I loved this book. Declan Lorne is the last knight in Ireland and the title dies with him as it#s got to go to a male heir and he only has 3 daughters. The castle is left to Willow the youngest daughter who lefty over 3 years ago and hadn't been back.

The book tells the story of three sisters Willow, Lottie and Pip Lorne. They grew up in a castle on the Lorne Estate as their dad Declan is the last knight in Ireland. Something happened which caused the baby of the family Willow to leave the ancestral home and moves to Dublin while Lottie, the oldest, lives in the beach house and runs the camp site and Pip lives above, and runs, the stables. There is upset when their dad dies and leaves the castle, which is in decline, to Willow.

Although the book is called The Christmas Party it's not a traditional Christmas read and more about the three sisters lives and their family dynamics.

I thought this book was well written but for me it was a slow read, I liked the characters of Willow, Pip and Ottie even though I didn't really connect with any of them. The pace of the book picks up nearing the end when it's the actual 'Christmas Party' and you also learn the reason why Willow left.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC

The last remaining knight in Ireland has 3 daughters, and with no son to inherit, his title dies with him. The castle is in a very bad state of repair, needing lots of money spending on it, and Declan had tried every way he could think of to make things work. Ottie and Pip, the two oldest daughters are left their homes and the businesses they have run for the estate. The youngest, Willow, had left home 3 years earlier and is astounded to inherit the Castle. She resolves to sell the place as quickly as possible to get back to her own life.
This is the first book I have read by this author, and it reminds me of Nora Roberts style of writing.
I found that I didn’t take to all of the characters, particularly Ottie and Bertie. The story is nicely plotted, with some unexpected twists and turns, if a bit contirved at times. It makes for a nice romantic Christmas read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Love Karen Swan books. Beautiful locations that make me want to travel, glamorous characters and a fabulous well written story that I devour far too quickly! Whilst any prospect of housework is forgotten!! This one is no exception, perfect for curling up on the sofa and losing yourself in a brilliant read. Perfect. Thank you for letting me review this book. I loved every minute of it xx

My favourite story line of relationships, romance and Christmas. Karen Swan doing what she does best - writing a story to remember. Read it on a wet Autumn day and it warmed me through.

I have read a number of books by Karen Swan, both her 'Christmas' and 'Summer' titles. I did not relate to this story in the same way I did to the others. It seemed a bit too fanciful to be believed. It is a basic romantic Christmas story but I felt that the writing did not flow in the usual way and the story was a bit fragmented.

When Willow is called home urgently by her sister Ottie she is reluctant to go back but when she hears how urgent it is she has no choice. She arrives back at the family home too late but as she is to realise that her problems with family are only just beginning.
This is the first book I have read by Karen Swan but it will definitely won't be the last, the story is compulsive which keep you turning pages until the end. Really enjoyed this book.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for my copy of this book. I hadn't read anything by Karen Swan before, so wasn't sure what to expect. I was not disappointed; I thoroughly enjoyed this light, fun, festive read. Great characters, good plot with some unexpected twists and turns, and ideal for getting into the Christmas spirit. A lovely holiday read; I'll be seeking out more of her books.

This was a fun read, following the journey of three sisters - Pip, Ottie and Willow. As characters, they're likeable and fun to read; exactly what you need from this kind of book.

It'll certainly get you into the seasonal spirit!

Following the three Lorne sisters who live in Ireland. Their father dies leaving the castle in disrepair to the youngest daughter who is back from a three year absence because of a family secret. All three sisters navigate grief and find love. Bertie is the baddie of the piece. However, the only thing I didn't quite like was the fact Declan, the father, and Bertie were best friends. Wouldn't Declan have seen Bertie wasn't a true friend over their years of friendship and distanced himself? Otherwise an enjoyable, escapist romantic read set in an Irish castle. What is there not to love! Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

This is a charming story of three sisters - Pip, Ottie and Willow, daughters of Declan Lorne of Lorne Castle, Kilmally, Ireland and his wife Serena. Declan’s lineage is an ancient one of over 700 years but the castle and its estate is in financial straits like so many other large estates. The book starts really well with a 30th wedding anniversary celebration party that larger than life Declan has thrown for his friends and family while Willow is being a rock chick at a U2 concert in Crowe Park, Dublin. That really resonates with me being a rock chick/U2 fan as well!!! This well written story follows the three sisters from 26 November to Christmas Day 2019 as a series of events unfold.

I really enjoyed this story. The characters are so likeable with one exception and you can easily picture the three sisters as well as other characters. Pip is feisty and loves horses, Ottie has secrets and loves art while Willow has to wrestle with the family’s impecunity. I love the atmospheric Irish setting, I could hear the lovely Irish lilt in their voices which charms you and some of the repartee was smart, sassy and funny. The castle and the surrounding area is a great backdrop and the party that is held there makes you want to put your glad rags on! There’s a bit of everything in this novel from humour to sadness, fear and tension and love. The idea of living a ‘red dress life’ is fabulous. Although the ending is predictable it in no way spoils the enjoyment, in fact, it feels in keeping with the season of goodwill.

Overall, a fun, easy seasonal read which I really enjoyed.

I loved this book. Set in a village where everyone knows everything about anyone. Captured brilliantly and little bird now has her wings.

This is my first Karen Swan book, and I loved it!  The story is set around a castle in Ireland at Christmas and has plenty of family drama going on, a death, a near-death, affairs and family secrets, a real page-turner.

The story is all about the Lorne family - there's Serena (Mother), Declan (very recently deceased Father) and the three daughters - Ottie (runs the campsite on the family land / having an affair with a married man), Pip (runs the stables / trekking tours, loves her horses) and Willow (baby of the family, left home to move to Dublin 3 years ago because of.... something, a big secret).

When the will is read everyone is shocked, as although everyone was left part of the estate and land/business they dealt with, the majority went to Willow, along with the castle, and not to their Mother.  Although that may seem like a great thing to be left, in actual fact they are barely scraping by, the castle needs lots of work doing to it, and there is no way they can survive by keeping it so need to sell.  So Willow was left with the hardest task of all of them.

The main story was set around the sisters and their lives, and they were all so different.  Ottie, the oldest, having an affair with a married man, had her head in the sand about their relationship.  He was obviously only interested in the excitement of it all, and I was surprised she didn't catch on earlier as she seemed to have a good head on her shoulders.  Pip, the middle sister, was definitely the more fiery, impulsive one of the trio, which got her into a few scrapes (and hospital at a few points).  Willow was the one I liked the most, she obviously had family 'issues' (that we eventually found out about), but even though she was the youngest she was the one trying to sort everything out.

There was lots going on to keep the story really interesting, along with a big party at the castle just before Christmas with the (possible) new owners, arranged with two weeks to spare, and major renovations and decoration in those two weeks to enable the party to happen.  There were some great side characters - Tom Gilmore (injured runner), Connor Shaye (possible purchaser of the castle), and Taigh (previous crush of Pip's from school who she always treated really badly when she saw  him).

Although the story is set around the Christmas period, and has a gorgeous festive cover, it really could be read any time of the year and wasn't what I'd call a Christmas book, probably a 3 out of 5 for the 'Christmas feeling'.  It's more centred on the family dramas and relationships.  Really good book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

This took me a couple of chapters to get into however it was well worth persevering as I was soon engrossed by sisters Ottie, Pip and Willow. Each of them were so different both in looks, personality and interests but all were well written and I liked each of them. I felt this book took Karen Swan’s writing in a new direction but not in a negative way more an extension to her ability. The storyline was original and inspired without too much predictability and it’s a not overly based around Christmas so it’s a good read whatever the season.

This is the first book I have read by Karen Swan but will be reading all her others. It was funny, romantic and I loved all the characters. I really recommend it to other readers.

The Christmas Party-
Karen Swan

Excellent book I loved it. I was hooked from the beginning and did not want to put it down. Lots of secrets,twists and turns and of course can’t forget the romance. It is an emotional roller coaster right until the end. I would certainly recommend this book it is a great easy read.
Thankyou to the author and net galley for the opportunity to read this book.

A brilliant book from start to finish, I absolutely loved every bit of it,my favourite Christmas book so far this year!
Karen swan has long been one of my favourite authors and I particularly love her Xmas books but think this is my favourite of them all!
An Irish castle, three sisters and the death of their father the last remaining knight in Ireland! Add to the mix an unusual will, romance, deception, family loyalty and Christmas and you get an enchanting, enjoyable unputdownable read perfect for this time of year! A celebration of family values and loyalties and the restorative properties of forgiveness,set amongst the beautiful Irish landscape described so well that you feel you are there.
Thank you net galley for this early read!

It's not often you get to read about a modern-day knight, and in The Christmas Party, this is exactly what we get. Well, actually it's more the legacy of a knight.
Declan Lorne is the last surviving knight in Ireland, his family having carried the title over 700 years. And it looks like he's going to be the last ever knight too, having a family consisting of his wife and three feisty daughters.
His sudden demise leaves a huge gap in the lives of all his family, and his will sets many cogs turning.
Will his wife, Serena, ever accept being relegated to the Dowager House?
Will Ottie, his oldest daughter, ever get over being the disappointment of a girl, rather than a boy, and not the heir she felt her father always wanted?
Will Pip, the middle child, manage to control her own inner angst, and follow her dreams?
And will Willow, the youngest daughter, ever find her true place in her family?
I really enjoyed all the twists and turns within this book, filled with tragedies, and misplaced trust, love and loss.
Oh, and I'd love to see a pink castle!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Declan, the last Knight of Lorne, and seigneur of Lorne castle, dies. He leaves a distraught widow and three daughters. All are beneficiaries of his will, which when read causes shocks. How will the four women deal with the situation?

A good story, with romance and twists. There's some substance to it. It's not overly Christmassy, so could be read at any time. Ideal to read in front of a log fire though.

This was a book that I just couldn’t put down. It’s main focus was on the Lorne family and the relationship between the three sisters but also between the mother and the youngest sister, Willow. There are a few secrets to uncover, one being why did Willow leave the family castle three years ago and go to live in Dublin. There is also the sense of community within a small village, where everyone knows each other and often meet in the local inn. Romance features, although the reader is never quite sure how it is going to work out until the end. This was an enthralling read! I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.