Thank you to the publisher for giving me the chance to read this book early. I had been ill in bed and it was really nice to be able to escape to snowy Lapland. I have enjoyed all the books of Sarah Morgan’s that I have read but this one is a particular favourite. Sarah is very good at covering different friendships and I liked all the characters. I would happily recommend The Christmas Escape.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

“Another Sarah Morgan best seller.”

This year, Christy has planned a perfect Christmas, a trip to Lapland with her husband Seb and daughter Holly, as well as her best friend Alice.

But, when she discovers that her marriage may be in danger of being over, she asks Alix to take Holly as planned and then for her and Seb to follow a few days later hopefully still as a married couple. Alix, is not liking this, as she’s afraid of not looking after Holly properly, and about Zac, who’s Seb’s best friend, coming with them.

As well as all this, there’s Christy’s aunt - Robyn - who she’s not sure why wasn’t in her life. She owns the resort where they are staying.

The story splits between these characters, before Christmas and over the holiday itself. For Christy, Alix and Robyn it’s time for old secrets, feelings and those those things left in their minds to fester to come out,

Will Christy and Alix still remain best friends and will Christy want Robyn in her life after everything’s been said……..


Highly recommend this book.

Such a wonderful Christmas read!

Christy is looking forward to a family trip to Lapland this Christmas including her best friend Alix but, with her marriage in crisis, she desperately needs time alone with her husband, Seb, to sort out some things. The solution seems easy: Alix and Zac, Seb’s closest friend, will head off as planned with Holly, Christy and Seb’s daughter, leaving her parents to follow on a couple of days later. Alix would do anything for Christy, but this is stretching their friendship to the limit as Alix and Zac have history and have avoided each other ever since. As Lapland and Christmas begin to work their magic, can both women find what they’re looking for?

Christmas and Lapland? What’s not to like? The details of the trip will have even the most bah-humbug of cynics rushing to check out travel agents! It all sounds magical and such fun – and that’s before you begin to take the story into consideration. Sarah Morgan never fails to entertain with her novels and this one is no different. With well-crafted characters and a delightful storyline, it’s another of her hard-to-put-down books and a terrific pre-Christmas read as it’s sure to get the festive glow going. If you need a little sparkle to get you into the Christmas mood, this is the book for you. A full five glowing stars and my definite recommendation.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is – as always – my honest, original and unbiased review.

Sarah Morgan is one of my go-to authors if I'm feeling a bit down. Her heart-warming romantic comedies are always guaranteed to put the smile back on my face. I was so excited to receive an early copy of The Christmas Escape I couldn't wait to read it - even though it was the middle of summer!

Christy Sullivan has planned the perfect Christmas holiday to Lapland with her husband Seb, daughter Holly and best friend Alix. She's also hoping to finally meet her long-lost aunt Robyn. But facing a make-or-break marriage crisis, Christy desperately needs time alone with Seb. How can she deprive her daughter of a dream holiday? Her solution is to ask Alix to take her daughter, with the help of Seb's friend Zac, and they will all reunite on Christmas Day. After all, what are friends for? Well, there's nothing Alix won't do for Christy but Christy's plan is going to severely test their friendship, because Alix and Zac have a complicated history of their own...

The Christmas Escape is about family and friendships, how those relationships change over time and need to adapt. My favourite character was Alix. I love characters with flaws and poor Alix has a lot of emotional baggage. Although a loyal friend, she has a habit of speaking her mind - very bluntly. She's never been much of a fan of Seb either - tricky when he's married to her best friend! Due to her own dysfunctional childhood, she hasn't got a clue about Christmas or how to look after children. Now Christy has entrusted her with Holly, who is one of those children that things just 'happen' to. How can Alix hope to keep Holly safe in Lapland, with so many accidents waiting to happen? Then there's Zac, who she was perfectly happy to never see again after their last explosive encounter. Now she's expected her to go on holiday with him? This won't be the relaxing break she was hoping for...

One of my favourite books this year, The Christmas Escape is the perfect festive read, especially for fans of Sarah Morgan, authors like Jill Shalvis, enemies-to-lovers tropes, destination fiction, feel-good romantic comedy, and anyone who's ever dreamt of escaping the humdrum for a perfect Christmas!

Thank you to Sarah Morgan and HQ for my copy of this book, which I requested via NetGalley and reviewed voluntarily.

A very nice read, I didn’t realise it was a series so would have probably enjoyed it more had I read the others, pick up and enjoy

Christy Sullivan has planned the perfect Christmas. Christy, her husband Seb, daughter Holly and her best friend Alix are all going to Lapland. When Seb tells Christy he can’t fly out as planned as he has an important meeting he has to attend, she decides to stay and support him. Asking Alix to take Holly as planned and they will join them later seems like a good solution but Alix is reluctant. She has never been responsible for a child before. Sensing that Christy is desperate Alix agrees but when she discovers that Seb’s best friend Zac will be travelling with her and Holly, Alix almost changes her mind. She and Zac have history and Alix has spent years avoiding him. Alix and Zac need to work together to look after Holly but is it a good idea for them to be in such close proximity to each other.
Can beautiful, snowy, Lapland weave it’s magic and heal broken bonds or are some things beyond repair.
So beautifully written you can imagine being there and characters you will instantly connect with.

A light-hearted feel good Christmas story. Perfect escapism to beautiful landscapes in snowy Lapland, spas and chalets and romance in the air. Great characters, delving into relationships, friendships and love. .
Lovely enjoyable read from Sarah and look forward to more

Thank you to netgalley & the publisher HQ for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Another good book from Sarah.

Christy’s estranged auntie Robyn lives in Lapland with her husband Erik and has invited Christy and her family to visit for Christmas.
Christy’s husband Seb reveals that he has lost his job and needs to delay the trip by a few days so he can attend an interview. Christy decides to stay and travel with him at a later date, asking her best friend Alix and Seb’s friend Zak to take their daughter Holly and they will join them a few days later. Holly is a live wire and cannot sit still for a moment, can Alix and Zak manage to keep her safe until her mom and dad arrive without arguing themselves. A book about love, relationships and friendships.

Every Christmas/winter I look forward to cuddling up with a blanket, a coffee and a Sarah Morgan book. Its a recipe for a blissful afternoon. The reason? Sarah Morgan writes THE BEST Christmas books, full of winter warmth, charm and festive feels.
Happily The Christmas Escape did not disappoint. Its the story of 2 best friends travelling to Lapland to meet one of their aunts and its brimming with just the right amount of cosy drama, affection and, of course, romance. The only sad part is that I've finished it and I'm now patiently waiting her next release!!
Thanks to Netgalley, HQ and Sarah Morgan for the ARC.

I was sent a copy of this novel on Net Galley to review for the blog tour - post publishing soon on https://www.thesecitydays.co.uk, but wanted to leave a review here as well..

The Christmas Escape does exactly what it says in the title, gives you a wonderful winter escape. Sarah is gifted in bringing alive every setting for her books, and the wonders of Lapland and the Northern Lights (both on my travel bucket list) were no exception. It almost felt like you were there, or picking up some tips on the realities of the cold landscape should you ever visit.

The novel follows the stories of best friends Christy and Alix as they excitedly plan a trip of a lifetime to Lapland to meet Christy's Aunt for the first time. But this long term friendship has been a bit off track since words uttered by Alix at Christy's wedding 5 years earlier. This is just part of the tension that plays out before anyone reaches the winter wonderland, interspersed with marital secrets, a less than idyllic life in the country, and tensions between Alix, and Christy and Seb's friend Zac.

While the cover and the setting for this book is magical, and reading it is pure escapism, this isn't a light and fluffy, everything is wonderful Christmas novel. Sarah presents a range of interesting characters dealing with long-held fears, lack of communication, and big changes. Each situation is dealt with in a sensitive, easy to read way, and it's nice how the story gradually unfolds, rather than filling the first few chapters with all the action.

I was engaged from the start, read it through much quicker than expected, and might buy a paperback copy at some point to keep. Sarah has a reputation for her Christmas novels and I can see why. This is my third I've read, and it won't be the last.

Well now, this was a fabulous read from start to finish. I’ve been taken on a journey learning all about the characters and watching their story grow through the pages.

A fantastic feel good Christmas story with beautiful landscapes and romance for Christmas.

5 stars from me.

Sarah Morgan never fails to be fantastic!

What’s Christmas without a Sarah Morgan novel?! And I’m so glad I had the opportunity to review this latest from the queen of heartwarming stories.

Christy has the perfect Christmas all planned out: a trip to Lapland with her husband Seb, daughter Holly, and best friend Alix. However, when Christy finds her marriage threatened, she decides to send Holly with Alix to Lapland and planned, and then follow on with Seb a few days later, hopefully with marriage intact. From Alix’s point of view, she’s nervous about being a good guardian to Holly — and about Zac, Seb’s best friend and someone with whom she has a troubled history, who is also coming along at the last minute. Then there’s the added tension that Christy’s estranged aunt, Robyn, owns the Lapland resort where they’re all due to stay, and some secrets just need airing…

The narrative splits between Christy and Seb in London, and Alix, Zac, and Holly in Lapland. All of this takes place in the few days before Christmas and over the holiday itself, which is always a time for sentimentality and nostalgia. It’s also a time which some people find difficult, and so poignant heartbreak and old wounds can rise to the surface.

Deftly balancing all the action and emotions of her cast, Morgan weaves her usual festive spell over the reader: here is the winter joy which lifts the soul, the spirit of the season which soothes suffering and wraps you in a much-needed hug, the awe and wonder of snow and family, whether by blood or found through experience and love.

Having read many Sarah Morgan novels before, I did notice the re-use of a plot device here and there, but on the whole these didn’t detract from the story or my enjoyment of The Christmas Escape. I should know by now that while Morgan is an expert at giving us these heartfelt family dramas and love stories, she is also adroit at breaking the reader’s heart, and challenging their own experiences even as her words gather us up and sew us back together again. So it was with The Christmas Escape, which — due to personal reasons — I found extremely challenging in places, and which had me bawling long before the final scene. This is definitely a novel to read with the Kleenex handy.

That said, the plotting and pacing were excellent and there was an overwhelmingly grounded and magical sense of place, whether in the English countryside, London, New York, or Lapland. I loved the very realistic portrayal of family and friendship — the events and experiences, large or small, which can tie us together or serve to drive us apart — and how miscommunication and assumptions can just make things thornier. I found this book to be a beautiful (if challenging) read, and I loved being back in the magic and wonder of Sarah Morgan’s Christmas novels; it’s actually become one of my favourites already, with my physical copy now on the way. Highly, highly recommended.

I received an e-ARC from the publisher, HQ, through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Furthermore, in the interests of transparency, I know the author via Facebook.

This is a story set from several character's viewpoints, which are clearly signposted and adds to the breadth of the story. Firstly we have Robyn, the estranged aunt who hasn't met her niece Christy for over thirty years due to a family fued. Then there is Christy and also her best friend Alix, who have grown apart after Christ's marriage and birth of her daughter Holly. Throw in a Christmas holiday in Lapland, with the stunning display of the Northern Lights, coincidentally the second Christmas themed book featuring them this season and no worse for that.
Each character has their own complex issues, which are thoughtfully explored in the story, rather than just a simple romance, so it is a book to carefully read rather than just rush through. Saying that it kept me engrossed during the two days that it took me to read it as I didn't want to put it down. I can definitely recommend it for those who want something a little bit deeper than some other romances, whilst still being entertaining.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

As usual in my reviews I will not rehash the plot (plenty of reviews like that out there already!)

I enjoyed reading this book - I was drawn to it as it's partly based in Lapland under the Northern Lights (high on my "things to do before I leave the planet" list!)

The novel had more substance to it than I expected (which was a nice surprise), dealing with complex relationships (friendships, family, and romance) rather than being a sugary love story. Rather than being one love story, it was in fact several in one book! I liked the fact that things didn't always run smoothly, and that there were misunderstandings - just like real life!

Sarah Morgan captures the sheer joy of Christmas - through the eyes of a child as well as adults - and the descriptions of the Lapland landscape make you feel as if you've been there yourself.

This would be the perfect book to curl up with on a wintery afternoon - ideally by a warming fire with a mug of hot chocolate (or your preferred warm beverage!). It's a lovely light read with substance, and I'll happily read more of Sarah Morgan's work.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

A light-hearted escapist read, perfect for the Christmas holidays or a cold afternoon out of the weather.

Christy, still grieving for her mother, has planned the perfect Christmas holiday in Lapland to celebrate her favourite time of year and hoping it will allow her to move forward. However, the break is not without its complications - along with her husband and daughter, Christy's best friend, Alix plus her husband's friend Zac are coming along too, although they don't get on... They will all be staying with her aunt Robyn- her mother's estranged sister. Christy's marriage has hit a rough patch, partly caused by money worries induced by the purchase of a pretty by expensive cottage that constantly needs fixing and the idealised life in the country is not turning out quite as she had planned ...

When the situation between Christy and husband Seb comes to a turning point, her solution is to send Alix and Zac on ahead to Lapland with her daughter whilst she spends some much-needed time with Seb. Alix would do anything for Christy but is terrified at the thought of looking after her daughter, and would rather run a mile in her Laboutins than spend more time with Zac, given what has happened in the past..

Told from both Christy, Alix and Robyn's point of view there are several twists and turns along the way before everyone finds their own way forward.

Thank you to @SarahMorgan_ and @HQstories for this advanced copy of The Christmas Escape in return for an honest review.

Description 🔖

Christmas is Christy Sullivan’s favourite time of year and she’s planning the Christmas that dreams are made of. Christy, her husband Seb, their young daughter Holly and her best friend Alix are planned to spend the Christmas period in Lapland. However right before they’re due to travel, something shifts in the Sullivan’s marriage and Christy decides that some alone time is necessary to make sure her marriage doesn’t fall apart.

So Christy makes the difficult decision to ask Alix to continue on to Lapland with Holly, along with Seb’s good friend Zac. Christy and Seb plan to join them ready for Christmas Day. Alix isn’t crazy about the idea as her and Zac have their own problems from the past and the idea of being responsible for a four year old is daunting. But in support of her friend, she goes along with the plan.

The plan puts tension on the relationships within the group and as long held feelings and secrets start to spill out, it becomes clear that work is needed to rescue those relationships. Will the magical settings of Lapland be enough to heal relationships and even develop romances?

General Thoughts 🤔

I wish I could express in words what my face looked like when I finished this book. It was a kind of smug, content, happy smile. A bit like this emoji – ☺️. This was such a sweet book that gave me all of the feels but it wasn’t sweet to the point of being sickly. I liked that not everything was plain sailing and easy because that’s just not how life is; whether you’re in winter wonderland or not.

I also really liked that romantic relationships weren’t the main topic of this book. It made me think about the fact that friendships are just as important (if not more so) and that they deserve just as much attention. Christy and Alix reminded me that even the longest standing relationships need work and that just because circumstances change, the love shared within a friendship doesn’t have to.

Characters 👫👬👭

Oddly, I saw a lot of myself in both Alix and Christy. I say oddly because as I was reading this book, they seemed like complete opposites. Christy was the sensible, organised, home bird whilst Alix was the fiercely independent, spontaneous, career focused woman. I loved the friendship that they shared and I found it really frustrating that the two of them struggled to communicate with each other but this was so realistic. Friendships that have lasted that long are often the ones that we forget to nurture.

Writing Style ✍️

I loved the tone of this book. It was fun and light hearted but also had some points in there that made me think about my own friendships and relationships. It wasn’t just about the happy times and all sweet and rosey and I liked that it was a more realistic depiction of life.

The author did a great job of creating an enchanting feeling for this book and as soon as the characters arrived in Lapland I felt swept away with them. I love that Sarah Morgan was able to make me feel how I imagine they felt.

Conclusion & Scoring 🎖️

This was such a lovely read, I’m smiling about it still whilst writing this review. It has all of the ingredients for a fantastic romance whilst also giving a nod to the importance of friendship. If you like a cosy, winter read with a hot chocolate in front of the fire; then this book is for you.

The Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan is a most delightful contemporary festive offering about family and friends.
The story is set in snow-covered Lapland in the two weeks leading up to Christmas. Delicious descriptions of the landscape, log cabins, Christmas trees and sleigh rides all come alive under the masterful pen of Sarah Morgan. The reader is in for a real treat.
We learn about what home is. “Home wasn’t the honey-coloured bricks… home was people. Home was feeling wanted and loved.” We may be in a house with family members but still feel lonely. We need to know we are loved.
Our upbringing has far-reaching effects into our adult lives. We are all a product of our pasts. We must not dwell there but learn the lessons of the past. “Stop chewing on what-if and deal with what is.”
Parents influence their children’s well-being. We see love lavished on a young child giving her stability and confidence. In contrast we see adults who still cannot shake off the influence of parents who seemingly didn’t care. Their emotional well-being has been damaged in childhood and affects their relationships ever since as they continually wait for rejection.
The true meaning of Christmas is not in the size of the gift but in the act of giving. “It isn’t about what you buy, it’s about what you give.” The best gift of all is the gift of time.
It is important to keep channels of communication open in relationships. If we stop talking, we risk misunderstandings and relationship breakdowns. If our relationships are breaking, it is important to try and mend them if they are important to us.
We all have dreams. Sometimes our dreams seem like nightmares. We need to be able to adapt and change our dreams.
The Christmas Escape was a most charming read to put you in the festive mood. I always love Sarah Morgan’s books.
I received a free copy from the publishers via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

As always a brilliant read by Sarah Morgan, not just a Christmas read but an immersive read exploring complex relationships, through family, love and friendships. I liked how rather than the typical sickly sweet Christmas read it was a little truer to life with lots of story-lines running simultaneously alongside each other.
The setting in the Swedish Lapland is both majestic and magical, it really makes the book! I particularly loved the Northern lights featuring, it just added that something extra.
The heavier story lines were nicely balanced with a little humor through children and the whole Christmas experience.
Thank you to Netgalley, Sarah Morgan and HQ stories for the copy, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Set against the stunning landscape of Lapland this is a fabulous festive read.
Friendship and romance with sled rides and northern lights, what more could you want from a feel good winter novel!
I’ve enjoyed Sarah Morgan’s books in the PST and this one is no different, with a writing style that makes me feel like I’m listening to a friend, it’s easy to get lost in this magical world Sarah has created.

A fabulous book all about families, friendship and love. Alix and Christy have been best friends for years but following Christy’s marriage to Seb, things don’t seem the same. When Christy asks for Alix’s help to go before them on their long awaited trip to Lapland with their four year old daughter at Christmas Alix obviously says yes. Throw in the fact that they also ask Seb’s best friend Zac to go with Alix. Whilst Christy & Seb are trying to sort through a misunderstanding between them and Alix and Zac are trying to deal with their own feelings and trying to keep a four year old live wire safe, meeting family you’ve heard of but think you’ve never met and you end up with the perfect ingredients for a great seasonal story