Generally speaking Escape for Christmas by Philippa Ashley was a good enough book; a Christmas romance obviously but with a decent storyline. Our heroine, hurting from betrayal the previous Christmas, is offering an alternative festive stay at her new B&B. All goes pretty well but there are some dramatic plotlines for which she couldn't possibly have planned. I enjoyed these. However, I was irritated beyond belief by Brody, the male lead. He was such a wimp!

This was my first book by Phillips Ashley and it didn’t disappoint. It has great characters and a great storyline. It’s not traditionally about Christmas but an alternative story that people will love.
Would definitely recommend.

Another wonderful read from Phillipa. I was captivated from the beginning to the end. The story flowed so well and the location was excellent. It was so well described that you can just imagine being there among all the lovely and different characters. A great read to snuggle under a quilt with a hot chocolate.

This was a warm and cosy romantic fiction.
There were plenty of festive elements to get you in the Christmas mood. The guests at Sunnyside were such vibrant, entertaining characters, and the story was really easy, quick and enjoyable to read.
It would have been nice to see more feel-good/romantic interactions between the two main characters: the (intentionally frustrating) misunderstanding trope/lack of communication had a big role to play here.
Easily recommendable to anyone looking for a cosy romantic fiction this Christmas, featuring plenty of pets!

The thing i love about Phillipa Ashley is that her writing is so relatable, her characters are so realistic and normal people that it makes the experience so much more enjoyable.
I can honestly say I laughed throughout this book at the various tale unfolding and thoroughly enjoyed it
A perfect cosy Christmas read and something everyone should have on their list

A lovely Christmas book; despite the main premise being that of a un-Christmas stay over the festive period.

We still get the seasonal traditions and the gentle romance felt sweet and genuine.

A year previously, Sophie finds her fiance cheating on her with her best friend. Within a year, she sells her all-year-round Christmas shop and ends up buying and running a B&B in the Lake District. She no longer enjoys the magic of Christmas and advertises and an escape from Christmas for the Christmas period, for people like herself who want to get away from the festivities. Handsome vet Brody is her neighbour who lives in a farmhouse next door.

Escape For Christmas is a lovely, comforting read and I really couldn't put it down. There is much more to the book than the usual romance. Sophie's B&B guests turned out to be quite entertaining and added to the story.

I’ve read a few books by Phillips Ashley and this one didn’t disappoint. It’s a great festive read about an alternative Christmas which may not be for everyone. Great characters and a great storyline.
Would definitely recommend.

This was such a good read and I have to say, I love Christmas but there is some appeal to an alternative Christmas! The main characters were so good, I loved their backstories. Throw in a few twists and turns and you have another winner here Philppa Ashley

Brody and Sophie are both very lovely. Sophie has run to a new future after her ex cheated on her, she is running a b and b in the lakes and enjoying it. The book is over Christmas when she advertises and then runs a festive break that isn’t Christmassy for those that aren’t keen on turkey, tinsel and the trimmings, it all goes very badly off track. The flamenco dancers get stuck in snow, the power goes off, a pregnant guest goes into labour and to top it off the chap she was starting to feel something for is engaged. This is a gentle romance with fireworks going off at the same time, action packed and full of creative animals with real personalities. Such a good read.

"Escape for Christmas" by Philippa Ashley was a delightful festive read with a difference.
I found myself immersed in the lives of the characters, each navigating their own struggles while seeking solace in beautiful Sunnyside. Ashley's vivid descriptions of the Lakes made me feel like I was right there. The story had plenty of variety from the Nowak’s surprise arrival to Jingle & Belle’s disaster and everything in between. A lovely festive read, without being overly festive- a tricky balance, so well done!

I love the idea of an alternative Christmas. Not sure I would want that myself but I know of people who would. Hearts thawing whilst conversely the snow is falling. Such a feel good read with mostly likeable characters, this should definitely be on your Christmas read list.

I usually absolutely adore phillipa Ashley’s books however this one was so predictable that it didn’t make me feel all cosy and Christmassy at all.

Having said that it was a nice story with a happy ending, lots of snow, a baby being born on Christmas Eve, a donkey, sheep and cats…plus a hunky vet. A pleasant and undemanding read at any time of the year

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

This is a cute love story that has twists and turns and lots of fun along the way.
A great festive read with interesting, quirky characters.
The idyllic location of the Lake District makes it a picture perfect scene for the book.

A brilliant festive read. I really enjoyed this book and would love for it to be the start of a series. The characters were great although I felt a little disappointed that some of them didn't play bigger roles. Would definitely recommend.

Another wonderful book by Philippa Ashley, whose writing is such a treat. Sophie, once a huge lover of Christmas, is somewhat put off the season when she finds her boyfriend playing in the tinsel with another woman. Setting off with the idea of running an alternative Christmas hotel seemed a little ambitious to me, but made for a good story all the same. The group of people who flock to her non-Christmas stay is very well drawn with some wonderful characters. I loved the impromptu dance evening and can just imagine what fun was had. I do recommend this book, and thank NetGalley for the chance to read and review it.

Poor Sophie. After a past Christmas disappointment she decides to set up a non Christmas Christmas break in her guest house. This proves very popular and the story consists of a mix of personalities and stories and some love and romance despite powercuts and snow storms. Another must read by Phillip’s Ashley.

This is my first book by this author. I was intrigued by the summary and was looking forward to reading the novel.

The previous Christmas, Sophie Cranford was running a Christmas shop with her fiance, Ben until she found him in bed with her best friend and ended the relationship. Broken-hearted, Sophie sells her Christmas Shop and flat and moves to the Lake District where she buys Sunnyside, a B&B/hotel.

As this Christmas approaches Sophie’s is advertising an ''alternative package for Christmas''.... with a Spanish theme of flamenco dancers, sangria, paella & pavlova!

Sophie has been living at Lake Windermere now for seven months and the local vet, Brody, has caught her eye. But is she ready for another relationship? Is Brody the one to bring Christmas back into Sophie’s life with Xmas hats, minces pies, tinsel and crackers?

I enjoyed this novel which has an easy and feel good factor. I am not a fan of the writing style which has lots of dialogue but full of humour with lovely descriptions of the landscape in winter. There are characters to like and dislike. I liked Agatha, funny, fiesty, independent and a no nonsence person. I did figure out the ending but I still kept reading to hear about the characters mishaps and misunderstandings.

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.

Sophie finds her boyfriend and best friend in a compromising position in their Christmas shop before Christmas which totally put her off Christmas.
When she moves to Cumbria to run a hotel she decides to hold a none Christmas deal, fun without the Christmas trimmings.
Only she is falling for her neighbour Brody who loves Christmas and then finds out he is engaged.
Can they sort out the problems and get over Christmas.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review.

Thank you so much for letting me read The wonderful Escape For Christmas.
It was such a beautiful read.
Sophie found her boyfriend and bestfriend in a heap of tinsel and gets put off christmas. She decides to move away and run a bed and breakfast. She thought to make a Escape from the christmas for guests. But things didn't go to plan. But sometimes the unplanned days are always the best