LOVE IN WINTER WONDERLAND
The Sun Is Also a Star meets You’ve Got Mail in this YA Christmas love story set in a London Black-owned bookshop.
Charming, handsome Trey Anderson balances the pressures of school popularity with a job at his family’s beloved local bookshop, Wonderland.
Quirky, creative Ariel Spencer needs tuition for the prestigious art program of her dreams, and an opening at Wonderland is the answer. When Trey and Ariel learn that Wonderland is on the brink of being shut down by a neighborhood gentrifier, they team up to stop the doors from closing before the Christmas Eve deadline–and embark on a hate-to-love journey that will change them forever.
The Sun Is Also a Star meets You’ve Got Mail in this YA Christmas love story set in a London Black-owned bookshop.
Charming, handsome Trey Anderson balances the pressures of school popularity with a job at his family’s beloved local bookshop, Wonderland.
Quirky, creative Ariel Spencer needs tuition for the prestigious art program of her dreams, and an opening at Wonderland is the answer. When Trey and Ariel learn that Wonderland is on the brink of being shut down by a neighborhood gentrifier, they team up to stop the doors from closing before the Christmas Eve deadline–and embark on a hate-to-love journey that will change them forever.
Heartwarming and romantic, this read is the gift that keeps on giving, no matter the season.
- Soho Teen
- Paperback
- October 2023
- 312 Pages
- 9781641295079
Buy the Book
$18.99
About Abiola Bello
Abiola Bello is a British-Nigerian author from London, England. She is the bestselling, award-winning author of the children’s series Emily Knight I Am and contributed to The Very Merry Murder Club anthology. Love in Winter Wonderland is her debut YA. Abiola has won London’s BIG Read 2019, was a finalist for the People’s Book Prize Best Children’s Book and was nominated for the Yoto Carnegie Award.
Praise
A Children’s Book Council Teacher Favorites Selection
Best Books to Gift from Book Riot’s Hey YA Podcast
ABA’s Best Books for Young Readers
A PNBA Bestseller
“Brimming with heart-swelling chemistry and witty bookworm banter . . . A charming young adult book that will give you all the warm fuzzies.” —Reader’s Digest
“Love in Winter Wonderland addresses plenty of critical topics such as the importance of indie bookstores, the effects of gentrification, body diversity, grief over losing a parent, and more.” —TEACH Magazine
“A sweetly seasonal YA romance, interwoven with thoughtful commentary on the Black Lives Matter movement and the importance of community.” —The Guardian
“Abiola Bello introduces us to a winter fairy tale of love, where snowflakes and romance dance together. This heartwarming story explores the magic of the season and reminds us that sometimes love is the greatest gift.” —City Magazine Slovenia
“Love in Winter Wonderland sparkles and shines right off the page thanks to gorgeous writing, witty dialogue, a magical setting and two characters you’ll fall head over heels for as they’re falling for each other. I love, love, love this book!” —Jennifer Niven, author of All the Bright Places
Discussion Questions
1. Which character could you relate to the most, Trey or Ariel?
2. How do you think generational wealth played a role in Blair and Trey’s relationship? How is it different for the other characters, including Santi and Boogs?
3. Who had the best Christmas playlist, Trey or Ariel? Which song in the playlist best represents its corresponding chapter? Why?
4. How would you describe the female friendships in Ariel’s group? And in Blair’s group?
5. How would you describe the male friendships in Trey’s group?
6. Do you agree with Ariel’s take on intimacy? Is it scarier to do something in front of one person rather than a crowd?
7. What is your take on Trey’s view of the Black Lives Matter movement? Do you think that the support for Wonderland will be short lived, like his parents feared?
8. How did the characters work to build community in the book? What challenges did they face? Have you seen similar efforts in real life?
9. Who would you cast for a film adaption?
10. What was your favorite part of the book? What strong emotions surfaced for you while reading?
11. Do you think Blair’s actions towards Ariel are justified?