courage to the mix.

Talk about peak cozy season! This is the book you need with a warm fuzzy blanket and hot cocoa! It will deliver all the winter magic! A Winter in New York melted my heart! Love, destiny, and finding your place... all set in Manhattan and the coziness of a family ran Gelateria! Josie Silvers does it again for me with adorable characters, family secrets, and just the right amount of drama. Gio became my book boyfriend by the end of the book... Italiano, sweet, and had me when he kept saying "little mouse". DYING!

Tropes
Strangers to Lovers
Found Family
Fate & Second Chances
Cozy Winter Vibes

If you're looking for a swoony romance, laughter, New York wanderlust... this is your next read!

Josie silver is an auto read for me before I even look up what it is about. This story was no exception as it was a beautiful story that was enjoyed in every page. Thank you to all involved in allowing me early access to this story.

Really enjoyed this one! I just love a good romcom and loved the premise of this one. I also love a good holiday read. Iris and Gio are just such a cute couple. Definitely recommend!

I did not love this one, I fear this author isn't for me. I know a lot of people love her, but I think I will have to give up. I've read several now.

I loved A Winter in New York by Josie Silver. Silver leads us in with a quick Valentine’s Day encounter in a LES (lower East side) bookstore before we jump into festive fall and the holidays.

This is a fast read with an easy, comfortable pacing that had me binge reading this book over the course of 24 hours! I loved the New York City setting and felt like I was back there. One or two authentic city-dweller quibbles but they were so slight.

Iris is a chef, recently moved to New York from London. Looking for a fresh start and to escape an abusive, controlling partner. Iris finds a new home and found family at a noodle restaurant.

Iris had a deep connection with her late musical mother and notices places from her mother’s scrapbook during a festival in Little Italy. What follows is a great GELATO mystery, a big Italian family and a sweet, slow romance.

This is a pure taste preference, but much of the book is based on withholding the truth and that isn’t always my cup of tea. Silver deals with it in a very ethical, slowly building way. I was so anxious at times that I thought I would need to put the book down…. But a new character would pop in who knew truth. It is all so well down and I was on the edge of my seat til the super satisfying climax!

Thank you #netgalley for the Arc. All opinions are my own.

This book was soo good. I devoured it in a day and loved how it all came full circle in the end.

The nostalgia of her mother and learning more about her along the way was the best part. I can’t even imagine losing someone as close as my mom and I love how she started doing more things to set herself free from her past.

I’ll admit — the second half of the book definitely redeemed the first half. It was a lot more meaningful, had the closure I was hoping for, and moved at a faster pace.

I still couldn’t completely get over the fact that there was so much lying at the foundation of the main relationship and it took until the very end to come out — it just felt incredibly deceptive and not real. I don’t think someone could withhold all of the information that Iris does and still start such a meaningful relationship like she does.

I ended up listening to the audio all the way through and I did eventually get used to the narrator’s accent — as well as her weak attempt at a MMC American accent.

It had some great NYC vibes, but I’m still on the fence with this one.

The perfect warm, cozy, sweet and funny romantic comedy for the Christmas season. As a New Yorker, I loved all of the detailed descriptions of the setting and how the city felt like a character in the story. Even though I don't usually love main characters withholding information, it made sense in this story and the characters and the romantic relationship were so sweet that I was willing to go along with it. Can't wait to see what Josie Silver writes next!

Thank you Delacorte Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This story follows a chef, Iris as she moves to New York to expand her horizons. She intends to stay hidden and work her way through life. However, one of her best friends does not allow that. They take a trip through Little Italy and stop at a small Gelato place where she meets the owners son Gio. She lets him know how much she loves the shop and the gelato of course. Gio informs her that they are fearful of closing the shop because Gio's father is in a coma and is the only one that knows the family secret recipe. As Iris tries the gelato she realizes that her recipe and their recipe are the same. She is hesitant to tell them this because she is unsure why her mother knows their family recipe. However, as time goes on gelato and love might have a lasting connection.

Read if you enjoy:
Gelato
Romance
New York
Holiday vibes

really fun cozy romance! read it in December and really gave me the holiday feelings! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley!

Fun, easy to read Christmas rom=com. This is a great love story about family, home, tradition & memories. So heartwarming and a great read for this time of year.

I lived this book! It had an ending and storyline that wasn’t predictable- with a feel good finish that wasn’t your typical romance. It had a family story throughout that was genuine and heartfelt. This made me a Josie Silver fan.

Very enjoyable book with romance and family dynamics. I don’t typically love a plot so much lying, but still good.

I enjoyed the setting of this book - it was perfect for reading around the holidays! The main characters had a lot of chemistry and I was thrilled to see them get their HEA!

Thank you for the opportunity to review this advanced reader's edition. Unfortunately, I will not be able to give it the time required to write a thorough review and will be unable to read it for this purpose.

3.5 stars

I’ve read three Josie Silver books, and I’ve only found true magic once: "One Day in December." I adored everything about that book. The chemistry between Laurie and Jack, Sarah and Laurie’s complicated friendship … it’s quite the love story. The ending still gives me chills when I think of it.

But "One Night on the Island" and "A Winter in New York" have disappointed me. It’s not that they’re bad books – they’re not, I liked them both – but they’re not of the same excellence as her debut. And it’s okay, not every book needs to be a five-starrer to be enjoyed, right?

The struggle for me with Silver’s latest is rooted in the very foundation of the story. In order for the romantic drama to work between Iris and Gio, you have to believe that the sanctity of a secret family gelato recipe is reason enough to lie and miscommunicate. Iris lies to Gio about having possession of the recipe to uphold its integrity so that the family continues to believe only two people in the entire world know how to make the gelato. Which, to me, all seems a bit silly – it’s gelato, not a cure for cancer – and also proves to be problematic because it was then a barrier to my buy-in of the story.

As for the other lie Iris tells Gio about her ex, it’s an understandable one if she’d just take a minute to explain to him why she said what she said. In fact, most of the conflict in the story could be solved with a simple conversation, and Iris not talking to Gio grows tiring after a while.

But Silver is a gifted writer, and her warmth and charm won me over in the end, per usual. I knew I wouldn’t be happy unless Iris and Gio were happy, a testament to Silver’s ability to tug the emotions of her readers even when her romances are built on shaky ground.


My sincerest appreciation to Josie Silver, Random House Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions included herein are my own.