Before I get started with my review, I would like to thank Revell Publishers and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Alright...I don't even know where to start with this review because I had very mixed feelings over this book. I honestly don't know how I finished it because I was so aggravated for the majority of the time, it's definitely not one of Melody Carlson's best work. But before I get into the reasons why I wasn't particularly fond of The Christmas Swap, let me tell you a bit more about the book. 

The Christmas Swap follows Emma Daley who is convinced by her friend Gillian Landers to join her family on a houseswap in Breckenridge, Colorado. After much convincing, Emma decides to go along with her friend. While there she meets West, who happens to be a famous song-writer but he keeps that hidden from her, who is the owner of the house that they are staying in. However, West disguises himself as the caretaker at first, not wanting to be noticed for who he is. But he is immediately captivated by the down-to-earth Emma who sticks out amongst the pretentious and snobbish Landers family. West decides to stay in Breckenridge fora few more days so he can get to know her more, but when Gillian decides to set her sights on him, will any future between him and Emma be destroyed? 

Alright, I liked the concept of this story, and I really liked Emma and West. However, Emma is a doormat and should have stood up to Gillian a lot more. Which brings me to the biggest issue I have with this book, Gillian is the WORST!!!! There were multiple times I wanted to throw my kindle against a wall because of her. She is so sinister, conniving, manipulative, rude, spoiled, pretentious, etc. And I can't believe all she had to do was give an apology and everyone was friends again....I'm sorry no, she needs to suffer the cosnequences for everything she does to Emma! I am so mad because there really was no reason for her to be a big part of the story but she was...and it aggravated me to no end. There was absolutely nothing redeemable about her...and her mother is exactly the same. I mean, Harris was also bad but there wasn't as much of a spotlight on him as there was on Gillian. 

West was also a good character, but he should have been honest with Emma sooner, but it could be argued that he did try - but not hard enough. 

Also another thing I didn't like was that as a Christmas Christian Ficiton book there was almost no faith element present. There was one mention of God very briefly, but nothing else. I felt like there were several scenes where that could have been more prevalent, but I will admit that is more because that is just my preference. The ending was somewhat ambiguous because one thing is alluded to, but then something different completely different happens and I was honestly confused. 

Overall, if you are looking for a feel-good Christmas book, just skip this one. Melody Carlson has other Christmas fiction books that are a lot better than The Christmas Swap - which is a letdown from her other works. One I highly recommend is The Christmas Shoppe. 2.5/5 Stars.

I love Melody Carlson's Christmas stories!
Her books are exactly what you need to find spirit and happiness as this magical season approaches!
This novel takes place in Colorado with snow, and love in the air!
Emma Daley flies to Colorado for Christmas with her friend's family. She always spends the holiday with Gillian and her family.
They decided to swap homes with another family who wishes for warm weather in Arizona. during the holiday.
Ski lesson's from the handsome, strong caretaker of the house, give Emma the feeling that this could be the best Christmas yet!
Tyler Prescott immediately likes Emma.
Should he stay in Colorado for Christmas to get to know her better?
Truly a sweet, quick read that will have you wishing for hot chocolate and a warm blanket!

My first book by this author and I really loved it. An absolutely gorgeous little plot which involves two families swapping houses at the most wonderful time of the year. Romantic and very Christmassy. Likeable characters kept me hooked, especially Emma who I could really identify with. I won’t give the plot away but I highly recommend this book for a bit of lighthearted Christmas escapism.

The Christmas Swap was a cute short story about two families switching homes for Christmas. One home is in steamy Tempe, Arizona while the other is the extreme opposite in snowy Breckenridge, Colorado. One of my favorite things about reading is the opportunity to travel to locations I've never been and I enjoyed my first time visit to Breckenridge.

Successful songwriter West Prescott has his work cut out for him when he finds himself attracted to substitute teacher and part time singer musician Emma Daley. Their cute meeting is a comedy of errors and fate seems to work against them through the manipulations of a so called "friend".

It all works out in the end, but after all the twists and turns of the story I would have really liked to have read an epilogue that had a more complete ending. I rate this story 3.5 stars. I appreciate Revell Publishing, through Netgalley, making a copy of The Christmas Swap available for review.

Tyler’s family volunteers his home for a Christmas home swap but when he gets stuck behind, the confusion grows as he claims to be the caretaker. When he meets sweet Emma, he’s more than happy with the circumstances. It’s her first time seeing real snow and it’s fun to see her experience new things. She’s a delight. Her friend, Gillian, however, isn’t. It’s hard to imagine why they’re friends but you see glimpses of a deeper person at times.

Tyler is such a good ski instructor. I felt like I could go out on the bunny hill and make it down alright. HA It was fun reading about this unusual way to spend Christmas. I’d recommend it. Thanks to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a short read. I definitely want to read some other books now by Melody Carlson. I wish there was more at the end because it felt like a bit of a cliffhanger in terms of Emma talking to Gillian and what happens when she stayed with West. I would recommend this as a short read for anyone who likes a good romance book.

I have mixed feelings on this book. It's short, sweet, and full of gorgeous scenery and fun mishaps, but I felt a slight disconnect from the characters. I love Christmas stories, and Melody Carlson has written many charming stories with the Christmas atmosphere, but I wanted a bit more from this one. Some of the characters were so unlikable that I couldn't sympathize with them.

I love the holiday backdrop and the premise of the story, and the white Colorado Christmas was the highlight for me, but overall, some of the characters and the insta-romance were a turnoff. I hate to even say that because I usually love this author's books.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book via NetGalley.

Melody Carlson....you make my heart smile!!! Swapping houses for Christmas! Hmmmm......I'm not sure that it would really make anyone happy, but it sure was an enjoyable read!! Who doesn't love a trip to the mountains for Christmas though and some snow to boot?!?!?!

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it.

Lovely book, a quick and light read, and well written.
Emma travels with her friends family in a house swap situation for Christmas.

Emma meets West, who is supposed to travel with his family to the warmer climate and Emma's friend's family home - for this house swap. West pretends he is the caretaker and he and Emma hit it off.

Read the book to find out the ending. A lovely story and I look forward to another light hearted story from Melody in the future.

Oh I really love a good Christmas story! You'd was perfect. It was simple and straightforward, perfect for that busy time of the year.
This story was filled with hope and love and I highly recommend it to anyone.

A sweet Christmas story! Every year I look forward to the new Christmas novels. Yes, they may be short and predictable but readers enjoy the lighthearted stories of this merry time of the year. Recommended!

A short but sweet christmas romance set in the perfect Hallmark christmas location. There are great romantic leads in West and Emma, both of whom are likeable and well suited. Emma is reluctantly involved in a christmas house swap with her friend's (Gillian) family. Instead of spending christmas in the Arizona desert, they get to spend it in the perfect christmas card location of a snowy Colorado. Whilst the awful Gillian and her equally awful mother are dissatisfied and snooty about the exchange, Emma is thrilled, especially when she meets the lodge 'caretaker' West. However, as the two become closer Gillian's meddling and West's secret threaten to tear the two apart.
The perfect short novel to curl up with in front of a roaring fire with a hot chocolate.

2 stars. It was okay.

It's a very simplistic, very light story. The writing is mostly dialogue and the characters don't have a lot of depth.

It's the perfect story for readers who like quick Christmas stories that don't require a lot of mental energy.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

I say it every time I read one but I love Melody Carlson's books! She did not disappoint me with this beautiful Christmas story. I have a dream of living in a cabin in our NC mountains. It certainly will not be as elaborate as West's cabin but I loved the visions in my mind of its beauty while I was reading. I'll be on the lookout for Melody's next book!

Christmas is in the air!

This book is about two families with extremely different personalities that swap homes for the holidays. One family is an extremely dysfunctional family from Arizona who invite their daughter’s friend, Emma, who is quite the opposite personality to spend the holiday with them, and the other family member, West, who is focused, is a rich, well-known songwriter who lives in Colorado.

This short Christmas story was a sweet quick read that I enjoyed. I recommend it to those who enjoy Christmas stories of dysfunctional family and friends, new friends and new found love.

I received a copy of this book from Revell and Netgalley and opinions expressed are my own.

The Christmas Swap was such a fun book to read. Vacationing in Breckenridge Colorado, taking to the slopes, meeting the caretaker. The Caretaker!!

Emma, a shy substitute teacher and music hopeful, is persuaded by her friend Gillian Landers to tag along when the Landere swap houses with a family in Colorado. Emma is a good go between for the dysfunctional family. When she meets West, the caretaker, she is impressed by his mild manner and easy way of conversing. He offers to teach her how to ski. Her manipulating friend learns of Wests hidden identity and makes for trying times on the slopes.

It was a fun read, short but sweet. Melody Carlson is an expert on writing believable characters.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was quick read. Very predicable but I enjoyed it any how.. I just will never understand the whole taking in the poor person then not treating them right. Emma was a good sport and Harris just seems like an add on but Grant did turn out to be a good guy. Poor Mr Landers he has his hands full with Mrs Landers, I afraid that is one women that would need to be slapped.

The Christmas Swap by Melody Carson was very entertaining, with plenty of romance and adventures. You may put everything else on hold while you read one more chapter!
Emma, a teacher who really wants to be a musician, goes to Colorado for Christmas with a friend, Gillian, who is wealthy and spoiled rotten. Gillian's family, who live in Arizona, are swapping houses with Tyler West Prescott, a very talented musician and songwriter who lives in Colorado.
Tyler is not happy with the house swap but agrees to do it because of his mother. Plans change the first day when he meets Gillian and she accuses him of breaking into his own car. He introduces himself as West, the caretaker of the home and the fun begins.
Tyler (West) meets sweet and shy Emma and they have an instant connection. Gillian does not want Emma to see West because he is the caretaker and she doesn't think he is good enough until she finds out his true identity and then she wants him for herself.
Fun story with such a beautiful description of the snow capped mountains that you want to be there.
I thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Reading Melody Carlson's yearly Christmas book is a tradition for me. I never miss one. She always brings her readers a wonderful and delightful story for the holidays. This one is no exception. Sweet characters and a precious little storyline. I enjoyed every single minute.

*My thanks to Revell Publishing for a copy of this book. The opinion here is my own.

The Christmas Swap was a fun read in July for me as I was on vacation in the Rocky Mountains. The book is a light romance focusing on a homeowner, Tyler, who ends up not leaving his home as planned when another family has booked it for Christmas. He quickly becomes attracted to guest Emma, but there is many mishaps on which guest likes whom in the story which causes too much high school style drama. If you want a simple romance for the holidays, you will enjoy this one.