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The Christmas Switch
Everybody knows Joshua Van De Bogart and Gabriel García don't get along. Haven't since the day they met in middle school and inadvertently started a rivalry to rival all rivalries. Fast forward a decade, and their feud is still going strong. When an opportunity arises to score some extra points at work they both leap at the chance.
Now they're decorating the office for the annual Christmas party.
What could go wrong?
Nothing.
Except for a small Christmas lights related incident, which results in them somehow switching bodies. With no idea how to switch back, they now have to pretend to be each other during the holidays.
But while they're busy pretending they start to see a whole different side of one another.
Maybe they're not so different after all?
Maybe they don't actually hate each other?
Maybe... Maybe they're the perfect match.
Now they're decorating the office for the annual Christmas party.
What could go wrong?
Nothing.
Except for a small Christmas lights related incident, which results in them somehow switching bodies. With no idea how to switch back, they now have to pretend to be each other during the holidays.
But while they're busy pretending they start to see a whole different side of one another.
Maybe they're not so different after all?
Maybe they don't actually hate each other?
Maybe... Maybe they're the perfect match.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2024
About the author
Briar Prescott
15 books1,093 followersBriar Prescott is a work in progress. She swears too much, doesn’t eat enough leafy greens and binge watches too much television. It’s okay, though. One of these days she'll get a hang of that adulting thing.
Probably.
Maybe.
She hopes.
Want to check in occasionally to hear what's up? You can stalk her here:
Newsletter: https://www.briarprescott.com/contact
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/briar...
Email: prescottbriar@gmail.com.
Webpage: www.briarprescott.com.
Probably.
Maybe.
She hopes.
Want to check in occasionally to hear what's up? You can stalk her here:
Newsletter: https://www.briarprescott.com/contact
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/briar...
Email: prescottbriar@gmail.com.
Webpage: www.briarprescott.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
December 13, 2024
4.5 stars
This was lovely. It felt very wintery and Christmassy and cozy. A perfect read for this time of year.
I loved everything about Josh and Gabriel. They had a great connection and banter. I wasn't sure about the switching part, but I think it was done really well.
There's only one moment in the story that I couldn't help feeling disappointed with, but other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this.
This was lovely. It felt very wintery and Christmassy and cozy. A perfect read for this time of year.
I loved everything about Josh and Gabriel. They had a great connection and banter. I wasn't sure about the switching part, but I think it was done really well.
There's only one moment in the story that I couldn't help feeling disappointed with, but other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this.
December 4, 2024
~3.5~
The Christmas Switch is a queer retelling of Freaky Friday and 13 Going on 30, except with frenemies who just happen to have the (secret) hots for each other.
This story is so much fun! It's light, charming, and filled to the brim with family love, Christmas lights, and wicked holiday magic.
We even get an epilogue, a REAL one.
However, since the men's bodies and personalities didn't match (literally), I had to keep reminding myself that Josh was really Gabriel and vice versa. Josh's brain (soul?) controlled Gabriel's body, but he was still Josh, with all of Josh's mannerisms, although he had Gabriel's allergies. Confused? Yeah, me too.
Without visuals, the concept didn't work quite as well as it did in the movies.
I also noted some inconsistencies: In the first chapter, Josh is wearing a T-shirt, jacket, and jeans. A few pages later, those jeans somehow become sweatpants.
Then in the epilogue,
Sloppy editing leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Rounding down for this reason.
The Christmas Switch is a queer retelling of Freaky Friday and 13 Going on 30, except with frenemies who just happen to have the (secret) hots for each other.
This story is so much fun! It's light, charming, and filled to the brim with family love, Christmas lights, and wicked holiday magic.
We even get an epilogue, a REAL one.
However, since the men's bodies and personalities didn't match (literally), I had to keep reminding myself that Josh was really Gabriel and vice versa. Josh's brain (soul?) controlled Gabriel's body, but he was still Josh, with all of Josh's mannerisms, although he had Gabriel's allergies. Confused? Yeah, me too.
Without visuals, the concept didn't work quite as well as it did in the movies.
I also noted some inconsistencies: In the first chapter, Josh is wearing a T-shirt, jacket, and jeans. A few pages later, those jeans somehow become sweatpants.
Then in the epilogue,
Sloppy editing leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Rounding down for this reason.
December 4, 2024
3.5**** stars
*･☆ﾟ Instant gratification vs. delayed gratification. Everyone falls into one of these categories and as an impatient bitch with like no self-control I definitely fall into the first one.
So… Like always, I loved the author’s writing and swooned so hard at the end when I got everything I wanted.
But also like always and not very surprising, I struggled with this author’s slow burn-ish way of things with her keeping me waiting for the good stuff until the very end—and I don’t only mean the hot good stuff.
I totally loved the idea for this story and how the body-swapping was resolved in the end with practically no explanation. I don’t usually do but I did here. But I was also a bit disappointed and expected a bit more from this plot.
All in all it was all pretty tame.
Still, it was a nice read, I enjoyed, with lots of cozy Christmas feels and good banter.
*･☆ﾟ Instant gratification vs. delayed gratification. Everyone falls into one of these categories and as an impatient bitch with like no self-control I definitely fall into the first one.
So… Like always, I loved the author’s writing and swooned so hard at the end when I got everything I wanted.
But also like always and not very surprising, I struggled with this author’s slow burn-ish way of things with her keeping me waiting for the good stuff until the very end—and I don’t only mean the hot good stuff.
I totally loved the idea for this story and how the body-swapping was resolved in the end with practically no explanation. I don’t usually do but I did here. But I was also a bit disappointed and expected a bit more from this plot.
All in all it was all pretty tame.
Still, it was a nice read, I enjoyed, with lots of cozy Christmas feels and good banter.
If you don’t get a constant stream of snacks in me when I’m in a car, I’ll get cranky.”
He sighs. “Are you three?”
“My body needs sugar.”
“It’s my body, so that’s bullshit.”
*･☆ﾟ ━━━━━━ * .･☆ﾟ*･ﾟ━━━━━ ☆ *･ﾟ
November 20, 2024
5 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️/5
Format: ebook
“He kisses me like we’ve been kept apart by lifetimes and catastrophes and circumstances beyond our control and finally, finally we can see each other again.”
Freaky Friday meets gay Hallmark in this lighthearted Christmas romcom where mild intolerance turns into reluctant affection.
Josh and Gabriel have been competing against one another over everything since their early teens and it’s come to a head when they’re both picked to intern at a law firm. Josh is used to being handed things on a silver platter due to his family name, but Gabriel has to fight tooth and nail for even the chance to receive the same opportunities.
They’re paired up to decorate for the office Christmas party when something insane happens and they switch bodies. Now Gabriel has to go to his family’s house for Christmas in Josh’s body. He gets Josh to agree to come along and pretend to be him, and so ensues a fake dating plot with sides of forced proximity and one bed tropes.
I absolutely devoured this book. It was such a light and fun read, with the banter we all know and love from Briar Prescott, but also lots of cute moments and shifting feelings. A nice little slowburn, so that when they finally get together, it feels 100% inevitable and unavoidable.
The Christmas Switch is the perfect short novel to get you in the mood for the holidays. Prepare for laughs, contented sighing, and quite a few jaw-dropping moments.
*I received a free advanced copy of this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.
Bookstagram | Booktok
Spice: 🌶️/5
Format: ebook
“He kisses me like we’ve been kept apart by lifetimes and catastrophes and circumstances beyond our control and finally, finally we can see each other again.”
Freaky Friday meets gay Hallmark in this lighthearted Christmas romcom where mild intolerance turns into reluctant affection.
Josh and Gabriel have been competing against one another over everything since their early teens and it’s come to a head when they’re both picked to intern at a law firm. Josh is used to being handed things on a silver platter due to his family name, but Gabriel has to fight tooth and nail for even the chance to receive the same opportunities.
They’re paired up to decorate for the office Christmas party when something insane happens and they switch bodies. Now Gabriel has to go to his family’s house for Christmas in Josh’s body. He gets Josh to agree to come along and pretend to be him, and so ensues a fake dating plot with sides of forced proximity and one bed tropes.
I absolutely devoured this book. It was such a light and fun read, with the banter we all know and love from Briar Prescott, but also lots of cute moments and shifting feelings. A nice little slowburn, so that when they finally get together, it feels 100% inevitable and unavoidable.
The Christmas Switch is the perfect short novel to get you in the mood for the holidays. Prepare for laughs, contented sighing, and quite a few jaw-dropping moments.
*I received a free advanced copy of this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.
Bookstagram | Booktok
December 7, 2024
I had soooo much fun reading this! Absolutely loved the Freaky Friday plot and I swear I almost cried after they switched back!!
I loved Josh and wanted to give him all the hugs, his loneliness made me so sad. Gabe was so cute too, I loved his drunk declarations and his indignation at how many people flirt with Josh 😂
The snark between these two had me giggling and I'm definitely starting to feel Christmassy now.
I loved Josh and wanted to give him all the hugs, his loneliness made me so sad. Gabe was so cute too, I loved his drunk declarations and his indignation at how many people flirt with Josh 😂
The snark between these two had me giggling and I'm definitely starting to feel Christmassy now.
December 23, 2024
It's safe to say The Christmas Switch is my favourite Christmas read this year, and honestly it might be my favourite Christmas read of all time.
Also, why have I only read 2 books by Briar Prescott?! They've both been 5 stars. 2025 me better remedy that!
Also, why have I only read 2 books by Briar Prescott?! They've both been 5 stars. 2025 me better remedy that!
December 13, 2024
4.5 stars ...
This was just the kinda Christmas read I want ... with that classic Briar Prescott snarky banter between the two main characters. Silly premise ... done perfectly! 👍😁👍
He kisses me. Kisses me like he’s worshipping me, and I wrap myself around him and hold him against me until our pounding hearts slow down and the bliss becomes something manageable, instead of something insane and overwhelming. Gabriel lies half on top of me, his thigh thrown over mine, his fingertips drawing lazy patterns on my skin.
“Merry Christmas,” I mumble when I glance at the clock and see it’s now technically the twenty-fifth.
He laughs sleepily, eyes impossibly soft. “We’ll make it into a tradition.”
“Fucking until we both pass out?” I ask.
“It’s what our holidays are all about from now on.”
“This might make for some awkward Christmas dinners.”
This was just the kinda Christmas read I want ... with that classic Briar Prescott snarky banter between the two main characters. Silly premise ... done perfectly! 👍😁👍
He kisses me. Kisses me like he’s worshipping me, and I wrap myself around him and hold him against me until our pounding hearts slow down and the bliss becomes something manageable, instead of something insane and overwhelming. Gabriel lies half on top of me, his thigh thrown over mine, his fingertips drawing lazy patterns on my skin.
“Merry Christmas,” I mumble when I glance at the clock and see it’s now technically the twenty-fifth.
He laughs sleepily, eyes impossibly soft. “We’ll make it into a tradition.”
“Fucking until we both pass out?” I ask.
“It’s what our holidays are all about from now on.”
“This might make for some awkward Christmas dinners.”
December 3, 2024
Ok hands down this has everything to put me in Christmas mood:D Light, funny and sweet! Must have in the season!
December 20, 2024
THIS was the Christmas story I’ve been looking for all month!
December 9, 2024
4.5 Stars- This was so sweet and fun! Just what I needed for this season! Loved both Gabe and Josh, it has the typical Briar fun banter, which I always enjoy way too much.
Very very lovely story 🫶🏼
Very very lovely story 🫶🏼
December 17, 2024
Ugggggh I feel like such a Grinch this holiday season 😩 Here's a real life picture of me reading Christmas books this year 👇🏻
I didn't hate this book, but I didn't love it either. I don't know if my expectations were too high based on only having read the author's Until series, but this did not work for me like I'd hoped. The story was fine I suppose, but it certainly didn't have the magic I want in a Christmas book, and it definitely didn't have the magic I found in the Until series 🥲 I've loved the other works I've read from this author, so I hate that I didn't love this too.
For a book with such a fun premise, a whole lot of nothing happened. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like when you do a body swap story, especially in a romcom setting, you need to have some fun with it. There needs to be some shenanigans! I want to laugh and enjoy the absurdity of misunderstandings that are sure to arise when you swap bodies with somebody. None of that happened here. I don't remember laughing at all while reading this 😔
For the first 70% of this book, it felt like nothing happened. Maybe it's because no shenanigans were going down, but man was this a slow read. It felt like Josh and Gabe were just going through the motions of day to day life. I craved one simple laugh out loud moment, but it never came 😭
Once the book did start to pick up, it felt like too little too late. I never really connected with either character on any level or bought into their relationship. In the end, I didn't even care that they got together. Beyond all that, I found Ultimately, it was just an unsatisfying ending to an underwhelming love story.
I didn't hate this book, but I didn't love it either. I don't know if my expectations were too high based on only having read the author's Until series, but this did not work for me like I'd hoped. The story was fine I suppose, but it certainly didn't have the magic I want in a Christmas book, and it definitely didn't have the magic I found in the Until series 🥲 I've loved the other works I've read from this author, so I hate that I didn't love this too.
For a book with such a fun premise, a whole lot of nothing happened. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like when you do a body swap story, especially in a romcom setting, you need to have some fun with it. There needs to be some shenanigans! I want to laugh and enjoy the absurdity of misunderstandings that are sure to arise when you swap bodies with somebody. None of that happened here. I don't remember laughing at all while reading this 😔
For the first 70% of this book, it felt like nothing happened. Maybe it's because no shenanigans were going down, but man was this a slow read. It felt like Josh and Gabe were just going through the motions of day to day life. I craved one simple laugh out loud moment, but it never came 😭
Once the book did start to pick up, it felt like too little too late. I never really connected with either character on any level or bought into their relationship. In the end, I didn't even care that they got together. Beyond all that, I found Ultimately, it was just an unsatisfying ending to an underwhelming love story.
December 13, 2024
Christmas perfection!
I absolutely loved this! I was hesitant at first because the whole body swap thing has been done so many times but Briar Prescott did an excellent job of making it seem fresh! Josh and Gabriel were both adorable! Five full Christmas stars!!
I absolutely loved this! I was hesitant at first because the whole body swap thing has been done so many times but Briar Prescott did an excellent job of making it seem fresh! Josh and Gabriel were both adorable! Five full Christmas stars!!
December 10, 2024
I’ve been struggling to get into a book ever since finishing Whisper by Tal Bauer. I’ve picked up and put down four books since then, so right off the bat, this one did what all those couldn’t. Not that I’m surprised; Briar Prescott is one of my favourite authors in this genre. I was really craving a fun, light read after such an intense book, and this one delivered exactly that. But...(you knew there was a "but" coming), it wasn’t perfect for me.
First off, I love the movie Freaky Friday, so the body switching concept was right up my alley. It was a nice little trip down memory lane. But, while the idea worked in the movie, it didn’t translate as smoothly on the page. I’m not sure if it was the way the story was executed, but I kept getting confused about whose POV I was reading. I found myself constantly trying to figure out whose head I was in because their voices weren't distinct enough (haha, my brain was working overtime). There were a lot of internal monologues too, which I usually love, but honestly, I would've preferred more of the classic banter between the MCs that I’ve come to expect from Briar Prescott’s writing.
I did like both MCs, but their relationship had the slowest burn, which made sense in some ways, but it also left me feeling like I didn’t really get to know either of them that well. The build-up kept me going though, and the payoff at the end was worth it. Still, I kind of wish the journey to get there wasn’t so... drawn out. If this wasn’t a Briar Prescott book, I might’ve called it quits, but at least there were a few fun moments between the MCs that kept me invested.
I’m giving it 3.5 stars (rounded down). It was a fun, light read, but my expectations for Briar Prescott are pretty high, and I ended up wanting more by the end.
First off, I love the movie Freaky Friday, so the body switching concept was right up my alley. It was a nice little trip down memory lane. But, while the idea worked in the movie, it didn’t translate as smoothly on the page. I’m not sure if it was the way the story was executed, but I kept getting confused about whose POV I was reading. I found myself constantly trying to figure out whose head I was in because their voices weren't distinct enough (haha, my brain was working overtime). There were a lot of internal monologues too, which I usually love, but honestly, I would've preferred more of the classic banter between the MCs that I’ve come to expect from Briar Prescott’s writing.
I did like both MCs, but their relationship had the slowest burn, which made sense in some ways, but it also left me feeling like I didn’t really get to know either of them that well. The build-up kept me going though, and the payoff at the end was worth it. Still, I kind of wish the journey to get there wasn’t so... drawn out. If this wasn’t a Briar Prescott book, I might’ve called it quits, but at least there were a few fun moments between the MCs that kept me invested.
I’m giving it 3.5 stars (rounded down). It was a fun, light read, but my expectations for Briar Prescott are pretty high, and I ended up wanting more by the end.
December 8, 2024
I was hoping for a cute and fun Christmas romance and Briar delivered!!!
This had exactly the 2K romcom vibes I wanted. Switching bodies with your sworn enemies of a decade (who you secretly think is hot) over the holidays, getting to really know him and falling for him?
It was SO much fun reading this, these two and the situation they were in were ridiculous. Gabriel’s huge family and the berry farm gave me all the Christmas winter feelings I craved too.
It was such a fast read, that gave me lots of joy!
The ending was a little fast for me with the unexpected solution to their problem, but other than that it was really perfect.
This had exactly the 2K romcom vibes I wanted. Switching bodies with your sworn enemies of a decade (who you secretly think is hot) over the holidays, getting to really know him and falling for him?
It was SO much fun reading this, these two and the situation they were in were ridiculous. Gabriel’s huge family and the berry farm gave me all the Christmas winter feelings I craved too.
It was such a fast read, that gave me lots of joy!
The ending was a little fast for me with the unexpected solution to their problem, but other than that it was really perfect.
December 3, 2024
ARC Review: I want to preface that I don’t really enjoy Christmas books but I was pretty much smiling like a lunatic the whole time while reading this 😂.
This was giving Freaky Friday meets Christmas with your rival since middle school 😏. This book follows Josh and Gabriel who have been rivals since middle school but somehow, they have not been able to get away from each other, and they both currently work at the same internship together. They are tasked to set up the decorations for the internship’s Christmas holiday party and one thing leads to another…and then something kinda crazy happens.
This book was VERY unserious and just an overall good time. I loved these characters and of course, it’s no surprise that I enjoyed their banter in true Briar fashion. Will this book change your life or alter your brain chemistry? No. But I did really enjoy myself while reading it and it was exactly what I needed.
One thing I did want to mention that is definitely a ME thing (as a Cuban woman), is that one of the MC’s name is Gabriel García, and I thought for sure that we were going to get Hispanic or Latinx rep… but we didn’t. 😕 I understand that not all García’s are Hispanic or Latinx but if an author is going to choose a name for an MC that is predominantly held by Hispanic and/or Latinx people, and there is no Hispanic or Latinx rep, then what is the purpose of choosing that specific name when you can choose another name? 😭 The book does reference Gabriel’s complexion, but there were no indicators of his family’s culture or where he was from. I’m not sure if this was intentional or not, but it did bother me a little that Gabriel’s nationality wasn’t mentioned when his name is literally GABRIEL GARCÍA. Anywho, that’s just my opinion 😩 If you know me, you know I’m a die hard Briar Stan, but this was just something I couldn’t help but feel/think while reading this book.
All in all, if you’re looking for a Christmas themed book with exquisite banter, I would highly recommend this 🫶
What to Expect:
❤️MM Romance
❤️Christmas
❤️Rivals to lovers
❤️Forced Proximity
❤️Switching bodies
***I received a digital ARC of this book and this review contains my honest thoughts/opinions***
This was giving Freaky Friday meets Christmas with your rival since middle school 😏. This book follows Josh and Gabriel who have been rivals since middle school but somehow, they have not been able to get away from each other, and they both currently work at the same internship together. They are tasked to set up the decorations for the internship’s Christmas holiday party and one thing leads to another…and then something kinda crazy happens.
This book was VERY unserious and just an overall good time. I loved these characters and of course, it’s no surprise that I enjoyed their banter in true Briar fashion. Will this book change your life or alter your brain chemistry? No. But I did really enjoy myself while reading it and it was exactly what I needed.
One thing I did want to mention that is definitely a ME thing (as a Cuban woman), is that one of the MC’s name is Gabriel García, and I thought for sure that we were going to get Hispanic or Latinx rep… but we didn’t. 😕 I understand that not all García’s are Hispanic or Latinx but if an author is going to choose a name for an MC that is predominantly held by Hispanic and/or Latinx people, and there is no Hispanic or Latinx rep, then what is the purpose of choosing that specific name when you can choose another name? 😭 The book does reference Gabriel’s complexion, but there were no indicators of his family’s culture or where he was from. I’m not sure if this was intentional or not, but it did bother me a little that Gabriel’s nationality wasn’t mentioned when his name is literally GABRIEL GARCÍA. Anywho, that’s just my opinion 😩 If you know me, you know I’m a die hard Briar Stan, but this was just something I couldn’t help but feel/think while reading this book.
All in all, if you’re looking for a Christmas themed book with exquisite banter, I would highly recommend this 🫶
What to Expect:
❤️MM Romance
❤️Christmas
❤️Rivals to lovers
❤️Forced Proximity
❤️Switching bodies
***I received a digital ARC of this book and this review contains my honest thoughts/opinions***
December 7, 2024
This was unbelievably fun!
Yeah, my head hurt sometimes with the effort to not get confused and we don’t really get an explanation for how the body switching happened. But y’all, the BANTER, and the CHEMISTRY, and the CHRISTMAS VIBES. I simply devoured this!
Yeah, my head hurt sometimes with the effort to not get confused and we don’t really get an explanation for how the body switching happened. But y’all, the BANTER, and the CHEMISTRY, and the CHRISTMAS VIBES. I simply devoured this!
December 2, 2024
3.25⭐️
2🌶️
Y’all This Was A Pretty Good MM Christmas Book. I Highly Recommend If Y’all Are Looking Fir An MM Christmas Book To Read This Season, I Highly Recommend Briar Prescotts Nee Christmas Book. Josh And Gabriel Were Really Cute And Had A Really Cute Ending. The While Concept To This Was Really Fun And Different And I Did Really Enjoy It For The Most Part. But It’s Not A Book I Would Personally Reread But Overall Really Liked It And Would Highly Recommend Reading This Holiday Season💕🫶
2🌶️
Y’all This Was A Pretty Good MM Christmas Book. I Highly Recommend If Y’all Are Looking Fir An MM Christmas Book To Read This Season, I Highly Recommend Briar Prescotts Nee Christmas Book. Josh And Gabriel Were Really Cute And Had A Really Cute Ending. The While Concept To This Was Really Fun And Different And I Did Really Enjoy It For The Most Part. But It’s Not A Book I Would Personally Reread But Overall Really Liked It And Would Highly Recommend Reading This Holiday Season💕🫶
December 10, 2024
3,5 stars upgraded to 4 for the entertainment value
I like this author's writing, and this was a cute and light romance, perfect for some relaxing Christmas reading.
Inevitably, considering the scenario, you’ll have to suspend belief on various levels, but I tend to enjoy body switch stories, so this didn’t bother me too much.
The initial animosity and competition between Josh and Gabriel is done perfectly, with verbal sparks flying and a good deal of acerbic banter. It’s obvious that what they call ‘irritation’ is downright attraction and sexual tension. Of course they are the only ones who don’t get it which is rather amusing.
I really enjoyed the gradual getting to know each other part when they are body-switched, even if practicalities of that are sometimes swept under the carpet. Most of the relationship development happens on Gabriel’s turf, I really would have liked to see some of that happening around Josh’s family, too.
I also really like that the Christmas feels are not overdone, just right, and to further the story.
A great entertaining Christmas novella with two likeable MCs.
I like this author's writing, and this was a cute and light romance, perfect for some relaxing Christmas reading.
Inevitably, considering the scenario, you’ll have to suspend belief on various levels, but I tend to enjoy body switch stories, so this didn’t bother me too much.
The initial animosity and competition between Josh and Gabriel is done perfectly, with verbal sparks flying and a good deal of acerbic banter. It’s obvious that what they call ‘irritation’ is downright attraction and sexual tension. Of course they are the only ones who don’t get it which is rather amusing.
I really enjoyed the gradual getting to know each other part when they are body-switched, even if practicalities of that are sometimes swept under the carpet. Most of the relationship development happens on Gabriel’s turf, I really would have liked to see some of that happening around Josh’s family, too.
I also really like that the Christmas feels are not overdone, just right, and to further the story.
A great entertaining Christmas novella with two likeable MCs.
December 6, 2024
4.5 stars
Just what I wanted from a Christmas romance! Light hearted but with some feels.
Just what I wanted from a Christmas romance! Light hearted but with some feels.
December 1, 2024
3.5 stars
Gabriel and Josh have been battling each other since middle school. They come from two different backgrounds. Josh with a silverspoon in his mouth and Gabriel always working twice as hard. When they are set to decorate for the office Christmas party something shocking happens.
I enjoyed this story. Them switching bodies and learning about each other and being able so see from the otherside was entertaining. Honestly my favorite chapters were the last couple when they are back to themselves and express their feelings to each other. It was super sweet and everything I love. Overall, a fun twist to a Christmas story with a HEA.
Gabriel and Josh have been battling each other since middle school. They come from two different backgrounds. Josh with a silverspoon in his mouth and Gabriel always working twice as hard. When they are set to decorate for the office Christmas party something shocking happens.
I enjoyed this story. Them switching bodies and learning about each other and being able so see from the otherside was entertaining. Honestly my favorite chapters were the last couple when they are back to themselves and express their feelings to each other. It was super sweet and everything I love. Overall, a fun twist to a Christmas story with a HEA.
November 26, 2024
2.5, rounded up
RTC
RTC
December 25, 2024
4.5 ✨️
Downright magical Christmas chaos 🥹👌
Downright magical Christmas chaos 🥹👌
December 6, 2024
Cute and charming! Some editing errors.
I think I’m too dumb for swapped body books.
I think I’m too dumb for swapped body books.
December 7, 2024
3.5 stars. Not a fan of the premise, but once I powered through, the second half was very nice.
December 16, 2024
B+ / 4.5 stars
The Christmas Switch is a fun, frothy and festive confection of a romantic comedy featuring two guys who’ve known each other since their school days and have never got along – until something forces them to really think about exactly what lies behind their mutual antagonism.
Joshua Van De Bogart and Gabriel García have known each other since their teens when Gabriel won a scholarship place at the prestigious private school Josh attended. When Josh’s attempts to befriend the new kid went awry, they instead became committed rivals who made almost everything into a competition, and by the end of high school, their rivalry had become a full-on-war. Josh thought graduation was the last they’d see of each other – but fate had other ideas and they ended up going to the same college. Now, they’re both interns at a prestigious East Coast law firm and are competing for the same job, although Gabriel is sure that Josh, with his family name and connections (his grandmother is a judge) is going to get it, no matter that Gabriel has worked his arse off and Josh… hasn’t.
Gabriel has volunteered to do the decorating for the office Christmas party and, not to be outdone, Josh says he’ll help. He’s come prepared, with lots of extra strings of lights (rightly expecting the company’s supply to be a bit stingy), and weaves them into an intricate pattern all around the room. When the moment of truth arrives and he throws the switch – the lights don’t work, and the two of them get into an argument about how to fix them which ends up with them both getting a shock.
In more ways than one.
Because when Josh comes round and looks down to where Gabriel has fallen, underneath the table Josh is lying on, it’s not Gabriel’s face and body he’s looking at. It’s his own. Pulling himself carefully off the table, Josh heads to the bathroom – and gets another shock when the face looking back at him from the mirror is Gabriel’s.
Desperately searching for a suitable explanation – a nightmare, a fever dream, an out of body experience – Josh and Gabriel eventually have to concede that something impossibly ridiculous has happened. They’ve swapped bodies.
As if that wasn’t bad enough in and of itself, Gabriel is due to head to Vermont for Christmas with his large extended family. He loves them dearly and doesn’t get a lot of time with them, so he’s been looking forward to spending the holidays at the family home – and short of pretending to be at death’s door, he doesn’t see how he can not show up. There’s nothing for it, but for him and Josh to go up there for Christmas and just hope Josh can pull off ‘being Gabriel’ well enough so nobody suspects something’s wrong. And maybe telling the fam that he and Josh are dating will be reason enough for them to stick to each other like glue to make sure Josh doesn’t slip up and prompt some really uncomfortable explanations.
Once they arrive in Vermont and are quickly enfolded in the warmth of the large and chaotic García clan, Josh begins to see a different side to his long-time rival. The Gabriel he knows is tightly controlled, never cracks a smile and is super intense and serious with no time for anything but work, but being on the receiving end of his family’s love and affection, and seeing just how much Gabriel is loved and valued gives Josh a new insight into the character of the man he’s regarded as an enemy for so many years. It also reminds him how lonely he is, how he would otherwise be spending Christmas alone, channel surfing and eating take-out and then attending his grandparents’ formal holiday dinner, which is more of a networking opportunity than a family celebration.
Josh and Gabriel are well-drawn, likeable characters who are opposites in just about every way. Josh was brought up by his wealthy grandparents after his parents died in an accident when he was nine, and has spent most of his life trying to live up to their expectations in the hope of earning their love and affection. Gabriel comes from a large, boisterous and loving family, but has had to work incredibly hard to earn the sorts of opportunities that fall into Josh’s lap. The chemistry between them crackles right from the start, and their romance has the flavour of a slow burn as they begin to notice things about each other they’ve not allowed themselves to notice before and to realise that they’ve been using their antagonism as a way to deny their mutual attraction. Seeing themselves from a different perspective helps them to learn more about each other and about themselves, and as Josh learns what it’s like to experience unconditional love, Gabriel comes to realise that Josh’s flippant, unserious approach to everything is hiding a wealth of hurt and disappointment that his only real family doesn’t have much time for him.
The Christmas Swtich is a quick but satisfying read with plenty of laughs, flirty banter, and just a little bit of melancholy that tugs at the heartstrings. Briar Prescott once again shows that she really knows how to bring the rom and the com to the genre, and this one will certainly light up even the most dreary of winter afternoons. Just make sure the connections are sound before you flip any switches!
The Christmas Switch is a fun, frothy and festive confection of a romantic comedy featuring two guys who’ve known each other since their school days and have never got along – until something forces them to really think about exactly what lies behind their mutual antagonism.
Joshua Van De Bogart and Gabriel García have known each other since their teens when Gabriel won a scholarship place at the prestigious private school Josh attended. When Josh’s attempts to befriend the new kid went awry, they instead became committed rivals who made almost everything into a competition, and by the end of high school, their rivalry had become a full-on-war. Josh thought graduation was the last they’d see of each other – but fate had other ideas and they ended up going to the same college. Now, they’re both interns at a prestigious East Coast law firm and are competing for the same job, although Gabriel is sure that Josh, with his family name and connections (his grandmother is a judge) is going to get it, no matter that Gabriel has worked his arse off and Josh… hasn’t.
Gabriel has volunteered to do the decorating for the office Christmas party and, not to be outdone, Josh says he’ll help. He’s come prepared, with lots of extra strings of lights (rightly expecting the company’s supply to be a bit stingy), and weaves them into an intricate pattern all around the room. When the moment of truth arrives and he throws the switch – the lights don’t work, and the two of them get into an argument about how to fix them which ends up with them both getting a shock.
In more ways than one.
Because when Josh comes round and looks down to where Gabriel has fallen, underneath the table Josh is lying on, it’s not Gabriel’s face and body he’s looking at. It’s his own. Pulling himself carefully off the table, Josh heads to the bathroom – and gets another shock when the face looking back at him from the mirror is Gabriel’s.
Desperately searching for a suitable explanation – a nightmare, a fever dream, an out of body experience – Josh and Gabriel eventually have to concede that something impossibly ridiculous has happened. They’ve swapped bodies.
As if that wasn’t bad enough in and of itself, Gabriel is due to head to Vermont for Christmas with his large extended family. He loves them dearly and doesn’t get a lot of time with them, so he’s been looking forward to spending the holidays at the family home – and short of pretending to be at death’s door, he doesn’t see how he can not show up. There’s nothing for it, but for him and Josh to go up there for Christmas and just hope Josh can pull off ‘being Gabriel’ well enough so nobody suspects something’s wrong. And maybe telling the fam that he and Josh are dating will be reason enough for them to stick to each other like glue to make sure Josh doesn’t slip up and prompt some really uncomfortable explanations.
Once they arrive in Vermont and are quickly enfolded in the warmth of the large and chaotic García clan, Josh begins to see a different side to his long-time rival. The Gabriel he knows is tightly controlled, never cracks a smile and is super intense and serious with no time for anything but work, but being on the receiving end of his family’s love and affection, and seeing just how much Gabriel is loved and valued gives Josh a new insight into the character of the man he’s regarded as an enemy for so many years. It also reminds him how lonely he is, how he would otherwise be spending Christmas alone, channel surfing and eating take-out and then attending his grandparents’ formal holiday dinner, which is more of a networking opportunity than a family celebration.
Josh and Gabriel are well-drawn, likeable characters who are opposites in just about every way. Josh was brought up by his wealthy grandparents after his parents died in an accident when he was nine, and has spent most of his life trying to live up to their expectations in the hope of earning their love and affection. Gabriel comes from a large, boisterous and loving family, but has had to work incredibly hard to earn the sorts of opportunities that fall into Josh’s lap. The chemistry between them crackles right from the start, and their romance has the flavour of a slow burn as they begin to notice things about each other they’ve not allowed themselves to notice before and to realise that they’ve been using their antagonism as a way to deny their mutual attraction. Seeing themselves from a different perspective helps them to learn more about each other and about themselves, and as Josh learns what it’s like to experience unconditional love, Gabriel comes to realise that Josh’s flippant, unserious approach to everything is hiding a wealth of hurt and disappointment that his only real family doesn’t have much time for him.
The Christmas Swtich is a quick but satisfying read with plenty of laughs, flirty banter, and just a little bit of melancholy that tugs at the heartstrings. Briar Prescott once again shows that she really knows how to bring the rom and the com to the genre, and this one will certainly light up even the most dreary of winter afternoons. Just make sure the connections are sound before you flip any switches!
December 26, 2024
2.5⭐
The story has a really heavy slow burn and nothing substantial is happening for the majority of the book.
🔵 Body-swap
🟠 Both 25 years old
🟣 Both gay
🟢 Both in law school and at the same apprenticeship
🟡 Both tall, but still size difference
🟣 Very boring, didn't pull me in
🌶️ Some sex at the very end; both vers
So basically Josh and Gabriel have gone to high school together and they're supposed to have this rivalry going on, they end up at the same college and then the same law firm.
Rivalry was mild and harmless and not talked about enough.
I was bored out of my mind.
This wasn't even a romantic book, no smut, no pining, no nothing, actually you have to come to the second half to realize they're basically both gay and that Gabriel obviously has a crush on Josh.
The body-swap part was quite interesting, but it stopped abruptly and nothing much evolved from that, only them getting to know each other better. A lot of long, boring monologues involved, it was exhausting.
One of the most stupid aspects of them being in a different body was how Josh was washing himself in the dark so he won't see Gabriel's dick, he didn't dare look at his new body or anything, like
"Then I do the gentlemanly thing and stare at the ceiling while I wash myself."
What the hell 😄😄😄
They never did anything, the whole body-swap part wasn't used for anything more than just interacting with Gabriel's family and that was pretty good, but again - absolutely nothing happened between them. Josh and Gabriel were just colleagues, sleeping in the same bed but never doing anything or even thinking about it, basically just co-workers until you get to over 90% of the book where they get together.
Some chemistry but not developed enough, not even near enough time of them being together on-page and if you want a really good body-swap book, try K. A. Merikan's Take My Body. This one was very underwhelming.
The story has a really heavy slow burn and nothing substantial is happening for the majority of the book.
🔵 Body-swap
🟠 Both 25 years old
🟣 Both gay
🟢 Both in law school and at the same apprenticeship
🟡 Both tall, but still size difference
🟣 Very boring, didn't pull me in
🌶️ Some sex at the very end; both vers
So basically Josh and Gabriel have gone to high school together and they're supposed to have this rivalry going on, they end up at the same college and then the same law firm.
Rivalry was mild and harmless and not talked about enough.
I was bored out of my mind.
This wasn't even a romantic book, no smut, no pining, no nothing, actually you have to come to the second half to realize they're basically both gay and that Gabriel obviously has a crush on Josh.
The body-swap part was quite interesting, but it stopped abruptly and nothing much evolved from that, only them getting to know each other better. A lot of long, boring monologues involved, it was exhausting.
One of the most stupid aspects of them being in a different body was how Josh was washing himself in the dark so he won't see Gabriel's dick, he didn't dare look at his new body or anything, like
"Then I do the gentlemanly thing and stare at the ceiling while I wash myself."
What the hell 😄😄😄
They never did anything, the whole body-swap part wasn't used for anything more than just interacting with Gabriel's family and that was pretty good, but again - absolutely nothing happened between them. Josh and Gabriel were just colleagues, sleeping in the same bed but never doing anything or even thinking about it, basically just co-workers until you get to over 90% of the book where they get together.
Some chemistry but not developed enough, not even near enough time of them being together on-page and if you want a really good body-swap book, try K. A. Merikan's Take My Body. This one was very underwhelming.
December 18, 2024
This was a cute and enjoyable holiday story.
I liked Gabriel and Josh, they had a good connection. This isn't really enemies to lovers or anything like that. Maybe a bit of rivals, but also not really. They just kinda don't get along and have been in each other's lives for over 10 years but haven't had a proper conversation because they're stubborn idiots.
Ah, love.
There wasn't much to this tale, other than some fun holiday stuff, hence the 4 stars. I liked it and I enjoyed it and there was nothing offensive about it. And it was fun with the body switch. I actually don't think I've read a professionally published romance with a body switch. The last time I read that I believe was for fanfic. It was nice to see it here.
Now, did it make much sense? Nah, because it wasn't explained at all. They get zapped by electricity, that somehow makes them switch bodies, of course they start to fall for each other over the next week.
Then Josh (in Gabriel's body) and they both remember their time in each other's body, but it's
And is any of that explained? Nope. Like why were they switched in the first place, how did they switch back, why did it ? Like sure, maybe we're just supposed to take it at face value and enjoy the fun romance, but...that doesn't mean we couldn't have an explanation?
Even if it's outside POV of a magical or supernatural being having some fun with two guys and pushing to help them with their love life or something. It just felt so completely random and something the author *couldn't* explain so she just...didn't. Why have them switch the way they did, I don't get it. Like at least give us confirmation of some supernatural explanation or something.
Also of course nothing happens when they're in each other's body (they don't even give a full look of the other's body while in it? Come on, now, let's have *some* fun with this?) so it's near the end when they get together and are switch back that anything sexy happens - and while it was a good scene, it almost felt tacked on at the end because a romance must have sex.
I guess I just wish it'd been a little a longer so we had more time with them as a couple, really. Instead the sex felt a tad rushed near the end.
So yeah, this was by no means perfect and I've read better by this author, but it was still fairly solid overall.
Definitely give a try for fun body switching shenanigans, fun holiday stuff, and good chemistry.
Of course I am, as always, excited for more from this author.
Can't wait! 😘
I liked Gabriel and Josh, they had a good connection. This isn't really enemies to lovers or anything like that. Maybe a bit of rivals, but also not really. They just kinda don't get along and have been in each other's lives for over 10 years but haven't had a proper conversation because they're stubborn idiots.
Ah, love.
There wasn't much to this tale, other than some fun holiday stuff, hence the 4 stars. I liked it and I enjoyed it and there was nothing offensive about it. And it was fun with the body switch. I actually don't think I've read a professionally published romance with a body switch. The last time I read that I believe was for fanfic. It was nice to see it here.
Now, did it make much sense? Nah, because it wasn't explained at all. They get zapped by electricity, that somehow makes them switch bodies, of course they start to fall for each other over the next week.
Then Josh (in Gabriel's body) and they both remember their time in each other's body, but it's
And is any of that explained? Nope. Like why were they switched in the first place, how did they switch back, why did it ? Like sure, maybe we're just supposed to take it at face value and enjoy the fun romance, but...that doesn't mean we couldn't have an explanation?
Even if it's outside POV of a magical or supernatural being having some fun with two guys and pushing to help them with their love life or something. It just felt so completely random and something the author *couldn't* explain so she just...didn't. Why have them switch the way they did, I don't get it. Like at least give us confirmation of some supernatural explanation or something.
Also of course nothing happens when they're in each other's body (they don't even give a full look of the other's body while in it? Come on, now, let's have *some* fun with this?) so it's near the end when they get together and are switch back that anything sexy happens - and while it was a good scene, it almost felt tacked on at the end because a romance must have sex.
I guess I just wish it'd been a little a longer so we had more time with them as a couple, really. Instead the sex felt a tad rushed near the end.
So yeah, this was by no means perfect and I've read better by this author, but it was still fairly solid overall.
Definitely give a try for fun body switching shenanigans, fun holiday stuff, and good chemistry.
Of course I am, as always, excited for more from this author.
Can't wait! 😘
December 4, 2024
Rating - 4.5 Stars
I loved this. It was a really unique and fun holiday romance.
Two childhood rivals that have spent years trying to be better than the other one (no sexual tension at allllll my guys) have an accident that causes them to switch bodies (Freaky Friday style).
When they can think of nothing to get back to their own bodies they decide to stick with the one MC’s holiday plans to go home for a big family Christmas. To explain why the other MC is there they are basically fake dating as well, while pretending to be each other.
Briar really does write the best banter. Josh made me laugh so much - he is such a sarcastic sunshine boy. And Gabriel is the serious to his chaos. I loved how Gabe eventually acknowledge that Josh’s energy really brings light to his life ♥
This is slowwww burn. I mean it kind of has to be? How sexy are you going to get with your own body no matter who is inside it? But the slow burn allows for a very natural progression from “hate” to understanding to feelings of more.
There is the very real feeling that nobody in the world quite understands the circumstances that they have found themselves in and that provides a basis for them to let their guards down with one another.
I loved how they switched back to their own bodies and how it all went down - I won’t spoil anything. But the ending felt perfect to me.
I loved this. It was a really unique and fun holiday romance.
Two childhood rivals that have spent years trying to be better than the other one (no sexual tension at allllll my guys) have an accident that causes them to switch bodies (Freaky Friday style).
When they can think of nothing to get back to their own bodies they decide to stick with the one MC’s holiday plans to go home for a big family Christmas. To explain why the other MC is there they are basically fake dating as well, while pretending to be each other.
Briar really does write the best banter. Josh made me laugh so much - he is such a sarcastic sunshine boy. And Gabriel is the serious to his chaos. I loved how Gabe eventually acknowledge that Josh’s energy really brings light to his life ♥
This is slowwww burn. I mean it kind of has to be? How sexy are you going to get with your own body no matter who is inside it? But the slow burn allows for a very natural progression from “hate” to understanding to feelings of more.
There is the very real feeling that nobody in the world quite understands the circumstances that they have found themselves in and that provides a basis for them to let their guards down with one another.
I loved how they switched back to their own bodies and how it all went down - I won’t spoil anything. But the ending felt perfect to me.
December 5, 2024
Briar Prescott writes fantastic love declarations, and really likeable believable characters who act like real people (adults even. That should be a given but surprisingly often is not in this genre..). This new one is a Christmas themed body swap book and the plot, the characters are handled so well and yeah a short speech, a scene which is just all the stars. I liked how the body swap and attraction for somebody in your body was handled - it could have been such a mess and it was not...
But stopping this from being all the stars all the way, the length was a bit insufficient, we have background and are told about it, but not really feeling it, also not enough of them together or Josh .
There were some editing issues all round: typos (words spelled correctly but the wrong word: principle/principal; isle/aisle; love/lover) and a pet which changes gender during one paragraph for example... Though I am not holding it against the book, because it was nice reading it at the right time of the year...
But stopping this from being all the stars all the way, the length was a bit insufficient, we have background and are told about it, but not really feeling it, also not enough of them together or Josh .
There were some editing issues all round: typos (words spelled correctly but the wrong word: principle/principal; isle/aisle; love/lover) and a pet which changes gender during one paragraph for example... Though I am not holding it against the book, because it was nice reading it at the right time of the year...
December 10, 2024
3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was really cute! I really enjoyed both Gabriel and Josh as characters, and thought the plot of this book was executed well. I was unsure how a body-swapping story would work strictly on paper, and was prepared that some things might give me the ick, but luckily that never happened 😅
This is a slowww burn, which given the circumstances I was mostly OK with. I really enjoyed the body swapped portion, and although I was a bit confused at the beginning on who was who at times, I settled in and it was a fun read. I will say, I wasn’t really a fan of the after portion. It felt like a fall off from the climax we had been on as the reader. That paired with a lot of sloppy editing had me deducting and rounding down.
I still really enjoyed this and it’s a fun holiday read nonetheless ❤️❤️❤️
This was really cute! I really enjoyed both Gabriel and Josh as characters, and thought the plot of this book was executed well. I was unsure how a body-swapping story would work strictly on paper, and was prepared that some things might give me the ick, but luckily that never happened 😅
This is a slowww burn, which given the circumstances I was mostly OK with. I really enjoyed the body swapped portion, and although I was a bit confused at the beginning on who was who at times, I settled in and it was a fun read. I will say, I wasn’t really a fan of the after portion. It felt like a fall off from the climax we had been on as the reader. That paired with a lot of sloppy editing had me deducting and rounding down.
I still really enjoyed this and it’s a fun holiday read nonetheless ❤️❤️❤️
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