The Escape: An emotional and uplifting story about new beginnings set on the Cornish coast

There's something so warm and reassuring about a new book by Hilary Boyd, like a mug of hot chocolate after a 6am swim in the chilly Cornish sea.Boyd is fantastic at portraying the subtle microaggressions of an abusive relationship, and I already guessed from reading all her other books that Isobel would have a passionate fling with the delicious but much younger JJ, and that it would end and she'd find a partner who was more age appropriate. Her dodgy ex reappearing and being rejected was also typical of a Boyd novel.Loved all the details of the food and the clothing, plus the clean up operation at the cottage - although I wanted them to dispose of the towering piles of newspapers much sooner than they did.Bel really did have a heart of gold allowing the hoarder Lennie to stay in her cottage rent free for 30 years. Any accommodation five minutes from the beach is worth millions in Cornwall, regardless of its size and condition, and she didn't even sell it to save the restaurant.

Overall a cosy read with good attention to detail. I had little respect for Bel, the main character.One day she was strong and determined to resist her controlling father, the next day falling backinto weak victim mode. The ending was too abrupt with loose ends as if the author was in a hurryto finish - there was more that could have been told. An OK book but not her best.

This story is set in the new post-pandemic world. The effects of which it has on some of the characters will strike a chord with many people.In her late 50's and feeling trapped by her ageing dad after her long-term partner left for a younger woman, Bel is longing for an escape route. A phone call from Cornwall with some surprising news gives her the impetus she needs to put her plan in motion. But having the guts to tell her father proves harder than she expected.

I've read many,many of Hilary Boyds books.I looked forward to this one.But I felt it lost its way a little.Got bogged down half way through.But still a really good read..It may not be my best of hers,but to others it may be.downNext book please soon.

I loved so many things about this new book from Hilary Boyd, but I guess most of all I was struck by how she tackled the difficult subject of a middle-aged child's relationship with a tricky parent, and the conflicted emotions this brings in its wake, with such understanding and compassion. This is also a book where a cottage and Cornwall itself are almost like characters in their own right. An absolute 5 star read!

I have read all of her books, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. Thus is a nice story, but a bit weak.

Loved this book from beginning to end. We ride the tide of emotions along with Bel. Anger,despair,humiliation,sadness, then in turn realisation joy love and triumph. A wonderful book I read in the heat of my Portuguese holiday. Recommended.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book one of my favourite list of authors.

A bit slow but enjoyable. An easy read. Mildly entertaining.