This was a lovely Christmas read that explores the complexities of human relationships and how lifelong friendships can change as we enter adulthood and life creates obstacles. Whether those obstacles are marriage, children or work, it's inevitable that the nature of these friendships will change and Sarah Morgan does an excellent job of portraying real life.

There are so many important issues throughout this book from childhood traumas, estranged family members and harboured feelings of resentment, and Christmas provided a catalyst for these issues to come to a head as well as bringing a lightless to the story. The characters are forced to spend time together and tackle these issues head on rather than continuing to bottle them up.

In terms of the romance aspect there were three very different relationships portrayed which I really enjoyed as it showed the different stages of romantic relationships as well as highlighting the importance of spending time getting to know your partner and learning to understand them.

Overall this was a lovely festive romance with a lot of substance. I always enjoy Sarah's books and this was no exception; it was about so much more than just Christmas. It was about friendship, family, commitment, and acceptance.

What a delightful book. My first by Sarah Morgan and I loved it. It has really put me in the mood for Christmas now and set me off thinking about a trip to Lapland next Christmas! It's always somewhere I've wanted to go and the descriptions Sarah gives have made me more determined to get there. She paints such a wonderful picture of a truly divine Christmas in a wintery setting with hot chocolate thrown in! It was good to get the perspective of a 4 year old too which brings back the magic of Christmas. Throw into the mix a good romance story and a couple finding out more about each other and it was definitely a Christmas winner!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

It was supposed to be Christy Sullivan’s perfect Christmas escape – a dream trip to Lapland with her family and best friend, Alix. But facing a make-or-break marriage crisis, Christy desperately needs time alone with her husband, Seb. Her solution? Alix, along with Seb’s oldest friend, Zac, can take Christy’s daughter on the planned Lapland trip, and they will all reunite there for Christmas Day. After all, what are friends for?
There’s nothing Alix won’t do for Christy, but Christy’s plan to save Christmas is testing their friendship. Especially as Alix and Zac have a difficult history of their own.
As long-held secrets unravel, and unexpected romance shines under the Northern Lights, can Christy and Alix find the courage to fight for the relationships they really want? And could this Christmas escape save the precious gift of each other’s friendship?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Well, this book is just magical! Wonderfully written and completely absorbing. Its funny, sad, laugh out its pretty much everything you expect from Sarah Morgan and this does not disappoint! I absolutely loved it and wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to anyone who wishes to have a couple of hours of pure escapism

Easy reading. I knew what the outcome would be at the outset. I was surprised by the reason for Robyn and Elizabeth's rift. It's shows how communication between family and friends is so important.

What a great wintry read. I have read a couple of books by this author now and really enjoy her writing style.
I loved the characters, the setting and the history between them all.
4 year old Holly was brilliant, got to love that honesty that only a small child can get away with.
Zac was swoon-worthy! Seb definitely grew on me. Christy had a great depth to her and Alix was the mix of gutsy and damaged that I love in a romcom.
I loved all the romantic moments, especially the aurora trek. That's a dream of mine and reading about it just made me want it more.
I could barely put it down I just loved it all!

Beautiful story your typical Christmas saga. This is about friendships and love trust and respect all mixed in with beautiful reminding of Christmas and all its magic.

An enjoyable read focused around Christy, Seb, their daughter Holly, their friends Alix and Zac and Christy's estranged aunt Robyn.

A nice story set in a wonderful location, making the book festive and making me want to go and see the Northern lights!

I didn't find myself so engrossed that I couldn't put it down, but it was a nice book with a happy ending, which I always like!

Yet another wonderful festive book from Sarah. Year on year her books get better. Set in Swedish Lapland, along with festive delights like reindeer, huskies, forests and snow. This is a book not to miss.

A very descriptive story which has a good mix of family and friendship drama, tangled together with complications and misunderstandings. The true friendship between Christy and Alix is tested and threatened for five years, but this story tells how we shouldn't let issues fester, we should face them and tell the truth.

Another lovely, heartwarming and riveting Christmas story by this author. It's festive but it also deals with some issue like miscommunication and how hard family relationship can be.
It's a bit slow at the beginning but it grew on me and I enjoyed it.
My only note is that there are some repetitions.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Christmas in Lapland, what could be more romantic! A glorious setting where family secrets finally unravel and new beginnings are on the horizon. A lovely Christmas read.

This was a delightful book to read, especially with Christmas about 60 days away.

This is a true feel good story, full of relationships, misunderstanding, long lost family, heartbreak and joy.

The characters were well written, although at times I found them to be a little too over emphasised, but not in a way that detracted from the storytelling.

If you need a book to get you in the Christmas spirit, this should be up there on your list.

Christy is looking forward to a magical Christmas in Lapland with her husband Seb, their daughter Holly and Christy's best friend Alix, but her plans hit a snag when she discovers something that Seb is keeping from her and she needs to spend time with him to understand what's happening, so she turns to Alix and asks her to take Holly to Lapland and they will follow them on, arriving in time for Christmas Day. It's a huge favour to ask, will Alix do this for her lifelong friend? Alix will do anything for Christy, just as Christy has always done for her, but Alix knows there's something her friend isn't telling her and she's worried that the past is coming between them, she's also concerned when she hears that Seb's best friend Zac will be accompanying them, they have history and Alix is fighting her feelings for him. Can both Christy and Alix sort out their issues, fight for what they want and save their special friendship?

Christmas, Lapland, Northern Lights, what a magical combination and something most people only dream of doing, but this is about to become a reality for Christy and her family and Sarah Morgan weaves this story together in her true inimitable style. This latest tale by Morgan is not just about romance, this one explores relationships, friendships and family estrangement, told from the perspectives of Christy, Alix and Robyn; Christy's aunt who hasn't seen her niece since a major fallout with her sister Elizabeth, Christy's mum, two decades ago. The story and the characters are well crafted and as the secrets of the past unfold it's heartbreaking to discover the reasons why these events happened and I was rooting for them all, I especially adored Zac, what an amazing guy! If you love a feel good festive read, made complete with reindeer, huskies and, of course, Santa, that will make you laugh and cry, then this is definitely one for you.

I'd like to thank HQ and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.

This is a beautiful Christmas story to read this time of year. It’s set mainly in Lapland and it’s so well written that it was easy to imagine being there. It’s a story of love, family, and friendship. Christy and Alix have been best friends for most of their lives, they’re so close they are more like sisters but lately the goalposts of their relationship seem to have moved. Both are upset but are only seeing things from their own prospective. Christy’s husband Seb has an important interview to go to so Christy gets Alix and Seb’s friend Zac to take their daughter Holly on her exciting holiday to meet Christy’s Aunt Robyn and her husband Erik in Lapland ahead of them so that she can support Seb. It’s a scary time for everyone as they are all out of their comfort zone. Will they all be able to deal with their feelings and be able to enjoy Christmas in this wonderful magical setting. I really enjoyed this book and I’d love to spend time in the beautiful setting of the book too. 🥰 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another festive hit!!! Loved it, I loved being transported to Lapland too, a perfect book for the Christmas season 😀

Lovely snowy Christmas romance set in the Uk and also in the beautifully described Lapland under the setting of the northern lights.

Christy and Alix have been friends all of their lives although they are very different. Alix can be prickly and defensive and Christy needs to plan all of her life. The two have never disagreed until Christy meets and marries quickly.

The friends travel to meet an estranged aunt and more of the family history is unravelled.

A well written and Christmassy novel especially good for the festive season.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan transported me fast forward to winter (but in the best possible way. )
Gorgeous descriptors just bring you right into snowy Lapland scenes, dog sleighs and the magical Northern Lights. This is a really enjoyable read, rich with friendship/relationship challenges and hidden family secrets to unravel and overcome. An uplifting story of new beginnings Three and a half stars (for a somewhat slow start) but rounded to four. Stick with it and you won’t be sorry

Such a delightful book!

I love Sarah Morgan's writing and this book was another hit with me. Tackling friendships, secrets and of course romance all set in the idyllic Lapland this is the perfect festive read!

SARAH MORGAN – THE CHRISTMAS ESCAPE ****

I read this novel in advance of publication through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Despite its accurate but potentially cheesy title, this is a well-written and engaging love story.

Set in snowy Lapland, this novel explores the interlocking relationships between three sets of characters.

Christy and Seb are going through a rough patch. Her childhood best friend, Alix, is frightened by relationships and avoids them at all costs. Conflicts arise because Alix was outspoken on the eve of Christy’s wedding, sharing her misgivings about Seb, who Christy hardly knew. Neither woman knows quite how to deal with this cancer gnawing at their friendship. Alix also has a hate-love relationship that turns her beliefs on their head.

Bubbling in this cauldron is an ancient feud between Christy’s deceased mother Elizabeth and Robyn, Christy’s rebel aunt, who with her husband Erik owns holiday cabins in Lapland where they all go to stay for a Christmas of sleigh-rides and northern lights.

It is refreshing to read a well-written love story by an author who has talent, rather than to be jarred out of the story by wooden or flowery writing. Recommended.

Well, it's taken me a while to read this book!! I wanted to relish the relationships, the countryside, Lapland, London!! All so well described by Sarah Morgan!! I escaped to all the beautiful places that the author sent us too!!
You so want to interfere in the relationships of Christy & Seb and Alix & Zac, as they're all frustrating with each other, for keeping things so close to themselves, neither one of them had any idea how the other was feeling!!!!
Then there is Robyn, who this story was about in the first place!! Wonderful writing!! I found myself shouting at them all!! Very clever!! Loved every moment of it!!