Cover Image: Holiday Read

Holiday Read

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

’m honestly a bit confused by the ratings and this is one reason I don’t dnf. While this wasn’t my favorite story, it was a cute and easy summer read that I read in one sitting

I adored the main character and felt she was a very realistic female lead, especially when it came to asshole Alexis. I like the turning point in this book when Daniel arrived. Definitely would have enjoyed more banter but overall this is an easy reading summer book

Was this review helpful?

I picked this book for the cute cover, it gave me Beach Read by Emily Henry vibes. I loved that book. This one not so much. I am sad to say that I did not enjoy much of this. There is the trash talk about the entire romance genre (and its readers). Then there is the scene with consent issues. I did not like it. Maybe if the book was rebranded and not a romance, this would be a different conversation.

Was this review helpful?

I love books about readers and writers and this was no exception. Loved the dialogue and the by-play between characters. A great summer read!

Was this review helpful?

This book just didn't do it for me. I think the comparisons to Emily Henry were...not correct. I didn't like the love interest at all and found him to be a bit misogynistic. DNF'd at 30%.

Was this review helpful?

Sadly, this book did not live up to my expectations.

I chose this book based on the cover, title, and description. After finishing this book, I do not feel the description is accurate. Whoever wrote it claimed the writing was on par with Emily Henry and Josie Silver. Having read both of their work, I can attest to Cole’s writing being no where near their caliber.

My biggest issue (besides the false advertising), is it felt like the book was having an identity crisis. The female main character, Candice, had several storylines going on. She flees her home (Hawaii) after learning of her husband’s affair, is searching for her biological father (in Cornwall), and trying to decide what to do with her life. I was confused by many of Candice’s choices and felt her storyline could have been better tied up.

I feel bad being so harsh with this book, but it truly felt like it was published before it was ready. This would have been a great first or second draft. While I managed to push through and finish, I recommend saving your time and money. I didn’t DNF in hopes it would get better, and was left wishing I had.

Special thanks to Aria and Aries (101), NetGalley, and Taylor Cole for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

I had really high hopes for this one since I am a big fan of Emily Henry and it said it was perfect for fans of hers.

I can not give a really fair review since I DNF the book after around 25% I think it was because it honestly didn't spoke to me.

I hope this book fit someone else but it it wasn't a perfect match for me which is too bad.

Was this review helpful?

I tried to like it, but the word usage and repetition of tit limpet and Mikayla's actions were very off putting. I did not find any of the characters likable or rateable. I DNF at around 20%

Was this review helpful?

I tried to finish this book, but just couldn't. The characters are pretty unlikeable and the plot did not make sense (Why would someone who hates romance, write a romance book?)

Was this review helpful?

This was so well written. I was engrossed from the first page and it ticked all the boxes of my expectations. The character development was excellent. I would definitely recommend to others, a must read!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this Advanced Readers Copy of Holiday Read by Taylor Cole.

Was this review helpful?

This takes place on the Cornish coast. Candice is a surfer, living in a van making ends meet at a waitress in a cafe and just trying to live her life for herself. Alexis is a writer visiting the coast trying to get past his writers block and find inspiration in Candice.

I will be honest and say I did not finish this book I dnfed at about 40%. I wanted to take a chance on something published independently. I was excited for the comparison to Emily Henry and Josie Silver, and the premise of a writer main character. Unfortunately I could not read further. The writing was really not my cup of tea and I felt no joy while reading. I was pushing through and forcing myself to keep going but it got to the point I could not continue.

Was this review helpful?

I was very curious to this book, the blurb was very cute as the cover.

But (I really hate to leave lesser reviews) but this book has a lot of similarities with Beach Read.

The intention was there but the execution of all of the different plotlines was not successful.

Then there was a hidden marriage out of nowhere ...

The tittle is a not well-chosen as well, it does not take place during the holidays ...

As a romance reader it hurt that the male character who is a romance writter is so down on romance, such a bad view on it, why make the plot that he is writing romance?

Not as advertised and disappointed.

Was this review helpful?

Really wanted to like this, but I found the writing style quite jarring, to be honest. I didn’t like the way the narrator spoke about the love interest, and the writing felt juvenile.

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely loved this book!

Taylor you are amazing!

I was hooked throughout and couldn't put this book down.

Thank you for accepting my ARC request.

Was this review helpful?

DNF @ 30%

I cannot finish this. The male main character is absolutely terrible. Please don't make your love interest a misogynist, it makes me instantly never want the couple to get together.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria and Aries for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

DNF at 15%. I just could not get into this book. I feel like its attempting to draw in Emily Henry's Beach Read fans but it doesn't even take place on a holiday. Characters were not well liked or enjoyable.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you netgalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately I just couldn’t get into this book, the synopsis was so promising but the book didn’t read like that. For me it wasn’t a hit but for others I’m sure it will be.

Was this review helpful?

DNF at 48% I personally couldn’t finish this one, i tried very hard! I had a hard time following the plot. It had great potential!

Was this review helpful?

I gave this book a try but, it’s really not for me. I cannot get into it. I could not connect with the characters at all. I was expecting a lot from this book and it did not deliver. Thank you for allowing me to read this book.

Was this review helpful?

Newquay sounds like the perfect place to fall in love. I enjoyed hearing about Candice’s connection to the water + how surfing makes her feel. I liked the friendships between the women + appreciated how loyal they were to one another. This story is a nice reminder of your chosen family + how much you can become a part of somewhere regardless of how you got there.

Was this review helpful?