[]
Well, That Escalated Quickly
  • Published: 27 October 2026
  • ISBN: 9781804996980
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 368
  • RRP: $24.99

Well, That Escalated Quickly

Formats & editions
Paperback
27 Oct 2026
EBook
2 July 2026
Audiobook
2 July 2026
Pre-order from…
Amazon Booktopia Dymocks QBD Readings Your Bookstore Abbeys Boomerang Find local retailers Find local retailers Collins Fishpond Gleebooks Harry Hartog Kinokuniya Robinsons The Nile Mighty Ape

The laugh-out-loud, painfully relatable new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author, about the myth of having it all, and how snap decisions can lead to big changes...

Meet Fran. This is her to-do list:

  • buy milk
  • get promoted
  • book dentist
  • swerve PTA meeting
  • practice gratitude
  • be a better friend
  • stop crying in Morrisons
  • rescue relationship
  • organise life
  • stop keeping secrets

Not on her to-do list? Being made redundant when she was expecting a promotion.

And when one tiny, impulsive decision leads Fran to tell a lie she can’t quite keep up with, suddenly everything starts to unravel.

But could rock bottom be a golden opportunity instead of a complete and utter disaster? With the help of her friends and family, Fran's about to blow her life wide open…and start piecing it back together. Her way.


Well, That Escalated Quickly is a hilarious, painfully relatable novel about the magic of what happens when you finally stop trying to have it all.

  • Published: 27 October 2026
  • ISBN: 9781804996980
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 368
  • RRP: $24.99
Categories:

About the author

Sarah Turner

Sarah Turner lives in Devon with her husband, three sons and Frank the cat. After graduating with first-class honours in Philosophy from the University of Exeter, she dabbled in careers in finance and higher education before a ‘warts and all’ parenting blog she’d started in order to let off steam gathered unexpected momentum and writing became her full-time job. She has since written four Sunday Times bestsellers: The Unmumsy Mum, The Unmumsy Mum Diary, The Unmumsy Mum A-Z and her first novel, Stepping Up, which was a Richard and Judy Book Club pick in 2023. Sarah likes bookshops, walks along the river and watching her boys play football. She doesn’t like parking, films with sharks in or writing about herself in the third person. You can follow Sarah’s reading, writing and parenting adventures on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@theunmumsymum).
ST

Also by Sarah Turner

On The Edge
Stepping Up
See all

Praise for Well, That Escalated Quickly

For any woman who has felt overwhelmed while juggling life, this is such a highly relatable book – with moments that are laugh-out loud, read-through-your-fingers cringe and also heartwarmingly poignant, Sarah's writing gets better with every book.

Nikki Smith, author of THE BEACH PARTY

Well, That Escalated Quickly is the funniest book I've read in ages, but Sarah Turner has a knack of making you cry too – when you least expect it and in the best possible way. The pickle that Fran gets into felt so real I had to keep checking it wasn't my own life. Brilliant

Eleanor Tucker, author of TURN BACK TIME

A joyful, hilarious read to be devoured in one sitting. Sarah Turner writes modern womanhood with warmth, honesty and humour. I laughed out loud and adored every minute

LC North, author of CLICKBAIT