Member Reviews
I love a good untold-family-history-ties-to-modern-love-conundrum kind of story, and A Winter in New York delivered! After her mother's death, Iris flees from an emotionally abusive relationship in London and relocates to New York City, a place her mother experienced with magic and mystery in her youth. Iris becomes enmeshed with a family that has ties to her mother's past, and the repercussions for Iris' future may be too much to bear.
This story was layered, emotional, and at times dark. It offered a deliciously vulnerable look at relationships and the ways we are bound to one another. There is also exploration of loss, grief, loneliness, and the meaning of family. In short there was a lot going on here, but Josie Silver handled it with aplomb, as I have come to expect from her novels. I recommend this for a cozy but raw winter-time read.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via NetGalley for gifting me with an ARC to review! I enjoyed it.
A Winter In New York is an excellent winter in New York romance. Great storytelling and great characters kept me invested the whole way through.
*I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
SPOILERS AHEAD!
Super cute winter romance read! I loved that while this book felt like a Hallmark romance, there was more plot to it than a “normal” feel good romance. Iris and Gio are the ultimate example of the enemies to lovers trope. While I was frustrated with Iris for not just telling Gio about the secret recipe, I did get where she was coming from. I did stop reading the book for a week or so because I wasn’t super interested at first, but the second I sat down to read I was drawn in and couldn’t stop. I read the entire book on a 6 hour flight, and while it felt weird reading a Christmas book during the summer, I would 100% recommend this to other people during the holiday season. I will definitely be reading more books from Josie Silver in the future!
Thanks to NetGalley & Penguin for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
This is a lighthearted holiday read that takes place in New York. Kismet connects two people and brings them together in the ways that they need most, amidst a holiday backdrop in NY. This is a book about self-discovery, hard truths, and second chances. A blend of love, family (particularly boisterous Italian ones) and adventure - a fun easy ready! 3.5 stars
Just like probably millions of people around the world, I watch <i>While You Were Sleeping</i> every Christmas. It's a comforting movie that, really, you can watch any time of the year. Sandra Bullock is endearing, and the loud meddling family is charming, and it just makes you feel good in all its 90s glory.
This book is quite a bit like that.
Yes, the miscommunication trope still frustrates me -- literally all Iris needed to do was explain to Gio how abusive her ex was and that he's metaphorically dead to her and she wishes he was dead -- but I appreciate that Gio actually acts like an adult about it. He doesn't lord it over Iris or hold a grudge; he accepts that she lied and they'll discuss it later when things are calmer. I appreciated that about him.
Gio's whole family is utterly adorable - I'd give anything to hang out in that gelato shop for a day, just watching the family. I do wish Bobby and Robin had more significant roles.
For me this was a return to form for Josie Silver, since I wasn't a fan of her previous title. Maybe it's just her winter-themed books I love.
Josie Silver’s latest novel A Winter in New York exceeded my expectations. The story drew me in immediately and I couldn’t put it down! I loved the Belotti family and could feel the warmth and chaos and love they exuded. I enjoyed getting Vivian’s side of the story and I liked that it did not overshadow Iris’ POV but rather enhanced the story. I thought the love story between Iris and Gio was well written and it developed naturally. I definitely thought the story would go in more predictable directions based on books I’ve read with similar tropes, but this plot surprised me, which doesn’t happen often! Even though I wanted Iris to stop being stubborn and share her secrets, she (and Gio and the Belotti family) were characters I was rooting for. This is a great heart warming book to read this fall.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Josie silver does it again! I loved the generational love story. Starting 40 years ago and bringing it into current time. The found family is so special and really hit home for someone who also lost their mother. Excellent book.
I really loved this romance which takes place in New York City.
Iris, a chef, leaves London and a bad relationship to fly to New York City, a city that her mother, a musician had loved, and told her a lot about. Hoping to begin over, and with hope that her past doesn't follow her.
Her friend Bobby, also her boss and landlord, takes her out to see a festival in Little Italy in their neighborhood. While walking around she see a beautiful door of Belotti's Gelateria, which looks familiar to her and, which she remember from a photo her mother had, of a handsome man and there was a gelato recipe.
When she returns the next day she meets Gio, of the Belotti family. After talking for awhile and has a taste of their famous Gelato, she discovers it is the recipe her mother always made for her. Here she finds out that Belotti's is struggling, as the only person who knows the gelatos recipe, has lost a lot of his memory.
This story becomes a wonderful mix of mystery, missed opportunities, love and friendships. How did her mother have that recipe?
The Belotti family is a large warm, welcoming family who whole heartedly embrace Iris, which she loves as she did not have that growing up, being an only child of a single mom.
Well worth a read for those of you who love women's fiction.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for a copy of this book.
I enjoyed but did not love this Josie Silver. At times, the setting and plot seemed unbelievable, but perhaps that's just because I am more familiar with New York than the settings of her other books.
I look forward to Josie Silvers books every year! So many things I love about this book, set in New York, food and a book lover. A beautiful dual timeline story. You are going to want to add this to your holiday reading this year!
Publication date: October 3rd.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
This was my Christmas in July pick + it didn’t disappoint. The story was creative, a great mix of holiday magic + romance with real life messiness like relationships, loss + grief. It was fun to explore The Village through Iris’ eyes + I wish Belotti’s really existed.
Perfect beautiful holiday read💖✨💞💗💕🤍✨
Thank you soooooo much netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced review copy if this book💗
"I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
I really enjoyed this winter romance! Iris and Gio are goals!! Such lovable characters. I love how Iris was trying to connect with her mother through her past.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!
"A Winter in New York" by Josie Silver is a heartwarming tale that beautifully weaves together themes of love, loss, and the power of found family. The story follows Iris, who, after enduring the tragic loss of her mother and escaping an abusive relationship in London, embarks on a journey to New York City to reconnect with her mother's cherished memories.
One of the standout elements of this novel is the remarkable cast of side characters that bring the found family theme to life. Their genuine gestures and unconditional acceptance create a heartwarming atmosphere, making the reader feel a part of their circle. The connection between Iris and the people she encounters at the gelateria in Little Italy adds depth to the story, culminating in a tale that feels both authentic and moving.
The development of Iris and Gio's romantic relationship is another highlight. It progresses naturally, without feeling forced, and their chemistry leaps off the pages. The reader is taken on a delightful journey as they evolve from strangers to friends and, eventually, lovers. Josie Silver masterfully captures the nuances of love, vulnerability, and emotional growth, making the reader root for the couple throughout.
The novel's setting during Christmas time in NYC enhances the overall experience, adding a touch of magic and enchantment to the story. The author beautifully captures the festive atmosphere of the city, making it the perfect backdrop for the heartwarming tale of love and self-discovery.
However, despite the many strengths of the book, there were a few aspects that fell flat for me. The extensive focus on gelato and the accompanying store drama seemed to dominate a significant portion of the story, taking away from the core themes of found family and romance. While the Italian roots and gelato theme initially seemed intriguing, it eventually became a bit overwhelming and distracting.
Some of the secrets that Iris kept from Gio felt unnecessary and strained credibility. Although they were intended to create conflict, I found it hard to fully support Iris in these moments, as they seemed to contradict the growth and honesty that had been established throughout the rest of the book.
Overall, "A Winter in New York" is a cozy read if you're into found family vibes, Italian roots, and a mix of women's fiction and romance. It's got all the feels and some Christmas magic sprinkled in. So grab a cup of cocoa, snuggle up under a blanket, and dive into this heartwarming NYC adventure!
I really loved this book.
Iris and Gio are so cute together.
I loved reading about Iris finding her way through grief as well as coming back from a terrible relationship. I rooted for her the whole book. I loved the flashbacks with her mom as well so you learned more about Vivien and Santos relationship. The Belotti family seems so fun and so full of love! It was fun reading about the siblings and their antics.
it's a light and fun read.
I didn't want to put it down.
Josie Silver did it again!!! Such an amazing book with a beautiful intertwined love story. I felt the ending was a bit rushed but overall so great.
Iris moves to New York City from London to restart her life; her mom has recently passed away and she's coming off an abusive relationship. She visits a street fair in Little Italy and comes across a family-run gelato story that looks to be the same shop she saw in an old photo of her mother's. Iris returns to the store and meets Gio and he reveals their family guarded gelato recipe is at risk - only two people in the family know the recipe at a time and one of them is in a coma. She then tries to help Gio recreate this recipe.
This is a very atmospheric winter story set in NYC.I loved some of the side characters in this story - Gio has a very welcoming family and Iris' best friends Robin and Bobby helped give her comfort and security. There is a LOT of gelato talk in this book! I enjoyed Iris' personal growth finding confidence in herself and her self worth after coming from an abusive relationship. This story is about family, history, secrets, and love at first sight. I would say this isn't a favorite of hers for me - it was tough connecting with the characters, it felt a bit slow, and a couple plot points lost me.
Recommend if you enjoy
-Winter in NYC scenes
-Gelato and foodie books
-Big supportive families and found family
-Characters that go through a lot of growth
I LOVED THIS BOOK. the premise, the writing, the plot. loved it. my only complaint was that the neding was extremely rushed and could have been more fleshed out. another win by josie silver!
Iris, pretty fresh off a plane to New York, goes to a festival in Little Italy when she stumbles upon a gelato shop she swears she’s seen before… come to find out, there’s a picture of the door in her mothers scrapbook… along with the family who owns the shop’s secret gelato recipe. She immediately goes back the next day, hoping to find a connection between her mother who has passed on, and this family. Iris meets gelato-shop-owner’s son Gio, who informs iris the shop is in danger of closing if they can’t find this recipe. Iris decides to help this family, but try to keep the fact that she knows the recipe a secret.
I have read all of Josie Silver’s books, so I guess you could say I’m a fan and know her work!! I LOVED the idea behind this book. Josie does a great job of making the plots of her books more than just a 1-dimensional romance; she adds character, details, and emotions.
While I loved the idea of this book and did in the end enjoy it, I felt that there was way too much time spent describing Iris being guilty about keeping her 2 secrets (Adam not being dead, and the gelato recipe). Also, while I think Josie typically adds a great amount of detail, I think this plot had too much going on. In my opinion, I think the book could have done without Adam coming back into Iris’ life and DEFINITELY not come to New York. I think that really took away from this being a romance book to giving it a thriller aspect
I don’t think it needed.
Overall this was a fun Christmas novel, and I am still a Josie Silver fan :)
A former chef finally escaping her abusive ex-boyfriend in London finds herself building a new life in New York and grieving the recent death of her mother and eating the secret-recipe gelato that she shared with her mother... yet when she stops by a famous gelateria and discovers that it's the same shop that was in an old photo's of her mothers and that the secret recipe is related to this family run place... she soon finds herself falling for the handsome gelatio maker and trying to figure out whether or not she can tell him that her mother's secret recipe is the same one that his family is missing. Iris is living in New York after having had to escape her abusive ex in London. She's building a new life for herself and trying to not look over her shoulder afraid he's come back for her. She's also grieving her mother's recent death. Iris and her mother shared a secret family gelato recipe, one that her mother swore her to never share with anyone. Yet when Iris comes to a gelatio shop run by the handsome Gio who tells her that his family owned shop is in danger of closing because his uncle who was the sole keeper of the family's gelato recipe has had a stroke and now they can't make anymore and only have one sample left, Iris also discovers that the shop is the same one in an old photo her mother had and after trying a sample realizes that it is the same one from the recipe her mother gave her. Yet now Iris is struggling with whether or not to give the recipe to Gio but instead offers to help him recreate the flavor and in turn she begins to fall for both Gio and his family... yet the more secrets she has and the longer she keeps them, the more she is going to risk destroying this new family of hers when it all comes out. Unfortunately this one was a miss for me. The book really suffers from just prolonging this unnecessary misunderstanding for so long and I really didn't feel the romance/christmas-esque romance from this book which is unfortunate. I really wanted to like this but it just didn't work for me at all. The romance wasn't there and the book felt lacking in actual plot and was moving so slow. Overall, while this one didn't work for me, if you want a slow burn romance then give this one a go.
*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*