I love an enemies to lovers trope, but found the main character hard to like. I did enjoy the humor in the book though.

A fun read, really funny and had a great plot line. The characters were very well developed and they kept the story moving at a great pace.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

I chose not to finish this book at 40% because the characterization was bad, and the writing and plot dragged. The author kept telling me the characters were South African, but British and American slang were thrown around everywhere. The main female MC constantly told the male MC what he thought about her. There's only so many times you can read "I like you"--"no you don't."

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

Such a fun summer read right before summer ends! I really enjoyed Margaret and Jagger's story, their chemistry throughout the book was *chefs kiss*. Their dynamic just worked so well together. Something about a man falling first will always have me hooked! Sometimes Margaret was unbelievably oblivious.. LIKE COME ON MARGARET!!!!! But it was still very good! 😂

If you love all things office romance, rivals to lovers, forced proximity and/or one bed tropes, you should definitely check this book out!

What Happens on Vacation: ★★★★☆ (4)

Pub date: October 24 - PREORDER YOURS NOW!

"What Happens on Vacation" is a romance written by Jo Watson.

The story follows Margaret, a passionate journalist, who writes important stories about the impact of government decisions on day-to-day lives for a respected newspaper in Johannesburg. There's only one problem: her co-worker, Jagger Villain. A man who spends his days writing trivial pieces on completely superficial and empty topics. To make matters worse, they share a cubicle and a desk, and every day he finds new ways to drive her to distraction. Margaret definitely needs a vacation! Thankfully, the upcoming company quiz night has the perfect first prize: a luxury trip to a resort in Zanzibar. It would be the perfect escape for Margaret and her mother after a particularly difficult year. Margaret has never met a quiz night she can't win, but then she's never competed against Jagger. That's when the unthinkable happens: they tie and both win the Zanzibar vacation. And things only get worse when Jagger shows up with his father, who ends up bonding with his mother. Margaret thus finds herself forced to spend the vacation with Jagger, and slowly the two begin to grow closer, leading to unexpected developments.

I loved this romance! Sizzling, funny and hilarious, it kept me entertained so much! I laughed out loud, smiled repeatedly, and yes, I confess I even got emotional at certain moments.

I loved the writing! Funny, humorous, light and bubbly, characterized by a fast pace and short chapters, it kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end. I finished it in less than a day, gosh, without almost realizing it! The brilliant and efficient dialogues absorbed me completely, as did the tantalizing dynamics. The sexual tension is kind of mind blowing and made me melt repeatedly! However, there is no shortage of serious and intense moments, so much so that I even shed a few tears.

The plot proceeds fast, brisk and simple, without moments of boredom or heaviness. The interactions between Margaret and Jagger are too funny, so much so that I found myself rolling with laughter! Their dynamic in the office first, with constant bickering and teasing, and the shared vacation in Zanzibar later, where things slowly start to change and get hot, won me over! Between sizzling banter, various setbacks and decidedly absurd and awkward moments this book, for a few hours, gave me a lot of mirth and lightheartedness. However, as mentioned above, the story also deals with important themes such as loss, grief, and cancer in a way that I found quite touching. I did not expect to be moved, but it happened! Also, Zanzibar is a beautiful setting and I was fascinated by its descriptions.

I really liked Margaret, protagonist with her single first person pov! Margaret is a journalist in Johannesburg, who writes for a respected newspaper and loves her job. Determined, serious and organized, she is a control freak. She detests surprises of any kind, improvisation, setbacks and chaos. Beneath the cranky appearance and behind the biting irony, Margaret is a person full of fragility and pain. Recently divorced, the loss of her beloved father has broken her deeply. Margaret tries to hold on, to get by with her life. She cannot stand crying in front of people, showing her vulnerabilities, for fear of being hurt. She is a very anxious woman who is often overwhelmed by worry. She is a character that I adored, whom I became fond of. I was moved by what she went through, by her relationship with her late father. Also, she is a plus-sized woman, and I enjoyed that aspect so much!

Jagger, on the other hand, is a journalist who has been working for six months at the same newspaper as Margaret, writing about lighter topics. Charming, cheeky and disorganized, he represents the opposite of Margaret. Apparently cocky and superficial, he is actually a very observant and caring person. Jagger won me over from the start and turned me into a jelly!

The relationship between Margaret and Jagger was mind blowing! An enemies to lovers with forced proximity and slow burn really sizzling, full of chemistry and sexual tension. Margaret is forced to share the same cubicle with Jagger, the same desk, day after day, amid constant bickering, teasing and disturbances. Margaret needs a break, some relaxation, and the company quiz night, with a trip to Zanzibar as a prize, is the perfect solution! She has always won and yet, unbelievable but true, Jagger takes part in the quiz and ends in a tie! Which, to Margaret's dismay, results in a vacation to Zanzibar together. Margaret brings her mother, Jagger brings his father, and, absurdly, their parents end up flirting and falling in love. This and a series of unfortunate mishaps force Margaret to have to hang out with Jagger for the duration of their stay. Initially she tries to ignore him, however, slowly things begin to change. I madly loved the romance! Margaret and Jagger spark from the get-go, their banter exchanges are great, and their interactions had me on the edge of my seat. Also, I loved the spicy!

All in all, this is a funny and light romance that I definitely recommend to lovers of the genre!

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book . A fun summer getaway read. I lol’d many times and it kept me entertained. The FMC has issues and some things she did was cringe…..but the steamy chemistry between these two was undeniable.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

I really struggled with what to rate this. I liked it but there were also several parts that annoyed me.
I found the FMC extremely annoying at times. Well, most of the time tbh. She acted like a teenager as opposed to a 32 year old.
This was one book I would have loved to have a dual POV. The secondary MC was my favourite and I would have liked to read from his perspective.
It was definitely a slow burn, kind of too slow in my opinion. It kind of dragged.
I really liked the setting. The main characters were on vacation and it really made you feel like you were there too.
I also liked how they included some deeper themes such as loss.
Overall, it was a good book. I'm just not sure I would pick it up again

Margaret loves being a journalist. And she works hard, in a very organized and put-together way. She's tired of her mom. And her outgoing best friend. She's most tired of her desk mate coworker who seems to be her polar opposite (messy, smarmy, and not about to put in the hard work.

In true enemies-to-lovers style, they both end up on vacation.

And somehow, they end up not hating each other. Maybe they bonded over having bad prom experiences. Maybe it was the tropical island vibes. But Margaret finds out that being yourself around someone can be the best thing.

And then, well, mom's getting remarried. Margaret is getting a step-family. Guess who..

An incredibly fun and fast paced read for summer. The release of it being in the fall throws me off a bit but overall I liked how we got straight to the point from page 1. Some people complained it was a bit crass, I thought at times it went towards the annoying side but honestly I ignored it because it wasn’t out of character for the story. I liked how much time was spent to building all of it up, it gives more depth to the book. Overall I liked it and was a cute fun read!

A workplace enemies to lovers slow burn tangled up with managing grief divorce loss anxiety and family dynamics. The setting was beautifully set, leading me to add Zambia to my list of vacation spots for its picturesque scenery, sunsets, and overall feeling of vacation magic. I really felt the transported to the resort with the characters.

" What happens on vacation, doesn't alwasy stay on vacation"
First I want to say how much I loved that the MC was a plus size curvy gal. That made this book so much more relatable to me. As a plus size girl myself, I love reading about plus size romance. Jo Watson hit it out of the park on this one. There was so much sexual tension building between Margaret and Jagger, I just wanted to scream! I feel like it was tastefully done and I may have even shed a tear thinking about how much Margaret loved her dad and didn't want her mom to forget about him. Such a great story and great writing. I received this from NetGalley in return for my honest review.

This a funny, witty coworker-enemies to lovers romance that is entertaining from beginning to end.

Margaret is a series journalist who loves her job and is forced to share a cubicle desk with her coworker Jagger Villian, which she believes is never serious and doesn’t write about anything “important.” After a rough year of losing her father and getting divorced, she needs a vacation more than anything. Each year, her office hosts a quiz night and this year’s prize is a deluxe trip for two to Zanzibar, which will be perfect for her mother and her. Margaret is very good at quiz night and has won the past few years, but Jagger shows up and they end up with a tie.

After some negotiations, Jagger gets the flights and amenities downgraded to ensure each of them can bring a guest on this trip. Margaret is surprised to find out Jagger brings his dad and…wait a minute, are their parents hitting it off? Now she is on a vacation where everything they do is with the Villians.

The funny banter between Margaret and Jagger is laugh out loud at times and the lovely vacay location makes for a perfect summer read…even better if you are on vacation too.

A special thanks to NetGalley and W by Wattpad Books for ARC of the book.

I DNF'd this book about 30% of the way in.
It was not for me, I have loved other Jo Watson books but this one was a little too much in the crass department for my tastes.

Book Review! ☀️
Rating: 3/5 ⭐️
Three out of five is a good rating and I would recommend this book to people who enjoy
- he falls first
- Enemies to lovers
- Tropical paradise settings
Things that could have made it better for me:
- I felt like the summary of the book gives most of the plot away, go in blind. You’ll have fun.
- I didn’t like the mom character. I knew what she was meant to represent I just couldn’t jive with her and her decisions.
- I felt like he was wayyy too good for her. I was wanting better for him with her indecision and stubborn personality.

I love a work place romance with enemies to lovers, an this one 100% fit the bill. Loved the vacation setting as well.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this one! It was a fun summer read! Margaret and Jagger work together as writers and have been sharing a desk for the last 6 months! They tie at the office quiz game and win trip. It was definitely a predictable enemies to lovers story line, but I enjoyed the ride! Some deeper moments in there with both main characters processing a death of a parent and also divorce. Overall, it was a good read!

Title: A Delightful Escape into Romance and Humor!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"What Happens On Vacation" by Jo Watson is an absolute gem that captivated me from start to finish. This book expertly weaves together the magic of a slow burn romance, the charm of forced proximity, the irresistible humor, the empowering portrayal of a plus-size female main character, and the breathtaking backdrop of Zanzibar's lush setting.

From the moment I opened the pages, I was hooked by the palpable chemistry between the characters. The slow burn relationship is exquisitely crafted, allowing emotions to simmer and develop naturally. The tension builds at a perfect pace, leaving me yearning for every stolen glance and heartfelt moment.

Forced proximity is a trope that can either make or break a story, and in this case, it's an absolute triumph. The characters find themselves in hilarious and awkward situations, fostering an environment that's ripe for both comedic relief and heartfelt revelations. Each encounter felt genuine and added depth to their connection.

Humor is the heartbeat of this novel. Watson's witty writing style had me laughing out loud, making the characters feel like old friends sharing inside jokes. The comedic timing is spot on, infusing the story with a lightheartedness that perfectly complements the emotional journey.

One of the standout aspects is the portrayal of the plus-size female main character. It's a refreshing departure from the conventional norms of romance novels. The character's journey towards self-acceptance and empowerment is inspiring and relatable, proving that love comes in all shapes and sizes.

And then there's the setting – Zanzibar. Watson's vivid descriptions transported me to the enchanting island paradise. The lush landscapes, vibrant culture, and sensory details made me feel as though I was right there, savoring every moment alongside the characters.

In "What Happens On Vacation," Jo Watson has masterfully crafted a tale that celebrates the beauty of love's evolution, the power of laughter, and the importance of embracing oneself. This book is a joyful escape that lingers in the heart long after the last page. If you're searching for a five-star read that checks all the boxes – slow burn romance, forced proximity, humor, body positivity, and an exotic setting – look no further. This is a must-read for any romance enthusiast and a true testament to Jo Watson's storytelling prowess.

This enemies to lovers in the workplace story is so much more than your typical romcom. Does everyone love enemies to lovers? Yes. Is the banter great? Yes. Did it have me smiling ear to ear and laughing out loud at times? Also, yes.

But this story goes beyond the typical plot of enemies to lovers and touches on some topics you don’t see as often as others.

With a South African setting, Margaret, a plus-size female MC, is forced to take a holiday with her workplace enemy- all while trying to navigate her feelings of grief. Margaret is recently divorced, lost her father, and struggling with her anxiety and identity. This story takes you on a journey of a woman who is rediscovering herself and finding out that she might just be worthy of love after all.

After tying for an all expense paid luxury beach vacation at quiz night, work rivals Margaret and Jagger embark on a shared trip where their enemy status falls into question. 😎

This was a totally average read for me, mainly because I didn’t love our FMC. I’m never a fan of the “anal retentive female”, and it’s in full force here…spelling out the word sex, knowing and freaking out when someone moves her things, etc. 🙄 On top of that, there’s no reason she hates our MMC (literally no reason…she just didn’t like him when he started the job) and she’s a complete jerk to him for 75% of the book, which I thought went on too long and it made it hard to understand why anyone would even be interested in her. I’m not sorry I read it, but it certainly won’t stand out in a crowd for me. (And could the character name Jagger Villian be any worse!? 😂)

My thanks to NetGalley and Wattpad Webtoon Book Group for a complimentary advance copy of this eBook, out 10/24/2023.