As always with a Karen Swan book you are drawn in, made to feel part of the furniture and left utterly bereft that the book is over. Loved this!

Turkish Syrian border 2014, Lee's working as a war photographer with her best friend Harry Cunningham by her side as a reporter.

Six years later Lee is living in Amsterdam with her young son Jasper, continuing with the photography/exhibitions, endeavoring to put the traumas of her working at war at the back of her mind. No longer speaking to Harry, since returning, Harry moved close to be near Lee, but tensions are still high.

Through Lee's photography work she gets to meet Sam who is different to the men Lee normally meets, more of a challenge, but not in the normal sense. During this time, a book is left in Lee's bike basket, with a message enclosed. Whilst looking into who and where this message has appeared, it takes her in the path of Sam and also brings back nightmares and memories of the past.

Plenty going on in this book, present day, memories of war, local traditions in the build up to the holidays and UK traditions in the mix. Great overall story, will make you laugh, smile and sad in good measure. A definite should read.

I don't normally read Christmas books this early but it's Karen Swan so that makes a difference.

We 're taken to Amsterdam and she paints a lovely picture of the city with the snow, sparkly lights and aroma of hot market food! Cobbled streets and lots of festive cheer. A wonderful backdrop to a story that is quite sad in places and very poignant. Issues of PTSD and the war in Syria are dealt with well.

A christmas novel with a difference.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #PanMacmillan for an ARC of #TogetherbyChristmas by #KarenSwan in exchange for my honest review.

5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Lee is haunted by her history as a war photographer which changed her life. She now lives in Amsterdam with her five year old son and she has turned her skills to celebrity photographs. She no longer speaks to her best friend, Harry, who was with her as a war correspondent in Syria. One evening he turns up at her house but she refuses to see him.

The following day she discovers that Harry has gone back to Syria on one last mission and she has a mission of her own when a note is left for her that simply says “Help Me”. Lee feels compelled to help and as the message was scrawled in a book she tracks down the author for his help in finding the person in need.

Will Harry make it back safely and can Lee find the writer of the message before it is too late?

Wow! This is not like any Christmas book I have ever read, but in a really good way.

Weaved between all of the wonderful Dutch Christmas traditions that we get to learn about is a harrowing story of how your past can truly haunt you and define you. It is a story full of love, friendship and sacrifice. This is the first Karen Swan book that I have read and I will definitely be adding her back catalogue to my wish list.

Karen Swan offers a Christmas read, but not the usual cozy, tinsel filled book that are on the book shelf. This is a story at Christmas time with a hard hitting theme.

I started reading the first part is in war torn turkey and I was intrguied where is this going. Karen Swan never let's me down, the story is hard hitting but amaxing beautifully written and engaging. It's not easy to put it down

There is santa and based in Amsterdam a full education in Christmas there, which has fuelled a desire to have a Christmas city break. A really sad story however a fitting ending that does leave the cozy warm feelings inside.

#NetGalley #KarenSwan #TogetherAtChristmas #bookreview #christmasreads2020

Lee is living in Amsterdam with her 5 year old son Jasper where she is a successful celebrity photographer, a far cry from her previous life as a war photographer. A message in a book left on her bicycle starts off a series of events which bring her previous life back into focus.
This for me wasn't an easy book to read, the description of Amsterdam brought it to life for me and I would love to visit when the turbulent times are over. The difficult bit is reading about the effect of Lee's previous experience on her life, for example the multiple locks on her front door and her flashbacks to the Middle East. The full details of what happened to her during her time there are gradually revealed showing the reasons for her PTSD. Her love for her son comes shining through, along with the support of her friends which prevents the story being too depressing and I ended up being hooked and reading it whether I could.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

I love Karen's books as you get drawn in totally into the setting and this setting in Amsterdam really makes me want to go, it was the perfect escapism during these difficult times we as a world are facing.

I loved the characters and seems it's not only Lee who has secrets.

Well researched into the Dutch way at Christmas totally enjoyable.

Well worth a read, put this one on your Christmas list.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Lee, who first came to Amsterdam, along with a newborn baby and a secret.

It’s now been five years, her life seems to be approaching some normality. Her career is that of a celebrity photographer which also seems to be growing strength. Jasper, her son, is fast growing up and they’re both enjoying the Christmas run-up.

One morning, Lee finds a book in the basket of her bicycle, with a desperate message inside, but the question is whose left it and why??
She finds herself, like she’s got to help and so begins to find the author of the book.

Suddenly, she finds her past catching up. As snow and ice fall and thicken, Lee’s secret, which until now, nobody knows, becomes clear.

With it, all that she held dear, is now at risk. Christmas, as is the time for being together.’. But as the truth emerges,,will she end up alone???

Recommend it.

Thanks to Netgalley for an early copy of this book in return for an honest review. I'm a huge fan of Karen Swan so was excited to get my hands on an early copy of this year's Christmas offering.

I'll be honest, I felt this was a slow starter compared to other books I've read. On the bright side the author is fantastic at taking you to new locations and making you feel like you are actually there. I felt the cold of Amsterdam as it was so well described.

The main character Lee is a celebrity photographer and lives with her son Jasper. This book is set in the lead up to Christmas when she finds a book innher bicycle basket. She then decides to find out who left it for her and why.

This is a book of fantastic scene setting and enjoyable characters, a lovely Xmas read.

Wow! Another fantastic read from Karen swan! I really didn’t want this book to end, I was entranced and enthralled from start to finish!
Amsterdam in winter, so beautifully portrayed, from the frozen canals, traditions and seasonal festivities you could be forgiven for thinking this was a lovely Christmas romance, but no this book is so much more! Completely surprising and with a depth and intensity that really draws you in and absorbs you! The interconnecting storylines, the complex characters and the gritty content such as post traumatic stress disorder is all portrayed in a frank, realistic way that really makes you think about the atrocities that have happened in our lifetime and the effects they can have! Fun, festivities and relationships all feature too to provide the perfect read! Heartwarming, emotional and totally absorbing, I would highly recommend to all!
Thank you net galley for this early read.

This book didn’t appeal to me at first but I became absorbed by it. There was a back story running in tandem with the story of the current day which gave the book more depth. Certainly a book with a difference which I enjoyed and should appeal to many others.

Unfortunately had to DNF this one around 25% as I just wasn't gelling with the writing style, like I say it just wasn't for me

I enjoy Karen Swan’s books and this one is excellent.

Together by Christmas is set in Amsterdam and follows the story of prize winning war photographer Lee and her five year old son Jasper. In the run up to Christmas, Lee finds a book with a cry for help inside left in the basket of her bike. Can she discover who needs her help and why?

A great festive book which was an enjoyable read.

wasn't sure what to expect from this read as I have never read anything by this author before.
It did start very slow and I didn't really get into it till about half way.
Lee is suffering from PTSD from her time as a photographic war correspond. She is having counselling so the story does go back to that time.
Lee also has a five year old son who she is over protective of.
Lee is,quite a complex character but she has some good friends.
This for me was quite emotional in some places but there was some humour too especially the mince pies.
The descriptions of where they lived by the canals of Amsterdam really came alive when they froze over and people were able to skate on them.
I did enjoy this and thought the ending was perfect.
Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC

I was so excited to get this book to read as Karen swan is one of my favourite author's. This wasn't just a Christmas book it was a story that explored so much more and the themes of love and loss and heart break and how the events of our past can shape our future ran through the story I also loved how it was filled with beautiful descriptions of Dutch Christmas traditions and felt I learnt something about another culture while reading. Once I had started to read it I really couldn't put it down. It is hard to describe such a heartwarming yet emotional story without giving spoilers. If you like Christmas stories with a difference then this book is for you. Christmas isn't Christmas without a Karen swan book and was brilliant to be able to have a taste of it early

Wow wow wow!!!!!! Karen Swan at her best. Loved learning all about the ice skating in Asmterdam.. The post trama of being a war photorapher was well writen about. There were twists all the way which I loved. Even the neighbours had secrets. I also liked hearing about a dutch Christmas. You just have to read it

This story grabbed me from page one and I struggled to put it down, in fact, I stayed up most the night in the end to finish it. It is a gripping story with lots of twists and turns, with several storylines all interconnecting. I loved it and found it totally engaging, well written and fascinating.

With wonderful, complex characters, who I became very involved with and which made for a great read. Lee, the main character is a photojournalist, now based in Amsterdam with her five-year-old son. Her previous life was not so quiet though, as she was a war photographer and her experiences there have understandably marked her. I liked her fight and spirit, as well as her tenacity to try and make a normal life for her and Jasper. I loved her friends and the other characters who became part of this great story. They were all very well written and very believable.


This story is set in Amsterdam in December. It is full of wonderful insights into Dutch festivals and winter traditions; fascinating. This is yet another fantastic story from Karen Swan and I would highly recommend it.

Lovely festive book, absolutely loved the storyline and Karan Swans books never disappoint! Absolutely recommend for any Christmas lover!

This is an incredibly well written, deeply entertaining and utterly enjoyable read! So many reasons why I love Christmas and books like this is one of those. It made me laugh, cry and laugh-cry!!! Thanks for this treat.

I read all of Karen Swans books, and I have enjoyed them all. Many set in different countries and being able to absorb the feel of the country as well as a good story. This has to be one of my favourites. Lee and her adorable son Jasper live in Amsterdam and have made a few close friends into family as it is just the two of them. Lee is a well known photographer, but in a former life was a war photographer and the sights, smells and fear remain. As usual there is more than one story going on, a love story, a mystery book left in Lee’s cycle basket, her past coming back to haunt her and a glimpse into Dutch culture. I read it in a day; the writing flows so easily and I was captured by the narrative. A lovely book to curl up with in the darker evenings. I would give it six stars if I could!
Thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an early reading copy in feature for an honest review.