Thank you to NetGalley and Aria for the eARC of Holiday Read.

I was originally intrigued by the description of this book and based on the cover and title thought this was going to be a fun, lighthearted romcom. While I do think there was potential for this story to be that, it just didn’t hit the mark for me. I was debating DNF-ing around 30%, but ultimately am glad I finished it.

Holiday Read is told from the POV of Candice, our MFC, who has recently moved from Hawaii to Newquay for, what we learn throughout the story, is a multi-fold purpose. She is working as a waitress at the beach side diner, Demigorgons, where she crosses paths with author, Alexis, who is in town finding inspiration for his next novel.

Candice has a lot going on in her personal life, which lead her to, at times, not be the most likable character. However, Alexis was one of the most egotistical, misogynistic, sexist, classist, you-name-it-ist, characters that I have ever read. The romance genre gets so much hate/shame as is, let alone having a main character in a rom com who is apparently president of the “I hate romance” book club. Just when I thought I couldn’t dislike Alexis anymore, when Candice said she would not sleep with him, his response was “why not?”

Demi and Makayla were fun characters, who have great energy. Makayla was a tad immature at times for me, but overall she was such a firecracker character. Demi really cared about Candice (and Makayla), and I loved seeing the love between these three women. I really loved the found family subplot with these two and Candice.

I found the “love triangle” plot to be a bit of a stretch. Daniel’s whole purpose of being in Newquay didn’t feel realistic or natural, and there really isn’t much chemistry between any of the main characters, let alone a triangle situation. Candice is dealing with past relation trauma and learning what comes next for her, and is not necessarily looking for a new relationship. Alexis reacts poorly when Candice lets her feelings be known, and when she shows slight interest in anyone other than him.

All in all Holiday Read just had too much going on for me, and was too slow of a read. Most of the major plot lines didn’t start until after 50% through. And there were so many sub plots, such as Candice searching for her dad, and her past marriage, that I would completely forget about until they were randomly brought back up. And each time they were brought back into the foreground we got new information that was not mentioned or prevalent earlier in the story. I did love the arc of Candice realizing she was pursuing the dreams she thought she was expected to have, and ultimately deciding to follow her true passion. I think there is promise for this story- but as it stands I did not enjoy.

As a side note, and as other have mentioned, the title and cover have such similarities to Emily Henry that I couldn’t help but hold high expectations. The “author with writers block trying to write in a genre they haven’t experimented with before while going on “dates” to learn more/get inspiration” storyline was too similar to me, and mixed with the similar marketing really made me expect something different.

Holiday Read was a DNF for me because I found it vulgar.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this book and there were glimpses of the great book it could have been but for me it didn’t quite come together. The best part of the book was the female friendships between Candice, Makayla and Demi; I enjoyed how Candice finds love and support from her found family. The rest of the plot seemed all over the place with some plot points barely being resolved and some lingering over the course of the novel only to be resolved too quickly.
The book was also too long in my opinion. About 60% of the way through I was seriously considering not finishing the book. I’m glad that I continued but I think condensing some of the plot would do wonders for the pacing and make it more compelling.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC.

This book was a 4 star for me. It was just ok. It wasn't a book that left me wanting more when I put it down or finished it. It wasn't bad, the writing is very good. I thought that the concept was really good, fake dating while helping the other finish their book. I like it, I just wish that it had grabbed me more.
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I just reviewed Holiday Read by Taylor Cole. #HolidayRead #NetGalley
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This book had a really good premise and I was excited to give it a go, as I do love a beachy, summery romance more than anything else. However, I didn't get very far in and decided to DNF as I just couldn't connect with the story or the characters unfortunately. I really couldn't get behind Alexis and the main love interest, the story didn't really feel complete and in the form that it is currently in, I would not feel compelled to finish the book or to recommend it, as a librarian or just as a reader.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Aria & Aries for sending me an eArc of this book. Unfortunately, this one was just not for me at the moment.

Thank you for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately, I lost interest quite quickly. There was too much internal and not enough external dialogue. In addition, the story plot just didn’t grip me. It moved too slow for me. While the author’s writing style was very good, I wanted to like this book, but it fell short of my expectations.

Unfortunately, this book was a DNF for me and I didn't even get halfway through.

I was turned off by the first chapter and how it spent way too long talking about "tit limpets" but figured I owed it to the publisher/author to keep going and give it a chance. Sadly, it didn't get better.

There was way too much description given without much happening. I kept wanting to skim and get to the point.

The lead male is a misogynistic male author who looks down upon romance novels & dislikes them, but decides to write one, and use the female main character as inspiration, solely because he likes how much money romance novels make. Ick.

I was super excited to read this book because of the cover & title giving major Emily Henry vibes. Neither the cover nor title really have anything to do with the book (at least, not in what I read of it). They're super misleading. Nobody is on a "holiday" or vacation, and though the female lead teaches surf lessons, that's really not been a major plot point at all. I genuinely think the author just wanted to draw people in who love Emily Henry, like myself.

Maybe the book gets better but based on the low rating I've seen from other reviewers, I don't think it does. I wouldn't recommend this one, sadly!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Preparing to read this book, I was very excited because it was marketed as an Emily Henry-style romance. Unfortunately, Holiday Read didn't live up to the expectations. While I somewhat liked the FMC, Candice, I found her to be a bit bland and there was not much character-building for her. Alexis is maybe one of the worst male characters I have ever read. He was an extreme misogynist who sexualized and disrespected women. He was [for some reason] considered a romantic interest but never really improved as an individual. The most enjoyable characters in Holiday Read were Daniel and Makayla, supporting characters who had some nice moments. Overall, however, there didn't seem to be a plot to this novel. It was heavily sexist and just wasn't really engaging or enjoyable to read. Not a particularly recommendable read.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this book!
This book was a DNF at about the 30% mark.
Now I know I shouldn't compare books but I can't be the only one who thought this book would be an Emily Henry type of book, right? Especially with the cover and of course the title. This caused me to go into this book with high expectations and sadly it was not what I expected.
I think this book has potential. Some bits are good but some bits are also not very good. Some parts of the book didn't feel as flushed out as others, especially in the beginning where it felt to drag on for a while. Same with the characters, I didn't feel a connect of any sort with
them.
All in all I think this book would be an okay read if I were to give it another try but right now it's not on my tbr list or any future list of mine.

I just reviewed Holiday Read by Taylor Cole. #HolidayRead #NetGalley. I want to thank them for this opportunity.
This book was not at all what I expected since it had nothing to do with being on a holiday nor did it take place on a holiday.
Things I liked: I enjoyed the friendships of the women in the novel and how supportive they were of one another. However, I was not vested in the relationship and after everything the protagonist had been though in her marriage, I thought this was a poor match. Also, the plot was confusing and hard to follow.

What a privilege to read this as an advance copy! This would be a great book to read on your holidays! Set in Newquay in Cornwall, Candice is working in a café and also offering surf lessons. Candice has left her husband in Hawaii and is in Newquay for a specific reason which isn’t revealed at first so it kept me intrigued as to what her story was. Whilst working in the café she comes across Alexis, a stranger who sets himself up to work from one the tables. Its not until Alexis books a surf lesson that they really start to get to know each other. Everything is not as it seems though, and I loved how this developed throughout the book and the turns it took and how Candice’s life takes an unexpected turn. I was hooked on the story and how this story developed it’s a really light read and there are many laugh out loud moments in the book.
I loved reading about Newquay and enjoyed how the characters came to life, I wasn’t a fan of Makayla at first but she soon grew on me and I enjoyed the humour that her character brings to the story. I loved the friendships that developed and how the stories all pulled together for a great ending. Recommend this book, light, funny, intriguing with great characters,

Unfortunately I did not enjoy this book. It reminded me too much of beach read by Emily henry which I enjoyed way more. I'm sorry!

Thanks to NetGalley for this early read. I finished it which was a bonus but the story doesn’t really match the title and I had a hard time with the formatting and dialogue. There were times I had no idea what the characters were saying and it felt like the author knew more in their head that needed to be put on the paper. The main character was interesting but sometimes I had a hard time liking her and also wondered if her motives.

The resolution to her main reason for being in town happened real fast and I felt like it could have had more involvement. I also felt like the issues with her ex were also unresolved.

I really wanted to love this one!

I was so excited for this book and I tried so hard to like it, but I just couldn't get into it. It just felt all over the place and I didn't really enjoy the characters :(

It was a cute read. Like the characters of the couple. must read this book. go and read this now. read it today if you can. A total new fan.

I'm disappointed to say that I really struggled to get into this book. It wasn't until the 50% mark that I started to enjoy it. So I'd say I didn't love it, but didn't hate it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the ARC!

I'll start by saying that though I didn't love this book, I didn't dislike it either. I just wish there had been more. For me, it lacked depth. The romance was totally glossed over, and I wasn't convinced that there was any spark or passion between the FMC and MMCs. Then there were the random subplots throughout, which were interesting, but not fully explored. Again, I just wanted more.

I did love the blossoming friendship between Candice, Makayla, and Demi. It was natural and authentic. Makayla is hilarious (tit limpet and chub rub 🤣)! This is a group of woman that you want in your inner circle.

Lots of potential, and a cute idea, but too much going on to fully connect.

To be honest, I didn't have super high hopes for this one. In that sense, it didn't disappoint.

Based on the title and the description, I was expecting a beachy, summer romance. What I got was a messy love triangle amidst so many other subplots. Two words... too much.

The intention was there but the execution of all of the different plotlines was not successful. I was disappointed because even though there was a slow burn element, I wasn't rooting for anyone to fall in love... I couldn't remember backstories like her looking for her dad or her working through a divorce until they were randomly brought up at random moments in the story.

The only saving grace was the theme of female friendship and the beach setting, because who doesn't love the beach?

Thank you to Net Galley and Aria & Aries for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to love this book but I couldn't get there. It was only ok for me in the end.

I felt the author could cut at least 1/4 of the book and it would've been a more cohesive read. Too many unnecessary details, scenes, etc. just took me out of the story at different times.

Candice searching for her father was a great plotline but how she found him was just a bit too perfect. I don't think every book (or plotline in a book) needs a perfect HEA and this book didn't really play out the dramas in a way that I found satisfying.

I wouldn't recommend this book, unfortunately.

This book felt so casual and a little aloof until suddenly it didn’t. I felt like it was a light and breezy read with a borderline sinister undertone, and then suddenly it was a whirlwind of secrets and urgency and miscommunications. And I loved it.

The ending felt a little rushed, like I could have spent a few more days watching the loose ends get tidied up, but ultimately I liked the neatness after the lovely mess of a middle and all the complexities that came with it.