This was such a fun romance read leading up to the holidays. I loved getting to see both sisters figure out how to get through the holiday season. I actually really enjoyed the conflict in the story, even though I don't usually love miscommunication problems. But the conflict really seemed to fit the storyline and it never felt like it was dragging on for too long. I did get a little annoyed that Charlie kept going even when it seemed her concussion was getting worse. I just wanted her to take her health seriously for at least a small amount of time, but it all seemed to work out in the end anyways. It felt like I was reading a classic hallmark Christmas movie and I really loved that!

This was a really cute read following to twin sisters who do a swap after one of them gets an injury. This book reads like a hallmark romance and is perfect start to holiday reading. I will say they did make some pretty silly mistakes that twins swapping should be better at but it made for more fun in the end!
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

Loved this book - a light hearted read that was nevertheless very entertaining and engaging. It’s a basic guy meets gal scenario but with the twist that it is career- minded twins who are the gals, and these are identical twins who agree to swap lives for a week, just prior to Christmas. Although some of the plot twists are not unexpected, they are well written and fun.
In my opinion, everyone who is a fan of light romance novels will enjoy this book.
T(asks to NetGalley for my preview/ review copy.
#theholidayswap #maggieknox #romance novels

The most wonderful Christmas romance I ever did read. Marissa and Karma hit this book out of the park. I can’t wait to read their next compilation All I Want for Christmas, I’m sure it’ll be just as amazing. I just loved Cass and Charlie’s story lines and the twin swap made for some fun drama. This book had the best parts of a hallmark movie, a baking competition, a handsome doctor, a small town bakery and a handsome firefighter. It really should be made into a hallmark movie, it was just beyond enjoyable!! 💕

I have a friend who only reads Christmas themed books in the month of December. This is one I'll tell her to pick up. Psssst! K if you're reading this, check it out!

This was a nice, easy read. A mix between a Hallmark Christmas movie and the Parent Trap! I was really rooting for the characters to succeed and was left with a smile on my face at the end.

This book charmed me from the start and kept me smiling all the way to the end. Twin sisters Charlie and Cass live very different lives but share one great passion—baking. Charlie shows off her skills as a judge on a baking competition show while Cass helps run the family bakery in their hometown.

When an accident leads to Charlie losing her sense of smell and taste, she begs Cass to swap places with her and, you guessed it, hijinks ensue. Through every step of their misadventure, Charlie and Cass learn a lot about themselves and each other. Throw in two incredibly dishy love interests, a rival judge you love to hate and a mountaintop setting and you get a wonderfully sweet story that is sure to please all palates.

THE HOLIDAY SWAP was a collaboration by two talented Canadian writers—Karma Brown and Marissa Stapley—and their writing styles meshed brilliantly in this rom-com. Definitely worth picking up this holiday season.

My thanks to Penguin Random House Canada for the advance reading copy.

The perfect start for the holiday-related book season, The Holiday Swap is a blend of “The Parent Trap”, Holiday Baking Championships, and a Hallmark movie.

Charlie and Cass are twins who are both living their lives in different ways, while staying true to their upbringing in their family bakery in their small town. Charlie is now living in LA, and is the co-host of a baking competition show, Sweet and Salty, while Cass helps their parents run the family bakery in their small town. After a mild concussion on set, Charlie needs Cass’ help to continue the baking competition for her so that she can land the role of solo host on an upcoming show. Cass needs Charlie’s help too, as she is going through a break up and trying to ensure a smooth holiday season in the bakery while their parents vacation in Cabo. Things won’t always be smooth and sweet while they play each other and gain perspectives of each other in the process.

I loved this book, it’s exactly what I needed to kick off my holiday obsession. I love holiday movies and baking competitions and while it was a little predictable and sugary sweet at times, I really enjoyed reading it. I could have done without the last chapter, as I really enjoyed the chapter prior, but overall I had a blast and the only thing I was missing was reading by my Christmas tree with a peppermint mocha in hand! (It’s still a little early for that!)

This is a light romance about two identical twins who switch places and find true love along the way. I enjoyed the novel and would recommend it to others. It was easy to read with a straight forward plot and it was neat to see how each twin brought their unique perspective to their sister’s life.

Deep down, haven’t we *all* wanted to be a set of twins? This book was so delightful in the way that not only were Cass and Charlie characters that you wanted to be friends with in real life, but you couldn’t NOT root for them to get their HEA. As someone who has been in a reading slump for the last 18 months, this novel was a bright ray of sunshine and cheer to my heart. (I only wish it came with all the foods and spices that were contained within!) Two thumbs way up from this reader!

It was a lot of fun. A clean romance with interesting characters and plot, also highlighting the bond between the two sisters.

Charlie, a chef in a reality baking show, hit her head and lost all sense of taste and smell. Not so good if your career depends on it. She convinces her twin, Cass, to swap lives temporarily. Cass jumps at the chance to get away from her clingy ex-boyfriend and to experience something new.

I guess it is a bit of a miracle that they managed to get away with it. Some of the people close to them seemed a bit dubious, but nobody suspected a thing. Take two new developing love interests, throw in some hilarious mix-ups, and you end up with a heart-warming story. Not only did the romances hit the right notes, but the twins also strengthened their connection. Charlie and Cass both realized that maybe they don't know each other as well as they thought they did and that each of them has more to offer.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was most definitely a Hallmark movie in book form. It was an easy, light romance that gives its readers a few moments of reprieve from reality. There wasn’t a lot of character development, but the book isn’t trying to make any literary claims. It provides fluffy, fun entertainment that is easy to put down when it’s time to focus on the real world again.
Thank you NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

#TheHolidaySwap #NetGalley

Charlie and Cass Goodwin are identical twins who are pastry chefs who end up swapping lives days before Christmas to escape their own realities. Charlie is a chef that gets hit on the head on the set of her baking show, Sweet and Salty. She winds up in a concussion and loses her sense of smell and taste. In fear of losing her job, she seeks the help of her twin sister, Cass, to fill in for her and act as Charlie to complete the filming of the show. Cass doesn't mind as she needs a break from being overly busy running the family-owned bakery and her overbearing ex who can't seem to take a hint! Charlie and Cass have swapped lives before pretending to be each other. This should be easy, right? They end up meeting stand up guys that are into them ... or actually their sister... Does this swap end up helping their situations or not?

Well, I skipped Halloween and went straight into holiday mode and I am not even ashamed about it! This was such a cute hallmark story that I felt like I was in a hallmark movie as I was reading it! I was totally engaged with both their stories and wanted to see how it all played out with them - with their careers and their love lives. I enjoyed the characters a lot and their love stories! I will say that the romance was very PG-13, but super cute with magical holiday feels!

Overall, I found it funny at times and found myself smiling at the cute and heartwarming moments. If you're looking for a heartwarming, fun and sweet holiday romance story, look no further... this one is for you!

Thank you, @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for this e-arc!

As a lover of Hallmark Christmas Movies, I throughly enjoyed this book. Cass and Charlie were great and their twin swap was hilarious

Holiday Swap was an enjoyable work of fluffy spun sugar, in the vein of something like Netflix’s Princess Switch. While it will work well for my senior customers who want something very light, it does leave a lot to be desired. The male characters have as much personality as cardboard, and there is very little development on the twins. The author always mentions that ‘so much has changed in this week’ but since we don’t know the characters for much time previously, it doesn’t mean too much.

This was a fun holiday read, if you ignore the whole 'identical twin switcheroo' plotline. While I understand that it was necessary for the story, it just really felt a little too over the top, in the sense that twins could switch so easily. Neither colours their hair? They wear it exactly the same length? Neither has a birthmark or even a mole that's different? No freckles or skin damage? They both wear exactly the same size in all clothing including shoes?

That being said, if you choose to dispel your disbelief, this story has some charming qualities, so if you are looking for a light read to pass time on your way to visit family for the holidays, this might fit the bill.

3.5 stars

I am new to reading Christmas books. I think because I usually find them along the lines of Hallmark movies which I don't usually watch. But just after the world blew up I read a rom/com and now find myself reading that genre and loving it. Being a fan of Maggie Knox (aka Karma Brown and Marissa Stapley) I jumped at the chance to read The Holiday Swap.

The theme is baking, be it the bake shop or tv show, I enjoying the atmosphere. It had me itching to get in the kitchen and bake. Told from 2 POVS showed how similar these twins are and yet how different. Of course one must suspend your belief and remember that this is Christmas time. It was a fun read, a little slow at times but with a good feel good get ready for the holidays vibe.

The Holiday Swap is somewhat a coming of age story but for adults. It's about self discovery with some comical relief and it has a dog, one can't go wrong when there are pets.

My thanks to Putnam & Sons (viua Netgalley) for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Holiday Swap, a collaborative effort by Karma Brown and Marissa Stapley, writing under the name of Maggie Knox, is a delightful holiday romcom that has all of the ingredients for the perfect holiday treat. If you wait all year for Hallmark Christmas movies, you will devour this one as it is sure to inspire all of the cozy, festive feels.

Charlie and Cass Goodwin are identical twins who have been known to swap places as the situation warrants. But those games have been left behind as each woman is working to establish herself in her chosen career. Cass is managing the family bakery in their hometown, and Charlie has struck out on her own to become a popular television presenter in LA. But after an injury leaves her struggling to do her job, Charlie suggests that her twin step into the breach. Cass is more than amenable to the plan, needing to put some distance between herself and her longtime boyfriend, who is pushing for their relationship to move to the next level. It seems that the twins have reverted to trading places once again, but is there more at stake now than ever before?

I thoroughly enjoyed this festive and full of joy holiday read, and find myself subliminally craving all of the baked treats of the season. I look forward to reading much more from the wonderful duo behind Maggie Knox. 4.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an ARC.

This was not my typical go to Genre but the cover was too cute to not pass up.

The story gets you in the Holiday Spirit from the beginning. The book follows 2 twin sisters who each covet other's lives and they do a swap in their adult lives. Something they haven't done since they were kids.

The age old question is asked and learned, " Is the grass greener on the other side"?

This book has humor, some surprises and is an overall feel good book with an adorable cover. This was my first Maggie Knox book and definately won't be my last one.

I enjoyed this book more than I expected. I'll admit it was sometimes hard to keep track of which twin was which, but overall it was a nice story. The epilogue felt a little bit contrived, but otherwise it was an entertaining read. I enjoyed the descriptions of all the baked goods - not the best book to read when you're hungry! ;)

This was a Hallmark movie in book form... and Hallmark movies are my favourite! For someone who saves Christmas Hallmark movies on my PVR year round for a pick-me-up, this book was a comforting warm hug. What I love about Hallmark movies is the predictability, and this book had just that. It was pretty obvious from the start what the trajectory of the book would be, and I'm not mad about it. As unrealistic as it was, I loved every second of this easy, comforting read.3.5 stars!