Axe throwing - not sure. I suspect that I'd drop the thing let alone lift it.
Is this book amusing? Depends on your sense of humour. I sniggered a bit at times, but was not over impressed by the writing style or adventures. There are some female humour novelists I like but they are a little more subtle.

I wasn't sure what I was going to get with this book, I went in blind, saw something about a Viking retreat and I was in love with the cover. Alice felt to me like a normal everyday harrassed mother who feels like they have to make sure she has all the plates spinning in the same direction but the reality is, she's manically trying just to survive each day. The catalyst was a drunken night at a dentist convention and unable to remember what the heck happened - I mean hasn't most people been there?!

Her sister, estranged at that, mentions a retreat, a holiday of sorts and that is where the real story starts.

This was a journey of discovery, friendships and self-awareness. I loved seeing Alice on her adventure, with her sister Melissa - who lives life but doesn't see past the 90's. She was refreshing, even naive but at the same time was so worldly. I did feel for Alice during the retreat, she didn't always help herself but I felt like she was trying and also VERY trying. But the moment she discovered that letter, it changed everything - and I am not ashamed to say, I had tears.

This is a book where it seems not a lot is actually happening, but it is a small snippet into the lives of Alice, her sister and the women on the treat. It shows you how powerful the smallest butterfly in life can be. It shows how one small word can change everything.

How to change your life in a week!
We meet Alice - a workaholic (and alcohol loving) dentist who has become truly disconnected from her depressive husband and children. After a work trip leads to a one night stand and much regret, her sister spirits her away for a much needed break. Except the holiday is not quite what she had in mind. So begins a week of camping, foraging and beserking as they join a small group of women in Denmark, learning to channel their inner Viking! Mayhem, mud and then a dramatic plot twist two thirds through that has Alice rethinking her life and life choices!

DNF @ 40%

Tried a lot times to plough into it and get through with it but I just can't get into the story. It is well-written, sure. Sounds promising and interesting, definitely. But once I start reading, I can't seem to keep going. I always have to stop at some point and pick another book. The story is not engaging enough for me, plus the main character can easily get on one's nerves. So, that doesn't help at all. I'm sure there are readers who will enjoy this book, but unfortunately, I'm not one of them.

As a Finn, I was super curious to read this book. There are some things that I disagree (like the fact that Finnish people invented sauna and that it’s something holy to us and we Finns take sauna super seriously) but most of the things about Scandinavia are true.
The plot started a bit slow and at first I was not super into the book but after Alice and Melissa get to Denmark things start to get more interesting and sometimes I laughed out loud. The ending also good and I happy about how things turned out.
The characters are also interesting. At first, I was not a big fan of Alice. She sounded like a miserable person who sometimes made others feel bad because she was feeling miserable. But once again, she grew on me. Inge is also a super woman and wish I was able to handle life as she does but maybe I’ll get there someday.
All in all, a very good finding yourself type of novel. There are some hard rules about life but that’s good and I enjoyed the book. Maybe I’ll go into the woods soon and go crazy

*Free copy of the book received from publisher via NetGalley

Ok, so I started this, couldn't get into it, gave up and came back to it. And I still didn’t really like it. I loved The Year of Living Danishly, so I thought I’d try Helen Russell’s fiction, but i just couldn’t stand Alice, she’s awful, she doesn’t realise she’s awful - even by the end I’m still not sure she’s grovelled enough or dealt with her issues properly. What I really wanted was a book about Melissa, where Alice was the Problem and Melissa made friends with all of the other people on the retreat. But that is not what this is doing - or wants to do. Never mind.

A very funny, well written story about finding yourself. My thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for my copy.

Laugh out loud funny book about a Viking Retreat that almost sounds like it could be reality rather than satire and ends in a very satisfying way.

Frazzled mum Alice Ray likes to think she’s on top everything – she has FOUR bags-for-life in the boot of her car for heaven's sake. But after spectacularly embarrassing herself at work, she finally gives in to her sister’s pleas to take a much needed break.

But this is not the luxury spa holiday Alice hoped for – instead, she finds herself in Denmark, in the middle of nowhere, on a ‘How to be a Viking’ getaway.

Can the two sisters finally learn to get along or will learning to embrace their inner warrior just make them better at fighting?

Two sisters. One Scandi holiday they'll never forget...

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy.

I am not a 'chick flick' kind of girl so was a bit worried about this one but I needn't have been. This was a witty and genuinely funny read - not one for reading in public, especially if you're a snorter. Love the idea of a 'Viking' retreat as well. Give it a go!

Like a few other reviewers I initially struggled to get along with the protagonist but I'm really pleased I persevered as I really enjoyed the book. Smart and witty.

The title appealed to me as I’m Scandinavian, but the introduction mentioned some liberties might have been taken in describing “the Viking ways”. This was slightly off-putting and the first chapter I really disliked, but the book grew on me, a lot. I chuckled, there were tears and I ended up really enjoying the book and wishing it wasn’t ending so soon. I would highly recommend this book!

This was a brilliant laugh out loud book. Alice finds more than herself when she goes on a trip with her sister to Denmark! Brilliant characters & witty story telling! This won’t be the last book I read from Helen Russell.

I loved Helen's book Living Danishly, reading this as a result. Gone Viking didn't disappoint.
A funny book with some excellent characters, it was a modern look at being female. The central character was one that I could empathise with others in the book that I could relate to. I loved that the story was unique and complex enough to keep me hooked. A great book!

🔆 Received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review 🔆

Plot twist! This quirky and hilarious book carries one hell of a kick. I mean the titles Gone Viking so you know it should be a giggle.

Somehow Helen Russell manages to handle tear jerking situations with humour! Kudos! Who doesn’t love a giggle?

An uptight dentist named Alice, who’s lost touch with well pretty much everyone in her life is forced to really look at her life choices following a drunk night at a dentist conference! There to bring her down to earth is her free spirited sister Melissa. Who’s idea of fun is to get one with nature... enter Viking retreat!

The moral of the story embracing your imperfections or that’s my take on it. Gone Viking is a laugh out loud, sisterhood novel that’s well worth a read! You’d be silly to not 🤨

Happy Reading x

Having read Helen Russell's book, 'A Year of living Danishly' I was delighted to see this book was available via Netgalley in return for an honest review It's funny, in a fairly light hearted way but also lifts a lens to the way women put themselves under pressure and take on more than their fair share of responsibility and sometimes end up with their priorities skewed.
Some real laugh out loud moments and some tender ones too.

Alice is a dentist. She lives a very tidy organised life. She likes things to be 'just so'. She keeps her emotions firmly buttoned up. Her sister Melissa is very different preferring muddle and spontaneity. When Melissa is quite determined that she wants Alice to go on a spa break with her Alice reluctantly agrees-however she didn't expect to end up in Denmark on a Viking retreat! Finding her inner Viking hadn't appeared anywhere on her list of things to do!! As the days go on the little group find out more about each other & themselves.

I must admit to struggling a bit with this one to start with. I found Alice a real pain! However some of the other characters made up for her- in particular the formidable Inge! By the end I was laughing & crying along with the four newly released Inner Vikings. Thanks to Netgalley & the publishers for giving me the chance to read & review this book.

A humorous read although I struggled to empathise with the protagonist - I found her quite unlikeable at the beginning. I enjoyed this overall but preferred the author's memoirs.

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Two sisters, who couldn’t be any different from each other. Alice is busy with her job, family and life in general. Melissa, however, loves animals and leads a very diverse lifestyle. It’s her, who suggests a spa holiday for the two of them.

The two women find themselves in Denmark, on a “How to be a Viking” getaway. Alice finally needs to learn to let go and it’s the chance for the siblings to finally put away all their problems and differences.

There are a lot of characters and all of them have a story to tell. I felt it was a bit too much at times. The book is full of hilarious moments and that made the storyline very authentic.

I also learned a lot about the Viking culture, which was very interesting. There are sad and thought provoking parts as well, which gives the book a great mixture and makes the plot exciting.

This book is an uplifting, easy and fun read, perfect to relax!

I loved this book, little bit slow in the beginning and wasn't quite sure where it was going but when it got there, it was so entertaining. I laughed out loud on many occasions and the description of all the characters brought so many people to mind, everyone will associate with and have friends/acquaintances of the same ilk. I lived this experience with them and having experienced quite a few of the "issues" myself and having been on a few retreats (although none quite like this!) I was with them all the way.

I wasn't sure what to expect as I hadn't read anything by this author. It took me a while to get into the book as I found Alice to be the kind of woman who becomes a martyr and I find irritating. However as it progressed and Melissa, her sister, organises time away together, the book picked up. Their adventures in the camp, whereby they must take on challenges to prove themselves worthy vikings bring challenges both physical and emotional. We learn a lot about the sisters and there is much to identify with for any woman that has a sister. It has both humour and deep emotion. Well worth a read!