Meet e in Central Park started well and I was immediately immersed in the story. Libby has lost both of her parents in an accident, her relationship has broken down and two years on she is living and working with her grandparents. The perpetrator of her parents accident is about to be released from jail. She doesn’t want to leave but feels she needs to get away. When an offer comes to help out her aunt in New York she reluctantly decides to go. I felt that after Libby arrives in New York the storyline becomes less interesting. I was a bit disappointed. The story was still quite good, it just didn’t live up to its initial promise. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley Foran ARC of this novel.

If you’re looking for a story set in New York at Christmas- this is perfect! I loved the found family storyline and of course the romance! At times I did get a little upset with Libby and just wanted to shake her to tell her that it’s really not her fault but know she had to realise that on her own. Short but sweet - great to devour over a box of celebrations on a Christmassy afternoon!

This is a nice read. It is romantic and has alot of Christmas running throughout. It has a nice festive feel and the characters are good and the storyline is enjoyable.

Libby lives with her Gran and grandad after losing both her parents in a tragic accident. She doesn’t think she’ll ever get over losing them and Christmas is a particularly difficult time for her. Libby’s mum was a massive fan of New York although she’d never been so when Libby’s gran suggests she goes to NY for a couple of months to help out in her Aunts Christmas shop she’s appalled. New York holds the key to unlocking her pain and when she meets Central Park ranger Harry it leads to her learning to laughing again.
Libby makes new friends and falls in love with NY and Christmas but will she be able to put the ghosts of her past to bed?
Full of Christmas magic that made me want to visit NY definitely a 5 star festive treat.
Thank You NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC of another fantastic book.

Meet Me In Central Park by Jo Bartlett is a poignant and heartwarming novel that explores the depths of grief, the healing power of love and friendship, and the enchantment of New York City during the Christmas season. Libby Cooper, haunted by the loss of her parents in a tragic accident, reluctantly embarks on a journey to New York City to assist her great aunt in a Christmas-themed shop.

As she immerses herself in the city's festive atmosphere and forms new connections, particularly with the kind-hearted Central Park Ranger Harry, Libby's grief gradually begins to recede. The novel beautifully portrays the ever-changing nature of grief and the importance of chosen family. With evocative descriptions of New York City and a tender romance, Meet Me In Central Park is a captivating and hopeful story that resonates with the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Libby hates Christmas since losing her parents in a tragic car accident. Will this Christmas be different for her with an unexpected trip to New York. Is Libby able to give her heart to Christmas once again.
Loved travelling to New York and getting to know Libby.

This is a heartwarming Christmas story that pulls at your heartstrings. Libby's story deals with grief of losing her parents and how she hates Christmas. Even though it was sad in some ways, it was a good read.
I received a complimentary copy from Boldwood Books via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Libby hates Christmas since losing her parents. When she is packed off to work in a christmas shop in New York, and meets Harry who wants to show her a New York christmas will this be enough to help heal her heart?

The protagonist, Lizzie, provides a relatable perspective in this romantic and cosy read. Although all secondary characters were created equally effectively, it was Lizzie with whom I found the strongest connection.

Barlett's winter tale explores the theme of grief but avoids being depressing. The emotional content is balanced, never overwhelming, leaving the reader with a sense of warmth and positivity. However, the healing elements seemed a little unrealistic, but this does not detract from the overall entertainment value. The genre is well-maintained with vivid descriptions that make me want to visit Central Park in winter.

I thought this book was typical of the genre and author, but whether it's a plus or not depends on the reader's preferences. Personally, I enjoyed it.

As winter approaches, I recommend this book as a perfect companion for snuggling up with a warm cup of hot chocolate under a fluffy blanket!

A well worn story line of someone who hates Christmas, has suffer a tragedy that leaves them unable to face the festive season. However Jo Bartlett manages to save the day with a pleasant tale of how Libby Cooper goes over to New York to help out her aunt over the Christmas period. During her long walks in Central Park, Libby meets Harry a park ranger. Can he convince Libby that Christmas can once again be a magical time of year? Working in a Christmas shop with her batty Aunt and the growing closeness with Harry may convince her yet.

A pleasant read with a lovely cast of characters and full of Christmas magic. Just the book for settling down with a hot chocolate and dreaming of a white Christmas.

Thanks to publishers and NetGalley for an ARC.

I was drawn to this one because I really like reading books focused on a particular season and this one seemed like a perfect read for this holiday season. Unfortunately this one didn't work for me. I did really enjoy some of the side characters and the story was well written. However, I just couldn't connect to Libby. I am really close to my parents and I can't imagine loosing them but it seemed like Libby turned her loss into her whole personality. She blamed herself and couldn't move on. However, it seemed to me that someone who was so bogged down in loss would be depressed but Libby was just sad. She didn't have symptoms of clinical depression she still functioned fine, she just wasn't happy. I didn't like that she had years of therapy but then changing locations cured her? I also didn't like that she sort of got therapy from a friend. That was really unethical, especially the part where they make a bet to motivate her. An ethical therapist would not try to guilt someone into doing something. Libby also changed her mind very quickly to the point where I had whiplash. In the end I felt bad for Harry. He was so committed and Libby was putting a memory over him. While I never want to diminish a loss or anyone's reaction to it, plenty of people lose parents and still go on with their lives. Libby was so set on playing the victim that I found myself annoyed with her instead of rooting for her. There are lots of wonderful holiday romances out there but you can give this one a miss.

I’ve never heard of this author, the blurb drew me in, but sadly, this book failed to deliver any Christmas cheer for me.

This is not a new book, instead, it is a republication of The Christmas Shop at Central Park.

I found the main character, Libby, not at all relatable. Libby lost her parents two years ago, something that she blames herself for. She constantly tells herself that she can’t be happy, as her parents are dead and can no longer be happy. Her incessant complaining and feeling sorry for herself really irked me, as did her continuous negative self-talk.

Christmas is not a happy time for everyone, as a foster mum I know this better than most, but the overall takeaway from this book, that if you’re sad you need to find a man and move away so you don’t have to think about what is making you sad, is just wrong.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest opinions.

Such a lovely feel good story but also doesn’t shy away from dealing with grief, guilt and general unhappiness. There’s something about Christmas in New York which is amazing so I love these kind of books! Enjoy a weekend snuggled on the sofa with this one xx

Aaaah, such a wonderful seasonal read. I always love novels set in New York and this didn’t disappoint.
Curl up and cozy down to this novel

Libby would just as soon not deal with Christmas and all the merriment that usually accompanies the season as she is still grieving the loss of her parents’ tragic death. Understandably, Christmas is not a season of joy for everyone, but I found there was a little bit too much focus on loss, especially at the beginning of the book. New friends and experiences in New York offer a brighter future for Libby.

A lovely heartwarming Christmas story as Libby learns to come to terms with the loss of her parents at Christmas time with the help of Harry. The author has dealt with the feelings of guilt, despair and loss very well and although you may have to reach for the hankies it is a lovely uplifting story that you will fall in love with

This is a delightful, warm and cosy read. Jo always writes such heart warming books and never fails to disappoint.

A beautiful book that made me so sad- but in a good way. This is one of those books for people who are sometimes sad during the holidays and need to remember that it's okay to be happy- that they have permission to be happy. However, I would strongly suggest that you know what you're getting into because this book will pull at your heartstrings more than you thought possible.

Libby, nee Liberty, is forced to go to New York City to help her great aunt with her Christmas store two years after her parents were killed in a drunk driving accident. Her nan and her great aunt collude to get Libby away from Canterbury when the man who killed her parents is released for "home visits" over the holiday. This is a story about Libby dealing with her grief, learning to live again, and realizing that her parents are always with her- whether she is in Canterbury or Central Park.

Libby is carrying so much guilt and self resentment over her parents' death. She's a
broken shell, so hurt and closed off, and very scared to be happy, move on, and start living her life again.

When she meets Harry, he feels familiar, and they have an instant connection (not immediate love, just a bond) and he's just the best.

I loved Aunt Dottie, who really is dotty. One of my favourite quotes from here is 'Tea and whatever else takes your fancy'.

I loved how New York City was a character of its own. The descriptions and ambience were captured beautifully.
And once again, every character was just lovely, and I adored everyone.

If you like found family, Christmas, beautiful friendships, and stunning scenery, read this book!

Sweet holiday story!

It's Christmas, and since Libby's parents' tragic accidental death happened at the holiday, she has no idea how she's going to get through it. All the traditions they loved as a family are gone, and to top it off, the person responsible for their death is getting out of prison. When her Aunt Dottie invites Libby to New York for the holidays, to help in her Christmas shop, she initially refuses, but since New York was a dream of her Mom's, she agrees, and proceeds to see the city through a different lens.

One of the first people Libby meets is Harry, a gentle ranger in Central Park. She slowly meets his friends, and also makes friends with the people whose shops are near her Aunt's shop. Libby now has a small community of support, but she still wants to be back in the UK for New Year's, another family tradition. Her relationship with Harry is holding her back, should she stay with her future or revisit the past?

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.