 Author: Melody Carlson Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: September 1, 2020 All Emma Daley wants this holiday season is a white Christmas. But the young teacher and struggling musician sure can't find that in sunny Arizona. Luckily, there's someone living in a perfect mountain home in the Colorado Rockies looking to make a vacation trade. West Prescott is an in-demand songwriter and talented musician who put his own singing career on hold to write songs for celebrity acts to perform. When his mother convinces him to do a vacation trade for Christmas, he never imagined one of the houseguests would be so sweet--or so strikingly pretty. Naturally, he decides to stick around, and to get better acquainted, he poses as the caretaker of his own house. But when Emma's friend Gillian discovers his true identity and sets her sights on him, things get . . . messy.
 Reviewer: Robbie Pink I have read many Melody Carlson Christmas stories, and they have all been cute and endearing, so it was with great anticipation that I signed up for The Christmas Swap. The story’s premise is based on two families and some friends swapping homes. One family goes from Colorado to Arizona and the other family, with a few friends, travels to Colorado from Arizona. We read little about the family in Arizona as the focus of the story is the family and friends in Colorado. Emma Daley is endeavoring to make a living as a teacher while striving to become a musician, too. Her best friend, Gillian Landers, was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, and therein lies the problem. The story shows the overindulged, selfish, demanding and obnoxious brattiness, for lack of a better word, of Gillian and her family and friends, though her father seems less inclined to act entitled. I kept thinking, if I had a friend like Gillian or the Landers, I would have dropped them like hot potatoes years ago! I had a hard time getting into the spirit of the sequence of events, as the constant bickering and entitlement portrayed by the Landers was so off-putting. The overall story had many appealing moments, some quite engaging. But the story just wasn’t for me. Nonetheless, you may thoroughly enjoy it! I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Revell, through Interviews & Reviews. However, I was under no obligation to post a review.  Reviewer: Jane Mouttet Melody Carlson has written yet another enjoyable book with an interesting starting point. In The Christmas Swap two men (who do not know each other) decide that their families need a destination Christmas vacation and what better way to do that than a house swap. Some of the family members are participating reluctantly but the most reluctant ones win in the end. Melody Carlson’s plot is well-written and has several twists and turns leaving the reader wondering for a bit, just where it will end. Good authors include likeable characters as well as those readers hate. Carlson’s characters of Emma, West, and Grant, for me, are likeable. Gillian and Harris, on the other hand, not so much. But they do provide the tension and conflict necessary to keep the plot moving. I don’t know if Carlson has a sequel planned, but I’d love to see where the relationships formed by the end of the book go in the future. The book would also make a great Hallmark movie. I recommend The Christmas Swap for those looking for a clean romance with a Christmas theme. While The Christmas Swap is written for adults, I think it is appropriate for a K-12 Christian school library. It is just the kind of clean romance teens are looking for. I want to thank Revell Books and Interviews and Reviews for the complimentary copy. This is my honest review.  Reviewer: Deanne Patterson Every year I look forward to reading Melody Carlson's new Christmas book when it releases. This year was no different. It really doesn't feel like the start of the holiday season until I read her yearly Christmas book. Reading it puts me in a warm, happy, good place. Sweet holiday romance that was novella length I enjoyed the house swap and ski vacation theme. This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell through Interviews & Reviews. Reviewer: Abigail Thomas The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson was a short and sweet story for the Christmas season with a bit of deception dusted in for good measure. The one year Emma Daley decided not to spend Christmas with her best friend, Gillian’s family was the same year the Landers family planned a house swap vacation in Colorado. This was a vacation Emma could not pass up since the Tempe, Arizona native had never seen snow, so her plans to spend Christmas alone changed. When West Prescott’s family swapped West’s house for a vacation in Arizona, he was less than thrilled. But before he had a chance to join his family in the hot southwest, he got a glimpse of the Landerses and their less than stellar attitudes from afar. However, one member stood out to him, and he chose to stay in Colorado to see if there could be anything between him and Emma. I loved the pacing of this story and the chemistry between West and Emma. Though there were some mishaps along the way, caused by Gillian’s selfish lies, all turned out well in the end. The Christian aspect of the story was there, though it was lightly sprinkled in. Emma’s parents were in Africa serving as missionaries, and Emma gave credit to God for the beauty that was the mountains of Colorado during a conversation with West: “You’re lucky to live here, West.” “I feel pretty blessed.” “Yes, blessed is a much better word for it. Seeing those mountains today…it made me think about God’s creativity—to make such a beautiful world.” This was a quick read as it was a shorter story, but that didn’t take away from the content. There was plenty to see and hear, and I enjoyed watching the dynamics of the family and friends, who shared West’s house along with their surprise guest—West, himself—as they tried to take full advantage of their Christmas vacation. This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell through Interviews & Reviews. Reviewer: Nicole Wegscheider The Christmas Swap is an exciting and adventurous novella. Emma Davey is invited by her girlfriend, Gillian Landers and her family for Christmas in Brechenbridge, in the Colorado Mountains. She accepts the invitation leaving sunny Arizona behind for her wintery holiday. Emma is a kind woman with a captivating beauty. She lives alone in her family’s home while they live abroad on assignment. West, the homeowner of the Brechenbridge house is still at home when the new house guests arrive. They mistake West as the caretaker. This year’s Christmas vacation is going to be life changing. I found the two families — Emma’s family and Gillian’s family very interesting. Emma comes from a peaceful, loving, faith-filled middle class family whereas Gillian’s family experience frequent conflict. They are hospitable, worldly, wealthy and expect a high standard of living. I also like the differences between Emma and Gillian. Emma has a deep beauty. She is kind, thoughtful, unpretentious and authentic. She embraces new opportunities and she is quick to learn. Emma has a passion for the arts — singing and playing the guitar. Gillian, on the other hand, enjoys shopping, looking attractive and being the center of attention. As the Christmas Swap starts, the webs of deception are spun in all directions. There is a theme of hope — the best is yet to come. Regardless of past painful circumstances, there is an expectation that goodness and love will prevail. This Christmas novella has several charming images of Christmas. One of my favourite scenes is the Christmas Eve night ski. Two friends are skiing together as the lights glow all over the mountains followed by a mountain picnic. Wow, how simple and romantic! I would highly recommend reading this adventurous Christmas novella and it would make a great gift. I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Revell, through Interviews & Reviews. Reviewer: Gee Dixon The Christmas Swap was a thrill to read. It was cold, cozy and full of wonders. A family from Arizona swapped houses over the Christmas holiday and ended up in Colorado. This book is full of warmth, love, skiing and enjoying the snow. Emma's story and West's story will have a special touch. I read Melody Carlson's Christmas books every year. They are wonderful, so grab some hot chocolate and curl up with this Christmas story. This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell through Interviews & Reviews, for my honest opinion. Reviewer: Marie Edwards As someone who LOVES Christmas, by extension, I LOVE Christmas stories. Christmas Romance stories are the absolute best! And, after reading the blurb on this one – I had to get it! And, that gorgeous cover definitely gave it an edge. Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to have been chosen for "The Happy Camper" Revell Blogger team. And, as that was a cutesy read from the author, I thought this would be no different. And … It wasn't – for the most part. Since this is an "honest" review – not every reader will like everything an author has written. Nor will every reader like the story being told. They also won't like the characters. To start off, this is more of a novella – short novel, coming in at less than 180 pages. As a result, things will be abbreviated, and the story will move at a faster pace. This is a standalone read and not seemingly connected to the other Christmas stories by the author. What worked in this book's favor, for me – short chapters. That, for some reason, always gets me to read a book even faster. It can be a long book, and I will read faster with short chapters. This was no exception. Combined with the writing pace, this was an addictive little read that I couldn't put down. It was easy to read, and perhaps that is some of the issues that other readers face. It isn't a complex story. At its core, it is a simple little holiday story. Carlson's vivid, picturesque writing made me feel as though I was right there with this family. I also wished I wasn't there, due to the family conflict, which begins right off in chapter three and doesn't end until the end of the book. There was always something going on. The plot was different than other Christmas novels I have read. I liked the idea of a "house swap," though I honestly have never heard of such a thing. After reading this book – I'm definitely sure I wouldn't want to participate in one. This also had a "Hallmark" movie vibe to it, so there will be some conflict leading up to the "happily ever after" ending. It is a very light-hearted, escapist type of read. One of the reasons the house swap was a bad idea were the characters – specifically Mrs. Landers and Gillian. Both of them, particularly Mrs. Landers, acted like typical spoiled rich women. Mrs. Landers' endless complaining and criticizing was annoying. It got worse with the house, which I thought was absolutely gorgeous and darling. And, what did she expect for the area? Her daughter, Gillian, wasn't that far behind either. The women were awful, even Gillian was, up until the end. Her "flip" on West with the conniving and acting like a victim was inexcusable. Though I was wondering what her goal was, what she had hoped to accomplish. Mr. Landers and Emma (the Landers' guest) were actually pretty likable. I felt sorry for Mr. Landers and how unappreciated he was. I was secretly hoping he would've just sent his wife (and daughter) packing. Emma's gratitude and appreciation gave the book that warm, "feel good" emotion. Harris and Grant were pretty mild considering the Landers ladies. Given that Grant is Gillian's brother, he was definitely an underdog character. West, despite his fame, was the absolute star of this novel! I really loved his down-to-Earth demeanor as well as his courting of Emma. There was a humbleness, sincerity, and honesty to him that made this story work without overly trying. Though the "discovery" of who he is was a short-lived plot device. Grant's mother was a hoot! I would've liked to have had more of her in this story. There is a lack of character development except with West and Emma. The others are relegated to the background with not much there for them to do. Thankfully Mrs. Landers' complaining did end as her character's interaction wad reduced about halfway through. I did wonder what Gillian's motives were towards Grant and what made her turn so quickly when it came to Emma's disappearance. It definitely made Gillian's treatment of Emma apparent – as if she was the token charity case. The budding romance was another saving grace for this book. And, while some might not think so, I do believe we can fall in love quite quickly. This was too short of a read, and I desperately wanted more from it. I felt that this had the potential to last a little longer than what it did. While distributed by Revell, a Christian/faith themed publisher, I found no Christian or faith references in this book. It is more of a clean read with no references to sex and no foul language. Parents should have no issue with their teens (15 and up) reading this Christmas story. It also serves as a wonderful lesson (without being preachy) about how we should treat people, no matter who they are – caretaker or famous music writer. Some fans of the author, as well as the genre, might enjoy this read. It is a little lower on the scale, coming closer to 3.8 stars, so I rounded up. For me, it does have a high re-read factor despite some of the moments and issues. Thank you to Baker Publishing Group/Revell, for providing a complimentary review copy through Interviews and Reviews. A positive review was not required and all words are my own Reviewer: Trixi Oberembt “All Emma Daley wants this holiday season is a white Christmas.” Every year I anticipate Melody Carlson’s Christmas books! And every year I’m not disappointed because that’s exactly what she writes best. I really enjoyed picturing a snow-covered cabin all decked out for the holidays, warm and inviting. I could see myself sitting in front of the fire, sipping on hot cocoa, and gazing at the snowy mountain peaks out the vast windows. That would be a dream Christmas in my book! For the most part, I loved this story. Carlson knows how to paint those vivid setting pictures in a reader’s mind, brings her characters to life, and sets you right in the middle of the pages. It’s one of my favorite things about the author. Last year, I binge-read almost all of her Christmas books for this very reason, I just could not get enough! When I write a review, I also try to be honest, and so this was what I didn’t like. I didn’t like Gillian, Emma’s best friend, for fourteen years. I didn’t like Mrs. Landers, who had not one single positive thing to say. Gillian was manipulative, scheming, and treated everyone poorly. I found her annoying and grating, and I don’t know how Emma remained friends, let alone best friends with her. The only decent family members were Mr. Landers & Grant, the brother—who I eventually came to like at the end. The family arguments left me feeling tense and upset, which ruined the enjoyment of the story. However, I liked the developing relationship between Emma & West and wished the author would have expounded more on that. They had real potential to be a solid couple, so I was looking forward to watching them. The ending was abrupt, so a reader must imagine a happy ending for these two. This story didn’t live up to Carlson’s reputation as a writer, in my opinion, it certainly wasn’t her best yet. I was surprised because she is one of my must-read authors when it comes to yearly Christmas books. The beginning was better than the ending, and I was really disappointed! It also lacked a light faith theme, which she usually includes. So for me, this wasn’t my cup of tea. However, I will continue to read her future books despite not liking this one. This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell through Interviews & Reviews. Reviewer: Laura J. Davis
The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson is a sweet novella of romance, misunderstandings and fun that will prepare your heart for the Christmas season. A little early, but we could all use some Christmas cheer right about now, don't you think? I was instantly transported from the heat of summer to the cool fresh-packed ski slopes of Colorado with vivid and detailed descriptions. I was so engrossed with this story that when I heard my husband open the door to go outside, I almost yelled out, "Don't forget to wear a coat!" It's currently in the '90s here. Thank you, Melody, for making me totally forget this pandemic and the heat! The story had an intriguing concept - strangers swap their houses for Christmas. One family goes to Arizona and the other to Colorado. The Landers family is in Colorado and unbeknownst to them, the owner of the house never left. Let the hi-jinks begin! The owner, West Prescott, is a famous songwriter and tells everyone that he is the home's caretaker. Emma Daley, invited to spend Christmas with the Landers family, has no idea who he is, and West prefers it that way. He wants someone to like him for who he is, not because of his fame or money. Unfortunately, his deception is found by Emma's friend Gillian, a devious, selfish, spoiled little brat. I'll let you guess what happens. While definitely a clean read with lots of humour, my reason for giving this book four stars was its ambiguous ending and lack of faith element. However, if you don't mind that and just want a Christmas book to read, you will enjoy it! I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell through NetGalley for my honest opinion. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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