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Destination Love #5

The Great Ex-Scape

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From the author of the 100,000+ copy-selling rom-com, Love to Hate You ! No one makes you laugh like Jo Watson!'If you want a book that is TRULY "laugh out loud" start here ' Goodreads reviewerIf you love Sophie Ranald, Sophie Kinsella and Paige Toon, you'll LOVE Jo Watson!'A hilarious, laugh-out-loud romance that is a breath of fresh air' 5* reader review'A masterclass in character development... This is truly a novel for the times we live in. I would highly recommend' 5* reader review'Another absolutely gorgeous read by one of my favourite authors...completely impossible to put down' 5* reader review'I loved this book. It was so funny and I really wish a movie could be made of it' 5* reader review.................................................................................On the scale of one to worst idea ever, agreeing to give the toast at her best friend's engagement party when she's been in love with him for three years was not Val's finest decision. Nor was accidentally confessing her love to him in front of all their guests, including his fiancee.Boarding a plane that will take her literally anywhere to get away from the humiliation, Val is pleasantly surprised to find herself on the dazzlingly beautiful island of Reunion where she hopes she can heal her wounded pride, broken heart and bruised knees.When a painful face mask experiment leads her to a fellow broken-hearted traveller, Alex, they decide to give each other a helping hand and follow a foolproof ten-step plan to get over their respective exes. And so begins their crazy adventure. What could possibly go wrong?.................................................................................Don't miss Jo's laugh-out-loud rom-coms, Love You, Love You Not, Love to Hate You , Burning Moon, Almost A Bride , Finding You, After the Rain and The Great Ex-scape .Love funny, romantic stories? You don't want to miss Jo 'The perfect choice for fans of romantic comedies ' Gina's Bookshelf'It was amazing , it was hilarious ' Rachel's Random Reads'A brilliant read from beginning to end' Hopeless Romantics

385 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2018

250 people are currently reading
947 people want to read

About the author

Jo Watson

33 books1,101 followers
Best selling author of romantic comedies and young adult fiction

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5 stars
751 (47%)
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519 (32%)
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244 (15%)
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53 (3%)
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23 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
Profile Image for Beth.
925 reviews630 followers
October 18, 2018
4 Stars!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an Arc in exchange for an honest review.

So here’s the thing. We’re in October, and normally I crave fantasy, nope. Not this year. Give me all of the Chick Lit I can ingest. I don’t know what it is about Jo Watson and her books, but I can’t help how much I enjoy them. I sadly DNFed After the Rain because I couldn’t really get on board with the characters. (It was a me not you kind of thing) THIS however, my god. I adored it!

We firstly start off with Val who is the “best (wo)man” for her best friend Matt. She has been hopelessly in love with him for three years and has done a lot to make him see what he’s missing. However something very embarrassing happens at the engagement party so Val is mortified and has to make a swift exit. Some things play out (which for me I found hilarious) and she ends up getting on a plane to a place she has no idea even existed.

There she meets Alex and the story plays out, he’s getting over an ex who cheated on him and she’s there trying to get over her un-requited love. The friendship begins to grow and they take to the magazines and get a check list of “how to get over an ex” and let me tell you it was just so funny!

Why may you ask?
- Swingers party they had no idea about
- Getting drunk and burning things on a beach
- Bum Jokes (when you find out Alex’s job this will all make sense)
- Terrible terrible hair choices

There were plenty of laugh out loud moments!

I honestly didn’t want to put it down, and the connection they had just made me so happy!

This is full of many tropes and cliches but I’m not mad at it, it’s what I wanted to read and it’s one of those books where I physically didn’t want to put it down!

I need more of Jo Watson’s books, because they’re just so addictive and you can’t help but to sit and laugh and root for people to get together.

Overall I really did enjoy this, I kind of wish in the epilogue we would of got more of an insight as to what had happened, but it’s set it up for a novella instead. Lots of laughs and plenty of moments where I was shouting DON’T DO IT!
Profile Image for Rachel Gilbey.
3,328 reviews572 followers
December 30, 2018
A pure joy to read, full of many laugh out load moments and memorable scenes,

There is the yacht trip that doesn't go quiet according to plan, the speech at an engagement party that kicks everything off, and even the whole airport scene ending up on a flight to somewhere Val has never heard of.

So many highlights, and so much fun. It is a bit of shame we don't see so much of her friends as we have in the other books in this series, but its due to that reason that its easily readable as a standalone.

The main setting is Reunion Island, and was a fabulous location it is. I could really picture Val and Alex's adventures as they together work through a 10 things list from a magazine, about getting over the love of your life.

I can easily say that Jo Watson is getting better with every book, and coming up with even more amusing ideas for her characters, This is easily one of my favourites in the series, and I can't wait to see what she writes next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Headline Eternal for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
9 reviews1 follower
October 10, 2018
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!!
This has to be my favourite book from the Destination Love series! I have loved every book from this series but have really enjoyed reading this one!
I couldn't help but feel sorry for Val when i read about her unrequited love in the other books but it's wonderful to be able to follow her journey to true love in this book! Lots of twists and turns and heartwarming moments throughout!
Profile Image for Hannah.
601 reviews118 followers
February 1, 2021
I loved this one from start to finish. Val and Alex are both likeable. I was rooting for Alex and Val to get other their ex's with each other. I could have banged Val's head against a wall when she let Alex walk away and went to Matt. Connie had the best advice in this part do not let him be the one that got away like she did. Alex's job was brilliant and it so added to the comedy of them getting back together. When he saved the kid was one of my favourite moments.

I loved the whole series but my personal favourites out of the girls were Jane and Val. My favourite guy was Alex.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
13 reviews
October 12, 2018
I've been having this great-mood grin on my face and in my mind since Tuesday, when I got my pre-ordered copy and started reading it. Just like with the rest of the series, J.W. takes us on a magical journey with two charismatic main characters, Val and Alex, giving us this unique opportunity to explore some beautiful exotic places where life changing circumstances set up the stage for a beautiful beginning. There's also an insane amount of comedy throughout the book, from situations and scenes to thoughts, perceptions, decisions etc, but what's the most fascinating about it is the actual behind-the-scenes feature: J.W.'s insane creativity, imagination, writing talent, vast vocabulary, and ability to put that long lasting smile on reader's face over and over again.
Profile Image for Aly.
4 reviews1 follower
January 17, 2022
Enjoyed it but found it slow.
372 reviews4 followers
July 25, 2019
Absolutely loved it! Good intro, loveable characters, a place described such as you want to visit, a steamy scene...
Profile Image for Jo ReadsRomance.
512 reviews35 followers
October 18, 2018
4.5 Stars.

Only a few months ago, I read my first Jo Watson novel and since then she has quickly become a favourite of mine. The books that I have read so far have been brilliant and a few will definitely be in my top reads of 2018. As such, I was eagerly awaiting this newest release from Jo. I couldn't wait to dive in. Like most of my previous reads from this author, "The Great Ex-Scape" was a summer holiday kind of romance, set on an exotic island. It was another story that was filled with plenty of sun, sea and swoon.

"I was drowning and he was the oxygen I needed.
I was burning and he was the water. I was lost and he was the way."


The story follows Val and Alex, both nursing broken hearts and escaping to the beautiful reunion island to heal. Val spent her days giving out advice on a magazine column, whilst her own life was a bit of a mess, especially in the love department. Alex, the good guy and doctor just needed to meet someone who truly loved him. The pair found themselves in the same hotel and drawn to each other because of their connection. The story then continued as Val and Alex came up with a number of hilarious ways to improve their situation.

"....will you fight of the evil creatures when they descend from the mist?"
"For you...I'll fight them to the death."


I loved reading the entertaining adventures of Val and Alex, but I was also desperate for something to happen between the couple. With each chapter I could feel the sexual tension growing between them, however it seemed to take forever before things started to happen. I'm a bit of a hit or miss with slow burns. Sometimes, I adore them, other times I find them so damn frustrating. Val and Alex's relationship was one of the latter, but when things did finally improve, I was swooning like mad and ready to stand up and do a little happy dance. This was why I love this author! She can write such heart-melting and swoon-worthy romance. I was excited for Val and Alex and certain that from that moment on, I could relax and enjoy my time in romance heaven. Wrong!! I was so stupid to think that the rest of the book would be all hearts and flowers. Jo threw in an evil curve ball that made me want to jump into the book, stamp my feet and throw a huge tantrum for what was happening between Val and Alex. I found myself frantically tearing through the pages, praying that things would turn out okay in the end.

"You kind of broke my heart a little bit,"
"Then let me put it back together."


Thankfully, I was eventually given an ending that I loved. It was absolutely the most perfect ending for Val and Alex and left my heart full to the brim. This turned out to be another fantastic read from this author. I also loved catching up with some of the familiar characters from Jo's other books. I especially loved discovering what was happening between Stormy and Marcus. Stormy is hands down one of my favourites. She just puts a big smile on my face.

If you are looking for a novel that will make you chuckle and melt your heart, you can't go wrong with a book from Jo Watson.
Profile Image for Jo ReadsRomance.
512 reviews35 followers
October 19, 2018
4.5 Stars.

Only a few months ago, I read my first Jo Watson novel and since then she has quickly become a favourite of mine. The books that I have read so far have been brilliant and a few will definitely be in my top reads of 2018. As such, I was eagerly awaiting this newest release from Jo. I couldn't wait to dive in. Like most of my previous reads from this author, "The Great Ex-Scape" was a summer holiday kind of romance, set on an exotic island. It was another story that was filled with plenty of sun, sea and swoon.

."I was drowning and he was the oxygen I needed.
I was burning and he was the water. I was lost and he was the way."


The story follows Val and Alex, both nursing broken hearts and escaping to the beautiful reunion island to heal. Val spent her days giving out advice on a magazine column, whilst her own life was a bit of a mess, especially in the love department. Alex, the good guy and doctor just needed to meet someone who truly loved him. The pair found themselves in the same hotel and drawn to each other because of their connection. The story then continued as Val and Alex came up with a number of hilarious ways to improve their situation.

."....will you fight of the evil creatures when they descend from the mist?"
"For you...I'll fight them to the death."


I loved reading the entertaining adventures of Val and Alex, but I was also desperate for something to happen between the couple. With each chapter I could feel the sexual tension growing between them, however it seemed to take forever before things started to happen. I'm a bit of a hit or miss with slow burns. Sometimes, I adore them, other times I find them so damn frustrating. Val and Alex's relationship was one of the latter, but when things did finally improve, I was swooning like mad and ready to stand up and do a little happy dance. This was why I love this author! She can write such heart-melting and swoon-worthy romance. I was excited for Val and Alex and certain that from that moment on, I could relax and enjoy my time in romance heaven. Wrong!! I was so stupid to think that the rest of the book would be all hearts and flowers. Jo threw in an evil curve ball that made me want to jump into the book, stamp my feet and throw a huge tantrum for what was happening between Val and Alex. I found myself frantically tearing through the pages, praying that things would turn out okay in the end.

."You kind of broke my heart a little bit,"
"Then let me put it back together."


Thankfully, I was eventually given an ending that I loved. It was absolutely the most perfect ending for Val and Alex and left my heart full to the brim. This turned out to be another fantastic read from this author. I also loved catching up with some of the familiar characters from Jo's other books. I especially loved discovering what was happening between Stormy and Marcus. Stormy is hands down one of my favourites. She just puts a big smile on my face.

If you are looking for a novel that will make you chuckle and melt your heart, you can't go wrong with a book from Jo Watson.
Profile Image for Kristen DeMello.
180 reviews70 followers
May 1, 2019
This was hands down the funniest book I have ever read in my life. I was in tears from beginning to end (from laughing so hard). I’ve always been a fan of Jo Watson, her romance books never disappoint!

They are always filled with so much adventure, lovable and relatable characters with strong voices, tons of comedy and AMAZING romance.

Her Destination Love series is my absolute favorite- probably because I’m a sucker for romance stories that happen abroad and in exotic places!

I didn’t think she could top Burning Moon (my favorite out of all of her books), but The Great Ex-Scape is officially tied!

Profile Image for Rebecca Haslam.
513 reviews8 followers
January 11, 2020
I liked the premise of this book and that's ultimately why I picked it up. Am I glad I did? Somewhat. The story itself was enjoyable, if not a little long winded in places, but the humour kept me turning the pages as did the idea of doing things - and by that I mean all kinds of things - to help you get over something or in this case someone. The ending in my opinion was somewhat predictable, but that didn't stop me from rather enjoying this book though it's not one I'll read again.
Profile Image for Steph Hayward-bailey .
1,066 reviews5 followers
March 19, 2019
Loved it. This was an amazingly funny rom-com I loved the way they were working their way through the magazine list and the different adventures they had along the way.
Profile Image for Iulia.
15 reviews
May 31, 2020
Never in my life have I laughed so much while reading a book! This was the perfect treatment for this crazy times we are going through.
I had tears in my eyes!
Profile Image for Kelly Hearnshaw.
31 reviews
December 4, 2020
Excellent book from start to finish. Funny and exciting. An easy read. First time reading a book by Jo Watson and will definitely seek out some more to read. 5 Stars.
Profile Image for Christy.
60 reviews
September 15, 2025
Wow—what a bittersweet goodbye to this series and its unforgettable characters. I’ve truly fallen in love with each of their stories.

I devoured this book in a single day because I simply couldn’t put it down! It’s the perfect balance of humour and heartfelt, thought-provoking moments. More than just a romance, it makes you reflect on your own life and how to live in a way that feels true to yourself. It’s inspiring—encouraging you to take charge of your own happiness, whatever form that may take.

A perfect read that leaves you laughing, swooning, and a little more in love with life.
Profile Image for Kelly.
158 reviews6 followers
July 14, 2021
My favourite book from the Destination Love series.. laugh out loud funny and a great read
Profile Image for Alice.
2 reviews
March 17, 2025
Loved the storyline, took a while to get into it but I binge read 3/4 of it. However I didn’t love the end, I thought it seemed very rushed and abrupt.
142 reviews
January 4, 2021
Binge reading! Another five star review.

I am done with my binge. I think I’m going to sob. No more Jo Watson novels available at least not in the US. So I’m just going to sit here and cry because I don’t have my new favorite authors books to read Because like gobbled them up all at one time. Sounds like it’s time to go back to the beginning and read them again.
Profile Image for Hannah Thompson.
20 reviews1 follower
August 10, 2020
When Val accidentally announces her unrequited love in front of a room full of friends and family, she is mortified and needs to escape. Not least because he is trying to talk to her in the airport the next day. In an effort to avoid him she gets a seat on a plane to Reunion island and decides to stay a while to get over him.

Here, she meets Alex, a handsome Doctor who is similarly trying to get over someone. They decide to team up and help one another get over their respective heartbreaks. But along the way they discover that maybe what they thought they wanted wasn't what they needed and maybe what they need is right under their noses.

What an exciting, adventurous romp around Reunion island. Sky diving, mountain road driving and of course, an ill advised makeover under the influence. We've all been there!

This scene made me cry laughing. Both the characters get awful makeovers to their hair and, after seeing it on social media, the response of their bartender friend is a simple text that gets them back on the road..."my wife is a hairdresser". Honestly. I laughed out loud so hard at this book.

One of my favourites from the series. And also downloaded the bonus novella from subscribing to Jo's website which ties up the group of friends' stories in a lovely way.

If you want a total escape that adds 5 or more destinations to your holiday wishlist as well as providing some gloriously passionate and consuming rmances then read ALL of these.
Profile Image for Beth.
424 reviews5 followers
January 18, 2020
One of my favourite books of last year was S.T.A.G.S by M.A. Bennett and I was so excited to hear about the new book The Island and it was just as good as S.T.A.G.S and I really enjoyed it. It was dark but, also had some humour and it made me to never want to get trapped on an island.

Our main character is Link. He is funny and lovely and I really liked reading about him throughout the book. He has arrived at Orsney School and is finding it hard to fit in. They have strange rules, and he is confused about why they rank the students by how fast they run and his time at the school seems to get worse when he was the slowest. He just wants to leave and his parents make a deal with him. Go on the school trip and you can leave. Seems simple enough, right?

But, the plane crashes lands on an island and Link realises he needs to start putting his survival instincts to the test as, they all need to work together to survive but, how long will it last for? How long until some don't want to play by the rules with people they don't particularly like? You can see the shift in the characters as the days pass and it was really interesting to read as you can tell something sinister is also happening.

I really enjoyed this book and the mystery of the Island kept me gripped from the beginning and I couldn't put it down until the end!
Profile Image for Hannah.
67 reviews
August 15, 2020
Honestly I’m starting to think I can never go wrong with a jo Watson book. Again another fantastic summer book. This time it was Val’s story and her embarrassing crush on her best friend Matt. From the get go this book made me cry and shake from laughter, sadness and happiness. I loved loved loved Alex as a character he was adorable and definitely one of my favourite from this series. Next summer I’m going to go back and read the last 2 that I haven’t read yet, which are Annie’s and Janes stories. Can’t believe I’m already past half way through this series, ITS SOOOOO GOOD! I don’t want it to end. Anyway definitely give this book a go if you enjoy summer, beachy Romantic comedies. You will definitely relate and love the characters. ☺️🌤✈️🚁
2 reviews
August 22, 2020
Val tells this guy Matt that she has had a crush on him for two years, that she is in love with him - she does this during an engagement party right before Matt is about to marry another girl. Val makes a fool of herself because she accidentally broadcasts what should have been a private conversation between her and Matt (her microphone was still on) to the entire wedding party and guests. Val escapes by taking a flight to a nearby island where she meets a Alex, a guy with similar love issues. Val and this new guy (Alex) become a romantic couple and just when her life is starting to turn a corner, Matt shows up and tells Val that he has broken up with that fiancee of his and is now ready to try to have a relationship with her - Val. In the end she chooses the new guy - Alex.
Profile Image for Hannah Clitheroe.
170 reviews1 follower
April 30, 2020
This book was downright hilarious, there were parts where I was laughing like the two of them were standing in front of me.
Val, poor girl, she had a rough start of the story but oh my was she a great character. Funny, charismatic, a little awkward, and amazing.
Alex, and his weird rockstar clothes, was perfect too! He was such a gentlemen, sweet, caring, and hilarious.
The things these two went though and go through together are great, I didn’t want this book to end!
There are some heartbreaking parts of this book, parts where I wanted to cry for them, and then there were steamy parts! Ah it was such a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for ❀ Elena ❀.
144 reviews122 followers
May 31, 2020
Entretenido y te saca unas risas, pero el final es total y absolutamente predecible. Tampoco entiendo la manía que existe entre los autores de este tipo de literatura de que gente que se ha conocido hace apenas unos días y que no saben prácticamente nada el uno del otro acaben super enamoradísimos tan pronto (es una característica del género que nunca me ha gustado).

Aparte, lo del uso frecuente del alcohol como elemento impulsor en las locuras de estos dos es algo que me echa para atrás.

Ah, y aluciné cuando el libro te dice que la protagonista tiene 29 años, porque lo que escribe en su diario es de adolescente total.
Profile Image for Sarah.
84 reviews3 followers
August 4, 2020
Another classic Jo Watson rom-com. This is Viv’s story and in true Jo Watson style we’ve got the main character who’s funny but needs to escape from something gone wrong and travels to another amazing destination (this whole series made me want to travel to every single one of these places) where she comes across a sexy man who’s kind, caring and funny and who brings her out her shell and rescues her. Showing her that’s she’s perfect just the way she is, these men in this series are amazing. The perfect man.

Fantastic series, would highly highly recommend this entire series....so fun, enjoyable, easy going rom-com. Perfect summer read.
Profile Image for Ali's  In Literature .
868 reviews23 followers
October 28, 2018
Hilarious!

Whenever I think Jo Watson's stories can't get any better, she somehow still manages to pull it out of the bag. Probably my favourite in the series (and that's saying something after the absolute triumph that was Stormy's story!)

There's a point in this book that I literally could not breath because I was laughing SO much. It was 3am (because I couldn't put it down) and I'm sure the neighbours thought I was having a fit! But I digress... If you want a book that is TRULY 'laugh out loud', start here. (But make sure to read the rest of Jo's writing as well!)

Profile Image for Yumna.
168 reviews25 followers
January 30, 2020
A fun, hilarious, and quick read. Val and Alex had the best of fun with lots of laugh-out-loud moments that kept the story fast-paced and enjoyable.

Also - initially going in, I didn't know this book was part of a series. But throughout the book you see characters from previous stories pop up as Val's friends. I hadn't read any of the previous books but would be interested in reading some of their stories after getting a glimpse into their personalities in this book.
Profile Image for sahra (readwithsahra_).
480 reviews75 followers
June 19, 2022
i wanted to read this book for quite a time but I was waiting to be in vacation bc I was sure it would be a perfect summer beach read. and it was, this story was unexpectedly good

i dived into it thinking it would be a tame version of a women’s fiction love story emily Henry’s style, but it wasn’t

it was fun, entertaining, touching, cute and seggsy I really loved it

you can think because of the synopsis that it will be cliché, déjà vu but it wasn’t. this story is based on a very 2016´s environment im ngl but it was still fresh in a way

I really love Alex and Val duo. there are people who get along perfectly bc of a turn of event and it is what these two lived and it was extremely heartwarming to follow their adventures and journeys

the plot around getting over your ex can sound silly af but in this story it’s not. it’s well done, it gives you pieces of advices but also an entertaining value

i love LOVE LOVE the moments of adventures or more misadventures btw val and Alex they were so freaking fun

val and Alex are really sweet I came to a point where I’m in love with them and hope they will end up married in three years with a daughter and a son

THE TENSION BTW THEM IS AS GOOD as it is funny omg the awkward moments they both face in each other’s company is so fun

even if they don’t know each other for long it doesn’t feel insta love at all. it feels more like pieces coming into places, naturally as they always should have

I love how this story is really showing the power of having a crush. it’s such something we don’t discuss in unreturned love - affection. having a crush for so long and seeing it reciprocate after time does not mean that the love you wished will be at the level you expected it to be. most of the time we idolise the image of what it could be but reality is not it. it’s a difficult thing to face but it’s the truth. crushes can be as devastating as bad relationships sometimes

as I sais it can low-key pass as instalove bc the story is placed only on one week but it is not. the relationship linked to Alex and val is deep. they grow into each other to help the other. they arrived in time of need and slowly show each other the right way. they bond over the same pain and from that they thread their own happiness. their story is beautiful bc it’s just not attraction or trying to get over the ex. it’s discovering yourself and seeing your truth

alex said that before val he was asleep but now that he learned to know her he is awake. and it is true. you could see that in their evolution and their friendship

the lesson of the book is that, life is most of the time a long game. we mostly forgot this reality. we suffer in the present, feeling low and sad bc of the current state of our life but most of the best things that happens to us are the result of long unsufferable parts of our life. it’s part of life. you may found yourself stuck in an unreciprocated crush for 3 years or a failed relationship of 7 years, with only sadness as the outcome, feeling like you spend so much time to waste. but it isn’t, bc when you go back to that time, that you processed it, that you grow from it, you see things you weren’t able to see while in the present of it. you learn from it and you unlock an important part of yourself that will help you allow yourself to open to real true happiness. and that’s what happened to val and Alex

This book was pure fun I’m so happy I got to read it during my vacation week. reading it added more to my happiness at the time and it will hold a place within my memories. everytime i will look at it I’ll remember that moment where I was in the pool, back on the sun, reading the ex-scape and feeling like this place was were my happiness belonged

I loved loved this romcom as you may have understood but I won’t give it 5/5 just bc the end was selling short. so that fact i made it a 4.75

ratings:
overall: 4.75⭐️
spice: 3🌶
tension: 3.25⚡️
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