This book was just not for me. I had a hard time getting into the story or rooting for any of the characters - the MMC I found to be particularly unlikable (Bone broth and fasting - I mean already that is a very specific type of person and 99% of the time not a great person in my experience).

Nestled along the Cornish coastline, the idyllic setting with its beach allure added charm to the story. Candice's enterprising nature shone as she embarked on her surf school venture alongside her bustling café job. While Alexis initially appeared amiable, his true colors revealed a less likable persona as the story unfolded. Candice, yearning for a genuine and fulfilling romantic connection, evoked a sense of compassion. Although the characters lacked depth, the book flowed seamlessly and provided an enjoyable reading experience. Yet, I longed for more nuanced character development to forge a deeper emotional connection.

I almost didn't finish this one. I probably should've put it down, honestly, because I really just couldn't get on board with it. It feels like a knock off of Beach Read by Emily Henry, and not in a fun ode to it sort of way. I just didn't feel for the characters and didn't totally understand the romance either.

This sounded like a great rom com and had lots of promise, however I just couldn’t get into it! There was little chemistry between the two main characters (or it was very very slow burn - I didn’t finish reading as I just wasn’t feeling it!). I feel like some of the events/problems the character faces do not really add to the story and seem a bit random.
It may be one I have to come back to and finish at another time.

This book was very cute, although it didn't hit for me as much as I had hoped when I read the premise. I thought the main interest could have been fleshed out more, and I found myself annoyed and confused by his decisions throughout. I liked Candice but ultimately thought I could have known more about her as well.

Ugh I DNF'ed this. I tried so hard to get into this book because I was excited to read it based on the summary but I just could not. I didn't find any of the characters likeable, in fact, I found most of them rather unlikeable. There really was not plot and zero character development. I just couldn't. Made it to 56% then DNF'ed.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC, but this is a DNF. I was really looking forward to this summer read. I'm sad that it wasn't what I was expecting.

3.5 stars

Enjoyable tale of an American in Britain, looking for answers, finding her way after a disastrous marriage.

Thank you Aria and Aries for the digital ARC in return for an honest review.

I'd like to thank Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"He's writing a love story. She's looking for hers."

This line is what convinced me to request this ARC and I had high hopes about it, but it wasn't what I expected. Actually, I have DNF the ARC. The first ARC that I decided not to finish since I joined Netgalley.

I tried to connect with the characters but I couldn't. The first chapters were very boring and it took me almost a month to get to the third one, where I finally gave up. I always try to finish my books because I don't like leaving things unfinished, but this book was not interesting at all. A torture. I'm sorry.

Thank you, @netgalley, for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

I originally applied for this one due to the bright colors on the cover, and because it looked like a great beach read! However; I couldn’t help but think this reminded me a lot of a story I’d already read.

My biggest issue in liking this book was that none of the characters were lovable, or even really relatable for that matter. I’m a big fan of a story where I love and root for the characters, and I didn’t find myself caring about any of these. For this reason, it made it hard for me to be emotionally invested. This was 3/5 stars for me- just okay.

This book took me a while to get into and honestly didn't seem to go in a direction I thought it would. I liked that Candice did have a mission, even though it took some execution to figure out where her father was. I thought Alexis was terribly boring and I'm so glad that Candice didn't end up with him and I seriously thought he was going to renege on paying her for work on the book with him. Thank goodness Daniel was there to protect Candice with Alexis' publisher!

Holiday Read by Taylor Cole presents a multifaceted romantic comedy.

Candice takes center stage as the main character in this tale. She relocates to Cornwall in search of her father, finding employment at a diner and residing in a van. Although the diner owner offers her a place to stay, Candice fiercely clings to her independence. We gradually learn that she escaped a troubled marriage in Hawaii and employs her skill as a surfer to establish a surf school in Cornwall.

Her first customer happens to be Alexis, a man who has ventured to Cornwall to write a romance novel but lacks the know-how. Fortunately, Candice, an avid romance reader, steps in to assist him. However, her enthusiasm wanes when she realizes he is exploiting their blossoming relationship for inspiration.

Soon, Daniel, Alexis' agent, arrives in Cornwall and persuades Candice to continue aiding Alexis in writing the novel, promising her a byline. Daniel initially appears to be a good person, and a friendship develops between him and Candice. However, due to her previous experience with Alexis, Candice hesitates to progress further. Although the prospect of Candice and Daniel together seems promising, the chemistry between them falls short for me.

While there were certain aspects of this book that I enjoyed, I found the abundance of plotlines and their disjointed flow to be a hindrance. I extend my gratitude to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

It was very cute, summery, fun and highly entertaining. The characters were so adorable and the storyline interesting enough to have me hooked through and through. Loved it

I DNF’ed this title. Unfortunately this book just was not what I was expecting. It felt like they were trying to copy paste Beach Read by Emily Henry. I had no interest in the male love interest and actually started to dislike like him based on how he was treating the MC.

2.5 stars, rounded up. I wanted to enjoy this book - the premise sounded interesting, I love a good Cornish romance, and surfing in the mix sounded like a great combo. Unfortunately, it fell massively flat for me.

My main problem initially was my feelings towards the main male character, Alexis. I REALLY disliked him. I couldn’t figure out what on Earth the main female character saw in him at all. He talks about his various food difficulties (e.g. he eats bone broth and does intermittent fasting… yawn), doesn’t seem to have any social awareness, and in general isn’t a likeable character at all.

Candice, our female lead, is originally from Hawaii but came to Cornwall after her husband cheated on her with her best friend. We eventually discover ‘why Cornwall’ (which was at least an interesting part of the story), but this almost felt like an afterthought.

The other female characters are interesting (mainly Candice’s coworkers and friends at the cafe Demigorgons), and Alexis’ agent Daniel is also added to the mix eventually.

I almost DNFed this book after about the first third (there’s some really concerning parts that felt verging on non-consensual and just… really not great), but I am glad I finished it as it did eventually improve. This book took me almost a week to finish as I had no motivation to pick it back up - when I usually finish a book in a day or two, that definitely means it did not capture my interest.

Personally, this one has potential but really missed the target.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this tittle. Unfortunately I was not able to finish the book as I was not enjoying the story or the characters. Given this? I have not left a review in my social media accounts. I’d like to see the author improve on the issues surrounding clear consent, it did not make me feel comfortable. I believe there is plenty of room for improvement and growth and I’d be interested to see what the author does next but this one just was not for me.

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Aria & Aries for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had a hard time getting into this book but I'm glad I stuck with it because it ended well. I did enjoy the twist and turns that the book took. I'm glad Candice had a back bone and stood up for herself. She felt real and relatable. I loved the cafe she worked at and her friends. They made the story just on the comedy aspect. Alexis in a jerk and I'm glad she found out fast. It is a cute romance but nothing over the top. There is no real smexy parts or once it starts it gets interrupted. Cute read if you are looking for something light over the summer.

I had high hopes for this one being similar to Emily Henry's Beach Read (one of my favorite books of all times), but this was nothing like an Emily Henry book. I could not finish it.

This book was not for me. The writing was all over the place and lost me so many times. I wanted to like this so much with it being said that it’s great for fans of Emily Henry, but it feels kind of like a joke that this writing was compared to Emily Henry. It’s not even on the same level. This needs some major editing and rewrites to make it a sellable book

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you Aria & Aries for an early copy of Holiday Read by Taylor Cole. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

Blurb from Goodreads:
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?

The blurb was very interesting which was why I requested to read an ARC of this story, but it the storyline itself felt like a mess. I found the main characters bland as well. I tried to enjoy it until the end, but I’m sorry to say I wish I hadn’t wasted my time reading this.

Rating Holiday Read ⭐/5.