Title: Dreaming of Christmas
Author: T.A. Williams
Narrated by: Anne Marie Piazza
Publisher: Saga Egmont Audio
Length: Approximately 7 hours and 59 minutes
Source: Review Copy from NetGalley. Thank-you!


Zoe Lumsley was dumped on Christmas Eve by her long-term boyfriend Grant. It’s taken her a year, but she is starting to put her life back together. She gets an invitation from her old college friend turned IT entrepreneur, Billy, to spend Christmas in the Alps with her college friends. Unfortunately as Bill is a reclusive Tech millionaire, her boss wants her to write an exclusive piece on Billy to keep her job. Also unfortunately, Grant will be attending. While Zoe enjoys her time with her friends, will she be able to move on from Grant? What will she do about the article her work wants her to write?

I loved the atmosphere of this book. The descriptions of the Austrian ski trip were delightful. I am ready for a Christmas trip to Austria! I also loved how Zoe was the friend that all of the other friends talked to, and we got to learn their stories. I also enjoyed Zoe’s growth and she put together what she wanted out of life and love.

Anne Marie Piazza had a soothing voice and was a good narrator. I loved her British accent!

SPOILER ALERT – What I didn’t like was that it seemed pretty apparent early on who the love interest would be, but it was very confusing as he was married. It turned out to be a “fake marriage.” It didn’t really make sense to me at all. If he was in love with Zoe and wanted to win her love, why would he show up with a fake wife? This was the only thing I didn’t like about the story, but it was a pretty major flaw. – SPOILER END

Overall, Dreaming of Christmas is a fun Christmas story with a great setting and interesting characters. The romance didn’t work for me as well as it could have.

Dreaming of Christmas by T. A. Williams
Narrated by Anne Marie Piazza
Publisher: Saga Egmont Audio
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Romance, Women's Fiction
Publication Date: October 29, 2021

Dreaming of Christmas by T. A. Williams is a standalone holiday romance.

I wanted to enjoy this book, but found it fell flat. I actually sped up the speed on the narration in hopes of finishing it sooner.

The story was ok, but moved slowly. I felt like this was missing something and I struggled to get into it. I kept hoping for more, so I finished the book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book is the perfect holiday romance, a quick and easy listen. The narrator really brought the story to life and really painted the picture of the setting and characters in such a way that it felt as if I was watching a Hallmark Christmas movie! Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Egmont Audio for a copy of this audiobook for an honest review.

I loved the beginning - first half - of this story, and I thought I was reading a 5 star read. But towards the end it started to not be as enjoyable. I didn’t like the way the book ended. It was a disappointing end for me.

Yes - listen to it.

It's a great pre-Christmas get away story. It was wonderful to imagine oneself in the Alps during the holidays. Very intriguing storyline. I loved the characters. A few twists & turns that kept my interest. Just an easy holiday story to get into.

I received an ARC audiobook from Netgalley to help prepare my honest review.

This was pretty cute. I kind of assumed what the ending was going to be but it didn't take away from the book too much for me. I really liked Zoe and the setting of an Austrian ski vacation was super fun. The romance was cute and I enjoyed seeing them get together. Also love the LGBTQ+ content. There was a great mix of drama in the story and so many fun side characters.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Saga Egmont Audio for my copy of Dreaming of Christmas by T. A. Williams narrated by Anne Marie Piazza in exchange for an honest review. It published October 29, 2021.
I just loved this book! I loved the characters, I loved the relationships, I loved the character development and I especially loved the Austrian setting at Christmas! Talk about giving you wanderlust!
If you love a sweet Christmas romance that is not open-door at all, you will definitely love this one!

Zoe has just received an invitation to spend the Christmas week in Austria. It will be with the residents of

#23, their university digs over 10 years ago. It will be a wonderful experience to meet up again in a wintry

wonderland, apart from the fact that her nasty ex-partner, Grant will be there. They were all so fortunate that

Computer Billy had arranged such a wonderful reunion..

This is a lovely story about making change happen and not just waiting. Looking ahead and not at the past.

I enjoyed this book very much . A glistening uplifting gem.

Dreaming of Christmas was a cozy wintery and festive read for me.

This holiday/wintery book was a bit different than what I was imagining.

Christmas in the alps and a reunion with old friends and flatmates sounded absolutely magical.

However, it turned out to be more than just that.

It became about the importance of friendship, self-worth, personal growth and knowing when and how to let go of things and people that aren’t good for you or your life.

I really enjoyed seeing the development of our main character Zoe, because she was not too keen on celebrating Christmas at all, especially after her boyfriend of 10 years had dumped her out of nowhere on Christmas eve one year before! Honestly, who would be in the mood to celebrate when it just brought up those memories?

But Zoe’s dead-end job at a tabloid magazine and memories of Christmas past make her decide she really doesn’t have anything to lose when old friend and flatmate Billy (former computer geek now turned millionaire!) sends her an invitation for a luxurious holiday all expenses paid in the Alps, along with all their old friends.

After some convincing from her best friend Juliette. she decides to go and just live in the moment, enjoying skiing as much as possible and have a lovely magical Christmas… and try to cope with the fact that her ex will also be present at this getaway reunion.

Are her feelings for him still there? Or is there someone new in the horizon?
Where do her priorities and self-love lie?


It wasn’t quite what I was expecting, and it kept me wondering till pretty much the end where a certain aspect would come into play, but it was setup in a nice way even if a bit rushed at the end.

It was cozy, wintery, festive and… surprising. It was what I needed in the moment and I really enjoyed it.


Thank you ever so much to NetGalley and Saga Egmont Audio for providing me with an audio copy in exchange for my review and honest opinion.

#DreamingofChristmas #NetGalley

Review of Dreaming of Christmas by T. A. Williams - Audiobook

I really enjoyed this book. The story was about Zoe, a girl getting over a broken heart after being dumped on Xmas eve the year before. Fast forward a year and a bunch of old university friends, Zoe included get back together and meet up to spend the holiday season in the Alps. The bad news is her ex is there as well, having met back in university and being part of that crowd. This is the perfect setting for a Xmas book which gives you all the warm holiday feelings. Recommended

I had the audiobook which I found was well read, easy to listen to, clear and concise.

Dreaming of Christmas by T.A. Williams is another holiday romance book. It started off very slowly and honestly even closer to the end I was left wondering if there was going to be any point. For me, the book dragged a lot and almost didn't feel like there were strong emotions, even in the relationships that there were supposed to be. I felt like the interpersonal relationships lacked chemistry. I did love Zoe's relationship with Bella though.

I enjoyed the ending, but in general I think there was just a lot of time that there wasn't enough emotional pull to the book. Overall, it was a good book, but it's not necessarily a standout in the saturated Christmas story competition.

I received a copy of the audiobook from netgalley in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I stopped listening to Dreaming of Christmas at 20%. Zoe, our heroine, is extremely judgmental, and I am so tired of hearing her inner thoughts. So far, she has slut shamed, fat shamed, and nerd shamed. I also can’t stand the various voices that this narrator is using for the different characters.

Dumped on Christmas Eve.

The setting of the book is amazing, the Austrian backdrop, snow capped mountains, a reunion of uni friends hosted/put together by a billionaire friend is more than someone can ask for. Zoe is hesitant to go, fearing her ex, Grant, will be there.

Enter Billy, who is happily married to a beautiful wife. He takes an interest in Zoe and lavishes her with amazing gifts. Through the gorgeous landscape of Austria, they ski (if that's what you call what Zoe does), and deepen their connection.

The characters were typical, very Hallmark like, as was the story. I still loved it and find that it's one of the best Christmas books this season!

I listened to this via the NetGalley app.

I just reviewed Dreaming of Christmas by T. A. Williams. #DreamingofChristmas #NetGalley in exchange for this review.

I enjoyed the twist and turns in this Christmas story. I thought I knew where it was going but it had me questioning it throughout.

I started off my Christmas themed reading by listening to Dreaming of Christmas by T. A. Williams and it was a good start indeed.

Zoe gets dumped by her longtime boyfriend Grant on Christmas eve. Exactly a year later she is invited, alongwith a few old University friends/flatmates, to an all expenses paid skiing holiday to Austria organised by one of the group member Billy. Zoe is excited about the vacation and at the prospect of meeting her old friends after a decade but is also wary: her ex Grant will also be there with his new girlfriend, the woman he dumped Zoe for while her boss dangles the promise of a promotion on the condition that she gets all the inside scoop on her friend Billy who is now a tech multi millionaire.

Even if there is not much in terms of a holiday romance in the book, Dreaming of Christmas hits all the right cozy spots with its setting and description of Austria, the snowy Alps, the skiing and the wonderful resort hotel. This is the second book written by T. A. Williams I have listened to and he knows how to bring a tourist destination to life with his descriptive and charming writing which is supported very well in this audiobook version by Anne Marie Piazza's narration.

My thanks to NetGalley, the audio publisher Saga Egmont Audio and the author T. A. Williams for the audio ARC of the book.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

Dumped by her long term partner at Christmas Zoey is dreading the start of another festive season until she is invited to spend the holidays at a luxury hotel in Austria. Billy a shy nerdy boy she met at university had become billionaire and is gathering his old friends together for a decadent Christmas reunion.

Beautifully narrated by Anne Marie Piazza this audiobook was sublime like a decadent hot chocolate wrapped in snow, glitter and romance.

I liked the mix of tangled relationships and the cast of interesting characters brought to life amid the themes of renewal and reunion. Zoey was really likeable and the central love story unexpected but sweet and lovely.

Commenced my #christmasreading & am so happy I read it!!

DREAMING OF CHRISTMAS by T. A. Williams.
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Narrated by Anne Marie Piazza.
Saga Egmont Audio.
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GENRE: Holiday Fiction, Gen. Fiction (A), Romance, Women Fiction.

SOURCE: @netgalley
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233 pgs of a heartwarming read 📚. I havenot read something like this, for quite sometime.. something cozy, sweet & realistic with a happy ending which leaves you smiling & teary eyed.

The writing is simple but consuming, I read it in one go!

This is the story of a girl next-door, ZOE Lumsley, a journalist, who had a 10 year old relationship with GRANT, right from uni days.
Her work keeps her so occupied that she fails to notice that Grant is drifting away..so much so that one fine day, just before Christmas, he announces he's leaving.. no explanations..no apologies, no drama, no tears. He says he's in a relationship & is going right away.

That was last Christmas. Zoe never could come out of the trauma this sudden breakup inflicted on her. To add to it, she had to leave her 8 yr old job & work at something just for survival. She was struggling..trying to stay afloat when an old batchmate COMPUTER BILLY contacts her for a reunion. Her friend, JULIET pleads her to come along.. When she explores the trip, it's a luxurious all paid trip in the snow mountains which is totally irresistible!

To add to it, computer Billy has become THE William Fischer, a mysterious rich businessman who has climbed the steps to fame, pretty fast. Her boss asks her to extract an interview of him. Her ex Grant would also be most probably there. She's all messed up in this dilemma.

What will she do? Will she go?
If she does, what will happen when she sees Grant?
Will she be able to catch an interview?
How will this story have a HEA?

Such a heartwarming 💕 story..

🌈

Have you attended a reunion? How was it? Do ppl pretend their lives are superb & then gradually open up?
Did you have nicknames for batchmates? Are you in touch?
What's special abt Christmas for you?
What are you reading this December?
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Love ❤, Noor.
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#bookreview #christmasreads #christmas #dreamingofchristmas #holidayseason #romance #womenfiction

A great read anytime of year! This is a warm and fuzzy read for anyone who has been betrayed and lost their trust in relationships. As old college friends reunite at Christmas, no one seems to be happy with the way their lives have turned out. Sometimes you need friends to show you that you have exactly what you need and that life is messy, but the lessons you learn from that messiness make you stronger.

This was not the story I expected. This was a much more nuanced story that takes the normal Christmas Romance tropes and makes them more interesting. A rather substantial twist in the initial set up sends the reader wondering where we might be treading. An Austrian Christmas, oodle and oodles of food and drinks with unctuous sounding names, chilly pistes, cobbles and oompa bands all combine to make this a tale to tantalise the senses. A group of friends with secrets and fears are all exposed in the rooms and crisp air. I enjoyed this book and I feel very festive as a result.

Transformative Holiday

Audiobook Review
This book opens very dramatically, showing our heroine being unceremoniously dumped by her longtime boyfriend on Christmas Eve because he wants to be with another woman. You can't help but feel sympathy for her from this very first scene and as we see little moments as she goes through the next year adjusting to her new life. Most of the book, however, is set in a fancy hotel/resort in Austria the next Christmas. A former university housemate—the nerdy, quiet guy, Billy—has done very well for himself in the tech industry and invites all the former housemates to stay at this resort over Christmas. While she is at first reluctant to go because she knows the ex will be there, she—with a little help from her friends—decides to go. I never reread a book's description before I read the actual book, so for quite a long time, I wasn't sure if this was going to be a Christmas romance, chick lit, or something else. It seemed to be chick lit for quite some time, but the author did a fantastic job giving every housemate a storyline that the heroine I was deeply involved with, as she was the compassionate ear everyone turns to. Each character grew or changed, usually for the better. Quite remarkable in a book with a large cast of characters! Billy made the experience of an Austrian Christmas wonderful for everyone. I enjoyed just hearing about what they were going to do each day. I read a lot of romance and other fiction, and the twist at the end genuinely surprised me, which I love! I was so happy about it, but I wished the author provided an epilogue to give a brief glimpse into the characters’ futures. For the most part, I thought the narrator did a good job giving unique vocal stylings to each character. She even managed to capture the joy and awe of the little girl during her Christmas vacation. The only voice I didn't like was Billy's, as it sounded like he was mumbling or whispering all the time. I thought he should have had a stronger voice. All in all, though, I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook and recommend it.