What a book. There's everything you need for a perfect Christmas holiday book.
I quite enjoyed the story plot. The magical winter Austria could not be more perfect to set the most romantic and christmassy atmosphere possible and the hotel sounds extremely cozy and perfect.
The characters are also all very interesting. I like that they are old friends who get together for Christmas. I like the building romance and I like all the secrets that come out. They make the book so much interesting. And I guessed Billy's secret almost at the beginning.
All in all, this is a beautiful book and now I cannot wait for Christmas to come!

This was a delightful holiday read. Fall in love with love all over again. Zoe will be the first to admit she’s hard a hard time since her longtime boyfriend, Grant, broke up with her. Surprisingly, Zoe and the rest of her previous housemates receive an invitation to spend Christmas in the Alps. Billy, the organizer, was always the quiet and recluse mate. Now, he’s richer than rich, mysterious, and handsome. Zoe finally gets a chance to have some fun and get out of her post-breakup depression. I love seeing her come to life again as she spends time with old friends, goes skiing, and enjoys all the outings arranged. Along the way, she gets a second chance at love, and it is truly something special. Don’t miss this one. I had the privilege of listening to an audiobook, truly bringing the characters to life. I was pleased with narrator and felt like she contributed to really adding an extra something special to an already great book.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.

When Zoe gets dumped at Christmas after ten years with Grant she is, quite rightly, devastated. A year later her heart is mending, but she's stuck writing for a second rate gossip/celebrity magazine so an invitation for an all expenses paid ten day vacation in the Austria sounds wonderful. A chance to reunite with the ten people who shared the house during college means a chance to relax and see all her old friends. The only negative in that Grant is one of those ten people .

Her best friend convinces Zoe they should go and when her boss gets wind of the fact that one of the ten is a reclusive billionaire he tells Zoe she must get a story about Billy for the magazine.

The hotel is beautiful and all her friends seem to be doing well for themselves. Billy and his trainer wife are welcoming and attentive and Grant is girlfriend less and appears to be trying to win Zoe back. Also, there is an attraction between Billy and Zoe, but he is married and after what Grant did to her Zoe is very sensitive to people who cheat.

I received an audio book copy of this book from NetGalley and really enjoyed the story. The only drawback to the audio version of the story was when the narrator spoke the words of the male characters her voice was so quiet I missed some words. Other than that the narrator did a great job with a very enjoyable Christmas story. I could definitely see this book as a Christmas movie on Hallmark.

#NetGalley #ARC#DreamingOfChristmas #TAWilliams #SecondChances #SagaEgmontAudio #Romance #WomensFiction

A fun Christmas friend's reunion and vacation.

Billy invites a bunch of old friends on a luxurious skiing vacation. Of course everyone is a bit different from who they once were.

I felt like this book was more about just friends having fun instead of having much of a plot. Yes, there was some drama with Zoe seeing her ex Grant, but overall I didn't find much substance until very close to the end.

I'm glad that I had the audiobook version of this book since the narrator was pretty engaging and easy to listen to. If I was reading a physical copy I may have given up part of the way through instead of finishing it.

3 stars for the audiobook version due to a good narrator.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this Audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

After she was dumped on Christmas Eve by her long-term boyfriend, Zoe is determined to have a wonderful Christmas the following year. Low and behold, her old college roommate turned tech billionaire, invited all his old roomies on a luxury ski trip in the Swiss Alps.

This is a lovely Hallmark Christmas movie of a book. That being the case, I'm guessing you are either going to love it or hate it based on how much you love Hallmark Christmas movies. Since I'm one you'll find curled up in my comfy chair for the whole month of December with hot cocoa in my snuggly pajamas, you can guess which camp I'm in.

There are no real surprises. If you don't know where this story is going from the first two sentences of this review, then you need to turn in your fuzzy socks and penguin mug. If you do, then dig in and enjoy. This book is for you and you are my people.

Persephone May is an orphan who grew up in the foster care system and has always yearned for family but is destined to be alone due to her strange powers. That may be about to change when she is drawn to an island where her family may be from.

I have mixed feelings about this book. In general, it is pretty well-written but there are some very strange quirks. That gorgeous cover grabbed me and the first couple of chapters really drew me in. It honestly has some really pretty prose as well. I mainly have two problems with it.

1. There is no delineation of time. I'm not sure if this story takes place in a day, a month, or a decade. No one sleeps, has a meal, or anything else that would suggest time passing. I could be exaggerating just a bit, but I honestly don't remember any of this happening. It's just nonstop drama. I found my mind wandering a lot for want of some release.

2. Not once in the whole book does anyone tell a single joke, laugh, smile, etc. I need a little humor to break up all that drama as well. I felt like I was living for 352 pages with a dramatic teenager. I just didn't end. It was all high-tension, high-drama, dense seriousness the whole way through.

This strikes me as a good draft. It needs some levity to offset the tension and drama, as well as some way to mark how much time is passing.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Zoey has had an awful year ever since her boyfriend of a decade decided to break up with her in new years eve, but Billy, her roommate and now successful CEO has invited her and all their roommates from college to spend Christmas with him and their families in the swiss alps. Zoe is reticent because this means she will see Grant again when all she wants is to move on. Will this trip help her find her prince charming or will she get back with Grant?

This was a cute story, and kept throwing me off. It was frustrating and pleasing to not know exactly whwre it was going and for that I'm thankful. It read like a cute hallmark movie that you must watch furing Christmas time.

Things I loved: strong MC, great best friend, sweet love interest
Things I didn't love: the miscommunication with Billy
Zoe Lumsley was still recovering from an awful breakup when she received an invitation to the trip of a lifetime. Even though she'll have to spend the week interacting with her ex, it's simply not a vacation she can pass on. While spending the week of Christmas reconnecting with old friends, Zoe begins to see that maybe she isn't as lonely as she feels.
For only 234 pages, this story had quite a few twists. I almost want to visit Austria after listening to the descriptions of the resort and skiing.
I really didn't like how Zoe assumed the worst of Billy at the end. He had been nothing but sweet the entire time, so I don't get why she thought he would do something terrible.
I really enjoyed the narrator. I thought she did a great job of giving each character a distinct voice. She also did well with the accents.
Narrator 4/5
Book 4/5

Really enjoyed this story, definitely got me into the Christmas Spirit. The twist was really interesting, but also I felt guilty for rooting for the love story through the whole story.

The narrator was great.

*Thank you to the publisher for this eARC.

I have previously read and enjoyed a book by T.A. Williams so I was happy to be allowed to review this ARC for the audiobook version of Dreaming of Christmas.

A year after Zoe was dumped at Christmas she is invited on an all expenses paid trip by an old uni friend, but unfortunately her ex is also invited.

What to expect:

✅ old uni friends reunited… have they grown up?

✅ dealing with an ex

✅ work vs friends… what if you have to choose?

✅ a cute black Labrador puppy named Arnie

✅ story set in a luxury hotel in Austria during Christmas

✅ lots of talk of mouth watering food

✅ relationships are not always what they seem

✅ some romance?

Get ready to wrap up warm and don your ski's as you're about to experience the perfect winter holiday. A top notch hotel with all expenses paid and a handsome guy to show you the ropes. When Zoe is invited on an all expenses paid holiday to reunite with her University family she jumps at the chance, after all she is in need of some cheering up and it can't be worse than getting dumped on Christmas Eve surely...

Although, there is the small matter of her ex also being on the holiday but she's determined not to let Grant ruin this time away for her.

I loved watching Zoe and Billy's friendship growing and was so eager for them to get together but he's married and you just know that Zoe wouldn't get in the way of that, even if I did keep having the feeling that this marriage wasn't as happy as it seemed. I have to admit I didn't think too highly of Daniella and was sure there was more going on with her than met the eye, it was the way that she doesn't seem bothered at all that Billy and Zoe are spending so much time together - if it was me I wouldn't have been that calm!

Zoe quickly fell back into her uni role of agony aunt and it seemed that everyone on the holiday still came to her for advice, if only they'd have carried on doing this between Uni and now there may not have been as many 'interesting' moments. Some of these revelations were shocks to me and I think Zoe handled them really well, not letting her own emotions get in the way of her responses.

Throughout listening to this I kept having the thought that the article (or lack thereof) was going to come back and bite Zoe in the bum, especially when we hear that Lorna had an old friend coming to visit for the Ball as I was sure this was going to be connected somehow. I wasn't expecting what did happen though that's for sure!

I loved the way that the story ended, and it felt so fitting to see everyone benefitting from the holiday in their own unique way. It wasn't just friends that reunited on this holiday but also relationships and it really did make my heart feel warm.

Dreaming of Christmas by T.A. Williams
Narrated by Anne Marie Piazza
Format - Audio Book
Genre - Romance/Women’s Fiction
Rating - 5 out of 5 stars
Narration - 5 out of 5 starts

Yes guys and gals it is that time of the year again. Time for Christmas books to start coming out again. Do you read Christmas all year long or just after Thanksgiving? Also is there a certain author that start out the Christmas season with? Let me know in the comments!

This is a light cheery book as most Christmas books are. This one is about Zoe a woman dumped my her boyfriend Grant on Christmas Eve one year before the book takes place. A year later a surprise invitation comes to her from an old roommate Billy to get all the roomies together for an all expenses paid holiday in the Swiss Alps. Although her Grant is one of those roommates.

The Zoe decides to go even though Grant will be there and ends up being surprised that the nerd of the group Billy has now become a sexy hunk but now Grant wants her back. All kinds of things happen like her learning how to ski quite well even if she is a tad on the clumsy side. Also she starts to become closer to Billy all the while thinking he is married.

The narration is excellent. I especially like the voice she used for the Billy. Kinda of a low sexy husky voice. She also keeps the book running smoothly.

Who will Zoe end up with Billy or Grant. I guess you are going to have to read or listen to find out.

I enjoyed much of this book, but also had a few issues with it.
I did love the friendships outlined in the book. You can feel the love there.
There were times though that the story just seemed to repeat.
This was my first TA Williams book and I will give others a try.

Dreaming of Christmas - 1 third of the way through and the only time Christmas has been mentioned is when Zoe the main character is dumped by her cheating husband of 10 years.

Keeping in mind she is only 31 the narrators accent and the wording make her sound like she is 50 years old. The book tries to be inclusive but also sends mixed messages about how you can only eat "treats" if you burn loads of calories through exercise and the main character dresses up to look nice for her male host - all a bit odd to be honest and the lack of strong female lead makes you wonder why you are reading at all.

Speaking of the host., the plot is based around old flat share "friends" who all lost contact with each other apart from Zoe, her ex and her 1 friend. They all accept a "free holiday" offer from an old "friend" who they admit they do not remember, nor did they know well. Apart from the characters taking advantage of their billionaire "friend" they have no personalities and it makes them very hard to keep an interest in.

Billy's voice was also very drone like which did not help things - sorry this one really was not for me,

Narrator 3 stars

The narrator had a really beautiful voice, but I personally hated her Billy voice. It was so monotone it was painfully to listen to which made me dislike that character so much.

Story 3 stars

This wasn't the romantic Christmas novel I thought it would be but it was still enjoyable. I think if the above was different I would have felt a stronger connection to the characters

Zoe Lumsley is in a relationship with a fella called Grant and has been since they were both at university. She thinks that they are both happy but she is dealt the hammer blow that Grant has been playing away from home so to speak. Not only has she been dumped but the love rat only dumps her on Christmas Eve. Zoe picks herself up with the help of close friends and family and she manages to carve out a new life for herself. She throws herself into her work as a journalist for a celebrity gossip magazine. She then receives an invitation to a reunion with those she shared a house with at university. The reunion is due to happen in Austria and is all paid for by one of the housemates who has done rather well for himself. This throws up all kinds of feelings in Zoe. She is pretty excited to see all of her university buddies except for the fact that she will be seeing her love rat ex and she thinks that he will bring his new partner. This is a book filled with festive cheer, skiing, glorious Austrian settings, a grand romantic gesture, a few men that are bit great specimens of their species, this was a joy to read. I loved the descriptions of the setting and felt as though I was there beside Zoe and her friends. An enjoyable, easy read, perfect for an afternoon snuggled cosily in a chair in front of the fire, preferably as the world outside the window turns white.
My thanks to publisher Canelo for my copy via NetGalley.

Last Christmas Eve, Zoe’s long term boyfriend Grant announced that he was leaving – he’d found a new love – Claire.
This year, she has received an invitation from an old university friend to spend Christmas in Austria – skiing, catching up with friends that she hasn’t seen for years, a luxury hotel – and although she is hesitant to accept as Grant will be there, it’s an invitation Zoe really cannot refuse, after all it’s “all expenses paid” by one of the group who has done very well for himself!
The descriptions are detailed & vivid, it’s obviously based on a real location that the author has visited! The atmosphere of both the hotel and the interactions between the guests are realistic, from the slightly uncomfortable atmosphere when you see people after a number of years, to the way Grant was chatting up the hotel worker Erica! There is some romance, but it doesn’t dominate the story & this is a welcome change to most similar books. The emphasis is really on friendships & how they change. Each of the characters have a depth of their own: Zoe is likeable, imperfect, clumsy and has strong morals; Her close friend Juliet is quiet but delightful, Grant was suitable sleazy, Computer Billy was the epitome of nerd-who-grew-up and lets not forget the adorable 5 yr old and others! Although there are a lot of characters it’s not difficult to keep track of who they are.
Overall this was an enjoyable listen with a feel-good but not clichéd and twee storyline. The audiobook is well narrated and would be a good companion on a long journey & it might just make you wonder what happened to your housemates from years ago that you lost touch with!

I find it hard to listen to audio books sometimes but I did enjoy this one. Well done and I’d listen to more!

Dreaming of Christmas - T.A. Williams
Narrated by Anne Marie Piazza

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Sage Egmont Audio and I am leaving this review voluntarily

It’s the dream Christmas: snow, mountains… and, er, an ex-boyfriend. But can Zoe still find love in the Alps?

Dumped on Christmas Eve by her long-term boyfriend, it's been a rough year for Zoe Lumsley. But then she gets an invitation she can’t refuse: an all expenses paid skiing holiday with old university friends.

The bad news: her ex, Grant, will be there with his new girlfriend. But so will her former flatmate Billy, the organiser, and in the meantime he’s done rather well for himself. As Christmas in the Alps approaches, it'll be great to see the old gang. Some more than others...

I flew through this book - I started listening to it in the car and then found myself playing it whilst doing chores. This is a heart-warming and festive tale of a reunion in a lavish 5-Star hotel - all expenses paid. A beautiful story about friendship, relationships and second chances.

It will leave you with that warm and fuzzy feeling that will help build that Christmas spirit. An easy and quick book to read (or listen to) that is going to be perfect to read this festive season.

Rating 4/5

Many thanks to Saga Egmont Audio and NetGalley for sending me the audiobook version of Dreaming of Christmas in exchange for an honest review.

Writing a review about this book is going to be a bit difficult for me because I have mixed feelings about it.

The story was complex yet lighthearted. The center of everything was adultery. That is what I have problems with.

Zoe, our protagonist was cheated on a dumped on Christmas. Trying to recover from her terrible luck, she falls in love with a married man (yes, married man).
This is where my problem with this book arises.
Zoe falls in love with the billionaire founder of a computer company. She knew him since they were in college, yet she didn't think that he has attractive back then, because he was too nerdy. He wore glasses and only focused on his studies and work. But seeing him now, in good shape, filthy rich and without glasses, catches her interest. But he's married to a gorgeous woman. Zoe is jealous and wishes that he "met him before his wife did" but then she remembers that she in fact, has known him for a loooong while.

The plot twist makes things better, but that doesn't change the fact that Zoe is a petty, jealous woman.

I definitely don't think that this is a good "romance" story. It's an interesting story, but definitely not a good love story.

The narrator did an excellent job with the female voices. The male voices were okay, but not exceptional.
Over all, the narrator was great.

This was my first TA Williams book and I liked it. I listened to the audio version and enjoyed it also (however, I’m generally not a fan of British narrators because I can’t listen to them as fast as American narrators - I have to concentrate more to understand what they are saying - which is totally my problem and not a problem with this book).

This story begins with Zoe being dumped on Christmas Eve by Grant, her boyfriend of 10 years. She never saw it coming and she was heartbroken for months afterwards.

One of their college friends, Billy, became very successful with a computer company and invited a group of them for a 10 year reunion to Austria at his treat. The problem is Zoe will have to spend Christmas with Grant and his possible new girlfriend. But Zoe also shouldn’t let Grant know that he affected her this much so she decides to go and make the best of it. What happens is a cute story that shows that all may not be exactly as it appears at first glance.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated above are mine without biases.