- Paperback: 480 pages
- Publisher: Pan; Main Market edition (31 Oct. 2019)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1529006066
- ISBN-13: 978-1529006063
Synopsis
When Declan Lorne, the last remaining knight in Ireland, dies suddenly, an ancient title passes with him. But his estate on Ireland’s rugged south-west coast is left to his three daughters. The two eldest, Ottie and Pip, inherit in line with expectations, but to everyone’s surprise – and dismay – it is the errant baby of the family, Willow, who gets the castle.
Why her? Something unknown – something terrible – made her turn her back on her family three years earlier, escaping to Dublin and vowing never to return. So when Willow quickly announces she is selling up, her revenge seems sweet and the once-close sisters are pushed to breaking point: in desperation, Pip risks everything to secure her own future, and Ottie makes a decision that will ruin lives. It’s each woman for herself.
Before moving in, Connor Shaye, the prospective new owner, negotiates throwing a lavish party at the castle just days before Christmas – his hello, their goodbye. But as their secrets begin to catch up with them, Ottie, Willow and Pip are forced to ask themselves which is harder: stepping into the future, or letting go of the past?
Review
If there is one festive book I read every year it is one by Karen Swan, and this years book The Christmas Party is in my opinion the best book yet. Lorne Castle, Kilmally Ireland is the family seat of the Lorne family, and Declan Lorne is the last Knight in Ireland, but after his sudden death the title dies with him as he has no sons. His three daughters, Ottie, Pip and Willow and his wife are left stunned when he leaves the castle to his youngest daughter Willow. Realising the estate is loosing money Willow makes the decision her father couldn’t and puts the castle up for sale to the shock of her mother and sisters. This may be a difficult decision to accept, Willow ran away three years ago with out explanation, but her prospective buyer will inflame matters even further. In the run up to Christmas tensions are high and each sister is facing their own problems, as they face a new future. The wild countryside of Ireland is the background to three sisters fighting their own battles.
I love Karen Swan’s books, she engages the reader from the first page and draws you into the story. Her characters are well drawn, very natural and endearing so you really become invested in their lives. The three sisters are very different, Ottie is the eldest and has helped her father run the estate for nearly ten years. She is in a difficult and secret relationship and expected to inherit the castle. Pip is the middle sister and runs a trekking business on the estate. Pip much prefers the company of horses to people and has a desire to start a stud farm, a dream she will risk everything for. Willow is the youngest and has been living the highlife in Dublin for three years, since her leaving home. She is keeping a secret and thinks she has been left the castle as a sort of punishment, and it drives a wedge between her and her sisters and mother. All of them are facing personal challenges and keeping secrets, and trying to face them on their own.
The plot certainly has plenty of action, not just in the shape of the characters lives, but there is an Ultra Marathon, a swim in a lake and a Horse race on the beach; I was tired just thinking about them. Of course there are the love interests in the sister’s lives that never run smoothly but I’m not going to name characters as I don’t want to spoil the book. The plot is set over a couple of weeks leading up to Christmas, so has that fuzzy festive spirit that I love in these Christmas books as well as plenty of drama, concluding in a Christmas party at the Lorne Castle.
The Christmas Party will certainly put you in the Christmas spirit. Romance, secrets, mystery and family problems combine with the festive feel that make this the perfect festive read. Karen Swan is the queen of the festive novel and if you only buy one festive read this year buy The Christmas Party and enjoy the fun, frivolities and drama of the Lorne family.
Thank you to Pan Macmillan for the advanced copy of The Christmas Party in return for an honest review. I have reviewed quite a few of Karen Swan’s books on my blog so please take a look and see why I love her books so much.
