User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
When an accident causes baking show judge Charlie to lose her sense of taste and smell, she desperately asks her identical twin sister Cass to swap places with her. Wanting a break from her own stressful reality, Cass agrees. Cue mishaps and mayhem! With delicious bakes, two sweet romances, and a dash of Christmas spirit, this is one adorable holiday read.
Rating: really liked it
This sweetest, loveliest, one of the most engaging story reminds you of feel good Hallmark movies you watch cuddling with your loved ones with a pure happy smile on your face.
Its story line so many similarities with Vanessa Hudgens’ Netflix movie called Princess Switch: only there are a few differences: yes, there are twins and baking show at the both stories. But at this book; the sisters already know each other’s existence and they switch for work related crisis. One of them lives in quaint mountain small town as the other living in LA, hosting a baking show, competing with her cohost to get her own show.
So none of the twins is princess, there are still awww moments and deliciously heartfelt romance parts. I can honestly say this is more logical and more emotional, better version of similar story.
Especially conclusion warmed my heart. I don’t know how many times I sighed or find myself holding my hurting cheeks because I smiled so much and tested my cheeks flexibility!
Charlie is the baking show star, working on Christmas special with her not so much likable and very likely to be punchable or kickable partner Austin Nash.
And she finds herself dozed off, being attacked by cast-iron pans unit, suffering from concussion. Charming physician assistant Miguel advised her to rest. She doesn’t want to listen to him because she needs to defeat Austin at his own game, getting her own show as she deserves. But when she losses the ability of tasting and smelling as a side effect of her injury, she calls her sister Cass who is working full time at her family’s Woodworn Breads Bakery, begging for Parent Trap-ping !
Her sister will become her for 10 days to guarantee her place at the new show as she takes her place as a full time baker at their family bakery at the most busiest time of the year.
Luckily their parents are on trip and nobody needs to know about their arrangement. Cass already needs a break from her long time relationship: her boyfriend insists to drag her into marriage even she says no.
When twins switch places they both have hard times to adjust in their new lives. Cass has problems to talk to the camera, restraining herself as douchebag co-host who sabotages her efforts, making snarky comments about her work. And sweet physician assistant Miguel already starts to confuse her mind with his gestures.
On the other hand Charlie has hard time to manage things at the bakery by herself and sexy firefighter Jack’s existence makes things more complicated.
As you may imagine both girls find themselves deal with love problems.
I have to admit both love stories are sweet. I enjoyed Cass and Miguel’s more!
It was such lovely, sweet, feel good book to bring back Christmas spirit and cure your darkening mood!
Definitely better than most of binge watch worthy Hallmark movies!
Special thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP PUTNAM/ G. P. Putnam’s Sons for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Rating: really liked it
So cute, like a Hallmark movie in a book.
I have been a longtime fan of Karma Brown's books, and so when I saw that she had joined together with Marissa Stapley to write this book I was all in, and I was not disappointed.
This isn't a unique premise, but these authors handled the storyline well. Charlie and Cass are identical twins. Charlie is a trained pastry chef who has a starring role on an LA television food competition show (along with a horrid co-host), and Cass works at home in a quaint mountain town running the family's bakery. When Charlie falls and gets a concussion, she is left without the ability to taste and smell anything. Knowing that her hosting job is on the line, she enlists Cass in a swap--she will work at the bakery and Cass can co-host the show. Neither one can predict the ups and downs this swap will cause in both their personal and professional lives.
I just adored these characters, the food descriptions (my stomach growled so many times reading about the delectable treats the characters created), the camaraderie of the twins and the relationships they nurture and develop along the way. Yes, there's a plethora of heartwarming romance, but there is also a beautiful exploration of family and relationships, and the effect that lies, even well-intentioned ones, have on those around you. The novel also includes a (somewhat cheesy but not unexpected) happily-ever-after ending, a lovable dog, and an overall uplifting storyline. If you're looking for a bit of holiday cheer with a Hallmark movie vibe, then you cannot go wrong with The Holiday Swap.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Rating: really liked it
2.5/5 stars Well people weren’t lying when they said this is like a hallmark movie in book form. I started out enjoying it, but sadly this just leaned too far into the realm of eye-rolling for me to enjoy more than halfway through. I know it’s the entire plot of the book, but it came to a point where the lying just annoyed me and I stopped caring. The two plot lines became repetitive. The end made me snort. And I don’t care for baking/food content. I imagine many people will love this one, but it wasn’t for me. I thought the cutesy Christmas vibes might let it slip through since I love Christmas films, but apparently not.
Rating: really liked it
3.75 *
To my delight I found out Maggie Knox is the pseudonym for two famous Canadian authors. Karma Brown (whose books I very much enjoy) and Marissa Stapley (I've only read one of her books but will look into more of them now.)
This was my first Christmas book for the season. It was sweet (literally as both the main characters are chefs and there is a lot of baking going on.) It really reminded me of a Hallmark type of movie.
Two twin sisters Charlie and Cass decide to swap places just before Christmas. Charlie is a famous tv chef who stars in a baking competition type of show (yes BIG The Great American Baking show vibes.) On set she falls and injures herself and needs to take time to rest but the show must go on! She asks her twin Cass to switch places with her. Charlie will in turn head back to their family bakery (in a quaint small town of all places) to help in the run-up to Christmas.
This is a feel good type of story and a heartwarming romance. It's a little cheesy but it provides you with all the good feels around the holiday season. π
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for granting me access to this Advance Reader Copy.
Rating: really liked it
This is a Cute Christmas Romance. This book is about identical twin switching places during Close to Christmas. The beginning of this story was slow to going, but I love seeing the characters trying to jump into the other ones life. They both find themselves and love while being switched. I love all the characters in this book. I felt the ending of this book was really good, and I normally think romance books ending are just ok. If you are looking for a cute and sweet Romance that can be funny with a Winter/Christmas setting this is the book for you.
https://www.mybotm.com/zr12wnytgc8?sh...
Rating: really liked it
4.5
This novel has it all. Baking? Romance? Twins swapping places and falling in love? Yes, please! I loved every second of this book and how Charlie and Cassie swap places for the holidays. They both fall in love, but quickly get tangled in their web of lies trying to pose as each other in their respective lives. I really loved how sweet each of the romances were. My only critique is that I would have liked for them to at least have told the love interests a little earlier their true identities. What I appreciated though, was how messy the girls made each other's lives. Obviously there were going to be consequences as they lied to people and tried to be each other, and I liked how things got a bit messy before they could get better. This had all of the Christmas magic I wanted and I couldn't recommend it enough as a cute Christmas romance to pick up this winter!
Rating: really liked it
Definitely don't take my rating to heart if this sounds like your thing. This just isn't my cup of tea.
Right off the bat, I want to say, if you're a fan of the seasonal Netflix and or Hallmark channel holiday movies? You'll probably love this. Enjoy those Vanessa Hudgens twin/look-alike/whatever swap concept films? This is for you. Added bonus if you also love
The Great British Bake Off. And yet another bonus is this also manages to sprinkle in a small-town setting and vibe. THE HOLIDAY SWAP is doing pretty much everything, and anything, it possibly can. Sadly, though, this did not make my Grinchy heart grows any sizes bigger.
If you can suspend some disbelief that grown humans (even identical ones!) would think it likely they can switch lives for the course of the week when disaster strikes (I'm not even going to touch on the recklessness of not taking a concussion seriously.. I'm not.. nope), and have no issue adjusting despite the very different lives they lead, you can probably get on with this more than I could (thankfully they do later address the folly in thinking this would be possible, but..). Added tension and hijinks ensue when they immediately stumble in their ability to adjust to their new surroundings and are unable to get ahold of each other.. and I mean, other than dealing with frustrating co-hosts of a reality tv show and an ex who can't get the hint, that's as high stakes as it gets. This isn't looking to stress you out by any means, it really is here for a good wholesome holiday time.
Beyond not getting on with most of the aforementioned tropes and premise, though, I'll admit there was not enough to differentiate the twins in personality or narrative voice. One is supposed to be more traditionally small town and perhaps a little bit of a pushover/people pleaser (though we only see that particular aspect when she's dealing with her ex which, ugh, I disliked that whole plot point) and the other is glamourous and successful and take-charge.. except, again, with maybe two exceptions we don't see this really come to the fore. They were both into baking, they were both workaholics, making them well.. sorry for the pun, but, identical; circumstances notwithstanding.
Naturally, each sister has a romance that is initially complicated by the existing way the love interests were known to the other sister, but, surprising no one, it all works out happily ever after in the end.
THE HOLIDAY SWAP has the excitement, and conflict, of the GBBO-like competition, a potential baked-goods chain looking to elbow in on the small town bakery's turf, in addition to head injuries and some ruined baking, and, of course, the sisters have to come clean just in time for Christmas. Will a miracle prevail and they will be forgiven for their trickery? Will they each get what they set out to achieve with their swap.. and maybe learn something about themselves along the way? I'm sure you know the answer to those questions but, either way, I won't ruin the surprise.
This has so much that I know so many people will love. And I hope you do. But if, like me, this isn't quite your jam? I don't think this will be memorable or enough of a stand-out to change your mind about the premise. It did make me hungry, though.
** I received an unsolicited finished copy from the publisher (thank you!) and this in no way influenced my review. **
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
Rating: really liked it
***3,5 stars***Dear authors,
aren't you tired of repeating the same tropes over and over again? Especially in romance novels! For instance when the MC has something to say, a secret to confess - let them freaking confess! Stop interrupting them with idiotic things, just to have the secret come out right before the end in some dramatic way. After that, it always comes to a fight between the love interests or a separation of some sort, only to have it sorted out after a short while, then giving them their HEA.
Can you once figure out some other plot device? (like for example in this story, let the twins come out to their love interests when they first intended to, no interruptions? Then I don't know.. cause some other small drama to keep those in need of drama satisfied. π) I want MCs in romance novels to be honest about their stupid secrets for once and not figure out how the whole book is about to go down after just a few pages/chapters.
Is that too much to ask for?
Respectfully,
DoraBut for real now.. I am soooo sick of these repeating tropes, the same ones over and over and over and ooooover again π€¦βοΈ is there an unwritten law amongst writers that forces them to use the same basic structure in their novels - one that I am not aware of? Or do people not want to read something original for once?
Because this book wasn't even halfway bad. Even though it's about twins switching places (which btw has also been done like a gazillion times), I could get over that and actually enjoy it. But sadly, that was only until I figured neither Cat, nor Charlie will be honest about who they are to neither Jake nor Miguel. Literally nothing would have changed, neither of them would have had anything to loose, so I don't get it.
I am so mad right now, and also conflicted? Because, as I said before, I did enjoy this story. But I just wish with all my heart that for once I'll read something original. Do the twin switching thing, but do it with a twist, do it like no one's done it before. And also, there are other happy endings, other than pregnancy and marriage ππππππππππππ
So yeah, if you're a fan of Hallmarky Christmas stories, then I do recommend this one.
Rating: really liked it
2.5
just not really my thing. don’t think it helped that christmas has been quite miserable this year (thanks omicron) so the festiveness of the book made me sad rather than happy.
it was very predictable and i just felt myself getting irritated at the girls, like why couldn’t they just tell these men who they were?! it wouldn’t have ruined the rest of the plan π€¦π»βοΈ
Rating: really liked it
The Holiday Swap is a women’s fiction novel set during Christmas. It’s a case of mistaken identity/disguise when identical twins swap towns/jobs temporarily.
This is a whimsical, feel-good, clean story about twins Charlie (pastry chef, TV show host) and Cass (bakery owner in a quaint town). An accidental bump on the head caused Charlie to lose her sense of smell and taste, making it impossible to hide the issue while onset. Since the next few days will decide if she or her co-host gets the new show’s job, Charlie persuades her sister to pretend to be her to secure her future. Both twins have extensive baking skills so it’s simple for Cass to come to LA and Charlie to manage the bakery in her hometown.
Sounds simple enough. But each twin has a learning curve to overcome to perform the other twin’s job. They both realize lying to people is hard, even if it is only temporary. After they swap, each twin stumbles upon that one guy who makes their heart flutter. And just when the twins develop real feelings for their new guy, they wonder what will happen when the ruse is over. Meanwhile each twin has work-related challenges they must thwart to maintain their lively hood.
With lavish food descriptions, Christmas references, and only mild conflict, this is light-hearted escape read. As you would expect, the characters are charming, upbeat people. The single rascal gets what he deserves. Everybody else ends up in a happy place.
Why only three stars?
Despite the sweet writing, likable characters, and fun holiday vibes, I struggled to maintain interest in this book from start to finish. I couldn’t get invested in Charlie or Cass. Nothing negative, just neutral. The food descriptions for the bakery items and the TV show food sounded delicious. But the extensive catalog of dinner foods (and there were several dinner dates) bogged down the relationship scenes.
If you are a fan of Hallmark movies, add this to your seasonal list. Also recommend for fans of light, clean romance and fluffy chic-lit.
Rating: really liked it
β§ο½₯οΎ: *β§ο½₯οΎ:* *:ο½₯οΎβ§*:ο½₯οΎβ§
Thanks to Penguin Canada for providing an ARC of The Holiday Swap in exchange for an honest review.A fun and heartwarming contemporary romance that’s perfect for the holidays!β¨
β’The Plot This was a really cute read, perfect for Christmas or the holidays, because it covered both the small town and big city aspects of the holiday season. Plus, baked goods and Christmas are the perfect combination, so what could go wrong? I liked the overall plot of the book even though twin switches aren’t my favourite trope, but I did find the execution to be a little rushed at times. It seemed like the authors wanted the book to be tied up a bit too quickly and a bit too perfectly. Other than that, I really liked the plot.
β’The Characters Just like with the plot, I liked the idea behind the characters, but I wasn’t 100% convinced by the execution. While they were fun to read about, the book just wasn’t long enough for me to really connect with them, their jobs, or their romance. That’s a bit harsh because they were good characters and I did feel invested in their lives especially when people were finding out about the switch, but there was definitely something lacking. β¨
β’The Romance One of my favourite parts of the book, both couples were so cute, particularly Cass and Michael. Just like with everything else I wish we got to see more of the development, but what we did get to see was SO CUTE!
*3.5
. ⋅ ΛΜ£- : β§ : – β β¦ β – : β§ : -ΛΜ£⋅ .
MY LINKTREE β¦
Rating: really liked it
I am a twin(fraternal, not identical) and ever since I saw the first Disney version of "The Parent Trap" I have enjoyed reading stories about twins swapping places. This holiday-themed novel has a set of 28-year-old twins as the main characters. Cass and Charlie make the switch right before Christmas. Both are in food-related jobs so get ready to read about some mouthwatering desserts and bakery goods. This is a clean, feel good romance and I loved it!
Thank you to G.P. Putnam and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: really liked it
I feel bad, but I really didn't enjoy this. I do want to make it clear that I don't think that this was necessarily a bad book, but it was very much just not a book for me. Between the stilted third-person writing style and the over the top-ness of it all, I struggled even finishing this. It leaned way too far into the unrealistic territory than I care for, but if you're someone who likes Hallmark-movie-level-cheese, there's a good chance that you will enjoy this way more than I did! It was unfortunately really just not a book for me and I bummed as heck. Womp :(
Rating: really liked it
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
