Do you like the movie The Holiday? If so, then you are going to love Sandy Barker's The Christmas Swap.

Best friends since they were 11 years old, Lucy, Jules, and Chloe are not really looking forward to their respective Christmas holidays. Chloe's parents have decided to take a cruise and while she is welcome to the orphan's Christmas party her roommate is hosting what she really wants is an old-fashioned, traditional Christmas. Lucy loves spending the holidays with her parents, but her hometown village only promises dreary gray slush (at best). What she really wants is the white Christmas Bing Crosby croons about. Jules is sick of winter and cold and while she loves her crazy family she isn't really feeling like dealing with the craziness this year. There's a light bulb moment where each realizes another has their version of a perfect Christmas. So Chloe heads to Lucy's parents for a traditional English Christmas, Jules head down under to enjoy sun and sand with Chloe's friends, and Lucy gets her white Christmas in Breckenridge, CO with Jules's family. They all get the Christmas they want and perhaps find a surprise they weren't expecting.

The Christmas Swap was a cute story. In theory, it would be fun to go someplace different for Christmas but I think I prefer to live vicariously through fictional characters. And the girls, aka May Ladies (because they all have birthdays in May), definitely have fun on their holiday exchange.

In beginning, I had some trouble keeping the girls straight. Each chapter focuses on a different girl but it would take me a few pages to remember which girl was from where. Lucy was the first that I got straight in my head, but that is probably because I identified most with her. I was well over halfway through the story before I remembered Chloe was Australian and spending the holidays in England and that Jules was from Colorado and holidaying in Australia. But the end though I was attached to all three girls and I really hope there are more stories about them.

Of course, there is unexpected romance that is all sweet and fun. The Christmas Swap is a clean read where adult activities are only referenced but the reader doesn't get any details. There are some pretty big decisions made by the characters in the end and I would love to see how those decisions play out in 6 months. I really want this to be the first in a series though I can't find any indication that it isn't just a stand-alone, feel-good holiday story.

This is my first book by Sandy Barker, and while romance isn't my usual genre I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another one of her books when I need a light, "pick me up" story. I would definitely read another book featuring the May Ladies (have I hinted enough about wanting more?).

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Friday, October 16 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2020/10/the-christmas-swap-by-sandy-barker.html

Three friends from childhood Lucy, Jules and Chloe are all stuck in their lives in their countries of Australia, L.A. and Oxford in England. So when Aussie Chloe finds out that her parents are going away on a cruise for Christmas she rings her best friends for support.

They decide on a plan that will see them swapping places with each other.

Chloe heads to England from L.A and right away is roped into assisting with a Christmas Fair with some quite very straightlaced English ladies, will she be able to win them over ?

When she goes over to Cecily’s she is not prepared for who she answers the door to. Famous actor Archer

When Jules arrives in Melbourne, Australia she finds out that she has left her bag including her passport. She finds out that the ever organised Chloe has arranged for a proper Aussie Christmas with her friends Matt and Ash. Jules is very attracted to winemaker Matt but has Chloe been out with him ?

Lucy swaps for snowy Colorado and immediately has to push herself out of her comfort zone when Will invites her skiing.

She is terrified but she does it anyway to be polite and finds that enjoys herself.

This is a great escapist read and was just what I needed. I enjoyed following the The May Ladies as they change their lives but have a great and warm friendships. I loved how they all end up finding happiness in places they never expected. I also enjoyed the locations and the different Christmases were celebrated.

This is a great read if you are looking for a warm and cosy snuggle up on the sofa with some happy feelgood vibes.

Another great Christmas read that can be ticked off my Christmas 2020 book list.

This was a great read Christmas read but one that also based on friendship and in three great location - Melbourne, Colorado and Oxfordshire. I was quickly hooked in the story and loved reading about each of the characters adventures in their holiday swap and it was great how we got to see each of the characters develop. It has also really made me want to visit Melbourne and Colorado too !!

Overall this was a great heartwarming, fun Christmas read that I really enjoyed and fans of romance and rom-com reads will love it.

With thanks to the author, Netgalley and the publisher One More Chapter for the ARC of this book. I read it voluntarily and this is my honest review.

This is a lovely heart warming read about 3 life long friends who switch there xmases.
We have 3 gorgeous locations all completely different Colorado Australia and Oxfordshire.
You get completely engrossed.

I really enjoy novels by Sandy Barker because they're such an easy read and you feel so uplifted afterwards and this one is no different. It was fun, humorous and engaging and I enjoyed every page. This book will leave you feeling Christmassy AND happier!!

Fantastic take on the swapping christmas trope in a similar vane to The Holiday. Lucy, Chloe and Jules (collectively known as the May Day Ladies) met as children and have been best friends ever since. However, a decision to try out one of the other's christmas in order to experience something new forces them to re-examine their lives, find out something out themselves and perhaps find love.
Think i'd have loved Christmas in Colorado best!

The Christmas Swap - Sandy Barker

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review thanks to Harper Collins and Netgalley.

Lucy, Chloe and Jules have been best friends since they met on holiday when they were 11 years old. Chloe’s parents decide that they are going on a cruise for Christmas this year instead of having the usual family Christmas - this triggers Chloe to phone her friends and ultimately leads to the Christmas swap.

Jules is off to Australia for a Christmas in the sun. Chloe is off to England for a traditional Christmas and Lucy is off to Colorado for a white Christmas.

This is the heartwarming story of three friends who swap lives for Christmas. I loved how welcoming the friends and families were to their holiday guests.

If you’re a fan of ‘The Holiday’ then this is the book for you.

Rating: 4/5
A well written novel, I enjoyed seeing how each of the girls adapted to their different Christmas experiences

Release Date - 16th October 2020

This is a great Christmas story about 3 girls who meet when they are 11 and become life long friends. This year they decide to swap Christmas which leads to some life changing events and new relationships. This is a heartwarming Christmas story!. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for a chance to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Taking inspiration from The Holiday, Chloe, Lucy, and Jules swap Christmases for various reasons of escape. What ensues is equal parts romantic and amusing.
Of the three friends, I love Lucy's storyline best. She's the one I root for most and seems to face the hardest challenges. Lucy is the one I want to be friends with. She handles hurdles with grace and her mum's famous Christmas cake.
The predictable HEA for all three friends was a bit, well, predictable. However, I appreciate the glimpses of different ways we celebrate between snowy Colorado, chilly England, and sunny Melbourne. The nods to The Holiday give The Christmas Swap a sense of familiarity.
This year, more than most, I've been looking forward to the joy and fun of the holidays. This type of book is just the thing to put me in the mood for those cozy, holidays feels.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collin's UK for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

A big thank is owed to author Sandy Barker, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for giving me a free ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own! This was my second book by Ms, Sandy Barker and I really enjoyed it. What drew me to want to read this book was the concept of three best friends swapping homes and families for the holidays! The bond these woman shared was truly wonderful and heartfelt. The author did a great job giving each woman an equal amount of chapters in order to fully develop their holiday romances. The detail the author put in for each holiday destination really allowed the reader to enjoy the family and friends along with the characters. I liked how chill the families were to host their daughter's best friend rather than their actual daughter. It just shows how close these women were even with the other members of their best friend's family. Each of the male love interest were so book boyfriend material and perfect for each of our main characters. The story lines kept me interested the entire time that I had to finish this book in one sitting! Overall, I enjoyed this book. It really gave me the cozy holiday feels I was hoping for while reading this book. I can't wait to read other books by this author!

I loved every minute of this book. It’s full of so many wonderful characters, many marvelous settings and some sweet, light romance. Barker does such a wonderful job of combining all of these elements into each and every one of her stories. The fact that she uses her own travels and adventures as inspiration clearly adds to the detail she puts into each setting.

This story follows three friends who have known each other since childhood. Each live in a different country and have decided that this Christmas they will take a note from the movie The Holiday and swap locations. Lucy will go to Colorado, Jules ventures to the warmth of Australia and Chloe spends time in a quaint English village. They each go hoping to break their traditional celebrations and embrace something new this season. Little did they know that they would each find love along the way. Trust me when I say, these three guys make excellent book boyfriends!!

There was so much going on throughout this book, which kinda added to the chaos that usually surrounds this holiday. The author did a fantastic job of giving each character an unique voice. I never once got confused or lost amongst the extensive cast. Each chapter switched perspective and location which often left you with just the right cliffhanger and eagerness to read more. It was fun learning about the different festive traditions from each region as well.

My favorite storyline was Will and Lucy. I was easily persuaded by the snowy Christmas at a lodge setting, but the meddlesome, loud family dynamic was all too familiar. I like the romantic troupe of falling for a friend’s sibling and watching everyone figure that out without damaging relationships.

Overall this was just the perfect, feel good Christmas romance that left me smiling. I adored the well developed characters and would not complain if they pop up in future stories!!

Chloe, Jules & Lucy are BFF's who met at a holiday club as children, who had remained closer friends into adulthood. Many Christmases had passed but they'd never had the one they really wanted, so they all decided to swap homes with each other!
If you loved the film The Holiday you'll love this book. Fun, festive & feelgood, perfect for this time of year. Many thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in return for my honest review 🎅🏻

What a delightful, heartwarming book! Not only do we get to spend Christmas in three different (and equally fun) locations, but we also get to read about three book boyfriends. All main characters were fleshed out well, and so were the secondary ones. I absolutely adored reading this book that will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy! If you’re a fan of The Holiday, you’ll definitely like this one. Three Christmas swaps in one book, what a treat!

The first chapter is a Beachesesque introduction to three young girls from different places in the world, forming a friendship that will span a lifetime and shape who they are. Strong female friendships in novels are a joy to read, and this was no exception. From the start, I was connected to them, making me turn the page.

The idea of the swap was sown when Australian Chloe’s parents abandon her over Christmas and she reveals her longing for traditional family celebrations as seen in the movies. I loved the premise of experiencing three distinctly different Christmases, especially the one in Australia. I always struggled to comprehend the notion Christmas day was in the middle of summer and celebrated without a turkey and all the trimmings. My sister lives there, and reading this novel made me feel closer to her.

These friends experience snapshots of each other’s lives and it highlights even the best friends do not share everything and there are aspects of your life you keep to yourself. There is a character for every reader to connect with and love, and I enjoyed watching them grapple the different traditions, slot into the different ways of living, and discover the closest friendships have boundaries. With stunning locations, festive atmosphere, chemistry between love interests and swoonsome embraces, it was a tonic for grey, drizzly Autumn days and perfect escapism.

In this festive read, you follow three different friends who all swap their usual Christmases and travel thousands of miles to do so. This gives you three gorgeous settings and in effect, three storylines to follow. Because of the contrasting settings, the storylines stay distinct and it is easy to pick up each one. With three narratives running concurrently, you are sometimes left on a cliffhanger but in all, it makes for a really enjoyable read.

The three girls, Chloe, Lucy and Jules are quite different in personality and so are the men who they get to meet. Stepping out of their comfort zones results insome surprisingevents and they get to test themselves and reconsider what they actually want to do. I enjoyed the three contrasting Christmases, with their different customs and family traditions. Friends and family are centre stage in this book and this results in a great feelgood, festive read.

In short: Oxfordshire, Colorado, Melbourne- Christmases to remember.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

I read the synopsis for ‘The Christmas Swap’ and it sounded like just the kind of read I needed at this moment in time. I needed something to take my mind off things for a while and ‘The Christmas Swap’ was certainly the distraction that I needed. I thoroughly enjoyed every single second of ‘The Christmas Swap’ but more about that in a bit.
I loved the three main characters in this book- Jules, Chloe and Lucy. The three ladies initially met as children whilst they were on holiday at the same resort with their respective parents. The three lasses became firm friends and they have kept in touch ever since that holiday. You couldn’t get a tighter group of friends. One Christmas the three friends decide to swap their respective Christmases. Jules, who is American, ends up going to Australia to spend Christmas with Chloe’s friends. Chloe, who is Australian, travels over to the United Kingdom to spend Christmas with Lucy’s family and friends. That leaves Lucy, who is British, and she ends up travelling over to Colorado, where Jules is from, to spend the festive season with Jules’ friends and family and to experience the White Christmas that she has always craved. All three young ladies get up to all sorts of shenanigans and there are surprises along the way. How does life turn out for Jules, Chloe and Lucy? Well for the answer to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
It took me no time at all to get into this story. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first page, I knew that I would not be able to put the book to one side for any length of time. I made the fatal mistake of picking the book up to just read a few pages and I was still sat there over two hours and a lot of pages later. For the length of time I was reading the book, I was transported away from a wet and dismal North East of England and taken away to some idyllic sounding places. I found myself becoming rather jealous of all three ladies for the fun and frolics that they were having. I became desperate to know how their respective stories panned out and at times I couldn’t turn the pages quick enough. I got the end of ‘The Christmas Swap’ and the story left me feeling all fuzzy and warm inside. I was gripped by the story from start to finish.
‘The Christmas Swap’ is extremely well written. Sandy has one of those writing styles that is easy to get along with and easy to get used to. She creates characters who end up feeling more like friends than characters in a book. Sandy writes in such a way that makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves. The text reads more like a chat between friends than reading an actual book. I hope that makes sense. ‘The Christmas Swap’ is a fun and festive read, which is guaranteed to get you in the festive mood. Well it made this Scrooge (me) feel all festive at any rate.
In short, ‘The Christmas Swap’ was a fabulous, fun and festive read. I loved it and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Sandy’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

The Holiday, but even crazier.

Three long-time friends are discussing their Christmas plans. Chloe is a Christmas orphan this year in Melbourne, but wants to experience a true English Christmas, so Lucy invites her to celebrate the holiday with her parents in the English countryside. But Lucy wants a white Christmas, so Jules invites her to celebrate with her family in Colorado. But Jules wants a sunny Christmas, so Chloe invites her to join the orphans Christmas with her friends in Melbourne. As they all swap, they also meet some very interesting men...

This is a cute story with lots of loveable characters. Obviously, there's a level of suspension of disbelief with this kind of crazy story, but you can't help but love each of the May Ladies as they find love and figure out what they want in life!

The “May Ladies Club” also known as Chloe, Lucy and Jules have been friends since they met at a kid’s camp in Hawaii when they were eleven. Through thick and thin they’ve maintained the friendship, as each nurtured their own versions of a “Perfect Christmas Holiday”. And, with everyone feeling in a bit of a rut, this is the year that they changed things. One always dreamed of a white Christmas with all the ‘winter fun’, one wanted a traditional English Christmas with crackers and goose and plum pudding, and the last wanted merely to escape the cold and celebrate her holiday on a beach with a barbeque and sunshine. So – we swap. From Melbourne to a small English village and the mountains of Breckenridge Colorado: each lady is hosted by their friend’s friends and family – with a few wonderful exceptions.

Along the way, the ladies meet the prototypical romantic heroes: a snowboarder, a film star and a winemaker, and their stories not only bring them the ‘hoped for’ special Christmas to break them out of their ruts, but a chance at romance that fills both their own and reader’s hearts with joy and possibility. Told in three perspectives with scenery, activities and voices eminently clear, Barker continues to be the ‘go to’ getaway holiday romance writer.

Light and fun, with plenty of heart, self-reflection, fun and moments to bring the holidays to life, this is a solid and quite entertaining story about changing your views and gaining new perspective on your life and just how that will affect you from that point forward. Light and easy to read with plenty of room for imagination and fantasy with the inclusion of the romance elements, this is a perfect “getaway” story, sure to please many.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aP5 /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

This book was fab and exactly what is needed right now, an easy and fun read. I loved the fact that it was a modern twist on The Holiday film and was totally not ashamed to admit it was related.

The May Ladies are brave women who decide to put their lives on hold and swap Christmases with some wonderful results... I don't think it is even fair to go much deeper into the book than that as it spoils it all... but all I can say is that I want a hot chocolate made by Will's dad and snuggle up watching the snow fall in the States so that I can read this again (or watch the movie and travel with each of the women - to Melbourne, or the Cotwolds, or the snow in the States!)....

If you're a fan of holiday romcoms, then this is the book for you. Chloe, Lucy, & Jules have been friends since they met on vacation when they were 11. Chloe lives in Australia, Jules is in Colorado, & Lucy is in England. They are all kind of in a rut & are talking on FaceTime about the holidays coming up. Chloe wants a more traditional Christmas because her parents are going on a cruise instead of being in town. Jules wants Christmas at the beach. Lucy wants a white Christmas. As they are talking, it strikes them that they could all swap places & get what they want. Chloe heads to England to have Christmas with Lucy's parents. Lucy heads to Colorado to have Christmas with Jules' family. Jules heads to Australia to have Christmas with Chloe's friends. What they find when they get to their respective holiday destinations is well worth the reading of this book!