I loved this book! I love a good “swap” story especially after many years of loving movies like The Holiday. I highly enjoyed this book and I think it is perfect r if you are looking for a nice light holiday read!

I just love reading christmas books all year round! This book was no exception. Cute and cosy with romance also.

This book is pure holiday comfort—like slipping into a favourite jumper and watching snow fall from the safety of a cozy window seat. Jayne Allen brings together two women at crossroads in their lives, and the result is a heartwarming, dual-perspective romance that’s full of charm, self-discovery, and just the right amount of festive magic.

Ramona’s story—escaping a cancelled wedding and dodging family questions—feels instantly relatable. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s creative burnout and the looming loss of her parents’ beachside cottage add emotional depth. The home swap premise is fun and fresh, and watching each woman find unexpected connection in a new setting (Malibu sunshine for Ramona, snowy Chicago for Chelsea) gives the story a lovely sense of balance.

The romantic threads are sweet and satisfying, but it’s the personal growth that really shines. Allen reminds us that sometimes the best gift is giving yourself permission to start over—and maybe even fall in love when you least expect it.

Perfect for fans of The Holiday, warm drinks, and stories that leave you smiling long after the last page.

Thank you to Jayne Allen, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

i do love these Christmas books that head our way this time of year. it brings that comfort and warmth that only these books can bring, and i think we all need a bit of that kind of feeling right now.
i really like the two characters we were getting to know in this book. they both had their significant life issues and both separate voices and personalities. so watching how they dealt with these things in the house swap was a great read.
Chelsea needs help. she was once a thriving part of the LA seen but since she lost her parents she lost her mojo. and now she might face losing her home if she doesn't get it back in order to create something to pay her bills. Ramano is facing her own struggles. its been months since she split with her boyfriend but she hasn't managed to tell her loved ones yet.
so the suggestion of a house swap for the holiday season seems the answer to both their troubles.
but events on arrival leave Ramano feeling unsettled an not knowing who to trust in her new home. but Chelsea after meeting a friend of Ramona's is feeling her spark come back so needs to smooth over her swap-pee in order to keep this swap in place.
both woman have to face things this festive season.grief. race. expectations. can they with a bit of help from those around them, feel like they can become who they want to be or choose to be. and come back home with a sense of home in themselves once again?
i thought this was a really tender and thoughtful story. i really felt really endeared to both woman. i could feel, relate and see how what was going on for them was creating such feelings of loss in life and themselves.
i cared for them and by the end i really wanted them to end up ok, even happy?
i also like how we cover race issues in one of our characters. its not cliche or preaching but its important, and so it should be.
i loved both stories and how this book was written meant we got the fullness of both as we flit between them. Jayne did a really good time of giving them the space and equal detail to shine.
a great take on this premise. warming and hugging to the soul this one.
and can be read this time of year even if you aren't sure you are quite ready to let down your "no Christmas before such and such date!" kind of people haha.
id love to read more by Jayne she had such a lovely way of writing her characters and the scenes we were reading.