I've got to be honest with you. The last few weeks have seen me read less and less, not for want of trying, but because I am exhausted due to the trials and tribulations of this whole Covid-19 craziness.
Books that I would usually whizz through, are unable to keep me awake and reading,
However, for the first time in around four weeks, I found a book that kept me reading, and I finished it in two sittings.
And that book was The Christmas Swap by Sandy Barker.
OMG, I LOVED it!
It was just the level of lighthearted reading that I needed, with characters that I felt invested in from the beginning.
The May Ladies, or rather Jules, Lucy and Chloe, are a trio who met as youngsters and formed a true bond, despite living in totally different continents, America, Australia and England. Their friendship stays strong over the years, with them meeting up regularly.
This Christmas, however, they end up swapping their lives, with Jules, the Aussie, ending up in a small village in Oxfordshire, Lucy the English rose, in the snowy depths of America, and Chloe, the American, enjoying a warm Aussie Christmas in Melbourne.
A total departure for each of them, and who knew they might just meet some one special in their new Christmas abodes?
I loved how Sandy switched slang for the different characters, so you could tell the origins of each character. The chemistry that simmered between certain individuals as they tested their feelings out, and that hint of something physical, without too much graphic detail.
A really wonderful read, that promises to take you on a journey of discovery, and a whirlwind tour of the world!
Many thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I only discovered Sandy Barker’s books last year and she’s quickly become one of my favourite authors. The Christmas Swap follows three friends, Jules lives in Colorado, Chloe in Melbourne and Lucy in London. They met in Maui as children and formed a lifelong friendship regularly meeting up for holidays even though they live continents apart. Over twenty years later, the decide to swap Christmases. Chloe wants a perfect English Christmas so is heading to a sleep Oxford village to spend it with Lucy’s parents, Lucy wants a guaranteed white Christmas so is off to Colorado and Jules, chasing some sun is on her way to Australia.

These trips allow the girls to take stock and discover more about themselves. It’s a book of friendship, sisterhood with the addition of plenty of romance as the girls each find they are having their own perfect Christmas. This book is a heartwarming and fun read and very worthy of 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and the author for the chance to review.

This novel is like the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants meets the Holiday. Three women meet when they are eleven years old while on holiday in Hawaii and form the May Ladies Club. They then separate to their respective homes, but remain friends who talk all the time and meet-up to travel around the world together. This novel takes place in each of their parts of the globe in separate stories that are also brought together by their communication and friendship.

Our story takes place twenty-two years later when the girls have all grown up and are now working different careers and living their own lives while still maintaining their friendship they formed all those years ago. Jules is a programmer who is in a rut from Boulder, Colorado. Lucy is from London, England has been in her position for eleven years and is having trouble with her new manager, and Chloe is a PR representative from Melbourne, Australia. As Christmas is approaching, they start discussing their respective plans. Lucy dreams of a white Christmas, Chloe wants a small town Christmas, and Jules wants a warmer Christmas. As Chloe’s family is going on a cruise for Christmas, they get inspired by The Holiday and decide to swap locations for Christmas.

Lucy travels to Breckenridge, Colorado to spend Christmas with Jules’ family at their cabin; Chloe goes to Penham (Oxfordshire), England to Lucy’s parents’ house; and Jules goes to Melbourne, Australia to stay at Chloe’s house with her roommate Ash and their friend-Christmas.

As no romance novel would be complete with love interests, we meet our three men in each of the women’s holiday destinations. When Jules arrives at Ash and Chloe’s apartment in Melbourne, she meets Matt, a winemaker. Lucy is picked up from the airport in Colorado by Jules’ brother, Will and they bond on their drive to the cabin. Finally, Chloe meets Archer Tate (an international film star) while helping out with the Christmas Fair.

I loved that each of the three couples were individual. Each couple handled their relationship different and they complemented the characters. Lucy is more reserved and it was reflected in her relationship. There is enough background for each character, even the side characters, such as the friends or family members that you get to learn a lot about what’s going on at each place while still maintaining focus on the main stories.

My only issue was the use of phrases/word choices that were supposed to be regional, but didn’t add up to me. “All that and a bag of chips” and “gobbledygook” were the ones that I can remember off the top of my head. They were written as being something foreign to Jules, the American, but as an American I can attest that these are extremely common to me so it was hard to get behind that Jules has never heard them at least once in her life. It wasn’t a huge deal for me, but there were a lot that each of them said that just didn’t seem to add up as being an American, Australian, or British type speaking pattern. Sometimes Chloe would say something that I’ve never heard any of my Australian friends say, but I’ve only heard my American friends. (This happened with everyone) It could just be my experience that just didn’t match the author’s, but it seemed the author kept their cultural mannerisms one way and then they would change to another. It didn’t take away from the novel, but it just was a double-take type moment when I read a line and was like, “Wait – that’s not something any British person I know would say.”

Each destination is described well enough that you feel like you’re traveling to each place as you move between the characters. It made me want to go travel to each of these places and spend Christmas (I’ve checked small town England off the list– sadly no movie stars to meet, but now I have Colorado and Australia to go.) I love that these locations aren’t ones that you read about in novels, especially Colorado in general or Australia for a Christmas novel.

The friendship between the characters is what stands out in this novel. No matter what was going in each of their lives, they always made time for each other. I love that even if they are exhausted, they will still stay up and talk to each other and they each take turns talking about their lives so it’s not too one-sided. One thing I kept trying to figure out though (and I know it’s fictional so it’s not super realistic), was how on Earth did they get the money to travel that often!? A New York vacation especially would’ve been super expensive (especially flying in from Australia). None of their positions are millionaire type jobs so it was hard to believe that they could afford their decent home lives plus afford the multiple trips around the world together (plus excursions – horseback riding in Mexico, etc.)

Overall, this novel was amazing and light-hearted. It was three Hallmark holiday movies combined to make a single story. I loved how the author attempted to weave their individual stories together to connect the women through their phone calls or just generally when they were thinking of each other. It really helped to try and make three separate stories into one cohesive novel. The writing style was easy to understand and I would read multiple novels by this author without a second thought. Without question, this was a heart-warming novel that just gives you all the holiday feels (even if it’s September). Highly recommend this novel to anyone who wants a story that just makes you walk away with a smile on your face and love in your heart!

**Thanks for Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novel! All opinions expressed are my own.**

Lucy, Chloe, and Jules became friends when they were eleven years old. Now, two decades later, the women decide to swap Christmases. Each woman is ready for a change, and they agree that a Christmas swap is a perfect solution. Three wonderfully charming Christmases in three different places open the women’s eyes to new beginnings and love in Sandy Barker’s The Christmas Swap.

I love the relationship between the “May Ladies.” Lucy, Chloe, and Jules have a strong bond that has lasted for twenty-two years and across continents. Throughout their two-decade-long friendship, the women make time for each other, support each other, and have a remarkable bond.

The May Ladies each find love, which is, of course, one of my favorite parts of the story. And since there are the three parallel stories in three different places, Colorado, Australia, and Oxfordshire, it’s almost like reading three romances in one!

A fun and heart-warming story that highlights the bonds of friendship, the need for connection, and the magic of the holiday season, The Christmas Swap will appeal to readers who enjoy contemporary romance. Thanks so much to Netgalley and One More Chapter for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Oh my goodness this story was an absolute tonic. Exactly what the doctor would have ordered for the end of summer blues and to rev you up nicely for snuggling up through the winter waiting for Christmas.

This is my first Sandy Barker novel and it's always so lovely to come to an author late and then have a great back catalogue to catch up with.

Full disclosure - I love Colorado - and it was the mention of this gorgeous place that first drew me to the story. I have always wanted to visit Australia too and the author really works magic in taking you there.

If you are looking for a lovely read to snuggle up and have a glass of wine with as the nights draw in, then you won't go far wrong with this little beauty.

Highly recommend

This was a sweet, cute, roommate book version of The Holiday. Three best friends swap homes in different countries for Christmas and find romance along the way. My favorite character and storyline was Chloe as it has depth and a lot of humor and heart. My only complaint was the ending. I wish we had more of a time jump into the three girls lives to see where they were at and how the romances were evolving. Cute Christmas read.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC

In The Christmas Swap three friends in 3 different families swap Christmases, experiencing new traditions and finding both themselves and love along the way.

A heart warming tale reminiscent of Christmas rom-coms, but it also manages to be a page turner and it weaves in and out of the stories of each of the friends.

Would I recommend it? Yes.

This was just the sweet read that I needed. Three friends swap themselves into their families lives over Christmas. Each woman has something come up along the way.....especially when it comes to meeting a man!! If you like the movie, The Holiday, you will definitely love this book. At times it is hard to keep up with three different characters, their life and new love interests. But, this book reads easily and you never have to wonder which character is which. I would highly recommend this book, even if you don't read it during Christmas time!!

I was thrilled when I received an approval for The Christmas Swap because it sounded like a fun break from reality filled with not one, not two, but THREE holiday romances!

I couldn't put this book down. I loved reading about Chloe, Jules, and Lucy's Christmas adventures in Colorado, Australia, and England. These girls sounded just like my friends and I loved that I could relate to each of them in some way. Their characters were so well developed and each chapter had a different tone. Major kudos to Sandy Barker for writing this story from three perspectives. It could have been overwhelming and confusing for so many plotlines, but this one is perfectly done!

This was the exact book I need to read. It let me escape reality and indulge in Christmas a little early. I would love to see a sequel to see where The May Ladies end up!

The Christmas Swap by Sandy Barker will certainly put you in a festive mood. Reminiscent of The Holiday, but with three swapees instead of two, we meet Lucy, Chloe, and Jules, three lifelong friends who, for various reasons, decide to opt out of their own Christmases, and jet off to spend the holidays in each other's home countries, and with each other's friends and families. It wouldn't be Christmas without finding someone with whom to curl up by the fire, and each woman will experience a magical, romantic, once in a lifetime holiday. Yes, it is all very cozy, but isn't that just what you want in a yuletide read? This one will definitely bring some cheer.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this ARC.

Jules, Chloe & Lucy have been friends for twenty two years after meeting on holiday, who have become life long friends. They live in three different countires & decide to swap Christmas's.
What a great book, I loved it! Obviously people will compare this book to The Holiday but I prefered this. Loved the friendship, loved the families & friends too.
Even my new grandson, who is yet to be born, will be called Archer after one of the characters. A book I will recommend to all & will read again.

The Christmas Swap by Sandy Barker is about three friends who want a change this Christmas so they swap hometowns for the holidays.

Chloe, Jules and Lucy have been friends since they were 11. Chloe goes to stay with Lucy's family in Oxfordshire, England, Lucy goes to stay with Jules' family in Colorado, and Jules visits Chloe's friends for Orphan Christmas in Melbourne, Australia. There were points in this story where I thought I might need a diagram to keep everything straight!

I absolutely loved the varied settings! Summertime in Australia, a snowy Colorado town, and the English countryside each brought their own charm to Lucy, Jules, and Chloe's Christmas celebrations. I also enjoyed getting to see a bit of the different countries' Christmas traditions.

One thing I would have changed is that the romances seemed a bit rushed. Because you only saw each character for a chapter at a time, it was occasionally a bit hard to keep track of everyone, especially the side characters in each individual story. I am a sucker for love at Christmastime, so the characters being swept up in romance during the holiday season was not unreasonable.

Overall, this was a fun, sweet, festive book. I recommend it for anyone who loves Hallmark Christmas movies and cozying up in fuzzy socks and a blanket to enjoy a light and romantic read.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the advanced copy in exchange for my fair and honest review.

I have read all of Sandy Barker’s other books and The Christmas Swap didn’t disappoint. This was a fun and festive story in the tradition of all good modern Christmas movies... I found it ridiculously easy to read, staying up late to get to the end, and it made me feel all Christmassy, even in September!

I particularly enjoyed the close and witty friendship between Chloe, Jules and Lucy - the ‘May Ladies - and Sandy gave each of them a suitably lovely and sexy leading man. I liked having the three different storylines; it was intriguing and I think part of why I found it so hard to put down, as well as Sandy Barker’s warm and welcoming writing style. I think my favourite couple were Chloe and Archer, the international movie star (possibly because I dream of meeting one of my actor crushes in real life!)

Stunning locations are a running theme through this author’s books, and the opportunity to visit Colorado, Australia and Oxfordshire in one story was delightful. I’m planning to buy the paperback when it’s released and read it again over Christmas.

I was looking forward to this book but, although I liked the sound of it because its basically a three in one, I just felt like there was too much going on.

It wasn't a bad book and it was a nice read but I think it would have been better dealt with in separate stories rather than one combined one.

I will read this author again though and I enjoyed her writing style.

A Christmas feel-good romance about three best friends that decide to do a house swap fir the holiday season. The storyline flowed seamlessly and the love stories sparkled!

I chose this book because I liked both the cover and the concept of three friends swapping Christmases. Sandy Barker is a new author for me, although I have been tempted by some of her previous books.

This story was well written, and really easy to read. It was lighthearted, and had lots of humorous moments throughout, as well as the romantic ones. It was rather like three Christmas romances, but they are all entwined, as the three women have been best friends all their lives. They swap homes for the holidays, all fall in love, and much fun ensues.

I liked all of the characters, and I particularly enjoyed the way the three friends got to know each other’s families, or friends. You can also really feel the friendship between Lucy, Chloe, and Jules.

I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun and lighthearted Christmas romance, with humour and friendship.

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

I loved reading the book! This was such a fun Christmas story and the three different international plot lines was a fun twist on the typical Christmas romance. I highly recommend this book wanting a cute and fun holiday read!

Thanks to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, & NetGalley for a copy to honestly review.

What a cute happy Christmassy book to put you in the holiday mood - who cares if Christmas is several months away! Three best friends decide to "swap Christmas" and spend the holidays with each other families, who all live in totally different locations - one in sunny Australia, one in cold snowy England and one in Colorado. Is this totally unrealistic? Yep. Is it totally charming? Yes! Lighthearted and engaging, this will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit. All three stories were enjoyable and I look forward to reading more from this author! Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK and One for Chapter for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Chloe, Jules and Lucy are lifelong friends who are scattered across the globe (Australia, the US and the UK respectively) and have often travelled together. But they've always spent Christmas with their own families. This time, however, they've decided to swap locations for a change of scenery. Love can be found in many places, but this year it will be with a best friend's brother, a movie star and a hot winemaker...

As a huge fan of The Holiday, I was excited to get into this story, but perhaps my expectations were a little too high given the book's inspiration! That said, I think it would make for very pleasant reading over the holidays. These three women are interesting characters with interesting backgrounds, not cardboard cutouts.

However, the three storylines never quite meshed into a single cohesive plot for me - I think they might have worked better as separate novellas. There were some scenes I really wanted to see fleshed out more - or just see, given that they happened "off-screen". But this isn't a dealbreaker for me.

One thing I should flag is a line that appears in Jules' POV - the sentence is worded in such a way that it suggests that ace men are "boring". Being so near to the end of the book, it did leave a lingering impression (and not a good one). It's such a small thing, but still...

Reading this book put me right the perfect holiday mood, even though it's only September! Clearly inspired by the wonderful movie The Holiday, in this story, three women swap homes for Christmas. Chloe, Jules, and Lucy, lifelong friends from different continents after meeting on vacation as children, decide to spend Christmas in each other's respective places--a holiday with friends in Australia, the quaint family cottage in England, and a mountain mansion in Colorado. Each lady is ready for a change of pace and end up opening their hearts to the men they meet on their journey!

Now look. I understand that the premise isn't original--it's the The Holiday. And nothing about this realistic--what are the chances that three women ALL meet their soulmates on vacation in completely different countries. And instalove? Not a fan. But I still loved this book! It was just so incredibly charming, with characters just simply impossible to hate, and three stellar stories packed into one novel. Three for the price of one! I also loved getting to explore three different locations. You get to see a warm-weather Christmas in Australia without sacrificing us American's idea of a white Christmas. This book was just so adorable it was impossible NOT to like it, even with all its implausibilities. A perfect cozy Christmas read.