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crags617's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny and Death
kwichris's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I've not read a novella prior to this one, but I very much appreciate when an author can do in 100 pages what it takes many to do in several times that amount. The characters here are developed through two varied perspectives, which in it of itself makes this a unique read. While I won't ruin the very good twist, the story comes from both first person perspective in the future and the writings in a diary from the past. This was just a refreshing take on a murder mystery, around the holidays no less, that brought up some poignant food for thought by the end. The choices we make, good or bad, we've got to live with them; they can haunt you or you can find a way to use them to begin anew or fix what was broken. The choice is up to you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Alcohol, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
Minor: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
jselliot's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
For a short little novella, it's very well done and has satisfying halves to the story. The mid-narrative twist was a fun one, even if I have seen it before in longer books. I'll probably pick up more books by this author in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Blood and Domestic abuse
Minor: Alcohol and Sexual assault
sammy_salmon's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
While I was reading this I was thinking to myself “this is ok”, then I thought “this is pretty good”, but by the end I thought “this is excellent.”
Five stars for an exceptional plot and clever delivery. Loved it.
Five stars for an exceptional plot and clever delivery. Loved it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
targrhaegar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It's amazing how such a short story made me feel so connected to its main character and feel so many emotions while reading it. Good job, Swanson.
I really love this author. Can't get enough of his books.
The only complain I have about this story is Ashley appearing as an actual ghost at the end. She wasn't even a part of Emma's imagination. She's a real ghost. I don't particularly care for ghost stories since they're not realistic and make everything feel kind of goofy and not really creepy. But it's okay. I enjoyed the book, nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Alcohol, Murder, Death, Domestic abuse, and Blood
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Incest and Rape
oceanwriter's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book hadn’t been on my radar at all but I was in the mood for a short Christmas read and this one sounded intriguing.
Having no place to go for Christmas Ashley is invited to her friend Emma’s family home for the holidays. Ashley hopes for a magical trip to the English country and maybe even find some romance. She instantly has eyes for Emma’s brother, Adam, and comes to think he might be attracted to her as well. As for the rest of Emma’s family, she’s put off and intimidated by them.
Choosing to make the best of things, she keeps her focus on Emma and Adam, but things grow tense when people around town start talking about how much she looks like a girl who had been murdered earlier that year. Making matters worse, she finds out that Adam is the prime suspect despite his alibi.
While the plot was intriguing, I couldn’t start Ashley, making the section of the book with her journal entries excruciating after a whole. If not for the mystery and short length of the book I might not have continued, but I’m glad I kept reading. The second part of the book picks up immensely and answers a lot of questions. A good mystery to read/listen to in one sitting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Domestic abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Alcohol
amyparsons's review
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Violence
Minor: Toxic friendship and Physical abuse
fragrant_stars's review
dark
mysterious
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Quick read, cozy, with an open ending that made me kinda want more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Alcohol, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, and Stalking
Minor: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
cc_shelflove's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A very scary Christmas to you! Half told in diary entries from the past and half told in the present time, this novella packs a punch. It includes everyone’s favorite little nugget of holiday cheer: murder!!! Think twice before you make a bad decision. It just might haunt you for the rest of your life.
Side note: I loved Swanson’s note regarding why he wrote The Christmas Guest. I’d love for him to release more of these one-sit reads. It’s impressive I was able to get to know his characters so well in under 100 pages, and he gave this reader a nice twist, too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Death, and Murder
rubyann05's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence