Did you know that New York's Central Park has rangers? Neither did I. Meet Me in Central Park by Jo Bartlett is about a lot more than the park. It is the story of Libby who travels from England to work at her Aunt's Christmas store in New York City. While this might sound like fun to some, it is actually part of Libby's worst nightmare. You see, Libby has lost her parents in a tragic accident and she just can't quite pull herself out of the guilt and depression she feels. She can't imagine Christmas without her parents and doesn't want to even try to celebrate. Her grandparents have a hand in getting her to New York, and while Libby goes along with it, working in a festive Christmas store is not something she is sure she can handle. She meets Harry, a Central Park ranger, early in the book and feels a strange connection to him and he to her. While it is not love at first sight, it is sure a lot of like. The book continues with Libby working through a lot with the help of her aunt and a newfound family of friends.

This was a sweet story, and I really loved the found family aspect of it. I did have some trouble getting into the book at first and put it down a few times before I really got into it. I think that had more to do with me not being in the mood for Christmas in early fall. That being said, when I did dive in for real, I quite enjoyed it and especially loved how everything tied together at the end. If you want a taste of Christmas in New York, give this one a try. It is light on the romance and more into Libby dealing with her grief, so keep that in mind.

My sincere thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read Meet Me in Central Park and give my unbiased opinion of it in the above review.

this author is one of my new found favourite authors this year but sadly this isn’t my favourite book by her, i just didn’t gel with the characters (maybe it’s because i loved her other books so much i was expecting more)
it is a to be little slow moving but it is an easy read with a nice message

There is nothing more magical than Christmas in New York, and this was a truly enjoyable story with just that setting.

However Libby is trying to avoid Christmas completely, so isn't convinced that being sent to help her great-aunt in her Christmas all year shop, is going to be a good idea. She is after all still grieving for her parents, and feels a lot of guilt too.

But this is a story of healing, and slowly but surely New York and the festive season, including Thanksgiving, creep up on Libby.

There are some fabulous new friendships, so really funny lines and then there is Harry. He's a Central Park ranger, and Libby instantly feels as though she already knows him, I totally loved Harry from the start, and was rooting for the obvious pairing.

This was such a joy to read, on one level it is a story of forgiving yourself and grief, and on another it's a tourist's guide to New York, plus a Christmas shop and all manner of festivities present. In addition to some very great new people.

I just loved every second of this book and was finding myself so absorbed I had no idea where I was when I looked up when reading on the tube! Just shows that Jo Bartlett as well as writing about Cornish Midwives incredibly compellingly, she can also set books in New York that can transport you!

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

I normally avoid books set in America as I don’t like the Americanisms etc. that these stories normally contain. However, I absolutely love Jo Bartlett’s writing so decided to read it, and I am so pleased that I did as once again Jo Bartlett has given her readers a wonderful book.
A perfect winter read full of believable characters, a lovely storyline in a wonderful setting.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook.
Beautiful cover. I have read a few books from this author and I have really liked her books, but this one... Ehh it was a miss for me.
Extremely depressing and it didn't really feel like a Christmas story. The characters are just okay and I just couldn't connect with the main character.
I am currently reading another book by the same author and I like it a lot more.

This was a really sweet, Christmassy read set in New York - my favourite location ever! Libby was a very lost soul, who I felt for dearly and it was a pleasure to be whisked away to New York with her to meet new friends, find true love and be surrounded by the gorgeous setting. Meet Me In Central Park is a story filled with so much happiness and magic, with the depth of grief. Jo was able to combine the two perfectly, allowing Libby to have a healing story that will make you feel all fuzzy inside by the end.

A slow paced story that makes you think back on your own times of grief, but with a positive spin so it doesn't become morbid, instead gives hope for the future.

Gifting her parents their dream vacation was supposed to fulfill her mother’s biggest wish. Sadly, the trip to the airport proved too dangerous. With the two year anniversary of their death approaching, Libby is riddled with grief, despair, and desire to get revenge. Hoping a trip abroad will heal her, her grandmother sends her on holiday to New York City. Will the city her mother adored be the place she finds healing, or will her parents death be too much to overcome?

Meet Me In Central Park, is a reprint of Jo Bartlett’s previously titled book,The Christmas Shop at Central Park. I am so happy that this book found new life. Had it not gotten a bit of a facelift, I am certain I never would have stumbled upon it.

This is a beautiful story that transcends many genres and captured how guilt can be difficult to overcome, especially during the holidays. I loved that Libby’s journey to healing was written realistically. For most, grief lasts a lifetime. Luckily, she found a group of people to help her see that while she lost those nearest and dearest to her, there is still so much to live for.

Perhaps my favorite aspect of the story was Harry. He was an integral part of Libby’s journey and made an ideal love interest. The amount of kindness and patience he displayed to Libby through the book had me swooning!

Special thanks to Netgalley, Jo Bartlett, and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

"Meet Me in Central Park" is a delightful Christmas novel that unfolds in the heart of New York City. Through the lens of grief and, ultimately, hope, Jo Bartlett invites readers to experience the enchantment of NYC during the holiday season.

Ever since the tragic accident that claimed her parents' lives, Libby has refrained from celebrating Christmas. She remains trapped in a cycle of grief and guilt. However, a plan hatched by her grandmother in England and her Great Aunt in New York City aims to change that.

Before she knows it, Libby finds herself in New York City, taking charge of her injured Great Aunt's Christmas shop. Surrounded by the festive spirit of Christmas, she is surprised to discover that she is genuinely enjoying herself. Then, one day in Central Park, she crosses paths with Harry, a park ranger. Harry and the others in the neighborhood swiftly embrace Libby as one of their own.

As the date of her Christmas Eve flight back to England approaches, Libby realizes that she isn't quite ready to return home. Still, the absence of her parents casts a shadow over her ability to fully embrace the holiday. With her plans to return home and assist her grandparents in England looming, she faces a pivotal decision: will she remain ensnared by her pain or will she come to terms with pursuing the life she truly desires?

A heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my candid feedback.

Main character, Libby, is still recovering from her parents tragic death in a car accident. It’s been 2 years and Libby hears that the man responsible for the car crash is being released. She decides to get far away from her home and goes to New York City to help her Aunt Dottie run her Christmas shop.
I really enjoyed reading how Libby overcomes her grief and begins to enjoy life once again.
A lovely book to read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I devoured this one and loved every page. Had me hooked immediately. A lovely festive story. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

4/5 this book needs a TW for parental bereavement. As someone who lost her parents young, I found this book hard to read in places. I could feel the lead character’s pain as if it were my own at times, and found myself reading far less than I usually would.
That said, the main story was lovely, and I did enjoy it.
It was a bit long-winded in places but the overall pace was ok.

Libby Cooper, haunted by the tragedy of her parents' death, reluctantly agrees to spend the holiday season in New York at her great aunt's Christmas shop. Struggling to leave the past behind, she finds solace in long walks in Central Park, where she forms a special connection with Harry Stanwick, a Central Park Ranger. As their friendship blossoms, Libby begins to feel the weight of her past slowly lifting, and she discovers the possibility of happiness with Harry. The novel is a heartwarming exploration of healing, love, and the magic of Christmas in the bustling city of New York, as Libby learns to embrace her own Christmas miracle.

Libby’s parents died in a car crash on the way to the airport for a trip that she organised to America for them so she blames herself for what happened.
Christmas is approaching and once again she isn’t looking forward to it without her parents. To try to help her move on her grandparents persuade her to go to New York to help run her aunts Christmas shop as she is recovering from hip surgery. Libby after much persuasion agrees to go with the promise she will be ack for New Year.
Will she make it back or will she find a new life and start again ?
A lovely read

Thank you NetGalley and boldwood books. Christmas and New York is a perfect combo I’ve always wanted to go at Christmas and this book makes me want to go even more!
Libby is grieving the loss of her parents and Christmas isn’t the same without her usual traditions so when her gran plots to sent her to New York to make new Christmas memories. This book definitely has the Christmas sparkle but also had me reaching for the tissues. Thanks Jo Bartlett for a lovely Christmas read

A magical book which I thoroughly enjoyed. Libby, ends up in New York helping her aunt out with her Christmas shop.
This was a a heartwarming story which explored how grief can take over your life and how what ifs, can define you. Libby hates Christmas after she is robbed of her parents at Christmas time in an accident as they were going to the airport to fly to New York, so for her going to New York, at Christmas time, to work in a Christmas shop is her idea of hell . This story showed how she mends, with the help of Harry and the magic of New York.
Having visited New York, I loved the various mentions of areas of New York I loved
This was a lovely seasonal read with difficult topics covered sensitively, beautifully described locations and a really good plot
Highly Recommended
Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Jo Bartlett for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved it

Beautiful, this book has it all. Romance, grief, family and above all Christmas. I have loved all of Jo's books that I have read, she never gives us anything but the best. 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

I will start of with saying thanks for letting me read this one.

This was a book that for some reason took a long time to read and I even paused it because it started to feel like I was near a slump.
But after my break I picked it up and started to enjoy this one.
It was fun reading about Christmas in New York and it felt like a cozy read with emotions like sadness, grief and love.

For me this was an okey read and I hope to read more by Bartlett in the near future.

Meet Me in Central Park by Jo Bartlett is a sweet and easy read that sweeps you into the romance of an escape to New York. It was the perfect mood setter for me as I’m visiting at the end of the month so I found myself taking extra note of all the attractions. Libby ends up in New York, despite not really wanted to be there. She’s too engulfed in the emotions from her parents tragic death despite their desperate wish to have seen the big city for themselves. The story moves quickly, with Libby quickly meeting love interest Harry. Considering it’s such a big city, lots of lucky coincidences seem to happen and Libby makes friends with everyone.

When I picked up this book I expected a light-hearted romance but Libby's story reads more like a true confession. Told in the first person, her readers become privy to her almost constant recriminations and ruminations about her parents' untimely deaths in a car accident. Libby blames herself and has decided she is no longer worthy of any happiness her parents cannot share. Not even a change of locale, a new job or a new love can change her mind as she wallows in self-inflicted despair.

I did struggle to the end of the book because I expected a happily ever after resolution, but it was a struggle.