Christmas By Candlelight: Get in the festive spirit with this cosy, escapist read from the bestselling Queen of Christmas
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(as of Nov 27, 2025 03:30:40 UTC – Details)
The Sunday Times bestseller!
‘There’s nothing quite like a Karen Swan novel to get you in the festive mood – Seasonal escapism at its best’ – Woman & Home
Snowed in for the holidays, old truths rise to the surface. Christmas by Candlelight is a cosy Christmas story from Karen Swan, bestselling author of The Stolen Hours.
It’s three days before Christmas and starting to snow when high-flier Libby and her new boyfriend reluctantly attend her university reunion.
Hosted by Archie Templeton – the heartbreaker of their group – at his grand family estate in Yorkshire, the night is a great success until they go to leave: the road is now blocked with snow.
At first, being snowed in together is fun. But as hours pass everyone grows restless.
Then the power goes out . . .
Hunkered down together by candlelight, they reminisce about old times – and tensions soon start to rise. Secrets from the past begin to unravel and Libby is confronted with a truth she has long tried to deny.
‘You know that the festive season is well and truly here when a Karen Swan Christmas cracker appears . . . Sprinkled throughout with Swan’s trademark twists and turns, insight, cosy charm, and eye for comedy, this is the perfect warm-up for the Christmas holiday’ – Yorkshire Post
‘With well-drawn characters and plenty of romance and drama, this page-turner will leave you with a warm festive glow’ – The Mirror
*****
Readers love Christmas by Candlelight:
‘A Christmas/Winter read at its best. Dive in and escape any Winter Blues!’
‘Christmas isn’t Christmas without a Karen Swan book!’
‘Perfect ingredients for a lovely Christmas read!’
Customers say
Customers find this Christmas book to be a lovely winter read with a fantastic story featuring twists and turns, and they appreciate the well-thought-out plot and engaging characters. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its writing quality, with one customer noting how characters “leap off the page,” while another highlights the stunning descriptions of the village of Zermatt. Additionally, customers enjoy the romance elements, particularly the lovely tale of sisters and family, and find it an entertaining romp with a beautiful cover.
9 reviews for Christmas By Candlelight: Get in the festive spirit with this cosy, escapist read from the bestselling Queen of Christmas
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Jera’s Jamboree –
So many twists and turns and I fell in love with the characters as soon as they stepped in
This review is going to be so hard to write because I totally adored this story. So much so that I want to go and live in this world!So many twists and turns and I fell in love with the characters as soon as they stepped in.Legs and Iz have a fantastic sisterly love for each other and they know each other well. Legs is protective of her younger sister and there is intrigue surrounding something that happened in their childhood. My favourite part of the story is when they are in Zermatt. But I get ahead of myself.I loved the cut and thrust of Legs job. Sam appearing on the scene eventually led to feelings of anger on my part (although Legs was harsh at one point). The Christmas dinner had my blood boiling. Honestly, my heart was pounding with all that adrenalin! I applauded Legs as she exited. What a dignified woman. I thought she was spectacular!Zermatt was fun. Mostly. Finding out the family history information and the history of the small community of Zermatt (before the skiing tourism took over) was fascinating. I loved the glamour of Zhou’s world. Money doesn’t get Zhou what he wants though …Those undercurrents and half-truths, I thought I knew where we headed and bang! Another layer was revealed. I’m glad my first impressions about one particular character held true.There are poignant moments too with Legs and Iz’s mum. This feels so real. So raw. Clearing the loft near the beginning of the story was a painful ending. But also a beginning.I loved how it all tied up. The romance and the family. The ending was just perfect.Christmas in the Snow is a story that didn’t let me go (and still hasn’t!). I felt every emotion and loved every single thing. The writing flows and the style made it easy for me to be visual. Highly recommend you read this, no matter the time of year.My copy of Christmas in the Snow was a Christmas gift. I will definitely be reading it again.
Portybelle – Joanne –
Could easily be enjoyed at any time of the year
Although it is called Christmas in the Snow, I think this is a book you could happily read at any time of the year as Christmas isn’t the main focus. It took me a while to get into the book as initially, I wasn’t too keen on the hard nosed business woman Allegra seemed to be. However, I soon became caught up in the mystery surrounding her family and to understand her motivations more. There were so many secrets which came to light throughout the book, that it was quite a gripping read. I enjoyed the Swiss setting when Allegra and her sister Isobel went to Zermatt to find out more about their family. The snow covered ski resort sounded idyllic although I admit I’d be more likely to appreciate the après-ski rather than the skiing itself! The business aspect of the story didn’t appeal quite so much to me although there were some interesting characters introduced to the book through this storyline such as Massi and Zhou and of course, handsome Sam who was a character I moved between loathing and loving several times. All in all, I really enjoyed this book and thoroughly approved of the romantic ending.
Amazon Customer –
I was proved wrong!
I read this after reading a Sarah Morgan book and at first I was slightly disappointed. 10 months a year I read thrillers and criminal fiction that involves mass murderers but in November and December all I want is Christmassy books that I can cuddle up in bed with and until this book I believed that romance would have to be the main event of the book.How wrong I was! This book is exciting and it has lots of twists in it that I did not see coming. I started reading it on Sunday and finished it on Wednesday, in the middle of the night – I just could not put it down (I do have a job so it’s not like I could be reading all day long).I had not read any Karen Swan books before but I will definitely buy another one. She has opened my eyes that a Christmas book can be amazing without being ALL about love. You’ll find a romance in the book, no worries, but there is just so much more to the plot!I highly recommend it 🙂
Carole Graham –
Wonderfully exciting Christmas tale
Karen Swan delivers another story about family with high finance, travel and snow included. Allegra is a great character who is both vulnerable and strong. Will she, won’t she right to the end.
Jan’s reads –
I love the way Karen writes! She sets up a travel log which spans several countries with great detail on what is special about each. This book was no exception! She displayed so much knowledge of skiing, relationships, money market, architecture and most complex love. A sample from the book “……….brooding hulk of the Matterhorn” and “……..and the sun was beginning to leach a lambent glow that even the mountains could only hide for so long.” I am now rereading parts of this book which is very unusual for me. I read them on my kindle but this one, I would love to hold in my hands & keep!
Karine Bourget –
I absolutely love Karen Swan’s writing style, she has a unique way of mixing business real-life scenarios with entertainment and this book is no different!
Elke –
Perfecto para leer durante las vacaciones navideñas, sin demasiadas complicaciones y algunos caracteres y situaciones poco realistas. Aún así me ha entretenido bastante.
Marita Legreid –
This book was very well written. It has everything a reader wants: love, intrigue, danger, friendship, and a happy ending.
Frédérique Pierron –
bonne romance même si l’héroine féminine est un peu trop caricaturale à mon goût. Une bonne lecture pour les vacances de Noël.