I loved The Christmas Swap. I'm a sucker for the holiday themed romances and this one did not disappoint. It had a classic fake dating trope that was well written. I really enjoyed reading it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc!

I enjoyed this book a lot! It was a very fast read for me.

I loved the twist on fake dating, it was very different from most books with that trope because they didn’t end up together (no, that is not a spoiler lol)

It was weird for me to read a Christmas book when it just turned fall, but it was still definitely cute! The book takes place during the week leading up to Christmas, with a few chapters each day.

This is a dual pov from Margot (Ben’s fake gf) and Ellie (Ben’s sister). Margot joins Ben and his family for the holidays as his *fake* date, but ends up falling in love with Ellie. This twist is given in the synopsis, so it didn’t surprise me, but I still liked it a lot.

I liked having a large cast of characters! Ben’s entire family is featured in this, as well as some of Margot’s friends and family. I didn’t get confused by any of them because they had such distinct personalities. Usually I get confused when there are many characters all introduced at the same time.

This book also went a lot deeper into Margot’s previous toxic relationship than I would assume a normal Christmas romcom would, but I’m glad this one did. The author managed to make some parts very tense while still maintaining the overall happiness of the book.

Overall, I had a great time reading this book and I look forward to what the author releases next!

I enjoyed this book a lot, both for the love story AND the friendship that grew in the story. it was well done

Margot is recently single, and Ben is tired of his family asking him when he will settle down with a girl. Ben invites Margot to join his family in the countryside for Christmas. Getting to know each other to help their fake relationship helps Margot and Ben to develop a fast friendship. However, Margot finds it difficult to relax around Ben’s sister Ellie after their awkward meet-cute when Margot and Ben first arrived.

I enjoyed many parts of this book, including the characters of Ben, Margot, and Gramps. I particularly liked the parts of Margot dealing with her past relationship trauma. Unfortunately, I didn’t love the character of Ellie. She jumped to conclusions too quickly and was just a little too impulsive for my liking. I would consider this book the equivalent of a sapphic Hallmark Christmas movie. It is a great surface-level character meet-cute romance. For this reason, I give the book 3/5 stars.

The entire plot gave me the ick. I can't imagine pretending to be a client's girlfriend. Where are the professional boundaries? This is a sexual harassment case, neatly wrapped and tied in a bow. Then add in the sister situation. She couldn't have waited a few days to fool around with her under her "boyfriend's" nose and in his family home? That's so disrespectful. I finished it, but the HEA wasn't satisfying.

This book was not very original. I did not care for it. I did like the queer representation, but other than that this book was just really not worth my time. I wouldn’t suggest.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing me with a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

• ARC Review •

𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: The Christmas Swap
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Talia Samuels
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5

Looking for a holiday sapphic romcom? Look no further, The Christmas Swap was just the perfect romcom to me. It felt like a story out of a Hallmark movie, BUT BETTER. I love a good fake dating trope. I was honestly hooked from chapter one and it got me out of a long reading slump.

Margot’s character growth was very impressive and I just loved how she realized she deserved to be treated well. Margot and Ben’s friendship was something I really loved. The book has some tough topics. The author handled it lovely. Ellie and Margot are so cute. I just absolutely loved this whole family.

I would love to read more from the author in the future. I’d recommend this to anyone.

Fav Quote:
"Surprise, also I'm a raging lesbian'
'nice. Me too

Comes out : 10/23/2023

Talia Samuels’ debut sapphic romcom is about one woman who fake dates her friend…only to fall for his sister.

Margot Murray is a newly single, successful businesswoman with no interest in a cutesy seasonal romance after her breakup with her long-term girlfriend. Ben Gibson is an unlucky-in-love sweetheart in need of a woman to bring home for the holidays. Together, they make a pact: Margot gets two blissful weeks away from London in a picture-perfect manor, and Ben gets a fake girlfriend for his holiday at home with his family.

Upon arriving to the manor, Margot meets Ben’s sister, Ellie, who is suspicious of the supposed relationship right from the start. Ellie intends to get to the bottom of their relationship, not being able to see how the two of them work as a couple. As Ellie and Margot grow closer, will Ben and Margot be able to keep the charade up, or will Margot and Ellie risk the chance at something real?

Fluffy Christmas romance with a fake dating set up. Margot Murray runs her own website design business in London. Her client Ben is thrilled with her work and invites her to his family manor house for a two week Christmas holiday. The manor is run as a hotel for most of the year. He never brings anyone with him and wants her to pose as a girlfriend so he doesn’t get comments from his parents. She is return gets to be in the countryside with spa and amenities. It turns out the parents are thrilled with her. But his sister Ellie Gibson has concerns. Especially when she misinterprets things she over hears.

This is a low angst, easy going and predictable. There is nothing really riding on the pulling off a fake relationship other than embarrassment if they are found out. Ellie and Margot are attracted to each other and enjoy some sweet, kissing only, time together. The three act younger than the young thirties they are. A few serious topics are touched on, abuse in a relationship, death of family member, grand parent facing dementia. There are sweet moments and a few laughs. The characters and story are likable but nothing in the story surprised me or made me swoon.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC and I am leaving an honest review.

Thanks so much to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC copy of this book! I will get to writing and doing a full review of this on my primary reviewing platforms once my thoughts are finalized.

I chose this because I love fake dating, and it looked like a cute, cozy sapphic take on one of my favorite romance tropes with a holiday setting.

Margot just ended a relationship, and decides to join her friend Ben at his parent’s country manor for Christmas, as his fake girlfriend. Ben is tired of being questioned about when he’s going to bring a girl home. However, Margot finds herself crushing on Ben’s sister Ellie.

All the makings of a cute holiday romance. I really loved Margot and Ben’s friendship. I liked how the book covered some difficult topics in a lighthearted way— Margot’s realization that her ex was emotionally abusive, and the difficulty of seeing Ben + Ellie’s grandfather struggle with dementia.

Where I struggled, is that I didn’t enjoy Ellie as a character. She seemed immature to me, and I think I could have understand her more if her background was more developed. The story also dragged a bit for me. I found the pacing to be a bit slow, and I didn’t look forward to always picking it back up.

Overall, a good debut!

Thanks to netgalley and Penguin for the ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the Advanced Readers Copy of The Christmas Swap by Talia Samuels!

This is a cute book. It has the potential to be a classic rom-com type holiday movie/book. It's not bad. It follows the cliched, predictable, storyline and is pretty enjoyable. TW: manipulative ex who plays mindgames.

I am such a sucker for these cute Christmas romance stories and The Christmas Swap was no different. Full of romance and comedic moments this feels straight out of a christmas hallmark movie.

What an absolutely adorable and funny Christmas rom-com! This book is the perfect salve to the chaos of the world.

Margot agrees to pose as her friend/client Ben's girlfriend for his family's holiday at their country manor/hotel. There is one problem, however, Ben's gorgeous sister starts crushing on Margot and the feelings are mutual. After a initial tension, the two have to find a way to navigate a fake relationship, a potentially new relationship, and old traumas.

Talia Samuel's has written an absolutely charming rom-com that is fun and sweet.

Margo is doing well in her professional life, but her personal life leaves something to be desired. When her client, Ben, proposes that she come home with him for the holidays so his family doesn't think he's a single loser, she agrees. After all, she's a lesbian. What has she got to lose by spending Christmas with his family in a country estate? As it turns out, a lot. What Margo wasn't expecting was Ben's sister, Ellie, who is home from abroad. Sparks fly immediately as the two struggle to figure out how to keep their blossoming relationship a secret, while Margo tries to avoid her toxic ex who very much wants her back.

This was a cute book with a fun spin on the "fake dating" trope. Margo and Ellie were adorable together, and I was rooting for them the entire time. I also enjoyed the subplot with Margo's ex. I think it's important to show that abuse can exist in all kinds of relationships, and I applaud the author for including it.

If you're looking for a queer Hallmark movie-esque book for this Christmas, check it out!

Reviews to come on @pittelsbookclub on TikTok and Instagram.

"The Christmas Swap" by Talia Samuels is a heartwarming holiday tale that captures the spirit of the season with charm and emotion. Set against a festive backdrop, the story revolves around unexpected connections and the magic of second chances.

Samuels' writing beautifully brings to life the holiday atmosphere, infusing each scene with the joy and wonder of Christmas. The characters in the novel are relatable and endearing, each carrying their own hopes and dreams. As the story unfolds, their interactions reveal the importance of compassion and understanding, especially during the holiday season.

At its core, the novel explores themes of empathy, personal growth, and the power of community. Through the characters' experiences, the author delivers a heartwarming message about the impact of small acts of kindness and the potential for positive change.

The romance that develops in "The Christmas Swap" is sweet and tender, adding an extra layer of warmth to the story. The gradual build-up of feelings and the characters' emotional journeys make their connection resonate with authenticity.

Talia Samuels' storytelling is engaging and inviting, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the world she has created. The pacing of the novel maintains a balance between heartwarming moments and moments of reflection.

In conclusion, "The Christmas Swap" is a delightful read that captures the magic of the holiday season. With its themes of love, friendship, and the joy of giving, this novel is a perfect choice for anyone seeking a heartwarming story to brighten their spirits during Christmastime.

2.5/3

this book is fine - the writing felt very ametuer (which makes sense for a debut, so obv there is time and room for her to improve that); it had a lot of plot points going on (more so than I would have liked, but this also seems common in romance books written for older audiences - the characters are 30ish & I am only 22); and with the amount of plot points / conflicts, the pacing felt off

though I think there is a good amount of space for improvement in the future, this is a fine enough romance book - and it can be enjoyable as long as you don't mind having to get to know a bunch of not super plot-important characters (which is lowkey a pet peeve of mine, but that's me)

biggest issue I had with the book is that I didn't really love any of the characters and honestly I kind of hated Ellie from the start (though she gets a little better) because who in their right mind is willing to ruin their own Christmas (especially if she is such a family person as she says she is) in order to get revenge on another person, let alone a stranger? Frankly her conversation with Ben could have happened a lot earlier and she would not have had to put so much negative energy into trying to find faults with Margot

I would recommend to people looking to read a lesbian romance book that takes place during Christmas; I think it can be enjoyable if you're just looking to read something with a little festive spirit

This book is pretty darn charming. I really liked that even though the characters had their own inner struggles, the plot did not rely entirely on their insecurity. I have read many romances lately that lean so hard into one or both characters having next to no self esteem, so it was refreshing to read characters whose inner dialogue was more balanced and positive while still having enough self doubt to feel realistic. I also really liked how brief the third act break up was. I know it feels necessary for a romance to have these, but I hate them, so I always like when it's not protracted and overly dramatic. The biggest drawback for me, but potentially a positive for some, is that there is no spice, like not even cinnamon. Very very chaste. Not why I read romance, but certainly there is an audience for this. It is a testament to the good character development of the book that I enjoyed it despite the lack of spice.

Reading a Christmas book on the beach is kind of funny. Initial thoughts: I'm really enamored with Ben almost immedietly. I read a holiday swap book last year and it was fine, but THIS is what I want. It's cozy Christmas queer fake dating. But there's a twist, Margot listens to girl in red--literally and figuratively. The Christmas Swap is a sweet romcom that's not cheesy or annoying in the least (in the way I often find books that are described as "sweet" or "romcoms).

Ben and Margot are trying to pull off a fake dating Christmas hoax--they are really client/contractor or friends, but for this Christmas they are playing the roles of committed couple. Off they go to his family's estate to celebrate the holiday with his family and their heavily pregnant dog. It's going well enough, but Ben's sister Ellie puts a wrench in those plans by being nosy and unsure of the relationship....oh, and a hot lesbian who Margot can't keep her eyes off of.

This story is funny and sweet with just enough tension to keep things interesting but not frustrating.

"Surprise, also I'm a raging lesbian'
'nice. Me too'.

If you are looking for a cozy holiday read, I can't reccomend this one enough. Truly, The Christmas Swap is straight up lovely.

“The Christmas Swap” was a very sweet, cozy Sapphic Christmas romance. I loved Margot so much it's insane. Her story about her Nana and how much she meant to her, her wit and kindness, and her journey figuring out how bad her ex truly treated her. I really liked her and loved reading her POV. The chapters from her point of view are my favorite. I love when you know from the outset that a couple is made for each other! I loved that this is a dual POV romance. It is always better when you get both perspectives of the MC’s so you can see how they really feel. I think that it allows the reader to really be able to see the relationship blossom. I loved all three of the main characters had some growth over the book, and the way both Ellie and Ben supported Margot through her realizations about her former relationship was so uplifting to read. There were definitely shades of “Kiss Her Once for Me” with the fake relationship over the holidays, but at the same time, it was done in a very original, unique way. I like that Talia didn't try to force the lie/Ellie's investigation into Margot's gold-digger nature for longer than she did, because it would have been very tiresome to read. The affection between the characters is limited strictly to kissing. This is fine, and I feel that the book was great without them, but if you're looking for a romance for the sex scenes, this is a would not be the book for you. This is a very nice rom com that will have you wanting to finish it in one sitting. I think that this would make a great Hallmark Christmas rom-com movie. Many thanks to Talia Samuels, Netgalley and Alcove Press for an e-arc in exchange for my thoughts. I can’t wait to read Talia’s next book!