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A New York Winter
Curl up this Christmas with the ultimate city escape, and get ready to fall in love with NYC
Will her dreams come true in the city that never sleeps?
When she was nineteen, on a magical trip to New York City, Ashling created a list of her five life goals. There, she'd felt inspired to dream big, but now, ten years later, with four out of five goals having crumbled before her, she realises she has only one option left to live the life she's always dreamed move to New York City, before it's too late.
Armed with a ninety-day visa, she's sure that a winter in the city that never sleeps will help her finally get her life on track. However, after arriving in the Big Apple with nowhere to live, Ashling realises that she may be in over her head, until she meets River . . .
River is miserable. He's newly single, recently demoted and feeling entirely lost, but sensing Ashling could do with the help, he offers her his sofa bed. Despite their clashing personalities, over the course of the winter, outgoing Ashling finds herself growing closer to quiet, geeky River—but is he just shy or is there another reason he's holding back?
With snow falling on 5th Avenue, a Thanksgiving parade and a fun-filled Christmas in the most romantic city in the world, can Ashling once again learn to follow her dreams—and maybe even her heart?
PRAISE FOR ISLA GORDON
'Heart-warming and full of hope'—HEIDI SWAIN
'Gorgeously cosy . . . utterly lovely'—HOLLY MARTIN
Will her dreams come true in the city that never sleeps?
When she was nineteen, on a magical trip to New York City, Ashling created a list of her five life goals. There, she'd felt inspired to dream big, but now, ten years later, with four out of five goals having crumbled before her, she realises she has only one option left to live the life she's always dreamed move to New York City, before it's too late.
Armed with a ninety-day visa, she's sure that a winter in the city that never sleeps will help her finally get her life on track. However, after arriving in the Big Apple with nowhere to live, Ashling realises that she may be in over her head, until she meets River . . .
River is miserable. He's newly single, recently demoted and feeling entirely lost, but sensing Ashling could do with the help, he offers her his sofa bed. Despite their clashing personalities, over the course of the winter, outgoing Ashling finds herself growing closer to quiet, geeky River—but is he just shy or is there another reason he's holding back?
With snow falling on 5th Avenue, a Thanksgiving parade and a fun-filled Christmas in the most romantic city in the world, can Ashling once again learn to follow her dreams—and maybe even her heart?
PRAISE FOR ISLA GORDON
'Heart-warming and full of hope'—HEIDI SWAIN
'Gorgeously cosy . . . utterly lovely'—HOLLY MARTIN
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Published February 20, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 19, 2024
I actually enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I would! It was a simple, cute & wintery romance and the vibes were immaculate 🩵
A perfect winter read ❄️
A perfect winter read ❄️
December 29, 2023
While I enjoyed the story in itself, I have to admit that I wasn't a big fan of the cast of characters in this one. The pace was also quite slow in the beginning, which made it a little harder for me to plow through. But once the pace picked up at around 30%, it really got a lot better and I enjoyed it more.
December 4, 2023
A winter tour of all things touristy in New York.
Aishling has just lost her job as a pilot after hurting her shoulder, so decides to try to follow her dreams and try to find herself in New York. She hasn't planned it particularly well though, so ends up staying on a sofa of her exs friend. Rivers isn't too welcoming at first, but soon thaws and the two go off on mini adventures.
This was a lovely wintery read, I could picture the scenes vividly and it made me want to visit NYC asap.
Aishling has just lost her job as a pilot after hurting her shoulder, so decides to try to follow her dreams and try to find herself in New York. She hasn't planned it particularly well though, so ends up staying on a sofa of her exs friend. Rivers isn't too welcoming at first, but soon thaws and the two go off on mini adventures.
This was a lovely wintery read, I could picture the scenes vividly and it made me want to visit NYC asap.
January 1, 2026
This book has made me want to go back to New York asap!!! I loved going on Ashling’s journey with her and it was a good reminder that you don’t need to have your life completely figured out in your 20s, and that they are for having fun, making mistakes and discovering what you truly want out of life! I also liked the little bit of romance in this as well as her lovely relationship with mom and gran 🥹🤍
December 26, 2023
Having injured herself, our main character is no longer fit to fly. Losing her dream job leaves her feeling somewhat lacking in purpose…so she decides to move to New York for three months and try to find her future.
Packed with New York winter cliches this is a light romance full of festive cheer.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this.
Packed with New York winter cliches this is a light romance full of festive cheer.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this.
January 17, 2025
The main character felt very young to me. She’s supposed to be thirty years old but I would have believed this story more if she was twenty. Also the whole story, characters and plot feel very superficial. There isn’t really a character or story arc.
November 17, 2023
Festive, heartwarming, featuring a couple of characters that are hoping to get their life back in track.
It's cute read, perfect for an escapist afternoon
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's cute read, perfect for an escapist afternoon
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
January 3, 2024
Cosy! Loved all the NYC references.
December 16, 2024
Very cute Christmas book!
December 10, 2025
⭐️ 2,5: Eerste winter-/kerstboek van het seizoen :) (en tevens ook mijn eerste boek in een paar maanden). Er werd me een Christmas romance in New York beloofd en hoewel er zeker genoeg NY-elementen in voorkwamen, bleef de Christmas en de romance een beetje uit. Ik vond het allemaal wat slapjes. Het hele “ik-moet-een-nieuwe-droom-vinden-want-de-andere-zijn-verbrijzeld”- verhaal vond ik iets te kinderachtig. De gedachte erachter was heel mooi, maar de uitvoering vond ik wat minder. Het hoofdpersonage vond ik ook niet zo likeable en sorry maar wie noemt er het mannelijke hoofdpersonage nu River?? Niet helemaal mijn ding, maar ik ken nu wel meer van NY.
November 3, 2023
Ashling is living the dream as a short haul pilot with even bigger dreams for the future. But when a shoulder injury puts a stop to her piloting career, she is forced to rethink her whole future. Determined the make the last dream on her ten-year-old list come true, she makes a snap decision to move to New York for the winter on a 90 day visa, with the hope of realising what her future holds and what her new dreams will look like. But with her ex Hugh also now living in New York, and his colleague River ending up being Ashling’s roommate, are things about to get complicated?
Ashling is a fab character. Feisty and brave and not afraid to go after what she wants, even if she doesn’t always know what that is. I loved her impulsivity and I wish I was a bit more like that instead of such an over thinker! I loved being on her journey of discovery and learning what really mattered to her. I think we put so much emphasis on ‘all our dreams coming true’, and it’s important to take stock and think - are these ‘dreams’ actually making me happy? Or am I too focused on the end goal?
Loved River 😍😍 I was rooting so hard for them two!!! And the setting was just gorgeous. Visiting New York at Christmastime is one of my life goals, and to live it vicariously through Ashling was a real joy. I could feel the festive, wintery atmosphere pulsing through the pages and I felt like I was there. It was so immersive.
A fabulous wintry delight, less Christmassy than A Winter in Wonderland so a perfect winter read to curl up with in the warm ❄️
Ashling is a fab character. Feisty and brave and not afraid to go after what she wants, even if she doesn’t always know what that is. I loved her impulsivity and I wish I was a bit more like that instead of such an over thinker! I loved being on her journey of discovery and learning what really mattered to her. I think we put so much emphasis on ‘all our dreams coming true’, and it’s important to take stock and think - are these ‘dreams’ actually making me happy? Or am I too focused on the end goal?
Loved River 😍😍 I was rooting so hard for them two!!! And the setting was just gorgeous. Visiting New York at Christmastime is one of my life goals, and to live it vicariously through Ashling was a real joy. I could feel the festive, wintery atmosphere pulsing through the pages and I felt like I was there. It was so immersive.
A fabulous wintry delight, less Christmassy than A Winter in Wonderland so a perfect winter read to curl up with in the warm ❄️
October 22, 2023
"Escape to the city that never sleeps" is actually a very, very good description of this book, because it mostly felt like a tribute to New York. And this is actually my biggest problem with Isla Gordon's books, because well, she writes novels around something: around a dog, around a city... and the plot feels like an after - thought. She centres New York (in that case) in the centre and thinks about a story and well, I know how well this author can write, I loved Lisa Dickenson's books, and perhaps it'S time that she, again, starts writing her novels around characters.
But whatever. My problems aside, it was a lovely and uplifting read, full of warmth and easy to follow. The author added some "mysteries" throughout the story that I could have lived wihout, like with Ashley's grandma and the repetitive listing of Ashley's plan. The writing style was brilliant, full of humour and great one - liners and Ashley's character was truly great. She didn't take no for an answer, she was very persistent actually, but I like this in my fictional characters, probably because I am not like this and when someone says no, than, well, it's a no. For Ashley not.
Of course the descriptions of New York were just spot on and you can see that the author has also fallen in love with this city. Altogether, it was a warm story about second chances, looking for happiness, also lovingly describing relationship between mother and daughter.
But whatever. My problems aside, it was a lovely and uplifting read, full of warmth and easy to follow. The author added some "mysteries" throughout the story that I could have lived wihout, like with Ashley's grandma and the repetitive listing of Ashley's plan. The writing style was brilliant, full of humour and great one - liners and Ashley's character was truly great. She didn't take no for an answer, she was very persistent actually, but I like this in my fictional characters, probably because I am not like this and when someone says no, than, well, it's a no. For Ashley not.
Of course the descriptions of New York were just spot on and you can see that the author has also fallen in love with this city. Altogether, it was a warm story about second chances, looking for happiness, also lovingly describing relationship between mother and daughter.
November 4, 2023
How wonderful to visit New York at Christmas, from the comfort of my armchair, without the need to freeze in the cold!
And I truly feel as though I have experienced the holidays in New York after reading this, as Ashling fits so much into her time in the city.
Ashling at times drove me slightly mad with her need to find new dreams for the rest of her life, but other than that, I loved every moment of the book.
From the run up to Thanksgiving, including the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, to Christmas, including the Rockettes Christmas extravaganza and the Times Square Ball drop - this must have included just about every iconic New York Christmas thing you could do. And I was so living it up alongside Ashling.
But we also get to see some of the less touristy things, and spend a fair bit of time in Greenwich Village too. There's even a road trip to another gorgeous American wintery location. I'm positive this book will do good things for New York tourism.
Everything was described to perfectly. But it's not just an ode to New York, there is a lovely story within the pages too, about Ashling trying to work out what she would like to do with her life next, after a freak injury means she can no longer fly planes.
This is just a charming story that totally transported me. Another great book from the always talented Isla Gordon.
Thank you to Sphere and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
And I truly feel as though I have experienced the holidays in New York after reading this, as Ashling fits so much into her time in the city.
Ashling at times drove me slightly mad with her need to find new dreams for the rest of her life, but other than that, I loved every moment of the book.
From the run up to Thanksgiving, including the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, to Christmas, including the Rockettes Christmas extravaganza and the Times Square Ball drop - this must have included just about every iconic New York Christmas thing you could do. And I was so living it up alongside Ashling.
But we also get to see some of the less touristy things, and spend a fair bit of time in Greenwich Village too. There's even a road trip to another gorgeous American wintery location. I'm positive this book will do good things for New York tourism.
Everything was described to perfectly. But it's not just an ode to New York, there is a lovely story within the pages too, about Ashling trying to work out what she would like to do with her life next, after a freak injury means she can no longer fly planes.
This is just a charming story that totally transported me. Another great book from the always talented Isla Gordon.
Thank you to Sphere and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
January 6, 2025
Ashling loses her job as an airline pilot, due to an injury that isn’t likely to heal, making her unfit for the job. In a fit of panic about what her future will look like now, she finds an old journal where she wrote down her life goals 10 years ago. The only goal that still seems attainable is to live in New York. So, armed with a 90-day tourist visa, she decides to fly from London to New York (as a passenger this time) to try to live in the Big Apple for just under three months.
Turns out her ex is living in the city too and the apartment she was supposed to have all to herself is unexpectedly occupied by someone else. After all that is figured out we get to exploring the city, the characters and their relationships.
The book is nicely paced, well written and set in my favorite city in the world. It even mentions Cornelia Street (iykyk) and “the Friends building”. So, I very much enjoyed it. Was it amazing or very different from other feel-good books? No. But it is on the good end of the genre’s spectrum. It had a solid story and enjoyable characters.
Turns out her ex is living in the city too and the apartment she was supposed to have all to herself is unexpectedly occupied by someone else. After all that is figured out we get to exploring the city, the characters and their relationships.
The book is nicely paced, well written and set in my favorite city in the world. It even mentions Cornelia Street (iykyk) and “the Friends building”. So, I very much enjoyed it. Was it amazing or very different from other feel-good books? No. But it is on the good end of the genre’s spectrum. It had a solid story and enjoyable characters.
December 22, 2024
Une belle romance au coeur de l'hiver à New York. J'ai passé un très bon moment à arpenter les rues de la Grosse Pomme avec Ashling, le personnage principal. Ca m'a rappelé mon voyage dans cette ville en septembre 2022. J'en suis d'ailleurs toujours nostalgique.
J'ai apprécié cette lecture: simple et efficace. Le genre d'histoire qui ne demande pas trop de concentration, à lire sous un plaid bien chaud devant le canapé.
Cependant, j'ai trouvé que le rythme de l'histoire était un peu lent, notamment au début. L'histoire est longue à se mettre en place. Peut-être que l'arrivée d'Ashling à new York aurait pu être un peu précipitée. Heureusement que j'ai continué ma lecture pour en apprécier le reste.
J'ai beaucoup aimé les personnages d'Ashling et River; leur relation qui commence un peu tendue et puis tout se détend au fur et à mesure.
Enfin je n'ai pas forcément compris le dénouement concernant Grooms, la grand-mère d'Ashling. Etait-ce nécessaire à l'histoire ? J'ai trouv�� cette fin un peu bâclée.
J'ai apprécié cette lecture: simple et efficace. Le genre d'histoire qui ne demande pas trop de concentration, à lire sous un plaid bien chaud devant le canapé.
Cependant, j'ai trouvé que le rythme de l'histoire était un peu lent, notamment au début. L'histoire est longue à se mettre en place. Peut-être que l'arrivée d'Ashling à new York aurait pu être un peu précipitée. Heureusement que j'ai continué ma lecture pour en apprécier le reste.
J'ai beaucoup aimé les personnages d'Ashling et River; leur relation qui commence un peu tendue et puis tout se détend au fur et à mesure.
Enfin je n'ai pas forcément compris le dénouement concernant Grooms, la grand-mère d'Ashling. Etait-ce nécessaire à l'histoire ? J'ai trouv�� cette fin un peu bâclée.
December 12, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
- another wholesome read, no smut despite the close proximity trope!
- could relaaate to them both, and i liked some dialogues on normalizing not having everything already answered + not being limited to a number of dreams, you can add or remove as you go on achieving them or not
- it was quite chatty (or maybe bec i didn’t relate to NYC) but i skimmed through some parts because of Ashling’s rambles
- the mom and daughter relationship!!!! <3
- could do without the grandma reveal; not a big deal tbh
- found it weird how Ashling always entertained or went to Hugh like girl cut ties already at this point??
- maybe it wasn’t, but at some point i was overthinking whether Ashling would be a rebound for River (‘cause they got developed after a breakup, although they’re cute together)
- another wholesome read, no smut despite the close proximity trope!
- could relaaate to them both, and i liked some dialogues on normalizing not having everything already answered + not being limited to a number of dreams, you can add or remove as you go on achieving them or not
- it was quite chatty (or maybe bec i didn’t relate to NYC) but i skimmed through some parts because of Ashling’s rambles
- the mom and daughter relationship!!!! <3
- could do without the grandma reveal; not a big deal tbh
- found it weird how Ashling always entertained or went to Hugh like girl cut ties already at this point??
- maybe it wasn’t, but at some point i was overthinking whether Ashling would be a rebound for River (‘cause they got developed after a breakup, although they’re cute together)
November 29, 2023
A New York Winter is a cosy, winter read full of swoon worthy settings in New York. Having just returned from New York myself, I found all the major sites mentioned took me back to my own adventures and left me feeling nostalgic for the magic that truly is New York. Ashling gets thrown into New York lift and her quest to find a new life path leads her to meet River. There are some really sweet moments between them that really heighten the tension and leave the reader turning the pages to see what happens.
December 4, 2023
The perfect Winter Holiday Romance to curl up with this Christmas. A New York Winter was an absolute delight to read which pulled me in from the very beginning. I adored the writing style which was like talking to my best friend who was telling me all about her high-flying adventures and unexpectedly finding the man of her dreams. Isla Gordan really captured New York in all its wondrous glory. Oh how I want to visit this beautiful city and experience it for myself. This was a magical rom com that I didn't want to end.
November 10, 2023
Such a beautifully crafted story, brimming with romance but also a deep love for New York & the importance of finding purpose.
Ashling and River were just superb characters, I really enjoyed reading their similar career dilemmas and the unusual but tantalising beginnings of their arrangement. Ashling's beautiful relationship with her Mum, and her grandma "Grooms" were some of my favourite scenes in this book. It is about being brave, bold and finding the beauty in failure.
Ashling and River were just superb characters, I really enjoyed reading their similar career dilemmas and the unusual but tantalising beginnings of their arrangement. Ashling's beautiful relationship with her Mum, and her grandma "Grooms" were some of my favourite scenes in this book. It is about being brave, bold and finding the beauty in failure.
November 17, 2023
What a fabulous cosy read. I have been to New York at Christmas so this was a perfect nostalgic read for me.
I really enjoyed the story, it kept me entertained and eager to know what decisions Aishling finally made. All the characters were likable especially River and I found it to be a very uplifting story.
Perfect scenery described wonderfully by the author and definitely a book I have already been recommending to others.
I really enjoyed the story, it kept me entertained and eager to know what decisions Aishling finally made. All the characters were likable especially River and I found it to be a very uplifting story.
Perfect scenery described wonderfully by the author and definitely a book I have already been recommending to others.
December 24, 2023
This ended up being a very cute Christmas read. I did find it started off a bit slow and it took me a minute to warm up to Ashling. I loved the New York setting it makes me excited to visit one day. I loved River as the love interest and liked how their relationship developed and how respectful of each other they were. I really like the mother daughter relationship on this story. Overall, a very cute read.
December 8, 2024
Adorable and heart warming, the perfect Christmas read for anyone who has visited New York. I loved how many of the city's tourist spots were included, it really helped me reminisce about my trip there earlier this year. The main character was lovely and all the events were super cute. Of course the romance was very predictable, but I do enjoy the anticipation when you KNOW they'll be together by the end. Just a good, solid chick-lit with a great message.
March 15, 2025
Absolutely binged through this book. Was it a bit predictable? Yes, however it was such an easy listen (audiobook), again Isla is able to describe the surroundings in such a simple way that transports you to the place without going into high level detail that can be annoying. I enjoyed the journey that the main character went through to finding herself but also discovering her grans life. I will read more of Isla's books.
November 11, 2023
This book took me a while to get into as at first I just didn’t like the protagonist, but a third of the way through, Ashling grew on me and I couldn’t put it down. It’s a bit cheesy, a bit inspiring, and just what you want from a cosy Christmas romance. It’s also made me want to book flights to New York this winter (with a weekend in Vermont for the maple syrup whiskey!
November 15, 2023
I read A New York Winter over a couple of days. It was a nice enough novel but I can’t say that it overly grabbed me. The story and the characters were pleasant enough but I just felt there was something lacking. Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown a book Group and the author for the chance to review.
December 28, 2023
This was the perfect tourist trip to New York. After spending time there in the summer I felt that the locations were so perfectly described, it transported me right back!
It’s a sweet story of discovering yourself when you think you’ve lost everything you wished for. Reading it just before new year has been pretty inspiring!
I very much enjoyed it and recommend!
It’s a sweet story of discovering yourself when you think you’ve lost everything you wished for. Reading it just before new year has been pretty inspiring!
I very much enjoyed it and recommend!
February 10, 2025
I surprisingly really enjoyed this book and I just love the characters and I think they were a perfect match for each other. The plot was quite nice at the start but then it started to get confusing near the end but I got through it. I absolutely hated Hugh in the whole book (I know he’s sad because he can’t be with Ashling) but he is just such a unlikeable character and I would recommend this book for 12+ children!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 24, 2023
An enjoyable read for an afternoon escapism! I was slightly disappointed with the rushed ending… I wanted more for River and Ashling but it was a refreshing read where not everything was a fairytale.
April 15, 2024
Absolutely loved this book. I was hooked from the first few pages and couldn’t put it down. It was one of those books where I didn’t want it to end and was so invested in the story and how it was progressing I was almost living it with the characters. I now want to go and live in New York!
July 21, 2024
The perfect winter read...if you don't already have a trip booked to NY, you will have by the time you finish this book. You *will* be able to put it down as its a slow burner however you will still be eager to pick it up and jump back into the mini cutesy tour of NY.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews