lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
5.0
*I received a free copy of The Christmas Escape. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review which is honest and unbiased.*
Oh my, what a twisted web - kind of like life. The Christmas Escape was supposed to be one thing for Christy, and it became something much more for her best friend, Alix.
Christy's aunt had not been a part of her life for as long as she could remember, but now, she was going to Lapland to reconnect with her. Aunt Robyn has lived a quiet life in Lapland for a very long time, but she has never stopped longing for her family - even if it's too late for her relationship with her sister.
Complicated feelings of guilt, shame, not being enough, and not daring to love are strong for all three women. And seeing how they deal with this in different ways - especially Alix and Christy who mostly avoid anything they don't really want to deal with - is something truly beautiful.
The story is beautifully written, with the winterwonderland landscape of Lapland, some hard conversations, and strong friendships.
I loved everything about The Christmas Escape, and I need more from this author whom I am relatively new to.
Oh my, what a twisted web - kind of like life. The Christmas Escape was supposed to be one thing for Christy, and it became something much more for her best friend, Alix.
Christy's aunt had not been a part of her life for as long as she could remember, but now, she was going to Lapland to reconnect with her. Aunt Robyn has lived a quiet life in Lapland for a very long time, but she has never stopped longing for her family - even if it's too late for her relationship with her sister.
Complicated feelings of guilt, shame, not being enough, and not daring to love are strong for all three women. And seeing how they deal with this in different ways - especially Alix and Christy who mostly avoid anything they don't really want to deal with - is something truly beautiful.
The story is beautifully written, with the winterwonderland landscape of Lapland, some hard conversations, and strong friendships.
I loved everything about The Christmas Escape, and I need more from this author whom I am relatively new to.
cleg11's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Another good book from Sarah.
Christy’s estranged auntie Robyn lives in Lapland with her husband Erik and has invited Christy and her family to visit for Christmas.
Christy’s husband Seb reveals that he has lost his job and needs to delay the trip by a few days so he can attend an interview. Christy decides to stay and travel with him at a later date, asking her best friend Alix and Seb’s friend Zak to take their daughter Holly and they will join them a few days later. Holly is a live wire and cannot sit still for a moment, can Alix and Zak manage to keep her safe until her mom and dad arrive without arguing themselves. A book about love, relationships and friendships.
Another good book from Sarah.
Christy’s estranged auntie Robyn lives in Lapland with her husband Erik and has invited Christy and her family to visit for Christmas.
Christy’s husband Seb reveals that he has lost his job and needs to delay the trip by a few days so he can attend an interview. Christy decides to stay and travel with him at a later date, asking her best friend Alix and Seb’s friend Zak to take their daughter Holly and they will join them a few days later. Holly is a live wire and cannot sit still for a moment, can Alix and Zak manage to keep her safe until her mom and dad arrive without arguing themselves. A book about love, relationships and friendships.
wortewald's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
reading_fox's review against another edition
3.0
This was a fun, christmas read but I didn't enjoy it as much as I loved my last Morgan read. Mainly because it started to become really repetitive about 60% of the way through, with both of the main female characters becoming a bit pathetic
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
The Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan is a heartwarming novel with a magical setting.
Christy Sullivan is planning the perfect Christmas for her husband Seb and their four-year-old daughter Holly. They, along with best friends Alix and Zac, are traveling to Lapland, Sweden where Christy will also meet her estranged Aunt Robyn. But Christy’s world begins to fall apart when doubts begin to creep in about Seb. She is also frustrated with ongoing problems with their cottage. When Seb finally opens up to her, Christy realizes she needs to focus on her marriage. So, she asks her best friend Alix to take Holly to Lapland while she remains home with Seb. But unknown to Alix, Christy has also asked Zac to accompany them. Alix is less than thrilled at the news, but she will do anything to for her best friend. And anyway, she won’t actually have to spend time with him, will she?
Christy and Seb’s whirlwind romance quickly ended in marriage and a dream cottage in the country. She has always envisioned the life she wants for herself and her family. She works hard to keep everything on track which is not always easy and her effort to keep everything perfect is sometimes exhausting. Christy and Seb spend a lot of time with their energetic and highly curious daughter and it takes an unexpected crisis to make Christy realize her priorities need to change.
Alix is a highly successful career woman who loves her job which also provides the opportunity to travel. Due to her dysfunctional childhood, she has her emotional barriers in place. Alix dates but she has never had a relationship beyond her close friendship with Christy. But because of something she said to Christy before her friend's wedding, they have not been quite as close. Although Alix feels like her friend is keeping something from her, she does not hesitate to agree to take Holly to Lapland on her own.
While Aunt Robyn’s Lapland resort is stunning, tension underlies the visit. Alix cannot avoid Zac who wants to talk about the last time they were together. She wants nothing to do with that emotional time but their close contact makes it impossible to ignore. Once Christy arrives, the simmering undercurrents in their friendship make their time together extremely awkward. Christy is an expert at ignoring difficult things so she first spends time with Aunt Robyn who reveals stunning information about the family’s past. Her next meeting with Alix does not go as planned once Christy heatedly tells her friends exactly what has been bothering her. With Christmas right around the corner, will Christy and Alix mend their tattered friendship? And will Alix give her fragile relationship with Zac a chance to grown into more than a holiday fling?
The Christmas Escape is a beautiful holiday novel that tugs on the heartstrings. Christy’s crisis with Seb provides them much needed time to remember why they fell in love. She also learns a lot about herself and decides to make much needed changes going forward. Alix comes to surprising realizations that give her a better understanding of how much her past is still affecting her. Under the glow of the Northern Lights, Sarah Morgan brings this heartfelt novel of healing to a deeply affecting conclusion.
The Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan is a heartwarming novel with a magical setting.
Christy Sullivan is planning the perfect Christmas for her husband Seb and their four-year-old daughter Holly. They, along with best friends Alix and Zac, are traveling to Lapland, Sweden where Christy will also meet her estranged Aunt Robyn. But Christy’s world begins to fall apart when doubts begin to creep in about Seb. She is also frustrated with ongoing problems with their cottage. When Seb finally opens up to her, Christy realizes she needs to focus on her marriage. So, she asks her best friend Alix to take Holly to Lapland while she remains home with Seb. But unknown to Alix, Christy has also asked Zac to accompany them. Alix is less than thrilled at the news, but she will do anything to for her best friend. And anyway, she won’t actually have to spend time with him, will she?
Christy and Seb’s whirlwind romance quickly ended in marriage and a dream cottage in the country. She has always envisioned the life she wants for herself and her family. She works hard to keep everything on track which is not always easy and her effort to keep everything perfect is sometimes exhausting. Christy and Seb spend a lot of time with their energetic and highly curious daughter and it takes an unexpected crisis to make Christy realize her priorities need to change.
Alix is a highly successful career woman who loves her job which also provides the opportunity to travel. Due to her dysfunctional childhood, she has her emotional barriers in place. Alix dates but she has never had a relationship beyond her close friendship with Christy. But because of something she said to Christy before her friend's wedding, they have not been quite as close. Although Alix feels like her friend is keeping something from her, she does not hesitate to agree to take Holly to Lapland on her own.
While Aunt Robyn’s Lapland resort is stunning, tension underlies the visit. Alix cannot avoid Zac who wants to talk about the last time they were together. She wants nothing to do with that emotional time but their close contact makes it impossible to ignore. Once Christy arrives, the simmering undercurrents in their friendship make their time together extremely awkward. Christy is an expert at ignoring difficult things so she first spends time with Aunt Robyn who reveals stunning information about the family’s past. Her next meeting with Alix does not go as planned once Christy heatedly tells her friends exactly what has been bothering her. With Christmas right around the corner, will Christy and Alix mend their tattered friendship? And will Alix give her fragile relationship with Zac a chance to grown into more than a holiday fling?
The Christmas Escape is a beautiful holiday novel that tugs on the heartstrings. Christy’s crisis with Seb provides them much needed time to remember why they fell in love. She also learns a lot about herself and decides to make much needed changes going forward. Alix comes to surprising realizations that give her a better understanding of how much her past is still affecting her. Under the glow of the Northern Lights, Sarah Morgan brings this heartfelt novel of healing to a deeply affecting conclusion.
katysantandrea's review against another edition
4.0
Perfect Christmas reading. New goal to make it to Lapland for a Christmas as it sounded magical.
sslovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was such an enjoyable read again from Sarah Morgan.
Set in Lapland It immediately provides the Christmas feeling and the importance on nature and it’s impact on emotions is clear in the authors writing.
There is romance in this but there is so many more layers - family, marriage, sisterhood, friendships, lovers, parents and things not said or said in situations where we as humans question motives and reasons.
I thought this was one of her best books - setting was superb, characters were strong and I felt I knew them well and the storyline wove a family drama which gave me all the Christmas vibes I was looking for.
Thanks the the author, publisher and NetGalley for a gifted copy of this in return for an honest review.
A Christmas tale which will give you all you need in a Xmas read.
Set in Lapland It immediately provides the Christmas feeling and the importance on nature and it’s impact on emotions is clear in the authors writing.
There is romance in this but there is so many more layers - family, marriage, sisterhood, friendships, lovers, parents and things not said or said in situations where we as humans question motives and reasons.
I thought this was one of her best books - setting was superb, characters were strong and I felt I knew them well and the storyline wove a family drama which gave me all the Christmas vibes I was looking for.
Thanks the the author, publisher and NetGalley for a gifted copy of this in return for an honest review.
A Christmas tale which will give you all you need in a Xmas read.
danabaran06's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely Christmas read. Nicely tangled and complicated relationships that are smoothed out against the backdrop of a winter wonderland. I may have just added Christmas in Lapland to my bucket list.
chloe_reads_from_france's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a great love story again ! At Christmas! Loved it !