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Lucy never wanted to abandon her friends and family, and travel to the other side of the country to start a new life. And all without telling anyone where she was going. But these are desperate times. And finding herself with a nightmare of a dilemma, fleeing her home town seems like the only way she can protect herself and those she loves.

The Cornish town of Pengully Sands holds happy childhood memories for Lucy and seems the perfect place to escape to, although having little money and no friends, life at first seems grim.

But a chance meeting with Madison and the rest of the Little Duck Pond Cafe girls, plus a decidedly attractive local guy who won't take no for an answer, gives Lucy a glimmer of hope for the future. Could she really settle in Pengully Sands and make a living by selling her watercolours in the little seaside town?

But just as life is starting to look rosier, it becomes clear that someone back home - the last person she ever wanted to see - has tracked her down...

202 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 7, 2020

195 people are currently reading
115 people want to read

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Rosie Green

60 books351 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for ItaPixie.
1,279 reviews151 followers
August 4, 2020

Lucy is going through a rough time, after her mum’s death she holed up in her house turning all her friends away. The only person with whom she shares her grief is her father, until he meets a beautiful woman. When he brings her at home and they decide to live together Lucy is happy for her dad, but staying under the same roof isn’t easy and Lucy’s mind begins to tricking her, it makes her believe stuff that doesn't exist. And after a bad argument with her dad’s girlfriend she decides to run away. She goes to a little village on the Cornwall’s coast, here she meets a lot of people who will help her to get back on her feet.
Has she made the right choice moving away from home? Or will troubles follow her into her happy bubble?

I’m so glad I took a chance on this book because I enjoyed Lucy’s story. Her character is relatable, especially at the beginning I could see myself in her depression.
I couldn’t stop to cheer for the heroine, I hoped that she would find her happiness again.
I really liked the supporting characters because they are all positive influences and they help Lucy to believe in herself more and to make her find a new purpose, following her dreams.

This was the first time I’ve read a book written by Rosie Green, but I’m already looking forward to get next book in the Little Duck Pond Cafe series.

Copy kindly provided by the Publisher/Author.

Profile Image for Berit☀️✨ .
2,096 reviews15.7k followers
August 3, 2020
Sweet and suspenseful... hopeful and dark... A little more edgy Little Duck Pond Café book. This is the 11th book in this amazing series and even though the Little Duck Pond girls don’t play a huge part in the book, I still absolutely loved it! We met Lucy in the previous book and I like how this book overlapped with her meeting the LDP girls in the previous story. Also really liked how this book showed a different side of Madison. I really like that girl and hope nothing but the best for her! The story is all about Lucy and how she ended up in Pengully, A Cornish seaside town. We also get to see her fall in love, work for Cruella DeVil, find her voice and confidence. Lucy is a very likable character who has gone through some pretty Trumatic things. The woman her father is dating is pure evil and Lucy is having a hard time convincing him of that. I liked how all the layers to the story peeled themselves away until everyone saw the truth. I also really liked love interest Gabe and was rooting for him inspite of everything. Another wonderful installment in this fabulous series! Can’t wait for what’s next! And according to the authors notes at the end I don’t think this is the last time we will be seeing this charming seaside village!

This book in emojis. 🎨 🧹 🔎 🍦 🏖 👩🏻‍🎨
Profile Image for Lu.
756 reviews25 followers
July 30, 2020
A bit of family drama, old and new friends, and a little romance.

Lucy had lost her mother recently and was having trouble dealing with her grief. Her father was her safe harbor, and their connection became even more profound after her mother’s passing.

Things started to get complicated when Lucy’s father met the much younger and beautiful Eleonor. She tried to be happy for him, but she could not avoid feeling let down.

When it seemed that she was losing her mind, Lucy decided to let her father be happy and escaped to the Cornish coast in her mother’s camper van.

The characters are interesting and layered. Lucy has to face the harsh reality of being alone in the world. The challenge reshapes her and changes her into someone stronger and more adult.

Lucy’s Great Escape is a novella, but a lot goes on in the story. There is a little family drama, a cruel step-mother, an infatuated father, a heartless employer, old and new friends, and even a little romance.

It is a short and inspiring read that takes you to that lovely place where all problems get eventually solved, and everybody, after suffering a little, gets to live according to their dreams.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.



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Profile Image for Sarah.
2,967 reviews231 followers
July 6, 2020
The great thing with this authors books, is that whilst we get to meet old and new characters in each new story, they all work perfectly as standalone’s.

What an introduction the reader gets when we meet Lucy. Straight away my interest was piqued as to what had happened and why Lucy felt the need to run away. She picks a great place to run off to though and I could have happily jumped into her camper and gone with her.

This particular novella was slightly more sombre than other books in the series. The author, for the genre, deals with topics that can actually be quite hard hitting. I wanted to wrap Lucy up in my arms as arriving in Pengully Sands doesn’t quite go to plan. If anything I kept tutting away to myself as one particular character takes advantage of Lucy and it made my blood boil.

Parts of the story is interwoven with the previous novel which I loved. As Madison is a character that seems to be growing on me more and more and after this one, well I think she has finally won me over. There seems to be a much nicer side to her and whilst she can still be quite brash, she is definitely fighting Lucy’s corner.

Lucy’s Great Escape was at times a taut and tense read but still a gentle and heartwarming one. My heart and emotions were put through quite a bit on Lucy’s journey but it also in stills that there are some good people out there and one thing we are always guaranteed with the authors books, is the perfect ending to them. My heart is always fit to burst by the end and this one was just the same. I can’t wait to see where the author takes us next, whether it will be Pengully Sands or Sunnybrook or even somewhere new. Either way I will be ready and waiting for the next installment.

My thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Profile Image for Karen Mace.
2,403 reviews84 followers
August 2, 2020
Doesn't time fly when you're having fun??!! I can't believe this is book 11 in the series and it has cheered me to find out there's still more installments to come as I just can't get enough of this series!!

And this novella centres around Lucy who needs to escape. She has had a really tough time of things so needs a way out as her anxiety is getting worse and she is seeing things. So she packs up her mums old camper van and disappears off to Pengully Sands which was her mums' favourite place as she just wants to find some peace and connection with her much missed and beloved mother.

Leaving with very little money leaves her searching for a job and not everyone she meets in Pengully is looking to be kind to her. But one person who does seem to want to help is Gabe, and he seems to become a bit of a rock for her while she is there, despite the fact she doesn't like to ask for help - even when she is desperately going out of her mind with events that were putting her in a bad head space.

She also comes into contact with some of the girls from the Little Duck Pond Cafe and they are a huge support to her in times of need and start to give her belief in her painting ability as she's had negative feedback in the past which has knocked her confidence.

This is a brilliant book about overcoming negativity, finding yourself and getting other people to see the truth about others. It's also a book that can be easily read as a standalone! Lucy is such a lovely character that you'll find yourself cheering her on from the sidelines -and wanting a campervan of your own to escape away in!!

Highly recommended! If you've not read any of the Little Duck Pond Series before, it's time to start!!
Profile Image for Zoé-Lee O'Farrell.
Author 1 book244 followers
July 26, 2020
What a subject matter and a half! This was the first book where the Little Duck Pond Café girls don’t really appear. We meet Lucy, who we briefly met in the last book, we learn her history, the day she meets Madison and what happens next.

Gosh! What a story and a half! This was something straight out of a psychological thriller! It was dark! Lucy leaves London under a heavy cloud, is taken advantage of by a hellish woman who I did not trust from the start and is left battling with her and the woman her Dad professes to love. It’s all a bit much, more so when she meets Gabe. Gorgeous Gabe.

It is a different spin to the series and I love that we get to meet new characters and learn something about Madison we didn’t before! Definitely something to build upon coming up! It is weird not to have the girls in the book, but the couple of pages that they appeared it was interesting to see how they were viewed by a stranger. We love these girls and so we are too close to them so for an outsider to describe them gave that extra oomph.

I don’t know what to say that I haven’t already. I love this series and I loved this instalment. I can’t see an end for this series because it feels like I’m ready a diary of someone’s life. It isn’t as light and happy as normal, but never fear we get the ending we all want.

I love Rosies books and I love I have more to look forward to! Bring on Autumn for the next instalment
Profile Image for Elaine - Splashes Into Books.
3,891 reviews136 followers
July 26, 2020
This is a suspense filled addition to this delightful series. The start of this story is very different to the other books in this series, but that's not surprising as it is centred around Lucy who has driven to Pengully Sands after dreadful times at home - that also means this could easily be read and enjoyed as a standalone. Lucy did feature in the previous book but we didn't learn much about her then, other than she's a talented artist. In this book we learn her backstory and what has made her come to Pengully Sands and what happens to her there.

I found several characters in this story who I really didn't like at all because of how they treat Lucy. Lucy has had such an awful time, she really needs lots of big hugs to help her feel better and there's no one better than the Little Duck Pond ladies for that! It is a story about manipulators, machinations, mystery, friendship, supporting and protecting those you love. It is also about recognising talent, learning who to trust and helping each other. It is a lovely addition to the series and reveals a very different side to Madison - I really hope things will work out well for her soon, too!

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest review after choosing to read it and finding it a fascinating addition to this series!
Profile Image for Kel.
597 reviews15 followers
July 15, 2020
I am absolutely loving this series by Rosie Green and loved revisiting Pengully Sands. In this book we spend time with Lucy who is still reeling from the loss of her Mum, we met her briefly in the last book and now get to know what bought her to that chance meeting with Madison.

A story that pulled me in from the offset and made me want to keep reading, it was a book that portrayed manipulative personalities really well and the effects they can have on a person over a period of time.

Lucy is a wonderful character who I instantly warmed too, with her great love of Effie her campervan and amazing talent with watercolours.

A wonderful addition to the Little Duck Pond Cafe Series and I can't wait to read the next one as it sounds fab and really cosy!
Profile Image for Lynne Piza.
88 reviews
August 10, 2020
So as I mentioned above I have never read any of the books in this series and that always gets me a little anxious as I always worry if I am going to be able to pick it up and understand it and follow it, but I needn’t have worried with this book as it is easy to read as a stand alone!

So in this book we get to meet Lucy. Lucy has recently suffered a great loss, her mother sadly passed away! This hit Lucy so so hard, and it also hit her father hard to who she was very close to! She really struggled to cope with this loss and in turn her grief took over!

However her father meets a new woman, a young lady called Eleanor! Even though Lucy tries her best to be happy for her Father and his new girlfriend, she starts to struggle when Eleanor moves in!

This eventually leads to Lucy taking her mother’s camper van and leaving and heading to Pengully Sands in Cornwall! Here she thinks things will be plain sailing but that’s not always the case! However, here she does also meet so many lovely people who help her!

BUT will things catch up with her and risk ruining her new life?

This book is so captivating and drew me straight in! It really did take me on an emotional rollercoaster because Lucy has SUCH a hard time but then she also meets the loveliest of people!

I found Lucy so relatable, how she suffers from her grief! So many times I wanted to just give her a hug and I found myself routing for her and wanting her to have a happy ending!

This book is filled with so many interesting characters! Some awful, nasty and manipulative like Eleanor and so many lovely people who help to build Lucy up, build on her confidence and her self esteem! It truly is heart warming to read! After Lucy’s rough journey they encourage her to follow her dreams and it’s just sooo wonderful! I need more people like that around me!

A brilliant ending to a fabulous book! A great book to start on in this series, I’d love to go back through and read the others and I’m already looking forward to the next instalment! Therefore I would like to give this book 4.5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️!

A heartwarming, mysterious, sometimes emotionally tough, but full of mostly wonderful and kind people to help build Lucy up after such tragedy!
Profile Image for Rachel Gilbey.
3,367 reviews571 followers
July 6, 2020
Rosie Green does it again, writes another simply captivating book that was impossible to put down.

Although we briefly meet Lucy in the previous book in the series, this story is all about her, and how she came to even be in Pengully Sands in the first place. As you get more of the backstory you can't help but feel for Lucy, and just hope that things will work out for her.

This though can easily be read as a standalone, as the Little Duck Pond Cafe girls only make a brief appearance, this is about letting us get to know Lucy, more than furthering the regular girls story lines. Which makes it a good introduction to the author and series, if you haven't already discovered her charms.

Although it had a different feel to the rest of the books in the series, it is no less wonderful for it. I can't believe what a nasty piece of work Eleanor (Lucy's dad's new girlfriend) is, and that is before you even get too far into the nitty gritty.

I really felt so sorry for Lucy, and was rooting her on, she has gone from one rubbish situation to one where she should be earning money but appears to be exploited instead. It's so rough, that I couldn't' help but cheer her on and hope things would improve.

I've absolutely loved these two summer books set in Pengully Sands in Cornwall, they have been a lovely breathe of fresh air into a series that is constantly keeping its readers on its toes and I look forward to the next book already.

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Profile Image for Eclectic Review.
1,691 reviews5 followers
August 3, 2020
This is book 11 in the series, but it reads just fine as a standalone. It's also my first Rosie Green novel which I found captivating and I was rooting for Lucy and her sad and heartwarming journey all the way.

When Lucy's life turns to crap after her mom dies. Her mental health is questionable and her dad's new girlfriend is not as she seems. To get away from the unhappiness at home, Lucy decides to move to Pengully Sands: the place her mom loved and where Lucy feels safe. Will she ever get her self-confidence back? Could she ever trust anyone again?

My heart goes out to this Lucy who is so alone and destitute and treated so abysmally by horrible and dangerous people. But it's her best friend Amber and her new friend Madison who give her the courage to "put her cape on" and stand up to those people.  Gabe is also a supportive character even though his introduction to Lucy is not on the up and up.  And of course, there are antagonists in the story who are extremely despicable and dangerous and get what they so deserve.

I was intrigued by Lucy's story from the very start. Watching her grow and come to terms with her life is a difficult road, but she struggles through and finds her place with the people she loves by her side.  

Overall, this is a lovely suspenseful coming of age story with dark moments and heartwarming reunions. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series.

Thank you to Ms. Green for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Profile Image for Donna Maguire.
4,923 reviews119 followers
August 3, 2020
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I love this series, and I loved this book!!

This was a heart-warming and easy read and the author's natural writing ability shone through, she has such a natural way if writing the books are some of my favorites in her genre.  The thing I really enjoy and love with this author's books is that they can all be read as stand alones, but if you want to follow the series you do get to catch up with old favourites now and again too and this one is almost a spin off from the main series. 

The author has an excellent way of bringing her books and characters to life and the settings for her books are alway magical - and this one is no exception.  I read the book in an afternoon in the sun and just escaped from it all.

This is the eleventh book in the Little Duck Pond series and the series is still going strong and brilliant releases are being added on a fairly regular basis - which I love, and it stops me having withdrawal symptoms!

It is 5 stars from me for this one, I absolutely adore this series - finally I have to say I love that cover - it is so eye catching and would definitely encourage me to pick the book up! 
Profile Image for Pam Robertson.
1,452 reviews9 followers
July 29, 2020
I always enjoy a visit to the Little Duck Pond Cafe series and to reacquaint myself with all the familiar characters and meet a few new additions. Following on from A Cornish Summer Holiday, this standalone novella takes us out of Sunnybrook to the Cornish coast where we meet Gracie again and also, central to this story, Lucy Honey. There are also some of the regulars from The Little Duck Pond who are there on holiday. You are given the opportunity to find out more about Madison who befriends Lucy.

Rosie Green is a great storyteller and the novella format is just right for these short episodes, each featuring as central, a different character. Lucy's story turns out to have a few surprises. It is lovely to find out just why she is in Cornwall and to see her self belief as an artist grow. I do so hope that we get to meet her again, perhaps with a visit to Sunnybrook and fingers crossed she brings Gabe with her! Although not everyone you meet in this story is a kind and friendly soul, plenty are and most people are looking out for each other.

In short: A great series to follow.
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book
Profile Image for Debbie.
299 reviews16 followers
July 17, 2020
I gave this book a four star rating as I was a little confused in the beginning how this book ties in to the Little Duck Pond Cafe and it's not until I was 51% of the way through the book that there was an introduction of one of the Girls.

I did enjoy the story and there are notes and tones in it that I have heard many times before, in our real lives.

I feel when the Little Duck Pond Cafe Characters were introduced there was that added spark that I have come to find in all of the authors other books within the series.

I also like the fact that to a certain extent and you will understand when you do read it how in the second half of the book the story then weaves its way into book ten in this series.

It can be read on its own as the majority of it is little to do with the existing series and I would like to see a separate and mayb integrated in parts series on its own for Pengully Sands. It would be nice to see how the characters that have been in these two books that live there proceed in their lives.
Profile Image for Els .
2,283 reviews53 followers
July 31, 2020
I will never tire of this series! I already said in my review of the previous part that the author had added a hint of mystery to her story and she does it again. I really really like her approach and even though these last 2 books do not take place in and around the Little Duck Pond Café, the main characters do play a part. Their role is smaller now in this story.

The focus is on Lucy. We already met her briefly in the 10th book and her background story is revealed. I can assure you it’s a great one although it’s also a sad one, but fear not there is always a silver lining for some and karma marks the spot for others.

Let me repeat myself for the umpteenth time: great series, wonderful and loveable characters (well, most of them anyway lol), fantastic writing style and entertaining stories. Dipping my hand in my bag of stars and pulling out the 5 star paddle.

Thank you, Rosie Green and Rachel’s Random Resources

https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
Profile Image for Jane Hunt.
Author 3 books115 followers
July 30, 2020
My second book read in this eleven book series is poignant but ultimately uplifting. This is more about reality than escapism, as the reader, learns about Lucy and why she needed to escape. This story explores the best and worst of people. Cruel mind games and manipulation at one end of the spectrum countered thankfully by selfless support at the other.

This story concentrates on Lucy met briefly in the previous book and how she met Madison, why she's in Cornwall, and what happens to her. Serous issues are well-written and the reader's empathy with Lucy a given. Despite the darker, more serious tone of the story, it is an angsty but enjoyable read with a satisfying ending.

I'm hooked on this now and need to read the books I've missed.

I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for StaceyWare19.
103 reviews9 followers
August 16, 2020
Today is my turn on the blog tour for Lucy’s Great Escape by Rosie Green.
Thank you very much to @rachelsrandomresources for inviting me to to the tour.
.
Lucy never wanted to abandon her friends and family, and travel to the other side of the country to start a new life. And all without telling anyone where she was going. But these are desperate times. And finding herself with a nightmare of a dilemma, fleeing her home town seems like the only way she can protect herself and those she loves.
The Cornish town of Pengully Sands holds happy childhood memories for Lucy and seems the perfect place to escape to, although having little money and no friends, life at first seems grim.
But a chance meeting with Madison and the rest of the Little Duck Pond Cafe girls, plus a decidedly attractive local guy who won't take no for an answer, gives Lucy a glimmer of hope for the future. Could she really settle in Pengully Sands and make a living by selling her watercolours in the little seaside town?
But just as life is starting to look rosier, it becomes clear that someone back home - the last person she ever wanted to see - has tracked her down...
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I love Rosie Green’s Duck pond series so when I saw this one I knew I had to be part of the tour.
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It didn’t disappoint!
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Although this is part of a series you can still read it as a stand alone and still enjoy it.
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You get to meet some old characters and new ones in this book.
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Lucy’s character is lovely and very relatable.
.
This is an enjoyable summer read!
Profile Image for Grace J Reviewerlady.
2,135 reviews105 followers
August 3, 2020
Another excellent addition to the Little Duck Pond Cafe series.

Lucy Honey finds life at home is just unbearable these days and quickly decides to pack up her mum's camper van and take off for the Cornish coast in the hope of finding solace there. Finding herself at her destination of Pengully Sands where many a happy time was spent as a youngster, Lucy discovers she is desperately short of funds and friends and has lost her faith in herself to cope. Meeting Madison from the Little Duck Pond Cafe just may be the first step on the ladder to success . . .

This is such a fun, friendly series! Following on from the previous book, the Little Duck Pond crew are still on holiday in Pengully Sands but this is very much Lucy's story. Rosie Green continues to create wonderful characters to introduce into this series and continue the magic of these tales. I loved everything about it, and never fail to be amazed at the different twists and turns the author instils into her stories. Beautifully written - as always - and all problems sorted out by the final page. This is a super series to follow; I'm happy to report that I already have the next one on my list! Well worth all five stars and a hearty recommendation.

My thanks to the publisher f
Profile Image for Kirsty Farmer.
122 reviews
September 8, 2020
Wow wow wow - I loved this story. Even though It is linked to a character that was introduced previously, very briefly, it’s great to have a story that isn’t completely focused on the little pond cafe. Reading this I want to scream at Lucy that she was being taken for a ride by Mrs West, but you know in your heart she will eventually grow the back bone she needs to tell her where to go! For the 11th book in a series, it is still going strong. I am sad now that, through binge reading I have caught up with the current series!
Profile Image for Abbie Deighton.
31 reviews1 follower
May 23, 2023
I have given every other book in this series 5 stars and whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the plot of this one, I’ve had to reduce stars due to consistency errors. In the previous book, the surfer Madison flirts with is named Jed, yet in this one, his name has changed to Jake.

Aside from the aforementioned error, this book was a really good read - very different to the others in the series and the original characters don’t make too much of an appearance which I found freshens up the series slightly; although I am looking forward to getting back to Sunnybrook in the next story.
6 reviews
July 18, 2020
Romance and suspense

I enjoyed this book immensely, the suspense of the ongoing mystery of Eleanor, Mrs West and the emerging of Lucy as a happy person. My enjoyment was only marred by the phone, much was made of Lucy having left it behind, only for it to reappear to forward the plot, then revert to having been lost.
3 reviews
July 17, 2020
Another brilliant book added to a brilliant series. I never want this series to end. I loved how we were swept away in Lucy's story then bits of the previous book came in. I loved it! Loved it! Loved it!!! Can't wait for the next book♡♡
4 reviews
July 8, 2020
I have now read a few of Rosie Greens books and want more. I love the way that her characters cross over in her books yet if the book was picked up and read on its own it's still a brilliant read.
2 reviews
July 21, 2020
Brilliant read

I loved loved loved this book . I read all the others in the series and this one didn't disappoint. Can't wait for the next one x
Profile Image for Trish Palmer.
23 reviews
August 2, 2020
LITTLE DUCK POND AND CORNWALL - WOW

I have thoroughly enjoyed all the Little Duck Pond Cafe series and now with the links to my beautiful Cornwall what more could I ask for.
Profile Image for Pat Langhelt.
1,113 reviews15 followers
September 9, 2020
Slightly different story with Lucy who I was getting really worried about. But meeting up with Madison again things take a different turn.
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