This was one of the best books my wife has read in a long time. She couldn’t stop reading it and she thought it was unpredictable. Overall she would highly recommend it.

An emotionally charged tale covering some serious subject matter. It took me a while to warm to Lee but once engaged I needed to know the whole of her story. This is a roller coaster of a book encompassing laughter and tears. Serious undercurrents married with the Christmas season and gorgeous setting. This may not be a book I chose to reread but I’m glad I have read it.

Thank you Netgalley.

This story is an engaging mix of family, friends, romance, and secrets, with topical themes, and a festive twist. The first chapters highlight an important relationship and hint at dramatic events revealed as the story unfolds. The relationships are complex, and Lee, the main protagonist, conflicted about many things. Damaged by the past, she focuses on her son and the good in her life, but as her past surfaces, she needs to confront it to heal.

Believable characters, a vibrant setting and festive events keep the reader entertained. This is an immersive and at times claustrophobic story but the festive customs and strong friendships counteract the angst, and the ending is a satisfying conclusion.

I received a copy of this book from Pan Macmillan via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Having finished another excellent read from Karen Swan, I think I’ve now decided it’s her Christmas books that I much prefer as opposed to her summer publications. Together by Christmas was a great read. If you were to judge it for its run of the mill cover, typical of so many Christmas themed books, you would be forgiven for thinking it’s just another Christmas romance book. Well the story that awaited me was such a surprise and it had such depth to it raising numerous topics that were very serious and relevant to the society we live in and read about every day.

Don’t get me wrong that Christmas feeling was there in abundance and was done so well as Christmas in Amsterdam sounded magical and all the descriptions were brilliant but yet there are more serious and darker themes and undertones also being explored that make for a gripping read. The element of mystery and of our main character Lee dealing with the emotional trauma from her past forms the basis of this story and right from the prologue my interest was piqued and remained so until the very last chapter.

The prologue certainly opens with a bang and makes you sit up and pay attention as Lee, a war photographer, and her journalist co-worker Harry are in Syria on the trail of an important lead which if proven correct will prove to be an explosive story. Lee and Harry are the people’s eyes eager to share and tell their stories but what happens when it all goes wrong and the affects will then in turn leave their partnership in ruins and Lee traumatised by what she experiences?

Fast forward six years later and Lee is settled in Amsterdam with her young son Jasper. They are enjoying the Dutch traditions and festivities that are on offer in the run up to Christmas. But Lee is always on edge, she can never fully relax and embrace her life with Jasper and enjoy her photography work capturing celebrities and anything that takes her fancy. It seems her war work has been left far behind it and she refuses to talk about it or acknowledge how successful she had been in that field. Instantly the reader is keen to discover what has made her this way and why she no longer has any interaction with Harry? Especially given that they had worked in such close proximity to each other for so many years and earned critical acclaim for their work.

You could tell that whatever happened to Lee has had the most profound of effects on her and that she is emotionally damaged although she does her best to hide this from others. She is very much a closed book and to many she can be rude and abrupt but there had to have been a very good reason for this. We are drip fed little teasers every now and again and time and time again over the course of the book I believed I had it nailed. I thought I knew exactly what happened to Lee and why she acts the way she does and yes it’s completely justified. But there are numerous twists and turns and complex developments throughout that throw you off track and have you changing your opinion and that’s what I loved about the book.

Yes, we had Christmas and romance and I loved the exploration of that angle of the story, but it’s the secrets and torment that really had me intrigued. Karen Swan really worked her magic and had me guessing until the last possible minute as to actually what had gone on and I didn’t guess until perhaps a page or two before the big reveal which was truly shocking. That’s the way a book like this should work. that you are kept in suspense until you really need to know everything, and in particular with the note she finds in the basket of her bicycle that too was a surprise. Although on reflection I should have joined the dots together much quicker.

Lee is a hard nut, very tough to crack and not willing to deviate from her quiet life. She craves everything to be predictable and safe and it’s like she has created this bubble around herself and Jasper. If she could just get on with photographing what she loves instead of these celebrities then her life would be complete. No doubt about it she sets very high standards for herself work wise having way above average expectations seeking perfectionism with her uncompromising vision but still deep down you sense she is not truly happy especially as any man she has an interaction with is brief and kept secret from Jasper and her friends. So when she is asked to photograph a new and upcoming author who is having major success with his debut book, little does she realise her carefully ordered life will be turned upside down.

A chance meeting pre-photography session had already aroused her interest but her job draws them together. The question is will she be able to give in to the feelings she is developing for Sam and the magnetism that makes her feel very drawn to him or is she just too over protective and closed off to love? Her ordered life starts to become a mess and the routine and security she seeks starts to crumble. Can she cope with what life is about to throw at her or will the demons of the past raise up and shake her very foundations? I questioned had she the strength and ingenuity to deal with what was coming her way both on a romantic and professional level. The steely, hardworking Lee used to all kinds of conditions was portraying a very different persona and I don’t think she knew what to do with her changing self.

It may seem like Together by Christmas is very heavy and full of doom and gloom from what I have said up above but it’s not. It’s just that as we read about Lee and the things that have happened in her past that she has done her very best to suppress are once more rising to the fore. It just so happens that it all starts occurring in the run up to Christmas. Karen Swan does a fantastic job of mixing the more grim and serious themes with the joy and happiness that Christmas can bring. Throwing in the romantic element with Sam offered light relief to what Lee was going through emotionally in relation to her past and also her worries about the mysterious letter appearing in her basket asking for help.

Sam was a brilliant character. I felt he wouldn’t take anything from Lee in that he wasn’t going to let her get away with things and just use him like she normally did with men. He genuinely wanted to get to know her and explore the feelings he had for. He wanted to break down her barriers but they were placed so firmly in position. She had a love ‘em and leave ‘em approach when it came to love and intimacy but Sam was the very opposite of the war zone mentality she was so used to. He was warm, kind hearted and had such a generous spirit yet he too was grappling with his own demons and the storyline with the winter race was just brilliant in conveying this.

There was so much that happened in Together by Christmas and I really enjoyed every moment that I spent reading it. Karen Swan writes brilliant Christmas books and I loved the more sharper edges and tough and troublesome issues flowing throughout this excellent read. This could be easily read at any time of the year and not just around the Christmas season, it’s definitely a real page turner.

Lee is a single mom, navigating life with a 5-year-old boy in Amsterdam while also succeeding as a sought-after photographer. But Lee is also dealing with trauma following years of a career as a war photographer that won her awards but also left her with memories of the worst tragedies in recent human history and a broken friendship that has never recovered. As Lee's past threatens to come back and engulf her, she also meets Sam - a handsome artist who may be the one person to get past her guard and convince her she can have someone else in her and her son's life.

This was just such an excellent read that when I say I couldn't put it down, I really mean it! I read this in 24 hours and every time I was doing something else, I found myself wandering back over to my Kindle to pick up where I left off as I was absolutely hooked. The writing in this and the strength of the story - Lee's past and present, her trauma, her struggles and the lovely life she has made for herself and for her son, are just addictive to read about, and I honestly think this is Karen Swan's best work to date! All her books are good but this one definitely has topped the others for me.

While this book is set in November and December, and contains festive, winter scenes, it's not a book dominated by Christmas other than some mentions and Jasper's excitement for Zwarte Piet and Sinterklaas. I really liked reading about the Dutch traditions in this book, such as Pakjesavond, as well as learning about the famous ice-skating race Elfstedentocht.

As someone with a background in journalism, and who has often wondered what life would have been like if I had gone in a different direction, Lee's background as a war photographer was hugely interesting for me - and how the story highlighted the true danger of a war zone for both photographer and journalist (press passes do not mean automatic safety) as well as the heightened danger if you happen to be a woman. The flash backs left me with a feeling of trepidation but I also loved learning about the past that built Lee's character into who she was and all the little things she had shaped in her life due to this past.

While I truly loved Sam as a love interest (very swoony), there were times where Lee's intensity about him overtook her other story lines which I found a bit more interesting. I did like how it all concluded.

A side note as well that Lee's present job as a photographer who shoots in studio was also super interesting to read about - how she tackled her subjects, the way Karen Swan described the shoots and the resulting pictures was amazing, and I really could see what she was aiming for. I could totally see someone like Paul Mescal doing the Matteo photoshoot - shaved, naked, dirty - yes, please.

This was honestly just a brilliant read, I was totally hooked. The story delivered a lovely romantic relationship with all the ups and downs and drama you want but it also gave a story of war, and trauma, of trust lost and gained - a character finding herself in the darkest of situations but managed to pull herself up and making a beautiful life with a beautiful boy - friendship and forgiveness, and the true gift of appreciating every moment you have.

Cannot recommend this book enough!

I love Karen Swans books...she always hits just the right balance between a romantic story and an interesting story and this one is no different. Although this is set at Christmas it’s not just a festive story, there are lots of other things going on as well. I loved Lee as a character and it was a change to see a successful single mum rather than a down on her luck one..

Christmas books are a whole genre, most authors have written stories about Christmas and some authors only write Christmas books, Karen Swan is known for being a Christmas book author. Christmas book authors usually write gentle tales of families resolving disputes, communities coming together, sometimes even a romance, they may be some gentle peril that provides interest, or comedy but usually nothing to heavy or serious. I think this is because Christmas authors know that people like to escape from their worries especially at this time of year, that's certainly one of the main reasons that I like to read Christmas books. I think that people also enjoy reading about families that are more chaotic than their own or that other people are struggling with everyday human emotions.

CW:
Together by Christmas is very different, there is no gentle peril in this book, we have a main character who is dealing with PTSD following a serious sexual assault and another character is processing the aftermath of a suicide, there is also a 'minor' story of human trafficking. Not the usual content for these books and I found it very hard to continue with this book because of that. My job means that I know Christmas isn't all tinsel and sparkly lights which is also why I like to read gentler stories.

Having said that I did manage to finish the book as it was well written and I wanted to see how the story would end. I really enjoyed the descriptions of all the dutch festive traditions and the joy of skating on frozen canals. The author skilfully brings Amsterdam to life and you really get a feel for the city and it's quirks. The characters are also well written, they are a believable group of friends and even the way that PTSD manifests in the main character is very realistic.

Overall I would say this is a good book that has been poorly marketed as a Christmas book which does the author a disservice, different marketing would help this book have a longer shelf life than Christmas which it also deserves.

With thanks to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found it very difficult to attach to the main character initially and found her to be almost a little too cliche in places!

Throughout the story the sub-plots distracted from the main story a little too much for me. I like a bit of substance in a book but this seemed to have the wrong balance.

I did however really enjoy the setting in Amsterdam; the food and culture came through the story and was interesting!

Thank you to Karen Swan and Netgalley for the advanced review copy of Together By Christmas. Although not your typical Christmassy romantic tale - Lee Fitchett’s one is one to remember. This tale of war atrocities interlaced with hope and happiness is not one to be missed. I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to everyone, especially other fans of Karen Swan.

Together by Christmas is the ideal christmas read curled up on the sofa in from of the fire. Utterly perfect. Lovely characters that are so relatable. And a plot that keeps you turning the pages to see what happens next. It's a book you will find very hard to put down.

Every year Lee looks forward to Christmas in her adopted home of Amsterdam. It is a busy time as a celebrity photographer and single mum but she tries her best to slow down and enjoy all the festive traditions with her son Jasper when she can. One day she finds a brand new book in the basket of her bike with a worrying message scrawled on one of the pages. Finding the person in need jumps straight to the top of her Christmas checklist.

I have loved Karen Swan books for years and she doesn't just write Christmas books. No matter what time of year each book is set one thing remains, the stunning locations. Swan is the queen of selecting perfect destinations to set her stories and writes with such intricate accuracy it makes you want to book a ticket to to visit wherever you have just read instantly! With this book I loved learning about the run up to Christmas in Amsterdam. The traditions seen through little Jasper's eyes were particularly endearing. However in amongst the festivities Lee was faced with serious issues and her history as a war photographer cast a constant shadow over proceedings. Whether you like a cosy Christmas read or prefer a more dramatic read then this is for you as it has a bit of everything.

This was a lovely book! Karen Swan paints a lovely touching christmas picture. It has some charmingcharacters and the plot is cute. A lovely book for the festive period.

I have to admit that I started this book and then put it down as I wasn’t enjoying it. I’m the type of person who doesn’t give up on books, so I started it again and enjoyed it that much I stayed up all night to read it. I’m not sure what genre you’d call it; there’s romance, family,war, even some cliff hangers. I loved the characters, although I’m not sure I liked one of the closures (I can’t explain more without spoiling the story). Set in Amsterdam, I’m glad I read this on my Kindle as I was able to use the translator. A great story to read in the count down to Christmas.

This is well written with some good characters.
Unfortunately for me it lacked a real Christmas feel and the title is just there to sell the story.
I also found it dragged out and too slow paced.
If you want a Christmas romance this may not be for you.
Not for me.

Every year I always read Karen Swan’s festive book, and this years offering is one of her best yet. Lee Fitchett is lving in Amsterdam with her five year old son, a long way from her former life as Pulitzer Prize winning war photographer. Trying to lead a more normal life, taking photographs for exhibitions and for magazines, Lee has closed her self off from love to concentrate on being a mother to five year old Jasper. Her life takes a different turn when a book is left in her bicycle basket with the message ‘Help Me’ written inside. After meeting the books author, Sam, she finds she may have to open her heart and her life to love, until her past catches up with her. Wonderful characters and a powerful plot, this is the perfect Christmas read.

Together by Christmas is a bit different than Karen Swan’s pervious books as it has more depth and deals with some very serious issues. Having said that there are plenty of laugh out loud moments and of course some romance. The story is told from Lee’s point of view in the month leading up to Christmas, but there are flashbacks to her time in Syria as a war photographer on her last mission. These are difficult reading at times, and they lead up to an event that saw her end her career and never speak to her journlistic partner in Syria Harry Cunningham again in these five years. The tension builds through these flashbacks as we see a very different Lee to the one now living in Amsterdam. Karen Swan has obviously done a lot of research into the life of a journalist and war phorographer and it shines through in her writting and attention to detail. I will admit that I didn’t expect to reading about Islamic State and Syria in a Christmas book, but it really works and gives a wonderful contrast to the two different worlds we live in, the things we take for granted like hot running water and beds, and the perils of being in a country constantly at war over our peaceful existence. It is certianly thought provoking.

Lee is a complex character making her the perfect central character of the book. She is a devoted mother to her son, and although the father is not around, she has a wonderful support system in her close friends Harry, Liam and Mila. She has put her love life on hold, and is a ‘love them and leave them’ kind of girl who only has one night stands, all to save her son getting hurt if a relationship failed. It is through her son, Jasper, that we learn Lee is suffering from PTSD, with her nightmares and fear when a firecracker goes off. As a character I really admired her, she is successful, strong, has high principles, is friendly and most of all an amazing mother; she juggles her life perfectly. I really wanted her to find love so she could share her life with someone else, have more support and be loved back. Sam is the contender for her and Jaspers heart, and who coud be more perfect than a man who dresses as Sinter Claus for a local children’s hospital. Sam is handsome and fun but he wants more than a one night stand, which is all Lee wants to offer. There relationship is set with obsticals in the way, Lee’s past, the PTSD, her lack of trust and many misunderstandings along the way including a gorgous actor. Jasper will melt your heart, a gorgeous boy whose childhood innocence and love of Christmas make this a magical festive read.

Together by Christmas is a warm, heartfelt and thought provoking read. This is a book about family, and how it doesn’t have to mean blood relatives, motherhood, the joys of childhood and and how the past can never really go away. There is definitely a Christmas message in this book, of it not being just about presents but also those around us. Beautifully written and with skillfull storytelling,this book reminded me why Karen Swan is the only author whose books I read every Christmas. Another amazing festive read, and definitely her best yet.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Karen must have had to research the topic so well to make this story line so realistic.

Easy to read and not specifically Christmassy

Such a perfect December read. The magic of Karen Swan's writing is real.
Together by Christmas is a book I totally recommend to everyone who enjoys heartbreaks, twists and turns but also love, hope, friendships and relationships, deep dark secrets uncovered and turned into forgiveness.

This was an unusual take on a Christmas story as it featured more of the Dutch traditions, but I liked that, I'm always interested in the celebrations and traditions of other countries.

Lee is a prickly character, despite her hardened personality, you can't help but root for her, it' clear from the beginning that she's damaged and been through some trauma, of which we only learn as we go through the book.

Her son, Jasper is her priority and her job as a photographer on the front line of war torn countries has been replaced by the more 'sedate' role of photographing celebs for phot shoots.

She enjoys the odd dalliances with random men, not looking for anything serious, then Sam turns up, in the guise of 'Sinter Claus', he turns down her advances, wounding her pride, but soon she needs his help to track down someone who she thinks needs her help and in the background their is the spectre of her old work colleague, Harry as we wait to find out exactly what did happen there...

Love Karen Swan's ability to pull you into a story and you just lose yourself!

Great read.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book, this is my honest opinion.

This book was not at all what I expected - really the Christmas setting was more or less incidental. Struggled a bit as I couldn’t take to the main character who I thought was a real cold fish, but I liked all the characters surrounding her.

It’s clear from the prologue and then six years later when we pick up with Lee and Jasper’s lives that there was going to be grit in this story. And through Lee’s therapy sessions and flashbacks her past comes alive with scenes that I can guarantee will pierce your heart. Her experiences impact on her every day in the way she lives her life and the way she loves.

I loved the synchronicity of Lee and Sam. The universe was definitely working hard with these two. 🙂

When they first meet (not the most auspicious of places hahaha), I loved this sentence:

“He looked back at her, locking eyes again, sending the flame between them flickering wildly, as though someone had just opened a door.”

Lee’s circle of friends are brilliant. I loved their closeness and how they accepted Lee as she was, offering nothing but unconditional support and love.

As always with Karen Swan, I felt immersed in a different culture and it felt like I was experiencing customs first-hand. I was so invested in the elfstedentocht that I experienced conflicting emotions. I felt for both Lee, Jasper and Sam … and could see no way back.

There is so much I want to say but no spoilers! You need to discover this world for yourself.

This is the perfect story for the season. Emotional, suspenseful and secrets waiting to be discovered, actions to be forgiven, and new beginnings for Lee and her friends. All set in the run up to Christmas in Amsterdam.

I was in pieces after reading Together by Christmas. Such a perfect ending after the trauma and suspense!

Highly recommended.