A wonderful story of bravery, self belief, friendship and falling in love.
The start of this book was a bit slow for me, and I felt like I was missing something when other characters were introduced, as if I should know them and their back story, this is my first book by this author and I’m not sure this is part of a series. However, overall it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the whole book.

I could empathise with Liberty and her safe a secure routine, her life was seemingly idyllic with all her routines, but it’s so easy to get stuck in a rut, especially when she wanted more. I loved the idea of her challenges and how she didn’t shy away from telling people about them. Watching her confidence grow after each challenge was beautiful, especially when Alex supports her and indeed is the one who comes up with a lot of her challenges. Watching their friendship grow was wonderful and seeing Alex also grow as a person just like Liberty was great, the challenges had an impact on him too.
The descriptions of the local areas, especially of France were beautiful and I really felt I was there, the story flowed very well and before I knew it I was at the end. A beautiful slow burn romance set in a wonderful winter wonderland

This is a wonderful, feel good Christmas read. Liberty works in a quilt shop. She likes everything to be predictable. Alex is a world class motor bike champion. He thrives on adventures. Alex rents a room from Liberty looking for his half sister. This story has romance, friendship and some drama. This is the first time I have read this author. I will definitely go back and read her other books. Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the E-ARC. This is my own opinion.

This is a really lovely gentle romance, although it is set in the winter you can read it at any time of year.

Liberty is a very likeable character, very cautious by nature, especially since her close friend has laid in a coma since a bad car accident some months ago. She sets herself a challenge to say yes to things that push her out of her comfort zone, including renting out her spare bedroom to a short term lodger.

Alex is a French racing driver over in the UK to see his friend Luc and try and trace a half sibling. He is struggling to come to terms with a slower lifestyle as injury means he can no longer race. He likes speed, the excitement of racing. He is the complete opposite to Liberty and they clash until an attraction develops.

I wasn’t aware that this was part of a series, I don’t feel this affected my enjoyment of this book.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

This is the perfect holiday read. I adored Liberty the main character, totally relatable and great fun. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it gave me all the Christmas feels. I honestly related to Liberty quite a lot ways so I really warmed to her instantly. I loved reading about her transformation from this person who was so safe in her secure life to a risk taker who wasn't afraid to live a little, get out of her comfort zone a bit and figure out what she wanted out of life. Alex's growth during the book was wonderful too and the ending just made me so happy. It was such a light-hearted, touching book which I'm sure I'll read again in the run up to Christmas in the future.

Opposites attract for Liberty and Alex.
They meet when she needs a lodger and is at the start of her month of challenges to get her out of a rut. She loves spending time at home, and he always wants to be off on adventures, so can help her with some of the challenges. What will happen at the end of the month when it is time to head back to their real lives?

There are other books connected to this one, but I don't think it matters if you have read them or not.

Sophie Claire is a new author for me. I chose this one because the cover was appealing, and the description sounded interesting.

I enjoyed reading about Liberty, and all the daily challenges that she took on. She was brave, and she said what she thought about things, instead of keeping everything inside. I liked Alex as well, though he is rather self centred at the beginning of the book, it feels like lack of awareness, rather than lack of caring. I enjoyed the way that the two of them gradually grew together (although it’s only over a few weeks, which is not that gradual), each making the other think more deeply.

If you’re looking for a wintery romance, then look no further.

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

Oh my goodness I was not prepared for how much I would love this book! It was set at Christmas time in the most picturesque of locations which helped but I really fell in love with the story. Liberty was incredibly likeable and I could recognise aspects of myself in her character. I really enjoyed seeing the relationship between her and Alex develop and seeing her push the boundaries of her ‘safe’ life and rigid routines which had led to her leading a somewhat lonely life. Alex’s story was equally as gripping and even though I don’t really like motorbikes I never found myself bored while reading the sections about his career and backstory. I won’t give the plot away but this was honestly such a beautiful story and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a bit of Christmassy escapism.

Liberty lives a very ordered life, which is thrown into chaos by the arrival of a lodger, Alex who is an impulsive French motorbike racer whose career has been cut short by a serious crash. Can each teach the other something of the benefits of their style of living?
With series such as this you can catch up with characters from previous books whilst being introduced to new ones to keep it fresh. I probably have more in common with Liberty than Alex, but can see that she needs to get out of her rut. Seeing how they both gradually come to appreciate the other's approach to life. The descriptions of the countryside both here and in Provence made me wish I could visit. With a couple of story threads promising more in this series I am really looking forward to reading those as well. Highly recommended.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Liberty lives alone with her cheeky Labrador Charlie and works in a quilting/sewing shop. Sadly her best friend is in a coma and on her 30th birthday, Liberty realises she has become very lonely and is not living her best life. She decided to challenge herself to take risks and do something new every day in December. As part of that challenge, she takes in a lodger Alex, tries online dating, has a ride on a motorbike, and much more throughout the month.

Alex is French and comes to the UK to try and find his half-sister. He is also struggling to come to terms with an injury following his own accident.

I am pleased to see that mental health is being brought into more modern fiction now. The subject of panic attacks and agoraphobia are handled in this book with sensitivity, but also made to seem that they are part of the norm. I feel that this makes it easier for people to talk about in real life like people shouldn't be ashamed for suffering from this illness.

A Winter's Dream is very easy to read, and cosy in the lead up to Christmas. I loved how the characters stressed how nice it was to make and receive handmade gifts at Christmas. A lovely story of friendships, family, and pushing your boundaries.

Loved a book I'd read by this author so gave this ago. There is some crossover of characters but it doesn't affect the story. This book was equally as good, I liked the story build up and the characters.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This book is perfect to read anything not just for Christmas.

Liberty, leads a safe life in her cottage with a loveable dog named Charlie. On her birthday, yet again she receives a bunch of flowers from a mystery person, and she can’t figure out who that is.

Then, as she’s fed up of doing things that are safe, she decides to change things up a bit, she wants to do this by challenging herself to say YES to anything for a whole month.

By challenging herself, she gets to experience lots of new things, things she’s never done before, one of them being taking in a lodger.

Alex, the lodger she takes in don’t hit it off from the start. But as time goes on the friendship develops, and Alex helps her in achieving her daily goal in saying YES to a different experience.

Slowly, they both start to open up to each other, and to the possibility of love and life.

But will Alex be able to move on from his past and realise what’s he’s missing???

Absolutely loved this book one I could not put down.
I do so love Sophie's way of writing she transports s the reader to the place and it is like you are actually there.I
This is about Liberty who is very careful with everything and Alex who is a daredevil. Both looking for something special.
A wonderful uplifting story.

Gosh I loved this story. The opening was clever and it kept you guessing all the way through. You knew Liberty would fall in love but not in the way it was writen. A very clever love story. I liked the challenges and the thrill of the motorbikes and the sewing aspect. Just loved it

One homebody challenging herself to try some thing new everyday plus one thrill seeker trying to find new pulse after a career ending injury = charming festive romance. This was another charming romance set in Willowbrook village. The story started off slowly but picked up once Liberty started her challenges. Liberty and Alex did not start off on the right foot but they both managed to muddle their way to a sweet friendship. Really enjoyed Alex getting involved with Liberty’s challenges and how that helped the relationship develop into more. The writing was very balanced and you got to experience the journey and changes both Liberty and Alex went through as the story progressed. Also liked the glimpses into the lives of Evie and Jake and Natasha and Luc. A lovely festive read.

A lovely read perfect for anytime not just Christmas! slightly predictable but in a good way that leads to the perfect outcome! Liberty leads a predictable orderly safe existence in her cottage with her lovable dog Charlie,however after receiving yet another bunch of flowers from a secret admirer she decides to shake things up a bit by challenging herself to say yes to anything for a month! This leads to her experiencing lots of new things including taking a lodger in! Alex the lodger and Liberty don’t get off to a good start but as time progresses their friendship develops and blossoms as Alex helps her achieve her daily goal and in doing so helps himself too! Through a mutual understanding and realisation they both start to heal and open themselves up to love, laughter and life!
Thank you net galley for this early read.

I loved this book. The characters were so realistic and yes we all know what's going to happen in the end, it is a romance novel after all, but what's most important is the journey not the destination, and the journey was so gripping I literally finished this in one sitting. I was rooting for the main characters throughout and they were so well written you felt for both of them and they were really likeable. I'll be looking out for further books by this author