The Women Who Needed a Break: The brilliantly funny, festive treat from Fiona Gibson
Written by Fiona Gibson
Narrated by Helen Phillips
4/5
()
About this audiobook
Shelley has had enough. She’s reached her limit with the festive preparation that has always fallen to her and, five days before Christmas, she’s booked a mini break… without her family. Up until Christmas Eve, Shelley and her bestfriends Pearl and Lena will be sipping prosecco in the Highlands, while her teenage kids wrap bacon around 100 chipolatas and her husband braves the supermarket for once.
It’s exactly what she needs… until they’re snowed in. Facing the prospect of Christmas 500 miles from home, each of the friends 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 they make it home before Christmas day? And if they do, can they really go back to their old lives?
This Christmas, forget Elf on the Shelf and get ready for Mums on the Run in the hilarious and heartwarming new novel from Fiona Gibson.
Praise for Fiona Gibson:
'I absolutely love Fiona Gibson's funny, emotional, relatable writing.’ – JENNY COLGAN
'Hilarious, sparky and joyful, relatable and brilliant! Highly recommended, whatever the time of year.' – JUDY LEIGH
'Snowy, sparkly and satisfying. Highly recommended.' – MADDIE PLEASE
'I so enjoyed this funny, insightful story... If you’re struggling with the Christmas overwhelm, this book is perfect for you!' – CARMEN REID
'Fun, festive and full of good cheer, Tis the damn season! should be on the top of your Christmas reading wish list.' – SARAH BENNETT
'This book isn't just for Christmas... it's the perfect escapist novel for any time of the year!' – KATE GALLEY
'A festive, funny and heartfelt story of friendship and finding your way. I loved it.' – FREYA KENNEDY
'Warm, witty and wonderfully relatable. Perfect escapism for women struggling to juggle everything, especially at Christmas!' – KATHLEEN WHYMAN
‘I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in less than a day. It was fun, relatable and an easy read. This was one of my favourite books by Fiona Gibson!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘Marvellous at any time of the year! You’re never disappointed with a Fiona Gibson novel and this one is no exception. Simple storylines, lovely ending, characters you can relate to and root for, what’s not to love?’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘I adored this book! I love Fiona’s books anyway and definitely have more on my wishlist! This is the perfect festive read. Wouldn’t we all like to escape sometimes from the festive build up?’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘This book is honestly very funny… I am probably going to reread this story again in the next couple of days, I liked it that much.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘I love a good Fiona Gibson book, and this is a very good one!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘I honestly couldn't put this book down! Read in 1 day as I was just captured by the characters who are so true to life. This book has me laughing out loud and also in tears!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘I was cracking up laughing through the entire book and devoured it in one sitting!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Related to The Women Who Needed a Break
Related audiobooks
A Very Irish Christmas: An utterly perfect Christmas romantic comedy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5All I Want For Christmas: A gorgeous, uplifting festive read from Clare Swatman Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Christmas Cake Cafe: A heartwarming holiday escape to the Swiss Alps Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: The festive, uplifting read from Bestseller Beth Moran Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Bookshop Christmas Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Christmas at the Chateau Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Christmas Cupid Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This Is Not a Holiday Romance: An utterly hilarious festive romantic comedy from Camilla Isley! Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Christmas Every Day: The perfect uplifting festive read from Beth Moran Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5We Three Kings: A totally hilarious and heart-warming Christmas romantic comedy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Let It Snow: Curl up over with Beth Moran's perfect cosy read Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Happy Bloody Christmas Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Five Gold Rings: A totally hilarious and unforgettable Christmas rom-com Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Christmas Love Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Christmas in the Scottish Highlands Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Snow Love Lost Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Secret Christmas Bookshop Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Flora's Travelling Christmas Shop Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Old Girls Behaving Badly: The feel-good uplifting read from Kate Galley Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It Had to Be You: The uplifting, heartwarming novel from BESTSELLER Beth Moran Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wreck My Plans: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Secret Santa Project Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChristmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea: An emotional and utterly heartwarming page-turner Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Sh!te Before Christmas Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5If Every Day Was Christmas Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Snowy Nights at the Lonely Hearts Hotel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Four Christmases and a Secret Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Christmas by the Coast Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Marriage & Divorce For You
The Wedding People: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Third Mrs. Galway Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Trust (Pulitzer Prize Winner) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5So This Is the End: A Love Story Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Before I Let Go Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Beautiful Ugly: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Love Letters from Montmartre: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Cabin in the Woods Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Husbands: A Read with Jenna Pick: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5We All Live Here: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Until Death Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I Cheerfully Refuse Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bright Years Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Rock Paper Scissors: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Notebook Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Names: A Read with Jenna Pick: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Last List of Mabel Beaumont: The utterly beautiful BESTSELLER from Laura Pearson Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This Could Be Us Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5All the Salt in the Sea Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5My Husband: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Until the Stars Fall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Piglet: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The German Wife: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5One Big Happy Family Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Everything She Lost Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Penitence: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Good Happy Girl Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Rental House: A Novel Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Coming Up for Air Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Becoming Mrs. Lewis: The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related categories
Reviews for The Women Who Needed a Break
29 ratings3 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Dec 25, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this listen. Loved the twists between the families. A great Christmas listen. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Sep 8, 2025
Really enjoyed this Book. It was a lovely mix of romance, friendship, and a vicarious travel and Christmas experience. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Nov 7, 2024
Love Fiona Gibson’s books, always really connect with the characters. This one is definitely my favourite so far. Brilliant, hilarious but also very real !
