Another great Christmas read by Phillipa Ashley .this lovely story set in the lake District has all the good feels you need in a. Christmas story .

I am so hoping that anyone reading this review is an avid Phillipa Ashley fan because they wont mind at all what I am about to write.
This is not a book pretending to be great or deep literature. It's a feel good, slight little story, predictable in the way it progresses and eventually turns out, but that's no bad thing...it is, I imagine, exactly what Phillipa Ashley's readers want from her.
It is story about Sophie, a lovely ( inside and out ) bed and breakfast owner ,bruised by the infidelity of her ex partner who meets a charming and kind local vet, Brody.
Their road to a happy ending ( I know it's maybe a spoiler but, honestly, what else might anyone be expecting!) is long and twisty, and snow filled.
Several other characters fill the pages, some more successfully than others, a stereotypical Italian movie star look alike being in the latter category.
Agatha, the retired nurse is much more believable, and Hugo and Una are quite sweet. All of these are guests at Sophie's inaugural Christmas Escape event and cope remarkably with all that Phillipa throws at them in the course of a long Christmas weekend.
It's sweet, it's easy and it would be a nice curl up at Christmas tale. Expect only that and all will be well.
Net Galley and Random House supplied me with an e arc and this is my honest review.

This had all the elements of a lovely, festive, cosy read. Set in the Lake District, an alternative Christmas getaway for those seeking to spend Christmas a bit differently.

Sophie was a pleasant character who had her baggage, I liked her concept of an alternative Christmas and her friendship with Brody. I just found her to be a bit prim and proper. Trying to diffuse situations that had nothing to do with her.

Brody on the other hand, even though he was a 'nice' guy, was a bit of a wet blanket. The guests on the other hand were so funny! The mishaps along the way were amusing and fun to read. Ultimately it was lovely to read about the views of the Lake District at Christmas!

Another great Christmas story from Philippa Ashley. Set in a beautiful location, Sophie is now running a guest house and decides to hold an alternative Christmas but things don't quite go to plan!

Escape for Christmas by Phillipa Ashley is a heartwarming and festive romance that captures the magic of the holiday season. Set in a picturesque, snow-covered location, the novel follows a protagonist seeking a fresh start, only to find love and healing in the most unexpected places. Ashley’s charming characters, sparkling dialogue, and cozy holiday atmosphere make this an irresistible holiday escape. With its themes of new beginnings, love, and the warmth of Christmas spirit, Escape for Christmas is a delightful and uplifting read that will leave readers filled with festive cheer and belief in the power of second chances. It’s the perfect book to cozy up with during the holiday season.

Sophie ran an all year round Christmas shop in Stratford Upon Avon with her fiancé, Ben. When Sophie found out he was cheating on her with her best friend, she sold her shop, and the flat above it, and moved to Cumbria to run a guest house called Sunnyside.

With Christmas approaching, Sophie doesn’t feel like celebrating. She advertises her guest house for people who don’t wish to celebrate Christmas.

With the dashing vet, Brody, being her neighbour, Sophie realises she likes him a lot, but will the magic of Christmas work for the two of them?

This is a lovely story set in beautiful Cumbria, near Lake Windermere. Such wonderful descriptive writing, I felt as though I was there and joining in with the celebrations.

I enjoyed the characters, especially Harold, who is Brody’s black Labrador.

An entertaining tale, perfect for getting you ready for the Christmas period.

My thanks to Random House UK and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

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!