Escape to Notting Hill this Christmas… talents to organising Notting Hill’s local nativity.
Nate Williams isn’t looking forward to Christmas but as his small daughter, Grace, has the starring role in the show, he’s forced to stop being a Grinch and volunteer with Viola.
With the sparks between them hotter than the chestnuts roasting in Portobello market, Nate and Viola can’t deny their feelings. And as the snow starts to fall over London, they find themselves trapped together in more ways than one…
This is a gorgeously heartwarming and uplifting Christmas romance, perfect for fans of Sue Moorcroft, Isabelle Broom or any Hugh Grant romcom… From Four Weddings and a Funeral to Notting Hill!
Praise for Covent Garden in the Snow…
‘Had me laughing from the first page!’ Rachel’s Random Reads
‘Buy this book, put up a do not disturb sign and enjoy indulging in every page – you won’t be disappointed!’ Gem’s Quiet Corner
‘A romantic and hilarious novel with a beautiful and snowy Christmas atmosphere’ Chicklit Club
‘Oh I absolutely loved Tilly! What a fun, festive book, and a beautiful cover’ LoveReading.com
more
I lived in Notting Hill for two years so enjoyed the setting.
Loved the story made me want to go back to London and revisit Notting Hill
I have read several of Ms. Wakes books and hope to read more. Not one has disappointed.
This was a very enjoyable story. Characters were all very well created, some to love, some to hate, but all believable. It was an easy and relaxing read which is sometimes just the right book to read because it can take you away to a far away land. I definitely recommend.
It’s like Love Actually, The Holiday & Notting Hill all rolled into one.Vivid descriptive storytelling at its best!!!
What a lovely character J. Wake created in Viola – talented, empathic, very giving, and caring. Loved the story.
good story
I enjoyed this book, kept my attention, interesting characters, knew it would be a happy ever after but that’s what we all want really.
*stands up*
‘Umm, hi everyone…’
*clears throat*
‘I’ll try that again.’ *blushes*
‘Hi everyone, welcome to the Christmas-themed reads support group. My name is Laura, and like you, I regret nothing. *giggles*’
Now, you may well laugh, but the struggle is real, peeps! At this point, I’m sure my heartbeat is playing ‘Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town’ *snorts*.
Sorry! I’m veering off on Tangents again. Let me tell you all about my current obsession…’
NHITS is an utterly delightful and enchanting read full of festive feels. My heart felt full to bursting, my ovaries didn’t know what end was up (TMI?), I shed copious amounts of tears (I blame the hormones, I really do!), I lol’d (kids + nativity = chuckles galore), but most importantly, I fell in love. I lost my heart to the most adorable seven-year-old (*coughs* and her dad wasn’t too bad either *winks).
All little Grace wants to be is loved. Isn’t that what any child deserves above all else – for their needs to be put first? *shakes head* If only life was that simple?
Then we have Viola the viola player. Always putting others needs before her own. I found myself shouting at her family to please stop taking advantage of her and her huge heart. Okay, okay, I was shouting at my kindle (quelle surprise!) *shrugs* but you catch my drift. Viola will go and above and beyond when the occasion calls for it. We all need a Viola in our life.
Nate’s life could best be described as ‘it’s complicated’. I really felt his inner struggle as he tries to juggle taking care of his beloved daughter alongside a demanding career. Viola entering their lives is like a breath of fresh air.
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to guard against it (head says, ‘abort, abort’ but heart says ‘surrender’), you begin the inevitable fall where your heart no longer belongs to you.
*sniffs*
*sighs*
Flipping hormones!
*takes deep breath*
I gobbled this book up and waited with bated breath as to the outcome. I had to give myself a stern talking to, so I didn’t flip to the end. Stressed you will be *huffs*.
I can’t believe I’ve never read anything by Jules Wake before. *nods* I know, right? Cray-cray-crazy! I do wonder about myself sometimes *laughs*.
NHITS is like being enveloped in a great big hug which will pull on your heartstrings and leave you craving a hot chocolate with the works.
One last thought, remember and tell your loved ones you appreciate them. They deserve to hear it once and a while.
Notting Hill in the Snow has to be one of the best books I have read this year, and trust me I read the book 3 times and it still gives me those warm and fuzzy feelings every time.
The story is about Viola, a member of the London Metropolitan Opera Company as a Violist! Which is exciting right! Well to her parents and extended family she is just the general dogsbody! It doesn’t matter if she has a rehearsal or a performance if her mother needs her to take care of her or her two cousins want “me” time away from their kids, they dump it all on Viola. And that seemed to be the theme at the company when Viola was placed as the outreach person for the LMOC, to put on a Christmas play! And she has paired with grumpy school governor Nate. But Viola got much more from this placement that she does from her own family! And it gives Viola a chance to grow, find her backbone and fall in love!
This book honestly gave me the desire to get my Christmas tree out and sing Christmas carols and really crave custard creams! Which is really tough to get hold of as a British expat.
Jules Wake is a new to me author, but she has been quickly added to my must-read authors list, as her writing is fantastic, her character are relatable and she is able to really change your mood within a chapter!
Favorite Quotes:
‘I’d offer you a biscuit … but the biscuit burglar has been to visit this week and all the chocolate ones have gone.’ Grace was suddenly very studious with her drawing, nodding in agreement. ‘I hate it when that happens,’ I said. ‘And why do they always steal the good biscuits and leave the custard creams behind?’ Nate laughed. ‘You have the same burglar.’
She came running into the kitchen. ‘I’m starvacious.’
My Review:
I had never noticed this wily author until falling upon this marvelous book but I am completely enamored and besotted with her craftiness while selfishly coveting all her clever arrangements of words. Goodreads lists thirteen books to her credit and I want them all! I was instantly pulled into her vortex like a house of cards in a tornado, and smirked and grinned my way through her brilliantly crafted tale while savoring each perfectly chosen and highly amusing word. The characters were lovable, the storylines were delightfully engaging, and the writing sparkled with perceptive insights and smartly observed and well-paced levity.
In addition to gleeful entertainment, Ms. Wake provided me with two new items for my Brit Word List with: fill your boots – which is an invitation to eat as much of whatever is offered as you want and take some home with you; and LOL dolls – which are apparently highly prized collections of small dolls with big eyes.
Captivating, romantic, and festive!
Notting Hill in the Snow is a delightfully heartwarming novel set in the idyllic Notting Hill in wintertime that takes us into the lives of two main characters. Viola, a young woman who is thoughtful, hardworking and always ready to help out, and Nate, a loving father who tries to spend as much time as he can raising his daughter while his wife is away and his career is booming.
The writing is warm and light. The characterization is spot on with a cast of characters that are dependable, kindhearted, sentimental and endearing. And the plot is an irresistible blend of heart, humour, family, friendship, tension, attraction, chemistry, support, understanding, tender moments, and spirited shenanigans.
Overall, Notting Hill in the Snow is an enchanting, humourous, magical treat by Wake that I absolutely devoured, highly recommend, and is hands down one of my favourite holiday reads of the year!
Heartstirring romance to warm up the holidays with love and compassion
What a wonderful book! I knew from its earliest stages that I was invested in Viola’s happiness and then, Grace came into the picture and won my heart. This is more than a romance between two adults. Viola’s care and compassion for young Grace’s motherless existence was, for me, the emotional core of the story. The connection with Grace’s handsome father Nate was just icing on the cake.
Apart from the threesome, Viola’s family stood out early on as truly unreasonable and annoying, so demanding and unthinking. Her hectic drive to drop her father at the airport, her cousins’ nonchalant dependence on her immediate acquiescence to their plans and her mother’s bossy ways after her accident sealed the deal for me. I had to see the family dynamic change and Viola stand up for herself. .Her identification with Grace as a child in need of parental encouragement and attention after her own childhood experience was poignant and so well done.
Finally, the trappings of the season, from warm mugs of chocolate and mince pies, to playtime in the snow, nativity plays, Christmas tree selection and decoration, to watching Frozen for the nth time: it all gave the story a cozy, heartwarming, emotional feel that had me looking backward to the holidays of my youth and forward to my next Christmas with friends and family. Author Jules Wake has conjured up a deeply emotional novel, touched with the kindness of strangers and the deep need inside all of us for trust, acceptance and love. Little Grace’s attachment to her charity shop boots was a moment I would not have missed!
Thanks to publisher Harper Impulse and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of this superb book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Jules Wake writes the perfect festive feels , Heartwarming and romantic with a dash of warm and snuggly thrown in!
This was a beautifully written book that captivates within the first few pages. I love the descriptive writing, you can imagine yourself in the scene being portrayed on paper, the characters easy to connect with, immersing yourself as the plot unfolds.
Viola and Nate have chemistry right from their first meeting , I loved their interactions with each other, it was humorous and heartfelt. The storyline was very relatable, I think that’s what makes Jules books so readable. I felt so sorry for Viola at times , you really root for her to stand up to her overbearing family. This was such a beautiful book I was sorry when I turned the last page. I totally recommend it