Thanks to netgalley, Bookouture &Catherine Walsh for the ARC of Snowed in. I immediately borrowed Holiday Romance on Kindle Unlimited as soon I finished this! I laughed out loud so many times. Wanted to cry for what Megan had to go through, this is definitely one of my favorite reads of 2023 and I love Catherine’s writing style

ADORED this one. The relationship between Megan and Christian began so early on without either of them realizing it. The missed connection, so to speak. But then Walsh dove right on in and the reader gets to experience this relationship blossom slowly but surely. Christian is swoony, with his small gestures and his big gestures. He really pays attention to Megan, our FMC, and really makes sure he’s in tune with her wants and needs. Both have some complex pasts, but Christian ensures that Megan knows she’s safe and supported. These two things make their relationship be one that is admirable and wanted by many, and Walsh does a great job at portraying it. The pacing of the story is just right, the events that unfold lead to the bigger and better, and there are some events that are surprising to any and all readers which makes it all the more fun. So grateful to have had the opportunity to read this one. Definitely a fun, quirky read about discovering yourself and relationship building all in the same. Thanks for the opportunity to read this ARC, Bookouture and Catherine Walsh!

Wow! When I read the blurb I was immediately intrigued. I always love a well written fake dating romance, and there are plenty of badly written ones out there. This one however surpassed my expectations. We have a sweet and funny caring FMC who ran from the altar. Normally I have a problem with that but there’s a good reason. I love how you get to see each of the characters personalities and how they complement each other. The rebel/bad boy who’s really sweet and actually observant. He steps up even though it’s a fake relationship. The way they each make sure to take an interest in the other persons hobbies and what they like. They stand up for each other and stand by each other. Also the build up to the relationship is believable it’s not instant and you get to enjoy the journey with them. I also really loved the side characters. Everyone from the respective best friends and the protective siblings, to the parents who love them. I thought the whole thing was well written and perfectly pulls on the emotions to give you laughter and tears and all the feels. Highly recommend if you love romance/fake dating, or just a good cosy book. Happy reading!

Snowed In is a holiday romance with a runaway bride and fake dating trope. Megan and Christian are both from the same small Irish village and the story gets off to a dramatic start as Megan runs away from her wedding and bumps into Christian who kindly asks if she needs help. She lets him know, she's okay before she disappears. Five years later Megan runs into Christian again at a pub in Dublin and as they reconnect, they end up sharing how much they are dreading going back home for the holidays. Christian suggests they go back together and be each other’s fake date. He thinks she is beautiful and fun and will make the holidays more bearable.

I thought the first half of the story was really sweet as Megan and Christian get to know each other. They are both funny and loveable characters. Christian was the boy all the girls had a crush on growing up. His father wanted him to stay and work on their farm but he went off to college and now is a wealthy manager of luxury real estate rentals. He still has some issues to work out with his father because he feels no matter what he does, he’s never good enough.

Megan works in marketing and loves to knit. She hasn’t been back home to her village since she ran away from her wedding because she believes that everyone in the village hates her. They believe she was cruel to leave Isaac, the golden boy of the village, at the altar. She has never told anyone why she ran from her wedding and we don’t find out what happened until quite a ways into the story and I got impatient waiting for the big reveal.

Megan was right to worry about people in the village despising her for the way she broke up with Isaac, because when she returns, they are awful to her, especially Isaac’s friends. Luckily Christian is wonderful and comes to her rescue and we see them begin to fall for each other.

The second half of the book slows down when we meet their friends and family and I wondered if they will all get their own books. This is a slow burn – Megan and Christian didn’t have a real kiss until 70 percent in. I enjoyed hearing about both of their families’ holiday decorations and celebrations. Megan must have knitting superpowers because she whips up sweaters and other knitted gifts very quickly. I did wonder where Megan’s father was. I didn't see him mentioned in the book.

I was looking forward to the snowstorm to see them get snowed in and I’m glad to share that when it finally happened, it was very cozy and spicy. I recommend this to readers looking for a sweet, light read that takes place in an Irish village during the holidays. Thank you to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

If you're looking for a cheesy, holiday rom-com, look no further! As predictable as "Snowed In" is, I loved the characters' chemistry, their growth, the complicated family members, and the cute 'happily ever after' ending. It was just what I needed.

SNOWED IN ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Ahhh I loved this. It hit perfectly for me. It had everything I need in a Holiday Romcom: home for the holidays, family dynamics, fake dating, the most natural chemistry, and witty banter!

This deserves to be at the top of your list of Holiday Romcoms. I loved the main characters, but honestly the entire extended family added so much that the book! I felt like I was smiling the entire time I read this one. It felt magical and festive and was the sweetest love story!

Megan and Christian grew up in the same hometown and are both dreading going home for the holidays. After reconnecting, they come up with the idea to go home as a couple. Fooling everyone, they go to all of the events and spend time with all of the family. What could go wrong?

Pub date: November 1

Perfect if you like:
•Fake dating.
•Home for the holidays.
•Natural chemistry.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Mood: 🍩🌮

🚪: skip chapters 27 & 28 for explicit intimacy details.
⚠️: explicit language.

Hands down the best festive rom-com I've read this year. Years after Christian sees Megan running away from her own wedding, the two bump into each other (literally) in a bar. Soon, they sign an incredibly formal contract agreeing to be each other's fake date when head back to their families for the holidays. Megan is a bit of a pariah after the wedding fiasco and Christian is just tired of being the only single one.

Huge bonus (in my opinion) that Walsh skips the contrived misunderstanding or disagreement that could be resolved with a 20-second conversation that is dragged out over multiple chapters. It's not tension-free (where's the fun in that?), but it's not forced either.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

*** I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest and fair review ***

Snowed in was cute, comfy and heartwarming. It had everything a good Christmas rom-com needs. Like a Hallmark movie wrapped up in 384 pages. I loved everything about this book, what felt like a predictable beginning became something I came to enjoy and read this in less than 24 hours.

When Snowed In started with Megan, a runaway bride I almost felt for her instantly. Knowing she would be probably be a hot mess and a character you'd come to love and care for. Megan was perfection because she wasn't perfect, she was real and a character you can empathize with.

Christian was an amazing, swoon-worthy, drop-dead-gorgeous, book boyfriend we all need to keep warm with on a cold Christmas night, right?

I loved the unknowing of why Megan ran away from the altar it gave the story line depth and a bit of something that these kind of books often lack.

I enjoyed the ups and the downs and the tension, THE TENSION. This felt like a slow burn, forced proximity, fake dating roller coaster. So many tropes. So many feels.

I'd recommend this to anyone who wants something uplifting, light hearted and feel good. A book that'll promise to make you blush.

Catherine Walsh does it again! Snowed In is the perfect Christmas romcom! I could not get enough of Christian and Megan but not just them, the entire cast of characters were just so fun. The dialogue had me laughing out loud throughout which doesn't happen often. I loved Holiday Romance last year so being able to catch up with Andrew and Molly was a fun surprise. You can read Snowed In as a stand alone but I highly recommend picking up Holiday Romance as well!
Snowed In is out November 1st
Thank you Netgalley!

Y’all know me well enough to know by now. If it involves fake dating and forced proximity I’m locked in lol

This was such a fun,cute, holiday romance book with everything you need to kick off the holiday season, fake dating, secret pining, christmassy vibes, and even a runaway bride!

first this book was dual POV and I’m extremely happy about that, I loved megan and christian together, their banter was simply amazing and on top of that, I liked both of their individual stories. megan was so fun and sassy.. also am I the only one who wants to learn how to knit now? and christian was actually super sweet, kind and caring and protective. Watching their relationship and the story develop and also watching them encourage each other to grow and work through their past with each other’s support was so special. Surprisedly, I liked all the side character too.

This story was absolutely perfect, there was no third act breakup or miscommunication! Well not for Andrew but you’ll see what I mean when you read!

Pub date 11/1/2023

Question: if you were preparing to be snowed in what must have items! Not including basic food

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the review copy of this novel. I have to say I was thrilled to get this novel as I have read all of Catherine Walsh’s novels and I’ve loved everyone of them. This was no different, and in fact it might be my favourite. It might be because it’s so rare that I can find an author of this genre who sets a book in Ireland and actually makes it real and not some Disney fantasy of what they think Ireland is like. That the author is Irish is probably the reason, but also she’s a great writer in this rom com genre who also has some wonderful heartfelt moments.

Megan is dreading returning to her home village for the first time for Christmas after she abandoned her fiancé at the altar five years previously. But her brother is home from Australia and she promised she would go to her mother’s special gala fundraiser. When she literally bumps into Christian in a Dublin pub, someone not only from her village, but from her year in school she’s at first embarrassed until a brief discussion puts her at ease. She discovers that Christian is also reluctant to go home for Christmas for his own reasons, but has also great family pressure to do so. In what he thinks is inspired genius he proposes that they pose as a couple and be moral supports for each other. In the end Megan agrees and the consequences are far from what she expected.

It’s a familiar trope but Walsh gives it a breath of fresh air and creates a depth around it that stretches it beyond a typical rom com. It’s a very enjoyable journey on the way and perfect for Christmas or all year round. Highly recommended.

This is only the second book by Catherine Walsh that I have read so far – having really enjoyed The Matchmaker earlier this year, I was very excited to dive into a festive read by this author. What I didn’t realise until after I had read it, and saw the preview chapter at the end of the book, was that Snowed In features some previous Catherine Walsh characters from another book called Holiday Romance which came out last year. So now I am intrigued to go back and read this one!

Where Holiday Romance focuses on Andrew and Molly getting together, Snowed In centres around Megan and Christian – who is Andrew’s brother.

We start by learning that Megan ran away from her wedding to Isaac five years ago and has now settled into a happy life in Dublin – but hasn’t been back home since. We don’t fully know why she ran away, but she is dreading returning home for the Christmas holidays and potentially bumping into Isaac.

Here enters Christian – the boy from school that everyone fancied. He’s recently moved to Dublin and bumps into Megan in the pub. He is also dreading going back home for Christmas, where his loved-up family are always asking him when he is going to meet someone and settle down. Could they hatch a plan to pretend to be together and keep all the family stress at bay?

Ah this is such a lovely, heart-warming, festive story with gorgeous characters that you cannot help fall in love with. The relationship between Megan and Christian is just perfect and a joy to see develop – whilst the back-story of what really happened with Isaac gradually emerges and we see Megan and her family and old friends grow closer through finally talking about it. The story tackles some challenging topics whilst being warm, funny and cosy at the same time.

The contrasting settings of Dublin and the cosy Irish village where Megan and Christian grew up are gorgeous to read about and imagine. Catherine Walsh is fast becoming another of my favourites and very much up there with Mhairi McFarlane, Beth O’Leary and Beth Moran as some of the best romance writers at the moment! I can’t wait for more.

It starts off with a runaway bride who runs out the back door of the wedding and she bumps right into Christian, whom she went to grade school with. They don't say much, she's shocked he's even here at her wedding but being that it's a small town of course everyone was invited. So she runs and never looks back.

Five years later, she's having the worst day and decides to go for a drink on a blind date, who doesn't show up. She runs into Christian at the bar by spilling her wine all over him this day just can't get any worse. Such a cute story.

super cute , fire passion, fake boyfriend, friends to lovers, childhood town, Runaway bride, Ireland

Christian and Megan are both returning home for Christmas, and both with reasons for not wanting to do so. Enter the fake dating scenario. They pretend to be a couple, their families will be happy, and they will be there to support each other through all their respective holiday events.

Holiday Romance was my favorite holiday read of last year so I was excited for an early read of Snowed In, featuring other characters from the former. Snowed In was just as cute and laugh out loud funny, and I wasn't disappointed. Christian and Megan were so easy to root for, and their families and the other supporting characters were just as lovable. I would have loved to see more of Zoe! The Christmas setting with the outdoor scenes and the snowed in cabin where exactly what I want in a holiday read. I'd recommend putting this on your holiday TBR!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a big fan of Catherine Walsh and really loved her last book, Holiday Romance. Snowed In is cute, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as the last book. In typical Walsh fashion, it totally hooked me. I love the cozy vibe she creates and she’s just really funny! Unfortunately, the book started to lose steam about 70% of the way through. I wasn’t feeling intense chemistry and it became a lot less light hearted and witty. I really enjoyed all the characters and wished it didn’t feel so rushed in the end. The epilogue, in particular, felt a little forced and didn’t have the same feel as the rest of her writing.

Regardless, I love love this author and will continue to read whatever she writes!

Catherine Walsh is the author of many sweet, cute romantic comedies, so I was excited to see that she has a new book coming out. "Snowed In" centers around Megan and Christian, who were both raised in the same small farming community but run into each other in downtown Dublin. Both of them are dreading going home for the holidays for a variety of reasons; Megan -- a social pariah due to running out of her wedding, and Christian -- a disappointed, disapproving father. While unconventional, the two agree to pretend to be a couple over the holidays, but unexpected hijinks ensue!

I enjoyed the dual POV in this book, and usually like the "fake dating" trope. However, the chemistry between these two don't exactly ring true to me. Another small quibble I have is that there are so many side characters (many of them with similar names), that I kept getting confused. Overall, this was a cute book but probably not one I would re-read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 4⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: Holiday Romance 📚

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
A sweet holiday romantic comedy

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
Runaway brides
Fake dating
Small town
Ireland setting
Lovable characters
Forced proximity
Dual POVs
Lighthearted and cozy vibes
Spicy scenes

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍:
No third act break up

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛:
The ending felt a little abrupt
There were a lot of side characters

4.5 As far as a romcom holiday book goes I did like this one. It wasn’t too “hallmark cheesy” and I actually did enjoy the storyline & the characters (if you haven’t, read Holiday romance first, Andrew and Molly make an appearance in this book!) this was a quick cozy read and perfect for the holidays!

Such a great holiday read! Christian and Megan have the perfect plan to make their families happy and to make their holidays easier. Their chemistry is so intense and they have such charming and quirky banter. I love the way Christian helps Megan find her worth it was a great part of the story. There is more to this story than just romance. I didn't want to put it down! Christian is definitely book boyfriend material.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

What a fun and spicy little holiday romcom! I enjoyed that this fake dating plot centered on two “black sheep” and seeing the characters bond over their reception in their hometown and families.
Excellent banter and spice,