Lovely book and liked the setting in Amsterdam as a city I love. The characters were sympathetic and you wanted them to come together and make it all ok. Nice one to read with the snow falling.

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley to review.. Thank you for the opportunity.
An interesting and emotive read, perfect for snuggling up with.
A good read.

Karen Swan is undoubtedly a wonderful writer, and this latest book is right up there with her best!.
Lee and her son Jasper live in Amsterdam and although it was initially just the two of them, they have formed a close knit group of friends who have fast become their 'family'. Lee has a well established photography career behind her, but the memories from the past,. and the sights in which she had seen have left her with a fear she can't shake off.

The intertwining stories throughout this book really made it an absolute page turner. Karen has a way of making the characters within her books so realistic and authentic, it is difficult to not feel for them. The journey in which Thea takes to try and overcome her past and make a better future for herself and her son truly warms the heart.
Full of romance, friendship and inner strength, this is an absolutely marvellous read.

A good read not particularly christmassy but the theme blended in this the story. Lee's life, with her son Jasper was a happy one but she has unresolved issues from when she was a war correspondent and she has to come to terms with her past before she can finally find true happiness

I really liked the premise of this and I felt like it had so much potential. I was so so here for all the war photography stuff - I wish there'd been more of that - and it made me want to go to Amsterdam more than I did already but sadly it didn't really get going to me until the last 20%.

A gorgeous book that I devoured on one sitting. Karen Swan always tackles complicated life choices with sensitivity and realism. I could really relate to this story. A true Christmas story.

This is the first book that I have read by Karen Swan and I will be reading more! I gave it a 5 as I felt there was a good mix of Christmas warmth, reality and information that was thought provoking. The grittiness was a pleasant change from the typical soft, lighthearted Christmas novels.
Set in Amsterdam, we learn about their Christmas traditions and I could see why Lee has chosen to bring up her son Jasper here. As the mystery unravels, we discover the trauma Lee has suffered because of her career as a War Photographer and how her PTSD still affects her five years on.
We get to see the blossoming relationship between Lee and Sam, who has his work cut out. The mystery note in the bicycle basket allows Sam and Lee to be drawn together and for trust, hope and new beginnings to be forged.
A fantastic discovery, I look forward to reading further books by Karen. Many thanks to Karen Swan, her publishers and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was a gorgeous and heart-warming romantic read, beautifully written and powerful enough to touch a readers heart. Would highly recommend!

This was such a lovely book, real romance, and heart touching. A beautifully written book, which is really descriptive.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

At first I wasn't sure I was going to stick with this book. Single mum and former war photographer Lee wasn't a character I initially warmed to. She lives alone with her son, is chippier than the chippest thing you've come across but as the plot unfolds there are hints at a good reason for this. What kept me going was the author's descriptions of Amsterdam - I absolutely fell in love with the wintry city she so charmingly describes. As the plot unfolded, I got to understand more of Lee's relationship with her former war reporter colleague - who she now refuses to have anything to do with. But when he goes missing while in Syria Lee's past comes hurtling back towards her. No matter how she has tried to rebuild her life as a hip photographer with the cool (but lovely) friends and charming son - she is faced full on with the ramifications of a war interview mission which was badly miscalculated. This isn't your usual twee Christmas lit offering. Yes there is romance for Lee and a heartwarming story involving her neighbour which runs alongside the main narrative but the author unsparingly describes what can go wrong in war. To conclude Together by Christmas is an excellent read.

I've read books by Karen Swan before and always enjoy her writing style, the way she creates vivid images in your mind as though you're right there with the characters. I enjoyed that this wasn't your typical Christmas mush and would definitely!

found this book hard to get into at first and not a typical christmas story and again nice to read how other countries spend christmas but my what a brilliant story would recommend this book to anyone superb

This was not the cosy Christmas romance I was expecting from the lovely cover of this book. However, I found the story well written, and I did read it through to the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! I will be honest as it a Christmas book - I was hoping it would be more Christmassy, but that is just my opinion! My first Karen Swan book and looking forward to reading more!

Lovely feel good seasonal book. It was just lovely. Romantically charmed by this book. One you dream about. Great plot and characters. Perfect for reading over the festive period. Or at any time if the year. Christmas books can be enjoyed anytime anywhere. Very well written and flowed well.

Lee is living in Amsterdam with her young son, working as a photographer and having a previous life as a war photographer. Christmas is approaching and life is good. During her work day she takes photos of an author who she develops an attraction to. Later she finds a copy of his book in her bicycle basket with Help Me scrawled in it. Who wrote it? Where did it come from? As she investigates, life gets complicated and her past catches up with her.
I really enjoyed this book, the descriptions of Christmas time in Amsterdam and her son are gorgeous. She has great friends and the love interest helps to keep it interesting but there is a dark and serious undertone which adds tension to the story.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for granting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely heartwarming Christmas read, full of wonderful and interesting characters, great community and full of family and love. This is a lovely seasonal read

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Loved this story. Part love story, part mystery. Really engaged with the characters and loved little Jazz man!!

An excellent story that keeps you interested from start to finish. Definitely recommended to those readers who enjoy reading this type of book.

I loved this book and couldn't put it down over Christmas. Watching as Lee learns to trust and allow herself to be happy. I have already recommended to friends that they must read this book.