Love in Winter Wonderland is a cute YA holiday love story that also lightly tackles some serious topics, like grief, eating disorders, and bullying. I liked Ariel and Trey, but particularly liked Ariel as I felt she was a more fleshed out character and Trey was mostly attached to the hideous Blair for the bulk of the book. The friends surrounding these two were also a plus, especially Boogs and Annika, and I loved the two narrators. I will recommend this book to my group of teens as well as in general to patrons who gravitate to meet-cutes. Thank you to Recorded Books and NetGalley for the early access in return for my honest opinion. 3.5 stars

This was a nice book! I love the cast of characters and the audiobook narrators were really good. And nice, down to earth for young adult/early college level relationship

Cute story about a family that runs a black owned bookstore. Narrators are wonderful. A delight to listen to...

"Love in Winter Wonderland" is a heartwarming YA romance set in a Black-owned London bookshop during Christmas. Readers will root for Ariel as she navigates personal challenges like grief and bullies. Trey and Ariel's budding relationship brings warmth to the story.

The book uniquely pairs each chapter with Christmas songs by Black artists like Alicia Keys and Luther Vandross, enhancing the holiday spirit. It also conveys the importance of supporting marginalized and independent bookstores, making it an enriching read for young audiences. Don't miss this charming tale that combines relatable characters with a powerful message.

This was a fabulous young adult audiobook. The story was realistic and somewhat motivating. The characters were likable. The narration was superb - alternating between male and female, representative of the characters. Although it was a great read, it didn’t feel very “special” or “standout” so 3 stars for a solid enjoyable story.

I zoomed through this book. I love black love and especially young black love. The fact that this storyline is centred around a black-owned bookstore. Say no more

Trey Anderson is charming, handsome, and dating the most popular girl at school. However, he loves his family bookstore and his family, and they need help before they lose everything.

Ariel Spencer is an artist and loves to read. She can be awkward but needs a job, and Trey's family bookstore is the place. This is where she starts the plan of how they can save Wonderland.

I loved everything about this friends-to-lover book, and I would recommend it to anyone.

The narrators, Ben Bailey Smith and Nneka Okoye, blew this out of the water. They brought the character to life.

So, firstly, I misread this as being about older teens because I read "college" and didn't realize it was British college, not American college lol So this is very much a young adult book. Nothing steamy, but lots of more age appropriate cuteness. I don't read a lot of romance so I can be kind of picky with what I read in the genre, but this one features two black leads, a bookstore, and Christmas time, so I wanted to check it out - but the comparison to You've Got Mail is WAY off. Just because there's a bookstore doesn't mean it's like You've Got Mail lol

I think what I'm most impressed with is Bello's distinctive voices for her characters and the fact that she's written teens that aren't tiresome. I thought I reached a point where I just don't "get" YA anymore, after a few off-books with unbearably self-involved youths. I know all kids are like that but some authors just focus on it too much and that is not fun to read, and in fact Bello makes a plot point out of it haha

My only disappointment was that there was all the set up of a delightfully unhinged antagonist but it turned out my predictions were completely off... there was a conflict but the stakes never felt too real. Everyone is good at everything and they're all amazing and Rihanna is even a fan. I know it's romance but give us sabotage! Is it the big money property developed? Is it the narcissistic and jealous girlfriend? Ugh.

I read the book as I listened to the audiobook as well, mainly because I just didn't like most of what Trey's reader did. Ariel's was fantastic, but Trey's reader, outside of dialogue, was so wooden and robotic and it would just take me right out of the story when he started speaking again.

Overall this is a VERY cute YA romance, with likable leads and a feel-good story perfect for the holiday season. I genuinely enjoyed it, even if there were parts I thought could have been done better.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This was so sweet! I loved how this book was set in an independent book store that is on the verge of being shut down. The lengths that Ariel and Trey go to in order to save the store is wonderful. The romance underneath it all is so adorable too.

I thought the narration was so so good!

What a cute YA love story that is so highly relatable, very innocent and such a nice little Christmas read! There were a couple PG 13 excerpts but honestly? Television is worse these days! If you’re looking for a nice palatable read that doesn’t have the words “quiver” or “heady” or the phrase “his eyes darkened” you’re in the right spot. :)

This book was super cute! I absolutely loved the setting of a family-owned bookstore and how the plot centered around saving it. It was so cool to see how everyone came together to fight for something that mattered!

I loved the way the romance between Ariel and Trey developed, though if I had one complaint it would be that Trey took a LONG time to break up with his girlfriend. I don’t generally love when that happens in books.

All in all, though, a super heartwarming story perfect for the holidays!

Thank you to Soho Teen and NetGalley for the audio ARC of this book!

Love in Winter Wonderland by Abiola Bello was such an amazing and cute story, Even though I'm still in spooky girl mood this book definitely made me feel like getting more into Christmas mood. The character development was chefs kiss. I loved Ariel and how she felt like a real girl dealing with real issues.

Charming, handsome Trey Anderson balances the pressures of school popularity with a job at his family’s beloved local bookshop, Wonderland. Quirky, creative Ariel Spencer needs tuition for the art program of her dreams, and an opening at Wonderland is the answer. When Trey and Ariel learn that Wonderland is on the brink of being shut down by a neighborhood gentrifier, they team up to stop the doors from closing before the Christmas Eve deadline—and embark on a hate-to-love journey that will change them forever.

Thank you to @netgalley, RB Media, and @abiolabello for the ARC! If you’re looking for a fun and sweet Christmasy YA read full of heart and a little drama, look no further! I loved the storyline of two teens working together to save a family-owned Black indie bookshop. The setting was so cozy and I loved it. I really loved Ariel’s character; she had a lot of layers and felt super relatable and well rounded. Trey was a little bit harder for me to like as I felt he dragged out a relationship he was wishywashy about to begin with for much longer than necessary, but he and Ariel really complimented each other well. The dual point of view was a nice touch, and the narrators did a great job with the audiobook performance. Overall this was a cute and quick read that I think you’ll enjoy if you love YA and Christmas! Love in Winter Wonderland is out now!

I had a bad day yesterday & decided that my usual spooky book would not be a good idea so I decided to give this book a try, hoping it would change my mood. Boy did it. I devoured this in one night and completely fell in love with Ariel & Trey and the winter setting. I was a tiny bit disappointed in the ending but not enough that I wouldn’t re-read this again & again.

Love in Winter Wonderland is a heartwarming and charming tale that revolves around the intertwined lives of Trey Anderson and Ariel Spencer, set against the backdrop of a beloved local bookshop called Wonderland. Trey, the handsome and popular high school student, and Ariel, the quirky and creative aspiring artist, come together in an unlikely partnership to save Wonderland from the clutches of a gentrifier, facing a tight Christmas Eve deadline.

This book is a delightful, feel-good read that is perfect for young adults. The story is executed with a lot of heart and warmth. It explores themes of love, community, and the power of coming together to preserve something meaningful.

While it is an enjoyable read, it's important to note that it reads on the younger side, which can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, this makes it a perfect choice for young adults who are looking for a sweet and uncomplicated love story. On the other hand, it might not offer the depth and complexity that more mature readers seek in a romantic novel.

In the end, Love in Winter Wonderland is a book that radiates a cozy and festive atmosphere, making it an ideal choice for curling up by the fire during the holiday season. I give it 3 stars, with the acknowledgment that it's a cute and enjoyable read, particularly suited for its intended young adult audience.

What a great story! The characters were easy to relate to and I had immediate connections with them. The voices in the audiobook were incredible and really made the story come to life.

I want to thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to review this audiobook. Witch, I will be giving my honest and sincere review. The audio itself was amazing in the voices of Ben Bailey and Nneka Okoye. They really brought characters to life.
Just a quick disclaimer for binge eating and body dysmorphia.

Wholesome Christmas read. A beautiful YA romance with a tearing wordy Christmas miracle, this book hooked me from the beginning. We get to know the owners of independent bookshops passed through generations, fearing the door having to shut through the crisis of having to compete with modern Bookstores. Tray does what he can to help but the sales are dropping daily, until fate brings Ariel a shy and introverted young painter to his store, since her fathers passing she succumbs in her art not allowing her to do much else facing a financial struggle threatening her future scholarship she goes to Treys bookstore for a job to help her enter a gallery show, things easily get comfortable between them, but Trey has a girlfriend and Ariel has body image issues impeding her from being herself son of bookshop wonderland cross.

Last but not least I gave it, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was released on Oct 03 2023 a Christmas book you definitely will need
#LoveinWinterWonderland #Netgalley #YAromance #PCO @dualpov #christmabook @abiolabello

I thought this book was so cute! I loved the holiday feel and the romance. I think that this is the perfect book if you are looking for a quick, cute holiday read.

I enjoyed this story, especially with it being set in a bookstore. The main characters, Ariel and Trey, were both relatable characters in their own way. Ariel is an artist who uses her skills and a scholarship project to help get Wonderland Bookstore back on the map. I was even more hooked with the story being set at the holidays and all the magical settings shared. I listened to this story and thought both narrators were great and made the story come to life! Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for an advanced audio copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Cute story about saving the family business and finding the person you’re meant to be with. There wasn’t anything different from this than any other story with the same premise but it was still entertaining. I loved the bookshop and the artwork that Ariel adds to the building but even the party to save the building wasn’t original. Ariel was likeable but Trey wasn’t. Recommended for fans of YA, Twilight, and those who want a feel-good Christmas story.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I absolutely enjoyed this audiobook and strongly believe the narrators did a wonderful job. The book follows Trey whose family owns a bookshop on the brink of closure " Wonderland". They end up hiring Ariel as she needs a seasonable job and the two try to come up with ideas to save the bookshop. I loved it but found Trey's girlfriend Blair a mismatch for Trey who is just adorable. My hero of the story is Ariel as she is strong , determined and resilient. What an incredible book set around Christmas time and if you can ger the audiobook.