My thoughts




Narrative and Plot






The story of The Woman Who Ran Away from Everything reminded me of The Undomesticated Goddess barring a few fundamental differences. This is more about the self-discovering journey of a woman who finally learns to take up her space.


The narrative alters between first person and third person. While Kate's chapters are told from a first person perspective, Vince's are from a third person. I cannot tell if that is a reason we feel a disconnect with Vince's character or it is just because he is supposed to be an unlikeable character.













Characters and Conflicts









The beginning of the book felt like the perfect setting for a suburban thriller where murder ensues in this posh uptight community. Thankfully Kate runs away before anything like that could happen.



I've always enjoyed reading about a second innings in people's life. Kate seemed like she was on a journey of a lifetime. However, in an attempt to be realistic, Kate is shown to have a back and forth when it comes to her decision to leave. While that might be realistic, it dragged the plot a bit. It meandered towards where you keep wondering if something big would happen.


The book could have been shorter if the final conflict wasn't extended too much.
Also, towards the end, the way Kate treated Fergus and the way it resolved felt unrealistic. It seemed like one of those cases where the ideal male lead would never question the intentions of the female lead no matter how reckless she behaves.








Conclusion




Overall, this was an easy read. The first half was definitely better than the latter half. However, if you are looking for an entertaining journey of light-hearted journey of a protagonist's self-discovery on the countryside, give this one a try. For me, it was a onetime read.

A hilarious and heart-warming tale of a woman who has had enough! Wow I did not expect this book to be like it was! I highly recommend reading this one! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

The novel is a thrilling and engaging read, following Kate's journey as she escapes her suffocating life with her husband, Vince, and embarks on a series of adventurous escapades. From impersonating another woman to a trip to Scotland, the story is filled with enjoyable and madcap moments. Meanwhile, Vince struggles to cope with Kate's departure, unaware of the true reasons behind it. Both characters are at a crossroads in their lives, and the novel explores whether their new paths will lead to happiness. With well-developed characters and vivid writing, the novel is a delightful pick-me-up read that captures the essence of spontaneity and risk-taking.

If there is one book that will show you that it's never too late to make your life everything you want it to be, then it must be "The Woman Who Ran Away from Everything".

I liked Kate immediately - it was a woman who has finally took matters in her own hands. I liked getting to know her, to see what has triggered the dramatic exit at the beginning of the story. However, I also liked Vince, he was somehow funny in his own bubbly world, just your typical man taking everything for granted - it is annoying, oh, of course it is, and I was absolutely on Kate's side, but it was also somehow... I don't know... familiar... Sadly. But Vince grew up, of course he did, and I even felt sorry for him - because, you know, I was not so sure about the whole Fergus thing. I missed chemistry there, to be honest, and in the end I didn't buy into this relationship. Nevertheless, I think I felt for the characters so much because they were relatable, mature, they really did see and live through something and their experiences rang a bell and sounded genuine.

It was a long story, sometimes it dragged a bit, but nevertheless I really liked the dual perspective, it was great to hear from both main characters. It was well written, even though sometimes it felt repetitive, but it was filled with quirky, well captured characters, some funny moments and relatable situations and quandaries. There are also some poignant situations that make this book complete - it was a lovely, light - hearted, uplifting story about finding yourself again, about being brave and daring that I truly enjoyed.

Everything Fiona Gibson touches turns to gold! I can’t even articulate how much I enjoy Fiona gibson’s writing alongside her plot matter! She just knows how to get you in the feels and give everyone a second chance despite how they might come across at first

The Woman Who Ran Away from Everything is exactly as you would imagine with that little bit more. On the surface it appears as a light and funny read with chaotic scenes like the one on the front cover - Kate climbing out the bathroom window! It does not take long, however, for readers to understand that this book dives emotionally deeper as Kate’s people pleasing attitude has run aground with her selfish husband Vince resulting in their marriage coming under the spotlight.

‘Nah, don’t worry,’ Vince says dismissively. ‘Kate’ll sort that.’ And that’s it. That’s when I know I can’t do it anymore - be ‘obliging Kate’, that is.’

The book is told through both Kate and Vince’s viewpoint as they deal with separation and what their marriage was and will be. Obviously it’s about Kate finding herself and regaining her autonomy, however, the equally interesting journey is Vince discovering his independence without the assistance of a wife/partner. There are many enjoyable and laugh out loud moments. Equally there are many sad and heart wrenching moments that many readers are sure to either understand or relate to.

‘Just let go of the responsibilities,’ she adds, ‘and think about yourself for a change.’

The Woman Who Ran Away from Everything is a fun and heartwarming tale about marriage, separation, family, friends and learning that it is never too late to make your life everything you want it to be.

‘I’m beginning to remember who I am.’






This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

The Woman Who Ran Away from Everything is Fiona Gibson’s latest novel and is a hoot to read. She made me laugh out loud and escape from my stressful everyday life. I lived vicariously through Kate and loved every part of her journey right up until the end of her book. She has great friends that she can count on and makes new friends as she figures out what and who she wants to be a part of her existing life.I think she lets us escape with her and takes us a wonderful adventure. I think the reader will be pleasantly surprised how the story ends and I for one would like a sequel to continue on Kate’s new path. Bravo Fiona and thank to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an E- arc of this book to read and review. I will look forward to reading your next book Fiona.🙋‍♀️🇨🇦🙏👏🌷

It's laugh out loud novel but also a novel that made me think as it's the story of a woman who run away to rediscover herself.
Well plotted and compelling.
Loved it
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was a simple, fun, easy and quick read. The perfect type of book for your holiday, beach, pool kind of read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Instagram post will be posted and linked shortly!!

The Woman Who Ran Away from Everything is such a heartwarming and laugh out loud story of a middle aged woman, Kate, and how she leaves everything to rediscover who she is. She has been a wife and mother for so long and one day she realizes that she is completely unappreciated, snaps, and quite literally does run away from everything.

Kate ends up going away to a small town in Scotland and the descriptions of this town and the people that lived there were so wonderful and whimsical. I felt so immersed in the story because of the setting. I really liked seeing the way Kate settled into her new surroundings. She makes friends along the way during this self rediscovery and it was so heartwarming.

This story is dual POV between Kate and her husband, Vince. Vince sucks SO BAD lol so I really did like seeing his POV to see how he was doing while she was gone… which was not well.

I really enjoyed this! If you like A Season for Second Chances then I KNOW you will love this one too.

Thank you to Avon Books for my copy of this!

What a fun, smart, humorous and surprisingly emotional read. What I thought would be a light’ish story of a woman who has reached her breaking point turned out to be that and so much more. Who amongst us hasn’t even if only once, imagined running away from our life? Told in alternating chapters/voices of Kate and Vince we go along on their journey if Kate trying to find herself and Vince finally having to grow up and take some responsibility. It was a wonderful story.

A nice escapist read. Kate Weaver is approaching 50 and fed up being the taken for granted wife and "back end" of her comedian husband Vince's business. One nights she snaps and runs away. A case of mistaken identity leads to her ending up in rural Perthshire where she feels more like herself than she has for years. Husband Vince meanwhile is struggling. Cooking, cleaning, looking after their daughter's dog do not feature in his skill set. And as for flat pack furniture. Laughs, romance and new beginnings. #netgalley #thewomanwhoranawayfromeverything

This is my first read by Fiona Gibson, but it won't be my last. I absolute love the writing and how we were taken on Kate's journey (also loved reading Vince's storyline). Fun, engaging, and full of laughs. Definitely recommend for a light, fun read.

"The Woman Who Ran Away from Everything" by Fiona Gibson is a delightful and relatable tale of self-discovery and reinvention. When her life becomes suffocatingly predictable, Jess takes a leap of faith, leaving it all behind. Gibson's witty prose and engaging characters make this journey of empowerment and newfound freedom a joy to read. A heartwarming and uplifting story that inspires readers to embrace change and pursue their dreams.

Yet another wonderful book by Fiona Gibson. With loveable characters and beautiful narratives making it a heart warming spring read.

an easy fun read that had all the emotions!
i love this author and the latest book didn’t disappoint

I've enjoyed Gibson's prior books, so I was excited about this one. It didn't disappoint. This humorous and heartwarming tale is told from two POVs so the reader gets a balanced view and see the character development throughout the story. Kate's struggles with feeling like she's being taken for granted may resonate with some readers. While some parts were a bit predictable, there are enough twists, including the ending, to keep readers engaged. Overall, this is a fun, lighthearted read. This would make a nice summer beach read.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, warmhearted, sweet and held my attention. I enjoyed this book and will look for more books by this author.

The Woman Who Ran Away From Everything by Fiona Gibson was a quick, fun read about a wife who reaches her breaking point and runs away. This is told through dual POVs of Kate (the woman who ran away) and Vince (the husband). Each of them grow throughout the book as they deal with their separation.

I really enjoyed the first half of the book but found the ending a bit rushed. It was still a good read though.

3.5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

This was such a fun read! I loved it and could not put it down. Furthermore, Gibson keeps readers guessing so I couldn’t be entirely sure how the story would end. A cracker of a read.

The opening of the story is pretty dramatic: a woman is climbing out of her bathroom window to get away from her life (she lives in a bungalow, it’s not such a big drop). Flashback a few days and it quickly becomes clear why Kate has been driven to breaking point. With a husband that treats her more like a slave than a wife, an unsatisfying job and a bleak bungalow that is in homage to her husband’s late parents, I could really understand Kate’s desperation.

Leaving her husband, Vince, mid-party (he organised, she had to cater for – unexpectedly), it is the beginning of Kate’s adventures that see her impersonating another Kate, a trip to Scotland, a house clearance and an unexpected meeting. It was a book full of enjoyable, mad capers and I was energised to see what would happen to Kate next. Compared to her old life with Vince, it is like Kate is living for herself once more and even she recognises how desperately unhappy she had become.

However, Gibson does not abandon poor Vince completely and the chapters focussing on him back at home were equally entertaining. Whilst he is suffering, I liked seeing how he was trying to cope after the woman he relies on so much has left him. Equally, Vince has little idea about the reasons behind Kate’s departure, simply putting it down to her having a “mad moment” and that she will soon be back and everything will return to normal. Little does he realise exactly what Kate is going through.

I enjoyed seeing how both characters are at a crossroads in their lives and whether their new paths would make a difference for the better. It is evident early on that Kate will be happier in hew new adventures but it is never clear whether she will return to Vince and accept that their marriage can work out. On the other hand, it was interesting to see how Vince gradually adapts to being on his own, looking after his ever-faithful dog in the process. Vince grows to miss Kate for the person she is, rather than the services she provides to their household so that as the novel drew to a close, I could not anticipate what the future would hold for either of them.

Well written and deliciously entertaining throughout, this is a great pick-me-up read that was full of great characters and vivid writing. I thrived off Kate’s spontaneity and admired her risk-taking to get her to a place where she could finally be happy.

With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.