This book had an intriguing premise and the plot did not disappoint. Three women, bonded over their respective relationship problems go on a roadtrip and end up staying the night in a deserted rental. The book is told from the perspective of 2 of the women which does elevate the story as details are revealed which add to the twists and turns. Great beach read this one

This started out a bit of a slow burner but OMG does it ramp up quite quickly and what develops is a great page turning, stay up late reading book. Three friends who have recently bonded over their newly acquired single status decide to have a weekend away together. Unfortunately they lose the car key while only half way to their destination and are forced to stay overnight. The story continues with chapters from different points of view which leave you wondering what has happened, what is going to happen and why. The tension cranks up and never ceases, right until the very last pages.
The characters were very well drawn and although not all were likeable, they will stay with me for a long while. Spoiler alert - this book covers termination and pre birth diagnosis of defects which could be upsetting to some readers.

A girls' weekend out with mates Margaret and Diana had Sam eager to start her days of fun. But things fell apart even before they reached their destination. the writing was gripping with quite a few shocks down the way. I didn't know whom to trust. This was an enjoyable read, highlighted by secrets.

Enjoyed this book each character has secrets that will keep you intrigued. Twist through that also keeps you wanting to read. Well worth reading and would enjoy reading more from this author.

As Sam, Margaret and Diana set off on a girly weekend away to escape their problems and relax, little do they realise that their trip is actually much more a trap...

Sam's husband has left her and as she struggles to come to terms with this, there seems no better idea to have a little break away with her two friends, Martha and Diana, both also in the midst of complicated and painful breakups. But their trip is cut short when the key to their car goes missing on a rest stop and they find themselves in a temporary rental for the night. Except the town they find themselves in is coincidently Sam's ex-husband's town. Heading to a bar for drinks, the three friends don't realise the danger they are heading into or how it will turn their lives upside down.

I really enjoyed this book - it certainly was true to the genre in that it kept me guessing right until the end. Each character has their secrets and as the narratives unravel you find yourself questioning their motives and reasons, who has lied and who they can trust. I particularly liked the character of Detective Conway - a strong, intelligent woman who helps to work through the intertwined stories and many of her parts of the narrative are very exciting in revealing key pieces of information.

The three main characters are equally interesting and believable. You feel an empathy for them as their secrets and issues are revealed, and they find themselves in the midst of a murder investigation. The ending of the narrative feels positive in a believable and justified way - the characters each get their deserved ending without it feeling dramatic or unbelievable.

I reviewed an advanced review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was a good story, I was intrigued as to what was gonna happen and I'm glad I picked it up! Want to read more from this author

thought this was a decent thriller at times farfetched but generally a good read and i enjoyed it.
3/5 stars
It centers on 3 friends named Sam, Margaret, and Diana who go on a long weekend girls' trip, only to get stranded on the way and have to take a detour, when it becomes clear that there is more to the story than it initially seemed.

‘The Perfect Escape’ is the debut novel by Leah Konen.

When her husband Harry walks out after just six months, a girls’ weekend away with two friends seems like just what Sam needs. But they aren’t even halfway to their destination when things start to go wrong: car trouble that just happens to leave them stranded in the town where Harry lives. And that’s only the beginning. Because there are three things Sam doesn’t yet know. One of her friends is lying about what happened. One is lying about who she is. And one of them will never make it home.

If you like your thrillers packed with drama, suspense and missing people, then ‘The Perfect Escape’ is just the book to you.

The story is seen through the perspective of Sam and Margaret, they have gone away on a weekend trip with their other friend Diana but then their car breaks down on the way and Diana disappears making it the worst weekend of their lives. As police try to piece together Diana’s last moments, they reveal some truths and lies along the way, making both Sam and Margaret wonder they can trust and if they really did know their friend at all.

This book is an easy and enjoyable read that flowed at an engaging and fast pace keeping the reader on their toes with its many twist and reveals along the way. Sam is dealing with the breakdown of her relationship, although she’s still in love with Harry and refuses to believe that the relationship is over whilst Margaret is also getting over her marriage breakdown. Both women are escaping their heartbreak and fun loving Diana is determined that this week away will be perfect distraction.

This is Leah’s debut novel and it’s a great introduction to a new author. The characters are relatable but complex and that make them all suspects in the story as their stories don’t always add up and this makes for wonderfully suspenseful reading as you try to figure out the culprit.

Set against the backdrop of a peaceful town, where everyone knows your name and newcomers are to be watched warily, ‘The Perfect Escape’ is a thrilling story of deceit, drama and not everyone is who they say they are.

You can buy ‘The Perfect Escape’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

This book was my first by this author and I am already itching to pick up "One White Lie".   
The thriller reader in me thought I had this all figured out in the first 100 pages.  I could not have been more wrong! 
In this book, we meet Sam, Margaret and Diane, three friends brought together sharing the experiences of the breakdowns that they are currently going through.   
As a way to reconnect themselves, the trio set off for a road trip full of alcohol, good times and hot tubs! However, when one of them goes missing, the perfect escape no longer exists! 
The book is told from three viewpoints of the main character, with each chapter revealing more and more about the women. Did they even know each other at all? 
This book is so atmospheric and fast paced.  Just when you think you know what is happening, the author throws another twist in to make you guess yourself.  
The novel is very suspenseful and a perfect thriller.  
Thank you for my proof copy from the publishers.

The Perfect Escape by Leah Konen is a good girlie, twisty, whodunnit. There’s plenty of interesting characterisation, an abundance of coincidences and a whole load of emotional baggage, which the three roadtrippers were supposedly getting away from. Lost keys and a somewhat creepy rental isn’t going to stop the fun as the girls get gussied up for a night out, where each of them gets separated for various reasons and with various people. Just like that, the stage is set. Each of the girls is hiding something and we’re taken on a rollercoaster ride. This is a good weekend or holiday read. Just make sure you know who you’re going on a trip with. Four stars

The first book I have read by Leah Konen. I will certainly read more.

This book was gripping by from the beginning with lots of twists and turns which kept the pages turning.

Really enjoyed it, great read

A great read, loved the characters, plenty of twists and turns, you think you have worked it out then you find out you haven't.

I absolutely loved this book. It centres around three women who meet and form strong friendships as a result of their shared life problems.

They emark on a trip together which is when their respective back stories emerge and tragedy strikes. This story kept me guessing as there were so many twists and turns, many of which were unexpected. Really recommend this book and will look forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you to Kallie at Michael Joseph for my invitation to the tour and for my copy of the proof in return for a fair and honest review.

Three friends Samantha, Margaret and Diana who are all fresh out of relationships decide to take a trip to Catskill, New York . Diana is getting over Brandon, Margaret has left Lars after a trauma and Sam is recovering after Harry leaves her. Their hire car breaks down and head to a bar and Samantha ends up having sex with her ex Harry and Margaret meets Alex. After an eventful evening, the next morning, they realise their friend Diana is missing and her bed is unslept in.

Where has she gone? They involve the police and this uncovers even more surprises. They find out that people have been watching them and then a gruesome discovery is made.

This is a gripping thriller which is told mainly from the perspectives of Samantha and Margaret, this book twists and turns and is relentless in it’s pace so you have to keep on reading.


As the story progresses everything that has happened is more complex than anyone has realised. It was the kind of book where I didn’t really gel with the characters but that did not detract from the enjoyment of the book.

This is a entertaining read and the twists took me by surprise several times which I love in a book. If you like a fast paced thriller that keeps you guessing this is the book for you.

4 stars ****

A story about three women friends who have all split from their partners. They need a break and decide on a weekend in the mountains north of New York, but car trouble means they never make it. They are stranded in a small town, which just happens to be where Sam’s ex-husband lives. Is this a coincidence? A murder ensues and the story takes on a series of twists.
A great story with an unguessable ending.

The Perfect Escape by Leah Konen
Rating 3.9/5
The Perfect Escape, a few days away in free accommodation with a hot tub for three new friends all coming to terms with the breakdown of their marriages. Sam, Margaret and Diana. It starts to go wrong before they arrive at their destination, just one thing after another.
Too many coincidences, too many lies but who is behind it. There are many suspects, who to trust. The ex husbands, Alex, Elizabeth, the list is endless.
A strong start to the novel, it occasionally wavered but delivered on twists. A quick read but plenty of time to change from one suspect to another. And still I was wrong.
Thanks to Leah Konen, Penguin and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read The Perfect Escape. In return I have written an honest and unbiased review.

I really enjoyed this book and it definitely had me on the edge of my seat. I was convinced I had it all figured out and knew what was happening but I wasn't even close. That is the mark of a great thriller!

I loved the way each chapter revealed a little more about its narrator but also added more questions and secrets.

The story had a great pace and was really atmospheric. Definitely recommend.

This book was my first by this author and I am already itching to pick up "One White Lie".
The thriller reader in me thought I had this all figured out in the first 100 pages. I could not have been more wrong!
In this book, we meet Sam, Margaret and Diane, three friends brought together sharing the experiences of the breakdowns that they are currently going through.
As a way to reconnect themselves, the trio set off for a road trip full of alcohol, good times and hot tubs! However, when one of them goes missing, the perfect escape no longer exists!
The book is told from three viewpoints of the main character, with each chapter revealing more and more about the women. Did they even know each other at all?
This book is so atmospheric and fast paced. Just when you think you know what is happening, the author throws another twist in to make you guess yourself.
The novel is very suspenseful and a perfect thriller.
Thank you for my proof copy from the publishers.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book.

A twisty read where you’re never quite sure who should be trusted

A mystery, thriller read which twists and turns throughout as lies and secrets thread the narrative together. Three friends find out they are not so close as they thought and an intended relaxing break becomes far from that, Definitely not the relaxing girls weekend you'd want!