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Loving Winter
Can a man who lives for jokes and puns be happy with the most serious person he’s ever met?
After an IED explosion destroys Winter Ireland’s knee and her military career, she runs to Haven to regroup and figure out how to become useful again. She needs a new job and an updated life plan. She isn’t looking for love, but Nick Blackstone is irresistible. Or he would be if his tendency to joke around continually wasn’t so annoying.
To cope with a tragedy in his past, Nick turned to jokes and puns to survive. Winter is the most beautiful and compelling women he’s ever met, and he doesn’t understand why she can’t be happy with him and his small town. He knows part of her problem is his fun-loving attitude, but he can’t seem to stop joking. Not even for Winter.
There’s so much between them, and even more pushing them apart. Can they compromise for love’s sake and find happiness together?
After an IED explosion destroys Winter Ireland’s knee and her military career, she runs to Haven to regroup and figure out how to become useful again. She needs a new job and an updated life plan. She isn’t looking for love, but Nick Blackstone is irresistible. Or he would be if his tendency to joke around continually wasn’t so annoying.
To cope with a tragedy in his past, Nick turned to jokes and puns to survive. Winter is the most beautiful and compelling women he’s ever met, and he doesn’t understand why she can’t be happy with him and his small town. He knows part of her problem is his fun-loving attitude, but he can’t seem to stop joking. Not even for Winter.
There’s so much between them, and even more pushing them apart. Can they compromise for love’s sake and find happiness together?
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 30, 2025
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 4, 2025
4.5 stars
I truly enjoyed this small town romance between Nick and Winter. Katie brought the characters to life from the first page. The town of Haven was so perfect, I'm jealous that I am unable to live there too, although technically I still couldn't because this was set in Canada and I'm from The States. My grandparents and everyone else from my mom's side were born in Canada but I digress.
In the book, Winter has decisions about her future to make and having come to Haven with no intentions of staying makes her life choices even tougher, in some ways. Can she have her cake and eat it too? ;-)
I loved this world that Katie built in the book and the characters too. The dialogue is great, the story realistic and entertaining. I quickly forgot this was a book of fiction and got lost in the story.
Once again, I have inadvertently started a series out of order, so now I need to backtrack and read the rest of the series and any other books she's written, and there was quite a list...
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I truly enjoyed this small town romance between Nick and Winter. Katie brought the characters to life from the first page. The town of Haven was so perfect, I'm jealous that I am unable to live there too, although technically I still couldn't because this was set in Canada and I'm from The States. My grandparents and everyone else from my mom's side were born in Canada but I digress.
In the book, Winter has decisions about her future to make and having come to Haven with no intentions of staying makes her life choices even tougher, in some ways. Can she have her cake and eat it too? ;-)
I loved this world that Katie built in the book and the characters too. The dialogue is great, the story realistic and entertaining. I quickly forgot this was a book of fiction and got lost in the story.
Once again, I have inadvertently started a series out of order, so now I need to backtrack and read the rest of the series and any other books she's written, and there was quite a list...
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 29, 2025
This was a cute, small town story. I enjoyed seeing these two come together even though they resisted it at first. They weren’t expecting love but found out that’s when it comes and hits you the hardest.
This is a dual pov, closed door romance.
This is a dual pov, closed door romance.
March 28, 2025
A REASON TO STAY
The story is part of the Heart’s Haven series and can be read as a stand-alone. The town of Haven is located in Alberta, Canada. It is a small town with charming people, who seem to know about each other. It is a tourist destination with beautiful places to camp, lakes, and only two Bed and breakfasts, along with shops like the Book Nook and Nick’s Bakery.
Winter Ireland comes from an influential family that runs a non-profit, builds houses, and helps those in need who need a hand-up. The one thing Winter doesn’t want is to work in the family business. At eighteen, she entered the Canadian Army and has done many tours, but her vehicle was hit by an IED, the explosion shattered her knee, resulting in a replacement and medical discharge from the military. Instead of heading home, she leaves Vancouver, British Columbia, and travels to Haven, where her Aunt Muriel has a home. While Aunt Muriel is away on a mission trip, she is thrilled Winter has asked to stay in her home.
Nick Blackstone is a man who lost his father and grandfather in an accident when he was a preteen boy. His mother was so devastated she took to her bed, and Nick turned to jokes and puns to not only survive himself, but also to cheer up his mother since that was a trait his father had. He has never married, was a renowned chef in New York City, but burned out, and now has a bakery in Haven.
The story’s plot will bring two people together by chance. What a shock to Winter that everyone in Haven knows who she is. It seems Aunt Muriel is very proud of her niece and her military service. The first person Winter will meet is Nick when her truck dies on her, just as she gets to Haven. She will walk to his bakery and bang on the door until he lets her in. For him, it is love at first sight—for Winter, it is a place out of the cold that has coffee and pastries. Nick has the key to Muriel’s house and makes sure Winter arrives safely.
I enjoyed the story, the character, and the charming town and neighbors of Haven. I liked how the people embraced her and did things to get her involved in town events. No matter what, Winter has the notion that she needs to find a new purpose in life that does not involve her family’s business. She harps on about this only being temporary, that she plans to leave after Muriel returns—but those in Haven want her to stay—especially Nick.
Uma: She’s a lovely woman.
Nick: She is that.
Uma: She’s good for you. You’ve never been unhappy, but lately, since she arrived in town, you’re fairly bursting with happiness. I’m happy for you.
Nick: Thanks. I just hope she stays.
Uma: I guess you’ll need to give her a reason to stay.
This is a contemporary tale, while there are indications of a personal relationship between Nick and Winter that changes to intimate, there are no details; it is only implied. I liked the story and characters, but so much of it becomes repetitive of her plans to leave and why, and the jokes and puns he uses and why.
The story is part of the Heart’s Haven series and can be read as a stand-alone. The town of Haven is located in Alberta, Canada. It is a small town with charming people, who seem to know about each other. It is a tourist destination with beautiful places to camp, lakes, and only two Bed and breakfasts, along with shops like the Book Nook and Nick’s Bakery.
Winter Ireland comes from an influential family that runs a non-profit, builds houses, and helps those in need who need a hand-up. The one thing Winter doesn’t want is to work in the family business. At eighteen, she entered the Canadian Army and has done many tours, but her vehicle was hit by an IED, the explosion shattered her knee, resulting in a replacement and medical discharge from the military. Instead of heading home, she leaves Vancouver, British Columbia, and travels to Haven, where her Aunt Muriel has a home. While Aunt Muriel is away on a mission trip, she is thrilled Winter has asked to stay in her home.
Nick Blackstone is a man who lost his father and grandfather in an accident when he was a preteen boy. His mother was so devastated she took to her bed, and Nick turned to jokes and puns to not only survive himself, but also to cheer up his mother since that was a trait his father had. He has never married, was a renowned chef in New York City, but burned out, and now has a bakery in Haven.
The story’s plot will bring two people together by chance. What a shock to Winter that everyone in Haven knows who she is. It seems Aunt Muriel is very proud of her niece and her military service. The first person Winter will meet is Nick when her truck dies on her, just as she gets to Haven. She will walk to his bakery and bang on the door until he lets her in. For him, it is love at first sight—for Winter, it is a place out of the cold that has coffee and pastries. Nick has the key to Muriel’s house and makes sure Winter arrives safely.
I enjoyed the story, the character, and the charming town and neighbors of Haven. I liked how the people embraced her and did things to get her involved in town events. No matter what, Winter has the notion that she needs to find a new purpose in life that does not involve her family’s business. She harps on about this only being temporary, that she plans to leave after Muriel returns—but those in Haven want her to stay—especially Nick.
Uma: She’s a lovely woman.
Nick: She is that.
Uma: She’s good for you. You’ve never been unhappy, but lately, since she arrived in town, you’re fairly bursting with happiness. I’m happy for you.
Nick: Thanks. I just hope she stays.
Uma: I guess you’ll need to give her a reason to stay.
This is a contemporary tale, while there are indications of a personal relationship between Nick and Winter that changes to intimate, there are no details; it is only implied. I liked the story and characters, but so much of it becomes repetitive of her plans to leave and why, and the jokes and puns he uses and why.
March 18, 2025
This is book four in The Heart’s Haven series and it is Winter and Nick’s story. Winter was in the military and loved her career until a IED explosion destroyed her knee and career leaving her adrift and not knowing what to do next so she decided to stay in her aunt’s house in Haven so that she can recover and decide what to do next and also try to move forward after everything that she had gone through and also everything that she had lost. Nick had a big tragedy in his life and after attending a wedding in Haven he liked the place so much that he decided to move there and open up a bakery while living a quieter lifestyle and to help him come to terms with it and cope with the grief he now constantly makes jokes and even though he knows that at times it annoys people it helps cope while getting through the day and his life but what he would really like is to find that someone special and have a family and even though it hasn’t happened yet he hadn’t given up hope. When Winter and Nick meet for the first time there is definitely a strong attraction between them but Winter is only staying in Haven until her aunt returns and didn’t want to get into any kind of relationship because she wasn’t in the mindset as sorting her life out had to be her top priority and she didn’t want or need any more complications. The more time that Winter and Nick spend time together the stronger there feelings for each other grew and even though they are so perfect together and for each other will things eventually work out for them which will give them the happiness and future that they both want and deserve. I absolutely love this book and I read it in one sitting because the story pulled you in and kept your attention throughout and I can’t wait to read more books by this author in the future.
May 3, 2025
Nick Blackstone would be irresistible…if he didn’t incessantly joke ALL the time… it gets tiring and she’s about ready for retiring away . Winter Ireland’s military career has gone a bit flat an explosion causing an injury to her knee and deep sorrow too. She turns to her hometown of Haven to reset what to do. She needs a new focus ,where she feels needed and not impede to do a good job. Nick thinks she’s ace, it’s just his coping mechanism the jokes and all . He looks at her and she’s got it all. Why isn’t she happy with her lot when all this going for her she’s got….He wonders why she can’t be happy in his town and what exactly seems to be making her down . Oh dearie me Nick all she wants is that you’re serious for once especially about her and tell her you love her more than once..Love is a compromise that’s for sure , Is he in,get an in , or his shoe pushed out the door ? Ooh I quite like that metaphor . But that’s what I’m saying is he all in or all out because she deserves more than be in doubt of his love . Joking aside ,she just wants to run and hide from that ,stat so back to the drawing board of life and making a certain sacrifice. Do they make a go or no? Well you’ll have to read it ,then you’ll know . I give a big thumbs and an encore though… Very well written and great characters too
April 1, 2025
This is such a heartwarming love story! Both Winter and Nick have had tragedies in their lives, Nick the death of his parents and Winter a career ending injury, and are dealing with them in different ways. Winter is adamant about not putting down roots or letting anyone get close to her, and Nick uses jokes as a coping mechanism. They meet when Winter’s truck breaks down as she arrives in town and there’s an immediate connection. Even though she insists they can be nothing more than friends, she is drawn to him and can’t seem to stay away. Slowly, Nick breaks down her walls and helps her see how great they are together and how wonderful her life is in Haven. I’m so glad they got there happily ever after! They both deserve it!
April 2, 2025
From the very first page I was caught up into the story of Winter and Nick. “Loving Winter” is a book that takes us on a journey that is filled with conflict and humour and keeps you wondering until the last chapter will they be together or not. As I read this book, with my coffee and a cookie, I laughed out loud and shed a few tears. I promise if you take a “Risk” and read this book you will discover the “Clue” to their happiness. This fourth book in the Heart’s Haven series does not disappoint. Katie O’Connor is a true master storyteller.
March 15, 2025
I loved this book from start to finish. What a beautiful sweet read, couldn't put it down. Highly recommend, must read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 31, 2025
I really enjoyed getting to know Nick and Winter in Katie O'Connor's newest release Loving Winter. Nick's puns mixed with Winter's reluctance to allow herself to find him charming made for a fun journey to love for these two wonderful characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews