Not at all what I thought it would be. I was thinking this would be a great book with a bit of an Emily Henry vibe but it wasn't.

It would take a lot more than effort to finish this book. I couldn't get past the snobbery in this and I tediously managed to reach 26% before deciding that this is not for me.

Given Alexis’ attitude toward romance books that he’s ironically trying to write, I think this is how he would have written one - dry.

And I refuse to feel sorry for not wanting to waste my time on this further.

Still, my thanks to Aria & Aries, NetGalley and the author for my copy. All opinions are honest and my own.

I wanted to like Holiday Read more than I did. The pacing felt slower than I would have preferred, and I get that the switch from Alexis to Daniel was the plot twist, but I just didn't find a romance with either of them especially convincing. I liked the premise, but the execution just didn't work for me.

Set in the beautiful location of Newquay this book really did have holiday reading vibes. I liked all the main characters, especially Makayla (would love a spin off based on her!) with the exception of Alexis. He was quite awful but I mean that as a compliment to the author as I imagine this is exactly how she wanted him to come across. I did feel like there was a lot going on in terms of sideplots. Candice’s bereavement, husband issues, writing a book with Alexis, finding her dad, trying to build a business, her relationship with Daniel and her finding her place in the world. It was quite a bit for one person to handle! Nevertheless I really did enjoy the book and would reread again in future.

Blurb:
The ultimate sexy and escapist rom com for book and beach lovers. Will delight fans of Emily Henry and Josie Silver. When romance-fanatic Candice meets writer Alexis, she thinks her happy ending is finally on its way. He walks into her struggling Cornish surf school, and they hit it off straight away. Until she discovers that Alexis has been using their courtship as inspiration for the romantic novel he's struggling to write. When Alexis offers to bring her in on the deal if Candice helps him deliver a winning book to his publisher, she accepts, and along with Alexis' agent Daniel, they embark on a very unusual summer of love, as Candice tries to teach the men the recipe for a successful romance. But you can't have a great love story, without a great romantic hero. Will Candice find hers before the summer is over?

My thoughts:
After reading the blurb I was really looking forward to reading it but it definitely fell flat for me. I tried to get through it. I couldn't connect to the characters at all and I think that was my biggest problem.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.



Many thanks to NetGalley and Aria&Aries for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

I enjoyed the relaxed setting of the book in Cornwall, this would be a perfect read for a holiday there! I liked the main character of Candice, who had a complicated past that was evolved throughout the book, she seemed likeable and authentic through her paralells of romance novels conflicting with her real life experiences of love. I thought the sisterhood with Demi and Mikayla was good as well.
I didn't expect the curveball in the romance stakes of the book but was a bit let down with the development of the character of Alexis and also the father search storyline.

The perfect summer romance set in the idyllic Cornwall.

Huge thanks to the publisher for this copy.

I really enjoyed the aspects of the different storylines and characters all interweaving and coming together perfectly.

You can be transported to the beautiful British seaside within the pages of this book.

An easy to read, feel good summer page turner.

This book was exactly what I expected in the sense that I was intrigued from page one and could not put it down!
Great book characters were intriguing ! Highly recommend

Yikes, I'm not on board for a book that plays off a borderline sexual assault as romance. I normally don't review books on Netgalley that I DNF because that feels unfair, but I'm making an exception for this one because it's worth bringing up to folks who might be thinking of reading this book - avoid.

Sadly, this wasn´t the enjoyable beach read I had hoped for. I couldn´t connect with the characters and the plot was more of a swamp than a beach.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the ARC of Holiday Read by Taylor Cole.

I struggled with this one, especially since I really wanted to like it. Being touted as perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Josie Silver, both of whom I really enjoy. However, I just didn’t get into this book quite as much. I didn’t connect with the main characters as I read and struggled to follow along. It took me two times to really get going on this story. I would summarize the story, but I don’t think I have much more to add than what you’d find on any site with a synopsis of this book.

As for a positive, I found the cover to be very appealing. It kept drawing me in and I was hopeful for me.

Hilarious and well written summertime read! I really loved this one. Would definitely share with friends.

i was so excited for the book and the cover and i couldn't wait to read it but then i stopped. i only got to writing the review now because it took me ages to get through it. put me in a slump. the book itself wasn't crass but it was unnecessary. there was an awful part though: the no consent. never been more disheartened.

I was hoping for a great holiday read in Holiday Read, but it just didn’t pan out. I love the concept of this book and it made for a quick, light and easy read, but in the end the characters just weren’t what I needed them to be.

A lovely summer read - worth sticking with it as the characters grow, all whilst being set in the lovely Newquay!

I want to thank @netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read “Holiday Read” in exchange for an honest review.
The main character, Candice, and her friendships with Makalya and Demi are enjoyable. Daniel felt like a good character overall, and I enjoyed Alexis in the beginning but as the book went on I despised him not wanting to give spoilers but his behavior's towards Candice was selfish.
While I appreciated the characters in the story, especially Candice and her friends, I felt that the romance between Daniel and Candice could have been further developed. It would have added depth and richness to the story, and I believe exploring their relationship more thoroughly could have enhanced the overall narrative
The plot felt scattered with a strange pace, too many unnecessary filling in chapters, could've been directed in different directions. The absence of Candice's father and the lack of his relationship with her was one of the subjects explored a bit too much for my liking.
It was hard to connect with the characters, I found that there were different plots happening, which sometimes made it a bit hard to keep track of everything and fully enjoy it.

Unfortunately I'm with the masses on this one. While I did finish the book, I can't say I loved it. I couldn't really connect with the characters, with the chemistry between the two lacking. It was so similar to Beach Read as well (storyline, cover, title....everything!) with barely any differences.

I tried ever so hard to enjoy this book but I couldn't. I just couldn't connect with either main character. It was just a struggle to read. The beautiful cover of this book and the blurb gave me so much hope for this book but it just fell short.

Thank you netgalley for the ARC but as much as I loved the cover and the synopsis ,the story fails to deliver.
Characters were forgettable and with no chemistry.I tried hard to come to terms with the story but I couldn't.
So ended DNFing it .Hope next book from the writer will be better.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of Holiday Read by Taylor Cole in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I loved the cover of this and seriously couldn't wait to sit down and read it. As much as I wanted to love this book, I really struggled to finish it. I would like to give this author another chance but would not recommend this book to anyone.