This is a dual timeline novel, set now (which is "after") and "before". In the before timeline we have Julian who is caring for his wife after she's been paralysed in a car accident. Now/After, he is on holiday with his second wife, Olivia.
I find it difficult to enjoy a book when I really don't like the main characters, and I really didn't like Julian, he has no redeeming features. I also wasn't a fan of Gabriel (although that's intentional from the authors pov, I can't imagine anyone would like him). There was potential for Olivia to be a decent enough character but she was never allowed to reach her potential, she was almost secondary to the narrative, a part of the setting rather than an actual person.
This is another example of a domestic thriller, which I never find thrilling. I always love the idea from the synopsis and then find that they fall short.

While the plot isn’t much alike, this one reminded me of The Flight Attendant as Julian like Cassandra, could not make a good decision to save their life and thus it makes it hard for me to like them. While it won’t make my top list of books, it was entertaining albeit a tad too slow. I love vacation books and Spain is on my bucket list. I just need a little more tension and pace in my thrillers. With a lot of potential, I would like to see what the author does next.

Blog tour stop

Well, The Perfect Holiday is definitely one for Summer 2022! It’s creepy, twisty, and frankly disturbing! I loved it!

Julian is the main character. The book flips to and fro to his previous life with his murdered first wife before he met Olivia. Julian was her carer before she was tragically murdered. He was also a carer to his father before that. Now he is seemingly “free” and living his best life with his rich wife Olivia.

On the beach one day in Mallorca he meets the mysterious young Gabriel. Before you know it everything begins to change and unravel.

While reading The Perfect Holiday nothing is what it seems. The story flows wonderfully, the characters are brilliant and the atmosphere is tense! I was drawn in and couldn’t put it down. It’s my first book by TJ Emerson and I can’t wait to read other!

The only thing perfect about this book was the fact that it ended,
Talk about a wet noodle of a book.
Julian the main character had zero personality, like zero.
His wife Olivia also was a blah, lounged around all day, NO chemistry between the two even though we have to read through very descriptive "encounters" between the two. GROSS
Gabirel is just nasty. He always referred to Julian as "Big guy" uhh it was so annoying.
The male on male action is just a big no in my book.
Every chapter was Julian would wake up go for a swim. Olivia goes for a walk. Gabriel sleeps in (recovering from a hangover usually) entices Julian to do illegal stuff--he acted like a 17 year old boy. They would go out for expensive dinners . We would have to relive Julian being such a great guy taking care of his previously deceased wife Helen.
I honestly wonder who approved this book. The plot was so boring. Nothing happened.
Ultimately I think TJ Emerson just wanted to write a bunch of male love scenes. So if thats your thing.....go for it.

I would like to thank Netgalley for this advanced copy of this book. I was not paid or enticed in anyway to give my review. Thank you to the publisher andTJ Emerson for the opportunity to give this honest review.

I was meant to read this book for the Blog Tour, but sadly felt that I had to pull out of the blog tour as I could not get into the story or care about the characters at this point in time. I lke to care about the main characters to the extent that what moves them, moves me.... if they are in tears, so am I, but that was not what I was getting out of this story.

The writing was not bad and I liked the synopsis, so perhaps at another time this book would be right for me.

The book begins with the prologue from the memoir of Julian Griggs and details how his wife Helen (42) was murdered at home in Edinburgh. The murder is still unsolved. He explains how his life changed ten years before, when they had a car accident. Helen was injured, with paralysis of her lower body and brain damage. Julian became her carer until her death.
The story then moves to the present day. It’s four years after Helen’s death. Julian is 49 and with wife Olivia Pearson on her 54th birthday at his wife’s gorgeous home, Villa Soledad in Mallorca.
The novel starts off quite slowly after the prologue, as it follows Julian and Olivia’s days in Mallorca, and we learn more about them. Then a young man called Gabriel turns up on the beach, who knows Julian from years ago.
The book is marketed as a thriller, but there is very little tension initially. In fact, it is quite slow-paced throughout. It’s like queuing up to go on a rollercoaster, only to find you’re on the galloping horses. You still enjoy the ride, but it’s not quite what you were expecting. It’s not a bad story at all, I did enjoy it and wanted to find out what happened, I just felt the pacing was off. There are also some quite graphic sex scenes.
7 out of 10

This book really sucks you in right form the start and maintains the ace all the way through. Great book. Will recommend to my friends and encourage them to read it. Loved it.

The Perfect Holiday is the first book that I have read by T.J. Emerson and it definitely won’t be the last. I loved the second half of the story because it was fast paced and exciting. I really enjoyed the twists and secrets that were revealed throughout the story because it kept me intrigued.

My favourite character was Olivia because I found her to be intriguing and there was something about her that made me think that I needed to keep an eye on her. I honestly hated Julian and Gabriel so much. I don’t know if the author meant to make me want to stab both characters in the face and push them off a cliff but bravo either way.

Oh boy what a freaking ending!!! I honestly have to say that I loved the way this book finished and I might or might not have had a little giggle (okay it was actually one of those evil muahaha laughs).

3.5★

The Perfect Holiday by T.J. Emerson is a psychological thriller about Olivia and Julian, who’s vacation goes wrong in quite the scary way!

I think the strongest aspect of this novel is the characters. Julian and Olivia are convincing and their lives feel realistic. When Gabriel enters the scene, the atmosphere shifts and it is very clear he is not what he seems.

The part I had a little trouble with was the pacing. I think there were moments that could have been cut to allow the story to move a little quicker. I did like the ending, though and the overall plot was compelling.

Overall, I enjoyed The Perfect Holiday. It’s an entertaining thriller set in a beautiful vacation spot. And it did make me think twice about going on vacation!

Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.

The Perfect Holiday by T.J. Emerson is a tense, convincing psychological thriller... an intense suspence, compellingly creepy and dark. The atmosphere of growing tension is pulsing with menace and hostility. The skilful narrative reveals that things are not always what they seem.
If you enjoy vacation-gone-downhill thrillers while lounging on the beach or by the pool, The Perfect Holiday is for you.

This book hooked me in from the start - you find yourself desperate to know what is going to happen next. Julian’s been a carer practically all his life, first for his angry father then after a tragedy, his first wife. He’s trapped, he’s unhappy, he’s broke. A chance meeting offers him an option - spoken in hushed whispers that could free him and allow him a chance at a new life of freedom.

Our actions have consequences. He finds himself in situations that are both intoxicating and awful. Being a weak man he is pulled along by the two characters fighting for his attention. Away in the summer home of his wife in Mallorca he plots his escape yet again. But maybe fate has different ideas. I really enjoyed this book and finished it in a day.

A thrilling read set in Spain. This book was totally addictive and I couldn’t put it down. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

An interesting mystery that begins with a heartbreaking event for our Main Character which opens up new opportunities and many new questions for the reader.

As the months go by, the past comes back around to interrupt the present. And the ending was very satisfying!

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for including me on the tour for this book!

The vividly rich picturesque location contrasts well with the darker goings on lurking beneath the surface. Emerson creates a multi-layered, slow burn thriller overflowing with betrayal and suspense.

The writing effectively switches between flash back chapters and the present day, gradually building up the bigger picture and giving us a glimpse into Julian’s life with Helen. I sped through the pages taking everything in and puzzling over what direction it would take us.

Julian reveals the story through his narrative and memoir chapters which show the struggles he’s been through, and I really felt for him. He was a child carer for his Dad with all the overwhelming responsibility that entails and inability to enjoy his childhood. He becomes a devoted carer for his Wife, Helen, after a serious car accident. He’s grieving for the loss of the Wife he loves, haunted by memories of how they used to be, and having to cope with this new reality thrust upon him. He feels despair, hopelessness and sheer exhaustion but Helen is his sole focus and he puts her needs first at a cost to his own. Tragedy strikes when Helen is killed, and the case remains unsolved.

Julian triumphs over tragedy and sets up a charitable organisation in Helen’s name to effect change and raise awareness for unpaid carers. He’s given a second chance at happiness when he meets his current Wife, Olivia, and we join them taking an idyllic, serene holiday that is much needed.

Gabriel bulldozes into their tranquil holiday getaway and surprising revelations come to light. He’s a free spirit living out of his rucksack and has no qualms in using or manipulating people for his own selfish gains.

The story explores the human condition and puts the characters under the microscope. It looks at who we really are when we look inside ourselves. What makes a seemingly good person bad, and do we ever really know someone and what they are truly capable of? What does freedom mean?

Emerson’s prose create a foreboding feeling. There’s a sense things aren’t going to end well but for who and how are still unknowns. Once Julian dips his toe into uncharted waters, and with one lie blending into the next, his world quickly and irreversibly spirals out of control.

When love, jealousy, betrayal, and ulterior motives collide we are left with a chilling, unpredictable ending that will stay with you.

With thanks to @rararesources, @TraceyJEmerson, and @BoldwoodBooks for a place on the tour and the opportunity to read and review this book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - partly due to the lovely locations in Majorca that a lot of us are familiar with from holidays. I have to say that long languorous lunches round the pool sounds to be perfection.
However there is a very seedy underbelly to the story. Julian has a lot of secrets and then he re-meets the man who has created a lot of the secrets. Gabriel is a definitely liability and one that Julian cannot keep away from.
I found myself squirming during parts of this book, the sheer audacity of Gabriel, so brazen in his constant greed for Julian's money I felt was horrible.
Olivia, Julian's wife apparently plays along with it all and seemingly accepts the whole situation.
However dark times are ahead for them all and you have to wonder if any of them would ever get caught in their wrongdoings.
A great book, a great location and some very well drawn, if detestable characters make the whole story fly by. You might need to put other things to one side to devour it.
Brilliant.

The Perfect Holiday by T J Emerson was a thriller of sorts. The reality was that it was a story of self-centered, selfish people who wanted things their own way and resorted to unspeakable things to get it. We meet Julian Griggs after he has spent ten years as his wife's caregiver. They had had a good life, were even talking about children, when they were in a horrendous care accident. Julian had minor injuries but Helen cam out of if nearly a vegetable. He had very little help, but managed it on his own. He was good at it after he's spent years caring for his father who had multiple sclerosis. His doctor prescribed him a couple of days off so social services sent a couple of women to replace him and he left for a small caravan, near the ocean. On his trip into town for provisions, he bought a coup of coffee for a man who had no money. It was his way of hurrying up the line. He later picked the same man up as it was pouring rain and he took him to the caravan to dry him off. They drank too much and had a sexual experience as well as talking into the wee hours. The next day Gabriel was gone as was most of his money. Later his wife was killed in a burglary gone wrong. After a while he remarried a woman with some money this time, and led a good life . . . until Gabriel showed up.

There were times in this book when I thought Julian would be OK. He deserved to be after the life he'd led, but it wasn't to be. Gabriel held a magnetic hold over him and it destroyed him. It was sad to watch. I guess if waiting for someone to die constitutes a thriller then, this filled the bill. It was decently written, with just the subject matter to which I am lukewarm.

I was invited to read a free E-ARC of The Perfect Holiday by Boldwood Books, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #boldwoodbooks #tjemerson #theperfectholiday

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a great thriller with a fabulous ending.
The plot is fairly unique and well writing and the characters are intriguing.
I’d definitely recommend it.

Julian Grigg’s wife, Helen, was in a car accident that left her severely injured. After a long time in the hospital, Julian brought his wife home. Her injuries left her bedridden with many needs. Julian became a full time caregiver for her. That is until one night someone broke into their home, stealing money, jewelry and smothering Helen. After her death, Julian worked to set up charities recognizing caregivers such as himself.

Four years later, Julian has married Olivia, a wealthy woman who inherited a lot of money from her family. Olivia owns a large villa called Villa Soledad in Mallorca. They plan to spend a long time there and celebrate her 54th birthday.

Someone Julian had met before is Gabriel, a young man who is easy-going and they have become good friends. When Julian sees him in Mallorca, outgoing Olivia invites him to join them. Julian is thrilled but also scared.

I’m trying to write this without too many spoilers. I was taken aback as I got into this book as I was not expecting things as they are. I know that sounds vague and it’s supposed to. As this storyline builds, I found myself hoping that evil plans would not go through. So, at the end I actually smiled and laughed. This is a good story that had me cringing at certain aspects of it, but I still think it’s a great read. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Absolutely brilliant kept me turning the pages couldn’t put it down, so glad I took it on holiday 😀 the characters were believable and likeable. Will definitely looking out for more books by this author

This book was bland and predictable. The only burning sensation came from the hot temperatures in the book as this novel failed to sizzle me with suspense.

I thought there would be a lot more tension simmering in the pages. Instead, I felt bored and as languid as Olivia and Julian after suffering from the extreme hot temperatures they are experiencing whilst on holiday in Mallorca. I disliked Julian’s character immensely and I don’t know if there were any qualities that Emerson wanted readers to sympathise with. True, he has had a tough life but honestly, I thought he needed to get a reality check and stop being so selfish.

The story is divided into ‘Before’ and ‘After’. The past narrative details Julian’s life with his first wife, as he cares for her after a car accident left her paralysed. I think Emerson portrays the strain on carers really successfully and I could easily picture how difficult Julian would have found his responsibility. However, a chance meeting with lone traveller, Gabriel, sends Julian’s life spinning in a different direction. Readers witness a completely different side to Julian and this is rediscovered after the friends reunite in Mallorca.

Unbeknownst to his second wife, Olivia, Julian and Gabriel have more of a past than she realises. The secrecy that is between the two men drives the narrative and I found this far too obvious to be believable. Indeed, the ‘After’ section in Mallorca felt slower than when the story focused on Julian’s first marriage. I think this is because it felt like there was more drive to the narrative; afterwards, it is a case of how far Julian seems to be duped by Gabriel and his charms.

To be honest, I thought this book would have more mystery and murder than what was actually delivered. As the chapters progressed, I increasingly disliked Julian and was desperate to see the novel conclude. The final chapter was satisfying but, unfortunately, merely proved what I had foreseen far too many chapters previously. In this case, I felt like the writer had left too many obvious clues as to how the plot would develop, thereby reducing the suspense to next to nothing.

Having read so many books, I would say this is not the greatest example of a psychological thriller. It was mundane and obvious and I thought the main redeeming feature was Olivia’s patience: she has the patience of a saint to put up with a man like Julian! For the rest of it, I was frustrated with Julian’s naivety and selfish behaviour, desiring him to face consequences for his duplicitous behaviour.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.