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rob13's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
susans's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
lexyslittlelibrary's review
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
In the Greek Midwinter was a cozy Christmas romcom. I really liked that the location was based in Greece, and it made me want to book a flight. I found this story to be an adorable quick read that didn't get too deep. This story follows Jen, who takes a spur-of-the-moment trip to surprise her boyfriend David while he's working in Greece. However, when she arrives in Greece, she finds out that David isn't actually there. Luckily, she traveled to Greece with her best friend Bonnie, who convinces her to stay in Greece and enjoy the holiday. She ends up getting immersed in the culture of Greece but can't decide if she truly wants to stay there for the holiday or return back home.
I would have liked to see more depth within the two main characters. I just felt as though something was missing. I ended up liking Bonnie the most. Overall, if you need a cozy read that you won't have to dive into, then this one's for you!
In the Greek Midwinter was a cozy Christmas romcom. I really liked that the location was based in Greece, and it made me want to book a flight. I found this story to be an adorable quick read that didn't get too deep. This story follows Jen, who takes a spur-of-the-moment trip to surprise her boyfriend David while he's working in Greece. However, when she arrives in Greece, she finds out that David isn't actually there. Luckily, she traveled to Greece with her best friend Bonnie, who convinces her to stay in Greece and enjoy the holiday. She ends up getting immersed in the culture of Greece but can't decide if she truly wants to stay there for the holiday or return back home.
I would have liked to see more depth within the two main characters. I just felt as though something was missing. I ended up liking Bonnie the most. Overall, if you need a cozy read that you won't have to dive into, then this one's for you!
readwithjackalope's review
4.0
I enjoyed this cute Christmas rom-com set in Greece. Jen loves Christmas and runs an events company Christmas every day. After her boyfriend David cancels their romantic trip to Paris, claiming he needs to go to Athens for work, her best friend Bonnie encourages her to follow him to Athens. When she arrives and he's not there, she decides to spend some time in Athens with her best friend. There at the local bar, she meets Astro, a Christmas-hating Greek who works at his uncle's bar.
I loved all of the characters in the story and could really appreciate Astro and Jen's backgrounds and how they influenced them to be the way they were and make the choices that they made. I would've loved to learn more about the other supporting characters in the story, especially Bonnie, Jen's best friend. I love all things Greece so it was fun to immerse myself in winter Greece.
Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books, and Mandy Baggot for a chance to read this book in advance in exchange for my honest review.
I loved all of the characters in the story and could really appreciate Astro and Jen's backgrounds and how they influenced them to be the way they were and make the choices that they made. I would've loved to learn more about the other supporting characters in the story, especially Bonnie, Jen's best friend. I love all things Greece so it was fun to immerse myself in winter Greece.
Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books, and Mandy Baggot for a chance to read this book in advance in exchange for my honest review.
aberthold's review
4.0
In the Greek Midwinter makes me want to book the next flight to Greece. Jen's boyfriend, David, cancels their romantic trip to Paris last minute because of an unexpected work trip to Athens. Jen and her friend Bonnie decide to travel to Greece to surprise him.
Arriving in Greece they realize that David isn't there. Deciding to stay leads to a Greek adventure with the help of Astro. It's important to note that Jen loves Christmas and all things Christmas. Astro is a self proposed Christmas hater. They both hold on to the feelings as a way to deal with their past.
I really enjoyed the book. The relationship between Astro and Jen developing throughout the book despite their differences in opinion was sweet.
I did think that the last 10-20% of the book did slow down a little and introduced challenges that felt bigger than they ended up being. This is also a story that relied on a strong supporting cast and their relationships to the main characters. It was a great balance.
Thank you to the NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Arriving in Greece they realize that David isn't there. Deciding to stay leads to a Greek adventure with the help of Astro. It's important to note that Jen loves Christmas and all things Christmas. Astro is a self proposed Christmas hater. They both hold on to the feelings as a way to deal with their past.
I really enjoyed the book. The relationship between Astro and Jen developing throughout the book despite their differences in opinion was sweet.
I did think that the last 10-20% of the book did slow down a little and introduced challenges that felt bigger than they ended up being. This is also a story that relied on a strong supporting cast and their relationships to the main characters. It was a great balance.
Thank you to the NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
xandra_lyn's review
This was a well written book, but very sad. The MC, Jen, had a rough childhood in foster care and is having relationship woes. She creates wonderful Christmas events for others, but she doesn't really have that "Christmas spirit" herself. It was really sad, and not really a Christmas book. Rather, it's an introspective book that takes place at Christmas time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
tdk's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
westernwaydomesticgoddess's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
When Jens boyfriend David has to cancel their planned trip to Paris due to work commitments in Athens Jen decides to fly out there to meet him as a surprise (well she had already booked the time of so it would be a shame to waste it.) However, when she lands David is there and when she finally finds out why she is left with two choices; either go back home to her business ‘Christmas Every Day’ or take some time off to do some research into how the Greeks celebrate the festive season. She decides on the latter and not wanting to go alone takes her best friend Bonnie as well.
It is in Athens that we (and Jen) meet Astro who is the total opposite to Jen as he really is no fan of Christmas and we later learn why they both have totally opposite feelings about this time of year and that they really do have more in common than it first appears. As the story progresses Jen tries to convince Astro to get into the Christmas spirit and in turn, he shows her the ‘real’ Athens away from all the tinsel and sparkle of the lights and tourist hot spots.
It was certainly different to read a story set in Greece in the wintertime but as usual Mandy creates a wonderful cast of characters that really bring the story to life. I love the ‘slow burn’ romance and how we are gradually let into the backstories of all the characters as their relationships blossom and grow with the stories progression. I also found the description of Athens during the winter to be a pleasant and interesting ingredient in this book, and Mandy is fantastic at adding the little details that really help the reader to immerse themselves in the story.
Another cracking Christmas read from Mandy.
It is in Athens that we (and Jen) meet Astro who is the total opposite to Jen as he really is no fan of Christmas and we later learn why they both have totally opposite feelings about this time of year and that they really do have more in common than it first appears. As the story progresses Jen tries to convince Astro to get into the Christmas spirit and in turn, he shows her the ‘real’ Athens away from all the tinsel and sparkle of the lights and tourist hot spots.
It was certainly different to read a story set in Greece in the wintertime but as usual Mandy creates a wonderful cast of characters that really bring the story to life. I love the ‘slow burn’ romance and how we are gradually let into the backstories of all the characters as their relationships blossom and grow with the stories progression. I also found the description of Athens during the winter to be a pleasant and interesting ingredient in this book, and Mandy is fantastic at adding the little details that really help the reader to immerse themselves in the story.
Another cracking Christmas read from Mandy.
cleg11's review
4.0
Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Another great book from Mandy.
Jen finds herself off work and with nowhere to go after her boyfriend David cancels their romantic trip away to Paris. He tells Jen he needs to travel to Athens urgently for work. With Jen finding herself at a loose end she decides that travel to Greece and surprise David. When she arrives in Greece she finds that David has lied to her and is not I Greece after all. Should she stay and enjoy the time she has off or should she return home. Jen meets Astro whilst doing some research into how Christmas is celebrated in Greece. Astro hates Christmas, can Jen change his mind and get him into the Christmas spirit
Another great book from Mandy.
Jen finds herself off work and with nowhere to go after her boyfriend David cancels their romantic trip away to Paris. He tells Jen he needs to travel to Athens urgently for work. With Jen finding herself at a loose end she decides that travel to Greece and surprise David. When she arrives in Greece she finds that David has lied to her and is not I Greece after all. Should she stay and enjoy the time she has off or should she return home. Jen meets Astro whilst doing some research into how Christmas is celebrated in Greece. Astro hates Christmas, can Jen change his mind and get him into the Christmas spirit