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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
Every year I try to find time in December to read a Karen Swan Christmas book. She's the Queen of dramatic and suspenseful festive romances, and I loved this one just as much as all the others.
Nats finally has the life she's always dreamed: a loving husband, a beautiful daughter and a fabulous home, but something feels like it's missing. Flash back to four years ago, and Nats was on her hen party at a Center Parcs, finding herself literally paralysed by fear of her upcoming wedding day. In the present day, Nats daughter Mabel has lost her beloved stuffed toy cow on holiday, and after Nats' facebook post about the missing cow goes viral, the family follow the cows adventures across the world to find them again.
I loved this from start to finish. As always, there was a bit of a mystery element to the book, and it kept me absolutely hooked wanting to know more. I guessed one of the twists, but not the others, and it made for a read that I genuinely struggled to put down. The romance in it was intense and epic, and I honestly am so excited for next year's release already.
Nats finally has the life she's always dreamed: a loving husband, a beautiful daughter and a fabulous home, but something feels like it's missing. Flash back to four years ago, and Nats was on her hen party at a Center Parcs, finding herself literally paralysed by fear of her upcoming wedding day. In the present day, Nats daughter Mabel has lost her beloved stuffed toy cow on holiday, and after Nats' facebook post about the missing cow goes viral, the family follow the cows adventures across the world to find them again.
I loved this from start to finish. As always, there was a bit of a mystery element to the book, and it kept me absolutely hooked wanting to know more. I guessed one of the twists, but not the others, and it made for a read that I genuinely struggled to put down. The romance in it was intense and epic, and I honestly am so excited for next year's release already.
I love this authors books and this one does not disappoint. Told in two timelines it follows Natasha who on her hen weekend meets Tom and there is instant attraction between them.
It’s also told in present time where Natasha’s daughter looses her toy and Duffy picks it up and goes on his travels to Nepal with it.
Through emails and photos he corresponds with Mabel Natasha’s daughter who lost her toy.
I loved the parts about the Himalayas - very descriptive and beautiful, although the harsh conditions as equally stunning.
I guessed the twist but was just happy I got it right. Xmas is in the backdrop of the story and it was a lovely and romantic read. I love her books.
It’s also told in present time where Natasha’s daughter looses her toy and Duffy picks it up and goes on his travels to Nepal with it.
Through emails and photos he corresponds with Mabel Natasha’s daughter who lost her toy.
I loved the parts about the Himalayas - very descriptive and beautiful, although the harsh conditions as equally stunning.
I guessed the twist but was just happy I got it right. Xmas is in the backdrop of the story and it was a lovely and romantic read. I love her books.
I'm a bit split in my opinion on this.
I utterly loved the trekking and climbing side of the story, and I was fully hooked on that. I cared for the main character quickly and was fascinated and hooked by his story. Learning about the Himalayas and trekking up Annapurna was a big plus for me, and I could hardly put the book down, so full 5 stars for that, and I'd happily give more!
Now the other side of the story was the expected romance, but it featured a few tropes that are decidedly not my personal favourite. I can't name them with major spoilers, as the story keeps switching between the past and now, but I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as other Swan books I've read. As this is purely down to my own preferences, I will still go with 4 stars over all.
I utterly loved the trekking and climbing side of the story, and I was fully hooked on that. I cared for the main character quickly and was fascinated and hooked by his story. Learning about the Himalayas and trekking up Annapurna was a big plus for me, and I could hardly put the book down, so full 5 stars for that, and I'd happily give more!
Now the other side of the story was the expected romance, but it featured a few tropes that are decidedly not my personal favourite. I can't name them with major spoilers, as the story keeps switching between the past and now, but I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as other Swan books I've read. As this is purely down to my own preferences, I will still go with 4 stars over all.
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The cover and title is misleading. This book is not a Christmas book. It's incredibly boring and depressing.
The plot is unbelievable with many holes.
This would have been a dnf for me, but I always have to finish what I'm reading.
This book left me extremely disappointed.
The plot is unbelievable with many holes.
This would have been a dnf for me, but I always have to finish what I'm reading.
This book left me extremely disappointed.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This beautiful story of hope in the face of adversity has left me smiling and glad to have read and shared in this story. Following Nat's past and present and then travelling with Duffy after he finds the errant Moolah leads us on a heart warming tale.
There are a lot of obvious hints as to where this story is leading but it's written in such a way that it's enjoyable seeing the characters find out what I already suspected. The characters themselves are well written and easy to care about and hope that they get the best possible outcome from all the smaller stories alongside the holidaying Moolah. I found all the mountaineering information fascinating and including it added an interesting level of peril to Duffy's storyline especially once we learned his truths.
I really enjoyed this read, I guess this is another author I'm going to have to look out for in future!
There are a lot of obvious hints as to where this story is leading but it's written in such a way that it's enjoyable seeing the characters find out what I already suspected. The characters themselves are well written and easy to care about and hope that they get the best possible outcome from all the smaller stories alongside the holidaying Moolah. I found all the mountaineering information fascinating and including it added an interesting level of peril to Duffy's storyline especially once we learned his truths.
I really enjoyed this read, I guess this is another author I'm going to have to look out for in future!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Absolutely gutted this ended. I need a what happens next. I made some guesses fairly early in the book of how this story was going to end. Beautifully written and had me completely glued.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
Required a lot of suspension of disbelief and really not Christmassy at all.
Nevertheless, it was a cute book with a predictable story albeit in odd circumstances involving Justin Bieber...
The author is a fantastic writer though, the descriptions were lovely - it's just the story itself that was a bit odd. Would definitely give the author another chance
Nevertheless, it was a cute book with a predictable story albeit in odd circumstances involving Justin Bieber...
The author is a fantastic writer though, the descriptions were lovely - it's just the story itself that was a bit odd. Would definitely give the author another chance