It's been at least a few years since I last read a Jane Lovering book, and having just finished A Midwinter Match, I can't for the life of me work out why I left it so long to read another! For this is fabulous.

The characters are incredibly real, they really do jump off the page and into your hearts, their struggles become yours and I found myself hoping things would improve for them.

There is a huge mental health theme in this book, which is dealt with sensitively and that is just one of a few trickier topics that are covered, adding to the grit and realism of this story.

Ruby and Zac are basically up against each other for the same job after a merger in their companies, and have very different ways of doing their job. They are counsellors to help people work out how go get themselves back into the workplace. And I loved Ruby's huge compassion throughout the book.

And their big "problem" client I really liked, and loved seeing how Ruby tried to help her.

Set to a Yorkshire winter backdrop, this was a great snapshot at Ruby and Zac's lives, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them both. This really was a book with heart and grit, and had me smiling for the conclusion.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Ruby Oldbridge works for an organisation that helps the long-term unemployed retrain and/or find employment, Ruby specialises in counselling her clients to really get to the bottom of what is holding them back. She walks into work one day to find that her company has merged with their arch rivals, a company with a more 'strident' approach to getting people back into gainful employment. Even worse, Ruby will have to compete with her counterpart from the other firm, Zac Drewe, for the single counselling role going forwards.

The blurb for this book led me to think that Ruby was some kind of psychologist rather than a private add-on to the Job Centre, I was imagining an English equivalent of Dr House, glamorous, gifted but with a car-crash private life. What I got was much more downbeat; a woman with anxiety disorder and huge debts, living in a box room house-share, working for unappreciative bosses and ungrateful clients.

I love Jane Lovering, but this time she gave me such a downbeat holiday romance I just didn't feel the love-factor. Maybe its because I had insomnia and finished this at 3:00am, who knows.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Ruby, has a lovely job working as a councillor in York, but her own life isn’t so brilliant. Her relationship has ended and she’s left picking up the pieces, currently living with others, sharing a house.
She’s brilliant at helping other people in sorting out their problems, and she loves doing that.

On the other hand is, Mr I’m-So-Good Zac, he also loves his job. Only one problem, it’s the same job as Ruby’s. On top of which, it seems the company heads have taken the decision to make changes to their department, meaning there’s only room for one of them.
Now, as the temperatures fall, they both stand to lose everything. Ruby’s thinking whether Zac is hiding something as things aren’t what they appear.
As they both have to prove that they deserve the job, they are working against each other. Maybe, if the took time to find out about each other, it could be the best thing to happen to them…..

This is a funny, kind-hearted read.

A great read, which is emotional at times.

Ruby and Zac are competing for the same job, after their employers merge. Their bosses try to set them against each other, but as they start to become friends and understand what is going on in each other's lives outside of work will they become more than friends and colleagues.

I would have liked to have seen something from Zac's point of view, but overall a great read.

Thanks Netgalley for a arc copy of this book for a honest review.. 


A Midwinter Match is a enjoyable read.  Reading about Ruby and Zac had me wanting to read more and how the story would end. 4 star read. 







Happy Reading 📚

Lisa

This is a charming rom-com. While it does take place around Christmas time, the story focuses more on the people and relationships than the holidays and festivities.

I especially liked that Ruby and Zac are adults handling some pretty complicated personal and work conflicts in mature, adult ways. Never are they rude, sneaky or underhanded despite having to "compete" with each other for a job. There are some very funny lines of dialogue that kept me entertained. I also liked having Ruby's viewpoint in first person, specifically as she talked herself through some anxious situations.

I really enjoyed this writing style. The author paints vivid images with her words to bring a room, the weather, a person to life.

Recommend for your beach bag or for curling up with on the couch come this winter..

*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and I am required to disclose that in my review in compliance with federal law.*

Gosh I enjoyed this book. I know the setting well York. The way the two companies treated Zac and Ruby was terrible. I was glad they had the last laugh. Made you think every one needs a help finding the right job. They were both great in different ways. I loved how Bob and Mariam ending up working together .The home where Zac ‘s mum was sounded good. A different story but it grabbed you

A great fun light read. Definitely one to pick up this winter. A first for me from Jane, will be looking out for more.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Ruby loves her job as a psychiatrist. Her employer is trying cost cutting moves and wants to eliminate either her or Zac's position. Ruby does everything she can to retain her position and learns more about Zac in the process. This was a quick read.

This started well and there were some really entertaining moments along the way such as Ruby having to squeeze herself into a work colleague's tight fitting outfit for an impromptu presentation. I also liked the spot-on and satirical observations about the workplace and corporate stereotypes such as team building which everyone complains about because it typically involves "getting cold or wet, being outside or....having to touch another person." But, sadly overall this was quite a slow and bland read with lengthy chapters, continuous reinforcement of the same things, and dull characters. I loved supporting character Priya but main characters, Ruby and Zac, were near carbon copies of each other, seeming older than they were purported to be and totally unremarkable other than their mental health concerns. This was a big problem because for a romance there was zero chemistry between them. Disappointing but not a total miss either.

I received this book from Boldwood Publishing and NetGalley.

This book touches on mental health, family and love. Two people are forced to compete for the same job and as they do they not only learn more about each other but also about themselves. The author dealt with stress and anxiety in a realistic manner. I could feel the panic as it was setting in, this was how well the book was written. I found the story predictable and most of the characters weren’t very believable but I really liked the main character. While the book takes place over Christmas I really didn’t find it to be a big part of the book.

When their companies merge, Ruby and Zac are pitted against each other for the same job. But as their rivalry heats up, so does the way they view each other. What starts out as a competition to be top dog develops into mutual respect and a genuine friendship with the prospect of something more.

A lovely story which was an easy and entertaining read.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really good book. It was funny and the characters were relatable.

Zac and Ruby's companies are merging and only one will get to keep their job. I was not expecting this book to be as funny as it is. The thing I loved most about this book is Zac and Ruby are real people with real problems. It is refreshing to read about people that do the best they can and hope for the best.

First of all I was attracted to the beautiful Christmassy cover but the story didn’t let me down at all.
I really warmed to Ruby: financially devastated after a split with a cheating ex, struggling with anxiety but really determined to fight for the job she loves.
Potentially this tale of dog eat dog in the workplace could have been quite heavy but the book is really funny - and it’s a Christmas book so who could ask for more?

Ruby and Zac's companies are merging and there will only be 1 job available so they are pitted against each other for it. The management have tried to get them to find out and dish the dirt on each other so they can choose who to give the job to.
Zac finds out and tells Ruby and they gradually get closer to each other and find out they both have some deeply personal issues which could affect the job outcome
I won't say any more as it will spoil the story, other than to say it's a definite must read

This was a wonderful read with much humour and featuring a few less than perfect characters who will touch your heart and emotions. Ruby finds herself deep in debt after splitting with her ex and then finds that her job may be on the line. She and her new co-worker Zac are forced to compete for the same position after a merger. But with Ruby suffering from anxiety, and Zac putting on a cheery front, who will come out on top?

Ruby has a job she loves helping others. Her life may not be perfect. She's still getting over the boyfriend that left her for someone richer. Debts are owed because of the house they never lived in together, and there's the sometimes crippling anxiety that overcomes her when she never needs it. Plus, now her company is merging with another. Introduce Zac, who has the same position as Ruby at the merging company. Both are told that there is only room for one person in this position, so a competition has begun.

Zac's life is....well complicated. He really needs this job, but the worries of his personal life are getting to him. He's determined to win the competition, but so is Ruby. When the rules of the competition start to get dirty, both start to question what they really want.

This story was very enjoyable to read. There are quirky costars that make you belly laugh with their antics. The main characters are real and portrayed with real problems that the reader can relate to. Couple this with a Christmas time back drop in snowy England, and you have the perfect cozy romance!

Thank you to Jane Lovering and Boldwood Books for the ARC. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Another enjoyable read by Jane Lovering. I must admit that for the first few pages I did t think it was for me but very quickly warmed to it and didn’t put it down until the end. A very modern story of workplace problems, mental health, friendship and of course love. It had an excellent ending with regards to all of these issues. Well worth reading.

I received an advance copy of, A Midwinter Match, by Jane Lovering. This is a good Christmas story. A good back to cover up by the fire with, great characters and a great setting.