I read some of this authors books a few years ago and really liked the sound of this one. Both main characters Kate and Vince were loveable in their own ways and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a fun quick read and I would highly recommend it

"The Woman Who Ran Away From Everything" by Fiona Gibson centres around Kate, who is treated like a doormat by her husband Vince. She finally snaps one afternoon when she is expected to provide food for an impromptu garden party at the drop of a hat and climbs out the bathroom window and leaves. In a case of mistaken identity she meets Alice at Euston Station and gets a job preparing an old house for sale in Scotland.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters especially Kate, Alice and Fergus. The author did a really good job of making the reader really find Vince self centred and lazy so we don't blame Kate one bit for leaving. I loved the plot around Kate's new life in Scotland while Vince struggles with the basics without his wife, whom he has taken for granted their whole marriage.
However I found the ending disjointed. It felt like it had been rushed and some of Kate's actions make no sense. It didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book as a whole and I have recommend it for a lovely cosy ready on a rainy day. 4 Stars.

Another fabulous, fun read from Fiona Gibson!

Kate is approaching her half-century and realises that, somewhere along the way, she has lost herself. Married to a comedian, she realises that he has no time for her unless it's for the practicalities of life. She is head cook, bottle washer and everything else. The final straw comes when she arrives home from work to find he has thrown an impromptu party and expects her to 'whip up' a buffet for their neighbours, taking into account the varying dietary requirements, of course. Amidst criticisms of her offerings, she locks herself in the bathroom and decides that she's taking it no more. Climbing out the window with no money, no plans - and no clean pants - she makes her getaway . . .

Oh I loved this one! While sympathising with Kate for her useless lump of a husband, I so admired her for the stand she made! With no plans, she jumps on a bus and we soon find out where it takes her - and that's only the beginning of her travels. A truly fun, enjoyable story written with wit and wisdom and full of laughter as well as a healthy dollop of introspection, this is entertaining all the way through. I can't find a single thing to criticise which, for me, makes it a five star read and one I'm very happy to recommend.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

🔹 My take: 4.25/5

🔸 Kate is almost 50 and tired of being taken for granted by her husband Vince. She reluctantly moved out of London to a small county Shugbury so that Vince can spend the rest of his life in his childhood town. She tries to blend in over the years but finds resistance from damsels in her neighbourhood. One evening after a triggering event, she just leaves home without a plan. A chance encounter at railway station nudges her to take a Scotland train where she helps clear a crumbling mansion. Here she meets Fergus, a bookshop owner and friendship blossoms. Kate starts questioning herself whether she is really lost or whether she has found herself back.

💖 Wows - Reading Kate’s mental thoughts when she cringed inwards but had to portray differently on face were hilarious. The writing was smooth, very easy flowing. This is my second read from Fiona but looking at her other book titles; it is evident that she masters in writing stories about women based on women. The cosy setup of the bookshop, the chemistry between Kate and Fergus made for a wonderful backdrop. The parallel story of Vince was equally engaging because I was interested in learning how he was coping up in absence of Kate. There are many other characters within the story which have all been portrayed very well. It’s a typical women’s fiction and worth reading.

💔 Ows - At times, Kate behaved like a coward and did not clear the confusion. So was not in total awe of the protagonist but maybe the story demanded that. We all have our flaws, isn’t it?

💫 If you are in mood for a light read with a country setup thrown in with couple dilemmas, this should be an enjoyable read..
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thanks to @avonbooks @fiona_gib and @netgalley for sharing the DRC in exchange for honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A light hearted way enjoyable read. Perfect holiday book or if you need a relax, not in a derogatory way at all!! Kate leaves her husband Vince. Not in the standard way but rather she escapes one evening out of the bathroom window. The reader follows Kate as she finds herself both in Scotland and her true identity. A few unexpected twists but well written a book I didn't want to put down!

Kate is feeling unappreciated. She’s tired of being invisible to her husband and being taken advantage of. Recently transplanted from London where she had friends, a job, and a life that she loves, she’s finally realized that she’s allowed everyone else to hijack her life. So, she does what every reasonable fed up woman would do - she escapes out of her bathroom window while a party rages at her house. Thus begins her journey of self discovery and rebirth.

Laugh out loud funny at times and heart wrenching at others, this is a story that many women can see themselves in. Kate is relatable and you can’t help but want to see her reclaim her life.

The pacing felt a bit uneven, but it didn’t detract from the plot. Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon UK for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

This cover cracks me up!!!!

I think most women will relate to this book because I think at one point or another we have all wanted to run away from everything! It cracks me up because the main character Kate is overwhelmed and her idea is to go to the bathroom, climb out the window and RUN!

There was funny parts in the book and it was also emotional. Sometimes the book was a slow burn but for the most part i really liked it. I would read more from this author.

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

I think this book will absolutely resonate with most women, because I feel like we've all wanted to run away at some time or another! The main character in this story, Kate, is feeling overwhelmed and underappreciated in her marriage. Her solution - climb out the bathroom window and just run for it!

There are definitely funny parts in the book, as well as emotional times. There are times when the storyline went a bit slower than I like, and I wasn't always wholly engaged, but I would read another book by this author.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Definitely surprised me (which I really liked!)👍

4-4.5🌟stars
This story of a British woman who just can't take the state of her life, and particularly her husband's attitude, anymore is totally relatable, entertaining and inspirational. Kate's initial panic turns into taking control of her situation and looking for what makes her fulfilled and happy.

Although I liked Kate's character and arc of discovery, I loved the way the story was written in dual perspective, split between Kate and Vince, the husband she dramatically leaves without notice. I really disliked Vince at the beginning, but as he took steps to change I became a fan. Fiona Gibson did a great job of giving Vince plenty of weaknesses, blind spots and flaws, but making him redeemable. I looked forward to each chapter, but the Vince chapters have that kick of humor as he bumbles his way through life without his organized and resourceful wife, puzzling about how to get her back.

I thought I knew how the story would end and, surprise, I got it wrong. But the author provided so many possible paths that Kate could have taken and kept me happily guessing all the way to the end.

This was women's fiction done with a lighter approach and I totally enjoyed it.

Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

This review will be shared on Amazon, Bookbub, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble and kobo.

Kate & Vince 🚝

Kate and Vince have been together for years but lately, since moving to the countryside to the house Vince inherited from his late parents, things have been dire.

Vince takes Kate for granted, and she’s at the end of her tether. When she comes home one evening after work and walks into an impromptu neighbour party, Kate makes the split second decision to walk out.

In the days that follow, Kate lands up travelling and working in Scotland in an area she spent time in when growing up. Vince finally realises Kate is not returning without some serious work from his side.

With a dual POV, this story delves into the stagnant, empty nest relationship that gets to be too much. Its interesting to see how Fiona Gibson doesn’t take sides (I would want to give Vince a slap), but acknowledges that there is two people making the relationship. The side characters, the crazy neighbours and Kate’s time in Scotland make this story interesting. Much like life, the ending is not certain right until the end. ❤️

The Woman Who Ran Away From Everything by Fiona Gibson was a quick, fun read that so many of us can relate to! We all feel we are taken for granted at times whether middle-aged or not and the awesome thing about this book is that it is dual POV with the husband, Vince (who was a grade A, self-absorbed Swine)

KAte gave up a life she loved to build a new life with her husband when she got married, but years later, she is in a rut so deep she sees no way out, until she does. Breaking point, a party she wasn't expecting to come home to but one she is expected to cook for and clean up after. She does a bunk out of the bathroom window and books it to London.

Fiona Gibson is able to pull at your heartstrings and play them like a cello, resonating to the very core of your being. An utterly relatable escapade that we can all be on board with in one way or another

Thank you very much to Netgalley, Avon Books UK, Avon andd the author Fiona Gibson for this lovely ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

I really enjoyed this book, loved the style back and forth chapters between characters
The way circumstances rescued Kate and let her flourish from the life she had to find herself. It was nice to see the fresh approach of characters making their own way independently of each other in a positive way
Highly recommend

What a lovely surprise! This light and funny read started off as the kind of messy, almost slapstick chaotic family scene between Kate and Vince before Kate climbs out the bathroom window and legs it. She's a put-upon people pleaser, he's selfish and pretty awful...

Then, suddenly, our heroine Kate is in a Perthshire village in Scotland, as a kind of companion and helper to Alice and her dachshunds. This charming setting gives Kate the space to think about whether she really wants to end her marriage and what she wants out of her life. Once the story has gone in this unexpected direction, it just gets better and better with small town village life being endlessly charming, the locals are welcoming, if at times eccentric, and Kate is valuable, and valued.

While this is going on, Kate’s hubby Vince slowly realizes how hard Kate has worked in their marriage and what he’s losing. What’s to happen? Will Kate return to insecure and lazy Vince or are there greener Scottish pastures?

This is closed door, with very British humour, and so many morsels of goodness - Jarvis the cocker spaniel, Off the Rails books, Alice's friendship, awful Shugbury, and so on...

The POV is unusual with first person Kate and third person Vince. No spoilers but the points of view add an unexpected element.
If you like Kristin Bailey and Catherine Walsh, this is a great read!

Thank you to NetGalley, Fiona Gibson and Avon Books for the ARC.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to just walk away from your life one day? That's exactly what Kate does, in the middle of a disastrous impromptu dinner party. Kate has had enough of being put upon by husband Vince and living in suburbia. So she takes the train to her childhood holiday location and a chance case of mistaken identity pairs Kate with Alice. Alice is on the way to clear her family home and Kate steps in to help out.

The Woman who Ran away from Everything is a great read, with the story told from both Kate and Vince's perspectives. The book will really keep you guessing right until the end!

Life is too short for a marriage to a despicable selfish husband and also for books about women being treated as doormats. Of course I expect Kat to find herself on her journey and lose her self-loathing along the way, but I won't be there to find out as I gave up after she ran into the dachshund lady with a very convenient mix-up.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

As always, Fiona Gibson doesn't disappoint! Loved everything about this from the characters to the plot. I must also mention Fiona's whip smart wit too! She is a master at making readers laugh and this is no different from her previous titles.
What I also liked was the way the narration told the story from the characters of both Kate and Vince. This is something that differentiates a little from other romcom style books. An absolute must read.
Thank you so much for letting me have an ARC of The Woman Who Ran Away from everything on Net Galley. Definitely a five star read.

The Woman Who Ran Away From Everything has an interesting title and premise which caught my attention. I really enjoyed reading Kate’s POV and felt sad on how she was treated by her husband. However, the inclusion of Vince’s POV was confusing (and also the sudden switch from first person to third person POV) because I was expecting for this to be fully about Kate’s journey and growth. I also didn’t like the part where Kate basically gets into a new relationship without sorting out her marriage. I was so sad to DNF this because it had a lot of potential to be a really emotional and heartwarming read.

Thanks NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For once we get to hear the voice of the rat husband- in this case Vince- in a tale where a wife- in this case Kate- walks away from all of it because she's had enough. That's not to say that you'll like or sympathize with Vince as he tries to sort out what happened and what to do, it's just that it's a perspective we don't see in these novels about women finding their bliss. Kate's decision to take off to Scotland- completely understandable- and you'll enjoy her journey to a new place in her head. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Sick and tired of being constantly taken from granted by her husband, Kate escaped her house from the bathroom window during a house party she didn't know they were having and jumps on a bus to London. After a misunderstanding, she finds herself in Scotland, helping Alice empty her family house.

Even though the switch from first to third person confused me a little at first, I really enjoyed the double point of view. Both Kate and Vince journeys were pretty interesting, although they felt a bit rushed at times, especially Kate's. The story unfolds within months, but I found it quite hard to remember at times, and that made all the development the characters actually had feel kind of sudden.

I really enjoyed the writing, there were many funny moments, and I truly liked the general premise of the book. While it was pretty easy to get into the story and the first half of the book hooked me very soon, the second half fell a bit flat for me; the ending also felt a bit rushed to me, and kind of unresolved in a way. Overall, I did enjoy bits and pieces of this, and I genuinely think it's a great, entertaining read!

Many thanks to Avon Books UK & Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Kate has had enough. She realized this as she’s halfway out her bathroom window, the sounds of the house party she didn’t know her husband was throwing spilling out into the garden. The used-and-abused wife of comedian Vince Weaver, Kate pretty much single-handedly raised her stepdaughter, manages her husband’s social and professional calendar, written two books for him, cleaned, cooked, cared for the dog, worked her own job, and somehow managed to scrounge up some awful treats for the local bake sale. And what has her husband done? Become an absolute twat as soon as he has a whiff of fame years ago and uprooted their lives to relocate to his parent’s house.

And so, Kate absconds her life and runs away to London as a forty something and the story begins.

Heartwarming and a little unexpected, THE WOMAN WHO RAN AWAY FROM EVERYTHING proves that you’re never too old to make your life into what you want it to be. Told through the dual POVs of Kate (the runner) and, surprisingly, Vince (the wanker husband) this book followed Kate finding her own life and love of life and Vince figuring out how to be a successful adult without the wife he’s been taking advantage of.

I truly enjoyed both characters, with Vince’s story and unexpected (but much appreciated) bonus– it was very vindicating to follow Vince realize how much he depended on Kate and, eventually, mature into a considerate person. This was a delightful and light read, I only wish the book had been longer to really wrap up the stories in a meaningful and purposeful way.