Cute and lighthearted. I think this would make a fabulous beach read cause it’s easy to set down and pick back up whenever. Good story but didn’t really standout to me so 3 stars.

The Lucky Escape by Laura Jane Williams is a charming, feel-good rom-com that explores heartbreak, healing, and self-discovery through a delightfully unexpected twist of fate. The novel follows Annie, who is left devastated after being jilted at the altar by her fiancé, Alexander. What starts as a painful moment of rejection turns into an opportunity for transformation when Annie reconnects with Patrick, an old friend who seems to spark a new sense of adventure in her life.

Williams expertly taps into the emotional turmoil Annie faces after her failed wedding. Annie’s confusion, heartbreak, and feelings of self-doubt are relatable, and readers will empathize with her as she questions how she could have been so wrong about the man she was about to marry. Yet, while the premise sounds heavy, Williams brings a lightness to the story, balancing the serious themes of heartbreak with plenty of humor, warmth, and moments of self-reflection.

The chance reunion with Patrick breathes fresh air into Annie’s life and offers her an unexpected opportunity to step away from the pain. Patrick himself is a refreshing character—easygoing, supportive, and, above all, someone who doesn’t try to "fix" Annie but encourages her to take chances. The chemistry between Annie and Patrick feels organic and sweet, with their banter and playful interactions providing a much-needed respite from the emotional heaviness of Annie’s failed wedding. Their relationship gradually unfolds during their spontaneous honeymoon trip, which is packed with picturesque adventures and moments of pure joy.

The highlight of the novel is how Williams portrays Annie’s personal growth. The decision to say “yes” to life’s opportunities, despite the heartbreak she’s endured, is empowering. Her journey isn’t just about finding love again, but about rediscovering herself—her passions, her confidence, and her zest for life. The novel champions self-love and independence, which sets it apart from more traditional romance plots.

The plot might not be entirely unpredictable—there are familiar tropes such as a getaway to exotic locations, a slow-burn romance, and a moment of misunderstanding—but Williams handles these elements with a modern and witty touch. The novel’s pace is steady, and the supporting characters add vibrancy to the story, particularly Annie's best friends, who offer comic relief and grounding perspectives.

Overall, The Lucky Escape is an enjoyable read with a relatable heroine and an uplifting message about taking chances, even when life doesn’t go as planned. It’s perfect for readers looking for a heartwarming romance, some armchair travel, and a story that emphasizes the importance of personal growth alongside romantic love.

Full disclosure - I adore Laura Jane’s writing and every thing she does. Her writing is so engaging with colourful characters, sweet romance and second chances. This is a glorious escapist read, highly recommend:

🎧 The Lucky Escape 🎧⁣
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⁣Genre- Contemporary Romance. ⁣
I’m pretty proud of myself for reading the oldest book on my NetGalley unread shelf. The Lucky Escape was published in June 2021 and features a jilted bride who is shocked when her fiancée cancels their wedding- leaving her heartbroken and confused! ⁣
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⁣What to expect: ⁣
⁣- A free Honeymoon with an old, recently reacquainted friend. ⁣
⁣- Annie is going through lots of stuff. She can be baffling and isn’t always the most likable character. ⁣
⁣- Australia. I think I enjoyed the travel talk to most! ⁣
⁣- It moved a little too slowly for my preference. ⁣
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⁣Overall- it was fine! I’m not mad I read it! Three stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
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⁣Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of Lucky Escape.

The Lucky Escape by Laura Jane Williams is a perfect fit for readers who adore lighthearted, emotional, and hopeful stories about second chances at love, romance, and self-discovery, with a dash of humor and a strong female protagonist who takes control of her life and heart.

This is probably my favourite romance read of the year so far and one that I am definitely going to recommend to everyone. It's about a romantic journey, but Annie also goes a rather large personal journey of self discovery, as well as the physical journey of going to Australia.

I felt an immense sense of pride at Annie's growth and felt that she was so well drawn that she became extremely believable. I have found myself sighing, awwing, laughing and crying at this moving, thoughtful and ultimately heart-warming book.

This is a wonderful escapist read about finding someone who is right for you, choosing a career path that makes you happy, and the complexity of family. Ultimately though, this book is about what it means to find yourself, and in particular to find your inner strength and confidence to always advocate for yourself.

What a gorgeous read!

So wanted to like this one - I mean, the premise was captivating. But then I started reading, and it didn't click. The awkward names and nicknames in the heroine's family, plus a thirteen-year-old sister who I constantly expected to be five or six based on the way she is presented and referred to... Then there was the vomit on the wedding dress - I couldn't find this story much the character aspirational, which then didn't make me click with the story, unfortunately

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

I liked this book, there’s some parts where I felt a bit underwhelmed but, for the majority it was an easy read!

I unfortunately didn't have the time to get to reading it before it archived! Though I will pick it up in the future.
So please disregard the low rating as Netgalley forces me to put one down with my review.

The Lucky Escape was cute, fun and lighthearted. I would have loved this pace to be slightly faster and the plot and characters didn't stand out too much for me. But this is a great read that doesn't require my full attention making it a great vacation read.

A cute summer read, perfect for a day at the beach or by the pool! While I didn’t connect with the main character as much as I hoped, I was surprised at how funny some parts were. Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

I wasn’t sure I was going to like this, but was a great lighthearted book. Would be a perfect holiday read! Will be checking out this authors other books for sure.

This book was one that I was super excited to pick up because the premise sounded like it would be a ton of fun. I was a little surprised with how disappointed I was with the read after finishing it. I overall enjoyed the book as a whole but found myself getting annoyed with Annie multiple times and that hindered my enjoyment a bit. Additionally, I hated how little of the honeymoon we got to read about when that was the part that I was most excited to read.

The structure of the book was something that I wish were different, but from what I got I was pleased with the read and still flew through it.

I received this book complimentary from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

This was very cute and sweet. I really enjoyed the setting and the characters. The story was rich and the characters thought-out and detailed. I would read another by this author.

God, I felt so sorry for Annie! I was immediately drawn into the story and sympathised with her, wanting her to have a stroke of good luck after being jilted, and Williams' writing told her tale in such a realistic way.

Full of humour and heart, an entertaining and fast-paced read that i absolutely recommend!! Especially if you're looking for a summery rom-com

I enjoyed this title because it was an easy and light read but didn't really connect with the characters and the story as much as I'd have liked to...

Classic feel good book. Great premise. Reslly enjoyed it. I love a wedding honeymoon without husband but new guy/enemies to lovers trope.

I absolutely loved this book, it was such a beautiful easy to read story that just captures your attention and makes you smile.