Book Review - The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When songwriter West Prescott tries a vacation trade for Christmas, he accidentally ends up playing the caretaker of his own house--and falling in love with the struggling musician staying there. Will keeping his true identity from her hinder their blossoming romance?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women and children. That's a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a "storyteller." Her novels range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She's won a number of awards (including Romantic Time's Career Achievement Award, the Rita and the Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog. To find out more about Melody Carlson, visit her website at http://www.melodycarlson.com/

MY REVIEW:

I absolutely love every book by Melody Carlson that I've read and look forward to each new book she writes! This was another winner and such a great story! Let me tell you about it.

Emma is such a sweet person and so likeable. She is the main character in this book and I liked her right away. She enjoys the simple things in life and finds joy in the every day things. She is invited to spend Christmas with her friend, Gillian.  Gillian is the exact opposite of Emma yet still likeable. Since Emma's parents are in Africa on a mission, Emma has always spend Christmas with Gillian's family.  This year she decides she wants to be on her own for Christmas until she finds out that Gillian's familyl is swapping their house in Arizona for one in Colorado.  She can't resist experiencing a white Christmas for the first time.  

Gillian's family can be a bit annoying at times. They are wealthy and tend to expect others to treat them with respect because of that. There's also a lot of bickering between them, which gets a bit old.  

I liked West a lot, too.  He is the owner of the house in Colorado and a song writer.  This brings he and Emma together as she is a singer/songwriter, too.  I like how their relationship is brought about slowly and not rushed.  It's sweet seeing their relationship develop.  

All in all, I enjoyed this book.  I would have liked a bit more Christmassy feel to the story but I loved the characters of Emma and West so much, it made up for the lack of a Christmas feel.  I'm giving this book 4 stars.

*This book was provided to me by Revell.  I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.

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Blessings - Julie