The Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan

The Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan

Welcome to Day 11 of #12booksofchristmas! Folks we've nearly made it. In case you missed it here are the first 10 days.

Yesterday I finished work for Christmas, a lovely long holiday beckons. I celebrated with cake, a bath and a face-mask which was a real treat. Having been shattered all week from a cold, it is a real treat to finish early for Christmas. I'm sat here typing this up and watching our village go about its business. People are walking in the freezing cold (-4 but no snow!), posting Christmas Cards, my neighbours have the BEST Christmas lights and I'm off to get my hair done today.

Tomorrow sees our annual friends meal. We are going back to where we used to live to stay at a very plush inn, eat far too much food and celebrate being with each other. We've done this most years for about the last 10 years and it got me thinking about traditions.

I love reading blog posts that provide a glimpse into people's lives at Christmas, family meals, silly presents, festive pyjamas. Some people always take a tour of the Christmas lights in their village and another of my favourite bloggers always has her mother's 'monkey bread' for Christmas breakfast. I think that's why I adore Christmas so much, a lot of traditions get dusted off like well-worn shoes. And it makes us happy.

I've no idea what my preamble has to do with my today's book. But I've got a delight for you today! It's all about being in the moment and trying to be less perfect. Enjoy my loves.

The Plot

It was supposed to be Christy Sullivan's perfect Christmas Escape - a dream trip to Lapland with her family and best-friend, Alix. But facing a make-or-break marriage crisis, Christy desperately needs time alone with her husband, Seb. Her solution? Alix, along with Seb's oldest friend Zac can take Christy's daughter on the planned Lapland trip. And they will all reunite there for Christmas Day. After all, what are friends for?
There's nothing Alix won't do for Christy, but Christy's plan to save Christmas is testing their friendship. Especially as Alix and Zac have a difficult history of their own. As long held secrets unravel and unexpected romance shines under the Northern Lights, can Christy and Alix find the courage to fight for the relationships they really want? And could this Christmas Escape save the precious gift of each other's friendship?

My Thoughts

I tend to read a lot of Christmas choices throughout the year and feeling a tad stressed, wasn't 'feeling' some of them. These were carefully discarded.

But then I read this and it is wonderful and joyous. Christy wanted the idyllic family home in the country and became so fixated on being perfect, lost her way and very nearly her husband. This is all about being in the moment and spending quality times with our loved ones rather than making the perfect quiche for that night's tea.

Alix, Christy's best friend has been missing the closeness of her friendship with Christy and hopes to rekindle the bond they had. Throw in a holiday to visit a long lost Aunt in Lapland and we have the perfect tale of people rediscovering themselves and relationships being forged.

Of course we have to have lots of Christmas fun on the way - think Husky rides in a sleigh, hot chocolate by the fire, a visit to see the Northern Lights and cosy log cabins and Christmas is truly ramped up.

Sarah Morgan chooses to out the onus on female friendship, with the romance playing a supportive role. I love this about her writing.

This novel certainly delivered and left me with all of the Christmas feel. Lovely, a 5 Star read.