My Winter

by Nikki Young

At age ten, Leah Anderson was taught a hard lesson about life after the death of her father. Love, happiness and perfection only last so long, so why bother seeking them out.

Jaded by his death and the trauma it caused her family, Leah finds herself detached and indifferent about her life and about falling in love. In a safe and unfulfilling engagement to her demanding, perfectionist fiancé, Ellis, it all begins to wear thin. That's when a handsome stranger comes into her life causing her to second guess everything she's known and believed in.

Abruptly ending her engagement and accepting a date with the stranger, Leah finds herself in a very uncomfortable reality. Knowing that every choice has its consequence, Leah runs from her past and lies to her present to keep herself from falling in too deep.

But in the end, can she live with the choices she makes because they may ruin it all.

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance

205 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago where I still currently live with my husband and two boys. I'm a third grade teacher and I spend my days forcing my love of reading and writing onto a group of poor, unsuspecting eight year olds. I'm a lover of books, Irish candy and ridiculously hot weather. And for some strange reason, I have a sick obsession with the Fast and the Furious series of movies. 
Late at night, when all is quiet, I can be found sitting at my computer writing...or facebooking.

Reviews

[Baba]

DNF @20 %, therefore no official rating but mentally I'll be giving it one star.



A BIG FAT NO…

- a stupid, lame and unrealistic come-on ---> I'm not remotely interested to get to know the heroine's future love interest
- the heroine is giggling all the time; it got on my very last nerve
- female characters who like to take a cup too much
- Ellis (the soon-to-be ex) is a pretentious idiot
- lots of waterworks
- My Winter should have been adult contemp romance. However, it reads like YA/NA. The MCs must be in their early 30s and yet I got the impression that I had to deal with very immature people.

Overall I neither liked the characters nor the writing and that's reason enough to quit at an early stage. Book goes back to Amazon for a refund of my money. Onwards...

[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️]

DNF @ 25% - No Rating

I'm sorry. As in SOOOOOOO sorry. A great GR friend highly recommended this to me so I really wanted to like it...



...but the 30-something heroine giggled just twenty one too many times for my liking.



Also, there was some insta-love and a convoluted ex(not ex?)/triangle that I wasn't expecting and could not get on board with. Not to mention the fact that the H got all romance-y touchy feely with the heroine WAY to soon for my liking.

This is a personal preference, but I just don't like it when the H gets all sweetly romantic and "tuck her hair behind the ear"-ish so soon after meeting someone. (I actually don't like this in real life either. It seems disingenuous to me.)

When people are so free with meaningful physical acts of affection (I'm not talking about a slam-blam one night stand here) with people they just met, it shouts to me "you're not special - I'm this way with everyone."

But not only that, it was the h's response to that:

***spoilers***

"You got some time?" he asks as he reaches over and tucks a few loose pieces of hair behind my ear...My skin begins to buzz...I nod unable to form a sentence that might actually be coherent...When I finally find my words (SERIOUSLY?) I ask a question that not only makes me blush, but makes me embarrassed by my need to know something I already know the answer to.

"Why'd you do that?" I question.
"Do what?"
"Move my hair."

He smiles at me and it's striking..."I want to see your face, Leah."



The final straw though?

They drop her car off at a valet (the H is with her, mind you) and this is what happens between her and the valet driver:

As I step out, I watch him glance at my car. He's cute, young, but cute and my natural flirtatious behavior kicks in.

"I hope you can drive stick," I say leaning in close and putting my hand on his wrist. He pauses for a second before stumbling over to my car and climbing in. I CAN'T HELP BUT GIGGLE. BOYS ARE SO EASY.



Again, this is a 30-something year old WOMAN.

In the end, the slow pace, my annoyance at the heroine, and my lack of interest in the H leave me with not enough motivation to continue.

[Lorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Winter is the book I’ve been looking for and couldn’t find!!!! I cannot even tell you how much I love this book! I feel like this is the best friend I haven’t seen in forever – I haven’t laughed, cried, and had this much fun reading a book in a long long time!

Leah is engaged to be married, and she thinks she has everything she needs with Ellis. But, a chance encounter with a stranger and an offer of a date (along with a push from a friend) has Leah questioning what she has and what she WANTS. She starts to take a long hard look at her reality.

Leah’s been hiding since she was ten years old. And, the more time she spends with her new stranger, the more she realizes just how much she’s been hiding from her past and she has never truly let anyone in …... until Adam. Leah’s feelings for Adam surprise her and throw her into a tailspin.

Adam isn’t without a little baggage either. He falls for Leah just as fast as she does for him. The only difference is Adam isn’t afraid to admit it. As the pair grows closer, Leah realizes just how true it is when it’s said that lies by omission are still lies. That lies hurt, and they can ruin everything.

My Winter is a book that reminds me why I love reading and makes me fall in love with it all over again. I was utterly consumed. You are being warned: this book is EXTREMELY hard to put down! You won’t be saying “just one more chapter” because once you start it you won’t stop until you turn the very last page.

It’s been quite a while since I have felt this way about a book. I simply adore it. The cover is absolutely beautiful which is definitely reflective of what’s inside. And, once you figure out the meaning behind the title and the cover art…. well, you’ll be crying your eyes out (at least I did). I read a lot of books but this one is special and very memorable. It’s nice to find a book where everything about it – the title, cover, and words – plays an integral part in it all.

My Winter is filled with endearing characters, heartache, laughs galore, heart-warming moments, and palpable sexual tension. The dialogue is smart, sexy, fun, and witty; and, I just love Nikki Young’s writing style. The writing is solid and the level of maturity is remarkable, it will hook you from the very beginning. I swear I highlighted nearly every word Nikki wrote.

The characters are the heart of this story. And, boy do they have heart!! Leah and Adam are extremely lovable. The supporting characters –best friend Cari, Jimmy, and Leah’s entire family – are just as wonderful and have the right involvement and add a lot to the story.

The story Nikki Young weaves is simply well told and just wonderful. The plot isn’t overly complicated with mind-blowing twists and turns; it’s perfectly engaging and very well done. I really feel like this is what I’ve been missing lately. Sometimes all you need is a truly GREAT story!!!!

(ARC received in exchange for an honest review)

[Elizabeth (Liz) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The winter moon," he whispers. His words cause the hair on my neck to stand on end. My body shudders at the sound of his voice.

"It's beautiful," I whisper back and I feel him smile against my hair.

"There's beauty in everything, Leah. Including winter."



It's not all that often anymore that I find myself reading a book straight through, in one sitting. With MY WINTER, I was reading along, and, honestly, before I knew it, I had come to the end. The best part? I was happy and smiling! What a fantastic, fun, emotional, sexy, character-driven story! There was just something about this cast of characters that I thoroughly loved!! I was so fully immersed in the journeys and lives of Leah and Adam, as well as secondary characters Cari and Jimmy.

Due to a family tragedy in her past, Leah had no love for winter. It had the potential to paralyze her and cause flashbacks, nightmares, and panic attacks. That same tragedy stunted her emotionally and impacted her relationships with men, as well as how she viewed love. Adam was a man who'd had his own issues with women and relationships, yet he allowed himself to be much more emotionally open and available than Leah. They were each intrinsically good and decent people. But, like many paths to love, theirs was bumpy and filled with hurdles to be overcome.

I provided a sort of summary of the book and the hero and heroine above. Now, here's my personal opinion of Leah, Adam, and Leah's friends Cari and Jimmy. These are all characters I could easily know and love in real life! Leah and Cari had been best friends for years, and they had that great relationship and comfort with each other that comes from knowing each other well. Those two cracked me up on more than one occasion! Add Jimmy into the mix--a colleague and friend who had become more to Cari, though she adamantly refused to admit it--and it was just a lot of fun!! And Adam? Well, he fit in perfectly. Here's a man with a great and successful career, funny, understanding, supportive, and HAWT!! Oh. My. Word. There was something about Adam Schiller. I wanted to have a beer with him and then lick him from top to bottom...NO JOKE! He and Leah had intense chemistry, and they were a couple I rooted for the whole time.


"I want to correct everything that is wrong in your world. I want to love you with everything in me. I want to be all you ever need. I never saw the symbolism of this flower until I met you. I was meant to find you, Leah. I'm your winter."


So...why stop, find a comfy corner, and read MY WINTER? Because it's my hope that, as it did for me, the story and characters will come alive and welcome readers, offering the same reading experience I so enjoyed! Nikki Young has the gift of storytelling. Let her share it with you!

By the way, this cover is brilliant and beautiful <3

In my opinion? This one is an easy 5 Stars!!

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

My Winter by Nikki Young is a 2014 self published/ independent publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Leah is in her early thirties and is engaged to Ellis. But, the relationship is stagnant to say the very least and Leah is slowly opening her eyes to see what her future with Ellis would really be like. Ellis is controlling and wants to mold Leah into someone she is not. When Leah and Ellis have an argument Leah goes out with her best friend and meets Adam. It's practically love at first sight. Leah pretty much just dumps Ellis and it's good riddance, frankly. But, for some reason she can't bring herself to explain her situation to Adam. The longer she puts it off the harder the subject is to broach. Now, readers are probably scratching their heads over that one. I know I was. Adam was quite forthright about his past relationship issues and there was no reason why Leah couldn't have told him about Ellis. It just didn't make any sense to me.
The secondary characters of Cari, Leah's best friend and her sort of boyfriend, rounds out the main characters. Cari is a commitment shy person and will be put to the test soon. So, there is a little side drama with Cari.

This book started off with a lot of promise. A girl wakes up and smells the coffee before it's too late, meets a great guy and starts a path toward reclaiming herself again. Leah's background is difficult and sad, but she does still have a family and they seem supportive of her. Then the book takes on a different tone when Leah starts to really fall for Adam. She continues to drown all her sorrows in alcohol and at age thirty-two I would think most adults would be past some of this type of behavior. The second portion of the book is basically about Adam and Leah's romance and how they can't keep from falling into bed with each other. Then of course the inevitable happens and everyone is all down each others throats. It sounded like something I might have experienced in high school, not as an adult. Then the character I liked the most, Adam, takes a nasty turn as well. It's a brief thing and he does redeem himself at least.

New Adult or Contemporary Romance? I'm not sure. I guess I've been under the impression that New Adult was for the college age crowd or maybe up to the mid-late twenties. But, I hope thirty somethings out there have more maturity than this. I have kids approaching their thirties and thankfully they don't behave this way. Both are happily married in stable careers and while they still know how to have a good time, they behave responsibly. I know, I come from a different time period, but I'm not that old. I was much worse than my kids. LOL! But, by my thirties I was past all that.

There is a happy ever after of course and Leah gets her man. Hopefully, now she can mature into a responsible adult, stop drinking like a fish and grow up!!!

This one is 2 stars

[Natalie Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story of finding love when you least expect it. I loved the story, the characters (Adam, so hot...and I want to be BFFs with Cari and Jimmy!), the writing, the cover...all of it. It is hilariously funny, swoony and hot, sad and heartbreaking, but most of all, it's real. Highly recommend picking it up.

[Emma Corcoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Leah runs from her past and lies to her present to keep herself from falling in too deep’

This line in the synopsis of My Winter is what drew me in and made me want to devour this book
I instantly loved Leah when we meet her in My Winter. She is a doll, but a jaded doll, who is engaged to be married to a boring, perfectionist asshole, Ellis. Ellis tries to mold Leah into whom he thinks she should be and for the past few years Leah has tried to toe the line with him, to be what he wants her to be. But Leah constantly feels like she disappoints Ellis, despite of or because of the best efforts of her BFF Cari. Cari is a fabulous flamboyant, take-no shit kinda gal, and with her we get to see the real Leah – the one who kicks back, let’s her hair down and has fun.... and thankfully on a rare night out with Cari, Leah happens upon a handsome stranger.... Adam. Adam’s forthrightness and obvious interest in the ‘real’ Leah causes her to press pause on her relationship with Ellis and examine who she is, and whether the life that Ellis has mapped out for her is really what she wants? Thankfully Leah kicks Ellis’ ass to the kerb and accepts a date with Adam. With Adam, she finds herself in over her head but in a good way ‘It’s not right, but somehow it feels exactly right. This is what it should feel like when you meet someone you’re meant to be with, possibly forever. It scares the shit out of me.’

Leah opens up to Adam about her tragic past, a memory that has haunted her for over 20 years and the reason why she hates the cold, harsh winter. ‘The entire season is rooted with pain and hurt.’
All Adam asks of Leah it to be honest. Simple honesty – a virtue... but she doesn’t tell him about her present, her recent past and that lie by omission may be the cause of further heartbreak for her....


Having read A Life More Complete by Nikki Young, I was excited to read her latest work.
My Winter is thoroughly engaging. Young’s characters immediately grab your attention and make you feel part of the gang. They say that the people who you chose as friends are a reflection of yourself and this is very true in the case of Leah and Cari. Cari talks the talk, takes no prisoners and has zero capacity for bullshit. She is Leah’s constant cheerleader, the friend who eggs her on and is there for her no matter what.... even in her own hour of need. (I definitely want to read more and Cari and Jimmy!) Jimmy is just lovely, a man of great patience all wrapped up in a Cari shaped bow. Adam is the antithesis to Ellis. He is funny, caring, accepting, sexy ... a total dreamboat.. a perfect match for our lovely Leah.

Young’s writing has taken a step up since A Life More Complete (I hope she won’t mind me saying that!?). Her sense of humour shines through in My Winter. Her ability to make the reader laugh, despite the sad back story to who Leah is, is wonderful. The scenes with Leah’s family shows how broken they are by the tragedy that befell them. Her mother’s loneliness left me with an aching heart. Her characters are well developed (as per my plea above for a book about Cari & Jimmy ). She brings sexy back in the love scenes and the sexual tension practically purrs off the page.

The cover artwork is simply beautiful. Beautiful.

’True love is purely accidental. It doesn’t wait around for you to find it.’

1-click and read this cracking 4.5 star novel

[Trisha ❊ Devoured Words · Rating 5 out of 5]

I FREAKING LOVE THIS BOOK. SOOOOOOO GOOD!!! Adam -sigh- is the best!!!!!! This book is so beautifully written and so real, it makes me all happy and giddy and I'll giggle like crazy as Leah. I love her too. She is an amazing character, relatable. And she swears a lot, which I loved lol it reminds me of how many times I cuss but I'm pretty tame than her but seriously I LOVE it!

Leah's brothers are sooooo cool and a great judge of character, I LOVE THAT! Than Leah's best friend Cari. We all need someone like her in our lives, stopping us from making the biggest mistake you can make and opening your eyes. I just LOVE that! The secondary characters are a treat to the story, you just love them all.

My Winter symbolizes something so beautiful that it makes your heart weep with happiness because you just want sing for the whole world to know. I know I wanted to. LOL. Lots of highlights and lessons to be learned. The best thing about stories that feel so real is that the characters become family and that is just want My Winter did. I don't want it to end!

I can't freaking wait for another Nikki Young book. I just love her writing, her characters, her stories and just how makes me feel all emotions (so many) and in the end feel so happy.

5 Stars!!!

[Midwest Galley Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Leah. She needs this shirt. More on this later.



Leah is running away from a lifetime of pain and settling. Pain from her father's death. Pain from hiding who she is from her ex-fiancee, Ellis. Pain from not being forthcoming with her new boyfriend, Adam. Pain doesn't move you until the pain from hiding hurts more than the pain of what you want. Much like that diet and exercise plan to battle obesity, a decision to get sober, or a divorce from a destructive spouse, the pain has to become intolerable sometimes before anyone decides to change.

Leah's not there yet.

MY WINTER is distinctly Chicago-based, so those who are familiar with the little nuances of Chicago and its people will probably love it a little more than the average bear. From the South Side's distinctly working-class philosophy to the snobbery of Winnetka and its country club connections, to living in the city because you're young and free and don't know exactly what you want other than a good beer at a good bar after work, you may find yourself nodding more than others. That said, you don't have to be from the area to appreciate MY WINTER.

Ellis, Leah's fiancee, is from the upper crust of Winnetka. Quite frankly, he's a douche. When Leah leaves him, you're not sorry. You'll cheer for her.

You see, Ellis and his Polo-wearing WASP family are from this neighborhood. They like everything to be very beige.

[caption id="attachment_1511" align="alignnone" width="300"] Winnetka, IL[/caption]

Leah is from Chicago's famous South Side and grew up in a house like this one. Her late father was a Chicago police officer. Her mother still lives in their home and every week her brothers, their wives, and Leah meet for Sunday dinner. Ellis doesn't bother coming though...it's not his scene. (Did I mention Ellis is a douche?)

[caption id="attachment_1514" align="alignnone" width="300"] Chicago's South Side[/caption]

Enter a handsome stranger and the destruction of Leah's house of cards. Of trying to be what Ellis wants. Of course, honesty isn't Leah's strong suit and her latest relationship hasn't started all that honorably. Love is hard for Leah. Truth is harder.

Rounding out the supporting cast is Cari, Leah's BFF and work partner, and Jimmy, their cross-country work friend (and sometimes love of Cari's). Jimmy is sensitive and resepctful and exactly the kind of guy you'd want for your best friend. They are Leah's family of choice. They support her and they call her on the carpet when need be (which is often). They're true friends who accept Leah as she is...and ply her with copious amounts of alcohol whenever possible. Typical hilarity ensues, as do the consequences. Oh, and they love the F-word. Yes, yes they do. It's glorious...

MY WINTER is a love story through and through. About falling in love for real...with yourself and with someone else. Full of sex and passion and beautiful moments, it's as real an experience as Leah has ever allowed herself. Will it be enough this time?

5 stars

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can a woman haunted by a painful past change her jaded outlook on life, love, and her self-destructive ways in order to find herself and an unexpected love?

My Winter is a wonderful story about life, love, heartbreak, family, friendship, and self-discovery. Told in the first person narrative, the reader follows Leah Anderson's journey of self-discovery and finding true love.

After suffering a family tragedy when she was young, Leah's outlook on life has become jaded and her behavior self-destructive. She runs from her painful past by erecting a wall around her heart that stunts her view of men and love. Detached and accepting what life hands her, Leah is engaged to Ellis, a pompous man who belittles her and constantly puts her down. When Leah meets a handsome stranger named Adam, the attraction is mutual, causing her to question her choices and the way she views life and love.

Adam has his own painful past baggage, but he is open to love and is determined to show Leah the way. Leah's journey towards love is filled with hurdles and bad choices that could ruin everything before it even gets its wings. Can Leah and Adam let go of their dark pasts, overcome the obstacles, and open themselves to the brightness of love and happiness?

My Winter is the kind of contemporary romance novel that immediately draws the reader in from the start, holds them captive, and takes them along for the ride as Leah and Adam's journey slowly unfolds. With an endearing cast of characters who easily draw you into their story, witty dialogue and dramatic interactions, and a storyline that has the reader experiencing the full gamut of emotions, My Winter is a beautifully written story about life and love and all the trials and tribulations that come with it ... even in the darkness of winter.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Winter is a must read for anyone who loves a good story. From the very first page, readers are drawn into the life of Leah, and the struggles she has while exploring the possibilities of a new relationship and dealing with a painful past. Nikki's writing style is relaxed and enjoyable--like sitting down with your best friend and hearing her story over drinks; it's hard not to see yourself (or others you might have dated) in her characters. With every chapter I read, I was amazed with the parallels the characters had to my own life. My only complaint it that it ended too soon! I'm looking forward to Nikki's next book!

[Diana Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just one more chapter…famous last words! This is one of those books that you don't put down. Although I love, love, love the romance of the book, it was the friendship themes that really drew me in. I highly recommend it, and My Winter will definitely be a book that I read over and over again.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those of you that follow my reviews, you know that I don't give out 5 stars to just any old book. It has to be a book that moves me, brings out my emotions. A book that I can't put down and I generally care for the characters and what happens to them. A book that does not have sex just to have sex, but a way to show the relationship and the love that the characters have for each other. I can tell you that My Winter is that book!

We get to meet Leah. She is engaged to Ellis and anyone can see that they are not ment to be together. He is proper and snobbish and likes to dictate the direction that Leah's life should go. He has pretty much made her become the dream fiance that he wants her to be, but in turn making her into the person that she does not entirely like all that much. Leah pretty much knows that Ellis is not her future and knows that she needs to break things off with him.

In comes Adam. He is everything that Leah needs in a man. He is fun loving and allows her to be the person that she actually is. He does not have any problems with her friends and actually WANTS to go to Sunday family dinners. The complete opposite of Ellis in every way. The problem is, Leah actually meets him BEFORE she breaks things off with Ellis, actually in a small way he might be the reason that she finally has the nerve to tell Ellis that things are over.

From the first date you could see that something special was going on here. It is like Nikki thought up the perfect situation and relationship that every girl dreams of and puts it down on paper. Now I am not saying that everything in this book is perfect. Leah defiantly has some major issues going on. She is afraid to love, thinking that she don't deserve it, or that she is afraid of loving someone and then they leave, just like her dad when he died. We can see that Adam is head over heel and shows it in every way. We know that Leah loves him, but is afraid to show it. That, and there is that little secret that she has not shared with Adam. She was engaged to Ellis, and was not actually broken up with him when she made her first date with Adam.

I can honestly say that I was anxiously awaiting this book and it did not disappoint. I adore Nikki Young and she is one of those authors that you need to put on your must read list. If something comes out from her, you just need to read it. Simple as that!

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review posted at: http://bookcrushbookreviews.com/2014/...

Rating: 5 snow-filled stars

Before the beginning of the second chapter, I felt a connection with Leah that was powerful and had me wanting to break out the gloves to fight in her favor. Leah may doubt herself and look to others for reassurance but when she drops her layers she knows exactly who she is, what she wants, what she needs, and what's most comforting for her. BUT she's afraid once she has what she's been longing for, she'll lose it so this holds her back. Leah's filthy mouth and quick, witty comments had me cracking up. Her banter with Cari, Jimmy, her brothers and Adam was comical. These relationships complimented their personalities and brought comfort, support and safety to their lives. May I declare, that the dessert date was the best "second-fake first date" EVER!!! And hands down My Winter has won my own personal award for the best. first. kiss. Said kiss left me breathless and feeling like a voyeur (hopefully that comes off as more appropriate than it sounds while I type it) because it was that hot & sexy. Here are my reasons for complete satisfaction and enjoyment regarding moments of Leah & Adam that will stay with me for a longtime: pink & chocolate, being observant of the smaller things, being real/true to themselves, sensual glances (oh how those say so much), saying fuck and sounding sweet while doing it (where's the audio version), and knowing that reality is better than our dreams (Leah's dad is a genius). When L&A use their lust-filled words and the way they move with one another, you can feel the love pouring out of them like hot water from a faucet that just coats you in warmth. The chemistry is sensual and you know it's the deepest of loves being experienced. Nikki's words captivated the need, desire, and domineering qualities in a sensually, tasteful way. I wanted their story to go on and on and on. Maybe we'll get more of them or maybe we'll get Cari & Jimmy's story (puh puh puh please)!! The cover is breathtaking and when you reach it's meaning within the book...oh let's just say it brought happy tears to my eyes. This has been an unforgettable read for me! Give this a try and get your L&A crush!!

[KyBunnies · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first saw the email with this book I was wondering if I signed up to host. I am very good at signing up for something to read and forgetting I signed up. Thankfully authors and tour companies have better record keeping than I do.

I started this book during a storm watch in my area. I knew I would lose internet and possibly electric. Well, forget the storm watch this book captivated me from beginning.

It seems Leah is trying to come to terms with marrying Ellis. From the onset readers see that Leah is not in love with Ellis. Whether she is with him because of comfort or because she does not think she can find her true love is left to future readers to decide. I will not state.

Ellis reminds me of someone that only cares about his feelings and what will help keep him from living up to his full potential. Ellis is someone that does not see any joy in life and just living day-to-day.

Adam is someone who looks for the joy in anything. He knows what he wants and goes after it. He is someone not afraid to enjoy everything life has to offer.

Adam and Leah have each suffered emotional loss in the past. Each one dealing with it differently. Most readers will be able to connect with these two characters.

I usually never have a problem reading a book in one sitting. This one proved no different. I started it right before a bad spring storm and was finished a few hours after the storm was over. Did the rain help relaxing me in to a reading trance? No not really, this book was that amazing. Rarely have I ever read an Indie (or traditionally published) author that has captivated me to where I am fully able to block out everything.

The bunnies and I highly recommend this book. It will pull you in and keep you wanting more.

Thanks for such an enthralling read Nikki.

The Bunnies and I give this book 5 carrots.

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own and do not reflect those of the author, my clients or tour companies I work with. This is not a paid review. To form your own opinion please support the author and acquire your own legal copy of the book.

[Dinese E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good. The heroine was a bit too pity party sometimes. Her friend had to snap her out of it from time to time. She felt such pity for herself being in a relationship with a man she did not love, Ellis, who treated her like a child. And she had complete control over that to walk away. She felt somehow she deserved Ellis because in a way it kept her from feeling anything.

Then came along Adam, with dirty blond hair, supermodel face, blue-gray eyes and so devoted to her. He fell in love with her immediately. But she met him at a bar when she was still engaged. The biggest lie was she didn't tell him that when they went on their first date, she hadn't fully, really completely broken up with Ellis. And it came back to bite her in the ass - HARD. As I read it, I felt the lie festering like a fungus and knew as everyone else kept telling her in the book, that it was going to blow up in her face. And it did. Ellis came to her office with the ring one more time, on bended knee, no less, the day Andrew returned from a trip and the two men saw each other. BUSTED.

Ellis didn't want to give up. I suspect he was so used to her that he didn't see his life without her, not necessarily that he was head over heels. She had become comfortable to him like he was comfortable to her. There was no connection there.

I never understood why she didn't tell Adam about Ellis right from the beginning. It was a stupid move. The more time that went by, the more she felt she could get away with it. When she was finally found out, it was good that she had to beg her way back. Adam was understandably hurt, confused as any man would be.

Good book but heroine's deceit disturbed me a bit.

[Books Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leah has a history of self-destructive behavior and bad choices when it comes to men. As she approaches 30, she finds someone "safe"--but the cost is changing who she actually is. It's one thing to give up on self-destructive behaviors because you see what it's doing to to you; it's another to do it because it's what someone else wants you to do. That's what happens with her fiance, Ellis. She tries so hard to please him that she finally breaks out of the mold he's placed her in--and meets a stranger with whom she feels an instant connection that same night.

Adam is everything Ellis isn't--he genuinely likes her for who she is. There's an instant physical attraction and chemistry between the two. However, for some reason, Leah doesn't tell him she's just broken up with Ellis. And, as with all secrets, the longer it goes the harder it is for her to tell him.

I adore Adam. He's a fun, sensitive guy. Leah, I wanted to shake sometimes because I could see the train wreck coming. But, the secret was just another part of her self-destructive impulses--she has a deep need to sabotage relationships before they can go bad and hurt her. Thankfully she has friends like Cori and Jimmy to ground her.

It's a fast moving book and is well-written. There are some beautiful passages--especially when she and Adam are talking about winter and how she reacts to it.

4 stars--and I would be interested in reading more of this author's work.

[Phoebe Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars!

My Winter is a great story about finding yourself when everyone else is telling you there's nothing really left to look for.

We meet Adam and Leah, two thirty-somethings walking the twisty path where relationships and love meet. The stories and characters are engaging and likable, except for one I was really inspired to punch in the face (good job on that one Ms. Young). I really liked that all the characters living in this story, including the lead characters, have flaws ranging from minor to major. It made them real to me.

"Every day for the last month I lived as if I missed the ending to a movie. Like someone turned it off before I could find out what happened."

It was like that every time I had to put the book down. I needed to pick it back up and to find out where things were going, what was happening next.

So, why 4 1/2 stars? I wish I could have gotten to know Adam, the male lead character, a bit more. I wanted to know more about what made him tick, what he was thinking, how he was feeling. Maybe an Adam POV is in order? Hint Hint.

The cover gets 5 stars!

[Meagan Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome. A great read that most women can relate to, the struggle between what is safe, and what takes us slightly outside of our comfort zone to discover something amazing. It's a story of heartbreak, love, family, and friendship. You can't help but love the main character who is real, has a bit of a potty mouth, but at the end of the day you love her and are committed to her story. The author does a great job developing the story that leads to a beautifully well written culmination of the book! Would absolutely love to hear the story of her best friend in the book!!

[Chris- Bookaddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is AMAZING!!!! it consumed me this morning to the point that I put off everything else because I could not stop turning the pages to read more. Unfortunately I now need to get to the grocery store, and my review will have to wait until I get back. I will say this if you're looking for a great pick me up book, one that will have you smiling while reading it then grab this one up, you will not be disappointed.


Gifted by Author for honest review. :)

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters in this story were way too immature for me. They're in their thirties with the emotional maturity of a 16 year old, sometimes even younger. I mean I can remember going through some similar crap myself when I was in high school. I had to skim through most of it because the unnecessary drama from the characters making ridiculously immature decisions was beyond stupid to me and in no way entertaining.

[Jm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, a must read!!!!!!! Characters are great, keeps you turning pages!!!!!! Can't wait for more from this author!!!!!!!

[Tania]

DNF at 59%

I was really excited to read this one but it turned out to be a insta-love story with an annoying heroine.

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.
And finished it in one sitting.

[Celine · Rating 5 out of 5]

And here I thought I should be worried because I loved the last book I read. If anything, this just made me so much happier. What's better than having to read books back-to-back that are so awesome?

Leah is in a very stable and secured relationship with Ellis, and she's happy. Well, as happy as someone who doesn't wanna risk it. But for those who know her very well, they all know Leah isn't meant to be restrained from having fun. Too bad her fiancee is probably the poster child for rigidity and anti-fun. Honestly I'm more attracted to the serious guys, but Ellis wasn't simply serious, he was just a grumpy person. The irony here is for someone who is so intolerant of other people, he has a flare for drama.

Which brings us to Leah meeting Adam, who was someone I grew to love. Okay, he was a good, even great person all throughout, but the way they began was something eerie. Anyway, he more than made up for their shady encounter. For the entire time, it is definitely impossible not to fall for Adam. As for Leah, well at first I thought she was just a girl with tons of issues, and while I realized it's true, she also has more depth than she chooses to show.

Together, they seem perfect and too happy. Only factor here is that their relationship isn't fully founded on trust. Well, it's one of those twists wherein you're about to come clean, then the secret gets out before you do so, and it looks like you've been hiding it all along. Overall, the Pandora's box was opened, and everything crashed down.

Maybe it's because of all the other books I've already read, but I've already gotten softer. It really pained me when the fall-out happened It hurt so much to see Leah begging for Adam to listen, while he just ignored her. Much as it pained me when they saw each other with other people. But at the same time, I was so happy to see that Adam went to Leah's place and take/win/woo her back. Their reunion was something to behold because the sparks, the magic, the love was in it. And when Adam showed Leah the first sign of winter that time, he gave her another piece of her life she thought would be lost forever. Her memories of winter became something wonderful instead of a nightmare she doesn't wanna re-live.

[Jill Headrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK so this book was just fine. I skipped through a lot just to get to the end. I hate to write something bad on a book that only has a few reviews but it reminded me of a not so great version of the Collide series by Gail McHugh (which I love). It was definitely well written, at no point was I cringing at tacky dialogue or horrible grammar! It just lacked descriptors... I never really got to know the characters.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely getting there :) The beginning held so much promise! It did fizzle a little after that, with some inconsistency in characters that I didn't quite understand. I would have liked more insight into Adam's psyche. I get that Leah's past was horrible, but it was kind of touched on and not gone into any great lengths. I liked the ending, and felt a lot less cheated by it. I'll keep this spoiler free and say in my mind everyone was happy

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by Author for honest review. Coming soon.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a very cute story, just a little boring.

[Hazelhazel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't bring myself to finish this book. Maybe I'll give it another try in the faaaar faaaaaaaar future.