It’s such a pleasure today to be joining the blog tour for Escape for Christmas by Phillipa Ashley, published by Penguin Books on 7th November and now available in paperback, on all major e-book platforms, and as an audiobook. My thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (although I did also buy my own copy – always nice to share a verified review!).
It took me far too long to discover Phillipa’s lovely books, and she’s now one of the authors on my “unmissable” list. This year, I did finally manage to find the time to read and review one of her summer books – Second Chance Summer – and entirely loved it with that lovely Isles of Scilly setting, a romance I so enjoyed, individuals who really won my heart, and a story that engaged me throughout (you can read my full review here). But I do have a particular soft spot for her Christmas books – The Christmas Holiday (2022) was the first of her books I’d read and it was a real personal favourite (you’ll find my review here). Four Weddings and a Christmas might just have been even better – a real hug of a book with its lovely Lakes setting and a relationship at its centre with particularly strong chemistry between its two main (and exceptionally likeable) characters (you’ll find my review here). But this time – and I don’t believe it for a moment – there’s no tinsel and mistletoe?
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?
Sophie really doesn’t hate Christmas – well, she certainly never used to. In fact, she once ran a Christmas shop all year round, even calling her cats Jingle and Belle – but that was before her partner betrayed her so spectacularly at that time of year, and with her best friend. So now she’s trying to make a success of the Sunnyside Guest House in the Lakes – it’s where she fled to have a fresh start – and it might just be that others would appreciate a rather different Christmas experience too, escaping from all the usual traditions.
And it really seems they would – she’s soon fully booked, has sorted out the flamenco dancers and the hot tub, planned the paella for Christmas Day, and the guests – a particularly eclectic mix – have arrived. But she never thought the weather would cause such problems – and the heavy snow might just give them all a Christmas that’s even more different than they expected.
Brody’s the local vet, and lives in his family farm on the hillside behind Sunnyside – there’s definitely real chemistry between him and Sophie, and he’s always there for her, making every problem feel more manageable. But it does seem he has a few secrets of his own, and her trust in him might just have been misplaced – and it’s a situation that looks like it’ll stand in the way of any possibility of a happy ending for them both.
I really felt for Sophie as she tried to move on from the sadness in her past, Brody is the perfect love interest (well, until…), and every individual who finds themselves spending their Christmas at Sunnyside (even the rather unexpected arrivals) is quite wonderfully drawn, all with their own stories. It’s a particularly Christmassy story in so many ways, very cleverly handled – and while it’s certainly not quite the experience anyone was expecting, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. The impossible romance was particularly engaging, both heartwarming and emotional, with considerable barriers to overcome – but, knowing more than Sophie about the full story, I had every confidence that they’d get there in the end. I always so enjoy a story about fresh starts and new beginnings – the setting is beautifully drawn too, and the four-legged characters are every bit as wonderful as the humans.
The whole book really was an absolute delight – fabulously festive, gloriously romantic, and the most perfect Christmas read. You will add it to your list, won’t you? This is one I’d really urge you not to miss – I totally loved it.
About the author
Phillipa Ashley is a Sunday Times best selling author of uplifting romantic fiction. After studying English at Oxford University, she worked as a copywriter and journalist before writing her debut novel, Decent Exposure.
It won the Romantic Novelists Association New Writers Award and was filmed as a Lifetime TV movie starring Kristin Chenoweth and Josh Hopkins.
Her novels have sold over million copies and been translated into many languages. She is also an Audible number 1 best-seller.
Phillipa lives in an English village with her husband, has a grown-up daughter and loves walking the Lakeland hills and swimming in Cornish coves.
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Thanks for the blog tour support x
I really enjoyed this too!
I noticed – and enjoyed your review!