A festive treat filled with romance. I enjoy Julie Caplin's book which is the same author. She really brings the romance to life with a spark of something special for the season. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

I read this after seeing so many reviews from fellow bloggers saying how much they had fallen in love with the story and its characters. I saved it to be my last Christmas read this year and, oh my goodness, what a great decision that was!

Viola is a musician in the orchestra for a London Opera company and plays, you've guessed it, the viola! It was really interesting to get a glimpse into her life as a professional musician with all the practice, passion and dedication that involved. When travelling by tube one day, she has a rather unpleasant encounter with a fellow commuter and just afterwards she meets Nate, who comes to check she is alright and who she is immediately attracted to. Nate is a lawyer and, as she soon finds out, a governor at a local primary school where she has been tasked with organising the nativity as community outreach work.

I really enjoyed the parts about the Nativity, many of which brought back memories of helping when my own children were little. I found lot of the nativity scenes quite amusing and others rather poignant. From the boy adamant that he wanted to be an armadillo, to the pushy parents wanting the best role for their child, to the quiet child getting her chance to shine, there was much that anyone involved in a nativity either as an organiser or a proud parent will recognise. And I absolutely fell in love with little Grace, Nate's daughter.

Grace's life has been rather well planned by her mother with little room for spontaneity and as Viola got to know her, her heart went out to the little girl. For reasons that will become clear if you read the book, Viola became very involved in Nate and Grace's life and it was so lovely to see Grace begin to blossom and have the chance just to be a little girl, not a perfect child.

So there's all of that and I haven't even mentioned what goes on between Viola and Nate. These are two characters you will adore I'm sure, as they move towards a happy ending but with one very big problem which threatens to derail their developing relationship. The story shows that what is important at Christmas isn't being apparently perfect but spending time with the people you love, having fun together doing the things you enjoy and making happy memories to look back on and treasure. It is a gorgeously romantic story and there's snow, lots of snow. A truly magical Christmas tale to warm the heart.

Notting Hill in the Snow was a delightful holiday read! The first novel that I have read by Jules Wake it will not be the last. With references to the famed movie viewers are given a tour of the beloved Notting Hill area by Viola, a talented musician, who is roped into planning a Nativity play for the local primary school-with a very attractive partner, Nate. Viola is immediately taken with Nate's daughter Grace-and also with Nate. Will the past continue to haunt Nate during the holidays? You will want to pick this charming holiday story up today, curl up with hot chocolate and settle in for a cozy read this winter.

I really enjoyed Notting Hill in the Snow; this is a feel good novel during the holiday season that goes beyond the fluff and sparkle that can sometimes be associated with holiday books. The characters are well-developed and Notting Hill serves as a silent character and provides a great backdrop for the book. Pick this one up!

A couple of years ago, I read Covent Garden in the Snow by this author and I really enjoyed it, so I decided to pick Notting Hill in the Snow a few weeks ago to get into the festive spirit. It was definitely the perfect choice, as I enjoyed this magical christmassy story even more than the first one. Just so you know, this is not a sequel, it just has the cameo from some of the previous characters and some of the scenes are also set in the opera house in Covent Garden, where our main character plays de viola.

I really enjoyed catching up with the old characters but the new ones, Viola, Nate and his daughter really stole the show. You could feel the connection between Viola and Nate since their first scene together and the sparks were really flying between them. I loved how they didn't rush into anything though and took their time getting to know each other and their families. It was a very heartwarming story that had many special and fun moments. I was left with a big smile on my face and I definitely had a great time reading about the nativity and everything else going on in this gorgeous story!

While I found this book easy to read, I did struggle with Viola's lack of a backbone when it came to dealing with her family in the first half, and Nate's total lack of backbone when it came to dealing with his wife in the latter stages of the book. I am not sure why female authors feel the need to make so many of their heroines absolute doormats nowadays, especially in the Chick-Lit genre, it seems to be a recurring theme ~ Doormat-fights-back, but it just rubs me up the wrong way.

I also found the transition from 'we can't I'm married' to 'what the hell I can't stop thinking about you' a tad speedy, especially when all it took was for his wife to return from New York , for Nate to decide that his love for Viola wasn't enough.

Jules Wake/Julie Caplin's writing always manages to elicit a few giggles, as was the case this time as well, I would have just preferred two leads who had a whole lot more depth of personality and gumption about them.

If you like Hallmark Christmas movies, Notting Hill in the Snow is a terrific read for you!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

What a dilemma I was in with this book I loved it so much I wanted to read it non stop - but I also never wanted it to end!

I had previously read Covent Garden in the Snow, which I loved too and didn't realise that this book would also include the same Opera company and some of the people from the first book. So it was great to be back there again. It is a totally standalone book though.

All the characters are so lovely and down to earth (well two aren't that nice!) especially Grace. I really felt for her at times and loved the scenes with her and Viola which had beautiful warmth and compassion, whilst ringing so true to life. Although the blurb talks about the romance between Viola and Nate, there is also such a lovely relationship between Grace and Viola that is really the star of the book.

I adored the writing and what I enjoyed the most is the scene setting. For instance when they go to the coffee shop we get told it has Ercol chairs, that although from different periods create a cohesive look - and boom!, I was right there. It's that kind of attention to detail that makes you feel like you are really looking through a frosty window at all that is going on inside this fabulous read.

Take some time to read this delightful book and escape for a while. I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Enhanced by warm, light, heartfelt writing, this festive Christmas story is a true delight! This novel is well written and only fueled my desire to travel to London and Notting Hill. This is the perfect, crawl up under a blanket and enjoy a cup of tea type of book. Its cute cast of characters are likable and memorable. They are realistic and quite lovely. Seasonal romances are welcome distractions and much appreciated during this time of the year. Viola, Nate, and Grace, the main characters, are fun to follow through the plot and sure to capture your heart during this season!

Notting Hill in the Snow is the story of Viola Smith (who plays the viola in an orchestra) and Nate Williams who is trying to look after his daughter Grace while his wife is away and shows no signs of returning.

Nate's daughter Grace is my favorite character of this story. She's a young girl who yearns to have her mother with her, loving her and taking care of her. On the one hand, she shows maturity beyond her age, but on the other hand she's very insecure and has trust issues.

This is a heartwarming and uplifting Christmas romance. The only issue I had was with the way the author dealt with the irresponsible mother. I just didn't like the way it ended. Of course I wanted Viola and Nate to be together, but not the way it was in the book.

Overall, an excellent book for this festive season. I give it 4.5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC of this book.

A cute, festive, romantic Christmas story that fell a little flat for me. There were parts I loved, Viola playing the viola in the orchestra, the building romance between Viola and Nate, and adorable Grace. At other times I would get so annoyed at Viola not standing up to her family and the drama in regards to Nate’s estranged wife. It was hard for me to get truly invested in this story. I just wanted more.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and options are my own.

I have to admit I had kept away from this book for some time as the cover to me showed something that was fully romance, and so whenever I was in the mood for something a bit more bright I looked around for the louder, more colourful colours, and told myself I’d save this for when I was in such the mood for something a bit heavier. What a fool I was, readers, what a fool!!!

This is the story of Viola Smith who plays in an orchestra for a living. From the second this book began I was planning my escape from everyday life to be on my own so I could drink it in, and drink it in I did!!

The meeting of the two main characters was mesmirising and I immediately wondered how their paths would cross again, as did she (!) ‘How had I gone from a smile on the tube and a few lines of flirty banter to romcom, he-could-be-the-one territory?’

When they did and I realised that there was a nativity involved (yes, I get that I should have gotten all this from the blurb but I’d forgotten, okay?!?!), and not only this but the COMEDY was bang up my street, I was delighted!! I really enjoyed this book, the romance, the humour, the settings. I was right there with Viola, as she tried to navigate being around someone who has a child and all that entails. I will admit things were a bit black and white as opposed to grey in terms of the drama, but it didn’t detract from a wonderful book, that is possibly one of my top Christmas books this year, by an author I need to start reading more by. Thanks so much to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the book in return for an honest review and allowing me to be part of the blog tour.

Rating: 4.5/5

Thanks netgalley for ARC
Is it possible to feel the snow while reading? I loved the way it was written and the romance was swoon worthy.
My first book by the author but definitely not going to be last.

This is such an addictive book and has a very festive Christmas feel to it. Viola Smith is a viola player and is asked to help with a local school nativity as part of an outreach program. Viola has never organised anything like this before and she is supposed to have help from one of the parents, Nathan Williams.

Nathan is a lawyer and Viola doesn’t have a good track record with them, but, Nathan and his daughter Grace are dealing with life alone as Elaine, the wife and mother, is currently working away. Viola offers to help Nathan and Grace as they all juggle work, schedules, shopping and the upcoming preparations for Christmas.

I love the feel of this book as it really does bring together the traditional Christmas vibes. As well as the main story of a friendship between Viola, Nathan and Grace, there are other things also going on in the background. Viola has a rather demanding family and think that she is at their beck and call because she is single! Talk about running herself ragged, poor girl! She is one of those people who will put others before herself and this means she is going to have let some people down. Who and why is revealed as the story progresses further and further.

There is a strong underlying attraction between Nathan and Viola and things are not easy as there is Grace who is at the centre of any decisions and don’t forget Nathan also has a wife, albeit in New York…

The setting of Notting Hill is done so well, the author has managed to create an almost village like setting as she describes this busy area of London. This adds to the overall warm snugly feel of the story. Her descriptions of more traditional Christmas festivities are wonderful, from the gaudily decorated Christmas trees to the mugs of hot chocolate and stockings at the end of the bed are just superb.

This is a terrific read and I was hooked from the very first pages, I like the tentative tiptoeing around the romance and the obvious attraction between Nathan and Viola and yet all the while there is a feeling of this could go wrong at any point. Story-lines and themes have been wonderfully woven like tinsel on a Christmas tree and the overall effect is stunning.

This is a wonderful book that readers of romance and festive fiction will absolutely adore. I would definitely recommend this wonderful book.

Warm, endearing, and utterly loveable from beginning to end, NOTTING HILL IN THE SNOW by Jules Wake is the perfect winter read and is sure to warm your heart on these cold, dark evenings.

When Viola Smith is roped into organising the local nativity in Notting Hill, she is thrown into contact with Nate Williams and his amazing daughter, Grace, who has a starring role in the play. Viola is kind, hardworking, and really puts her all into everything she does and is very considerate of others. And as she and Nate develop a friendly relationship, Nate cannot help but compare her to the other woman in his life, who has stepped out of his life for now. But as Nate and Viola's feelings grow, they both know that nothing can ever happen between them, but who knows what the future holds ...

The characters, the setting, and the romance all burst to life in this beautiful story that I clicked with instantly and never wanted to end, to be honest. I loved Viola and Nate, but Nate's little girl Grace really won me over. She is such a clever, thoughtful, and sensitive child and made this great story even better in every way. The author made London appear like a movie in front of my eyes and I could almost feel the crisp air and hear the noise of the city, such is her talent.

NOTTING HILL IN THE SNOW by Jules Wake would make the perfect Christmas movie and I highly recommend it to all fiction readers who love a little magic at this time of year.

Another new Author for me Jules Wake

I loved the festive cover, as soon as I started reading this book I just could not put it down! I was totally immersed in the world of Viola!

I find myself at the school office collecting Grace you just have to fall in love with her as Jules sets the scene perfectly!

Will Viola and Nate continue to deny their feelings for each other?

How will the school nativity play go?

A delightful Festive read that will definitely get you in the mood for a White Christmas by the fire!

Beautifully written I found myself living in Violas world. I did not want the book to end!

I will be looking to buy and read more books by Jules Wake. #netgalley #juleswakeauthor #harperimpulse #killerreads

I loved this book so much, it was just so lovely and had such a great story. I couldn't stop myself from reading it far too fast and was bereft when I reached the end. With everything being a bit rotten at the moment from the weather onwards this was the perfect tonic as you can escape into a beautiful, snowy London with a romance that will warm you up quicker than a hot chocolate. I cannot recommend this book highly enough, grab yourself a copy and settle down for a treat.

I could not get into this book. Decided to give up on it. I tried, but the subject matter, characters and overall writing style was not appealing.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. What a lovely read, set in London and the area that I know really well. I loved it.

I'm already a sucker for a good Christmas romance story. Set it in England and I am practically a goner.

This title was a great read. So enjoyable that I binge-read through the wee hours of the night to see how it would all play out.

Definitely one I'd recommend for any romance novel lover.

I love a Jules Wake book, her writing style engages me from the first page until the very last sentance.

This story focuses mainly on Viola Smith, Viola, a kind and thoughtful soul who works at the London Metropolitan Opera Company playing in the orchestra with none other than the viola! Yep that's right!

After being asked to help with a local school nativity play through a Primary School outreach progrm and not being able to say no (which you end up finding out happens a lot!) It's not long before she meets Nate Williams, a lawyer and a governor at the same school, also father to Grace who attends the school and is part of the nativity.

Nate is struggling, balancing working full time as well as being a father and wanting to give Grace the best Christmas and it's not long before Viola is offering to help. It soon becomes clear just how selfless Viola is, putting everyone first but herself. With such a demanding family being pulled from all angles and called upon by everyone. There were a few occasions where I felt angry on Viola's behalf, her family just didn't seem to respect her, constantly leaning on her without even asking her first. I really wanted Viola to stand up for herself and push back!

With Viola helping Nate with home life it's soon evident that there is an attraction between them but Nate soon puts a stop to anything happening due to his daughter Grace and a past relationship stopping him from going further. At times I felt frustrated for Viola and Nate, clearly seeing the chemistry between them and how easy Viola slips into family life with Nate and Grace.

I absolutely adored Grace and her cheekiness, I loved reading of her excitement for all things Christmas, building a gingerbread house, decorating the tree and sending out Christmas cards. But at times I also felt for her, at how vulnerable and sad she was, it would seem Grace had to grow up too fast and be mature in certain situations when she shouldn't have needed to.

The nativity was a fun part to read about in the book and one I really wanted to see in real life! The storyline sounded such a hoot and the characters so much fun, especially Jack who wanted to be nothing but an armadillo! A Christmas armadillo at that! Viola being the loveliest person ever manages to write a part just for him.

This story is heartwarming, about family, trust and love. I really enjoyed reading this story with all the festivites on the run up to Christmas in Notting Hill. I highly recommend you reading this book over the Christmas holidays, I also recommend having a hot chocolate on the go at all times while reading as this book made me want one!

Big thank you to Jules Wake and Rachel Random Resources for the ARC and for the invitation to the Blog Tour! A fab read!