This is a real Christmas book. Plenty of snow, candles and roaring fires. But there is so much more to it. The friendship's, uni timeline and twists all make for a wonderful story that gives you so much more.

Huge fan of Karen Swan and love their work. This story was fabulous and certainly didn’t disappoint. A perfect Christmas story with great characters, meaningful development and a great story line. Definitely recommend for your festive reading this year.

An individual book although not my favourite from Karen. The book goes between past and present which in this case I struggled with. I was hoping for more from the characters and whereas I’ve fell in love with her books before this time I didn’t have that relationship. Thanks to Karen and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

A classic, stand alone Karen Swan book. It draws you in from the beginning and the ending was not what I was expecting. A wonderful book that keeps you guessing. The dual timelines worked really well, with both timelines being as strong as each other.

Although a Xmas book, I loved reading this sitting in the garden. Swan is at her best doing what she does so well. Good story line and I loved following the lives of the flat mates, the interaction between them all and the friendship and support they all gave each other. Really good read.

This book had everything I would have expected from a Karen swan story and I loved reading it. The story is about a group of uni students who meet up some ten years after graduating, all the old memories and feeling come out and things definitely come to a head. With some great characters and lots of intrigue and mystery, I couldn't put this down and kept sneaking time to read more.

I loved all the characters, especially Libby and Archie, so different but the chemistry was tangible. This group of friends work well off each other and helps create a fascinating storyline. I enjoyed the way the story was set on two timelines and slowly unfolded allowing you to get a real insight into the friends' characters.

Although, I did guess most of the plot line there were a few twists that I didn't see coming. I have to admit I am a big fan of Karen Swan's books and read everything of hers. This book, unlike the Wild Island series (which I am thoroughly enjoying), is back to the tried and tested Karen Swan style. I can highly recommend this story, it is perfect to curl up and get lost in.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to embrace Christmas, before November and not feel guilty!
I always enjoy Karen Swan's books and this one did not disappoint. If you're expecting froth, pine cones and schmalz (checked the spelling!) then this isn't for you.
A story of friendships, made as teenagers and then rekindled ten years later, when the group all gather before the Christmas festivities. A huge hug embraces you as you settle down and a small frown will appear when anyone thinks it is acceptable to disturb you. Smiles and tears as you are allowed to share the secrets that the friends experienced and a sigh, when you finish. A wonderful escape and one that you'll want to share with others, and if you're like me, you'll want to discuss the individual relationships with others. Romance, angst, difficult times, estranged partners and unhinged personalities..this book has it all, perfectly interwoven to keep you turning the pages.

Simply adored this novel by Karen Swan. Another best seller I am sure.

Even though it has Christmas in the title, it can certainly be read at any time of the year, as it also comes across with a slight mystery theme. Friends and housemates from uni days, getting together for a dinner in the depths of Yorkshire when hit by a snow storm. Secrets are revealed, good and bad. Characters are believable, and you just hope that Libby has her happy ending.......

Thoroughly recommend.

My thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

A dual timeline novel about a group of friends at university and meeting up nine years later. I really enjoyed the different strands of this story with some unexpected events. Although there are predictable elements it’s not all sweetness light! If I have any criticism at all it’s that it wasn’t as Christmassy as the title suggests but a really good read at any time of year. I would definitely recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC

Some old uni students meet for dinner just before Christmas . You get chapters of events that changed their lives 9 years before. It is Karen Swan at her best. Some great twists and a sad story in parts. Loved the house keeper. The snow made it christmasy. Lots of great characters and a neat ending. Hard to review without spoiling it. Read it

Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for a review copy of this book. Loved this book. Karen Swan is an author I always look forward to reading because I know her books deliver. In fact I’m amazed at how she’s able to write such consistently good novels twice a year and produce exactly what I look for in a novel, including well drawn characters and an absorbing and moving plot. Though this novel is very different from her recent summer isles novels this Christmas offering is very much like her other novels and was a pleasure to read.

The story centres around Libby, a highly successful corporate lawyer on the brink of being made partner who decides to make a flying visit to a reunion of her old university housemates on the way back from a wedding with her ambitious boyfriend Max. The host is Archie, newly succeeded to his role as Viscount and owner of a rambling manor house in the depths of the Yorkshire countryside. When Libby arrives, clad in her sophisticated wedding outfit, she still feels herself reduced to the somewhat awkward poorer academic nerd that she was in university. But some old ties can’t be broken, for good and ill and they soon surface amid the small group, even with Max exuding his usual charm. The atmosphere is ripe for old questions to be asked and the secrets that were hidden for so long to create a tension that can only result in trouble.

The story has a few elements of gothic in it, but not enough to reduce it to an awkward pastiche. As always Karen Swan evokes a wonderful atmosphere with her vivid descriptions and flowing scenes that just keep the reader going. The novel is a wonderful cosy and absorbing read perfect for Christmas.

A 5* read, not necessarily just for Christmas. The book spans a 9 year time frame and keeps you drawn in as twists and turns abound. There are totally unexpected stories emerging throughout, some sad, some verging on “who done it” And some pure romance. This book gives you everything, it’s an easy read with, on the whole, likeable characters and a couple of villains for good measure.

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

Karen Swan always tells a good story and this is no exception. A tale of old University friends enjoying a house party at an isolated Manor house. Libby, the central character, has avoided meeting up with the others for 10 years but has agreed to break her Christmas journey home and stop for a meal. When she and her partner go to leave the snow is so deep they are not going anywhere. It is fun at first - until the power goes.
Told in dual timelines, Libby at University and as a house guest, it has a locked room feel, with a surprising amount of twists as accidents happen and secrets are revealed. Suspenseful and enjoyable.

I have always been a fan of Karen Swan’s novels, especially those set during the winter season. There is something magical about this story in particular, with some deep secrets threatening to emerge when a group of friends is literally snowed under. So good!

Snowed in with university best friends? That what happened to Libby who happens to get stuck in a hotel with no power.

Full of twists, turns, laughter and fun this is a great new Christmas book from Karen Swan to add to your must read list.

An ok read for me. Karen Swan is a good author. Thanks for the opportunity to read & review this book.

Throughly enjoyed this book. I liked the old and new stories interweaving and finding out more of the back story that way. A curl up and read by the fireside book. Sometimes the characters could be a little exasperating nut then so can people in life. A few twists and turns and a feel good factor throughout and well as touching on a few more sensitive issues.

This is my first time reading a Karen Swan novel but it definitely will not be my last.
I could not put the book down from the minute I started the first chapter.
The story focuses on Libby and flips between her time in university and the present day. I loved the way the stories were intertwined and the unexpected twists throughout the book.
The group of characters were lovable and believable and I really felt I was part of their friendship group.
A romantic Christmas story in a fantastic setting that had me in tears and I didn’t want to end.
Thanks to Netgalley, Pan MacMillan and Karen Swan for an advanced copy in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

I loved this book and read it in one sitting. The book flits between the past and present and how a group of friends navigate a group dinner together set at Christmas. A perfect romance. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

Firstly, I will say, I am probably not the intended audience for this book and that most likely factors quite heavily into my rating, so I'm inclined to round upwards. This isn't the type of book I ordinarily go for, but I'm a lover of a Hallmark movie so when NetGalley and the publisher kindly let me review it I was more than happy to give it a whirl. I was a bit gutted that I just didn't much enjoy this.

I didn't warm to any of the characters. I found most of them to be a bit insufferable and 1 dimensional. They're all completely unrelatable for the average person which made it so hard to feel any kind of connection to them or to be invested in what was happening. There were a few twists in this too which I thought felt bizarre and disjointed. It was like there were just too many things going on for me to feel fully invested in any of it and one part of the 'twist' was just a bit silly and I felt myself rolling my eyes.

This is advertised as a Christmas book, so I was expecting a warm and fuzzy feeling book, which is usually the vibe I want to go for in the festive season. I didn't get this at all. I'm glad I read it in July.

I am sure this will be some people's cup of tea, but sadly it is just not for me!