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Warnings of Gales
Imogen, who organised the holiday, is frighteningly capable and a bit of a control freak. With three children who are at the centre of her world, she's determined that this holiday will be perfect. But is Imogen's tidy life quite as happy as it seems? Sophie is Imogen's oldest friend, dating back to the days when they would chat long after lights out at their Home Counties boarding school. Sophie knows she should be feeding her offspring organic cous-cous, but they love McDonalds' apple pies too much - and where's the harm in that? But is there more to Sophie than dogged loyalty to her rather overbearing old mate? And then there's Jo, an acquaintance of Sophie's roped in at the last minute when the first choice of housemate pulled out. An East London GP and single mother, and very easy going with her son, she appears to be the polar opposite to Imogen. A group holiday seemed such a good idea back in January ...
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
4 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Annie Sanders
21 books51 followersAnnie Ashworth and Meg Sanders met at ante–natal classes and bonded as they learnt the benefits of raspberry leaf tea and relaxation breathing. Neither remedy worked but a friendship was born.
Annie's background is in advertising copywriting and journalism. She cut her teeth on a great little magazine called Southside, and put in the journo donkey work at Essentials, editing knitting patterns, and the late lamented Woman's Journal. Since going freelance in 1990, she has written for several publications including the Evening Standard and Homes and Gardens, as well as editing Inspector Morse for serial in the Sunday People, without giving away whodunnit. She has three boys and has built her own house on a hill in Warwickshire. She is director of the Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival.
Meg comes from a book publishing background, though she started out by translating thirteen volumes of robot technology from French to English. Things got more interesting when she edited and wrote a series of activity books telling children how to cover the kitchen table in glitter and PVA glue. This was obviously before she had children of her own. After a diploma in horticulture, she edited and wrote gardening books but still can't work how to prune apple trees. She is married, has twins – a boy and a girl – and lives near Stratford upon Avon.
They started out together with a mission to save the planet from grammatical horrors and badly placed apostrophes by offering their services as website content writers. Luckily they were rescued from catatonia (after a very dull foray with a government quango report) by the commission to write a book. Trade Secrets resulted, a spin off from the cult BBC2 series of the same name, and was followed by Trade Secrets Christmas, How to Beat the System, Trade Secrets Parenting, Fat Club, Celebrity Fit Club, The Property Chain, but they definitely didn't write a Channel 4 book called Am I Good In Bed? (A title that doesn't bear an answer but the research was entertaining.)
A tedious train journey spawned the germ of an idea for a novel and the rest is literary legend...
Annie's background is in advertising copywriting and journalism. She cut her teeth on a great little magazine called Southside, and put in the journo donkey work at Essentials, editing knitting patterns, and the late lamented Woman's Journal. Since going freelance in 1990, she has written for several publications including the Evening Standard and Homes and Gardens, as well as editing Inspector Morse for serial in the Sunday People, without giving away whodunnit. She has three boys and has built her own house on a hill in Warwickshire. She is director of the Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival.
Meg comes from a book publishing background, though she started out by translating thirteen volumes of robot technology from French to English. Things got more interesting when she edited and wrote a series of activity books telling children how to cover the kitchen table in glitter and PVA glue. This was obviously before she had children of her own. After a diploma in horticulture, she edited and wrote gardening books but still can't work how to prune apple trees. She is married, has twins – a boy and a girl – and lives near Stratford upon Avon.
They started out together with a mission to save the planet from grammatical horrors and badly placed apostrophes by offering their services as website content writers. Luckily they were rescued from catatonia (after a very dull foray with a government quango report) by the commission to write a book. Trade Secrets resulted, a spin off from the cult BBC2 series of the same name, and was followed by Trade Secrets Christmas, How to Beat the System, Trade Secrets Parenting, Fat Club, Celebrity Fit Club, The Property Chain, but they definitely didn't write a Channel 4 book called Am I Good In Bed? (A title that doesn't bear an answer but the research was entertaining.)
A tedious train journey spawned the germ of an idea for a novel and the rest is literary legend...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 16, 2009
Imogen, who organised the holiday, is frighteningly capable and a bit of a control freak. With three children who are at the centre of her world, she’s determined that this holiday will be perfect. But is Imogen’s tidy life quite as happy as it seems?
Sophie is Imogen’s oldest friend, dating back to the days when they would chat long after lights out at their Home Counties boarding school. Sophie knows she should be feeding her offspring organic cous-cous, but they love McDonalds’ apple pies too much – and where’s the harm in that? But is there more to Sophie than dogged loyalty to her rather overbearing old mate?
And then there’s Jo, an acquaintance of Sophie’s roped in at the last minute when the first choice of housemate pulled out. An East London GP and single mother, and very easy going with her son, she appears to be the polar opposite to Imogen. A group holiday seemed such a good idea back in January …
This was my first Annie Sanders book but it definitely won’t be my last. In fact I have another two of their novels to read – Goodbye, Jimmy Choo & Busy Woman Seeks Wife.
It always interests me how two authors can write one book – I always want to know who writes which chapters/characters. However you can’t tell because the story flows effortlessly!
I really enjoyed Warnings of Gales and thought it was really well written. You always hear of people going on holiday together so it’s an interesting topic. Not only that but all three characters were so different it made the book difficult to put down.
I found Imogen both irritating and likeable at the same time. At times she – as Jo thought – seemed to muscle in on everything but she had everyone’s best interests at heart really. Sophie seemed the most laidback of the three women, and felt she was the referee most of the time between Jo and Imogen. Jo was my favourite character and thought she was really great. She was independent but showed her vulnerable side when Finn went missing.
Finn was my favourite of the children and the most prominent. I was really interested in what Jo was hiding about Finn’s dad.
Of the men I like Hugh and Matt but couldn’t stand Guy. He was so willing to shove his children in boarding school without a second glance just so it furthered his career. He came across very selfish and even a bit racist about Finn. I was glad Imogen changed her mind about Jakarta – I knew she would!
I really enjoyed how the chapters of the novel were days of the holiday and enjoyed the easy way the book was written. I also liked the nod to Imogen’s weather-obsession with each chapter starting with the days forecast, that was a nice touch.
I really enjoyed the book and can’t wait to read more from Annie & Meg!
Rating: 5/5
Sophie is Imogen’s oldest friend, dating back to the days when they would chat long after lights out at their Home Counties boarding school. Sophie knows she should be feeding her offspring organic cous-cous, but they love McDonalds’ apple pies too much – and where’s the harm in that? But is there more to Sophie than dogged loyalty to her rather overbearing old mate?
And then there’s Jo, an acquaintance of Sophie’s roped in at the last minute when the first choice of housemate pulled out. An East London GP and single mother, and very easy going with her son, she appears to be the polar opposite to Imogen. A group holiday seemed such a good idea back in January …
This was my first Annie Sanders book but it definitely won’t be my last. In fact I have another two of their novels to read – Goodbye, Jimmy Choo & Busy Woman Seeks Wife.
It always interests me how two authors can write one book – I always want to know who writes which chapters/characters. However you can’t tell because the story flows effortlessly!
I really enjoyed Warnings of Gales and thought it was really well written. You always hear of people going on holiday together so it’s an interesting topic. Not only that but all three characters were so different it made the book difficult to put down.
I found Imogen both irritating and likeable at the same time. At times she – as Jo thought – seemed to muscle in on everything but she had everyone’s best interests at heart really. Sophie seemed the most laidback of the three women, and felt she was the referee most of the time between Jo and Imogen. Jo was my favourite character and thought she was really great. She was independent but showed her vulnerable side when Finn went missing.
Finn was my favourite of the children and the most prominent. I was really interested in what Jo was hiding about Finn’s dad.
Of the men I like Hugh and Matt but couldn’t stand Guy. He was so willing to shove his children in boarding school without a second glance just so it furthered his career. He came across very selfish and even a bit racist about Finn. I was glad Imogen changed her mind about Jakarta – I knew she would!
I really enjoyed how the chapters of the novel were days of the holiday and enjoyed the easy way the book was written. I also liked the nod to Imogen’s weather-obsession with each chapter starting with the days forecast, that was a nice touch.
I really enjoyed the book and can’t wait to read more from Annie & Meg!
Rating: 5/5
July 30, 2011
A great, light summer read. Touches on our expectations of vacations and other people and the reality that often forces us to see things in another light. Good, likeable characters.
June 22, 2011
Three women book a Holiday in Cornwall for 3 weeks it was booked in
January but with bad weather and family feuds is it a success or is
everyone glad to be going home?
Imogen- The organiser of the Holiday she has 3 children she is a good
cook and mother hen, she is married to Guy and guy is being posted to
Hong Kong soon.
Sophie- Imogens old school friend she is married to Hugh they have 2
girls, she is the peacekeeper.
Jo- She is Sophie’s friend and took Caroline’s place, she is a Doctor
single mum to Finn, and there are no ground rules with her son. Imogen
and Jo don’t really get on. But something happens will they be friends
after all? Jo just wants to relax and doesn’t really want to join in
with the group. Is Jo falling for the hunky surf Instructor Matt?
Hugh and Guy come down for the weekend does that bring more friction?
This book was really good, I couldn’t put it down from the first page
to the end, I would definitely recommend.
January but with bad weather and family feuds is it a success or is
everyone glad to be going home?
Imogen- The organiser of the Holiday she has 3 children she is a good
cook and mother hen, she is married to Guy and guy is being posted to
Hong Kong soon.
Sophie- Imogens old school friend she is married to Hugh they have 2
girls, she is the peacekeeper.
Jo- She is Sophie’s friend and took Caroline’s place, she is a Doctor
single mum to Finn, and there are no ground rules with her son. Imogen
and Jo don’t really get on. But something happens will they be friends
after all? Jo just wants to relax and doesn’t really want to join in
with the group. Is Jo falling for the hunky surf Instructor Matt?
Hugh and Guy come down for the weekend does that bring more friction?
This book was really good, I couldn’t put it down from the first page
to the end, I would definitely recommend.
February 25, 2016
Entertaining read, good laugh.
November 26, 2017
The story of three friends on holiday who take a holiday together....but as many of us will know from experience, that while a holiday with friends always seems like a good idea it often doesn't work out quite as planned! Imogen & Sophie are old friends having been at boarding school together Jo, however is a bit of an after thought having only been asked after someone else has dropped out. The three are quite different characters....
Imogen's a bit of a control freak. She's the one who organised the holiday & wants everything to be perfect...but is her life as perfect as she'd have you think?
Sophie is a bit more relaxed with her child care. After all, why force organic healthy food on kids who love McDonalds?
Jo is an acquaintance of Sophie's. A GP & single mother who's very easy going on her son, she would appear to have nothing in common with the stricter Imogen.
Of course relationships become strained & differences of opinion occur but although the characters are pretty different in outlook I probably sided with each one of them at various times.
Overall it was an entertaining read - perfect for lazy holiday reading.
Imogen's a bit of a control freak. She's the one who organised the holiday & wants everything to be perfect...but is her life as perfect as she'd have you think?
Sophie is a bit more relaxed with her child care. After all, why force organic healthy food on kids who love McDonalds?
Jo is an acquaintance of Sophie's. A GP & single mother who's very easy going on her son, she would appear to have nothing in common with the stricter Imogen.
Of course relationships become strained & differences of opinion occur but although the characters are pretty different in outlook I probably sided with each one of them at various times.
Overall it was an entertaining read - perfect for lazy holiday reading.
September 29, 2018
2.75. The setting was great. The characters were relatable , 3 different women with their kids take holiday together near the Cornwall coast. I like the story & characters. Just had to much detail. & dragged on a bit.
July 4, 2013
A charming tale of friendships and family relationships.
Imogen, Sophie and Jo all go on a shared holiday together to Cornwall, Jo was a last minute substitute for a mutual friend who dropped out.
She is a single mother with a mixed race child and is sort of the odd one out in the group as they are in what the world sees as stable, happy relationships but is everything really as rosy as it seems on the surface, the friends learn a lot about each other and their lives and throughout the learning process things rise to a state of tension and disagreements which is inevitable when three friends and families all totally different are mixed together in close confines.
Holiday love, a move to another country, job promotions, unexpected pregnancy, disasters all part of the mix on this holiday to end all holidays.
Can new friendships flourish and old ones survive such stress?
Will the three ladies sort out their differences and problems in their personal lives or will their worlds fall apart?
Lovely story and keeps you guessing, a great holiday read or just a refreshing tale if you want to read wsomething light hearted, either way a really good book.
Imogen, Sophie and Jo all go on a shared holiday together to Cornwall, Jo was a last minute substitute for a mutual friend who dropped out.
She is a single mother with a mixed race child and is sort of the odd one out in the group as they are in what the world sees as stable, happy relationships but is everything really as rosy as it seems on the surface, the friends learn a lot about each other and their lives and throughout the learning process things rise to a state of tension and disagreements which is inevitable when three friends and families all totally different are mixed together in close confines.
Holiday love, a move to another country, job promotions, unexpected pregnancy, disasters all part of the mix on this holiday to end all holidays.
Can new friendships flourish and old ones survive such stress?
Will the three ladies sort out their differences and problems in their personal lives or will their worlds fall apart?
Lovely story and keeps you guessing, a great holiday read or just a refreshing tale if you want to read wsomething light hearted, either way a really good book.
September 18, 2013
I read this book because it had been left by a previous occupant at the self catering cottage where we stayed in Cornwall. It took me a while to decide how many stars to give it, because really, this book is exactly what it sets out to be, yet I just found it so STRESSFUL to read. I can't stand awkward social situations, I'm very much for being honest and as nice as possible, and this was like reading about my nightmare holiday. Plus I did find myself skim reading at one point, and the ending was a little "and then this happened and this happened and everyone was ok the end".
I also resented the way some bits of Cornwall were represented, and felt an opportunity was missed to use the location to advantage, but then I guess a lot of families probably do miss out in that sense when visiting the area!
Otherwise though the rising tensions were well played out, and the dialogue was realistic, as were the character's reactions to the various situations they found themselves in.
If Chick Lit is your thing, then I would say definitely give it a go. If like me you don't enjoy reading about modern stresses (I read to ESCAPE these situations) then maybe go for something else!
I also resented the way some bits of Cornwall were represented, and felt an opportunity was missed to use the location to advantage, but then I guess a lot of families probably do miss out in that sense when visiting the area!
Otherwise though the rising tensions were well played out, and the dialogue was realistic, as were the character's reactions to the various situations they found themselves in.
If Chick Lit is your thing, then I would say definitely give it a go. If like me you don't enjoy reading about modern stresses (I read to ESCAPE these situations) then maybe go for something else!
June 4, 2015
I decided to read this as it was set in Cornwall, a favourite area of mine.
The three main characters are Imogen, a domestic goddess, Sophie, a laid back, fluffy type and Jo, a snarky, sharp single mother. Sharing a holiday house with their kids, things are bound to be explosive....and they are at times. I feel sorry for Imogen who is desperately trying to engineer the perfect holiday but who makes the others (especially Jo) feel inadequate. And she (Imogen) is the archetypal 'jolly hockey sticks' girl who feels big and awkward in comparison to her housemates.
Sophie is so laid back she is almost horizontal and let's things go over her head, except when things get really heated when she acts as peacemaker. Jo is the intellectual GP with a mixed race son, Finn. She just wants to kick back and chill, but finds it impossible when faced with Imogen's organisational skills and regimented planning of each day of the holiday.
There are one or two genuinely dramatic moments in the book which allowed the authors to demonstrate each character's strengths and weaknesses.
A nice, lite read and perfect holiday reading.
The three main characters are Imogen, a domestic goddess, Sophie, a laid back, fluffy type and Jo, a snarky, sharp single mother. Sharing a holiday house with their kids, things are bound to be explosive....and they are at times. I feel sorry for Imogen who is desperately trying to engineer the perfect holiday but who makes the others (especially Jo) feel inadequate. And she (Imogen) is the archetypal 'jolly hockey sticks' girl who feels big and awkward in comparison to her housemates.
Sophie is so laid back she is almost horizontal and let's things go over her head, except when things get really heated when she acts as peacemaker. Jo is the intellectual GP with a mixed race son, Finn. She just wants to kick back and chill, but finds it impossible when faced with Imogen's organisational skills and regimented planning of each day of the holiday.
There are one or two genuinely dramatic moments in the book which allowed the authors to demonstrate each character's strengths and weaknesses.
A nice, lite read and perfect holiday reading.
July 22, 2017
I found it a bit slow to get going. Started enjoying it about half way in and then couldn't put it down for the last ten chapters! I could relate to each of the three main characters at times - funny considering they were all so different. It's just the common thread of being a mother I suppose!
August 22, 2011
Perfect holiday reading, coincided exactly with what we were up to in Cornwall
October 27, 2023
Occasionally by way of an antidote to ghastly events in the real world (currently the Israel-Hamas war), I feel the need for some mindless saccharine drivel. So in that sense ‘Warning of Gales’ is a complete winner. Be warned it is most definitely ‘chicklit’ – a genre I normally steer well clear of and mentally dub as excrement, but to be fair turned out to be not completely without merit.
The writing isn’t too bad – the authors (Meg Sanders and Annie Ashworth) are after all journalists so they ought to be able to bang out some decent sentences. And ‘Warnings of Gales’ stuffs in just enough tension to keep the domestic pace moving, plus the weather forecasts for each chapter are a nice touch as what Brit isn’t obsessed with the weather especially on holiday, and best of all it’s set in Cornwall – so what’s not to like. And along the way it sparked a few reminiscences of my own child rearing years now happily behind me.
The tale of 3 women (Imogen, Sophie and Jo) who take their children on holiday for three weeks to Cornwall one summer. The men ‘pop down’ for the weekends. Two of the women have never met before. One is a housewifely perfectionist control freak, one a dopey amiable yummy mummy and one a stressed out single mum. Natch, it’s a recipe for some stressful scenes, misunderstandings, a spot of wholesome face slapping and of course some thoroughly worthy moments of self-enlightenment.
It’s a very homely book, focussing almost exclusively on domestic matters with some low key squabbles and heart to heart revelations. To ‘spice’ it up a bit there is a briefly missing child, a decision to be made over who comes first spouse or children, and a fairly tepid holiday romance. And there are a lot of details about meals and food preparation so be warned if you are on a diet – this book can make you feel really hungry.
An inane tranquiliser, instantly forgettable and much less addictive than Valium.
The writing isn’t too bad – the authors (Meg Sanders and Annie Ashworth) are after all journalists so they ought to be able to bang out some decent sentences. And ‘Warnings of Gales’ stuffs in just enough tension to keep the domestic pace moving, plus the weather forecasts for each chapter are a nice touch as what Brit isn’t obsessed with the weather especially on holiday, and best of all it’s set in Cornwall – so what’s not to like. And along the way it sparked a few reminiscences of my own child rearing years now happily behind me.
The tale of 3 women (Imogen, Sophie and Jo) who take their children on holiday for three weeks to Cornwall one summer. The men ‘pop down’ for the weekends. Two of the women have never met before. One is a housewifely perfectionist control freak, one a dopey amiable yummy mummy and one a stressed out single mum. Natch, it’s a recipe for some stressful scenes, misunderstandings, a spot of wholesome face slapping and of course some thoroughly worthy moments of self-enlightenment.
It’s a very homely book, focussing almost exclusively on domestic matters with some low key squabbles and heart to heart revelations. To ‘spice’ it up a bit there is a briefly missing child, a decision to be made over who comes first spouse or children, and a fairly tepid holiday romance. And there are a lot of details about meals and food preparation so be warned if you are on a diet – this book can make you feel really hungry.
An inane tranquiliser, instantly forgettable and much less addictive than Valium.
March 23, 2021
This was surprisingly good and something I wished I've picked up earlier. One of the books in my TBR pile that's probably been there for good ten years. Characters were great, writing sympathetic and descriptive of the many faces a woman of modern age wears to juggle all that's thrown at her. Fab book.
August 24, 2019
Gute Ferien Lektüre, ich habe das Buch interressant genug gefunden um es ganz zu lesen auch wenn ich jetzt noch jünger bin als die 3 Frauen um deenen es im Buch geht und Deutsch nicht meine Alltagssprache ist.
August 3, 2017
A light and easy holiday read. Predictable but enjoyable
September 19, 2017
Not a bad story, but unbelievable characters, annoying choices and lazy writing. A bit naff.
October 8, 2018
An enjoyable romp!
May 16, 2020
Didnt finish, it expired before i had time to finish
June 20, 2020
A beautiful, joyful and totally realistic holiday experience which goes from fun to disaster and totally life changing at the end of the 3 weeks.
August 25, 2020
Well crafted, enjoyable read, about real-life issues and situations.
February 5, 2021
Listened to audiobook version.
December 23, 2021
Good holiday read, a bit draggy at some points.
October 12, 2022
Been on my book shelf about 10 years. What a great book thoroughly enjoyed it
June 15, 2024
A nice, comforting summer read
July 6, 2024
Jo was just too annoying for me. Did enjoy the happy ending. Also liked the bossy one finding her backbone.
September 20, 2025
I don’t know why I bothered to finish this. Really dull, awful characters, nothing significant happened. Should have quit after 100 pages!
August 8, 2023
I read this on vacation so I find it very fitting. I enjoyed the writing style and pacing of this book and I like how the characters had flaws. I rooted for Jo and Imogen but disliked them for their flaws all at the same time. I found it realistic in a way
February 19, 2013
Überraschenderweise mal wieder ein sehr netter Frauenroman (kein chick-lit!), dem ich meinen Erwartungen nach gar nicht so viel zugetraut hätte. Aber obwohl ich nicht viele der Charaktere so gern mochte, verfolgte ich gern ihre Urlaubserlebnisse. Die Aufteilung in die einzelnen Tage fand ich sehr gut, man wusste immer wo man stand.
Um noch einmal auf die drei Hauptcharaktere zurück zu kommen: so recht identifizieren konnte ich mich mit keiner von Ihnen. Imogen war zu sehr 'perfekte Hausfrau', Sophie viel zu selten präsent und Jo ging mir mit ihren Launen und ihrer Art gehörig auf die Nerven. Am ehesten stand ich also wohl noch auf Imogens Seite, und verstand auch ihre Entscheidung im Hinblick auf Guys Karrierepläne voll und ganz. Hätte es nicht anders gemacht.
Habe noch 2 weitere Bücher von diesem Autorenduo in meinen Regalen rumstehen und freue mich schon darauf, auch diese zu lesen.
Um noch einmal auf die drei Hauptcharaktere zurück zu kommen: so recht identifizieren konnte ich mich mit keiner von Ihnen. Imogen war zu sehr 'perfekte Hausfrau', Sophie viel zu selten präsent und Jo ging mir mit ihren Launen und ihrer Art gehörig auf die Nerven. Am ehesten stand ich also wohl noch auf Imogens Seite, und verstand auch ihre Entscheidung im Hinblick auf Guys Karrierepläne voll und ganz. Hätte es nicht anders gemacht.
Habe noch 2 weitere Bücher von diesem Autorenduo in meinen Regalen rumstehen und freue mich schon darauf, auch diese zu lesen.
September 9, 2012
Take three very different mum's and their children sharing a holiday home in Cornwall and you have a recipe for fun, friction and frolics. Wonder mum Imogen with her organising and fussing, wanting the perfect holiday; dreamy Sophie, quite content to laze around and let someone else do the organising and single mum Jo, seemingly laid back but with an undercurrent of tension. Over the three weeks, tensions come to the fore leading to some soul searching and decision making.
This is fairly predictable but quite a light and enjoyable read. Some things will be easily relatable to and there is always a sense of fun in the reading. Anyone who has shared a holiday home will recognise the tensions and anyone who has young children will be laughing and agreeing with plenty of the incidents.
This is fairly predictable but quite a light and enjoyable read. Some things will be easily relatable to and there is always a sense of fun in the reading. Anyone who has shared a holiday home will recognise the tensions and anyone who has young children will be laughing and agreeing with plenty of the incidents.
April 5, 2012
Just another chick lit and not much happened really, but the character observations lifted this above the usual quality of chick lit. The fact that I recognised elements of this holiday from personal experience also resonated with me - good stuff. Better than Jimmy Choo, will look out for more by this pair of authors (wonder how that works? wonder if they've holidayed together? so many questions...).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews