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okayletsread's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a fun listen on audio! If you've gone through a season of career burnout, you'll likely connect with Sasha, a digital marketer who takes a long break at a beach resort in the winter. There were a lot of far-fetched and totally ridiculous plot points, but it had a lot of heart and didn't follow the typical HEA. I love that about chick lit books vs. romance novels. This book won't stick with me very long, but it fits the bill.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia and Death of parent
louiseortman's review
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
madsmcw_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Dementia
gemloukay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Sasha has reached the end of her tether with work. Her team is understaffed, the emails keep piling up and the joyfulness programme and mood board are a corporate joke. When she gets told that another person has quit, she loses it and after a series of weird (and yet believable) turns of events, promptly puts herself in hospital from walking head first into a brick wall. Literally.
When Sasha’s mum decides that a break to her favourite childhood holiday spot would do her good (complete with a 20 step wellness plan, kale smoothies and yoga), she embarks on a journey of self discovery. Finn also has found himself back at the beach of his childhood and is self medicating his woes with whisky, pizza and sarcasm. They also find themselves staying at the once swanky and now dilapidated hotel, with quirky staff and 1970s decor. Will they find themselves or maybe even find each other?
I absolutely loved this book! The characters were believable, the hotel was like Fawlty Towers and I was left with a feeling of wanting to visit the beach and learn to surf. Surfing guru Terry’s words of wisdom had me in tears and the ending was just perfect.
When Sasha’s mum decides that a break to her favourite childhood holiday spot would do her good (complete with a 20 step wellness plan, kale smoothies and yoga), she embarks on a journey of self discovery. Finn also has found himself back at the beach of his childhood and is self medicating his woes with whisky, pizza and sarcasm. They also find themselves staying at the once swanky and now dilapidated hotel, with quirky staff and 1970s decor. Will they find themselves or maybe even find each other?
I absolutely loved this book! The characters were believable, the hotel was like Fawlty Towers and I was left with a feeling of wanting to visit the beach and learn to surf. Surfing guru Terry’s words of wisdom had me in tears and the ending was just perfect.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Mental illness, and Grief
thebookishowl4's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Alcoholism and Injury/Injury detail
aseel_reads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This has some full on aloud laughing moments, it was also pretty adorable at times, especially the stuff with Terry. I'm also glad she got her payback with that annoying work person. Of course, this was a typical work related depication of burnout, which is important but if only mine was so easily fixed with going on holiday and having work life balance 😔
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Body shaming, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Grief, Bullying, and Panic attacks/disorders
enchanting_redhead's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have read Most of Sophie Kinsella’s books over the years and was always excited for a new one to come out. However, recently I feel like I have somewhat grown out of her writing style. Her characters now seem often over the top to me and do not resonate with me anymore like they used to.
The staff at the Rilston appears to me unrealistic and in a forced way lovable. Sasha, the main character, reminds me of most of Kinsella’s main characters. She has a hard time standing up for herself (in the beginning of the book) and resorts to ridiculous measures to avoid or fix her problems.
One thing that truly annoyed me though was the way Terry the surf teacher is described. He has become older and from the way he is described he clearly has some form of dementia. Instead of calling it dementia though, he is described as “not being quite right”. I don’t see this as helpful, but maybe I am missing something.
Overall it still is a good book and I had enjoyable moments reading it that touched me or made me laugh. But I might not read to many Kinsella books in the future.
The staff at the Rilston appears to me unrealistic and in a forced way lovable. Sasha, the main character, reminds me of most of Kinsella’s main characters. She has a hard time standing up for herself (in the beginning of the book) and resorts to ridiculous measures to avoid or fix her problems.
One thing that truly annoyed me though was the way Terry the surf teacher is described. He has become older and from the way he is described he clearly has some form of dementia. Instead of calling it dementia though, he is described as “not being quite right”. I don’t see this as helpful, but maybe I am missing something.
Overall it still is a good book and I had enjoyable moments reading it that touched me or made me laugh. But I might not read to many Kinsella books in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
thebruce's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol and Death of parent
Minor: Dementia
fictional_wanderlust's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
“I’m enjoying life. i’m enjoying the ride.”-Sasha Worth
Im slowly finding my way back to that state of mind. Im not sure the 20s me would have appreciated this novel as much as the current me did. As one whose just survived a similar professional burnout and wrapping up a 2 wk “office + extended family free” holiday, let me tell you i wish i would have read it sooner. maybe id have seen some similarities and had an epiphany before my focus and will gave out. Hell maybe i would have scheduled a beach getaway as our MCs did.
The dilapidated resort was off putting but the qwerky staff and guests were endearing. I’ve spent years behind the front desk of resorts , so I found the scenes from the hotel staff entertaining but i could see how some of these scenes would be boorish for other readers.
The side mysteries and visits to old haunts the MCs once knew were cute. Their shared experiences and english banter had me missing days of younger years. The hushed purchase / delivery of club crackers had me giggling. Been there. 🤭
The visits with Terry really tugged at my heart strings. His surf/life lessons were spot on.
I was proud of Sasha for her decisions throughout the book (the panicked, the risky, and the ‘for greater good’ choices). I appreciated the journey we’re taken on as she embraces her lot, grows and carries on.
I was proud of Sasha for her decisions throughout the book (the panicked, the risky, and the ‘for greater good’ choices). I appreciated the journey we’re taken on as she embraces her lot, grows and carries on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Dementia, and Medical trauma
bmceleney's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Dementia