Review: The Great Christmas Escape

Title: The Great Christmas Escape

Author: Kellie Hailes

Publisher: 18th October 2021 by Orion Dash

Pages: 252 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: contemporary romance, romcom, women’s fiction, Christmas

My Rating: 3.5 cups

Synopsis:

It's time to swap mistletoe and mince pies for the adventure of a lifetime! 

Sara's life has been in a bit of a rut. Lately, her job as a photographer has just meant taking photos of happy couples and families all day before returning to her empty flat. And while she normally loves Christmas with her family, this year a part of her just wants to run away. So when her ex-husband Fin gets in touch with a wild idea - a joint work trip to New Zealand - she knows it's crazy... but she says yes!

A celebrated travel blogger, Fin has made a career out of following his bliss. As much as he loves Sara, the steady family life she's always wanted is not one he can give her. This trip together is his one chance to win her back. But can he convert her to his impulsive lifestyle? There's only one way to find out.

As the two explore the stunning sights and thrills of New Zealand, they're about to discover there's so much more to each other than they ever realised...

My Thoughts

‘Her family had no idea she was travelling with him. That her great Christmas escape, as her father had laughingly called it, was being undertaken with the husband who’d left her high and dry.’

If you are on the lookout for something different, how about a Christmas book set in New Zealand! No white Christmas here but plenty of other aspects to enjoy and entertain.

The positives of this book are of course the location. New Zealand features (not as strongly as I would have liked) but still enough to highlight the many enticing things this great country has to offer. I also enjoyed how the main characters were a photographer and travel blogger - another excellent way to shine the spotlight on a country’s features. It is of course a Christmas tale and this brings smiles for those that love this time of year with an added summery festive vibe.

‘New Zealand. Sara shook her head, unable to comprehend how she found herself so far away from her family, from her home, at Christmas, in a country where there would be no scarves, no woolly hats, no thick, cheesy Christmas jumpers.’

The main focus of this book, however,  are the two characters, previously married and now coming back together to give it another go. Therefore this book is all about miscommunications which can be frustrating at times. I was not completely empathetic to either Sara or Fin for the confusing messages they sent out. This particular trope is not one I gravitate to, however, it most certainly dominated this story which readers need to be aware of.

‘Her great escape was feeling like a great mistake.’

If you wish to escape this Christmas try a trip to New Zealand and if you are a fan of second chance romances then what’s not to love when a picturesque locale and festive cheer are weaved into the mix. 

‘I’ve realised that facing my fears is better than fighting them. That sharing my problems is better than hiding them. That running from my issues only leads to more running, and that just leads you in circles.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.