I’m delighted to be sharing my thoughts about Together by Christmas by Karen Swan.
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- Publisher : Pan; Main Market edition (29 Oct. 2020)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 448 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1529006104
- ISBN-13 : 978-1529006100
When Lee first came to Amsterdam, it was with a newborn baby and a secret. Five years later, her life is approaching normal: her career as a celebrity photographer is flourishing, her son Jasper is growing up, and they are enjoying the run-up to Christmas with their tight circle of close friends.
But all this changes one morning when Lee finds a book in the basket of her bicycle – and scrawled inside it, a desperate message. Who left it for her, and why? Lee feels compelled to help and tracks down the book’s author, Sam. With an instant, undeniable connection it seems they might have a shot at a real future together.
Until her past comes calling. As the snow falls and ice thickens on the city’s canals, the secret Lee has never told resurfaces. Suddenly everything she holds dear hangs in the balance. Christmas is a time for being together – but what if the truth means she ends up alone?
Book Review
It’s clear from the prologue and then six years later when we pick up with Lee and Jasper’s lives that there was going to be grit in this story. And through Lee’s therapy sessions and flashbacks her past comes alive with scenes that I can guarantee will pierce your heart. Her experiences impact on her every day in the way she lives her life and the way she loves.
I loved the synchronicity of Lee and Sam. The universe was definitely working hard with these two. 🙂
When they first meet (not the most auspicious of places hahaha), I loved this sentence:
“He looked back at her, locking eyes again, sending the flame between them flickering wildly, as though someone had just opened a door.”
Lee’s circle of friends are brilliant. I loved their closeness and how they accepted Lee as she was, offering nothing but unconditional support and love.
As always with Karen Swan, I felt immersed in a different culture and it felt like I was experiencing customs first-hand. I was so invested in the elfstedentocht that I experienced conflicting emotions. I felt for both Lee, Jasper and Sam … and could see no way back.
There is so much I want to say but no spoilers! You need to discover this world for yourself.
This is the perfect story for the season. Emotional, suspenseful and secrets waiting to be discovered, actions to be forgiven, and new beginnings for Lee and her friends. All set in the run up to Christmas in Amsterdam.
I was in pieces after reading Together by Christmas. Such a perfect ending after the trauma and suspense!
Highly recommended.
Karen Swan is the Sunday Times top three bestselling author of sixteen books and her novels sell all over the world. She writes two books each year – one for the summer period and one for the Christmas season. Previous winter titles include Christmas at Tiffanys, The Christmas Secret, The Christmas Lights, and for summer, The Rome Affair, The Greek Escape and The Spanish Promise.
Her books are known for their evocative locations and Karen sees travel as vital research for each story. She loves to set deep, complicated love stories within twisty plots, sometimes telling two stories in the same book.
Twitter @KarenSwan1 Facebook KarenSwanAuthor