THE CHRISTMAS ESCAPE
  by Sarah Morgan

ISBN: 9781335462817

Publication Date: October 26, 2021

Publisher: HQN Books

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This Christmas, be whisked away by USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan in this uplifting novel of friendship, the festive season, and risking everything for the biggest gift of all…

 

Christy and Alix are forever friends. Not even Alix’s well-meant but badly-timed intervention the night before Christy’s wedding has put a dent in their bond. There’s nothing Alix won’t do for the woman who helped fill the hole in her heart left by her own family’s rejection. But taking Christy’s boisterous little daughter Holly on holiday to Lapland, days before Christmas, is a huge ask. Marketing whizz Alix might know how to turn toys into million-dollar Christmas bestsellers, but the responsibility of parenthood terrifies her. And unfortunately, she’ll have a witness to her ineptitude, in the annoyingly delicious shape of Zac, Holly’s father’s best friend, who will also be there…

 

Christy had hoped this year would be her dream Christmas, in her dream new family house. Instead, it’s turning into the nightmare before Christmas, with a frightening list of household repairs, no money, and a make-or-break crisis in her marriage. Even worse, it’s a crisis of her own making, and one that is on her shoulders to fix. With best friend Alix coming to the rescue and looking after Holly, Christy will finally have time to focus on rebuilding her relationship.

 

As Alix confronts her fears and finds unexpected romance under the Northern Lights, and Christy fights to save her marriage, could it be that their Christmas holiday opens their eyes, and their hearts, to what they’ve always wanted?

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

It turned out that you could reinvent yourself if you moved far enough away from everyone who knew you.

 

Her life was unraveling so fast she expected to find nothing but strands of it at her feet.

 

“It’s not sentiment, Alix. It’s emotion. And unlike you, I’m not afraid of emotion.” She was pretty sure that if she took the lid off hers right now, he’d be afraid.

 

No way am I staying in that confined space with you… It’s more of a health and safety issue. My health. Your safety.

 

 My Review:

 

This was a hybrid mix of genres of women’s fiction, romance, and family drama with a holiday theme with the added bonus of generous lashings of amusing wry wit and humor. I always enjoy a Sarah Morgan read, as she is a skilled storyteller who can certainly weave a perceptive and entertaining tale with original yet knowable characters while hitting all the feels.