This one is pure post-breakup chaos in paradise. Grace gets dumped and decides to still go on the vacation she planned—with her ex, who also brought his *new* girlfriend. (Yes, really.) Her friends are trying to keep her sane, but Grace? She’s got tequila and a plan to win her ex back. Naturally, a hot soccer player named Daniel shows up to complicate things—in the best way.

Grace is messy, dramatic, and kind of unhinged at times… but also painfully relatable if you’ve ever gone through a bad breakup and made some bold, questionable choices. It’s wild, it’s fun, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously.

This book was written for you if:
1. You love a vacation rom-com with a little chaos and a lot of heart.
2. You’ve ever made a not-great decision in the name of heartbreak.
3. You’re in the mood for sun, drama, and a rebound with serious potential.

I loved parts of this but not as a whole. The main character was just downright dislikable. I had high hopes for this book, and I did like the plot but the main character just made it less likable.

This book follows Grace, a heartbroken young woman reeling from a breakup with her boyfriend Josh after a six-month relationship. While the setup promises a classic rebound or self-discovery arc, what unfolds is a bit more polarizing.

To put it plainly, Grace is a tough character to root for. She's not just flawed—she's outright infuriating at times. Her behavior is mean-spirited, and she says things that would get someone canceled instantly in the real world. She treats her friends poorly, showing little loyalty or kindness, which makes it hard to empathize with her or stay invested in her journey. She's not just "not a girl's girl"—she actively undercuts the women around her, which feels especially grating in a genre that often thrives on female friendships and growth.

That said, one of the book’s saving graces (pun intended) is the spice factor. The romance scenes are steamy and engaging, offering moments of fun and escapism. Still, the book could’ve benefitted from less “mean girl” energy and more time dedicated to building genuine relationships—particularly with Grace’s friends. A deeper focus on character growth and friendship would have added much-needed heart to the story.

In the end, this one had potential, but the main character's abrasive nature overshadowed the parts that could have made it a fun, feel-good read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of The Breakup Vacation by Anna Gracia in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I absolutely loved the cover and description so I was SO excited to read this. I loved the cover more than I loved the book. It was just OK - not one of my favorites but cute read.

The most okayest of books. The main character was kind of annoying, but also felt like she was supposed to be for the plot. The friends were kind of forgettable. The plot was kind of bumpy, but never had a significant lull. It also never had a significant peak. I never wanted to DNF, but also spent a lot of time not reading or thinking about it (it took me a while to finish).

I don’t have any strong criticisms, but I also don’t have much praise. It just… was.

I think this book feels like a debut in a lot of ways. No clear voice, leaning too hard into some tropes, a lot of telling vs showing character traits, etc. I think there’s a lot of potential for a fun rom com from this author in the future, but this just wasn’t on par with some of the recent more popular novels in this genre that I’ve been reading lately.

1.5-2 ⭐️

I so badly wanted to like this, and ok I didn’t hate it enough to DNF but it did fall flat for me. The premise of the book sounded great and the cover even sold me on it but it was not what I was expecting.

Grace was just broken up with and was beyond obsessed with her ex Josh that she conned her best friends to take a “girls trip” to Cancun to get over her breakup except…this trip was really to help her win Josh back. Grace was mortified of losing Josh for good that she was blinded by it and her goal / main priority was getting him back even though she compromised herself and she risked losing her friends in the process. The character development also fell flat for me, sure I know Grace and her friends were on vacation but they spent 98% of their time drunk / drinking and the relationships were very one dimensional. But what gave me the most ick, was that we were more than 50% into the book and she was still hung up on Josh even though the vacation fling Daniel entered the chat at around 20%-25% into it. This would have been so much better if she came to her senses much faster and let herself fully experience the chemistry that she had with Daniel - because the times she did allow herself to be present with him they were adorable and the banter was great; could have been developed and explored so much more but she kept falling back into her obsession with Josh and it made me want to pull my hair out. I just think it took her way too long to realize she deserved better and it took things blowing up in her face for her to get there.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schusters Children Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first time reading Anna Gracia, and I must say that when I first met the protagonist and her flat best friends, who seemed more like clichés than actual people, my expectations were completely dashed.

The plot centers on a devastated Grace, who acts like a spoiled child having a fit after splitting from Josh. She manipulates her friends and even follows him to Cancun. There was not much depth added by her best friends, Camille (a stereotypical French girl) and Tiff (rich but uninteresting). It was difficult to invest in the romance, which I felt was not very strong, because even Daniel, the ostensibly endearing Hawaiian soccer player, lacked distinguishing characteristics.

The Cancun setting had potential, but instead of capturing its beauty, the book felt like a never-ending tequila ad. Grace’s unnecessary girl-on-girl hate, especially toward Caity, added to the frustration. I kept hoping for character growth, but by the end, Grace remained just as unlikable.

Overall, this book didn’t live up to my expectations. With any luck, the her next books will have more interesting plots and better character development.

This was absolutely not for me, the main character was so dislikable there was no coming back from redeeming that and honestly it’s such a disappointment.

A delightful romantic comedy full of heart and humor. The dynamic between the main characters is both fun and relatable, making it a perfect escape for those in need of a feel-good read. Slightly predictable, but still a charming story.

DNF'd- this just wasn't for me. thanks netgalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest reivew.

I had high hopes for this book based on the cover and synopsis, but it fell flat for me. The FMC was infuriating - pining over her ex who everyone knows is awful, constantly drunk, and lying to her best friends over and over again. I get that it was a spring break/vacation, but the 3 were CONSTANTLY drunk and being annoying. I was not a fan of this one unfortunately.

I have picked this book up and put it down so many times. I really loved the premise of this book, but somehow it just kept falling short in my opinion. I can't tell if it is because there wasn't enough depth to the characters, if there wasn't enough depth to the story. The thought was there. I was here for it. Somehow I just kept waiting to be sucked in and it never happened. That being said, this wasn't a terrible book. Not a difficult book to read by any means. It just didn't satisfy my palate so to speak.

Unfortunately, The Breakup Vacation by Anna Garcia did not live up to expectations for me. Despite the premise of a fun, feel-good breakup getaway, the book turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. The story is centered around three friends, each dealing with their own personal struggles, but instead of a meaningful exploration of relationships and self-discovery, the focus seemed to be more on drinking, sex, and shallow character dynamics.

One of the most glaring issues with the book was the portrayal of the friendship between the three main characters. Their interactions felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to believe they were truly friends. The characters themselves were hard to connect with, and the dynamics between them felt toxic and unrealistic. It was difficult to understand why they would want to spend time together given how poorly they treated each other.

While the book tries to address important topics like racism and sexism, the execution fell short. The "love" interest, who was primarily concerned with sex, was somehow portrayed as a perfect man simply because he respected the protagonist’s boundaries. However, this didn’t feel like enough to elevate the relationship, and I never felt any real emotional connection between the characters.

To be honest, I should have stopped reading earlier, but I kept hoping it would improve. Unfortunately, the story only got worse and left me unsatisfied by the end. If you're considering reading this, my advice would be to skip it—there are better books out there that handle similar themes in a more meaningful and entertaining way.

**Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

I had high hopes for this plot line, but unfortunately, I had to DNF The Breakup Vacation. I couldn't connect with the characters, and ultimately decided this novel just wasn't for me.

Listen, we've all been 20 something and stayed with the wrong person because it was convenient. I loved Grace, I loved her friends. I love that the writer portrayed her like a true 20 something girl, unhinged at times and maybe saying things she shouldn't. But that's life in your 20's! I really enjoyed the pace of this book.

Thank you to @netgalley and @simonandschuster for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

"The Breakup Vacation" follows Grace, whose carefully planned trip to Los Angeles with her boyfriend, Josh, is abruptly derailed by an unexpected breakup. Seeking solace and distraction, Grace embarks on a beach vacation to Cancun with her friends, Tiff and Camille. However, her attempts to move on are complicated by the unexpected presence of Josh and his new girlfriend.

While the premise offers potential for a fun and engaging romantic comedy, the execution falls short in several areas. The characters, particularly Grace, often lack depth and exhibit immature behavior, including manipulative actions towards her friends. The supporting characters, Tiff and Camille, also feel somewhat stereotypical, lacking the nuanced personalities that would make them truly memorable.

The setting of Cancun, which could have added a vibrant and immersive backdrop to the story, is unfortunately underutilized. Sparse descriptions of the locale limit the reader's ability to truly experience the atmosphere and ambiance of the destination.

The developing romance between Grace and Daniel, a charming soccer player from Hawaii, feels rushed and lacks the emotional depth necessary for genuine believability.

Despite these shortcomings, "The Breakup Vacation" offers moments of humor and light-heartedness that can be enjoyable for readers seeking a quick and easy read. However, those seeking a more nuanced and character-driven story may find themselves disappointed.

⭐⭐⭐

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #simonandschuster #thebreakupvacation #annagarcia

The Breakup Vacation, written by Anna Gracia, is a story about what happens after a relationship is over. This one has with a lot of potential, but couldn't get past fome of the decision-making skills of some of the characters. Thanks so much for the copy of this one!

The Breakup Vacation was a fun quick read! There was great representation in the novel, which I wish was reflected more on the cover. The main character is a very relatable woman, looking for love and acceptance in the wrong places.

The Breakup Vacation by Anna Gracia is a story about what happens after the relationship. It's a book with a lot of potential, but some of the character decision-making left a bit to be desired. Still, I'll look to read more from this author.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.