by Elin Hilderbrand
Series: Winter, #1
Narrator: Erin Bennett
Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins
Genres: Women's Fiction
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4
In bestseller Elin Hilderbrand's first Christmas novel, a family gathers on Nantucket for a holiday filled with surprises. Kelley Quinn is the owner of Nantucket's Winter Street Inn and the proud father of four, all of them grown and living in varying states of disarray. Patrick, the eldest, is a hedge fund manager with a guilty conscience. Kevin, a bartender, is secretly sleeping with a French housekeeper named Isabelle. Ava, a school teacher, is finally dating the perfect guy but can't get him to commit. And Bart, the youngest and only child of Kelley's second marriage to Mitzi, has recently shocked everyone by joining the Marines. As Christmas approaches, Kelley is looking forward to getting the family together for some quality time at the inn. But when he walks in on Mitzi kissing Santa Claus (or the guy who's playing Santa at the inn's annual party), utter chaos descends. With the three older children each reeling in their own dramas and Bart unreachable in Afghanistan, it might be up to Kelley's ex-wife, nightly news anchor Margaret Quinn, to save Christmas at the Winter Street Inn. Before the mulled cider is gone, the delightfully dysfunctional Quinn family will survive a love triangle, an unplanned pregnancy, a federal crime, a small house fire, many shots of whiskey, and endless rounds of Christmas caroling, in this heart-warming novel about coming home for the holidays.
Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand has us spending Christmas with the Quinn family in Nantucket. Every year the B&B hosts a huge Christmas Eve party, complete with Santa. The inn is usually booked, and all of the children come home, but this year is proving to be anything but normal. Hilderbrand takes us into this dysfunctional family and shares with us the chaos of family, love and the holiday season.
Kelley Quinn owns a local B&B with his second wife Mitzi and is looking forward to the holiday, despite concerns about the B&B’s finances. Kelley’s first clue that this Christmas will be different begins when he walks in on his wife kissing Santa Claus. The two have one child, a son Bart, who is stationed in Afghanistan. His oldest son Patrick a highly successful broker and happily married father of three is in trouble. His daughter, Ava a local schoolteacher is in a stalled relationship and not at all happy. His youngest son from his first marriage is having an affair with their French-maid. His ex-wife a wildly successful news broadcaster is planning to spend the holiday on a nice warm beach far, far away.
The tale that unfolds in Winter Street is not your typical holiday story but takes us into the lives of this close-knit family as Hilderbrand shares a not so perfect Christmas. Delivered from each of the Quinn’s perspective we follow each of the stories as we move through the holiday, discover truths, and band together. Quirky, heartfelt, and genuine I enjoyed learning about this family.
Winter Street takes place between the 23rd and 25th of December and it was a delightful listen thanks to Erin Bennett who did a lovely job with the narration. While I became caught up in all of the many threads, I would have liked more depth to the characters. This is not a warm fuzzy holiday listen, nor is it dark it is simply a glimpse into one family’s not so perfect holiday. Because the tale ends soon after Christmas dinner, there were unanswered questions. At first, I thought I was missing part of the audio. However, I have learned that these characters and their story will appear again. It is my hope we see each character further developed.
Winter Street was an enjoyable listen and despite wanting more, I thoroughly enjoyed spending the holiday with the Quinn’s of Nantucket.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Olivia
You have definitely been reviewing a lot of Christmas themed books in anticipation of the holiday coming up! This sounds like one of those I am most likely to pick up. It seems like it has an element of seriousness in here as well, adding a bit of a Christmassy theme to it. And hopefully, seeing as this will be a trilogy, you can get the more that you wanted.
kimbacaffeinate
I did read a lot for review and to share. Plus it doesn’t hurt that I love holiday themed settings. This was delightful as far as setting and characters. I am so excited it will be a trilogy 🙂
Kay
I’m glad to hear you liked this one! I just grabbed a copy from the library. I love reading holiday books with a little bit of family chaos in it. Makes mine seem more sane. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Kay, I am told this will be a trilogy and I cannot wait to revisit.
Tyler H Jolley
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! I’m loving the Christmas theme!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Tyler..I hope yours was wonderful too 🙂
Glass
It sounds great that this is not a typical Holiday read. That is actually my main issue whit this kind of stories – they are just too similar.
kimbacaffeinate
Nope this is refreshing and quirky
Candace
I don’t know how I feel about not everything being wrapped up but the story sounds good!
kimbacaffeinate
It will be a trilogy..so all is well Candace.
Melanie (YA Midnight Reads)
I do love books that take a closer look at family relationships 😀
Lovely review, Kimba <33
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed, the dynamics always intrigue me:)
Naomi
This sounds like a bit of a sweet read Kimberly. I like how it has multiple POV’s in it. Great review!
Happy Thanksgiving up there 😉
kimbacaffeinate
I enjoyed the different perspectives 🙂 thanks sweetie
kindlemom1
Great review like always Kim and Happy Thanksgiving!!!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Ali..you are good for my ego. Hope your T-day was wonderful 🙂
Carmel
AAAH, Kimberly, stop adding to my Xmas themed books shopping list!!! Lately, every time I visit your blog, I’m clicking on that handy Amazon buy link in your reviews. I hope you’re having a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family. Save some turkey & pie for me! 😉
kimbacaffeinate
*hands over plate of turkey and pie* Woot..glad I am feeding your need
Ginny
Happy Thanksgiving Kimberly! I’m happy to see that you enjoyed this one. I have the audio reserved through (my library) Overdrive. I’m glad that you mentioned that we should expect things to be somewhat unresolved at the end. It’s always nice to know that before reading/listening….it lessens the disappointment a little when you know what to expect at the end.
kimbacaffeinate
Happy Thanksgiving. This is wonderful on audio…so glad you plan to listen..enjoy!
blodeuedd
I would read this 🙂
Happy thanksgiving 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet 🙂
R_Hunt
Happy Thanksgiving! I read this book recently and really loved it. I did find the ending abrupt and was annoyed at first, until I heard from you that there will be another book. I enjoy all the Elin Hilderbrand books I read!
kimbacaffeinate
Right…I was mad at first..but thank goodness we get more..that made me very happy 🙂
Donna
I heard it was the first in a trilogy 🙂
Katherine
This is an author I’ve been meaning to read for awhile thought the premise of this one doesn’t grab me so much. I like the idea of doing the audio though. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ll have to look for that version. Happy Thanksgiving!
kimbacaffeinate
I think this is perfect for audio Katherine
Angela Adams
Thanks for the post, and happy thanksgiving!
kimbacaffeinate
Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. I am going to start decorating this afternoon for the holiday 🙂 Moving slow this am.
Laurel-Rain Snow
I have this book in hardcover, having bought it at Barnes & Noble (I try to go there periodically, since it’s in my neighborhood and I love bookstores). When I saw your review pop up, I thought: Yes, I’d better read it soon, so it is now on the coffee table/trunk in my office, where I place the “up next” books.
Thanks for piquing my interest in this one…I have usually only read the summer in Nantucket books, so I’m eager to see what Christmas looks like.
kimbacaffeinate
Great characters and setting I am looking forward to going back 🙂
Lily
More holiday books Kimba! I love it <3
I would hate owning a B&B (I'm terrible with people, and having tons of people in my house that I have to look after? Nope, not happening) But I am intrigued! Lovely review!
kimbacaffeinate
Hehe..the idea sounds romantic to me..but I would need a large staff so I could delegate ad spend my time reading, drinking coffee and chatting with guests.
Nick
This sounds like a sweet family story. Poor Kelley! I can’t believe he has to face that! Santa must be ruined for him forever.
kimbacaffeinate
LOL yes 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Sounds like a great Christmas read. I always wanted to own a B&B, then I realized I hate when people stop by my house, soooo, yeah, not a good idea after all. lol
Marcee
I’ve got this book packed for vacation next week. I love Elin Hildebrand, but I hate when part of the story feels unresolved.
kimbacaffeinate
Still torally recommend this. It is to be the first in a series
Melliane
Oh it’s always so nice to have a good christmas book in this period. I have a few but I need to read them…