This book was a quick read about a woman from England and that decides to move to New York based on the stories of her mothers love for the city. Iris soon meets Gio and his loud Italian family. They take her in the fold and give her the family she’s never had. There are coincidental history with this family and her mothers past. These secrets she tries to keep hidden while forming friendships and family. She feels guilty for not sharing this information and is waiting for the other show to drop. There are insights into the past through her mothers thoughts from the time before she was born. Which are very helpful to the backstory. At first I thought these should have been shared through a diary etc to Iris but on second thought I think the author did a great job of going full circle. A very charming story although I feel the end was a bit rushed. I feel like Iris should’ve explained herself and have gotten the reactions from Gio and his family in person. In the end she got her true love and the big family she always wanted. I have a couple of Josie Silver books in my tbr pile which now will be bumped up to the top! A lighthearted read where you feel you could be sitting at the big and loud dinner table engaging with all the family.

Don't you just love when your next read is obvious? No clicking or sorting through your TBR file, you know exactly what's on deck.

Such was the case when I was approved for Josie Silver's next novel, A Winter in New York. While I loved One Day in December, I sobbed the whole way through The Two Lives of Lydia Bird - a sure sign of a successful read.

We meet our heroine, Iris, at the end of summer in New York but really delve into her adventures in the fall and winter, making it a cozy end-of-year read (publication date in October 2023).

There is so much I loved about his book - a look back at New York in the 80's, Iris' love of food, the closeness of the family she gets to know throughout - the Belottis. Iris happens upon their gelateria in Little Italy only to find they are not making their famous vanilla gelato. The head of the family and keeper of the recipe, Santos, has suffered a health scare and can no longer remember the ingredients. But Iris can - because her mother, who died a few years earlier, has it written on a napkin in a scrapbook.

Iris, a trained chef, offers to help the family try to recover the recipe. As she brings them closer to the exact one, she vows not to break her mother's trust. This means secrets and lies, even as she falls in love with Gio, Santo's nephew and the acting owner of the gelateria.

There is room for editing the galley that I read - there are a few too-long touristy scenes of NYC - Katz's Deli, Dyker Heights Christmas decorations, The San Gennaro Festival. Take that with a grain of salt, as this is coming from a seasoned New Yorker. We also have the backstory of why Iris left London - an abusive boyfriend, a story that could have been more flushed out.

We have a few scenes at the end that may be a bit too grandiose for this reader, but they are definitely in line with the feel-good, over-the-moon love between Gio and Iris.

Get your hot cocoa and your blankets ready for when you're in the mood for a sweet read that will have you craving gelato - vanilla forever, of course.

Thank you Netgalley for this preview!

I absolutely love books by Josie Silver, so it's no surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed this book as well. It was the perfect 'Christmas in July' read for me. This cozy, sweet book takes place in New York, with the holidays quickly approaching.

The story revolves around Iris (a woman who risked moving to New York because she wanted to experience the city that meant so much to her late mother) and Gio (a family owner of a local gelatoria). Iris is attending a local festival in Little Italy when she sees a familiar sight - a colorful window, that she later realizes is in a special photo that she's kept from her mother, along with a hand written gelato recipe. This recipe has been a constant in Iris's life - a special treat that she used to share with her single mother, as well as a comfort to her as an adult as she attempts to find her own way in this world. Iris decided to walk through the front door of the gelatoria, where she meets Gio.

This slow burn romance is a wonderful tribute to the magic of New York, to culture and traditions, and most of all the love of family. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this story unfold as the family connections played out. I believe some of my favorite parts were the flash backs to Vivien's (Iris's mother) life. There are little 'nuggets' of her past life that really tug at your heartstrings. I absolutely fell in love with the entire Belotti family, the magic of New York at Christmas, and definitely the thought of vanilla gelato in pink melamine bowls.

I've enjoyed author Josie Silver's books in the past & just couldn't resist her latest, which is a Christmas story, "A Winter in New York"! Really enjoyed this tale of Iris, moving from London to NYC after the death of her beloved mother and leaving an abusive relationship. Once there she finds a gelato shop in Little Italy with a connection to her Mom, and she meets hottie Gio and they quickly go from strangers to lovers. I really loved all the quirky side characters. I also enjoyed not only the Gelateria, but the RECIPES!! I was also a tad frustrated with the secrets Iris kept from Gio. Overall, heartwarming, charming & sweet. My sincere thanks to Net Galley & the publisher for the complimentary DRC, my sincere pleasure to review it.

There was something reminiscent of Adriana Trigiani in novel: Vivien, the British daughter of musician sensation Iris Raven, attends the Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy and has just eaten her weight in zeppole when the photo she snaps of Bellotti’s Gelateria sparks a memory for her. Vivien came to New York almost a year ago to escape a bad relationship, find a new job, and connect to her roots. She’s still grieving the death of her wonderful, complex, secretive, perpetually single mother. A chef by trade, Viv scores a job at a noodle joint, renting the apartment above. Once she realizes her mother knew the Belottis, she can’t stop herself from popping by and is quickly pulled into the dynamics of widowed manager Gio and his family/staff. Only two people in the family are allowed to have the famed gelato recipe at one time; one is Gio’s father, in the hospital and recovering from a stroke that has left him unable to recall the perfect proportions of cream, milk sugar and vanilla for the recipe. The other is Gio’s uncle, a peer of Vivien’s, who is still roaming Europe and out of touch.

Miscommunication and dishonesty fuel the plot. Vivien could have confided that Gio’s dad gave the recipe to Iris when he was the love of her love and her touring with his brother’s band tour them apart, but Iris chooses not to disclose it, and in fact spends hours in the kitchen trying to recreate a recipe she actually knows by heart. The other lie is that her abusive ex who haunts her is not dead, but alive and threatening. Because it’s Josie Silver is an amazing writer, Iris’s longing, pain, discomfort, and remorse are tangible and believable, and she builds a complex character who makes less than ideal choices but agonizes over them.

The interpersonal relationships really make this a wonderful novel, from Viv’s befriending of Gio’s teenage daughter, to her friendship with her relationship with Bobby Han, proprietor of Very Tasty Noodle house where she works — her landlord and his partner are charming and quirky addition to the story, and a foil for Iris to relay plot points and unpack her emotional baggage with. I loved that the story focuses on romance later in life–Gio is mature, steady, and careful, but sweet kisses and a dirty mouth, and he and Viv sneak around like teenagers in love.

There are some flashbacks in the narrative, to previous meetings of Viv and Gio (who, spoiler alert, like each other) and to Iris’s life and career trajectory and Viv’s childhood. The Brooklyn location, passing of the season, close knit family ties, and restaurant backdrop serve to set the story firmly in a rich, tasty ethnic family box, hence the sense of familiarity with Adriana Trigiani. I really love the cartooned cover art, with it’s New York City skyline in snow-globe in the same arc as the gelato cones the characters are holding.

I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #AWinterInNewYork from #NetGalley.

This book goes between past and present with main character and her mother I don't enjoy reading tis style of book. DNF

********************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley*********************************************

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Josie is one of my very very favorite authors, I was excited to read her new book! What a great holiday love story with so much emotion.

After losing her mom and leaving an emotionally abusive relationship, Iris ends up in NYC with her suitcase and her gelato maker. Iris’s story is one of found friendship, new romance later in life, honoring her mother’s memory, and learning how to trust again.

A Heartwarming Journey Through Love and Gelato

“A Winter in New York” by Josie Silver takes readers on a delightful and heartwarming journey filled with love, secrets, and a delectable family recipe. Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, this novel captures the essence of the Big Apple while exploring themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the power of connection.

Iris, the protagonist, embarks on a fresh start in New York, only to realize that the city is far more immense and awe-inspiring than she had imagined. Guided by her best friend Bobby, she stumbles upon a hidden family gelateria that triggers a cascade of events that will change her life forever.

Silvers skillfully weaves together Iris’s quest to unlock the secret behind her mother’s connection to the gelateria with her own journey of self-discovery. As she befriends Gio and his family, and offers her culinary expertise to recreate the cherished gelato recipe, Iris finds herself falling in love with both the flavors and the people associated with the shop.

The author’s vivid descriptions bring the gelateria to life, making readers feel like they are walking alongside Iris through the bustling streets of Little Italy. The mouthwatering descriptions of gelato flavors tantalize the senses, adding an extra layer of charm to the story.

The characters in “A Winter in New York” are well-developed and relatable, drawing readers into their lives and emotions. The budding romance between Iris and Gio is portrayed with tenderness and warmth, capturing the excitement and vulnerability of new love. The supporting cast adds depth to the narrative, with Bobby’s unwavering support and Gio’s family dynamics providing a compelling backdrop for the story.

While the novel excels in creating a captivating atmosphere and heartwarming relationships, there are moments when the pacing feels a bit slow. Some readers may also find themselves wishing for further exploration of certain plot elements or character arcs. However, these minor flaws do not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the story.

“A Winter in New York” is a charming and uplifting read that combines the magic of New York City with the enchantment of a family recipe. Josie Silver has crafted a tale that will warm your heart and leave you craving a scoop of gelato. With its blend of romance, discovery, and mouthwatering descriptions, this novel is a delightful treat for fans of contemporary fiction and culinary delights.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Accidental meet cute turned bad at a book store between Iris and a man who goes for the same book. They trade barbs and she mentions her husband died (which is a lie).

Iris has moved her life to New York after leaving her ex and losing her mother to cancer. New York is where her mom had some incredible moments and Iris believes it’s a good spot to start over. She stumbles across a gelato store, and meets the owner, Gio. Come to find out, he’s not selling gelato now because they’ve lost the family secret recipe… which Iris happens to have, as her mother made her many bowls of this gelato. He’s also the handsome man she met at the bookstore so he thinks her husband died, and he’s lost his wife. As Iris gets in deeper with the family, she frets about what to do, while falling in love with Gio.

Josie Silver writes easy to read romances, though this one includes one of my least favorite tropes… communication. This woman is mid thirties. The man is late thirties. Communicate!!!!

This one was okay. It did feel a little repetitive in parts, and at one point I was like JUST TELL HIM! Her friends Bobby and Robin were so fun, and the Belotti family sounds like a blast. Of course it does still have a happy ending!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Silver writes such cute, heartfelt romances! Great dialogue, and loved all the family dynamics - the love between a daughter and her mom who died, a big extended Italian family, first loves from the past. It was adorable and perfect Christmas romance - like an elevated Hallmark movie. The ending felt a little too well scripted and would’ve liked some more real anger based on how many big secrets the main character kept. But I would recommend it to others

After the death of her mom and too many months in an abusive relationship, Iris leaves her life in London and moves to NYC to relive some of her mother’s memories. While out, she stumbles upon a gelateria in Little Italy without realizing the connection she has to this place and the people there. She then meets Gio and the two go from strangers to friends to lovers.

My favorite part of this story was the amazing cast of side characters. They made the found family theme come to life, and while fiction, their gestures and acceptance felt all too real. The progression of Iris and Gio’s romantic relationship also felt natural and not too forced. Plus, a story set during Christmas time in NYC is always a win for more. What fell flat was all the gelato talk. I feel like it took about 50% of the book to go past all the store drama and recipe disaster, which I just was not expecting. I also did not fully understand/ support some of the secrets Iris kept from Gio knowing it would lead to part of the conflict later on.

Read if you like:
-Found family
-Gelato / Italian roots
-Sporadic chapters from mother’s perspective
-Women’s fiction/romance blend
-NYC setting

Thank you Ballantine for the ARC. Pub date: 10/3

This book needs to come with a warning label. It just makes you want to eat gelato. And run away and hang out in Little Italy in the snow. Would also be helpful if the book included a gelato recipe!
This book features so much of what I love- NYC in the winter, Little Italy, love, Italian men, food, gelato. so I'm predisposed to like it. Or maybe I'm in a mood where it is exactly what I need right now. What I really like about Josie Silver is she is most def chic lit, but she does it in a creative way so it feels fresh. So many vibrant characters- you fall in love with. them. I was sad to see them go. Maybe a sequel that tells Sophia's story?
I read this book (actually a Net Galley ARC with the promise I'll be honest in my review, which I am) and I will say, I think it could be annoying as an audiobook. There's something about the voice in the book I think would become annoying if you have to listen to it. Just eye read it. It's well worth it!

Great title and lovely cover! The story by Silver is also well done. I liked the themes of self-discovery in the big city, wintertime in NYC and a mother and daughter dual time line. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Four stars.

I have read and enjoyed all of Josie Silver's previous books, so I was excited when @randomhouse @delacorte granted me early access to her upcoming release 𝐀 𝗪𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤 (Pub Date 10.03)

This book takes many of my favorite things and wraps them up lovingly between the covers. Reeling from the loss of her mom and needing to escape a less-than-ideal romantic relationship, Iris starts over in NYC, a place her Mom held dear. While she's searching for herself she stumbles across a gelateria in Little Italy that she knows she's seen somewhere before, her mom's scrapbook.

I appreciated that the love element isn't cut and dry. It's full of self-realization, self-acceptance and learning to forgive. It has these contemplative elements that are deep yet heartwarming.

𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄:
Cozy, romance-adjacent
All the gelato! Vanilla forever.
I loved the found family.
Side characters that leapt from the page. Bobby and Sophia
Big, boisterous, warm Italian family/
Tantalizing backstory from Vivien (Mom's) perspective.
🍆🍆 1/2 (steam level)
Sweet and swoony with a good dollop of heft. (death of a parent/spouse, grief and emotional abuse)
Love, loss, family and redemption.
There is a big miscommunication thread throughout so be aware if that's a deal breaker for you.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC for my honest review!

If you love a good romance novel that is tied up with a lovely little bow and all the feel-goods at the end, this is 100% for you! A Winter in New York was such a fun read with elements of found family, multiple time-lines, and some mild spice. Trigger warnings for death and domestic abuse though.

I struggled with the last novel I read by this author but for some reason I didn't with this one. It could be because it was located in NYC. I loved the Italian family and the strong British female who is the main character. I recommend this book. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy. #NetGalley #AWinterinNewYork

I enjoyed this book as I have Silver's previous works. There were a few too many coincidences, and I definitely felt like Iris made more of the drama in her life than was necessary. But I still enjoyed the story and characters. Bobby and Robin should have had more page time, because they were by far my favourite characters in this one. Followed by Sophie. The thing that I struggled with which prevented me bumping this to a 5 star was really Iris. I get that she had been in a traumatic relationship and was dealing with that the best way possible. But she created a lot of the problems for herself and kept perpetuating them. If she had just spoken up about her ex and explained why she said what she did at the start, I'm sure that that one lie would have been forgiven. The whole gelato lie may have been harder to talk around, but even that one could have been handled with a bit of honesty with the person who mattered most to her at the very least. Ah well. In the end, things worked out.

As an aside: it has been a long time since a book made me cry; and I had a few tears leak out when Iris was at her lowest. I also did some real rooting when the big confrontation happened, especially for Bobby. I love Bobby!

If you like Silver, I'm sure that this will be another great read for you. If you have't read her books before, this will serve as a good introduction to how she writes.

5 stars!

A Winter in New York by Josie Silver is a heartwarming tale of love and self-discovery set in the enchanting backdrop of New York City. As Iris rebuilds her life, she stumbles upon a gelateria that holds a secret link to her mother's past. Silver's evocative writing brings the city to life, while the blossoming romance between Iris and Gio tugs at your heartstrings. The exploration of family recipes and the power of shared traditions adds depth to the story, making it a truly captivating read. I also felt a wave of anxiety as Iris struggled to maintain her secrets. A Winter in New York is a delightful and uplifting novel that will leave you with a warm glow and a craving for gelato.

After moving to New York City after her mom died, Iris eventually meets Gio and they are a super cute couple. Slow burn romances are not usually my favorite books to read but this one was executed so well and I enjoyed every minute. Not only was this book a holiday romance, but it centered around food which made it even better. I highly recommend that people read this around the holidays as it is such a warm and cozy read.

Excuse me while I wipe my tears. This book started off a little slowly, but not in a bad way. Iris ran from London leaving behind an abusive ex. She begins to find her way in New York City, following her beloved mother’s footsteps and carefully making new friends.

I enjoyed reading as Iris was enveloped by the loving Belotti family, so different from her own family experience, being raised as the only child of a single mother. I also loved her relationship with Bobby and Robin. What I didn’t love were the secrets she kept from Gio, the sexy, romantic Italian gelato maker.

I’m so glad I read this book, it was charming and poignant with the best feel good HEA.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballentine for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.