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Escape Series #1
Escape for the Summer
The perfect summer read from Amazon TOP TEN BESTSELLING AUTHOR Ruth Saberton Betrayed and broken-hearted, redundancy is one shock too many for Andi Evans. Single and in debt, a summer working in the Cornish town of Rock, playground to princes and playboys, seems the perfect solution to all her problems. Andi's sister, Angel, is determined to find a billionaire who can keep her in style. Although Prince Harry is now off the market, heading to Rock seems an inspired idea until a misunderstanding threatens to end all her best laid plans. Failed actress Gemma is no stranger to diets and disappointments. As the future of her career hangs in the balance a reality TV show being filmed a the seaside town could just be the chance she needs - if she can just keep away from the ice creams. All three girls are hoping for a summer to remember. But will this be for the right reasons when the summer escape turns their lives upside down?
528 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2015
657 people are currently reading
859 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Saberton
45 books349 followersRuth Saberton is a bestselling British author with over 25 books written under her own and pen names. Her books feature romance and secrets and are set in beautiful Cornwall.
Her latest book THE LETTER is available now!
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruth-Saberto...
Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Ruth loves to to talk to her readers. Interact with her on her website www.ruthsaberton.com on Twitter @ruthsaberton
www.facebook.com/ruthsabertonauthor
Her latest book THE LETTER is available now!
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruth-Saberto...
Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Ruth loves to to talk to her readers. Interact with her on her website www.ruthsaberton.com on Twitter @ruthsaberton
www.facebook.com/ruthsabertonauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
May 20, 2018
This was fun and well written. It is the perfect beach read.
December 3, 2014
Original review is posted on
This Chick Reads
.
This is my first Ruth Saberton book, but now after finishing it I can only say it certainly won’t be the last. I enjoyed the story so much that now I’m on a search of other books from Ms. Saberton. This story is anything but boring.
The plot is centered around three young women, Andi, Angel and Gemma. The three main characters are so hilarious, so adorable, yet at the same time very down-to-earth. Miranda (Andi) finds out that her boyfriend took all her money from her credit card. The same day when she discovers this, she loses her job and comes home earlier, just to find out that Tom is sleeping with the neighbor next door.What else can go wrong?
Andi’s little sister, Angelique or Angel, works as an beautician. She is not very happy with her rich Russian customer who seems that can never be pleased. And that lady has a huge mole on her face that’s very very hard not to stare at. But this time the mole looks swollen. After her mother died from skin cancer, Angel is very concerned about this thing. To tell or not to tell? The Russian lady is very offended so Angel loses her job.
Angel’s best friend Gemma is an actress. But working on TV means each day she faces one tough competition with all those skinny models. She loves to bake, eat and naturally seems to always struggle with her weight.
What happens when all your ships sink? You go back to the last place where you were happy and try to start all over again.
The plan is to go back to the Rock, the place Andi and Angel used to visit for the summer. Here they can relax and make some plans for the future. While Andi wants nothing but to chill and move on with her life, Angel thinks of finding the best way to grab herself a millionaire. Gemma wants to enter that realty TV show for losing weight that is located on the Rock.
Escape For The Summer is very enjoyable read. You’ve got everything here, from famous and rich people, to TV celebrities. You might find out that behind all those titles and TV masks are just ordinary people who are trying to be happy. And these three women accidentally put themselves in so many hilarious situations. So, if you need a read that can make you escape your reality and make you feel like you’re vacationing with your best friends, this is the perfect read for you.
My actual rating: 4.5/5
This is my first Ruth Saberton book, but now after finishing it I can only say it certainly won’t be the last. I enjoyed the story so much that now I’m on a search of other books from Ms. Saberton. This story is anything but boring.
The plot is centered around three young women, Andi, Angel and Gemma. The three main characters are so hilarious, so adorable, yet at the same time very down-to-earth. Miranda (Andi) finds out that her boyfriend took all her money from her credit card. The same day when she discovers this, she loses her job and comes home earlier, just to find out that Tom is sleeping with the neighbor next door.What else can go wrong?
Andi’s little sister, Angelique or Angel, works as an beautician. She is not very happy with her rich Russian customer who seems that can never be pleased. And that lady has a huge mole on her face that’s very very hard not to stare at. But this time the mole looks swollen. After her mother died from skin cancer, Angel is very concerned about this thing. To tell or not to tell? The Russian lady is very offended so Angel loses her job.
Angel’s best friend Gemma is an actress. But working on TV means each day she faces one tough competition with all those skinny models. She loves to bake, eat and naturally seems to always struggle with her weight.
What happens when all your ships sink? You go back to the last place where you were happy and try to start all over again.
The plan is to go back to the Rock, the place Andi and Angel used to visit for the summer. Here they can relax and make some plans for the future. While Andi wants nothing but to chill and move on with her life, Angel thinks of finding the best way to grab herself a millionaire. Gemma wants to enter that realty TV show for losing weight that is located on the Rock.
Escape For The Summer is very enjoyable read. You’ve got everything here, from famous and rich people, to TV celebrities. You might find out that behind all those titles and TV masks are just ordinary people who are trying to be happy. And these three women accidentally put themselves in so many hilarious situations. So, if you need a read that can make you escape your reality and make you feel like you’re vacationing with your best friends, this is the perfect read for you.
My actual rating: 4.5/5
June 8, 2021
This was unrealistic escapist chick-lit for British chicks - I kept having to look things up (e.g.TOWIE, Ready Brekk, Bagpuss).
The three leads, sisters Andi and Angel and their friend Gemma, were all nitwits in their own way and I correctly predicted all of their story arcs within the first few pages.
Having said all that, once I got into the spirit of the thing, it was fun and I read it in one go. I wish there really WAS a show called “Bread and Butlers!”
The three leads, sisters Andi and Angel and their friend Gemma, were all nitwits in their own way and I correctly predicted all of their story arcs within the first few pages.
Having said all that, once I got into the spirit of the thing, it was fun and I read it in one go. I wish there really WAS a show called “Bread and Butlers!”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2017
I chose Escape for the Summer by Ruth Saberton as a book with a season in the title. I did not enjoy this book. It may have been the many references to British pop culture or the fact that it is not the type of book I generally prefer or the lack of credulity of the characters' reactions. Three characters go to escape the sad conditions of their lives. All 3 have hidden agendas or present modified versions of themselves to those they meet n the upscale resort community. The tip of the iceberg for me was when Andi, one of the main characters unloads all her lies and deceptions to the man she supposedly loves and he vows to do whatever he can to help her. Yet, when she discovers that he kept aspects of his identity secret, she goes ballistic and has to be convinced to forgive him. It's unfathomable that she's unable to see that she is guilty of the same behavior!
May 29, 2018
My word this takes forever to get going, and when it does, its pretty .... silly?? Stereotypical characters, everyone telling lies about themselves, grown women who think nothing of sponging off (ie stealing from) their sisters and women who are quite happy being doormats. There were not that many engaging characters in the book and in the end I didn't really care what happened to most of them.
June 18, 2020
I recently picked this one up again, I do adore Ruth's novels and this one is a great read.
Some days it feels like the world is conspiring against you. Andi's day is not going well, so far she's found out that someone has emptied her bank accounts, maxed out her credit cards and made her savings vanish into thin air. Arriving late back at work she soon discovers she is out of a job and accused of taking credit for another colleagues work and now she's got home to find out that her lazy resting actor boyfriend is sleeping with her neighbour.
Her sister Angel's day is not getting any better. As a beautician at one of London's most exclusive salon she has just been fired by suggesting to one of her wealthier-than-Solomon clients go to the Doctor because of her mole. It didn't look good and Angel should know, her Mother had died from Skin Cancer when she was a child. Needless to say her rich Russian client didn't take it well and Angel was fired on the spot.
Gemma, Angel's flatmate and slightly overweight actress friend's day isn't going well either. Having been embarrassed and humiliated at a photoshoot, Gemma is issued an ultimatum by her agent. Either she loses some serious pounds or she is off the books. The only slight ray of happiness for Gemma is overhearing that the gorgeous Callum South, ex-footballer from the Duke's Rangers is going to be in her native Cornwall filming his latest weight-loss TV show.
Mortified and embarrassed, Gemma goes home to talk to Angel and discovers that Andi is now on her sofa and both are having even worse days than she is. Now they are all broke, jobless and soon to be homeless what better way of dealing with the mess than running away to Cornwall for the Summer?
Andi having discovered that the person who stole all her money was her boyfriend, she is determined to move on with her life and put the past behind her. First things, first. She had to find herself a job. As she goes to get her morning copy of the FT, it's grabbed by a seriously fit looking guy who looks more like a local than as a financier. He offers her the paper when she finds that the last money she had has been swiped by Angel. Taking pity on her, Jonty offers her a coffee and a chat.
Angel is deciding to get her latest scheme up and running - Project Rich Guy and is happily working on making sure that everyone thinks that she is wealthy in the aim of snagging herself a multi-millionaire. Gemma likewise is also determined to make sure that she gets herself onto Heading South, the new get fit weightloss show with her beloved Callum.
After a calamitous encounter with Callum, Gemma is determined that the only thing that will make things better is one of her famous Sponge Cakes with lashings of Strawberry jam and thick Cornish cream. While Angel thinks this might not be the best way of apologising with cake, she knows that once Gemma is committed to something there is no way around it.
Things go disastrously wrong when Gemma tries to deliver the cake and heartbroken and embarrassed she ends up donating the cake to the Lifeboat fundraiser and ends up with a job at the local bakery. Angel's day of trying to flirt her way into the attentions of hot guys isn't working as well as she had hoped. Seeing a small boy in trouble on the beach ends up with her getting a job as a beautician with the very rich Russian family that is staying in one of the best houses in Rock and have a huge boat.
As the Summer progresses, all three girls settle in to their new lives in Rock, living in a tatty caravan out on the edge of the town. Gemma, furious over Callum South's hurtful words towards her, point blank refuses to accept his apology and only after much cajoling by Dee her boss she eventually gives in and agrees to go to lunch with him. Angel, gifted with designer cast offs from her rich boss attracts the attentions of a hot Viscount who falls for her, thinking she's a rich heiress. Andi, desperate to forget the circumstances that brought her to Rock, enjoys getting to know Jonty, much to the disappointment of Angel who sees him as a poor handyman.
As the summer gets close to it's end, it's clear that everyone has been keeping secrets from each other and while Gemma and Cal discover a mutual love of baking, Angel and Laurence find they really are a perfect match for each other and Andi, terrified of her past catching up with her runs away to start over a second time. Jonty comes to her rescue only for Andi to discover that she isn't the only one keeping secrets...
Some days it feels like the world is conspiring against you. Andi's day is not going well, so far she's found out that someone has emptied her bank accounts, maxed out her credit cards and made her savings vanish into thin air. Arriving late back at work she soon discovers she is out of a job and accused of taking credit for another colleagues work and now she's got home to find out that her lazy resting actor boyfriend is sleeping with her neighbour.
Her sister Angel's day is not getting any better. As a beautician at one of London's most exclusive salon she has just been fired by suggesting to one of her wealthier-than-Solomon clients go to the Doctor because of her mole. It didn't look good and Angel should know, her Mother had died from Skin Cancer when she was a child. Needless to say her rich Russian client didn't take it well and Angel was fired on the spot.
Gemma, Angel's flatmate and slightly overweight actress friend's day isn't going well either. Having been embarrassed and humiliated at a photoshoot, Gemma is issued an ultimatum by her agent. Either she loses some serious pounds or she is off the books. The only slight ray of happiness for Gemma is overhearing that the gorgeous Callum South, ex-footballer from the Duke's Rangers is going to be in her native Cornwall filming his latest weight-loss TV show.
Mortified and embarrassed, Gemma goes home to talk to Angel and discovers that Andi is now on her sofa and both are having even worse days than she is. Now they are all broke, jobless and soon to be homeless what better way of dealing with the mess than running away to Cornwall for the Summer?
Andi having discovered that the person who stole all her money was her boyfriend, she is determined to move on with her life and put the past behind her. First things, first. She had to find herself a job. As she goes to get her morning copy of the FT, it's grabbed by a seriously fit looking guy who looks more like a local than as a financier. He offers her the paper when she finds that the last money she had has been swiped by Angel. Taking pity on her, Jonty offers her a coffee and a chat.
Angel is deciding to get her latest scheme up and running - Project Rich Guy and is happily working on making sure that everyone thinks that she is wealthy in the aim of snagging herself a multi-millionaire. Gemma likewise is also determined to make sure that she gets herself onto Heading South, the new get fit weightloss show with her beloved Callum.
After a calamitous encounter with Callum, Gemma is determined that the only thing that will make things better is one of her famous Sponge Cakes with lashings of Strawberry jam and thick Cornish cream. While Angel thinks this might not be the best way of apologising with cake, she knows that once Gemma is committed to something there is no way around it.
Things go disastrously wrong when Gemma tries to deliver the cake and heartbroken and embarrassed she ends up donating the cake to the Lifeboat fundraiser and ends up with a job at the local bakery. Angel's day of trying to flirt her way into the attentions of hot guys isn't working as well as she had hoped. Seeing a small boy in trouble on the beach ends up with her getting a job as a beautician with the very rich Russian family that is staying in one of the best houses in Rock and have a huge boat.
As the Summer progresses, all three girls settle in to their new lives in Rock, living in a tatty caravan out on the edge of the town. Gemma, furious over Callum South's hurtful words towards her, point blank refuses to accept his apology and only after much cajoling by Dee her boss she eventually gives in and agrees to go to lunch with him. Angel, gifted with designer cast offs from her rich boss attracts the attentions of a hot Viscount who falls for her, thinking she's a rich heiress. Andi, desperate to forget the circumstances that brought her to Rock, enjoys getting to know Jonty, much to the disappointment of Angel who sees him as a poor handyman.
As the summer gets close to it's end, it's clear that everyone has been keeping secrets from each other and while Gemma and Cal discover a mutual love of baking, Angel and Laurence find they really are a perfect match for each other and Andi, terrified of her past catching up with her runs away to start over a second time. Jonty comes to her rescue only for Andi to discover that she isn't the only one keeping secrets...
October 16, 2014
This book had a few minor annoyances: tendency not to explain acronyms (would it have killed to use "The Only Way is Essex" for the first use of TOWIE?) the tendency to overexplain other things (we get it, a main character's trust has been broken) and the tendency to over-dramatize.
But Saberton captures the characters' quirks and charm beautifully, drawing out the story in a way that makes it near-unputtdownable, because even though you know how it will all end, you've got to know the path it takes.
But Saberton captures the characters' quirks and charm beautifully, drawing out the story in a way that makes it near-unputtdownable, because even though you know how it will all end, you've got to know the path it takes.
May 23, 2018
For me, this probably gets 1.5 stars. Out of the 3 main characters, 2 of them drove me crazy. And then the third character went idiotic at the end of the book. Of course it was all neatly tied up in the end, but honestly, I am not sure why I finished. I can see a lot of readers enjoyed this book. For me, though, it just didn't work.
October 18, 2021
Loved it!
Initially irritated by so many of the character names beginning with A, I eventually got over myself as this entertaining story moved along. A fabulous summer beach read, which kept me wanting to read more, with a satisfying ending
Initially irritated by so many of the character names beginning with A, I eventually got over myself as this entertaining story moved along. A fabulous summer beach read, which kept me wanting to read more, with a satisfying ending
July 31, 2018
As always, an entertaining read from Ruth Saberton! Fun characters and so many delicious foods mentioned. Now I want to go out and eat a Victoria sponge cake. 3.5/5 stars.
April 20, 2015
Escape is exactly what I did!
This is the perfect summer beach book. It's so easy to get caught up in these characters and grow to love them!!!
This is the perfect summer beach book. It's so easy to get caught up in these characters and grow to love them!!!
June 28, 2015
I hated the first 10%. Once the characters got to Cornwall, it was a great summer read.
May 28, 2018
It was completely predictable. It's just silly how unbelievable the odds are that things would happen the way they did. Suspend reality if you read this fairy tale.
September 26, 2019
Really enjoyed this book.
June 12, 2018
Escape for the Summer - Oh my goodness, I'm so glad I didn't read this book first. I love this author and I almost tossed this book around the 465 page mark when she used the Stupid Formula! I kept reading, but the story was ruined for me.
A well written, funny, roller coaster ride full of predictable, but with twists, summer adventure for three young women. Full of dreams, pain and the determination to change their lives in Cornwall. All the characters were interesting, fun and had lots going for them. Even though the reader knows what's going to happen, it was still fun reading; and although the book was over 500 pages, it read quickly and was hard to put down.
Back to stupidity: How disappointed I was to see TSF so close to the end. She spends all summer with him and his family, they've developed a deep friendship and have fallen in love, only to let his vicious ex destroy their relationship (the day following their vows of love and their night spent together). Top it off, now she doesn't trust his sister with whom she had a great relationship. Never mind she never told the truth on her application or after she was hired; his crime, he doesn't mention his full name. Of course, he tries but stuff happens. She runs away instead of recognizing (all the signs and) his reason, which is exactly what he feared would happen if he had told her. Andi was a fabulous character until TSF and she never recovered 100 percent. A mature, intelligent woman goes totally stupid, immature and plain idiotic. But there had to be discord and unfortunately, this is the route the author chose. Fortunately, Andi is the only character to suffer TSF. But this book is still a four star because it is a good read. 4*
Polwenna Series:
Magic In The Mist - My first read of the Polwenna series and I love it! Well written and intriguing, this story is filled with the magic of love and the heartbreak of loss. Heartwarming and heart wrenching. A perfect escape; just add tea and chocolate. 5*
Polwenna Bay Box Set: Runaway Summer and A Time for Living. This boxed set includes Magic in the Mist. All are well written, intriguing, suspenseful and filled with troubled romances and sexual tension. These books are clean, no sex or vulgar language. All three books are hard to put down and know there's more to the Polwenna Bay Series.
Runaway Summer #1 - What a lovely story. I had so much fun with the Vicar and one of the brothers. An interesting, well written story with a well thought out storyline. The characters range the gamut from totally sweet to totally mean, and the emotions have a vast range, too. The characters, main and supporting, are likable or despicable and in between, and their dialog is realistic. No stupid formulas in this book, but there's drama along with laugh out loud humor. Unfortunately, it's a cliffhanger. 5*
A Time for Living #2 - This book does not pick up where Runaway Summer ended. It starts nine weeks later and in the village, not the hospital. This is better than the first book. Full of suspense, sexual tension and sadness. The emotions run the gamut from joy to envy to hate to love. Fast paced, the storyline is full of twists soaring to the heavens and plunging deep into the earth. There's still humor, but the many stories keep the reader glued to the pages. All the stories, but one find conclusion, but one and that is how this book ends with a glimpse of the next book's, Winter Wishes, main characters. 5*
A well written, funny, roller coaster ride full of predictable, but with twists, summer adventure for three young women. Full of dreams, pain and the determination to change their lives in Cornwall. All the characters were interesting, fun and had lots going for them. Even though the reader knows what's going to happen, it was still fun reading; and although the book was over 500 pages, it read quickly and was hard to put down.
Back to stupidity: How disappointed I was to see TSF so close to the end. She spends all summer with him and his family, they've developed a deep friendship and have fallen in love, only to let his vicious ex destroy their relationship (the day following their vows of love and their night spent together). Top it off, now she doesn't trust his sister with whom she had a great relationship. Never mind she never told the truth on her application or after she was hired; his crime, he doesn't mention his full name. Of course, he tries but stuff happens. She runs away instead of recognizing (all the signs and) his reason, which is exactly what he feared would happen if he had told her. Andi was a fabulous character until TSF and she never recovered 100 percent. A mature, intelligent woman goes totally stupid, immature and plain idiotic. But there had to be discord and unfortunately, this is the route the author chose. Fortunately, Andi is the only character to suffer TSF. But this book is still a four star because it is a good read. 4*
Polwenna Series:
Magic In The Mist - My first read of the Polwenna series and I love it! Well written and intriguing, this story is filled with the magic of love and the heartbreak of loss. Heartwarming and heart wrenching. A perfect escape; just add tea and chocolate. 5*
Polwenna Bay Box Set: Runaway Summer and A Time for Living. This boxed set includes Magic in the Mist. All are well written, intriguing, suspenseful and filled with troubled romances and sexual tension. These books are clean, no sex or vulgar language. All three books are hard to put down and know there's more to the Polwenna Bay Series.
Runaway Summer #1 - What a lovely story. I had so much fun with the Vicar and one of the brothers. An interesting, well written story with a well thought out storyline. The characters range the gamut from totally sweet to totally mean, and the emotions have a vast range, too. The characters, main and supporting, are likable or despicable and in between, and their dialog is realistic. No stupid formulas in this book, but there's drama along with laugh out loud humor. Unfortunately, it's a cliffhanger. 5*
A Time for Living #2 - This book does not pick up where Runaway Summer ended. It starts nine weeks later and in the village, not the hospital. This is better than the first book. Full of suspense, sexual tension and sadness. The emotions run the gamut from joy to envy to hate to love. Fast paced, the storyline is full of twists soaring to the heavens and plunging deep into the earth. There's still humor, but the many stories keep the reader glued to the pages. All the stories, but one find conclusion, but one and that is how this book ends with a glimpse of the next book's, Winter Wishes, main characters. 5*
May 22, 2014
Ruth is back and she has done it again! She has written a brilliantly funny escapist novel that will be not only a perfect summer read, but a whole - year perfect read! Anytime, anywhere, pick Escape for the Summer and enjoy it with a cold drink. It's not a secret that I adore Ruth and so, when she approached me and ask if I would like to review her new book, I felt as if I were in seventh heaven.
Andi has lost her job, her savings and her cheating boyfriend, but the last loss is not too bad in fact. She is better without him as she was with him. She was always so uptight with her finances and living, and now she feels as if she has reached rock bottom.
Her sister Angel is the opposite of Andi, she's a free spirit absolutely not taking care about her job and finances, living on loans and rather buying new bags than having something to eat. Well, she also comes to loose end when she losts her job and Andi can't borrow her any more money.
Gemma is Angel's flatmate. She's an actress out of job right now, modelling shape underwear and baking cakes in her free time. Not only baking, but eating them. Not only one piece but the whole cake. No wonder all her clothes are slowly too small for her.
So actually all three girls are feeling very low.
So, they really have a reason to Escape for the Summer.
They all decide to leave London behind and travel to Cornwall, to Rock, for the summer, but every one of them has a different goal: Andi wants to find a job to pay her debts, Angel wants to find a rich husband and Gemma wants to loose weight and perhaps star in a former football star Cal's reality show. They are going to live in caravan because they're have a cheap deal on it while not able to pay for a hotel.
Now the male characters enter the scene. There is Jonty, whom Andi gets to know when he buys her the last copy of Financial Time and who immediately finds her a job with his brother. Angel, by coincidence saving a life of some Russian millionaire's son starts to party in her ideal social circles and gets to know a man who is a very rich heir to an almost palace. Gemma incidentally meets her crush Cal and although the beginning of their friendship is very rocky, they find that they have more in common that they have ever thought.
Between every single pair there are some secrets, they are not totally honest with each other and so when the secrets start to come to light will they all be able to forgive each other's untruthfulness? They must decide if they can forget each others omissions and colouring their lives. Will the girls be able to find what they were looking for in Rock? Will they all be strong enough to fight the misunderstandings, misinterpretations, stereotypes?
I really can't tell you enough how much I enjoyed this book and the characters. I had so many feelings about them, I liked them, I loved them, I wanted to bang their hands on the wall, I wanted to slap them. In a nutshell, I felt for them. You could think that Andi would be your normal, boring accountant, adoring her boyfriend girl but no, she was interesting, complex, and she has shown her adventurous side as well. She doesn't like confrontations but I guess it comes from all her experiences and memories, so she thinks it's better to hide or run away than face the music.
At the beginning I had a real love / hate relationship with Angel. Oh dear, she has irritated me so much with her carefree and irresponsible approach to life, she seemed also a little shallow and wanted to be taken care of, and her looking only for a rich man has really played on my nerves and - to be totally honest! - I wasn't at all sure what she's going to do after the revelations with her boyfriend. But in the end, well, she couldn't be my best friend but she had her plus points and was a funny, witty girl.
I felt really sorry for Gemma and could totally understand her and her comfort eating. She was a little like a doormat at the beginning but when she finally discovers what she really wants to do in her life, she has changed and became confident woman. It was a great transformation which really didn't consist on only loosing weight, which cheered me immensely because well, do not judge a girl by her weight. Basta.
Ruth has also brilliantly written the male characters, she has so wonderfully captured their characteristics and described them in an interesting, detailed way. Jonty was a champion of jumping to conclusions, Andi's ex was a bastard, Cal was moody at the beginning but then he has learn his lesson.
Actually, all the characters are pretending to be someone they're not, not only the obvious one Angel, but all of the characters. Perhaps they hope that when they hide behind a mask, when they colour their life a little, the real life will start to look different and other people will like them more. But they are all going to learn their lesson that, in fact, hiding their own personalities is not the way to find happiness, that being honest and being yourself is going to win them the lives they are dreaming about.
The book is written from our characters point of views and it couldn't be better. It was great to read what they all thought, how they were feeling and how they were perceive the world. No confusions here, the transitions between the characters and all scenes were smooth and every chapter ending made me yearning for more.
There are many twists and turns in this story and I really didn't know what's coming next! Ruth writes again with a lot of warmth and wit, the dialogues are sparkling and are sharp, the descriptions detailed but also oh so funny! I must admit, at the beginning I was already starting to panic, because the story begins with Andi and her problems and it was all actually very sad and I thought, heck, what's up? Where is Ruth? What have you done to her? But soon, very soon, the good old writing style that only Ruth can do is back and the story just flows.
Escape for the Summer has it all: drama, love, sun, sea, yachts, handsome men and engaging heroines, weight problems, money problems and the right amount of tension. It's a one long book but it's full of accidents, events, there is always something happening and you couldn't lost interest for a single second. Ruth also writes about serious health issues, such as overweight and skin cancer but she does it in her brilliant, cynical - ironical way and the reader doesn't feel at all overwhelmed by seriosity of this all. Her writing style is full of warmth and humour, and she is a champion of creating unexpected and embarrassing situations for the characters.
This is just Chick - Lit at its best and Ruth Saberton at her finest. I loved every word of this book, every scene and every single line told by the characters. I can't recommend it highly enough and I already can't wait for Ruth's next book. Escape for the summer is this holidays' must - read.
Copy received from the author in exchange for a review.
Andi has lost her job, her savings and her cheating boyfriend, but the last loss is not too bad in fact. She is better without him as she was with him. She was always so uptight with her finances and living, and now she feels as if she has reached rock bottom.
Her sister Angel is the opposite of Andi, she's a free spirit absolutely not taking care about her job and finances, living on loans and rather buying new bags than having something to eat. Well, she also comes to loose end when she losts her job and Andi can't borrow her any more money.
Gemma is Angel's flatmate. She's an actress out of job right now, modelling shape underwear and baking cakes in her free time. Not only baking, but eating them. Not only one piece but the whole cake. No wonder all her clothes are slowly too small for her.
So actually all three girls are feeling very low.
So, they really have a reason to Escape for the Summer.
They all decide to leave London behind and travel to Cornwall, to Rock, for the summer, but every one of them has a different goal: Andi wants to find a job to pay her debts, Angel wants to find a rich husband and Gemma wants to loose weight and perhaps star in a former football star Cal's reality show. They are going to live in caravan because they're have a cheap deal on it while not able to pay for a hotel.
Now the male characters enter the scene. There is Jonty, whom Andi gets to know when he buys her the last copy of Financial Time and who immediately finds her a job with his brother. Angel, by coincidence saving a life of some Russian millionaire's son starts to party in her ideal social circles and gets to know a man who is a very rich heir to an almost palace. Gemma incidentally meets her crush Cal and although the beginning of their friendship is very rocky, they find that they have more in common that they have ever thought.
Between every single pair there are some secrets, they are not totally honest with each other and so when the secrets start to come to light will they all be able to forgive each other's untruthfulness? They must decide if they can forget each others omissions and colouring their lives. Will the girls be able to find what they were looking for in Rock? Will they all be strong enough to fight the misunderstandings, misinterpretations, stereotypes?
I really can't tell you enough how much I enjoyed this book and the characters. I had so many feelings about them, I liked them, I loved them, I wanted to bang their hands on the wall, I wanted to slap them. In a nutshell, I felt for them. You could think that Andi would be your normal, boring accountant, adoring her boyfriend girl but no, she was interesting, complex, and she has shown her adventurous side as well. She doesn't like confrontations but I guess it comes from all her experiences and memories, so she thinks it's better to hide or run away than face the music.
At the beginning I had a real love / hate relationship with Angel. Oh dear, she has irritated me so much with her carefree and irresponsible approach to life, she seemed also a little shallow and wanted to be taken care of, and her looking only for a rich man has really played on my nerves and - to be totally honest! - I wasn't at all sure what she's going to do after the revelations with her boyfriend. But in the end, well, she couldn't be my best friend but she had her plus points and was a funny, witty girl.
I felt really sorry for Gemma and could totally understand her and her comfort eating. She was a little like a doormat at the beginning but when she finally discovers what she really wants to do in her life, she has changed and became confident woman. It was a great transformation which really didn't consist on only loosing weight, which cheered me immensely because well, do not judge a girl by her weight. Basta.
Ruth has also brilliantly written the male characters, she has so wonderfully captured their characteristics and described them in an interesting, detailed way. Jonty was a champion of jumping to conclusions, Andi's ex was a bastard, Cal was moody at the beginning but then he has learn his lesson.
Actually, all the characters are pretending to be someone they're not, not only the obvious one Angel, but all of the characters. Perhaps they hope that when they hide behind a mask, when they colour their life a little, the real life will start to look different and other people will like them more. But they are all going to learn their lesson that, in fact, hiding their own personalities is not the way to find happiness, that being honest and being yourself is going to win them the lives they are dreaming about.
The book is written from our characters point of views and it couldn't be better. It was great to read what they all thought, how they were feeling and how they were perceive the world. No confusions here, the transitions between the characters and all scenes were smooth and every chapter ending made me yearning for more.
There are many twists and turns in this story and I really didn't know what's coming next! Ruth writes again with a lot of warmth and wit, the dialogues are sparkling and are sharp, the descriptions detailed but also oh so funny! I must admit, at the beginning I was already starting to panic, because the story begins with Andi and her problems and it was all actually very sad and I thought, heck, what's up? Where is Ruth? What have you done to her? But soon, very soon, the good old writing style that only Ruth can do is back and the story just flows.
Escape for the Summer has it all: drama, love, sun, sea, yachts, handsome men and engaging heroines, weight problems, money problems and the right amount of tension. It's a one long book but it's full of accidents, events, there is always something happening and you couldn't lost interest for a single second. Ruth also writes about serious health issues, such as overweight and skin cancer but she does it in her brilliant, cynical - ironical way and the reader doesn't feel at all overwhelmed by seriosity of this all. Her writing style is full of warmth and humour, and she is a champion of creating unexpected and embarrassing situations for the characters.
This is just Chick - Lit at its best and Ruth Saberton at her finest. I loved every word of this book, every scene and every single line told by the characters. I can't recommend it highly enough and I already can't wait for Ruth's next book. Escape for the summer is this holidays' must - read.
Copy received from the author in exchange for a review.
November 7, 2018
Escape for the Summer - Ruth Saberton
An author with over 25 published books under her own and pen names - Ruth Saberton is a best seller and this book is no exception! Romance, secrets and the beautiful setting of Cornwall - this is a book that will bring Summer vibes to your coldest Winter.
This was the first book that I have read by Ruth Saberton and certainly won’t be the last. The plot centres around three women - Andi, Angel and Gemma. Very differently personalities and goals - hilarious to follow and yet also very down to earth. The book follows the three of them as they navigate the particular stages of their lives that they find themselves at…
Quirky, charming, playful and the perfect Summer Sunshine read.
Ruth Saberton’s latest book - The Letter - is available now!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruth-Saberto...
An author with over 25 published books under her own and pen names - Ruth Saberton is a best seller and this book is no exception! Romance, secrets and the beautiful setting of Cornwall - this is a book that will bring Summer vibes to your coldest Winter.
This was the first book that I have read by Ruth Saberton and certainly won’t be the last. The plot centres around three women - Andi, Angel and Gemma. Very differently personalities and goals - hilarious to follow and yet also very down to earth. The book follows the three of them as they navigate the particular stages of their lives that they find themselves at…
Quirky, charming, playful and the perfect Summer Sunshine read.
Ruth Saberton’s latest book - The Letter - is available now!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruth-Saberto...
November 7, 2018
Escape for the Summer - Ruth Saberton
An author with over 25 published books under her own and pen names - Ruth Saberton is a best seller and this book is no exception! Romance, secrets and the beautiful setting of Cornwall - this is a book that will bring Summer vibes to your coldest Winter.
This was the first book that I have read by Ruth Saberton and certainly won’t be the last. The plot centres around three women - Andi, Angel and Gemma. Very differently personalities and goals - hilarious to follow and yet also very down to earth. The book follows the three of them as they navigate the particular stages of their lives that they find themselves at…
Quirky, charming, playful and the perfect Summer Sunshine read.
Ruth Saberton’s latest book - The Letter - is available now!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruth-Saberto...
An author with over 25 published books under her own and pen names - Ruth Saberton is a best seller and this book is no exception! Romance, secrets and the beautiful setting of Cornwall - this is a book that will bring Summer vibes to your coldest Winter.
This was the first book that I have read by Ruth Saberton and certainly won’t be the last. The plot centres around three women - Andi, Angel and Gemma. Very differently personalities and goals - hilarious to follow and yet also very down to earth. The book follows the three of them as they navigate the particular stages of their lives that they find themselves at…
Quirky, charming, playful and the perfect Summer Sunshine read.
Ruth Saberton’s latest book - The Letter - is available now!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruth-Saberto...
August 28, 2018
This was a lovely light hearted read about 3 girls running wild in Cornwall for the summer.
Andi is made redundant and her waste of space boyfreind has betrayed her with a neighbour AND stolen all her money. Andi needs a fresh start.
Andi's sister, Angel, is working on project rich man and as they are few and far between in her part of London she decides a new start in Rock, Cornwall is where she should search for that elusive man who can keep her in style.
Angel's friend Gemma is an out of work actress. She is over weight and on a constant diet in an attempt to slim down so she can please her agent. Gemma hopes a summer in Cornwall, where a new reality TV show is being filmed, might be just what she is looking for.
And so the three girls set off, all are hoping for a holiday to remember. It certainlly turns out to be that!
I really enjoyed this book, it made me laugh out loud at their antics and of course it has the obligatory happy ending.
Andi is made redundant and her waste of space boyfreind has betrayed her with a neighbour AND stolen all her money. Andi needs a fresh start.
Andi's sister, Angel, is working on project rich man and as they are few and far between in her part of London she decides a new start in Rock, Cornwall is where she should search for that elusive man who can keep her in style.
Angel's friend Gemma is an out of work actress. She is over weight and on a constant diet in an attempt to slim down so she can please her agent. Gemma hopes a summer in Cornwall, where a new reality TV show is being filmed, might be just what she is looking for.
And so the three girls set off, all are hoping for a holiday to remember. It certainlly turns out to be that!
I really enjoyed this book, it made me laugh out loud at their antics and of course it has the obligatory happy ending.
June 14, 2020
Well at first I found the story quite far fetched and much too quick (day 1) for all three characters to meet their love interests. I found the writing quite busy compared to the author's other books I had already read, (which had a more leisurely, flowing pace), with too many contemporary comparisons, but I guess it is maybe geared to younger readers. I did, however,
get into the story which did involve just suspending reality and getting on with it. I have now started book 2 so clearly enjoyed book 1 overall.
get into the story which did involve just suspending reality and getting on with it. I have now started book 2 so clearly enjoyed book 1 overall.
June 2, 2021
Angel gets sacked (after trying to tell her Russian client that she should get her mole looked at) ; Andi gets sacked (after she spends a good portion of her work and private time on a company merge deal and gets thrown under the bus). Gemma is to told she is too fat (and can't get any work)- so they leave and go to Cornwall for the summer to hit the REDO button. Their first day sets in motion what may be good luck! And yes- all kinds of mishaps but love and success prevail. Really enjoyed it!!
June 4, 2024
Great Summer Read
This was a great summer read and surprisingly better than I thought it would be. I felt so hard for Andi, Angel, and Gemma with all the struggles they went through. Also the low blows they were dealt. I thought the idea they came up with was crazy and out there. I liked how the story played out though. I liked how each character grew in their own way. I also appreciated that the characters and storyline wasn't as shallow as I thought it would be. I'm glad for the happy endings especially for Andi. I really connected with her character the most.
This was a great summer read and surprisingly better than I thought it would be. I felt so hard for Andi, Angel, and Gemma with all the struggles they went through. Also the low blows they were dealt. I thought the idea they came up with was crazy and out there. I liked how the story played out though. I liked how each character grew in their own way. I also appreciated that the characters and storyline wasn't as shallow as I thought it would be. I'm glad for the happy endings especially for Andi. I really connected with her character the most.
December 16, 2018
Predictable and over the top! Could see the ending coming from a mile away. Don't get me wrong I really like typical chick-lit from time to time to escape the constant negativity of the world we live in, but this was just plain bad. Nothing original about this story. The characters were highly annoying. The only two characters I liked were Andi and Jonty. The rest was just pathetic.
I finished the book, but was glad when it was over.
I finished the book, but was glad when it was over.
June 15, 2021
Sun, Sand, and Surf what could go wrong?
I almost put this one back when zi first started it. The British slang and references were too much to deal with but I hate to not give a book a fighting chance so I cept reading. That turned out to be a very good decision. The adventurers of Andi, Angel, and Gemma turned out to be a very enjoyable and entertaining read well worth the 5 stars.
I almost put this one back when zi first started it. The British slang and references were too much to deal with but I hate to not give a book a fighting chance so I cept reading. That turned out to be a very good decision. The adventurers of Andi, Angel, and Gemma turned out to be a very enjoyable and entertaining read well worth the 5 stars.
August 22, 2018
I’m rounding this up from a 2.5 stars. This was written by an English woman, with a lot of English fashion and media references i didn’t get. I’m giving it a low rating because the editing (or lack there of) made this book painfully long and repetitive. I found myself skipping whole paragraphs of recap just to push through to the story part. Otherwise it was a fluff type of read.
April 29, 2021
Escape for the Summer (The Escape Series Book 1)
This book was so enjoyable. I really loved reading about Angel, Gemma, Andie and the men they meet when they go on a trip to try to forget all the bad things that are happening in their lives. This book is full of excitement and craziness that you will really love.
This book was so enjoyable. I really loved reading about Angel, Gemma, Andie and the men they meet when they go on a trip to try to forget all the bad things that are happening in their lives. This book is full of excitement and craziness that you will really love.
May 25, 2021
This was an easy read perfect to read on holiday or when you don’t want anything to deep.
The story follows three friends who are all down on their luck for various reasons who decide to go and stay in a caravan in Cornwall for the summer. They each have different agendas regarding what they want to achieve.
The story follows three friends who are all down on their luck for various reasons who decide to go and stay in a caravan in Cornwall for the summer. They each have different agendas regarding what they want to achieve.
July 22, 2021
Funny and entertaining book about three women escaping to Cornwall for the summer. I enjoyed this because it's a light-hearted, easy read. I particularly enjoyed the setting because I'm very familiar with a lot of the places mentioned, ie Rock, Padstow, Wadebridge. Recommended to those looking for a nice bit of summer escapism as this has lots of sunshine and sparkling seas.
May 13, 2022
Escape for the Summer (The Escape Series Book 1)
Although the story starts a little slowly, it picks up and becomes an entertaining read. Wonderful characters, some downright zany, descriptive scenery, and some laugh out loud moments, gives the reader a breath of fresh air. Great beach or fireside book. Happy reading!
Although the story starts a little slowly, it picks up and becomes an entertaining read. Wonderful characters, some downright zany, descriptive scenery, and some laugh out loud moments, gives the reader a breath of fresh air. Great beach or fireside book. Happy reading!
July 4, 2022
This was such a great read. Yes, there are the elements of contemporary romance in there, but this is so much more than that. It has such broad and strong themes running through it that are never in your face with their message, but subtly done and all the better for it. This was a book that genuinely warmed my heart and left me with such a smile as I was reading it. Highly, highly recommend.
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