I couldn’t resist the fabulously festive cover of Snowy Hearts at the Lonely Hearts Hotel and I’m really happy to say that the novel more than lives up to the cover!

Saffy is an independent woman who enjoys her career and her social life and doesn’t have much spare time for family but when her sister Hannah calls to say she’s stuck abroad and needs Saffy to help her out, Saffy feels she can’t say no. Hannah runs a big Christmas party for all the single parent families in her neighbourhood every year and now Saffy has to organise the whole thing!

Soon after arriving Saffy meets her sister’s neighbour Logan and his young daughter Chloe. There is a clear spark between Saffy and Logan but the path to true love never runs smoothly and these two keep missing the mark with each other. Saffy is determined to focus on the party planning and to show her sister that she is capable and can do it.

I very much enjoyed this book. It’s set pretty much entirely over the Christmas period so is really festive! It’s got snow and party planning, romance and misunderstandings and lots and lots of holiday fun. It’s gorgeous – just the absolute perfect book to curl up with on a cold, wintery day! I highly recommend adding this book to your Christmas reading plans!

Before I get into my full review of this, I wanted to share with you all some interesting moments I had while reading this book – so that you can see how much I absolutely loved it!

– First of all, I was so engrossed in the story that I missed my bus stop. I looked up and saw that we were suddenly pulling away from where I needed to get off so I had to wait until the next stop and then walk back!
– Secondly, I was in a burrito place in London (like a subway place) and while I ate my burrito, I read the book. I then had to leave so I got up, grabbed my phone and started to leave. I was nearly at the door when I realised I did not have my backpack – which had my laptop in!
– Lastly, but certainly not least, I was reading this and got so engrossed in it that when I finally stopped reading and went outside, I was honestly surprised to find that it was not snowing!

In case the above didn’t clarify it enough for you, I have to tell you that I truly loved reading this book. It well and truly swept me up and I found it very difficult to stop reading when I had to! I was always thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it too. It was such a wonderfully written book that I am very glad that I picked up to read. I’m a big sucker for Christmas books and this one was everything I love about them and more. Naturally, one of the things that drew me to the book so intently was the characters and the chemistry between Logan and Saffy was very intense – making the book very unputdownable!

Admittedly, I think despite the wonderfulness of Saffy and Logan, my favourite character was Chloe! You didn’t get to see a lot of her but I loved how vibrant she was, and I thought her love of polar bears was incredibly cute. She brought the best out in both Logan and Saffy and I thought that was wonderful to see – as well as a dad who stuck around! But of course, I was also swept away by the adults. Saffy grows so much throughout the book and I loved seeing the changes in her. I thought it was very heartbreaking as you find out more about why she was the way she was and how it affected her and her relationships but I love that she found Logan and Chloe and herself by the end. Logan was a heart throb! He was so kind, sweet and caring. I thought he was such a sensitive character and I loved how he also grew and changed throughout the novel, finally allowing someone else to be in his life.

So, if you’re looking for a heart-warming, heart-melting, intense read that will truly dominate your world for a short while – definitely make sure you pick up this book! I guarantee that you will love it, and if not, I’m pretty sure you’ll love all of the characters and enjoy the ride! It’s a cute romance story with an array of characters too. I am honestly incredibly glad that I read this book and I think you will be too!

3.5 stars!

If this book doesn’t get you in the mood for Christmas, nothing will! This was my first time reading Karen King and it was enjoyable. Lots of mistletoe, snow and some cute characters really made for a super festive book! I normally don’t read Christmas books - mainly because I’m so busy during this time of the year (like everyone else). However, this one looked like it would be worth my time. The thing that first got my attention was that cover - it’s so pretty and colorful - I had to request it!

If you’re looking for a fun, heartwarming story that really gets you into the Christmas spirit, look no further. I look forward to reading more books from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Karen King for my ARC.

Lovely christmas story to get you in the mood for the festivities. Lovely story which warmed my heart, great writing style

Saffy Baxter gives up her London holiday parties to journey to her sister’s home in Cornwall. With her sister unable to return home, Saffy is stepping in to carry on her sister’ tradition of serving Christmas dinner to the single parents in the area. She’s taken by single dad Logan, but he makes it clear he doesn’t think she can cut arranging the dinner, he sees her as nothing more than a party girl. Can Saffy prove him wrong? And why does she really want to? A heart warming Christmas tale

Here it is, I can feel it! It's coming! It's here! C h r i s t m a s!

For how much I would like to hold on Halloween there is no denying that November is coming to an end and Christmas is now everywhere. For Americans the transition is quite clear: Thanksgiving marks the change; but for us on the other side of the pond, the transition is made in the form of Christmas ornaments and... well everything red taking over everything orange.  I don't mind too much, don't get me wrong in the debate Christmas vs Halloween you'll find me cosy and tightly wrapped with a blanket in the Halloween corner, but I can't deny that the run to Christmas it's rather pretty... the lights everywhere, the smells of sweet and spices... it makes me feel warm inside!

Of course, this weather is also guilty of having us all longing for something along the lines of " a crackling fireplace with a cup of cocoa or mulled wine, a vinyl playing, feet up and a loved one right beside you" ... Well, I'm single, I don't have a working fireplace and I can't have hot cocoa, so... well, I'll have to make do with the next available things! Chai tea with almond milk, the fireplace app on my laptop and an hallmark-style romantic book! Yes, my dears, Hallmark-like-book-season is Here and I intend to exploit this season potential to its fullest and read all my guilty pleasure books completely guilty free ( not that I'm usually that guilty, tbh...) and you can expect a lot more of this type of books to be reviewed in the future months, sue me.

Now, romance is everywhere; it calls to us like Disney calls to a child, but it's actually pretty difficult for me to find a decent romantic book that doesn't leave me unsatisfied and cringing. Sometimes The problem is that I just finished a book of the same genre so good that set the bar ever so high, some others It's because the book I ended up picking up is filled with insta-love/ insta-lust and toxic masculinity, take your pick.

So when the publisher granted me this book on NetGalley I was tentative but right from the beginning I knew I was in for a treat; this was going to be one of the good ones. And I wasn't wrong.

Funny, heartwarming and Christmassy; this book hits home for me in ways I'm not comfortable talking about on the internet. But, even if it does touch critical points it didn't make me upset, It didn't even tear me up which is not always a bad thing. Don't get me wrong, I love a book that makes me feel so many emotions my soul seems to be torn from me, I love that awful feeling, that angst, that raw sensation even if  - at the end- you know there is going to be a happy ending ( ...most of the time).  But sometimes, when you are fragile on your own for your own reasons, or when you just want to read a book just for the sake of it,  you need one that doesn't destroy your feelings so wholesomely; so, here you have it! A book filled with cuteness and tropes and way too well behaved children, amazing characters that read like friends, and families that sometimes are way more than ties of blood; a community made simply by people that are made to be together, even against all the obstacles and that they put on their own way.

The walls will come down in this one, but all in good times, all in a healthy way because when you find the one you'll discover that you don't need to change or be fixed, you are perfect exactly as you are.

CONCLUSIONS:

At the end I liked it. It was a nice and sweet Christmas story to warm one's heart and, even if sometimes I felt like the " family before everything" and " career women = evil"  trope was overused there is to say that it was the character perception and so it can be understood. I did enjoy the representation of POC and LGBT which had different layers of presence in the novel even if remaining coral. I have yet to decide If I'm loving or perking up my nose to the use of terms like " to call to" and " to set straight" But I think they give a nice little regency touch to an all too modern book. Would I recommend it? Yes, especially in a rainy/snowy afternoon with a cup of tea and a Bublé cd on. 

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Snowy Nights at the Lonely Hearts

As a first time reader of Karen King, I thought this was great read for the Christmas season! First off, it’s an enjoyable romance that’s realistic and believable and sizzles just a bit without a lot of graphic details. In keeping with the timing and theme, <i> Snowy Nights at the Lonely Hearts Hotel</i> has a heartwarming message about family and friendships. There is also a supporting cast of interesting and endearing characters which leaves quite a few opportunities for possible sequels.

A couple of small criticisms kept this from earning 4 stars. From the onset, Saffy, the main character, is portrayed as a very self-centered, young career woman who makes her full social calendar a priority. She has taken very little time to stay in touch with family or spend time with her sister’s young twins since their christening. The transition to the Saffy who steps up and comes to her sister’s aid is just a bit too abrupt to ring true. In addition, when Saffy reveals a key to her personal choices, the “message” is repeated several times more than necessary.

Even so, <i>Snowy nights…</i> makes for a fun read just in time to get in the holiday spirit!


FYI - I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Workaholic Saffon is planning to spend the Christmas season partying with her friends, until she gets a call for help from her sister. Hannah is stuck out of the country and begs Saffron to host the annual Christmas dinner for single parents. Saffon agrees, and winds up working very closely with the single father next door to make the party a success.

This one was pretty tedious, as nothing really happened. There was a lot of minutia about getting the party together, about Saffon's friends, about all sorts of thoroughly mundane stuff, but...that was it. Not a lot of drama or high emotion, and Saffon and Logan's relationship is pretty low-key early-dating stuff that isn't bad, it's just kind of dull. All the minor threads that could have wound up being conflict were just teasers instead, quickly wrapped up and forgotten about, and the whole thing just dragged. Especially the ending, which rivaled Return of the King for having too many endings.

An absolutely fantastic festive story. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this author in future!

Between the promising synopsis and the adorable cover, I must admit I had high hopes for this new festive romance novel. However, it took me about half the book to really get into it and see the characters gain real depth. Besides, for about a quarter of the book, I was annoyed with all the ridiculous proposal drama around Saffy’s two best friends. It took me a while to see the chemistry emerge between Saffy and Logan. And I found Jade so caricatural, it was aggravating. But I’m still glad I read through the end (of course there are good points to take away!!)

Fortunately, the novel won me back during the other half. The budding relationship between Logan and Saffy unfolded in a credible way and I really liked the nature of Saffy’s personal struggles because it is not all that common to read about her issues and her life goals, particularly in women’s fiction. Eventually, I found this storyline moving and poignant when the characters finally stopped appearing so black and white (especially Jade!). It it is not your typical Christmas novel. There’s a lot of profound family drama that, in my opinion, makes it less of a light, magical read than the other books in the genre. Granted, it is not my favourite read of the season, but I think I would still recommend it, especially for the challenges Saffy had to go through in her life and to see her get the happy ending she deserves (no spoiler here, it’s expected!).

what an amazing book. Loved it from beginning to end
I loved the authors style of writing and will be looking for other books by this author.
I would recommend this book to friends and family

Such a sweet, festive romance novel. Loved it!

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

This is a first for me by this author... but it won't be my last... I really enjoyed this story.

Twenty-nine-year-old Saffron Baxter knew her fun holiday plans didn’t stand a chance the moment her sister called to say she was stuck abroad with no hope of being home before Christmas. Saffy would just have to abandon thoughts of wild festive parties in the city and head down to remote Cornwall.

Because every year her sister hosts a huge Christmas meal for all the single parents in her village. And Saffy knows it’d break her heart to let them down.

Arriving as snow starts to fall over the thatched cottages of the little harbour town of Port Breok, she meets Logan – the tall, fair-haired, blue-eyed, devoted single dad who lives over the road, with his adorable daughter Chloe. At first she thinks he might help her make Christmas Day extra-memorable, but he just seems convinced she’ll never manage – that she’s just a party girl who doesn’t care about family, or anyone’s feelings.

Maybe he’s right. After all – she doesn’t want to settle down, she’s only there for a few days… But she’s still determined to do her sister proud with gorgeous decorations, the most beautiful real tree – complete with extra twinkly lights, and delicious mince pies. To make it a Christmas everyone will remember, especially little Chloe. Even if, when the mistletoe comes down, she knows she’ll probably never see Logan again…

A fantastic festive read that once you start you'll not want to put down... I know I couldn't.
A well-paced engaging story full of warm relatable characters.
A truly fabulous feel-good read that will have you feeling all romantic at the end.
I think you can tell... I simply loved it!!!

I look forward to reading more of Karen's work.

Thank-You Netgalley for my ARC.

I’m not afraid to admit that I cried reading this, nor am I afraid to admit that I fell head over heels in love with Logan! And then there’s Chloe! Omg! The line she came out with regarding ‘sharing’ (tries not to give spoilers) had the tears falling from my eyes quicker than the snow falling in this book!

Could the Lonely Hearts Hotel be the start of a brand new series? I hope so, I really do, and I’m not just saying that because of Logan! Okay yes, he was certainly my type on paper….pardon the pun, but there was a lot more to the story than his heroic, gentlemanly actions.

Saffy is a career girl. An independent, highly driven, party animal. But why has she chosen that route? Not that there is anything wrong with it of course, but could there be a reason why she refuses to let herself fall in love? There is a lot more to Saffy than I originally thought and whilst it would have been far too easy to side with her sister, Hannah, when it came to my opinion on her personality, it would have been wrong of me to judge the character on how others perceive her. Personally, I thought she was a brilliant, relatable character with a hilarious heart of gold. I would love to see more of her again in another book as she has so much more to offer what with the events at the Lonely Hearts Hotel!

‘Snowy Nights at the Lonely Hearts Hotel’ is a read that has something for everyone, whether it’s a character who is a single parent, a nutter of a pet, a community driven village, or even a child with a returning parent. I related to the single mum points, although I couldn’t help but wonder why people think of loneliness when it comes to single mums. But that’s just me!

My eyes may have been filled to the brim with tears and the sleeve of my top may have been wet, but my heart was the most roasty toasty it has ever been. Chloe borrowed my heart and kept it with her polar bear collection – she is one cracking, cracking child who fought the festivities to this book by the truckload.

A wonderful, snug as a bug read that was beautifully written from one heart to another – I absolutely loved it. This delightful, deliciously festive treat should be a ‘go to’ Christmas read from here on in…..just don’t forget about reading it on the other 364 days of the year. Phenomenal, truly phenomenal.

Saffy is guilted into going to her sister's place to host a Christmas party. She usually spend the holidays partying with her friends, and so this is unusual for her. Naturally a handsome single father is next door, with an adorable child, and the sparks fly. Really liked this one, although the ending seemed to clean and polished. Other than that, would highly recommend this book.

Climb on board my struggle bus......I really dislike giving bad reviews. It's got to be so hard writing a book. But unfortunately, I did not like this. First strike was the heroine's nickname. Saffy!! Her name is Saffron. A perfectly lovely name. Why such a horrible nickname?? I cringed every time I read it, Then the weird, unnecessary Robbie/Duncan situation. So juvenile. These were grown men acting like caricatures of what the author thought of as a gay couple drama. I just really could not sink into the story and didn't really care about the characters.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed reading Snowy Nights at the Lonely Hearts Hotel by Karen King.

It is almost Christmas time and Saffy has plans with her single friends. Most of the plans include going out for drinks or parties. She is forced to cancel these plans when her sister, Hannah, requests her to travel to Port Breok to host the annual single parents Christmas dinner. Saffy isn’t too excited with the change of plans but decides to do her sister this one favor and get back to New York as soon as possible. At Port Breok, her feelings change when she meets her neighbor Logan and his daughter, Chloe.

I enjoyed the romance between Logan and Saffy. It had a natural, realistic feel and it was interesting to see their connection develop and grow. In addition, the two characters were well developed with interesting back-stories. They were a delight to read and quite easy to root for. Through them, themes such as parenthood, fertility and family were portrayed and well tackled. The other support characters such as Duncan, Robbie and adorable, little Chloe all added to the charm of this story. The author did such a great job in developing them all and giving them unique, memorable personalities.

This was a beautiful, captivating, festive read. With the snow falling, Christmas trees, love and laughter in the air, I couldn’t help but think of the holidays.

Snowy Nights at the Lonely Hearts Hotel by Karen King is a charming, heartwarming story that will make you smile, laugh and long for everything Christmas.

Saffron isn't too impressed when she receives a phone call from her sister asking for a huge favour. The problem is that Hannah organises a Christmas Day meal for the single parents and children in the Cornish village where she lives every year. With two sick children, she can't get home in time, and she asks Saffron to step in and host the party.

Saffy is a career minded city dweller with a social life to match. The last thing she wants is to change all her plans and head off to Cornwall. However, its last minute and too late for the guests to change their plans, so she reluctantly agrees.

The blow is softened a little when she meets Logan, the handsome single father next door. The attraction is instant for Saffy, but is Logan giving her the cold shoulder?

Logan's daughter Chloe is an absolute sweetheart (with a polar bear obsession!). There are some interesting supporting characters, a dog called Oscar and lots of mistletoe and snow.

The story centres around Saffy's ability to pull the party together. She doesn't want to let her sister down and feels that she must prove to Logan that she isn't the irresponsible, self-centered person he thinks she is. There is drama from Logan's ex, humour from Saffy's friends and plenty of romance too!

I adored Snowy Nights at the Lonely Hearts Hotel, one of my favourite Christmas reads so far!

Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley and for letting me take part in this tour. This is the first book I have read by Karen King but I love Jenny Hale and the blurb suggested this is a similar style. I also LOVE a Christmas so all of this made me take a chance on an author new to me.

In this story, we follow Saffy. Saffy is a career woman. She lives in Birmingham spending her time working hard and playing hard. When her sister needs her to host her annual Christmas party for single parents it's not exactly Saffy's thing but feeling guilty she agrees. Saffy is a complex character. She may be a career woman but there's more going on there. Saffy is a fun character too, I love the scene with her polar bear onesie. She's also fiercely independent.

Logan lives opposite Saffy's sister's. Logan is a hot single dad. Little Chloe is his world and he would do anything for her. The minute Saffy and Logan meet you can feel the chemistry and you just know that something is going to happen here. I was so excited! I couldn't wait for this to all unfold.

I really enjoyed Karen's style. I started reading this book and before I knew it I was halfway through. It was an incredibly easy read and perfect for a winter evening. I do warn you though, make sure you have hot chocolate and your favourite Christmas foods on hand because I was craving these quite a lot throughout this book.

I look forward to discovering more of Karen's books in the future.

A dazzling heartwarming story full of comfort and joy!

This was a fantastical festive story that made me smile from first page to last.... A wonderful Christmas book is like the star on top of the Christmas tree; it just makes the season brighter.... This truly is a perfect Christmas book for those of us that could read a Christmas book in the middle of July! You know who you are! This book thoroughly embraces the Christmas spirit, not a good book for a Grinch! Although it would probably make your heart grow two sizes larger!

Saffy works hard and parties harder, or so everyone thinks.... when her sister calls pleading with her to host her annual Christmas single parent party, Saffy reluctantly agrees... not necessarily the type of party she had planned to bring her Christmas cheer.... with the help of her sisters handsome single neighbor Logan and his adorable daughter Chloe, Saffy is determined to make this party a success! Festive decorating, a beautiful Christmas tree, holiday perfection.... and snow, snow, and more snow....

This book was packed full of delightful characters....Saffy was such a fun character with a big heart, Logan was just a good guy, and Chloe was adorable quite often stealing the scene!Saffy’s neighbors Robbie and Dunkin added some humor and drama to this fantastic story.... i became so invested in the lives of these characters throughout this book, I sure am hoping there is a follow up....

A wonderful holiday Reid that will leave you feeling merry and bright... absolutely recommend to anyone who enjoys a festive story filled with wonderful characters that will leave you feeling warm all over...

*** many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***