DNF 20%

Where is the Christmas in this story. I actually double checked to see if this is actually considered a Christmas read but 20% in and no mention of Christmas whatsoever.

It started off well but then it reached a platueu I got bored.

I found this book little slow at the beginning but then got very invested in the characters and it has flown quite nicely. Loved the ending.

Wow, this was a massive adrenalin rush of a book. Initially beginning in the world class surfing world, the majority of the book is actually set in the snow in Austria.

Clover, a documentary filmmaker made an award-winning film about a surfer, Cory, whose successful career is cruelly ended by a freak accident. However the accident appears to have been caused by the actions of another surfer, Kit, whose career is ended perhaps as a result of the documentary and the accident.

When Clover is asked to do a documentary from the other side, about Kit and his new career as a snowboarder, she takes her film crew to Austria to meet with a reluctant Kit who is unwilling to trust her or open up to her about what happened.

This is a captivating read and as we get to know Kit there appears to be much more to the story than we first believe.

You don’t need to be an expert, or even familiar with surfing or snowboarding, this book gives you enough information without being overly technical. The general atmosphere will suck you in before you know it, and you will find yourself completely immersed in this glamorous and sporty world.

The burgeoning tension between Clover and Kit is so enticing and neither of them are prepared for the passion that results. This builds so poignantly that it is hard to see how either of them will be able to get past the accident that injured Cory.

I loved what the crew and Kit’s brother and manager brought to the story. I have to say that like Clover I found it very difficult to have any compassion for Kit at the beginning of the story but as more secrets were revealed I found it impossible not to fall for Kit.

With the snowy location this story felt wonderfully festive, even though the festivities were not the focus of the story. A fabulous book to curl up with a blanket, a fire, and a hot drink.

I love it when a book surprises you and this was so not what I was expecting but in a really really good way. Not remembering the blurb or why I'd picked this up I was expecting a super cute, light-hearted, festive romance. Combining the fiercely competitive worlds of professional surfing and snow boarding with the demanding documentary film making industry, this definitely wasn't light-hearted but it was totally fascinating, I was instantly drawn in. With such intense, guarded and driven lead characters who passionately hated each other - Kit holding Clover responsible for ruining his career and her blaming him for her friend's husband's death - it also wasn't a super cute romance but a fantastic build-up of tension into a compelling love/hate thing. And whilst there was a romantic element, it was quality over quantity and just a part of a much wider plot which also included a little mystery and intrigue to guess at along the way. I haven't read the author before but in case you hadn't gathered I was totally captivated by this, loving everything about it and will certainly be reaching for others of her books now.

I really struggled to like the characters and the story line I’m afraid. It felt very disjointed and I struggled to understand some of the terminology. Apologies, I expected to love it!

A good read. A great story and some fabulous locations,lots of twists and interesting characters and well written as usual by this author.

A lovely book. Another Christmas hit by Karen Swan. I was a bit unsure about Kit for a long long time. His physical violence was a bit odd and put me off but by the end I was on his side. I love Karen Swan’s Christmas books so much. Twists and turns and so well plotted.

What a great book, couldn't put it down and kept me on the edge of my seat. Karen is an amazing writer!

This book kept me on the edge of my seat right until the last few pages. Some strong characters clash right from the start and that makes life difficult for Clover who is determined to find out the truth about Kit who seems to engender dislike in everyone who meets him. A tale of intrigue and danger which really brings the beautiful Alps to life.

I've never read any Karen Swan book before but this one definitely will not be my last.
This was definitely what I needed - sport related plot, sort of rude but kind at heart love interest, interesting protagonist.
It's not a christmassy book per se, more a winter book and I enjoyed it.
My only problem was that there ere some moments that it just felt too long. It might benefit from being a bit shorter, but overall highly recommend.

Clover is a documentary film maker along with her team comprising of Johnny her cameraman and Matty who is her researcher. They spent time living with Cory and his family and produced a highly successful film about his life as a champion surfer and the accident that destroyed his life. Cory’s accident was caused by a friend and fellow surfer Kit who was ostracised by the surfing community for the incident. Although surfing is his life Kit refuses to defend his actions and leaves surfing to become a snowboarder. Clover wants to get justice for Cory’s family so commits to a follow up film on Kit’s new career but it’s not an easy assignment.
I enjoyed this book and will look for other books by this author.

A five star read. The title and front cover of this book suggested to me a cosy, lighthearted, warming, festive Christmas book. What I ended up reading was most definitely not that. And whilst I was at first disappointed not to be reading said festive book, what I got instead was even better.

We follow Clover, an award-winning documentary maker, who off the back of her successful film about injured surfer Cory, tries to get to the bottom of the accident, and the man who caused it, Kit, now aiming to be a world renowned snowboarder.

This is, in no way, a slow paced book. Right from the off you are thrown into the deep end with accidents, illness, success, failure, heartbreak; you name it, it’s in here, and you end up smack bang in the middle of this journey with Clover.

After completing an award winning documentary on a surfboarder, his accident and life after, Clover turns her attention to the person who was responsible. Starting out with a prejudiced mind, she starts to find contradictions in his character that she wasn’t expecting. An unexpected ending which turns everything upside down. Good read detailing life on the snow circuit.

Film maker, Clover Phillips, is making a documentary on Kit Foley. Kit is a surfing champion who has turned his hand to snow boarding in the Austrian Alps. Kit has a secret and Clover is determined to find out what it is.

I have enjoyed other books by Karen Swan and was looking for an easy to read Christmas romance, but this read was different. The premise was interesting and the worlds of surfing/snow boarding were an unusual combination.

Swan transports the reader somehere else through the eyes of her strong female lead and this an interesting escapist novel for these strange times.

Thanks indeed to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I am a big Karen Swan fan. I loved the idea behind the story and Clover as a character. But I struggled to get into the story and ended up taking too long to read the book. Strong ending and some good twists in the last 20%. It was good but I felt like I enjoyed some of her other work more

Karen Swan has written another excellent novel for the run-up to Christmas. This has some interesting characters and is set in Austria, London and Hawaii. I enjoyed 'Together by Christmas' last year and this one, Midnight in the Snow, is equally as good. It centres on Clover Phillips, a successful filmmaker who made a documentary about champion surfer Cory Allbright, and his accident during a surfing competition, the involvement of his rival, Kit Foley and the consequences on Cory's wellbeing. The main plot and subplots are all engaging and the story has depth. The descriptions of the snowy Alpines were lovely and though the Christmassy elements were few, the mystery surrounding events was intriguing. A super, exceptionally alluring story for the festive season, or indeed, any time.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Pan Macmillan via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

I normally love Karen Swan books but this has been my least favorite. I’m not sure exactly why but it did take a long time to get into- it felt like a very slow beginning and just didn’t feel relaxing for me. I had no desire to find out more about Kit because he was thoroughly unpleasant. The book did get better but I felt lost and uninvolved in it but that point.

A good read, interesting characters. The story developed well to a good ending. Enjoyed this one as I do all of Karen’s books.

A fascinating wintery story, exploring the truth behind a tragic incident that left one man gravely injured and the other a popular hate figure. This story has believably flawed characters, an engaging plot and setting and an absorbing mystery.

The compelling plot is full of drama, emotion and complex relationships. Clover is a likeable relatable character, and Kit, the anti-hero, has hidden depths. The setting draws the reader into the snowboarding culture.

This is an immersive, intricate and intriguing story perfect for the festive holidays.

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

Loved this book so much, I could not put it down!

Hadn't read any books by Karen before but i'll be sure to dig them all out based on this piece of work!