The build-up to actually getting to the vacation took longer than expected, but I understood why the author did wrote it that way. It did help with establishing their relationship and characteristics and made it different than a traditional romance book to me. However, I felt there was a lot of repetitiveness in both of their behaviors which got to be annoying at points.

I have to say I was quite disappointed with the book overall. After reading The Love Square last year, I was hopeful that this would be a fun and interesting read too.

The premise is definitely one that caught my attention. Annie had been left at the altar by Alexander, her college boyfriend. She reconnects with a friend from theatre camp by chance, and thus begins a whirlwind romance. It's pretty clear that Patrick and Annie are going to end up together, especially when he dares her to go on her honeymoon, not alone, but with him! And she actually does!

Annie annoyed me a lot. I felt her character lacked real depth. And her professional life is written very poorly. Is she a theoretical physicist? Why is she in a corporate setting then, is she in R & D? What was her motivation to become a theoretical physicist?? Nobody in the world would choose that as the easy or good career choice with lots of opportunities. It felt like very lazy writing, giving her a fancy job, that has no basis in reality or even a fabricated reality.

The honeymoon was the best part of this, as we got to travel (while being stuck at home). That was some lovely escapism. But Annie and Patrick didn't have a lot of chemistry in my mind. They seemed better as flirting friends. And Patrick's whole life philosophy didn't seem as cool and revolutionary to me as it did to Annie. How did he get three weeks off work for that honeymoon too!!

Overall, I had trouble getting through this book. With more attention to the details of Annie and Patrick's lives, it could have been a great one. Like why did Alexander's parents pay for this exorbitant honeymoon for her, and then we never really see them later on (except when Alex mentions they miss Annie). I'd have liked to see that reunion and see their relationship, rather than just being told repeatedly how much they love Annie. Since their input into the storyline was so huge, it would have made a lot of sense to show them interact with her.

I am grateful to the publishers for providing an ARC via NetGalley.

Having enjoyed the authors books before, I was very intrigued by this book. Jilted on her wedding day, Annie is devastated. She mopes for a little while before deciding to try and get back out there, bumping into old friend Patrick when she does.

Her in laws are ashamed about how their son treated her and tell her to go on the honeymoon regardless - and Patrick ends up going along for the ride! Now these must be very understanding in laws because even though their son was a piece of garbage, I doubt many people would allow another man to go on the holiday that they technically paid for!

It was nice to see Annie rekindle an old friendship and I loved the relationship between Annie and her little sister. Her mum was a little infuriating, overbearing and judgemental but it was nice to see them finally find some common ground.

I think the ending could have been a little stronger but overall this was a fantastic read.

This book is pure beach read escapism- it’s full of optimism, joy, and the message that good things are waiting for you. It all starts when Annie gets left at the altar on her wedding day (and her would-be groom lets her know through a text to the WEDDING PLANNER?!). There is one positive- her ex’s parents feel guilty about the whole thing and tell her to go on the all-expenses-paid honeymoon without him. After meeting up with an old friend at an exercise class, Annie decides to embrace his ‘YOLO’ outlook and take him with her on her honeymoon.
I have to admit, it did take me a while to get into this book. I do feel bad about this because obviously Annie was grieving her relationship but I found her difficult to warm to at first- she was very self deprecating and seemed to have very little agency. However, the side characters really did make me stick with it- Annie’s female friends and her little sister made a huge impression despite not having a huge role in the book. It’s really nice to see female relationships presented as so essential and valuable, and I loved how her friends were all at different stages of life, and yet no one’s lifestyle was without problems.
I really liked the love interest, Patrick. He’s a big believer of living every day in the moment, despite grieving himself. However, at times I found him hard to relate to- his optimism sometimes felt false, and when he did get angry or upset it could sometimes feel strange too. I did like him and I think him and Annie work very well together, but at times I struggled to relate to him. The overall message that he teaches Annie- that you should live life for yourself, is something I really liked.
Honestly, my favourite scenes were on the actual honeymoon- the sheer escapism of losing yourself in a book where someone else has paid for you to have a posh holiday, with all the fanciest days out and hotel rooms, is just such an escape from lockdown. I hope that when this book is actually released, these scenes will be possible for people, because when I read it, it felt like a distant dream!
My main criticism is just that I found some sections of the book to be quite slow. When it was good, it was really good- and I stuck around for these sections. If you need a lighthearted escapism read, I would recommend this one.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Avon Books for allowing me early access to this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

*gifted in exchange for an honest review*

I love Laura Jane Williams books! Annie is a loveable character, and we instantly fell for her after she was left outside the church on her wedding day, by Alexander (who we instantly don't like). Patrick however, is an old friend of Annie's and when they catch up at boot camp, she knows he's not the type of man who would leaver her at the altar.

I loved following Annie's empowerment after losing her university love. She was strong and Patrick was the perfect example of a man to help her. It was a little predictable in the second half but that's ok.

Annie gets left at the altar...yes. The ultimate FU of breakups. When her ex’s parents offer for her to get up, dust off and take that all expense paid honeymoon to gorgeous Australia for 3 weeks- she just can’t. Until she meets her old drama camp friend Pongy Patrick. Ol Patrick is silly, kind and just the fun Annie needs right now. The fact that they are strictly friends takes the pressure off when she invites him to join her in Australia.
The story is adorable and we follow both Annie and Patrick on their own inner self cleanse of love. But it’s a bit cliche in bits. We all feel where it’s headed...

A great summer beach read for those who love quick romance novels. I liked the book overall, but also thought the book was too long. I didn't connect with the main character at all - I thought she was not very likeable and I definitely wasn't rooting for her.

Thank you to the author, Avon Books UK, and NetGalley for providing a copy to review!

My heart broke for Annie but being able to watch to flourish was lovely. She held back from making herself happy for so long and as she became more confined it was great to see the decisions she made for herself

Annie Wiig never expected to be left at the altar. She also never expected her ex-in-laws to force her to go on a lavish 3 week honeymoon to Australia either, but after 2 weeks of laying in bed and venturing to Barry’s Bootcamp, she realizes an Australian holiday might be what she needs. She also doesn’t expect to be reunited with Patrick Hummingbird from her days at theater camp, or to have him join her on her not-honeymoon. As Annie navigates the unexpected, she also navigates through self-discovery and realizes she made a lucky escape being left at the altar. Annie throws caution to the wind and starts to realize that she must expect the unexpected, and she must start living her life the way she wants. Starting with a possible romance in Australia with Patrick Hummingbird.

This book will make an absolutely perfect beach read this summer. It is light and fun and the Australian setting is perfect. The book loses its way towards the end, and Annie can be frustrating at times, but overall a fun read.

Let me preface this by saying I ADORED Our Stop, so I was over the moon to see another romance release from Laura Jane Williams. The Lucky Escape is a tender and sweet story with an overarching female empowerment message, and it was meaningful without taking itself too seriously. Fans of Beth O’Leary, Emily Henry and Christina Lauren will enjoy.

When Annie is dumped at the alter she is broken, she never saw it coming and was devastated. Throwing herself into trying a new bootcamp she meets an old acquaintance, Patrick, soon their friendship evolves into a security blanket she needs. When her ex’s mother suggests she still goes on the honeymoon with a friend she takes Patrick. His refreshing outlook on life is exactly what Annie needs to reevaluate her own life.
I really did love this book. It was funny, romantic and perfect to read during these strange times! Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

How gorgeous is the cover of this book? Drew me right in!

As far as stories go, this is one of the more heartfelt romance books I've read and has one of the most independent characters I've read in a while! Annie, after being jilted at the alter is left to pick up the pieces of what went wrong with her almost marriage and ends up going on a honeymoon with a man she used to know. And that man is Patrick Hummingbird (I can't get over his surname, it's the sweetest!).

I loved Patrick, he's all you could want in a book boyfriend, seriously. Sweet, handsome, caring. Checks all the boxes.

This book wasn't all cupcakes and rainbows though, and I think that's what sets it apart. It deals with subjects such as love, loss and moving forward. The importance of finding oneself. The importance of not letting a relationship define you and of not letting a relationship take over you. We all know that someone who isn't treated fairly in a relationship, letting their own self worth slip away. This book really showed how one deals with discovering how they were treated in a relationship that didn't seem toxic while in it, but was found to be toxic when looking at it from a different perspective.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the earc in return for an honest review.

The Lucky Escape is just the dose of sweet and romantic escapism in you seek out in contemporary romcom. When Annie is jilted at the altar, her old friend Patrick comes to the rescue and over the course of an already paid for honeymoon, Annie comes to terms with truths about her ex, herself and her friend Patrick, who is obviously more than just a friend.
This story didn’t break any barriers or new ground, but it’s exactly the beach read you’re in search of for an assured HEA and an uncomplicated read.

The writing style, the plot and everything else just didn't work for me. I'm sure this book could potentially work for someone, just didn't work for me.

Annie is left at the altar but the man she thought she was meant to be with. Her would-be-in-laws want her to go on the honeymoon anyways. Then, Annie meets Patrick, a guy from her past, and decides to go with him on the honeymoon.

The story was divided into 3 parts: left at the alter, honeymoon and after Australia. I REALLY loved the first two parts. I loved the introduction of Patrick and their days in Australia, but I felt like I needed more of the honeymoon part. These two parts were a 5☆.

I was, however, disappointed with the third part of the story. I liked the conversation of how it's okay to change your career when you're 30. But, I hated that she started doubting her relationship with Patrick because of what her mom, which is known to not be supportive of her daughter, which made 0 sense to me. Also, the ending felt lacking.

Review based on an ARC provided by the publishers.

Another wonderful story from Laura Jane Williams.

After being jilted at the altar, Annie grieves the loss of her long term relationship to Alexander. She tries to get back on her feet, which leads to her meeting an old friend from her teenage years, Patrick. One wine-fueled evening out and Annie and Patrick travel to Australia together for Annie's three week holiday.

Of course sparks fly. However, just because Annie promised herself to say "yes" to opportunities coming her way from now on, doesn't mean this holiday fling would work out back in London. Especially not when Annie is faced with even more "yes-worthy" opportunities.

As mentioned above, I read an ARC of this book. I thought the last 20% were a bit rushed, but this might be smoothed out before the book hits the market. I'm looking forward to close my talons around a final copy of this book and adding it to my hoard - I mean shelves.

This was my first book by Laura Jane Williams, and though the flow wasn't all there, I enjoyed it overall. The beginning dragged a bit, it definitely could have been cut down and lessened the 400 pages. Australia was such a good time-- great communication, fun flirting and banter, and a nice vacation to different spots with minimal facts about them. I appreciate when the characters are being tourists but I don't feel like I'm reading a tour guide book with all the information being thrown at me. It felt disjointed when the relationship stuff started, especially after they returned to London. The characters personalities seemed to keep changing in the last bit and they weren't consistent with each other or what was said during their great communication on the trip. As I said, the middle part was great, but the start and finish definitely needed some work.

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley!

This book was soooo good! OMG, I was laughing so hard in some parts I snorted, that’s how good this hook was!

I received an ARC copy of The Lucky Escape and I am oh so glad I did! I have not read any of Laura Jane Williams’ other books and I loved coming into this with a completely open mind. This is heartwarming story of bouncing back and finding love after feeling like you’ve lost it all. I loved everything about Annie’s character and in some ways I could directly relate. I couldn’t quite get on board with Patrick (I found him annoying), but their relationship evolved effortlessly, and I think he was exactly what Annie needed. Overall, it was a light hearted and enjoyable romantic comedy that will be at the top of summer beach read lists!