I like Erin's writing; however, i felt like this book lacked her usual brilliance. I pushed through reading it. It wasn't a horrible book, it just didn't capture my interest.

Find a comfy place to hunker down, grab your favorite winter beverage, and prepare to say farewell to the Quinns.

Book 4 is a wrap up to our beloved family saying goodbye to the patriarch, Kelley. Is it neat and tidy? Yes. Is it pretty perfect? Yes. Do I care? No. I love the Quinn family and all of their unique stories.

My only qualm with this one, which was why I went to 3.5 when I gave all the others a solid 4, was Kevin and Isabelle were pretty much non-existent. And too much Jennifer. She is married into the Quinns, and we got more of her than we did either of the two oldest boys. With this being the last book, I was not a fan of that, nor that Eddie and his family (from The Rumor) had such a huge part.

This was a quick read that ends the Quinn family saga.

MY REVIEW:

Set primarily on the charming island of Nantucket, Elin Hilderbrand’s Winter series follows the ups and downs of the Quinn family over the course of about four years. At the heart of this series is a strong focus on the importance of love, family, friendship, and loyalty, but there is also a healthy dose of drama so as to keep things from getting too saccharin-sweet. I binge-read this series this year as part of a holiday readathon and fell in love with the Quinn family right away. Everyone in the family is just so endearing and I became invested in all of them from the very first book in the series.

Winter Solstice is the fourth and final installment of the series, so much of this book is about saying goodbye to this family that readers have grown to love over the course of the previous books. The Winter series was actually originally intended to be trilogy. I thought the third book left too many things unresolved, however, so I was thrilled to find out a fourth book had been added to the series. I can’t say that I was ready to say goodbye to the Quinns yet, but I think Winter Solstice gives them the sendoff they deserve and gives fans proper closure.


What makes this series such a good read for me is how realistic it is when it comes to the Quinn family and the trials and tribulations that they go through. I don’t want to go into too much detail since it would spoil the earlier books to do so, but what they go through is the same kind of drama that most families go through -- the family drama, complicated relationships, cheating, addiction, financial difficulties, the emotional turmoil when a child in the military is deployed and sent thousands of miles from home, and so much more. Of course some of the Quinn’s drama is ratcheted up Desperate Housewives-style for the added entertainment value, but overall, those ups and downs are very relatable for many readers and so it’s easy to become invested in what they’re going through and to feel tremendous sympathy for them.

In addition to the realistic domestic drama that we get throughout the series, I also loved the characters Hilderbrand created. Even when they are at their worst and doing things that I want to scream at them for doing, I still couldn’t help but love the Quinns. I’m a sucker for a well-drawn, flawed, utterly human character and that description fits all of the Quinns to a T. I especially loved Kelley, the family patriarch. He’s such a good man and his love for his family just shines through in every book of the series. That’s not to say he doesn’t make his fair share of mistakes along the way, but I still just adored him. I found it harder to say goodbye to him than to any of the other characters so, in that sense, Winter Solstice was somewhat bittersweet for me.

Another highlight of the series, and especially of Winter Solstice, was watching the journeys of the four Quinn siblings as they navigate their way through the messy world of adulthood. Many mistakes are made along the way, but if there is an overriding theme in Winter Solstice, I’d say it’s about second chances (or even third and fourth chances) – the idea that no matter how many times you mess up or how badly, you can still recover and move forward.
The setting of the novel is, of course, a huge highlight and also what gives the series its holiday charm. It’s set in Nantucket and the charming Winter Street Inn during the Christmas holiday season. It immediately made me think of snow and snuggling up in front of the fireplace. It doesn’t get much more atmospheric than that!

Even though I really enjoyed Winter Solstice overall, I still had a couple of issues with it. One was that sometimes it just seemed like too much was going on. Since the book was primarily about saying goodbye to the Quinns, I would have liked the book to focus solely on the Quinns and knowing that each of them was going to live happily ever after, so to speak. There seemed to be a few random subplots running through this novel that distracted a bit from that.

The addition of new character ‘Fast Eddie’ was the biggest distraction. While Eddie served somewhat of a purpose in Winter Solstice, I didn’t feel like he was important enough to the overall plot to have entire chapters devoted to his messy love life and his real estate endeavors. In my mind, he was a secondary character and I didn’t care about him aside from what he could do to help the Quinns when they needed his real estate knowledge. I think the series would have closed much stronger with Eddie’s presence minimized. Eddie’s huge presence in Winter Solstice was especially frustrating because we actually didn’t have much of a storyline for Kevin Quinn and his wife, Isabelle. Yes, of all of the Quinn siblings, they were probably the closest to having their act together by the fourth book, but I still would have liked more of them.

Even though I had some issues with it, Winter Solstice still provides a satisfying ending to the Winter series. Even though I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the Quinns, I’m quite content with the path Hilderbrand has set them on. If you’re looking for a heart-warming holiday-themed series that focuses on love and family, but that also has plenty of dramatic flair, the Winter series is a good bet.

RATING: 3.5 STARS

I am a huge fan of Elin Hilderbrand. When I saw her latest book - the fourth in a trilogy (yes, four, because the first three were so fabulous and not enough to wrap up the series) Winter Solstice I knew I needed to read it. Elin Hilderbrand is the author of quite a few of my indulgent summer-beach reading, and they have been the perfect stories to escape into. The Winter Street series are set mostly on Nantucket Island, and this final story is based in the fall and winter.

The family Quinn are an eclectic sprawling family with lots of ties on the island and all over the world. Kelley was married to Margaret originally, had three children Patrick, Ava, and Kevin. Eventually Kelley and Margaret parted ways, and he married Mitzi; together they had a son, Bart. This is the final story in the series, and a lot of loose ends are tied up. For me it is nice to have closure on all the individual stories, especially knowing that the series is concluding. The best part of being a reader is that the author can provide me with resolution to the story lines. I like knowing that each of the characters I have read about and come to know have overcome struggle and adversity and are facing the world stronger and ready to move on. That is one of the joys in reading fiction -fiction can be realistic, and can be related to, but it does not have to end in chaos or unhappiness, as the reality of life often does.

The ending is obvious from the beginning - Kelley's cancer is back and it is terminal. Still, knowing that in advance, the ending brought me to tears with a few simple, beautiful words. Kelley is looking for the permission to let go, and when he realizes he has it, it is with a sense of relief he slips away. Each of his family members live their lives throughout the course of the story, but all converge back in Nantucket for the winter solstice. Excellent metaphor for the shortest day of the year - as Kelley observes. "Do you know what the best thing about the winter solstice is?" he wants to tell Mitzi. "After today the days will get longer." Thanks you for such a beautiful ending to a really nice series

I don't want to say goodbye to the Quinns but I sadly must close the door on this engaging family! This was a great wrapup to an even better series. I love a Hilderbrand book in the summer, but this was a great series for the winter.

Elin Hilderbrand is just good stuff. I love her. All of her books have fed my obsession with romance, food and all things Nantucket. I haven't met a Elin Hilderbrand book I didn't like

Hilderbrand never disappoints - this book is perfect to curl up and read on these cozy winter days. The characters suck you in and keep the pages turning, great read!

I read the entire four-book series in about a week. Elin has created a family drama that sucks you in and won't let you go until you find out what happens to each person. I'm kind of glad I didn't start reading the series until they were all out. The Quinns are imperfect and lovable. I enjoyed hearing the story through so many perspectives. Such an engaging and fun holiday read.

I read the first 3 books in the trilogy before diving into Winter Solstice - I was so moved by the ending that I needed a moment before writing my review. First, readers do not need to have read the trilogy before reading Winter Solstice, but knowing the background does add to the depth of the reading experience. Of course I enjoyed the characters and the Quinn family dynamic - the setting, Nantucket, almost takes on the role of a character in the previous novels but in Solstice, not as much. I enjoyed meeting characters from other Hilderbrand novels in Winter Solstice as well. Such a quick, pleasant novel that I simply devoured overnight. Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to preview #WinterSolstice in exchange for my review, and thanks to #ElinHilderbrand for another beautifully written novel. I loved every word!

The final book in this series, book four and these books build on each other, so again you don't want to proceed if you haven't read the first three books as I may spoil a thing or two.

Bart is back home after more than two years as POW. Ava has found a direction and is headed down a path. Kevin is happy and finally feeling like a success. The other family members each have their own issues they are confronting.

This was probably my least favorite out of all of the books in the series. There is a new character introduced and it takes a bit to realize why he is in this book and I get why he was introduced, but I didn't love that he took away the focus on the family. I might would have limited his chapters in the book, I am not sure we needed his perspective.

Beware this book can make you feel all the feels and you may need a tissue and I wouldn't advise reading it in public! I won't say what sends you down the road of feels, but it is real. I think I am glad that this series ends here. I like that it is four books full of the family, but is finished and complete.

I didn't want this book to end. This journey with the Quinn family has been so enjoyable. Though the four books I was able to see such grown and change in the characters and seeing them all come somewhat full circle to where they need to be was very good. Certainly we are left with questions, what will happen to Bart and Allegra, what will happen to Mitzi?
While I admit these books are much lighter to many I read this is perfect for the hectic holiday season, and I can recommend highly.

I didn't enjoy this story nearly as much as other Elin Hilderbrand books that I've read. The story was ok but I had problems with staying focused. I felt like the pace was a little slow for me.

If you’re a fan of Elin Hilderbrand, you will know these characters already, and Winter Solstice will not disappoint. If you’re not already a fan, jumping in with this book will give you a taste of Nantucket, and make you want to get the whole story on this Winter Street group.

4.5 Stars

Elin Hilderbrand might be the queen of the beach read, but she has proven with her Winter Street series that she can write lovely, heartwarming, captivating holiday novels with a cast of memorable, empathetic, warm characters that are just as wonderful! Actually, I think her Winter Street series might be my favorite of all her books. I was thrilled when I found out she was writing book 4 to add to the trilogy since I still had questions after reading Winter Storms (book 3 in the trilogy), and I selfishly just wanted to spend more time with the Quinn family, imagine the inn all decked out for Christmas, pretend Ava is playing and singing Christmas carols (except for Jingle Bells!), and feel the warmth and love of this family encompass me once more during this time of year!

 I want to say that although you can read Winter Solstice by itself, I do recommend that you read the first three books in the series first-Winter Street, Winter Stroll, and Winter Storms! You won't regret it, and you will get all the backstory you need to make sure you understand everything about Kelley and Mitzi, Margaret (Kelley's ex-wife), Ava, Patrick, and Kevin (Kelley and Margaret's children), and Bart (Kelley and Mitzi's son).  The 1st three books are such wonderful reads that you will definitely want to add them to your holiday book collection too! 

Winter Solstice begins not long after Winter Storms ends, and we find out how each member of the Quinn family is doing since we last spent time with them. Since I've spent the last three holidays with the family, it was like reconnecting with old friends.  These are far from perfect characters, and they have all certainly had their share of dramas, troubles, and squabbles, but I think that is one reason why I have loved this series so much. They are like a real family, and it is their love, warmth, hope, forgiveness, and faith for and in one another that has shone forth in every novel. That was especially true and poignant in Winter Solstice as the family prepares to say their own final, so sad goodbye to one of their own family members (I needed my box of tissues!), but I'm not going to say anything more about that since I don't want to spoil the who that person is for anyone who hasn't read the books. 

The book introduces some new characters into the series as cameos although if you've read The Rumor then you'll already be familiar with "Fast Eddie," his wife Grace, and twin daughters Allegra and Hope (who makes an appearance in name only)! The Rumor is one of my favorite of Hilderbrand's beach reads, so it was fun to see where the Pancik family is now, and their storyline blended so seamlessly into the parts Hilderbrand wove them that I almost felt like they had been part of the  Winter Street stories all along. It must have been the Nantucket magic working its charm although in truth it was Hilderbrand's magical way with prose! I know every time I read one of Hilderbrand's books I feel transported on Nantucket because she makes you feel like you are right there on the island with the way she brings it alive with her words but more so this time around...maybe it was holiday magic at work too!

One of my favorite things about this novel was it focuses on Bart, who was a United States Marine held as a POW during the 1st three books, so this time we learn all about him and of his difficulties readjusting to civilian life...and some unexpected love that comes his way! I'd felt a little letdown after book 3 that even though I was terribly glad Bart was finally back safely from Afghanistan, that the reader got such a short time with his character, so book 4 definitely more than made up for that! 

Honestly, I was both achingly sad and happy reading this final goodbye, but this really was a fabulous yet apt and bittersweet conclusion to the series! However, be ready to shed plenty of tears because you can't say a final farewell to this wonderful family without crying because the ending is highly emotional and well, you're saying bye again although there are plenty of shared laughs to be had along the way!

Thank you, Quinn family, and Ms. Hilderbrand, for all the laughter and tears, as well as all the lessons about family, love, and friendship in Winter Solstice, as well as over the past 3 years. I highly recommend reading this lovely, heartwarming, yet tearful read while curled up in front of a roaring fire, sipping on hot cocoa like I did! 

**Thank you, NetGalley, Little, Brown and Co., and Elin Hilderbrand for a ARC in exchange for my honest and fair review. **

If you are a fan of the series, I’d definitely recommend checking it out. This is not a series that will make sense if you read them out of order. There’s a lot that happens from year to year and the stories build on that and the relationships. It’s not as Christmas-y as the previous ones, as it ends on Christmas day, but it’s a good book to read in the months leading up to Christmas to help you get in the mood.

For full review, check out my blog www.booksbeautyandbuys.com

This was actually the best of the four books for me. Very touching and I liked how everything got basically tied up in the end. Much better than the previous book (which was supposed to be the last one). Still get annoyed at the author's namedropping and her insistent use of first and last names repetitively, but overall this was a good conclusion to the series.

This is the last installment in Elin Hilderbrand’s Winter series and I would be lying if it wasn’t bittersweet for me. I have highly enjoyed this series that centers around the Quinn family who over the years have had their ups and downs. In this book, we get a glimpse of all the Quinn family members but I love how we really get to know Bart’s story. Bart is trying to readjust to “normal” life after being held captive while in the service and is slowly trying to find his way back with his family. We also see Bart get a love interest, someone from one of Elin’s past novels. I love how she intertwines her characters from other books, I really do like the pairing of these two and hope that we get to see them again, maybe even in their own book? Fingers crossed!

I found this book perfectly tied up some storylines but like always there is always something that leaves them open to being picked up later. I found the storyline of Kelly to be quite touching, his health isn’t at its best but he gets to see all of his family together one last time and that makes everything worthwhile to him.

This is the perfect ending to a series I found completely satisfying. The Quinn family was one who made me laugh, cry and I found myself fully invested in their lives as if they were real. You could always find someone to relate to and that was refreshing to know. Elin Hilderbrand always brings it in her novels and this series was no exception, so if you haven’t do yourself a favor and get to know the Quinn’s like I have trust me you won't be disappointed.

Perfect ending to the winter series. You laugh, you cry, it's all there.

There is a little bit of everything ; love, family, friendship, life, loss, sorrow...

For every Hilderbrand's fan ; you won't be disappointed, really.

I soaked up the first three books in the Winter trilogy around Christmas time last year and quite enjoyed being immersed in the Quinn's life and times. There was always something fun or interesting to read about the many characters. I was happy to hear about an unexpected addition to the series coming out this year and even more delighted to receive an advanced review copy from Netgalley. This book had the same beloved Quinn family characters that we have all grown to love as well as a few new additions. It was a fun read told from many different perspectives. I loved that Bart was such a prominent character since he wasn't as much in the other three novels. There were happy and sad moments in this book, but it was the usual Christmassy Nantucket story that was enjoyable to read. The acknowledgements section was also quite good.