Novel Kicks Book Club: Well, That Escalated Quickly by Sarah Turner

Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Book Club. 

Hello November.

This year has just flown by. We’re heading towards the end of the year already, and I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely ready for some cosy evenings, a blanket, a hot chocolate and, of course, a good book. November always feels like that little pause before the madness of Christmas begins. Haha!

As you would have already seen from the title, this month’s book pick is Well, That Escalated Quickly by Sarah Turner.

I have to say, the title alone caught my attention. It immediately made me chuckle… in a good way. We’ve all had those moments when life takes an unexpected turn and things seem to spiral rather quickly. Sometimes all you can do is laugh, pick yourself up and see what happens next. I’m looking forward to seeing what Sarah Turner has in store for us with this one.

As usual, anyone can join, whether you’ve already read the novel or will be reading along with me. I have placed a question in the comments below to kick off the discussion.

I really hope to see you there.

About Well, That Escalated Quickly – 

 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 was released by Penguin in July 2026. Click to buy on Amazon UK, Amazon US, Barnes & Noble and Waterstones. 

About 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 then higher education before a ‘warts and all’ parenting blog she’d started 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 Stepping Up, her first novel, which was also a Richard & Judy Book Club pick in 2023.

Sarah likes bookshops, walks on Dartmoor and watching her boys play football. She doesn’t like coffee, films with sharks in or writing about herself in the third person.

Say hello to Sarah on Instagram. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.