4.5 ✨

I have a feeling Catherine Walsh’s books will be my forever comfort reads. Snowed In is the sweetest, cutest, most entertaining and lovelies Christmas story which will warm your heart and genuinely make you happy. ❤️

Megan is absolutely terrified to go back home for Christmas holidays, because four years ago she left her ex-fiancé, Isaac, at the altar and hasn't been home ever since. Let's just say she doesn't have the best reputation back home, she isn't viewed as a nice person and actually dealing with all the drama isn't on top of her priorities list at all.

Christian isn't a fan of Christmas. Or, to be more precise, he doesn't mind the holiday per se, but he's so very tired of all the sad and pitiful stares he gets from his family during the holiday. It's because, in a family with two more siblings, he's always the couple-less one. Which is something he doesn't mind, either. He enjoys being by himself. It's the pitying looks he cannot stand, really.

Luckily for both Megan and Christian, life decides to intervene. So, on one chilly night at a Dublin pub, life brings them back together. Drinks are drunk (and spilled), conversations are had, and plans are made. And from these interactions, a brilliant idea is born: fake dating during the holidays to give themselves a break in what's supposed to be a very happy and festive season—complete with all the necessary and needed rules, of course.

It's definitely a win-win situation.
Christian won't have to deal with pity eyes from his family; Megan won't have to endure awkward and emotionally difficult situations brought by others by herself. What could possibly go wrong? 👀

This book was the perfect start to my winter and Christmassy reads. I read it in one sitting - which is something I'm easily doing with all Catherine's books.
I love author's writing so much; Snowed In is funny and entertaining, it's addicting, it made me smile so much and I couldn't put this book down.

Megan and Christian are incredible and I love them dearly. They're both funny and mature and I loved how they were able to communicate with one another at mostly all times. But most of all I loved the support they showed for each other. Christian was a perfect gentleman at all times, he treated Megan so well and I was so excited for her to finally get the respect and care she deserves. And same for Christian. 💕 They were really made for each other and their story is both adorable and special.

This book is well-written, it has the right amount of everything: humour, emotional moments, spice. The story's development is great, all the characters are amazing and it was such a comfort read for me, and I can easily see myself rereading this book so often, especially during this magical Christmas season. 🎄

☃️Christmas setting
☃️fake dating
☃️friends to lovers
☃️slow burn
☃️no 3rd act break-up 🥳

Thank you so much NetGalley, Bookouture and Catherine Walsh for the ARC of this book! 💗

SO so good! This book was like a warm hug and I’m so glad everyone gets to read this for the holiday! If you like fake dating tropes, you’ll especially love this one!

It was well written, and I was able to finish it in 3 Days even though I have a 2.5mo. old! It just makes you want to keep on reading.

If you read Walsh’s release last year, you’ll love the Andrew and Molly cameo!

CATHERINE WALSH – SNOWED IN
An e-ARC copy of the book was given by the author & Bookouture via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

RATING
⭐⭐⭐⭐
4.5 out of 5.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Megan hasn’t been home for the holidays for five long years. She’s the one that got away from the small village, the she-devil, who left her goody two shoes fiancé at the altar and never looked back. Hurting a well-respected member of the community is enough for them to turn their backs at her. This year though she has to face the music – she promised her mother she’ll be back for Christmas. Even with her tail between her legs and with nothing special to show for her big city life. No partners, no fancy job or great apartment.
Christian is the black sheep of his family. As every one of them seem to have their stuff together and are perpetually in lovey-dovey state of coupledom, he sticks out as a sore thumb. He’s successful and does well enough to afford nice things, but these are not the helping his case – he’s lonely while spending time with his family.
As chance would have it, Megan literally bumps into Christian. The two city-expats share the misery of having to go back home for the holidays…
What if they become each other’s clutches? After some persuasion they both agree on simply pretending they’re madly in love with each other at different family and occasional village gatherings. How complicated could this get?
As old friends and foes resurface, revelations about one’s own self and relationships emerge and just a tiny snowstorm keeps them captive in a cabin, Megan and Christopher have to face the truth…
REVIEW:
Last year I fell in love with Catherine and although she has no idea about my true feelings and this strange obsession with her characters, I plan on us being BFFs in the near future.
My little adventure into love stories about Irish characters with self-effacing and laugh-out-loud funny humour began with Holiday Romance, which is the interconnected standalone pair of Snowed In. In Holiday Romance we got to meet Christian, and my memory only served a reminder about him being grumpy, I have to confess, he was a swoony book boyfriend, who with his struggles, self-doubt, charisma and assurance about wrong and right wormed his way into my heart.
From the first scene he appeared in I was invested in his character arc, his seemingly cocky attitude paired with complete confusion about life’s biggest questions made him a compelling MMC. The way he treated his family and complete strangers, and how he assured Meg, that there’re men worth the wait and pain was heart-warming.
Megan was a resilient and headstrong FMC, with the biggest heart and passion projects littered all around her. She did what many couldn’t have done in her shoes: left a small town, never looked back. Built new friendships, started a job in a completely new field, became financially independent from her parent.
The storyline starts with the best romcom meet cute, follows it up the perfect romance trope, about two fools agreeing on faking it till they’re making it, them eventually developing feelings far more serious than a platonic relationship should allow and, of course, in the end realizing something profound is on the horizon while being trapped in close quarters!
Catherine threaded around the fake dating trope beautifully, it never seemed artificial, and the character development with the small added details regarding personal growth was plotted and written beautifully. I was able to truly immerse myself in the Irishness of it all, and loved every single minute of the masterful banter I’ve come to pair with her writing style.
Snowed In is the perfect Christmas spirited romcom for this year and I would wholly encourage every romance lover to check it out. Also, don’t forget to read Holiday Romance. Read them! Do it!
TROPES FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE:
- meet cute
- close proximity
- holiday romance
- fake dating
- friends to lovers
- hurt/comfort trope
- small town romance
- slow burn
- book boyfriend award
- contemporary romance

[ B O O K • R E V I E W ]

📖 Snowed In
🖊️Catherine Walsh
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

All 5 snowflakes from me on this one!

This was my first holiday read for the year and I loved it!

What a fun story, and entire cast you can fall in love with (except you Isaac, woof)

✔️ Fake Dating
✔️ Friends to Lovers
✔️ Forced Proximity
❄️🫶🏻 Holiday Romance
✔️ Protective MMC
✔️ Spice 🥵
✔️ Excellent Banter

All around an awesome book, and the perfect read for the holiday season!

Grab your copy, cozy up by the fire, and enjoy this lighthearted romance.

Happy pub day to this cute holiday romance!! If you’re looking for an easy going rom com with a little spice and NO third act breakup, this one’s for you! This book was like a warm hug.

Snowed In follows Christian and Megan’s fake dating scheme. Megan was a runaway bride five years ago and hasn’t been home since. She runs into a boy from her childhood, Christian, and they decide to pretend they’re together to make going home for the holidays easier. This book does take place after “Holiday Romance”, but can absolutely be read as a stand alone.

I loved Megan as the FMC. She knew what she wanted and went after it. The perfect strong/confident lead to match Christian’s boss demeanor. Also bonus points for her being super sex positive and Christian not shaming her and leaning into it!

Something I like most about Walsh’s storytelling is that everything she writes has a purpose, there isn’t an unnecessary fluff or chapters that the book could have done without. Everything is thought out and adds to the character growth.

**loved Christian’s friend Zoe and really hope she gets a book, especially since she claims she’s happier alone!**

Megan flees her hometown after leaving her fiancé at the alter. A few years later, she runs into Christian, a “bad boy” from her youth. Megan hasn’t been home since her prompt departure, and Christian is hesitant to go back home without a girlfriend due to some family drama of his own. So when these two hometown acquaintances bump into eachother, Christian asks Megan to fake date him for the holidays. She is hesitant at first, but he is quick to argue that it would benefit them both immensely. She agrees and what follows is some of the cutest banter I have ever read in a rom-com! This book put me in the Christmas spirit and i am not mad about it! Looking forward to reading more from Catherine Walsh. Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this lovely ARC!

I’ve become such a fan of Catherine Walsh in the last year, ever since I read her last seasonal book, Holiday Romance. (Snowed in is the totally deserved follow up!) Her books have everything – they’re funny, they’re heartfelt, they tackle hard subjects in relatable ways. Her characters just work. They feel real, they make dumb choices like we all do, but they’re the kind of people you want to root for, that you’d want to be friends with in real life.

Megan and Christian’s book hits the fake dating trope, which may be my favorite trope. He’s tired of being the single member of his family at Christmas, and she hasn’t been back to their hometown in five years since she left her longtime boyfriend at the altar. They never knew each other well, but in the present, they just click. First as friends who end up being each other’s “backup” with their families in this fake dating scheme. But it’s obvious they’re headed toward much more, because their chemistry is so lovely and swoony and natural.

And this book hits more than just the requisite Christmas notes. Christian finally faces his complicated relationship with his father in a way that’s good for both of them, and Megan finds the strength to finally, FINALLY tell everyone who thinks she’s a selfish runaway bride what really happened. (Which, no spoilers here, might be a little too familiar for some readers. There’s a brief content warning at the beginning of the book.) They both experience so much growth, and it’s not that they fix each other. I think they just give each other the space to be themselves and stand up for themselves and find what makes them happy.

This book hits all the right notes, whether or not you’re looking for a Christmas read. Don’t let the holiday deter you – Megan and Christian’s story is utterly charming for all seasons.

Devoured this book in under 24 hours. If I didn’t have to sleep I would have read it in one sitting! The pace of the writing was so good and the story flowed so well. The end of each chapter would leave you on these tiny cliff hangers where you just need to keep going!

Fake dating, small town romance, witty banter, he fell first, dual pov, and some spice.

Perfect holiday read! Didn't know it was a spin off from Holiday Romance, which I’m excited to read soon.

Such an easy read. Amazing character development. The dialog felt so realistic and natural. Really just checks so many boxes for a fun rom-con and a holiday romance. Easily going into my top holiday reads!

Thank you Bookouture and NetGelley for this ARC!
Happy Pub Day

A fun romcom w/ a few of our favorite tropes:

Fake Dating
Close Proximity
Friends (kinda) to Lovers
Slow Burn
Small Town Christmas

Catherine Walsh gives us the witty wintery swoony romcom we all crave this time of year. I loved the setting(s) and the character development. I'm a sucker for some family drama mixed in, and this one delivered... but kept it minimal enough that it doesn't take the book out of the romcom genre.

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture, and Catherine Walsh for my advance copy!

I couldn’t put this down ❤️ Megan runs out on her wedding with no explanation, never returning to her small Irish town because she feels so awkward about it. When she has to finally go home for Christmas she ends up going with a fake boyfriend - Christian. He’s from the same place and hopes a fake girlfriend will take the heat off him from his family at Christmas. Obviously, we know where this is going. But getting there is so good. And so funny. And so sweet. And pretty spicy.

I really don’t think Catherine Walsh is capable of writing anything I won’t love. Her humour is top notch. I wish I was friends with all her main characters. I loved the added drama to this one though, with the gradual reveal of why Megan ran out on her wedding.

This was an extra special treat though, as I LOVED Holiday Romance last year and it warmed my cold heart to get so much Andrew and Molly content as well 🥰🥰🥰 (Christian is Andrew’s brother). My guilty pleasure is connected romance books. Not full on sequels, just connected enough that I get updates on previous characters 😂 That being said - Megan’s brother next?!

What to expect:

- festive feels
- fake dating
- small town romance
- forced proximity
- lols
- just enough spice

This was so cute and wholesome!
I loved Catherine Walsh's previous books and I gladly dived into this one, even though it was a few weeks too early for a Christmas book, but oh well. The story easily pulls you in with lovable characters and a cute-sy love story with fake dating. Christian is of course swoony, and Megan is super cool and relatable. It’s a perfect wintery and Christmassy read. But it was just a little bit too predictable for me.
(P. S.: if you’ve read Holiday Romance, be ready for some Molly & Andrew content!)

Thank you so much for sharing the ARC of this book with me!

I really enjoyed this book. It was so sweet and funny! If you like books with fake dating, forced proximity, Christmastime, and romance with just the right amount of spice, this is for you!

Thank you so much to Catherine Walsh, Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy of snowed in.

Megan and Christian both have their reasons for not wanting to return to their home village for Christmas, so when they bump into each other years after they both left, they form a plan to return as a couple and help each other through the holiday season.

I was hooked on Snowed In from the start, it was perfectly paced and had such an endearing cast of characters. Where can I get one of Megan’s Christmas jumpers?!

Fake dating, small town and friends to lovers with a surprising amount of spice, this was an easy five star read for me and is the perfect book to read this November. There’s just enough Christmas spirit to get you in the mood for the festive season without overdoing the turkey and tinsel before the big day!

At the time of reading, I didn’t realise this was a stand alone sequel to Holiday Romance, so I’ll definitely be picking it up soon to find out more about Andrew and Molly’s story.

TW: Controlling relationships

It’s been four years since Megan left her fiancé Isaac, at the altar. So, going home for Christmas is the last thing she wants to do. But when Megan bumps into Christian in a pub in Dublin, they decide to be each other’s fake dates for each other’s Christmas family events. With a mix of family, friends and running into old flames this Christmas will be everything unexpected. And when the snow starts and doesn’t stop anytime soon, getting snowed in is exactly what they don’t need or is it?

Snowed In written by author Catherine Walsh is a wonderful Christmas rom-com. This wonderful heartwarming story captured my attention from the very first page. I loved the characters and the banter within the families had me laughing out loud. The chemistry between the main characters was felt throughout the story. I loved the Christmas escape to Dublin, Ireland. I could feel the cold air on my face as I walked through the quaint little village admiring the twinkling lights. If you are looking for a great book to launch you into the Christmas season, this is style one. My suggestion is to brew the hot cocoa, grab your favorite blanket, curl up by the fire and read this fantastic story. I loved it and I definitely recommend it.

4.5 Stars!!

Technically a sequel to Holiday Romance, this book features Andrew’s enigmatic cynical brother Christian, and let me tell you, he absolutely delivers.

It takes a lot to make me love a MF these days, contemporary no less, as there’s just so many factors that can tip the scales negatively. Admittedly, I was pretty sure things would go well as Holiday Romance was one of my favorite reads last year and so yes, this is basically an acquaintances to lovers (Christian and Megan know each other by growing up in the same small Irish town), fake dating trope (each have legitimate reasons for wanting to bring a plus one home), intermixed with the Christmas holiday and all the frustrating, wonderful, issue driven family dynamics that makes these sort of reads so entertainingly worth it.

I don’t know what magic Walsh used, but she deftly brought forth all the yummy things that portrayed Christian as leading man irresistible. Sexy, charming, take control, confident, just arrogant enough, protective and thoughtful, surprising me over and over again, making me swoon at every turn. Though Christian thinks he’s a disaster for relationships, subconsciously he wants one nonetheless, believing that he can remain poised and platonic through the farce he himself concocted.

Megan in turn, has her own baggage, wanting to divert confrontation on the many reasons she ran away from the altar years ago, denial being easier than explaining herself to friends and family. However, she can’t avoid coming home for forever, so she musters up the courage to take Christian up on his offer. Thankfully, Megan never drove me bonkers as many a female MC is wont to do (though some side characters definitely had their moments), and I’m eternally grateful for that as well as the absence of the infamous third act breakup.

Soooo, Christian in my opinion was pretty much perfect, and Megan never had a chance of not falling for him. Overall, this was a fabulous win where I feel perfectly content in not reading any more holiday stories that could potentially ruin my afterglow. This was funny, snarky, playful and emotional, as well as smexy! Walsh has cemented herself as a go-to author simply because I’m obviously smitten. Christian takes the cake here, and I’m confident you’ll think the same as well!

Thank you to the author and Bookouture via NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review posted to Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5946839805

4.5 ⭐
🌶🌶

Why is it that most often the right decision also happens to be the most dramatic one?

Thanks to the courageous choice she makes on one of the most stressful days of her life, Megan faces a new, unpredictable future. For someone who’s always ‘fallen’ into situations and never had to face things alone, Megan relies on her Uncle Ted’s envelope and her gut feeling to make the right decision.

She thinks she’s shelved her previous life until she meets someone she used to know and they strike up a deal. A mutually beneficial deal. Megan O’Sullivan and Christian Fitzpatrick have their own agendas, yet agree to help each other out by coupling for a Christmas trip back home to celebrate with their families. You know there’s going to be some uneasy situations ahead, but Walsh’s writing is so compelling. She absolutely nails the emotions and the pull of the fake dating trope - and before long, you’ll be like me and discover that this became a one-sit-read!

Except for one open-door section on Christmas Eve when I skipped a few pages (too spicy), I was swooning and grinning from ear to ear. I’d eagerly reach for another of Walsh’s books as I was impressed with my introduction to her work.

Thanks for the early copy and for a spot on the tour, Bookouture.

Another great book by Catherine Walsh! I love her writing and her characters. This is the second of Catherine’s books I’ve read and I’ll definitely be picking up more.

Snowed in follows Megan and Christian, both dreading going back to their hometown for Christmas. Megan hasn’t gone back in years following her break up with Isaac, while Christian dreads having to go back home while being single since he’s the only one left in his family to settle down. They decide to fake date their way through the holidays, however things might not stay as fake for as long.

I loved this story so much, Megan and Christian were such a joy to read about. Megan is determined and strong, while Christian is such a caring and funny guy. They make the perfect pair.

This was such a fast and easy read. I loved the atmosphere, the city, and majority of the characters. The love story was amazing. It’s the perfect romcom for this winter. If you’re looking for a Christmas small town, fake dating romcom, this is the one you want to choose!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me a copy of this book

Catherine Walsh has done it yet again! Snowed In was lovely, gripping, hard to put down, delightful and romantic. I was drawn into this wonderful book from the very first page. I always look forward to reading her books. Walsh never disappoints, she only dazzles!

Megan was a runaway bride and has not been back home since she left Isaac at the altar several years ago. But this year she is going home. Christian is heading home as well this Christmas. He dreads the looks his family gives him when he shows up alone. He saw Megan flee on the day she left Isaac at the altar. When Megan literally bumps into Christian in a pub, they begin talking about their current lives, their families, and the upcoming holiday. The plan to be each other's fake dates during the holiday.

Both main characters were likeable, witty, endearing and I rooted for both. Snowed In was an addictive fake dating/relationship holiday book. With romance, it is all about the journey for me and I loved the journey Walsh took her characters on. I love how nothing felt rushed or drawn out. Plus, this book had not only some funny moments but heart and soul. I loved how both characters had to not only deal with their individual family but with the others family members as well. This made for some funny and dramatic scenes. Plus, the setting! I love books that take place in wintery snowy places. The chill in the air gets me every time.

I had the pleasure of having both the book and audiobook for Snowed In. This made for a completely delightful reading experience! The narrators were fantastic and did a wonderful job of bringing this book to life. I enjoyed the drama, the humor, the witty banter, and the way the plot unfolded.

Gripping, delightful, well written, well thought out and hard to put down! I can’t wait to read what Catherine Walsh writes next!

I have enjoyed the Catherine Walsh books I’ve read so far - somehow I haven’t read the first book in this series though, even though I keep meaning to, especially after seeing such great feedback and hype about it on Bookstagram last Christmas season when it was released! This book gives away quite a bit about the couple from that one and their future so I’ve had a lot of spoilers now, if I do go back…

This is the second in a series even though they aren’t really linked or noted as such - be forewarned from this review that this is book 2, after Holiday Romance! They follow brothers and their stories. I’m hoping to go back to read Molly and Andrew’s book but now I know so much… they play a huge part in this book.

Snowed In is about Andrew’s brother Christian, home for Christmas but having run into Megan in Dublin just before driving back to their Irish town - Megan hasn’t been home in years… not since she fled from her own wedding and no one in town wants to see her again. She’s coming because her family has guilted her into finally spending Christmas at home after all these years away. Christian agrees to help her out by pretending to be her boyfriend when they run into her jilted groom, and it all just dominoes from there - in the very best ways, including accidentally getting snowed in at a remote mountain cabin at Christmas when they were not supposed to be there (and gets good and steamy with a quick fling because what else are you supposed to do in that situation?).

This is an excellent fake dating, forced proximity/snowed in, Christmas romance with a bit of a second chance feeling to it - I really enjoyed it and it has all of Walsh’s usual, beautiful writing and great humour. Absolutely a recommendation from me, but you’re going to want to read the first book first (unlike me), so you don’t spoil the earlier details…

I received a copy from NetGalley and Bookouture, and this is my honest feedback.