Today is a special day for Samantha Tonge's The Winter We Met - Publication Day!
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?
My Thoughts
There is so much more to this book than the seasonal aspects. Although it captures the festive atmosphere beautifully, it focuses on a group of seniors who are being made to move from their residential home. Jess, Oliver and Nik work hard to make their last few weeks together memorable and the links between the generations are clear to see. There are some real characters in the group and I liked the way they were shown to have had valuable and demanding lives when they were younger. Family and friendships are centre stage.
Jess's work at the toy shops adds a seasonal touch and somehow adds to the warm feelings. I also enjoyed the story which develops around Nik and everyone's reactions to him. This is a lovely book to read near Christmas and certainly has a heart-warming, feelgood tone. I also have to mention Buddy, Jess's dog who features and adds to the warmth.
In short: Will the Christmas Party go ahead?
About the Author
Samantha Tonge lives in Manchester UK and studied German and
French at university. She has worked abroad, including a stint at Disneyland
Paris, and has travelled widely.
When not writing she loves family time, reading and baking.
Samantha has sold many dozens of short stories to women's magazines.
In 2013, she landed a publishing deal for romantic comedy
fiction with HQDigital at HarperCollins and in 2014 her bestselling debut,
Doubting Abbey, was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction Best Ebook
Award.
In 2015 her summer novel, Game of Scones, hit #5 in the UK
Kindle chart and won the Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category.
In 2019 she was shortlisted for the RNA’s Romantic Comedy
Award.
In 2020 she won the RNA’s Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller
Award with her novel Knowing You, from publisher Canelo.
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