I enjoyed this book. I really look forward to Phillipa Ashley’s Christmas novels as they are always so heartwarming. I loved following Sophie and Brody’s journey, obviously it was full of twists and turns but isn’t that always the way! Even the supporting characters were a delight. I was actually sad when I finished this. Just a gorgeous, Christmassy story. Highly recommend.

This heartwarming Christmas story offers a refreshing twist on the holiday season as a group of characters seek to escape the traditional festivities and gather at a guest house for an alternative celebration. The book brings together a diverse group of people, each with their own reasons for wanting a different kind of Christmas, making for an engaging and relatable read. The characters are well-developed, and the inclusion of pets adds an extra layer of charm. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique festive read!

Suspense and romance mingle in this sparkling Christmas themed story.
With vividly portrayed characters, this is a lovely book to curl up with. A real seasonal page turner. I enjoyed reading it very much.

Thank you for this arc of Escape for Christmas. Although I found the beginning of the book a little stilted I soon got into the story as it unfolded and really enjoyed it. Sophie and Brody were great characters and it was Christmasy without being too gushingly twee.
Lovely little read

My thanks to Netgalley and publishers Penguin for an ARC of this thoroughly enjoyable well-plotted Christmas tale by Phillipa Ashley. I love the occasional romantic novel. It's a rare but guilty treat and this one is written by one of the best in the genre.

I was enjoying the read, thinking this is all working out too well. Something has to go wrong or the book will be too short. Then about 30% through it did and to my thinking it became unbelievable. But to enjoy these novels you have e to suspend belief and just relax into the narrative. The glorious winter setting of the Lake DIistrict, which is described in every chapter, makes a perfect backdrop.

With all the horrendous news that is continually being pumped at us, this really is an escape. Go on. Give yourself a treat.

I loved it.
Slightly predictable but so many twists and turns.
Sophie used to run a Christmas shop in Stratford upon Avon; however, after finding her boyfriend and nest friend in a comprised position she decides it’s time for a change. She buys a guest house in the Lake District. Christmas is approaching and she’s no longer ‘into’ Christmas, so she sets up a non-Christmas event over the Christmas season. Her 7 (?) rooms are fully booked, and we are taken through the reasons why Christmas is hard for these people - well written and fascinating. Meanwhile, her next door neighbour, the local vet who cares for her two cats is paying her a lot of attention! But at the Christmas party his mother holds….
Easy to read, cozy Christmas story. Loved it.

This was a lovely, feel good story with the ups and downs of an everyday life, with some sparkle included..Great cast of charscters and a very appropriate conclusion. Love conquers all !!

Another fantastic book from Phillipa Ashley. Festive but not too festive, love the characters and the plot.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC and thank you to Phillipa for sharing her talent.


Sophie used to adore everything about Christmas. Hot chocolate and velvet bows, fairy lights and mince pies.

Until the December her fiancé jilted her.

Since then, Sophie opened Sunnyside Hotel, a quaint guesthouse nestled deep in the Cumbrian countryside.

And, though it might be winter at Sunnyside, it’s never Christmas.

Marketing her hotel to those who wish to avoid the festivities, Sophie is busy preparing for a season full of joy and laughter, but without the tinsel and mistletoe.

Yet, as she finds herself growing closer to her gorgeous neighbour, Brody, her heart begins to melt.

Will this Christmas bring the touch of magic Sophie needs to give love another chance?

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.