A special thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this advance copy of Snowed In by Catherine Walsh - this one is out for purchase (and on Kindle Unlimited now!) now!

I was a huge fan of Holiday Romance last year, which follows the brother of Christian, our main character in this one. Snowed In is a standalone and you wouldn’t need to read the first to understand what was going on, but some of the first would certainly be spoiled as you know the fate of the characters. (I would argue that with contemporary romance, you kind of know the fate without reading the book most times, right?) I love Catherine Walsh’s writing, and find her character development super easy to read - this one follows Megan, a runaway bride who ends up fake dating Christian to deal with their families around the holiday - to be honest, the fake dating premise was the only reason knocking it down from a 5-star because I wasn’t really buying the reason.

Thank you again to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0

ADORED THIS. Catherine Walsh you killed this. Chef’s kiss.

Oh my gosh. This just solidified that Catherine Walsh will be an automatic read from now on. I loved this rom-com so much. Although it is the second in the Fitzpatrick series, you could absolutely read this as a stand-alone. The characters are well-rounded, the story is fun and I couldn’t put it down. So cute, warm, and full of little moments that made me smile. I highly recommend this if you like romantic comedies with a little spice and fun banter.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I am a Catherine Walsh forever fan, so I knew Snowed In would be 5 stars, but if I could rate this higher, I would! It more than delivered on my expectations. My only complaint is that it ended!!

Walsh’s writing is so hilarious, touching, perfectly paced and the dialogue is always so well done. I loved Megan, and Christian, and let’s be real, all the characters. I could envision this playing out in my head like a cozy, holiday rom-com, except this was better than anything playing on TV. I could gush forever.

I am rarely a rereader, but I could see myself easily picking this up again (and Holiday Romance). It could be enjoyed at anytime but I was delighted to enjoy it during the holiday season.

Thank you Bookouture for the copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Catherine Walsh did it again! An absolutely perfect holiday romcom. I love how well rounded and well adjusted her characters are - it's rare to have a MMC who shares his feelings in a responsible and appropriate way and I love that this book, like her others, don't contain miscommunication tropes. This book felt like a warm hug!

I loved this book so much! This is the first I have read of this author and I can't wait to read more!

Now I normally reserve holiday romances for December, but last year I was too busy to get to many of them so I decided to extend it a bit into January. Why not? I was excited to read this one, but I'll be honest when I opened up the book and saw "A completely hilarious fake dating, forced proximity romantic comedy" I almost said nevermind. I usually have a hard time with true romantic comedies (so many things are labeled that nowadays when I don't think most really are). I had just tried a different romantic comedy and stopped in the first chapter as I could tell it would not be for me. I knew the "comedy" would not be my thing and well...why read something I know I will not enjoy? But I was on a role with dnf-ing books and not being able to find something to read I thought why not one more? Clear it off the to-read list. Only I immediately loved this story! I loved Megan and could not wait to find out what was going on. Why she was a runaway bride.

And Christian? Oh, I love a guy who is smitten even if he doesn't know it yet. Right from the start you could tell he liked Megan and the whole fake dating thing just made him realize it. Plus he is just wonderful. He sees Megan and is there for her no matter what. Whatever she wants. These two were so perfect together! I did really enjoy how Megan was not sold on the fake dating at first cause you know I probably would be skeptical as well if it happened to me. But these two were everything. So fun and so great I never wanted it to end!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. This review contains some spoilers.

I started this book expecting a cozy holiday rom com akin to many of those seasonal made-for-TV Christmas movies and it delivered — with some depth! The quippy dialogue with instant chemistry between Meghan and Christian was fun and there were many very adorable moments (especially the blanket forts and movies in the cabin and later on the barn). But I loved the nuances each of the leads had — an important discussion on emotional abuse that Meghan has been working through and Christian’s uncertainties and insecurities with his professional and personal life. It made me root for them even more and their connection seemed so meaningful.

There were a few things that did take me out of the story. There were so, so many side characters that also felt so unrealistically connected. I definitely understand the purpose of the “small town” gossip mill adding to the stakes of the fake dating, but it all felt too convenient that everyone was everyone’s sibling who was connected to so-and-so, etc. And that Meghan could *accidentally* run into Isaac so many times. I loved the highlighting of different types of relationship tensions — parent-child, sibling, friends drifted apart, bringing someone new into a family, and so forth, but it was getting hard to follow. There were also so many plot points that probably could have been written in a different way to achieve same impact (eg Christian’s mysterious cabin bug that he slept through and we heard about after the fact). Additionally, I was very surprised the “snowed in” portion of the book did not happen until 3/4 of the way through the book and was a brief (though important). I actually liked how the plot progressed and don’t mind it went this way but it felt misleading to be the book title.

All and all, a holiday romance I would recommend to others!

Snowed In was a first for me from author Catherine Walsh and I was pleasantly surprised! I breezed through this book over the Christmas break and have now started the first book in the Fitzpatrick series. A little in reverse, but the book can be read in its own. The novel is based on runaway bride, Megan who leaves her long-time boyfriend at the altar, while bumping into Christian, an old school mate on her escape out of town. Fast forward four years later, Christian and Megan bump into each other again in a Dublin pub. As they learn they are both headed to the same small town for the holidays, they decide to be fake boyfriend/girlfriend to help each other manage family gatherings and the prodding that comes along with being with family. I loved this book and highly recommend!

4.5 ★
I absolutely love how Catherine write her stories but more so the characters. They’re easy to relate to and fall in love with. Her books are written in a way that just instantly makes you forget you’re reading and in my opinion? those books are truly the best ones! as If I haven’t already said this enough but GO READ HER BACKLIST!!! promise you will not be disappointed 🥹🫶🏼

As a fan of the fake dating trope, I was eagerly anticipating getting to this festive novel in the lead-up to the big day, and it did not disappoint. The characters were well developed, and the build-up of romance between Megan and Christian was executed perfectly. Catherine Walsh's writing impressed me, and I'll definitely be on the lookout for more of her work in the future. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fabulous book set at Christmas but would read at any time of year. A fab love story where 2 old friends return to their home town and pretend to be together to keep their families off their backs for being single. Fab story and look forward to more from this author

I absolutely devoured this book. It was hard to find a good holiday read this year I honestly don’t know why but Catherine Walsh came like the saviour she is.

This book was the ONLY holiday romance I enjoyed this year and it was obviously because of the tension, the angst and the *hot tub scene*.

Also did I mention she takes care of him when he’s sick?? YES. There’s this trope as well.

The romance was a little fast paced but the drama made up for it. The whole town and the FMC had so much underlying issues and watch all of it unfold and new friendships come forward and old ones getting healed was just heart warming Christmassy stuff that I needed.

I definitely recommend this!!

I absolutely adored this one! This romance was genuinely everything I wanted and more. I loved their initial contact all the way through till the end of their romance - it was sweet, fun, and so romantic. The plot was engaging from the start and had everything I love (particularly fake dating) that I just immediately knew this book was for me.

Don’t get me wrong, there were some pacing issues and I would’ve loved a bit more tension at the start between the two. However, the way their romance developed was just great to see and the plot outside of the main romance was also very engaging and developed. The atmosphere worked perfectly alongside the plot as well and I would especially recommend reading this in the wintery months as it's just the perfect vibe. If you want a light-hearted, cosy, and just genuinely great holiday romance, this one is for you.

Quite simply, I adored this book! It was possibly my favourite of Catherine Walsh’s so far and I’ve loved each of her books!

There is an easy and natural ability to include humour in her writing and in her characters conversations that remind me so much of home (Ireland). Each time I’m reading a new book, I feel an immediate sense of connection, as she writes wonderfully realistic relationships and interactions, along with great romances that have me hooked!

Snowed In was no exception and gave me a perfect reason to settle in for a full day of reading a gorgeous story! It is in my top reads of 2023 and I’ve already passed on word to friends to get stuck in immediately. Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this in advance!

Catherine Walsh's Holiday Romance was a 5-star read for me last holiday season, so of course, this year I could not wait to read book #2 in the series and pick back up with the Fitzpatrick family. Snowed In did not disappoint!! It was the perfect rom-com that I needed. I really loved Megan and Christians chemistry! Highly recommend to anyone looking for a Christmas season rom-com!!

Thank you, Bookouture, and Net Galley, for a gifted copy in return for my honest review!

I LOVED this book!!! A great Christmas book - had the whole package…heartbreak, laughs, true love!!
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of this book!!
My advice go get it now haha!

Catherine Walsh is a new go to rom com author for me! I don’t think I liked this one quite as much as Holiday Romance but still a 5 star read. Amazing banter, sweet families, and a swoony romance. What more could I ask for??

As soon as I finished reading Holiday Romance, I knew Christian needed his own book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about his and Megan's fake dating shenanigans! They had such good chemistry from page one and I adored them both.

Read this book if you like:
-fake dating to lovers
-holiday romances
-to laugh out loud
-cozy cabins
-fun family members

The prologue immediately grabbed my attention full-force. It was such a fun way to start the story and it triggered the pilot episode of Friends in my mind.
Holiday Romance is my favourite Catherine Walsh book so being able to rejoin that world was such a warm welcome.
Christian was so easy to love and the dynamic between him and his father was an interesting this to explore.
Of course I loved every second we got with my beloved Andrew. I love fake dating and I adore forced proximity so these were definite highlights for me.

Catherine Walsh has solidified her place as a favourite of mine with this one.

I loved The Matchmaker by Catherine Walsh, and I found this one to be just as cute and engaging. runaway bride Megan, lonely Christian, Ireland over Christmas, and a fake dating trope! Small town! Cozy cabin vibes! What more could you want in a holiday romance? I also appreciate the lack of third act breakup which I often find frustrating.

Laugh out loud moments that I’ve come to expect from Walsh, cute dialogue and perfect rom com vibes, I would recommend this book to anyone for a quick and easy holiday read.