This was such a sweet, fun book! I really loved this. Thank you Karen King, Netgalley, & boldwood books for this lovely e-arc.

This was a great story of two best friends trying to sort out their lives after retirement. Husband troubles and what their next step in life will be.

The Runaway Wives, by Karen King, D couldn’t be more excited she recently found an email about the retreat her husband booked for her birthday weekend and has even bought new clothes to wear on their vacation. The only problem is instead of surprising her with a trip he apologizes for forgetting to tell her he booked a golfing trip with his buddies And so instead of going off on the birthday weekend she is home feeling rejected by her husband Giles once again. After Babs comes home from her best friend Dee’s birthday luncheon she is shocked to see her husband has cleaned up their home only to find out he did it to show it to a realtor because he wants to sell it and move to Spain. As a matter of fact Jeff is going to Spain, because he has set up showings of farms in the area he wants to move to. Let down and dejected by their longtime spouses D and Babs decide to take a trip of their own. while on their trip one will see herself differently and the other’s Husband will rethink how he sees her. This is a funny well done story about a subject many women suffer from and that is being invisible in their marriage/family and although it is fiction and written for laughs there’s so much truth to it. I know starting over at such a late stage in life only goes this well in books but I feel so fortunate that I get to read about it I especially love the storyline with Tommy but that’s not to say I didn’t like the whole thing with Jeff I just love the whole book plain and simple. there’s nothing better than a book that leaves you with a great feeling and this one certainly does. #NetGalley, #BoldwoodBooks, #TheBlindReviewer, #HonestReview, #KarenKing, #TheRunawayWives,

Who hasn't just wanted to do what these ladies did? Just pack a bag and leave everything behind. If you can say yes to this you will love this book. It shows that you don't have to be in your first flush of youth to want a little adventure in your life and even, dare I say it, some romance in your life. I laughed from beginning to end.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

What a delightful story and a beautiful setting. It is a joy to read about strong older women making changes and finding new lives for themselves. Dee and Babs both have troubles at home so they go away to Cornwall together to think and regroup and escape for a while, and end up finding new friends and new resolve to put things right. And neither is too old for love either!

“The Runaway Wives” is a contemporary fiction book by Karen King. This story follows two long time friends, Babs and Dee, who decide that their husbands are fools and the women need a break from them. It’s Dee’s 60th birthday and her husband forgot … but planned a trip abroad to golf with his friend. Meanwhile, Babs’s husband seems to be obsessed about living in Spain - something Babs’s doesn’t want to do. The women spend time away - causing chaos with their adult children (how could you leave Dad?) and spouses (why aren’t you home doing the things I want you to do?). But under the mayhem, this story reminds one that no matter your age, you can enjoy life, enjoy meeting friends old and new, and become the best version of who you can be. This book was a quick, light read - one I’d recommend for when you have a few hours and just want to chill by the pool (or just have downtime in general).

Loved this! Funny but with a lot of emotion. It’s Dee’s 60th birthday and she finds a message on her husbands phone that says he’s booked a trip during that period. She’s so excited for the surprise and her and her friend Babs go shopping so she’s ready to pack when he tells her! However…the trip is for him; he’s going on a golf trip….and Babs’ husband has just decided to put the house on the market so he can Babs can start a life in Spain. That’s the last thing Babs is planning to do so off Babs and Dee go to Cornwall for a week away. I loved this story of two women in their 60’s taking control of their own lives after being the rock of their families for so long. A really great read

The runaway wives is such a good fun read! Babs and Dee are so relatable to myself being of the same age and approaching the retirement era! However things don’t go as planned and the two independent, feisty women throw caution to the wind sticking a metaphorical finger up to their husbands and head down to Cornwall for a break and to mull over their husbands behaviours!
Cornwall works its magic on the friends as they become engrained into the community, making friends, participating in village life and contemplating their futures!
A wonderfully written read 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!
Such a genuinely wholesome empowering read that I would highly recommend
Thank you NetGalley for this early read

Really enjoyed this book, it's a feel good read and I read it in one day. Main characters are likeable and you want them to be ok. A little predictable but sometimes that's just what you need! Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the arc.

Thank you to the author and Boldwood for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC.

I adored this book! Perfect for anyone looking for a cozy, lighthearted, funny read. Dee and Babs were the perfect female characters in this book told from both POVs. Solid female friendship was the focus of the book but also the complexity of relationships and marriages as people get a bit older. Port Telwyn and Primrose Cottage were the perfect seaside setting for this book and makes me want to book a vacation immediately. The book ends with the lesson that it is really never too late to go after what you want, find true happiness, and start living life for you.

Oh my goodness, what a treat this was a to read! I wasn’t expecting such a heartwarming story from this book and what a pleasant experience it was! Runaway wives was a quick read with main characters that were easy to fall in love with, more so, the friendship they shared with one another. If you’re needing a switch-up in your TBR, this is the way to go. Thank you for this ARC!

The Runaway Wives by Karen King is a captivating contemporary fiction that delves into the lives of three women who decide to escape their troubled marriages and start anew. The story follows Ellie, Kate, and Madeline, each facing unique challenges and hardships in their relationships. United by their desire for freedom and a fresh start, they embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Karen King's writing is engaging and heartfelt, bringing out the distinct personalities and struggles of each character. The novel explores themes of friendship, resilience, and the courage to take control of one's life. The dynamics between the three women add depth and warmth to the story, making their journey relatable and inspiring.Overall, this is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant novel that will resonate with readers who appreciate stories of personal growth and the strength of female friendships. It's a compelling read that reminds us of the importance of following our hearts and standing up for ourselves.

What a thoroughly enjoyable novel this was. It's been absolutely ages since I last read something from Karen King, and she certainly hasn't lost her touch at writing a story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Babs and Dee both have marriages in various states of broken-ness, and I didn't really take to either of their husbands in the small bits we see of them first hand.

For most of this book includes our ladies taking a short break in Devon, and in the case of Dee, it really is the making of her as she starts to get involved in the local community.

This was a really gentle read, that got under my skin and I was delighted to get to know all of the characters. I was intrigued to see what Babs would eventually decide to do, and I also really enjoyed seeing Dee make new friends.

This was just an all around enjoyable read that I was definitely entertained by.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I loved this book. Two school friends with empty nests and husbands that don't notice them anymore go away for a 60th birthday week for the one friend. And their lives are never the same again after that week. Each learns more about themselves, their husbands and each other and choices are made by both that impact the rest of their lives.
Wonderful characters, wonderful scenery and an all round feel GREAT story.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book.

This book took a little bit to get into the flow but was most enjoyable once it did. It was a lovely story and worth a read.

This is a very fun, lighthearted read that will give you a pick-me-up that you didn't know you needed! The characters' friendship is something all of us should have!

It's been a while since the last time I read something this heartwarming, and I'm amused of how the title is in line with the plot until the end.

Meet Dee, a 60-year-old housewife whose husband chooses solo golfing vacation over celebrating his wife's birthday. And Babs, Dee's bestie whose husband has stubbornly decided to sell their house and move to Spain, with or without Babs. 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, they also get involved in various activities and form bonds with local residents they come to love. In spite of their husbands' demand to come back home, both women face their own turmoil over what best to do next.

Having a 60 year old lady as the main lead is not a book I usually pick up because, how appealing can the story be? Boy, I was wrong. It may not be a fast paced story full of intriques; it is actually a wholesome story that drops a bit of conflict here and there without necessarily get the readers overwhelmed. I imagine the premise is quite relatable if you were a married woman living in your 60s. I am not sure why, reading this book seems to give me a calming effect when I had a lot in my mind. I love how the book is easy to digest and focuses on its plot instead of overdescribing the setting that some authors tend to do. I come to love and understand the actions taken by the main character, she is one fascinating lady with a lot to say. The precious lesson I got from this story is that every woman at every age is entitled to stand up for her happiness.

I gladly recommend this book to readers looking for a light, heartwarming, and encouraging story about standing up for yourself.
Special thanks to Boldwood Books for providing digital copy of this book for me via NetGalley to review. All opinions are honestly my own! :)

Karen is a brilliant storyteller and her women's fiction books are right up my street! I always love a book that makes me want to jump right into the story and be part of the cast and this was one of those for sure. Dee and Babs are great central characters and I loved how their stories unfolded and ended up exactly where I would have wanted them to be. This was a wonderful romp of a read that had me grinning from ear to ear. It had me rooting for the ladies from the moment that I met them and wanting to pack my bags and head for this gorgeous Cornish setting!

5 big fat stars for me.

Babs and Dee are having man trouble so decide to take themselves off to Cornwall for a girls holiday. New friendships are made and plans for their future are put in place.

So what I enjoyed in this book is the life long friendship between Babs and Dee, I thought they were great together and would have loved to have seen this duo together throughout the whole book. I like the fact that we see two 60 year old ladies that believe it is possible to start over at that age. I also like the setting of the book in beautiful Cornwall and the sense of community spirit.

What I didn't like so much was the repetition throughout the book and there just wasn't anything exciting that really happens, it was a quick easy read tho.

Dee discovers that what she thought was a surprise weekend trip for her sixtieth birthday is actually a golf trip
for her husband Nigel with his friends. Her best friend Babs discovers that her husband Geoff has put their house
on the market with plans to move to Spain. Unhappy with their husbands' actions, the two decide to take a trip
to Cornwall. As both are re-examining what their marriages mean to them, they become involved with the
community.Will their marriages survive or is it time to move on? Whatever the outcome, their support for each
other is unwavering.
#TheRunawayWives #BoldwoodBooks #NetGalley