I've enjoyed author Josie Silver's books in the past & just couldn't resist her latest, which is a Christmas story, "A Winter in New York"! Really enjoyed this tale of Iris, moving from London to NYC after the death of her beloved mother and leaving an abusive relationship. Once there she finds a gelato shop in Little Italy with a connection to her Mom, and she meets hottie Gio and they quickly go from strangers to lovers. I really loved all the quirky side characters. I also enjoyed not only the Gelateria, but the RECIPES!! I was also a tad frustrated with the secrets Iris kept from Gio. Overall, heartwarming, charming & sweet. My sincere thanks to Net Galley & the publisher for the complimentary DRC, my sincere pleasure to review it.

There was something reminiscent of Adriana Trigiani in novel: Vivien, the British daughter of musician sensation Iris Raven, attends the Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy and has just eaten her weight in zeppole when the photo she snaps of Bellotti’s Gelateria sparks a memory for her. Vivien came to New York almost a year ago to escape a bad relationship, find a new job, and connect to her roots. She’s still grieving the death of her wonderful, complex, secretive, perpetually single mother. A chef by trade, Viv scores a job at a noodle joint, renting the apartment above. Once she realizes her mother knew the Belottis, she can’t stop herself from popping by and is quickly pulled into the dynamics of widowed manager Gio and his family/staff. Only two people in the family are allowed to have the famed gelato recipe at one time; one is Gio’s father, in the hospital and recovering from a stroke that has left him unable to recall the perfect proportions of cream, milk sugar and vanilla for the recipe. The other is Gio’s uncle, a peer of Vivien’s, who is still roaming Europe and out of touch.

Miscommunication and dishonesty fuel the plot. Vivien could have confided that Gio’s dad gave the recipe to Iris when he was the love of her love and her touring with his brother’s band tour them apart, but Iris chooses not to disclose it, and in fact spends hours in the kitchen trying to recreate a recipe she actually knows by heart. The other lie is that her abusive ex who haunts her is not dead, but alive and threatening. Because it’s Josie Silver is an amazing writer, Iris’s longing, pain, discomfort, and remorse are tangible and believable, and she builds a complex character who makes less than ideal choices but agonizes over them.

The interpersonal relationships really make this a wonderful novel, from Viv’s befriending of Gio’s teenage daughter, to her friendship with her relationship with Bobby Han, proprietor of Very Tasty Noodle house where she works — her landlord and his partner are charming and quirky addition to the story, and a foil for Iris to relay plot points and unpack her emotional baggage with. I loved that the story focuses on romance later in life–Gio is mature, steady, and careful, but sweet kisses and a dirty mouth, and he and Viv sneak around like teenagers in love.

There are some flashbacks in the narrative, to previous meetings of Viv and Gio (who, spoiler alert, like each other) and to Iris’s life and career trajectory and Viv’s childhood. The Brooklyn location, passing of the season, close knit family ties, and restaurant backdrop serve to set the story firmly in a rich, tasty ethnic family box, hence the sense of familiarity with Adriana Trigiani. I really love the cartooned cover art, with it’s New York City skyline in snow-globe in the same arc as the gelato cones the characters are holding.

I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #AWinterInNewYork from #NetGalley.

This book goes between past and present with main character and her mother I don't enjoy reading tis style of book. DNF

********************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley*********************************************

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Josie is one of my very very favorite authors, I was excited to read her new book! What a great holiday love story with so much emotion.

After losing her mom and leaving an emotionally abusive relationship, Iris ends up in NYC with her suitcase and her gelato maker. Iris’s story is one of found friendship, new romance later in life, honoring her mother’s memory, and learning how to trust again.

A Heartwarming Journey Through Love and Gelato

“A Winter in New York” by Josie Silver takes readers on a delightful and heartwarming journey filled with love, secrets, and a delectable family recipe. Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, this novel captures the essence of the Big Apple while exploring themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the power of connection.

Iris, the protagonist, embarks on a fresh start in New York, only to realize that the city is far more immense and awe-inspiring than she had imagined. Guided by her best friend Bobby, she stumbles upon a hidden family gelateria that triggers a cascade of events that will change her life forever.

Silvers skillfully weaves together Iris’s quest to unlock the secret behind her mother’s connection to the gelateria with her own journey of self-discovery. As she befriends Gio and his family, and offers her culinary expertise to recreate the cherished gelato recipe, Iris finds herself falling in love with both the flavors and the people associated with the shop.

The author’s vivid descriptions bring the gelateria to life, making readers feel like they are walking alongside Iris through the bustling streets of Little Italy. The mouthwatering descriptions of gelato flavors tantalize the senses, adding an extra layer of charm to the story.

The characters in “A Winter in New York” are well-developed and relatable, drawing readers into their lives and emotions. The budding romance between Iris and Gio is portrayed with tenderness and warmth, capturing the excitement and vulnerability of new love. The supporting cast adds depth to the narrative, with Bobby’s unwavering support and Gio’s family dynamics providing a compelling backdrop for the story.

While the novel excels in creating a captivating atmosphere and heartwarming relationships, there are moments when the pacing feels a bit slow. Some readers may also find themselves wishing for further exploration of certain plot elements or character arcs. However, these minor flaws do not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the story.

“A Winter in New York” is a charming and uplifting read that combines the magic of New York City with the enchantment of a family recipe. Josie Silver has crafted a tale that will warm your heart and leave you craving a scoop of gelato. With its blend of romance, discovery, and mouthwatering descriptions, this novel is a delightful treat for fans of contemporary fiction and culinary delights.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Accidental meet cute turned bad at a book store between Iris and a man who goes for the same book. They trade barbs and she mentions her husband died (which is a lie).

Iris has moved her life to New York after leaving her ex and losing her mother to cancer. New York is where her mom had some incredible moments and Iris believes it’s a good spot to start over. She stumbles across a gelato store, and meets the owner, Gio. Come to find out, he’s not selling gelato now because they’ve lost the family secret recipe… which Iris happens to have, as her mother made her many bowls of this gelato. He’s also the handsome man she met at the bookstore so he thinks her husband died, and he’s lost his wife. As Iris gets in deeper with the family, she frets about what to do, while falling in love with Gio.

Josie Silver writes easy to read romances, though this one includes one of my least favorite tropes… communication. This woman is mid thirties. The man is late thirties. Communicate!!!!

This one was okay. It did feel a little repetitive in parts, and at one point I was like JUST TELL HIM! Her friends Bobby and Robin were so fun, and the Belotti family sounds like a blast. Of course it does still have a happy ending!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Silver writes such cute, heartfelt romances! Great dialogue, and loved all the family dynamics - the love between a daughter and her mom who died, a big extended Italian family, first loves from the past. It was adorable and perfect Christmas romance - like an elevated Hallmark movie. The ending felt a little too well scripted and would’ve liked some more real anger based on how many big secrets the main character kept. But I would recommend it to others

After the death of her mom and too many months in an abusive relationship, Iris leaves her life in London and moves to NYC to relive some of her mother’s memories. While out, she stumbles upon a gelateria in Little Italy without realizing the connection she has to this place and the people there. She then meets Gio and the two go from strangers to friends to lovers.

My favorite part of this story was the amazing cast of side characters. They made the found family theme come to life, and while fiction, their gestures and acceptance felt all too real. The progression of Iris and Gio’s romantic relationship also felt natural and not too forced. Plus, a story set during Christmas time in NYC is always a win for more. What fell flat was all the gelato talk. I feel like it took about 50% of the book to go past all the store drama and recipe disaster, which I just was not expecting. I also did not fully understand/ support some of the secrets Iris kept from Gio knowing it would lead to part of the conflict later on.

Read if you like:
-Found family
-Gelato / Italian roots
-Sporadic chapters from mother’s perspective
-Women’s fiction/romance blend
-NYC setting

Thank you Ballantine for the ARC. Pub date: 10/3

This book needs to come with a warning label. It just makes you want to eat gelato. And run away and hang out in Little Italy in the snow. Would also be helpful if the book included a gelato recipe!
This book features so much of what I love- NYC in the winter, Little Italy, love, Italian men, food, gelato. so I'm predisposed to like it. Or maybe I'm in a mood where it is exactly what I need right now. What I really like about Josie Silver is she is most def chic lit, but she does it in a creative way so it feels fresh. So many vibrant characters- you fall in love with. them. I was sad to see them go. Maybe a sequel that tells Sophia's story?
I read this book (actually a Net Galley ARC with the promise I'll be honest in my review, which I am) and I will say, I think it could be annoying as an audiobook. There's something about the voice in the book I think would become annoying if you have to listen to it. Just eye read it. It's well worth it!

Great title and lovely cover! The story by Silver is also well done. I liked the themes of self-discovery in the big city, wintertime in NYC and a mother and daughter dual time line. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Four stars.

I have read and enjoyed all of Josie Silver's previous books, so I was excited when @randomhouse @delacorte granted me early access to her upcoming release 𝐀 𝗪𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤 (Pub Date 10.03)

This book takes many of my favorite things and wraps them up lovingly between the covers. Reeling from the loss of her mom and needing to escape a less-than-ideal romantic relationship, Iris starts over in NYC, a place her Mom held dear. While she's searching for herself she stumbles across a gelateria in Little Italy that she knows she's seen somewhere before, her mom's scrapbook.

I appreciated that the love element isn't cut and dry. It's full of self-realization, self-acceptance and learning to forgive. It has these contemplative elements that are deep yet heartwarming.

𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄:
Cozy, romance-adjacent
All the gelato! Vanilla forever.
I loved the found family.
Side characters that leapt from the page. Bobby and Sophia
Big, boisterous, warm Italian family/
Tantalizing backstory from Vivien (Mom's) perspective.
🍆🍆 1/2 (steam level)
Sweet and swoony with a good dollop of heft. (death of a parent/spouse, grief and emotional abuse)
Love, loss, family and redemption.
There is a big miscommunication thread throughout so be aware if that's a deal breaker for you.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC for my honest review!

If you love a good romance novel that is tied up with a lovely little bow and all the feel-goods at the end, this is 100% for you! A Winter in New York was such a fun read with elements of found family, multiple time-lines, and some mild spice. Trigger warnings for death and domestic abuse though.

I struggled with the last novel I read by this author but for some reason I didn't with this one. It could be because it was located in NYC. I loved the Italian family and the strong British female who is the main character. I recommend this book. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy. #NetGalley #AWinterinNewYork

I enjoyed this book as I have Silver's previous works. There were a few too many coincidences, and I definitely felt like Iris made more of the drama in her life than was necessary. But I still enjoyed the story and characters. Bobby and Robin should have had more page time, because they were by far my favourite characters in this one. Followed by Sophie. The thing that I struggled with which prevented me bumping this to a 5 star was really Iris. I get that she had been in a traumatic relationship and was dealing with that the best way possible. But she created a lot of the problems for herself and kept perpetuating them. If she had just spoken up about her ex and explained why she said what she did at the start, I'm sure that that one lie would have been forgiven. The whole gelato lie may have been harder to talk around, but even that one could have been handled with a bit of honesty with the person who mattered most to her at the very least. Ah well. In the end, things worked out.

As an aside: it has been a long time since a book made me cry; and I had a few tears leak out when Iris was at her lowest. I also did some real rooting when the big confrontation happened, especially for Bobby. I love Bobby!

If you like Silver, I'm sure that this will be another great read for you. If you have't read her books before, this will serve as a good introduction to how she writes.

5 stars!

A Winter in New York by Josie Silver is a heartwarming tale of love and self-discovery set in the enchanting backdrop of New York City. As Iris rebuilds her life, she stumbles upon a gelateria that holds a secret link to her mother's past. Silver's evocative writing brings the city to life, while the blossoming romance between Iris and Gio tugs at your heartstrings. The exploration of family recipes and the power of shared traditions adds depth to the story, making it a truly captivating read. I also felt a wave of anxiety as Iris struggled to maintain her secrets. A Winter in New York is a delightful and uplifting novel that will leave you with a warm glow and a craving for gelato.

After moving to New York City after her mom died, Iris eventually meets Gio and they are a super cute couple. Slow burn romances are not usually my favorite books to read but this one was executed so well and I enjoyed every minute. Not only was this book a holiday romance, but it centered around food which made it even better. I highly recommend that people read this around the holidays as it is such a warm and cozy read.

Excuse me while I wipe my tears. This book started off a little slowly, but not in a bad way. Iris ran from London leaving behind an abusive ex. She begins to find her way in New York City, following her beloved mother’s footsteps and carefully making new friends.

I enjoyed reading as Iris was enveloped by the loving Belotti family, so different from her own family experience, being raised as the only child of a single mother. I also loved her relationship with Bobby and Robin. What I didn’t love were the secrets she kept from Gio, the sexy, romantic Italian gelato maker.

I’m so glad I read this book, it was charming and poignant with the best feel good HEA.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballentine for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Iris truly is a symbol of fortitude given the circumstances she emerged from coupled with her mother's death. I can certainly relate with her relationship with Adam in terms of him being mentally and emotionally abusive to the point she felt less than and docile. She came to New York seeking a life of which she can find herself again and claim what she enjoys. Like her mother Vivien, she deserved to burn bright. I can understand why she created the evolution of lies for protective purposes but I would have been thoroughly disappointed if she ran away. Her love for Gio and therefore the Belotti family was true great. The story about the giraffe simply solidified it. In addition, food does bring people together. A heartwarming book.

I will never, ever skip a Josie Silver book, and I've been proven right again. A Winter in New York was just so good in every way. It was heartwarming and poignant, and I was really cheering for not just Iris but the whole cast of side characters as well. The thing I think Josie does the best is create these flawed characters that are deeply relatable human beings, and then takes you through a story that brings you up and down right alongside them. There's just something that feels good about it, even in the hard parts, and I think it's because the characters feel like real people.

4.5 stars!

Josie Silver writes stunning books and this one is no exception. It's so good that I'll read it again at Christmas. Iris is a young chef that escapes a bad relationship and moves to New York City to completely restart her life. She has very few possessions, but she does have a gelato maker with her mother's secret gelato recipe. She makes her gelato when she's sick, needs a pick me up, or to celebrate. It's special and one of the few things she has left from her mother. When she moves to NYC she happens to find a job as a chef in a noodle house and an apartment right above it, but the best part is she makes a forever friend out of the owner and his partner. Bobby is always encouraging Iris to step out of her comfort zone and apartment to explore. One day they're exploring Little Italy when she comes upon a doorway to a gelateria that she knows is in an old photo of her mother's. She finds the picture to be sure and can't help but return to the gelateria and meets Gio, one of the owners that tells her that her uncle is one of the only two people in the world that have their family recipe, but he's been hurt and can't remember it, so they can't make their gelato! Iris samples the gelato and realizes that it's her mother's recipe! How her mother got this recipe she isn't sure, but she must find out, so she offers her talents as a chef to help Gio figure out the recipe until his uncle can return. While they're working together they fall in love, of course, but their love is threatened by her past, and her mother's past when his uncle wakes up. This book is beautifully written and is definitely one that you will want to read again, or at least I will. Thank you NetGalley, the author, and publisher for allowing me to preview this book.