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A review by diversifyyourreading
The Christmas Lights by Karen Swan
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book for review.
4.5 STARS! I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this book, and it took me awhile to get into it but, all of a sudden, I was HOOKED.
The Christmas Lights is a somewhat suspenseful romance with a social media twist that takes a look at some of the not so glamorous parts of being Instagram famous. The book consists of two parallel stories - the story of young, 14 year old Signy in 1936; and, the story of Bo & Zac, an Instagram couple (called the Wanderlusters) looking for an epic adventure in Norway (along with their photographer, Lenny), who end up staying in Signy's house in 2018.
There is love in this story and there is heartbreak. There are some relatively dark moments as pasts are explored and truths are realized, but there are some truly beautiful moments as relationships are explored and personal growth happens.
I absolutely loved Bo as a character - she's essentially described as an Instagram model at first, but she has so much more depth that starts to come out as the plot progresses. I also loved Signy and Anders, her grandson who ends up playing tour guide to the Wanderlusters. They're what I imagine people are really like in the more remote ares of Norway, and it makes me want to visit the country even more.
There were times where I felt the book was unrealistic, a few side plots that I didn't think were necessary, and many points where I was annoyed by the characters. But I loved the setting of the story and getting to know SIgny and Bo through their individual stories. Once I got into it, it was such an enjoyable read and I devoured the rest of it in a few hours!
p.s. While reading the acknowledgments, I found out that Karen Swan also has a book set in Zermatt and that will 100% be coming with me on my trip there next month!
4.5 STARS! I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this book, and it took me awhile to get into it but, all of a sudden, I was HOOKED.
The Christmas Lights is a somewhat suspenseful romance with a social media twist that takes a look at some of the not so glamorous parts of being Instagram famous. The book consists of two parallel stories - the story of young, 14 year old Signy in 1936; and, the story of Bo & Zac, an Instagram couple (called the Wanderlusters) looking for an epic adventure in Norway (along with their photographer, Lenny), who end up staying in Signy's house in 2018.
There is love in this story and there is heartbreak. There are some relatively dark moments as pasts are explored and truths are realized, but there are some truly beautiful moments as relationships are explored and personal growth happens.
I absolutely loved Bo as a character - she's essentially described as an Instagram model at first, but she has so much more depth that starts to come out as the plot progresses. I also loved Signy and Anders, her grandson who ends up playing tour guide to the Wanderlusters. They're what I imagine people are really like in the more remote ares of Norway, and it makes me want to visit the country even more.
There were times where I felt the book was unrealistic, a few side plots that I didn't think were necessary, and many points where I was annoyed by the characters. But I loved the setting of the story and getting to know SIgny and Bo through their individual stories. Once I got into it, it was such an enjoyable read and I devoured the rest of it in a few hours!
p.s. While reading the acknowledgments, I found out that Karen Swan also has a book set in Zermatt and that will 100% be coming with me on my trip there next month!