The Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan

Set in Lapland at Christmas with an evocative cover, this book appeared so festive it was almost irresistible. At over 400 pages is seemed like the unwinding antidote to the Christmas stress I needed.

The story is about two female friends, one apparently happily married, (hastily so because of an imminent pregnancy) the other, a career-successful single friend who isn't keen on her friend's husband or his best man and friend. Both men are seriously buff and handsome, it ought to be said. The dream Christmas break was planned for the small, new family but something turns up preventing the couple from going straight away. So it's left to the two singletons to take the little girl to her dream destination.

There are secrets, relationship issues and dysfunctional family backgrounds to navigate. These are covered initially in a huge information dump and repeated frequently throughout, but despite the overdone exposition, the story beautifully depicts Lapland and is made even more alive with the little four-year old's excitement. 

A delightful story about friendship, family and expectations with a sprinkle of merry seasonal charm. A cosy Christmas Escape indeed.

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Published by HQ on 21 October 2021.
Advanced review copy supplied by the publisher.