Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e ARC of this book.
I expected a fluff romance but not what I got. I found the book to be a total waste of time but I did finish it which I guess warrants 2 stars.

This book had everything I want in life! A photographer and a travel blogger exploring New Zealand together? Yes, please! The only problem is that our two characters used to be married and no longer are. I wasn't too sure of the writing and story at first, but I was a fan of the book by the end. I wasn't a huge fan of the characters themselves, but the scenery mentioned throughout the story definitely grabbed my attention. This is a fun read if you're looking for an atypical Christmas read in a place with no white Christmases.

A quick Christmas read about a soon-to-be ex-husband and wife having a trip around New Zealand in a camper van for a travel blogger competition. I liked the premise of the story but was expecting more New Zealand travel experiences after reading other reviews and the book blurb. Enjoyable if you're looking to read a second chance romance though.

Fab fab fab as usual Kellie writes from the heart. Love all the characters and the storyline is fantastic. Read this book as with all kellies books in one sitting.
Looking forward to the next release
A*
Highly recommended

I did enjoy this book, i thought the main characters were ok and New Zealand for a Christmas book was a bit different but i did enjoy.

I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to NetGalley who very kindly approved me for an arc copy of this book, for my Kindle, in return for my honest review.

This book was not your usual Christmas story, this rom com is set in New Zealand and is a Christmas story with a bit of a difference…
The Great Christmas Escape is a second chance romance and is told from a dual point of view and I honestly think that it worked really well.
I found the descriptive writing about travelling around New Zealand to be wonderful and very descriptive and I felt like I was totally immersed in everything that was going on, a lovely escapist read.
This was a different Christmas read but definitely an enjoyable one.

What a wonderful book about how Sara is feeling put out by her family and being alone. When her ex husband asks her a huge favour and would she help him to win a competition. He knows this is a huge ask, not only because he just upped and left her, but she doesn’t do travel and this job is in New Zealand but also that even though she is a fabulous photographer she doesn’t like change. So to say he was surprised when she agreed is an understatement.
This story is about their journey together, seeing things/places through each other’s eyes. Exploring the unknown and threw it all can they find their love for each other??

Very well written different romantic novel set in New Zealand. Loved the characters and settings, very well described and interesting. This book could even have a follow on with lives of this family continuing. I really enjoyed this and am giving it 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this e ARC

My bags are packed and ready to escape to New Zealand. This is not your usual festive rom com, but was so heartwarming. An adventure of a lifetime. Could Sara's festive escape be just what she needs?

After loving Sara in The New Beginnings Bridal Boutique we join Sara and her ex husband Fin on a travel blogging tour of New Zealand.

The setting of New Zealand was just stunning. Whilst I usually prefer my christmas stories filled with cold, festive jumpers and festive cheer this was an enjoyable escapist read. Christmas with a difference.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Dash for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Great Christmas Escape by Kellie Hailes was not at all what I expected it to be.
Sara is a photographer who shots portraits and weddings and Fin is a travel blogger. They are married but Fin left her 18 months ago.
Fin calls Sara and invites her to go to New Zealand to take photos for a travel blogging competition he wants to win. Sara has gotten into a rut in her life, so she agrees to help him.
The book was an OK read for me. I just could not connect with either Fin or Sara. In my mind I could not see them together as a couple.
Thank you NetGalley, Kellie Hailes and Orion Dash for the copy to read. This is my personal review.

The Great Christmas Escape - Kellie Hailes

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Orion Dash and I am leaving this review voluntarily

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...

This is an unusual Christmas book - for a start it is set in New Zealand so there is no chance of a white Christmas. Although I enjoyed reading about the scenery in New Zealand. Unfortunately this book just didn't manage to grab my attention.

With a fantastic setting that will help you escape from reality, it is worth a read if you enjoy second chance romance.

Rating 3/5

I didn’t really care for this read. Sara was very whiny and Finn was very controlling and weird. Lots of strange statements from him but Sara seemed to fly off the handle at any moment so my thought was wow no wonder he left. Maybe he should have run further. The ending was very unsatisfying. I don’t get the whole haughty travel blogger or influencer thing though. I used to be a photographer by trade and Sara’s antics were uncomfortable to read as a photographer.

The story
Sara is a photographer, taking portraits and shooting weddings. Her husband Fin (sort of ex-husband except they aren’t actually divorced) left her 18 months ago. She wanted to be a home body and he wanted to travel and grow his travel blog and didn’t believe she would do that with him. Now Fin has invited Sara to join him in New Zealand over Christmas. She needs inspiration and he needs a great photographer to help him win a travel blogging competition. Will the time together help him win her back?

My thoughts
This book is very strong on the lack of communication trope, it’s not a favorite of mine…. Although here I think the characters of both Sara and Fin actually struggled to communicate as they struggled to understand their own set feelings and patterns that they were holding on to. I enjoyed the descriptive parts about traveling around New Zealand but felt that much of the story was taken up rather by the navel gazing angst of will we / won’t we 🙈 and also Sara’s longing for Christmas to be at home with her family.

A quick and easy read that I found myself picking up after a long day to unwind. The characters are beautifully written and I came to love them within the first few pages and was rooting for them all the way to the end. At times I wanted to stop reading because I just wanted the experience to go on for longer.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Christmas book set in New Zealand sounded odd to me at first, but I really enjoyed it as it was something different for a festive book.

This is a very unusual and different Christmas story, but I really enjoyed reading it. I loved reading about New Zealand and the scenery. It was a fantastic setting and escapist read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

Things I loved: second chance romance, forced proximity, one bed, sweet love interest, dual pov third-person
Things I didn't love: miscommunication trope
Sara never in a million years would've thought she'd be on the other side of the world with her ex-husband. But when the opportunity of a lifetime to get her passion back for photography came from Fin's lips, she knew she had to take it. It will also give her a chance to escape the suffocating feeling of being home, surrounded by reminders that she's the only one stuck in place. Traveling through New Zealand with his ex-wife is a dream come true for Fin. With Sara's talent, he's sure to win Travel Blogger of the Year. It's his only hope of getting Sara to forgive him and consider what she's missing.
I am not a fan of miscommunication in romance novels. I found myself screaming at both characters to say what was on their minds. However, Fin made up for it. He is such a sweetheart, and I could feel his love for Sara through the pages. Sara should have apologized to him at the final destination for what she said outside the library, but she made the right choice in the end, so I guess I'll accept it.
There were times when the writing felt repetitive, but there were so many moments of love that I didn't mind it as much. One of my favorite quotes is, "Because I heard you. I hear you...So I made it happen. And I want to make your hopes, your dreams happen for the rest of my life. If you'll let me". The dual pov helped this story along since the characters talked more in their heads than each other.
Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys second chance romance while on vacation.

A good story about a photographer travelling around New Zealand with her ex boyfriend. You can imagine all the things spoken between them. Loved all the Christmas scenes too. A really nice quick Christmas book.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange of an honest review.

It was an interesting story, I really enjoyed it.

Sara needs a break from all the happy romantics at home, so when her almost ex-husband Fin contacts her to be his photographer as he travels around New Zealand she decides to go. Little did she expect to be in a van and roughing it. Fin still loves her, but can't seem to reach the level of security she expects from an adult. Can the two find a middle ground? Both need to give a bit. Fun story and enjoyed the idea of traveling around and seeing the sights, especially over the Christmas season. Would recommend.