THE CHRISTMAS SWAP is a standalone holiday contemporary romance by Melody Carlson. This is a great book for fans of romcoms and Hallmark movies. Emma Daley is not an object of pity, but with her parents constantly out of the country and pursuing their own dreams, Emma often is alone unless she plays tagalong to her wealthy friend Gillian’s family. This hero and heroine meet when Gillian’s family does a holiday house swap with Tyler Prescott. Gillian’s family (and Emma) gets his Christmas bedecked Colorado Rockies deluxe cabin hideaway, while his family gets their Arizona home. Tyler is supposed to be gone by the time they get there, but fate intervenes. When he comes across Emma, he is surprisingly smitten. Thus, begins his innocent masquerade as the “caretaker” rather than the owner.

 This story is told from alternating perspectives, which gives readers a better understanding of the two main characters. A lot of the action in THE CHRISTMAS SWAP is driven by Gillian and her scheming. Although good friends with Emma, Gillian alternately fills the roles of BFF and wicked stepsister. It’s not that Gillian enjoys sabotaging Emma’s chance at romance, but she just seems a little too self-centered, spoiled, and immature. Despite all Gillian’s best efforts to separate these two, Emma and Tyler have a genuine and compelling chemistry. Every time they manage to carve out time to be together, Tyler and Emma discover how much they have in common. Both have an affinity for music. Emma is a budding songwriter while, unbeknownst to her, Tyler has an impressive music career writing hits for big stars. As any romance fans could guess, Tyler’s deception at being merely the caretaker does not go over well with Emma. However, I understand why he did it. The author discusses how he’s been played in the past, and how a lot of women were with him only for a shot at fame. The romance is a mix of sweet and steamy with loads of sexual tension as Emma and Tyler get to know each other.

THE CHRISTMAS SWAP is a perfect book to curl up with by the fire and catch some cozy Christmas romance vibes. Unlike Gillian, I wouldn’t mind reading about her brother in a future story. Initially I thought Gillian would be the sympathetic supporting character and her brother would be insufferable, but it ended up being the reverse. I look forward to reading more stories by Melody Carlson in the future.