This book ticks all the boxes when it comes to a holiday romcom. I loved the banter and the characters so much!!

What I loved most about this holiday book is that it wasn’t a romance. I know, I know—Hallmark holiday romances are usually all the rage this time of year. But this story was refreshingly different, focusing instead on a sort of "coming of age" journey for three middle-aged women.

Pearl, Shelley, and Lena are burnt out and seeking a much-needed escape to the Scottish Highlands. What begins as a simple getaway transforms into a journey of self-discovery, love, acceptance, and deepening friendship.

💄 Pearl sheds her metaphorical (and literal) armor, realizing she doesn't need makeup or a polished facade to feel confident or worthy.
💔 Shelley confronts the draining reality of her marriage and learns she’s better off without her leech of a husband.
🌟 Lena embraces her life as it is, recognizing her happiness is hers to define and protect.

Their adventures in Scotland are filled with laughter, growth, and heartwarming moments that left me inspired to carve out time with my own friends this holiday season.

This is a truly lovely book that reminds us of the importance of friendship, self-love, and finding joy in the everyday. If you're looking for a holiday read that breaks the mold, this one is a must!

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read 'Tis the Damn Season by Fiona Gibson.

This was exactly the book I needed! The three best friends were women I could easily relate to and enjoy spending time with. A perfect Christmas book.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. I was able to find the audio version through my local library.

This book was interesting. I was drawn to the cover and I am sucker for any rom com chiclit Chrisrmas novels. It said perfect for Sophie Kinselle fans and I just disagree with this statement. Because I think that this was not even close to her style writing. The language was really bad in this book and it is extremely sexually explicit to the point where it was tacky to me and made me not finish it. It was just too much. And it being a Christmas novel I found it even tackier. Sadly this was a no for me.

The concept sounded great and different from many other chick-lit Christmas novels. There are three lead female characters, all middle age which allows for a variety of backgrounds and not just some romantic pursuit as is often the case in this genre. However the large cast was also a bit of a hindrance to keep up, and I also had a hard time finding the characters endearing. I think I still needed more sparkle and didn't find it in this book. So in the end, it was a bit of a miss for me.

This is the first book I've read by this author and have to say I found it very relatable. A nice easy read about three women who are being taken advantage of by their families. The setting was lovely for a Christmassy feel. Overall I would recommend this one and look forward to reading more of this authors backlist.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy of this one

Shelly, Lena and Pearl are best friends who are fed up being taken for granted book and decide to book a last-minute break to Scotland during the week before Christmas, leaving their families to continue the preparation for Christmas.

What happens is totally different to what they anticipated as they get snowed in, are left to run a B&B and have to entertain the other guests (including an obnoxious family). During their time away, they reflect on their lives and make life changing decisions aided by the wonderful friendship group they have!

An enjoyable feel good read with likeable, relatable characters and plenty of laughter. Perfect for starting to get into Christmas mode!

This book presents a fun but absolutely realistic look at what life is like around the holidays. I know what it’s like to feel responsible for making sure everything is perfect and magical and I love that Shelley, Lena, and Pearl got themselves out of town and took a break! I also loved how each of their stories turned out. It was the perfect ending for all of them!

This was a refreshing take on a festive read. By this I mean that yes of course it has some festive warm fuzzy moments but it also addresses the stress of the season from varying perspectives. Shelley with her cheating husband and ungrateful adolescents, Lena and her partner's pushy parents and Pearl whose son's girlfriend appears to have moved in.
A great read. Thanks to netgalley and boldwood books for the advance copy.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Another great read from this author who I find really funny. Great characters and a great storyline. Enjoyed it.

Perfect Christmassy Holiday read. Absolutely loved this book. Full of festive drama. Certainly one to curl up with under the fairy lights this Christmas.

Well Fiona Gibson really hit the nail on the head about what it is like being a mom during the holidays! I loved this book about friendships and relationships that took place the picture perfect Scottish Highlands. I really enjoyed all the characters and loved how it all came together in the end.

📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚

'Tis the Damn Season By Fiona Gibson
Publication Date: September 11, 2024
Publisher: Boldwood Books

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

📚MY REVIEW:

'Tis the Damn Season is the greatest pre-holiday read! This book is a reminder that the best parts of the holiday aren't due to the hustle and bustle, the image of 'perfection' and stressing ourselves out to be sure everything is 'just right.' This is a reminder that the magic of the holidays comes from being present in the moment and enjoying the good things around you -- whatever that might look like.

This was such a delightfully fun read! While there's a little bit of romance, I wouldn't call this a rom-com; it's more of a combination of women's fiction and just a really damn good story.

This is about three female friends, Shelley, Lena, and Pearl, all of whom feel like they're kind-of 'over' the stress of planning and the lack of appreciation from their family members this holiday season. They decide, on a whim, to spend the four days before Christmas at a Bed & Breakfast in The Highlands in Northern Scotland. This B&B is owned by Michael, a 'second cousin and old friend of Pearl's, who she's always stayed in touch with but hasn't seen in more than 20 years.

Shelley, Lena, and Pearl are all incredibly relatable women, managing the stresses of daily life, making sure everyone in their families is taken care of, and being solely responsible for creating a perfect Christmas. Anyone who has ever felt unappreciated or unseen by their families or friends will have no trouble relating to these women. I truly enjoyed the personalities of all three characters, and getting to be a witness to the 30-year friendship they shared was pretty special.

The additional guests at the B&B all added to the fun of this read, and the setting of the story seemed like such a magical place. With the number of my recent reads set in Scotland, it sure feels as if the universe is nudging me to visit its idyllic landscapes.

There was such a sparkle and joie de vivre within these pages, and I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a light hearted, feel-good book ahead of the busy holiday season. This was my first read from Fiona Gibson, and her authentic writing style and endearing characters have ensured it won't be my last read by her. Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

#TisTheDamnSeason #FionaGibson #BoldwoodBooks #BoldwoodVIPs #boldwoodbookclub #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #ARC #booklover #bookaddict #fictionbooks #holidayreads #feelgoodbooks #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #bookrecs

Any book with a Taylor Swift lyric as the title is one that I'll pick up! Add in a girls trip, the Scottish setting, and women who have reached their limit, and I was very thrilled that I was provided with an ARC. I found this book really compelling, and the women's friendships felt real and so did their worries. This book made me feel seen, known, and made me both think and laugh!

I was happy to follow Shelly, Lena, and Pearl to the Scottish Highlands! I really enjoyed the breakdown of the very different lives of these three middle-aged friends who decide to do what they want for once- instead of what everyone else wants for them. The fuss of holiday season and the opportunity falls into their lap to get away from it all. In leaving it all behind they are met with some challenges, meet new people, and learn more about themselves then they ever have before. This is a story of bonding and rebuilding with a few laughs and some tears shed along the way. Definatly recommend for a quick and cozy read!

I adored this read and it made for the perfect Christmas read to get you into the festive spirit. The plot is a pure joy, full of laughs as well as despair and moments of sadness and change. This was incredibly enjoyable and was a feel good read that put a smile on my face.
The three main characters are great and came across as very realistic, it was entertaining to follow their festive stress and they go through scenarios that many people can relate to. Gibson has a great balance between setting this in London and the Highlands, both locations felt Christmassy in their own ways.
This book is a joyous Christmas read that will not fail to put a smile on your face.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy.

What a joyous read this is, read in one sitting. Three amazing friends with different problems and life struggles. Their families and friends a true soap opera of festive life. These three ladies pack a punch in their resilience and together are a force to be reckoned with. I howled laughing throughout this gem of a festive read by Fiona Gibson.
All the situations and problems are real life the up and downs of family life the redesigning of changes in life.
A truly wonderful read for the festive season to really indulge in dramas and resolutions with hopeful hearts!
#tisthedamnseason #netgalley #top10festivereads

Witty, Hilarious and charming..... this book provided everything you need for a perfect festive read!

Fiona Gibson’s ‘Tis the Damn Season focuses on 3 middle-aged women. Pearl, Lena, and Shelley, for various reasons, are seriously stressed out by Christmas preparations. Needing to get away for a few days before Christmas, they head to Scotland to a remote B&B.
I loved that the story focused on middle-aged people. I could really relate to all three women. At first, the story started off a little slow, but after a few chapters, I could not put the book down at all. This story had some surprises which I was not expecting. Overall, I really enjoyed this holiday romance. This was the first book that I have read by this author, but it won’t be the last.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

A totally realistic and extremely relatable read for so many middle aged women juggling homes, work, children, husbands, menopause and then you add in the annual festive organisation, present shopping and wrapping, food shopping, cooking, relatives, tree buying and decorating and you wonder why we are stressed, harassed and totally not full of Christmas cheer!
Well this year it’s different for three friends who book a last minute break to Scotland just before Christmas, leaving their loved ones to continue the never ending Christmas preparations!
What ensues is totally different to what was anticipated being left to run a B and B, getting snowed in and entertaining paying guests, but during this time they bond, reflect on their lives and make life changing decisions buoyed by the wonderful friendship group they have!
A really enjoyable feel good read filled with plenty of laughter, perfect for getting into the festive spirit!