I love Melissa Ferguson’s writing style, but sadly, these two Christmas short stories fell flat for me. They both included tropes that I don’t really enjoy in romances. One of them was way too instant-lovey, and the other was a second-chance romance—a trope that has to be done in a very specific way for me to enjoy the story. Still, it was a quick read, and for the most part, the characters in both stories were likable.

Snowy Serendipity by Melissa Ferguson - 3 stars for me

This audiobook features two standalone holiday novellas: Dashing Through the Snow and Pining for You. Even though it's June, I couldn't resist a little holiday cheer, and Dashing Through the Snow delivered exactly that! It was short, sweet, and filled with cozy, small-town vibes that gave me all the Hallmark feels.

Pining for You didn’t quite capture my attention the same way. It wasn’t bad, just a little harder to connect with the characters, and I actually wish I had listened to that one first.

The narration for both novellas was excellent and added a lot to the experience. If you're in the mood for sweet, clean, holiday-themed stories (no matter the season), this one might be worth a listen.

Big thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Audio, and NetGalley for providing this audiobook for review. All opinions are my own in this review.

Snow Serendipity contains two fun and cozy stories by Melissa Ferguson and together they are the perfect pair for your holiday romance needs. The stories are light and easy going with humor and the discovery of perfect love. I especially loved the story "Dashing Through the Snow" set on a special Holiday Express train excursion (I would love to take this trip). Although short, you'll find these novellas are perfect when you're in the mood for feel-good, heartwarming holiday/winter love!

🎧❄️ Audiobook Review: DSnowy Serendipity by Melissa Ferguson 🎄💖

Get cozy, grab a blanket, and hit play—because this 2-in-1 holiday audiobook is the audio hug your heart needs this season! 🎧☕✨

📖 Dashing Through the Snow
Willow’s solo train ride on The Christmas Express after a painful breakup turns out to be a delightfully unexpected journey of healing and holiday magic 🚂💔✨. Between quirky characters like conductor Oliver, festive elf Ian 🎅, and the wise adventurer Clarence 🌍, this novella delivers humor, warmth, and just the right touch of romance to remind you that sometimes the best love stories begin when plans fall apart. 💕🎄

📖 Pining for You
Set in a charming Virginia mountain town 🏔️🌲, this sweet second-chance romance is as cozy as a mug of hot cocoa. When city-slicker Theo Watkins III trades his Tesla for tractor life to win back his childhood best friend Skye, you get holiday feels, swoon-worthy moments, and all the rustic charm a Christmas tree farm romance could offer. 🎁🚜💘

🎙️ Narration: The narrators bring these characters to life with just the right touch of wit, tenderness, and Christmas sparkle ✨🎤. Each voice perfectly fits the tone—making the stories even more immersive and heartwarming.

💝 Perfect for:

Fans of sweet, clean romance 💞

Lovers of holiday settings 🎅

Anyone who wants two feel-good stories in one festive package! 🎁

Melissa Ferguson has crafted two charming novellas that will leave you smiling long after the credits roll. Add this to your holiday audiobook playlist—you won’t regret it! 🎧🎄📚

Snowy Serendipity is a charming duo of holiday novellas that I picked up in the middle of June—and honestly, it was just the reset I needed. Both stories are sweet, light-hearted, and filled with Melissa Ferguson’s signature warmth and wit. While I didn’t expect them to be life-changing (and they weren’t), they were exactly what I hoped for: cozy, feel-good reads perfect for a mental break from heavier books.

These aren’t deep or dramatic, and that’s kind of the point. Think Hallmark-style Christmas magic in book form. If you're looking for something to lift your spirits and wrap you in some festive cheer, this collection is a lovely choice. I'd gladly recommend it to anyone wanting a quick, joyful holiday escape—no matter the season.

This audiobook is a tragedy of two tales. Sadly, only one of them shines bright enough to light up a Christmas tree.

🎄 Plot: "Dashing Through the Snow"
Cute, well-paced, with enough sparkle in the setting and the characters to make me wish it had been a little longer. The romance built nicely, the side characters had promise, and the holiday vibes were on point.

😖 Plot: "Pining for You"
It felt like it was written by someone who got lost on the way to the point. No holiday vibes, a cringy FMC, awkward conversations, and enough messy moments to make me want to DNF.

🎧 Narration:
Both narrators did their best with the material they were given.
I am partial to the first part of the audiobook because that story was worth it.
I feel the second narrator was not given proper due because the story was just so amateur and not well done. And no matter how good her narration was or her male voice was, she couldn't save the story nor bring any much needed "snowy" and Christmasy vibes to the story.
Production: Serviceable, but it didn’t add much sparkle or warmth to the listening experience.


Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Audio for the ALC.

Snowy Serendipity is exactly what I needed to jumpstart the holiday spirit. Melissa Ferguson delivers two sweet, clean holiday novellas full of charm, second chances, and just the right amount of festive magic.

Dashing Through the Snow is my favorite of the two—it’s quirky, heartfelt, and had me grinning from chapter one. I loved Willow’s journey, both literal and emotional, and the found-family dynamic aboard the Christmas Express was adorable. Oliver completely won me over.

Pining for You was a slower burn but still warm and satisfying. Theo and Skye’s story had layers of longing, miscommunication, and that classic childhood-friends-to-lovers pull. It wasn’t as whimsical as the first, but it added depth to the collection.

If you’re in the mood for cozy winter romance, lovable characters, and storylines that feel like hot cocoa for the soul, this is a must-read. Bonus points for the audiobook version

Thank you for this. Needed a palate cleanser after a long series, and it worked! I loved the first story more than the second one. It was funny and cute and felt like a cute Hallmark Christmas movie. It would be so great if it turns out to be one!

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and NetGalley for the advance listener copy! I really enjoyed the narration and the stories! Super cute holiday novellas! Great for the Christmas season and for a pick me up anytime of year!

Listening to Snowy Serendipity was like wrapping myself in a warm blanket on a cold winter day. The story is everything you’d want in a seasonal romance—charming, uplifting, and full of sweet surprises. Melissa Ferguson once again delivers a feel-good love story with just the right mix of humor, heart, and holiday magic.

The narration brought the characters to life in such an authentic, endearing way. The voice acting was warm, expressive, and perfectly paced—it never felt rushed or flat. The narrator’s tone matched the cozy, romantic vibe of the book and made it incredibly easy to get swept up in the story. You could hear the chemistry between the leads, the sincerity in their vulnerable moments, and the joy in the more playful scenes.

What I loved most was the emotional depth beneath the lighthearted tone. The story isn’t just about snowflakes and serendipity—it’s about second chances, rediscovering joy, and learning to trust your heart. Whether you’re a die-hard romance fan or just looking for a cozy winter listen, this one is a must.

Highly recommended for fans of sweet rom-coms, wintery small-town settings, and stories that make you laugh, sigh, and smile all at once.

Thank you for letting me have a copy of this book

I'm listening to this in the middle of May and its so hot out that these short stories really hit the spot for me, not only were they very light and sweet but they are set in Christmas and I can only imagine the cold and snow hoping I was there (#teamcold)

Okay, first let me say that I am a big Melissa Ferguson fan. I love her writing style and the full length books I've read from her.

Snowy Serendipity is a combination of two novellas from her. The first book, Dashing Through the Snow, was cute. It was short and sweet, I only wish we'd gotten a little more on page time with Oliver & Willow.

The second book, Pining for You, was a second chance romance and not my favorite. They had been high school sweethearts that kind of drifted apart when he went away to college. I really didn't like that Theo developed feelings for another girl during that time. It kind of hinted at infidelity of some kind, and it almost made him unredeemable to me. Also, the plot line with her dad seemed a little out of left field and I didn't like that it was resolved by the end of the book.

The audio was great and I really enjoyed it. Cute Christmas book collection. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy.

I loved these books. I love that they are quicker stories, that could be finished in an hour long car-ride. They are perfect to read with a friend on a commute.
The first short story was my favorite of the two. It is perfect to get into the Christmas spirit (even during my read in April, haha). It's focused on a women on a two week train trip after the sudden end of her relationship. I love when there is new friendships forming while there are also new relationships. It's so different from other stories I've read recently, which was such a nice change of pace.

This has made me want to give more short stories a try.

I also thought the narrator was perfect for these stories! I did listen on 1.5x speed and thought that was perfect.

I really liked book one but personally book two flopped for me just felt like it was very insta lovey. They are both very well written and i enjoyed this short christmas romance audiobook and would reccommend.

4-Star Review for Snowy Serendipity by Melissa Ferguson

Snowy Serendipity is a delightful holiday-themed read that brings together two charming stories filled with warmth, romance, and a dash of winter magic. Both tales are super cute and perfect for curling up with on a cold day, offering that cozy, feel-good feeling that makes holiday romances so irresistible.

While I enjoyed both stories, I found myself more drawn to the second one. The characters felt more relatable, their connection more natural, and I was more emotionally invested in their journey. It stood out as the stronger of the two, though each story brings something sweet to the table.

Overall, this is a heartwarming book that’s perfect for fans of short, romantic reads with plenty of winter charm.

A collection of two Christmas romcom novellas! Perfect if you are looking for a quick Christmas read! I listened to the audio and enjoyed the narration.

I received an audio ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

A solid 3.5-star read! Very quick, very cute.
We have a cozy holiday 2-for-1 book.

Dashing Through the Snow gave us:
A FMC who was dumped by her boyfriend of 7 years. She decides a 2-week vacation is the remedy to her heartbreak, so she takes a trip on The Christmas Express solo.
This had humor as she found a rebound in the conductor Oliver, an Elf named Ian, and an adventurer extraordinaire named Clarence. Clarence is ultimately the man who heals her and makes her believe not only in love again, but believe in herself!

Pinning for You gave us:
Virginia mountains, Christmas Tree Farm, and Theo, who has the mission of winning back his childhood best friend and love, Skye. He isn't really the farmer type, and he is more the modern man (he drives a Tesla). This story was okay, but I needed more plot. I tend to want plot from novellas. I feel like it is VERY hard to do them well. I also didn't get true Christmas vibes from this one. Maybe it was just me.

Overall, this is quick and it's cute, but it just didn't quite deliver what I thought the stories would based on the cover and description.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.
Happy Reading!

I did not finish this audiobook. I don't think it was for me. maybe it was out of season. Yet the narrator was not my cup of tea

Snowy Serendipity delivers exactly what you'd expect from two Hallmark-style novellas...sweet, safe, and very vanilla. One takes place in a cosy small town, the other mostly on a train (because why not?), but both lean hard into the feel-good romance vibe. Nothing surprising, but if you're in the mood for light, clean, cutesy reads with a touch of snowy charm, it does the trick.