Lou’s Review: The Christmas Swap, by Talia Samuels

I didn’t expect one of my favourite reads of 2023 to be a Christmas-themed romance, never mind a Sweet one. But every so often a book comes along that’s so good it completely changes your understanding of a genre, and broadens your appreciation for the possibilities contained within. The Christmas Swap, by Talia Samuels, was one such book for me. This astonishingly confident debut really does make the yuletide gay.

After being dumped unceremoniously by her long-term girlfriend, Margot Murray’s licking her wounds, unsure whether a Christmas spent alone or arguing with her mother appeals less. So when a client from her thriving business invites Margot to spend Christmas at his family’s country manor, pretending to be Ben’s girlfriend seems a small price to pay for luxurious escape. But Margot has a hard time pretending to be straight from the moment she meets his gorgeous sister.

Home after years of glamorous globetrotting in her life as a travel rep, Ellie is determined to spend more time with her family – and it looks like she got back in the nick of time. Her beloved grandfather is starting to sound wandered, and snatches of an overheard conversation leave Ellie convinced that her brother’s new girlfriend is a gold-digger. Yet, in spite of her reservations, Ellie is drawn to Margot. They share a sense of humour, a commitment to vegetarianism, and irresistible chemistry. But with the Gibson family believing Margot to be Ben’s girlfriend, how can they possibly share a future?

The Christmas Swap is an entertaining book from start to finish. It’s sweet and wholesome enough to warm you up like hot chocolate. And Samuels has a vivid, playful sense of humour – there were moments this book had me cackling. But there’s nothing trivial about her story. Samuels is unafraid to explore complicated and even difficult themes with her characters. And that’s what makes her debut a truly standout read for me.

Margot’s life has been rocked by the loss of her grandmother, and Ellie lives in fear of a similar bereavement – it’s their ability to connect over life’s challenges as well as revelling in the simple joy of shared attraction that make these two women into such a compelling couple. They deal with messy family dynamics, past trauma, and grief as a unit. A popular BookTok account rates romance novels on how likely their protagonists are to end up divorced down the line – but there’s no danger here, because I’m utterly convinced Margot and Ellie are endgame. Though this novel takes place over a week, and they fall for one another quickly, the strength of their bond makes the timeframe hold water.

Every aspect of this novel worked for me. It’s intensely readable, and very good fun. The pacing is tight, the plot profoundly moving. Every theme is well realised, and every subplot has a satisfying resolution. Plus, Margot and Elle’s dates feel fresh and exciting – as a result of their adventures, I’m determined to try chips smeared in brie (fries, for the Americans) before the end of this year.

I’m also open to trying more Sweet romances. Really. It’s not a secret that I’m a huge fan of Spice: generally, the hotter the better. And the most our protagonists do here is kiss. It’s not even a Closed Door romance, because the bedroom door never shuts with Margot and Ellie on the other side. But it doesn’t feel like anything is missing from their story – it’s perfect, complete, every moment they spend together infused with meaning.

And as our leading ladies grow closer together, they manage to mend and build upon other relationships in their lives, which makes The Christmas Swap one of the most uplifting stories I’ve read all year. Samuels doesn’t so much offer an escape from reality as a necessary reminder of all the beauty life can hold when we’re brave enough to look for it. And I’m desperate to find out what she’ll publish next.