Book Review: The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson

The Christmas Swap. Melody Carlson. Fleming H. Revell Co. (2020). 176 pages. Genre: Christmas.

First Line: "Emma Daley had always loved Christmas as a child, but...not so much as an adult."

Summary:  Emma's parents are serving as missionaries overseas and she has no other family.  She has spent the past several Christmases with her friend Gillian Landers' family.  While it has been nice to not be alone on Christmas, Emma tires of their extravagance and bickering.  She thinks she will spend the holiday by herself this year.  However, Gillian can't imagine anyone wanting to spend Christmas alone and insists that Emma join her family as usual.  Besides, her dad has made arrangements for the family to swap houses with a family in Colorado so they can have snow for Christmas.  Emma gives in and joins the Landers family.  But things quickly become complicated and Emma wonders what she was thinking.

My thoughts:  I often read a Melody Carlson book at Christmastime.  They are usually fun, quick reads that put me in the Christmas spirit and this one was no exception.

The idea of a house swap was interesting.  There are members of both families who are not sure this is a good idea.  When a complication arises that caused the owner of the Colorado home to have to return after the other family has arrived, things get tricky.  It was entertaining to watch this work itself out.

Melody Carlson is an expert at creating deep characters within a small number of pages.  The reader learns to appreciate Emma's kindness and humility.  She is sensible and tends to put other people's desires above her own.  Which is the complete opposite of Gillian.  She tries to attract as much attention as possible and will use others to get what she wants.  She was very unlikeable.  

This is a quick, fun read that will put you in the Christmas spirit.

Quote:

"Emma hadn't said much about her sleeping quarters, but she still felt certain she'd scored the best room in the house.  It wasn't fancy in the way that Gillian or her mom would appreciate, and Gil wouldn't like the lack of closet space.  But to Emma, it was perfect.  The fabulous view had only gotten better as the sky turned dusky earlier.  While alone in the house, Emma had just stared in wonder as the sunset transformed the snowy slope into shades of indigo blue and purple.  Meanwhile the lights from the nearby ski lodge had glowed like golden torches.  It had been absolutely magical."