I’m such a fan of Josie Silver. I loved The Two Lives of Lydia Bird and One Day in December. Last year’s One Night on the Island fell a bit flat for me but her newest, A Winter in New York, reminds me of what I love about her books.

Iris moves to New York following her mother’s passing and an end to a toxic relationship. She’s searching for a way to stay connected with her mother who lived there once. As Iris begins to build a life in New York, she stumbles upon a gelato shop she recognizes from one of her mother’s old photos. She stops in and soon realizes the gelato recipe she and her mother used religiously must have come from this shop. Iris returns to the gelato shop and soon befriends the owner and his family. As she gets to know them, she starts piecing together her mother’s connection to the shop and her own connection to the family that owns it.

This is a romance but the romance is ‘t the entirety of the store, which I appreciate. Silver doesn’t shy away from grief and the difficulty of processing death but she manages to infuse moments of hope and joy into the process. She portrays grief in a way that feels authentic - grief happening within a world that keeps moving.

This was a perfect pre-holiday read. The setting was perfectly nostalgic. Who doesn’t dream of strolling New York streets under a light snow with street lamps and windows glowing? Iris was endearing and I enjoyed seeing her grow as a character.

(Thank you as always to @netgalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy of the book!)

The cover of A Winter in New York makes this book look like this might be a delightfully easy breezy Christmas read. While it does have holiday elements woven throughout the story, this book was surprisingly heartwarming and much deeper than originally thought. Iris, the main character, has so much grief and trauma in her past that she works through while simultaneously falling in love with herself again as well as the city of New York. I found it to be a tear jerker, certainly crying at times, but overall a very satisfying read by the end. While I typically don't like "miscommunication" or "lie by omission" plot line in a story, I do feel that it was done well in this book. One of my favorite parts of this book was the development of all the side characters. I wanted to be invited into the Belotti family or have Smirnoff show up on my fire escape. Finally, make sure to have a gallon of vanilla gelato at your disposal when reading this- you'll definitely need it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

This was a very sweet book that I enjoyed when I could suspend my disbelief. It is a super cute romance, but it suffers from the "lack of some very easy communication" trope that abounds in romances these days. It got very frustrating that the main character just couldn't tell the truth, even thought there were more than multiple opportunities.

This book is perfect to get you in the holiday spirit and even post holidays, it gives off the perfect winter vibes - so it’s definitely not too late to pick it up for a fun winter read. The atmosphere of the book may be my favorite part! I loved the scene where Iris and Gio go to a popular NYC neighborhood known for it’s Christmas lights - I was so in the moment I was googling images of the neighborhood so I could see it for myself. It gave off all the holiday feels! My other favorite part of the book was Gio’s big Italian family. They were perfect and I fell in love with them!

My only issue with the book is that it follows the romance formula of keeping secrets, which isn’t my favorite. It becomes very formulaic in my opinion and you just know where it’s going to go and how it will end. BUT - it was still an enjoyable read - both the main characters and side characters are well developed and I cared for them all and that is a huge plus. Ultimately - it’s a solid, if formulaic, romance book that brings all the winter feels. It’d be a perfect read this winter curled up by a fire while it’s snowing outside!

Big thanks to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

I loved this book sooo much! It gave me all the warm and fuzzies and I loved the intertwined found family storyline! The vibes definitely hit for me with this book.

Without spoilers, even though I loved this book Iris did infuriate me with her “secrets” the entire time… I found myself wanting to scream at her way too often hahah. I guess that’s what made the book the book.

Also, my biggest criticism of the book is that the title is very VERY misleading. This book actually takes place over multiple seasons, and isn’t really about “a winter in New York”. I thought the author/publisher could have picked a better title that actually involved gelato or the story itself… it felt like a cop out using catchy words.

I love, love, LOVE the Belotti family. They remind me of my New York, Italian, loud family... but in all the best ways. I also loved the brief flashbacks to Vivian's life. The development of the relationship between Gio and Iris was so sweet. This book was the perfect New York, wintertime romance to read while snuggled up on the couch avoiding the weather outside. Fair warning though, this book will make you hungry and crave ALL the vanilla gelato.

Another perfect book from Josie Silver. Myself and all of my friends adored A Winter in New York! Thé characters were absolute perfection.

I tried to get into this book during the holidays but it was much too heavy, emotional, and a bit slow paced. I DNF’d about 30% but might try again during the summer or another point in the year my holiday spirit won’t be dampened. Still love Josie Silver and will buy anything she writes!

A Winter in New York is a wonderful story filled with endearing moments and lovely characters. The main characters of the story are Iris and Gio, who come from different origins and must deal with their dysfunctional families. It's difficult not to push for Iris and Gio's happiness because of their amazing connection. The side characters in this story were some of my favorites!

Everything you need for a holiday romance that will make you swoon is in this book. I was about to rate it five stars, but I took one star away since I was dissatisfied with Iris's stubbornness in holding her secret for so long. That didn't, however, lessen my enjoyment of the book, and I heartily suggest it to you. As you immerse yourself in this lovely love story, allow the warm emotions to draw in you.

This is my first Josie Silver book and looking forward to reading more from this Author!

I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Josie Silver has become a "season pass" author for me--anything new she writes, I will read. And once I read it, odds are I will love it and recommend it heartily.
A Winter in New York was the perfect book for the week before Christmas. Heartwarming, but not sappy, with perfect midwinter characters and setting.

⭐️⭐️.5

𝘼 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙛 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚—𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚—𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧.

📍 Read if you like:
• Cozy Winter Vibes
• Found Family
• Slow Burn Romances
• Miscommunication
• Gelato

I read One Day In December so long ago, but I remember really enjoying that book. Unfortunately, this book was such a disappointment. I had such high hopes as it’s set in New York and sounded so interesting.

The main focus of the story is on a family’s secret gelato recipe, which is how both our characters’ chemistry grows. We get flashbacks from the past and also a timeline set in the present, and I honestly didn’t care for either of them.

Iris, a chef, meets Gio when she decides to visit Belotti’s Gelateria after noticing it in her mom’s pictures. While I loved Gio and his family, I didn’t care too much for Iris. She annoyed me so much and I absolutely hated the miscommunication in this book.

The romance is so slow, which isn’t always a bad thing, however, I had to push to finish this book. I was buddy reading it and we all struggled to get through it.

I will say the found family trope was the strongest factor of the book, I loved Gio’s family and the whole gelato aspect. I also enjoyed the cozy winter vibes this book gave.

Overall, I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it didn’t reach my expectations. I struggled so much to finish it and didn’t care too much for the romance. The mystery of finding the recipe for the famous Gelato was interesting, but as a whole, this story wasn’t for me.

Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy in exchange for my honest review!

•𝗧𝗪/𝗖𝗪: Emotional Abuse, Death Of Parent, Grief, Toxic Relationship, Domestic Abuse, Sexual Content

A really cute holiday read! I enjoyed everything about this story! Make some hot cocoa and snuggle up with this book!

I enjoyed A Winter in New York! The setting of downtown NYC and Little Italy was amazing; as an Italian living in NJ, I felt like I was back in the city during the holiday time. I really loved Iris and her struggles and strengths resonated with me so much. The story about her mom's journey through the musical world and her sudden death was so interesting and heartbreaking at the same time. I also really loved Gio and his entire family, plus who doesn't love reading about gelato?!

I do have some critiques: I wish we learned more about Iris' mom and her father, I also don't think that Santo and her mother only knowing each other for 48 hours was enough time to hold the weight of this "secret" that Iris was carrying. I would have also loved Gio's POV, I also think the family's photo album having a picture of Iris' mom would have been such a twist!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me access to the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Josie Silver is a Queen at tugging at my heartstrings. A Winter in New York started in my favorite place- a bookshop! Well, make that two favorite places- a bookshop in New York!

Iris was a wonderful female MC, although her lies of omission made me want to throttle her (although that's all part of the drama!). All she wants to do is belong somewhere. That somewhere was with Gio and the Belottis. I adored Iris and Gio's connections and how they fell in love (plus how Iris fell in love with his whole family). The secret gelato recipe, the familial connections, the last book on the shelf- everything made me smile and tear up at the same time.

With the New York backdrop, I loved how Iris followed in her mother's footsteps so she could feel closer to the woman she loved most in life. The trip to Katz's was so fun, as was busking in the park and belting out The Pretenders! The final scene with the busker broke my heart (can't give away too much!).

Also- Oh. My. Goodness. Gio and his Moonstruck reenactment. SWOON! Plus, his sexy Italian swearing. Double swoon. THEN! The Christmas trip to Dyker Heights? Extra swoon! That's the Christmas date of my dreams. I adored the main characters, but I also LOVED the secondary characters, especially Bobby and Sophia. This book was fast, fun, beautiful and full of gelato!

A Winter in New York
By Josie Silver
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Oh, I love a Josie Silver book!!!

Iris finds herself in New York City after fleeing from a troubled relationship in London. Iris only has herself and her beloved gelato machine ever since her mom died three years earlier and she up and left her disgusting ex-boyfriend. She’s grieving the loss of her mom and trying to figure out her next steps. Her mom loved New York City and Iris is inspired to get her fresh start in a place that meant so much to her mom. Iris finds herself in a bookstore on Valentine’s Day hoping to find a copy of a book she’s been dying to read for a long time. When someone else grabs it before she has the chance, life as Iris will come to know it is changed forever. But Iris is keeping some pretty big secrets. What will happen when those secrets come to life?

This was a great winter read. And as someone who has lost their mom and cherishes things her mom once loved… well let’s just say this book gave me all the feels 🤍

This was such a sweet romance. Gave ya some spice, but not too much for this bashful gal 🫢

Highly recommend if you’re looking for one last wintery read!

3 Stars An adorable holiday romance by the same author as One Day in December, Josie Silver’s books make you want to cozy up with a mug of hot chocolate while the snow falls outside. A Winter in New York is mainly a romance, but it is also about loss, grief, family, and healing. It’s a journey of moving on from loss and finding new hope.

Josie silver never misses!! This was the cutest little love story set in New York, during the winter and it filled my heart with so much joy. I just love any book set in the city, and this one will be a new favorite. Everything about this book is why I love reading and I found myself unable to put it down. And don’t even get me started on the adorable cover!! Josie silver didn’t disappoint and will be an autobuy author for me for a long time.

Iris relocates to New York City where she meets Gio, the owner of Belotti’s gelato. When I received the ARC, I didn’t know what to expect - a story built around a top secret gelato recipe is definitely unique! But Josie Silver does it so well! It was a super charming read, and although it was a little “insta-love” at times and I could’ve done with out so much lying, I still enjoyed so much about the book.

** thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC and chance to read and review **

I thought this was such a great book. Once I got started it was hard to put down. I loved all the characters and plot of the story. I think that Iris was such a great main character. I like Gio as love interest and how Iris and his family intertwin with each other. I love the chapters with Iris' mom and learning about how she met Gio's Uncle. I also love the rom com references through out the book. Joise Silver is such a talented author and love how she can tell a story.

After her mom’s death, Iris feels a bit lost and decides to move to New York, a city her mom fell in love with. As much as she wants to wallow, Iris’s best friend Bobby isn’t having it and drags her to a famous street fair. As they are walking around, a door catches her eye - it’s the same door she’s seen many times in her mom’s scrapbook. She goes back to the shop the next day to go inside and check it out, only Gio, the owner says due to a family emergency the one person who knows their secret gelato recipe doesn’t remember it. Iris sets off to help him, but doesn’t mention she thinks she might also have the recipe. It’s the recipe her mom made her as a kid but made her promise to never share with anyone. Now that she knows her mom also had a connection to this gelato shop she knows it has to be the source of the recipe and is determined to help them.

I love Josie Silver’s books, and this one might be up there with One Day in December for me. The romance between Iris and Gio was much more prominent than romance has been in Josie’s previous works and I loved it. Seeing Iris and Gio find themselves while simultaneously finding love with each other was so beautiful and magical. I also adored the importance of family in this story and the lengths the characters were willing to go through to support and protect their loved ones. And uncovering the secret connection between the two families made for a bit of a fun mystery. Overall, I adored this book!

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.