The Not-So-Great Escape by Emma Green

A hilarious and heartbreaking road trip adventure about friendship, grief and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.

Hedley has always played it safe, especially since the night that changed his life for ever. But when his friend Aiden steals an alpaca, Hedley is dragged on a runaway road trip that he did NOT sign up for:

An accidental robbery.

A night in a haunted wood.

And becoming internet famous #AlpacaBandit.

As the chaos builds, Hedley finds he isn't just running from the police, he's also running from the truth. And as his world comes crashing down, will Hedley play it safe, or take his biggest risk yet?

#WoollyHeist #FurryFelon #Alpacalypse

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The alpaca did it. Or did it do them? 🦙✨

Pre-Reading Thoughts:
Hilarious premise - road trips, accidental crimes, and alpacas. I was bracing myself for chaos (and maybe a little heartbreak), and I was not wrong. Perfect for middle grade readers who love animals, friendship, and a bit of online fame gone sideways.

Post-Reading:

• As I thought…
  The humor is relentless, and the friendship angle is warm and believable. Hedley’s cautious nature clashing with Aiden’s chaos makes for some brilliant tension and comic timing.

• It surprised me by…
  Landing some genuinely touching moments about grief and self-discovery amid the alpaca hijinks. Also, that twist? Cheeky and clever - I only saw a sliver coming.

Music Pairing:
🎵 Featured Song: “Runaway” by Aurora
🎶 Vibe Album: Weird and Wonderful Road Trip Tunes (think quirky indie pop + energetic folk)
🎧 Artist Recommendation: Ingrid Michaelson

Vibe Check:
🎨 Colour Palette: Sun-bleached beige, chaotic neon, muddy road trip greens
🎶 Soundtrack: Car horns, laughter, the occasional alpaca bleat
🌞 Season: Summer - windows down, adventure ahead
😄 Mood: Hectic, heartwarming, slightly absurd
🍪 Scent: Gas station snacks and pine trees

Tarot Pull: Page of Wands. This Page might not always know the best way to go about things, but they will - eventually - try. There's a spark of curiosity there that no circumstances can completely snuff out.

For fans of: Percy Jackson (for the misadventure spirit) and Paddington (for chaos with heart).