I so appreciate books written about women in their sixties, rare to find. Dee sees an email sent to her husband confirming a weekend away, and she assumes it’s for her birthday. After telling her best friend, Babs, she shops for new clothes, ready to go when he tells her he is going away for a golf weekend. Nigel has not treated her with any respect or love, so Dee decides to leave. Babs is also having issues with her husband, who after retirement wants to move to Spain. Babs does not want to go and wants to stay in England where their children and friends live. Dee and Babs book a cottage for a week, which begins adventures that help them to find their way forward. I really enjoyed the story, and recommend it to lovers of women’s escapist fiction. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

If you work hard and raise a family, maybe you can look forward to retirement. Of course, that’s not the case for everyone. Marriage breakups, boredom, illness can all play havoc with your plans. Meet Dee and Babs, friends for a lifetime and now retired. Dee’s husband goes off on a golf holiday instead of celebrating his wife’s 60th birthday, and Babs’s husband is determined to move to Spain, despite her opposition to this plan. Deciding to have a holiday of their own, Dee and Babs travel to the seaside and try to plan for the future.

The Runaway Wives by Karen King is a delightful and humorous story about friendship, freedom, and rediscovery. When Dee’s sixtieth birthday surprise turns out to be just another solo golfing weekend for her husband, it’s the last straw. Meanwhile, her best friend Babs faces a similar betrayal when her husband decides to move to Spain without even consulting her. Tired of being sidelined, the two women make a bold decision: they hop into Dee’s car and embark on a spontaneous adventure to the seaside.

What starts as an act of rebellion soon turns into a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. As Dee and Babs embrace their newfound freedom, they begin to savor the joys of their own company, unburdened by the demands of their husbands. Along the way, their bond deepens, and they find themselves questioning their lives and whether they want to return to their old routines.

King masterfully blends humor with heartfelt moments, creating a story that’s both lighthearted and poignant. Dee and Babs are instantly relatable, and readers will root for them as they navigate the challenges of middle age and the rediscovery of their sense of self. The themes of independence, friendship, and the courage to make a change resonate throughout the novel, making it both uplifting and inspiring.

Filled with witty dialogue and amusing escapades, The Runaway Wives is the perfect feel-good read for anyone looking for an escape into a world of laughter, adventure, and empowerment. Whether you’re a fan of humorous women’s fiction or just in need of an uplifting story, Karen King delivers an unforgettable journey that reminds us all of the importance of living life on our own terms.

Dee is looking forward to her sixtieth birthday celebrations ever since she discovered her husband had been secretly planning a holiday break. Imagine the sadness when she did discover that he had forgotten her birthday and had planned a golfing break with his buddies.

On the other side Babs’s husband Geoff after their retirement, is determined to move to Spain and to her horror, without discussing it with her, has met a real estate agent, put the house on the market and arranged tours of property in remote areas of Spain without consulting his wife. To add to her anger, he informs her that the house they live in is his and he can do what he likes.

The two ladies decide unanimously to go on a short break themselves, to an idyllic village by the seaside. They are beginning to to enjoy themselves but each of them need different lifestyles. Dee despite her philandering husbands orders to return, is determined to make a new life for herself. Babs seeks a compromise. Both women show it’s never too late to change the direction of your life and one can make a break from the monotonous, the indifference and inject some excitement in one’s life however old yOu are.

Men, they have absolutely no clue when it comes to birthdays have they? A move to Spain isn't too bad, but golfing...come on...sort it out...!!

The Runaway Wives is filled with humour and is the perfect read for escaping the humdrum of life. It's also an inspiration to us 'older' ladies that life doesn't have to stop when you reach a certain age. It's for living to the full!!

It has a brilliant cast of characters. They're real, relatable, very likeable and were so much fun to read about. I so hope this isn't the last we hear from Dee and Bab's.

An enjoyable and engaging story of friendship, marriage and having fun.

This book was an absolute joy to read. It completely absorbed me from the very beginning. I just loved Dee and Babs and their friendship was just fabulous. This is a perfect summer read. These two ladies were there for each other through thick and thin and they did have lots of fun together as well. Whilst this is a light hearted read there’s also a lesson to be learned that women can be strong and stand up for themselves once they have the support of good friends. I laughed out loud many times as I progressed through the book at the antics of both Dee and Babs but especially Babs. Another heartwarming and inspiring read by Karen King.

This is a classic women reclaiming their selves tales. It was fun, escapist, heartwarming and a bit emotional.

It follows the story of best friends Babs and Dee, who take a trip after Dee’s husband forgot her 60th birthday. Babs is also in a standoff with her husband.

This story highlights the ‘horrors’ women face daily in their marriages and it brings to light how standing up for one self brings liberation and fulfilment.

Set in seaside Cornwall, we follow the women as they navigate their new normal, making friends and finding love again. This was immersive and you can’t help but lose yourself in the story.

I love the women and their decades long friendship and how they stand up for each other. I enjoyed their activities and how they adapted to live in Cornwall.

If you are looking for books about older protagonists, escapism then you will enjoy this.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Loved the characters and the setting. It was nice to read about older characters for a change too.

There's little I enjoy more than getting involved in the lives of characters I find it easy to relate to - I remember it was once difficult to find books about women of my age and experience, and I'm delighted that there are more and more well-written books realistically portraying their lives. In this case though, I'll admit I was rather thanking my lucky stars that I chose to stay single, and haven't experienced the challenges of married life that made Babs' and Dee's lives so very difficult.

After spotting an email on her husband's phone, Dee is adding to her wardrobe ahead of a "surprise" holiday for her 60th birthday - only to find that her husband has instead booked a golfing break, and she's not invited. I seethed on her behalf - especially on learning that she'd brushed his previous infidelities under the carpet, and it was unlikely that he'd turn down another opportunity to stray. Babs though thought she had a strong marriage - until it seemed her husband had very different retirement plans from her, having become fixated on purchasing a house in rural Spain. Despite him putting their home on the market, and booking a trip for them both to look at suitable properties, she's absolutely determined that it's never going to happen.

The friends decide that their best course of action is to find their own fun, escape from real life for a while - and they head to Cornwall for a break together. I did rather expect their time away to be full of high jinks and hilarity - the publishers had mentioned "women behaving badly" - and there certainly were plenty of laughs, but what I really enjoyed was the way they both became so involved with the community around their holiday home and were able to make decisions on what they really wanted from life. There's a fair bit of poignancy to the story, a rather lovely touch of unexpected romance, a bit of drama needing their intervention, a neighbour (and her characterful cat) who need their help - I so enjoyed being part of both women's lives for a while, both of them very easy to identify with and extremely likeable, their friendship so filled with warmth and mutually supportive. And as the holiday draws to an end, the story continues - through to an ending that was so perfect in every way, and tremendously uplifting.

This was a totally delightful read, and entirely engaged me from beginning to end - as both women found the strength to define their own futures, had fun and adventures along the way, and finally found their own paths to future happiness. And the writing was quite wonderful, so easy to read and to become immersed in the story's many twists and turns - I'll be looking forward to reading more from this really talented author.

A lovely, fun and engaging read. Dee and Babs have reached a point where they feel unappreciated and neglected by their husbands. Something snaps and they head off on an adventure.
A time to recharge, enjoy the localities, and find their feet at the 3rd act in their lives.
Will their marriages survive?

Dive in and enjoy the cocktails, wine, sea and adventure.

Its never too late for change and life.

The Runaway Wives by Karen King is a wonderful, heartwarming, encouraging and endearing story about learning to stand up for yourself. Dee and Babs have been best friend since their school days. As Dee’s 60th birthday approaches, instead of surprising her with a lovely vacation in Portugal, her husband chose to go golfing with his buddies at a resort there. Meanwhile, Babs’ husband has recently retired and has stubbornly decided to sell their house and move to Spain; with or without her. Fed up with their husbands, the two women packs their bags for a one-week holiday in Cornwall, staying at a lovely seaside cottage. While visiting healing places, Cornwall works its magic on Dee and Babs as they become engrained into the community, making friends, participating in village life and contemplating their futures. In spite of their husbands' demand to return home, both women face their own anxiety and indecision over what best to do next; stay or do their husband’s bidding. Whichever they decide, this trip empowered them, allowing them to both be happy in the end.

A wonderfully written story that showcases the strength, compassion and tenacity of the older generation and that it’s never too late to take a chance, try something new and enjoy the life you deserve. A heartwarming and empowering read that I highly recommend.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
#NetGalley #Boldwood #TheRunawayWives

Okay, I have to admit this won’t win a Pulitzer but it was fun and it delivered what it promised a funny story of women behaving badly. Dee and Babs take an unplanned trip to the seaside because they feel neglected by their husbands. Dee is turning sixty and her husband decides to take a golf trip. Babs is floored when her husband ups and decides to move to Spain, without asking her. It’s no wonder they take off. I would too.

I loved how this book focused on their friendship and how the ladies learned their self-worth. Women helping women is always a big deal to me and I love reading stories focusing on that, especially when it’s strong women who aren’t going to take it anymore. The character development was so great and they were true to life. I felt like I would be friends with these ladies.

Overall the book was funny and uplifting, a light, escapist story that provided plenty of giggles. So, If you're looking for a read to whisk you away to the sunny seaside and offer a few hours of entertainment, this book is for you.

Lighthearted with serious messages

Well, perhaps I should start by saying that this is not literary fiction, it is an escapist tale of two older women whose lives have become stagnant and whose husbands are out of touch with their wives. I thoroughly enjoyed it and consumed it over a night and a day! I read the previous book by Ms King in this mature women's genre and liked it too; perhaps being of a certain age, I enjoy seeing myself in the heroines! This is a perfect book for the beach, sitting in the garden or beside the fire. It is lighthearted with some serious messages about fidelity, taking spouses for granted, and communication and compromise. Highly recommended!

Thank you to the publisher, Boldwood books, who lent me a time-constrained e-arc via Netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

This was an entertaining read, it was written in a very easy to read way. The two main characters are Dee and Babs, old school friends and now are both 60 years old. They are both having problems with their husbands, albeit in different ways. They have taken themselves on a short holiday to Cornwall. I enjoyed the way that Dee gained her confidence back and seemed to grow, whilst Babs had never been short of confidence but needed people to understand how she felt. Things were resolved for them both in a very satisfying way. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Golden Years… that’s the term that King used to describe this type of book – novels with older protagonists. Hm… I kinda like this term. What do you think? It certainly is more inclusionary than “women of a certain age” is, since it does include older men as well. Yeah, I like it; I wonder if it will catch on. Now, apparently this is King’s first foray into this sub-genre of literary fiction. Up until now she’s published psychological thrillers, suspense, and women’s/romance novels. This is why she wasn’t on my radar. But now that she’s with Boldwood books, it’s a perfect match for her in this sub-genre. Since I’ve been enjoying books by Judy Leigh and the like, this was one of the books for which Boldwood offered me the ARC, so I grabbed it.

Anyway, since I’m only a touch older than both these women, it wasn’t hard for me to identify with either of them, and that’s one of the main points of reading literary fiction – to identify with the characters and want to know what happens in their lives. But, in order to make it interesting, there has to be some kind of conflict and/or change. With both Dee and Babs this happens throughout the story. While on the surface, these two women seem happily married, there are some flies in the ointment, and pulling them out is what this novel is all about – both as individuals and as good friends. So, on this score, King certainly delivered.

Of the two, there’s a touch more concentration on Dee, who has been denying her own feelings and needs for so long, she’s mostly forgotten what she wants or what kind of a person she wants to be. It is mostly Dee who we see change and evolve throughout this novel, and its delightful to see her instinctively drawing on her strengths to become part of this community, as if she always belonged there. Babs, on the other hand, seems to be more stubborn and opposed to change, but then again, her husband wanting to pull up sticks and move to Spain on a whim can do that. I think, though, that King slightly overdid Babs’ running away as much as she did, but she resolved that very nicely in the end.

I was also glad that there were a few bumps in the road for both these women, since without them, there would be no climax to resolve. That said, the bumps weren’t extremely problematic, and they weren’t all that difficult to resolve. Mind you, at one point I thought I had an obvious solution for the both of them, but King decided to go in a different direction, which was slightly surprising, but pleasantly so.

Overall, this was a real feel-good novel to read, with a good number of likeable characters, along with one or two not so good ones, thrown in for good measure. The plot isn’t complicated, and makes a whole lot of sense. All of this is why I honestly enjoyed reading it, and I think that King has a good feel for the Golden Years sub-genre. I hope she’ll write more of them, because fun, escapism can be very welcome these days – be it when characters are running away from something, or for us readers to forget the realities around us these days. So, I’m warmly recommending this novel and giving it a healthy four out of five stars.

Dee and Babs have been friends since they were teens and are now approaching their sixties. Both have trouble with their husbands and so they decide to go on a spontaneous trip to Cornwell on their own. Once there they make friends fast and think about changing their lives and start over alone.
I really enjoyed reading this book: it had great characters, a believable plot and the setting makes you want to book a holiday in Cornwall asap. I especially enjoyed reading a book with older main characters and I liked that the downparts of living in area that is a tourist magnet are mentioned. Everything turns out very well in the end and while this is a bit unbelievable it makes for a an uplifting and entertaining feel-good novel.

When Dee sees that her husband, Nigel’s phone notification of a holiday vacation house he has booked for a week, she is thrilled. It’s her 60th birthday soon and she can’t believe that he is surprising her with this. She shops for a few things and when she returns, she finds him packed and ready to leave. He is shocked when she thanks him for this surprise holiday saying he thought her birthday was the following month. He also says that he has booked the home for he and his buddies to take a golfing holiday. She is hurt and furious.

Dee’s friend, Babs, is married to Geoff. Now that he is retired, he wants to sell their house and move to Spain. But, she refuses to go and tells him he cannot sell their home. Oh, but he tells her that the house is in his name only and he will sell it and move.

Furious at their husbands, the women decide to book a holiday home in Cornwall for the week to celebrate Dee’s birthday and to just enjoy themselves. They quickly join in with the community happenings. Dee runs into an old friend, named Kenny. He lost his wife several years ago and lives in the town now.

I loved how these two women discovered a new life for themselves as they grew to be more confident and independent. Every day brought new adventures. This story was so good that I just didn’t want it to end. I do hope there will be a sequel. Now, I want to go to Cornwall. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Runaway Wives by Karen King is a story that some women who have been married for many years can relate to. I laughed and cried with these wives as they found their way to happiness.

Faced with husbands who seem to take little to no notice of their needs and wants, Babs and best friend Dee book a last-minute trip to Cornwall and don’t tell their husbands where or why. Her husband has habitually cheated on Dee, and now he’s booked a golf holiday on the same day as her sixtieth birthday. Meanwhile, Babs’s husband is threatening to pack up their home and move to Spain, and won’t listen to reason.
I loved getting to know Babs and Dee and following their adventures in Cornwall. I found myself chuckling as they went from one drama to the next, and yet managed to remain happy and determined to enjoy every moment of their adventure.
With a considerable supporting cast that included villagers, a particularly lovely cat and erstwhile relatives, I was thoroughly engaged in their adventures.
Although nominally connected to her friend, I felt completely drawn to Dee and understood the pain of being a golf widow. Thankfully, my husband’s golf allows me time to write my reviews, so it’s a perfect fit in this instance. I couldn’t help but be angry on Dee’s behalf and was thrilled that she took a stand in the face of his behaviour. Marriage truly requires some give-and-take from both sides, and without that, the relationship may be doomed to failure.
Babs was in a different position as her marriage had been loving from the start. What she didn’t understand was the reason for her husband’s about turn and decision to uproot their lives on what seemed to be a whim. The book, of course, explores his motivation, and it soon becomes clear that even the most loving relationships can misunderstand what’s going on.
The story is touching, uplifting and totally relatable. Imagine a story where Thelma and Louise had a happier ending, and you’re on the right track.

Babs and Dee run away from their husbands. Geoff married to Babs has a hair brain scheme to sell up and move to Spain despite the fact she has explicitly said no. Nigel forgets a hallmark birthday for Dee and goes “golfing” instead. I knew exactly what he was gophering for.
I loved the seaside town the ladies escaped to and knew how Dee’s story would turn out but wasn’t sure about Babs.
Getting older and changing one’s life can be scary but also exhilarating.
People should consider it their time, finally, to find pleasure and grab life with gusto.
It’s an inspirational read that everything can work out all right.