This book was such a cute and cosy Christmas read. I loved the characters and the easy going style of writing. The story line was interesting and kept me engaged.

I did think people were oddly annoyed about the “escape for Christmas” event that Sophie had, I feel it was over done a bit in the story but other than that, I loved it!

Having had a pretty awful last Christmas, this year Sophie is running an 'Escape for Christmas' at her newly acquired Guest House in the lake District. However, somethings are impossible to escape from ..

I'm a big fan of Phillipa Ashley's books - she writes escapist fiction that is neither taxing nor confusing and usually nourishes your bookish soul a little. She has a great way of making a story flow naturally, and including all the back story you need to understand the characters without forcing it clunkily into the first few chapters.

The characters are likeable, the setting idyllic....and frankly, I'm ready for Christmas now!

I love this author’s books and again, this one was wonderful, i thoroughly enjoyed it!!

Escape For Christmas is definitely a perfect, festive story and was wonderful for snuggling up on my favourite chair with a hot cuppa tea and some cake!!

This book pulled me in right from the very first chapter and it didn’t let me go until i had read the whole book and i thoroughly enjoyed everything about it!

Escape For Christmas was Christmassy, entertaining, romantic and heartwarming and definitely left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling and a very happy heart too…..

Escape for Christmas was quite a nice read, it flowed nicely all the characters were likeable. It wasn't in your face overly chirstmassy but it did have a bit of festiveness in there and a bit of romance. Based in the lake district countryside was a lovey location and I enjoyed reading it. I thought it was a great read if you've not started your festive books yet this would be the perfect one to break you in or if you find chirstmas particularly hard you also might enjoy this and be able to relate to some of the characters.

Who can resist a Christmas Love Story. A perfect Christmas read to snuggle up with. I can smell the mince pies and feel the cosiness of Christmas pouring out of this book.

Heartbroken after finding her fiance and best friend together, Sophie sells her business and relocates from Stratford to the lake District.
Purchasing a bed and breakfast cottage. Fitting in with the community and finding friends.
Romance seems likely with neighbour and local vet.
Love never runs smoothly though.
Enjoy the story, I did

Where do I start… I loved this book. Everything from the setting to the characters and especially the pets! My heart went out to poor Sophie in the beginning, that quickly turned into hoping she would get her happy ending with Brody. Who wouldn’t want to have a kind and hot vet to cuddle up with!!
This book gets 5 stars from me.

An enjoyable read, and highly recommended to anyone in need of a 'comfort need', because, to be honest, we all need one. Sophie, having been jilted at Christmas, wants to turn her back on the festive season, and offer people in similar circumstances a break from it, so opens a bed and breakfast, in the Lake District. She has guests with a variety of reasons for wanting this, unexpected guests in a snow storm, and a handsome neighbour - but ......... It is well written, engaging, and there are red herrings.

With thanks to Penguin and NetGalley for an ARC.

I expected this book to be full of cheesy Christmas references and romance clichés, which it was, however I didn’t expect the book to have such a jarring style. I love romantic clichés and over the top festivities in this genre when they’re done right, but it felt as though this author decided on the plot and then failed to flesh out the concept.

The basis of the book is a young, (fairly recently) single woman has bought a guesthouse which she runs alone in the Lake District following a bad end to a previous relationship. This woman lives next to a very attractive and virtually perfect vet. We’re introduced to the story a few months after Sophie moves to the area but it feels as though her and her neighbour have no real interaction prior. This narrative has potential, but both characters are too perfect. I want to like them but they feel so unrealistically idealistic that I just didn’t feel I could connect with them.

Throughout the entire book so much of the dialogue feels forced and unnatural. Every character over-explains everything they are saying to an extent of stating that a joke is a joke. This took me out of the story as it felt so unnatural and for the benefit of the reader only. I also felt this way as a result of the vast amount of exposition forced into the book. Everything is explained numerous times to an extent to which it feels patronising as a reader.

I did notice a couple of inconsistencies which I would usually dismiss given that this is an early access copy, however I noted a couple of occasions which require revising. In one instance a character is out of the shower and ready for bed, and then he is chasing his dog who has ran off to eat the breakfast another character is cooking. I think this is a scene missed by both the author and editor and will hopefully be revised prior to publishing.

Expectedly, christmas is mentioned throughout the book which I enjoyed, however I found it quite jarring how frequently this went hand in hand with referencing grief. I respect that the book acknowledges this being a difficult time to those experiencing loss, but it became slightly exhausting when this was narrated every time the season was referenced.

Overall I enjoyed the idea of the storyline, I just feel that the execution wasn’t done as well as it could have been. Every character was too perfect to a point of being unrealistic, and most dialogue felt forced and unbelievable.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

Escape for Christmas by Phillipa Ashley

A heartwarming story for this time of year . A Christmas story , about Christmas , about someone who hates Christmas , for others that hate Christmas too !
As someone who lives here in Cumbria , I loved reading about in area setting the scene for the festive season.

A good Christmas read, a mixed bunch of characters coming together over an eventful Christmas at a Lake District B&B. I read it in one sitting, a predictable ending but still a good read

Due to being betrayed by her fiancé, Sophie decides to move away to the beautiful Lake District, and purchase Sunnyside, a guest house. As the betrayal happened at Christmas, she intends to invite guests who wish to celebrate the festivities but without the tinsel and glitter of a traditional Christmas.

Sophie is warm and welcoming, and takes on the challenges of running the guest house in her own unique way. I like the way she gradually fits into the village community, and Brody the vet, is a handsome romantic interest.

This is a heartwarming story about romance, friendships and community. Characters are well drawn and relatable, and you become absorbed in their stories. I like the diverse set of characters, but there is conflict between some of the guests. When snow falls heavily, they become isolated and something totally unexpected happens.

The Warm, welcoming book set in the Lake District beautiful Cumbrian lakeside scenery is well described, along with other stories woven into the plot, which keeps up the pace. This is a heartwarming Christmas read, which all Phillipa Ashley fans will enjoy, along with new readers to her books.

What a fantastic heartwarming story for Christmas. Sophie has upended her life and moved to the Lake District and bought herself a B&B. She used to love Christmas and everything about it, that is until.last year when she found her fiance cheating on her. This year all she wants is to try and forget about Christmas whilst running the B&B, but can she pull off an alternative Christmas to the usual turkey and tinsel? And will anyone want that? Such a lovely story of how communities come together in times of need.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this novel. Ideal for a stocking filler!

Not one of my favourite stories. I found the plot very weak and had to persevere to complete the book.

A lovely heartwarming story set in the lovely Lake District. Sophie’s escape for Christmas turns out to be very eventful indeed and I loved the feel good factor of everyone pulling together in times of need. I love a happy ending and this is definitely a winter warmer read you’d want to find in your Christmas stocking!

A very sweet novel about letting go on Christmas past. #EscapeforChristmas #NetGalley Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this very enjoyable festive book.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read this book. Firstly I loved the cover it was very Christmassy! I enjoyed the book but it wasn’t my favourite Phillipa Ashley romance. For some reason I feel like I’ve been reading it forever. I did warm to the characters very quickly though. I’m sure many people will enjoy the book and I do recommend.

This is a quick, easy Christmas read. Despite the premiss being a guesthouse running an unseasonal non Christmas break for those who wish to escape the festive jollity. The book flows well and has plenty of the expected tropes you would expect.

The main leads Sophie, the guest house owner escaping her past Christmas disaster and Brody, her neighbour and local vet, are both very likeable. There are plenty of other characters in this story of misunderstanding.

Overall, it is a sweet story. However, the miscommunication went just a little too far for me, as did Brody's going along with other people's plans....no one would let things go that far! The story is predictable, but I am sure most lovers of this genre will thoroughly enjoy it.

A great story as you would expect from Phillipa Ashley, Sophie's twist on Christmas celebrations is great along with the journey of what happened. This was a lot of fun to read!

Book Review: Escape for Christmas

I just finished reading Escape for Christmas by Phillipa Ashley, and I can't help but feel enchanted by this heartwarming story! From the moment I dove into Sophie’s world, I was swept away by her journey from heartbreak to hope.

Sophie’s character resonated deeply with me. After being jilted by her fiancé, she has built a life running the charming Sunnyside Hotel in the picturesque Cumbrian countryside. I loved how she transformed her pain into purpose, creating a refuge for those looking to escape the holiday cheer. Her determination to avoid Christmas festivities struck a chord, reflecting a realistic struggle many can relate to.

As Sophie prepares for the season without the usual holiday trappings, I found myself cheering for her as she navigates her feelings. Enter Brody, her dashing neighbor, who brings a spark of warmth back into her life. Their developing relationship was beautifully written, and I appreciated how it unfolded gradually, making each interaction feel genuine and heartfelt.

The setting of the hotel, nestled in the wintery countryside, was almost like a character itself. Ashley’s descriptions made me feel as if I was right there, surrounded by the beauty of the season, despite Sophie’s initial aversion to Christmas. The vivid imagery of the landscape and the cozy atmosphere of Sunnyside added layers to the story that made it truly immersive.

What I loved most about this book was the balance between humor and emotional depth. It was a delightful mix of lighthearted moments and poignant reflections on love and healing. By the end, I was rooting for Sophie to embrace the magic of the season and open her heart once again.

Escape for Christmas is a delightful read that captures the spirit of the holidays in a unique and uplifting way. It’s perfect for anyone seeking a cozy escape filled with warmth, romance, and a touch of festive magic. I can’t recommend it enough for those chilly winter nights!