Review of A Midwinter Match by Jane Lovering
Published by Boldwood Books
Published on the 19th of August 2021

What happens?
After a messy break-up that left her in debt, Ruby, an employment counsellor is shocked to find that her place of work is being merged with another company. Cue fellow Counsellor Zac Drewe arriving on the scene, trouble is there is only one counsellor job. Someone has to go by Christmas. Ruby should hate him, but Zac is a likeable guy with his own problems. Do this pair have a chance for romance and who will get to keep their job?

My thoughts
The story is set around Christmas and there’s plenty of Christmas spirit (mince pies, York in the snow check) but the novel also offered a lot more.
For starters, I believed in each character no matter how small a part they played in the novel. Especially the main character Ruby, who despite all she went through in the novel remained a very likeable character. I admired the strength and reliance the writer gave her and I really empathised for what she and her love interest Zac were going through. I could imagine meeting them on the street. I could also clearly picture their working environment and I felt like an observer in the room, watching all of the drama unfold.
The romance simmered away nicely as the story went on and their personal and professional lives became tangled. It never felt forced or contrived and instead developed naturally making them for me a totally believable couple. I was rooting all the way for them to get together. The writer kept me hooked with the will they won’t they theme going on right to the end. There were also so many brilliant twists and turns that kept coming.

I do think that readers will be able to relate to many of the themes within the novel. For example, as someone who suffers with her own mental ill health, I thought the writer had an excellent understanding of how these conditions affect a person’s daily life. This includes the pressure it can place upon a person’s working environment. Some of the other themes that I thought worked well was the treatment of the employees and the unemployed as portrayed through the character of Miriam.
All in all, a Christmas cracker of a read, I thoroughly recommend it and not just for Christmas. With thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this ARC which I received in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely Christmas themed book. Perfect for a cosy winter night. . . .

The perfect read to cosy up with on a winters night. . . . .

I struggled to get into this at the beginning. But I stuck with it and I did enjoy it!

It was slightly predictable but it was done in such a way that it worked. I really enjoyed the banter between Zak and Ruby throughout the book.

For me, I would have liked a little more going on but overall it was a nice wintery read, perfect for the colder months when you just want to curl up with a book.

This was the first Jane Lovering book I have ever read, but it will definitely not be my last! I loved the style of writing. It only took a couple of pages before I was completely absorbed in Ruby’s story, told first person by Ruby. She was so easy to like and to follow in her ups and downs and challenges after a rough break up and then a surprise merger at work leaving her fighting with a new guy for their position as the new company only had room for one counselor. I was rooting for Ruby right from the start and couldn’t wait to see how it would all pan out.

This story also dealt with mental health, anxiety and dementia in a really moving and touching way, helping readers gain more understanding for what it can really be like to have to deal with something like that. These subject matters, despite being serious are dealt with as part of this sweet story which I feel helps you understand them better.

The story and the characters literally made med smile, laugh out loud and even well up a bit. I loved the message about what we see on the surface is not always the full picture. People everywhere are dealing with all sorts of stuff on a daily basis that we simply cannot know just by looking at them.

What to expect:

✅ lovely mainly character Ruby

✅ quirky housemates

✅ (female) gay best friend/ co-worker

✅ dealing with mental health issues, remembering to cut oneself some slack

✅ handsome Zac, in competition for Ruby’s job

✅ laugh out loud moments

✅ some romance

✅ emotions running high… smiles and tears, not only for the characters in the story 😉

I would like to thank Jane Lovering, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I make so secret of being a Jane Lovering fan, and this latest book just reaffirms my position. Set in the realms of coaching and counselling, A Midwinter Match introduces us to Ruby and Zac. We already know what is troubling Ruby, but slowly we learn about Zac’s problems.
For me, this book has added magic as it is set in York at Christmas. There is magic, just from those points alone. Jane is skilled at adding real depth to her stories, with descriptions of the surrounding areas. I could envisage the details of York Minster as I imagined staring through Ruby’s office window.
As is often the case in Jane’s books, her lead characters are slightly flawed as they battle through life carrying personal burdens. Whilst they are both wary of each other, there is a gentle connection that I found myself willing them to explore.
Of course, there’s more to the story than the lead characters, and it’s the other character’s stories which lead to some of the best twists. In particular, I loved Miriam and Bob, as well as Ruby’s office bestie, Priya, together they had some of the funniest lines in the book.
My takeaway from this book, is that no matter how bleak our personal circumstances may seem, there is often someone with much worse prospects. Finding a way to work through your troubles will help you see life improve.

Lovely therapist Ruby Oldridge has been unlucky in love when her cheating boyfriend scarpers and leaves her with enormous debts. On top of that, her job is at risk when a merger is announced.
A new employee, Zac, is pitted against her but only one will have a job. This tale is full of appreciation and care. The duelers accept that there is more to life than an incoming salary.
A warm uplifting story which reminds us about our life choices.
Funny and wise.

A midwinter Match is a charming story. Ruby and Zac are two sweet characters that were easy to relate to and like. When Ruby and Zac’s companies merge, their identical positions mean one of them will be out. Unfortunately, they are left to compete for the job. Ruby didn’t want to get to know Zac, but ultimately circumstances force them to get to know each other. Both character have relatable issues. The topics of dementia, anxiety and depression as well and financial crisis added to the depth of the story. I appreciated how the relationship between these two characters progressed slowly and their personal issues were handled with care. This is my first Jane Lovering book, but I will want to read more.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Publishing for the arc. This is my honest review.

The tag line of this book asks you to “fall in love as the snow falls…” and I definitely have fallen in love whilst reading this book. I’ve fallen in love with the story, the characters and the author’s easy and comfortable style.

I have to say I was hooked into the story from the beginning, which came as a surprise to me as it usually takes me a little while to get into books in this genre, especially if the author is new to me. The story is dramatic from the beginning, with all the changes at Ruby’s work. The tension and friction that exists between Zac and Ruby, as well as the competitions and the mystery surrounding Zac’s personal life.

This is a poignant and powerful exploration of anxiety too, which adds a deeper layer to this book that I don’t often see of books in this genre. Ruby and Zac remind us of the importance of never judging someone, as you really don’t know what is going behind closed doors, or that put-on smile. Ruby in particular explores how one significant event can trigger anxiety within us and can cause it to impact our entire lives in some shape or form. I could definitely identify with her character and her struggles during these discussions.

My favourite part of this book is probably the ending. Definitely unexpected in some ways, it is also an ending full of hope for a happy ever after. Overall, this has been a wonderful introduction to this author’s work and I would recommend this book to fans of Beth O’ Leary and Rachel Marks. I look forward to reading more by this author, and of course reviewing more uplifting and beautiful winter stories on this blog, in the run up to Christmas!

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc.

I adored this book, it was heartfelt and festive and I loved the descriptions of York. Each year I travel to york for the day to go to the Christmas Markets and as I couldn’t go last year it really made me nostalgic for the years previous. I can’t wait to read this again at Christmas time.

This was such a lovely and easy read, perfect for the upcoming Christmas season. I must also give a special mention to how absolutely stunning the cover is.

Highly recommend.

An enjoyable read and relax novel that will hold you from the first page. Tow lives brought together but only one can win. Or can they? read to find out what happens. Jane always produces great books and this is no different. A 5 star well written novel.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this eARC

Moving and funny at the same time. That's how A Midwinter Match is. Makes you laugh out loud one moment and makes you well up moments later.
I love Jane Lovering's style, it's always so easy to read, poignant, yet funny.
There were a couple of hard themes for a rom-com (anxiety, depression, dementia) and were touched gently and skillfully and added a lot of depth to the story. My heart went out to Zac and his mum, their relationship really touched me and Zac's too little jumpers will stay with me for a while.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to review this book.

Ruby has had her heartbroken by Gareth and left with a number of debts.

Good at her job till she faces the competition of vying for her job with Zac.

Set in the beautiful city of York, get cosy as the snow starts to fall around you.

A real focus on mental health throughout the book and wanting to help others.

🌟🌟🌟🌟

I did get a bit bored with this book and ended up skipping some of it, there is only so much "thinking" and missing most of a conversation that an happen, it has a really promising start and then jumped 8 months and although the author may have revisited and we found out what happened on that day, I lost interest and skipped to the Epilogue.

I didn't really get a feel for the characters, they didn't seem very likable.

Sorry, this just wasn't for me

#AMidwinterMatch by #JaneLovering.
Ruby and Zac are both employment counsellors helping people get back to work. Their two jobs are going to become just one post, which pitts Ruby and Zac against eachother. That is until a difficult case means they need to work as a team, and they realise they aren’t so different after all.
This book has a strong focus on mental health, and to be fair, Jane Lovering writes about these issues with realistic honesty and sensitivity. Ruby’s own struggles were very true to life and moving. That said, she was still a strong character who was good at her job, but sadly struggled to take her own advice.
There were some great discriptions of the beautiful city of York. It was especially warm and cosy as the story was set at Christmas time. Christmas was very much part of the setting rather than the focus of the story.
This book was a little predictable, which isn’t the end of the world, it was still a well thought out, insightful and enjoyable read.
With thanks to #Netgalley and #BoldwoodBooks for an ARC.
Publication date, 19/8/21
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐⭐⭐ .5
Ruby Oldbridge is a great employment counselor. Her advice is awesome. Same with Zac Drewe ~ he is Mr. Positive.
The Department decide to merge this two offices.. Hmm Mr. Positive is not so positive about this merge nor is great/awesome counselor Ruby.
These two are going out of their way not to work together.

Romance is not my typical genre; but I do like Christmas and aww this cover!!!
Have to admit I was hoping for a ‘feel good’ story.
This did not disappoint.

Want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for my honest professional opinion.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for August 19, 2021

A Midwinter Match - Jane Lovering

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Ruby Oldbridge needs to learn to take her own advice. 

A brilliant counsellor at work in York, she is however floundering in her own life. Her romantic track record is woeful, her finances are in a pickle, and she’s back in a house-share after splitting up with her useless ex.

We have reached that time of year again when the happily ever after predictable Christmas romances come out - personally I feel that knowing how a book is going to end allows me to enjoy the rest of the book so much more. This was no exception, such a heart-warming and comforting book to curl up with.

Zac and Ruby are forced to compete for their jobs, once they choose to connect instead of compete they may find that they have more in common than they first thought. Whilst this book takes place at Christmas, this is in no way the main feature of the book and so I feel that this book could be enjoyed at any time of year.

Jane deals with mental health issues, as well as stress and anxiety in such a mature way and in a realistic, relatable way.

Rating 4/5

It's been at least a few years since I last read a Jane Lovering book, and having just finished A Midwinter Match, I can't for the life of me work out why I left it so long to read another! For this is fabulous.

The characters are incredibly real, they really do jump off the page and into your hearts, their struggles become yours and I found myself hoping things would improve for them.

There is a huge mental health theme in this book, which is dealt with sensitively and that is just one of a few trickier topics that are covered, adding to the grit and realism of this story.

Ruby and Zac are basically up against each other for the same job after a merger in their companies, and have very different ways of doing their job. They are counsellors to help people work out how go get themselves back into the workplace. And I loved Ruby's huge compassion throughout the book.

And their big "problem" client I really liked, and loved seeing how Ruby tried to help her.

Set to a Yorkshire winter backdrop, this was a great snapshot at Ruby and Zac's lives, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them both. This really was a book with heart and grit, and had me smiling for the conclusion.

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

Ruby Oldbridge works for an organisation that helps the long-term unemployed retrain and/or find employment, Ruby specialises in counselling her clients to really get to the bottom of what is holding them back. She walks into work one day to find that her company has merged with their arch rivals, a company with a more 'strident' approach to getting people back into gainful employment. Even worse, Ruby will have to compete with her counterpart from the other firm, Zac Drewe, for the single counselling role going forwards.

The blurb for this book led me to think that Ruby was some kind of psychologist rather than a private add-on to the Job Centre, I was imagining an English equivalent of Dr House, glamorous, gifted but with a car-crash private life. What I got was much more downbeat; a woman with anxiety disorder and huge debts, living in a box room house-share, working for unappreciative bosses and ungrateful clients.

I love Jane Lovering, but this time she gave me such a downbeat holiday romance I just didn't feel the love-factor. Maybe its because I had insomnia and finished this at 3:00am, who knows.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.