The Bookish Ashley

Rating: 3.75/5 Stars

JE Rowney’s Xmas Break is a chilling, suspense-filled holiday thriller that flips the concept of a cozy Christmas on its head. Equal parts family drama and survival story, this novel combines tense relationships with dark secrets, creating a story that’s perfect for fans of domestic suspense who prefer their holiday reads with an edge of terror.

The Plot

When Isla receives an unexpected invitation from her estranged sister, Clara, to spend Christmas at a luxury mountain retreat, she’s wary but agrees to go. Their family relationship has been fractured since their mother’s death, and the reunion feels fraught with tension from the start. Things take a deadly turn when a snowstorm traps the group, cutting them off from civilization and forcing the sisters to confront buried secrets. As mistrust brews and survival becomes paramount, Isla and Clara must decide who they can trust—or risk becoming victims of the storm and the lies swirling around them.

What Worked

1. The Setting:

The secluded mountain retreat and the raging snowstorm create an atmospheric backdrop that amplifies the tension. The claustrophobic feeling of being trapped mirrors the emotional and psychological traps of the sisters’ relationship.

2. Family Dynamics:

The fraught relationship between Isla and Clara adds depth to the story. Their slow journey from mistrust to reluctant partnership is compelling and makes their dynamic relatable.

3. Pacing and Suspense:

Rowney expertly builds the tension with every chapter, weaving in twists that keep you guessing. The shifting alliances among the characters heighten the suspense, making it hard to put the book down.

4. Themes of Trust and Redemption:

At its heart, Xmas Break explores the idea of whether broken relationships can be mended in the face of danger, adding an emotional layer to the thriller elements.

What Could Have Been Better

1. Character Development:

While Isla and Clara are well-drawn, some of the side characters felt underdeveloped. Their motivations and actions occasionally felt like plot devices rather than organic parts of the story.

2. Predictability:

While the suspense is gripping, seasoned thriller readers might see some of the twists coming. A more unexpected ending could have elevated the book further.

3. Pacing in the Middle:

The story starts strong and ends with a bang, but the middle sections lag slightly, with some repetitive interactions that slow the momentum.

Final Thoughts

Xmas Break is a gripping holiday thriller perfect for readers who crave suspenseful stories with a side of family drama. Rowney creates a vivid, tense atmosphere that pulls you in, even if some aspects of the story lean on familiar tropes.

Would I recommend it? If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced, wintry suspense novel with compelling family dynamics, this one’s worth adding to your holiday reading list. It’s not your typical feel-good Christmas story—but if you enjoy thrillers, that’s precisely the point.

Grab a blanket and some hot cocoa, but be prepared to question whether your next family holiday invitation is worth accepting.