This is a funny and cute fresh take on the fake dating trope.

Margot agrees to help Ben out by pretending to be his girlfriend for Christmas, it should be a nice easy week with good food and and great company. The problem is Ben's sister, Ellie, is absolutely gorgeous and Margot find pretending to be straight and dating Ben harder than anticipated.

It was cliched and predictable in places but none of that matters because it was truly a heartwarming and lovely story made better by a very rich cast of characters.

This is the perfect Christmas read. The reason for the fake girlfriend deception wasn’t particularly believable but I was happy to let that slide as the story was funny, sweet and engaging. The two leads had great chemistry and the family members were all well-developed characters, making the reader feel like they’re there with them. Ellie’s gold-digger theory made me laugh out loud a number of times. Margot’s story with her ex and her coming to terms with the abuse she went through had been handled well. Overall it was a wonderful read.

Some great tropes in this - fake dating, bad/wrong first impressions, secret dating all amongst the setting of the week leading up to Christmas.

I enjoyed this one for it’s Christmassy factor - I think with it being the week before there were a lot of activities, such as ice skating, gingerbread house decorating that just made it quite fun. The romance aspect was good too - of course we could tell from the start that Margot & Ellie were made for each other!

Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph (Penguin Random House) for the advance reader copy.

This was such a cute book to read, the characters were flawed in a real person way but we’re still great. I was rooting for everyone’s perfect ending and was given it.

I really enjoyed the fake dating storyline especially as it led to some awkward situations for the main characters.

I will say, I do think that Mitsi the Rottweiler was my favourite in the book, she’s just a derpy but adorable bundle of energy.

The queer romance was done well and also the side story around trauma and past relationships didn’t feel forced. There was a good balance without it feeling like the characters were being punished before they had a happy ending.

Although I read this in August (😂) I still enjoyed the Christmas theme. I would recommend this to any romance readers and those who want a good cold weather cozy book.

This book was such a delight! It was a fast, easy read and highly enjoyable throughout. I love the set-up; it's a typical fake-dating scenario, and we know it's going to end with a romance. Except it's not the romance you usually get.

Margot and Ellie are both very likeable characters, but I have to say Ben just stole the show, and I wish he was a real person so I could be friends with him too. Another favourite is of course the dog, I'm so happy she was there. All of the characters and their relationships feel so fleshed out and real, and they all had their flaws and their strengths.

Reading about Margot coming to terms with the reality of her previous relationship in a way that was realistic and moving was very poignant and emotional. Seeing Elle stand up to her family and start changing her life was lovely. The romance between her and Ellie is so sweet, adorable and respectful. And they're lesbian characters who actually use the word lesbian - that is so much rarer than it should be.

It's the perfect winter read.

Not a novel theme, fake date at a family Christmas, but somehow the author has managed to make it fresh. I might only be 15% in but that 15% has been read with a smile on my face.
Just over half way, the smiling has continued, as has the feeling of freshness. However, the fake relationship is no longer a barrier to the mains. Therefor the tension there had previously been is no longer part of the plot. There is still quite a bit to go, there is a side historical romance to be played out and a manipulative ex, so we will see if that is enough to stop the plot sagging.
Yes, yes it is! I think I know how some stuff will play out, no idea about how Ben’s, (the other fakee) romance will play out but he is so sweet, I have high hopes for him.
Oooh, tension, it’s all gone wrong. However I have to say the money transfer thing is genius…..you have to read the book to find out what I’m talking about but genuine genius!
Most romance novels have break up before make up, as this does, but the break up has an extra element of tension. I am sure there will be a happy ending, but I said at the start although the plot trope is not new, the circumstances and reactions to it, felt fresh. The break up ripple also feels very fresh. Fresh also because one of the break up ripples is totally different from my expectation and I adore being this wrong!
4.5, up to 5 cos it’s Christmas, well it will be when most read this book

The Christmas swap by Talia Samuels is a cosy festive romance novel.
The novel had everything that I could want in a festive romance novel and more. It had a cute and cosy story line that was easy to read and the cast of characters were likeable. I really enjoyed the novel and I highly recommend it.
❤️ Thank you to netgalley and the author/publisher for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

This book is adorably wholesome. If you can grab yourself a mulled wine, a cosy blanket and settle down to this book it’s the perfect evening.

Margot has decided to pose as a girlfriend for Ben over the Christmas period as she has no-else to be with during the festive period having just gone through a messy break up.

Ben doesn’t want to be quizzed on another Christmas why he’s single so it’s the perfect set up. Well except for Margot being a lesbian and Ben’s sister determined to get to the bottom of this sudden new girlfriend.

This was wholesome, funny, found family vibes throughout and addictive. I read it within a day.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

Loved the book. When I first started the book I was a bit apprehensive about it with the siblings. But when I got into it, it was amazing. It was laughing when it was Ellie's chapters and her thinking Margret was a gold digger. It can understand why she would think that but it was still funny. It was so sad for Maggie when she was opening up about Taylor and what she did to her. All the secret moments and secret dates at midnight to avoid the family seeing. It would have been better to tell Ben straight up instead of there being a whole big thing about it. When Ellie was upset and speeding I was full on convinced she was going to crash but thank god that didn't happen. I loved the ending when everyone have a puppy each. And going to the Christmas week.