Harriet and Sophie, (and both of their families) need a vacation. But when an ash cloud threatens to derail their vacation plans to Italy, the two families decide to swap houses instead. Harriet, her husband, and their daughter are to stay in chic London, while Sophie, her husband, and their two children are off to the idyllic countryside. Both couples find their relationships tested, and their family life is put in danger. But if they can make it through, that ash cloud might have been the silver lining they all needed.

I really enjoyed this story! Both Harriet and Sophie were likeable (even if Harriet was an aquired taste!), and the unlikely friendship they forged was one of my favorite parts of this book. The split POV between them really helped us travel with them on their individual journeys, while the mix in emotions, from stress and disappointment to laughter, kept the story fresh. By the end of the book I was rooting for both of them! This book is the perfect light read for a summer day!

Thank you to @michelegormanuk @orionbooks @trapeze_books for giving me a review copy of this book!

Thank you to Netgalley, Trapeze and Michele Gorman for my arc of The Staycation in exchange for an honest review.
: When an ash cloud ruins their much needed holiday to Rome, Harriet is devastated, she'd planned to use the time to work on her relationship with her husband James and it looks like all that is now ruined. Until a chance meeting finds her house swapping with equally disappointed Sophie who equally needs a break to rest and bring down her stress levels. A snap decision sees the two families agreeing to 'house swap'. Sophie, husband Dan and their two children will stay at Harriet & James' farm in Gloucestershire and Harriet, James and their daughter will stay at Sophie & Dan's townhouse in central London. Perfect. Or is it? Both couples find their relationships tested as the holiday brings more than they bargained for, in a good way!

I really enjoyed this light, refreshing read it was just what I needed to get me out of a bit of a reading slump. Harriet and Sophie were both great characters and the story really emphasises their individual paths of self discovery. I laughed and cried (not quite a literal cry but I felt for them) along with them and found myself cheering them on. Even though Harriet's personality made her quite annoying to her family I found that I really liked her and I think that's a sign of a good writer to make you like someone that other characters don't. I'd definitely read more from this author again.

After an ash cloud around Heathrow airport cancels their holiday, two families decide to swap homes after they meet in the airport. No need to ruin two weeks of holiday vacation and family time.
One family goes to London and has the city experience while the other to the village to relax.
A lot of togetherness brings inner revelations to one family whereas some drama to the other and a bit of empowerment that was much needed.
Great read during the time where we are all inside with our families now!

Thank you to Netgalley and Michele Gorman for the early copy in exchange for a review.

I loved this book. Harriet and Sophie both needed a holiday to Rome for different reasons. Whether their husband works too much, they can’t get along with their teenage daughter, or they just simply have no control over their lives, they both need a break.

I adore the way this book explored so many important issues, in a sensitive way. And I felt so much empathy for both women, and just wanted to be their friend! I would definitely recommend this one.

Two people meet at an airport when their flight to their holiday is cancelled. They then decide to go on a holiday, well a staycation. This is relevant now isn't it? Planes being cancelled, that darn ash cloud we all remember. What do you do if you get trapped at heathrow? Swap houses with a fellow passenger that's what!

Cracking premise and some interesting insights into both families and what it means to 'escape'.

Thanks to netgalley for the early access. Thought this was the perfect book to read right now and loved the cover. I did enjoy this and felt the drama in both women's marriages added an extra element. However I really did not like Dan as a character and found it hard to believe his and Sophie's marriage dynamic. I did think this book flip flopped and at times was not sure if I was reading something lighthearted or something more deep. The Staycation felt like the book version of a Channel 5 reality show.

I loved the premise of this book and I really enjoyed it. Thank you Michelle for asking me to read and review this. I thoroughly enjoyed it

A lighthearted funny read about two very different families who meet at Heathrow airport when their holidays abroad are cancelled due to the ash cloud! Trying to salvage something from the situation they decide to do a house swap instead, this brings about its own challenges but ultimately makes them look at their own lifestyles and relationships with surprising insights and revelations, one family becomes closer and far more relaxed in their approach to life, routine and relationships, the other family realised that current life isn’t making them happy and start a very different journey that brings about enlightenment and empowerment for one half of the relationship! Great holiday reading material!
Thank you net galley for this early read.

This has been a pleasant read. Definitely been a nice escape whilst sat in the garden. This is a great book because it has allowed me to switch off from everything that’s going on and be lost in the pages.

What can I say...

I adored this book.

Harriet and Sophie are both women trying to do the best they can, for themselves and for their families.

When they happen to both be at the same airport, booking in on the same plane and then both having their family holidays to Italy are unfortunately cancelled (pesky dust cloud) they embark on a house swap like no other.

This book is a brilliant read.

I immediately warmed to both Harriet and Sophie through their alternating chapters. Completely different in every way possible but as they are enlightened to a few home truths - when in each others houses - an unlikely friendship is formed.

A brilliant mix of emotions are wrapped up in this book. From stress and heart ache to hilarious laughter filled moments.

It's a perfect Summer read.

One that you will finish with ease and be left with that lovely feeling of comfort and hope.