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A review by what_heather_loves
The Christmas Postcards by Karen Swan
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"Christmas was the one thing Natasha could control. Moolah may no longer be lost but for as long as she wasn't here, much still hung in the balance. Nonetheless, if this man had managed to send one photo from the back of beyond, surely he could send another? Would he, though?"
A missing beloved toddler's toy and her mother's unhappy marriage comes together with a man trekking in the Himalayas for feel-good, romantic fiction. My first Karen Swan (thanks to an Insta comp win from @nic_thebookworm) and I can see why Swan is described as 'the Queen of destination fiction', because both the Cotswolds and Himalayas locations were beautifully described.
Escapist and romantic fiction, I took to the engaging protagonists Natasha (mum to three year old Mabel who's lost beloved 'Moolah', married to older and rather distant Rob) and Duffy (trekking in the Himalayas) and enjoyed their stories playing out. There's also a past narrative in 2018, on Natasha's Hen Party at Center Parcs. Set over Christmas time, it's not the main focus, but the Cotswolds during the festive and wintry season sounds gorgeous and the Himalayas was suitably snowy and cold too. It's clearly written by an experienced author, familiar with her craft, creating atmospheres and locations with ease. In terms of the plot, it took a while for the postcards to be sent and received, creating the necessary context, then a few surprises, however any predictability and unrealistic coincidences are part of comfort reads' charm.
Understanding the author writes two novels a year - one for summer and one for Christmas - I'll definitely try a summer read of hers next year. Seasonal and comfort romantic fiction, I enjoyed escaping to.
A missing beloved toddler's toy and her mother's unhappy marriage comes together with a man trekking in the Himalayas for feel-good, romantic fiction. My first Karen Swan (thanks to an Insta comp win from @nic_thebookworm) and I can see why Swan is described as 'the Queen of destination fiction', because both the Cotswolds and Himalayas locations were beautifully described.
Escapist and romantic fiction, I took to the engaging protagonists Natasha (mum to three year old Mabel who's lost beloved 'Moolah', married to older and rather distant Rob) and Duffy (trekking in the Himalayas) and enjoyed their stories playing out. There's also a past narrative in 2018, on Natasha's Hen Party at Center Parcs. Set over Christmas time, it's not the main focus, but the Cotswolds during the festive and wintry season sounds gorgeous and the Himalayas was suitably snowy and cold too. It's clearly written by an experienced author, familiar with her craft, creating atmospheres and locations with ease. In terms of the plot, it took a while for the postcards to be sent and received, creating the necessary context, then a few surprises, however any predictability and unrealistic coincidences are part of comfort reads' charm.
Understanding the author writes two novels a year - one for summer and one for Christmas - I'll definitely try a summer read of hers next year. Seasonal and comfort romantic fiction, I enjoyed escaping to.