I loved this fourth book in he series. I liked how it was a double sequel to The Rumor and the Winter Street series. I really love the Quinn’s and will miss them.  Thanks to Netgalley for granting me an ARC of this book. I am glad Bart found his soul mate. I also liked the other happy endings. I hate that Kelly passed away.

The fourth book in the Winter Trilogy is as every bit as good as the firs three, although since this really does seem to be in the end of the Quinn family saga it is more than bittersweet.  Patrick and Jennifer finally work things out; Kevin and Isabelle are doing well, Bart finally gets his act together, and Kelley and Mitzi wonder if it is time to sell the inn.  The story is warm comforting tinged with a bit of nostalgia but it is a wonderful homage to family and,  of course,  Nantucket.

What a fitting end to a great Winter series! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book from NetGalley. I love Elin's books but the last couple of summer ones have left me lukewarm; the characters were incredibly unlikeable. The Winter series on the other hand, is a delight. All of the characters' stories seem to have been wrapped up in this one except for Kevin and Isabelle who seem to be a non-factor throughout. Except for Isabelle and Jennifer; that storyline was sort of left open but I thought Jennifer dealt with Isabelle a lot better than I would've. A little bit of the end felt rushed but that didn't take away from my enjoying every last word. I am sad that our time at the inn but I feel like it's been wrapped up in the best possible way! Highly recommend!

Elin Hilderbrand never fails to disappoint - except this is the last book in the Winter Street series - so sad to see the Quinns family saga end. She does a great job wrapping up the series. KUDOS!

Winter Solstice is an amazing and beautifully written novel, about living, loving, and weathering the storms that show up in life. The author draws the reader deep into the heart of the Quinn family, a healing, blended family from Nantucket. Kelly Quinn is dying from brain cancer. He is fortunate, though, to have a good relationship with his children, his current wife, Mitzi, and his ex-wife, Margaret. Although Margaret and Mitzi are cordial and work together now for the children and Kelly’s sake, that had not always been the case. Margaret’s children, Patrick, Kevin, and Ava have all lived under Mitzi and Kelly’s roof for years; along with Bart, Mitzi and Kelly’s only child. All of the children in this book are grown and struggle with some very adult issues. 

The author’s writing is sharp and descriptive. She effortlessly places the reader deep into each character’s life. I came to know the characters intimately and cared for them all. I felt their pain, their struggles, and their joy. Because the author covers a wide range of topics and difficulties, readers will easily be able to identify with some of the character’s experiences; such as love and betrayal, choices and consequences, selfishness and sacrifice and forgiveness and acceptance. Nobody is perfect, and everyone must live with the consequences of their decisions. Pain is a part of life, but so is joy, acceptance, and love. 

I had a hard time keeping the characters straight at first. But, once I did, I couldn’t put the book down. Winter Solstice is an in-depth, enjoyable, and well-written read.

Thank you, Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley, for my advanced review copy.

Winter Solstice
Elin Hilderbrand
Available: October 3, 2017
Thank you to NetGalley.com for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
A trilogy that turned into a quad – Christmasy Nantuckety Fluff. Nothing of real substance – but in the author’s defense it IS a novella AND she had to whip it up pretty darn quickly so kudos for integrating a few other Nantucket characters (why hasn’t she done this before???), making me shed a tear 
What I loved:   Its all wrapped up in a Christmas bow. Time to move on – hints are in the book as well as if you read the Q&A with the author at the end. If you’ve read all of her books – its kind of earthshattering!
What I didn’t love:  Kevin’s wife Isabelle has never been my favorite (perhaps because we’ve never been inside of her head?) and I think she’s secretly jealous of the entire Quinn family because larger families can require more time and attention.
What I learned:  Maybe its time to take a little break from  New England and head somewhere warmer.
Overall Grade:  B

www.FluffSmutandMurder.com

And so it ends.  adore this series. I heard this is the last one, and she all but confirmed it in an author's note at the end, which makes me sad. Kelly does die (I was worried he would in my review for book 3) but the family soldiers on, the characters continue and everything is moving forward. They're all fleshed out and wonderful. There are resolutions but also loose ends. The story could easily continue and I hope it does. Yay for Christmas in August!

A nice ending to a series that will forever hold a special place in my heart. Elin Hilderbrand is one of the top authors to read for women's fiction and sweet romance novels as the characters are realistic, the plots mature and intriguing, and the overall story-line addicting. While this one felt a bit abrupt for the last one in the series, it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the book. I very much recommend this one, and frankly, anything that Elin writes. Her books stand apart from other others as she has a unique flair in her writing.

We're gathered  with the Quinn family once more for the holidays, and it's a treat. Elin's characters are always richly nuanced which makes for wonderful storytelling.

Hilderbrand has given her readers a truly beautiful ending to the QUinn family. What started as a Christmas story in Winter Stroll, has come full circle in WInter Solstice.
ALl the Quinn regulars are in attendance plus some a few favorites from The Rumor, all blended together few final story of The Quinn family.
Kelly and Mitzie are still together, although Kelly now has terminal cancer and Mitzie wants to sell the Inn
Jenn and Paddy are finally back on ground financially - almost - and now Jennifer is offered a job that will change their family forever and may impact her marriage in a way she would rather it not.
Ava is In Ny and Potter is still around, although he is having trouble with his son PJ who lives in California and is an obnoxious boy to the say the least.
ANd last, Bart, the war hero come home is still trying to adjust to his freedom.
And from the RUMOR, the Panciks, Eddie, Grace and Allega are back. Eddie is out of jail, Allegra is reforming, but Grace may still be harboring feelings for the man she had an affair with.
In all, this was a heartfelt ending to a family story that touches anyone' life.
I hightly recommend it

Elin Hilderbrand does it again!  Fun visiting with some previous characters