The Staycation: A hilarious tale of heartwarming friendship, fraught families and happy ever afters

If you are looking for a fun entertaining read The Staycation should be just what the doctor ordered. It’s a simple idea which revolves around two families who meet and start talking at Heathrow airport, both en route to Rome, but flights are being delayed and the airport looks like it’s about to close due to an ash cloud descending on the UK. What do you do when your holiday plans fall apart ....well you could swop homes with the family you have just meet and make the best of the situation by having a holiday in a strangers home..... A London home for a country retreat.... This book is well written with some entertaining witty banter in the form of text messages. Enjoyable lighthearted read.

A lovely happy read from an author who has her finger on the pulse of her characters! Two women, both with families, have been looking forward - desperately - to their holiday so when the volcanic ash cloud interferes with their flights it seems like the last straw. Sitting in the airport with husbands and children, they see their precious anticipated break disappearing into the ether .. until, they realise that each has what the other dreams of at home. And so the idea of a house swap materialises and very quickly becomes reality. I love the very idea of this book; making the best of things - it's what we all do, isn't it? Harriet gets the city break she has been so looking forward to, with culture and good restaurants on her doorstep whilst Sophie heads to an amazing home in a country village with an all important spa nearby. As different as these women are, their husbands are too and getting to know them all makes for fascinating reading. Things aren't always what they seem . . . just like real life! Michele Gorman has created a wonderful story, both fun and entertaining but never predictable. I'm a real fan of this author - she always delivers a great read. I'm very happy to recommend this novel, and give it 4.5*.