5 Word Review: Work, friendship, family, belonging, winter.

This book? Read it. From the very first chapter there was the usual Jane Lovering dry humour that I love so much, 

One of my favourite things about this book was Jane Lovering writing about York. It's something they do so well, they truly bring the city to life and their love for it is evident in the way their characters interact with the setting. A Midwinter Match brought Vampire State of Mind right back to the front of my thoughts, even if the books couldn't be more different. It's a bit like a love letter to York hidden away behind the story.

Ruby could be one of my all time favourite characters - I just freaking loved her. She has such a good heart and she is so generous and understanding with her clients, yet short with those she may consider enemies. She's very much a stark contrast to Zac, who is short with his clients and sunny with everyone else.

The build of the relationship between Ruby and Zac was excellent. They were definitely enemies, pushed together in the most unfair and cruel way. Seeing that melt into a tentative friendship was lovely.

I have to say that the portrayal of anxiety in this book was outstanding. It was so realistic that I as much as I wanted to rush through the story, I had to step away and do my own grounding.

I loved the exploration of different family dynamics - families are messy, and found families can be even messier. It was beautiful to read.

I will absolutely be reading A Midwinter Match by Jane Lovering again this year, closer to Christmas. Whether it was the cold of the North or the crowded festive pubs, I loved being immersed in winter in this story. I fell in love with the characters and with York.

I listened to a bit of the audiobook (because yep, I already had it pre-ordered) and Rose Robinson again does a wonderful voice voicing Jane Lovering's characters.