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mickysbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
4.0
sslovesbooks_1's review against another edition
5.0
Don’t usually read romantic novels but I enjoyed this Xmas one. Landscape and characters were vivid and I almost wished I could have been transported to Norway for Xmas.
kimblefairy1989's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this novel. Although it's centred around Christmas I wouldn't necessarily describe it as a 'traditional' Christmas novel. It had quite a dark undertone to it.
Also, this is one of the first chick lit novels I've read that I found fairly unpredictable. Who would have seen that twist coming!
Also, this is one of the first chick lit novels I've read that I found fairly unpredictable. Who would have seen that twist coming!
cheekylaydee's review against another edition
4.0
As far as festive reads go I really liked this one, 4.5 stars.
Bo and Zac seem to have the perfect life. They're young, in love and visiting some of the most remote natural beauty spots in the world. Even better, rather than having to fund their globe-trotting adventures they're actually being paid to do it, being professional vloggers and an instagram hit with 9.9 million followers. Companies endorse their travels, paying them to wear their merchandise in their videos. It's a living, and as jobs go it could be worse, right?
Zac and their full time photographer Lenny will go to virtually any lengths to get the perfect shot, but Bo is becoming increasingly frustrated by what is begining to feel like a brand rather than a relationship. Their lives are constantly being photographed, streamed, documented and Bo is begining to doubt which parts of her life are real and which are a front for the camara.
Their current assignment is on a remote shelf farm in the Norwegian Fjords and although the location and the views are spectacular, Bo is dissatisfied that her life is no longer her own. Their Norwegian tour guide Anders is everything that Zac is not. Zac is like a hyperactive puppy, lapping up the attention of their 9.9 million followers, always looking forward to their next location, the next challenge, the next risk. Anders is steady, strong, silent to the point of being taciturn and he is one of the very rare people that Zac has been unable tio immediately win over and befriend.
When Bo falls and hurts her ankle at a remote waterfall it is Anders that looks after her whilst Zac and Lenny pander to the appetites of their demanding public and in that time with Anders' stablising presence and incomprehension of the need for social media, Bo starts to experience life rather than just documenting it.
There is so much more to this story than I can fit into one review, but it is one of the best festive reads I've had in a long time. Usually nothing can live up to Rosamunde Pilcher's Winter Solstice which is my ultimate feel-good festive read, but this came closer than any other competitor.in recent years. I will be looking for more from this author.
Bo and Zac seem to have the perfect life. They're young, in love and visiting some of the most remote natural beauty spots in the world. Even better, rather than having to fund their globe-trotting adventures they're actually being paid to do it, being professional vloggers and an instagram hit with 9.9 million followers. Companies endorse their travels, paying them to wear their merchandise in their videos. It's a living, and as jobs go it could be worse, right?
Zac and their full time photographer Lenny will go to virtually any lengths to get the perfect shot, but Bo is becoming increasingly frustrated by what is begining to feel like a brand rather than a relationship. Their lives are constantly being photographed, streamed, documented and Bo is begining to doubt which parts of her life are real and which are a front for the camara.
Their current assignment is on a remote shelf farm in the Norwegian Fjords and although the location and the views are spectacular, Bo is dissatisfied that her life is no longer her own. Their Norwegian tour guide Anders is everything that Zac is not. Zac is like a hyperactive puppy, lapping up the attention of their 9.9 million followers, always looking forward to their next location, the next challenge, the next risk. Anders is steady, strong, silent to the point of being taciturn and he is one of the very rare people that Zac has been unable tio immediately win over and befriend.
When Bo falls and hurts her ankle at a remote waterfall it is Anders that looks after her whilst Zac and Lenny pander to the appetites of their demanding public and in that time with Anders' stablising presence and incomprehension of the need for social media, Bo starts to experience life rather than just documenting it.
There is so much more to this story than I can fit into one review, but it is one of the best festive reads I've had in a long time. Usually nothing can live up to Rosamunde Pilcher's Winter Solstice which is my ultimate feel-good festive read, but this came closer than any other competitor.in recent years. I will be looking for more from this author.
maiag's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I really liked this book, especially the parts in the past and its detailed description of Norway’s landscapes. The ending doesn’t feel obvious and the characters are really lovable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Car accident and Stalking
gerbrough55's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
johannaf's review
4.0
This was a great chick lit festive read, I couldn't put it down.
This is the first Karen Swan book I have read, but will definitely be exploring more of hers.
This is the first Karen Swan book I have read, but will definitely be exploring more of hers.
karenkellett's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0