The Christmas Escape
Sarah Morgan

Morgan’s latest Christmas novel is a true treasure about second chances, friendship and family, the family we’re born into, the family of the heart and the families we make.
It’s hard to pick the best thing about Sarah Morgan’s The Christmas Escape because there’s so much to choose from. Take the location, can there be a better place to set a Christmas story than the Swedish Lapland’s, hunkered down in a luxury resort surrounded by an idyllic snow globe winter wonderland and topped off by the Aurora Borealis? Or take the storyline about reuniting with long lost family, about secrets, regrets and hopes for the future. Or maybe the characters everyone of whom is imperative to the telling of this incredible Christmas tale. Or this master storyteller herself who just gets better and better with each novel. You see it just doesn’t matter which way you turn The Christmas Escape is this year’s must read holiday story.

Christy Sullivan is a planner and this year she planned the perfect Lapland Christmas for her own little family and her best friend Alix visiting her black sheep aunt who was a taboo subject while her mother was alive but now one she wants to get to know. But just as it’s time to leave her husband Seb has an emergency and she needs to stay home for a few extra days. Not wanting her daughter Holly to miss out on anything also means asking her best friend Alix to go ahead of them and take care of Holly. And knowing what a handful Holly can be she also recruits Seb’s best bud Zac to lend a hand.
Alix Carpenter has Christy to thank for her loving Christmas, in fact if it wasn’t for Christy and her family Alix would have never survived her childhood, but Christy has no idea about the Pandora’s box she opened asking both Alix and Zac to look after Holly. Well how could she know because Alix never confided in her best friend about her past history with Zac. And Alix isn’t sure she’ll survive this Christmas if she has to spend it in such close quarters with a man she just wants to forget.

It’s been two years since Christy Sullivan’s mother died in a car accident. Her only remaining relative is an aunt, Robyn Svennson, who she’s never met as she and her sister were estranged. Christy needs an escape from the country cottage she and husband Seb purchased that’s become more like a money pit so she reaches out to her Aunt Robyn and husband Erik who own a lodge in the Swedish Lapland and makes plans to spend the Christmas holiday with them. It is an idyllic location for her, Seb and daughter Holly to getaway. She’s also invited her best friend Alix Carpenter to join them. However, a few days before the scheduled trip, Christy and Seb have a marriage crisis and Alix agrees to go ahead with Holly. Seb’s best friend Zac is also accompanying them (unknown to Alix) to provide much need help with the four year old.

The story is told from the points of view of Robyn, Christy and Alix though Christy carries much of the heft of the narratives. Each of these women are burdened by their pasts, but Robyn and Alix’s histories are the saddest. Until Christy married Seb, she and Alix shared everything but her friend’s opposition to her marriage has put some topics out of bounds. Alix’s parents are highly successful and never wanted a child, thus raising her with indifference. She began spending more time with Christy’s family, which became the family of her heart. The distance she’s experiencing from Christy is traumatizing as she’s all she has. But she’s holding back, too, and it involves Zac. The reason for Robyn’s estrangement from Christy’s mother has never been shared with Christy and Robyn’s unsure whether that truth will permanently sever the relationship.

You would think that these three plot lines would upend the seasonal aspect of the story and laden it with too much drama. It was quite the opposite as the issues were seamlessly woven into the threads of the relationships and Holly kept the spirit of the season front and center throughout. I loved how Christy and Alix dealt with the issues that almost tore their friendship to threads. It wasn’t pretty but it also brought out the best from their partners, Seb and Zac, who recognized the importance of their relationship. We had to wait a long time to get Robyn’s story but it was well worth the delay. The setting put me in the holiday mode as the sleighs, reindeer and snow covered vistas were easy to visualize and imagine. I felt like I was there. I listened to the story and the narrator did a wonderful job in providing distinctive voices for the three points of view. She delivered a fine performance, even capturing Holly’s excitement throughout. I always enjoy the holiday stories by this author and she’s kept the tradition going with this one.

This cozy Christmas novel does an excellent job of exploring relationships-both romantic and friendship. I love how each conflict felt realistic, but managed to come to a happy conclusion without feeling the least bit forced. This is an excellent read for someone looking for a christmas novel that's romance light, but still a great read.

There were a lot of layers to this book and if you are looking for family dynamics this might be for you. A forced proximity romance in lapland gives the book a winter wonderland feel against failing friendships, loneliness, and the denial of attraction to someone right in front of you. I enjoyed this and found it to be very interesting. I liked the idea of a hidden family secret but was a bit disappointed about the reveal. I was hoping for something much more dramatic. If the reveal had been better I would have liked this more or if the reveal had been cut out and we focused more on the romantic relationships than side plots I think this could have been even better. with that being said I did really like the writing style and would be interested in more books by the author.

Christy’s only surviving relative is her aunt, Robyn. Christy has never met Robyn. But, Christy needs an escape. So she takes the bull by the horns and reaches out to Robyn. Life turns on a dime, and Christy sends her daughter ahead of her with her friend, Alix. What could go wrong? Need to read this and find out!

This novel follows three characters, Christy, Alix and Robyn. So, it was a bit confusing and it took a while to get all of it pulled together. However, when all the links finally came together it was wonderful, it just took too long to get there.

I did find Alix pretty dang funny. And the twists and turns made this story dramatic. Plus, the author did a great job keeping the Christmas spirit running throughout this tale!

This is not my favorite Sarah Morgan book. But I did like it ok…I may be a bit tired of Christmas reads at this point. So, read it and form your own opinion.

Need a sweet, fun, Christmas romance…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Christy has the life she dreamed of: married with a child living in a charming cottage in the English Countryside, but somehow things aren’t right. Her husband, Seb, has been spending more and more time away on business, and the cottage she found delightful is falling apart around her. Christy was raised in to embrace order and schedules, never feeling comfortable to rock the boat or confront problems and that’s worked for her until now. Christy knows she needs to face facts and find out if her marriage is in trouble and maybe life in the country isn’t all she thought it would be. However, she doesn’t feel comfortable discussing her doubts with her best friend, Alix, since she was against marrying Christy marrying Seb in the first place. Christy hopes their upcoming trip her estranged Aunt Robyn’s Swiss retreat will provide some downtime to get everything sorted out.

Alix was raised by career minded parents, careless and neglectful, so that she never felt loved by them. She didn’t know what it felt to be in a loving family until she met Christy and was taken in as a sister and daughter. Alix loves Christy and wants the best for her which is why she spoke up at the wedding, and even though Christy says all is forgiven, things haven’t quite been the same since. However, their lifelong dream of spending Christmas at Lapland should allow them to mend fences. Nevermind Seb’s best friend Zac, Alix’s nemesis being thrown into the mix!

The Christmas Escape was magical! The descriptions, even of the rundown country cottage sounded so lovely! Spending Christmas in the Swedish retreat north of the Artic Circle where the Northern Lights sweep by regularly, ensconced in rustic cabins that invite nature in with large windows and natural materials throughout sounded dreamy!

As enchanting and perfect as the setting sounded, the story of Christy, Alix and Robyn was the main attraction for me. Each of these women had their own struggles, Christy and Alix were more at the forefront, but Robyn’s story was just as poignant and touching. There’s romance and laughs, the joy of reaffirming love, coming to grips with the past, grabbing up happiness for the future and holding family and friends close. I loved every minute of this emotional and heartwarming story! Five stars all the way!

This is a sweet Christmas story set in the exotic wilderness of Lapland in Northern Sweden. Christy has planned a perfect holiday getaway with her family and her best friend Alix. But when marital problems derail her plans, Christy sends Alix along with Holly, Christy’s daughter, to Lapland to get the festivities started. There are two romances being worked out at the same time in this multi-layered book. One is that of Christy and her husband, both of whom sincerely love each other but who have encountered more than a few bumps in their relationship. The second is between Alix and Zac, a man that Alix is attracted to but for whom she also feels a deep enmity because of a prior problem with him. Together, Alix and Zac have to keep Holly entertained and happy without her parents there, so they tackle the challenge in good spirits. The entire book was written with a theme of underlying happiness and unresolved problems that I just knew would work out by the end of the book. The setting was described in such luscious detail that I felt as though I could see the Northern Lights and feel the bitterly cold wind against my cheeks. The relationships between the friends and the family members was well developed and realistic, if a little mysterious at first about what caused a rift between Christy’s mom and her Aunt Robyn, the owner of the snow spa in Lapland. I totally enjoyed delving into this book and getting to know the characters who became like friends to whom I was giving advice. A lovely Christmas story with themes of friendship and restoring relationships is a perfect tale to read during the holidays.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

After reading The Christmas Escape, I'm ready to pack my bags and head to Lapland! The two rather intense main characters of the story seem to be at a crossroads in their lives, and discover that their friendship may have to change. Christy tries to cope by over-planning to the nth degree, while avoiding the big issues. Alix is focused on her career and doesn't allow herself to become emotionally entangled with any man. Spending Christmas in Lapland brings about big changes for everyone.

Christy isn't as close to her best friend ever since she got pregnant and married. Just before the much needed family vacation, her husband backs out for work and after talking to her bestie leaves her more suspicious then ever. That's when she asks Alix her to take her daughter and go on ahead while she gets to the bottom of what's going on with her husband. Unfortunately for Alix she ends up running into a guy she had a brief affair with that is now stuck watching the child together.

There was so much to unpack with this book that I just stayed hooked. As I got more info about the characters I found myself invested in their well beings and kept rooting for the main characters and hoping for the best. It was interesting getting the backstories and seeing why they were the way they were. Usually I have a hard time separating different point of views but these characters each were so unique that it was easy to follow. I enjoyed seeing how everything played out. I loved seeing everyone talk things out and try to heal the issues that are going on to get past them. I loved seeing this book have its bit of festive times after all its the holidays. Theres romance and a bit of steamy times. Overall this was a pretty great holiday read, I really enjoyed it.

A charming Christmas story with a fun, unique setting. The characters were likable and I liked that they had some depth to them. However, the story and the dialogue just dragged on and I lost interest. We don’t need as much backstory, and we certainly didn’t need to be reminded of the backstory so many times. The dialogue was so stretched out that I started skimming. Overall, a fun Christmas read but needs a heavy edit. My thanks to the publisher for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

This was a cute Christmas read, one that is perfect for the holiday season. I totally recommend if you want to get cozy and read it!

The Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan

Who else makes sure to read a Sarah Morgan novel every Christmas season? I love her books. They make me happy and joyful.

This book centered around a few characters, all dealing with different life curve balls and relationships. One married couple struggling, one new couple forming, best friends drifting apart, and family members who have been kept apart for decades due to past mistakes.

There was A LOT going on y’all, but I never felt like it was too much to keep up with. I loved every single character, and liked watching the progress they made throughout.

I recommend this if you are looking for a Christmas novel that is a little more than just romance 🎄

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @harlequinbooks for this arc in exchange for my honest review!

The Christmas Escape is a Contemporary holiday romance by author Sarah Morgan. This story follows two best friends as they navigate and mend their individual romantic relationship and their personal relationship with each other.

I'm sort of split down the middle with my enjoyment of this story. I guess the best way to express my thoughts would be to address the different point of views. First we have Christy, whose marriage has hit a rough patch and her structure and order doesn't seem to be helping the situation. It's not that I didn't like her, but I struggled to sympathize with her. I also couldn't really stand her husband, and I don't know if that would have been different if we had been given his point of view. Then we have Christy's aunt Robyn, who brought all our characters together in the Arctic, but whose point of view wasn't actually necessary.

Now onto the point of view that was my favorite, Alix. I loved Alix's character right from the start. She's complex and is a tangle of emotions that she keep buried deep inside. She's independent , loyal, caring and someone I would want in my corner. Her romantic counterpart, Zac, was just as great. I wish we had been given his point of view, but it didn't stop me from being absolutely smitten by him. He was charming, honest and determined to break down Alix's walls. I was fully invested in their storyline with all their verbal sparring and sexual chemistry.

Overall, The Christmas Escape is a story about relationships. Family, friendship, and romantic relationship. The importance of communication, being honest with yourself and your loved ones, and taking chances.

Although not a book I will be ordering in my professional life, it is a title that I will be recommending in my personal life!

I may not be all about snow, but I do love a good holiday story, and I have to admit that Sarah Morgan helped me to fall in love with Lapland!

There's a lot to unpack in this sweet little book, and while I loved the light-hearted moments, I also loved the deeper ones as well. Christy is trying to figure out what's going on with the husband she barely knows, while also meeting an aunt with a secret.

And Alix has always been tightly wound, trying to continue her dislike for Zac despite the fact that she feels attracted to him. She's used to not needing anyone but herself, but maybe she finds out that relying on others isn't going to be the end of the world.

I think what hit home for me the most in this novel is that burning bridges can lead to heartbreak, and maybe it's worth trying to mend things before it's too late. As a bridge burner myself, I can really appreciate that.

If you're  looking to get into the holiday spirit, you're going to want to read this book.

Christy and Alix became friends as young girls and are now family. A planned holiday trip to a magical place causes all sorts of unneeded suffering because of not communicating and assumptions. A bit of drama ensues that is repetitive, but ends up an overall good holiday read.

I adored this book.  The characters and history of their relationships were very well developed.  The Lapland setting, in all its winter glory, made for the perfect escape for both the characters and the reader.

Christy and Alix have been best friends since childhood, but each was raised in complex family situations.  As is often the case, the way these women view the world is a reflection of the way they were parented. Communication and conflict are central themes in this book.

Robyn is the third woman featured in this book.  As the estranged Aunt of Christy, she feels it’s time to meet adult Christy and to reveal family secrets.  She invites Christy and her family and friends to spend some time over the holidays at her resort in Lapland.

Lapland is the perfect setting for a Christmas novel.  I appreciated the activities the group participates in and the festive mood it creates.  The darling of the group is Christy’s four-year daughter who has an amazing vocabulary and not afraid to speak her mind.

The Christmas Escape is a joyful, holiday read that is perfect for those of you who appreciate a bit more depth to your Christmas reads.

Robyn lives in Lapland with husband Erik. Christy is her niece, married to Seb (who has lost his job and mojo), and they with their daughter go to Lapland to reconnect. Alex and Zac, friends of the couple, go early with Holly, so the couple can work on things a bit. I generally love holiday themed books, but this one was almost exhausting. There was too much going on, and I didn't connect with the characters. My favs were Alix and Zac and their fun banter. I could have just read about their story alone!

Christy Sullivan and her best friend Alix have spent Christmas together since they were children. This year they are planning to go to Lapland, a snowy wonderland. The trip will include Christy's husband and their young daughter, Holly. But when Christy faces trouble with her marriage, she asks Alix to take Holly to Lapland without her. She'll be joined by their family friend, Zac--whom Alix has been avoiding ever since Christy's wedding. But as Alix, Zac, and Holly enjoy their time in Lapland, Alix realizes she may have made a mistake in avoiding him. Meanwhile, Christy starts to wonder if her friendship with Alix and marriage will survive the holidays.

I hate rating books low, but this just did not work for me. It was a sweet enough story and I liked the fun, snowy Arctic setting, but, oh, this book could have been so much shorter and enjoyable. The repetition is intense, to the point I found myself skimming sections. We are constantly bombarded by everyone's thoughts and issues. Did you know Alix has commitment issues? Oh you will. Christy struggles with perfection? The overwhelming focus on the characters' tropes and the rehashing and pontificating on thoughts and feelings was incredibly frustrating. It was very slow moving with far more telling than showing. I was not that invested in Alix and Zac's relationship.

There's a sweet storyline involving Christy's aunt, who lives at Lapland, which I enjoyed, and others have enjoyed the overall story more, so take my review with a grain of salt, but most of this book was just too repetitive and trite for me.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

Ok first off I had no idea Lapland was such an interesting place. I really want to head there now. Maybe one day.

I had a bit of a time getting into this book. There were just so many characters. I was trying to keep track of everyone but had some problems but eventually I settled into the book and enjoyed it.

Alix and Zac are a wonderful couple. They have a bit of a past so we get to see them move beyond the coldness towards each other to their relationship heating up. Christy and Erik are going through marriage issues that Christy wants to keep quiet. And that is what this story is truly about. Friendship and can the relationship between women continue through decades.

Christy and Alix have been friends for so long that they almost take the other for granted. They have stopped communicating and having that special bond that grows to bring two girls from friends to women as “unbiological sisters”. They need to get that back and Sarah Morgan is just the woman to write their story.

Holly is just adorable. Many times an author has a hard time writing what an actual child would say. They make them too old for their age or too young but Holly is written really well. So many cute little sayings that made me long for the days of my son being little.

Another great book by Sarah Morgan set perfectly at the holidays in a place I never knew I wanted to go to but now can’t wait.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.