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Winter Street #2
Winter Stroll
"Happy Holidays 2015! It has been a rough year for the Quinns, but I would like to start by saying thank you for all of the well wishes and positive missives sent our way."
A second Christmas on Nantucket finds Winter Street Inn owner Kelley Quinn reflecting on the past year as he writes a holiday letter to friends and family. Though the year has had its share of misfortune and worry, the Quinns have much to celebrate. Kelley, now single, at least is on better terms with his first wife Margaret, who is using her celebrity to lure customers to the inn in record numbers. Their son Kevin has a beautiful new baby, Genevieve, with the Inn's French housekeeper, Isabelle; and their daughter, Ava, is finally dating a nice guy--her devoted colleague, Scott.
Now the Quinns are looking forward to celebrating Genevieve's baptism, welcoming Isabelle to the family, and enjoying the cheer of Nantucket's traditional Christmas Stroll. But just when a peaceful family gathering seems within reach, Kelley's estranged second wife, Mitzi, shows up on the island after souring on her relationship with the inn's former Santa Claus. Soon Kelley isn't the only Quinn entertaining a surprise guest from Christmases past as lovers old and new gather beneath the mistletoe. With jealousy, passion, and eggnog consumption at an all-time high, it's going to take a whole lot more than a Christmas miracle to get the Quinns--and the inn--through the holidays intact.
Follow the Quinn family through the entire Winter Street
A second Christmas on Nantucket finds Winter Street Inn owner Kelley Quinn reflecting on the past year as he writes a holiday letter to friends and family. Though the year has had its share of misfortune and worry, the Quinns have much to celebrate. Kelley, now single, at least is on better terms with his first wife Margaret, who is using her celebrity to lure customers to the inn in record numbers. Their son Kevin has a beautiful new baby, Genevieve, with the Inn's French housekeeper, Isabelle; and their daughter, Ava, is finally dating a nice guy--her devoted colleague, Scott.
Now the Quinns are looking forward to celebrating Genevieve's baptism, welcoming Isabelle to the family, and enjoying the cheer of Nantucket's traditional Christmas Stroll. But just when a peaceful family gathering seems within reach, Kelley's estranged second wife, Mitzi, shows up on the island after souring on her relationship with the inn's former Santa Claus. Soon Kelley isn't the only Quinn entertaining a surprise guest from Christmases past as lovers old and new gather beneath the mistletoe. With jealousy, passion, and eggnog consumption at an all-time high, it's going to take a whole lot more than a Christmas miracle to get the Quinns--and the inn--through the holidays intact.
Follow the Quinn family through the entire Winter Street
288 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2015
8331 people are currently reading
31695 people want to read
About the author
Elin Hilderbrand
88 books60k followersElin Hilderbrand lives on Nantucket with her husband and their three young children. She grew up in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and traveled extensively before settling on Nantucket, which has been the setting for her five previous novels. Hilderbrand is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the graduate fiction workshop at the University of Iowa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,490 reviews
October 28, 2023
This series is seriously addictive. I love all the Quinn family drama, and all the Christmas goodness! 🎄❄
WINTER STROLL, book two in the Winter series by Elin Hilderbrand, strikes the perfect balance of juicy drama and everyday struggles while also having those heartwarming moments of love and forgiveness. The Quinns and their friends are genuinely good people, and even if things seem hopeless, they find a way to turn around. I loved seeing things progress for Kelly and Mitzy, for Drake and Margaret, for Ava, Patrick, Jennifer, Kevin and Isabelle. Can't wait to see what happens in book three! 🎅❄
WINTER STROLL, book two in the Winter series by Elin Hilderbrand, strikes the perfect balance of juicy drama and everyday struggles while also having those heartwarming moments of love and forgiveness. The Quinns and their friends are genuinely good people, and even if things seem hopeless, they find a way to turn around. I loved seeing things progress for Kelly and Mitzy, for Drake and Margaret, for Ava, Patrick, Jennifer, Kevin and Isabelle. Can't wait to see what happens in book three! 🎅❄
December 15, 2023
3.5 - All done! I feel like not much really happened during this one. Of course they all leave off on a cliffhanger, so onto the next we go!
November 10, 2021
2.75 - 3 Stars
I enjoyed this...
...but I have to say I'm approaching a proverbial "point of no return" with some of these characters.
I understand that sometimes people make mistakes and should be given grace.
I understand wanting to be happy that sometimes we hurt other people in the quest for said happiness.
But I also think grace doesn't have to involve being a doormat. And the quest for happiness (and subsequent massive hurting of others) should be more of a once or twice a lifetime kind of thing thing, not par for the course of someone's existence.
***spoilers***
In the last book, Mitzi left Kelley for Santa Claus and everyone kind of chalked it up to her being upset about Bart joining the Marines. And in this book, things are not working out with Santa and she runs back to Kelley and Nantucket. And everyone seems to chalk that up to her being (understandably) upset about Bart being missing. However, Bart hadn't joined the Marines or been missing for the 12 years of Santa-cheating Mitzi did before that. So, nope.
And then there is Ava. Self-esteem wasteland Ava.
I don't even want to get into her actually. I will say that Scott running off to cater to a woman he barely knew (regardless of whether or not she had anyone else) instead of showing up for his girlfriend for several important family events drove me insane.
In fact, tangent: This drives me nuts in life, period. Saintly people who are always so quick to help strangers and people they barely know are great. They can be great people. I admire their selflessness. But you know who always ends up getting the shaft? The saint's family and close friends. Because they are so busy do everything for other people that they have nothing left for the people who supposedly matter to them the most. Believe me, I've been there. End tangent.
Anyway, I still enjoyed the storyline well enough in general and (outside of the above niggles) gobbled up the familial drama. Already started book three.
I enjoyed this...
...but I have to say I'm approaching a proverbial "point of no return" with some of these characters.
I understand that sometimes people make mistakes and should be given grace.
I understand wanting to be happy that sometimes we hurt other people in the quest for said happiness.
But I also think grace doesn't have to involve being a doormat. And the quest for happiness (and subsequent massive hurting of others) should be more of a once or twice a lifetime kind of thing thing, not par for the course of someone's existence.
***spoilers***
In the last book, Mitzi left Kelley for Santa Claus and everyone kind of chalked it up to her being upset about Bart joining the Marines. And in this book, things are not working out with Santa and she runs back to Kelley and Nantucket. And everyone seems to chalk that up to her being (understandably) upset about Bart being missing. However, Bart hadn't joined the Marines or been missing for the 12 years of Santa-cheating Mitzi did before that. So, nope.
And then there is Ava. Self-esteem wasteland Ava.
I don't even want to get into her actually. I will say that Scott running off to cater to a woman he barely knew (regardless of whether or not she had anyone else) instead of showing up for his girlfriend for several important family events drove me insane.
In fact, tangent: This drives me nuts in life, period. Saintly people who are always so quick to help strangers and people they barely know are great. They can be great people. I admire their selflessness. But you know who always ends up getting the shaft? The saint's family and close friends. Because they are so busy do everything for other people that they have nothing left for the people who supposedly matter to them the most. Believe me, I've been there. End tangent.
Anyway, I still enjoyed the storyline well enough in general and (outside of the above niggles) gobbled up the familial drama. Already started book three.
October 15, 2015
The ending was still abrupt, but not as jarring as Winter Street. I liked the story and am just disappointed at the thought of having to wait another year to find out what happens next. Lots of story lines just dangling there...just like real life.
February 5, 2019
I think I liked meeting the characters and feeding my need for drama much more in the first book, but I enjoyed the theme of forgiveness in this one and the very important focus on prescription drug misuse/dependence. Winter Stroll has a few important happenings but mainly felt like a follow up from the first book, which...duh...it is. Looking forward to following these characters even further throughout the series.
My favorite quote:
“Lust is great in the bedroom, but Like is better at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”
My favorite quote:
“Lust is great in the bedroom, but Like is better at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”
December 25, 2021
An average book. Nice that it takes place at Christmas. A lot of drama and a bit soap opery.
December 3, 2018
It has been a year in the life of the Quinn family. Another December in Nantucket is here.
So what's new with the characters?
Kelley's missing Mitzi. He has not divorced her and when she calls to beg to attend the baptism of Kevin's new daughter, Genevieve, he can't say no to her. It seems things between Mitzi and George, the yearly Santa Claus, are not going well. George might even start dating someone else!
Margaret is still dating the pediatric surgeon, Drake. She's very happy with him. She's also quite involved with the Inn and with her children lives too.
Kevin and Isabelle are preparing for the baptism when Kevin's ex-wife Nora makes her presence known. She's back to create trouble for the Quinn's family.
Ava is dating Scott and she couldn't be happier. Then, Scott invites another teacher to the Winter Stroll and when she gets hurt, Scott feels responsible and takes care of her, leaving Ava behind. This leaves room for Nathaniel to make a pass at her. Nathaniel is back on the island with the sole purpose of recovering Ava as his girlfriend.
Bart is still missing in Afghanistan but all his family is thinking of him.
Jennifer, Patrick's wife has become addicted to pain meds and Ativan. She's trying to figure out a way to get more pills for herself. She thinks she will stop using when Patrick is out of prison.
A lot has happened in the last year and many more things happened in this novel. All exciting and interesting to me since now I'm invested with these broken characters. The audio was fantastic and I would love to do a Winter Stroll myself during December in Nantucket.
One of the things I love the most is how they were thinking about Bart and how the light in his room was always on.
I'm surprised I have come around to liking Mitzi. I was so happy with the way she felt at the end of The Winter Inn but after finishing Winter Stroll, I understand her better and I'm rooting for Kelley and her to fix things between them.
Ava's love life is a mess. I'm leaning towards Scott but who knows.
Kevin had a moronic moment but thanks to George, not everything was lost to him.
Cliffhanger: Yes
4/5 Fangs
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August 9, 2020
It’s time for the “Winter Stroll” on Nantucket and The Winter Street Inn is packed. It’s all thanks to Margaret Quinn, the ex-wife of Kelley Quinn, owner of Winter Street.
Though Margaret and Kelley’s lives have changed quite a bit in the last year, one thing remains: their friendship and their love for their children, three of whom they share together (Patrick, Kevin and Ava) and one of whom is Kelley’s son (Bart) with his estranged wife, Mitzi. The kids are all going through their own trials and tribulations with Patrick in jail for embezzlement, his wife’s new found “problem,” Kevin and his girlfriend Isabelle’s first pregnancy and Ava’s tumultuous love life. Then there’s Bart, who was stationed in Afghanistan and is currently MIA. It’s no surprise that when Mitzi re-appears and wants her life back, Kelley is thrown for a loop.
Family however, is what it’s all about for the Quinns and somehow, someway, they will endure.
Storytelling is also what Elin Hilderbrand excels at and family drama is her niche. The Quinn family has wormed its way into my soul and they might be my favorite of Ms. Hilderbrand’s fictional families so far. There’s just something about Kelley, Margaret and Mitzi Quinn and their combined families that I absolutely adore. Kudos to Elin Hilderbrand for making me care! 3.75 Stars.
Thank you to my local library for loaning me a copy of this book.
Published on Goodreads on 8.9.20.
Though Margaret and Kelley’s lives have changed quite a bit in the last year, one thing remains: their friendship and their love for their children, three of whom they share together (Patrick, Kevin and Ava) and one of whom is Kelley’s son (Bart) with his estranged wife, Mitzi. The kids are all going through their own trials and tribulations with Patrick in jail for embezzlement, his wife’s new found “problem,” Kevin and his girlfriend Isabelle’s first pregnancy and Ava’s tumultuous love life. Then there’s Bart, who was stationed in Afghanistan and is currently MIA. It’s no surprise that when Mitzi re-appears and wants her life back, Kelley is thrown for a loop.
Family however, is what it’s all about for the Quinns and somehow, someway, they will endure.
Storytelling is also what Elin Hilderbrand excels at and family drama is her niche. The Quinn family has wormed its way into my soul and they might be my favorite of Ms. Hilderbrand’s fictional families so far. There’s just something about Kelley, Margaret and Mitzi Quinn and their combined families that I absolutely adore. Kudos to Elin Hilderbrand for making me care! 3.75 Stars.
Thank you to my local library for loaning me a copy of this book.
Published on Goodreads on 8.9.20.
December 3, 2019
I read this ages ago, it seems, back in April while on vacation in snowy Vermont. I've been on an Elin Hilderbrand kick all year. Even though this series actually takes place in Nantucket, somehow reading this Christmas-themed novel in snow-covered Vermont seemed appropriate.
In book two (don't keep reading if you don't want spoilers!), Kelley Quinn is still running the Winter Street Inn in Nantucket. He's now single and actually on better terms with his first wife, Margaret, the mother of his first three children. One of them, Kevin, has a new baby, Genevieve, with his girlfriend, Isabelle. More worrisome is the fact that Kelley's youngest son--with his second ex-wife, Mitzi--is still deployed.
This is typical enjoyable fare from Elin Hilderbrand--I love this entire series. In this book, we hear from Mitzi's point of view, as well as Drake, Margaret's boyfriend. Each book is told from various viewpoints (usually just the Quinn family), so it was nice to expand whom we hear from. Ava, Kelley's only daughter, is her usual mess, even though she's dating someone supposedly more stable. And Kelley's son Patrick, is in jail, causing much turmoil for his wife, Jennifer (whom we also get to hear from) and the entire family.
I found this to be an easy read--I read it in a day on vacation and it's really fun. What isn't delightful about the messed up lives of other, fictional people? Even better is that Hilderbrand writes these as a series, so you really get to know the family and their issues. I can get lost in their lives. This was the perfect Vermont vacation read. 3.5 stars.
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In book two (don't keep reading if you don't want spoilers!), Kelley Quinn is still running the Winter Street Inn in Nantucket. He's now single and actually on better terms with his first wife, Margaret, the mother of his first three children. One of them, Kevin, has a new baby, Genevieve, with his girlfriend, Isabelle. More worrisome is the fact that Kelley's youngest son--with his second ex-wife, Mitzi--is still deployed.
This is typical enjoyable fare from Elin Hilderbrand--I love this entire series. In this book, we hear from Mitzi's point of view, as well as Drake, Margaret's boyfriend. Each book is told from various viewpoints (usually just the Quinn family), so it was nice to expand whom we hear from. Ava, Kelley's only daughter, is her usual mess, even though she's dating someone supposedly more stable. And Kelley's son Patrick, is in jail, causing much turmoil for his wife, Jennifer (whom we also get to hear from) and the entire family.
I found this to be an easy read--I read it in a day on vacation and it's really fun. What isn't delightful about the messed up lives of other, fictional people? Even better is that Hilderbrand writes these as a series, so you really get to know the family and their issues. I can get lost in their lives. This was the perfect Vermont vacation read. 3.5 stars.
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November 25, 2024
3.5 STARS
What better for a Christmas read than a beautiful location (Nantucket), romance and lots of drama!
This is the second book in the Winter Street series. Winter Street is an inn on Nantucket owned by Kelley Quinn. He has 2 ex wives and 4 adult children. Of course, there are husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, exes and also the backdrop of the war, as one son is missing in action.
I’m happy to report there is Christmas aplenty in this book. It sounds like Nantucket natives celebrate to the max and tourists flock there to experience it. There is caroling and tree lighting and the winter stroll.
A fast paced listen that kept me interested throughout. The Quinn family’s escapades are to be continued in the next instalment.
Audio read by Erin Bennett and she did a great job.
Published: 2015
What better for a Christmas read than a beautiful location (Nantucket), romance and lots of drama!
This is the second book in the Winter Street series. Winter Street is an inn on Nantucket owned by Kelley Quinn. He has 2 ex wives and 4 adult children. Of course, there are husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, exes and also the backdrop of the war, as one son is missing in action.
I’m happy to report there is Christmas aplenty in this book. It sounds like Nantucket natives celebrate to the max and tourists flock there to experience it. There is caroling and tree lighting and the winter stroll.
A fast paced listen that kept me interested throughout. The Quinn family’s escapades are to be continued in the next instalment.
Audio read by Erin Bennett and she did a great job.
Published: 2015
August 17, 2018
The sequel to Winter Street takes place a year after Kelley Quinn and his wife Mitzi learn that their son, Bart and his fellow Marines have been taken as hostages in Afghanistan. For Kelley, it means staying positive that his youngest son is alive, but for estranged wife, Mitzi, her only comforts are the other mothers she writes to who are waiting for their sons too. Mitzi soon finds herself back in Nantucket with the Quinn family. Patrick is in jail, his wife Jennifer is struggling with a pill addiction and raising three boys. Kevin and Isabelle are feeling overwhelmed with baby Genevieve, and Ava finds herself with tons of relationship problems. But perhaps the biggest surprise of all is when Kelley 's ex-wife, Margaret arrives with her boyfriend, Dr.Drake Caroll.
Oh man, this series is absolutely fantastic and ridiculous and I have been so lucky to find books 1 and 2 so quickly that I NEED to get my hands on book 3 very soon. Because this book really ends with cliffhangers!
Oh man, this series is absolutely fantastic and ridiculous and I have been so lucky to find books 1 and 2 so quickly that I NEED to get my hands on book 3 very soon. Because this book really ends with cliffhangers!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2015
Weak middle book. While I mildly enjoyed 'Winter Street' (the first book of the trilogy), I thought maybe I'd check this out since it was readily available at the library. Unfortunately I'd definitely say the quality dropped and I'm not sure if I care to how it ends.
So we're back at the inn, and things are messy. Kelley and Margaret are...living together? On mutually good terms? Unfortunately Mitzi has left George because she doesn't love him and she's worried about her soldier son, Bart, who is missing in action. Eldest son Patrick is in jail for 18 months and is mostly out of the picture. His wife Jennifer is addicted to painkillers, which will come to haunt her at the end of the book. Kevin and Isabelle are proud and happy parents of a baby girl, but Kevin's past comes to bother him in the form of his ex-wife, Norah. And Ava is going through relationship troubles with Scott and isn't helped when her ex, Nathaniel shows up saying he still loves her.
Whew! I think that mostly covers the book. I wasn't a fan of this because it seemed like a reset of the first book. Ava can't decide who she wants to be with, Margaret is seeing her lover Drake, etc. The past keeps coming back to haunt them (Kevin's ex-wife shows up, we still don't know what's going on with Bart, etc.). It just seemed quite repetitive and rather dark for a holiday/Christmas read.
The book also ends on mild cliffhangers (some resolutions here, others not so much there, etc). It wasn't exactly a great tension-filled page-turner (it's more of a filler) and I'm not exactly jumping up and down for the last in the book triology. It slightly annoys me that I didn't wait to binge-read (or not) since I really don't know if I care about these characters.
Anyway, if you liked 'Winter Street' I'm not sure if you'll like this one. I'm not sure if it's the "middle installment syndrome" or if there's some other issue going on. Borrow from the library!
So we're back at the inn, and things are messy. Kelley and Margaret are...living together? On mutually good terms? Unfortunately Mitzi has left George because she doesn't love him and she's worried about her soldier son, Bart, who is missing in action. Eldest son Patrick is in jail for 18 months and is mostly out of the picture. His wife Jennifer is addicted to painkillers, which will come to haunt her at the end of the book. Kevin and Isabelle are proud and happy parents of a baby girl, but Kevin's past comes to bother him in the form of his ex-wife, Norah. And Ava is going through relationship troubles with Scott and isn't helped when her ex, Nathaniel shows up saying he still loves her.
Whew! I think that mostly covers the book. I wasn't a fan of this because it seemed like a reset of the first book. Ava can't decide who she wants to be with, Margaret is seeing her lover Drake, etc. The past keeps coming back to haunt them (Kevin's ex-wife shows up, we still don't know what's going on with Bart, etc.). It just seemed quite repetitive and rather dark for a holiday/Christmas read.
The book also ends on mild cliffhangers (some resolutions here, others not so much there, etc). It wasn't exactly a great tension-filled page-turner (it's more of a filler) and I'm not exactly jumping up and down for the last in the book triology. It slightly annoys me that I didn't wait to binge-read (or not) since I really don't know if I care about these characters.
Anyway, if you liked 'Winter Street' I'm not sure if you'll like this one. I'm not sure if it's the "middle installment syndrome" or if there's some other issue going on. Borrow from the library!
December 3, 2018
Winter Stroll continues the story of the Quinn Family one year later. I enjoyed being back with the Quinn Family as they navigated a whole new set of issues. This is a cute, quick little read. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book.
December 3, 2023
I am struggling to finish this one. No interest in these characters and their issues. Yikes, so much for holiday cheer.
December 10, 2015
Ho, ho, holy-moly! In Elin Hilderbrand’s Winter Stroll, the lobster bisque hits the fan! As in her previous book,Winter Street, the chapters alternately feature the Quinn family and their friends. It is Christmas time once again, and the Quinns and their guests – some invited, some not – have gathered for the baptism of Kelly and his ex-wife Mitzi's granddaughter Genevieve. If you didn’t quite follow that sentence, or even if you did, you are seeing just a small example of the names that a reader must keep straight in this story.
Christmas Stroll is a yearly event that occurs the first weekend in December on Nantucket Island. It originated to keep residents from defecting to the mainland to do their holiday shopping, and it has grown into an extremely popular event. When we last saw the Quinns, Mommy Mitzi had been caught kissing Santa Claus (George), son Patrick was charged with insider trading, and youngest son Bart was missing in Afghanistan. Now Patrick is in jail, and his wife, Jennifer is struggling to cope with being a single mother to her three boys. There is still no word on Bart, and Mitzi, still with George, is sick with worry. Others in the family also are in relationships when the book begins.
With Kelly’s place, the Winter Street Inn, packed for the Stroll weekend, the Quinns and their extended family try to put on cheerful faces. But this is not a holly, jolly Christmas story. Yes, there are some light moments and laughs. There are also quite a few serious times. It is like a seeing perhaps months of turmoil and uncertainty in these people’s lives condensed into one weekend. There are emotional rumblings. Some merely cause a great deal of distress. Others erupt and cause upheaval. Still others put things on hold and make individuals feel hopelessly stuck.
I think Ms. Hilderbrand isn’t very far off when she portrays this family holiday gathering. Lets face it: Holidays are often stressful. Each person comes with his or her own strengths, needs, desires, and wishes. Sometimes life’s problems should be put aside for a while for the sake of peace and harmony, but sometimes issues must be handled in the here and now. That’s where family is everything. Even those who seem the most negative (except possibly one very minor character) in this story have their redeeming qualities and manage to show them when it counts.
Winter Stroll isn’t exactly like walking in a winter wonderland. Sometimes, baby, it’s cold outside. Bundle up, sip some hot tea or something stronger, and enjoy Winter Stroll. It’s a whale of a story!
4 stars
Christmas Stroll is a yearly event that occurs the first weekend in December on Nantucket Island. It originated to keep residents from defecting to the mainland to do their holiday shopping, and it has grown into an extremely popular event. When we last saw the Quinns, Mommy Mitzi had been caught kissing Santa Claus (George), son Patrick was charged with insider trading, and youngest son Bart was missing in Afghanistan. Now Patrick is in jail, and his wife, Jennifer is struggling to cope with being a single mother to her three boys. There is still no word on Bart, and Mitzi, still with George, is sick with worry. Others in the family also are in relationships when the book begins.
With Kelly’s place, the Winter Street Inn, packed for the Stroll weekend, the Quinns and their extended family try to put on cheerful faces. But this is not a holly, jolly Christmas story. Yes, there are some light moments and laughs. There are also quite a few serious times. It is like a seeing perhaps months of turmoil and uncertainty in these people’s lives condensed into one weekend. There are emotional rumblings. Some merely cause a great deal of distress. Others erupt and cause upheaval. Still others put things on hold and make individuals feel hopelessly stuck.
I think Ms. Hilderbrand isn’t very far off when she portrays this family holiday gathering. Lets face it: Holidays are often stressful. Each person comes with his or her own strengths, needs, desires, and wishes. Sometimes life’s problems should be put aside for a while for the sake of peace and harmony, but sometimes issues must be handled in the here and now. That’s where family is everything. Even those who seem the most negative (except possibly one very minor character) in this story have their redeeming qualities and manage to show them when it counts.
Winter Stroll isn’t exactly like walking in a winter wonderland. Sometimes, baby, it’s cold outside. Bundle up, sip some hot tea or something stronger, and enjoy Winter Stroll. It’s a whale of a story!
4 stars
November 30, 2015
Elin Hilderbrand, I can't quit you. Even though the dialog makes me want to groan on occasion and the endings are totally predictable, I can't stop myself. This book follows the Quinn family on another Christmas. Bart is still mission overseas. Ava is still confused about men. Kevin is growing up and Patrick is in jail. How will the Christmas end? With a lot of missed connections, hurt feelings, makings up - everything that you expect from one of these books. If you are a fan, you will like this. If you are not, save yourself the trouble.
December 11, 2020
Are you looking for drama and emotion? Then look no further than the Winter series! Winter Stroll by Elin Hilderbrand was just as dramatic (if not more) than the first book was, and I really liked a lot of the themes touched on in this book. I love the various characters (even if I don't actually love some of them), and I have begun to feel very attached to the Quinn family. There are a couple other viewpoints in this book that we didn't get in Winter Street which I really liked, and you can tell Hilderbrand is a pro at writing the family drama.
I listened to the audio again, and once again Erin Bennett killed it with her narration. She really is the perfect narrator for this series, and I could listen to her all day long. I listened to this book in just a few hours on the same day, and it went by really quickly. The author's note at the end made my heart hurt, and I am so glad the audio included it. I love getting a peek into the author's life, and the note on this book was amazing and moving. I don't want to talk about Winter Stroll too much because I don't want to give away spoilers, but it was a great follow up and I look forward to the other books in the series!
I listened to the audio again, and once again Erin Bennett killed it with her narration. She really is the perfect narrator for this series, and I could listen to her all day long. I listened to this book in just a few hours on the same day, and it went by really quickly. The author's note at the end made my heart hurt, and I am so glad the audio included it. I love getting a peek into the author's life, and the note on this book was amazing and moving. I don't want to talk about Winter Stroll too much because I don't want to give away spoilers, but it was a great follow up and I look forward to the other books in the series!
June 3, 2017
2.5 stars rounded to 3 for Christmas on Nantucket bits.
This felt like a classic middle book in a family drama with romance book. Break everybody up that had gotten together in the last book, give them a slew of problems, and just leave the reader hanging. It was mean-spirited towards the characters, and I am just glad to be done. As I very much enjoyed the first book, I am very disappointed at the manipulative, commercial plotting. Not the fun, enjoyable read I wanted to start the New Year. Bah humbug & deep sigh.
This felt like a classic middle book in a family drama with romance book. Break everybody up that had gotten together in the last book, give them a slew of problems, and just leave the reader hanging. It was mean-spirited towards the characters, and I am just glad to be done. As I very much enjoyed the first book, I am very disappointed at the manipulative, commercial plotting. Not the fun, enjoyable read I wanted to start the New Year. Bah humbug & deep sigh.
May 14, 2020
Christmas Stroll Weekend for the Quinn family is nearly disastrous. Their lives have been a rollercoaster ride since last Christmas when Mitzi left with George (aka Santa at the Winter Street Inn) and the youngest Quinn child, Bart, was deployed to Afghanistan. Now, Patrick is in jail; Kevin and Isabelle have welcomed their baby; and Ava's dating troubles seem to be sorted out.
However, like Winter Street, the second book in the series has plenty of Quinn family drama and dysfunction. It's great to know the characters a bit more in this second book, and I look forward to the next two years/books with the Quinn family.
However, like Winter Street, the second book in the series has plenty of Quinn family drama and dysfunction. It's great to know the characters a bit more in this second book, and I look forward to the next two years/books with the Quinn family.
January 12, 2021
In Winter Stroll, things pick up right where we left off in the Winter Street Inn. We follow Patrick’s imprisonment, Jennifer’s addiction, Mitzi and Ava’s love triangles, Bart’s abduction, and more! The Quinn family is proof that every seemingly normal family has some fuckedupness hiding below the surface.
January 6, 2024
4.5⭐️!!! Devouring this series
November 21, 2018
I almost DNF'd this one then realized I only had an hour left to listen, so I rode this train wreck to the bitter end. Well, I can't say there was any real *ending*, but I at least listened until the book stopped.
Where to start? These characters. Holy moly, these characters. They're all cut from the same cloth, which is to say that they're all spineless and float from bad situation to bad situation. I won't even call them "bad choices" because that would imply that the characters used some of their own volition. It's more like, "I'm so happy with so-and-so." Two seconds later: "Oh my. This person who is not my partner is kissing me. I'm kissing them back. That's bad. Let me disentangle myself from this situation with a caress, because I wouldn't want to hurt this person's feelings. Oh no! There's my partner! I'm so confused! Who do I want to be with?!?" I can see this in maybe one character, but this is apparently a family flaw. Truly. If it's not this exact situation, which does literally arise several times, it's something equally dumbfounding that they just passively accept. The few times actual decisions are made, they're so poor, I don't even know where to start. How has this family line survived so long?
Where was the copy editor? I don't know how much I would have noticed this in print, but on audio, I realized that the book would be half its length if the author had not been allowed to use the word "said." It's not even alternated with the occasional "asked" or "demanded", or even letting me just use a tiny bit of brain power and conclude who is speaking when there are only two characters in a room and one addresses the other *by name.* Really?
Oh, and the name dropping. I know that Margaret and Drake are mega-millionaires, but everyone in this book is wearing Manolo shoes, Tom Ford sunglasses, owns a tux or evening gown by Dior, etc. They were about to lose the inn because of money woes in the last book! Now they can all afford to go to black tie galas? There's even one minor character, who's living with her mom and has a car garden in the yard, who shows up appropriately dressed for the gala! C'mon.
I'm not a huge reader of contemporary--family dramas?-- and I'm obviously in the minority here, but this book just didn't do a thing except irritate me.
Where to start? These characters. Holy moly, these characters. They're all cut from the same cloth, which is to say that they're all spineless and float from bad situation to bad situation. I won't even call them "bad choices" because that would imply that the characters used some of their own volition. It's more like, "I'm so happy with so-and-so." Two seconds later: "Oh my. This person who is not my partner is kissing me. I'm kissing them back. That's bad. Let me disentangle myself from this situation with a caress, because I wouldn't want to hurt this person's feelings. Oh no! There's my partner! I'm so confused! Who do I want to be with?!?" I can see this in maybe one character, but this is apparently a family flaw. Truly. If it's not this exact situation, which does literally arise several times, it's something equally dumbfounding that they just passively accept. The few times actual decisions are made, they're so poor, I don't even know where to start. How has this family line survived so long?
Where was the copy editor? I don't know how much I would have noticed this in print, but on audio, I realized that the book would be half its length if the author had not been allowed to use the word "said." It's not even alternated with the occasional "asked" or "demanded", or even letting me just use a tiny bit of brain power and conclude who is speaking when there are only two characters in a room and one addresses the other *by name.* Really?
Oh, and the name dropping. I know that Margaret and Drake are mega-millionaires, but everyone in this book is wearing Manolo shoes, Tom Ford sunglasses, owns a tux or evening gown by Dior, etc. They were about to lose the inn because of money woes in the last book! Now they can all afford to go to black tie galas? There's even one minor character, who's living with her mom and has a car garden in the yard, who shows up appropriately dressed for the gala! C'mon.
I'm not a huge reader of contemporary--family dramas?-- and I'm obviously in the minority here, but this book just didn't do a thing except irritate me.
December 12, 2015
I listened to the audiobook because it was Christmas-themed and had no wait thru my library. Hilderbrand's novels are pretty awful, but I have read a handful of them. They are like Hallmark movies that make you roll your eyes at the cheezy dialogue and bad story. However, I do stoop to them occasionally for the seasonal setting (I want to enter that winter scene on the book jacket) and some mindless entertainment. This one focuses on one large family which made it difficult for me to keep track of the characters. I didn't read the first book which I guess also focuses on this Nantucket family. There is a lot going on like separated parents reuniting, a son in jail, a son with a new child, a son missing in the middle east, and a daughter in a precarious relationship. None of the characters or stories were interesting to me aside from the missing son which isnt spoken about that much. There is a heartfelt note from the author about her friend's 8-yr-old child that died last year during the Nantucket winter stroll.
December 20, 2023
Let me preface by saying, I think Elin Hilderbrand is an excellent writer and I have loved many of her stories.
However, I read the first book in this series last week and while it was okay (I 3 starred it), this follow up just sucks. I actually hate it. The only reason I am still interested is finding out whether Bart comes home. I guess the author is leaving that cliffhanger for book 3 and now I am out. I am divorcing myself from this shallow family and moving on.
Can I just mention that no one, no one takes back
A spouse who has cheated on them for 12 years! NO ONE! And if they actually do, it will be one long, untrustworthy, messy battle until the ultimate split. No happily ever after endings for that kind of bs. Ugh 😑
I have so many other issues but I will zip it other than adding, uplifting, feel good Christmas book, this is not.
However, I read the first book in this series last week and while it was okay (I 3 starred it), this follow up just sucks. I actually hate it. The only reason I am still interested is finding out whether Bart comes home. I guess the author is leaving that cliffhanger for book 3 and now I am out. I am divorcing myself from this shallow family and moving on.
Can I just mention that no one, no one takes back
A spouse who has cheated on them for 12 years! NO ONE! And if they actually do, it will be one long, untrustworthy, messy battle until the ultimate split. No happily ever after endings for that kind of bs. Ugh 😑
I have so many other issues but I will zip it other than adding, uplifting, feel good Christmas book, this is not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2024
The second book in Elin Hilderbrand's Winter trilogy is as charming as the first. I wish I didn't have to wait a year to read the last one.
This year I read all three in a row. Made me feel very Christmassy.
This year I read all three in a row. Made me feel very Christmassy.
July 31, 2015
I won this as a Goodreads First Read. There were too many different themes and characters in this book for me to track, I had to keep thinking back and sometimes referring back to the last section to make sure of the relationships. The book seemed to dwell on the dark side of life, one brother in prison, one son/brother MIA, broken relationships, addiction.
November 23, 2022
3-1/2 stars!
Onward with holiday movie season!
It was so fun rejoining the Quinn family in Nantucket. Ava is a bit of a mess again but in a different way. Once again told from many different perspectives, this family saga was entertaining and full of Christmas spirit! I’m off to bake some holiday pies! Happy reading to all!
Onward with holiday movie season!
It was so fun rejoining the Quinn family in Nantucket. Ava is a bit of a mess again but in a different way. Once again told from many different perspectives, this family saga was entertaining and full of Christmas spirit! I’m off to bake some holiday pies! Happy reading to all!
December 19, 2020
This is Hilderbrand's second novel in the Winter Street series. Entertaining if you are a Hilderbrand fan. For me it was very enjoyable to rejoin the characters from the first novel with all their good traits as well as their flaws.
December 13, 2019
Possibly the most overly dramatic book I have ever read.
December 23, 2021
December 14, 2021: I'm still loving this one just as much as every time I've ever read it before (every year at Christmastime). Jennifer's story is still my favorite from this particular book; I'm not sure why I enjoy reading about her addiction so much, but I feel so much for her and Ms. Hilderbrand is able to give Jennifer's story (all POV's, really) enough levity to make it not drag me down. Hands-down one of my favorite series ever.
*****
December 29, 2018: I'm working through yet another reread of this series and I was far more emotional about finishing Winter Stroll than I thought I would be. So like the first book, this one ends on a little bit of a cliffhanger after having a somewhat dramatic and intense last quarter. Honestly, for the first 3/4 of the book, I found myself not really liking it as much as my reread of Winter Street, which broke my heart a little bit. Overall, of course I love the story, but I was a little annoyed with a few of the characters (Ava and Mitzi, I'm looking at you both a rolling my eyes). But I almost completely forgot about all of that when sweet little Genevieve's Baptism finally came into play and from then on out, I was THERE.
The funny thing is that I KNOW WHAT HAPPENS HERE. I know this story almost like the back of my hand after reading it over the past few Christmases, and even so: when the thing happened during the lunch (no spoilers, but if you've read it, perhaps you remember?), I gasped and CRIED. Tears leaked out of my eyes! What on earth?! It wasn't a shock to me! Maybe because I anticipated this thing and because I always feel things at this point? I don't know. But for the last few pages of the story, my heartbeat was actually surprisingly high and then when I finally closed the book, I had to sit in silence for a few minutes. Just sort of appreciating what I had read (again).
THAT is feeling something. THAT means you love a story. I'll certainly be rereading again, probably next year. This family is completely crazy, but they have this unstoppable ability to pull together through every single trial they face (so many!) and I love them to the moon and back for that.
___
November 11, 2016: This is the second installment in the Winter Trilogy. This book is much like the first one but almost feels like it has a little bit more family drama and also a slightly more somber tone.
This installment takes place one year after the first book, and once again the entire Quinn Family has gathered at Winter Street Inn to celebrate the holidays. This year they're also celebrating the baptism of the new baby, Genevieve Quinn.
I absolutely love this family. This book is equal parts shenanigans, bad decisions, and touching moments. There are a few characters that I want to slap sometimes, but overall I do love the bunch of them. They are completely dysfunctional, but it is so easy to tell that they love each other so much. That is what I picked up most of all from the first book and that is what I carry away from this book as well. I love that when things become difficult for one of them, the rest of them band together to help out and show support.
Of all of the characters' stories, I found Jennifer's prescription problem and Bart's continued Missing-In-Action story most compelling. Like with the last book, there is an abrupt ending, although I didn't feel it was quite as abrupt as the ending of the first book. I'm curious to see how everything will play out in the final book. I'm super-eager to start reading it and I have no doubt I'll devour it like I have the first two books in this series.
*****
December 29, 2018: I'm working through yet another reread of this series and I was far more emotional about finishing Winter Stroll than I thought I would be. So like the first book, this one ends on a little bit of a cliffhanger after having a somewhat dramatic and intense last quarter. Honestly, for the first 3/4 of the book, I found myself not really liking it as much as my reread of Winter Street, which broke my heart a little bit. Overall, of course I love the story, but I was a little annoyed with a few of the characters (Ava and Mitzi, I'm looking at you both a rolling my eyes). But I almost completely forgot about all of that when sweet little Genevieve's Baptism finally came into play and from then on out, I was THERE.
The funny thing is that I KNOW WHAT HAPPENS HERE. I know this story almost like the back of my hand after reading it over the past few Christmases, and even so: when the thing happened during the lunch (no spoilers, but if you've read it, perhaps you remember?), I gasped and CRIED. Tears leaked out of my eyes! What on earth?! It wasn't a shock to me! Maybe because I anticipated this thing and because I always feel things at this point? I don't know. But for the last few pages of the story, my heartbeat was actually surprisingly high and then when I finally closed the book, I had to sit in silence for a few minutes. Just sort of appreciating what I had read (again).
THAT is feeling something. THAT means you love a story. I'll certainly be rereading again, probably next year. This family is completely crazy, but they have this unstoppable ability to pull together through every single trial they face (so many!) and I love them to the moon and back for that.
___
November 11, 2016: This is the second installment in the Winter Trilogy. This book is much like the first one but almost feels like it has a little bit more family drama and also a slightly more somber tone.
This installment takes place one year after the first book, and once again the entire Quinn Family has gathered at Winter Street Inn to celebrate the holidays. This year they're also celebrating the baptism of the new baby, Genevieve Quinn.
I absolutely love this family. This book is equal parts shenanigans, bad decisions, and touching moments. There are a few characters that I want to slap sometimes, but overall I do love the bunch of them. They are completely dysfunctional, but it is so easy to tell that they love each other so much. That is what I picked up most of all from the first book and that is what I carry away from this book as well. I love that when things become difficult for one of them, the rest of them band together to help out and show support.
Of all of the characters' stories, I found Jennifer's prescription problem and Bart's continued Missing-In-Action story most compelling. Like with the last book, there is an abrupt ending, although I didn't feel it was quite as abrupt as the ending of the first book. I'm curious to see how everything will play out in the final book. I'm super-eager to start reading it and I have no doubt I'll devour it like I have the first two books in this series.
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