What a brilliant feel good story. It made me feel so Christmassy.
When Sophie decides that her guest house will be a Christmas free zone, she had no idea how many things could go wrong in the space of a couple of days!
Sophie’s hopes of a budding romance with her neighbour, the local vet, don’t go well as she’d hoped either.
Everyone should read a Philippa Ashley book to get them in the mood for Christmas.

With "Escape from Christmas" being my first Philipa Ashley book, I was expecting snow, cosy romance and a few laughs along the way. Unfortunately it didn't quite live up to being the festive treat I was expecting.

Sophie used to be a Christmas loving gift shop owner. That is until the Christmas she discovered her fiancé cheating on her with her best friend. Devastated by the betrayal Sophie sells her shop and buys a guest house in the lake district. Determined to avoid the traditional festivities Sophie is hosting an "Escape" from Christmas for her guests, complete with tapas and flamenco dancers.

I really enjoyed the descriptions of the Lake District, this was an idyllic setting for a festive story. However that's really where my enjoyment ended. I didn't connect with the authors' writing style or any of the characters. The dialogue felt forced with characters constantly over explaining everything they spoke about. The exposition felt lengthly and repetitive which slowed down the pace of story making it feel like a slog to get through. The plot was fairly predictable which is OK for a cosy Christmas read. However it stretches credulity to the limit.

I think Phillipa Ashley fans will still enjoy this read but it wasn't quite what I was looking for. Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone and Netgalley for providing the ARC.

This was delightful. A beautiful, dreamy Christmas story. I loved Sophie and the whole journey for her. The place sounded idyllic and I was taken to such picturesque places whilst reading it. Total cosy vibes, and a good romance to finish off.

Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Set in a snowy Lake District, this is a lovely, heartwarming story about escaping Christmas but still having fun. Sophie's life imploded last Christmas, and to survive, she left everything she knew and started again in the Lake District. This year, Sophie is determined to avoid a traditional Christmas and markets an Escape from Christmas for her guesthouse. I like the multigenerational characters and their reasons for wanting to escape, the wintry setting, Sophie's conflicted interactions with Brody and the drama. It's an immersive story which has some delightful moments,

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Sophie was a big fan of Christmas, until a traumatic experience in her Christmas shop left her running to the Lake District to open a B&B. This year Sophie has decided to open the B&B to guests who want to 'escape from Christmas' and enjoy a good time away from the festive bells and whistles. Along the way, Sophie comes across handsome local vet Brody, who gently helps her to thaw out and move forward from her past.

Escape for Christmas is a hot chocolate kind of novel, perfect for curling up in a cosy corner and having a bit of escapism yourself!

This book has everything a Christmas book needs - romance, great characters, lots of snow and a beautiful setting.
Sophie has moved to the Lake District to escape heartbreak. She takes over a B&B and decides to run an alternative break over Christmas, for those who don't want the usual festivities.
Her plans couldn't have gone more wrong, but handsome local vet, Brody, is on hand to assist.
A familiar storyline for a festive book, but when done by Phillipa Ashley, you get that bit extra in terms of characters, storyline and depth.

Just what we need from a festive story - some wonderful characters (including the pets obviously!), gentle humour and maybe a sprinkling of romance...

Sophie runs Sunnyside, a guest house that she offers an alternative "non-Christmas" break. It was a delight to be introduced to the guests but my main interest lay with Sophie and local vet Brody. I'd love to hear more about them in any future books.

I am particularly drawn to any books set in the Lake District as it is always such a magical setting and I'd urge anyone to pick up this book to share the magic!

My thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy which I have reviewed honestly.

What a wholesome cosy book and perfect for this time of year, I adore the Lakes so made me feel extra cosy inside and yearning to visit again.
It follows Sophie who owns and runs Sunnyside Hotel, a quaint guesthouse nestled in the Lake District above Windermere. She used to love Christmas, owning her own year round Christmas shop in Stratford Upon Avon until her fiancé cheated on her during the festive period.
Not wanting to celebrate the season herself she decides to market her guesthouse to those wanting to Escape for Christmas and soon sells every room.
Brody is her neighbour, living in the 17th century Felltop Farm, surrounded by animals is apt considering he’s a vet. Harold his Labrador has a love for escaping to Sophie’s and it’s not long before their attraction grows.
I loved both Brody and Sophie, their potential romance is not an easy path. Brody holds his own secrets which has Sophie pulling back from him.
Sophie’s Non Christmas doesn’t go according to plan, her guests are such characters as well s some unexpected ones.
Honestly such a lovely story full of hope, I was praying for their HEA ❤️
Thank you NetGalley, Philippa Ashley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

Sophie moved to the Lake District to fulfil her life's fantasy of running a Guest House. Her love of Christmas was ruined by her cheating ex, so she plans a traditional Christmas-free break for her guests, each of whom has their own reason for getting away from tinsel and turkey. Love interest comes from neighbour and Vet, Brody, but even that isn't simple. Perfect winter reading, hard to put down.

Thank you netgalley and publishers for an advanced copy of this book for my review. Set in the beautiful Lake District a wonderfully written festive story with a few twists along the way. Phillipa Ashley never fails to provide a great story.

I just loved this book! It was such a good story and it has wonderful characters. It was just so Christmassy and I just couldn’t put it down.

I would highly recommend reading this book as it was just so good and Christmassy.

I would like to thank Penguin and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

What a wonderful beautiful Christmas tale this is, and a gorgeous escape to the Lake District. This is the perfect festive read this year!
Absolutely absorbing very well written and had me swept along from the first to the last page!! Just brilliant!
Sophie has moved to the Lake District earlier in the year when she sold her business in Stratford, buying the Sunnyside guesthouse in the fells to make her dream of running a b&b come true. It’s been hard work as she has started to get to know the community, and make the guesthouse her own and there’s still some way to go. With the Christmas season approaching Sophie has advertised an alternative escape at her guest house without all the Christmas trimming's! Who will join her for such a different offering to all the hotels and guesthouses nearby?!
There is drama, pets, stunning landscapes and snow.
I loved all the characters, the events, the traditions, the community and visitors, complex family dynamics and all the love and romance. The writing is a pleasure to read as it flows effortlessly carrying you along in a comforting way.
Really enjoyed this book and can highly and hugely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin books for the early read. Greatly appreciated!!

I loved reading this book.
Despite the storyline being based around escaping Christmas, it was still filled with festive cheer & warmth - it even features a family seeking shelter & a baby being born on a snowy Christmas Eve … and a donkey!
illed with romance, friendships & rebuilding a sense of self after facing adversity, this book is a perfect Christmas read. Snuggle up in the warmth, read the book and experience your own escape for Christmas

Sophie loved Christmas until her fiancé went off with her best friend just before the festivities. .
She buys a small guesthouse in Cumbria and decides to advertise a Christmas escape for those who don't want to have a traditional time.
Then it snows and all her plans go out the window.
But despite all this can she survive Christmas and will it work magic again for her.

“Escape for Christmas” is a festive read with a twist. Sophie runs a guesthouse in the Lake District. She has owned it for less than a year and is making plans for her first Christmas there. But Sophie is looking to avoid the festivities as much as possible. She used to run a Christmas shop in Stratford upon Avon with her boyfriend but on finding him cheating with her best friend, she decided to up sticks and follow a long held dream to open a guesthouse. But given her negative connotations with Christmas now, she decides that she will host a non-Christmas celebration for those who want a retreat from tinsel and carols. Her family and the people in her local village think she’s lost her marbles but neighbour Brody doesn’t. He’s a vet and beloved by everyone in the village and he and Sophie develop a bond. But will personal circumstances ruin everything and will Christmas intrude on Sophie despite her best efforts?

This is an easy to read book and I love the descriptions of the Lake District which is a perfect setting. But I did find that it dragged a bit, particularly in the first half. And while the two main characters are well drawn and likeable, I felt like the bond between them was a bit forced and not initially well described. Also, the supporting characters are, again, likeable but didn’t feel fully sketched out.

I did enjoy reading this though and I’m sure those who love a cosy Christmas book will too.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

This was a lovely Christmas read. Sophie has moved and bought a guesthouse, she wants to hold an alternative Christmas this year as it’s brings back bad memories for her. Her idea works and all the guest rooms are booked, but it doesn’t go quite according to plan. With power cuts, being snowed in and a love triangle it’s makes for a great read.
Loved reading about Sophie and her guests, also all the animals in this story. The setting can’t be faulted and you’ll want to jump into the book. A fantastic 5 star read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

Sophie loved Christmas and was the owner of a year round Christmas shop but after discovering her fiancé and her best friend together at Christmas she relocated to run a B&B in the Lake District. She decides to hold a no Christmas Christmas break. A disparate group of guests arrive, all with reason to avoid Christmas celebrations but the best laid plans go awry. A lovely festive read.

hank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone for my copy of Escape for Christmas by Phillipa Ashley

After facing a heartbreaking betrayal from her fiancé and best friend during Christmas, Sophie embarks on a fresh journey in the picturesque Lake District, where she runs a charming B&B. I love that this is set in the UK. I love the idea of a non-Christmas package. It's a great idea for those who may not want the Christmas package. Eager to avoid another painful holiday with her family, she decides to create a delightful Spanish-themed weekend for those looking to escape the usual festivities. However, things take an unexpected turn, and she finds herself needing assistance from her neighbour, who has shown some questionable traits reminiscent of her ex. But is he really like him? Join Sophie on this transformative adventure filled with surprises and new connections as she discovers the strength to embrace joy once more!

What an amazing book. Christmas is fast approaching and Sophie, who once loved this time of year, is not looking forward to it. After catching her fiancé in a comprising position, with her best friend, in the store cupboard of her Christmas shop, Sophie takes stock of her life and moves to the wonderful countryside in Cumbria and buys Sunnyside Hotel.

As Christmas fast approaches, Sophie has a brainwave to offer an alternative Christmas, for guests who like her, were dreading the festseason and wanted to Escape for Christmas. No decorations, no Christmas music or traditional Christmas dinner. Little did she know that it would be such a fantastic success and realises that Christmas is wonderful when shared with the right people.

A beautifully written and heart felt book with characters that jumped out at me and immediately became my friend. It made me laugh as well as making me weep. I would book into Sunnyside tomorrow if it was possible.

The description of winter in Cumbria makes me want to curl up in front of a log fire, whilst marvelling at the glistening snow outside.

In my view, one of Philippa Ashley’s best books. For all you folk who love her books, this is a must to be put on your Christmas wish list. You will not want to put it down once you commence it until the last page. Thank you Philippa for a truly delightful book.

Couldn’t have loved this book anymore if I tried! Was so sad when it ended. I really liked Sophie and Brody as well as Agatha, she was fun!

A lovely, festive, non-festive novel. 110% recommend.