Exit Through The Gift Store is a candid, heartfelt tale about trading life in Australia for a year-long British adventure, where the only rules are embrace the chaos and pack a raincoat.
When Rosalyn and her husband Brad land in London with four bags, two boys, no jobs and nowhere to live, they’ve gambled everything on a dream and a spreadsheet.
She imagines castles, quaint villages and endless galleries and museums.
Except reality has a few surprises in store — British bureaucracy, epic snowstorms, a Paris girls weekend that goes awry, driving arguments and dodging fines and pickpockets.
But somewhere between London landmarks, windswept Orkney Island and cobblestoned European cities, she finds the best souvenirs are the precious memories you carry home.
“Rosalyn weaves heart, humour and a seriously impressive list of UK landmarks into this wonderful family gap-year yarn. Loved it!” — Rachel Smith, Rachel’s List
“What does it look like to pack up your life and move your family overseas for a year? Exit Through The Gift Store captures the full joyful, chaotic spectrum of a family of four taking a gap year — from the novelty and romance of train travel, to the realities of house hunting, pickpockets, fines, finding work and settling children into a new school.
Rosalyn captures the courage it takes to make a big change. A rewarding read for anyone who has ever contemplated a similar leap.” — Lindy Alexander, award-winning travel writer
“I really enjoyed spending time with Rosalyn and her family — the funny mishaps, the administrative burden and all their adventures. I admire their determination to seize the most out of life and loved vicariously travelling around the UK and Europe. The writing is lucid and the scenes are brought to life with the skill of a seasoned journalist.
Rosalyn’s story shows you can embark on an overseas adventure at almost any point in your life — you don’t need to be a carefree twenty-something to do it!” — Jessica Mudditt, author and founder, Hembury Book
