I read all of Karen Swans books, and I have enjoyed them all. Many set in different countries and being able to absorb the feel of the country as well as a good story. This has to be one of my favourites. Lee and her adorable son Jasper live in Amsterdam and have made a few close friends into family as it is just the two of them. Lee is a well known photographer, but in a former life was a war photographer and the sights, smells and fear remain. As usual there is more than one story going on, a love story, a mystery book left in Lee’s cycle basket, her past coming back to haunt her and a glimpse into Dutch culture. I read it in a day; the writing flows so easily and I was captured by the narrative. A lovely book to curl up with in the darker evenings. I would give it six stars if I could!
Thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an early reading copy in feature for an honest review.

This is an incredibly well written, deeply entertaining and utterly enjoyable read! So many reasons why I love Christmas and books like this is one of those. It made me laugh, cry and laugh-cry!!! Thanks for this treat.

This story grabbed me from page one and I struggled to put it down, in fact, I stayed up most the night in the end to finish it. It is a gripping story with lots of twists and turns, with several storylines all interconnecting. I loved it and found it totally engaging, well written and fascinating.

With wonderful, complex characters, who I became very involved with and which made for a great read. Lee, the main character is a photojournalist, now based in Amsterdam with her five-year-old son. Her previous life was not so quiet though, as she was a war photographer and her experiences there have understandably marked her. I liked her fight and spirit, as well as her tenacity to try and make a normal life for her and Jasper. I loved her friends and the other characters who became part of this great story. They were all very well written and very believable.


This story is set in Amsterdam in December. It is full of wonderful insights into Dutch festivals and winter traditions; fascinating. This is yet another fantastic story from Karen Swan and I would highly recommend it.

Wow wow wow!!!!!! Karen Swan at her best. Loved learning all about the ice skating in Asmterdam.. The post trama of being a war photorapher was well writen about. There were twists all the way which I loved. Even the neighbours had secrets. I also liked hearing about a dutch Christmas. You just have to read it

I was so excited to get this book to read as Karen swan is one of my favourite author's. This wasn't just a Christmas book it was a story that explored so much more and the themes of love and loss and heart break and how the events of our past can shape our future ran through the story I also loved how it was filled with beautiful descriptions of Dutch Christmas traditions and felt I learnt something about another culture while reading. Once I had started to read it I really couldn't put it down. It is hard to describe such a heartwarming yet emotional story without giving spoilers. If you like Christmas stories with a difference then this book is for you. Christmas isn't Christmas without a Karen swan book and was brilliant to be able to have a taste of it early