What I Did On My Holidays: the perfect escapist read for the holiday season!

by Chrissie Manby

Sophie Sturgeon can't wait for her annual summer holiday. Not only will it be a week away from work, it will be a chance to reconnect with her boyfriend Callum.

'Manby's novels are made for holidays - light enough to pick up and put down, but entertaining enough to keep you happy by the pool.' - Glamour

So this upcoming trip to Majorca is a big deal. Sophie's spent a lot of time getting ready. She's bought a new wardrobe. She's been waxed to within an inch of her life. She's determined she and Callum will have the best time ever.

Then Callum dumps her, the night before they're due to leave. In a show of bravery, Sophie says she'll go to Majorca alone - but in fact, she hides in her London flat. But when her friends, family, and even Callum seem so surprised and delighted at her independence, Sophie decides to go all out and recreate the ultimate 'fake break' . . . with hilarious results.

'Smart and entertaining, beach reading doesn't get much better than this!' **** - Closer

• ISBN10: 0340992832
• ISBN13: 9780340992838
• Publish Date: 21 June 2012
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
• Imprint: Hodder Paperback
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 320
• Language: English

Reviews

[Leah]

Chrissie Manby is one of my favourite authors. For many years now, her books have been must-reads for me and she’s definitely a Chick Lit legend. She knows what she’s talking about, she knows how to make me laugh and her books are just plain magnificent. Her latest What I Did on My Holidays has been a couple of years in the making, having been delayed in favour of Royal-Wedding-inspired (and awesome!) Kate’s Wedding. But it’s finally here! And, I will admit, I have mixed feelings on the novel.

First up, it’s an awesome concept. Like awesome. Why the hell hasn’t anyone written about a fake holiday before? It’s genius. That pretty much sums up Manby. She’s a plot genius. All of her novels seem to have something about them that no other author has ever thought of before, even if it seems like the most obvious thing in the world. Like why wouldn’t you stay in your house for a fortnight instead of going to Majorca after being dumped by your supposedly lovely boyfriend? I know, right? Concept wise it’s just ridiculously good. However. Yes, there’s a however. HOWEVER. The novel never seems to get itself out of first gear. It never really seems to jump on the fact that, HELLO!, Sophie is at home. There’s a bit on the back cover about her re-creating the ultimate fake break. But it’s not that ultimate. In fact it’s not ultimate at all. And that was my problem. I wanted it to be the funniest fake break ever but the trouble is Sophie never really gets on board with her sister Clare’s idea of creating an awesome fake break. She’s always questioning it. Which is fine. But it’s not what you really want is it?

Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy What I Did on My Holidays. It had it’s brilliant moments, but the fake holiday just wasn’t what I expected it to be. It wasn’t a genuinely funny book like Manby is known for. So I did feel a little disappointed. Which is a shame. I love Manby’s books. Love them. But What I Did On My Holidays didn’t do it for me as well as Kate’s Wedding did. It’s a nice read, and there were times I could barely put it down (the beach scene, in particular is brilliant). Rest assured, I WILL be eagerly awaiting Manby’s next one I just thought What I Did On My Holidays wasn’t everything it could be, and that was a shame.