If I had to nominate authors who made the covid lockdowns more bearable, Karen Swan would definitely be on the shortlist. Noone writes gorgeous atmospheric locations quite as well as Swan does, which makes all her books unique armchair travel experiences. For her Christmas themed novel MIDNIGHT IN THE SNOW, she has chosen the winter wonderland of an Austrian Alpine ski resort to provide a magical backdrop, and it doesn’t get much better than this!

One reason that makes Swan’s books so irresistible to me is that her world is not only vastly different to mine, but she also makes her stories stand out by choosing a strong female lead who ends up embroiled in some type of mystery, be it family secrets or, in this case, an old rivalry with tragic consequences. In MIDNIGHT IN THE SNOW, our main protagonist is Clover Phillips, a documentary filmmaker who has won multiple awards with her film about tragic surfing legend Cory Albright. Cory’s career was cut short after a surfing accident, caused by former friend and sporting rival Kit Foley during a surfing championship. Vilified and forced out of surfing, Kit Foley has since reinvented himself as a champion snowboarder, set to compete in the upcoming snowboarding championships in the Alps. Clover, on the hunt for a new project, is intrigued when Kit’s sponsor asks her and her team to make a documentary about Kit’s side of the Cory Albright incident, which he has never spoken about. And thus Clover is thrown into the world of competitive snowboarding and sporting rivalry.

I love it when I learn something new whilst immersing myself in a novel, and I appreciated getting a glimpse into the world of competitive snowboarding. Swan’s love for the sport and her knowledge of the wintry slopes shone through as she provided vivid imagery of the mountains in winter, as well as their dangers. Swan also never fails to surprise me by drawing me into a completely different social scene. Zell am See in winter is not only a stage for the stars of winter sports, but also a playing field for the rich and famous. I could vividly picture the luxury ski “cabin” providing a temporary home for Clover and her team and enjoyed every minute of it, even more so since this sort of luxury is firmly out of my league in real life. Swan has a way of setting the scene which paints a colourful backdrop, and her characters are all authentic and engaging. As the dialogue flowed effortlessly, I became more and more intrigued by the mystery at the heart of the novel.

As someone who generally does not read romance novels, I thought that I should point out that Swan’s novels are so much more than that. Whilst there usually is a romantic element (often an enemy-to-lovers theme), there is also mystery, intrigue and drama, with the romantic element slotting seamlessly into the story in a way that does not detract from the main plot. So don’t be afraid to give Swan’s novels a go, even though romance normally isn’t your jam.

All in all, MIDNIGHT IN THE SNOW is an intriguing, atmospheric tale that offers the same exquisite armchair travel as all Karen Swan novels. If you have been missing travel as much as I have, you will be pleased to find yourself instantly transported to the winter wonderland of the Austrian Alps, the perfect setting for a Christmassy read (or any time, really). With a mystery surrounding an old rivalry between two sporting greats, and a subsequent tragedy that cost the life of one of them, the book provided plenty of intrigue to keep me turning the pages. If you haven’t discovered Karen Swan’s books yet, I fully recommend picking this one up for an immersive escapist read with a wonderful atmospheric setting.

Unfortunately could not get into this story and gave up about 20% in. Struggled with the characters and the story theme. Not one for me I’m afraid.

I have read many of Karen’s books over the years and the majority of them I have really enjoyed so I was looking forward to this one and it didn’t disappoint . Karen’s books are always thoroughly researched and it shows in her writing. In this one the Austrian Alps and Swiss resorts come alive to the reader. with an insight into the film making, and competitive sporting lifestyles of the surfing and snowboarding world .
The book had many complex engaging characters, The two main characters Clover and Kit in particular. They had many different layers which unravelled as you read their back story . The different relationships were explored thoroughly , especially between Clover and Kit who had a hate/ hate relationship
This book was one of my top reads of the year, a captivating read which brought out a maelstrom of emotions in the reader. One strong message was that there is always two sides to a story.
Pure escapism! I Loved it
Thank you to Netgalley, Pan Macmillan and Karen for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

I have read many of Karen Swan’s books before and always loved them – this one is based around the snowboarding and surfing world, neither of which appeal to me if I’m completely honest, however…! Karen obviously does so much research on her subject and sets about creating a story that you want to read even if the sport doesn’t usually interest you. I learnt a whole new vocabulary about half pipes and jumps!

This book did not disappoint! There were gorgeous descriptions of the snowy landscape of Austria as film maker Clover sets out to make a documentary about one time surfer Kit and the conflict he had with fellow sportsman Cory who was the victim of a terrible, life-changing accident.

The plot was well thought out with many twists and turns, and the characters were strong and convincing. There were a few occasions when Clover would do something or act in a certain way and I didn’t think it was believable but this is a work of fiction after all, and therefore the characters can do what they want, even if I don’t approve!!

For me personally it could have been a shorter book, it felt like I was reading a lot about the waiting around that the film crew did, but I know that it was all integral to the plot and that we needed to read that to understand the frustrations they felt – however, it did feel like there was a lot of it!

Read a lot of Karen Swan`s book but was a bit disappointed with this one.
A great beginning but slowed down in the middle with a lot of surfing jargon which I was not interested in but the ending was a good finish.
Clover is a documentary maker her last one was Cory a champion surfer who had a life changing accident which was blamed on Kit another surfer, after spending months with the family Clover become very close to the family and after winning an award on the programme Cory is found dead.
Clover is determined to have Kit as her next documentary to find out what happened with him and Cory and things get heated between them.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I'm kicking off my Christmas reading a little early this year with Karen Swan's new festive treat. I look forward to Karen Swan's Christmas books every year but I was really drawn to the cover of this one.

It took me a few chapters to get into the story and get a feel for the characters but I ended up really liking all of them. What is great about them is they all have hidden depths which are slowly revealed throughout the book. I like it when an author writes characters in this way as you get to fall in love with them as each layer is peeled back.

The Austrian Alps is the perfect setting to gently ease you into the festive spirit. Christmas is obviously mentioned in the story but it isn't the main focus of the book. I won't spoil the plot but I did love reading Kit and Clover's hate, hate relationship.

I want to thank #NetGalley and #Pan Macmillan for an advance copy of #Midnight InTheSnow by #KarenSwan
Clover Phillips is a well known director known mainly for her documentary film following Corey a brilliant surfer until his accident which was caused by Kit Foley. Kit left the profession after the accident and is now starting a new carrier in snowboarding.
His major sponsor approaches Clover to do a fly on the wall documentary, but can she put her feelings to one side and will Kit Foley be cooperative. Some of the technical details of surfing and snowboarding escaped me but overall I enjoyed the book.

You can't go wrong with a novel from Karen Swan although this one did take a few pages to really get into it. Once I hit that point there was no going back, The characters were great and very well written as was the settings. I would recommend you read this and I am giving it 4 stars, it would have been 5 if I had enjoyed this from the very start.

Thanks to |Netgalley and publisher for this e ARC

This is a brilliant and very different Christmas book! The story of ambition, family, loyalty and betrayal.
Clover is reaping the rewards and accolades from her latest documentary film, and planning her next project, when she gets a call that changes all the plans. This is a wonderful rollercoaster through the worlds of surfing and snowboarding, oceans and mountains.
Great writing, great characters full of complexity, great story and plot lines. All in all this was a wonderful surprise read full of the kind of depths that were not expected. Really enjoyed it and still living in that world......hugely recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley for the early read, so greatly enjoyed.

I was hoping this would be the book for me as I’ve struggled with this author’s books before but, this one wasn’t for me. I got 30% into it and realised I wasn’t enjoying it at all so, I gave up. The descriptions were too long and laborious and I didn’t like the characters very much. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Midnight in the Snow - Karen Swan

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Award-winning director Clover Phillips is riding high when she encounters Kit Foley; a surfer and snowboarder as well-known for controversy as he is for winning championships.

Involved in an accident that had devastating consequences for a bitter rival, Kit has never spoken about what really happened that day. Determined to find out the truth, Clover heads to the snowy wilderness of the Austrian Alps, sharing a romantic winter wonderland with a man who can’t stand her.

I am not sure what it was about this book but I really struggled to connect with it. In theory this should have been everything I loved in a book but ultimately it left me feeling a little flat and disappointed.

Personally, I felt that the book was lacking something that mysteriously appeared around 80% - still I managed to read just over half of this book in one sitting. I just found myself getting a little lost in some of the snowboarding terminology.

Rating: 3/5

Midnight in the snow Karen Swan.
It's the red carpet life for filmmaker Clover Phillips. Her documentary on surfer Cory Allbright is winning awards around the globe for shining a spotlight on life after his tragic accident. Now she's free to choose her next subject.
But everything changes when Cory is found dead and his widow needs answers. Clover makes a promise to find out the truth about what happened the day his life fell apart, turning her attention to the man responsible, disgraced surfing champion Kit Foley. Rejected by the sport he loves, he's starting over as a snowboarder in the Austrian Alps. Kit wants nothing to do with the film but his new sponsor has other ideas. Soon Clover and her team are shadowing him on the slopes and in the chalet.
It's dislike at first sight but boundaries become dangerously blurred as Clover finds herself drawn into Kit's power games. Each of them vie for control over the project—until a revelation blows Kit's secretive past wide open. Finally Clover has her answers, and the material for her explosive new film. Kit Foley is everything she ever said he was... Isn?t he?
This is a lovely Christmas read. I absolutely love the cover. Great story and characters. 5*.

I did enjoy this book, but feel it would benefit by being cut in length. There were long scenes, many with description, when I just wanted the plot to move on. Kit needs softening earlier - he appears forbidding for too long. The tension between Kit and Clover made for an uncomfortable read at times. There are some intense scenes. I would have liked to have read more scenes between Kit and Clover, more where Kit is softening. There's a lot of good stuff here, but it didn't quite hit the spot for me. As for the Cory/Kit story, that was gripping, ad though there was too much description in my humble opinion, Swan did a good job of bringing Austria and Switzerland alive for me. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another delightful book by Karen set in the snowy mountains of the Austrian Alps. Kit has secrets in his past which he does not want to share, but keeps the reader hooked with book. Personally, for me, this is Karen's best book to date.

Midnight in the Snow by Karen Swan
Award-winning director Clover Phillips is riding high when she encounters Kit Foley, a surfer and snowboarder as well-known for controversy as he is for winning championships.
Involved in an accident that had devastating consequences for a bitter rival, Kit has never spoken about what really happened that day. Determined to find out the truth, Clover heads to the snowy wilderness of the Austrian Alps, sharing a romantic winter wonderland with a man who can’t stand her.
But as she delves deeper, Clover finds herself both drawn to Kit, and even more convinced he’s hiding something.
Is Kit Foley really as cold as he seems?
If you enjoy a winter wonderland, snow sports, romance and a great plot, then you will love Midnight in the Snow.
I want to thank NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and author Karen Swan for a pre-publication copy to review.

Reading this novel has taught me a lot about surfing, snow boarding and film making that I found fascinating. Its themes include friendship and the nature of competitiveness, truth and justice. The settings are stunning and the characters well drawn and very credible. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Midnight in the Snow by Karen Swan.

She’s only gone and done it again and thrown out another belter! Congratulations to Karen Swan for Midnight in the Snow. I loved it, loved it, loved it!

Clover Phillips makes documentaries and has recently completed the award-winning ‘Pipe Dreams’, telling Cory Allbright’s story as a world champion surfer. But how can she follow that up? She is going to have to pull something special out of the bag to compete with such an epic story, and she has an idea.....

Set predominantly in the Austrian Alps, Midnight in the Snow is picturesque, with beautiful snow-covered mountains and images of brightly coloured skiers dotted along the ski runs. Swan captures the atmosphere amazingly, and I could easily imagine I was up there too (although I’m not a skier, so I would have been drinking hot chocolate and reading a book)!

Midnight in the Snow has more than its share of characters, each with their own back story and each equally relevant to the story and, in their own way, I loved them all. I think Beau was my favourite, but I won’t give anything away, you’ll just need to read to the end!

There were just as many twists and turns in the story as there were on the ski slopes and I can guarantee that as the book progresses, you will turn those pages faster than Kit drops into the halfpipe!

If you enjoy a winter wonderland, snow sports, romance and a great plot, then you will love Midnight in the Snow. Read it today, you won’t be disappointed.

Karen Swan never fails to impress me. Clover is determined to find out what really happened in the accident involving Kit and his rival. Everyone has information that they are withholding. The book reaches an exciting climax. Very tense

This is my first Karen Swan book but it certainly wont be my last.

The story was intense, emotional and absorbing. Once you really got into the book, it was hard to put down.
I absolutely loved Clover and her fight for justice at any expense, even her own. I read the ending twice as it was such a brilliant ending, it needed to be appreciated properly. Brilliant book!

It took me a while to get into this book but once I did, I just couldn’t put it down. There were a number of terms relating to snowboarding that I was unfamiliar with but I looked them up, so I could visualise them. The main characters of Clover and Kit were very engaging and their back stories added to the interest. There were a number of interesting secondary characters. There were a number of surprises, some tender and heartfelt moments that all added up to a captivating read. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.