Are predictable swoony Christmas romances not your thing? Last Christmas by Clare Swatman may just be what you are looking for.

This is a clever take on a "choose your own path" plot. Bea is choosing between two very different paths...one path stays firmly planted in London and one darts off in the direction of New York City. You, as the reader, get to follow along to see which path she chooses and where that path leads.

Now, I boldly put my hand up in the air acknowledging the fact that I am a reader who welcomes all of the feel good holiday reads or a witty holiday mystery. Unfortunately this story leaned a little too much on the melancholy side for me, which is not what I am seeking during the festive season. I also found the two plot possibilities contributing to repetitiveness and confusion, which could have possibly been avoided. My overall thought is that this felt like a forced Christmas story, when it didn't need to be. However, to celebrate all types of reading preferences, I urge you to read this story and see where your own thoughts fall.

Thank you to Boldwood Books for providing me an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley. These opinions are entirely my own.

I was invited to do a read along for “Last Christmas,” and I loved being a part of it. If you liked the movie “Sliding Doors,” this is a book for you because of the premise. This book is told in two different storylines. One is the story of Bea continuing a life she’s not super happy in at her home in London, and the other is the story of Bea chasing her dreams and moving to NYC. Both storylines pick up each year at the holidays. That being said, it’s not a Christmas heavy book if you don’t celebrate the holiday. Overall, I loved the premise, and I particularly loved Bea’s strong friendships. I wish the end had a little more, but I guess wanting more can also be considered a great thing!

I always enjoy Clare Swatman’s books. Last Christmas was so much more than a Christmas story. It’s so different to any other. Bea isn’t happy with her life in London and gets on a plane to New York. I was happy to find that the story starts on my birthday, 22 December. This added to the excitement for me.

I liked the dual timeline, and the storyline in two countries and two cities. Clare Swatman is a skilful writer in every novel I have reviewed of hers. Last Christmas is an outstanding novel with some tough subjects: dementia, depression and 9/11. Other themes are friendship, family and deciding what you really want.

It’s heartwarming and heartwrenching but so addictive. I felt for every character in it. Clare Swatman always goes so deeply into the lives of her characters.

Truly magical and memorable.

5 stars but it deserves more.

Thanks to Clare Swatman and Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. Thanks also for the opportunity to take part in the Boldwood Books Christmas Readalong for this book from December 3-5 2024. It’s the perfect book for this event. My experience of the Readalong is in this blog post:

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Wow, wow, wow, what an amazing and interesting story following two different timelines. It’s December the 22nd 2002 and Bea is standing in Heathrow airport waiting for her flight to New York. Bea’s life is a mess, she’s left her boyfriend of five years, Dom, and is heading for the place she’s always dreamed of visiting but against the wishes of her family and friends. When it comes to boarding the flight Bea suddenly gets a phone call though from Dom begging her to come home. Bea’s resolve waivers, should she stay behind and try to fix things, or should she ignore her doubts and head aboard the plane?

This is such a brilliant story which I loved from the first pages. We’re introduction to Bea during a prologue as she’s planning to get on a plane to New York a few days before Christmas, however after the phone call that makes her ask herself whether she should stay or go, the following chapters then alternate between two stories: Go and Stay. In the Go chapters we see what happens when Bea heads on to the plane and then onto New York, meeting new people and making new friends, while the Stay chapters show us an alternate story in an alternate reality where Bea decided to come back to her home with Dom and try to work things out.

Each chapter begins a few days before Christmas the following year, showing us how Bea’s life has changed while also flash backing to what happened since last Christmas (hence the title). I love how these two stories go and what happens to Bea in both scenarios. While Bea’s life in one story involves staying with her boyfriend Dom, in another she meets a new man, but I love how complicated and intertwined these stories and characters become in both realities. There are a lot of surprises throughout both stories, with things happening and shocking moments I wasn’t expecting, but there are also some lovely and heartwarming moments too. I love Bea’s friends, especially Mia, and her family who play an important part in the story with some more emotional moments happening with her family later in the story.

The book builds up throughout the chpaters and years towards the year 2010, with so much happening to Bea in both realities and both scenarios constantly changing, making you wonder if things are better or worse for Bea for going or staying. However the ending to both stories is just brilliant and I love how this book ends with both realities having different but satisfying endings that will make you smile. The book does have the occasional f an s swear words and there are mentions of characters suffering from dementia but there is nothing too upsetting, though it can feel emotional at times.

Overall I have really enjoyed this book and just love how complex and interesting this story is. The two realities echoing each other and yet also being so different makes for interesting reading and the ending being so wonderful just makes this such a wonderful read, and I love the final conclusion Bea draws I’m both realities. It’s a great book that’ll leave you feeling good after reading it and one which I recommend, especially if you’re someone who often wonders if life would be better if you’d made a different decision.

I recently finished Last Christmas, and I really enjoyed the concept! Bea faces a life-changing decision between staying in London or chasing her dreams in New York, and the book plays with the idea of two parallel lives depending on the choice she makes. The sliding doors-style narrative is fascinating, and I loved the theme of fate versus choice. However, the back-and-forth timeline between Bea's two possible futures became a bit repetitive and confusing as the story went on. I found myself wanting more focus on one path instead of jumping between them so often. Overall, a sweet, festive read, but I think it would have worked better as a shorter novella.

Last Christmas by Clare Swatman is a delightful story which explores how the decisions we make can shape our lives and impact on those people around us.

Bea is standing looking at the departures board at Heathrow Airport with one question on her mind. Should she stay in London, in a relationship that has grown stale or should she go to New York and live her dream. What if Bea could live both lives?

This was a festive romance with a difference and I just couldn't put it down. I loved the unique take on a dual timeline where the chapters alternate to show Bea's life if she stayed and then if she goes. I might sound confusing but I found it written in a way that made it easy to follow.

I was utterly entralled with this heart warming read and loved the cast of characters. Although it was an emotional read at times with a focus on depression, 9/11, dementia and miscarriage, it was perfectly balanced with uplifting and heartfelt moments.

I liked that it wasn't overly Christmassy and could definitely be read at any time of the year. I've also found myself contemplating fate and destiny and if our decisions really have an impact on them. Or do different paths lead to the same destination?

Overall I found this a very enjoyable read and I will definitely be investigating this author's backlist.

Thank you to Boldwood Books for inviting me to read this book and providing me with a digital copy.

What a wild ride! I went through ALL the emotions reading this. The concept of the book is so creative and unique.

This is a sliding-doors love story where our main character Bea lives both possibilities that readers are presented with at the start of the story (stay in London or move to NYC). In one story, Bea goes back home for Christmas in London, and in another she heads to the Big Apple. Would her fate remain the same, or can one decision really change everything? It’s like a grown-up choose your own adventure and I was 100% in even though I felt like I was on an emotional rollercoaster. Each chapter is labeled “Go” or “Stay” so it’s easy to follow which storyline you’re reading. While there are Christmas elements, I’d say this was more a romance with festive elements, but not necessarily a “Christmas book,” so feel free to pick this up anytime of year.

A heartwarming read that I enjoyed on audio. I will certainly be looking at other books by Clare.

If you ever hit a crossroads in life and wonder what path you should choose and whether it will lead to different futures, Clare Swatman addresses the possibilities in Last Christmas. Bea gets the chance at a Gwyneth Paltrow in Sliding Doors type scenario when he life hits crisis and she hits a critical crossroads - flea to New York and leave behind her worries in London whilst also pursuing her dream, or stay in London and work through her issues with those she loves and leave her pipe dreams in her fantasies. Each chapter alternates between Stay and Go, showing how each possibility plays out. An emotional story with an interesting final outcome. #lastchristmas #clareswatman #boldwoodbookclub #netgalley

Clare Swatman’s Last Christmas offers an intriguing "what if" premise, exploring how a single decision can diverge into two vastly different life paths. The dual-timeline structure adds a layer of complexity that fans of reflective storytelling may appreciate.

The story invites readers to ponder life’s pivotal moments through the lens of Bea, whose choices ripple into two parallel lives. At its heart, the book captures themes of love, resilience, and the sacrifices we make for those we care about.

While the emotional weight of the narrative caught me off guard, it’s evident that the bittersweet undertones will resonate with many readers who appreciate a reflective, thought-provoking read. Though not quite the Christmas escape I initially expected, the book challenges conventional holiday storytelling with a deeper, more introspective approach.

The publisher’s readalong was a highlight, providing thought-provoking questions and discussion points that enhanced the reading experience. While some aspects of Bea’s journey felt repetitive to me, others may see these moments as a poignant reminder of life’s constants, regardless of the paths we take.

Last Christmas might not have been a personal favorite, but it offers a unique and reflective take on life’s choices, which could appeal to readers who enjoy heartfelt, introspective fiction.

Didn't know anything about this book before I started reading, so had no preconceptions.
The Sliding Doors analogy works really well and the dual timeline takes a little getting used to.
Last Christmas checks in at Christmas over a number of years and we catch up with Bea, Dom, AJ and friends, and Bea's family.
Very much enjoyed this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

What a fun book! This is not your typical rom-com. Yes, there are meet-cutes, and yea there are the standard features of a best-friend, a misunderstanding between the main characters, exes who get in the way … BUT Clare Swatman gives it a fresh spin with a Sliding Doors-esq tale.

Main character Bea is fleeing London for New York. In one version, she goes and in the other she stays. The book alternates storylines with each chapter. As we moved through and the two lives were crossing over, I had a little bit of a hard time keeping track of which version I was in. However that was easily solved by me just writing it down!

Swatman is a great writer, and while the concept is not a new idea, she absolutely made it her own. I was never bored and stayed engaged throughout, especially with the supporting cast of characters. Really she could pick any of Bea’s friends and write a whole book about them!

I hate to say it but I didn’t love Bea. Without giving any spoilers I wished she was a stronger woman, more independent, and absolutely more aware of her actions. That being said, I admired her dedication to her family.

I adored Bea’s BFF Mia, and friends Michael and Henry. I’d lean on the strength of friendships and family as a major theme of this book; another being the importance of staying true to yourself.

My major takeaway is that perhaps dreams are what we make them, and not the other way around.

I’m not big into romance books and first gravitated toward this because I love Christmas. Unfortunately, other than the timelines each taking place in December, it’s not really a Christmas book. But I’m glad I read it and definitely want to read more from the author.

*I received a free, digital copy of Last Christmas as part of a readalong from Boldwood Books and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to the author and the publisher for the gifted e-book. I joined the #lastchristmasreadalong.

This book is an absolute gem that pulls you in from the very first page. It masterfully navigates the complex idea of dual alternate universes through alternating chapters labeled “stay” and “go.” Set over eight years in December, we follow the intertwined lives of Bea, Dom, and AJ, exploring the profound what-ifs of Bea’s choice between staying in London or venturing to New York. The characters are refreshingly diverse, and the author excels at portraying Dom’s mental health struggles with sensitivity and depth. Bea’s supportive friend group adds an uplifting layer to the narrative. Experiencing the charm of Christmas in both London and New York was a delightful touch.

This novel skillfully delves into themes of love, loss, mental health, and the critical choices that shape our lives. If you enjoy compelling stories about alternate paths, this book is a must-read!

Bea lives in London with her boyfriend and makes the decision to move to New York because of an incident that happens and a bit of a mental breakdown. The story then splits into what two realities would be if she had stayed in London or went to New York.

I love the concept behind this book. The idea of exploring what a life could look like based on one decision you make has the potential to be so good. Where it fell apart for me was it was basically the same story twice and the characters were just switched. Like the same story twice to the point that you’re literally reading the same words in both versions of the story.

Starting around the halfway mark, I just didn’t care what happened to the characters anymore. It’s a messy love triangle and in real life none of what happened would’ve played out so smoothly.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood books for the copy of this book.

This book was a WILD ride. The concept of the book was very neat and I loved it...but the story was just too much.
If the Hallmark movie people took a love triangle episode from Jerry Springer and made a script for the Hallmark Channel, you would have this book. This book wasn't for me but maybe it will be for you.

The prologue tells you about Bea who lives in London with her boyfriend but she is going thru a little mental breakdown and she wants to just pack her stuff and runaway. It's always been her dream to live in New York and work for a famous magazine and just live her best life. She throws caution to the wind and packs her bags and heads to the airport.
Chapter 1 gives you a run down of what happens immediately after if she decides to go.
Chapter 2 lets you know what happens if she decided to turn back and stay.
And then the chapters keep alternating and flowing with the original decision. (odd chapter numbers are all 1 story if she decided to go and the even chapter numbers are a different story if she decided to stay)

Where it went off the rails for me was what was happening with the characters in the second half of the book. There was so much "ok now this is just getting ridiculous". I can't say too much without spoiling it so if you want a spoiler version just message me. This wasn't the holiday romance I was expecting or looking for.

In this novel, we follow Bea as her life branches into two parallel timelines, each spanning eight Christmases. In one timeline, she chooses to leave her long-term boyfriend, Dom, behind and move to New York in pursuit of a fresh start . In the other, she decides to stay with him in London. Both narratives alternate between London and New York, presenting the same set of characters who play different roles in her life depending on the path she takes.

I really enjoyed the dual timeline structure. Initially, I was convinced that one timeline was the 'right' decision for Bea, but as the story unfolded and more layers of her relationships and choices were revealed, I found myself gravitating toward the second storyline instead. The mental health representation was well done, both Bea's boyfriend's depression and the dementia of one of the secondary characters.

The representation of mental health in the book was another aspect I appreciated. The challenges of living with a loved one who has depression were well portrayed. Similarly, the portrayal of dementia in one of the secondary characters was touching and nuanced.

Overall, this novel skillfully explores themes of love, loss, mental health, and the intricate 'what-ifs' of life's pivotal decisions, all against a backdrop of two iconic cities during the holiday season.

A recommended read for fans of Sliding Doors, One Day, and dual timelines.

Thank you to NetGalley and The Bold Book Club for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately I couldn’t get into this book. I had a hard time sympathizing with Bea and I didn’t root for the relationship in either timeline—which could have been fine, given it’s not tagged as a romance, but I didn’t feel like I had enough of a feel of her life outside the romances to focus on that instead.

2.75 stars.
Sooo I have a bit of a love/hate feeling with this book.

I loved Clare Swatman's writing. There was a nice flow to her storytelling, and I enjoyed the easy, kind of whimsical feeling I got from reading her words. I was super intrigued with the dual timeline aspect! I learned a new term for this style of story - sliding-doors moment. And I thought that was a really fun concept. Does fate really play a hand, no matter your starting choices? Will things be completely different, or will you end up in the same place regardless of what choice you made?

I thought that whole idea was neat, and I liked how she executed it over the course of 2002 to 2010. Every December, we get a look into how her life has progressed in each timeline, "stay" and "go" and I like how that ties in the title. Bea reflects back on last year's Christmas in several sections, starting a kind of overview on what's happened since then.

Now for what I didn't like....boy, oh boy, do I have beef with these characters. Dom is just...a total no for me in both timelines. I found myself putting the book down and taking a moment when he said certain things to Bea. And then Bea? Girl, stop making dumb decisions, LOL. Even your friends all knew what your heart did and told you straight to your face and you still kept going the opposite way. I just couldn't stop shaking my head at her.
I don't know why these few characters things got under my skin so much when I was reading, but they did enough to hinder my time spent reading. I basically kept pulling myself out of the story zone because I got annoyed at character choices🤣. Definitely a me problem here.

While I love the dual timeline aspect, I did get a little frustrated that when entire paragraphs would be repeated in both of them when similar moments happened. I get the idea, that fate can make events be the same no matter what your choices were, but I think that the same things could have been said with different words, to make it feel less like I was reading the same chapter over again.

I think you could enjoy this if you're a fan of big life choices, time-spanned stories, easy-reading romance feelings, and general December holiday vibes. And maybe slightly love triangle vibes? That one is an iffy thing for me to declare, TBH, but it kind of goes with how the two timelines progress.

this book is good to read with a difference it tells of bea who lives through the eyes of her life with aj and dom and unfolds to happiness and saddness and each story tells of how her life could be with each one the story revolving round christmas once you start to read you cant put the book down as its such a good adventure for bea

A festive read, featuring a sliding doors split narrative, spread over years on the same day and set in New York - yes please! Last Christmas hit all of these and more. A great Christmas story featuring Bea and the decisions she made. A great read

My first time reading this author and absolutely loved it! This was a story where Bea has to make a big decision, and it alternates chapters to play out both scenarios over the years. It wasn’t about Christmas, but the different lives is really up my alley. It was a little confusing to keep straight, but so worth it. Couldn’t wait to see how it ended. It really makes you think about all the decisions we have to make and how different your life could be, and whether fate plays a role in that. Many thanks to NetGalley, Clare Swatman, and Boldwood Books for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.