What women, especially mom's, but really all women wouldn't want and need an escape from managing all the things especially holidays.

A great fun read while having so many real relatable themes and even some tough moments.

I loved seeing Shelley, Lena and Pearl and the journey that this trip was for them,

Would definitely recommend this book.

This was a lovely Christmas read. I found it quite easy to identify with the women as I too am the mother of teens and the distracted grunts off them whilst studying their phones were bang on, until there’s no food they want to eat or clean underwear in their drawer, then all hell breaks loose! 😂

I could identify with the ladies striving to make Christmas wonderful and magical for everyone, at the detriment of their own happiness. When really, all they want is a small amount of help and some recognition for how much they do.

It was interesting to see the relationships with their partners evolve and change as they discover what they really want to be happy and their men either evolve with them or they get dropped along the way.

Some amazing descriptions of Scotland covered in snow and great community spirit, I almost wish I was snowed in at the guest house, although maybe not with the Sampsons!

A wonderful festive funny read I would definitely recommend.

I just had to start reading Christmas themed books and this one was so cute and a lot of fun. I loved the friendship between the three women, Shelley, Lena and Pearl and the trip they take to the Scottish Highlands just a week before Christmas. With so much going on in their lives this is the break they need before all the craziness of Christmas.

But there is more craziness to come when the arrive at the B&B. This is such a cute book with a loving setting you can just picture in your mind. I love teh Christmas craziness theme and the different family dynamics in this story. It is fun, there is some romance, there is a lot of friendship and even some family dramas along the way.

This is a great holiday read with some fun, quirky and enjoyable characters. It is an easy read and I found it very enjoyable and entertaining.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Great fun book that will get you ready for Christmas. As always the book is full of great characters, lots of humour and good storyline that you can relate to. The three main characters all have their own hassles back home and this is pure escapism and I loved it

Tis the Damn Season by Fiona Gibson was so damn good! This is definitely a holiday read to add to your wishlist!

Shelly, Lena, and Pearl are three women who met years ago when they worked together. Through the years their friendship has blossomed and grown and they always look forward to time together.

However, with the holidays quickly approaching, each is feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and often unappreciated at home. Taking a step back, each believes it would be wonderful to escape….before the holidays! Family and friends are shocked to hear they don’t plan to return until Christmas Eve.

As the three make their way to a B&B in the Scottish Highlands, they have no idea how much their lives will change upon their return.

This was a great four star read and one I would certainly recommend! I can’t wait to check out other books from the author!

3.7 stars
One Liner: A heartwarming read (though some of it could have been better)

Old friends and women in their forties, Shelley, Pearl, and Lena decide to take a break for three days before Christmas and go to stay at a B&B in the Highlands. When they get snowed in and realize they cannot go back to celebrate the festival with their families, the women have to face the real reasons for their escape and decide what they want to do with their lives when they go back.
Will they continue with their old lives and same old frustrations or find the courage to break the patterns?
The story comes in the third-person POV of Shelley, Pearl, and Lena, with a few chapters from Joel, Tommy, Michael, and Martha’s POVs.

My Thoughts:
This is a quick yet heartwarming story about three women and how they face the issues in their lives (and come out stronger). Given the premise, I wasn’t looking for romance. There’s a bit of new love but the focus is on how three women deal with different situations.
It was heartwarming to read about their friendship. They share a deep bond, and it shows in their interactions.
The Highland setting during Christmas, the snow, and the cozy B&B are beautiful. I enjoyed the descriptions that provide the necessary detail but don’t distract the reader from the plot.
There’s a cute doggie, Stan, who is adorable. Then, there is a five-year-old guest, Theo, who is NOT cute; a proper brat!
The side characters are decently done. Not too deep but works for the plot. We hate those we need to hate and feel bad for those who need our sympathy. However, I did want more from Tommy’s character and was disappointed a little.
It seems that teenagers are given a free pass for certain things. Since a couple of important questions are not answered, I’m left wondering about their intentions. Can’t say I could feel bad for them (in fact, it’s the opposite).
While the ending is hopeful for all three ladies, I do wish Lena’s track and Brandon’s track were explored a little more. A kind partner is an asset. But a weak person with a kind heart is a headache.
Anyway, the book ends on a positive note and suits the Christmas mood with a bittersweet-cum-hopeful vibes.

To summarize, 'Tis the Damn Season is a quick read about three women whose time away from their families helps them reevaluate their lives and make some much-needed decisions. You can finish in a single sitting (or two).
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

A really enjoyable and entertaining festive story.
I loved the clever way in which this story was written, three characters with fascinating stories that were masterfully intertwined to create a enthralling story.
All three of the main characters had something going on back at home, and it was interesting to watch what was happening and how this had a knock on effect to their futures.
Scotland was a beautiful setting and it was fabulous to see the ladies embrace a very unexpected lead up to Christmas.
It was fun to read a different sort of Christmas book, with some surprising moments that kept me turning the pages.
This book was damn good and a great way to celebrate the season of goodwill.

Fiona Gibson’s 'Tis the Damn Season is a charming and hilariously relatable holiday romp that perfectly captures the chaos, exhaustion, and magic of Christmas. With its blend of laugh-out-loud moments and heartfelt introspection, this novel is a delightful escape for readers who can’t help but feel overwhelmed by the festive season.

The story centers around three old friends—Shelley, Lena, and Pearl—who, like many women, have shouldered the burden of holiday preparations for far too long. Five days before Christmas, they reach their breaking point and decide to book a much-needed getaway to the Scottish Highlands, leaving their families to fend for themselves. It’s a brilliant premise that taps into the frustrations of the holiday season with humor and wit, as the three women sip prosecco and relish their newfound freedom, miles away from the holiday madness.

However, the fun takes a turn when the friends find themselves snowed in, stranded far from home and the very Christmas they were trying to escape. This setup allows Gibson to dig deeper into each woman’s personal life, revealing the real reasons they needed to get away. The novel balances lighthearted comedy with more serious reflections on family dynamics, the pressures of tradition, and the ways in which women are often taken for granted during the holidays.

Shelley, Lena, and Pearl are distinct and relatable characters, each facing their own unique challenges. Shelley is trying to navigate the holiday with her fiancé and his overbearing family, Lena is dealing with the intrusion of her son’s new girlfriend, and Pearl is feeling overlooked by a family that takes her for granted year-round. As they confront these issues together, their friendship provides warmth and humor, and readers will enjoy seeing how the bonds between them evolve over the course of the story.

The Scottish Highlands setting adds an extra layer of charm, with its picturesque snow-covered landscapes providing the perfect backdrop for the characters’ introspective moments. And while the plot unfolds somewhat predictably, with each woman coming to important realizations about her life, it’s done with enough heart and humor to keep readers engaged.

What makes 'Tis the Damn Season such a winning read is Gibson’s ability to capture the absurdities of family life and holiday traditions with wit and sharp observational humor. Whether it’s the frantic last-minute shopping, the endless list of tasks, or the balancing act of keeping everyone happy, the book offers plenty of moments that will resonate with readers who have found themselves in similar situations. But underneath the humor is a message about self-care, boundaries, and the importance of asking for help—a timely reminder during the busy holiday season.

Final Thoughts:
'Tis the Damn Season is a delightful, feel-good read that combines festive chaos with heartwarming moments of friendship and self-discovery. Fiona Gibson delivers a fun, witty novel that is sure to make readers laugh while also tugging at their heartstrings. Fans of lighthearted holiday reads with a touch of emotional depth, like those by Sophie Kinsella or Jill Mansell, will find this a perfect companion for the festive season. Four stars for its charm, humor, and relatable portrayal of the holiday hustle!

Tis the Damn Season is just the kind of read that I had hoped it would be. It was the story of 3 old friends one married(Shelley), another engaged (Lena), and one single (Pearl). They decided to go to Scotland the week before Christmas to get away from the stress of the season and things that were going on in their lives.
There was just the right amount of comedy and drama and some surprises along the way as the friends end up snowed in at their B & B with some other guests. The women were very likable and seemed like friends you would want to have. The writing was good and nothing too heavy and not silly. The story came together beautifully. And this would be a lovely read as a stress reliever for the holidays for those of us who can’t escape to Scotland for the week. Really fun and quick read! I will definitely be looking for more books by Fiona Gibson. Thanks for the opportunity to read it #netgalley #TistheDamnSeason

Really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. The plot was well done and the characters were not too cloying. Nice to have the different perspectives during the story. The ending was satisfying and didn’t take a wild turn from the story as a whole. It was nice to read about a tight knit group of friends and their everyday issues vs some huge issue or a book full of grief.

The Blurb :
Old friends Shelley, Lena and Pearl have reached their limit with the festive preparation that has always fallen to them, and five days before Christmas, they’ve booked a mini break… without their families. Up until Christmas Eve, they’ll be sipping prosecco in the Highlands while their kids wrap bacon around 100 chipolatas and their partners brave the supermarkets.
It’s exactly what they need… until they’re snowed in. Facing the prospect of Christmas 500 miles from home, each woman is forced to confront her real reasons for needing to escape: the fiancé with the obnoxious family; the son’s new girlfriend who is taking over their home; the family who take their mother for granted all year round…
Will the friends make it home before Christmas day? And if they do, can they really go back to their old lives?

My Thoughts :
We meet friends Shelley, Pearl and Lena. Having had enough of their families and the up coming festive preparations, they all decide on a last minute break to Scotland at Shelley’s cousins bed & breakfast for a few days before Christmas begins.
What better way than to relax hundreds of miles away from home and let their families tend to the organising of Christmas this year.
As we begin to learn the back story of the 3 friends, theres no wonder they wanted a break.
Shelley’s husband and children are always taking her for granted.
Pearl who is a widow, has had enough of her son’s girlfriend taking over in her own home and Lena’s in laws announce they are coming to stay despite questioning and criticizing her over everything she does.
After settling in to the B&B the weather takes a turn for the worse and this forces them to stay on longer than planned. With guests arriving they end up managing the B&B and entertaining the guests even some awkward ones.
As the friends embrace their time away and revaluate their lives, what happen when they finally return home and will their families be waiting for them!?.
Fiona Gibson is one of my go to Authors and this book didnt disappoint, I love how Fiona takes her characters under her wing and makes them into people we care about. A very heart warming funny festive read and one I didnt want to end as I could just see these friends on many more adventures.
Looking forward to more from Fiona Gibson in the future.

I really liked this book it was a very heartwarming, festive read and it has some amazing characters as well and made me look forward to Christmas and putting my tree up.

I would highly recommend reading this book if you like a good Christmas book with good friends.

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

The Christmas bells are about to ring but Shelley, Lena and Pearl aren't having it! It should be a time of celebration, family, food, and holiday traditions, but for them; this holiday season has them wanting a break days before Christmas! Luckily for them an opportunity arises and off they go to Scotland! There, instead of kicking back and relaxing, they find themselves snowed in and running a B&B. This is the stuff that holiday movies are made of!

This book had just enough angst, fun, funny moments, and life changing events. The premise is the holiday season but this book shines when it comes to the relationships of the three friends with each other and with those in their lives. They experience quite a bit in a short period of time and find themselves relying on themselves, each other and making their own choices.

I have not read a book by Fiona Gibson before and enjoyed her writing, her storyline, her characters and the setting. This book was charming and entertaining! I rooted for the characters, laughed with them, felt for them, and enjoyed their journeys.

A great book to read before and during the holiday season!

'Tis The Damn Season by Fiona Gibson

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

This year, their families can deck the bloody halls themselves...

Old friends Shelley, Lena and Pearl have reached their limit with the festive preparation that has always fallen to them, and five days before Christmas, they’ve booked a mini break… without their families. Up until Christmas Eve, they’ll be sipping prosecco in the Highlands while their kids wrap bacon around 100 chipolatas and their partners brave the supermarkets.

It’s exactly what they need… until they’re snowed in. Facing the prospect of Christmas 500 miles from home, each woman is forced to confront her real reasons for needing to escape: the fiance with the obnoxious family; the son’s new girlfriend who is taking over their home; the family who take their mother for granted all year round…

Will the friends make it home before Christmas day? And if they do, can they really go back to their old lives?

My Opinion

Shelley, Pearl and Lena escape on a mini break just before Christmas, a break without their families and the need to organise the family Christmas. This was a relatively quick, relaxing festive read. A great heart-warming read that will be ideal for the upcoming festive season.

Rating 4/5

Getting ready for Christmas, these three friends,
Are fed up with the attitudes of others, they're at their wits end.
That's why the idea of five days away together
Is such a great idea, whatever the weather.

A visit to the Highlands, sounds like a real treat
Leaving their family behind makes it especially neat.
As each woman has real needs for this break
Though they'll be surprised at changes it'll make.

A fun story of women rebelling at last
No longer prepared to do everything as they did in the past.
Each has their own family drama they need to escape for a while
And hopefully that'll help them return with a big smile.

Get ready for humour from beginning to end
And other guest with whom it may be a delight to spend
Or will it prove to be a journey too far?
And will the weather their escape mar?

A fun read with rebellion and possible fresh starts
As all three women find out who'll step in to fill their parts.
There's romance, revelations and surprises, too,
As the three women work together in all that they do.

How will their lives change when they return again?
Will the break bring resolution or unwelcome pain?
For my copy of this book I say a big thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Tis the Damn Season to be Blooming Knackered by Fiona Gibson

👯‍♀️ Life long Friends
🎄 Holiday Vibes
😂 Witty, Hilarious & Fun
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland
💕 Poignant

Shelley, Lena and Pearl, old friends tired of being the solo creators of Christmas magic for their families, start to question the stress of it all. Is it even worth it.? So much running around, buying & wrapping gifts, grocery shopping, decorating and baking for this one day? Especially, if no one in their families even act like they care about all the Christmas traditions and magic.

Feeling underappreciated, they find themselves tempted by an invitation from Pearl's cousin Michael, to come for a visit at his B&B in the Scottish Highlands. Fed up with the lack of mutual holiday spirit, they decide to escape to the Hignlands, with the hopes of cozying up by the fire and rejuvenate their Christmas spirit. They leaving five days before Christmas, and plan on being back before the big day, before anyone even notices.

Will their families left at home appreciate all the work these women do to make the magic happen. Do they even want to go back?

It is funny, witty and poignant. I could definitely relate to these women and will be rereading around the Holidays, for sure! This is for anyone who feeling like they are always trying to hold it all together during the holidays.

If you like Sophie Kinsella books, this one is for you!

Thank you to Fiona Gibson and NetGalley for this Advanced Readers Copy. All opinions are mine.

I love this authors books and this one was such a delight to read. Once I had picked it up I read it in almost one sitting.

This was a highly relatable read and would definitely appeal to a lot of people facing middle age and filled with lots of engaging characters and an engaging storyline about three friends who decide to go away to escape the stresses of organising Christmas. This was a fun read but also had moments of seriousness intertwined too.

A heartwarming and cosy read perfect for the festive season.

Do you find your stress levels rising whilst preparing for Christmas? That is how these three friends Shelley, Lena and Pearl, are feeling. So they make the decision to go away to the Highlands for a few nights before Christmas to give themselves a chance to relax.

It's exactly what they need....until they are snowed in. Facing the prospect of Christmas 500 miles from home, each woman is forced to confront the real reasons for needing to escape, the fiancé with the rude family, the sons girlfriend taking over their home and the family who take their mother for granted. Will the friends make it home before Christmas Day? If they do can they go back to their old lives?

Get into the Christmas spirit with this easy to read story about friendships and relationships. We follow the friends during their stay as they consider what changes they need to make in their lives to help them find happiness.

Overall I enjoyed the book and it is a fast, easy read with a cosy Christmas feel.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an advance copy.

My first Christmas-sy book of the season, read during the awfully hot days this September.
Didn't put me in festive mood, as there was not much of Christmas in there, but actually it was not neccessary for it to be overwhelmingly festive, as it was more about finding yourself anew, regardless of the season.

It was a very accurate story that introduced us to many characters, I actually had a feeling that there was a new character on every page. For me personally there was not enough conflict/plot to make it a book - hence, perhaps, so many characters, because there was not enough to fill the pages and with every character added there was a bit of a background to write around. It was simply a book telling stories, it was not centered around something that they had in common, there was not much that linked them.

However, it was nicely written and everything was wrapped up in the end, like a beautifully packed Christmas present. Easy to read story about friendship, relationship and second chances, though too superficial. It's not bad, it's a few easy hourse you're going to spend when reading it, but for me, it somehow missed the mark.

Thank You netgalley for the ARC of this book.
This was my first read by Fiona Gibson. It was not what i expected, but in a good way. As a woman in my late 30s who can relate to the stress of family and holidays, i found myself feeling like i was part of this friend group, or at least wanting to be!
Three woman who ditch their families at the holidays to escape to relax sounds delightful. Too bad for them, thats not how the trip goes. It was funny and heartwarming.