Maggie Knox

A feel-good, holiday-themed romantic comedy about identical twins who switch lives in the days leading up to Christmas--perfect for fans of Christina Lauren's In a Holidaze and Josie Silver's One Day in December. All they want for Christmas is a different life. When chef Charlie Goodwin gets hit on the head on the L.A. set of her reality baking show, she loses a lot more than consciousness; she also loses her ability to taste and smell--both critical to her success as show judge. Meanwhile, Charlie's identical twin, Cass, is frantically trying to hold her own life together back in their quaint mountain hometown while running the family's bustling bakery and dealing with her ex, who won't get the memo that they're over. With only days until Christmas, a desperate Charlie asks Cass to do something they haven't done since they were kids: switch places. Looking for her own escape from reality, Cass agrees. But temporarily trading lives proves more complicated than they imagined, especially when rugged firefighter Jake Greenman and gorgeous physician's assistant Miguel Rodriguez are thrown into the mix. Will the twins' identity swap be a recipe for disaster, or does it have all the right ingredients for getting their lives back on track?

The Holiday Swap

Maybe I'm unhinged for reading so many books at once, but I'm having a great time lol.

Shannon Leigh Williams

'An utterly adorable, pitch-perfect romance' Taylor Jenkins Read, author of Daisy Jones and The Six When chef Charlie Goodwin gets hit on the head on the L.A. set of her reality baking show, she loses a lot more than consciousness; she also loses her ability to taste and smell - both critical to her success as show judge. Meanwhile, Charlie's identical twin, Cass, is frantically trying to hold her own life together back in their quaint mountain hometown while running the family's bustling bakery and dealing with her ex, who won't get the memo that they're over. With only days until Christmas, a desperate Charlie asks Cass to do something they haven't done since they were kids: switch places. Looking for her own escape from reality, Cass agrees. But temporarily trading lives proves more complicated than they imagined, especially when rugged firefighter Jake Greenman and gorgeous Physician Assistant Miguel Rodriguez are thrown into the mix. Will the twins' identity swap be a recipe for disaster, or does it have all the right ingredients for getting their lives back on track? Readers love The Holiday Swap: 'A feel good story, romance, Christmas, dogs and cake! What more could you ask for?' - 5 STARS 'A perfect mix of fun and romance!' - 5 STARS 'A delightful festive read with drama that will pull you in' - 5 STARS 'A glorious holiday adventure with a dash of romance and sibling love . . . Great fun!' - 5 STARS 'Delightfully entertaining and thoroughly addictive . . . the perfect winter romance to curl up with this Christmas, with an ending worthy of a Hallmark movie' - 5 STARS

The perfect heartwarming and cosy festive romance

Rebecca Briesemeister

camille peiffer

this book was absolutely not good but i needed a little brain dead xmas read so it served it’s purpose

It's cute. Very hallmark, but it needed something more to make it different from a hallmark film?

taryn

Jordan

Mallory Kim

I'll say that I'm critical because I'm not a huge romance reader but I did like some things about this book.

I liked the slice of life and gilmore girls ish vibe. The pacing also wasn't too bad and it was an interesting story, but some things were just a bit too cliche for me. Like come on.. a firefighter getting the cat out of the tree for the love interest... HOW ORIGINAL lol.

I also felt like the characters weren't different enough. Especially the two men their lives like with the constant story switching between the twins I found myself getting confused who did what and which guy was which because both the main men felt so similar to me.

It was kinda a cute read for a break from more serious books but not my favorite.

Esther Lumanauw

Very cute book, and great to read over the holidays.. but the plot felt a little slow for me!

This was a cute holiday romance that gave you a classic hallmark tale. Twin switching places? What could possibly go wrong? While very predictable, it was a nice story. I was really into until the last two hours when it became overly cheesy for my taste. 

This was a cute holiday romance that gave you a classic hallmark tale. Twin switching places? What could possibly go wrong? While very predictable, it was a nice story. I was really into until the last two hours when it became overly cheesy for my taste. 

0/5

This book was unseasoned 😂

Kristen Claiborn

Have you ever wondered why Applebee’s is successful? Sure the food is tasty (ish), and the perfect margarita is legit the best chain-store marg available, but it’s still just MEH. The food gets to Applebee’s via trucks where it has spent an unspecified amount of time freeze-dried, then it is reheated when you order. It’s not culinary greatness, yet somehow, that mediocre place to eat, a step above McDonald’s, not only stays open but is always strangely busy. As I sat and sipped my perfect margarita and enjoyed my bourbon-street steak (should that be capitalized?), I pondered that question. I have even eaten at Applebee’s on vacation! I have come to the conclusion that we keep eating at Applebee’s because it’s familiar, consistent, and everywhere. If we’re going to spend money on food, we want assurances that it won’t be a waste, so we go to Applebee’s because we know exactly what we’re going to get. 
	I feel similarly towards romance novels. Most of these glorious novels will never win prestigious literary awards, but they will spend weeks and months on bestseller lists. They’ll become book club picks, they will get shared so often the covers will soften and distort. These books are the equivalent of comfort food. Romance novels will always have a happy ending, the relationship tension will eventually lead to true love, and it will leave the reader with the warm fuzzies. That’s what we love about romance. Romance novels are familiar, consistent, and everywhere. And you know what? That’s ok. It is absolutely ok for you to read and enjoy romance novels. Never let literary snobs try to make you feel like a lesser person for enjoying Danielle Steel (yes, I’m talking about you Nathan). 
	This book is the epitome of holiday romance, and it’s wonderful. The story involving twins switching places is the first of its kind that I have personally read, and I found it thoroughly enjoyable. The twins were both enjoyable characters, and I found them likeable and even a little inspiring. These women took care of themselves first, and because of that, the right people came into their lives. It’s an essential lesson to learn. I genuinely hope Knox writes a follow-up so we know what the twins are up to next!

Lyric Hooey

Very (almost too) cute. Hallmark Christmas movie but in book form. I like the comfort of knowing what to expect, personally.

A feel-good, holiday-themed romantic comedy about identical twins who switch lives in the days leading up to Christmas--perfect for fans of Christina Lauren's In a Holidaze and Josie Silver's One Day in December. When chef Charlie Goodwin gets hit on the head on the L.A. set of her reality baking show, she loses a lot more than consciousness; she also loses her ability to taste and smell--both critical to her success as show judge. Meanwhile, Charlie's identical twin, Cass, is frantically trying to hold her own life together back in their quaint mountain hometown while running the family's bustling bakery and dealing with her ex, who won't get the memo that they're over. With only days until Christmas, a desperate Charlie asks Cass to do something they haven't done since they were kids: switch places. Looking for her own escape from reality, Cass agrees. But temporarily trading lives proves more complicated than they imagined, especially when rugged firefighter Jake Greenman and gorgeous physician's assistant Miguel Rodriguez are thrown into the mix. Will the twins' identity swap be a recipe for disaster, or does it have all the right ingredients for getting their lives back on track?

Courtney

Hallmark Holiday film meets the British Baking show meets the Parent Trap. 

Twins switch lives after one has an accident that puts her career in jeopardy. Whilst living each others life- small town baker and wellknown tv celeb baker, the twins fall in love with the sexy fireman and hunky physician’s assistant. 

I loved the fun holiday baking aspect, and the romance was nice but seemed rushed- a week. I also felt “meh” about the epilogue, was not suprising at all. 

It’s a quick comfort hallmark-y holiday love story.

This book was certainly entertaining, but a bit lackluster when it comes to writing style. The main characters, twin sisters Charlie and Cass, were fun to follow and easy to relate to, and their respective love interests were swoon-worthy.

Unfortunately, throughout the novel, I found the descriptions extremely literal due to a lack of figurative language and literary devices. This took me out of the story multiple times, to the point where I had to push myself to read the last 30 pages. Some of the most important reveals near the end included the words "she explained that" rather than dialogue including the explanation.

I definitely enjoyed the characters and plot, but I don’t plan to purchase or reread this one. I'd still suggest it to someone looking for a light, fun holiday romance, but I do think there are better-written options available.

This book was certainly entertaining, but a bit lackluster when it comes to writing style. The main characters, twin sisters Charlie and Cass, were fun to follow and easy to relate to, and their respective love interests were swoon-worthy.

Unfortunately, throughout the novel, I found the descriptions extremely literal due to a lack of figurative language and literary devices. This took me out of the story multiple times, to the point where I had to push myself to read the last 30 pages. Some of the most important reveals near the end included the words "she explained that" rather than dialogue including the explanation.

I definitely enjoyed the characters and plot, but I don’t plan to purchase or reread this one. I'd still suggest it to someone looking for a light, fun holiday romance, but I do think there are better-written options available.

When Charlie Goodwin suffers from a concussion after an accident on the set of her television show, Sweet and Salty, she loses her senses of taste and smell.  For a judge of a competition cooking show, the accident is a disaster.  In order to keep her hopes of getting the hosting job of the new show, Bake My Day alive, Charlie calls on her twin sister, Cass, to switch places.  Cass is struggling with issues of her own as she is trying to break up with her long-time boyfriend, Brett, and show her parents that she is capable of taking over the running of the family bakery, Woodburn Breads.  She believes that this change of scenery is just what she needs, but what awaits her in L.A. is much more than she bargained for. 

The Holiday Swap follows the formula for the "twin swap" trope and fits it into this story about sisters who bake for a living.  There is very little unexpected territory covered here, and the characters aren't developed as well as they could have been.  Also, the plot gets somewhat confusing as the perspective of the twins switches back and forth abruptly throughout the book.  However, there are enough cute moments to carry the reader to the very end.  Overall, The Holiday Swap is a fairly average story with a few enjoyable scenes.  

Lynn Braden

When Charlie Goodwin suffers from a concussion after an accident on the set of her television show, Sweet and Salty, she loses her senses of taste and smell.  For a judge of a competition cooking show, the accident is a disaster.  In order to keep her hopes of getting the hosting job of the new show, Bake My Day alive, Charlie calls on her twin sister, Cass, to switch places.  Cass is struggling with issues of her own as she is trying to break up with her long-time boyfriend, Brett, and show her parents that she is capable of taking over the running of the family bakery, Woodburn Breads.  She believes that this change of scenery is just what she needs, but what awaits her in L.A. is much more than she bargained for. 

The Holiday Swap follows the formula for the "twin swap" trope and fits it into this story about sisters who bake for a living.  There is very little unexpected territory covered here, and the characters aren't developed as well as they could have been.  Also, the plot gets somewhat confusing as the perspective of the twins switches back and forth abruptly throughout the book.  However, there are enough cute moments to carry the reader to the very end.  Overall, The Holiday Swap is a fairly average story with a few enjoyable scenes.  

4.5 Stars
This book was definitely my cup of tea. The holiday atmosphere, the slightly predictable storyline, the swooning romance, I loved it all. 
I thought this was a fun story to read with the POV switching between 2 storylines of the twins Charlie and Cass. While I liked Charlie's story and chapters more than Cass's I still enjoyed both twins voices and stories immensely. 
This book combines everything I love from bakeries, baking shows, romance, and the holidays.
Recommended for: anyone who loves the parent trap and every baking show under the sun with a hint of gingerbread

McKenzie McWhorter

This was the perfect Christmas book 🎄
It was fun and light with the right about of conflict, I felt like everything transitioned seamlessly and the ending was perfect. I want to read it again next year!

Kaitlyn Cortez

This was a cheesy read, but I liked it. It's a good read for Christmas.

Skye

If you enjoy holiday Hallmark movies, then The Holiday Swap is the book for you! It’s got big city living and small town drama with fun characters woven throughout. Throw in a family bakery competing with mega-chain, a career assessment, a broken engagement, a concussion, surf lessons, a swoony firefighter, and twins that trade places for a week; and you’ve got yourself the perfect ingredients for a holiday adventure.

Kerry Kalinoski

Such a cute book especially if you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit! I read a book this year that was hallmark corny but this one was hallmark cute. Super cute a little cheesy and included the perfect love stories & sister relationships!

"An utterly adorable, pitch-perfect romance with just the right amount of Christmas cheer. The Holiday Swap is a pure delight, I couldn’t stop from smiling."-- Taylor Jenkins Reid, NYT bestselling author of Daisy Jones & The Six A feel-good, holiday-themed romantic comedy about identical twins who switch lives in the days leading up to Christmas. All they want for Christmas is a different life. When chef Charlie Goodwin gets hit on the head on the L.A. set of her reality baking show, she loses a lot more than consciousness; she also loses her ability to taste and smell--both critical to her success as show judge. Meanwhile, Charlie's identical twin, Cass, is frantically trying to hold her own life together back in their quaint mountain hometown while running the family's bustling bakery and dealing with her ex, who won't get the memo that they're over. With only days until Christmas, a desperate Charlie asks Cass to do something they haven't done since they were kids: switch places. Looking for her own escape from reality, Cass agrees. But temporarily trading lives proves more complicated than they imagined, especially when rugged firefighter Jake Greenman and gorgeous physician assistant Miguel Rodriguez are thrown into the mix. Will the twins' identity swap be a recipe for disaster, or does it have all the right ingredients for getting their lives back on track?

Eliza adkins 

This book had me smiling the whole time!!!
I’ve been obsessed with The Great British Baking Competition recently and it was like reading the behind the scenes of every episode. And The Parent Trap is my absolute favorite movie ever, just like the movie except the romance is for the twins. A great read to end the year!!

Sierra

“Time heals all things. If time fails, try cake.”

I love a good holiday-themed movie and this is just that but in book form. If you've seen the Netflix movie The Princess Switch, this has very similar vibes and is what it most reminded me of, just minus the royalty storyline. True rating of 3.5.

Twin sisters who take each other's place who have a knack for baking/cooking (one on TV and one at the family bakery) and fall for the gentle and kind love interest. Was it predictable at every turn? Absolutely. Did it still warm the heart a little and give me that boost of holiday serotonin? For sure. It's a common plot in a different font, but I can't complain too much as it was cute and I liked how the twins found themselves along the journey. While it didn't knock my socks off or was very impressionable, it satisfied my holiday-themed romance craving well enough.

Overall, do you absolutely need to read it? Maybe not as I'm sure the next holiday book you or I pick up will have the same Hallmark vibes and cheesy happy ending, but it's cute and has the feel-good fuzzies that are always enjoyable so it's a fun TBR addition if you have the time and are in the spirit!

Libby G

❄️ Twin sisters trade lives and it gets tricky in the hallmark-y holiday romance. 

❄️This was a fun story and I liked the characters. I loved the sisters and the love interests. The idea of them both being bakers but living very separate lifestyles. The small town vibes were very cozy.

❄️I was kinda hoping for a little romance. The book slowed down for me quite a bit in the middle. There was a lot of lamenting taking over each other’s lives and I found myself wanting less of that and more of the romance.

Hanna Schroeder

soooo cheesy but in the sweetest way. like a hallmark movie in a book.

Amanda Autumn Berrey

Three Stars

A Brief Synopsis: Cass and Charlie are adult twins who live in different places but still maintain a close bond. One day when Charlie is on the set of her cooking show she suffers a head injury that takes away her senses of taste and smell. In order to preserve Charlies job Cass and her pull the classic roll of switching lives while Charlie recovers. But soon they find out its more complicated as adults than it was in their adolescence

My review: This was a good book but it seemed to drag. I ended up pretty bored at the end. I enjoyed most of the book and if you were a big romcom fan I'd recommend it

Jasmine Padilla

It's a decent read, very predictable but a light read. 

The Holiday Swap

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