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hinalovestoread's review
4.0
Originally published on Hina Loves To Read
Anyone who knows me, knows that I have always dreamed of experiencing a White Christmas. yes, that is on my list and it does not matter that I am not a Christian.
So, back to the story.
The various perspectives giving me a window to kind of examine my own relationships with my myriad of friends. How when we are taking it out on each other, someone may be coming from a place where I may not know what they have experienced. Kind of makes you want to look at situations with much more focus.
The characters – not just the three best friends – are well rounded and even though not one person gets the spotlight for a longer period of time, especially the love interests, as a reader I felt I was getting to know the various aspects of their characters as if I had known them for ages.
The setting of the novel takes the cake though. In reading one book, with one timeline, I get to experience three Chistmases! And, one of them a dream that I want to live in real life as well!
FYI, I actually believed that London (or England in general maybe) will be the place where I may get my White Christmas but apparently that is not so!
Lastly, I loved Ms Barker’s writing style very much and I will be looking up more of her books.
So, if like me, you love reading Christmas stories, you’ll want to pick this one up, cozy with a hot chocolate and enjoy the goodness.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I have always dreamed of experiencing a White Christmas. yes, that is on my list and it does not matter that I am not a Christian.
So, back to the story.
The various perspectives giving me a window to kind of examine my own relationships with my myriad of friends. How when we are taking it out on each other, someone may be coming from a place where I may not know what they have experienced. Kind of makes you want to look at situations with much more focus.
The characters – not just the three best friends – are well rounded and even though not one person gets the spotlight for a longer period of time, especially the love interests, as a reader I felt I was getting to know the various aspects of their characters as if I had known them for ages.
The setting of the novel takes the cake though. In reading one book, with one timeline, I get to experience three Chistmases! And, one of them a dream that I want to live in real life as well!
FYI, I actually believed that London (or England in general maybe) will be the place where I may get my White Christmas but apparently that is not so!
Lastly, I loved Ms Barker’s writing style very much and I will be looking up more of her books.
So, if like me, you love reading Christmas stories, you’ll want to pick this one up, cozy with a hot chocolate and enjoy the goodness.
btpbookclub's review
4.0
3 girls. 3 best friends. 3 sisters. 3 different Christmases. Meet Chloe, Lucy and Jules. It all begins when they decide they all want to swap their Christmases around. I mean we all would like to get away huh? But this is different...
It's a chick-lit, romance and Christmas story all in one. Perfect. Told through each of the characters we get a glimpse into each of their Christmases and none of them expected what would happen to them... They all come back together at the end for New Year and it's a beautiful happy ending. Their three way friendship is amazing and strong. This story highlights the power of that... Friendship and love. Brilliant endings for all three of them and I'd love to read more about their futures.
Parts had me giggling away so add in a bit of comedy too. It's a story that will make you smile and warm your heart! Perfect to cosy up with and look forward to Christmas yourself. Brilliantly written. Highly recommend. A well deserved four stars from me.
It's a chick-lit, romance and Christmas story all in one. Perfect. Told through each of the characters we get a glimpse into each of their Christmases and none of them expected what would happen to them... They all come back together at the end for New Year and it's a beautiful happy ending. Their three way friendship is amazing and strong. This story highlights the power of that... Friendship and love. Brilliant endings for all three of them and I'd love to read more about their futures.
Parts had me giggling away so add in a bit of comedy too. It's a story that will make you smile and warm your heart! Perfect to cosy up with and look forward to Christmas yourself. Brilliantly written. Highly recommend. A well deserved four stars from me.
kvcbrunson's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I thought this would be the typical vacation/holiday romance book…and it was BUT the characters were really interesting and, though I knew they would, I wanted them to find love. I enjoyed this.
kevorkian's review
3.0
The Christmas Swap is a light-hearted romcom about three best friends who literally swap their Christmas holidays with each other. I loved all three women and their strong friendship that had lasted over 20 years. I also love anything travel related so a book set in three different countries was super fun! The trope in The Christmas Swap IS insta-romance, which I think is just useful to know going into it.
Super low drama, some bits of inspiring dialogue, and lots of cute romance, this was the perfect book to start off my holiday reading season!
Super low drama, some bits of inspiring dialogue, and lots of cute romance, this was the perfect book to start off my holiday reading season!
christinavarela's review
3.0
Basically this is The Holiday, with a hint of The Notebook. Original? Not at all. However, there was enough idyllic Christmas to carry the book. Might even read the second book next year.
kazza27's review
4.0
Three friends from childhood Lucy, Jules and Chloe are all stuck in their lives in their countries of Australia, L.A. and Oxford in England. So when Aussie Chloe finds out that her parents are going away on a cruise for Christmas she rings her best friends for support.
They decide on a plan that will see them swapping places with each other.
Chloe heads to England from L.A and right away is roped into assisting with a Christmas Fair with some quite very straightlaced English ladies, will she be able to win them over ?
When she goes over to Cecily’s she is not prepared for who she answers the door to. Famous actor Archer
When Jules arrives in Melbourne, Australia she finds out that she has left her bag including her passport. She finds out that the ever organised Chloe has arranged for a proper Aussie Christmas with her friends Matt and Ash. Jules is very attracted to winemaker Matt but has Chloe been out with him ?
Lucy swaps for snowy Colorado and immediately has to push herself out of her comfort zone when Will invites her skiing.
She is terrified but she does it anyway to be polite and finds that enjoys herself.
This is a great escapist read and was just what I needed. I enjoyed following the The May Ladies as they change their lives but have a great and warm friendships. I loved how they all end up finding happiness in places they never expected. I also enjoyed the locations and the different Christmases were celebrated.
This is a great read if you are looking for a warm and cosy snuggle up on the sofa with some happy feelgood vibes.
They decide on a plan that will see them swapping places with each other.
Chloe heads to England from L.A and right away is roped into assisting with a Christmas Fair with some quite very straightlaced English ladies, will she be able to win them over ?
When she goes over to Cecily’s she is not prepared for who she answers the door to. Famous actor Archer
When Jules arrives in Melbourne, Australia she finds out that she has left her bag including her passport. She finds out that the ever organised Chloe has arranged for a proper Aussie Christmas with her friends Matt and Ash. Jules is very attracted to winemaker Matt but has Chloe been out with him ?
Lucy swaps for snowy Colorado and immediately has to push herself out of her comfort zone when Will invites her skiing.
She is terrified but she does it anyway to be polite and finds that enjoys herself.
This is a great escapist read and was just what I needed. I enjoyed following the The May Ladies as they change their lives but have a great and warm friendships. I loved how they all end up finding happiness in places they never expected. I also enjoyed the locations and the different Christmases were celebrated.
This is a great read if you are looking for a warm and cosy snuggle up on the sofa with some happy feelgood vibes.
myza's review
5.0
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher One More Chapter for this ARC.
The Christmas Swap is a delightful rom-com about three best friends who met on vacation in Hawaii when they were eleven. Lucy is from England, Chloe from Australia and Jules is from the the USA. Now they are in their early thirties and decide to swap Christmases with each other. Jules goes to Melbourne to spend Christmas in the sun, Lucy goes to Colorado to have a real snowy Christmas and Chloe goes to England to have a typical English Christmas. All three women end up finding romance during their holiday.
I loved this book. I thought the relationships between the friends was wonderful, supportive and real. They were kind to each other and they were able to talk about any issues that might arise. I loved that the book was set in three different “Christmasy” locations that were so lovely.
It was an easy reading, feel good story and I am definitely going to be looking at Sandy Barkers back list to find more books. I would highly recommend to anyone who wants a good read during the holiday season! I have already recommended this to my best friend even before I finished it!
The Christmas Swap is a delightful rom-com about three best friends who met on vacation in Hawaii when they were eleven. Lucy is from England, Chloe from Australia and Jules is from the the USA. Now they are in their early thirties and decide to swap Christmases with each other. Jules goes to Melbourne to spend Christmas in the sun, Lucy goes to Colorado to have a real snowy Christmas and Chloe goes to England to have a typical English Christmas. All three women end up finding romance during their holiday.
I loved this book. I thought the relationships between the friends was wonderful, supportive and real. They were kind to each other and they were able to talk about any issues that might arise. I loved that the book was set in three different “Christmasy” locations that were so lovely.
It was an easy reading, feel good story and I am definitely going to be looking at Sandy Barkers back list to find more books. I would highly recommend to anyone who wants a good read during the holiday season! I have already recommended this to my best friend even before I finished it!
megan96smith's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
cathylpowell's review
5.0
I have loved all of Sandy's books that I have read and this one proved exactly the same. A pocketful of sunshine in every book she writes. I loved travelling between the stories of each of these 3 friends as they swap destinations for Christmas.
https://cathypowell.wordpress.com/2021/12/14/review-the-christmas-swap-sandy-barker/
https://cathypowell.wordpress.com/2021/12/14/review-the-christmas-swap-sandy-barker/
mybooksandkidsbooks's review
I know it’s still September, but I am ready for all the Christmas joy and romance.