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.

While I loved the setting and premise of this book, I unfortunately found this book to be both boring and annoying, with Candice’s inner monologue to often go on for way too long. This book in general was a bit long for me; it seemed to drag out, and I found myself groaning and asking it to just get to the point.

I also found the multitude of pop culture references to be a bit annoying. Talking about Bridgerton and WAP seemed to date it immediately, and I found myself cringing through them. I also thought it was an interesting choice to include so many Jane Austen references — not everyone is going to understand those.

Most of all, I found this book to be predictable. I didn’t like Alexis from the beginning, and I thought it was so obvious that she was into Daniel, so why didn’t she just go for him instead??? It was frustrating and annoying.

GENERAL INFO

Year Pub: 5/11/23

Date read: 5/18/23

Format: Kindle

Source: e-ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Page Count: 396

Setting: Newquay, England

Genre: CR, Rom-Com, sports romance

Tropes: small beach town, slow burn romance

Standalone/Cliffhanger/Part of a Series: standalone

HEA/HFN ending: HEA

Epilogue Included: no

Character(s)POV Spoken: h Candice

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Synopsis/Plot Summary: Romance-fanatic Candice meets writer Alexis. He takes lessons at her struggling Cornish surf school, and they hit it off. 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.
-From Amazon

M/F-M/M-M/M/F-etc: M/F

Representation: romance writers and readers, gay couple, being Hawaiian and Cornish(customs/lifestyle)

Contains Cheating: yes, Candice's husband cheated on her w/ her bff

Contains Children: no

Flashbacks: yes, Candice recounts her deceased mother meeting her father and life w/o father @ home. Also thinks back to her marriage "red flags" about Joseph.

Jealy/Possy/OTT H/h : no

Amount of Sex In The Book: none, but there's a little nudity

Overall Smex Rating: 1

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

Hero: Daniel

Hero Description: Alexis' literary agent. Comes from London to help Alexis with his new novel. Runs interference between Alexis and Candice after she finds notebook of Alexis using her words and likeness w/o permission. Gets her to agree to be co-writer and researcher for money.

Hero Likability Rating: 5

Heroine: Candice

Heroine Description: 29, from Hawaii. Gives surf lessons and waitresses @ Demigorgons Cafe. Moved to Newquay, lives in a van on Demi's property in search of something. Romance fanatic, dreams of being a travel writer. Separated from husband but still wears wedding ring to keep men away-not looking for relationship/fling. Still grieving death of her mother, was not supported by husband.

Heroine Likability Rating: 4

Secondary characters:
Alexis- 32, "Laptop Guy" Candice meets @ Demigorgons. Gives him a surf lesson, friend turned colleague. He's writing a romance novel. Doing research and uses Candice for it.
Demi- Owner of Demigorgons. Mother figure to Candice-compassionate, protective.
Makayla-24, coworker, sister figure. Helped her w/ job and place to stay when she came to England.
Jeremy-55, Demigorgons chef, gay and married to Elliott.
Joseph-Candice's husband. Cheated w/ ex bff Issy and got her pregnant. He and Candice had surf shop together. He never wanted kids, wanted Candice at home cooking and cleaning.
Rick-Candice's brother, worried about her and wants her home.
Janice-Candice's deceased mother

H /h RELATIONSHIP INFO

OW/OM/Exes: Candice's husband-Joseph. He was a controlling, selfish, narcissist.

Cheating Before/During/Outside H/h Relationship: yes, Candice cheated on before meeting Daniel.

CONTENT WARNINGS/TRIGGERS
parental death, abusive husband, grief

AUTHOR OVERVIEW
Taylor Cole
New or read before & any favorites: new author

PERSONAL OVERVIEW

Overall Rating: 3*

Do You Recommend This Book: yes

Will You Re-read This Book: no

Would You Read More Books by this Author: yes

Who's the audience: avid book lovers, great beach read

COMMENTS/NOTES: I was confused by Alexis' motivations. He was so flighty. Did he even have feelings for Candice? He was selfish but, Candice held her own against him, especially when he was inappropriate with her. She challenged his crazy takes and tolerated his wandering. I liked Makayla's character the most. She made no apologies for dating and sleeping around. She was very comfortable in her own skin. I loved her profess wanting marriage and kids to shocked just proclaimed boyfriend Travis. I liked this novel, notwithstanding having to google a lot of British slang.

This is a good book. The two main characters are Candice and Alexis. Candice runs a surf shop and Alexis is an author. There is an instant attraction. Candice thinks she has found her happy ending. Candice figures out that Alexis has had trouble writing his novel so he is using her and his relationship to write his novel. Alexis offers to bring Candice in on the writing of the novel. There are some problems but they work them out.

Oh hey Taylor Cole, can we be besties?

So, I have a life update .

I found a new author to obsess over . Taylor Cole is everything I never knew I needed in my life and Holiday Read slipped right into my number one spot of most favored books of this year.

To think I was once a “I only read thrillers” kinda gal.

Wow, I was quite the snob.

I’m glad I finally saw the light and jumped on the Romance/RomCom train .

Holiday Read is the perfect book to pack up in your tote and head to the beach .

The characters all flawed but real, will steal your heart. The flow of the chapters was executed with perfection and I love how the ending came to tie everything together.

This book screams “summer hit”

Don’t take my word for it, this showstopper is free on kindle unlimited

Teaser :

The ultimate escapist rom com for book and beach lovers! Perfect for 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?

Candice meets Alexis when he is on holiday in the town in Cornwall where she is currently living and working. Then she meets Daniel, and things become more complicated. A great read.

Did not love this one, it felt choppy and disjointed at times. I did enjoy the honesty between characters and how they felt like real people.

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

This one was just not for me. Unfortunately, I added this to my list of DNF reads. I just couldn't get into the characters and it wasn't quite what I was expecting. I love reading to escape especially when I am feeling stressed and romcoms are my absolute favorite. This one just missed the mark for me.