The anticipation of a Christmas reunion turns into a nightmare for thirty-two-year-old Charlie Brown when she arrives in New York to find her boyfriend Harry missing. With no sign of him and unanswered calls, Charlie confronts her worst fears, wondering what has happened to Harry. Determined to unravel the truth, she makes the decision to stay in New York, refusing to leave without answers. As Charlie navigates the challenges of her unexpected predicament, she finds support in the form of a handsome new friend, Pete. The novel unfolds as a heartwarming and suspenseful journey, exploring love, resilience, and the pursuit of happily-ever-after against the enchanting backdrop of Christmas in the bustling city of New York.

This was another charming read from Folbigg but surprisingly, not too heavily set at Christmas. Although the first half-ish is set around December and the New Year, the rest of the time passes beyond. This makes it perfect as a festive “warm-up” read to start getting you in the mood for all things tinsel-related.

When Charlie enters New York to a silent and absent boyfriend, my heart was in my mouth and the anxiety I felt had my stomach churning in knots. I could really sympathise about how panicked Charlie was feeling when her boyfriend doesn’t meet her at the airport and admired her bravery when, after spending a sleepless night haunting the terminal, accepts that she needs to take back control of her destiny and get on with her trip to America.

Except moping around coffee shops and mourning the loss of her ghosted boyfriend does not do Charlie any favours. On an excursion to demand answers from Harry, she shares a taxi with a tall, dark, handsome stranger… you get it. It was this element of the story that I really loved and enjoyed watching Charlie befriend Pete, no longer being a lonely and jilted English woman in New York.

Yet, the story progresses and readers return to London. Time moves on and Charlie has to learn to cope with her life minus Harry and Pete. This aspect of the story shows Charlie on her home turf and I liked seeing how circumstances are slightly mirrored when Pete visits from America. Indeed, the cyclical nature of the story made it an endearing narrative and added to the romance of the plot.

I did enjoy this book but didn’t think it had the same power as my previous read from this author. I loved the meet-cute between Charlie and Pete, but felt it lost its way once readers returned to England and the Christmas charm had passed. I think I picked up this book expecting the swirling snows of New York city mixed with tourism, romance and a happy ever after. True to style, Folbigg takes a while to get there, but I could not help compare it to my previous read and I don’t think this was as engrossing.

Whilst some aspects of the plot were predictable, this did not ruin my enjoyment. However, I thought the use of the strange girl to be an unusual device from the author and I was not sure how this fit in with the rest of the story. I thought it would have worked better if this element was emphasised further in the novel, or having it completely removed altogether. Indeed, the opening scene of the novel was heart-breaking and indicates a significant trauma, but I’m not sure it completely worked with the random appearances of the little girl.

I liked this read from Folbigg and particularly enjoyed the New York setting. The characters of Charlie and Pete are likeable and I warmed to Pete from the beginning because of his laid-back charm and generosity. Him and his family are like a cosy hug and I think that it is exactly what you need when the temperatures start to cool…

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Arriving in New York, expecting to meet her boyfriend, Harry, Charlie is shocked to find that he didn’t turn up to meet her at the airport. He didn’t even take her calls. Worried about him and not wanting to trouble her parents back home, she makes arrangements to stay in New York. While attempting to find Harry, she makes a new friend – a fellow traveller on an Uber ride – Pete. Pete takes her under her wing while she chases after Harry, who she finally finds but doesn’t meet. The truth about him is worse than she anticipated.

Heart-broken she heads back home wondering if her lovely friendship and attraction will turn into something more.

Even though Charlie is an established and quite renowned make-up artist, she comes through as rather naïve and underconfident at the start of the story. But as she goes through this heart-breaking experience, she learns to stand up for herself. Pete is a loving and attentive friend and so unlike Harry and that helps boost Charlie’s confidence as well.

A heart-warming read which underlines how often a bad experience can turn out the best thing that happens to us.

Oh what a simply beautiful read. It was one of those real page-turners. A lovely plot, warm characters, wonderfully descriptive. The puzzling prelogue was not what I had thought. A great book. A great read!!

I loved Zoe’s previous books especially The Note, where she met her train man (based on her own true story) which I highly recommend. When I see this was on Rachels list as a blog tour I jumped at the chance. Oh how glad I am.  
 
After Charlie goes to New York to stay with her boyfriend Harry, he doesn’t show up to meet her at the airport. She is left alone.  
We then get taken on an adventure with Charlie which I really enjoyed reading about.
I really disliked Harry!!
 
It had a dreamy New York setting at Christmas that I was loving, as well as the pure romance. A great meet cute, this was romantic and filled with lots of little romantic gestures. I am a fan of meet cute and always seeing how things develop and reading about the first kiss. (What a first kiss)!
 
The story also had a really nice element of friendships and family. I loved getting to know the family at New Years, their traditions and big style celebrations.
 
This was a heartwarming book that was easy to get lost in. Which I did just that whilst waiting for a delayed flight.
 
Read this is you are a fan of romance, a dreamy setting, love little cute dates, a strong friendship group and endearing family elements.
 
What a beautiful cover and the most perfect title.

Christmas reading is a favourite of mine and I really enjoyed this book. Charlie Brown (love the name) leaves her home to visit her boyfriend in New York. But upon arrival he is nowhere to be found. What will Charlie do?

You must read this book to find out. It is well worth it. A story of finding love when you least expect it, this is a book about Charlie and her journey. I enjoyed the story and found it heart-warming at times, the writing made the story flow and made it easy to read. It was a book that had it all, good characters, a good story, life changes and a bit of romance.

Fun, enjoyable, entertaining and interesting. I enjoyed it and would recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

⭐️ 4.5 ⭐️
Rounded up to 5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

If you’re looking for a fabulous, feel-good, festive read, then look no further! 🎄

Zoë Folbigg transported me on a wonderful journey from London to New York and perfectly captured the atmosphere of both. I particularly enjoyed the chapters set in New York — everything about the city is beautifully drawn in detail which allowed me to visualise it all so clearly.

Fairytale of New York is well written, with sharp, witty dialogue. I loved getting to know Charlie (Charlotte) Brown, who’s likeable and down-to-earth. I disliked Harry with a passion, and I was a smidgen smitten with swoonworthy Pete.

Although the book is predominantly set around Christmas and the new year, the character-driven story doesn’t have a cheesy, overly sentimental, Hallmark-esque feel, but it does still have a magical sense of the festive season.

I loved it!

Heartfelt Christmas book. It is however a little bit of a slow burner. Which isn't a bad thing. But just stick with it. It is a beautiful book about love, second chances, and starting again. A nice book.

2.5 but I'll round up to 3.

I'll start off by saying that the cover of this book is beautiful. I wanted to love Fairytale of New York but it just fell a little flat for me. Don't get me wrong, reading about Charlie's time in New York made me want to book a flight and revisit that wonderful city but I found the story very drawn out at times. I have an interest in make up so I found Charlie a very interesting character but I cannot for the life of me understand how she but up with Harry for so long. He was just awful and it just made me so angry reading about all he had done. I adored Pete. What an absolute sweetheart. Overall, quite a heartbreaking book at times but an unashamedly romantic ending.

Charlie and Pete’s story has a symmetry about it as you discover that they both have experiences in common. As their friendship grows, it seems that they both help each other to come to terms with their past. You feel that there is an element of fate in their meetings. Told mostly through Charlie’s eyes, you also get to hear Pete’s thoughts at key moments. Both of them have misunderstandings which put their relationship at risk but you hope that they will see through those.
The story is filled with cultural references and music plays a part in letting us know the state of affairs at times. Charlie and Pete’s family are both a reflection of them and show how grounded they both are despite their professional success. Both characters need to come to terms with traumatic experiences and you do wonder at times if they will be able to move on. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, principally because of the characters who felt so believable and likeable. New York and London provide great settings and add colour to the story.

In short: can love conquer all?

This novel is an absolute delight! If you're in the mood for a heartwarming Christmas read with a fresh twist on classic fairy tales, look no further.

From the initial frustrations to the heartwarming revelations, it masterfully draws you into a slow-burning narrative that keeps you emotionally invested in the characters and their journeys. The author's clever contemporary spin on traditional fairy tales adds an element of surprise, making it impossible to predict the outcome.

Set against the backdrop of Christmas, it's the perfect holiday read, radiating warmth and nostalgia. Throughout the story, the closed doors in the characters' lives serve as a powerful metaphor, highlighting that sometimes, those doors close for a reason. This beautifully reaffirms your belief in love and second chances, reminding us all that life has a way of leading us down unexpected yet more fulfilling paths.

In summary, this enchanting novel not only captures the spirit of the season but also reminds us of the magic of second chances in life.

Absolutely brilliant read that is so comforting for winter. Really got me in the mood for Christmas and snowy times. Grab a blanket, a hot chocolate and enjoy this book!

A great read by a great author. The perfect romcom for those winter nights. Zoe Folbigg really immerses her readers in the settings of the book and I felt like I was in London and New York with these characters! A sweet read

This is the best book. I could not put it down! I loved this!
I just reviewed Fairytale of New York by Zoë Folbigg. #FairytaleofNewYork #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Fairytale of New York by Zoe Folbigg is the perfect holiday romcom read. I love how this author had you feeling immersed in the setting. This is a wonderful love letter to the less obvious tourist parts of New York, and a little of London. Overall this story is sweet, sad, mysterious, and funny, and deals with characters haunted by memories, traumatic situations, and their own decisions.

Loved it! From the very start to the very end. Adorable. Charlie is fab. Pete is brill and Harry - well, Harry is a waste of space. It is such a clever concept for a romantic, Christmassey book. I adored it.

Zoe is a new author for me so I was pleased to be awarded this title on netgalley. I really loved the story. Great characters, fab setting and Zoe has a very engaging style of writing. I particularly like how she occasionally references the feelings of a variety of characters, not just the main ones.

I'll definitely look for more of Zoe's books in future.

I thought it was a festive story but Christmas wasn't the center of the book, not that it's something I'm disappointed with!

- First of all, the prologue was so out of place and unnecessary. The story didn't match to it.
- Average main characters. Harry was really a piece of shit! And I wanted more scenes of Saphie.
- Mable was so adorable.
- Why the hell a woman like Charlie had to be in relationship with Harry after what happened in their past? Like actually, WHY??
- I very much liked the friendship between Pete and Charlie but as a couple, I just didn't feel the spark.

But it was a good one and I'm looking forward to read other books of the author.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me a free eARC of the book in exchange of an honest review.

It's coming up to christmas and Charlie is flying to New York to meet up with her boyfriend Harry, whern Charlie lands, Harry is nowhere to be seen, her world comes crashing down and there's 100's of miles between her an home. Charlie decides to stick it out in New York and try to find out what happened.
this was such a lovely read, full of festive drama

I loved this story! I have not stopped thinking about Charlie Brown and her adventures since I finished reading this book. When I started reading I thought "oh no, someone working in TV".... TV and celebrities is just not my cup of tea, but Charlie was just so lovely. She was super caring and a really good person and her reasons for working as a make-up artist were very touching.

Charlie's adventures in New York were nothing like I had expected. So much better, the lows being lower than I expected and the highs higher. I loved the meet cute and the feeling I got spending the festive season there. I really felt like I was there with Charlie and meeting all the people she met. I was 100% invested in Charlie's story and felt like I was on a rollercoaster of emotions with the various plot twists and events. Pete was another wonderful character with more depth than expected and he also came across as a real person. It's hard to believe both Charlie and Pete are fictional characters. I feel like I know them better than my friends in real life. I can't wait to see what Zoë writes about in book 7!