3.5 ⭐️

After ten years of being together, Alexander ditches Annie on the morning of their wedding. No calls, no texts, just an awkward conversation with the wedding planner. Like anyone ditched on their wedding day, Annie is completely gutted.

While trying to find her new normal without Alexander, Annie bumps into an old friend from theatre camp. On a wild hair she decides to invite Patrick on the three week honeymoon she’d planned with Alexander.

The rest of the story pans out much like you would expect it would. It’s light hearted and adorable, and the perfect little summer read. The characters are well written, and the story reminds me so much of a Hallmark movie.

After having just been left at the altar, Annie goes on her honeymoon with her long-lost friend from summer camp, Patrick. Annie and Patrick's budding relationship is cute, and I love a vacation romance. This book had a lot to offer in terms of acknowledging the importance of healing, and self-growth being a priority over romantic love.

One thing about this book that wasn't my favourite was the pacing; in the beginning, it was a little slower as Annie tried to recover from being left by her fiance. I think this slow pace was really necessary because if how big of a life event that is, however it left the romance feeling a little quick. The quickness of it all is acknowledged in the book, which definitely got extra points from me!! Overall, I loved Annie and Patrick's chemistry and their fun trip across Australia, but at some points, it was so light-hearted that I would feel a little jarred because I would remember it was supposed to be her honeymoon.

My favourite character by far was Annie's little sister, Freddie! She was absolutely adorable. This is a fun, quick read, but it also has some tender moments where the two main characters are working on their individual growth.

It's usually a midlife which causes us to take a step back and re-evaluate our life but not so for Annie after being left standing at the altar (from recollection I don't think she got that far). A chance meeting of a friend from her past and the offer of a fully paid honeymoon sans groom brings a sea change to her life. Quite an entertaining read and we get to experience the high life in Australia. The relationship Annie has with her mother was well written and the mother's reaction to events worthy of Hyacinth Bucket. However, there was not a great deal of novelty in the tale so I shall have to knock a star off. For those living a middling existence and seeking inspiration for a change, it could be a winner.

I really enjoyed this book - a solid 3 stars. What I liked was that it was a cute story and had a happy ending better than I was anticipating but it was a tad predictable. Wish it had a few more twists involved.

Soooo good! This is a wonderful, not coming of age, but coming into oneself story! A quick read, perfect for the beach or a vacay! What do you do when your perfect life gets up ended? Go on your honeymoon, with an old friend! Such a fresh story with great rich characters!

This was a new author for me, and I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't my favorite book ever, but I really enjoyed it overall.

What a charming read! This story is perfectly paired with a mojito and a sunny day. I felt transported to the beaches of Australia while reading this. The main character is witty and real. Fans of Sophia Kinsella and Christina Lauren would totally enjoy this story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending an e-ARC.

A really nice book with great characters that were really well-written. I really enjoyed the story and it unfolded beautifully. Highly recommended.

Annie and Alexander have been together for 10 years, until he jilts her on their wedding day. Then unexpectedly, Annie bumps into an old friend, Patrick.

Annie ends us going on the fully paid 3-week honeymoon with Patrick and the rest is a lighthearted story, perfect for reading by the pool on holiday. Given the current climate, it’s also great to read in the garden or bath 😉

I’d give it a fun 3.5/5 stars.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own.

This book is everything!! It follows Annie who is set to marry her long term partner Alexander who jilts her at the alter. In a crazy turn of events Annie meets a long lost friend from summer camp, Patrick, and the pair go on Annie’s honeymoon to Australia as friends.

This book had me laughing out loud, it was so wholesome and I loved how the characters and the story developed. It was nice to go on the journey with Annie as she realised that actually Alexander wasn’t the right match for her and she deserves so much more.

Annie is ready to marry Alexander, it's the next step in her life. It makes sense--or at least it did until he left her at the alter. Well, he actually had the wedding planner tell her he wouldn't be coming when she arrived at her wedding. It's deplorable, Alexander's parents are embarrassed and press her to go on the lavish honeymoon anyway, and after reconnecting with an old acquaintance, Patrick, she not only goes but takes him along.

This book is exactly what you would expect. It's not earth shattering, but it is entirely pleasant. The honeymoon sounded amazing, but I will admit, I fully expected a "Something Blue" turn of events, and Anna was going to be pregnant (spoiler--she isn't).

The best part of this book was what happened in Australia. Unfortunately, that was only a third or so of the book. It really seemed to drag in the last third when the main character all of a sudden became unsure of herself and her life. That was too much drama for me, especially after the first two-thirds of the book was lighter and more frothy.

Book release date 10th June 2021

The lucky escape a feel good romcom for all. Annie Is getting married little does she know her finance Alex isn't. So after Annie is informed by her wedding planner the wedding is off she ofcourse is a mess Skip forward she bumps into a friend from drama camp who she hasn't seen in 15 years but they get on really well, so when she drunkenly invites Patrick to go on her would be honey moon with her they think its a great idea. Post booze they decide to YOLO it and go As this is a romance book you can see where we are going with this storyline.

I really liked this book, Annie is such an incredible protagonist. She is smart beautiful funny and so much more yet she is so insecure. No one had ever praised her they have always pulled her down. So being able to read her transformation throughout this book is almost inspiring. Although Patrick is a huge influence I kinda liked the independent growth she does as well. Plus her inner monologue are so flipping funny I laughed so much throughout this book.

Annie's relationships with her Sister and the Fab Four (her friendship group) is the polar opposite to Alex or her mother these are healthy relationships and it Is great to read about how close a elder sister can be to a still young teen sister. Plus I loved the mix of the friendship group. Also how they come first before the men in their lives its great. Its also great that this friends are hilarious Plus they quoted one of my favourite Grey's Anatomy lines he might be dreamy but you're the sun. So that right from the very beginning was a great sign me and this book would get on well.

Patrick is a great male character. To start with I thought he was a creep but my opinion changed very quickly. I loved how encouraging and supportive he is to help guild Annie through her healing process. Plus he is hilarious like I was doubled over when his airport outfit is being described. Honestly I think I fell in love with him myself at that moment. He is such a funny character I appreciated that within what could be quite a depressing topic.

Would I recommend this book?
Yes I would. For an easy light hearted romantic comedy look no further the lucky escape is the perfect book for you. It has a bit of everything. I must say relatistically I would totally discourage any newly single woman to fly to Australia for a 3 week all expense paid holiday with a guy you knew at 15 and bump into at the gym 15 years later. So for Annie it will ofcourse not end in a serial killer situation but it could ha. Honestly the characters are relatable and that's what I often find is missing in this genre so I really loved this book for keeping it real.
Happy to rate this book 4 stars

Thank you to netgalley, Avon publishers and the very talented author Jane Williams for the digital advanced copy of the Lucky Escape. I would totally suggest that Annie and Patrick get their very own series because I want to read about milestones they hit. Title suggestions Happy go lucky, lucky lovers, luck runs out, all we need is luck, time to get lucks. Just a few ideas. Ha

Thank you to NetGalley, Laura Jane Williams and Avon Books UK for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This is the first book by Laura Jane Williams that I have read and it’s not the normal genre I tend to go for. What a delightful read it turned out to be. The characters are loveable and so relatable. This book covers heartbreak, friendship, betrayal and love. It’s a lovely summery book. This is going to make every reader want to go on a trip to Australia. I think this will be the book of Summer 2021.

The Lucky Escape by Laura Jane Williams is sweet and enjoyable, but it isn’t all light and airy.

This book deals with some heavy issues, most noteably, Annie’s life of trying to blend in. With an adolescence of her mother’s criticisms weighing her down, Annie lost who she was. She used to be fun, and carefree, and somewhere along the way she stopped being that person.

And then Annie gets left at the altar by her long-time boyfriend. Add in a surprising appearance of a friend from the past and a trip abroad and all that Annie knew about life and herself is turned upside down.

There was a good laugh out loud moment that involves some accidental nudity during a massage, which I appreciated (always). And I fell in love with Patrick’s character. I think it adds so much to a story when a secondary character is well fleshed out and dynamic – that is certainly the case with Patrick. I also really enjoyed the growth in Annie’s character, strong females are 👌.

I would have liked to see Annie’s relationship with her mom explored a bit further, I felt that sorting of that situation didn’t give me the satisfaction I was craving for the new Annie. Overall, the ending of the book felt like it wrapped up just a bit too quick and easily for me, after the book started off just a bit slow.

All that said, I give the book 3 stars, now I very much want an Australian beach vacation of my own!

Many thanks to Net Galley and Avon Books for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. Great characters, especially Patrick. A good plot with lots of lovely experiences to read about and emotions to get involved with. Smashing! With thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an e-ARC of this title.

I’d like to thank Avon Books for approving me for an ARC of this audiobook..

The Lucky Escape was a fun and easy listen that dealt with a lot of issues without being morbid and depressing. I can’t imagine how anyone must feel to be jilted on what should be the happiest day of your life. Annie was clearly in shock and seemed very calm whilst she tried to process what Alexander had done. I loved her attitude of just getting on with life and channelling her energy into the gym, getting her body fit whilst her mind played catch up.

Overall I found Annie to be very likeable and relatable. She had a fun personality that had been squashed by either Alexander and her mother over the years. Once she was out from under their control she really let go and I could feel the tension easing out of her. What I liked most about Annie was her relationship with her sister Freddie and the positive effect she had on her views and opinions. They had a lovely sisterly bond considering the age gap between them.

Patrick was an absolute sweetheart. From the moment he rescued Annie from her jumper I just knew they were a great match. They had a chemistry that was undeniable and were so comfortable around each other. Perhaps the idea that Annie would take this guy, who she hasn’t seen in years, on her honeymoon is a little far fetched but hey, this is the world of fiction where anything is possible. I loved the damaged, grieving part of Patrick, it explained his live for the moment outlook on life.

I was very jealous of their holiday to Australia, it is on my list of places to visit and all the different things they did sound incredible. As the holiday progressed I could feel that sexual tension building between Annie and Patrick and there was only one way it could possibly go. The scene at the spa gave me the giggles and I could not help but laugh out loud at the hilarious antics.

Once Patrick and Annie returned home it was good to see a few hiccups along the way. When we finally meet Alexander he is everything I thought he would be; pathetic, rude and entirely wrong for Annie. It was great to see Annie standing up for herself in all aspects of her life and finally living life how she wanted not how she thought she should.

This was the perfect summer read to escape to, especially as travelling seems to be off the cards at the moment. Filled with fun, excitement and refreshing characters this is sure to bring a smile to your face.

I enjoyed this book, and finished it in one evening. The main characters are easy to like, and funny; and the other characters are all distinguishable. The descriptions of the places are brilliant. The story is fast-paced, with enough ups and downs to keep the momentum going. This is a lovely light read, perfect for the beach.

This is a great balance between romance and light hearted comedy and the blossoming relationship between the two lead characters is a thing of beauty. I really want to go on that holiday with Patrick too!

A fun and easy read. The premise of the book hooked me immediately and I did quite enjoy Annie and Patrick as characters. There were a lot of relatable moments, especially around the ideas of what constitutes being an adult and feeling left behind when everyone around you is getting married/having kids. The banter between Annie and Patrick provided for some chuckles. However, the plot lost me as it went on - particularly after they returned from Australia. I found both Annie and Patrick flip-flopping around and the growth Annie seemed to get whilst on the holiday just disappear? In the end all was well I suppose but it seemed like an unnecessary plot divergence. Overall, perfect if you're looking for something enjoyable and light-hearted.