Thank you NetGalley for an ecopy. I loved the first book in the series. Review of The Christmas Swap can be found here.
Goodreads synopsis
Another year has passed and it’s Christmas again. This year best friends Chloe, Jules and Lucy are all loved up but living worlds apart.
Chloe is madly in love with her celebrity beau, Archer, but after a whirlwind year in Hollywood’s limelight, she’s desperate to get away and spend some quality time together.
Jules loves her Melbourne life – and gorgeous winemaker Matt – but a crowded flat share has her longing for a place of her own.
Meanwhile, Lucy is stuck in a long distance relationship, jetting back and forth between Colorado and London to see Will.
When Archer’s plan to whisk Chloe to Paris goes awry, he surprises her by bringing her friends together for a Christmas to remember…
The perfect feel-good holiday romance for fans of Sarah Morgan, Jo Thomas and Holly Martin.
Rating and Review
As I have stated many a times before that Christmas romances are one of my all time favourite stories and I don’t give up a chance on reading one if I can help it. So, I could not say no to this one either. Specially, when I had enjoyed this cast of characters already.
I read this book in many time zones. Started reading it in Pakistan. Then took it to Tanzania with me and finished it in Canada with the advent of the Christmas season just round the corner (I really hope I get to see a White Christmas this year). Very low chances though.
I have always been interested in reading the post Happily Every After because while reaching the HEA is a story, post that is another altogether. This book gave me that. Specially with characters I had previously enjoyed reading about and accompanied on their journey of living a dream and getting their HEA. So, when the opportunity came up to read what happens next, I could not give up on it, obviously.
The author brought to life the island of Kauai with all its sunshine and beauty and the beaches. Specially the beaches. I read half the book while on vacation on an island.
The characters continued being their adorable self and it was great to learn more about the characters. Where the first book dealt with the budding romance, this one delved deeper into the characters psyche and we see the insecurities and doubts the characters face as they put on a brave face for the world. That was very relatable.
The story of long distance between Lizzie and Will was the one I was most invested in. Having been one half of a long distance relationship couple, I could actually feel what Lizzie felt and all the thoughts that went through her mind and how both of them managed their situation.
Chloe and Archer’s story was cute this time around. Cuter I will say.
Jules and Matt though… I could not invest myself in their life for this one. For them, in my opinion, it was much ado about nothing.
Pace of the story went down in many a places and there were some instances which felt as if the story could have been told without them as well were the low points for me. Otherwise, a good read. A whopping 3.75 stars out of 5 for me.
Ciao
Hina Loves To Read 