Last Christmas

‘Bea was always early for everything. Even, it turned out, when she was running away from her life.’ As Christmas approaches, Bea Preston has a choice.

Looking up at the departures board in Heathrow airport, her flight to New York boarding soon, she knows that getting on that plane changes everything. Her life in London has grown stale, her relationship with boyfriend Dom has run its course, and New York has always been her dream. But it’s a risk – she’ll miss her parents, her friends, her job.

What if Bea could live both lives? In one she goes back home for Christmas, and in another she heads to the Big Apple. Would her fate remain the same, or can one decision really change everything?

In a grand sliding-doors love story that spans oceans, years and lives, Clare Swatman’s unforgettable tale of fate and friendship is perfect for all fans of Jojo Moyes, Beth Moran and Ruth Jones.

Praise for Clare

'Utterly believable, charming and immersive, full of acute emotional insights and truths, this is a novel every women will identify with. Highly recommended.' F.L. Everett

'It was so easy to get absorbed into the world Clare Swatman has created for Beth. I felt her losses and disappointments acutely, which only made the ending more satisfying. It really kept me guessing, too.' Laura Pearson

'Warm, immersive and hugely relatable, The Lost Letters of Evelyn Wright really tugged at my heartstrings. I galloped through this story of friendship, motherhood and love in all its forms.' Lisa Timoney

'Swatman does it again! An engaging read about heartbreak, navigating new normals and finding your feet in a new life you never expected to have. One to curl up with on a rainy day.' Rachel Dove

'Irresistible... A delightfully bittersweet story that will appeal to fans of One Day' - Sunday Mirror

Readers love Clare

‘A treasure of a read and one I’m sure I will come back to again in the future.’

‘One of the many reasons I’ve grown to really love the author’s books – as well as for her quite wonderful storytelling – is because of their exceptional emotional authenticity…Original, engaging, emotional, uplifting, and filled with warmth – I really loved it.’

‘Excellent story, I couldn’t put it down, first book I’ve read in a while that shows the true feelings of breaking up and starting over.’

‘I absolutely loved this book. A story of friendships, heartbreak, new beginnings, forgiveness. Oh and a couple of cute dogs. The story had me totally absorbed from start to finish. Thoroughly enjoyed.’

‘What a thoroughly enjoyable story. Lovely characters that you get to know and like. I was sorry when it was over and look forward to reading more by this author.’