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The Summer Holidays Survival Guide
A comedy for every parent who has survived the school summer holidays
Two parents. Three children. One senile grandad. Six weeks. How bad could it possibly be?
For teacher, Ben Robinson, the school summer holidays mean one thing - spending six weeks with his kids. This year, however, he also has his father and one very angry wife to contend with. The name of the game is simple: survive.
Ben embarks on a summer of self-discovery that includes, amongst other things, becoming besotted by a beautiful Australian backpacker, an accidental Brexit march and a road rage attack. There's also the matter of saving his marriage, which is proving harder than he imagined, mainly due to an unfortunate pyramid scheme and one quite large bottom.
But when Ben learns his father has a secret, it takes the whole family on a trip to Scotland that will make or break their summer - and perhaps Ben's life.
From Jon Rance, bestselling author of Dan And Nat Got Married and About Us, comes a comedy about one man, one family, trying to survive the hardest six weeks of the year together.
**Featuring an exclusive extract from the Christmas special, The Family Christmas Survival Guide, out later this year!**
Two parents. Three children. One senile grandad. Six weeks. How bad could it possibly be?
For teacher, Ben Robinson, the school summer holidays mean one thing - spending six weeks with his kids. This year, however, he also has his father and one very angry wife to contend with. The name of the game is simple: survive.
Ben embarks on a summer of self-discovery that includes, amongst other things, becoming besotted by a beautiful Australian backpacker, an accidental Brexit march and a road rage attack. There's also the matter of saving his marriage, which is proving harder than he imagined, mainly due to an unfortunate pyramid scheme and one quite large bottom.
But when Ben learns his father has a secret, it takes the whole family on a trip to Scotland that will make or break their summer - and perhaps Ben's life.
From Jon Rance, bestselling author of Dan And Nat Got Married and About Us, comes a comedy about one man, one family, trying to survive the hardest six weeks of the year together.
**Featuring an exclusive extract from the Christmas special, The Family Christmas Survival Guide, out later this year!**
- GenresFiction
280 pages, Paperback
Published October 7, 2020
104 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Jon Rance
26 books94 followersJon Rance is the author of seven novels: the Kindle top ten bestseller, This Thirtysomething Life, Happy Endings (both published by Hodder and Stoughton), This Family Life, Sunday Dinners, Dan And Nat Got Married, About Us, and The Summer Holidays Survival Guide. He's also the author of the Christmas novella, A Notting Hill Christmas.
Jon studied English Literature at Middlesex University, London, before going travelling and meeting his American wife in Australia. Jon loves comedy (especially sitcoms), the films of Richard Curtis, travelling and tea. He just turned forty, which is a terrifying time, so his books might get a bit edgier and possibly angrier as a result.
Jon writes dramatic, romantic, comedy fiction similar to the work of Mike Gayle, Matt Dunn, Nick Spalding and David Nicholls.
You can email him at: jonrance@yahoo.com
Please visit his website: www.jonrance.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @JRance75
Jon studied English Literature at Middlesex University, London, before going travelling and meeting his American wife in Australia. Jon loves comedy (especially sitcoms), the films of Richard Curtis, travelling and tea. He just turned forty, which is a terrifying time, so his books might get a bit edgier and possibly angrier as a result.
Jon writes dramatic, romantic, comedy fiction similar to the work of Mike Gayle, Matt Dunn, Nick Spalding and David Nicholls.
You can email him at: jonrance@yahoo.com
Please visit his website: www.jonrance.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @JRance75
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 7, 2018
Ben Robinson is not exactly looking forward to the 6 weeks summer holidays with his family and feels he could do with a summer holidays survival guide. In this hilarious, heartwarming book about family life he ends up writing one himself and finds that his kids have a lot to teach him along the way. Anyone who who is bringing up/ has brought up a family couldn't fail to to relate to the story, it has me laughing out loud, smiling at the memories it brought back of life with my children as they grew up and crying at the sad bits too.
June 9, 2018
rom the moment I read the blurb of this book, I was sure that I would be in for a reading treat.
I’ve read previously read a couple of Jon’s books, and I laughed through it as I have never laughed through any other book.
The Summer Holidays Survival Guide has a great balance of realistic as well as hilarious scenes and absolutely the perfect read to get you in a mood for this year summer holidays.
I instantly felt a bond with The Robinson’s and their holiday journey. They are the typical family with lots of baggage and lots of chaos as well as plenty love…hmmm.
Jon Rance whipped up a thoroughly entertaining read with fast flowing plotline and characters you won’t forget in a hurry. A must read before you plan your holidays with the family.
I am also taking part in the blog tour for this book so keep an eye on my post in June!
I’ve read previously read a couple of Jon’s books, and I laughed through it as I have never laughed through any other book.
The Summer Holidays Survival Guide has a great balance of realistic as well as hilarious scenes and absolutely the perfect read to get you in a mood for this year summer holidays.
I instantly felt a bond with The Robinson’s and their holiday journey. They are the typical family with lots of baggage and lots of chaos as well as plenty love…hmmm.
Jon Rance whipped up a thoroughly entertaining read with fast flowing plotline and characters you won’t forget in a hurry. A must read before you plan your holidays with the family.
I am also taking part in the blog tour for this book so keep an eye on my post in June!
June 4, 2018
Relatable. Laugh out loud funny.
December 1, 2018
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
Ben Robinson is an art teacher, in his mid-40s, and is trying to figure out how he'll survive the upcoming summer holidays -- 6 weeks with his three kids, and a marriage who's spark is gone out (possibly for good). Oh yeah, and an aging father with dementia moving in with them, rather than a nursing home. Meanwhile, he's trying to prepare for a half-marathon, which is about a whole marathon more than he's ready for.
We get a day by day (or close to it) account of how this goes for Ben. The short version is: not very well. Particularly in the beginning. Ben meddles in his fifteen year old son's love life (with some really bad sex tips -- all of which I'm considering passing on to my kids), cannot understand his twelve-year-old daughter's social media life (and nascent pubescence), and derails his eight year old son's summer plans without trying. Things go downhill from there, really.
His dad is having trouble remembering that he doesn't live in the same home, or that his wife has been dead for a few years -- this is a source of strain for both Ben and his father -- and the relationship becomes strained. Ben is having trouble seeing his father this way, and his father is having trouble being this way. Both are trying their best, but this
Speaking of a strained relationship, the number of things wrong with his marriage keeps growing, and every thing that Ben tries to do to fix it just makes things worse. He and his wife aren't communicating well -- one of those problems that keeps feeding itself and growing worse.
Throw in an accidental participation in an anti-Brexit demonstration, a road rage incident leading to social media notoriety for one member of the family, teen romance problems, summer-altering injuries, and well -- clearly, someone needs to write a survival guide.
As Ben and his family try to get through their struggles intact -- and maybe even better than that -- there's plenty of fodder for humor. There's a lot of heartwarming material, some real laughs and more than a few chuckles. There's some really effective writing and characterization.
However, there's also Rance's need to go for the big laugh. And here, he basically turns Ben into Basil Fawlty -- with all the wild schemes, failing schemes, shouting, misunderstandings and slapstick involved. I don't think any of these scenes or moments worked for me. When he's going for subtle laughs, or those that grow from character, I really enjoyed it. When the subject matter is serious (or at least non-comedic), Rance is really strong. It's when he's obviously trying that he falters.
That's one of the more earnest moments -- and there are plenty of them in the latter part of the novel, all set up well in the early part -- and it shows the heart of the book -- and there's plenty of heart. Rance won me over, and got me to put more of his books on my list because of these kind of moments, and the genuine laughs I got from the smaller moments, I've got more of his stuff on the TBR.
It's a nice, pleasant book that'll tickle your funny bone and warm your heart.
---
‘Oh, Dad, how little you know,’ said Liv, her head returning to her phone.
How little I know. I have a feeling this one cold, hard sentence, uttered from my twelve-year-old daughter’s lips, might sum up my life.
Ben Robinson is an art teacher, in his mid-40s, and is trying to figure out how he'll survive the upcoming summer holidays -- 6 weeks with his three kids, and a marriage who's spark is gone out (possibly for good). Oh yeah, and an aging father with dementia moving in with them, rather than a nursing home. Meanwhile, he's trying to prepare for a half-marathon, which is about a whole marathon more than he's ready for.
We get a day by day (or close to it) account of how this goes for Ben. The short version is: not very well. Particularly in the beginning. Ben meddles in his fifteen year old son's love life (with some really bad sex tips -- all of which I'm considering passing on to my kids), cannot understand his twelve-year-old daughter's social media life (and nascent pubescence), and derails his eight year old son's summer plans without trying. Things go downhill from there, really.
His dad is having trouble remembering that he doesn't live in the same home, or that his wife has been dead for a few years -- this is a source of strain for both Ben and his father -- and the relationship becomes strained. Ben is having trouble seeing his father this way, and his father is having trouble being this way. Both are trying their best, but this
Speaking of a strained relationship, the number of things wrong with his marriage keeps growing, and every thing that Ben tries to do to fix it just makes things worse. He and his wife aren't communicating well -- one of those problems that keeps feeding itself and growing worse.
Throw in an accidental participation in an anti-Brexit demonstration, a road rage incident leading to social media notoriety for one member of the family, teen romance problems, summer-altering injuries, and well -- clearly, someone needs to write a survival guide.
As Ben and his family try to get through their struggles intact -- and maybe even better than that -- there's plenty of fodder for humor. There's a lot of heartwarming material, some real laughs and more than a few chuckles. There's some really effective writing and characterization.
However, there's also Rance's need to go for the big laugh. And here, he basically turns Ben into Basil Fawlty -- with all the wild schemes, failing schemes, shouting, misunderstandings and slapstick involved. I don't think any of these scenes or moments worked for me. When he's going for subtle laughs, or those that grow from character, I really enjoyed it. When the subject matter is serious (or at least non-comedic), Rance is really strong. It's when he's obviously trying that he falters.
‘Marriage,’ said Dad. ‘There’s always ups and downs. You just keep riding it, son. It’s like a rollercoaster. You can’t get off, so you just hold on, and do your best to enjoy it.’
‘I’m holding on for dear life, but life is harder than it was, Dad. The world has changed. The rollercoasters are bigger and scarier now. The drops are bigger, the hills higher.’
‘Oh tosh. The world might change, but people don’t. Love is still love, clear and simple. Don’t blame the world for your problems, son. Hold on tighter. Love stronger.’
That's one of the more earnest moments -- and there are plenty of them in the latter part of the novel, all set up well in the early part -- and it shows the heart of the book -- and there's plenty of heart. Rance won me over, and got me to put more of his books on my list because of these kind of moments, and the genuine laughs I got from the smaller moments, I've got more of his stuff on the TBR.
It's a nice, pleasant book that'll tickle your funny bone and warm your heart.
June 17, 2018
This is the funniest book I have read for a long time; I am confident that it will be referred to as the funniest book of year and you honestly don't want to miss this one. If you loved watching BBC comedy Outnumbered then this is the book for you as it reminded me so much of my favourite small screen dysfunctional family.
Whilst I could easily compare it to Outnumbered, I think it's a bit like a recipe where the method may be similar but the ingredients are very different as the characters in this book have their own unique qualities and challenges to cope with. Ben and Sally have three children: 15 year old Alfie, 12 year old Liv and 8 year old Jake. As if they don't have enough to cope with, Ben's dad moves in with them when it becomes clear he can't live on his own anymore.
I don't want to give any of the plot away but the characters get into so many hilarious scrapes and my favourite just has to be Jake. I am still giggling now just thinking about the Cornish pasty incident and the KFC incident and I think both of these are the funniest things I have ever read in a book; I had tears of laughter rolling down my face and couldn't even tell anyone what I was laughing at as I couldn't stop laughing! I can't even look at a pigeon now without laughing but if you want to know what's so funny, you'll just have to read the book!
I'm sure many people will recognise parts of their family in this book as it written with so much honesty and humour. There was a really strong family vibe and an underlying message to cherish what you have as you don't know what is around the corner. As Ben said: he'd been 'so worried about surviving the summer holidays that he'd forgotten about actually enjoying the summer holidays'. So next time you want to strangle your kids on week two of the six weeks holiday, think of those people who would love to have children to strangle. Obviously I'm not talking about literally strangling your children but just to appreciate what you have as others are not so fortunate.
One other thing I'd say is do not drink anything whilst reading The Summer Holidays Survival Guide as you are very likely to spray it everywhere due to uncontainable laughter. I don't have children so I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy The Summer Holidays Survival Guide but I needn't have worried as it's absolutely brilliant. Forget about Prozac and add 1 x The Summer Holidays Survival Guide to your kindle immediately. Although beware of the side effects: guaranteed laughter, laughter induced incontinence, inability to swallow liquids whilst reading and probable tears towards the end. Pick this up and you will be addicted to Jon Rance books just like me!
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Whilst I could easily compare it to Outnumbered, I think it's a bit like a recipe where the method may be similar but the ingredients are very different as the characters in this book have their own unique qualities and challenges to cope with. Ben and Sally have three children: 15 year old Alfie, 12 year old Liv and 8 year old Jake. As if they don't have enough to cope with, Ben's dad moves in with them when it becomes clear he can't live on his own anymore.
I don't want to give any of the plot away but the characters get into so many hilarious scrapes and my favourite just has to be Jake. I am still giggling now just thinking about the Cornish pasty incident and the KFC incident and I think both of these are the funniest things I have ever read in a book; I had tears of laughter rolling down my face and couldn't even tell anyone what I was laughing at as I couldn't stop laughing! I can't even look at a pigeon now without laughing but if you want to know what's so funny, you'll just have to read the book!
I'm sure many people will recognise parts of their family in this book as it written with so much honesty and humour. There was a really strong family vibe and an underlying message to cherish what you have as you don't know what is around the corner. As Ben said: he'd been 'so worried about surviving the summer holidays that he'd forgotten about actually enjoying the summer holidays'. So next time you want to strangle your kids on week two of the six weeks holiday, think of those people who would love to have children to strangle. Obviously I'm not talking about literally strangling your children but just to appreciate what you have as others are not so fortunate.
One other thing I'd say is do not drink anything whilst reading The Summer Holidays Survival Guide as you are very likely to spray it everywhere due to uncontainable laughter. I don't have children so I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy The Summer Holidays Survival Guide but I needn't have worried as it's absolutely brilliant. Forget about Prozac and add 1 x The Summer Holidays Survival Guide to your kindle immediately. Although beware of the side effects: guaranteed laughter, laughter induced incontinence, inability to swallow liquids whilst reading and probable tears towards the end. Pick this up and you will be addicted to Jon Rance books just like me!
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
June 7, 2018
Ben is the father of 3, married to sally and moving his senile dad into the family home. Its the start of summer holidays and Ben is dreading the whole 6 weeks as he is home with the kids. Alfie, Liv and Jake have the whole summer ahead of them and want to be left alone to do what they want to do and be young.
What follows is 6 weeks of hell and hilariousness for Ben and the reader. .. The characters are brilliant and so entertain in a real life way. Everyone who has kids, been married or has an elderly parent will connect with this book and find themselves thinking.... ohhh yess.. i know that situation.
Jon picks up well the problems and heart break of ageing parents, the wenches of what needs to be done while also keeping humour and dignitary for the parent. Children are the best topic as Jon shares the facts of growing up while as a parent you remember the feelings of all the knowing and scared at the same time. This book had me hooked from the start and made me literally laugh out loud!! Bloody brilliant
What follows is 6 weeks of hell and hilariousness for Ben and the reader. .. The characters are brilliant and so entertain in a real life way. Everyone who has kids, been married or has an elderly parent will connect with this book and find themselves thinking.... ohhh yess.. i know that situation.
Jon picks up well the problems and heart break of ageing parents, the wenches of what needs to be done while also keeping humour and dignitary for the parent. Children are the best topic as Jon shares the facts of growing up while as a parent you remember the feelings of all the knowing and scared at the same time. This book had me hooked from the start and made me literally laugh out loud!! Bloody brilliant
June 13, 2018
Funny, poignant and very relatable
I loved this book, it made me laugh and cry as I related to middle age issues, and had a few surprises i didn't see coming. Jon Rance put into words beautifully the rollercoaster of emotion Parents feel as kids get older, as they themselves confront their own mortality, but it's done with humour and flair. I loved the nostalgia as the main character, Ben, reminisces about his childhood as he draws comparisons to his kids childhood. This was a great read and I look forward to reading the follow up family survival guide to Christmas when it's released.
I loved this book, it made me laugh and cry as I related to middle age issues, and had a few surprises i didn't see coming. Jon Rance put into words beautifully the rollercoaster of emotion Parents feel as kids get older, as they themselves confront their own mortality, but it's done with humour and flair. I loved the nostalgia as the main character, Ben, reminisces about his childhood as he draws comparisons to his kids childhood. This was a great read and I look forward to reading the follow up family survival guide to Christmas when it's released.
June 10, 2019
Funny outstanding book great read
I have been struggling recently to get into a good book and this book is hilarious ... I could stop my self from giggling from page to page...
the character / author is a typical bloke which I find very interesting.
Very good read. - I would 100% recommend a laugh and read this :D
I have been struggling recently to get into a good book and this book is hilarious ... I could stop my self from giggling from page to page...
the character / author is a typical bloke which I find very interesting.
Very good read. - I would 100% recommend a laugh and read this :D
May 4, 2019
Comedy gold
Poignant / belly laughs/ family life /
Brilliant read .
If you want a great story with fantastic characters complete with laughter and sincerity then this is this book for you .
5 stars Jon Rance
Poignant / belly laughs/ family life /
Brilliant read .
If you want a great story with fantastic characters complete with laughter and sincerity then this is this book for you .
5 stars Jon Rance
July 20, 2021
Funny real life read
Normally I shy away from male authors in this genre, but I’m so glad I read this book. A male perspective on summer holidays, kids, partners and families was a refreshing and laugh out load change from my norm.
Normally I shy away from male authors in this genre, but I’m so glad I read this book. A male perspective on summer holidays, kids, partners and families was a refreshing and laugh out load change from my norm.
November 30, 2024
Realistic family life
I read the christmas book first but this is the prequel. I love the characters. It was sad and funny and also had a message about living in the now and being aware of the good in our lives. Really enjoyed this.
I read the christmas book first but this is the prequel. I love the characters. It was sad and funny and also had a message about living in the now and being aware of the good in our lives. Really enjoyed this.
July 12, 2018
An amusing summer read. As a teacher and a mum there were some scenes that really resonated and were laugh out loud funny; it was really observational comedy done well. The overall plot was fairly formulaic but it was funny enough that it didn't matter.
April 23, 2019
Loved it.
Great read. Made me laugh and cry at times. Holidays can be great but also horrible... this book has it all.
Great read. Made me laugh and cry at times. Holidays can be great but also horrible... this book has it all.
June 6, 2019
This was just a nice relaxing, enjoyable read. I laughed and sympathised with the situations that the family found themselves in, it was sad in places but balanced well.
September 17, 2019
Love it ,it mae me laugh
August 28, 2020
Very Funny
Fab easy reading with some real laugh out loud moments, parts that will melt your heart and things everyone can relate to, brilliant book highly recommend reading
Fab easy reading with some real laugh out loud moments, parts that will melt your heart and things everyone can relate to, brilliant book highly recommend reading
July 19, 2021
Loved this
August 6, 2021
Really enjoyed it
February 1, 2025
Great reading, love all the characters,
July 14, 2020
I have always enjoyed Jon Rance books and this one didn’t disappoint. It was heartwarming and made me laugh out loud at times too. Definitely a great summer read.
September 15, 2020
Enjoyable read with relatable characters and scenarios.
The first sixty-percent of the novel was so entertaining I’m giving it 4 stars even though I have to admit I did not finish the entire book. Why didn’t I finish the entire thing if I liked it enough to give it a 4? Because I felt the story-arc lost its way at about the fifty-percent mark. When you read it, and I suggest that you do, you will see what I mean. I felt as if the novel should have possibly been two separate novels, or even one with a much shorter epilogue. Stating that, the first part was so damn good that I didn’t feel as if I had been cheated or let down in any way and that justifies the 4 star rating.
I write in a similar genre and there were several scenes I wish I had written: that’s the best compliment any author wants to hear, “Gee, I wish I would have written that.”
The first sixty-percent of the novel was so entertaining I’m giving it 4 stars even though I have to admit I did not finish the entire book. Why didn’t I finish the entire thing if I liked it enough to give it a 4? Because I felt the story-arc lost its way at about the fifty-percent mark. When you read it, and I suggest that you do, you will see what I mean. I felt as if the novel should have possibly been two separate novels, or even one with a much shorter epilogue. Stating that, the first part was so damn good that I didn’t feel as if I had been cheated or let down in any way and that justifies the 4 star rating.
I write in a similar genre and there were several scenes I wish I had written: that’s the best compliment any author wants to hear, “Gee, I wish I would have written that.”
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews