The Lucky Escape by Laura Jane Williams is a masterpiece of a novel. I haven’t spent an all-nighter reading a book in a while, but I found that I just couldn’t put this one down. From the emotional struggles and self-discovery arc, I was captivated. I even found that the storyline was not as predictable as I find a lot of contemporary romances and was not able to figure out what was going to happen until the very end. There were a few things that made me a bit skeptical, but without getting into any spoiler territory, they seemed to be resolved and explained. Overall, this book is one of the first five star reads I’ve had in a while and helped me get back out of a reading slump.

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book however it was somewhat all over the place in the beginning. I think part of that has to do with the heroine being relatively all over the place too. Which truthfully was hard to connect with. Other than that it was a good light story.

Fun, sad, heartwarming and laugh out loud till you cry , this book was all of these things. A delight to read about love, loss and friendship with some travel as well.
Highly recommended for these troubled times.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

The Lucky Escape
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

“ONE CANCELLED WEDDING

When the day finally comes for Annie to marry Alexander, the last thing she expects is to be left standing at the altar. She was so sure he was Mr Right. Now, she has no idea how she could have got it so wrong.

ONE UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER

After a chance meeting with Patrick, an old friend who reminds her of who she used to be, Annie takes a vow of her own: she’ll say yes to every opportunity that comes her way from now on.

ONE SPARE TICKET FOR THE HONEYMOON

Could a spontaneous trip with Patrick be the way to mend Annie’s heart? She’s about to find out as she embarks on her honeymoon – with a man who’s not her husband…”

I was in two minds about reading this, The Love Square was my first read of the year and I loved it so I was worried this might not live up to its predecessor.

I needn’t have worried. I adored it!

I have this pre ordered on @amazonuk and can’t wait to gift it to some friends.

This was a decent read. Nothing special, revolutionary or innovative, but enjoyable all the same. Easygoing and just what I needed.

I didn't feel any real connection to the characters. I wan neither sad nor happy for them, I just couldn't connect.
And for some reason, I just couldn't take Patric seriously.

Some of the side characters were really cool, though. Like the little sister, for example.

I would like to add that I really don't like the parents. The mother is presented like a real bitch, while the dad is all cool. But I really don't think he is. If your spouse is doing everything but abusing your child and you just keep silent, you are not a good parent.

The spry was pretty slow for my liking, and the main part was just too short. I wanted to "see" more of Australia and the adventures.

The writing was really nice, I'll give you that. The conversations are natural, the situations are natural. There was nothing sloppy or forced about the delivery, really. I just wish there was more going on apart from all that meek "do I like you or don't I like you, should I take the job or shouldn't I".

A miserable humiliation becomes the best thing that ever happened to Annie, the thirty-two year old brilliant but woefully lacking in self-confidence heroine in this charming story. The novel traces her gradual coming back to life as she journeys to Australia on the honeymoon paid for by her prospective in-laws that she was meant to be taking with the long-term lover who ditched her almost at the altar.
Having recently become re-acquainted with a happy-go-lucky old friend from her youthful days in summer theatre, she takes him along as her “plus-one” on the once-in-a-lifetime trip. While readers may predict the happy ending, the adventures and epiphanies that come in between make the novel an enjoyable read. The tone is light-hearted and witty, but there are also some very relatable family relationships, particularly Annie’s with her mother, that pack a more serious punch. Readers will cheer as Annie learns self-acceptance, forgiveness, and the joys of living in the present moment in this warm and life-affirming story. If Nora Ephron-style rom coms are your thing, I definitely recommend that you look for The Lucky Escape when it comes out in June 2021.

Every book at the moment is claiming to be escapist, but this read is next level. It transported me straight to the golden sands of Australia and it was heaven.

After being jilted at the alter, Annie finds herself the recipient of an all-expenses-paid, luxury holiday in Australia. There’s no way she’s going; she can barely pull herself out of bed, let alone half way across the world. Until she finds a really intense circuits class at her local gym and it gives her an outlet for her aggression and the unanswered questions that her ex-fiance, Alexander, left her with. It’s there that she meets Patrick, the man she used to know from theatre camp. With him, taking the trip seems possible and they both jet off.

I adored ‘visiting’ all the luxury places in Australia. From the amazing beaches, the road trips, the vineyard. It was like feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin and I had a great time reading this book as a distraction to the storm clouds outside my window. It gave me inspiration for future trips and definitely secured this location as a must visit!

The first half of this book is set in Australia, but there’s also a lot that happens after they return home, which shows the reality after a perfect holiday romance. Usually the flight home would be the end of the book and we’d be left pondering their happy-ever-after, but I actually really enjoyed the second half in London too. Life and relationships aren’t perfect and this often isn’t reflected in women’s fiction, but this showed us exactly how real life can have be both challenging and brilliant.

One thing I love to see is progress: before the honeymoon and meeting Patrick, Annie did what other people wanted her to. She never stood up to her Mum, she was practically grateful for Alexander for wanting to marry her and her job wasn’t fulfilling her. The trip, and Patrick, forces her to re-evaluate everything and she returns to the UK with a renewed sense of purpose about how her life is going to be lived. She makes huge career and life decisions and she is born into a new woman that I was strangely proud of!

Patrick is the best kind of man. Holly Bourne recently wrote it perfectly on Instagram, saying that Patrick is a great love interest because he has already done the work; he is not a bad boy that our leading lady has to work to ‘fix’ before he can fully love her. Not only is he lovely, honest and vulnerable, but he pushes Annie to be the best version of herself. For me, that is absolutely the definition of love, choosing someone who makes you a better you.

This book felt like sunshine and happiness and it was exactly what I needed on a dreary January weekend.

The Lucky Escape by Laura Jane Williams is aptly named. As the reader knows from the book description, the story begins with Annie getting left on her wedding day by her fiance Alexander; Annie is at the church, in her wedding dress, with all the guests, and Alexander is a no-show. Alexander's parents insist that Annie go on the honeymoon anyway, taking along a person of her choosing, and who can resist a first class, three week trip to Australia? Annie not only opts to go on the honeymoon, but she takes Patrick, a childhood friend with whom Annie has recently reconnected, post-jilting.

What happens next is predictable, but that doesn't make it any less fun. I felt both pain and joy as Annie realizes what it feels like to be appreciated and loved and accepted. It was painful to realize how very low Alexander had made Annie feel for so long, but what a triumph for her to find true friendship and respect with Patrick.

Of course, Annie's honeymoon can't last forever, even if the man she is traveling with is not her husband. Eventually, Annie and Patrick have to travel back to London and the real world; and the real world is, as we all know, a lot harder to navigate. Families, jobs, friends, and real life stress have Annie and Patrick questioning what exactly they want from this budding relationship. And, let's not forget about Alexander, who is also back in London.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ms. Williams, and Avon Books for an opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.

Thank you for the ARC, NetGalley!

I have to say this one fell a bit short for me. It was a bit all over the place at the beginning. We shall say “pre-honeymoon.” It started getting much better when she and Patrick when to Australia, but then every thing went a bit wonky again once they got back.

Patrick completely changed from his “happy go lucky” likable self, to kind of petty and possessive, and then Annie very much so let him. Why would she need to apologize to him for finally doing exactly when he even recommended?

I will say I enjoyed the side characters, especially her sweet sister Freddie.

It had a lot of potential, but just didn’t quite cut it for me.

In the midst of lockdown and the pandemic, this was just what my heart needed. I loved the protagonist, Annie, and felt she was extremely funny and relatable. This book was just a consistently enjoyable and light read. I felt like I was right there on the beach enjoying a cocktail. I would definitely recommend if you're looking for a fun and light-hearted story to put a smile on your face!

A fun quick read. When Annie is left at the altar by her college sweetheart, who called the wedding planner instead of her to let them know the wedding was off, she doesn't know what to do. Luckily, a run-in with Patrick, an old camp friend, paired with a set of would-be inlaws who insist Annie still take her honeymoon to Australia, leads to an adventure for two Down Under. Sparks fly, but can, and should, two brokenhearted people find love? To nitpick, I couldn't believe that Annie's ex's parents would be so good to her -- treating her to the first class all the way trip -- even after the wedding was off. But it was fun to indulge the fantasy. There's a tinge of depth and exploring what it means to be an adult that makes this a bit more than your typical beach book but it is still a page turner and a good escape.

NOTE: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly, I love Laura Jane and secondly I love her books! Thank you Avon!
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this book might seem like any other romance novel, where the protagonists come together in an unlikely situation and end up getting together. However, this book doesn't end there and that's what I love about it. It teaches you so many things about adulting, of how your problems aren't less than anyone else's, how your friends can still be there for you regardless of where they are in their lives, how there is no age to start over,
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it also talks about second chances and how "what people will say" can come between your own feelings. Never let someone else dictate your life with their thoughts, do what feels right!
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can't wait to get my hands on the actual book, so that I can mark my favorite lines!
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The Lucky Escape is a classic beach read with a romantic lift, but laced with a beautifully inspiring coming-of-age element that makes it my favourite Laura Jane Williams novel yet.

Annie Wiig was abandoned by her ex, Alexander, on her wedding day. Nearing 30, single, and now more insecure than ever, she feels as if she has lost her grip on life. So she decides to make a promise to herself: stop trying to be perfect and just say yes. At a spin class she meets, or rather becomes reacquainted with, Patrick. He's an old friend from her childhood theatre camp, and a refreshing reminder of the simpler times. When Annie gets the opportunity to take her honeymoon sans ex-fiancé, she decides to take the chance. And while she's at it, she takes a chance on Patrick too.

This book is nice and light, the perfect story to relax and enjoy. Laura Jane Williams has a quality to her writing that's friendly, humorous, and effortlessly charming. But in contrast to Our Stop and The Love Square, The Lucky Escape has a deeper, heavier layer added that is explored through the protagonist’s expressions and development.

Annie has plenty of humour and wit, even though she has spent much of her life living to please others. She is easily the most complex character I have met in Williams’ novels. I loved how human and authentic her personality felt, especially when it came to comparing her past with her present and future. She has inner conflicts with herself, she says the wrong thing, she makes realistic mistakes, she has genuine timidities, and she has imperfect reasoning. Her development is the best part of this story. While the plot has some cringe rather than swoon moments, Annie's character is strong and compelling as she leans to love exactly who she is. Additionally, the loyalty in her friendship group and the bond with her sister is wonderfully uplifting.

Patrick really is a breath of fresh air. He's naturally adventurous and confident. And he brings a nice stream of maturity to this novel. I love that he has a completely different approach to life compared to Annie. Their romance is sweet, and their adventure is engaging, but sadly not the most memorable. The pacing was a little slow, especially in the beginning of the book. It takes a while for momentum to build, and I did actually consider giving up around 30% of the way through. But I’m glad I stuck with Annie and her courageous advance to another year of adulthood.

Overall, I liked reading The Lucky Escape. It’s light-hearted mixed with the right amount of depth without straying too far from the romance. It has plenty of laughs, truthful heartbreak, colourful characters, and a gratifying journey to self-acceptance.

A light- hearted, feel good read that I really enjoyed. Yes there was heartache but there were also plenty of laughs along the way!

Amazing book!! You will fall in love with the main character! She is so spunky and sweet. This book was perfect beginning to end.

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Release Date: Expected 10th June 2021 (Avon Books)


Annie is getting married today. After nine years of being with her university sweetheart Alexander, she's now finally a "Strong Independent Woman Who Just Happens To Be Committing Her Life To Someone". She's in her beautiful dress, and stepping out of the car to the chapel to meet her Wedding Planner ... who just recieved a text from the Groom who isn't coming.

Along with her best friend Azdo; a fellow theoretical scientist who's pretty handy with a countour stick, her wickedly clever little sister Freddie and her eternally supportive Dad, they all manage to escape the ceremony before the guests can even realise what's going on. Everything has changed. Her home, her plan, her future ... they're all so very different and she doesn't even know why. So when her feiry former-mother-in-law-to-be calls and insists she takes the all expenses paid honeymoon to try and relax, she can't say no. Along with her newly found Confidant and recent broken heart, former theatre school friend Paddy, they set off for a strange adventure of self-discovery and heartbreak.

Full of a cast of colourful, beautifully vibrant and unapologetically real women who I fell in love with right away - this book was full of everything. Hilarity, heartbreak, rage and romance all wrapped into one. Every single character had a whole life of their own and came to life on the pages in front of me.

This was honestly a feminist dream of indulging in a devilishly dramatic romance without having to deal with the age-old cliches and stereotypes of perfect women whose personalities exist solely based on their boyfriends.

Absolutely refreshing and hilarious charming, this was such an easy read that I finished in one sitting.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Thank you to NetGalley and Laura Jane Williams for this ARC.

Annie gets jilted on her wedding day. Her future in laws gave them a gift of a honeymoon to Australia and urged her to still go. Anni decided that she was changing her life and when she met Patrick whom she'd known years ago she asked him to go with her on o non honeymoon. Great book

The Lucky Escape follows the story of Annie who having been left standing at the altar, realises Alexander might not have been the right man for her. After a chance meeting with an old friend, Patrick at the gym, Annie decides to head off on her would be honeymoon. She has a spare ticket, could embarking on this trip with Patrick help mend her broken heart or will spending three weeks with a man who’s not her husband be a mistake?

I enjoyed this book, found the characters to be both likeable and relatable and thought the book progressed at a steady pace. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author for the chance to review.

I received this eBook on @netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was one of the books I was most looking forward to reading in 2021 and it has 100% exceeded my expectations.

I absolutely loved the storyline and the fact that there was just as many downs as ups. It is hilarious and sad all in one, I laughed and cried throughout and then laughed a little more and cried from laughing. My favourite part has to be Willy-gate, I literally died of laughter.

The concept of the story is mortifying and you can only feel so sorry for Annie, and I loved that there was a very ‘Will they/ won’t they” throughout the story. What an amazing non-honeymoon, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little jealous!

Publication Day - 10th June 2021

I really recommend this book!

I loved Our stop so was really pleased to get the ARC of this one- i thought it would be such a lovely light hearted read and it was just that and more! With likeable characters driven by a predictable yet one of kind plot at the same time, The Lucky Escape left my heart warm whilst also covering some deeper topics like loss and lack of self esteem. I really enjoyed this book and lapped it up over a few winter evenings and will definitely purchase it upon release as a feel good read!