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A Secret Escape
☀️ Escape for summer with this uplifting and gorgeous feel-good novel full of friendship, forgiveness and love, from the Number One Sunday Times bestselling author! ☀️
A lifelong friendship
Childhood friends Milly and Nicole had always been more like sisters so Milly never understood why Nicole dropped out of contact all those months ago. Milly buried that hurt and moved on with her life.
A call for help
Now, suddenly, Nicole is begging for Milly’s help. She needs somewhere private to hide, and the only safe place she can think of is Milly's holiday home business in the Lake District. Milly knows she should tell Nicole no, but she can’t ignore the desperation in her old friend’s voice so, despite her misgivings, she agrees to let Nicole stay.
A summer to reconnect
Over a summer of tentative conversations, the two women begin to reconnect, and there’s a potential new romance for Milly too. But then the biggest bombshell of all lands and their delicate friendship is put to the test once more …
Can the friends come together in this time of need, or will this summer break their bond forever?
A lifelong friendship
Childhood friends Milly and Nicole had always been more like sisters so Milly never understood why Nicole dropped out of contact all those months ago. Milly buried that hurt and moved on with her life.
A call for help
Now, suddenly, Nicole is begging for Milly’s help. She needs somewhere private to hide, and the only safe place she can think of is Milly's holiday home business in the Lake District. Milly knows she should tell Nicole no, but she can’t ignore the desperation in her old friend’s voice so, despite her misgivings, she agrees to let Nicole stay.
A summer to reconnect
Over a summer of tentative conversations, the two women begin to reconnect, and there’s a potential new romance for Milly too. But then the biggest bombshell of all lands and their delicate friendship is put to the test once more …
Can the friends come together in this time of need, or will this summer break their bond forever?
352 pages, Paperback
Published May 22, 2025
221 people are currently reading
655 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Morgan
696 books7,319 followersAbout Sarah
USA Today and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes romance and contemporary women's fiction and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe. Sarah lives near London, England, and when she isn't reading or writing she loves being outdoors.
Look out for Sarah's next novel coming in May - Brave New Summer (UK title)/ Five Star Summer (US/Canadian title)
Join Sarah on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahM...
Follow Sarah on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SarahMorgan_
Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmorgan...
Website: www.sarahmorgan.com
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
USA Today and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes romance and contemporary women's fiction and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe. Sarah lives near London, England, and when she isn't reading or writing she loves being outdoors.
Look out for Sarah's next novel coming in May - Brave New Summer (UK title)/ Five Star Summer (US/Canadian title)
Join Sarah on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahM...
Follow Sarah on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SarahMorgan_
Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmorgan...
Website: www.sarahmorgan.com
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
March 17, 2025
I am a huge fan of Sarah Morgan and love her books – they are full of warmth, always have a great storyline, with engaging characters and a large sprinkle of magic. I thoroughly enjoyed her last book, The Summer Swap, and was so very pleased and excited to be able to read an advanced copy of A Secret Escape – thank you!
The two main characters in the book are Milly and Nicole. Milly and Nicole, once inseparable childhood friends, who experienced a falling out a few years ago and have not spoken since. Nicole works in a very high-pressured job as a renowned international film star. and has always struggled with her work-life balance. Milly owns a holiday home business in the Lake District and when Nicole, after two years of no communication, got in touch asking for help, she let Nicole stay at one of her rental holiday homes.
Milly was taken by surprise and felt a whirlwind of emotions when she unexpectedly heard from Nicole, leaving her uncertain about how to respond. However, despite her reservations, Milly couldn't deny how much she had missed Nicole and their friendship and deep bond they once shared. So, Milly saw this as a potential path to reconciliation, but the decision wasn't easy. She felt uncertain about where it might lead and unsure of the outcome. Milly was aware it wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to give it a go.
Nicole, struggling with personal and work challenges, needed a place to stay. She had been grappling with the emotional fallout of a deeply painful divorce and was relentlessly being pursued by the Media. By reaching out to Milly, she showed her genuine wish to repair the connections they once had. She also believed the Lake District was the perfect place to rest and help her understand a way forward. She missed Milly greatly and wanted to try and rebuild their friendship.
Over the summer, Milly and Nicole reconnect and get to know each other again. Their journey is full of ups and downs, with many twists and turns. They revisit old memories, many of which are painful memories from their past, uncover secrets, and learn to trust each other – slowly but surely. Despite the challenges, their bond grows stronger as they face life's storms together.
Milly and Nicole both need to confront their past and come to terms with the reasons behind their estrangement, navigating through the pain and misunderstandings that occurred. This book demonstrates that even long-broken friendships can be mended over time, by revisiting cherished memories and forging a new path forward together. This wonderful book beautifully explores themes of friendship, family, love, self-discovery, and fresh beginnings. To move forward, we need to embrace change, creating opportunities for our own personal growth and make new experiences.
The novel spans multiple generations of women. I adored Milly and Nicole, but the delightful Nanna Peg truly stole my heart – she was just brilliant and made me laugh immensely! Such a great character.
I highly recommend A Secret Escape and give it a massive 5 stars. Once again, Sarah Morgan has delivered another brilliant book – thank you!
I would like to end with an inspiring quote from Catherine Pulsifer: “Every day is a chance to begin again. Don't focus on the failures of yesterday, start today with positive thoughts and expectations." - Catherine Pulsifer
Thank you very much HarperCollins Publishers UK and NetGalley for my advanced copy. This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
The two main characters in the book are Milly and Nicole. Milly and Nicole, once inseparable childhood friends, who experienced a falling out a few years ago and have not spoken since. Nicole works in a very high-pressured job as a renowned international film star. and has always struggled with her work-life balance. Milly owns a holiday home business in the Lake District and when Nicole, after two years of no communication, got in touch asking for help, she let Nicole stay at one of her rental holiday homes.
Milly was taken by surprise and felt a whirlwind of emotions when she unexpectedly heard from Nicole, leaving her uncertain about how to respond. However, despite her reservations, Milly couldn't deny how much she had missed Nicole and their friendship and deep bond they once shared. So, Milly saw this as a potential path to reconciliation, but the decision wasn't easy. She felt uncertain about where it might lead and unsure of the outcome. Milly was aware it wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to give it a go.
Nicole, struggling with personal and work challenges, needed a place to stay. She had been grappling with the emotional fallout of a deeply painful divorce and was relentlessly being pursued by the Media. By reaching out to Milly, she showed her genuine wish to repair the connections they once had. She also believed the Lake District was the perfect place to rest and help her understand a way forward. She missed Milly greatly and wanted to try and rebuild their friendship.
Over the summer, Milly and Nicole reconnect and get to know each other again. Their journey is full of ups and downs, with many twists and turns. They revisit old memories, many of which are painful memories from their past, uncover secrets, and learn to trust each other – slowly but surely. Despite the challenges, their bond grows stronger as they face life's storms together.
Milly and Nicole both need to confront their past and come to terms with the reasons behind their estrangement, navigating through the pain and misunderstandings that occurred. This book demonstrates that even long-broken friendships can be mended over time, by revisiting cherished memories and forging a new path forward together. This wonderful book beautifully explores themes of friendship, family, love, self-discovery, and fresh beginnings. To move forward, we need to embrace change, creating opportunities for our own personal growth and make new experiences.
The novel spans multiple generations of women. I adored Milly and Nicole, but the delightful Nanna Peg truly stole my heart – she was just brilliant and made me laugh immensely! Such a great character.
I highly recommend A Secret Escape and give it a massive 5 stars. Once again, Sarah Morgan has delivered another brilliant book – thank you!
I would like to end with an inspiring quote from Catherine Pulsifer: “Every day is a chance to begin again. Don't focus on the failures of yesterday, start today with positive thoughts and expectations." - Catherine Pulsifer
Thank you very much HarperCollins Publishers UK and NetGalley for my advanced copy. This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
May 22, 2025
Yay! Sarah Morgan is back! I didn’t need to even open the book to know that it was going to be a 5-star read.
Escape to the Lake District where Milly runs a holiday home business, Forest Nest. It is the picture of calm and tranquillity – exactly what estranged best friend, Nicole, is hoping for. Calling up Milly out of the blue, Nicole wants to escape her glamorous Hollywood life and lay low in the Lakes. What exactly is she hiding?
Not only is Nicole’s life topsy turvy, Milly’s isn’t exactly a bed of roses, either. The story moves between Milly, her daughter and her mother, and I loved how Morgan adds layers to the different generations of women. Life is never simple and I think the writer vividly captures the highs and lows that we all experience. In Milly’s case, divorcing her husband continues to cause pain and she finds herself throwing everything at her business and being the best mother she can – leaving any chance of personal happiness at the bottom of her priorities.
Over time, readers learn what brings Nicole to the Lake District and what she is running from. Like so many of Morgan’s books, the journey is never simple and I enjoyed the way that Brendan and Joel became such significant characters. Furthermore, all of the women were interesting to read about and I felt equally invested in them, regardless of the age difference. The characters are all easy to warm to and I was keen to see them find a happy ending.
Elements of this book reminded me of a previous Morgan read, namely because of the lake setting. I could vividly picture why Milly and Nicole find their inner peace at Forest Nest and felt envious of the characters being able to stay there – it truly seemed idyllic! The theme of broken families was also similar to my last Morgan book, although I enjoyed how this also became woven with friendship and loyalty.
Another exceptional read from Sarah Morgan. I always pick up her books with a smile on my face because I know I am guaranteed a good plot, great characters and an enticing setting. Bring on Christmas for her festive novel!
With thanks to HQ and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Escape to the Lake District where Milly runs a holiday home business, Forest Nest. It is the picture of calm and tranquillity – exactly what estranged best friend, Nicole, is hoping for. Calling up Milly out of the blue, Nicole wants to escape her glamorous Hollywood life and lay low in the Lakes. What exactly is she hiding?
Not only is Nicole’s life topsy turvy, Milly’s isn’t exactly a bed of roses, either. The story moves between Milly, her daughter and her mother, and I loved how Morgan adds layers to the different generations of women. Life is never simple and I think the writer vividly captures the highs and lows that we all experience. In Milly’s case, divorcing her husband continues to cause pain and she finds herself throwing everything at her business and being the best mother she can – leaving any chance of personal happiness at the bottom of her priorities.
Over time, readers learn what brings Nicole to the Lake District and what she is running from. Like so many of Morgan’s books, the journey is never simple and I enjoyed the way that Brendan and Joel became such significant characters. Furthermore, all of the women were interesting to read about and I felt equally invested in them, regardless of the age difference. The characters are all easy to warm to and I was keen to see them find a happy ending.
Elements of this book reminded me of a previous Morgan read, namely because of the lake setting. I could vividly picture why Milly and Nicole find their inner peace at Forest Nest and felt envious of the characters being able to stay there – it truly seemed idyllic! The theme of broken families was also similar to my last Morgan book, although I enjoyed how this also became woven with friendship and loyalty.
Another exceptional read from Sarah Morgan. I always pick up her books with a smile on my face because I know I am guaranteed a good plot, great characters and an enticing setting. Bring on Christmas for her festive novel!
With thanks to HQ and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2025
You can't go wrong with a Sarah Morgan book. This one did not disappoint. Another excellent book.
It was a very powerful story about family and friendships. Milly and Nicole are both exceptional characters. However, you couldn't beat Nanna Peg!
It expresses how important it is to focus on the now and to be grateful for what you have to live a contented and happy life. There are a lot of positive statements to take from this book.
Thank you very much to Netgalley for allowing me to read an early copy.
It was a very powerful story about family and friendships. Milly and Nicole are both exceptional characters. However, you couldn't beat Nanna Peg!
It expresses how important it is to focus on the now and to be grateful for what you have to live a contented and happy life. There are a lot of positive statements to take from this book.
Thank you very much to Netgalley for allowing me to read an early copy.
February 10, 2026
3.5 stars. Enjoyable, but predictable.
July 3, 2025
Every feeling needs to be spelled out in this novel (preferably multiple times), but I still wanted to keep on reading.
September 5, 2025
Adorei este livro!! 🥹 A forma como a escrita da autora nos faz sentir que fazemos parte do mundo e da família das personagens é incrível! Eu amo a escrita dela!!
A história passa-se no verão, mas não diria que é super focado nisso, ou seja, não o categorizaria como um romance de verão. Simplesmente passa-se nessa época! Senti que o início do livro prolongou a introdução um pouco em demasia, com muita narrativa repetitiva e poucos diálogos. Contudo, quando a história se começou a desenvolver foi incrível! Fiquei super viciada como se fizesse parte daquela família e foi muito cozy!! Adorei as personagens (em especial a avó Peggy e a Zoe)!! 🥹
Algo que amo nos livros desta autora é que conseguimos sempre retirar uma lição para a vida! São livros familiares, cozy, que aquecem o coração e que nos fazem pensar sobre a vida! Amo! 💗
A história passa-se no verão, mas não diria que é super focado nisso, ou seja, não o categorizaria como um romance de verão. Simplesmente passa-se nessa época! Senti que o início do livro prolongou a introdução um pouco em demasia, com muita narrativa repetitiva e poucos diálogos. Contudo, quando a história se começou a desenvolver foi incrível! Fiquei super viciada como se fizesse parte daquela família e foi muito cozy!! Adorei as personagens (em especial a avó Peggy e a Zoe)!! 🥹
Algo que amo nos livros desta autora é que conseguimos sempre retirar uma lição para a vida! São livros familiares, cozy, que aquecem o coração e que nos fazem pensar sobre a vida! Amo! 💗
July 16, 2025
This one is so good from start to finish. Another one to prove why Sarah Morgan is a go to author. The main focus of this one is friendship mostly between the main two characters Milly and Nicole however many more blossom on the way through. I love how they think the other one has life sorted when they've been apart. The downsides of fame are so interesting to read about from Nicole's side of the story. Highly recommend.
May 14, 2025
Sarah Morgan novels are pure escapism and I really enjoyed A Secret Escape. It’s billed as a feel-good novel friendship, forgiveness and love and I devoured each page. It follows the story of Milly and Nicole. Milly is now a single mum and runs a holiday home business, whilst Nicole is a successful actress living in LA. They lost contact years ago, but when Nicole calls Milly for help, she drops everything giving her a place to hide. Will they be able to reconnect throughout the summer? This is a fabulous novel with endearing characters and a plot that unfolds perfectly. Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and the author for the chance to review.
April 28, 2025
You can always rely on Sarah Morgan to provide the most lovely, heartwarming stories, and A Secret Escape is no exception. I'm hugely grateful to HQ for sending me an early proof copy!
A Secret Escape is set in the Lake District (my favourite part of the world!), where we follow lifelong friends Milly and Nicole, who have hit a rocky patch in their friendship. Nicole's career as a high-profile actress in Hollywood is in tatters after a public scandal and she turns to her oldest friend for help, but will Milly be willing to give her a shoulder to cry on after being ghosted by Nicole for so long?
Milly herself is still reeling from a difficult breakup with her ex-husband, and is juggling her emotions alongside raising their young daughter. Milly and Nicole's friendship is put to the test further as more secrets are revealed about Milly's breakup, and it's becoming increasingly difficult for them to find their way back to each other.
Overall, this is the perfect book to escape with this summer, whether it's by the pool on holiday or curled up on your sofa!
A Secret Escape is set in the Lake District (my favourite part of the world!), where we follow lifelong friends Milly and Nicole, who have hit a rocky patch in their friendship. Nicole's career as a high-profile actress in Hollywood is in tatters after a public scandal and she turns to her oldest friend for help, but will Milly be willing to give her a shoulder to cry on after being ghosted by Nicole for so long?
Milly herself is still reeling from a difficult breakup with her ex-husband, and is juggling her emotions alongside raising their young daughter. Milly and Nicole's friendship is put to the test further as more secrets are revealed about Milly's breakup, and it's becoming increasingly difficult for them to find their way back to each other.
Overall, this is the perfect book to escape with this summer, whether it's by the pool on holiday or curled up on your sofa!
May 5, 2025
Sent an advance copy by HQ Stories through NetGalley
Thank you so much HQ Stories for sending me an advance copy of A Secret Escape! This was my first Sarah Morgan book and I was hooked! A contemporary romance with a focus on female friendships? Don’t mind if I do! Nothing says more than a perfect spring read than this, here’s a synopsis below:
Childhood friends Milly and Nicole had always been more like sisters so Milly never understood why Nicole dropped out of contact all those months ago.
Until Milly receives call for help from Nicole who needs somewhere private to hide, and the only safe place she can think of is Milly's holiday home business in the Lake District.
Over the summer they reconnect, with new romances on the horizon. But then the biggest bombshell of all lands and their delicate friendship is put to the test once more...
Tropes included are:
Personal Growth
Budding romance
Female friendships
Friends to lovers
Secrets
Family
Different worlds
I adored this book and loved Milly and Nicole’s relationship, they both grow over the book and I really enjoyed the different chapter perspectives. Nanna Peg had to be my favourite character, I loved her wit and protective instincts for her family. I did like Brendan too, the crime writer staying at the Forest Nest- his books gave me an impression of Agatha Christie who I also adore. And let’s not forget the setting, I love the Lake District and the Forest Nest I could see it in my eye whilst reading, the description of the lodges are luxurious but homely and I would love to stay in one.
Ultimately I loved how Nicole and Milly’s relationship blossomed during the book and the message of how distance and secrets can test a friendship but can’t break a valuable bond.
I will definitely have to check out more Sarah Morgan books after this read as I loved it. A Secret Escape is released on the 22nd May
Thank you so much HQ Stories for sending me an advance copy of A Secret Escape! This was my first Sarah Morgan book and I was hooked! A contemporary romance with a focus on female friendships? Don’t mind if I do! Nothing says more than a perfect spring read than this, here’s a synopsis below:
Childhood friends Milly and Nicole had always been more like sisters so Milly never understood why Nicole dropped out of contact all those months ago.
Until Milly receives call for help from Nicole who needs somewhere private to hide, and the only safe place she can think of is Milly's holiday home business in the Lake District.
Over the summer they reconnect, with new romances on the horizon. But then the biggest bombshell of all lands and their delicate friendship is put to the test once more...
Tropes included are:
Personal Growth
Budding romance
Female friendships
Friends to lovers
Secrets
Family
Different worlds
I adored this book and loved Milly and Nicole’s relationship, they both grow over the book and I really enjoyed the different chapter perspectives. Nanna Peg had to be my favourite character, I loved her wit and protective instincts for her family. I did like Brendan too, the crime writer staying at the Forest Nest- his books gave me an impression of Agatha Christie who I also adore. And let’s not forget the setting, I love the Lake District and the Forest Nest I could see it in my eye whilst reading, the description of the lodges are luxurious but homely and I would love to stay in one.
Ultimately I loved how Nicole and Milly’s relationship blossomed during the book and the message of how distance and secrets can test a friendship but can’t break a valuable bond.
I will definitely have to check out more Sarah Morgan books after this read as I loved it. A Secret Escape is released on the 22nd May
August 7, 2025
3 stars is generous. This wasn't her best book.
August 21, 2025
An easy summer read. The mix of characters was good and the storyline, it just didn’t grab me all the time and found the pace quite slow.
May 8, 2025
A lovely story about friendship and forgiveness is the latest theme to this authors new novel.
When Milly needs her forever friend Nichole the most she is ghosted and doesn’t understand why as they have always been so close.
The story begins 18months later with Nichole asking Milly to meet her at the train station as she needs to seek refuge from a scandal that hit the media in her home country America where she is a famous actress.
Milly is so kind hearted and offers her a safe place but finds it difficult to re kindle their relationship especially as secrets are unveiled.
My thanks to Net Galley and Publisher for the ARC of A Secret Escape
When Milly needs her forever friend Nichole the most she is ghosted and doesn’t understand why as they have always been so close.
The story begins 18months later with Nichole asking Milly to meet her at the train station as she needs to seek refuge from a scandal that hit the media in her home country America where she is a famous actress.
Milly is so kind hearted and offers her a safe place but finds it difficult to re kindle their relationship especially as secrets are unveiled.
My thanks to Net Galley and Publisher for the ARC of A Secret Escape
May 27, 2025
If there are two words that sum up Sarah Morgan’s latest book, they are friendship and family.
Milly and Nicole had been friends since childhood and even when Nicole became a hugely successful film star, they still had that strong bond until Milly’s marriage broke up and Nicole inexplicably just wasn’t there for her. Despite this, when Milly gets a call for help from Nicole, she takes her in immediately and helps her hide from the media. I enjoyed reading about the story from both women’s points of view which gave a real insight into the kind of people they were and helped me really understand them.
One thing I always enjoy about Sarah Morgan’s books is that they are often multi-generational and that’s certainly true here. As well as Milly and her daughter Zoe, the book features Milly’s mum Connie and her grandmother Peggy. Peggy in particular was a hoot! The author is so good about writing about the experiences of woman at all stages of their lives making the books appealing and relatable to a wide range of ages.
The Secret Escape is a lovely book which shows the importance of friendship and that new opportunities can present themselves at any time of life. With its focus on family and friendship, forgiveness and love, it’s ideal for summer reading.
Milly and Nicole had been friends since childhood and even when Nicole became a hugely successful film star, they still had that strong bond until Milly’s marriage broke up and Nicole inexplicably just wasn’t there for her. Despite this, when Milly gets a call for help from Nicole, she takes her in immediately and helps her hide from the media. I enjoyed reading about the story from both women’s points of view which gave a real insight into the kind of people they were and helped me really understand them.
One thing I always enjoy about Sarah Morgan’s books is that they are often multi-generational and that’s certainly true here. As well as Milly and her daughter Zoe, the book features Milly’s mum Connie and her grandmother Peggy. Peggy in particular was a hoot! The author is so good about writing about the experiences of woman at all stages of their lives making the books appealing and relatable to a wide range of ages.
The Secret Escape is a lovely book which shows the importance of friendship and that new opportunities can present themselves at any time of life. With its focus on family and friendship, forgiveness and love, it’s ideal for summer reading.
May 21, 2025
A Secret Escape is another brilliant read from Sarah Morgan. She’s one of my auto-buy authors and this is a beautiful addition to my collection of her books.
I loved the friendships in this book. Sarah Morgan writes so beautifully about female relationships - the support, the history and the love between Milly and Nicole is not to be understated despite all the things that have happened in both their lives.
The community Milly has built around her including her own family is so important in her life and sharing that with Nicole has always been such a major part of her life, til recently. Opening up for both of them despite being once so close is difficult, and seeing the tentative steps they both need to take was so fascinating as the story flowed.
April 3, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me a copy of this book to read early!🫶🏻
From the very first page, A Secret Escape had me hooked. It’s an easy read, yet it delves into important themes of self-worth, family, friendship, and personal growth in a meaningful way. The characters felt real and relatable, and I found myself truly invested in their journeys.
This was my first book by Sarah Morgan, and it certainly won’t be my last. Her storytelling is engaging, heartfelt, and uplifting. If you’re looking for a feel-good read with depth, this one is definitely worth picking up.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
From the very first page, A Secret Escape had me hooked. It’s an easy read, yet it delves into important themes of self-worth, family, friendship, and personal growth in a meaningful way. The characters felt real and relatable, and I found myself truly invested in their journeys.
This was my first book by Sarah Morgan, and it certainly won’t be my last. Her storytelling is engaging, heartfelt, and uplifting. If you’re looking for a feel-good read with depth, this one is definitely worth picking up.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
May 21, 2025
Another great read from Sarah Morgan.
Milly is surprised when she gets a call from Nicole asking for her help. They’ve not spoken for 18 months and Milly is still hurt by her friend’s lack of contact when she needed her, but she agrees to help her.
Nicole is running from her life in America and the paparazzi who are hunting her down.
Milly agrees for Nicole to stay in her home which is in a remote lakeside location in the UK, but it’s clear they have things to discuss.
I won’t spoil how it all turns out as it’s a great story that I think you’d enjoy.
Thanks to HQ for the opportunity to read this book.
Milly is surprised when she gets a call from Nicole asking for her help. They’ve not spoken for 18 months and Milly is still hurt by her friend’s lack of contact when she needed her, but she agrees to help her.
Nicole is running from her life in America and the paparazzi who are hunting her down.
Milly agrees for Nicole to stay in her home which is in a remote lakeside location in the UK, but it’s clear they have things to discuss.
I won’t spoil how it all turns out as it’s a great story that I think you’d enjoy.
Thanks to HQ for the opportunity to read this book.
May 21, 2025
I enjoyed this book on a number of different levels. I loved the theme of love, friendship and family that ran throughout it. There are 4 generations of women, all looking out for each other, Milly and her daughter and then her mum and her nana. It highlights how a problem is not just connected to one person but shared amongst the everyone, and everyone is impacted in some way, even if it's just to worry about the other person and be there for them should they need a shoulder to cry on.
The friendship between Milly and Nicole was interesting and it really highlighted how Nicole's life changed once she became famous, how the 'real' world seemed to be kept away from her and she only was able to navigate within the Hollywood world, and just how claustrophobic that was compare to the freedoms people think that you must have when you are famous.
I enjoyed them feeling out their friendship again, with Milly standing up for herself, and then add in the new friendships with the guys and it was really a sweet read with some big feels. Panic attacks, depression, love, freedom and privacy were all talked about really well, as well as showing how a mature reaction to a marriage breakdown can be navigated.
Some amazing setting descriptions, the Lake District is a great location to get away from it all and heal. All in all a lovely summer read.
The friendship between Milly and Nicole was interesting and it really highlighted how Nicole's life changed once she became famous, how the 'real' world seemed to be kept away from her and she only was able to navigate within the Hollywood world, and just how claustrophobic that was compare to the freedoms people think that you must have when you are famous.
I enjoyed them feeling out their friendship again, with Milly standing up for herself, and then add in the new friendships with the guys and it was really a sweet read with some big feels. Panic attacks, depression, love, freedom and privacy were all talked about really well, as well as showing how a mature reaction to a marriage breakdown can be navigated.
Some amazing setting descriptions, the Lake District is a great location to get away from it all and heal. All in all a lovely summer read.
August 7, 2025
Lovely story about friends reuniting and several women finding their own worth against the beautiful backdrop of the Lake District (I want to stay at Forest’s Nest!) A very quick listen, and one of my favourite Sarah Morgan books so far.
Only little nitpick: I love a good "make over montage", but while the focus on working out was great, Nicole completely banning anything with sugar for Milly, even honey, was a bit strange weird.
Only little nitpick: I love a good "make over montage", but while the focus on working out was great, Nicole completely banning anything with sugar for Milly, even honey, was a bit strange weird.
August 4, 2025
I always know I'm going to enjoy a Sarah Morgan book so I was delighted to read this one. Set in the Lake District. Cabins set by a river in a forest, bliss. The story was great and an easy read soit was no hardship to settle into this one.
August 16, 2025
Another good read by Sarah Morgan! I enjoyed the family saga type story throughout this one.
August 20, 2025
I always love the twists in her books, this one didnt disappoint.
May 21, 2025
4.5 stars
Sarah Morgan has done it again and wrote an emotional and feel-good novel that is perfect for the upcoming summer season! To me, it isn't summer (or Christmas) without a Sarah Morgan novel, and this book did not disappoint. I was absolutely hooked on this story, especially the setting, which honestly sounds so picturesque, and now I need to go to the Lake District immediately.
I loved that we got to read from both Milly and Nicole's perspective in this one as you really got to know them in depth and see how much they grow throughout the book. I also like that we got to read from Milly's daughter and mother's perspective as it allowed us to see how cartain parts of the story affected them. Sarah Morgan writes fantastic characters who are incredibly realistic, and for some, relatable characters who you can't help but root for.
A secret escape is such a wholesome and amazing story about family, friendships, and forgiveness. I absolutely recommend picking this one up, along with her backlog, and can't wait for this year's Christmas novel!
Sarah Morgan has done it again and wrote an emotional and feel-good novel that is perfect for the upcoming summer season! To me, it isn't summer (or Christmas) without a Sarah Morgan novel, and this book did not disappoint. I was absolutely hooked on this story, especially the setting, which honestly sounds so picturesque, and now I need to go to the Lake District immediately.
I loved that we got to read from both Milly and Nicole's perspective in this one as you really got to know them in depth and see how much they grow throughout the book. I also like that we got to read from Milly's daughter and mother's perspective as it allowed us to see how cartain parts of the story affected them. Sarah Morgan writes fantastic characters who are incredibly realistic, and for some, relatable characters who you can't help but root for.
A secret escape is such a wholesome and amazing story about family, friendships, and forgiveness. I absolutely recommend picking this one up, along with her backlog, and can't wait for this year's Christmas novel!
July 6, 2025
Slow start but cute book
Love a Sarah Morgan story
Love a Sarah Morgan story
May 19, 2025
Milly and Nicole have been friends since school and have always been there for each other so, eighteen months ago when she needed support, she called the one person she thought she could rely on and Nicole ignored her, Milly still doesn't know why but she picked up her life and carried on, concentrating on her teenage daughter Zoe and her family business. Out of the blue she receives a call from Nicole desperate for somewhere private to hide and she's hoping that Milly will let her stay with her in the Lake District and, even though she still hasn't forgiven her friend, she finds herself saying yes. As the weeks pass they begin to get their friendship back on track and put the past behind them, until a secret is revealed that completely floors Millie and tests the bond they have once more, will they ever come back from this?
A Secret Escape is the latest heartwarming and emotional novel from Morgan which follows the lives of Milly and her family, told predominantly from the perspectives of Milly and Nicole we are introduced to some wonderful characters within these pages, two of my favourites being Nanna Peg for her warmth and wisdom and Zoe who, considering she was only thirteen, was very grown up and a credit to her mum. This story highlighted the strength of friendship and the importance of family, holding on to both of those things and making the most of life, its a tale of secrets and betrayals and the need to be loved and Morgan captured this and so much more within the pages of this book. A truly inspiring story that shows even though you may think something is broken there's always a way of fixing it, you just have to want to.
I'd like to thank HQ and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.
A Secret Escape is the latest heartwarming and emotional novel from Morgan which follows the lives of Milly and her family, told predominantly from the perspectives of Milly and Nicole we are introduced to some wonderful characters within these pages, two of my favourites being Nanna Peg for her warmth and wisdom and Zoe who, considering she was only thirteen, was very grown up and a credit to her mum. This story highlighted the strength of friendship and the importance of family, holding on to both of those things and making the most of life, its a tale of secrets and betrayals and the need to be loved and Morgan captured this and so much more within the pages of this book. A truly inspiring story that shows even though you may think something is broken there's always a way of fixing it, you just have to want to.
I'd like to thank HQ and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.
May 13, 2025
Such a beautiful story from Sarah Morgan.
This is truly a wonderful read centred around family and friendships.
Milly and Nicole have been friends forever, been through thick and thin, but when Nicole suddenly stops contacting Milly, at a time she needs her the most, Milly believes the friendship to be over.
What follows is a story of reconnection, of understanding how someone else might feel when placed in a difficult situation.
The author describes the scenes so well and also develops the characters in a very sensitive way. I really felt I was staying in this beautiful location, surrounded by nature, a fly on the wall to everything going on.
I really liked that the author didn’t complicate this story with lots of romance. The way friendships blossom throughout, with the potential for more was very well written, keeping the focus on our main characters and how they are changing and moving on.
You can really connect with the characters and I think everyone will love Nanna Peg. I can certainly picture her in my minds eye and enjoyed the humour she brought to the story.
How the author portrayed the relationships between mother and daughter throughout this book was wonderful. Whether discussing Nanna Peg and Connie, Connie and Milly or Milly and Zoe, you could feel the resounding love, the care and respect, the difficulty but necessity or letting them live their own lives and help guide them through the tougher times. It shows how you are always a parent, not just when the child is young, but forever.
All in all this book really is A Secret Escape, it lets you escape real life for a while, whilst getting lost in the beautiful Lake District countryside.
February 25, 2025
I received an ARC of A Secret Escape via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
To say I was excited about getting to read A Secret Escape is a massive understatement because Sarah Morgan is my joint all-time favourite author and I love her books so much I’ve got physical copies of all of them on my bookshelf.
I was really happy to discover that A Secret Escape is set in the Lake District because some of my favourite books by the same author were also set there. It’s a gorgeous location and the author did such an amazing job with the descriptions that if it was real, I’d definitely book a stay at the holiday cottages Milly manages.
I really liked Milly and Nicole. They start the book in very different places: Milly is a single mother living in the Lake District who’s lost her self-confidence whereas Nicole is a world-famous Hollywood actress but I truly believed in their enduring friendship. I love Milly’s family and her grandmother, Peg is hilarious. It was interesting to read about how Milly and Nicole helped each other grow from their traumas.
I didn’t necessarily understand what had attracted Milly to her ex-husband because he doesn’t have a lot if any redeeming qualities although maybe she was influenced by her parents’ divorce. There was a part of the book that was hard to read (no spoilers) given what’s happened to my own family recently, which is why I couldn’t give it 5 x Stars but overall, it was a lovely, cosy read and I’ll definitely be adding the paperback to my collection when it’s published.
To say I was excited about getting to read A Secret Escape is a massive understatement because Sarah Morgan is my joint all-time favourite author and I love her books so much I’ve got physical copies of all of them on my bookshelf.
I was really happy to discover that A Secret Escape is set in the Lake District because some of my favourite books by the same author were also set there. It’s a gorgeous location and the author did such an amazing job with the descriptions that if it was real, I’d definitely book a stay at the holiday cottages Milly manages.
I really liked Milly and Nicole. They start the book in very different places: Milly is a single mother living in the Lake District who’s lost her self-confidence whereas Nicole is a world-famous Hollywood actress but I truly believed in their enduring friendship. I love Milly’s family and her grandmother, Peg is hilarious. It was interesting to read about how Milly and Nicole helped each other grow from their traumas.
I didn’t necessarily understand what had attracted Milly to her ex-husband because he doesn’t have a lot if any redeeming qualities although maybe she was influenced by her parents’ divorce. There was a part of the book that was hard to read (no spoilers) given what’s happened to my own family recently, which is why I couldn’t give it 5 x Stars but overall, it was a lovely, cosy read and I’ll definitely be adding the paperback to my collection when it’s published.
February 26, 2025
A secret escape is another 5 star read by Sarah Morgan
This book epitomises the wholesome virtues of friendships and family, based in the most picturesque Lake district full of woodlands, mountains and nature it extols the benefits of nature and walking for both mental and physical health particularly when done with great trusted friends or family.
Milly and Nicole were childhood friends that continued their close knit friendship throughout adulthood through good times and bad times even though they had vastly different lives and lived in different countries, this suddenly and abruptly stopped just when Milly needed her friends support more than ever and for eighteen months there was no contact, suddenly out of the blue Nicole needed help and reached out to Milly.
What follows is a journey of revelations,realisations and second chances as a whole gauntlet of emotions are released, home truths and secrets, but with understanding, kindness, family and friendships we are led on the most incredible of healing journeys as both Millly and Nicole re establish their friendship and let go of the past
A wonderful feel good read that I would highly recommend
Thank you NetGalley for this early read
This book epitomises the wholesome virtues of friendships and family, based in the most picturesque Lake district full of woodlands, mountains and nature it extols the benefits of nature and walking for both mental and physical health particularly when done with great trusted friends or family.
Milly and Nicole were childhood friends that continued their close knit friendship throughout adulthood through good times and bad times even though they had vastly different lives and lived in different countries, this suddenly and abruptly stopped just when Milly needed her friends support more than ever and for eighteen months there was no contact, suddenly out of the blue Nicole needed help and reached out to Milly.
What follows is a journey of revelations,realisations and second chances as a whole gauntlet of emotions are released, home truths and secrets, but with understanding, kindness, family and friendships we are led on the most incredible of healing journeys as both Millly and Nicole re establish their friendship and let go of the past
A wonderful feel good read that I would highly recommend
Thank you NetGalley for this early read
June 5, 2025
A good holiday read
May 1, 2025
I was absolutely hooked from the first chapter and knew straight away this was another book written with Sarah’s magic touch- utterly fabulous. This is full of warmth and a powerful story about family, love and friendships. The characters felt real and easy to connect with as they do in all of Sarah’s books.
I loved hearing about Nicole and Millys lives and loved the female strength shown down Millys family line but that also made Nicole’s relationship with her own mother an obvious contrast.
Overall it was a perfect summer read by Sarah and was perfect escapism. I would recommend this book whether you’re a fan of Sarah’s or not read any of her books yet.
I loved hearing about Nicole and Millys lives and loved the female strength shown down Millys family line but that also made Nicole’s relationship with her own mother an obvious contrast.
Overall it was a perfect summer read by Sarah and was perfect escapism. I would recommend this book whether you’re a fan of Sarah’s or not read any of her books yet.
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