Member Reviews
Josie Silver is back with A Winter in New York, just released on October 3rd! Iris has just moved to the big city and starts uncovering pieces of her past that tie her to the Belotti family. Unbeknownst to them, Iris holds a secret that could make or break their gelato business. Working with Gio Belotti, single father and the man Iris lied to when she said that her ex boyfriend was her dead ex husband (oops!), Iris finds her life changing around her for the better. But when all these secrets threaten to ruin the happiness Iris is creating around her, what can she do?
Told with flashbacks to the past, A Winter in New York is full of nostalgia and heartache. From touching on subjects like loss, sickness, and found family, Josie Silver creates a sweet world full of even sweeter characters. While this is far from my favorite book from her (One Day in December will always a hold a special place in my heart), this one will make for a nice winter read this year!
A Winter in New York by Josie Silver, available everywhere, a solid 4⭐️ read! Thank you @netgalley for an ARC of this book!
Highlights:
Holiday romance
Meet-cute
Single dad
Found family
Gelato
TW: cancer, death of a loved one, an abusive relationship in the past.
I am a big fan of Josie Silver's books, so I was excited to read A Winter in New York, especially since the book is set in one of my favorite cities. I enjoyed the book but didn't love it as much as Silver's other books. The romantic relationship starts with a lie that leads to another lie and another lie. The primary conflict of the book is built on the heroine's dishonesty. It is not my favorite kind of romance. But if anyone can make it work, it's Josie Silver. Overall, A Winter in New York was a good read. I recommend it to readers who enjoy holiday/Christmas romance and fans of Josie Silver.
3.5 stars
In an attempt to honor her recently passed mother, and spread her ashes, Iris moves to NY from London. She’s got a job, some friends and makes a killer gelato from a recipe her Mom gave her with strict instructions to never give anyone else the recipe.
On an outing to a feast celebration in Little Italy she notices a door that looks familiar. Once home, she looks through her Mom’s photo album and finds the door. What she decides to do next has the ability to change lives, not just Iris’, but Gio and his whole family.
I thought this was a good book, a little long for the storyline in my opinion. Family values , secrets and loss all play major roles in the plot. I will continue to read books by this author.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.
What a fantastic book for the holidays. This book was wonderful and will get you in the mood for the Christmas season! Kept my attention and I would definitely recommend to others. I will be reading again closer to Christmas!
"A Winter in New York" by Josie Silver is a heartwarming 4-star read that beautifully captures the magic of love, family, and the power of a secret family recipe.
Iris's journey to restart her life in the bustling city of New York is a tale filled with nostalgia, hope, and unexpected discoveries. Josie Silver masterfully portrays the enormity of the Big Apple and the sense of longing for her mother's special secret-recipe gelato. The way the story weaves in Iris's memories and the bond she shared with her mom through movies and gelato is truly touching.
Bobby, Iris's best friend, plays a pivotal role in helping her come out of her shell and explore the city. Their friendship adds depth to the narrative, reminding us of the importance of supportive and caring relationships.
The discovery of the little family-run gelateria in Little Italy sparks curiosity and sets the stage for a captivating tale of tradition and love. Gio, the handsome gelato shop owner, becomes the gateway to Iris's connection with her mother's past. The mystery surrounding the secret recipe is both intriguing and emotionally resonant.
Iris's offer to help recreate the flavor of the gelato becomes a heartwarming journey of self-discovery and love. Her growing affection for Gio and his family is portrayed with tenderness and authenticity. As they work together, it's clear that they share more than just a love for gelato.
The story takes an emotional turn when Gio's uncle wakes up, and all the secrets Iris has been holding threaten to unravel the life and love she's built throughout the winter. The tension and uncertainty are palpable, and readers will find themselves emotionally invested in the outcome.
Thank you @randomhouse and @netgalley for early access to Winter in New York. I haven’t been reading as much, so I’m super behind. 🥲
Iris moves to New York to start fresh. Her mom recently lost her battle to Cancer, and Iris brews up enough strength to leave her mentally abusive terrible boyfriend back in London.
Iris explores many tourist destinations her mother loved while she toured with her band 30 years ago. Iris comes face to face with a gelato restaurant that she’s seen in her mother’s scrapbook. Once inside she meets adorable Gio Belotti and her life is never the same. She is flung into the Belotti family circle, where she discovers she might have information the family desperately needs.
Without any spoilers…. I wish Josie Silver would have added another chapter explaining how the end came to be. I feel like the explanation is missing….
Favorite quote:
“You make a good team when you’re not going for each other’s throats.”
“We’re Italian, it’s how we love.” 🇮🇹
Favorite character: Gio💚🤍❤️
Steamy rating: Moderate 🌶️
Profanity: Also Moderate 🤬
How I discovered: Bookstagram 📱
Method: E-book from NetGalley 🖥️
Trigger: Cancer, loss of a parent, & mental abuse.
I went into this one blind.. and I’m not sure if maybe that contributed to me not enjoying this one as much as I thought I would! Don’t get me wrong, this is still a good book! But it didn’t meet up to my expectations, and I wanted a lot more “holiday” feel than I got. I also felt this was a lot longer than necessary..
This book will undoubtedly make you grave vanilla gelato— I really think there needs to be the family recipe in here so that we can all try it out! Overall, pick this one up if you love gelato, New York City, family secrets, and a HEA.
3/5 - This was a lovely read! I enjoyed the story and feel like it’s a perfect cozy read for this time of year. The plot, NYC setting and cast of characters were a real treat!
I love Josie Silver - I was utterly gutted by her first One Day In December and The Two Lives of Lydia Bird. And I LOVED One Night On The Island. Her books are not for the faint of heart - there are some tough topics and themes, and this one was no different. It also had Silver’s beautiful, lyrical language and lovable but flawed characters.
My main issue was that while I liked Iris, and love that this was written from her perspective with smatterings of background from her mom’s POV, I didn’t LOVE her. Her internal dialogue was a lot and became redundant at times. I didn’t find myself as captivated by the storyline near the end, either.
That being said, I LOVED Gio, enjoyed the cooking references and city scenes and was pleased with the ending. Definitely one to add to your fall/winter TBR list! Thank you to @netgalley, Dell and Josie Silver for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I'm not sure where to start. I really hated how focused on a recipe this plot line was, but eventually I was able to overlook it and somewhat enjoy the characters. In the end I think it was just an "ok" book. Everything wrapped up in a bow (isn't that why we read rom-coms?) left this as a 2.5/3.0 star read for me. I probably wouldn't recommend as a page turner, but if you have some free time and like gelato then dive right in.
Thanks Random House Publishing Group via NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
3.25/5 stars! This reminded me of "While You Were Sleeping." But what worked in a movie (an innocent lie) didn't have as much buy-in in written form. I found myself more annoyed by Iris than rooting for her. That being said, there is a surprising amount of depth to this story that some readers would really enjoy.
I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
(I thought this was a Christmas book at first and it’s really more of a winter book. Christmas is much closer to the end of this book.)
This book was very emotional with memorable, lovable characters and a beautiful writing style. I kind of thought it would be lighter than it was though.
Iris has recently moved to NYC. She’s wound up there, in a way, to kind of retrace her mother’s steps. Her mom talked loving about her time in NYC but raised Iris in the UK.
Iris’ mother passed away a few years ago, while very young. Iris jumped into a relationship not long afterwards, she was in an emotionally vulnerable place. Her mom was her only family and losing her meant Iris was all alone. Her ex took advantage of Iris in many ways and they had a relationship that was abusive (though not physically, quite upsetting).
One day Iris just dumped the abusive boyfriend and left the country.
She’s been in the Us for a short while and is doing a great job restarting her life. Her new best friend lives directly above her and she’s enjoying exploring the city.
One day she wanders along a gelato shop and realizes quickly that it’s the one her mom often mentioned. She had a brief relationship with one of the family members who owned the gelato shop and while she ultimately left him, he trusted her with the secret family recipe.
Iris’ mom made that recipe for her so many times growing up that it became their tradition too and Iris long ago memorized it.
When Iris meets Gio, she finds out that the holder of the family recipe is in the hospital and has forgotten the recipe. Iris knows she can help since she has the recipe herself but she has no way of telling them that without uncovering the family patriarch, Santos’, relationship with her mother.
So, instead she stays and tries to help Gio recreate the recipe. And she slowly starts falling for him despite the massive secrets she is keeping from him.
Man did I ever feel bad for Iris. She was keeping a secret entirely to keep Santos’ good name and it was only putting her in a precarious place with Gio. Iris is just such a good person.
Here’s my two cents: I really really could have done without the storyline about Iris’ abusive ex. This story did not need it. There were enough obstacles and it just made Iris’ backstory even sadder.
I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. I thought the writer’s way with words was beautiful and enjoyed this story.
You know those stories that hook you from the first page? That you get so caught up in, you can't wait to find out what happens? Then you get to the last couple of chapters and don't want it to end?
That was A Winter in New York by Josie Silver for me. The writing, the story, the characters, every bit of this book was extraordinary.
I loved Iris; her strength, her growth, her compassion. I also loved the Belotti family, Bobby, and the flashbacks to Vivian's life. There was so much to this story, and all of it was fantastic!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for allowing me to read an ARC of A Winter in New York from by Josie Silver in exchange for my honest review.
A really sweet story about love, family (I want to go to a Belotti family dinner!), loss, healing, food and, of course, New York City during the holidays. ♥️🍨🇮🇹🍝🎁
*An absolute MUST read!*
As an avid fan of Josie Silver, diving into *A Winter in New York* felt like reuniting with an old friend, & it did not disappoint. Silver's unparalleled storytelling once again shines through, weaving a tapestry of emotions that kept me glued to the pages. The novel is a testament to Silver's exceptional ability to craft stories that resonate deeply with the human experience.
The novel's strength lies in its meticulous attention to detail. Silver's vivid descriptions of places & moments transported me to the heart of New York, making me feel as though I were walking alongside the characters, witnessing their journey firsthand.
I found myself enamored by the characters especially Iris & Gio. Their chemistry was palpable, & their individual journeys seemed so real that I couldn't help but root for them every step of the way.
The dual timelines in the narrative was a stroke of genius. Delving into Vivian's past & then Iris tracing her mother’s footsteps created a captivating narrative structure. It allowed for a seamless blend of love, loss, family drama, and personal resilience. These intertwined elements contributed to the novel's brilliance, making it a compelling & unforgettable read.
I wholeheartedly echo the sentiment that this book is a gem for romance and family drama enthusiasts. The multifaceted layers of the story make it a truly enriching experience. It is a tale that tugs at the heartstrings & leaves a lasting impression.
I am immensely grateful to #AWinterinNewYork, #NetGalley, & #JosieSilver for the opportunity to read this ARC. My review is a testament to the voluntary admiration I have for this outstanding piece of literature. *A Winter in New York* is a masterpiece & I wholeheartedly recommend it to all readers seeking a deeply moving and captivating story.
The premise of this was cute and I liked that it wasn’t too holiday heavy, which makes me wonder how this ended up with winter in the title. Only a few pages of it technically happen during winter. My biggest issue, however, is that Iris feels much younger and more naive than a 34 year old. Her decision making is frankly shit and I just never felt the real chemistry between her and Gio. I liked the finding a family aspect of this most of all (even if she was far too quick to give it up?).
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a super cute book! An easy read, just enough of the holidays that you don’t feel overwhelmed. All I want is some vanilla gelato!! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
I loved reading another holiday romance by Josie Silver. She wonderfully captures the realities of life and how that affects your relationships. I connected to this one because of the main character, Iris' grief of her mother and the home that they created together. I loved this food story! It made me hungry for gelato!
This book touches on grief, abuse and the way these things shape our reality. A search for a gelato recipe is wrapped up in Iris’ story of learning about the past and forging her own future. I really liked the family and friends in this story and how their expectations and experiences can impact the future. At the heart it was a story of love.
I consider this book a perfect counterpart to a summer favorite, One Italian Summer. I love books focusing on motherhood and daughters and something about a New York setting is just so perfect for a "finding yourself" novel. I also appreciated this book wasn't so Christmas focused- I am not quite ready for that yet but loved this!
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the early copy in exchange for an honest review!
Can someone please pass me a bowl of vanilla gelato?
Iris had a tough year. She lost her Mom and got out of a terrible relationship and is trying to start her life over in New York. Then she happens upon Belotti’s and recognizes it from an album she has of her Mother’s things. Quick meet-cute with Gio, the owner of the gelato restaurant at a book shop and this is off to the races. But it doesn’t go the way you think. Iris has a lot of trauma to process and so does Gio.
Italian Gilmore Girl vibes. Holiday romance. Grief and loss. Monday escapades, Lost gelato recipes.
3.5