The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox

The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox

Let's choose a book club read for December, but make it a cozy, festive, romance to mix things up. Enter The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox, her debut novel published in 2022. This was meant to be an easy and comforting read for what is arguably the busiest month of the year, so we don't have a lot to worry about. A few small injuries and some sexism and bullying, and a surprise pregnancy announcement.

Charlie is the sweet half of the chef hosting duo for the cooking show Sweet & Salty, but as they're filming their 12 Days of Christmas holiday special, disaster strikes and Charlie is left with a concussion that impedes her ability to taste or smell. Not great for the judge of a cooking competition! And it could not have come at a worse time. Sweet & Salty is ending and the next cooking show will only have one host, both Charlie and her co-host Austin (who is the worst!) are up for the position. This holiday special is the last chance either of them has to impress the producers and lock down the new show. Feeling like her job is on the line, Charlie calls up her identical twin sister Cass and begs her to trade places, just until Charlie's senses return. Cass has troubles of her own: the twins have sent their parents on a trip for the holiday and this is the first year that Cass will be running the bakery by herself during their busiest season, and she's dealing with her pesky ex-boyfriend Brett, who just doesn't seem to understand that their relationship is over. She agrees to Charlie's plan as long as Charlie agrees to handle Brett and get him to see that he needs to move on. There's only 10 days left till Christmas anyway, how much could really go wrong?

This book is just oozing charm. It is adorable, it is fun, it is sweet, and it is perfect for the holidays. I was able to finish the audiobook in just a few days and was left smiling with a nice, cheerful, homey feeling after I was done. The characters are fairly well-developed, especially for a romance novel, and each twin has their own personality traits. There are a couple characters that I thought were more nefarious than they were and a few that I was caught unaware at the level of their scheming. Not a ton of substance but enough that I didn't feel like I was just reading fluff for nothing. And a sassy grandmother-type that has a quote I plan to put on my headstone: "Time heals all things. If time fails, try cake." A message that I can really get behind. A festive romance perfect for someone with Gilmore Girls nostalgia. All in all, a lovely, short holiday read to get you in the spirit.

I'm giving The Holiday Swap 4 stars out of 5. I was charmed and I regret nothing. We will see how the rest of my book club feels about it.

For more from the author, check her out on instagram @maggieknoxauthor

Pairs well with chocolate chili mousse and a stroll with hot chocolate during the season's first snow fall.