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A review by mishale1
A Winter in New York by Josie Silver
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
(I thought this was a Christmas book at first and it’s really more of a winter book. Christmas is much closer to the end of this book.)
This book was very emotional with memorable, lovable characters and a beautiful writing style. I kind of thought it would be lighter than it was though.
Iris has recently moved to NYC. She’s wound up there, in a way, to kind of retrace her mother’s steps. Her mom talked loving about her time in NYC but raised Iris in the UK.
Iris’ mother passed away a few years ago, while very young. Iris jumped into a relationship not long afterwards, she was in an emotionally vulnerable place. Her mom was her only family and losing her meant Iris was all alone. Her ex took advantage of Iris in many ways and they had a relationship that was abusive (though not physically, quite upsetting).
One day Iris just dumped the abusive boyfriend and left the country.
She’s been in the Us for a short while and is doing a great job restarting her life. Her new best friend lives directly above her and she’s enjoying exploring the city.
One day she wanders along a gelato shop and realizes quickly that it’s the one her mom often mentioned. She had a brief relationship with one of the family members who owned the gelato shop and while she ultimately left him, he trusted her with the secret family recipe.
Iris’ mom made that recipe for her so many times growing up that it became their tradition too and Iris long ago memorized it.
When Iris meets Gio, she finds out that the holder of the family recipe is in the hospital and has forgotten the recipe. Iris knows she can help since she has the recipe herself but she has no way of telling them that without uncovering the family patriarch, Santos’, relationship with her mother.
So, instead she stays and tries to help Gio recreate the recipe. And she slowly starts falling for him despite the massive secrets she is keeping from him.
Man did I ever feel bad for Iris. She was keeping a secret entirely to keep Santos’ good name and it was only putting her in a precarious place with Gio. Iris is just such a good person.
Here’s my two cents: I really really could have done without the storyline about Iris’ abusive ex. This story did not need it. There were enough obstacles and it just made Iris’ backstory even sadder.
I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. I thought the writer’s way with words was beautiful and enjoyed this story.
This book was very emotional with memorable, lovable characters and a beautiful writing style. I kind of thought it would be lighter than it was though.
Iris has recently moved to NYC. She’s wound up there, in a way, to kind of retrace her mother’s steps. Her mom talked loving about her time in NYC but raised Iris in the UK.
Iris’ mother passed away a few years ago, while very young. Iris jumped into a relationship not long afterwards, she was in an emotionally vulnerable place. Her mom was her only family and losing her meant Iris was all alone. Her ex took advantage of Iris in many ways and they had a relationship that was abusive (though not physically, quite upsetting).
One day Iris just dumped the abusive boyfriend and left the country.
She’s been in the Us for a short while and is doing a great job restarting her life. Her new best friend lives directly above her and she’s enjoying exploring the city.
One day she wanders along a gelato shop and realizes quickly that it’s the one her mom often mentioned. She had a brief relationship with one of the family members who owned the gelato shop and while she ultimately left him, he trusted her with the secret family recipe.
Iris’ mom made that recipe for her so many times growing up that it became their tradition too and Iris long ago memorized it.
When Iris meets Gio, she finds out that the holder of the family recipe is in the hospital and has forgotten the recipe. Iris knows she can help since she has the recipe herself but she has no way of telling them that without uncovering the family patriarch, Santos’, relationship with her mother.
So, instead she stays and tries to help Gio recreate the recipe. And she slowly starts falling for him despite the massive secrets she is keeping from him.
Man did I ever feel bad for Iris. She was keeping a secret entirely to keep Santos’ good name and it was only putting her in a precarious place with Gio. Iris is just such a good person.
Here’s my two cents: I really really could have done without the storyline about Iris’ abusive ex. This story did not need it. There were enough obstacles and it just made Iris’ backstory even sadder.
I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. I thought the writer’s way with words was beautiful and enjoyed this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent and Emotional abuse
Minor: Cancer