This was a sweet, cosy, festive read like most romances I found it to be repetitive & predictable in parts & slow at times but I did really end up loving the main character, Sophie.

This is my first book by this author and was looking forward to reading the novel. I enjoyed this plot which was enjoyable. The writing style was full of humour with lovely descriptions of the landscape in winter. The charcters were believable and well developed. A feel good Christmas read. I would recomend this novel.

I enjoyed this book and give a 3 star rating.

My thanks to Netgalley and publishers for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Cosy Christmassy Lake District romantic goodness 😍 I loved the scene setting in this one!! Such amazing descriptions of the stunningly beautiful Lake District which helped me get lost in this one! Was having a rough patch and feeling pretty meh and this cheered me up so I’m very much grateful! Festive fun 💜

A great book to settle down to read under a blanket by the fire. The characters were likeable and although you thought you knew what might happen there were some twists and turns along the way which kept you guessing.
A good winter read.

What a huge hug of a Christmas book. Wonderful characters in a gorgeous setting with everything Christmassy!
If you want to get into the Christmas mood along with a romance then this book must not be missed. Phillipa Ashley you are brilliant.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

This is a lovely feelgood factor book from Phillipa Ashley, great for reading in front of a cosy fire in your PJs.
Sophie Cranford loved Christmas, so much so that she and her fiance Ben, ran an all year round Christmas shop in Stratford upon Avon, that was until Sophia caught Ben and her best friend Naomi in a compromising position on the stock room floor, this ruined Christmas for Sophie, so much so that she sold up and moved to the beautiful Lake District to follow her dream to run a b&b.
Sophie didn't think that she could face the coming Christmas so she decided to have an "escape from Christmas" break for like minded people, although in the very Christmas orientated village it was a idea that most people found very strange.
Local vet Brody McKenna was Sophie's neighbour, there was an instant attraction and although Brody always seemed to be there to help Sophie when things didn't go to plan, which was quite often, Sophie had been badly burned and didn't want to be in that position again and Brody appeared to have secrets , secrets that he had promised not to reveal even though they were preventing him from pursuing Sophie.
OK, so I knew how this was going to end but the journey was entertaining, it was witty, emotional with likeable characters and a beautiful setting.
Thank you to Net Gallery for this ARC, this review is my own opinion.

What a brilliant feel good story. It made me feel so Christmassy.
When Sophie decides that her guest house will be a Christmas free zone, she had no idea how many things could go wrong in the space of a couple of days!
Sophie’s hopes of a budding romance with her neighbour, the local vet, don’t go well as she’d hoped either.
Everyone should read a Philippa Ashley book to get them in the mood for Christmas.

With "Escape from Christmas" being my first Philipa Ashley book, I was expecting snow, cosy romance and a few laughs along the way. Unfortunately it didn't quite live up to being the festive treat I was expecting.

Sophie used to be a Christmas loving gift shop owner. That is until the Christmas she discovered her fiancé cheating on her with her best friend. Devastated by the betrayal Sophie sells her shop and buys a guest house in the lake district. Determined to avoid the traditional festivities Sophie is hosting an "Escape" from Christmas for her guests, complete with tapas and flamenco dancers.

I really enjoyed the descriptions of the Lake District, this was an idyllic setting for a festive story. However that's really where my enjoyment ended. I didn't connect with the authors' writing style or any of the characters. The dialogue felt forced with characters constantly over explaining everything they spoke about. The exposition felt lengthly and repetitive which slowed down the pace of story making it feel like a slog to get through. The plot was fairly predictable which is OK for a cosy Christmas read. However it stretches credulity to the limit.

I think Phillipa Ashley fans will still enjoy this read but it wasn't quite what I was looking for. Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone and Netgalley for providing the ARC.

This was delightful. A beautiful, dreamy Christmas story. I loved Sophie and the whole journey for her. The place sounded idyllic and I was taken to such picturesque places whilst reading it. Total cosy vibes, and a good romance to finish off.

Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Set in a snowy Lake District, this is a lovely, heartwarming story about escaping Christmas but still having fun. Sophie's life imploded last Christmas, and to survive, she left everything she knew and started again in the Lake District. This year, Sophie is determined to avoid a traditional Christmas and markets an Escape from Christmas for her guesthouse. I like the multigenerational characters and their reasons for wanting to escape, the wintry setting, Sophie's conflicted interactions with Brody and the drama. It's an immersive story which has some delightful moments,

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Sophie was a big fan of Christmas, until a traumatic experience in her Christmas shop left her running to the Lake District to open a B&B. This year Sophie has decided to open the B&B to guests who want to 'escape from Christmas' and enjoy a good time away from the festive bells and whistles. Along the way, Sophie comes across handsome local vet Brody, who gently helps her to thaw out and move forward from her past.

Escape for Christmas is a hot chocolate kind of novel, perfect for curling up in a cosy corner and having a bit of escapism yourself!

This book has everything a Christmas book needs - romance, great characters, lots of snow and a beautiful setting.
Sophie has moved to the Lake District to escape heartbreak. She takes over a B&B and decides to run an alternative break over Christmas, for those who don't want the usual festivities.
Her plans couldn't have gone more wrong, but handsome local vet, Brody, is on hand to assist.
A familiar storyline for a festive book, but when done by Phillipa Ashley, you get that bit extra in terms of characters, storyline and depth.

Just what we need from a festive story - some wonderful characters (including the pets obviously!), gentle humour and maybe a sprinkling of romance...

Sophie runs Sunnyside, a guest house that she offers an alternative "non-Christmas" break. It was a delight to be introduced to the guests but my main interest lay with Sophie and local vet Brody. I'd love to hear more about them in any future books.

I am particularly drawn to any books set in the Lake District as it is always such a magical setting and I'd urge anyone to pick up this book to share the magic!

My thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy which I have reviewed honestly.

What a wholesome cosy book and perfect for this time of year, I adore the Lakes so made me feel extra cosy inside and yearning to visit again.
It follows Sophie who owns and runs Sunnyside Hotel, a quaint guesthouse nestled in the Lake District above Windermere. She used to love Christmas, owning her own year round Christmas shop in Stratford Upon Avon until her fiancé cheated on her during the festive period.
Not wanting to celebrate the season herself she decides to market her guesthouse to those wanting to Escape for Christmas and soon sells every room.
Brody is her neighbour, living in the 17th century Felltop Farm, surrounded by animals is apt considering he’s a vet. Harold his Labrador has a love for escaping to Sophie’s and it’s not long before their attraction grows.
I loved both Brody and Sophie, their potential romance is not an easy path. Brody holds his own secrets which has Sophie pulling back from him.
Sophie’s Non Christmas doesn’t go according to plan, her guests are such characters as well s some unexpected ones.
Honestly such a lovely story full of hope, I was praying for their HEA ❤️
Thank you NetGalley, Philippa Ashley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

Sophie moved to the Lake District to fulfil her life's fantasy of running a Guest House. Her love of Christmas was ruined by her cheating ex, so she plans a traditional Christmas-free break for her guests, each of whom has their own reason for getting away from tinsel and turkey. Love interest comes from neighbour and Vet, Brody, but even that isn't simple. Perfect winter reading, hard to put down.

Thank you netgalley and publishers for an advanced copy of this book for my review. Set in the beautiful Lake District a wonderfully written festive story with a few twists along the way. Phillipa Ashley never fails to provide a great story.

I just loved this book! It was such a good story and it has wonderful characters. It was just so Christmassy and I just couldn’t put it down.

I would highly recommend reading this book as it was just so good and Christmassy.

I would like to thank Penguin and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

What a wonderful beautiful Christmas tale this is, and a gorgeous escape to the Lake District. This is the perfect festive read this year!
Absolutely absorbing very well written and had me swept along from the first to the last page!! Just brilliant!
Sophie has moved to the Lake District earlier in the year when she sold her business in Stratford, buying the Sunnyside guesthouse in the fells to make her dream of running a b&b come true. It’s been hard work as she has started to get to know the community, and make the guesthouse her own and there’s still some way to go. With the Christmas season approaching Sophie has advertised an alternative escape at her guest house without all the Christmas trimming's! Who will join her for such a different offering to all the hotels and guesthouses nearby?!
There is drama, pets, stunning landscapes and snow.
I loved all the characters, the events, the traditions, the community and visitors, complex family dynamics and all the love and romance. The writing is a pleasure to read as it flows effortlessly carrying you along in a comforting way.
Really enjoyed this book and can highly and hugely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin books for the early read. Greatly appreciated!!

I loved reading this book.
Despite the storyline being based around escaping Christmas, it was still filled with festive cheer & warmth - it even features a family seeking shelter & a baby being born on a snowy Christmas Eve … and a donkey!
illed with romance, friendships & rebuilding a sense of self after facing adversity, this book is a perfect Christmas read. Snuggle up in the warmth, read the book and experience your own escape for Christmas

Sophie loved Christmas until her fiancé went off with her best friend just before the festivities. .
She buys a small guesthouse in Cumbria and decides to advertise a Christmas escape for those who don't want to have a traditional time.
Then it snows and all her plans go out the window.
But despite all this can she survive Christmas and will it work magic again for her.