How to Slay on Holiday- Sarah Bonner
Even the dedication to this book is wonderfully dark and twisty.
Chloe hates her husband. And in her defence he, and his family, do not come across as the most likeable bunch right from the start.
Chloe has had enough and has set a plan in motion to kill her husband.
Her plan is slowly drip fed to us chapter by chapter as we get to know her story and their story and the real reason she wants him dead.
I was intrigued right from the start with this one. Soooo much I wanted to, needed to know. There's a hint of dark humour woven throughout that I loved.
I love Tori as a character, smart, observant underestimated and devious. It's in Tori's sections that we get real insights into the various characters and the back stories are fleshed out a bit more.
The twists and turns throughout the book kept me guessing. When you think you have it figured out, you haven't. Will she get away with murder or will it all blow up in her face?
Flew through this book in a day. A brilliant way to spend a storm day. So many plot twists and turns. Well written with oodles of suspense and intrigue and an ending I didn't see coming.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was another fun read by Bonner. She does great female leads that you love/hate and make you laugh but annoy you in equal measures. In this one you have Chloe, Tori and Grace who give their POV on different days.
With two drug lord families joined by marriage enjoying a family holiday to show a loved up husband and wife before she has him bumped off it's definitely not a believable storyline but great fun and I enjoyed their crazy world. I felt like the ending was a bit rushed and not quite as good as the rest, hence the four stars, but still an fast, funny, dark read.

Darkly Humorous..
Extravagant holiday means an alibi for murder most foul in this pacy and darkly humorous romp. Chloe has been busy making plans - to murder her husband Scott. Best laid plans frequently go awry, however, and chaos may well ensue as the extended family holiday in a luxury Greek villa that Chloe has spent much time planning gets underway. Can her real intent remain hidden? And what of those extra annoyances that might get in her way? Fun and frothy with much dark humour underlining some more serious issues.

DO NOT START THIS UNTIL YOU CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULES AS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN!!!!… I absolutely LOVED…

I really struggled to rate this book as I’ve got such mixed opinions.

If I was rating based on the pace and whether it had me gripped then I would’ve definitely given 4+ stars. It had me hooked from the moment I picked it up! It was fast paced, easy to get into and super short chapters which is always a win. Sarah Bonner’s writing is fab.

However, there were moments that felt a little repetitive and unnecessary. The twist was good but the ending felt rushed and as though it was missing a chapter or two to clear things up.

Overall I’d say it’s worth a read & is a great holiday book. If I could give an extra half a star, I would!

Very average thriller that probably would make a nice holiday read for some, considering the title. The absurdity of the world portrayed in "How to Slay on Holiday" was a little too much for me, although probably it might have been done on purpose. However, there is a thin line between purposeful absurd and simple insensitivity to certain subjects matters. If this was a purposeful exaggeration it simply wasn't executed well, considering it's still unclear to me.

I would even fantasise that, despite a silly title, the author wanted to include some seriousness in the plot, such as spousal abuse and the warpiness of memory around traumatic events.

Crime novels by design are formulaic and truly it doesn't mean much that I correctly pointed the "who" i "whodunnit" almost immediately. But to slay at formulaic genres requires a bit more literary finesse.

The novel was easy to read and enjoyable enough. But there were so many plot holes and I felt the book ended a bit abruptly.

**5-Star Review for *How to Slay on Holiday* by Sarah Bonner**

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*How to Slay on Holiday* by Sarah Bonner is a delightful, witty, and utterly charming read that had me hooked from the very first page! This novel perfectly blends humor, romance, and a touch of mystery, making it the ideal getaway read for anyone looking to escape into a world of fun, adventure, and self-discovery.

Bonner’s writing is sharp and engaging, with a tone that strikes the perfect balance between lightheartedness and depth. The protagonist, with her quirky personality and relatable struggles, is a joy to follow as she navigates the ups and downs of a holiday that’s anything but ordinary. The setting—a picturesque holiday destination—is beautifully described, drawing you in and making you feel like you’re right there alongside the characters, soaking up the sun and the drama.

The plot is full of surprises and delightful twists. What I particularly enjoyed was how Bonner incorporated elements of suspense and mystery into what could have been a straightforward rom-com, keeping the narrative fresh and unpredictable. The humor is spot-on, with witty dialogue and laugh-out-loud moments, but the novel also takes the time to explore deeper themes of personal growth, relationships, and finding one’s own path in life.

The characters are well-developed and genuinely likable, with great chemistry and interactions that kept me engaged. There are moments of romance, but it’s the friendships and self-reflection that really give this book its heart. The book strikes a perfect balance between escapism and emotional depth, making it more than just a light read—it’s a rewarding one.

*How to Slay on Holiday* is a joyful, heartwarming, and refreshingly fun novel that I highly recommend. Sarah Bonner has created a perfect holiday escape for readers who are looking for a book that combines laughter, romance, and a little mystery with an unforgettable setting. A perfect 5-star read!

How to Slay on Holiday by Sarah Bonner is pure chaotic fun—a darkly entertaining thriller with a wicked sense of humour and twists that hit you out of nowhere. This isn’t about literary prose or award-winning writing (and who needs that for a murder-filled holiday, anyway?). It’s about a story so compulsively entertaining, you’ll devour it faster than a plate of baklava.

Set against the glamorous backdrop of Mykonos, Chloe’s meticulously planned getaway to craft the perfect alibi spirals hilariously and dangerously out of control. Bonner nails the high stakes and the absurdity of a holiday gone horribly wrong. The writing is punchy, fast-paced, and full of sharp humour. It’s not trying to be highbrow—it’s all about keeping you flipping pages late into the night.

Chloe is a wonderfully messy protagonist, balancing relatable frustrations with razor-sharp cunning. The multiple POVs were a great touch, constantly making me second-guess what was really happening. And that epilogue? Absolutely killer (pun intended).

If you love a “vacation-gone-wrong” thriller with twists, drama, and a good dose of dark humour, this one’s for you. A huge thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the early copy—mark your calendars for February 27th because How to Slay on Holiday is the perfect escapist read for 2025!

I requested this arc from NetGalley as it sounded like a similar premise to How to Kill Your Family, which was one of my favourite reads of 2023 (I was late to the party as per)

For me, unfortunately this book lacked substance - it was entertaining enough in parts, but the plot kept getting more and more unbelievable as it went along and there were too many ‘coincidences’ that had me rolling my eyes.

Also there was a major plot point NEVER explained which winds me right up!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my advance copy.

I love a good murder mystery and this one had SO many unexpected twists and turns. If you think you’re going to be five or ten steps ahead of the author, you absolutely are not. She’s gunna hit you with so many events you don’t see coming!

I really enjoyed Bonner’s writing style which made this an easy & quick read. Sadly, this one fell short for me. This was a character-driven book and I disliked so many of the characters. They’re rich, spoiled, entitled, ungrateful, and I couldn’t relate to any of them.


How to Slay on Holiday
Sarah Bonner
Pub Date: 27 February 2025

Fun beach read that does not take itself too seriously. Perfect for a day by the pool

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

This is one hell of a ride.

Everything that could go wrong, does. I really appreciate the detail of how much planning Chloe goes to, only to find out killing Scott is not quite going to go as she planned.

The location and atmosphere in this book will transport you directly to Mykonos and I would love to have read this on a beach.

Expect funny, impossible suspense and a great ending.

So, I just finished "How to Slay on Holiday" by Sarah Bonner, and I’ve got to say—this book was a WILD ride. Imagine booking a luxury villa in Mykonos with your extended family, pretending to play the perfect wife, all while secretly plotting your husband’s murder. Yeah, that’s the kind of rollercoaster you’re in for with this darkly comedic thriller.

Chloe, the soon-to-be widow, is equal parts clever and morally questionable. She’s planned every detail of her husband Scott’s “accidental” demise but didn’t count on meddling family members, nosy staff, and secrets bubbling up like ouzo at a taverna. One of the things I loved most about this book is how Bonner balances sharp humor with genuine suspense. The multiple POVs—Chloe, her sister-in-law Tori, and the ever-watchful villa concierge Grace—add layers of intrigue and keep you guessing about who’s really in control. Are the characters a bit over-the-top? Sure. But that’s part of the charm! They’re all delightfully dramatic in a way that feels perfect for a sun-soaked thriller.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

How to Slay on Holiday is a fun, quick, and easy read. The use of three POVs helps the story move along at a pace and also allows the reader to learn things that not all of the characters know.

There are secrets aplenty between the two families on holiday and also between all of the characters. At times, I wondered how on earth it could ever be resolved but resolved it was.

A really fun read, sharp and snappy.

I am a Sarah Bonner fangirl and this book was just *chefs kiss*

I flew through this, the storyline is super easy to follow, the language isnt majorly difficult to read, it reads really well and I read this whole thing in 3 hours so it has the 'unputdownable' factor.

If you are looking for a quick easy read, this is the one.

Dont think it is a summer read only because of the title!

Loved this book! It has the magic combination of multiple pov and short chapters that keep everything snappy and totally engaging. I really enjoyed the story and found the plot intriguing if a little far fetched! Altogether a very entertaining read.

I LOVED this book from the very first chapter! The first person , multiple POVs have you feeling like you are right there in the story inside the Villa with the Coopers and Wilson’s! The whole time reading I just kept telling myself, “one more chapter, just one more!”

The story was so intricately woven together and will have you guessing until the very end! If you love thrillers that will have you on your toes the entire time then this is for you!

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood publishers for my ARC copy!

I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this book. From the short chapters (always a plus) and addictive writing style to the surprisingly brilliant characters, I was hooked from the very beginning. Each day followed chapters in a different characters POV alternating between 3, which changed my opinion on what I thought really happened each time. The short chapters kept me flying through the book, as I constantly told myself “Just one more chapter” over and over again. The last half of the book had me questioning everything constantly and the epilogue blew my mind! I highly recommend this book and wish I could go back and read it for the first time again. While I thoroughly enjoyed this in the middle of winter, this would be THE perfect summer read!

The biggest thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!

Love the style of writing, totally draws the reader in from the start.
Told from different characters viewpoints but totally mesh together and move the story forward.
This is the second book I have read by Sarah and she has been added to my list of authors to look out for.
A big family holiday with obnoxious male characters of differing generations.
Already committed to having her husband killed on return Chloe is trying to project an Ideal marriage to both sides of the family. It does not go to plan.
Enjoy I did