Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is 2 novellas in 1 based around Christmas.

The first novella featured a Christmas train with fun side characters. I really enjoyed this one but it was a bit too short leaving me wanting more.

Both will get you ready for Christmas and they are short enough to be perfect in between reads to avoid a slump! Recommended

Snowy Serendipity is a delightful 2-in-1 holiday romance collection that delivers cosy charm and festive cheer. The audiobook features two novellas: Dashing Through the Snow and Pining for You, each with its own flavour of seasonal sweetness.

Dashing Through the Snow is the standout: Willow’s solo journey on The Christmas Express after a breakup turns into a heartwarming adventure with quirky companions and unexpected romance. The setting, a two-week train trip, feels magical, and the characters, especially Oliver and Clarence, are endearing. It’s funny, heartfelt, and perfect for escaping into holiday spirit.

Pining for You is a slower burn, set in a Virginia mountain town where Theo tries to win back his childhood best friend, Skye. While the premise is sweet, the emotional connection takes longer to build, and Theo’s character arc starts off a bit rocky. Still, the second half redeems the story with a satisfying conclusion.

The narration is smooth and well-paced, enhancing the cosy atmosphere. At under five hours total, it’s an easy listen, ideal for curling up with a hot drink and letting the festive vibes wash over you.

Perfect for fans of Hallmark-style romance, train journeys, and second-chance love stories.

I absolutely loved the first novella... I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend two weeks on a train doing Christmas activities with “elves”? The charming characters and perfectly festive atmosphere made it such a cosy delight.
I could have happily read a full novel about the Christmas Express.
The second story, while set on a Christmas tree farm, felt more like a small town romance and didn’t capture me as much. Still, both tales offered happy endings, making this a sweet, feel-good read I’d recommend to anyone craving light, sweet, holiday vibes.

I enjoyed these two lighthearted winter romances together in one charming bundle! First, follow Willow on a heartwarming journey of self-discovery, sprinkled with Christmas cheer and a flurry of winter adventures on a cross-country train ride. Then, head to the mountaintop for a Christmas tree farm second-chance romance that’s as cozy as it is swoon-worthy. Both sweet (and not overly Christmasy) stories deliver quick meet cutes, happily-ever-afters and plenty of snow-kissed smiles. Very enjoyable.

If you’re looking for a heartwarming holiday read filled with love, second chances, and festive charm, this collection of two holiday-themed novellas is a perfect choice. Both stories bring a cozy, feel-good atmosphere while exploring the joy and risks of falling in love.

The first novella follows a heartbroken woman who longs to find that one true love. Seeking a change of pace, she boards a holiday train, never expecting to find romance along the way. With a cast of quirky, endearing characters, this story brings humor and warmth, making it a delightful holiday escape.

The second novella offers a touching second-chance romance. Two people who once shared love are given an unexpected opportunity to rekindle what they lost. But with love comes vulnerability—can they risk opening their hearts again? This story beautifully captures the emotional depth of second chances and the courage it takes to love again.

With engaging storytelling, lovable characters, and the magic of the holiday season woven throughout, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys festive romances that leave you believing in love.

Snowy Serendipity by Melissa Ferguson (Audiobook) - 3.5 Stars

Overall: A charming but uneven holiday 2-in-1 audiobook collection. "Snowy Serendipity" delivers one delightful, festive gem and one story that sadly misses the seasonal mark. It's very much a tale of two novellas.

Dashing Through the Snow: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 Stars!)

Pure Holiday Magic! After being dumped before a romantic getaway, Willow takes a solo two-week journey on "The Christmas Express." This story swept me away! The festive train setting, complete with Christmas activities and elves (sign me up!), was utterly charming and delivered perfect cozy holiday vibes.

Willow's journey of healing felt believable, and the romance with conductor Oliver built beautifully. Charming side characters like elf Ian and adventurer Clarence added warmth and humor.

My only complaint? I desperately wished it was longer! The characters and setting were so engaging I could have easily read a full-length novel about them. Well-paced, sweet, and sparkling with genuine holiday spirit. An absolute winner.

Pining for You: ⭐⭐ (2 Stars)

Where's the Holiday? Theo (a Tesla-driving city guy) tries to win back his childhood best friend Skye by spending a weekend on her organic Christmas tree farm. Sounds festive, right? Unfortunately, the story takes place in spring, stripping away any real holiday atmosphere. The tree farm setting felt like a misleading backdrop.

The story itself felt directionless and awkward. I struggled to connect with the characters (Skye in particular came across as cringy), and their interactions often felt forced or messy. The plot lacked the sparkle and coherence of the first novella.

It's a clean romance with a happy ending, which is a plus, but the lack of holiday spirit and weaker execution made it a slog. I nearly DNF'd.

Audiobook Narration & Production:

Both narrators performed competently with the material they were given. The narrator for Dashing Through the Snow had a wonderful story to work with, and their performance shone because of it. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this part. The narrator for Pining for You did their best, attempting distinct voices (including a male voice for Theo), but the weak story couldn't be saved, and the necessary "snowy" Christmas atmosphere was impossible to conjure for a spring setting. Production quality was serviceable but didn't add any special warmth or sparkle.

Final Thoughts:
This was my first experience with Melissa Ferguson, and Dashing Through the Snow was strong enough to make me interested in her other work. "Snowy Serendipity" is worth it for the first novella alone. If you love cozy, festive, closed-door holiday romances, Dashing Through the Snow is a delightful treat – just be prepared to wish it was longer. Consider Pining for You a bonus story, but manage your expectations; it lacks the holiday charm and polish of its companion. Recommended primarily for fans seeking a sweet, short holiday escape who won't mind one story potentially falling flat.

Acknowledgement: Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Audio for providing me with an advance listener copy (ALC) of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review

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.