NetGalley Audio ARC
Snowy Serendipity
4/5⭐️

I received this as an Audio ARC on Netgalley! I think the story was super cute and to the point! I love how quick the story was, wasn’t too long for either one! There is two stories in the book! This is a great read, for someone who is wanting to get into the Christmas spirt! I love the voice of the audio book! To me, the voice help tell the story and I think the voices of these two were absolutely perfect for the story! I will definitely recommend!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -NetGalley ARC (Audiobook)

Description:
Get swept away with this sweet, cozy holiday romantic 2-in-1 audiobook from Melissa Ferguson!

Dashing Through the Snow:
“When Willow’s boyfriend of seven years dumps her on the eve of a romantic getaway, she decides to take the two-week train trip on The Christmas Express alone. Hurt as she feels, she can’t anticipate how the hilarious rebound ride with conductor Oliver, elf Ian, and aging world adventurer Clarence will heal her heart—and renew her sense of worth.”

Pining for You:
“Welcome to a cozy Virginia mountain town where Christmas tree farm owner Theo Watkins III has the opportunity to drop everything for one weekend to play farmer and potentially win back the heart of his childhood best friend, Skye Fuller. Only problem? He’s the kind of man who drives a Tesla, not a tractor.”

This was my first time *reading* anything from this author, but I enjoyed it enough to look into other books she has published. Snowy Serendipity has two stand-alone romantic novellas with “holiday” themes.
The first one I really loved, mainly because trains are my favorite way to travel and who wouldn’t want to spend two weeks on a train doing Christmas activities with “elves”?! Okay…I’m sure some people wouldn’t, but this girl would. Where do I sign up?! The characters were charming and the story believable. I was a little disappointed it was a novella because I could have read a full length novel with these characters and the Christmas Express.
The second story I do not consider Christmas or even winter themed. It does take place on an organic Christmas tree farm, but that’s where the Christmas connection ends. It takes place in spring time. I also wasn’t as invested in the characters as I was with the first novella. Overall it’s a good book and I recommend it if you love happy endings and romances without sex.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Audio for the chance to listen and review this audiobook. All thoughts are my own. 😁

Oh my goodness! This was adorable. Cozy, romantic, easy to listen to. The narrator did a wonderful job. It screamed Hallmark to me, and I love Hallmark.

In this short little snack of a book, we have two separate and unrelated romances. The first is my favorite which is set on a train that is supposed to be a romantic getaway. However, Willow's boyfriend falls in love with someone else before the trip begins. Willow goes on the trip anyhow and meets a friendly elf, an older gentleman, and a handsome conductor. Romance, blossoms, and Willow has the chance to change her whole life.
The second isn't Christmas-themed, but it does take place on a Christmas Tree Farm. This one is a second-chance romance. These stories are both so short that I can't really go much more into detail.

I really enjoy reading heartwarming stories that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. However, the only issue I have is that due to their shorter length, the romantic element often feels rushed and lacks the depth that a full-length novel would provide. It would be amazing if both of these stories were expanded into full-length novels, as I would love to establish a stronger connection with the characters and the story.

Overall, the writing is engaging. You do understand the emotions and feelings of all of the characters. The narrators both did a spectacular job with their stories. Just know going in that these are very short and sweet romance snacks.

This was a GREAT story to listen to! AWESOME narration! Great main characters. The plot was easy to find. The story was engaging and easy to follow. Will be purchasing this book. Shout out to Netgalley and publishing for allowing me to listen and review this story.

4 STARS!

Snowy Serendipity by Melissa Ferguson puts you in the Christmas mood instantly. It was so fun to listen to, and such cute stories. Definitely will be recommending!

If you're looking to read something short that will get you in the holiday spirit, these two cozy Christmas novellas by Melissa Ferguson will 100% get you in the Christmas mindset.
The first novella, Dashing Through the Snow, is the perfect Hallmark channel worthy romance. The main character, Willow, is facing the holiday season with a freshly broken heart and is boarding a train where she *knew* she would have gotten proposed to, but instead she meets a slew of characters young and old that help heal her heart and help her realize her worth.
The second novella, Pining for You, was less Hallmark worthy, but was still a cute small town romance but does mention a few heavier topics. Pining for you is still a very cute and clean, although more realistic, second-chance romance that was "winter themed" rather than being "holiday" or "Christmas".

Thank you to NetGalley for the audio version of this book in exchange for review.

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Audio for providing access to the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Two fun and unexpected stories that were a joy to go through, but whose romances did not convince me fully as the endgame for all of them. I loved the setting of the first tale, but to me, the second story seemed to shine brighter. Might be because of the peculiarity of both characters, I found Theo especially to be delightful, or the (for once) realistic misunderstanding and prideful miscommunication. Normally I'm not the biggest fan of those tropes, but here they felt right. And I enjoyed the twist that made everything clear.

Snowy Serendipity is a two-novella set from Melissa Ferguson that will help you feel ALL the holiday cheer.
The first novella, Dashing through the Snow, was such a win for me. I loved the characters and the idea of a two-week holiday train trip. While the FMC was a bit wishy-washy for me, considering she just got out of a seven-year-long relationship, I can't help but think the situation of a holiday train ride would get me in the romantic mood too.
The second novella was such a miss for me. It did not have the same holiday cheer, and the male main character was perhaps too grinchy, not in a good way, either. The second novella is much less in-your-face holly jolly and deals with complex topics that come out, especially during the holidays, like addiction and poverty.
While I appreciate that the two novellas are not overly similar, I do think the second one really missed the mark.

This set of novellas has the same narrator, who is clear and easy to understand. But if you prefer at least two narrators, you will not find that here.

Snowy Serendipity is a set of two novellas by Melissa Ferguson.
The first story in this set of 2 novellas, "Dashing Through the Snow" was a 5 star story for me. Willow goes on the couples retreat on a Santa train that her now ex-boyfriend bought them. It was fun and she made friends with an older gentleman, Clarence. His son turns out to be the conductor, Oliver, who is a really nice man. The scene at the end of riding in a horse-drawn sleigh they'd the snow is very sweet.

"Pining for You" is the second novella and I didn't like this one. It stars Skye and Theo. They used to be a couple in high school and he left for college and things ended. Theo is the owner of a Christmas Tree Farm. He's a businessman in the city, but comes home to help with the tree farm when the manager, Skye's father, gets injured. A lot of this story seemed too unrealistic .. the story, the action, and the dialogue. Story ends with loose ends. I'd only give it 1 star. Thus, the average score of 3.

Two novellas in one! These were sweet and quick reads. Because they are novellas, everything felt rushed to me. I’m used to much longer books. This isn’t bad, just different than I’m used to. Quick holiday romance is always a win.

Dashing Through the Snow
Instead of getting engaged before Christmas, Willow finds herself single and heading on a pre-holiday vacation meant for two, all by herself. The Christmas Express has been a dream of Willow’s and she plans to make the best of it. She hits it off with Oliver, the conductor, and his father, Clarence, which brings unexpected joy to her adventure.

Pining for You
Theo Watkins III is a Christmas tree farm owner, but a farmer he is not. He heads to his hometown for a weekend to play the role when Skye’s father gets sick. Her father runs the farm for the Watkins family. He’s hoping when he’s there that he’ll be able to win back his childhood best friend—Skye. She eventually realizes that even though they haven’t seen or spoken to each other in years that he’s always kept tabs on her.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Zondervan Audio for allowing me to listen to an ARC of this novel. #NetGalley #SnowySerendipity

3*

I loved reading/listening to the first story of this book. It’s such a nice setting: girl gets dumped right before she’s boarding a festive train holiday (where her now ex-boyfriend would propose), meets the love of her life there and spends the most wholesome time with him and his father. I listened to this audiobook in one go and couldn’t put it to a pause. The narrator’s tempo was just perfect and she really could tell a story! The only thin I didn’t like was how she lowered her voice every time she’d quote a male character. The book is from a female POV and I’d much rather had the whole story in her normal voice. Like you would tell a story to a friend.

The second book however, couldn’t get me no didn’t finish it, because after 5 chapters, I caught myself not really knowing what I was listening to. Hence the 3 stars in total.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ALC in advance of the publishing date.

This is a 2 book/novella set. Dashing Through the Snow & Pining for You. These are two cute love stories.
In Dashing Through the Snow, a young woman, Willow gets dumped by her long time boyfriend just weeks before Christmas. They were scheduled to go on a two-week specialty train ride; so Willow goes by herself. Along the way we meet quite a cast of characters and Willow learns some truths about herself that might just lead her to her own happily ever after.

In Pining for You, we meet Theo & Skye; two childhood friends that grew apart when they both headed off to college. After 14 years, circumstances bring them together again when her father gets injured on the job. Will they be able to see each other as they are now and yet still remember how things were between them growing up? Will past mistakes and errors in judgment be forgotten or forgiven?

These are two wonderful stories that I enjoyed listening to. They have wonderful characters and delightful settings.

Such a fun book! It has two short stories in it that are easy to get lost in for a while. The first one will give you Polar Express vibes, cringy meet cutes that turn into awkward snake encounters, and a sweet old man that helps bring together the two love interests!

In the second story, it is second chances at its best! It was so sweet!

I loved that both stories had minimal drama. Since they are short stories, we still get a full character development and well rounded stories!

Two adorably cute love stories during wintertime. Narrator is great and fun to listen to...wished there were more!

I really enjoyed these short stories. The author has written wonderful stories and I am not surprised that these go right along with the rest. The holidays are a magical time of year and these stories show the magic and happiness that can happen. The narration was great. Which helped me envision the stories.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of the audio in exchange for an honest review.*

Unfortunately, these stories didn't work for me. I liked the first one more than the second.

The first novella could have been really good if it had been longer. The relationship that we are supposed to be invested in needed to be developed more. And having two possible love interests in such a short story was not a great idea.
The second novella was just not for me. I didn't like Theo. And I don't like romances where one of the people is in a relationship during most of the story. I didn't care about their second chance romance.

The audio itself was good, but in the second story the changing POVs could be confusing because the narrator's voice was pretty much the same the whole time. She was very easy to listen to, but it would have been better if it was more distinct in the changes.

I loved the Narrators Talon David and Kayla Jackson, and two sweet short holiday books in one was great! especially the french Accent!

🚂 Dashing Through the Snow 🚂

This was a 4 star read for me I adored it!!! Think the Polar express Meets a Hallmark Movie!

Willow Is Dumped By her Boyfriend she was Hoping would Propose, so Takes the festive train they had Planned on together - Meeting Ian - who catfishes her in a whole new but fun way - Clarence her Chess Buddy and Lastly Oliver who starts to put that twinkle back in her eye... Yep LOVED IT.


🎄 Pining for You 🎄

Meh - This one really wasn't for me - A bit boring - 2.5 stars

Theo (Whom i didn't really like, he was a bit of a distant character... not a lot to him) Returns to his tree farm and Reconnects with Skye, who's Father Runs the Tree farm - Skye was fun But a skim over their past really never Delves any deeper to facts in how they met ect. so we start on with a bland kind of resentment and love with no real Basis. The story Centers around a payslip Skye finds and how she Thinks Theo is Paying her dad Unfairly the Minimum pay. The conclusion felt rushed. but it was a shortie and readable.

I love a holiday romance, and these audio novellas were a great start to my Christmas reading list.

Snowy Serendipity was my first read by Melissa Ferguson and I really enjoyed her writing. The narrators were the perfect compliment and did a great job of giving lots of personality to each of Melissa’s characters.

❄️ Dashing Through the Snow ❄️
This novella was holiday perfection and gave The Polar Express meets Hallmark Christmas. In true novella fashion the romance moved quickly and newly-single FMC Willow was letting her heart guide her. Even to quirky train elf Ian! I loved the friendship between Willow and Clarence, and the relationship that formed between Willow and Oliver was super cute.

🎄Pining for You 🎄
I think this novella would have done well as a full-length read. There was a lot of history between Theo and Skye and the short format made their relationship and HEA feel rushed.

Overall, this was a great listen and I loved the 2-for-1 format!

Thank you to NetGalley,
Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Audio, and Melissa Ferguson for an advance copy. This is my honest review.