Hot to go had me laughing out loud from the very first chapter. The way I absolutely DEVOURED this book! It’s awkward, hilarious, sweet but relatable. This was a really nice swoony summer romance filled with sun, sea, holidays and cute meet-ups, full of British humour and spice 🌶️

I enjoyed the MC’s, the chemistry, the banter, the family and work colleagues dynamics, Mark was really funny 😂 It was cute and cosy, the perfect summer read. I highly recommend this summer rom-com book.

♡ Dual POV
♡ Summer holiday romance
♡ Strangers to lovers
♡ Forced proximity
♡ Meet cute

💌 Thank you Kristen Bailey for a fun read and to NetGalley and Storm publishing for this ebook. I look forward to reading more.

Thank you to NetGalley and author Kristen Bailey for this ARC.
I felt like this book is a super easy and perfect for the summertime. It starts with a holiday fling between Suzie and Charlie but things get interesting when they meet again at work. The funny banter between them got some giggles out of me and I enjoyed the chemistry them have going on.
The characters are well written and the plot is not super deep or dramatic so it's perfect to get you out of a reading slump if that's the case.

HOT TO GO - Kristen Bailey
A hilarious rom com between Suzie a French teacher and Charlie a Spanish teacher. The dialogues and situations especially in the first 100 pages were so funny and witty that it's been a while since I laughed so much while reading a book. There is family drama, some serious spice along with full summer vibes making it a refreshing change from my past few reads!

Hilarious And Spicy Beach Read Romance. I don't normally proclaim a book to be a "beach read" as by definition, *any* book you bring to read on a beach is a "beach read", and I don't know what books every reader is bringing to every beach for all of known humanity, thus I can't possibly proclaim what a "beach read" is.

That noted, this is *absolutely* a book I could personally envision myself or many others enjoying at a warm beach (again, not all beaches are warm - anywhere sufficiently north or south on the globe yet along a large body of water will have a beach that will be cold) or perhaps poolside on a warm day or perhaps even on a cruise in some warm location. The reason being the two parts (of 5) of the book that travel specifically to warm Spanish locations - Mallorca and Seville, where the warmer-than-the-British-Isles location actually plays a role in how some of the events come to be.

Now, for those wanting a *quick* read... this aint that. This book clocks in at nearly 400 pages, and it takes nearly 100 of them to get to Part II - after Mallorca. For those less interested - for whatever reason - in the day to day banalities of being a K12 classroom teacher... know that this book deals fairly significantly with these in the back 2/3 of the book, as that is one of the drivers of the rest of the tale - the couple from Mallorca find themselves working down the hall from each other in a school, in the same department. (In the description so not a spoiler, btw. :D)

For those readers who can barely tolerate a warm glass of milk spice wise, know that this tale is somewhere between a Habanero and a Ghost chili - you're *going* to see and feel it, and you might come to regret all that you saw and felt. Which is actually where some (much?) of the comedy comes in, particularly in Mallorca and to a lesser extent back in Seville. The London and Paris sections were seemingly relatively less "spicy" and it was within these sections that we get a lot more of the non-physical drama and romance.

Overall I thought this was particularly well done, even at its length. The romance was enough to be both playful and heartfelt. The spice was enough that you may want either your partner or a towel - no shaming here - nearby. The comedy was everywhere from chuckles to damn near literally "I can't read right now because I'm literally rolling on the floor laughing so hard my gut may well explode and my ass may literally fall off". And for those reading this because the title is apparently a Chappell Roan song? No idea there. The most recent music I regularly listen to is now seemingly at least 15 yrs old, with newer stuff from John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Alan Silvestri, and a few other film composers thrown in along with the *occasional* random find on Spotify. Let's face it, you're coming to me for *book* recommendations, not music recommendations. ;)

Very much recommended.

This rom-com was sharp, hilarious, and unexpectedly touching. The main character was forward, but her family were an absolute riot, the romance brings the heat, and the humour never lets up. A perfect holiday read for rom-com fans!

A sexy romp through several countries - will Suzie and Charlie work their way through all the difficulties they have thrown up? Funny and enjoyable read. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC and giving me early access to Sophie and Charlie's story! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Overall Rating: 3.63 ⭐
Spice Rating: 2.75 🌶️
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Subgenre: Romantic Comedy, Holiday Romance, Office/Workplace Romance
Tropes: Secret Identity, Forced Proximity, Holiday Fling

If you’re in the mood for a witty, heartfelt vacation romance with depth and humor, this one opens with a bang. Sophie heads to Mallorca for a sun-drenched getaway with her cousins—a lovable, chaotic group of women who bring real warmth and wild energy to the page. Charlie is in the same resort town for his brother’s stag weekend, surrounded by a much rowdier and less endearing crew. When Sophie and Charlie meet under playful false identities, what begins as a spontaneous connection quickly turns into something harder to shake. Back in London, their worlds collide again—only this time, with more expectations, personal baggage, and real-life consequences.

What Worked
The first half is funny, warm, and full of energy. The vacation setting and group dynamics create a vibrant and immersive start.
Vibrant side characters, especially Sophie’s cousins! They’re hilarious, distinct, and bring heart and chaos in the best way.
Realistic emotional tone and laugh-out-loud moments. Charlie is hilarious.

What Fell Short
The second half loses focus. The pacing slows, and key romantic developments feel rushed or skipped.
The emotional resolution lacks depth. The ending doesn’t quite earn the payoff it’s aiming for.
Some character choices feel thin. Big decisions happen without enough internal reflection or communication.

Overall, Hot To Go is a genuinely enjoyable read with a lot to love: believable characters, real emotional stakes, and more than a few moments that’ll make you laugh out loud. If you enjoy romances where humor and heart go hand in hand, this one’s worth picking up—even if it doesn’t stick the landing entirely."

What an absolutely fun ride this was! It felt like watching the ultimate summer rom-com—cute, hilarious, and full of snappy banter. I was smiling the whole way through.

Serendipity definitely plays a starring role here. It’s all about those unexpected chances that steer you toward love... even if it means creating a fake persona while on holiday.

(Though it does raise a fun question—does Serendipity plan these moments for the ‘fake persona’ or is she clever enough to see through the façade?)

Suzie and Charlie are two teachers who don’t know each other until they serendipitously meet on their separate ‘rebound’ getaways. A twist of fate brings them together, and their chemistry is sweet, spicy, and delightfully carefree—think flirty fun under the European sun.

Once back in the real world, their lives intersect in unexpected ways, and what follows is a warm, heartfelt story of timing, love, and the importance of communication.

I really enjoyed the humour and how genuinely kind and caring these characters were. I rated this two stars because it was fun and entertaining, and I’d happily read more from Kristen Bailey. My only reason for not rating higher is that the narrative style occasionally confused me—there were moments when I wasn’t sure whether the main characters were speaking directly to me or if it was an internal thought. It just pulled me out of the story a couple of times.

That said, it’s still a breezy, feel-good read with plenty of charm.

3.5 – 4 stars
A breezy holiday rom-com with offbeat humor, genuine warmth, and sizzling chemistry, though it occasionally loses momentum or emotional depth toward the end.Holiday heat meets awkward reconnection in this London‑set, fly‑by‑night fling‑turned‑real‑life romance; it delivers laughs, heat, and emotional resonance with just enough flaws to be relatable.

Suzie Callaghan, recently heartbroken and escaping to Mallorca with her cousins, meets a stranger at midnight—“Carlos”—during a drunken skinny dip. It’s chemistry at first sight… until she returns to London and discovers he's actually Charlie, the new Spanish teacher at her school—yes, the same guy she got naked with. They're thrown together on a school trip to Seville and are forced to navigate office politics, mistaken identities, and embarrassment along the way. Suzie is delightfully quirky, awkward, and refreshingly honest. Charlie is charming and layered with depth and occasional guardedness. Their chemistry is palpable from the start, and their back-and-forth banter brims with humor and authenticity, especially during their Seville escapades. “Hot To Go” is a warm, humorous, and slightly spicy rom-com that works well as escapism. While the plot stalls midbook and ends a bit abruptly, Suzie and Charlie’s chemistry—plus the comedic ensemble—make this a recommendable holiday read. Just don’t expect it to be emotionally consuming or flawless.

2⭐️

Thank you Net Galley and Storm Publishing for the ARC!

Sadly, I did not enjoy this book. I found it really hard to get into and I didn’t connect with the characters at all.

On the bright side, the book gives summer vibes 100% so that was well achieved. There are A LOT of pop culture references so depending on the reader you may find it funny.

In Hot to Go, two teachers who have recently ended relationships meet while on vacation. Both give false names and identities as they enter into a vacation fling. They end up feeling a surprisingly strong connection, but don’t share their real identities and don’t expect that they will ever see each other again. A few weeks later after they return to their real lives and begin new jobs, they find themselves teaching at the same school.

I’ve read several other books by Kristen Bailey, and like the others, the story was quite entertaining, and the characters (and particularly the school setting) provided a lot of humor. Kristen Bailey’s books seem to all share a London setting, and characters from other books appear in this one. This book can be read as a stand-alone – but now that I know that the author has an earlier 5-book series featuring the FMC’s cousins, I can’t wait to read those as well.

My only criticisms of this book are that the various issues that kept the MCs apart felt like a bit much, and also I feel like the author overuses a particular element (not naming it because it is a spoiler) in character backstories.

I really enjoyed Hot to Go! Suzie’s escape to Mallorca after a tough breakup sounded like the perfect way to clear her head—and things definitely got interesting fast. The whole midnight skinny dip with Carlos was such a fun, unexpected moment that totally set the tone for the rest of the book. Their chemistry was instant and pretty steamy, which kept me hooked.

But the real twist came when Carlos turned out to be Charlie, her new Spanish teacher back home. I loved all the hilarious moments that came from that mix-up — the awkwardness, the secrets, and the way they kept bumping into each other made the story super entertaining. Both Suzie and Charlie felt like real people with flaws and all, which made their connection feel genuine and sweet.

If you’re looking for a light, flirty romance that balances humor with some heartfelt moments, Hot to Go is a great choice. It’s perfect for a chill day when you just want to get lost in a fun, easy read with lots of laughs and a little heat. Definitely recommend it!

As always, Kristen gave us a story full of humour and heart, and in this instance also heat 🔥🔥🔥

Every time there’s a new book from Kristen Bailey, I put away all my plans and devour it within a few days, and Hot To Go was no exception.

The story poses an interesting question: can a holiday fling actually survive the reality of an every day relationship? Does the spark fade or do we find a new way to love each other—a safer, calmer way that is still exciting?

Suzie and Charlie meet in Mallorca under very funny circumstances. Due to a slight misunderstanding, they both end up using fake identities. Aurelie and Carlos (hehe) have a steamy few days together, but due to another hilarious and yet heartbreaking misunderstanding end up losing each other… Until they discover that they teach in the same school now back in London!

The story is full of little (and big) miscommunications and misconceptions but I never mind that. It’s life, that’s how we perceive each other, and just because a conflict could have been solved with an honest conversation doesn’t mean it’s what this particular character would have done. If only life was that easy.

As usual, there aren’t enough slides to show all my highlighted quotes. I love how Kristen’s characters are all flawed and real, while being totally hilarious. The romance also feels real, like I know these couples, I’m friends with them ❤️

And needless to say, I was squealing with joy at every mention of Ed, Mia and now also Zoe and Jack 🫠

Congratulations to Kristen on another fantastic book! I can’t wait to read more from this universe 🥰

Rounded up because this deserves better ratings! The perfect summer romance, full of spice and laughs. I loved all of the characters. Thanks Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

Hot To Go by Kristen Bailey started on a hot note, as the title states. It slowed down a bit in the middle but finally picked up towards the end. I liked the romance and the humour, generally.
I got the ARC from Storm Publishing via Netgalley. This is my honest review

I really loved the premise of them having a one-night stand on holiday and then ending up working together. It felt quite nostalgic to read about a British high school and school trips which was nice as so many romances I’ve read are set elsewhere. It was summery, flirty and funny.

I do wish we got to know the characters personalities a bit more, I just didn’t feel particularly invested in either of them or could tell who’s POV it was. The book felt a bit long and a bit unnecessary at times, making me lose interest in the plot. I think some of the pages could have been better utilised for character development or more juicy drama.

A very easy, summer read! Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Hot to Go surprised me —with a bold, shocking opening that immediately pulled me in. The book had an unexpected sense of humor that, while not entirely my usual style, still managed to make me laugh out loud a few times. It leans a bit more on the raunchy side than I typically enjoy, but despite that, I found myself entertained and curious to see where the story would go next. While it might not be for everyone, especially those who prefer their humor a little tamer, Hot to Go delivers on energy, audacity, and a wild ride of a read.

This book arrived at the perfect time: summer! You can feel all the vacation vibes, and it’s hot, so HOT!

The writing style makes the story feel light and easy to follow, without losing the essence that makes you truly connect with it.

Suzie is chaotic in the best possible way, I actually saw a lot of myself in her personality, especially in the way she throws herself into things so passionately. And Charlie? He definitely has strong book boyfriend potential, he’s charming, sensitive, and so funny I couldn’t help falling for him. The side characters were the perfect addition, too. And their love story… I loved how naturally they clicked, especially because of how alike they are.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story because it felt original, and the plot twists genuinely surprised me. I’m so grateful to be considered for stories like this.

It took me a while to start it, but once I did, I couldn’t stop. Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity!

Hot to go!

I absolutely loved this one! It is witty and has great dialogue!! This book is a great and fun summer rom com read! I also appreciated the content warnings the beginning of the book!

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the advance reader copy!

Hot To Go is a story of two teachers that keep finding each other no matter where they go!

As a teacher myself, I had a hard time connecting to this story because it felt very unrealistic. Perhaps things are different over in the UK than US teaching 😂

I enjoyed seeing the family dynamics of both characters, as well as the various holiday locations throughout the story.

Thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.