Secrets in the Snow

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review.
Having read a few of this author's other books which are all fabulous.
This is a story that pulls at the heartstrings and can highly recommend.

I enjoyed the last book by this author so was looking forward to this one and it doesn’t disappoint.

Roisin O’Connor lives with her son Ben in the small village of Ballybray. Next door lives larger than life Mabel who takes Roisin under her wing. When Mabel passes away, Roisin and Ben are inconsolable until the arrival of Mabel’s nephew Aiden from New York. From beyond the grave, Mabel has left them a series of messages that sets them on a course that she hopes will make their lives better.

A good well written book which was an easy and entertaining read.

Heartbreakingly sad and joyously uplifting in equal measures. A tale of grief and heartache and how a young mum and her son create a new friendship with an elderly neighbour and the gifts she leaves after her death. Brilliant.

Another amazing read from Emma Heatherington. So well written and as un-putdownable as her previous books. A really moving story. 5 * read as always.

Emma writes a wonderful heart-warming novel that shows the power of true love. Mabel was a fantastic neighbour to Roisin and her son Ben, helping and guiding them to move on with their lives. There is sadness, love and courage all included in the story. A great read.

Another fab book by Emma Heatherington. I loved this book from start to finish. Very well written. I would love to see what the future holds for Aidan and Roisin .

Emma Heatherington does it again. She had me reading through misty eyed within the first couple of chapters. Secrets in the Snow is a wonderfully moving story with a few surprises and a beautiful ending

Roisin and her young son Ben move to Teapot Row, Ballybray in Ireland after the death of her husband to start a new life. They become 'family' with the wonderful septuagenarian Mabel and settle into village life.

Sadly, Mabel dies but she leaves messages from beyond the grave for Roisin, Ben, and her nephew Aiden, encouraging them to live their best lives.  Even though she dies early on in the story, Mabel is very much a main character in this book, with the trio revisiting wonderful memories of their time with her as well as some tough times as well.

Roisin works at Truly Vintage, a second hand/vintage clothing store. I enjoyed her reuse ethos and love of upcycling, arts, and crafts.  I did find myself getting frustrated with her at times and if this had been a film I would have been shouting at her via the tv. But that only goes to show the strength of the writing and how dramatically her past affected her personality.

I really enjoyed Secrets in the Snow and love that Emma Heatherington writes shortish books at around 4-5 hours reading time, meaning you can totally immerse yourself in the story in one fell swoop.

A beautiful touching memorable read! Packed full of romance, heartbreak, family secrets and the power of love!
Roisin and her son Ben move to a little cottage in Ballybray for a new start after the death of her husband, her neighbour Mabel a larger than life character becomes roisins closest friend,confidant and motivator filling a huge void in her and her sons life! Sadly Mabel dies and roisin and Ben are grief stricken, however Mabel has left a legacy involving roisin and her nephew Aiden, over the course of a year gifts, notes and recorded messages come at certain intervals with instructions for them to carry out, during this time they become close but the path of true love never runs smoothly! A totally engaging on/ off love story full of emotion, angst, fear, forgiveness and realisation!
Totally unputdownable and mesmerising!
Thank you net galley for this early read.

This book was fantastic so well written and really couldn’t put it down and had you on the end of your chair wondering what would happen next. It’s so well written and a brilliant read well worth more than five stars. It’s full of families secrets romance heartbreak and moving forward and you will love the characters so much.
Roisin and her son Ben move to Ballybray after her husband dies she wants to start a new life as her husband always put her down. She gets very friendly with the neighbour Mabel and they become so close so to learn of her passing is so hard. The wonderful nephew Aidan arrives for the funeral and they are left a video clip to watch together. Mabel has left things for them to do throughout the year to enjoy and do together. Who’s helps her arrange all of this but Roisin and Ben head off to America to spend time with Aidan and things are going well till the last night and she believes he’s still with his ex and playing her so she heads home and falls deeper in to depression as she really thought they would be together for ever. Suddenly she’s left a message on her phone and things change for her so she heads off to America and tries to tell Aidan that she loves him and fill him in on the family history but has she left it to late or not and who has helped Mabel to sort all this out and can they be happy ever after or not.
Brilliant read.

I love Emma Heatherington!! I had high hopes for Secrets in the Snow, after becoming obsessed with her last book “Rewrite The Stars.” I am completely blown away by this book and the author’s ability to write such amazing characters. This book had me feeling so many emotions! I will be recommending this to everyone!!

What a fabulous book. It’s a book that will stay with you long after you turn the last page

Roisin has had a difficult past. A mother who drank, foster care and a husband who not only used his fists but shredded her confidence. When she moves to a small town with her precious son Ben she is lucky enough to have a neighbour who loves and guides her and helps her build her confidence step by step.

It’s a beautiful story of love, kindness And friendship and a book I am so pleased to have had the opportunity to read

Roisin has had a rough ride in life, bouncing from foster carer to foster carer, before entering o=innto an abusive marriage.
Through a welcome tragedy, she finds herself widowed and wants to make a fresh start for her and her son, Ben.
A pin in a map lands her in a tiny village called Ballybray in Ireland, and it couldn't be more different from her upbringing in the city of Dublin.
Once there, she finds that she has an interfering neighbour, Mabel Murphy, an elderly widow, with a New York twang, who refuses to believe that this young woman would prefer to be alone.
What develops between them, is a friendship stronger than most, more akin to family.
Life is idyllic, almost, until Mabel gets ill and passes away.
But this meddling neighbour isn't finished with her work to make sure Roisin lives her life to the fullest.
Somehow, from beyond the grave, she's arranged for some messages, specifically for Roisin, and Aidan, Mabel's nephew, who has been in the US for the last fourteen years, and only comes back to Ballybray to attend the funeral and sell off her property.
What follows, in the story, is the impact of the messages that Mabel sends, seasonally, for these two lost souls, over the course of a year, and how the words of a soul long gone, can still have a positive effect on the lives of those left behind.
I truly enjoyed this book. Wonderful characters. Everyone needs a Mabel Murphy in their lives.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

Beautifully written heart wrenching this authors books draw me in every time.I was completely emotionally involved with the characters .A book an author I will be recommending,#netgalley #harperuk

I thought that this was a great book!

It was easy to read and understand and followed a storyline of overcoming fear and anxiety in learning to love again.

I thought that it was beautifully written and romance and understanding come together.

It is 5 stars from me for this one – a lovely book to read and one I will be very highly recommending – a gorgeous story!

This book was my first by this author and I’m certain it won’t be my last. The story was so moving, I went from smiling to shedding a few tears numerous times throughout it. The central character Roisin was so endearing, the flashbacks to her traumatic childhood and marriage were heartbreaking and her strength of character was inspiring. Aiden’s back story also was very hard hitting and the way the story was written through the changing seasons of a year had me hooked to the very end. I don’t want to give the plot away but through the sad circumstances of the story, and the vivid descriptions of the beautiful character of Mabel, Roisin and Aiden go on a journey of self discovery to deal with their past burdens and make positive changes in their lives. Beautiful story, I highly recommend.

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

Such a beautifully written book, with romance, heartbreak, family secrets, and the strong power of love.

When Roisin and her son Ben, move to a little cottage in Ballybray for a fresh start after the death of her husband, she finds her neighbour Mabel becoming her friend and confidante. Who motivates her whilst filling a very big void in both hers and her sons lives.

But, Mabel dies, leaving roisin and Ben grief stricken, unbeknown to Roisin, Mabel has left a legacy which involves her and her nephew Aiden.

Throughout the year, she receives gifts, notes and recorded messages at certain intervals, along with instructions for them both to carry out,.

It’s during this time they both become close but, as we all know, the path of true love never runs smoothly.

This is an engaging on/ off love story which is full of all the emotions, angst, fear, forgiveness and realisation.

I couldn’t put it down I was that engrossed in it.

I recommend it.

Ah this book is gorgeous! I adored Roisin as a character and thought she was developed perfectly.
A lovely will they or won’t they read perfect for the winter months.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Brilliant book by Emma.

Roisin lives in Ballybray with her son Ben. When she moved into Ballybray her next door neighbour Mabel took her under her wing and helped her through some tough times. When Mabel dies from cancer Ben and Roisin are heartbroken and can’t see how they can come to terms with losing Mabel. Mabel’s nephew Aiden arrives from New York and thinks he wants to sell Mabel’s cottage and going back to New York. However Mabel has other ideas as she has left messages from beyond the grave. Will Aiden sell up or stay in Ballybray

Beautiful, at times I had a lump in my throat both through sadness and happiness.

It's just a wonderful story, that I really wasn't sure how it would turn out, and there are a few shocks during the story including at least one that made me gasp out loud!

Although Mabel is dead for the duration of the book she is also present in every chapter, every thought and action and her memory is really kept alive. She sounded like a truly remarkable woman, and we see how her neighbours and best friends Roisin and son Ben, cope with life without her - and also her nephew Aidan who has come over from New York to pay his respects.

What neither were anticipating was the way that Mabel would be able to still influence their lives beyond the grave, with a series of messages.

I loved watching how the relationship between Roisin and Aiden develops from their first rather frosty meetings into something that could be amazing.

There is a multitude of emotions, there are demons to overcome from Roisin, Ben is a lovely child that was a joy to see how he reacted to things. There is sledding, a trip to New York, arguments, grief, new relationships, and a whole lot more in between.

Don't think that just because there is snow in the title, that this is a purely winter or Christmas book, it in fact takes place over a whole year, so we get all the seasons, and it makes this a fabulous book to read year around.

So curl up, block out a few hours as you won't want to put this down and lose yourself in Emma Heatherington's words, you'll be glad that you did.

Thank you to Harper and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

A fantastic book from Emma, will definitely be looking out for more from this Author! Couldn’t put it down

Perfect read. Absolutely gorgeous and one of the best books I’ve read this year. I love this author but this is quite possibly my favourite book yet

This beautiful gentle book will pull at your heartstrings. The characters were so well portrayed.As I live in Ireland the local angle really added to my enjoyment and I could picture the beautiful scenery and locations throughout the story.

Roisin and her son Ben have moved to the sleepy Irish town of Ballybray to escape their past. They unexpectedly find an alley in their elderly neighbour Mabel. When Mabel dies they feel heartbroken but her nephew Aiden arrives from New York for her funeral and brings some unexpected joy into their lives.

Mabel continues to be part of their lives through messages she has left for them. Her love for them shines through the book and her hope that Roisin will find closure on her previous emotional and physical abuse and be open to love again was so well explored.

This book helped me escape from everyday issues making me realise that happiness is the greatest gift we can obtain. This beautifully written book was an easy entertaining read which I could throughly recommend.

This is such a cosy winter's read, the cover looks so enticing and makes you want to curl up and read. This is moving and emotional read but uplifting at the same time. The story is about Roisin and her son Ben, who move to a village not knowing anyone. The next door neighbour is called Mabel and Roisin thinks she is a busybody, after a few words spoken her and Mabel become firm friends, then tragedy strikes and how can Roisin move on? This is were handsome Aidan who is Mabel's nephew comes along, they both don't get on well to start with, Mabel has left some letters for them both and wants them to do them together. Could a budding romance happen and will they find out secrets along the way? A very good read that will touch your heart.

This was a delight to read!
The vivid descriptions really drew me in & made me feel like I was there in Ireland with the characters
The characters were all strong and likeable, I think everyone needs a Mabel in their life!
The story follows Roisin as she grieves for her friend, recovers slowly from her past life & learns to love & trust again

I hadn't read any books by Emma Heatherington & have loved discovering a new author to follow

A wonderful story of how Roisin and her son decide to start afresh where ever the pin falls on the map. “Ballybray” not only offers them the new start they deserve but a fantastic friendship with Mabel her neighbour. She opens up a whole host of the unexpected especially from the grave which also includes a sexy man from New York her nephew. I just loved everything about this story.