5 stars out of 5

I enjoyed this holiday romp so much! This time of year I love nothing more than picking up a fun and festive read, and as a fan of Catherine Walsh I was happy to pick this one up.

This is well-written with a predictable but not saccarine plot. I loved both of the characters and was cheering for them to get it together from page one. There was a fun plot with some entertaining side characters and I was able to read through this in a few days.

I loved this book so much that as soon as I realized that there was another book in the series I started reading it! If that's not an endorsement for this author, I don't know what is! Bravo, Catherine Walsh, I can't wait to read whatever you come up with next.

I really like the tropes in this book! Dual POV, fake dating, friends to lovers, etc.—all of these things were great!

However, while I enjoyed the plot of this romantic comedy overall, I wasn’t completely immersed in the story. The main characters were interesting enough, but I struggled to vividly imagine them and establish a strong connection. I didn’t really like any of the side characters.

I also must admit that I encountered some difficulties with the writing style. The author used a lot of repetitive sentences. Although stylistically interesting, the repetitive sentences disrupted my immersion in the story each time they appeared. I think this sentence structure can be effective when used in dialogue or a character’s inner thoughts (since I real person might think/speak that way), but it appeared too much and was too repetitive for me. This is a minor thing, but I had to mention it since it noticeable to me as I read the book.

Despite this, this book was a pleasurable read! “Snowed In” is a light and enjoyable romantic comedy, perfect for cozying up with this December!

Check out Snowed In if you enjoy…
* witty banter
* cozy family setting and characters
* swoon worthy Christmas romance

Perfect for fans of…
* Faking Christmas by Kerry Winfrey
* Lovelight Farms by B. K. Borison
* The Christmas Wish by Lindsey Kelk

Megan is not looking forward to going home for the holidays. It doesn't help that she hasn't been back in 5 years after running out on her golden boy fiancé, Isaac on their wedding day. She's dreading the dirty looks and whispers and wishes she didn't have to go. Christian is fed up with always being single over the holidays. Being alone doesn't bother him, but with everyone in his family, coupled up their pitying looks get a bit grating. When Megan and Christian bump into each other at the pub, they come up with a plan to convince everyone they're together and madly in love. What could go wrong?

This was such a good Christmas romance. I loved the chemistry between Megan and Christian and how he fell first. I liked that this was written in dual pov's so we always knew how each character felt throughout. I liked that this was quite a slow burn and that there was no conflict between Megan and Christian. I highly recommend.

"You're doing great," he whispers, and that's when I come to understand that my new fake boyfriend is a big old liar."

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I'm not crying. I'm just laughing. Or there's a snowflake in my eye. Either way, there's tears and I better have some new abs at the end of this.

Snowed In is a binge-worthy romance perfect to cuddle up with next to the fire and enjoy like a good ol' cup of marshmallow-y hot cocoa. From the sarcastic and lovable characters to the depth and emotion Catherine Walsh puts into the pages, dare I even say it's better than your fav Hallmark movie. Romance, hilarity and small-town Christmas? What more could you possibly want?

Plus it's set in Ireland, so win win. The USA and their so-called unbeatable NYC winters can take a hike. This is definitely one of my new all-time favorite holiday romances.

"You could set off a firework behind her, and I still wouldn't be able to look away."

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Snowed In was published in November of 2023. Thank you to Bookouture, NetGalley and the author for the digital advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a classic Catherine Walsh story, full of wit and banter with some depth and personal growth. I truly enjoyed every minute of this story. It was a wonderful holiday Ron com with delightful characters. It’s always a plus when they’re set in Ireland as well!

Such a cute story! Fake dating is quickly becoming one of my favorite tropes. Christian and Megan were meant for each other and I loved how Christian made Megan feel vulnerable.

I have been blowing through holiday romances in search of something different than the typical fluff - this story was a gem! I genuinely laughed out loud and kicked my feet over these characters. This was also some of the most realistic contemporary family relationships I've seen - brother/sister and parents. It was a perfect POV so we could understand the lead's motivations and feels. I can't wait for Zoe's romance - I loved her the most.

-Dual POV
-Fake Dating
-Runaway Bride
-Forced Proximity
-Secrets
-Family Bonding
-Realistic Sibling Dynamics

Favorite Zoe Convo's:
“What happened to that girl you were seeing?” she asks. “Naoise. She seemed nice.” “She dumped me for a rugby player. And she wasn’t nice. I’m also pretty sure she was stealing from me.”

"made friends with people who went skiing and dated women with names like Venetia who always seemed to have a lot of money despite working at tiny publishing houses that only put out experimental poetry twice a year."

"before I realized I was happier by myself. And now look at me. I’m so well-adjusted it’s unfair on everyone else.”

Best Strained Father Dynamic:
"But you… sometimes you were so smart it scared me. I was relieved when you acted out because at least then I knew how to yell at you. At least then, I could feel like a parent. It was the only way I knew how to talk to you. And I guess that never stopped.”"

Leaving her fiancé at the alter four years ago, left a nasty taste in Megan’s hometown. She never imagined her first time back would coincide with the anniversary of their breakup. But when her brother begs her to return for the holidays, she can’t escape the bad timing. After running into an old friend from her youth, the two decide it is advantageous for them to fake date. Desperate to give off the illusion their lives are better than they truly are, they fill their calendars with events and activities. Will they be able to pull off the ruse, or will their plan blow up in their faces?

Last year I had the pleasure of reading Courtney Walsh’s Holiday Romance. While this book is not advertised as a sequel, it features Christian, the brother of Andrew (main character in Holiday Romanxe). It was so much fun getting to catch up with Andrew and Molly. This book is set a year after Holiday Romance. Getting to see where Andrew and Holly are in their relationship was a lot of fun. I am holding out hope that Walsh will write another book featuring Andrew and Christian’s sister!!!

This was a great read that I highly recommend! It is perfect for fans of:
-fake dating
-forced proximity
-opposites attract
-dual POVs

Special thanks to Bookouture, Courtney Walsh, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Fake dating and forced proximity.

Christian and Megan have known each other since school. Growing up together in their small Irish town, but that haven’t seen each other in years. They run into each other one night in the pub and begin to chat. They come up with the wild plan to fake date at home for the holidays so that Christian’s family stop looking at him as the perpetually single guy with something wrong with him, and so Megan can face up to her hometown after running away from her wedding to her high school sweetheart and town hero. What could go wrong?

As they are there for one another and learn more about each other through their fake dating, the two begin to fall for one another, but are they on the same page?

The characters were delightful. I hope Walsh puts out stories continuing on with the family for books to come and I will continue reading them (Holiday Romance follows Christian’s brother Andrew). Only a 3.5 star because fake dating isn’t one of my favourite tropes so the story line was just okay for me. If fake dating is your thing though you will love this as the characters, setting, family and romance are all totally there!

This is my second Catherine Walsh holiday romance and I am completely sold. These characters immediately enamored me, their silly little plan to fake date (and their acknowledging the absurdity of fake dating - ingenious writing right there), and their entirely too much but best-intentioned families.

Last year I threw myself in the deep end of the holiday romance books and came out of it feeling... underwhelmed. Many were cute but overall OK reads. So this year I decided only to pick a select few to read that I felt truly excited about. Snowed In was at the top of my list and if there is a single holiday book I'd recommend to anyone this year it is THIS ONE. It is not overly saccharinely ~*~CHRISTMAS*~* but still distinctly pulls in the magic, the coziness, the ups and downs of family time over the holidays, and the traditions. Megan is nervous about going back to her small hometown after being the runaway bride and breaking the heart of the "town golden boy" and Christian is the high school heartthrob who is tired of being the single sibling and wants to make his dad proud.

The chemistry and attraction between Megan and Christian are immediate which makes the idea of fake dating ridiculous from the beginning but they both need an anchor, a lifeboat, to help them through Christmas back home. The two things about their fake dating that sold this book for me: they call out the silliness of pretending to be a couple and that level of meta/awareness of the trope made me giggle AND the ultimate SUPPORT they offer each other through the whole book just melted my heart. Call me a romantic, but a guy just having your back with family is swoon-worthy.

The story also focuses on Megan's past with her childhood sweetheart turned abandoned groom. This added a more sober tone to the story and I liked how the past and rationale for Megan's actions were unfolded. And AGAIN the SUPPORT from both Christian and, eventually, Megan's family. We just love to see it.

And the best part? NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP. I've realized this is my favorite thing in romances. I want the drama/climax to be external and bring the couple closer together by supporting each other through it and Walsh DELIVERS. I think this is even more important in a holiday romance where we are looking for a little bit more magic, a little bit more romantic escapism.

Catherine, please keep writing more holiday romances and I will keep reading them forever and ever.

Another fabulous holiday romance book by Catherine Walsh! The characters are lovable and the fake dating for the holidays is written perfectly.

We first meet Megan and Christian when Megan runs out of her wedding and runs into Christian as she is fleeing. They then awkwardly meet again in a bar 5 years later. Though they were never close growing up they are from the same town. Neither one of them is looking forward to returning home for the holidays alone so they decide to go back as a fake couple. From there we are taken on a wonderful journey of friends to lovers with these sweet characters. Their growing relationship is fun and easy to read.

I enjoyed this book from the very beginning to the very last word. It was the perfect book to get into the holiday spirit but is can be enjoyed any time of the year. Though it is technically the sequel to Holiday Romance it can easily be read as a stand alone book.

I am extremely grateful to Bookouture and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this wonderfully adorable and cozy book in exchange for an honest review.

I loooooved this. I wish it was steamier but it was so good! Cute and swoony, it was the perfect holiday read!

Snowed In is in the same universe as Holiday Romance but can totally be read as a standalone.

It was a cute holiday read. Not quite a hallmark but not super steamy either. I definitely would recommend if you’re looking for a holiday read!

My favorite part was the big gesture at the end. Trust me it’s worth it!

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of Snowed In in exchange of an honest review

A charming Christmas rom-com that I couldn't put down. The characters (main and supporting) are relatable and likable, with the exception of one character who we shall not name. You laugh with (or at) them during the funny situations, want to scream at them during the misunderstandings, and give them a big hug during the drama. Romantic, funny, sexy, and with a sprinkle of Christmas magic. The perfect festive read!

I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Catherine Walsh strikes again! I loved the Dublin settling — an added perk given that I just visited!

The main characters are relatable and it’s a perfect cozy holiday read. I love a good fake dating romance! Though book 2 of a series, can definitely be read alone — but her others aren’t to be missed!

Thanks NetGalley for the eARC!!

This was absolutely perfect. There wasn't a dull moment in sight. The characters were likable, the drama was great and there was no third act break-up, which made me like this all the more. It had a very wintery setting and the romance was lovely. Definitely a must read if you enjoy christmas romcoms.

Last Christmas, I gave my heart to Catherine Walsh's Holiday Romance - easily one of my favorite reads of the season. Snowed In is the follow-up to Holiday Romance, but it is not necessary to read Holiday Romance first as its protagonists - Andrew and Molly - only play supporting roles in this book.

It seems like fake romances run amok during the Christmas season, as many people seem to not want to face their families as singlets during the holidays. Such is the case with Snowed In, in which runaway bride Megan needs someone by her side on her first trip back home after leaving her groom at the altar many years before. Happily single Christian, on the other hand, is tired of his family looking at him with pity every time he returns home alone for the holidays. Being from the same hometown, childhood friends Megan and Christian decide to fake date for the holidays. They draw up a pact, attempting to cover all bases to make it seem believable, but one thing they didn't count on is actually falling in love ... with each other.

As is typical of Catherine Walsh, she has written another engaging Christmas romance complete with agreeable characters and a well-developed plot. Whether or not they can see it, Megan and Christian make an adorable match and are a breath of fresh air as a (fake) couple. As good as they are at faking it, Megan and Christian still find themselves caught up in several hilarious holiday hijinks as they attempt to convince everyone that their love runs deep and true. As a bonus, I also quite enjoyed the comfy, cozy "I'll Be Home for Christmas" vibes that this novel gives off. In all, another winner from Catherine Walsh!

A fun, light christmas read. The author has a good style, I enjoyed the witty MC and the romcom setting.

Full disclosure: I received this book on NetGalley in October when I was still figuring out how the app worked. Well, I might’ve … forgotten about the app, and then remembered yesterday morning that I could check there for ARCS. You can imagine my horror when I saw my shelves had books that were expiring soon. This one was the soonest. I started it yesterday morning and swallowed it whole (while also managing to go house-hunting, decorating a Christmas tree, & hanging out with my hubby on his day off). I’m SO glad I did. This book was SO cute, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Every time I opened it to read, I dropped back effortlessly into their world.

So yeah, I read this one in less than 24 hours🫡 I. Ate. It. Up. It was a hallmark movie wrapped in juicy layers of some of my favorite tropes (fake dating, friends-to-lovers), but not overplayed or done in a way that felt overly predictable. It felt like ~~real life~~ in a homey, relatable way, and the characters, once you got to know them, were so non-problematic, that it felt like they deserved this story to be told. It was a quieter romance, if you will, but the softness was appreciated.

I rated it 4/5, only because 5/5 to me is almost impossible (English major imperfection perfection brain).

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me receive this book in exchange for a review. (Can’t wait to post this one to my booksta).