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stew32s's review
5.0
So wonderful!
I love the May Ladies and became completely invested in each character's story. I enjoyed the new characters introduced and how they were woven in to become significant to the story. Just a wonderful journey - loved the ending!
I love the May Ladies and became completely invested in each character's story. I enjoyed the new characters introduced and how they were woven in to become significant to the story. Just a wonderful journey - loved the ending!
nannykaren's review
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Although The Christmas Trip is a sequel to The Christmas Swap, I didn't feel I had missed out by not having read the first book. The Christmas Trip is a feel-good romance set in the beautiful surroundings of Hawaii.. Chloe, Jules and Lucy have all been friends for years and their not all get along well too. I really connected with all the characters - I felt I could be their 4th best friend. A fabulous start to the festive season.
michividal's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
hinalovestoread's review against another edition
4.0
It's a whopping 3.75 for me. A review to follow.
Update 20.12.2022
Originally posted on Hina Loves To Read
As I have stated many a times before that Christmas romances are one of my all time favourite stories and I don’t give up a chance on reading one if I can help it. So, I could not say no to this one either. Specially, when I had enjoyed this cast of characters already.
I read this book in many time zones. Started reading it in Pakistan. Then took it to Tanzania with me and finished it in Canada with the advent of the Christmas season just round the corner (I really hope I get to see a White Christmas this year). Very low chances though.
I have always been interested in reading the post Happily Every After because while reaching the HEA is a story, post that is another altogether. This book gave me that. Specially with characters I had previously enjoyed reading about and accompanied on their journey of living a dream and getting their HEA. So, when the opportunity came up to read what happens next, I could not give up on it, obviously.
The author brought to life the island of Kauai with all its sunshine and beauty and the beaches. Specially the beaches. I read half the book while on vacation on an island.
The characters continued being their adorable self and it was great to learn more about the characters. Where the first book dealt with the budding romance, this one delved deeper into the characters psyche and we see the insecurities and doubts the characters face as they put on a brave face for the world. That was very relatable.
The story of long distance between Lizzie and Will was the one I was most invested in. Having been one half of a long distance relationship couple, I could actually feel what Lizzie felt and all the thoughts that went through her mind and how both of them managed their situation.
Chloe and Archer’s story was cute this time around. Cuter I will say.
Jules and Matt though… I could not invest myself in their life for this one. For them, in my opinion, it was much ado about nothing.
Pace of the story went down in many a places and there were some instances which felt as if the story could have been told without them as well were the low points for me. Otherwise, a good read. A whopping 3.75 stars out of 5 for me.
Update 20.12.2022
Originally posted on Hina Loves To Read
As I have stated many a times before that Christmas romances are one of my all time favourite stories and I don’t give up a chance on reading one if I can help it. So, I could not say no to this one either. Specially, when I had enjoyed this cast of characters already.
I read this book in many time zones. Started reading it in Pakistan. Then took it to Tanzania with me and finished it in Canada with the advent of the Christmas season just round the corner (I really hope I get to see a White Christmas this year). Very low chances though.
I have always been interested in reading the post Happily Every After because while reaching the HEA is a story, post that is another altogether. This book gave me that. Specially with characters I had previously enjoyed reading about and accompanied on their journey of living a dream and getting their HEA. So, when the opportunity came up to read what happens next, I could not give up on it, obviously.
The author brought to life the island of Kauai with all its sunshine and beauty and the beaches. Specially the beaches. I read half the book while on vacation on an island.
The characters continued being their adorable self and it was great to learn more about the characters. Where the first book dealt with the budding romance, this one delved deeper into the characters psyche and we see the insecurities and doubts the characters face as they put on a brave face for the world. That was very relatable.
The story of long distance between Lizzie and Will was the one I was most invested in. Having been one half of a long distance relationship couple, I could actually feel what Lizzie felt and all the thoughts that went through her mind and how both of them managed their situation.
Chloe and Archer’s story was cute this time around. Cuter I will say.
Jules and Matt though… I could not invest myself in their life for this one. For them, in my opinion, it was much ado about nothing.
Pace of the story went down in many a places and there were some instances which felt as if the story could have been told without them as well were the low points for me. Otherwise, a good read. A whopping 3.75 stars out of 5 for me.
becsbookshelf's review
3.0
‘Operation “Best Christmas Ever” has now begun!’
I didn't realise this was Book 2 in a series, you can totally read this as a stand alone though.
Best friends Chloe, Jules and Lucy are all loved up in different parts of the world. Chloe is madly in love with her celebrity boyfriend Asher, a year of Hollywood chaos and looking for some much needed time alone. Jules loves her Melbourne life and her boyfriend Matt, what she's not loving is her current flatshare and Lucy who is stuck playing the long distance game with boyfriend Will, Colorado to London is too much distance.
Archer planned to sweep Chloe away to Paris for a holiday to remember however dur to unforeseen circumstances they can no longer go so he decides to surprise her with her best friends in Hawaii for the best Christmas ever!
A cute and fluffy holiday romance with secrets, love and family drama. Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this Christmas adventure. I loved the “May ladies” and their family chaos.
I didn't realise this was Book 2 in a series, you can totally read this as a stand alone though.
Best friends Chloe, Jules and Lucy are all loved up in different parts of the world. Chloe is madly in love with her celebrity boyfriend Asher, a year of Hollywood chaos and looking for some much needed time alone. Jules loves her Melbourne life and her boyfriend Matt, what she's not loving is her current flatshare and Lucy who is stuck playing the long distance game with boyfriend Will, Colorado to London is too much distance.
Archer planned to sweep Chloe away to Paris for a holiday to remember however dur to unforeseen circumstances they can no longer go so he decides to surprise her with her best friends in Hawaii for the best Christmas ever!
A cute and fluffy holiday romance with secrets, love and family drama. Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this Christmas adventure. I loved the “May ladies” and their family chaos.
kirstyreviewsbooks's review
4.0
The Christmas Trip by Sandy Barker
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Another year has passed and it’s Christmas again. This year best friends Chloe, Jules and Lucy are all loved up but living worlds apart.
Chloe is madly in love with her celebrity beau, Archer, but after a whirlwind year in Hollywood’s limelight, she’s desperate to get away and spend some quality time together.
Jules loves her Melbourne life – and gorgeous winemaker Matt – but a crowded flat share has her longing for a place of her own.
Meanwhile, Lucy is stuck in a long distance relationship, jetting back and forth between Colorado and London to see Will.
My Opinion
Last year I was lucky enough to read The Christmas Swap so I have been looking forward to this book for a while. Well, it didn't disappoint - this is such a lovely sequel. With all three of our main characters living busy lives they don't get much time to see each other, the solution to this is obviously a Christmas holiday in Hawaii.
For me this was an entertaining, quick read with such lovely characters. I would highly recommend reading The Christmas Swap first as it will allow you to have all of the required background information to really enjoy this book. A great read.
Rating: 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Another year has passed and it’s Christmas again. This year best friends Chloe, Jules and Lucy are all loved up but living worlds apart.
Chloe is madly in love with her celebrity beau, Archer, but after a whirlwind year in Hollywood’s limelight, she’s desperate to get away and spend some quality time together.
Jules loves her Melbourne life – and gorgeous winemaker Matt – but a crowded flat share has her longing for a place of her own.
Meanwhile, Lucy is stuck in a long distance relationship, jetting back and forth between Colorado and London to see Will.
My Opinion
Last year I was lucky enough to read The Christmas Swap so I have been looking forward to this book for a while. Well, it didn't disappoint - this is such a lovely sequel. With all three of our main characters living busy lives they don't get much time to see each other, the solution to this is obviously a Christmas holiday in Hawaii.
For me this was an entertaining, quick read with such lovely characters. I would highly recommend reading The Christmas Swap first as it will allow you to have all of the required background information to really enjoy this book. A great read.
Rating: 4/5
larissakoch's review
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Lots of characters. Reading The Christmas Swap first would certainly be advised.
mindfullibrarian's review
4.0
A fun return to the friends from the first book in this series - The Christmas Swap. This one was set at a luxurious estate in Hawaii and it still managed to bring Christmas vibes despite the tropical location. I really enjoyed it but not quite as much as the first one.
Source: Purchased Kindle copy
Source: Purchased Kindle copy
nixbix_reads's review
3.0
I loved The Christmas Swap & was eager to return to the May Ladies to see what they had been up to. It was great to see them celebrate Christmas together, in addition to the drama that happens in relationships. However, at times it felt like the drama was too much, which I felt threw the story off the rails. For me, part of the magic of The Christmas Swap was seeing Chloe, Jules & Lucy swapping homes for Christmas, experiencing something different, and falling in love. At times, it got to be too much with them all in one place. In saying that, its still a fun festive read with more than one happy ever after.
Thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter & NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter & NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
book_nerd_1990's review
3.0
If you ever dream of a sunny trip away during the Christmas season then this is your book. Centred around 3 friends, self dubbed The May Ladies, this Christmas story takes you to Hawaii.
I found it a little confusing at first trying to keep track of each girls backstory and where they originally lived/moved to. I think that is partially because I haven't read the first book. However, I really enjoyed the character buildup for all three girls and after a few chapters I didn't feel like I was as confused anymore.
I found myself drawn to Lucy the most. I could really relate to how she missed her family and how the long distance between her and Will made her feel so sad and lonely. I found the relationship between Leilani and Audrey slightly cheesy.
There was one part of the story that confused me, as Matt and Jules shouldn't have been present, but randomly seemed to appear and then disappeared in the next part again. I also felt like there was a part missing from Christmas Day evening.
I found it a little confusing at first trying to keep track of each girls backstory and where they originally lived/moved to. I think that is partially because I haven't read the first book. However, I really enjoyed the character buildup for all three girls and after a few chapters I didn't feel like I was as confused anymore.
I found myself drawn to Lucy the most. I could really relate to how she missed her family and how the long distance between her and Will made her feel so sad and lonely. I found the relationship between Leilani and Audrey slightly cheesy.
There was one part of the story that confused me, as Matt and Jules shouldn't have been present, but randomly seemed to appear and then disappeared in the next part again. I also felt like there was a part missing from Christmas Day evening.