A Winter in New York by Josie Silver is filled with magic and will leave you smiling.

Iris is a British chef looking start her life over in New York after a bad breakup. After stumbling upon a gelato shop that looks vaguely familiar Iris befriends the owner, Gio, who lets her know the shop might close because his uncle, who holds the secret gelato recipe, is in a coma. Iris sets off on a journey to help Gio recreate his family’s recipe while discovering a few family secrets of her own.

Josie Silver is one of my favorite authors, I’m first in line for everything she releases. Her stories captivate me. I immediately felt connected to Iris and loved reading her story. I enjoyed the timeline flips between now and when Iris’ mom was young. While I thought A Winter In New York was going to be a Christmas story (it isn’t!) I was swept away in this winter story that left me unable to put it down!

If you’re looking for a cozy winter read, then be sure to pick up Josie Silver’s latest, A Winter in New York.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest

This was another great book by Josie Silver. I enjoyed the characters of Gio and Iris. I liked the juxtaposition of Iris’ story and her mother’s story. While I didn’t agree with the choices Iris made per se, I liked her and wanted to just hug her. The Belotti family were just happiness scattered across the pages. I loved that they felt like Iris’ missing puzzle piece. The setting in New York over the holidays felt magical.

I loved the richly interwoven stories and Iris' quest to find somewhere to belong. There's nothing quite like a big, loud Italian family, and they make a beautiful centerpiece for this cozy NYC holiday story.

This book really took me a while to warm up to. It just felt that it moved a bit slowly with a bit of repetitiveness. However, I did love the characters and felt a connection to them which is what ultimately kept me reading. As the book progressed, I found myself sinking more into the plot and by the time the book wrapped up, I saw what the author was trying to do all along. It was a lovely story of family, friendship and the timing of things in life. And last but not least, it's a sweet romance.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

I have really come to love Josie Silver and for me, her books seem to get better and better!! This latest release has a slow pace that was so perfect for me in this moment. While sometimes a slow burn can be frustrating, I love that the romance was hesitant and not rushed. It felt so natural to their situation. There are a few well placed moments of Iris’s mother’s past timeline - and I loved them so much. I finished this book with such a contented feeling. 💙

While there are holiday scenes, the book felt more wintery than Christmasy.

What to expect::
•NYC setting
•Foodie love
•Sweet, slow burn romance
•Grief
•Great family + found family
•GELATO!!!
🔥Closed door

The only thing that kept this from being 5 stars was that there is a lie from the heroine (not cheating) and I just feel so anxious and nervous anytime there is an untruth circulating!!

This is a special book that I genuinely loved. The plot stretches back from the 1960s to the present and it’s a story of love and family.

Iris is a chef who moved to NYC to escape a controlling relationship. She’s starting over, working at a noodle place whose the owner is a close friend. He loves her vanilla gelato recipe that she got from her dear deceased mother.
He takes her to the Italian Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy, where she recognizes the entrance of a gelato shop from one of her mother’s pictures. When she goes back the next day, she finds a handsome guy named Gio whose family has owned the shop for generations and is famous for their vanilla gelato.
Unfortunately, his uncle who knows the secret recipe has suffered a stroke and has amnesia, so the shop is closed because no one else knows the recipe.
After one taste of the remaining gelato, Iris immediately suspects that the shop’s recipe must be the same as her mother’s, but how is that possible? She starts hanging out at the shop to help out Gio and find out how her mom got the recipe, and meets Gio’s family, who embraces her. Iris suddenly experiences the large family gatherings she’s always dreamed of, especially at Christmas time.

This is a must read book! 5 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

3.5 stars!

The weather here in NC is finally getting cooler, putting me in the mood for all of the holiday books!

I was so excited to see that Josie Silver was coming out with a new book, especially a holiday romance, since I loved her two other books. Although I enjoyed this book, there were pieces that also weren’t my favorite - the main one being the FMC. I found myself getting more frustrated with her than loving her character. This doesn’t mean that I didn’t love Iris and Gio as a couple, as I was still rooting for them through the very end! I liked that we were able to get a glimpse into her mom’s past and how we were able to see Iris’ and her moms worlds collide in present day. The situation with Aaron kept me on my toes throughout the book and I appreciated how something negative was able to bring a group of people together. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a cute holiday romance (especially if you love cozy books involving baking and Italian single dads 😉)

Tropes / Themes:
Found Family
Single Dad
Holiday Romance
Baking
Italian Roots

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House-Dell, and Josie Silver for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

After her mother’s death and breaking off an emotionally abusive relationship Iris decides to move to New York for a fresh start. While walking around the streets of New York Iris recognizes a building from a photograph of her mother’s. After she goes back to investigate it’s a gelateria run by her mother’s first love Santo, who wrote down the secret family recipe that Iris grew up eating. After learning that the family needs to find the recipe Iris offers to help Gio who now runs the gelateria. After moving on from their disastrous first meeting Iris and Gio find solace in each other as well as a growing attraction. Iris is torn keeping all the family secrets from Gio, but she can’t help falling in love with him and his loud Italian family. Will she finally get the courage and tell Gio everything she’s been holding back?

This was such a sweet romance with well developed, complicated characters. I really appreciated how mental health was highlighted in the shared grief of the main characters as well as Iris’s experience with a partner who was emotionally abusive. It was beautiful how Iris and Gio learn to support each other through their grief and learn to find happiness again. The setting of New York may be a popular Christmas setting but the locations described were so rich you felt like you were right there walking the streets of New York with Iris and Gio. What a wonderful holiday romance!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc!

Iris is a chef from London who left a toxic relationship to come to New York City-the very same place her mother met the man who could have been her one true love. As Iris’s mother has recently passed away, Iris wants to discover the same New York that her mother loved. She wants to go to the same places her mother went, including a gelato shop she stumbles upon that was featured in one of her mother’s photos.

Iris’s mother had shared a top secret family recipe for vanilla gelato that Iris had to swear she would not share with another soul-only, the recipe does not come from Iris’s family, but the family of her mother’s old flame. When Iris goes into the same gelato shop, she discovers that they are temporarily not selling the famous vanilla gelato, as only two members of the family have the recipe-one being Santos, the past love of Iris’s mother. Only, santos is having some health issues and cannot remember the recipe, and the other family member has lost it. Without the recipe, the family is at a loss to figure out the recipe to save their business.

Immediately conflicted, Iris is unsure whether to give Gio the recipe and reveal that Santos had given her mother the recipe, which would be considered a betrayal to the family. She ultimately decides that her mother would want her to help, so she volunteers to help figure out the recipe, without revealing to the family that she already knows it. On top of hiding that she knows the recipe, she is also hiding the true reason she came to the gelato shop. Even worse, Iris realizes she has met Gio before, at a bookstore on Valentine’s Day where she told him a pretty bad lie.

As Iris and Gio spend more time together and Iris becomes more involved in his family, Iris’s feelings continue to complicate the situation. When should she tell these people that she cares about the truth about why she’s there? How will the man that she’s falling in love with get past all she’s hidden from him, when he values honesty and loyalty above all?

This was a cute Christmas read with some really charming characters and an endearing family that anyone would want to be part of. I recommend this to anyone looking for a romantic holiday read about family, friendship, loyalty and love.

Iris a young chef is reeling from the recent loss of her mother and decides to head to NYC to heal and get away from a toxic relationship. While there as she explores the city she comes across a Gelato shop that looks familiar to her. Curious as she decides to look into it further she realizes her mom's secret recipe is one and the same as the shop's but their owner is in a coma and no one can figure out the secret recipe. Iris then decides to help them figure out the recipe and in doing so begins to dig up past secrets along with the gelato secret recipe.

Perfect book to curl up with some hot chocolate for some cozy light hearted reading. This is a breezy fluffy type of book but you can't help but fall in love with Gio's Gelato family. Jose Silver continues to be one of my go to writers to get my romance-ish fill.

This book was absolutely incredible! I am Josie Silver's biggest fan now!

I was intrigued the whole story and was wondering what was going to happen and this was a real page turner, the whole timeline was well done, with the bits and pieces we got as the book progressed. I felt interested and I. could easily visualize everything clearly and vividly,

Iris is truly a character I felt for, and seeing her growth throughout the book and how her growth was present throughout the entire book. I loved how this book focused on found family, romance, and also self growth, and I feel like they were all tied beautifully by Silver's writing.

I cannot rave about this book enough, it was beautiful and special to read, and I think Josie covered certain sensitive topics in a truly remarkable way.

Please check trigger warnings for this book in advance, there were slight mentions of mental abuse and topics of grief discussed.

A sweet, heartwarming escape to New York sets the perfect tone for a cozy holiday read. Josie Silver’s newest novel A Winter in New York is a contemporary romance full of atmosphere and delightful characters.

Young chef Iris moves from London to New York looking for a fresh start and to escape her abusive boyfriend. She and her best friend, Bobby, stumble upon a gelateria in Little Italy that reminds her of a photo from her deceased mother. After meeting the owner’s son and sampling their famous vanilla gelato, Iris realizes it is exactly the same as her mother’s secret recipe.
As the story continues, family secrets are revealed while Gio and Iris’s relationship becomes increasingly more complicated.

The author uses flashbacks to gradually reveal Iris’s mother’s background. Silver’s characters of the Gigliotti family are well developed. Romantic moments and charm create a perfect rom-com escape. Thanks to Random House - Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this title.

Set in New York City around the holiday, Josie Silver’s new novel A Winter in New York follows Iris Raven, a young chef who, following the death of her mother, has just moved to New York City, looking for a fresh start. Iris and her mom spent countless evenings watching movies set in New York while eating delicious gelato from her mom’s favorite recipe. Those movies, however, did nothing to prepare Iris for just how huge the city really was.

Thankfully, Bobby, Iris’ neighbor and immediate best friend, makes it his mission to get her out into the city to experience it to the fullest. When he takes her to a food festival in Little Italy, Belotti’s, a family-run gelateria immediately catches Iris’ eye. She recognizes it from an old cherished photo of her mom’s and wants to visit the shop as a way to feel close to her mom again. What Iris doesn’t realize as she’s making plans to return the next day, is how truly life changing visiting this shop will actually be.

Iris returns the next day and is surprised to see Gio behind the counter, only because she has just recently met him in an awkward encounter at the bookstore. Gio and Iris get reacquainted, and he informs her that the shop is actually in danger of closing. His uncle Santo, the owner, is sick and in a coma, and because of a strict family rule, no one else knows the secret family recipe for their beloved gelato. As Gio tells this story, Iris starts to suspect that the recipe she and her mother have enjoyed for years may, in fact, be the Belotti secret recipe. Why would her mother have this family’s top secret recipe? Is there any way she can hand over the recipe without creating drama for this family since they’ll know that someone, probably Santo, gave the recipe to someone outside of the family? Iris decides the best course of action is to volunteer to help try to recreate the recipe. Her hope is to help save the business in time for the holiday season while also protecting both her mother and Santo.

This story really was a delightful and heartwarming read. I loved watching Gio and Iris work together every day to try to recreate this recipe. They of course have wonderful chemistry that Silver brings to life beautifully, but they are also both very much dealing with grief and loss. While Iris is still mourning the loss of her mom, Gio is grieving the loss of his wife. Working comfortably side by side every day allows both Iris and Gio to start moving past that grief and to find their way to one another. They had so many sweet moments together in that shop. The Belotti family was also fantastic and I adored them. They were a big-hearted, loud, loving family and it was just such a joy every time they appeared on the scene.

Another wonderful element of the story was Iris following the clues to figure out what exactly Belotti’s shop meant to her mother. We get some beautifully done flashback scenes to when Iris’ mom was a young woman living in the city. I love a good dual timeline story so I very much enjoyed watching this aspect of the story unfold.

If you’re looking for a heartwarming, heartfelt holiday read, be sure to check out A Winter in New York.

I absolutely love this author but struggled to connect with this storyline. Thank you for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Iris has just made it on her own after the loss of her mother, leaving an abusive ex, and moving her life from London to New York City. It’s there that she hopes to connect more with her mother the singer. When this trip brings her a surprising twist, she keeps her lips zipped, and finds more of her mom than she ever could have imagined.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It didn’t blow me away, but it didn’t leave me disappointed. I didn’t yearn for more, like I have for previous Josie Silver reads, but I also never once had a thought to DNF the book either.

There were many times throughout where I wanted to shake Iris for keeping her mouth shut and not communicating. But I definitely saw how that would have completely changed the trajectory of the story. Ultimately, the read was sweet and cute but lacked depth. I did have moments where I held my chest because I hurt for them all. But even that wasn’t enough to make this an amazing read for me.

I just needed more.

Thank you to Ballantine-Dell and Random House for an early NetGalley copy in exchange for an honest review.

I forced myself to finish this one. It felt like it drug on and on and could’ve been solved with one conversation in the first 5% of the book. Way too slow paced and confusion for the sake of forcing a novel out of it.

Josie Silver is one of my favorite authors! I have enjoyed her past novels and really loved A Winter in New York. Josie Silver brought New York City to life in her writing - I felt like I was walking down the snowy streets. and experiencing the magic of NYC at Christmas time with Iris. I fell in love with Iris and Gio and the relationship they developed. I loved the complexity of the storyline, the dual timeline of Iris and her mother, and how it was more than just a holiday romance. It is a beautifully constructed love story - but also about family, hope, loss, grief, and healing. It is a definite must read!

4.5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing, and Josie Silver for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for a honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

I adore Josie Silver's writing and her latest is another magical masterpiece! Iris was raised by a free spirit mother, and it was always the two of them against the world until her mother passes away. Iris then falls into an emotionally abusive relationship while her defenses are down (off page!) but finally escapes to NY for a fresh start and a way to reconnect with her mother who has a history there.

There was so much I loved about this book! The storylines of both the past (Vivien & Santos) and the present (Iris & Gio) captured my heart. The main characters as well as the side characters were perfect in their imperfections and made me totally invested in the outcome even if I didn't support all the characters actions.

The romance of Gio and Iris was so sweet, a love story written in the stars! The family dynamics, the secrets, the emotional highs and lows, the fated connections, the gelato...and a happy sigh as I finished the last page.

5 stars

I look forward to whatever the author has to offer next!

"A Winter in New York" by Josie Silver is a heartwarming and nostalgic journey through the bustling streets of the Big Apple, wrapped in a cozy blanket of romance. This book encapsulates the essence of winter in New York, blending it with an enticing love story that will warm your heart during the coldest of days. As a fan of Silver's previous works, I was not disappointed, and I gladly give it 4 out of 5 stars.

The story revolves around Iris, who decides to make a fresh start in New York, only to realize that the city is even bigger and more intimidating than she'd imagined. Her journey begins with the kind of whimsical hope and curiosity that reminds you of classic Hallmark movies. It's a familiar backdrop, yet with Josie Silver's signature touch, it feels unique and heartwarming.

Iris's best friend, Bobby, plays a pivotal role in pulling her out of her shell and into the world of the city. Their visit to a Little Italy autumn street fair introduces us to the central plot point: a charming family-run gelateria, which sparks Iris's curiosity. It is here that the story takes a delicious turn, paying homage to iconic movies like "Dirty Dancing," "Pretty Woman," "When Harry Met Sally," and "Love Actually," as it weaves a narrative around secrets, gelato recipes, and budding romance.

The characters in "A Winter in New York" are incredibly endearing. Iris and Gio, in particular, stand out as adorable and lovable individuals. Iris's determination to help save Gio's family gelato shop by recreating their secret recipe sets the stage for a delightful, heartwarming, and sometimes humorous journey. Their growing connection is depicted beautifully and is sure to make your heart melt, much like the gelato they're trying to save.

The book explores themes of family, love, and the importance of tradition. It delves into the complexities of secrets and the potential for revelation to disrupt the lives we've built. The plot twists keep the reader engaged, wondering how these secrets will be revealed and what consequences they might bring.

Josie Silver's writing style is enchanting, and her ability to create a vivid sense of place and time immerses the reader in the magic of a winter in New York. The city itself is a character in the story, and it's clear that Silver has a deep affection for the setting.

Overall, "A Winter in New York" is a delightful read that captures the charm of New York City during the winter season while paying homage to beloved romantic movies. If you're a fan of feel-good, heartwarming stories with a dash of nostalgia and a touch of winter magic, this book is a must-read. While it may not break new ground in the romance genre, it certainly delivers an enjoyable and engaging experience, earning its 4 out of 5 stars. Josie Silver continues to be a reliable source of romantic escapism, and this book is no exception.

My ARC was provided by the publisher (Dell) via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Nobody does “sad but life-affirming romance” like [a:Josie Silver|16737899]. It definitely suited my mood more that [b:A Winter in New York|101673373] was more on the life affirming side.

Iris and Gio have a meet not-so-cute in a bookstore and then, months later, Iris learns Gio’s family owns a shop known for their family’s secret gelato recipe. Strangely, the recipe - seemingly lost when Gio’s grandfather has a stroke and loses some of his memory - isn’t just familiar to Iris: Her late mother has it written down on a cafe napkin. Iris resolves not to let on that someone in Gio’s family gave away the recipe – not that she knows <i>how</i> her mom ended up with it, but begins to help Gio as he tries to “rediscover” the proper ingredients and save his family’s shop.

There’s so much to love here – family and tradition, amazing food, an adorable moppet. Iris is rebuilding her life and her confidence after fleeing to New York from an abusive ex in London. People who have issues with MCs who keep really massive secrets may struggle with this one, though for me, it actually felt like Iris was at least somewhat justified in holding back the truth of her family’s connection to his (and the gelato recipe) as well as her own past.

Heartwarming, sexy, and full of wonderful people anyone would be lucky to have in their lives.

CW: Death of a parent (off page), emotional abuse from a partner (mostly in the past but not completely, with lingering trauma)

<i>Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and Dell for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.</i>