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I received this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lee is a single mom, navigating life with a 5-year-old boy in Amsterdam while also succeeding as a sought-after photographer. But Lee is also dealing with trauma following years of a career as a war photographer that won her awards but also left her with memories of the worst tragedies in recent human history and a broken friendship that has never recovered. As Lee's past threatens to come back and engulf her, she also meets Sam - a handsome artist who may be the one person to get past her guard and convince her she can have someone else in her and her son's life.
This was just such an excellent read that when I say I couldn't put it down, I really mean it! I read this in 24 hours and every time I was doing something else, I found myself wandering back over to my Kindle to pick up where I left off as I was absolutely hooked. The writing in this and the strength of the story - Lee's past and present, her trauma, her struggles and the lovely life she has made for herself and for her son, are just addictive to read about, and I honestly think this is Karen Swan's best work to date! All her books are good but this one definitely has topped the others for me.
While this book is set in November and December, and contains festive, winter scenes, it's not a book dominated by Christmas other than some mentions and Jasper's excitement for Zwarte Piet and Sinterklaas. I really liked reading about the Dutch traditions in this book, such as Pakjesavond, as well as learning about the famous ice-skating race Elfstedentocht.
As someone with a background in journalism, and who has often wondered what life would have been like if I had gone in a different direction, Lee's background as a war photographer was hugely interesting for me - and how the story highlighted the true danger of a war zone for both photographer and journalist (press passes do not mean automatic safety) as well as the heightened danger if you happen to be a woman. The flash backs left me with a feeling of trepidation but I also loved learning about the past that built Lee's character into who she was and all the little things she had shaped in her life due to this past.
While I truly loved Sam as a love interest (very swoony), there were times where Lee's intensity about him overtook her other story lines which I found a bit more interesting. I did like how it all concluded.
A side note as well that Lee's present job as a photographer who shoots in studio was also super interesting to read about - how she tackled her subjects, the way Karen Swan described the shoots and the resulting pictures was amazing, and I really could see what she was aiming for. I could totally see someone like Paul Mescal doing the Matteo photoshoot - shaved, naked, dirty - yes, please.
This was honestly just a brilliant read, I was totally hooked. The story delivered a lovely romantic relationship with all the ups and downs and drama you want but it also gave a story of war, and trauma, of trust lost and gained - a character finding herself in the darkest of situations but managed to pull herself up and making a beautiful life with a beautiful boy - friendship and forgiveness, and the true gift of appreciating every moment you have.
Cannot recommend this book enough!
Lee is a single mom, navigating life with a 5-year-old boy in Amsterdam while also succeeding as a sought-after photographer. But Lee is also dealing with trauma following years of a career as a war photographer that won her awards but also left her with memories of the worst tragedies in recent human history and a broken friendship that has never recovered. As Lee's past threatens to come back and engulf her, she also meets Sam - a handsome artist who may be the one person to get past her guard and convince her she can have someone else in her and her son's life.
This was just such an excellent read that when I say I couldn't put it down, I really mean it! I read this in 24 hours and every time I was doing something else, I found myself wandering back over to my Kindle to pick up where I left off as I was absolutely hooked. The writing in this and the strength of the story - Lee's past and present, her trauma, her struggles and the lovely life she has made for herself and for her son, are just addictive to read about, and I honestly think this is Karen Swan's best work to date! All her books are good but this one definitely has topped the others for me.
While this book is set in November and December, and contains festive, winter scenes, it's not a book dominated by Christmas other than some mentions and Jasper's excitement for Zwarte Piet and Sinterklaas. I really liked reading about the Dutch traditions in this book, such as Pakjesavond, as well as learning about the famous ice-skating race Elfstedentocht.
As someone with a background in journalism, and who has often wondered what life would have been like if I had gone in a different direction, Lee's background as a war photographer was hugely interesting for me - and how the story highlighted the true danger of a war zone for both photographer and journalist (press passes do not mean automatic safety) as well as the heightened danger if you happen to be a woman. The flash backs left me with a feeling of trepidation but I also loved learning about the past that built Lee's character into who she was and all the little things she had shaped in her life due to this past.
While I truly loved Sam as a love interest (very swoony), there were times where Lee's intensity about him overtook her other story lines which I found a bit more interesting. I did like how it all concluded.
A side note as well that Lee's present job as a photographer who shoots in studio was also super interesting to read about - how she tackled her subjects, the way Karen Swan described the shoots and the resulting pictures was amazing, and I really could see what she was aiming for. I could totally see someone like Paul Mescal doing the Matteo photoshoot - shaved, naked, dirty - yes, please.
This was honestly just a brilliant read, I was totally hooked. The story delivered a lovely romantic relationship with all the ups and downs and drama you want but it also gave a story of war, and trauma, of trust lost and gained - a character finding herself in the darkest of situations but managed to pull herself up and making a beautiful life with a beautiful boy - friendship and forgiveness, and the true gift of appreciating every moment you have.
Cannot recommend this book enough!