If you are looking for a book by the pool this is the book for you. I giggled the whole way through and couldn’t put it down. The relationship and banter between Jagger and Margaret and their parents is very clever. Over all 5 stars for me

I could never wrote anything bad about a Jo Watson book because there is never anything bad about them. Always have the best characters, a brilliant intriguing story and you never want to put them down.

What did this book have?
Drama? YES
Good Plot? YES
Fun? YES
Romance? YES
Good Vibes? YES

All around great read and a perfect summer hit

What Happens On Vacation by Jo Watson is a delightful and entertaining romantic comedy that takes readers on a journey of unexpected connections, laugh-out-loud moments, and heartwarming romance. With a captivating storyline set against the backdrop of Zanzibar, this book offers a perfect escape for readers seeking a lighthearted and enjoyable read.

The story revolves around Margaret, a journalist in desperate need of a vacation after enduring a challenging period in her life. When she discovers the opportunity to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Zanzibar through her office Quiz Night, Margaret sees it as the perfect chance to unwind with her mother. However, her plans take an unexpected turn when she realizes that her coworker and nemesis, Jagger Villain, will also be accompanying them.

Jo Watson skillfully crafts a tale of enemies turned companions as Margaret and Jagger navigate the tropical paradise together. The humorous banter between the two main characters adds a delightful dynamic to the story, keeping readers engaged and entertained throughout. From their shared desk at work to the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar, their relationship evolves, leading to moments of undeniable chemistry and mutual understanding.

DNF'd at 75%. I really, really wanted to like this, but the characters felt overly stereotype and Margaret was ridiculously unlikable. I think we were supposed to empathise with her because of her divorce, but she just came across as incredibly mean and rude. It's also not enemies to lovers, it's - she's incredibly mean and hates him for no reason, but he's in love with her from day one and then has to spend his time convincing her he likes her, all the while she reluctantly finds him attractive whilst still constantly demeaning him.

Another great book by Jo Watson. Well written, thoughtful and heart warming in parts.

Did I suspect what was going to happen? Of course. Was it predictable and boring? Absolutely not. There was plenty of drama in the book and it wasn’t a typical fairytale romance.

The characters were a little bit unique and that made them even more likeable.

I laughed a lot, shed a tear or too and really enjoyed this read.

Margaret and Jagger share a desk at work, but she finds him infuriating until thrown together on holiday in Zanzibar. There are a host of strong side characters in this moving book which involves grief and how it impacts on life choices. There is humour and plenty of chemistry as this pair work through their differences.

Absolutely brilliant, loved it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me an advance copy, I will definitely be recommending.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.
This is my first title by this author and will read more in the future.
I requested this book as i was drawn in by the cover and thought it looked interesting.
I am not usually into romance novels but liked the chance to read something a little different.
This book makes you smile and laugh out loud.
Thanks again for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3/5 stars

Ok, I’m not a huge romance reader, but I was so glad to receive this from NetGalley (thank you guys!) as I absolutely loved this one! I’ve been laughing out loud and grinning my way all the way through, it’s the perfect summer romance!

This book was had me hooked from the start, I was chuckling away from the beginning to the end. I really enjoyed the characespecially cinnamon roll, Jagger and Margaret’s care free mum! I could feel the chemistry between Margaret and Jagger oozing out the book many times and I felt like I needed to jump in and shake some sense into Margaret often.

The mother daughter relationship was beautiful and I was right there for that part of the book!

This was a DNF for me as I didn’t like the authors writing style, and couldn’t gel with the characters, so just couldn’t get into it properly

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶

A workplace, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, he falls first rom-com.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a lighthearted read that had me grinning on almost every page I read. It had a lot less romance than expected, and the romance only happened in the last 30% of the book, however overall it was a really enjoyable read.

In short, colleagues Margaret and Jagger tie at their annual workplace quiz night, with the prize being a vacation to Zanzibar. Much to Margret's delight, they both end up going together along with their widowed parents.

This was a great lighthearted read filled with banter, charming characters, and laugh-out-loud moments.

Other than Jagger(who was an absolute sweetheart and dealt with so much of Margret's nonsense), my favourite characters were definitely Anke(Margret's mom) and Eddy(Jaggers's Dad). There were so many cringe moments that came from them that I found myself laughing out loud every time they were on page.

The reason this book lost half a star for me was because I found Margaret to be quite rude, a little annoying, and childish at times(but that's just me who can't deal with those characteristics in people😂). I wanted to grab her by the shoulders and shake some sense into her.

Other than that, it was a great palate cleanser and overall an enjoyable read, and that epilogue gave me all the goosebumps!

Will I be buying myself a physical copy of this when it comes out? YES!

Thank you, Netgalley, Headline Books, and Jo Watson for giving me an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Award-winning political journalist Margaret can't stand her colleague Jagger, dismissing his 'Swipe Write' dating column and 'Jagger Tries' videos as trivial. Since he began six months previously, her emnity has grown to melodramatic levels.

To her horror, her status as the office trivia queen is usurped, and she has to share the winning prize of a luxury trip to Zanzibar. Margaret's plans for a mother-daughter trip are then dashed when her mother hits it off with Jagger's dad and she's forced to share a room with him.

Just as Margaret judges Jagger, I, too was guilty of the same. She's is uptight, slightly prudish, and rude towards him for no valid reason. I found the first few chapters slow-going so I stopped reading and left it for a month.

Men in workplaces, especially easy-going and good-looking ones like Jagger tend to be the office golden boy who can get an easier time at work, better assignments, etc. So while I understood some of her emnity towards him, her behaviour towards him was unprofessional and childish. I'm amazed HR let her get away with the partition.

But as the story developed and we learn more about her I started to understand her better, just like she does about how wonderful and caring Jagger is.

Jo Watson has created a moving portrait of a woman who is grieving the loss of her father, the loss of her marriage and is fearful of losing again. She's a woman who is hard-working, smart and tenacious. Jagger, sees her from day one, and he's very patient with her, even when she truly tested the limits. He gently called her out even when she was breaking his heart and her rightfully should've told her to bog off.

There were times though I do think that this book dragged a bit at the start. I wanted action to move along to the trip faster and found the whole 'sex on my desk' irritating. I also would've liked to have seen some signs why Jagger liked her from the get-go, given her downright rudeness. Also towards the end, Margaret's constant flip flopping with Jagger dragged out too long for me to be realistic that he'd give her so many chances. I also found the constant references to Margaret's plus-size irritating and unnecessary (the wetsuit scene made me cringe I had skimmed through it).

I really enjoyed Watson's gentle education about the intra-Africa slave trade in Zanzibar and the effect it had on both the characters. Supporting characters were also wonderful, particularly Margaret's best friend Leighton, an 80s pop star who delivered her loving home truths and good advice.

This book was an utter surprise. I started thinking I wouldn't like this book as I couldn't connect with the character, but I found myself cackling one chapter, then my heart strings tugged another. Just like Margaret, I was wrong. This book was funny, poignant and entirely relatable.

Thanks to Headline and NetGalley for the ARC.

I squel with delight when Jagger show his attraction to Margaret. He know her habit, show he not hook up with another girl, basicly know everything about her. Margaret think Jagger is her rival, nemesis she denial every pull toward him. When they spend vacation together, slowly getting closer, Margaret finally give up. I enjoy this book, the tension, the spark, their story make me jealous. I love Zanzinbar, how author describe it sound so beautiful.

Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.

#WhatHappensOnVacation #JoWatson #HeadlineEternal #NetGalley #ARC

Thanks to Netgalley, Headline books and Jo Watson for the ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. It is the story of workplace rivals Margaret and Jagger who tie in the annual office quiz winning a holiday for 2. After some careful negotiation from Jagger, it is now a holiday for 4. Surely nothing could go wrong...

This book is really well written, the characters feel like real people and it touches on some more sensitive topics like bereavement and divorce. I also loved that it was set in South Africa as that is quite rare!

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a workplace romance, a tightly wound FMC and a chill MMC and of course the one bed trope.

✨Spoiler Free Review✨

This is my first time reading Jo Watson and it was an absolute pleasure. Her writing is fresh, clear to read and it flows so well from chapter to chapter.

I'd give this 🌟🌟🌟🌟 overall!

This is a fun enemies to lovers book and it was a delightful read. Margaret (FMC) is a political journalist and has her own collum in the newspaper. She's had a difficult year due to difficult life events and 6 months ago, it got even worse when a new colleague Jagger (MMC) joined the company and shares her workspace. Everything Jagger does irritates Margaret and her hate for him continuously builds up.

During an office quiz night, newcomer Jagger shows off his skills and this further infuriates Margaret as she is renowned for always winning the quiz. On the last question, they come to a tie and end up sharing a romantic holiday for two.

🏖️🐚🪘🦀

Of course Margaret thinks this is an absolute nightmare but they come to an agreement and go on holiday together (also with their parents) and the rest is history. It's a cute and equally frustrating romantic holiday for the both of them💕

It has:

📃Divorcee FMC
👩🏼‍🏫Representation of plus sized characters
🏖️Beach Read
🛏️One Bed
🗡️Enemies to lovers
📊Workplace romance
🥀Mentions of death and anxiety
🙊Sarcasm

The perfect book to read when you are living your best life having your own wonderful vacation. Wonderful cast of characters, a feel good storyline and one that will make you laugh and smile throughout.

I am a sucker for a workplace romance and I loved reading this one. It ticked all the boxes for me and is the perfect book to get me in the mood for summer.

I love a good workplace romance alongside the enemies to lovers trope so jumped at the chance to give What Happens on Vacation a read.

The story begins as two workplace enemies, Margaret and Jagger, are forced to holiday together (alongside their parents), after competing in an annual workplace competition. This was fun summer read with a slow burn set against the backdrop of the stunning Zanzibar. I particularly enjoyed the sprinkling of trivia knowledge throughout and the education of the reader around Zanzibar’s history of slave trade which was woven through an otherwise hedonistic holiday.

I appreciated reading about Margaret’s mum, who grounded the book and brought the comedy aspect for me. Her free and easy attitude in contrast to an uptight Margaret was a breath of fresh air, and I lapped up her storyline and her passion for life.

Jagger, the MMC is your typical golden retriever (not so) hidden beneath a rock and roll exterior. He was very forgiving, and I struggled to read at points due to Margaret’s constant lack of respect towards him and her presumption that his intelligence was far beneath hers.

I did think the FMC Margaret to be unlikeable and a lot of her actions were quite entitled and rude especially with Jagger. I found myself waiting for a redemption arc of sorts but in the end her behaviour just seemed to be rewarded with a happy ending without much character growth.

That being said reading a book with flawed characters does not mean that I instantly dislike it, and overall I did enjoy reading What Happens on Vacation.


Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.

This would make such a great beach/holiday read.
It also feels like a true romantic comedy, with many of the moments having me laughing out loud or chuckling along.
It was a cute, easy to read, rom com that I can see many enjoying.
I also loved Margaret's mother, in particular - she was brilliant!
Margaret herself can be quite bratty and immature, given her age, which made it a bit more difficult than necessary to warm to her and root for her happiness.
But overall, I enjoyed this book.
I haven't read anything from Jo Watson before but I would definitely be interested in reading more and look forward to what she does next.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.