Another fantastic Christmas book from Phillipa. Sophie leaves Stratford Upon Avon to run a B&B in the Lake District and because Christmas has previously brought heart ache she decides to run An Escape from Christmas few days which is a sell out but doesn’t run according to plan. Alongside this is a budding romance but it’s complicated as all Christmas romances are!! Thanks to Phillipa and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley

Warm, cosy read set in the Lake District over Christmas; what more can you want?
This book wraps itself around you, so settle down by a real fire, have hot chocolate or mulled wine and get stuck in. It's a fabulous read.

Thank you for the advance copy, I may have to read it again over Christmas!

This is the perfect Christmas book to get you 8n the mood for christmas. Filled with joy and the perfect festive moments

Really enjoyed this book. Easy read, lighthearted and all the Christmas chat! Thanks Net Galley for the early read

Oh how I love a Christmas book and how I love a Phillipa Ashley Christmas book. I read this on the weekend I got my Covid and flu jabs, and they really flared up my chronic pain and so I was feeling rather sorry for myself, and so Phillipa came to my rescue, as she has done on more than one occasion over the years.

On the topic of not judging a book by its cover (I totally do), this is a beautiful, cosy, wintery cover and I loved it.

I couldn't really relate to Sophie at first because I am a Christmas nut all year round, but it was interesting to read a Christmas book where the main character, at least on the surface, dislikes the season. But as the book goes on and you learn her reasons and her beliefs that she became a more familiar character and I really enjoyed going on this journey with her.

There are many characters: Sophie and her paying guests, Brody and his family, neighbours, people in the community, strangers, farm animals - you name it, you'll find them in this book. And there isn't a single wasted one. They all have their own purposes for being there but also help move Sophie's story along.

I was having a hard time reading before this, nothing was really holding my attention for long, and so at 400 pages I was worried that, as much as I love her books, I would struggle to focus for that long. But I read it in less than 24 hours, it is so captivating and is a really lovely festive story, so it zoomed by.

I didn't expect it to be so emotional. I'm not going to say what happened for fear of spoilers but about 60% of the way through something (not bad) happens, and I was in floods of tears just like the characters.

It's not "just" (and I use that word reluctantly as I love the genre) a festive, cosy, loving romcom - although there is that too. It has so much to get your teeth into; it does touch on difficult topics such as affairs and relationship difficulties, secrets, lies and dishonesty, grief, illness, family tensions, and loneliness.

I have read several of Phillipa's books over the years and this is by far my absolute favourite.

When Sophie finds her partner fooling around with her best friend her heart is broken. Selling up her Christmas shop and moving away to set up a b&b seems her only way of turning her life around and moving on. Christmas has always been a big part of her life but this year an alternative break to escape from Christmas ensures her b&b is fully booked with like minded people. Having met and fallen for the local vet living next door, Brody, she finds her fingers burnt once more when she discovers he is engaged and set to be married. Little does she know his true situation and trying to avoid him fails she she has to call on his help yet again when she takes in a family trapped in the snow on Christmas eve and drama ensues. Added to that is the frustration of the electricity failing in the bad weather so her plans for her guests on Christmas day fall apart. Will anything ever go right? A really good, christmassy, curl up in front of the fire read. Loved it!

Sophie’s heartbreak hit me right between the eyes, and I found her pain tangible. Recovering from such treacherous behaviour explains how a former Christmas fan could go so far the opposite way. She didn’t hate the festive season; she had simply lost all desire to celebrate it. Personally, I find the Lake District to be a healing place and can understand why she would find sanctuary amongst the hills and fells.
The concept of a Christmas Escape is inspired, as I, too, can become jaded by all the commercialism surrounding the festive season. However, I could never forsake the trusty sprout or forego family time. Thankfully, Sophie finds a full house as a result of her concept, and everything looks set for a successful Christmas. The familiar touch of Phillipa’s writing brought warmth to what may have been a dreary idea at face value but unfolded into a gorgeous treat.
Meanwhile, a growing attraction forms between Sophie and her neighbour, the handsome vet, Brody. We met Brody’s friends in an earlier book, so it was a pleasure to learn more about them. I was certainly invested in them finding a way to be happy together, but of course, nothing is simple in the realm of romantic fiction. With the descriptions of their chemistry, I felt cheated when the proverbial spanner landed in the works. Despite that, Brody remained a good, loyal and deeply attractive man.
Of course, a lot more is happening besides the burgeoning attraction between Sophie and Brody. Those stories come to life via the collection of visitors looking to escape from the razzmatazz of Christmas by staying at Sophie’s B&B. I would love to tell you more about them, but that would lead me onto the path of spoilers, so you’ll need to read it yourself. Trust me, though, it’s fantastic.
This may well be my favourite of her Christmas books. I can still feel the glow from finishing it, yet I cannot believe I must wait another year for a return visit. Maybe I’ll have to drive up there and explore my happy place.

Another great Phillipa Ashley story. The setting in the lakes was very well described and it was very easy to like the main characters of Sophie and Brody. I raced through this eventful story to a lovely Christmassy end.

Another wonderful book from Phillipa Ashley. Full of ups and downs, plenty of drama which pulls you into the story. Characters you begin to love. A story of coming to terms with what life throws at you and finding your happy ending. This story has so much going on in it, you will find it hard to put it down, because you need to know what the next chapter hold.
Thank you Phillipa for another wonderful book.

Another excellent Christmas read from Phillipa Ashley. This year’s book tells the story of Sophie, trying to have an alternative Christmas with guests in her Lake District guest house, and the gorgeous village vet, Brody. The setting is beautifully described, and there are plenty of hitches along the way. I really enjoyed this book, and will definitely be buying a few copies for presents this Christmas.

Free courtesy of netgalley

I enjoy reading a Phillipa Ashley book and this was no exception. It was nice to feel all Christmasy and this is a perfect Christmas read.

Sophie loved Christmas until she found her boyfriend and her best friend amongst the tinstle in her all year round Christmas shop in Stratford.

She makes a huge decision to move to the Lake District and bought a BnB. As the first Christmas there approaches she decides to invite guests to come and stay for an alternative Christmas, to escape all the festivities.

With a BnB full of guests and a storm blowing in, how do these strangers spend Christmas the alternative way and will the hunky vet next door play his part.

I thought this book was a lovely read and I would recommend it, especially for the Christmas season

A very slow book feels like the same story can watch on any Hallmark film. Just felt like it's so repetitive and didn't like any of the characters

Lovely read, very well written with fabulous characters and a great storyline.. Read it in two sittings which sort of says it all. Loved it, highly recommended.

I love reading Christmas romances and this book didn't disappoint.

The book is based around the character of Sophie. She is very well fleshed out and her backstory well defined. Even after having gone through the challenges in her love life she has thus far she has made a new life for herself in the Lake District and I enjoyed reading about how she finds love again. I enjoyed reading about a strong woman character in a romance novel.

A great read to get you into the Christmas spirit or to just curl on the sofa with a hot chocolate.
And it will also inspire you to visit the Lake District too!

This was an enjoyable cosy book, perfect for cold evenings curled up in bed.
Sophie has moved to the Lake District to set up a guest house and escape the painful reminders of her past. With Christmas round the corner she decides to offer an alternative to the traditional Christmas celebrations and soon she is booked up for the festive period. Having been badly hurt in the past all of Sophie's defences are up, however she falls for the charms of the local vet and her neighbour Brody, however life is never plain sailing and things don't always go to plan
If you fancy a nice easy read this is a really good book for you.

Escape for Christmas by Phillipa Ashley is a heartwarming and charming holiday romance set against the picturesque backdrop of the Lake District.

The story follows Sophie, who, after a painful betrayal—being jilted by her fiancé for her best friend—has turned her back on Christmas celebrations. She buys a guest house in the Lake District and offers a unique holiday experience for people looking to escape the typical Christmas festivities.

As the guests arrive, the quiet retreat Sophie planned quickly turns into a drama-filled escape, especially when a snowstorm and power outage leave everyone stranded.

The unfolding events create a warm, cozy atmosphere that contrasts perfectly with the cold, wintry setting.

A notable presence in the story is Brody, the local vet, whose complicated relationship with his fiancée—who has just returned from America after falling for someone else—adds another layer of tension.

While they maintain the façade of being together for her father's sake, Brody’s growing feelings for Sophie make things increasingly difficult for him.

Their budding attraction adds a delightful romantic spark to the story, and readers will find themselves rooting for them to find happiness together.

Phillipa Ashley masterfully captures the beauty of the Lake District, making it easy to imagine being snowed in amidst the stunning landscape, surrounded by warmth and holiday spirit.

The inclusion of pets, particularly Brody’s work as a vet and the cats in the guest house, adds an endearing touch that animal lovers will appreciate.

Escape for Christmas is a feel-good, festive read filled with romance, drama, and a perfect dose of holiday charm.

Fans of Phillipa Ashley and anyone looking for a cosy, uplifting Christmas escape will adore this novel.

It’s the kind of book that invites you to curl up by the fire and get lost in its delightful world.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Very good book.

Greatly enjoyed the storyline and characters, very happy to see cats in the book.

Nice characters but some of them I feel like their back stories were rushed and not thought through enough.

Definitely recommend reading over Christmas

Thanks to NetGalley, and Cornerstone Random House UK for the copy

As someone who loves Christmas I felt my heart break for poor Sophie when her partner hurt her so badly on Christmas Eve ruining the holidays for her. I think it’s a must read for the winter months with a cosy blanket. I really enjoyed reading this book and felt I was standing right there seeing Sophie living her life.

A charming Christmassy read. Sophie decides to host a non-Christmas winter break at her guest house in the Lake District. An eclectic mix of guests arrive and there’s unexpected drama towards the end. Fun to read.

Phillipa Ashley has done it again, a Christmas story with a heart and soul. You know from the title that it's a seasonal story and you know by the genre that the main characters will eventually find love together but it is not too full of cliches, rather a set of relateable, interesting characters with little sub plots of their own, the perfect winter read.