Antics from Abroad : Hot Mess

by Linda King

Have you ever wanted to experience first-hand what it’s like being stranded on an aircraft in the middle of nowhere? How about picking up a tropical disease in French Polynesia? Or witnessing a heated lover’s tiff in Rome?

You have? Well then sit back, relax and prepare to escape into a world of adventure and melodrama with this fifth collection of travel short stories in the Antics from Abroad series by Amazon best-selling author and seasoned traveller, Linda King.

In Antics from Abroad: Hot Mess you’ll travel with the author through the UK, the South Pacific, Europe, and Australia. This light hearted, engaging, witty and sometimes shocking travel memoir will entertain and surprise you. It’s the perfect antidote for those who love travel stories where anything that can go wrong, does!

Ready to take the next step? Don’t delay, pick up your copy of this new travel memoir from the popular Antics series by pressing the BUY NOW button!

Because we all like a bit of drama, right?

71 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 10, 2026

Reviews

[Wendy Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Antics from Abroad–Hot Mess is the fifth book in Linda King’s series. I read the first 3 and somehow missed the 4th. I have enjoyed all the ones I have read; this one, perhaps, is ever so slightly less than the others, but only because I am used to the format. King’s writing stirs up happy memories of my own travels, which I can best describe by stealing the author’s words: “Travel is one big adventure, but can also be messy.” Through her admirable approach to confronting unforeseen problems, the author offers practical advice on airport havoc and pickpockets. The book is packed with hilarious stories about things like mysterious insect bites and dancing on tables. I laughed out loud all the way through. I recommend this book to novice and experienced travellers alike, as well as those wanting a hearty laugh.

[James R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable collection of travel mishaps and chaotic adventures. Linda King writes in a relaxed, conversational style that often feels like a friend sharing stories from their most unpredictable trips. Some moments are genuinely funny, while others make you glad you weren’t the one dealing with delayed flights, illness, or challenging travel situations.

The short vignette format works well and makes the book easy to read in quick bursts. Although a few stories could have used a bit more depth or detail, the overall result is engaging and easy to relate to. It’s a light, entertaining read for anyone who enjoys travel memoirs that focus on the less glamorous side of exploring the world.

[N.L. Mayers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always fun to read about travel mishaps

I don't enjoy traveling because I am a homebody, so it makes me chuckle when I read a mishap Travelogue and realize I was smart to stay home! From obnoxious airline passengers, nearly fatal mosquito bites, and four hour layovers on what should be a quick flight, this little book of travel mishaps made me groan, smile, and even laugh outloud. I think the author has filled her quota for mishaps. May the remainder of her adventures be happy and completely free from Murphy's law.

[martyn benny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Antics from Abroad: Hot Mess is another delightful installment in Linda King's entertaining travel memoir series, proving once again that the most memorable journeys are often the ones where absolutely nothing goes according to plan.

From the opening pages, King's warm, conversational style makes readers feel as though they're traveling alongside a witty friend who has an uncanny ability to attract extraordinary situations. Whether she's stranded on an aircraft, battling an unexpected tropical illness, or witnessing unforgettable moments of human drama abroad, every story is told with humor, honesty, and a refreshing sense of perspective.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its authenticity. Rather than presenting picture perfect vacations, King embraces the mishaps, misunderstandings, delays, and surprises that are an inevitable part of travel. It's precisely these imperfect moments that make her adventures so relatable and entertaining.

I particularly enjoyed the variety of destinations and experiences. Moving from the United Kingdom to the South Pacific, across Europe, and into Australia, each story offers its own unique atmosphere while reminding readers that no matter where they travel, unexpected adventures are never far away.

The pacing is excellent, with each short story standing on its own while collectively creating an engaging portrait of a seasoned traveler who has learned to laugh at life's unpredictability. King's humor never feels forced; instead, it grows naturally from situations many travelers will instantly recognize even if they've never experienced them quite so dramatically.

Beyond the comedy, the book quietly celebrates curiosity, resilience, and the willingness to embrace uncertainty. It reminds us that the stories we treasure most often come from the journeys that tested our patience the most.

Antics from Abroad: Hot Mess is a thoroughly enjoyable read for anyone who loves travel memoirs filled with humor, humanity, and the comforting reminder that sometimes the biggest travel disasters become the best stories.

[Gracie Monroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Antics from Abroad: Hot Mess is a funny and entertaining collection of travel stories that perfectly captures how unpredictable travel can be. From flight disasters and difficult passengers to tropical illnesses and travel mishaps, the stories balance humor, frustration, and adventure in a way that feels very real and relatable.

I especially enjoyed how conversational and easy the writing style was. Each chapter feels like hearing a friend tell you about their most chaotic travel experiences, and some of the situations had me laughing out loud because of how absurd they became.

The variety of locations and experiences also kept things interesting, and I liked that the book didn’t just focus on glamorous travel moments but also the messy side of traveling that most people leave out.

Overall, a lighthearted and engaging read for anyone who enjoys travel memoirs, funny real-life mishaps, and stories that prove even the worst travel days eventually become entertaining memories.

[Caitlin Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Travel is one big adventure, but can also be messy.” That first line beautifully sums up the stories that follow it! From pickpockets in Rome, to a woman trying to steal every blanket from every passenger on an airline flight, to a disturbing serious mosquito bite in Bora Bora, the adventures are often accompanied by unexpected ‘messes.’ A Taylor Swift concert in Melbourne is derailed by the aftereffects of the mosquito bite in Bora Bora. The author learns, the hard way, that not all airports are open 24 hours a day!
There are many more stories from many more locations (the author is clearly an enthusiastic world traveler!) and they are all short, funny, and entertaining. Well worth the read!

[Linda King]

Dear Reader,

This book is for those who are looking for a laugh out loud book of travel short stories where everything that could go wrong, does!

In Antics from Abroad: Hot Mess the chaos continues. You’ll travel with me through the UK, the South Pacific, Europe, and Australia. This light hearted, engaging and sometimes shocking travel memoir will entertain and surprise you. Get ready for another bumpy ride!

Available in eBook in KU from 10 April and Paperback format soon.

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.

Thanks so much 💗

[J. Domino · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this fun series, Author Linda King summarizes the glamour of travel with a collection of fast-paced vignettes that result in a fun, easy-to-read book. More like a travel blog than a short story, King relates her madcap experiences while jet-setting around the globe.

For me, this was a timely read because I had just returned from an overseas adventure myself, and I identified with her frustration in several of the chapters. I'm glad I bought this book. It showed me I wasn’t alone and made me smile.

[James Corey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Antics from Abroad, the third book I’ve read in the series. The book is light, easy to listen to, and occasionally funny. As an experienced traveler, and having read her other books, I found many of the mishaps familiar rather than surprising. The biggest issue for me was a lack of depth. I wanted more detail about the destinations, the people, and the author’s reactions as events unfolded. The stories often felt rushed and ended before they became engaging. An enjoyable enough travel memoir, but one that left me wanting more.

[Linda Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in Linda King’s Antics from Abroad series. There’s more fun and entertaining tales from her travels around the world. Excellent advice - make sure that the airport is open before you arrive there! And consider waterproof luggage, in case you get it wrong and it rains! The journey often isn’t the best part about travelling, thanks to airports, and other passengers!
Recommend this short interesting read.

[Pomita Ghoshal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book reminded me of many memorable experiences from my own travels - the pickpocket in Rome felt especially relatable, since I myself had been warned to keep and eye out and ALWAYS hold my bag in front when I visited that noble place. The flight shenanigans, with intransigent co-passengers, felt very relatable too. I highly doubt, though, whether the horrific bite in Bora Bora was actually a mosquito? All in all, a very entertaining read, written in a crisp matter-of-fact tone.

[J.T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really enjoy reading "Antics from Abroad : Hot Mess." I felt the writing was too vague, and the stories themselves lacked depth and engagement. Also, most of the stories were not that interesting. I travel a lot and am always looking for funny experiences or to view travel through someone else's eyes, but this book left me wanting either more details about where she was, why she was there, or what she felt as these experiences unfolded.

[Oliverfrancisco77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has never traveled abroad but plans to soon, Antics from Abroad: Hot Mess was both entertaining and informative. Linda King makes foreign travel less intimidating and more like an adventure. The stories made me excited to travel and see something new and interesting, but also reminded me to prepare better before my first trip.

[Helen Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, light and entertaining, though as an experienced traveller I’d seen most of these mishaps before. Still, it’s an enjoyable read with charm, humour and relatable chaos for anyone who loves travel