This was not my cup of tea, the art references seemed to go on forever and although I like art I don't understand all the jargon, I am sure it was well researched but I got so bogged down with it all I didn't finish it as I put it down and didn't pick it back up with is a clear indication I was not enjoying it, i am sure there are people out there who will love it and for the author I am glad.

Sorry not for me.

A cosy Christmas romance with a dash of Danish art history - I really loved this story, it has so much more than your usual festive read. The Danish artist storyline and the links to Lilja was absorbing, and I possibly enjoyed this part more than the modern romance between Darcy and Max. Her failed online dates added a touch of humour too. I just loved it and would highly recommend!

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **

4.5⭐️

This is a Christmas read like no other. It has everything to sustain interest from start to finish. From the contemporary and Christmas vibes to the delve into history and the art world, this was interesting and engaging.

It follows the story of Darcy, a PhD student, who is tasked with finding the identity of a painting found at the back of a lost masterpiece.

I loved the idea of the story within the story and must confess that I was more vested in Lilja’s story.
I enjoyed the contemporary narrative too- the foray into online dating, the office politics and the politics that goes on around art, masterpieces and artists.

I loved Darcy’s enthusiasm and her commitment to her work and trade. I enjoyed her encounters with Max and how in the face of it all she was able to give a voice to the defenceless.

I loved how the author balanced the past with the present. There was a gentle easing into history but it was engaging, thrilling and had edge of the seat moments.

It was a beautiful story with great storytelling and wonderful characters all through. The Danish setting gives an authentic Christmas feel to the book.

But I felt the ending was quite rushed, given the word building from the start. I would have loved to read more about Max and Darcy.

If you enjoy office romance with some slight enemies to lovers then you will enjoy this.

It is the perfect escapist romantic mystery to get you in the festive mood. Darcy is a PhD student finalising her studies on secondment in Denmark. Her exceptional research skills allow her to research a recently discovered painting, which proves to be life-changing. As Darcy is between relationships, her best friend persuades her to sign up for a high-profile dating site and pick three matches. Darcy's dating experience becomes tangled with her professional research and takes her on a devastating emotional journey full of heartbreak, passion and self-realisation. It is a complex story with a fascinating art history setting. The romance is glamorous, and the emotional journey Darcy experiences is immersive. I like the art history, the mystery, the festive Danish setting and the romance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

4.5 stars
I always look forward to a new Karen Swan read and this will look great amongst my collection of her books on the shelf. Thanks to Chloe
All I Want For Christmas has it all: a complicated chemistry, an intriguing mystery, beautiful Denmark at wintertime as the perfect setting and a gorgeous love story of course.
I found the mystery behind the painting so fascinating- the lives untold have such a great story. Seeing the mystery unravel through Darcy’s eyes as she started to realise what she’d discovered was captivating. Her tenacious approach despite the obvious and very attractive distraction was to be admired

I love Karen Swan’s books and All I Want For Christmas didn’t disappoint! I loved the characters and the Christmassy setting in Denmark. The relationship between the characters was a moving and interesting development across the novel. Would highly recommend this book as a Christmas read. Thank you to Net Galley and Pan MacMillian for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review

A very good book which had a bit of a mystery about it also romance.

Darcy is told to investigate a portrait of a woman that is discovered who is she and why was it hidden away. She meets Max who is a lawyer and the company he works for has a vested interest in the portrait. Darcy and Max have a connection but decide to keep it professional. Will Darcy discover who is the woman on the painting and the story behind it all.

I enjoyed the investigation of the portrait and how they went about it all it was interesting.

I could not put the book down and wanted to see if they found out and whether there would be a happy ending.

Karen Swan is a go to author for me. I love that her stories are more than just a romance. In this case I didn't connect with the secondary art history storyline that well but the setting more than made up for it. I loved the vivid descriptions of the St Lucia kayak parade, Christmas markets and tourist sights, having been to Copenhagen last Christmas. I also really took to both Darcy and Max, even if did I want to shake Darcy a few times. But if the romance had been smooth and happily ever after then the book would have been far too short. So, not my favourite by this author but another great and thoroughly enjoyable read.

Darcy is studying for her PhD in Copenhagen, and is tasked with discovering the identity of a mysterious woman whose image has been found under a masterpiece by a great Danish artist. Can she solve the mystery into he timescale she has been given by her boss, and can she find a way to work with the difficult Max?

The title suggests a book about Christmas, however the time of year felt very incidental to me - the book could have been set any any time of year, Christmas felt like an add on, and as such then title didn't fit the story for me. It was well-written and the art world was well researched, but it felt a bit long in places. Overall, a pleasant enough book, but it wasn't really for me.

Karen’s Christmas book, which is not entirely about Christmas, though the incidental descriptions of Copenhagen at that time of year are wonderful and so well portrayed.. It is mystery within the Art world, a painting of a mysterious woman on the back of a painting by the most famous local artist. There are warring factions collaborating with resources from the Museum and a local wealthy family who have amassed their own Foundation, because of a connection..Both would like to own the original painting. Into the mix comes Darcy, a British researcher finishing her PhD thesis attached to the Museum, who is tasked with finding the identity of the newly discovered woman. It is an intelligent novel which kept me enthralled. Of course there is romance, beautifully told between Darcy and Max from the Foundation, very ‘’will they, won’t they!’ I thought it was wonderful

I loved this book. I have struggled to engage with a couple of Karen Swan's summer books in recent years so I was interested to see whether this Christmas one still had her usual magic. Reviews are down to personal experience so I recognise that many, if not most, Karen Swan fans will adore every book she's ever written.

I loved this book. Despite reading it long before I even thought about decorating a tree or wrapping a present, I felt Christmassy and didn't want to be interrupted when reading it. I will definitely be rereading it when it's mid-December.

I recommend this to Karen Swan fans and anyone who loves a Christmas story that leaves the reader feeling warm and happy. A great festive read.

If you want a mox of modern Christmas fiction and historical happenings then this is the book for you - along with the gorgeous setting of Copenhagen this is an ideal Christmas story.

This was a captivating story, once I got into it, I just couldn’t put it down. I liked the character of Darcy, an intelligent woman who didn’t give up. Max came across as arrogant at first but he had a lot of trauma in his background. I loved their relationship, although it didn’t run smoothly. There was so much to enjoy about this book, the Danish customs around Christmas, the uncertainties of online dating and especially trying to find out about the unknown woman in the painting. There were times when I smiled at the actions of some characters, there was outrageous behaviour by some characters and heartbreaking moments. This was a lovely read that I thoroughly enjoyed. This author always creates characters that stay in the memory for a long time. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Despite its Christmas-themed title and snowy setting, this novel can be enjoyed any time of the year. It offers much more than just holiday romance, delving into the fascinating world of art, with elements of art history, restitution, and crime woven into the plot. The romance is rich and engaging, but the gripping storyline, set against the backdrop of the art world, adds depth and intrigue. The only downside is that the conclusion felt a bit rushed—I wish it had been longer. Nevertheless, it's a captivating read, and I would highly recommend it!

Karen Swan has recently become one of my go-to authors, and 'All I want for Christmas' didn't disappoint (thanks to Netgalley for my ARC copy, this has not affected my review). Following a messy break-up, art historian Darcy moves to Copenhagen to finish her PhD. Whilst there, an undiscovered portrait is found on the back of a masterpiece held dear by the Danish people (imagine a portrait being found on the back of Constable's 'The Haywain'). Darcy is tasked with finding out who is the woman in the portrait. Her friend, Freja, is keen to see Darcy dating again, so persuades her to sign up for three dates on a dating app. Sparks fly when she meets Max - but Max turns out to be on the opposite side of the race to trace the woman in the portrait...I really enjoyed this book, perfect for a Christmas read, with an excellent story and well developed characters.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed reading this book.

We meet Darcy who is a PHD student in Copenhagen from the UK.

She’s sharing a flat with Freja whilst she writes her thesis, and has recently come out of a relationship.

Christmas isn’t far off and her friend tries to make her start dating again, but Darcy would rather spend her time working on her thesis.

The company that she’s with as she’s studying, uncovers a hidden portrait in a painting and she’s given the job of finding out more about the hidden portrait.

Whilst carrying out her investigations, with the trust, it’s not an easy task, hidden secrets are revealed.

I highly recommend this book.

Initially I thought that this was going to be another book about online dating disasters, but this is a Karen Swan book so there is lots more to discover!
Darcy is studying for her PhD when she is offered the chance to research the figure in a recently discovered painting which was glued to the back of a famous painting by Johan Trier. As Darcy’s research delves deeper into the lives of the Mansen family, who Trier painted for, she discovers long lost secrets and a genuine mystery.
Tension between Darcy and Max, her online date and trustee for the Madsen foundation, heightens as her research looks to upset both his family history and that of the Madsen trust.
The research into art history and art restoration was fascinating and very thorough. The mystery and secrets were revealed tantilisingly slowly so I was desperate to discover the final outcome.
Great characters and storyline.

Loved this latest seasonal romance from Karen Swan. Not only do we have a glamorous foreign setting in Copenhagen but we are also introduced to the world of fine art. As usual, there are wonderful characters to be discovered as well as the mystery of the hidden painting plus, of course, a sprinkling of romance. A great book for autumn, with the nights drawing in, and encouragement for Christmas.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

All I Want for Christmas by Karen Swan is a captivating holiday romance infused with art, history, and a deep sense of self-discovery. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Copenhagen, this novel combines romance with a rich narrative about personal growth, making it more than just a festive love story.

The protagonist, Darcy, has relocated to Copenhagen to complete her PhD studies, seeking solace from a recent breakup. Love is the last thing on her mind as she dives into a research project involving a fascinating historical discovery. The academic intrigue provides a compelling undercurrent to the story, keeping the reader hooked as Darcy uncovers not only professional secrets but personal ones as well.

Swan’s portrayal of Darcy’s internal struggles is nuanced and relatable, especially when her housemate, Freja, creates a dating profile for her, pulling her reluctantly back into the world of romance. Enter Max—handsome, wealthy, intelligent, and maddeningly moody. Their connection is undeniable, but it’s complicated by the fact that Max is deeply involved in Darcy’s research, creating tension and conflict that adds complexity to their budding relationship.

As Darcy navigates her professional aspirations and romantic entanglements, she also stumbles upon some personal truths that force her to confront past choices and emotions. Swan’s ability to weave art history into the narrative adds an intellectual layer, elevating the book beyond the typical holiday romance.

The supporting characters, especially Freja, bring warmth and humor to the story, and the vivid descriptions of Copenhagen in winter set the perfect festive mood. However, it’s the interplay of romance and discovery—both in the personal and historical sense—that makes this book shine. Darcy’s journey is not just about finding love but also about finding herself, and that emotional depth gives the novel substance.

All I Want for Christmas is a beautifully written, heartwarming read with a mix of romance, intrigue, and art that will appeal to readers looking for something more substantial in a holiday tale. Karen Swan delivers once again with a story that is magical, engaging, and perfect for the season.

In Karen Swan’s novel, Darcy, an art history PhD student in Copenhagen, is recovering from a breakup when she meets Max, a lawyer, through a dating app. Their chemistry is undeniable, but their professional lives collide when Darcy is hired to investigate a newly discovered painting tied to a famous masterpiece, and Max’s firm holds the key archives.

They agree not to date, but emotions grow complicated as Darcy uncovers more about the painting—and about Max. The story blends an art-based mystery with a passionate romance, filled with twists and deep emotional layers.