Karen Swan’s Christmas “romances” are so addictive. Christmas plays a minor supporting role here, the real context is Danish culture and the mystery of a long forgotten portrait, A great read.

Another outstanding novel from Karen Swan. She can do no wrong!

If you want to escape for a while, read this, you will not be disappointed.

Highly recommend.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in return for an honest review.

Another fabulous Christmas book. I love Karen’s Christmas books. Set in Copenhagen Darcy is a PHD student and is asked to research a painting which has been discover.
As Darcy starts her research she swipes right on a dating app which leads to her meeting Max. Max isn’t what she first thinks and as they get to know each other Darcy’s painting leads her back to 1920s Copenhagen and who the mystery woman is in the painting.
The path of true love never loves smoothly for Darcy will Max turn out to be the exception?
A beautiful book full of festive spirit.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Don’t save this for Christmas, read it NOW. Karen Swan has fast become one of my favourite authors. It’s a romance-Yes- but it’s far more. I was completely enveloped in this story, the art, the history.
A wonderful read and a big recommendation from me

This was a joy of a book to read. The Copenhagen setting made a pleasant change and the story was riveting. Karen Swan never fails to please and this book would make a perfect Christmas present for someone to read on the oncoming winter nights.

So my only criticism of this book is I should have read it closer to Xmas. Made the mistake of reading it in a heatwave and now I feel christmassy

What a great book. Thanks for the opportunity to review

Karen Swan books are a guaranteed great read - I’ve read them all! Another great ‘Christmas’ read set it Copenhagen and a real page turner.

Darcy is a PHD student from the UK spending the year in Copenhagen whilst writing her thesis sharing a flat with friend Freja. With Christmas around the corner and a recent breakup, Darcy is determined to put her efforts into her thesis, Freja has other ideas and encourages Darcy to get back out there on a dating app tasking her to find 3 matches.

The art firm Darcy is with while studying discovers a hidden portrait by one of Denmarks greatest artists, putting her thesis on hold Darcy is ttasked with researching and unveiling the hidden past associated with the portrait. Working closely with the trust and family creates broken bonds, animosity and heart ache - delving into the families’ past reveals unexpected family secrets whilst threatening a new romance Darcy didn’t expect.

Thank you to Net Galley and Pan MacMillan for the advanced copy!

This novel is everything I have come to expect from Karen Swan. Loved it! A good storyline set in Denmark regarding the identity of a portrait found at the back of a painting. Following Darcy’s research and learning the history to the portrait is a good read in itself. Add the rapport between Darcy and a man on the opposing side and you get a great novel. Although Christmas is in the title, not much about the season was mentioned in the storyline. However, this did not detract from my enjoyment of this book.

You can’t go wrong with a Karen Swan book. As normal this had an excellent story line within. The story was very well written and the plot well thought out. Characters were interesting and entertaining. The perfect read for cosy Christmas nights by the fire, this festive season. Recommend

I loved this romantic Christmas tale from Karen Swan. Her writing is consistently good and her storylines are always different and intriguing, and this one was no exception. Set in Copenhagen, it is the perfect setting for a festive story, I enjoyed the cultural information about Christmas traditions there including the Christmas St Lucia celebrations on a Danish canal. Karen Swan evokes the places her books are set.

Darcy Cotterell is an English art researcher finishing her PhD in Copenhagen. When she is asked to research the background of a recently found portrait and uncover the identity of the subject, she unfolds an intriguing story of cover-ups and family secrets. Max Lorensen, is her blind date and also turns out to be part of the family connected to the portrait. their chemistry is undeniable but the painting causes them conflict.

Well written, this intriguing story is a must-read this Christmas, or any other time of year really. I would highly recommend it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book especially the story around the art world. I loved the interaction between Freja and Darcy friends who supported each other through good and not so good times. The romance between Darcy and Max made for a great suspense.

Karen Swan has done it again. This is a great seasonal read. I really enjoyed the new setting in Copenhagen and the mystery element added an extra dimension that I particularly enjoyed. The romantic journey is pretty much what readers would expect, but it is always a joy to see how Swan will develop that thread and this time there were some unexpected twists and turns along the way.

I am a great fan of Karen Swan and this book did not disappoint. Loved it from start to finish. Super cosy read with a high feel good factor.

Darcy Cotterell’s heart is as cold as Copenhagen’s winter when she discovers her boyfriend’s infidelity. With her PhD studies keeping her busy and Christmas around the corner, she’s determined to avoid romantic distractions, despite her friends’ matchmaking efforts. But when a portrait by Denmark’s greatest painter is uncovered, Darcy is tasked with unravelling the mystery of the woman behind the artwork. As she delves into the art world’s elite, she finds herself working closely with Max Lorensen. Amidst the burgeoning chemistry and professional boundaries, Darcy’s new discovery could drive a wedge between them, threatening their potential romance.

A classic Karen Swan novel with intrigue, romance and plot twists. I loved the setting of Copenhagen and although it’s set during Christmas, it isn’t a Christmassy book so can easily be read all year round. I really enjoyed it and would happily recommend it.

Darcy is in Denmark studying for a PHD. Her interest is hidden or forgotten female painters. When she is asked to help identify an unknown woman in a painting that has been hidden she it's excited and intrigued.
After a failed romance Darcy's friend urges her to join a dating app online where she meets 3 different men.
One of the men Max is involved in the mystery painting too. What will Darcy do when she finally discovers that the truth about the woman in the painting will upset any relationship she might have with Max?
Will she hide it or stay true to herself and tell everone the truth?
I loved this book, it was so interesting as Darcy did research about the painting and also wondering who she would date next.
A story that kept me turning pages and did not disappoint.

couldn’t put this book down as I was so engrossed in the story of both Max and Darcy and also the important research Darcy was undertaking.
The setting was magical and very festive and I felt like I was there with Darcy.
The characters were excellent and Darcy was a brilliant strong female while Max was the handsome. aloof male character with the hidden insecurities.
I liked the fact the book wasn’t just a big standard romance but had another great storyline running alongside this.
Thanks to NetGalley, Karen Swan and Pan MacMillan for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Karen Swan's Christmas romances are a well established part of the season. Less fluffy than many of their kind, they are still ultimately feel-good. All I Want for Christmas is set in wonderful (wonderful) Copenhagen and features PhD student Darcy and corporate lawyer Max. They're opposites in many ways but share un undeniable attraction. Darcy's research, though, brings them into conflict and Max's life-choices keep them apart. Until they don't of course.

I enjoyed the book very much. The supporting cast have definite characters and personalities and are mot just decoration. They actually move the plot along. Copenhagen en fete comes off the page and sparkles. Where I do have problems is the resolution. I feel that Darcy's moral and artistic position shifts too easily and I don't think that resolution is realistic. And Max seems to undergo a personality transplant. For the ending to work I think it needed to be more gradual. But read this and enjoy it.

I started this book and initially thought it wasn’t going to be for me, too young, too slushy…oh boy was I wrong and I should have known better as Karen Swan novels are always an excellent read.

This developed into a real mystery/detective search for the truth behind a hidden painting…some love interests, some unpleasant characters and some unexpected twists and turns. A happy ending including a rescue dog, a dual timeline and some laughs - just wonderful!!

A perfect Karen Swan book. You have a great setting in Denmark, a mystery in the art world, an intense love story and you escape . Read in one setting. Absolutely loved it. Karen Swan at her best .