Samantha Tonge returns to the blog with a story full of fun, toys, hope and heart with
The Winter We Met
Jess works in a toy shop, and on a return trip from a Christmas Toy Fair she gets into the wrong seat on the airplane, meeting Nik. Nik’s family is in toy manufacturing in Australia, and he’s heading on a scouting trip to discover what toys are hot in Europe and England, to see if he can’t find some way to prop up lagging sales. Instantly the two strike up a conversation, and the chemistry is palpable between them. Because she’s not ready to let this chance encounter end, she invites Nik to visit “her” store – and their story continues. Not everything is smooth though, because Jess gets a call from Willow Court, the care home where her grandmother lives. Unfortunately, the care home is slated to close by the holiday, leaving Jess with two problems: finding another wonderful place for her grandmother to get the care she needs, and how to say goodbye to residents that have become friends and family, and send them off in different directions before the home closes.
Coming home to her flat and her best friend Oliver, Jess decides that the plans need to be made for the BEST Christmas / goodbye party ever, and finding time to organize that and find a new place for her grandmother, and she’s surprised when Nik is willing to help and digs in. Perhaps Oliver is a bit thrown by Jess’s interest in Nik, and his own feelings never quite being voiced, but the conversations with Oliver and Alf – a resident at the care home – are truly delightful as they both have different theories about Nik, his intentions and his past.
Throughout the story we meet the residents of the care home as they get involved and excited about the plans for their ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ themed Christmas party, the decorations, the toys (which many are old-school traditional bringing up many ‘I remember this” moments) and the genuine affection that the residents have for one another and their families in this trying time. Full of holiday spirit, heart, love and that je nais se quoi that just makes everything feel like Christmas, this is a feel-good story that has plenty of smiles to go around.

Title: The Winter We Met
Author: Samantha Tonge
Genre: British, Contemporary Romance, Friendship, Holiday Themed, Setting: Britain
Published by: Aria
ISBN: 1800246463
Published on: 8 October, 2020
Format:eARC
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Pages: 320
Rated:

Heat:


When charming, mysterious Nik sits next to Jess on a plane home from a Christmas toy trade fair, she never could have imagined the impact he'd have on her life. As they touch down in London, Jess is hesitant to let Nik walk away, and before she knows it, she's invited him to visit.
As the two take in the delights of the toy store where she works, Jess gets an upsetting phone call. Willow Court, her Grandmother's care home, is to close before Christmas. Jess is determined to find the perfect new home for her Gran – and throw the best Christmas party Willow Court has ever seen!
But time is running out with the closure looming and Jess becomes increasingly drawn to enigmatic Nik who joins forces with her and best friend Oliver to realise those plans.
Will a chance encounter on an aeroplane bring love to Jess's life or is this Christmas miracle too good to be true?
A copy of this title was provided via Publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Leave a Reply