Lucy Diamond’s books are always great escapism, and An Almost Perfect Holiday is no exception, though I’d suggest the holiday in question is rather far from perfect. Just as well, as an actual almost perfect holiday would make quite dull reading.

The story focuses on the occupants of three Cornwall holiday cottages surrounding a pool, and the owners of the cottages, Lorna and Roy. Em is on holiday with her two teenage children, new boyfriend, and his young daughter. Maggie is hoping to improve her relationship with her own teenage daughter. The third holidaymaker, Olivia, isn’t really on holiday at all - she has connections with Lorna and Roy, and there are issues to be resolved both between them and in her life at home.

An enjoyable, light holiday read.

lucy diamond has done it again , a great read .set in cornwall it follows three different famillies each with their own drama .kept me turning the pages right up to the end .

This book really took me by surprise. I must confess I didn't quite 'get' into the story at the beginning and I was well into one third of the book when, suddenly, everything I had read previously started to make sense. By then I was amazed by the way the story slowly unfolds and the characters' motivations are revealed as the past is revisited. Add a few twists and turns, the right amount of suspense and a moving, tear-inducing epilogue and you have yet another beautiful, heart-warming novel by one of my favourite authors. 4.5 stars and definitely a recommended read.
I received an early digital copy of this book from NetGalley prior to publication, with many thanks to NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and the author.
#AnAlmostPerfectHoliday #NetGalley

This is the story of three different women – Emma, Maggie and Olivia. They don’t know each other, but all end up at the same holiday cottage complex in Cornwall. Emma, having booked the holiday after a few glasses of wine, takes her two teenage children, her new boyfriend and his young daughter. Maggie has booked a holiday away with her teenage daughter, and Olivia ends up there after running away from her husband and two young children after a ‘mini-breakdown’. Things don’t go well for any of them throughout the holiday and all for different reasons, but these things bring these women together by the end of the two weeks.

I’ve read many books by this author and have enjoyed them all! This book was definitely a little bit of early escapism into the summer sun, sea and sands of Cornwall! An almost perfect holiday describes the situation perfectly as things don’t go well for the three ladies. I love their characters and how, despite all the life troubles they are going through, they remain strong, refined women!! For Emma and Maggie, a lot of their problems stem from their teenage children, ex-husbands and new boyfriends, which I’m sure a lot of us can relate to!! Olivia has a different reason for being at the holiday cottage, and you get to find out more of her story as the book moves on.

The book had me hooked from the first page and before long you begin to feel like you know these women really well, just like old friends. The author has a definite knack of writing stories which feel so realistic and this book is exactly that. The situations that these three women find themselves in are heart-warming, yet sad at times, and you just have your fingers crossed throughout the book that they all end up with their different happy endings. For me, Olivia’s story was particularly endearing and I didn’t expect the small twist as her story moved on.

This wasn’t a big “romancey” type book and there aren’t any big sex scenes like in other books of this genre, so it’s quite safe to give to your mum without her blushing! Of course, love is featured, as is families and friendships. There is definitely a strong theme running through the book of female friendships, having someone there to listen and that none of us are perfect!! Filled with light-hearted family dramas, this book will have you smiling at parts and teary at others. The beautiful setting made me want to pull up a sun lounger, grab a large cool glass of something and soak up the Cornish sun whilst reading this!! Would definitely recommend!

Another fantastic read from Lucy! I have loved all her previous books and this was no exception!
Three very different women em, Maggie and Olivia find themselves at the same holiday cottages in Cornwall, they all have their own problems and altered family dynamics but come together during the course of the holiday and provide female friendship, advice and solidarity.This book really highlights how important and powerful female friendships are and that we are all guilty of pushing ourselves too much sometimes and that no one is perfect or invincible and that by opening up to others we can all benefit from the love and advice that is freely available. Thank you net galley for this early read.