While this seems like an easy beach read initially, there was more depth to it. I liked the writing style a lot. The story was easy to read and moved quickly. I loved reading the section that took place during the trip to Australia. The author did an excellent job crafting this portion of the story, and it made me miss traveling! I greatly appreciated the character development and the way Annie started with questioning and self doubt. but began to live life for herself rather than others. .I wasn't a huge fan of the way this book, but I’d still recommend to anyone looking for a cute, quick read. I enjoyed it!

The voice wasn’t for me and the plot didn’t quite do enough for me either. I need a more nuanced (have more than one feeling? be feminist? be poor? Something!!) MC or a layered plot or intriguing mystery or just something stellar if I’m going to read about straight white women. The he hurt my feelings and I’m absorbed in having a wedding just won’t do for me. Alas, this will likely work well for someone else who doesn’t need more in 2021. There’s so many books in the world I want to read I had to move this one along.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a predictable romance.

The characters are likeable and it definitely will not strain the brain.

If you want an easy read and you are lucky enough to be on the beach then this may be for you.

The story begins with the heartbreaking moment when the future groom fails to show up at church, leaving his fiance Annie without any explanation. Even when her perfect world has been destroyed in a split second, Annie goes on her honeymoon. Patrick, her old friend, will be her companion.
Why did her fiance leave her at the altar? Does she really have a perfect life? What will happen on the trip to Australia? You need to find out and get to know Patrick!

Written in a funny tone, light reading. I enjoyed the story - mainly the second part of the book. The characters are pretty good, bringing a charming, friendly atmosphere. The story is written from Annie's perspective, and I like this type of narrative. The ending was a bit squeezed - too much in a too short time for a cumulative moment of the entire book.

Highly recommend - if you are looking for some brightly and funny written story' The Lucky Escape is definitely for you.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Collins, for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Oh dear, what a disappointment this book was! I was very bland, and I didn't connect with any of the characters. There was nothing new about this story at all. It was well written though, just a shame about the story line

I kind of felt ripped off with this book. The plot was done before: The Unhoneymooners. But after reading I got major Sex in the City vibes, and I was not a fan. Nothing seemed original with this book. The beginning was slow. The middle (honeymoon) was the best part. The ending fell very flat. If you are looking for this trope and vibe, read The Unhoneymooners.

Annie’s life is turned upside down when she is jilted on her wedding day. Broken and confused she starts to re-evaluate her life and her life with Alexander. She bumps into an old friend Patrick he’s very easy going and fun to hang out with. Alexander’s mother insists that Annie still go on her honeymoon to Australia. On a whim the new Annie decides to say Yes and her and Patrick go together as friends. I loved reading about the trip to Australia it made me yearn to go there. There were also some hilarious laugh out loud moments. A trip away from real life is a wonderful way to escape but returning home, seeing Alexander again and the reality and subsequent re-evaluating of life is a different matter.

I found this book to be an easy, enjoyable read.

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book didn’t do it for me. I didn’t like any of the characters—Annie seemed wish washy, Patrick seemed like a jerk, Freddie was kind of annoying. Carol seemed OK. But Carol was a dog. The story itself dragged. I found it hard to get invested in it, found myself skimming, and couldn’t wait for it to finish.

From the blurb it sounded like it had potential, but it just wasn’t for me. I wouldn’t recommend this to others.

This book was hard to rate.
We have three parts (before Australia, during Aus, and after) and each one reads differently and hence the difficulty. It's also more WF than romance, more about Annie's journey than her romantic relationship.

The first third of the story is slow and I found it hard to connect with Annie. I think it would have worked better to make that intro shorter and snappier. I almost quit several times.

The second third of the book, when Annie and Patrick are in Australia, was really good. I liked how he supported her and didn't judge her when he listened to her, and she became his friend too. Their relationship was a joy to read during this part.

The last third, after they returned to London, felt forced, with obstacles thrown at them one after the other. Both Patrick's and Annie's responses didn't feel true to character, especially the ending (before the epilogue).

Sexual content and language.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

This was an easy to read whirlwind of a story. The main character goes on such a journey and although some of it a little unrealistic if was fun and uplifting.

I haven't read anything by this author, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised! This book was such a cute, vacation read. I loved the premise. It reminded me a lot of Christina Lauren's The Unhoneymooners, just with a friends to lovers spin rather than enemies to lovers. I think Williams does an amazing job of showing growth in her characters. We do not finish the book with the same Annie that we started with and you can really see how throughout the story. This book also really explores how grief can come and go, and how there is no right way to move on. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend as a cute beach read for the summer!

The book's premise hooked me in. Jilted on your wedding day but still taking the honeymoon sounds great.
The book starts with Annie having arrived at her wedding, ready to walk down the aisle, only to be told the groom, Alexander, won't be coming. Devastated, Annie struggles to understand what happened. Burying herself in fitness, she runs into an old friend, Patrick, After a few beers, and the blessing of the grooms' mother, Annie and Patrick head off for a non-honeymoon together in Australia.

I enjoyed the Lucky Escape and the author gave me enough information about Alexander for me to dislike him, but not question why Annie was with him. The non-honeymoon in Australia was paced just right for me, with Patrick and Annie becoming friends and having wonderful experiences together. first. The ending was a little unfocus or rushed. A lot happens in a very short period of time. Overall, this is a great story and a fun read.

Thank you, NetGalley for the arc. This is my honest review.

Can someone please book me on this trip to Australia?!?

This book can only be described as the perfect summer read and for those of us who just aren't ready to attempt travel yet, it provides the perfect escape.

The story begins at the wedding of Annie and Alexander. As Annie arrives at the church, her poor wedding planner has to tell her that Alexander has texted her to say he won't be coming. Annie is absolutely devastated. In order to try get over it all, Annie joins bootcamp, where she meets an old friend, Patrick.

Alexanders parents manage to persuade Annie to go on her honeymoon, but she doesn't choose one of her best friends, she ends up on her honeymoon with Patrick.

Now, yes, we all know where the story is going. Is it cheesy? Of course it is. Do I care? Not one jot!! There is nothing better than chilling out with a classic rom-com and for me Laura Jane Williams writes some great characters.

Definitely one to read over the summer!!

Thank you to Netgalley, Laura Jane Williams and Harper Collins for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is due to be published on 10 June 2021.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC.
3 Stars!

It was hard to put this book down.
I was hooked from the first chapter.
Well written, well plotted, engaging characters.
his book was basically three parts: before the honeymoon, during and after.

This was a fun book. Light and full of travel and romance. I enjoyed the characters and their growth. Great beach read!

Remember last week when J.Lo, who had recently split from ARod, was spotted with her ex-boyfriend, Ben Affleck and everyone said “slow down girl and take a minute for yourself!!” Well, that’s how I felt about the main character in this book- Lucky Escape.

Annie is getting married. She arrives at the church only be told by the wedding planner that her shitwit fiancé isn’t coming and the wedding is off. Annie falls into deep despair since she gave the last decade of her life to her asshole ex-fiancé. Shortly after being jilted, Annie meets an old friend, Patrick, from drama camp when they were 15. They strike up a friendship, get drunk, and Annie invites him to join her on the honeymoon in Australia “as friends”. Patrick manages to get three weeks vacay at a moment’s notice- no red flags there, Patrick! They go to Australia, Patrick doesn’t murder her and stuff her body in his suitcase, but he does help her get over her fiancé and shows her that she’s a better person than she believes. Obvi they slowly fall for each other and decide to be BF/GF by the end of the trip. Slow down, JLo!!

I enjoyed Annie and Patrick’s time in Australia, but the reality of their life after the “honeymoon” phase became tedious and frustrating. When they return to London, Annie becomes insufferable bc she doesn’t know what she wants- new job, move to another country, break up with Patrick, stay with Patrick, I’m strong, no I’m weak, new haircut, become a counselor...no girl, you need to go SEE a counselor and just breathe for a minute!! While not an axe murderer, Patrick was pushy with a woman who’s decade long relationship just went up in flames. Slow your roll, Patrick! Overall this book was “meh”.

***I received this book as an ARC courtesy of @avonbooksuk via @netgalley

Smut- 1 star (Totally closed door sexay times is a real let down for this smutty perv)
Romance- 3 stars (add a star if you consider not being stuffed in a suitcase on one’s honeymoon romantic).
Story- 3 stars
The HR vacation policy at Patrick’s job- 5 stars

Rating: 2.5*

I can definitely see how people might find this book enjoyable, and I would recommend it if you’re looking for an easy beach read type of book. However, personally it just wasn’t for me and I was left feeling slightly disappointed.

My main problem was that I disliked the two main characters, both Annie and Patrick. Their characters really annoyed me and I felt no attachment to them at all which prohibited me from properly enjoying the book. The plot also felt quite inconsistent, and at some points it was as though I was dragging myself through certain chapters just to finish the book.

I really loved the idea of this book and still enjoyed the authors writing, even if it’s not one of my favorites.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Lucky Escape by Laura Jane Williams was a cute and engaging romantic book. This would make a great beach read! I did not want to put it down.

I'm definitely familiar with the authors works but this is the first I've read for myself and I really enjoyed it. It was easy to read, wonderfully written, gripping and captivating. Would definitely recommend.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were likeable and the story had me hooked. I enjoyed seeing the friendship develop between them in Australia, and the holiday itself sounded dreamy! I hadn’t read any of Williams’ books before and will now be searching for more so I guess that says it all! Would definitely recommend.