This book is about Annie Wiig, devastatingly dumped on her wedding day she has no idea what to do with her life. She throws herself in to boot camp where she reconnects with an old friend from drama camp, Patrick Hummingbird, who she hasn’t seen for twenty years. They decide to go on her honeymoon together as an adventure and to recover from past traumas, because Patrick too has some old wounds to heal.

I don’t think it will come as a huge spoiler to reveal that Annie and Patrick start to realise an attraction to each other, but will the path of true love run smooth??

I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of this book via @netgalley and was thrilled as I had really enjoyed Our Stop by this author. The Lucky Escape is not as good! I didn’t warm to the characters, and stupidly named Patrick Hummingbird made me cringe, I’m afraid. The plot is very predictable and although the deviation of a trip to Australia was nice I found it a bit of a stretch to imagine the potential mother in law would fund a 5🌟 all expense paid trip to Oz for her son’s jilted pride and her potential new love interest 😂

Overall this was a fairly pleasant, easy read that took my mind of this dreary lockdown for a bit.

The Lucky Escape was the perfect “escape” from a snowy January day.

Annie is left at the alter by her college sweetheart. Devastated, embarrassed and heartbroken she sinks into the pits of depression. Until one day she discovers a workout class that begins to pour back the life into her. At said workout class, she reconnects with a childhood friend, Patrick. Her would be in-laws insist she take the honeymoon to Australia that they has already paid for. At first she refuses, but before she knows it she’s on a first class plane ride to paradise with Patrick by her side.

The book is a little bit like a Hallmark movie in that you just know that Annie and Patrick will end up together. Patrick is the male lead that every woman drools over. He’s funny, charismatic, chivalrous, and the perfect travel companion.

The Australian setting made me jealous and itching to travel. I know I’ve added Sydney to my travel bucket list after this read.

The novel read a bit differently for me because it was London based leading roles. I liked hearing from a different perspective than the American one.

If it weren't for my inability to not finish a book, I could have easily put this one down fairly quickly. I'm glad I didn't, because I did enjoy the story once it truly got going, but it really did take a_long_time to get Annie moving along post-Alexander leaving her at the alter. It's a decent rom-com and would be a great beach read, if only the first third of the book were slimmed down.

A joyful easy read that follows the story of Annie who unwillingly escapes a longstanding relationship with her childhood sweetheart Alexander. Annie rediscovers herself and the joy of living life on her terms coupled with an unexpected new relationship, flat and reflections on her chosen career.

Laura Jane Williams portrays the importance of always putting your happiness first, letting go of self-doubt and fears to live your best life.

This was a quick read for me. Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced reader copy- loved it!

The Lucky Escape by Laura Jane Williams is a masterpiece of a novel. I haven’t spent an all-nighter reading a book in a while, but I found that I just couldn’t put this one down. From the emotional struggles and self-discovery arc, I was captivated. I even found that the storyline was not as predictable as I find a lot of contemporary romances and was not able to figure out what was going to happen until the very end. There were a few things that made me a bit skeptical, but without getting into any spoiler territory, they seemed to be resolved and explained. Overall, this book is one of the first five star reads I’ve had in a while and helped me get back out of a reading slump.

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book however it was somewhat all over the place in the beginning. I think part of that has to do with the heroine being relatively all over the place too. Which truthfully was hard to connect with. Other than that it was a good light story.

Fun, sad, heartwarming and laugh out loud till you cry , this book was all of these things. A delight to read about love, loss and friendship with some travel as well.
Highly recommended for these troubled times.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

I would put The Lucky Escape in the "beach reads" column. It's light, frivolous, and there is not much to it. In fact, if you liked the first "Sex and the City" movie, you will love this book -- the first third of the book is textbook SATC, with the heroine (Annie) being left at the altar by the long-time boyfriend. There are lots of tears and convos with girlfriends and Annie's precocious 13-yr. old sister handing out advice worthy of a woman three times her age. And instead of NYC, our characters live in London.

What follows is fantastical to say the least: the erstwhile groom's parents encourage Annie to go on the paid-for-by-them honeymoon to Australia with a man she has connected with at a fitness class. They used to be in drama camp together twenty years prior, and he always had eyes for Annie. So they go to Australia, flirt a lot, they both act the fool, and end up between the sheets. And the sex scenes are graphic, unrealistic and nauseating. Annie and Patrick seemed to have consumed enough Spanish Fly for a dozen people.

The third segment of the book is the return from Australia and what happens to Annie and Patrick once they return to the "real world" in London. I was not impressed. They both were wishy-washy, fickle, non-communicative, and what conversations they did have were penultimately trite. Annie doesn't seem to know what she wants until she takes a self-help/empowerment course (miraculously fixing the terminally bad maternal relationship she endures.) In the meantime, she plays with a vulnerable man's emotions and behaves like an immature high-schooler. Goodness. I somehow made it to the end, and was so happy to have gotten there.

If you are a Kristin Hannah fan, but want a little less tragedy in your latest reading selection, this is a great choice for you. If you like the types of books I usually give 4 and 5-stars, then skip it.

Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for my advance copy and for allowing me to give an honest review.

The Lucky Escape
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

“ONE CANCELLED WEDDING

When the day finally comes for Annie to marry Alexander, the last thing she expects is to be left standing at the altar. She was so sure he was Mr Right. Now, she has no idea how she could have got it so wrong.

ONE UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER

After a chance meeting with Patrick, an old friend who reminds her of who she used to be, Annie takes a vow of her own: she’ll say yes to every opportunity that comes her way from now on.

ONE SPARE TICKET FOR THE HONEYMOON

Could a spontaneous trip with Patrick be the way to mend Annie’s heart? She’s about to find out as she embarks on her honeymoon – with a man who’s not her husband…”

I was in two minds about reading this, The Love Square was my first read of the year and I loved it so I was worried this might not live up to its predecessor.

I needn’t have worried. I adored it!

I have this pre ordered on @amazonuk and can’t wait to gift it to some friends.

This was a decent read. Nothing special, revolutionary or innovative, but enjoyable all the same. Easygoing and just what I needed.

I didn't feel any real connection to the characters. I wan neither sad nor happy for them, I just couldn't connect.
And for some reason, I just couldn't take Patric seriously.

Some of the side characters were really cool, though. Like the little sister, for example.

I would like to add that I really don't like the parents. The mother is presented like a real bitch, while the dad is all cool. But I really don't think he is. If your spouse is doing everything but abusing your child and you just keep silent, you are not a good parent.

The spry was pretty slow for my liking, and the main part was just too short. I wanted to "see" more of Australia and the adventures.

The writing was really nice, I'll give you that. The conversations are natural, the situations are natural. There was nothing sloppy or forced about the delivery, really. I just wish there was more going on apart from all that meek "do I like you or don't I like you, should I take the job or shouldn't I".

A miserable humiliation becomes the best thing that ever happened to Annie, the thirty-two year old brilliant but woefully lacking in self-confidence heroine in this charming story. The novel traces her gradual coming back to life as she journeys to Australia on the honeymoon paid for by her prospective in-laws that she was meant to be taking with the long-term lover who ditched her almost at the altar.
Having recently become re-acquainted with a happy-go-lucky old friend from her youthful days in summer theatre, she takes him along as her “plus-one” on the once-in-a-lifetime trip. While readers may predict the happy ending, the adventures and epiphanies that come in between make the novel an enjoyable read. The tone is light-hearted and witty, but there are also some very relatable family relationships, particularly Annie’s with her mother, that pack a more serious punch. Readers will cheer as Annie learns self-acceptance, forgiveness, and the joys of living in the present moment in this warm and life-affirming story. If Nora Ephron-style rom coms are your thing, I definitely recommend that you look for The Lucky Escape when it comes out in June 2021.

Every book at the moment is claiming to be escapist, but this read is next level. It transported me straight to the golden sands of Australia and it was heaven.

After being jilted at the alter, Annie finds herself the recipient of an all-expenses-paid, luxury holiday in Australia. There’s no way she’s going; she can barely pull herself out of bed, let alone half way across the world. Until she finds a really intense circuits class at her local gym and it gives her an outlet for her aggression and the unanswered questions that her ex-fiance, Alexander, left her with. It’s there that she meets Patrick, the man she used to know from theatre camp. With him, taking the trip seems possible and they both jet off.

I adored ‘visiting’ all the luxury places in Australia. From the amazing beaches, the road trips, the vineyard. It was like feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin and I had a great time reading this book as a distraction to the storm clouds outside my window. It gave me inspiration for future trips and definitely secured this location as a must visit!

The first half of this book is set in Australia, but there’s also a lot that happens after they return home, which shows the reality after a perfect holiday romance. Usually the flight home would be the end of the book and we’d be left pondering their happy-ever-after, but I actually really enjoyed the second half in London too. Life and relationships aren’t perfect and this often isn’t reflected in women’s fiction, but this showed us exactly how real life can have be both challenging and brilliant.

One thing I love to see is progress: before the honeymoon and meeting Patrick, Annie did what other people wanted her to. She never stood up to her Mum, she was practically grateful for Alexander for wanting to marry her and her job wasn’t fulfilling her. The trip, and Patrick, forces her to re-evaluate everything and she returns to the UK with a renewed sense of purpose about how her life is going to be lived. She makes huge career and life decisions and she is born into a new woman that I was strangely proud of!

Patrick is the best kind of man. Holly Bourne recently wrote it perfectly on Instagram, saying that Patrick is a great love interest because he has already done the work; he is not a bad boy that our leading lady has to work to ‘fix’ before he can fully love her. Not only is he lovely, honest and vulnerable, but he pushes Annie to be the best version of herself. For me, that is absolutely the definition of love, choosing someone who makes you a better you.

This book felt like sunshine and happiness and it was exactly what I needed on a dreary January weekend.

Annie is getting married to her high school sweetheart, Alexander. They have been together for so long and she is certain that he's the one. Finally getting married is a huge relief.

What she didn't foresee is being left at the altar and if that's not humiliating enough, she had to find that out through their wedding planner.

Moving on was not easy but she survived. As Annie picked up the pieces of her life, she reconnected with an old friend, Patrick, and they both made a spur of the moment decision to go on a 3-weeks trip Australia together.

Could a spontaneous trip with Patrick mend Annie's heart? She's about to find out as she embarks on her honeymoon- with a man who is not her husband.

* * *

I was hooked after i read the book description - a jilted bride, an all expense paid non-honeymoon trip to Australia with a guy friend - it sounds like a feel good romcom.

The story can be divided into 3 parts; before, during and after the non-honeymoon. At the start of the book i was hooked at the raw emotions of being left at the altar with no explanation. Although the non-honeymoon is predictable (gorgeous scenery, excitement of being in a beautiful, foreign country, building attraction between Annie & Patrick, and them second guessing their feelings), it made a realistic, sweet and enjoyable read.

However the after-non-honeymoon part just feels disintegrated. Patrick could be a pain in the neck and Annie sort of lose herself again, not knowing what she wants in life. The chemistry between Annie and Patrick were not felt and i wish there are more depth to their characters and interaction. I love the relationship between Annie and her little sister Freddie though. They have a deep bond and it felt more real and warmer.

All in all, it's a good light read. Thanks @netgalley and @avon_books for an eARC of the Lucky Escape.

The Lucky Escape by Laura Jane Williams is aptly named. As the reader knows from the book description, the story begins with Annie getting left on her wedding day by her fiance Alexander; Annie is at the church, in her wedding dress, with all the guests, and Alexander is a no-show. Alexander's parents insist that Annie go on the honeymoon anyway, taking along a person of her choosing, and who can resist a first class, three week trip to Australia? Annie not only opts to go on the honeymoon, but she takes Patrick, a childhood friend with whom Annie has recently reconnected, post-jilting.

What happens next is predictable, but that doesn't make it any less fun. I felt both pain and joy as Annie realizes what it feels like to be appreciated and loved and accepted. It was painful to realize how very low Alexander had made Annie feel for so long, but what a triumph for her to find true friendship and respect with Patrick.

Of course, Annie's honeymoon can't last forever, even if the man she is traveling with is not her husband. Eventually, Annie and Patrick have to travel back to London and the real world; and the real world is, as we all know, a lot harder to navigate. Families, jobs, friends, and real life stress have Annie and Patrick questioning what exactly they want from this budding relationship. And, let's not forget about Alexander, who is also back in London.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ms. Williams, and Avon Books for an opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.

Thank you for the ARC, NetGalley!

I have to say this one fell a bit short for me. It was a bit all over the place at the beginning. We shall say “pre-honeymoon.” It started getting much better when she and Patrick when to Australia, but then every thing went a bit wonky again once they got back.

Patrick completely changed from his “happy go lucky” likable self, to kind of petty and possessive, and then Annie very much so let him. Why would she need to apologize to him for finally doing exactly when he even recommended?

I will say I enjoyed the side characters, especially her sweet sister Freddie.

It had a lot of potential, but just didn’t quite cut it for me.

The Lucky Escape by Laura Jane Williams is a heartfelt story about Annie who gets left at the alter and must learn to find her place in life. Not the life her mother wants for her or even her friends and co-workers, but what she wants for herself. Annie is hoping that Patrick will be the help she needs to figure out who she really is as they embark on her fully paid unhoneymoon. The Lucky Escape stands out to me for its strong female characters and the bounds that they have. A fun and informative read for anyone questioning where they fit in.

In the midst of lockdown and the pandemic, this was just what my heart needed. I loved the protagonist, Annie, and felt she was extremely funny and relatable. This book was just a consistently enjoyable and light read. I felt like I was right there on the beach enjoying a cocktail. I would definitely recommend if you're looking for a fun and light-hearted story to put a smile on your face!

A fun quick read. When Annie is left at the altar by her college sweetheart, who called the wedding planner instead of her to let them know the wedding was off, she doesn't know what to do. Luckily, a run-in with Patrick, an old camp friend, paired with a set of would-be inlaws who insist Annie still take her honeymoon to Australia, leads to an adventure for two Down Under. Sparks fly, but can, and should, two brokenhearted people find love? To nitpick, I couldn't believe that Annie's ex's parents would be so good to her -- treating her to the first class all the way trip -- even after the wedding was off. But it was fun to indulge the fantasy. There's a tinge of depth and exploring what it means to be an adult that makes this a bit more than your typical beach book but it is still a page turner and a good escape.

NOTE: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly, I love Laura Jane and secondly I love her books! Thank you Avon!
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this book might seem like any other romance novel, where the protagonists come together in an unlikely situation and end up getting together. However, this book doesn't end there and that's what I love about it. It teaches you so many things about adulting, of how your problems aren't less than anyone else's, how your friends can still be there for you regardless of where they are in their lives, how there is no age to start over,
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it also talks about second chances and how "what people will say" can come between your own feelings. Never let someone else dictate your life with their thoughts, do what feels right!
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can't wait to get my hands on the actual book, so that I can mark my favorite lines!
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The Lucky Escape is a classic beach read with a romantic lift, but laced with a beautifully inspiring coming-of-age element that makes it my favourite Laura Jane Williams novel yet.

Annie Wiig was abandoned by her ex, Alexander, on her wedding day. Nearing 30, single, and now more insecure than ever, she feels as if she has lost her grip on life. So she decides to make a promise to herself: stop trying to be perfect and just say yes. At a spin class she meets, or rather becomes reacquainted with, Patrick. He's an old friend from her childhood theatre camp, and a refreshing reminder of the simpler times. When Annie gets the opportunity to take her honeymoon sans ex-fiancé, she decides to take the chance. And while she's at it, she takes a chance on Patrick too.

This book is nice and light, the perfect story to relax and enjoy. Laura Jane Williams has a quality to her writing that's friendly, humorous, and effortlessly charming. But in contrast to Our Stop and The Love Square, The Lucky Escape has a deeper, heavier layer added that is explored through the protagonist’s expressions and development.

Annie has plenty of humour and wit, even though she has spent much of her life living to please others. She is easily the most complex character I have met in Williams’ novels. I loved how human and authentic her personality felt, especially when it came to comparing her past with her present and future. She has inner conflicts with herself, she says the wrong thing, she makes realistic mistakes, she has genuine timidities, and she has imperfect reasoning. Her development is the best part of this story. While the plot has some cringe rather than swoon moments, Annie's character is strong and compelling as she leans to love exactly who she is. Additionally, the loyalty in her friendship group and the bond with her sister is wonderfully uplifting.

Patrick really is a breath of fresh air. He's naturally adventurous and confident. And he brings a nice stream of maturity to this novel. I love that he has a completely different approach to life compared to Annie. Their romance is sweet, and their adventure is engaging, but sadly not the most memorable. The pacing was a little slow, especially in the beginning of the book. It takes a while for momentum to build, and I did actually consider giving up around 30% of the way through. But I’m glad I stuck with Annie and her courageous advance to another year of adulthood.

Overall, I liked reading The Lucky Escape. It’s light-hearted mixed with the right amount of depth without straying too far from the romance. It has plenty of laughs, truthful heartbreak, colourful characters, and a gratifying journey to self-acceptance.