Eighteen Winters

The Winter Series #5

by Joanne DeMaio

From New York Times bestselling author Joanne DeMaio comes a beautiful novel about a little town you'll want to visit, and a love story you won't soon forget.

Harry Dane lives an ordinary life. From his days working alongside his father at a New England general store, to Harry's endearing and heartbreaking relationships, to sudden snowstorms, to quirky fiascos of found kittens and spilled jam jars, always ... always there is a curious constant.

Through it all, each and every winter, a Christmas card arrives at Harry's Craftsman bungalow from a mysterious woman named Sadie Welles. And when the two of them unexpectedly meet, Harry Dane soon finds himself in an intricate love story spanning Eighteen Winters.

The Winter Series Reading Order:
Book 1 - Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes
Book 2 - Snow Deer and Cocoa Cheer
Book 3 - Cardinal Cabin
Book 4 - First Flurries
Book 5 - Eighteen Winters
Book 6 - Winter House
Book 7 - Winter Road
Book 8 - Merry Everything
And more Winter Novels

Genres: Christmas

254 pages, Paperback

Published September 5, 2019

About the author

Joanne DeMaio is the prolific New York Times bestselling author of The Seaside Saga and other novels. She lives with her family in Connecticut and is currently at work on upcoming books.

Joanne enjoys hearing from readers at Facebook.com/JoanneDeMaioAuthor.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

EIGHTEEN WINTERS is not my first time reading Joanne Demaio and I was emotionally invested in this story from the very first chapter. It is why Joanne Demaio is now an auto buy author for me. Harry Dane is back home in Addison CT for the first time in years. He needs to find something to do with his life or he knows and feels like he is going to go off the deep end…and it’s a very short drive! I was so impressed with the creative way Joanne Demaio chose to look into the characters lives and get the reader to know them as they go through life.

EIGHTEEN WINTERS is the kind of story that will stay with you for a long time after you finish reading. Harry’s parents have just moved into a new house, and a Christmas card comes from a young woman named Sadie; except that the card is meant for the previous owners. The cards keep on coming year after year and his mother just puts the card in the drawer and states she will write to her after the holidays. Next year he’s back again and we find out what’s going on his life, his family’s and the card that is delivered. He’s learning all about Sadie over the 18 years of cards. After eighteen winters and eighteen cards the two eventually meet.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading EIGHTEEN WINTERS. It is funny and heart warming and filled with so many different emotions. There is so much going on in this story, but Joanne Demaio does a wonderful job of weaving all the pieces together. All the characters are very real and believable. EIGHTEEN WINTERS is an enchanting holiday story full of warmth and comfort that will remind the reader of the magic and spirit of Christmas. It is a wonderful story that will stay with the reader for a very long time. Once you finish devouring this fun and heart warming story you are going to want to tell everyone you know about this awesome book. This could totally be a movie on Hallmark of Lifetime!

[Lynn Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read everyone of Joanne’s books and I just don’t think the next one can possibly be better than the last one, and then I read the next one! Her books are written with so much feeling, heart and everyday people that we can all relate to them. Thanks for another wonderful book Joanne!

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanne DeMaio's Christmas books are becoming as essential to the holidays as cookies and Christmas carols. Eighteen Winters takes us to the small New England down of Addison Connecticut--the perfect setting for a Christmas story...snowy, quaint, and festive. The book follows Harry through Eighteen Winters, beginning when he is a college freshman, home I’m for the holidays. His parents had just moved into a new house, and a Christmas card comes from a young woman named Sadie; except that the card is meant for the previous owners. The cards continue to come for 18 winters, as Harry moves back home, taking over the general store from his dad, through the joys and sorrows that each year brings. This is such an endearing story, becoming privy to all that happens to Harry during those eighteen winters, and we also get to know who Sadie is from the cards she sends. Eighteen Winters has such a cozy feel to it, it is perfect for reading in fuzzy slippers, sipping on hot chocolate, reclining in front of the fireplace at Christmastime.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming Christmas read

Joanne Demaio does it again with this heartwarming holiday novel that makes readers smile as they read in awe how the residence of Addison, CT come together to celebrate the holiday winters and how beautifully written Christmas cards bring two strangers together and fall in love.

[Margie Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanne DeMaio’s new book, Eighteen Winters, is a holiday novel that not only gets you in the festive spirit but puts hope in your heart. It takes place in the beautiful little town of Addison, Connecticut and centers around the character of Harry Dane. It’s a story that spans over 18 years and tells of how yearly Christmas cards that were meant for someone else but never forwarded by the post office, has such a huge impact on Harry’s life. What I enjoy most about reading this authors work is her ability to write so descriptively that I can picture the town and it’s surroundings with all its holiday decor so perfectly in my mind. It always makes me feel like I’m part of the story. It’s a cozy Christmas romance that I’m sure everyone will enjoy. I know I did and I’m looking forward to revisiting Addison again.

[Phylis Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts out in the little town of Addison. We meet Gus again as he tours Sadie and Harry on the Holly Trolley, we also meet Peter and his son Wes again. So its like we are coming home to family with a few extra members thrown in.

But mainly the book is centered around Harry and his family with Sadie coming in and out during the book.

This book will bring tears to your eyes and also make you smile through out. Every time I read a new book by Joanne DeMaio I keep saying this is the best one yet but this truly is her best book yet in my opinion. Once I started reading I just couldn't put it down.

What an awesome book, if you haven't read this one yet you truly need to.

[Constance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fireplace, throw, hot tea

This lovely tale is perfect for cool nights and snowy days. Two main characters and supporting cast are artfully woven to give a wonderful feeling of expectation and joy.

[Judy Kristynik · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful holiday read. I couldn’t put this book down. Highly recommend this adorable story.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tears started at 97% Now I'm off to go buy a lantern!

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eighteen Winters by Joanne DeMaio
Have read all the authors other works and know this will be another great read.
Starts out with Harry and he's gone with his buddies after work, taking the work van to attend a ski trip. Problem is it doesn't go as planned.
His father is telling him, you can make this right'. and he does...
Every winter he's back home from his life to help at the family general store during Christmas holidays. He also takes in the mail and discovers cards from friends, family and Sadie-who was actually writing to the people who lived in the house prior to his family owning it.
His mother just puts the card in the drawer and states she will write to her after the holidays. Next year he's back again and we find out what's going on his life, his family's and the card that is delivered. He's learning all about Sadie over the 18 years of cards.
After 18 years things have changed so much....he realizes just how much family means.
Love hearing of all the Christmas decorations and some things from prior books now make sense. Hurt for Derek and love hearing that Gus is running the Holly Trolley.
Sadie, the sender of the Christmas cards is hired to become the new town's event planner and their worlds crash into one another.
He wants to make things right with her but keeps messing it up so he takes a different step...
Story follows her side of things when she finds out....love hearing how the town is saved from things she does at her job.
Phenomenal how everybody comes together. Love hearing about the different stores, shopping and the food. So many emotions come out in this book, just reading it, super treasure!
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end along with about the author.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful holiday tale that spans eighteen winters and drops you into the life of Harry Dane. Harry starts out as a young college student and ends up a a grown man, as you delve deeper you experience all of Harry's pitfalls, triumphs, and relationships. You watch a boy grow into a man and take in the heartfelt life he lives and it will touch you emotionally. The only constant through these years is a Christmas card mailed by a young woman named Sandie Welles. Every year a card arrives and he has the intention of letting her know that the person she is writing no longer lives there but somehow life always gets in the way. After eighteen winters and eighteen cards the two eventually meet. Take a step into this lovely read and experience that meeting and what comes of the two after the truth of the Christmas cards comes out.

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanne DeMaio has written another story about one of the citizens of Addison Cove and it is a delight to visit there again.
A Christmas card comes each year from Sadie Wells to the home of Harry Dane, but it is not for him, nor does he “return to sender.”
As the years go by and the cards pile up, we learn more about Harry and through the cards about Sadie.
The author has a knack for describing the sights of Addison Cove from the items for sale in the general store to the Christmas wreaths hanging on front doors and to the lanterns lit in the town square. It’s all there...in another heartwarming book of how fate intervenes in the lives of Harry and Sadie.
I received an ARC from the author and the comments are my honest review.

[Kathi Rutherford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return to Addison

Harry,a college student. how's home over the holiday break from college,to visit his parents in their new downsized home.He finds an unuSual Christmas card in their mail,that will affect him in unexpected ways!Enjoy this heartwarming story set in a historic seaport town!

[Janet Friesner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely story

Nice being back in Addison. Meeting old friends from previous books. A really different story but very readable. I did enjoy it.

[Kim Bruce Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Joanne DeMaio’s books!! This book is a charming story of Christmas time magic & love. This is a definite book to movie for Hallmark or Lifetime. ❤️

[Tisha (IG: Bluestocking629) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so different from the others in this series. It still had the wintery / Christmasy vibe, it just told its story in a different format.  And I loved it! Very clever.

This book gives the gentle reminder that even the tiny little actions, we may or may not take in life, can have a huge impact on lives.

I love that characters from previous books keep popping up (which is why it's important to read this series in order.). Make sure to have tissues ready for Derek's chapter.

Fabulous Christmas read.

[Rochelle Gu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story and how descriptive each scene was. It made me feel as if I were in Addison.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up on a whim. I was looking for something light and fluffy to try to reach my goal on Goodreads. It is light and it is fluffy but it is also full of New England warmth during the cold winter. It is a book I will be happy to suggest to certain people who would appreciate it and have it put a smile on their face. What a lovely, homey, hopeful story.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was actually my Favorite book that Joanne has written. I just could not put this down. The way the details are written puts you right in the scene. This is a Book I would love to see made into a movie on the Hallmark Channel or Lifetime as part of their Christmas movies. I loved also that the main character was a Guy.. Great job on this book Joanne DeMaio!!!

[Sarah Messenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely and heartwarming read. The description of the little town and all of the characters were so real you felt you knew them and could feel the spirit of Christmas. This was the perfect time for me to read this book.

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Regarding "Eighteen Winters" by Joanne Demaio, my advice is to skip it! I read the whole thing, but only because it is such a tiny book, with chapters as short as two pages each.
There were so many issues with it. Best description I can come up with is to say that it reminded me of a Thomas Kinkaid painting, that it was oozing light and felt like a religious experience, though religion was never part of the story, or I would have given up before the end. It was written so simplistically, and was just not believable.
For example, the main character, Harry, and his friends have names that were popular in the 1940's. At the start of the book, I was sure it had to be set in that time frame. He called his father, Pops. Kids today do not call their fathers Pops. It was all so stilted. Harry was 18 at the start of the novel and had just come home from college for winter break, and was happy to help Pops at the general store the family bought. Over the years, he came home each Christmas and found cards from friends and family, and one, each and ever year, signed by someone named Sadie Welles. Sadie was actually writing to the couple who owned the home where Harry lived with his mother and Pops. Instead of forwarding the cards, or notifying the mysterious Sadie that the couple no longer lived there, the cards were put into a drawer each year, so they continued to come, like clockwork, every Christmas. Harry began to care for Sadie, just from the sentence or two she wrote each year from wherever she was in her life, whether at school, with a boyfriend, traveling, etc. At some point, maybe after ten winters, there was talk of cell phones and texting, which meant the book could NOT have been set in the 1940's. Harry would have been in his twenties then, so was probably born in the 1980's!
The family endured hardships, losses, etc, as did Harry. What 22 year old boy would give up a gorgeous girlfriend and a really good job, post college, to move home to work in the little general store? What parents would be ok with that? It was all just absurd to me.
The writing seemed to have been penned at a 7th grade level, but this novel is considered adult fiction. It could have been really good had the tone been more realistic and modern (since it was set in modern times).
This novel would make a Hallmark movie seem racy and scandalous, and those movies are rated G! Save yourself the few hours it would take to read this one!

[Moira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great holiday story from Joanne DeMaio. I couldn't put it down!

A young girl sends a Christmas card to former neighbors and her babysitter for the last 17 years. The thing is they moved, and the new homeowner is overwhelmed by Christmas at their General Store. Always meaning to drop a line to the girl Sadie who sent the cards annually but never getting around to it as life passes by.

Over time the son Harry returns home and ends up acquiring the house and taking over the business from his parents. The cards Sadie sends always seem to arrive when Harry needs the kind words the most.

Coincidence brings Sadie back to Addison and a new job. She and Harry meet and she discovers he opened and kept the annual Christmas cards she sent. A rift in their relationship occurs and Harry feels nothing will ever be the same.

In typical fashion , the author's description of the town and characters within draws a perfect picture for the reader. It's a unique talent and benefits the readers.

I most enjoyed characters from former winter stories appear in this one. A wonderful story that I recommend you read!

[Readsandeats · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 5th book in the Winter Series.
We meet Harry Dane. In the beginning of this book, he is coming home from college after his first semester as a freshman. His parents have sold the family home and he is coming home to the new home. He spends time helping his Dad in the family general store.
As the book progresses, we see Harry’s life develop over 18 winters, and the delivery every year of a Christmas card from Sadie. The card if meant for the people that used to live in the house his parents bought but no one has written to tell her they have moved.
One year Sadie comes to town. She is excited to be back in Addison and to see her friends again. She is surprised to fond Harry in the house and as the story unfolds, we see the two of them drawn to each other. Can Sadie forgive him for opening the cards that were not for him?
A beautifully written book. I really enjoyed being back in Addison and look forward ot my next visit. Would recommend this series.

[Kelley Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have come to look forward to Joanne’s Christmas books. The perfect setting a quaint New England town where you feel like everyone knows your name. The story is reminiscent of how we have plans for our lives, life happens and the path detours. Thus is the story of Harry Dane. Family and love are at the heart of Eighteen Winters sprinkled with a misunderstanding. What drew me in was her writing style and how the story is set up. I kept thinking of the family owned hardware store and cute craftsman cabin and saw myself living there. It seems like towns such as Addison are slowly becoming nonexistent today. Curl up and escape you won’t regret it.

[Judy Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas cards sometimes arrive at our doors that aren’t for us, especially if you have moved. And sometimes we open that card accidentally when it’s mixed in with a bunch of other ones. That’s what happens when Harry’s family buys a house, each year there is a card from Sadie and it’s meant to be for Lorrie and Tom the previous owners. Instead of sending the card back or finding the old owners, the card gets put in a drawer, where it sits until the next year. This is Harry and Sadie’s story, a lovely one at that.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Eighteen Winters by Joanne DeMaio does not put you in a Christmassy mood nothing will!
I loved this book. The format of the chapters each begin and end during Christmas time and take you through eighteen winters, then the next few continue on longer.
I felt like I was back at my old job of stacking shelves, pouring coffee, and having conversations with customers. The General Store could have been in my old hometown of Newtown, Ct. I will read more by Joanne DeMaio.

[Susan Nickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little late reading this but I had to make time to read the one Christmas book I wanted to read for 2019. It didn’t fail me! I love Joanne DeMaio’s Christmas books. Sure hope there’s another coming for Christmas 2020. Sweet story..just what we need in this chaotic world we live in.

[Mary B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not had a chance to read my usual Christmas stories. Today I did. This was a feel good easy read and I really liked it. It was a story I needed to read. If you want something like that, read this.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up as it left me in a feel-good holiday mood. It was a snapshot of life during 18 Christmas holiday seasons. The loves, loses and spirit of the season told from the POV of a likeable guy.

[Kathy Knutsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic story of boy meets girl after getting mistaken Christmas cards for 18 years and then she ends up staying at his rental only to admit of his son…….stop! This endearing story is about two people traveling a long and winding road only to find happiness. It’s so cute.