All Emma Daley wants this holiday season is a white Christmas. But the young teacher and struggling musician sure can’t find that in sunny Arizona. Luckily, there’s someone living in a perfect mountain home in the Colorado Rockies looking to make a vacation trade this year.West Prescott is an in-demand songwriter and talented musician who put his own singing career on hold to write songs for … songs for celebrity acts to perform. When his mother convinces him to do a vacation trade for Christmas, he never imagined one of the houseguests would be so sweet–or so strikingly pretty. Naturally, he decides to stick around, and, to get better acquainted, he poses as the house’s caretaker. But when Emma’s friend Gillian discovers his true identity and sets her sights on him, things
get . . . messy.
Fan favorite Melody Carlson is back with another delightful Christmas tale to warm your heart on those cold winter evenings.
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Loved the story!!!
It was a good story but the love scenes were “g” only or a sweet romance . Te action moved slowly and characters predictable .
Title: The Christmas Swap
Author: Melody Carlson
Pages: 176
Year: 2020
Publisher: Revell
My rating is 3 out of 5 stars.
Emma has been invited to spend Christmas with her friend Gillian and Gillian’s family as Emma’s parents are overseas. The only catch is that they have swapped houses with someone in Colorado. She is from Arizona, so this Christmas will be quite different. Emma sees snow for the first time and learns to ski. While the caretaker of their vacation home seems like a good ski instructor, Emma also finds him easy to talk to and enjoys his company. Could a romance be blossoming? However, West, the caretaker, is keeping a secret from Emma.
Gillian sets her sights on winning West’s affections. She has discovered West’s secret and just knows that Emma is not the right woman for him. She takes advantage of every situation to make sure she spends time alone with West. He is too much of a gentleman to be rude to her, even though he would rather spend time with Emma. His time is running out as Emma is only in Colorado for a week. Will there be enough time for him to discover if she feels the same way about him as he does about her?
I always look forward to Melody Carlson’s Christmas novellas. They usually put me in the Christmas spirit and are uplifting. This one, at least for me, didn’t fall into that category. I found the fact the Gillian and Emma remained friends for so long not believable. Emma is a sweet, young woman while Gillian is a conniving, manipulative snob. Gillian’s mother would ruin anyone’s holiday with her constant complaining, which didn’t make for a festive feeling read at all. I did like that Emma was able to appreciate the beauty of her new surroundings and let everyone know her opinion.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
Emma Daly is a struggling substitute teacher from Arizona who just happens to be best friends with the wealthy Gillian Landers. Emma’s family does not live in the states and she almost always spends Christmas with her wealthy friends. This year is different however, as the Landerses have chosen to swap homes for Christmas with a Breckenridge, Colorado resident to enjoy a snowy Christmas.
Swapping houses for Christmas at first sounds like a really fun idea. But in reality swapping a desert home for a snow encrusted skiing community home just might be more than what you bargained for. I really enjoyed this novella and found it difficult to put down, as there was a lot of contrast in characters. Emma is so sweet and has never seen snow before, much less skied, and her kind personality was refreshing. West Prescott seems like a nice guy but he is very deceptive about his lucrative career. He is definitely attracted to Emma but is put off by Gillian’s drama. I really enjoyed every aspect of this book as it has a very light but delightful feel to it. I definitely want to check out more of her Christmas books and I’m pretty sure she writes one every year.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
I have read every one of Melody’s Christmas stories. I have enjoyed them all and I look forward to reading one every year. This one was a fun Christmas romance and the music connection between the two main characters and the love of skiing was perfect.
A sweet romance set at Christmas in Colorado. Emma’s friends have decided on a house swap during the holidays and when they arrive at the house, the wealthy owner decides to hang out as the caretaker. Some interesting scenes develop as Emma and the caretaker begin to have feelings for each other. I enjoyed watching it all play out as Emma’s friend tries to begin a romance with West as well. An enjoyable contemporary romance. I listened to a library copy of the audiobook and Hope Newhouse does a nice job narrating Emma and West’s story.
Looking for a sweet Christmas themed book that deals with a romance. This book has it and a sweet way of how it goes. This deals with a house swap at Christmas time. This book reminds me of the Hallmark Movie called “The Christmas Swap.” I do not know if this was a make on that or if it was maybe inspired by it. I do not know.
The book is about two families but mostly about a songwriter that somehow ends up taking care of this own house. The way it comes about seems kind of cute. We also have Emma who is struggling to be a musician. How will Emma and West’s relationship go?
Will Gillian or maybe Harris mess up the sweet romance that is blooming? Does this seem to take a turn when someone figures out who West is? Is the caretaker who he is? Emma seems to be belated with the house they are staying in and the area in Colorado. Will the family and guest learn to ski and enjoy Christmas before going home?
The author writes this book well. This book is Christmas themed and charming. I enjoyed it. The only thing I kinda wish it was a bit more to it. Though I guess, I read too many romances to see how it ends. It is not all that bad. The story is caring and a bit different in the way that the owner is the one in more of a predicament than the heroine.
The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson offers readers a fun Christmas novella with a Hallmark movie feel. While the characters tended to be pretty static, the events of the novel and the romantic potential for West and Emma kept me interested. The novella was a nice light read that marries well with Christmastime. I recommend The Christmas Swap to readers who enjoy clean romance.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson is a Christmas novella with a twist on the popular movie The Holiday. When songwriter West Prescott is coerced into swapping houses over Christmas, he decides to stick around as the caretaker to get to know one of the guests staying at his home.
Emma Daley, substitute teacher, is the unlikely friend of the wealthy, rather cantankerous Landers family, but they love her and insist she join them in Colorado when they swap houses for the holidays. Emma has never seen snow and thanks to the caretaker staying on site, she learns how to ski. But things get complicated awful quick.
The cast of characters in The Christmas Swap make this a fun story. Emma is the sweetest soul and it is impossible not to love her right from the start. The Landers are quite the clan. And West is so kind it is no wonder he and Emma hit it off so well. Whether more conniving minds ruin the day… you’ll have to read the story to find out.
The Christmas Swap was a delightfully lighthearted contemporary Christmas novella. Perfect for a quiet winter afternoon.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from JustRead Publicity Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.
Thisa sweet Chistmas novella that would make a perfect Hallmark type Christmas movie.
I loved this book and I read it in 2 hours. It reminded me of an old fashion Christmas full of snow, and finding one’s self. I thought the storyline was perfect and the characters
were realistic and I wish I could go to Colorado and stay at a log cabin for the holidays.
Melody Carlson doesn’t disappoint in this intriguing Christmas romance. For me it has been a Christmas tradition to read the author’s new Christmas novella release each year. This story drew me in so deeply I could see a scene play out in my mind as I flipped the pages. I appreciated the clean Romance and beautiful story that kept this reader entertained and not wanting the end to come. It would have been a plus if Carlson had included a epilogue at the end of the book. I was kind of left with questions about the future of the two main characters. I can only hope that they had a happy ever after!
Romance, clean, contemporary; novella
Emma and Tyler’s story, with the snowy setting in Colorado, and the sweat HEA is a perfect quick holiday escape read. Emma and Tyler, two honest hearts, both wanting something more out of life. Tyler a successful music composer, although that is hidden for most of the story, and Emma, hard working, hopeful, but struggling, made for a cute meet and romantic fall as they bumped into each other at his home that was ‘swapped’ for the season. The side characters were kind of caricatures, but they made for great foils in the story line. Emma and Tyler’s moments together were so sweet, honest, and satisfying as they discovered bits about themselves, and Tyler discovered what he was missing in his life. Lovely, sweet romance. More of a 3.5 for me as a reader, but a novella, so I’m willing to go up on the stars!
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. My opinions are my own.
The Christmas Swap was a short clean Christmas romance. The characters were charming, and the storyline was fun. Two families swapping homes for Christmas in Colorado and in Arizona. Two extremely different states so their experiences for the holidays were interesting. The book was very short, but the main characters were sincere and perfect for each other.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a wonderful holiday story! Two families decide to switch homes for the holidays. One family is heading to a warmer state and the other one is heading to a colder state. But when Tyler stops back to his house to grab something, he meets Emma. Then he’s reluctant to leave to meet up with the rest of his family. He decides to stick around and get to know Emma.
All Emma Daley wants this holiday season is a white Christmas. But the young teacher and struggling musician sure can’t find that in sunny Arizona. Luckily, there’s someone living in a perfect mountain home in the Colorado Rockies looking to make a vacation trade this year.
Tyler Prescott is an in-demand songwriter and talented musician who put his own singing career on hold to write songs for celebrity acts to perform. When his mother convinces him to do a vacation trade for Christmas, he never imagined one of the houseguests would be so sweet–or so strikingly pretty. Naturally, he decides to stick around, and, to get better acquainted, he poses as the house’s caretaker. But when Emma’s friend Gillian discovers his true identity and sets her sights on him, things
get . . . messy.
This is a cute story that takes place at Christmas. Tyler forgets his music when he leaves to go to Arizona for Christmas. When he goes back to his house he runs into the people he swapped with. He introduces himself as the caretaker because he doesn’t want them to know who he is. He is instantly attracted to Emma and her to him. While Gillian thinks he’s just the caretaker, she treats him like an underling. When she finds out he’s famous, her entire attitude changes and she goes after him. It’s a typical Hallmark type movie with the main characters having a misunderstanding toward the end and then a happy ending.
I recommend this book to all who like a feel good Christmas book.
I was given this book by Revell Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in anyway.
What a sweet, magical Christmas romance! I loved it and so recommend it if you are looking for just a entertaining, feel-good Christmas romance. Emma, the underdog, is spending another Christmas with her wealthy friend and her family because she really has no where else to go for the holiday. It is not ideal for her, but it is the best she has got. But, because of the house swap their family has planned with another family, all sorts of things happen so at points I laughed, and groaned, and cheered Emma on and hoped that true love would find a way, especially at Christmas! It is sappy and delightful and fun and, at only 163 pages, a quick read! Curl up with a mug of tea and enjoy! I highly recommend it! I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I am freely writing a review – all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Christmas Swap is a beautifully written, charming, lighthearted Christmas story by Melody Carlson, one of the most prolific writers of our times. In this clean, warmhearted romance, two souls ultimately find each other, as they weave their way through a web of deception to expose the lies and reveal the truth hidden within. Emma’s deep inner beauty is seen by West, a gifted songwriter and talented musician, who pretending to be a humble caretaker, sets out to ensure that a girl like her could love a guy like him, simply for himself. A book with sterling qualities and values, I highly recommend it to all who desire truth in their innermost beings.
The Christmas Swap is a sweet Christian, Christmas romance.
Every year since her parents moved to Africa, Emma has spent Christmas with her best friend’s (dysfunctional) family. This year, they are doing a house swap where they stay at someone’s house in the cold north while the owner’s family stays at their home in the sunny south. Only, the owner of the house they’re staying in hasn’t quite left, is quite attractive, and is masquerading as the caretaker.
This was a cute Christmas story, perfect to be turned into a Hallmark movie. It features awkward situations, crazy love pentangles (is that a word?), lots of skiing, misunderstandings, hidden identities, and a happily-ever-after. As you might imagine from my description, there are a lot of things that could interrupt the blooming romance between Emma and the “caretaker,” and it was a lot of fun (mixed with frustration) to watch everything play out. I really enjoyed this easy, Christmas read, and I would recommend it to those who enjoy light holiday romances.
I received a complementary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Fan favorite Melody Carlson is back with another delightful Christmas tale to warm your heart on those cold winter evenings.
The Landers family decides to swap their home in Arizona with a family in the mountains of the Colorado Rockies over Christmas. Their daughter, Gillian invites her best friend, Emma to join them along with her brother’s friend.
West Prescott, the homeowner of the mountain home forgets his music and is at the home when the Landers arrive. He pretends to be the caretaker and hides his identity-a professional songwriter.
Emma arrives late and is expecting an old, grisly man to answer the door, to her surprise a younger man answers the door.
A story of new relationships, hope, jealousy and forgiveness bloom in the story. Although, I did not care for Gillian and her attitude.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinion’s are my own.