No one writes Christmas romantic comedies like Walsh.

Megan is currently very happy, but it doesn't take much to remind her that leaving her home village and fiancé at the altar five years ago has separated the two parts of her life. This year, however, she's been invited to her mother's annual Christmas fundraiser and her brother's visiting from Australia, so she is reluctantly returning home.

Christian has an adoring family but spends most of his time hiding at work in the big cities. He'll always head home for Christmas, but it's awkward being the unattached one who's never had a strong relationship with their father.

The pair's chance collision in a Dublin bar births a plan- pretend to be dating so they each have back-up during their family events, but they are a little too good at pretending.

These two are gorgeous. Walsh is brilliant at pulling together character backstories and complexities, forming depth and nuance in her plots. As such, Megan and Christian having an established connection from their school days is woven into their later dynamic, so it creates the perfect springboard for their developing relationship.

Also, her writing is funny. Really funny. It's witty and charming, it's snappy and endearing. The reader watches the character's conversations dance around the page, meaning they always feel as if they're happening next to them. If there was ever to be a remake of M*A*S*H, Hawkeye would be written like Christian; someone magnetically charismatic, but with an unwavering moral compass.

Plus, this book perfectly incorporates the characters and events from its predecessor, Holiday Romance, yet it feels fresh, so it can stand equally well on its own. An update on Molly & Andrew is always welcome, but now, a whole Fitzpatrick family check-in is needed- please and thank you.

What a cute holiday winter read! I would definitely recommend this to my patrons! I could see this being very popular at my library.

This was such a fun, cute and heartwarming story with amazing characters and tropes.

I'm clearly in my fake-dating era because I'm absolutely loving them and just love watching these characters come together. I loved that it was dual POVs so that we got to know our characters even more. Also no third act break-up!!

This was my first by Catherine Walsh book and will not be my last! I now need to read Walsh's backlog!

The perfect Christmas filled read. I love reading these types of books in December for all the cozy and wintery vibes, especially since we don’t have them where I live. This will coat your heart with the ultimate fuzzies and leave you wanting more.

This took me pretty long to read, because I just kept losing interest. In theory, this should have been incredibly fun, but the fun was nowhere to be seen (at least to me). I was just really bored most of the time, and the characters didn't appeal to me or stand out to me at all.

Snowed In has all the hallmarks of Catherine Walsh's winning formula: fun and witty dialogue, characters that you care about, and settings and plots that fit just right, plus a nice bit of spiciness. In this one, we meet characters from her previous novel, Holiday Romance (a first crossover by Walsh, if I'm not mistaken?), and I'm all for it. I always enjoy meeting characters from previous books.
Snowed In has two of my favourite romance tropes, fake dating and forced proximity, but neither feels cliched or overworked. The small town setting is ideal here; as well as being inherently Irish (everyone knows everyone, the Christmas traditions, etc.), it drives the plot forward—they need to maintain the fake relationship to fool everyone at home, especially her ex. Needless to say, the fakeness of the relationship isn't long falling away...
Walsh is especially good at writing secondary characters and relationships, specifically family members and interactions.
I already can't wait for the next novel.

Unfortunately this wasn't for me.
I feel the synopsis practically summed up the book. I was bored. I had to skim through to the end. Not sure I liked the chemistry between the MCs.
But I'm wondering if it had to be my mood because everyone I know liked it.
I'll read it again in the future, who knows *shrug* maybe I'll like it then.

Thanks the author, NetGalley and the publisher for this audiobook.

This was my first Catherine Walsh book and I quite enjoyed it.

Megan is a runaway bride who hasn’t returned to her home village since she left her fiancé at the altar.

Christian is lonely and unhappy but put on a brave face and pretends he is happy.

When they meet, it’s obvious there’s an attraction but will they act on it.

When they discover that they’re both going back to the village they grew up in for Christmas and that they’re both dreading it, Christian comes up with a plan to go together as a couple.

It’s a cute story. I want to say it’s like a slow burn as it only gets heated close to the end of the book. But it was an easy read.

I found the characters to be funny and meant for each other. They understood one another.
And in typical small town style the gossip train was around.

It’s a story of two people looking for love and acceptance who find that in each other while mending the relationships of family and friends back home.

Enjoyable!

I gave Megan and Christian 🩵🩵🩵🩵
0.5 🌶️

Ast year Holiday Romance was my favorite cute Christmas read. Imagine my excitement when this year the sequel in the Fitzpatrick series was released -Snowed In.

Written In a dual POV, with a multitude of elements - runaway bride, fake relationships, friends-to-lovers and a small country town as the perfect backdrop.

Funny, sweet, with a small dose of raunchy - a great read all round!

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Special thanks to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Catherine Walsh is officially one of my favorite authors. I am always so captivated by her stories. And can I just say…. No third act breakup or misunderstanding?! Thank you!! Perfection in a Christmas romcom.

Catherine does it again with an incredible Christmas read that will have you swooning!

Snowed In contains fake dating, a runaway bride, re-kindled friendships and one incredible romance that really will make you love this book!

One of my absolute favourite elements of this book is that you see a lot of character growth and very little deliberation on whether the two main characters are doubting their feelings or think that they shouldn’t be with each other. In a lot of romance books there’s usually a lot of internal arguing, however in this book, the main characters just act on their feelings which I love!

One other element is that we re-meet characters from Walsh’s previous Christmas book, Holiday Romance! I loved this element as you get little tidbits on what they’re up too as well which is always a delight when you grow attached to those characters!

What a sweet read! If you’re looking for a heartwarming story with two lovable characters, this one is it. I fell into the story with ease and didn’t want it to end. Seriously cute, Seriously sweet. A must-read this winter.

Thank you to the publisher for my gifted copy.

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and Catherine Walsh for this ARC of Snowed in. I loved this feel good Rom Com and love myself a festive holiday inspired book. This is my first book by Catherine and im going to go back and read all her others now!! It was such a cosy, comfort read with a little bit of spice. Will be recommending to all my book lover friends!

Megan and Christian grew up in the same village. When they bump into each other in Dublin a few years later, they immediately hit it off. When they realise that they’re both returning home for Christmas, but dreading the questions from their respective families, they decide they should go home “together”.

As the holiday progresses, their fake romance becomes real. Not the usual Christmas rom com. Yes, boy gets girl, but the scenario is a bit different and the characters feel real and well rounded. The story is told in alternate chapters from Christian and Megan’s perspectives. I enjoyed the deriving style and would happily read something else from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you #Netgalley for the copy!

I loved this holiday read! I'll admit that fake dating is my all time favorite trope, followed by forced proximity, so this was right up my alley. I think the relationship was well done and so fun to read. Highly recommend for a quick December read!

Thank you #Netgalley for the copy!

A fun holiday rom com read! When two people reconnect as adults and have to go home for the holidays, they opt to pretend to be each others significant other to get through the holiday activities. They each have their own paths but mutual friends. During their time back home, there is a wild snow storm that confines them to a cabin alone where they take things a bit too far and unsure how to come back from. We watch as they navigate holiday family drama and as well as relationship struggles. Recommend as an easy quick holiday read!

Megan is dreading going home for Christmas and Christian is fed up of being on his own every Christmas. When they bump into each other in a Dublin pub they agree to make a pact and fake date for Christmas. This book will make you laugh from start to finish a great festive read!

A hallmark movie in a book. It’s what you expect and want from a schmalzy christmas read. You always know how it is going to end, but just go with it and it’s a hug in a book.
Introduced to the author via @tiredmammybookclub last December with a similar book. Hoping the author, can keep us satisfied every December going forward.
The only downside is it does leave me wanting to be snowed in, in the fabulous chalet in the woods.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Catherine Walsh does it again with another amazing holiday book!!!

Megan hasn’t been home for the holiday is five years. Five years ago when she left her golden boy fiancé at the alter. Dreading coming back home, she runs into an old friend, Christian, who is dreading being the single one at family functions. They form a pact to fake date each other to get through the season.

I LOVED the fake dating, friends to lovers, and no third act breakup! This book kept my interest from start to finish! Great banter, a touch spicy, and funny! This one is a holiday must read!

📘: Snowed In by Catherine Walsh
🗓️: November 1, 2023

Thank you to NetGalley, Catherine Walsh, and Bookouture for this ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*Reviewed on NetGalley and Goodreads.

I loved this book! I loved the first book more, but I still gave 5 stars because I enjoyed it that much.
Sweet, sexy, funny & Andrew is back being his adorable self. What more could you want?