I’d like to thank Penguin UK-Michael Joseph and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘One Winter Morning’ by Isabelle Broome in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

It’s been a year since Evangeline (Genie) lost her adoptive mother Anna in a horse-riding accident and all that time Genie’s blamed herself for arguing with her mother the day before and not finding the time to take care of her much-loved horse Suki. Genie’s dad David persuades her to find her birthmother, saying that her name is Bonnie and she lives in Queenstown, New Zealand. Genie decides to make the journey little knowing what she’ll find when she gets there!

This is a beautifully written novel of loss, love and hope put together with an immense depth of feeling. We discover the story of Genie’s birth in a letter written to her by Bonnie explaining why she had to leave her new-born baby in England with Anna and David and go back to New Zealand. Once again we’ve been given a novel with such vivid descriptions that I wanted to be there with Genie and Kit walking the hills and experiencing the scenery. I’ve read several of Isabelle Broom’s novels and although ‘One Winter Morning’ is perhaps not my favourite I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The ending was just what I’d hoped for, leaving me feeling warm and happy. A lovely story and one I can recommend!

One Winter Morning, story of Genie, Bonnie and Tui, is pretty much like an Elixir to hurting, lost hearts who are searching their home. It's a comforting story with little bits of joy, love, wandering and finding your home. I raced through it happily.

This was such a lovely book that really left me feeling emotional as i was reading. Evangeline is adopted and after the death of her mother she sets out to find out who she really is and who her birth mother is.

A great story with great characters.

A great read, the story of Evangeline. She has always known she was adopted, but only after the death of her adoptive mother does she set out to find her birth mother in New Zealand.

The setting of the book sounded amazing, and it was full of great characters.

What a beautiful tale of love, life, loss, family and self discovery.
As always Isabelle's beautiful descriptive text allows the reader to imagine being on location in New Zealand with all the senses totally aroused.
Gorgeous characters each with their own story to tell and from which the reader can learn
Consumed this book so fast but didnt want it to end.
Love that Max made an appearance too as Kit and Genie explored

I love Isabelle Brooms books. This story is beautifully written and brings the characters to life. I was caught up in the characters lives from the start and felt part of their world. I laughed and nearly cried. This is a great story which is definitely worth reading.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Wow, what a beautiful and poignant story. One winter morning is just so wonderful and touching it made me laugh, it made me cry. It touched my heart and made it swell with delight and love. One thing is for sure Isabelle writes from the heart, her descriptions are so thorough that you fall into the pages and feel that your climbing the hills in New Zealand or even riding a horse, I loved it. Highly recommend this. 5 out of 5.

Very good. Just when you think Isabelle Broom can't get any better she goes and proves you wrong. This story has it all, beautiful descriptions of New Zealand which make you feel like you are actually there and a beautiful heartwarming story. This story is centred around a mother and daughter and their story to reconnect, it just flows and you will be captured by their journey that is not just physically but emotionally for them.

A bit of a departure for me, a reader of all genres dark and dastardly, but when I was looking for something more life affirming of course I could only turn to Isabelle Broom, a writer I admire greatly for her ability to make you feel everything her characters feel.

The main protagonist in One Winter Morning just happened to mirror a few things in my own life, the recent loss of a much loved adoptive mother and the reaching out for new connections in the wake of that loss. So I devoured Genie’s story through the dark hours of one night and loved every last minute of it.

One Winter Morning is a gorgeous narrative, witty and insightful, with brilliantly drawn authentic characters and a beautifully flowing plot – a kind of road trip for life and all the ups and downs that entails.

Love, loss, letting go and reconnecting, everything that we face as human beings is in here, the group dynamic is flawlessly managed and it is a hugely pleasurable read first page to last.

I am back with murder and mayhem now but One Winter Morning will stay with me. Very excellent.

Recommended.

One Winter Morning by Isabelle Broom a five-star read that will warm you up. This is such an emotionally wringing story it will wrench every emotion out of you, but it will also will leave you all warm and fuzzy, Isabelle Broom has a wonderful way with words, the visceral reactions you will get from her words will surprise you. That’s not the only thing thou, when you read the page you will see the images so closely in your mind as Isabelle Broom goes into such detail, it’s like you are there with the characters. Evangeline or Genie as she is known as, is the one to get to know, she is surprising in more ways than you can imagine, loss is difficult to deal with and Genie knows this only too well.

Loved this book !! heartwarming and lovely ! I have loved all of Isabelles books and have been lucky enough to always read them when I am on holiday! This book is all about new beginnings and letting go - I loved it and read it in 2 days. I cried a little and was left feeling happy and elated !

Having read and enjoyed a couple of other books by Isabelle Broom, I looked forward to reading this. It certainly didn't disappoint; instead it exceeded my expectations.

I expected the characters to be well crafted, as indeed they are. I really enjoyed the sections of the book set in New Zealand. Having visited several of the chosen locations, I can vouch for the geographical accuracy.

The descriptions of the landscape are enchanting. I also enjoyed the use of the dual timeframe to draw out the history between Bonnie and her daughter Genie.

Once again Isabelle Broom has produced a superbly researched book, which draws me in as a reader. There are a few intriguing twists as the story unravels.

Finally I give my thanks to Netgalley and Penguin (Michael Joseph) for a copy in exchange for this review.

This was a book about new beginnings, about guilt, about change and loss and about letting go but also letting people in so that we can allow ourselves to be who we truly are. The book visits relationships in many forms: parental, friendship, sibling and of course, love.
We meet Genie when she is at a low point after suffering the loss of the only mother she has ever known along with the loss of her career and beloved horse. She has to go on a journey of discovery to find herself and her strength in order to rebuild herself. It is an enjoyable read with some interesting characters, some more fully formed than others.

This story is set in New Zealand and follows Genie on her quest to meet her new mum, Bonnie who gave her up at birth. Genie finds her confidence, meets a new sister and finds a new love. I enjoyed this book but didn't really feel the romantic chemistry between Kit and Genie. I like Isabella Broom's novels but this wasn't my favourite. I didn't feel she described the place with her usual passion either. An enjoyable read though.

A beautiful cover for an emotional story following the life of Evangeline (aka Genie), her birth parents and her adoptive parents.

This book covers a wide variety of topics - from heart breaking tragedy to comical moments, with friendships, relationships, family drama, animals and a sales pitch for the New Zealand tourist board. As some one who hates to fly, even I found myself dreaming about visiting New Zealand after the gorgeous descriptions in this book.

Thank you to Isabelle Broom for this great story - I will be recommending it to friends and family.

Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC in return for my review - all my thoughts are my own.

I have previously read and enjoyed other books by Isabelle Broom so I knew this one would be unlikely to disappoint. It was such a heartwarming story even whilst dealing with topics such as adoption and grief. It makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

5 stars.

One Winter Morning is Isabelle Broom’s best yet. I loved Genie’s journey from grief to fulfilment, such an uplifting read set in the most beautiful of places, which gave her the space to explore and find herself. A gorgeous, romantic book.

Evangeline known as Genie was adopted but didn't know anything about her birth mother until her parents died.
She then discovers that her birth mother lives in New Zealand so decides to go and find her. Have never read the author before but will definitely look out for more books by her..

Again, absolutely brilliant. A good plot and super characters. I couldn’t put it down! Makes a great holiday read.

Genie is an adopted child and all through her life o adulthood wandered why her birth mother didn't love her enough to keep her. She was happy with her adopted parents until tragedy struck that put her on an emotional rollercoaster and sent her to the other side of the world.
This is a really enjoyable read with emotions and relationships keeping you coming back for more.