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The Christmas Swap
It seemed so innocent. Pretend to be my twin brother for Christmas so his jilted fiancé can save face with her parents, and I don’t have to spend Christmas alone.
I didn’t count on her grumpy hot older brother.
Wes is everything I could have ever asked Santa for. Gorgeous, sensitive, good with his hands. So good I can’t stop fantasizing about them. Or him.
The problem? Wes thinks I’m straight, engaged to his sister, and my twin brother. Who he hates.
It’s going to take a sleigh full of Christmas miracles to get us past this lie. When Wes finds out the truth, I only hope he’s willing to give the real me a chance.
The Christmas Swap is a 22,000 word novella with a complete story and HEA, featuring secret identities, fake relationships, a grumpy love interest, and piles of Christmas goodness.
I didn’t count on her grumpy hot older brother.
Wes is everything I could have ever asked Santa for. Gorgeous, sensitive, good with his hands. So good I can’t stop fantasizing about them. Or him.
The problem? Wes thinks I’m straight, engaged to his sister, and my twin brother. Who he hates.
It’s going to take a sleigh full of Christmas miracles to get us past this lie. When Wes finds out the truth, I only hope he’s willing to give the real me a chance.
The Christmas Swap is a 22,000 word novella with a complete story and HEA, featuring secret identities, fake relationships, a grumpy love interest, and piles of Christmas goodness.
89 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 23, 2021
About the author
Emma Lyon
9 books45 followersEmma Lyon writes feel-good, sexy M/M contemporary romance that always has a happily ever after. She lives in Maryland in a house on a wooded hill, with two indoor cats and various outdoor wildlife she watches from her office window.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 8, 2021
Nice love story...
Not the absolute best, but very enjoyable. The whole twin switch thing and Lucy 's behavior was low key annoying. But didn't ruin the HFN.
Not the absolute best, but very enjoyable. The whole twin switch thing and Lucy 's behavior was low key annoying. But didn't ruin the HFN.
January 7, 2022
That was so sweet. And not at all forbidden. Which was what I was looking for after reading the synopsis😶.
December 14, 2021
Very enjoyable holiday short with family drama and a bit of angst. This is a new to me author and I really liked her writing style. Breezy, readable with engaging MCs. I did have a bit of a problem with Wes, initially. Didn't really get a sense of him as a character but he grew on me at the end. Lucy was annoying. Reminded me of those tiresome female characters you often find in MM reads. Self-centered, loud, whiny. But given the storyline, those traits fit. Liked that this was realistic - Avery's and Ambrose's relationship won't be repaired immediately after so many years of estrangement. But a very lovely read.
November 27, 2021
The christmas Lyon est une petite nouvelle de noel qui se lit très vite, qui ne brille pas par son originalité, mais qui fait très bien le job de romance de Noël.
C’est typiquement le type de setup qu’on pourrait trouver dans un téléfilm de TF1 avec le mec qui se fait larguer avant son mariage et les fêtes de noël et qui par un heureux hasard ramène la sœur jumelle pour jouer la comédie. Bon sur TF1, il finirait par tomber amoureux de la jumelle, là y en a un qui va finir par se taper le frère et l’autre qui retrouve celui qui l’a largué. Bon ce que je viens de dire est incompréhensible, mais faudra faire avec lol.
Sérieusement, la romance est mignonne avec quasi pas de drama et un joli happy ending qui arrive vite. Et comme c’est une nouvelle qu’on dévore en 1h, comme je l’ai dit, ça fait bien le job. Pour ce qui est du côté noelesque, bah j’ai eu le droit à un sapin, à de la neige, un repas et des échanges de cadeaux. Et comme pour le côté romance bah ça fait le job et parfois faut pas chercher plus loin :)
Au final, c’est une petite romance de Noël que j’ai apprécié et qui m’a fait découvrir une nouvelle auteure que je ne connaissais pas. Donc, bah je ne suis pas déçu.
C’est typiquement le type de setup qu’on pourrait trouver dans un téléfilm de TF1 avec le mec qui se fait larguer avant son mariage et les fêtes de noël et qui par un heureux hasard ramène la sœur jumelle pour jouer la comédie. Bon sur TF1, il finirait par tomber amoureux de la jumelle, là y en a un qui va finir par se taper le frère et l’autre qui retrouve celui qui l’a largué. Bon ce que je viens de dire est incompréhensible, mais faudra faire avec lol.
Sérieusement, la romance est mignonne avec quasi pas de drama et un joli happy ending qui arrive vite. Et comme c’est une nouvelle qu’on dévore en 1h, comme je l’ai dit, ça fait bien le job. Pour ce qui est du côté noelesque, bah j’ai eu le droit à un sapin, à de la neige, un repas et des échanges de cadeaux. Et comme pour le côté romance bah ça fait le job et parfois faut pas chercher plus loin :)
Au final, c’est une petite romance de Noël que j’ai apprécié et qui m’a fait découvrir une nouvelle auteure que je ne connaissais pas. Donc, bah je ne suis pas déçu.
August 23, 2024
4⭐
It's tropey and quite cliché Christmas novella, but boy do I just love the silly twin swap trope. And this is just a lovely shorter holiday story. Comforting and entertaining.
It's tropey and quite cliché Christmas novella, but boy do I just love the silly twin swap trope. And this is just a lovely shorter holiday story. Comforting and entertaining.
December 9, 2021
Family drama
Really loved this short and sweet story! With a classic twin switch and a very classic it being a bad idea, this had just the right degree of moral quandary and amusing moments.
Avery loves his twin but doesn't really like it connect to him often. In an effort to be ends up helping out by picking up something from the train station....which turns out to be the fiancé Ambrose is trying to dump. Soon Avery gets swept into the plan to help out the charismatic woman trick her family for the holidays by pretending to be his brother.
This was a really good case on all sides of the love of family and how it makes things difficult as well as how it can be perceived from the outside. Lucy (the fiancé) describes her mother as a judgemental and angry woman who will ruin the holidays when Lucy comes home single. Instead what we see through Avery's eyes is a loving family with a mother who is concerned about her daughter's heart and wants her to be happy. Meanwhile Avery is stuck wondering about his own twin who he loves, but finds irresponsible, jealous, and flighty. Ambrose feels all of that as judgement and begrudges Avery what stability he has in his life. All of it is different family situations and the way it is shaped by perspective and experience as they try to find their way through life and through this family centered holiday.
This was a short but really good read that manages to capture the holidays in all their glory and all their difficulty.
Really loved this short and sweet story! With a classic twin switch and a very classic it being a bad idea, this had just the right degree of moral quandary and amusing moments.
Avery loves his twin but doesn't really like it connect to him often. In an effort to be ends up helping out by picking up something from the train station....which turns out to be the fiancé Ambrose is trying to dump. Soon Avery gets swept into the plan to help out the charismatic woman trick her family for the holidays by pretending to be his brother.
This was a really good case on all sides of the love of family and how it makes things difficult as well as how it can be perceived from the outside. Lucy (the fiancé) describes her mother as a judgemental and angry woman who will ruin the holidays when Lucy comes home single. Instead what we see through Avery's eyes is a loving family with a mother who is concerned about her daughter's heart and wants her to be happy. Meanwhile Avery is stuck wondering about his own twin who he loves, but finds irresponsible, jealous, and flighty. Ambrose feels all of that as judgement and begrudges Avery what stability he has in his life. All of it is different family situations and the way it is shaped by perspective and experience as they try to find their way through life and through this family centered holiday.
This was a short but really good read that manages to capture the holidays in all their glory and all their difficulty.
November 18, 2022
THIS BOOK. UGH. I am just mad it's over - can I just read it again immediately? haha
I'm a sucker for a mistaken identities trope, so when I saw the blurb for this Christmas romance novella where Avery pretends to be his (straight) twin Ambrose with Ambrose's fiancée for the holidays... only to meet her very attractive brother... SIGN ME THE HECK UP, I AM IN FOR THIS SLEIGH RIDE! And wow, it delivered on everything I'd dreamed and more.
The chemistry between Avery and Wes is just... SO good. Wes has met Ambrose before (and immediately hated his slimy face) so he's surprised when he actually sort of likes him when he comes home for Christmas with his sister Lucy. And then has all sort of feelings about being attracted to his sister's (straight) fiancé. And then Avery, who is really such a cinnamon roll, hates lying to everyone from the get-go, but when he start falling for Wes he's extra torn - he doesn't want to lie, but he also doesn't want to admit to the lie for fear Wes will hate him.
The dramaaaaaa! I love it. This is the first book I've read by Emma Lyon, but upon finishing it I immediately went and added her entire backlist to my TBR! The first book in her The Real Thing series, Not So Fake, is a fake dating trope - which just happens to be my OTHER favorite trope next to mistaken identities. YESSSSS, I can't wait!
I'm a sucker for a mistaken identities trope, so when I saw the blurb for this Christmas romance novella where Avery pretends to be his (straight) twin Ambrose with Ambrose's fiancée for the holidays... only to meet her very attractive brother... SIGN ME THE HECK UP, I AM IN FOR THIS SLEIGH RIDE! And wow, it delivered on everything I'd dreamed and more.
The chemistry between Avery and Wes is just... SO good. Wes has met Ambrose before (and immediately hated his slimy face) so he's surprised when he actually sort of likes him when he comes home for Christmas with his sister Lucy. And then has all sort of feelings about being attracted to his sister's (straight) fiancé. And then Avery, who is really such a cinnamon roll, hates lying to everyone from the get-go, but when he start falling for Wes he's extra torn - he doesn't want to lie, but he also doesn't want to admit to the lie for fear Wes will hate him.
The dramaaaaaa! I love it. This is the first book I've read by Emma Lyon, but upon finishing it I immediately went and added her entire backlist to my TBR! The first book in her The Real Thing series, Not So Fake, is a fake dating trope - which just happens to be my OTHER favorite trope next to mistaken identities. YESSSSS, I can't wait!
December 2, 2021
The Christmas Swap
By Emma Lyon
Thanks to his cheating ex and having lost all of 'their' friends in the fall-out and his best friend being out of town, Avery is spending Christmas alone this year. When Avery's estranged twin brother, Ambrose, shows up out of the blue and asks him to pick up a package for him at the train station Avery finds himself caught in the middle of Ambrose's mess... a fiance who's just now realizing Ambrose is dumping her.
Ambrose was supposed to meet Lucy's parents and stay for Christmas. When Lucy begs Avery to take Ambrose's place to help her save face with her parents and save her from days of lecturing by her mother Avery takes pity on her and agrees except he wasn't counting on falling for her brother, Wes. The same Wes who thinks Ambrose is stuck up and pretentious. Wes on the other hand doesn't understand why Ambrose doesn't fit the impression he got from him when they met before and why he's suddenly admiring the man's physique.
The book was sweet and had a satisfying amount of Christmas romance to it. I really liked both Avery and Wes. Lucy as well.
By Emma Lyon
Thanks to his cheating ex and having lost all of 'their' friends in the fall-out and his best friend being out of town, Avery is spending Christmas alone this year. When Avery's estranged twin brother, Ambrose, shows up out of the blue and asks him to pick up a package for him at the train station Avery finds himself caught in the middle of Ambrose's mess... a fiance who's just now realizing Ambrose is dumping her.
Ambrose was supposed to meet Lucy's parents and stay for Christmas. When Lucy begs Avery to take Ambrose's place to help her save face with her parents and save her from days of lecturing by her mother Avery takes pity on her and agrees except he wasn't counting on falling for her brother, Wes. The same Wes who thinks Ambrose is stuck up and pretentious. Wes on the other hand doesn't understand why Ambrose doesn't fit the impression he got from him when they met before and why he's suddenly admiring the man's physique.
The book was sweet and had a satisfying amount of Christmas romance to it. I really liked both Avery and Wes. Lucy as well.
November 25, 2021
Such a great book full of holiday charm and all the feels. One of the best books I've read this year. I would give it a lot more stars if I could. It looks like Avery will be spending the holidays alone after a breakup with his boyfriend. A surprise visit from his estranged twin brother ends up changing his plans for the holidays. His brother asks a favor to pick up a package at the train station. The package turns out to be a woman who is clearly expecting his twin brother. She asks Avery to pretend to be the her fiance for the holidays. There he meets her older brother Wes who he is instantly attracted to. The problem is Wes thinks he's straight and engaged to his sister. Sounds like a complicated Christmas vacation. What happens when Wes finds out the truth? I highly recommend.
November 23, 2021
I really enjoyed Avery and Wes’s story! This was a sweet Christmas novella with a set of twins, a fiancé and her hot brother! I loved Avery for stepping up to the plate to play fiancé to Lucy for his wayward brother at Christmas. It seemed the least he could do for Lucy when his brother was such a jerk leaving her without word. What could possibly go wrong? What he least expected was Lucy’s hot brother and the UST that bounced off them like static. I enjoyed those few days of build up, and the inevitable misunderstanding that unfolded, and how their story concluded! The epilogue was especially great!
December 24, 2021
Great potential. Awesome book!!!
Contains: twins swap, fake boyfriend who met the gay brother and all went downhill from there.
All in this book is awesome. The story is great, believable, the emotions of each characters are well describes and valid. I love every moment of it.
I remove one star not because of the story or the book itself but because I so wanted a full lenght story , add more Christmas spirit, christmas moments with the family. I would also have take a miracle fantasy to really convince me that ambrose was not really the *hum "idiot" for using a nice name* he was describe as.
Contains: twins swap, fake boyfriend who met the gay brother and all went downhill from there.
All in this book is awesome. The story is great, believable, the emotions of each characters are well describes and valid. I love every moment of it.
I remove one star not because of the story or the book itself but because I so wanted a full lenght story , add more Christmas spirit, christmas moments with the family. I would also have take a miracle fantasy to really convince me that ambrose was not really the *hum "idiot" for using a nice name* he was describe as.
November 23, 2021
Sweet Holiday Story!
This was a quick, sweet, fun holiday read! I'm not normally a fan of shorts or novellas because they usually feel rushed and lack character connection for me, but the author managed to pack a lot into a small space here. The set-up was original and had me chuckling. The character and story development was really good and I was rooting for Wes and Avery! We also get a short epilogue that ties it all together nicely. Recommended if you're looking for a quick, enjoyable holiday romance!
This was a quick, sweet, fun holiday read! I'm not normally a fan of shorts or novellas because they usually feel rushed and lack character connection for me, but the author managed to pack a lot into a small space here. The set-up was original and had me chuckling. The character and story development was really good and I was rooting for Wes and Avery! We also get a short epilogue that ties it all together nicely. Recommended if you're looking for a quick, enjoyable holiday romance!
December 25, 2021
Nothing like helping a friend to your own demise or is it? Thinking fate, then this is your book.
Identical twins couldn't be more different. Ambrose all #s and scared to be tied down. Avery sensitive and already linked to the past. Ambrose ditching his fiance for the "meet the patents" and Avery filling in. The drama gets real. MM Romance @ my2centsbooklover Thank you for joining our team.
Identical twins couldn't be more different. Ambrose all #s and scared to be tied down. Avery sensitive and already linked to the past. Ambrose ditching his fiance for the "meet the patents" and Avery filling in. The drama gets real. MM Romance @ my2centsbooklover Thank you for joining our team.
December 29, 2021
4 stars
Avery’s twin, Ambrose deserts his fiancée and she asks Avery to come with her to see her family and pretend to be Ambrose.
Avery feels bad so he agrees. When he meets her family, he knows they made a mistake and that they need to confess, especially after meeting Lucy’s brother Wes.
This was my first read from this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ll look into their other works.
*****
POV… multi first person
Standalone or series… standalone
Hangover… slight
Recommend… yes
Reread… yes
Avery’s twin, Ambrose deserts his fiancée and she asks Avery to come with her to see her family and pretend to be Ambrose.
Avery feels bad so he agrees. When he meets her family, he knows they made a mistake and that they need to confess, especially after meeting Lucy’s brother Wes.
This was my first read from this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ll look into their other works.
*****
POV… multi first person
Standalone or series… standalone
Hangover… slight
Recommend… yes
Reread… yes
December 3, 2023
This new to me author just swept me off my christmas socks....
I loved the mistaken for my twin trope and the sloooow burn romance, the heated glances and chemistry built up in between: visiting a christmas tree farm, secret santa gift exchange, snow falling (THE snowflake scene *swoon*) and hot chocolate drinking.
Definitely will read more of this author.
I loved the mistaken for my twin trope and the sloooow burn romance, the heated glances and chemistry built up in between: visiting a christmas tree farm, secret santa gift exchange, snow falling (THE snowflake scene *swoon*) and hot chocolate drinking.
Definitely will read more of this author.
December 16, 2021
This was a really cute holiday novella, and I thought the author did a really good job at creating a well-developed cast in just 86 pages. Going with the fake boyfriend trope, Lyon also throws in a set of twins and assumed identity for good measure.
January 2, 2022
a short but good story
This is a twin brother swap romance and stands alone. What a cute Christmas time read; it’s short but well written with great world building! I wish I knew what happened next but still ends well!
This is a twin brother swap romance and stands alone. What a cute Christmas time read; it’s short but well written with great world building! I wish I knew what happened next but still ends well!
July 17, 2022
The Christmas Swap is a quick Christmas themed m/m romance. The plot progresses smoothly and is sort of an insta love. Sort of. The whole story takes place within 2 weeks.
The tension between the boys is adorable as the struggle with liking each other despite a lie hanging over their heads.
The tension between the boys is adorable as the struggle with liking each other despite a lie hanging over their heads.
November 28, 2021
3.75 stars
December 7, 2021
Very sweet and lots of fun.
December 12, 2021
Loved it. Wes and Avery were cute cute cute. And hot!
December 26, 2021
Too fast paced for my liking, but cute regardless.
December 28, 2021
Cute. Set up was better than the blurb led me to believe.
January 1, 2022
Wow!!!
So much feels packed into this sweet holiday read. The only character I wasn’t fond of was Ambrose. Maybe Lucy will be a good influence on him.
So much feels packed into this sweet holiday read. The only character I wasn’t fond of was Ambrose. Maybe Lucy will be a good influence on him.
April 2, 2022
This was lovely. Wes' sister and Avery's brother were annoying AF, but Wes and Avery were adorable! Good for a novella 💖
November 20, 2022
no.
it could have worked if there was a real reason for the swap but the brother just feels bad? nope.
it could have worked if there was a real reason for the swap but the brother just feels bad? nope.
November 20, 2022
Nice Christmas Romance Story
The story line flowed together well. The characters in the story were well described. This story was interesting and fun to read.
The story line flowed together well. The characters in the story were well described. This story was interesting and fun to read.
December 18, 2022
3.5
A super cute Christmas novella. It would’ve been 10x better if it was a full length book. But it was still cute! It gave all the princess switch vibes
A super cute Christmas novella. It would’ve been 10x better if it was a full length book. But it was still cute! It gave all the princess switch vibes
June 5, 2023
A very cute , Christmas short story
December 2, 2023
The Christmas Swap
Wes and Avery were just wonderful! A Christmas swap that ended up bringing two guys together who fit perfectly. A sweet short story that I enjoyed reading.
Wes and Avery were just wonderful! A Christmas swap that ended up bringing two guys together who fit perfectly. A sweet short story that I enjoyed reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews