Karen Swan's books are always fun and escapist, and while I didn't think Midnight in the Snow was one of her best, it passed the time well enough. Clover Phillips is a director who's just received a series of awards for her latest documentary, which focused on surfer Cory, who had to give up his career after his rival Kit failed to obey the rules in a competition and Cory ended up trapped underwater. Controversially, Clover decides that Kit, who has now taken up snowboarding, will be the subject of her next project, and travels to the Austrian Alps to pursue his side of the story. The way this all develops is both implausible and predictable, and I'd hoped to see a lot more about snowboarding - along the lines of the detailed depiction of the sport in Allie Reynolds's Shiver. Swan usually makes good use of her settings, but I thought both snowboarding and the Alps were under-explored here. Nevertheless, I did enjoy reading this and will continue to read Swan's books, though I'll probably give her new historical series a miss.

"Midnight in the Snow" is set in the world of professional snowboarding, but you don't need to know anything about the sport to enjoy this book. The characters in the story learn that you cannot take things and people at face value, and there are some complex characters in the book. There is also a great twist near the end which highlights the extent of some people's deceit. This book is a joyous and atmospheric read and is highly recommended.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Every year, it's a tradition of mine to read Karen Swan at Christmas. Obviously, I couldn't wait and read this one early :) I absolutely loved it. It's heartwarming, romantic, uplifting. Great writing that wraps you like a blanket. Definitely recommended for the cold winter nights.
Thanks a lot for this copy!

Oh wow, I loved this story, it hooked me from page one. I really didn't want to put the book down and couldn't wait to get back to reading it. The story is so well written, gripping with fantastic characters and so many twists and turns it had me guessing till the end. The story took me on a journey from America to the snows of Austria and Switzerland and I was entranced by the descriptions of the surroundings and the sports.

The storyline follows the life of Kit Foley pro surfer turned snowboarder, he has had a checkerboard past and definitely not good press coverage. This is mostly due to Clover Phillips's recent award-winning film about his rival Cory. Now she is going to make a film about his life, but he is a very reluctant subject and very uncooperative.

I loved Clover's passion and determination, despite Kit's obvious reluctance. Kit is a deep, complex character but there is something about him that intrigued me. Add to all this a fantastic selection of secondary characters and backstories, making this story a definite hit and one I will want to read or listen to again.

Karen Swan writes great stories and this book was no exception. I loved it and didn't want it to finish. This is definitely one you will want to curl up with and not put down! Highly recommended.

A gorgeous story of a love affair set against the glittering backdrop of the Austrian Alps. The relationship between the characters sizzled with chemistry and the storyline was dramatic in the manner which I’ve long since come to expect from Karen Swan’s books.

Having read several of this author’s previous books, I think this is the best one yet.

A surfing tragedy has the world condemning Kit Foley. Everyone knows he caused the accident but Clover Phillips, an award winning film director, is determined to find out why. As Kit heads to the snowy mountains of Austria to try his hand at snow-boarding, Clover is sure he is hiding something; but how does she get the man she made persona non grata to talk when he can’t stand the sight of her?

A great book with an excellent cast of characters. An enjoyable and entertaining read.

I absolutely love Karen Swan books. I always look forward to her seasonal summer and winter themed books. She has a way of taking a subject you know nothing about and might not have ever been interested in and making it really fascinating. The attention to detail, as always to a high degree.
I was hooked on this book straight away , within a few pages. I literally read it in one sitting, staying up late just to reach the end because I knew I didn't have time to finish the book the next day. It really is that immersive.
The two main protagonists have a love to hate relationship from the beginning of the book. The attraction between them is simmering on the back burner , ready to explode at some time in the near future.
Kit is a complicated character , the world , including Clover thinks they know what motivates him. He's portrayed as a ruthless contender who has a need to win at any cost ,
I don't know anything about surfing or snowboarding and certainly not at competition level . This book made it interesting . Karen Swan has successfully interwoven a romance with a dramatic sporting backdrop and incorporated twists and turns into the storyline so that the mystery element is uncovered slowly , over the course of the book. Things are never as they seem.
This book has something for everyone, stunning locations, mystery, romance with added drama. I was sorry to reach the end. 5 massive stars from me.

This was a fun, gripping read, not your usual romance but much more. I agree with another reviewer that it is one of the authors best. I loved the realism of the characters and found the story drew you in. Happily recommend, many thanks.

This was a refreshing read set in the world of snowboarding featuring documentary maker Clover who is keen to find answers about the surfing tragedy that was the focus of her previous film. Surfer turned snowboarder Kit has no interest in participating in a documentary especially with Clover who he blames for the worldwide condemnation he received for his part in the surfing accident.

Although the story is told from Clovers perspective Kits character is extremely strong and the chemistry between the two comes across very well, the documentary crew and Kits manager and brother are all great support characters and I love the vibe that comes across from the snowboarding scene. Although this does feel like I’d expect a Karen Swan story to feel there’s a freshness to it that I really enjoyed and Clover and Kit must be two of her best characters yet, 9/10

Wow that is one ride and a half, from being thrown under the barrel of a wave at the start, to getting some awesome amplitude and killer tricks at the end, this is on exhilarating read.

Not least because it features the world of snow boarding on a super pipe for fabulous tricks, and to a lesser extent some of the world of surfing. Two big sports for adrenalin junkies, which given I read this just as the Summer Olympics came to an end, and I know I will equally be obsessed come Beijing 2022 and the Winter Sports - this let me have my sporting obsession continue for a bit longer.

But really it's not specifically about the sports themselves, so don't worry if you don't know your olly from your cab, your switch from your goofy, (and if some of those are more skateboarding than snowboarding terms then sorry but I was hooked on watching that too!), then honestly the sports technical bits are only a small part of the book itself.

Clover is a director whose film about Cory Albright basically ended up vilifying Kit Foley to the world. So it becomes a bit of a shock for all, that after all that time spent essentially as Team Cory, to discover she is willing to now do a film all about Kit.

It's clear Kit has been pressganged into it and they both appear to hate each other with a passion, and what I found fascinating was seeing just how Kit's character and personality developed, as we incredibly slowly start to learn a bit more about him.

As after all he has a few loyal friends and none seem that happy about the presence of a film crew - as Kit emerges back on the world stage as a snowboarder, after spending most of his life as a champion surfer.

Set predominately in the Austrian Alps, this really is a treat of a winter book, I could barely put it down and found myself finding reasons to reach for my kindle at all times of day and night just to read more. I couldn't get enough of the story.

I needed to know as much as Clover does, as to just what happened on that fateful day between Cory and Kit. And I have to say the answer surprised me, as did most of the aftermath once the truth finally comes out.

This is easily another of Karen Swan's best books and I know I said that recently about The Secret Path. This is definitely an author going from strength to strength and so long as she keeps writing books like these then I will be one incredibly happy reader!

Thank you to Pan and Netgalley for this copy which i have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I absolutely raced through this one. It was such a great read and I enjoyed every second I spent with Kit & Clover, what a wonderful story. I adore the character of Clover.