Member Reviews
Unfortunately this one really did not work for me. The female main character Iris starts the relationship with the MMC, Gio based on multiple deceptions, and while she may have her reasons for not revealing the truth to the MMC, to me the level of deception meant the relationship was basically doomed from the start. I am not into dishonesty, and when she carries so much of it for so long, it was such a turn-off I couldn't really enjoy their story. This book, *almost* committed the additional crime of declaring it was set in a season (winter) and then having little to do with the actual season, but the last 25% of the book finally incoroprated enough elements that it felt wintery.
Overall this one was just meh.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
I typically love Josie Silver, but this one missed the mark for me personally, I think so many would love this, but the characters just didn't land for me. Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the eArc in exchange for my honest review!
Such a heart warming and cute story! Found family, eclectic characters, growth for the main, and a small town in a big city feel that reels you in and makes you wish you were there for the holidays.
"A Winter in New York" is a heartwarming tale of love, family, and rediscovery set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City. When Iris moves to the bustling metropolis in search of a fresh start, she unexpectedly finds herself drawn to a family-run gelateria that holds a connection to her past. As she becomes entangled in the lives of the charming Gio and his family, Iris realizes that sharting a lost secret recipe that could change everything.
With its engaging plot and endearing characters, "A Winter in New York" is a delightful read that will leave readers craving more. From the mouthwatering descriptions of gelato to the tender moments shared between Iris and Gio, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression. Overall, "A Winter in New York" is a charming and enchanting story that will warm the hearts of readers everywhere.
I’m a big fan of Josie Silver's books, but unfortunately this was the first I didn’t completely love. I love the NYC winter setting the most of all. The main characters had no chemistry in my opinion and I didn't love the behind the scenes plot points trying to make it all interesting
I have to say that although this story is good, I had to take a lot of breaks reading it because it was a bit slow-paced for me. If you like a light and cozy Christmas romance then this is a good choice. I truly admire the backstory and historical flashes to the past to 80s NY. Josie Silver is a good author and I enjoyed "One Night on the Island". This book is not an explicit or steamy romance by any stretch of the imagination and while there are a few funny moments it is not what I would call a romantic comedy either. Nice and complex yet light read all wrapped into one!
I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.
4.5 stars. A charming holiday romance with a lot of Moonstruck in its DNA. As chef Iris and gelato maker Gio rush to recreate his family's secret vanilla gelato recipe, they might be falling for each other, too. I get very stressed out when one character is withholding critical information from the other, but otherwise this was a lovely read.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.
What a sweet cozy winter in new york book. I loved this reading experience, it had the new york vibes and the romance and a focus on one of my favorite sweet treats -- gelato! A bit predictable but really enjoyable.
The story is fairly standard rom-com stuff: intense attraction, healing together from painful pasts, secrets and lies that threaten the relationship, the last minute “fix” of all the problems. My one big gripe is that the gelato recipe drama is a little hard to swallow - no pun intended! The explanation for all the secret-keeping just never felt justified and created a bit of an artificial crisis that I just had to go along with. I appreciated the messaging around Iris’ past abusive relationship and thought it was handled well, but I also didn’t think the dramatic reappearance of that character was necessary.
Fleeing from a bad relationship, Iris finds herself in New York. With no plan, but a few photos from her mother’s youth serving as a guide, she slowly starts to rebuild her life. Will Iris be able to leave the past in the past, or will it continue to haunt her future?
This was the perfect book to pick up at the height of winter. Despite centering on Iris helping the Belotti family rediscover their secret gelato recipe, it gave me all the warm and fuzzies. I have never been to New York but seeing it described through Iris reaffirmed it as the perfect place for new beginnings. In a city so big, one would think it is easy to fade into. However, the heart of the city is the people who inhabit it. As soon as they accept you, you become one of them. There is no more hiding.
As with all of Josie Silver’s books, A Winter in New York delves into heavy subject matters. There is mention of deceased love ones, an abusive relationship, and parental abandonment. While these topics can be difficult to read about, Silver managed to overcome them by shifting the focus to the healing that can take place when they are confronted and dealt with.
While there are so many things to love about this book, my favorite is the relationship between Gio and Iris. Life choices prevented their loved ones from being together. Being able to witness them experience what Santo and Vivien couldn’t, brought tears to my eyes. Sadly, not every relationship is meant to be. Sometimes it is the case of the right person, wrong time. However, Santo and Vivien lived happy and fulfilling lives, despite not getting to be together.
Special thanks to Netgalley, Josie Silver, and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This heartwarming holiday tale set against the backdrop of New York City, my favorite place on Earth, left me utterly enchanted. Not only did it weave a captivating slow-burn romance, but it also tantalized my taste buds with its delectable gelato recipes.
Centered around Iris and Gio, two individuals navigating their own familial challenges, the story unfolds with grace and charm. Iris, seeking a fresh start after leaving behind her career and an abusive ex-boyfriend, finds herself drawn to a festival in Little Italy. There, she stumbles upon a familiar storefront from her mother's old photograph, hinting at a tantalizing secret: a prized vanilla gelato recipe hidden for years.
As Iris delves deeper into the mystery, she discovers the recipe's significance to Belotti's Gelateria and the charming Gio, its struggling owner. Despite her promise to her late mother, Iris becomes entangled in Gio's quest to save the family business, all while battling her growing feelings for him and the guilt of keeping her secret.
The dynamic between Iris and Gio is electric, their chemistry palpable as they navigate their burgeoning romance amidst the backdrop of Gio's lively Italian family. However, Iris's reluctance to disclose the truth tests their relationship, adding a layer of tension and complexity.
While I was captivated by the story and its enchanting setting, Iris's prolonged secrecy did test my patience, prompting a slight deduction in my rating. Nevertheless, the overall enjoyment I derived from this charming tale far outweighed any minor grievances.
I enjoyed the setting. A winter in New York always feels cozy. However, I didn’t enjoy the story much. I feel like the miscommunication trope was really strong and that isn’t my favorite. The MFC could have told the truth from the beginning and she just didn’t. She continued to fake it and lie and insert herself in to the MMC’s life and that wasn’t fun for me.
Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and Random House Publishing for the gifted e-book! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.
I was just bored. I could not connect with the characters like I wanted to. I wish I loved it, but that doesn't mean you won't.
Josie Silver can do no wrong! Her winter books are my favorite! The covers are cute, characters feel like friends and there is coziness throughout. Read this and have a great time!
After reading One Night in December a few years ago, I was so excited for another winter set book from Josie Silver. And even more excited when I found out the book takes place in NYC. While I enjoyed the book, it seemed to be predictable and lacked the magic I felt from her past books. I loved the imagery and could feel like I was in Brooklyn eating gelato along side Iris and Geo. The whole book had a lot of secrets and lies to build up to the reveal that just seemed to fall flat. Overall a sweet book but I just wanted more. Thank you Net Galley for an ARC
This was the second book I've read by Josie Silver. I liked the book, but at times I thought the story dragged a little bit and was slow in some parts. Still, I don't think I wouldn't read another book by her. It was overall a cute holiday read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for my honest review!
My blog is https://bookreviewsbyjules.blogspot.com/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/44083250-julia
Instagram/bookstagram https://www.instagram.com/bookreviewsbyjules/
I always love Josie Silver’s books and this was no exception. It was a bit heavier than her other books but loved the characters and story.
This book really just took me for a ride. I loved the build up, the character development, and the writing. I would definitely read more from this author!
DNF at 40%.
I really tried to get through this book, but I just couldn't. The miscommunication trope wouldn't end, and it was really hard to take the book seriously while she was lying the whole time. I thought her internal monologue was repetitive, and the 40% of the book I read could have been cut in half.
I really love the concept so I wanted to like the book, and I'm a little bummed that I won't know how it ended. However, I prefer a book that is a bit more plot-driven and I'd say this read was 70% internal dialogue and 30% plot.
I would recommend this book to folks who enjoy a cozy, slow, more character-driven book. I really love the protagonist and her journey (even though she's hiding huge secrets the entire book for no reason).