Russian princess and her family flee to Paris following the Russian revolution and they are trying to stay hidden and alive. Huge changes come to their lives when the princess meets Wynn, a Scottish doctor.

I had trouble connecting with Svetlana. Because of her education, she has a cold manner and tends to keep people at arm’s length, even using sharp repartees she sometimes regrets afterwards without apologizing. However she has already evolved and she continues to during the book, at first a bit under duress; but once established in Scotland she reveals an empathetic side not really seen before. We also feel a bit of weakness very deeply hidden that she reveals to the hero from time to time as the trust comes between them. She’s wounded when Wynn hides from her an event about him, but I found her reaction perhaps a bit disproportionate.

Wynn is a hero easy to like: he’s kind, dedicated to his work and his patients; he has a lot of ideas to improve their care. He’s also really decided to discreetly court the heroine, and he doesn’t let her scare him away with her rebuffs. I found understandable and logical he has trouble seeing how to reconcile his surgeon job and his new role of Duke after his brother’s death. I also understood his reasons for not telling the heroine an important event about him – he didn’t want to be seen in a position of weakness when he had vowed to protect her-, even if I prefer when the author favor communication.

Their love story is a slow burn, it’s not very passionate, and even if the attraction is quickly present on the hero’s side, they stay in a friendly relationship for a long time, and only they become a couple in the literal sense near the end of the book.

About the secondary characters, Svetlana’s mother has an important role in their misfortunes: she often refuses to admit their life has changed irremediably, she reproaches the heroine for the miserable conditions in which they find themselves, and she doesn’t hesitate to make debt with a Russian mobster who pretends only wanting to help them. She also reproaches the heroine for marrying below her social status, and one with the other I finally found her quite unpleasant. As for the others, a good point for two colorful Russians quite different: the mobster’s son who has a heart of gold, and the old woman with her strange recipes (food or remedies).

On the plot side, I found really interesting the History part: the life if the white Russians chased through Europe by the red Russians, the consequences of the end of the war and the coming home of the wounded soldiers– when they came back-, and the inertia of the surgeons in front of the progressive ideas of the younger doctors.

All in all I had a good reading time with this novel; I would just have liked a bit more passion and communication in the couple.

A deeply, rich and satisfying saga from J’nell Ciesielski. J’nell is a wordsmith and demonstrates a mastery unlike many others in this genre. She provides rich historical details, deeply emotional dialogue and beautifully descriptive locations that will move you to personally experience the story as well. The Ice Swan is a marriage of convenience and while you may know the ending, you will treasure the journey. The first part of the book takes you to Russia around the Bolshevik Revolution and ends in Scotland. Svetlana Dalsky is cold and guarded and Wynn MacCallan is immediately drawn to her. You cannot help but fall in love with Wynn; he is all things personified in a hero. I love that he is dedicated to serving others rather than revel in his title and privileges. Their love story is not conventional, but it is one for the ages and you don’t want to miss this. Be warned, this is not a quick read, and you want to allow time to savor the complexities and slow build. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.

The Ice Swan has numerous elements which sets it apart from the historical fiction I have read of late. It is set during the Great War, and includes a story line based around the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, neither of which have been prevalent in my reading. Ciesielski does a wonderful job of creating empathy for those displaced by the Revolution while drawing a clear line between the elite who learned to cope and improve themselves in their new circumstances and those who relied on their sense of entitlement. Her wordsmithing is lovely in her description of the beauty and grace of Princess Svetlana Dalsky's dance and demeanor. Through the character of Doctor Wynn MacCallan, Ciesielski informs readers of the difficulties associated with improvements in medical procedures in the early twentieth century. A criminal element known as the Black Claw adds an edge of suspense to the story as one of their leaders seeks revenge on the elegant Svetlana.

I found it truly difficult to do this book justice in this review, and hope that you will experience The Ice Swan for yourself. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

There are two things that you can expect when you pick up a book by J’nell Ciesielski; heart-pumping adventure and knee-buckling romance. The Ice Swan has these both in spades. Add in impeccable research and a plot that spans three countries, and you have a winning novel.

As with Ciesielski’s other novels, the characters in The Ice Swan leap off the page, and our heroine is a complex mix. At times Svetlana can be a hard heroine to love and relate to. She has an icy shell and at turns is curt, even to the point of being hateful, yet as the story unfolds, we come to understand why she is so guarded. There are moments when you really get to know her; moments spent dancing or with Mrs. Varjensky, in which her more tender side shows and it makes her seem much less severe. And after all; she is a princess AND a ballerina. How can you not love that?!

Truly beguiling, Wynn has to be my favorite of Ciesielski’s heroes. With a true passion for working with his hands, he is unlike many dukes of his time. He’s brave and strong and has a good heart. He cares about the people around him and fiercely defends those he loves. He is the definition of a hero.

Ciesielski paints an enchanting picture of Imperial Russia as we read of Svetlana’s longings for simpler times before the revolution. It was fascinating to read about that glittering world filled with ballet and jewels and luxury. Yet we are also treated to a loving portrait of Scotland, the author’s passion for this country obvious within the pages. It was rewarding to read about Svetlana and Wynn taking action in their community, trying to make a true difference.

Fans that like their historical fiction with adventure and romance in equal measure will love The Ice Swan.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

lovingly researched marriage of convenience story that finds two romantic souls intersecting at the middle of two opulent worlds. Wynn's passion for cardiology and the music of the human body meets Svetlana's continued lyrical penchant for dance even amidst exile and revolution.


A winsome and wistful tale of forging new home and surviving when your surety and identity are stripped by the ravages of war. Heart-tugglingly romantic.



Interviewing J'Nell about the Ice Swan for Warwick Books July 7

4 Stars
The Great War has wreaked havoc in Russia as the Bolsheviks swore to get rid of the aristocrats from the land. Svetlana escapes to Paris with her younger sister and mother in an attempt to stay alive. Life is tough for the princess as she has to come to terms with the lack of food and proper accommodations. Her mother’s aristocratic extravagance seems to be causing more harm.
Wynn MacCallan is a Marquis, the second son of a Scotland Duke, and a surgeon working long hours treating the war patients and making giant leaps in the medical world.
Wynn and Svetlana don’t have a smooth start. The situation is grim, and the ice princess needs no one to help. But life doesn’t work according to her wishes. Svetlana gets into a marriage of convenience with Wynn when he offers a way out of the mounting troubles.
The Great War appears to have ended but is the threat really gone, or are the Bolsheviks still crossing borders to hunt Svetlana and her family? Can the couple find love for each other and save their marriage and lives?
The Ice Swan is an apt title for the book. We see Svetlana as the ice princess who is not easily charmed by anyone. Even as she feels a connection with Wynn, she keeps him at a distance.
The book is 400 pages long and takes quite some time to finish. The beginning is a bit slow (expected, though), but it picks up a moderate pace afterward.
The first half of the book takes place in Paris, where Wynn meets Svetlana, her family, and Leonard’s powerful father. The second half moves to Scotland as the princess tries to adapt to her new life and takes more interest in social causes.
From being a bored princess to become a responsible and capable duchess, Svetlana’s progress seems steady enough. Her relationship with Wynn is another matter, though. The second half focuses on their marriage, and things do get a little predictable from here.
We know things will happen, and the couple will have to go apart before they can confess their love and unite again. Luckily, the pace picks up at this stage, and the author doesn’t throw in too many twists. Wynn is a steadfast character and remains so for most of the book.
The epilogue neatly ties up all knots and eases the wrinkles to give us a happy ever after. As other reviewers have mentioned, I’d love to see two side characters from the book have their own books and (love interests). They are rather cute and heartwarming people with good intentions. Not revealing the names, but will say that they are both males.
Overall, The Ice Swan is a good book with elements of war, history, and romance. The elements have been balanced well, so the book makes a good read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson, for the ARC.

My thoughts on this book are a little all over the place. I am the first to admit I know very little around The Great War and the Russian Revolution. I do feel as if I learned some things here, but how much was fictionalization for the story I don’t know. The writing was really very good which means this author will stay on my list for looking for future books.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley

What a beautiful historical tale.
I got swept into the heroine’s journey. I felt immersed in the story and couldn’t wait to find out what happened next.
And even though this is general fiction is it incredibly romantic. Like I’m swooning!

***4.5 stars***

The Ice Swan is a beautiful story. I was easily caught up in the story that takes place during WWI. Princess Svetlana flees her Russian homeland with her mother and sister. They take very little with them, their clothes and a few jewels. It was interesting to read the story from the viewpoint of an ousted aristocrat, rather than from the revolutionists. She works hard to hold her family together in spite of her mother.

The three women find sanctuary in Paris, but not in deluxe accommodations. They are refugees that stay in the basement of a church with many others. An accident takes leads her to a Scottish surgeon. He is in Paris to operate on British soldiers. Dr. Edwynn MacCallin is taken with Svetlana immediately and hides his title as the second son of a Duke. He wants to be known for his own accomplishments and not be deferred to because of his social standing. I loved how he truly cared about people and was willing to offer his services to anyone in need.

The story takes the reader into the heart of the underground Russian refugees in Paris. It is a world of gambling, lasciviousness, and greed. Svetlana finds out firsthand how they work when she has to pay her mother's debts.

Svetlana's world is one of terror and unrest. The story begins in Russian and ends in Scotland. The reader is taken to three distinct cultures and countries. I was captivated by Svetlana and Edwynn's story. My words are not eloquent and it is hard to convey the feeling of the story.

I recommend this book. If I have time I would say that it is worth a re-read.

Source: I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Petrograd, 1917. Princess Svetlana Dalsky has a small bag packed, she’s worried about the dangerous Bolsheviks attacking and she’s prepared to leave quickly. One night she hears the sound of an angry mop approaching, she wakes her sister Marina and her mother Ana. They leave just in time, eventually they arrive in Paris, it’s during WW I, the city is full of refugees, soldiers, wounded and accommodation is scarce.

Ana, Svetlana and Marina are forced to take refuge in the basement of a church, Ana isn’t coping with her change in life style and their only funds are jewels sewn into their corsets. The Bolsheviks want to get rid of every Russian aristocrat, even ones hiding in Paris and Svetlana doesn’t feel safe. She witnesses a shooting, Leonid Sheremetev survives and his father owns the notorious White Bear Club. A meeting place for Russians, Ana Dalsky is easily drawn into the drinking and gambling at the club.

Wynn MacCallan is a gifted surgeon, he’s in Paris due to the war, and he treats Svetlana for a minor injury, and he’s concerned about the Dalsky women’s situation. Svetlana is beautiful, not very friendly and Wynn finds her intriguing. Wynn treated Leonid when he was wounded, he also visits the White Bear Club, where Svetlana’s dancing and it’s not a safe place for her to be. When he discovers how dire Svetlana’s predicament is, he marries her and pays off her mother’s debts. He sends his new bride, Ana and Marina to stay his Scottish estate and surely they will be safe from the Bolsheviks there? The one person who Svetlana thought she could always trust, a friend, finds them in Scotland and has he changed sides?

I had no idea Russian aristocrats fled to Paris during the uprising, or about the cities nasty Russian underground and how ruthless the Bolsheviks were. I really enjoyed reading about Wynn’s experiences as a surgeon during WW I, his medical career, how his relationship changed with Svetlana and how she adapted to living in Scotland.
I received a copy of The Ice Swan in exchange for an honest review, a fascinating story and five stars from me.

Thank you NetGalley, J’Nell Ciesielski, and Thomas Nelson Publishing for the opportunity to read this book. It hits shelves on July 6th!

Now, this is a book that I needed this weekend! The Ice Swan by J’Nell Ciesielski is a romance surrounding the Fall of the Tsar of Russia, World War I, and the Spanish Flu Epidemic. It is 1917 and Svetlana and her family are awaken in the middle of the night, knowing that it has come time to flee. With the jewels sewn into their corsets, they end up in Paris on the grounds of a church surrounded by thieves, starvation, and the fear of being hunted by those who would see them executed. Svetlana doesn’t trust anyone. Raised in the aristocracy of Russia and having everything torn away from her, she can be as cold as ice. All she wants is safety. Dr. Wynn MacCallan is a surgeon ahead of his time. He tries to open the eyes of the medical community to new and lifesaving ideas. His entire life is devoted to helping everyone, no matter their station. His whole world is turned upside down when he meets the beautiful, Svetlana. Despite her reluctance, it is clear that she needs his help. Or maybe they just need each other!

I thought this was going to be a breezy romance novel that would just occupy a few hours of my time. Instead, this book occupied my entire weekend with its dazzling descriptions and amazing characters. This novel discusses the hardships endured in life but also the hope that is often unseen around the bend. Svetlana and her family are used to a life of privilege and wealth until it is suddenly taken away. Svetlana’s mother in particular has a difficult time not being a part of the nobility anymore, not understanding that their overabundance of wealth and the extreme poverty of others snowballed into events that led to their destruction. One of my favorite aspects of this novel is how Svetlana learns what it means to be a citizen and put others before herself. She wants her legacy to be one of giving. Then there is Wynn. He is what one would call the ideal book boyfriend. He is devoted to healing, being there for others, and he can charm anyone, including the Ice Swan. And I have to say, I absolutely adored Leonid and if there are more books in this series, I want to see more of him.

The book has amazing descriptions of the historical events that take place from 1917 and on. I felt the fear and urgency. When Svetlana remembered her past life, I felt as if I was in the palaces of Russia. It all perfectly comes together with the romance of Svetlana and Wynn. Readers will find themselves rooting for them and their happiness. I absolutely adored this book and hope there are more in the future! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!

As someone who has always been fascinated by the Russian Revolution, this book was one I was really looking forward to reading. But right from the beginning something didn't sit well with me. I couldn't help notice the striking similarities between the prologue of this book and the opening scene of the animated movie Anastasia. I think it bothered me to the point of me already giving up on this book before it had even really started. In any case, I didn't connect with this book at all. The story moved really slowly. The characters didn't really appeal to me. And I just kept skimming because I didn't really care.

Actual rating: 2.5 ⭐

I've been having such a hard time writing a review for The Ice Swan. There are so many things I could say about it but I don't want to give away the story. This was only my second book from J'nell Ciesielski, Beauty Among Ruins was my introduction to her writing and where I became a fan of her story telling. Although both books eventually come to be set in Scotland, a setting I absolutely adore, they couldn't be more different. This book has more drama, more danger, and a deeper more complex plot. I found the vast reaches of the Russian underbelly intriguing, and a marriage of convenience trope is always entertaining to read. In this marriage of convience, I found myself feeling a little irked with Wynn, who, for a long time seemed to value Svetlana's outer beauty over her inner strengths. I felt his physical attraction seemed to be the driving motivation through most of the book, which was disappointing but I was glad that near the end he was able to recognize that her real value came from who she was as a person.

The Ice Swan was a breath of fresh air after reading so many historical romances in England. We follow Svetlana and her family fleeing Russia and traveling to Paris. I got Anastasia the movie vibes reading this book thinking of the Romanovs attempting to flee to Paris. *Together in Paris* was the motto right?

The romance between Svetlana and Wynn took me a loooong time to get into but it really picked up in the second half of the book. Overall, I really enjoyed reading about this period of time in a new setting exploring a more hidden part of history. Many nobles that fled Russia during the revolution had to find a new life and it's an area I hadn't read much about before.

Historical Fiction fans will really enjoy this novel and the characters within. It's a little slow-moving in parts but totally worth the read.

A great read for fans of historical fiction! Princess Svetlana and her family fled Russia just ahead of the Bolsheviks, who are still hunting them. They're living a more or less hand to mouth existence in Paris but her mother, unable to understand that circumstances have drastically changed, keeps running up debt. Svetlana is working in a club when she meets Wynn Macallan, a Scottish aristocrat and physician. He falls for her and, when it's clear she must leave Paris, marries her and whisks her out of France and into Scotland. I'm not usually a fan of the marriage of convenience that turns real trope but Ciesielski does it well here. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is a sweeping novel of love, betrayal, and change with good characters and atmospherics.

The Ice Swan is the first of J'nell Ciesielski's books I've read, but it won't be the last! This story is full of rich historical detail and dives into the fascinating time period of World War I and the Bolshevik revolution. Svetlana is a fierce heroine, doing whatever it takes to protect her family even at the expense of her own dreams. Wynn was the perfect balance for her, a caring, compassionate protector (and funny too!). Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes, and it was done so well in this book. Svetlana and Wynn both have to learn to be honest and trust each other, how see the best in each other, and fight for each other’s dreams. The mystery and suspense along the way add a layer of intrigue to the deftly woven plot. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this one!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Confession: I've had The Ice Swan available to me for the past month and until now, it's been languishing in my active NetGalley tabs. The poor excuse? I hate reading PDFs on my phone, my device of choice—but the eye strain was more than worth it.

The Ice Swan is historical fiction excellence, and a moment must be set aside to discuss the fantastic attention to detail that Ciesielski exercises. I loved the references to the Sun King, to the French Revolution, to the Russian courtiers speaking French rather than Russian, to the abrupt renaming of St. Petersburg to Petrograd—the list goes on. Any history buff would be thrilled to let themselves luxuriate in this book's rich history.

The protagonists, Svetlana and Wynn, are two rich and wonderfully fleshed-out characters that have very human insecurities. The romance that develops between the two of them is organic and wonderful to behold. The supporting cast of characters, including Svetlana's mother, Marina, Leonid, is also incredibly unique and brings so much heart to the story.

My only complaint is that the plot feels uneven at the beginning and at the end of the novel. I found that I had to suspend my disbelief at some of the chance encounters, which made the book somewhat difficult to enjoy. I also wish more depth had been given to Svetlana and Wynn's respective character developments.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I will post this review to my blog and my Goodreads shortly.

I absolutely loved The Ice Swan , as it was incredibly intriguing with a captivating plot and excellent characters! This novel transports the reader to 1917 where the Russian Revolution is taking place with the Bolsheviks/Reds taking over along with the Great War involving multiple countries. The story begins in Paris where the reader gets a firsthand look at all of the effects from the two wars and how people from around the world gather together in a central place, just hoping to survive.

Princess Svetlana Dalsky, her mother Princess Ana, and her younger sister, Princess Marina have fled Russia after the Bolsheviks attacked. They go to the city of Paris, which is full of refugees from around the Europe. Since accommodation is scarce and they cannot reveal their identities, they take refuse in a church basement. Ana is having the most difficult time adjusting to the change, as she wants to return to the life of luxury that she became accustomed. She lives in a semi-state of denial where she does not understand why she cannot have the comforts and foods that she wants. Svetlana lives in a state of constant fear as she knows that just because they are in Paris, does not mean that her and her family are safe. One day she injures her leg and ends up encountering Wynn, a doctor, and the two of them become entangled in each other’s stories.

Edwynn (“Wynn”) MacCallan is the second son of a Scottish Duke, who does not wish to be involved in those duties in favor of medicine. He is an incredibly gifted surgeon specializing in cardiology. After meeting Svetlana, he becomes intrigued by her and longs to help her any way that he can. On the medical side, Wynn longs to research and find improved methods to help the ever-increasing patients that seem to pile up as there are more that need help than those that can provide care. The medical side of the story was incredibly interesting as it is amazing how far medicine has come, including differences in surgical methods. Wynn was a very interesting character and I loved his three journeys as a character. He not only has his medical side, which has many complications, he has his two lives of being from a noble family and working in medicine, and then he has his growing feelings for the closed-off Svetlana.

The story moves at a decent pace and the wording choices and structure fit the story. It felt modern in its ability to be understood, but it did not feel out of place. There is just enough intensity to portray the many dangers that all the characters were going through while also slowing down to give them time to shine. The characters themselves were amazing as Wynn is just a very lovable character that you root for from the beginning. Sventlana is very closed off due to her culture and circumstances, but she slowly opens up the more she begins to trust those around her. My favorite character was Leonid Sheremetev! He is saved by Wynn after receiving a gunshot wound and meets Svetlana at a gathering. He was a very unexpected character as I did not expect to care about him. I rooted for him no matter which side he was on as there were qualities about his character that I loved. Another that stood out was Wynn’s doctor friend and colleague, Gerard, as he was an excellent partner for Wynn and I would love an entire story with him as the center.

Overall, the mix of cultures within this story was amazing as you have some traditions from Scotland and Russia presented in the pages. There are so many dangers in this novel as you have the Russian Revolution, the Great War, and the Influenza epidemic all co-mingling. I commend the author for the balance within the story as everything was given just enough focus and was seamlessly woven together. There is a romance at the heart of this novel, but it is placed with an intricate story, so even those who are not fans of romance stories would find it enjoyable. Each character, including the side ones, all have their own histories to work through in order to find a happy future and I love how everything came together in the end. It felt like a complete tale and I would easily read more from this author!

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Thomas Nelson, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

👨‍⚕️Wynn: dry, witty sense of humor. A desire to help everyone. Immediately drawn to Svetlana. Marquis, 2nd son, and a doctor in Paris.
👸Svetlana: cold, aloof, untrusting. A victim of her circumstance. Refugee Russian Princess.
I really enjoyed this book. Watching as Wynn slowly chips away at Svetlana's icy exterior with kindness, charm, and honesty is absolutely wonderful. The political suspense side of this book is woven throughout the story so well and gave light to a side of history that we don't hear about often with the fall of the Imperial Russian family. I honestly wasn't entirely sure how this would all work out to get me a happily ever after, but it does. If you're looking for a great historical romance that's different from the usual, pick this one up!

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
The Ice Swan by J'nell Ciesielski
Release date: July 6, 2021

Thank you to the publisher for my advanced copy of this book via Netgalley. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Content: discussions of war, refugees, gunshots & related injuries, mild descriptions of surgery and illness, kidnapping, blackmail