A secret escape is another 5 star read by Sarah Morgan
This book epitomises the wholesome virtues of friendships and family, based in the most picturesque Lake district full of woodlands, mountains and nature it extols the benefits of nature and walking for both mental and physical health particularly when done with great trusted friends or family.
Milly and Nicole were childhood friends that continued their close knit friendship throughout adulthood through good times and bad times even though they had vastly different lives and lived in different countries, this suddenly and abruptly stopped just when Milly needed her friends support more than ever and for eighteen months there was no contact, suddenly out of the blue Nicole needed help and reached out to Milly.
What follows is a journey of revelations,realisations and second chances as a whole gauntlet of emotions are released, home truths and secrets, but with understanding, kindness, family and friendships we are led on the most incredible of healing journeys as both Millly and Nicole re establish their friendship and let go of the past
A wonderful feel good read that I would highly recommend
Thank you NetGalley for this early read

Can Sarah Morgan write a bad book , no no and no. She never disappoints . Set in the Lake District. Two old friends, one famous, 4 generations of strong woman and you have an ace story. You have a useless x, a famous author and beautiful setting . I read in one go and absolutely loved it . Good ending. 20 out of 10 .!!!!!.

To say I was excited about getting to read A Secret Escape is a massive understatement because Sarah Morgan is my joint all-time favourite author and I love her books so much I’ve got physical copies of all of them on my bookshelf.

I was really happy to discover that A Secret Escape is set in the Lake District because some of my favourite books by the same author were also set there. It’s a gorgeous location and the author did such an amazing job with the descriptions that if it was real, I’d definitely book a stay at the holiday cottages Milly manages.

I really liked Milly and Nicole. They start the book in very different places: Milly is a single mother living in the Lake District who’s lost her self-confidence whereas Nicole is a world-famous Hollywood actress but I truly believed in their enduring friendship. I love Milly’s family and her grandmother, Peg is hilarious. It was interesting to read about how Milly and Nicole helped each other grow from their traumas.

I didn’t necessarily understand what had attracted Milly to her ex-husband because he doesn’t have a lot if any redeeming qualities although maybe she was influenced by her parents’ divorce. There was a part of the book that was hard to read (no spoilers) given what’s happened to my own family recently, which is why I couldn’t give it 5 x Stars but overall, it was a lovely, cosy read and I’ll definitely be adding the paperback to my collection when it’s published.

Sarah Morgan is always one of my go to authors when I need a feel good uplifting read as she has hit that spot every time with each and every one of her books. Her new release A Secret Escape does just that as we meet best friends Milly and Nicole whose friendship goes back to childhood making them feel more like sisters than friends. But in Milly's desperate time of need Nicole ghosts her and they have had no contact in 18 months but with the tables about to turn and Nicole's hour of need is here can Milly forgive her and help Nicole as well as get their friendship back once she finds out why she was ghosted?


Usually in Sarah Morgan's books we alternate between three female leads but this book focuses on Milly and Nicole's points of view with only an odd chapter from Connie and Zoe ( Milly's mum and daughter ) but this worked perfectly for this book because it revolves around friendship, loyalty , heartbreak and forgiveness and I didn't want to be distracted from them as they navigate their emotions, trying to not hurt each other further but also still having that need for the air to be cleared.

They both are likeable characters and you can see why they have such a strong bond but they also live completely different lives with both of them feeling like the other has the perfect lives but not truly appreciating the struggles they each face.


The supporting characters were all great too some offering support others a touch of romance so each held an important part in the story. I was surprised how attached I become to these two characters and I didn't want their story to end.

When Milly gets an unexpected call from her best friend she wonders why she automatically runs to help after all Nicole has been no help t her whilst she has been going through a difficult divorce.
Nicole needs somewhere to lie low as the press are hounding her. She’s being portrayed as the villains but surely it take two to tango? Milly is trying to be more assertive it letting everyone walk over her. Her ex husband is the biggest culprit , but for the sake of her daughter she’s always backed down.
They bithe need each other but has there been to much gone on to go back to how they were.
Brilliantly read throughly enjoyed.

Every time I read a Sarah Morgan book I think oh it won’t be as good as the last but I think this was her best one yet, I loved it.

MIlly and Nicole are more like sisters than best friends but 2 years ago Nicole ghosted MIlly and she doesn’t know why. Out of the blue Nicole begs MIlly for help and turns up in the Lake District to go into hiding.
What follows is a fantastic story of the strength of true friendship and family which can never be broken.

The setting was so beautiful and I could just imagine being there with a glass of wine and some lemon chicken or hiking with the lovely Joel.

I loved how all the characters were written so well, with my favourite being Nanna Peg with Brendan a close second.

An amazing 5 star read which I would definitely recommend and I’m hoping for a sequel or even a series as (no spoilers) I really want to know what happens next with many of the characters and their lives.

Thanks to NetGalley, Sarah Morgan and HQ for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I was so excited to receives an arc of the latest book from one of my favourite authors. I dropped everything to read and my only regret was it finished too soon.. I loved this exploration of friendship and betrayal and,as always, family was at the centre of this novel. Both Nicole and Milly were going through difficult times and their friendship was under pressure due to secrets and bad decisions but despite everything their solid friendship was there waiting to be repaired and strengthened. Throw Zoe, Milly’s teenage daughter, who was struggling with friendship issues of her her and Connie, Milly’s mother, trying to find her sense of self we have an engaging cast of characters. Throw in some new romance and you have the absolute perfect summer read. Oh and it’s set in the gorgeous Lake District. What’s not to love?