Christmas By Candlelight: Get in the festive spirit with this cosy, escapist read from the bestselling Queen of Christmas

I loved this book! Perfectly Christmas read for something with a little more depth, a bit of mystery and romance to top it off! Another fantastic book from this author.

Three days before Christmas Libby and her new boyfriend, Max, reluctantly make their way to a reunion with Libby’s university friends. She hasn’t seen them since they left Durham University nine years ago and has made excuses for every annual reunion and meet up. She is wracked with nerves at seeing them again but reassures herself it's only for a few hours. The snow is already falling when they arrive at the family estate of the group’s heartbreaker, Archie, just outside Thirsk in North Yorkshire. Despite her apprehension, the night is a success, but when Libby and Max go to leave they discover the snow has fallen much harder than anyone realised and they are snowed in. At first they try to make the best of things and enjoy their extended visit, but after the power goes out and they are stranded without any way of contacting help, tensions rise, old hostilities flare, and long-held secrets are slowly revealed, forcing Libby to confront things she’s been running from for almost decade. Christmas By Candlelight is one of the Squadpod Book Club books this month. Fun, uplifting, immersive and addictive, this is festive fiction at its finest. I started reading this in November and didn’t think I was quite ready to start my festive reading, but this was exactly what I didn’t know I needed and helped me get into the festive spirit. It warmed my heart, broke it, and then warmed it again as I lost myself in the story. The vivid descriptions of the snowy landscape and old estate adorned with decorations conjured up images of a scenic Christmas while also providing a feeling of claustrophobia that adds to the suspense and foreboding. Somehow, this was my first Karen Swan book. I’ve no idea how I’ve never read any of her books until now but this certainly won’t be my last. The story is narrated by Libby and told in dual timelines: the Christmas reunion in the present day and the group’s final term at Durham University in 2014. The friends are an eclectic cast of fascinating characters and there’s a feeling of nostalgia that comes from their reminiscing and the flashbacks to university. As the outlier of the group, Libby was a great choice for narrator and was likeable, flawed and relatable. It’s clear from the start that there are secrets, old conflicts, tension, and unresolved bad blood between the friends which boils over as they are forced to live in close quarters without heat or power after being stranded by the snow. Yes, there is some cheesiness and predictability to the story, including a will-they-won’t-they romance, but this is expertly merged with the more serious aspects of the story and all a part of the book’s charm. So if you’re looking for a charming Christmassy read that will warm you from the inside, I’d highly recommend this book.

A reunion of a group of university housemates 9 years after they graduated can be nerve-wracking especially as Libby has avoided everyone else for all those years. Now as a successful corporate lawyer she brings her recent lover and workmate Max. At first its more fun that she expects but when they try to leave the remote manor house in North Yorkshire the snow is far too thick, next day the power goes & they become totally cut off. Gradually we learn of a time of crisis in 2014 when the housemates pulled together to help Chloe in her time of need, but for Libby it was also eventful in her relationship with Archie who owns the house where they are marooned. The dramatic account is intriguing and finally heart-warming.

This was a great book, well written and captivating.

Normally I cant wait to read a Karen Swann book, but saved this one for a quiet moment. Sadly I am disappointed. I don't like dual time lines, but that's my personal preference. I just couldn't feel any empathy for the characters, most of whom seemed almost caricatures of public school twits. It was not a 'cosy Christmas' story at all though the descriptions of the icy weather were very well written. She has written so many lovely books with far more interesting backgrounds. Sorry Karen, I look forward to your next book anyway.

This charming story follows a diverse group of university students who bond and fiercely protect one another. The protagonist, Libby, has harboured feelings for the group’s heartthrob Archie Templeton for some time. Feeling invisible, she’s the opposite of his ideal type – tall, blonde, and Libby is short and brunette. However, Libby is the sensible one with a plan for her life. Coming from a working-class background, she’s determined to change her circumstances and support her parents. The narrative seamlessly alternates between 2014 and 2023. In 2023, Libby has fallen out of touch with the group, apart from occasional emails and messages. She’s always avoided social events with them until now. The group is invited to Archie’s grand family home in Yorkshire. Libby attends with her fellow lawyer and boyfriend Max, who’s perceptive and can read people like no other. This is three days before Christmas, and the reunion goes better than expected. However, with snow and power lines down, they’re snowed in. This is where the candlelight comes into play. Libby is determined not to avoid Archie but is forced to share the same space. Secrets and truths begin to surface…

Received this book yesterday, so I'm keeping it to read over the Christmas season. This will be my 6th Christmas season book from Karen Swan. I love the twists and turns of her books, so looking forward to reading it, I'm sure it will not disappoint.

I wasn't 100% sure when I first started this book. I felt there seemed too many characters but as I got into the story I managed to get my head around it all. Really liked the way the story alternated between when the group of friends were students, house sharing, to the present day, during a pre Christmas reunion. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Not that christmassy but a good story all the same.

I love her books. Karen Swan is the best.

Loved the story

I am an avid Karen Swan reader, having read all of her books to date. And this one has easily become one of my favourites. I loved the characters (and would also love to see some spin-offs from their perspectives and more stories from their time together at school)! The plot develops quickly, but the characters are still developed thoroughly. The book also tackles difficult subject material (TW: se*ual a**ault) from a perspective (the legal perspective) that I wasn’t expecting and which Swan does a marvellous job explaining (this from someone currently in law school and struggling with the realities of a flawed legal system). Overall, she does the topic and characters justice and it’s a great read!

Karen Swan books are always hard to put down. After the second page this book had me hooked. The history that the characters of this novel share and their reunion with one character after 10 years is at first, uncomfortable, but as the days go on memories of the past they share come to light especially by candlelight.

Libro molto facile da leggere. Una tranquilla lettura per un fine settimana. Storia appassionante di un gruppo di amici con intrecci romantici. Si ha salti temporali al passato lungo tutto il libro. Molto carino per una lettura natalizia.