Together by Christmas

Well written, researched book, however despite being set in winter not really a “Christmassy” book as such.Also dealt with subject matter a lot more serious than her other novels.Still a good read, just not the light hearted holiday themed novel I was after.

I have all Karen Swan's books, she is one of my favourite authors, but I don't know what happened here, but I just could not get into this at all. Very slow paced, and nothing that gripped me as usually happens with her books. Of course everyone is different and likes different things. I just stopped reading this and put it on the shelf with my Karen Swan collection. It won't stop me buying her books, I am sure with many authors, there is always going to be that one book you don't like.

It took a while for me to get into the book, but when I did - about two thirds of the way through - I didn’t want to put it down. I enjoyed that it was set somewhere different, and learning about different traditions as many festive books can be too much of the same, and it made me think I’d like to go to Amsterdam at Christmas time. I also enjoyed the fact that there was something else going on other than the love story, and that Karen Swan made Lee a strong and resourceful person despite her past as I have read too many books lately where the ‘heroine’ is insipid and frustratingly pathetic, and that there weren’t constant misunderstandings based on trivial things. I began to like Lee and I didn’t feel as though she wanted sympathy or to make excuses for herself. I didn’t like that there were flashback sections but realised they were important in telling Lee’s story. I found it hard to keep track of the days sometimes as Lee’s life was very full and found myself checking back sometimes. I felt much more positive about the book at the end than I did part way through, so I would say to stick with it, and it was a really welcome change from twee Cornish tea shop / bookshop romances.

Have read all Karen Sean’s books and this is the best so far. Getting towards the end I had to slow up as I didn’t want to finish it. Looking forward to the next one.

Absolutely loved this read to the point I really didn’t want to finish it ! I seriously disliked the main character at the start, she seemed so arrogant and snooty and appeared to look down her nose at the general populous however as the story developed I really became enthralled in it. It was my first Karen Swan and I will be reading the others. Couldn't recommend this book enough! It’s got everything in it, drama, mystery, love, vulnerability and an unbelievable curveball that I was cringing reading, it was like I was watching it on the TV, nearly had the cushion over my eyes at one point!!!! All written against the beautiful backdrop of Amsterdam at Christmas time which she described beautifully I plan to visit there next December!