Member Reviews
I really enjoyed the book, although the cynic in me felt that much of what happened would never actually happen in real life and the plot was somewhat far-fetched. However, Annie and Patrick were such interesting and complex characters that you were rooting for them from the start, and the possibility of them not getting together was just too awful to contemplate. Their journey was believable under the circumstances because of doubts and anxieties on both sides due to their past history. Alexander was a cad - the one to boo in the pantomime every time he comes on stage. Annie’s mother wasn’t a lot better. The reader could really relate to their tempestuous relationship, but they did eventually reach a better understanding. This was real escapism, and the perfect summer read.
The Lucky Escape is Laura Jane Williams' third novel, and is just as good as the others!
Annie was due to marry Alexander, but he doesn't show up for the wedding, so when she ends up going on her honeymoon with an old friend, Patrick, it's not quite the honeymoon she had thought she was going to have!
Annie is reminded of who she used to be, pre Alexander, and this is the perfect trip to reset herself.
This is a romance, with unexpected moments, sadness and joy. I really enjoyed reading Annie and Patrick's journey.
The Lucky Escape was published on 10th June 2021 and is available from Amazon, Waterstones and Bookshop.org.
You can follow Laura Jane Williams on Twitter , Instagram and her website .
You can read my reviews for Laura Jane Williams books:
Our Stop
The Love Square
I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Avon Books .
DNF @ 13%
The Lucky Escape wasn't terrible, it was just mediocre in the worst of ways. I felt absolutely no inclination to pick it up and I was bored while reading. Maybe it just takes a bit to get into it, but I don't really have the patience to wait for it.
The Lucky Escape was a great, easy-to-read romance book. This book was all about taking charge of your life and doing what makes you happy. It’s the perfect summer read and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick summer romance story. Thank you to Avon Books UK and to NetGalley for gifting me an ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.
I’m actually surprised that this is the first Laura Jane Williams book that I have read because I’ve had a few on my TBR list for a while but I was definitely in the mood for a bit of light-hearted reading and I wanted something that I was sure would make a good sunny day read.
From the description, this book sounded like a lot of fun but I was pleasantly surprised by how much more there was to this story than what I expected. As well as exploring a new flirtation, being more adventurous and living life in the present, it explored unhealthy relationships but not the extreme kind, the kind that most of us could easily fall into and the sacrifices and consequences both big and small that can come from them, but I like that it was approached with a sense of empowerment for Annie to help with her growth as a character.
The setting was fantastic, the honeymoon was total luxury and had me yearning for a bit of travel and pampering, but I liked the contrast when Annie and Patrick came home and how their lives compared when they got back to their normal. I really liked both Annie and Patrick their chemistry was great and I liked that Patrick brought out Annie’s adventurous side but that they both spurred each other on as they got to know each other better. There was also a really lovely relationship between Annie and her sister and I really liked Adzo but I wish we’d gotten a little bit more from her character.
What I enjoyed about the writing is that it is really relatable and full of observations that are really obvious once you read them but that I wouldn’t have really thought about before and it was nice to have some of these messages to give the reader a bit of empowerment too.
The Lucky Escape did make a good summer read and I’m excited to delve into other books by this author.
This is a definite Laura book.
Pulls you in gets you hooked from the start.
A great summer read full of love and heartbreak.
Loved it
Thanks NetGalley
I really really enjoyed The Lucky Escape - it took a little while to fully pull me in but once it did, I was all in. Annie shows up at the church for her wedding to Alexander only to learn he’s not coming. She’s devestated and heartbroken.
Annie runs into Patrick at the gym and they realize they knew each other many years ago at drama camp. They end up deciding to go on Annie’s honeymoon together. At this point I almost stopped because I think I was wanting it to be The Unhoneymooners with that setup but this is a very different story. And I’m so so glad I stuck with it.
If you’ve read other romance reviews I’ve written, you may know how important communication to me and how much I love a story that models strong communication. And oh, Patrick Hummingbird, I do so love you. Not only does he quote Glennon Doyle, he shows that he’s living it in how he responds to different situations. And Annie is learning - she makes mistakes and she learns from them. Ahhhh. All of that is such catnip for me.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free advance reading copy.
This trip down under was the perfect escapism read. It was a delight to read something light and fluffy after reading so many thrillers recently!
I loved the main characters. I especially loved the relationships that Annie had with her younger sister and with her dad. Patrick was so likeable too and the perfect person to accompany Annie on her non-honeymoon! Although I can't quite imagine a YOLO attitude and deciding to take someone else on your intended honeymoon! Saying that I've never known anyone to be jilted at the alter! It's such an unforgivable situation! What a time to decide that the marriage is not what you want anymore! So straight away , Alexander was in my bad books!
I was glad that Annie did take the YOLO attitude and went on the luxurious Australian trip with her old friend! The places on the trip sounded amazing , wine tasting and lovely beaches would certainly help mend a broken heart..or two
There were some really funny moments .. naked spa springs to mind! A sweet and funny rom com set in a gorgeous place that I'd love to visit one day!
This was a fun, light hearted read, some quite predictable outcomes but also a book that shows our main character discovering more about herself and standing up for what she wants.
I skimmed this one. The blurb seemed predictable, but that doesn't mean it won't be the best version of the concept you've ever read, so that never stops me from picking up (or in this case, requesting!) a book. It just wasn't for me in this case. Meh.
I really struggled to get into this and did not finish it which was disappointing as I loved the authors other books
⭐ 3.5 stars ⭐
Annie turns up to her wedding day to find her future husband Alexander has ditched her at the alter. Embarrassed by their son's actions, Alexander's parents encourage Annie to still go on the honeymoon they had gifted the couple. After a chance encounter with her old friend Patrick, Annie invites him to accompany her on the trip to Australia. Could the spontaneous trip on the other side of the world mend her broken heart?
This book was a mixed bag for me. I really enjoyed the first half, with the cancelled wedding and reading about their travels around Australia... but it kind of lost my interest when they arrived back in London. It was like I was experiencing the holiday blues alongside them!
I liked Annie's character, and found her quite relatable when she was comparing herself to those around her. I liked Patrick in the beginning, but towards the end I found him quite toxic! He seemed to put a lot of unnecessary pressure on Annie, which didn't sit well with me! Give the girl a break...
There were times where I thought the story might take a more original direction, but unfortunately I found the ending quite predictable. I've come to expect this from "holiday reads", and I'm dying for an author to throw a curveball and surprise me!
I would recommend this book if you're after a lighthearted, feel-good summer read. Perfect for a pool day!
Thank you to Avon books for an eARC of this book on exchange for an honest review!
When Annie is left at the altar she doesn’t know how she’s going to move on. But after running into an old childhood friend, Patrick, and her (almost) in laws encouraging her to take the honeymoon to Australia they had paid for, she finds she might be able to restart her life after all. I’m sure you can guess where this story goes but that doesn’t deter from the enjoyment of it in any way. A really lovely story that kept me interested throughout. Perfect summer read!
I enjoyed this book, it was a fun read but also a bit serious at times. After getting left at the alter, then deciding to go on her honeymoon with an old friend, it left you wondering where things would lead and if she'd find her happily ever after. I liked that it's not just an easy change from one guy to the next, and leaves you waiting until the end on whether it will work out or not!
*arc provided by netgalley for honest review
This author was new to me, but I loved this book! It was different from what I was expecting but loved it! Highly, highly recommend!
Another cracker of a book by Laura Jane Williams!
The cover grabbed my attention immediately, the synopsis pulled me in. I really enjoyed the storyline.
The characters were well written and a lovely chemistry to give you all the feels!!
The story flowed well and moved at a nice pace. I found this with Our Stop too, really well written stories that keep the reader engaged and turning pages.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 📚
Wonderful story that I throughly enjoyed, Will absolutely look for more by this author. Very enjoyable. Thank you netgalley and publisher for this arc in exchange of an honest review.
Super cute book!! I loved the characters and really enjoyed watching Patrick and Annie fall for each other. I am a sucker for a good vacation romance and this was perfect to read by the pool!!
This was my first time reading a novel by Laura Jane Williams. It was a good romantic plot with likable characters. The best part was being whisked away when traveling was not an option!
Thank you Net Galley and Avon UK Publishing for my digital arc in exchange for my honest review.
From the moment I picked this book up I knew it was going to be good. It’s well written and so easy to follow even though the story moves quickly. I went through so many emotions when reading this, I really felt for Annie when she was jilted and in the process of building herself back up… then in walks Patrick and the trip to the gorgeous Australia (breathe!). I loved reading the story between them, many parts had me laughing out loud. It was great to experience the growth and self-discovery Annie went through, from being at her lowest point to her highest. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who hasn’t picked it up.
with not being able to travel this year, this book definitely ticked off the travel check list for me. While it did have it sad aspects, I really enjoyed this book as a whole.