Snowed In at the Winter Palace

by Lucy McConnell

After her boyfriend steals her promotion, Pepper Johnson decides a fresh start is in order; but, is it possible to outrun betrayal? USA Today bestselling author Lucy McConnell explores the intersection of two hearts in need of the healing power of Christmas.

Pepper Johnson gets the opportunity of a lifetime this Christmas. Hired to redesign the kitchen at the Isola de la Familia Winter Palace, she packs her bags, tells her no-good boyfriend goodbye, swears off romance, and hops on the plane. Upon her arrival, the country is plunged into the worst blizzard in a century and all her plans come to a screeching halt when a handsome, troublesome prince steps in.

Principe Zeno de Luca is called home for his cousin's Christmas Eve engagement party only to be stranded in the Winter Palace instead. A man of action, he looks for a way he can help his family and inserts himself into the kitchen remodeling project. Pepper is not in his plans. And yet she is in his kitchen.

They can survive the blizzard, but will they survive one another? Find out in this sweet Christmas romance that will sweep you into a love that could last through the ages.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Contemporary, Royalty

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2021

About the author

Please hit the follow button. I'd love to keep in touch!

Lucy McConnell loves romance, chocolate, Christmas, horses, music, crochet, and fun!

She believes that romance books should:

Keep you up past your bedtime.

Make you laugh out loud.

Have happy endings.

With that in mind, she's written over 200 novels full of fun and flirty characters who navigate the turbulent waters of romance with open hearts and creativity.

If you enjoy closed-door romance, follow her on Goodreads.♥️

Reviews

[Jeri Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Snowed in at the Winter Palace

I really enjoyed this book and I will recommend this book to anyone who loves romance novels. She is an amazing writer.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Merry Christmas Indeed

Pepper has been hired as an architect for the remodel of the Winter Palace’s family kitchen. When a blizzard sweeps through, she and her best friend are stranded there with Prince Zeno.

I loved the good people in Zeno’s life who aren’t afraid to offer him good advice. I loved how Pepper and Zeno both took the time to see individuals. Their romance was adorable! I loved the banter, their baking together, and the ball.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fresh twist on a familiar trope where the handsome prince falls in love with the beautiful, smart commoner. There's a reason there are so many versions of this plot--we love the hope and magic that it brings to our everyday lives. The author of this story did an incredible job of developing the characters, both the main characters and the secondary characters. I liked the way the prince's staff loved him and had had a hand in raising him. And I especially loved the chemistry between Prince Zeno and Pepper; it was sigh-worthy. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a clean-with-some-sizzle story that pulls you in, keeps you engaged, and leaves you feeling good. I received an ARC and this voluntary review contains my honest opinions.

[Karen Brasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snowed in at the Winter Palace

This book is a wonderful addition to the series. Pepper is an architect from America. After her ex boyfriend was given her promotion, she accepts a job designing a room in the Winter Palace across the ocean and far away from the east coast. Principe Zeno de Luca was a champion of the poor and was a soldier protecting refugee camps from danger. When he is called back to the palace for a significant announcement at the Christmas Eve Ball he only makes it as far as the Winter Palace because of a dangerous snowstorm. The book has fun and turmoil as well as the romance.

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance, love, a castle, and a handsome prince made me enjoy this book that felt like a Hallmark movie.  I really enjoyed the banter and the sparring between Prince Zeno de Luca and the American architect, Pepper.  Her name really suited her as she was a little spitfire at times and just what Zeno seemed to need in his life. I also liked that she cared so much for the people of Isola and they fell in love with her because of her sincerity.  It was a beautiful story in this wonderful series.  I want to read the story again just to feel the magic and hope that the story brought me.  I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Tanya Thrasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!

Lucy McConnell does it again! I am so in love with her stories! Her characters just come to life & pull you in...
Lucy McConnell is definitely one of my most favorite authors! If you haven't tried one of her books, I highly recommend them. They are always clean, wholesome, with a bit of adventure.
Great job, Lucy!! Keep those books coming! You have an amazing talent as an author!

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a free copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Pepper takes a job redesigning the kitchen in Isola’s Winter Palace where she meets Principe Zeno de Luca. As they interact and learn about each other’s countries and families, they fall in love, but his father is against him marrying an American. While they are stuck together due to a winter storm, their interactions are magical and unique. A delightful Christmas story.

[Connie Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

Truly a delightful story. A wonderful way to spend a snowy day! I loved having Matteo and Avery mentioned again, that was a sweet story as well. Truly a beautiful story.

[PJ Hawthorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Book!,

I love Lucy McConnell’s books. She is such an amazing writer, and her characters so realistic. I loved Pepper and Zeno, along with all the characters. I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend this book.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by Lucy McConnell. Pepper, a commoner from America, is hired to update the palace. Zeno, the prince, makes a stop at the Winter Palace and ends up being snowed in while there. He has a good heart and wants to help the people. A sweet romance. Highly recommend.

[Natscleanreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warm and delicious

Warm and delicious like a cup of Isolandian cocoa.

Set in a fictional country island with beautiful scenery. Handsome men and intriguing women. Well written, engaging story with all the feels.

Clean in words and morals.

[Amberlee Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story! I'm a sucker for romances where two people are stuck together, and this one also has snow, Christmas, and a palace! Hitting on so many of my fantasies ❤

[Adrianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so, good! I found this book to be amazing and inspiring. They met the problems life brought them with determination and faith in God. A wonderful clean holiday or any day read.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little boring

A lot trite and pretty predictable. Usually enjoy her books but this could have been more than a shallow rejigger of the same old nonsense.

[Lila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pepper's internal monologue is Hilarious!!! It's worth reading the book all by itself.

[Sara Siekkinen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️, it had potential but it was just boring :/

[Jenna Boivin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick easy holiday read. Not my fave and def would not recommend the AI generated audiobook version

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Christmas Royal Romance

This cute wintertime story was endearing. Pepper wins the opportunity to travel to a small country to design a remodel of the Winter Palace kitchen for the Isoladian Royals. They are met by the unexpected appearance of an Isoladian Prince - Principe Zeno - who stopped in order to take refuge from the storm. There are sparks that fly between Pepper and the Prince but not always in the romantic way. Zeno decides that Pepper is the perfect name for the spicy American. They grow closer during the forced proximity that the storm forces upon them. But will tradition or the heart win in the end?