Don’t be misled by the title! A Winter in New York by the bestselling author of grab-a-tissue novels, Josie Silver, is the perfect read for any season. Her new offering is a luscious romance mingled with a good pinch of angst and melt-in-your-mouth moments to sweeten your day, or in my case, greeting the sunrise with a big smile plastered on my face. Yes! Once I’d started this beautifully written book, I couldn’t stop reading until I reached the end.

Silver took me to gelato paradise in Little Italy NYC, where a previously thriving Italian family business is desperate for their uncle’s well-guarded recipe. Why? Alas, the poor man can’t tell them because he’s indisposed, and they have no idea for how long or if ever. As Silver’s stories go, she an ace at keeping us guessing. Can the Belotti famiglia find the secret to such a renowned vanilla cornet deliciousness?

Before walking into the oldie worldie gelateria, because it certainly felt like that, I met Iris, a young chef eager for changes. She’d every reason to escape to the city, make new beginnings and discover lost memories a parent had left behind and much more besides. But Iris has an heirloom she suspects no one else is aware of–goodness me, Silver exceeded herself here because, as well as keeping me on the edge of my seat, the story’s pacing picked up at a speed that had me skimming pages. Okay! So my impatience might have got the better of me, but I never missed one word.

If you haven’t already got an ice cream maker, I have little doubt you’d like one like Iris’s. I confess to getting quite attached to it. I wanted to know the ins and outs of the workings and why it was special. So, while she’s trying to make magic with the ingredients unhurriedly, jot them down: the smoothness, creaminess and consistency her new friend is looking for could save this emblematic sundae parlour. The delicious toppings might even give you an idea or three, too.

It sounds a tad strong to say I hero-worshipped Gio, but he certainly has all my must-have attributes for a book boyfriend. Attentive, hard-working and gorgeous to boot, I loved observing his faith in Iris. However, handling ‘what-ifs and what-nots’ could make or break it for those concerned. I bonded with his oh-so-Italian sisters instantly. Respectful of their heritage, imagining the whole tribe making gestures flying here, there and everywhere was easy-peasy. Now for Bobby–the one. I’d welcome Iris’s landlord into my life at the drop of a hat. He encourages her, soothes troubled waters and is beyond loveable.

If there is one author who knocks her readers for six in the space of a few paragraphs, it has to be Silver. Like a domino effect, Iris’s past and an unsaid truth catch up with her, getting me to reach out for that blinkin’ rectangular box again! But communication is the key. It’s plentiful, intelligent, and assertive, and I loved every single minute of it.

If you have a passion for ice cream, like Italian families that don’t have a filter between their brain and mouth, swoon-worthy characters in a well-thought-out plot with a baddie you’d gladly give a good talking to and appreciable second chances, this book is for you! Bravo, Silver!

A copy of this book was kindly gifted to me by Penguin Books UK through NetGalley for my honest review.

Iris left her mentally abusive boyfriend and London behind. She wagers a new start in New York as a chef, not only for her sake but to see places her late mother had loved. One day while visiting a fair at Little Italy and recognises a Gelato shop from her mother's photograph. The shop is all the same, she has seen so many times while going through her mom´s photographs. After getting inside she loves the feeling of the shop yet is told that there is no gelato due to sickness and with no one knowing the recipe. When she anyway gets a sample, she finds out it is the same gelato recipe, that her late mother left her. As a chef, she wants to try to help, without breaking a promise to her mom to never share the recipe with anyone and getting away secret of holding onto the recipe. What she hadn´t planned on was falling in love with the handsome Gio. Although starting a relationship with a secret is never a good idea, she can´t help herself. But what will happen if the truth comes out?
Peeps read this book, it was amazing. I loved every second of it :)

Thank you to Penguin UK and Josie Silver for letting me have an arc review copy of A Winter In New York.

The winter vibe of this book frosts each page with the wonder and charm that New York is legendary for having throughout the festive season. The foodie descriptions in this book will leave you hungry and mouth-watering at times with the mental smells/images your brain conjures up.

The characters are heart-warming, and charming and come alive through dynamic energies. Told through two points of view Iris and her mother, Vivian, while they visit New York and meet the men of the Belotti family. A lot of big emotions come into play in this story as it waves a plot around moving on, grief, loss, and healing (both from loss and an abusive, controlling relationship). Lots of little side stories are threaded through the main plot stitched together through family, friends, and a budding romance between Iris and Gio.

One thing, I wasn’t so keen on was Iris's tendencies to use blurt out a lot of white lies. It was a little distracting and only did her harm in the long run. There is a lot of miscommunication and secrets already embedded into the relationship between Iris and Gio, the lies made me feel cold to Iris at times, and thinking why you would do that. I felt like telling her to go to counseling because of it. Gio and his big Italian family stole the show in this book for me, I loved them as they were all interesting personalities with big hearts.

This book is a nice cozy, festive read to enjoy curling up with during snuggle season with the sparkle of festive fairy lights and a roaring fire. I almost felt this book read like Friends the TV show with all the interconnecting characters, places, and food elements (gelato).

I have loved every Josie Silver book I have ever read, but this one fell a little short for me. And I think it is because of my very high expectations.

A Winter in New York is certainly not a bad book. No, its a fun albeit very average read, but it misses the magic and the profound moments that for me are characteristic for a Josie SIlver book.

We meet our main character Iris in New York. We know she has run from her London life, but we don't know why. She has found refuge as a cook in a noodle bar and lives above the restaurant. When her boss - home owner - best friend Billy takes her to an Italian festival she recognize a gelato shop from her late moms scrapbook. Iris cant resist to delve into her mothers past and learn more about her. But soon Iris is getting very invested in the gelateria and its owner Gio.

Like I said, don't get me wrong. This is absolutely a lovely little romance. and a story about family. But it wasn't more then that. And I just expected more after all the tears and the magic in previous Josie Silver books.

Heartbreakingly magical! Josie silver works her magic again, just when you think this book will be just good, she changes gear and makes it great!

Iris is trying to start a new life in New York, tempted there by her mum’s love of the city. Iris hopes to find out something of her mum’s life in New York…she should be careful what she wishes for! Iris finds herself embroiled in her mum’s past, and just maybe finds herself a future.

Wonderful story-telling, I adored this book.

Iris needs to escape London after the death of her mother followed by a disastrous relationship so where better than New York where her mother spent some of her youth.

She bumps into Gio on Valentines Day and they don't hit it off but they never expect to meet again. The story follows the twists and turns of Iris's recovery of herself, her friendships and how she gets mixed up with Gio and his family. It's a shame that she said things she regrets in the first meeting but it is interesting to see how she deals with it.

A lovely feel good story which cements my desire to visit New York some day.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC

This is a really lovely warm winter read, I will say check TW for this book as it covers grief and previously traumatic relationships.
This book was done so well and handled sensitive subject beautifully, I found myself tearing up at multiple points throughout this story.
Our main characters has lost her mother and fled to New York to try and retrace her mothers steps from when she was younger, and find a way to understand and get closer to her. Little does Iris know just how close to her mothers history she is going to get when she discovers she is the only person left in the world with a family secret recipe, so important that without it it could bring the family gelato business to their knees, and we spend the book watching Iris navigate this.
I loved this story, I loved the side characters and the real sense of family that came along with it. I would say this is the perfect, sweet winter read.

With the weather turning colder it seemed the perfect time for a cosy winter read and for that I knew I could rely on Josie Silver and her latest title due out next week (12th Oct)

‘A Winter In New York’ asks the question “Where better to start again than New York?” and that’s exactly what Iris does when she arrives in the city of dreams. Leaving a recent heartache behind she is intent on starting her new life as a chef and having fallen lucky with a new job and best buddy showing her the life NYC can offer, she suddenly finds herself stumbling upon a place that looks strangely familiar. Inside she meets Gio, the perfect leading man and ironically Iris is the one person who can help solve a family problem, but it’s not that simple for either of them…

So I love Josie Silver’s previous books and I also love New York so combined together I knew this was going to be one for me and I wasn’t disappointed! I loved the characters, the NYC scenes (it really is like a movie!) and although a little predictable at times it just doesn’t matter in this cosy, heartwarming read. The emotions felt by Iris are described beautifully by Silver, a wonderful moment when she is given an insight into her late mum’s life in NYC really got a throat in my lump, the writing so perfectly creating the character connection. You can’t help but root for the happy ending for everyone!

Really loved this quote too: “Life is just so damn complicated isn’t it, a series of random coincidences and chance meetings that add up to a lifetime”

If you’re ready for winter then add this cosy read to your TBR list today, it will melt even the coldest heart and is another winner for Silver.

'I’m knocked sideways by the sudden intensity of him, by the deep longing for more it awakens in me as I pull him in closer. It’s the swoon-worthy climax of our showreel moment, this beautiful, achingly sexy kiss, slow and electric, full of pure, vulnerable kiss-me-forever magic.'

When Iris makes a grab for a much-anticipated book on Valentine's Day, but a much taller, much longer-armed man gets there first, little did she know, the moment would have a huge impact on her life.

Londoner Iris has escaped her previous relationship and now lives above a noodle shop in New York, where the only people she knows are her employer Bobby and his husband Robin, who are both amazing, and Smirnoff, a tuna-loving cat.

However, she sees a door that features in her late mum's scrap book, a door to a gelato shop, where the man, Santo, who was the love of her mum's young life, worked. Iris pays a visit to find out more, only to discover that his nephew, Giovanni is in charge - and he's the bookshop man.

Unfortunately for Iris, she's keeping secrets and living on unintentional lies. Even so, she finds herself involved with a big, chaotic, and loving Italian family; who wouldn't want to be a Belotti? Add in delicious gelato? I'm definitely sold.

With his Papa recovering from a stroke, Gio is left responsible for the Belotti family and their business. But with the secret family recipe missing, what future does the gelato shop have?

Iris tries to straddle the line to protect her mum and Santo's secrets, and also help Gio with the missing recipe for the family gelato.

As they work together, the pair draw closer together, taking time away together for secret dates and hot moonstruck nights.

These two were so great together. Iris and Gio had fantastic chemistry, and I loved how their relationship developed. They are sweet, sexy, heartwarming, and totally deserving of great love.

Unfortunately, Iris's past, her lies, and secrets are catching up with her. How will Gio react when he discovers the truth?

I loved this book. I really struggled to put it down as I got swept away in the romance, the beauty of a Christmas in New York, and the love of the Belotti family, as well as Bobby and Robin.

At times, I found myself frustrated by Iris for not telling the truth. I just wanted her to stop the secrets and lies, and hated how she hid the truth as she grew closer to not just Gio but his family. She made things more difficult for herself, unnecessarily.

However, when everything came to a head, I definitely felt sympathy for Iris. I shed tears for her as she paid a lonely visit to the tree in the park; this is a girl who never intended to hurt anyone. She needed love and support and I'm so glad she found it.

I've been a big fan of everything I've read from Josie Silver so far, and A Winter in New York is no different. This is a superb read. There's tears, laughs, love, it's the perfect winter read. I loved it!

Now, please excuse me, I'm off to watch Moonstruck and wish I was in New York for Christmas 😍🎄♥️

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this arc copy.

A fun romance. Gio and Iris first meet on Valentine’s Day in a bookshop, fighting over the last copy of a book. A romantic story of an unlikely couple falling in love after an inauspicious start, with flashbacks to Iris’s mother’s own romance in New York.

I've read a few of Josie's other books and loved them so I had to give this book a go because it's set in New York.

I love it being set in New York because its the one place I really want to visit. Its at the top of my bucket list.

I loved this story. I loved the 80’s references.

Reading this has made me want to watch When Harry Met Sally and Visit New York even more!

Loved this sweet holiday romance! I loved Josie Silver’s previous books. One Day In December is definitely more memorable than this one, but I prefered the characters in this book. They are much more likeable and you feel for them!

A perfect, easy read for the coming season. I especially loved that this has 80’s references! It made me want to watch When Sally Met Harry again and visit NYC!

Josie Silver always hits the perfect balance of melancholy (grief, sad backstory) and uplifting vibes. She is an author I can count on for winter reads!

4 ⭐️

Was such a fab heartwarming book! Felt like i was in New York with the storytelling! Next to do on my bucket list!
Lots of nervy twists and turns was hoping for the best! Really cosy pre Christmas read. Thank you

Iris decides to move to New York for a fresh start and while exploring with her friend Bobby she sees a gelato shop which brings back memories of her late mother Vivien. Vivien loved New York after spending time there in her youth and making strong connections with some of the locals. Back in the place her mother loved, Iris meets Gio and the rest of the Belotti family. When she finds out that Gio is desperately searching for his families lost vanilla gelato recipe, she realises she, and Vivien, may hold the key in saving the family business.

This was my first seasonal story of the year and has definitely started to get me in the festive mood. The romance between Gio and Iris was heartwarming, emotional and at times made me feel like shedding a few tears. It was refreshing to get away from my usual dark, thriller reads for a while and immerse myself within the Belotti family. All of the characters are spectacularly written and you feel yourself rooting for Iris and Gio, invested in their story and the quest to get the famous vanilla recipe back. Watching slowly how Vivien was connected to the family was interesting and added an extra layer to the story. I enjoyed as well how the story covered serious topics such as domestic abuse, grief and control. Overall, although slightly over sentimental in places, this was a sweet, cozy winter read perfect for those dark, cold nights. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

This wasn’t quite what I was expecting but it was an entertaining read none the less. Unfortunately I didn’t love it, as I found the monologuing of the main character a little tedious and I didn’t really connect with the main characters. It is well written and the description of the locations was vivid. I was kind of waiting for the inevitable drama and the ending did deliver.

"A Winter in New York" is everything you would expect from the cover, the description and from Josie Silver: romance, wit, heartache, and a whole lot of complications! It tells the story of Iris who has recently lost her mother to cancer and who is escaping to New York to start again because that's where her mother always said she was happiest. She struggles with her past but finds a friend in her employer/neighbour Benny. On an outing with him she recognises a door in their neighbourhood which belongs to a famous gelateria. After visiting, she ends up befriending the entire Italian family who owns it, not least the handsome Gio. But the secrets she keeps, not least the reason for her recognising their front door, threatens to tear her new found life apart.

While I'm not sure I could fully understand Iris for keeping her secrets for so long, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even crying my way through the last few chapters. The book does flashback to some of Iris's Mum's story and I would've liked to hear more of that too.

But overall, "A Winter in New York" is the perfect book to cosy up with in the colder months. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Loved this book. Felt I was in new York surrounded by a gorgeous loud Italian family. Held my breath at the twists and turns wishing for the best. Excellent winter read

Love love love. There were so many little stories running inside this one big main one, it was so well written. Grief, domestic violence, love and lost love.
This would make a great film, but the book was absolutely fantastic!

3.75 stars
After Iris breaks up with her boyfriend and flees to New York. New York is a place that Iris has never been before, but it was a special place to her mum. A big component is a secret gelato recipe that her mum got from Santo, a lover who was not supposed to share this recipe. When Iris meets Gio, Santo's nephew, Iris knows she needs to tell him, but everything gets a little difficult when they fall in love.

I had a few icks with this book. First of all, I hate that there were so many secrets. How could Iris have helped Gio and Sophia for so long while all this time she knew the forking gelato recipe?! I was so frustrated. I mean, I get that if she had told them that, it would have been a problem for Santo. But once Felipe got into the picture, she could have admitted it to him, right? Since he immediately saw that she was Vivian's daughter? Next to that, I hated that instead of admitting she was wrong, she once again lied, pitied herself and left. Grow up. I did really like the love story and bravo for miss Josie Silver because the book was amazingly well written, and the characters (except for the lying) were very well developed and thought through.

I read One Day In December by Josie Silver and was nervous to try another book as you are often disappointed when it doesnt live up to your first read but this one was a great match.

It was such a cosy (pre) winter read and I loved the setting, it was magical.

Super romantic, super seasonal and a super read!