A workplace, enemies-to-lovers romance is right up my street so I enjoyed reading this! It was interesting having it set in South Africa (it’s one of the first I’ve read that is set here although the setting doesn’t affect the storyline that much). Having a curvy, ambitious divorcee as the main female character was a welcome change compared to most of the other romance books I have read. The banter between Jagger and Margaret is fab and the secondary characters are also great!

I’ve had to dnf a lot of really disappointing books lately so my hopes weren't high for this. But I was definitely pleasantly surprised. The funny bits were funny and the sad bits very poignant. The only thing I’d say was the main character was a bit self centred and sometimes just straight up ridiculous but I’m sure other people would think that about me too.

One word to describe this book - frustrating.

Firstly, using American and British colloquialism whilst the story is based in South Africa and Zanzibar with South African characters is not only inaccurate but quite insulting to its culture.

Secondly, how old is Margaret? She has the emotional and mental maturity of a teenager. The only reason I didn't DNF this story is because I wanted to see if she experienced character growth. She didn't. I can deal with cynical characters but I cannot deal with judgemental characters. She is downright rude to Jagger for no reason at all! That's not a good enough basis for an enemies to lovers or if she is meant to be the grump, that's not the way to go about it either.

She is petulant when it comes to her mother and is extremely self-absorbed because it's all about her and how she feels. Does she realize the error in her ways? Not really, because everyone around her is so accepting of her outbursts and inability to sit and work through her feelings. At some point you have to take accountability.

The back and forth, back and forth, back and forth between her and Jagger got so boring so quickly. She does not deserve a guy like Jagger because sheesh, how many times does the poor guy need to be rejected before he gives up and leaves?!

The pacing of this story is also suuuuuuuuuper slow. Eventually I skimmed the end because I could not take it anymore.

I have been reading rom com books for approximately ten years (with a few odd reads in the decade before, namely Jemima J by Jane Green and the Bridget Jones books). In this time I have found a few go-to authors; authors who will write brilliant book after brilliant book and always release a hugely entertaining romantic comedy. Jo Watson is one of these authors.

I have read every book published by Jo Watson and eagerly anticipate future releases. She has this knack of writing stories with relatable ‘normal’ characters and engaging storylines that allow you to escape reality every time you pick the book/kindle up.

What Happens on Vacation was a great read. I was hooked very quickly - you can’t beat a good enemies to lovers story!!

Margaret was a strange character. However, her backstory explained her traits and left the reader rooting for her. Jagger was a perfect love interest, he was charming, fun and a nice guy.

Margaret’s mum was great fun. I think we should all grow older and be a little more Anke :)

Finally, Leighton…I was picturing Boy George…I would love to know who he was modelled on or who other readers pictured when reading about him.

A lovely read, fun, romantic, humorous and sad in parts. I devoured this book and didn’t want to put it down.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 📚

I am a sucker for a enemies-to-lovers based books and this one didn't disappoint!

I was smiling throughout - Jagger's teasing/ flirting had my stomach flutter. Along side the relationship between Margaret and Jagger, I loved the story arc between some of the other characters and the relationships they had with the main characters.

The location setting just had me craving the hot sunshine and beach waves!

As well as the main characters and amazing chemistry, it was also very heart warming and highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a rom-com.

Funny but also very moving!
I really loved reading this book. I loved the main character Margaret who is a smart, confident out spoken women who is never afraid to speak her mind. I really enjoyed the fact that there were two love stories in the book, but I won't give that away. I also loved that Margaret was a plus sized heroine but that did not play a part in the story. She was confident in her own body. There were some moments that had me laughing out loud, and having lost a parent myself, the ending had me shedding a tear.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
I enjoyed reading this book and was laughing from the start.
Journalist named Margaret who has been forced to go on a vacation with Jagger Villain, her annoying co-worker. I however loved Jagger! He was defiantly my favorite character throughout the book. The character growth to the end was the icing on the cake. I really could relate to Margaret on my levels even though she was a bit annoying.
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This book was such a fun read. Chemistry was oozing between the characters and really wanted to shake Margaret at times. Loved the mother daughter relationship.

Thank you for my eARC of this book. Unfortunately I didn’t finish this book, I couldn’t get in with the main character.

This book is definitely a summer vibe with light laughter and love for the characters, storyline is well written and easy to follow !

Great book if you want to read something light that makes you smile and chuckle. I loved the characters and the whole storyline. Would have been even better to read it in the summer but I still felt the summer vibes :-)

I love a good enemies to lovers trope and since the author was compared to some of my favourites like Christina Lauren and Emily Henry, I had such high hopes that I would love this too. I guess that is why comparisons can be a bit risky. I wanted to love this book, I really did. It just didn't quite live up to my expectations. I really enjoyed the mother's character. She was just such a breath of fresh air in an otherwise stuffy tale. She brought excellent comic relief, her adventurous spirit and crazy life stories made me want to know all about her time with the circus and her rebellious youth in general. If this book had been about her, I think that would have been a wild ride from start to finish.
Unfortunately, this book was about Margaret. I found Margaret to be absolutely exhausting. I didn't find her relatable or even particularly likeable in any way. For a 33 year old woman she was actually pretty immature, whiny and judgmental (Also can we please acknowledge that 33 is NOT old like this book seems to imply). Her attitude made it very hard to care about her development throughout the story. When a story like this, with a plot that is already so overdone, you need a sparkle. Just something that is that little bit extra going on to help your story stand apart and I just did not find that here.
With that being said, it wasn't all bad. I still found it to be an easy read that I can imagine people picking up at an airport for their summer holiday based on the cover and blurb alone. But again, with an over abundance of options for the perfect summer holiday read, I just can't see myself putting this in my top recommendations.

What a truly stunning read this book is and Jo never fails to disappoint. Heart warming and beautifully written.

Enemies to lovers is my favourite romance trope, so I really wanted to love this one.
For me, the main character Margaret wasn't that likeable, she was a bit bratty at times which made me unable to warm to her. I did love the other characters in the story, especially Margaret's mother. There was a good bit of comedy in this book which I really enjoyed.
At times a little slow paced for me but overall a cute, easy breezy beach read.

With thanks to Netgalley and Headline for my advance review copy.

This book had me chuckling straight away. It’s easy to read and fluid. The pacing is great and the story is a fun and somewhat silly read, it carries a real comedic vibe. You could see it as a film and the scenes would have you laughing a lot.

Margaret is quite an uptight character and her life experiences are consistently trying to push her out of her comfort zone, it all happens to her. She comes across as somewhat prudish with her reactions to conversations and responses in certain situations, which adds well to the humour of the story. She is also quite judgemental and grouchy. As the story flows, you can see a picture developing, of her kind nature and her emotional status, that is creating these behaviours and perceptions.

The setting of the scenes were wonderful with the descriptions and I wanted to go there too and enjoy it all.

Jagger is a great character. I liked him very much, in fact more than Margaret! I was willing them to be together. The sexual tension was obvious and the way the story goes is somewhat concerning for their outcome.

The book does hone in on her ‘bulging boobs,’ and ‘weight,’ a lot. I’m guessing that’s because of how Margaret feels about herself and perceives how people see her. Which I imagine adds to her character building, as we all have insecurities and concerns, of how we feel within ourselves and the perceptions of others towards us.

This is an all round fun and entertaining read with lots of laugh out loud moments to bring a little light and joy to your day. I was always happy to be able to pick up the book again and continue reading… Think I’d like a carnelian stone massage. 😂

Thank you so much to NetGalley and all involved in allowing me a copy of this book for an honest review. I really enjoyed it.

Jo Watson as always has me laughing out loud She can write humorous situations and that is why I really loved this book!

Frothy Romcom..
A holiday to remember in this frothy romcom where a love/hate relationship packs suitcases and will travel. Margaret, a journalist, needs a holiday - but a holiday with her arch nemesis was never on her cards. A tropical paradise awaits, however, and Margaret may well decide that compromise is the best policy if she is to get her much needed break. As it turns out, Margaret may well be getting more than she bargained for. Nicely drawn characters populate a fun plot laced with plenty of humour and comedic narrative. Holiday escapism.

I was accepted on @netgalley to pre-read Jo Watsons upcoming novel - what happens on vacation, out in July this year.

I read the blurb and it sounded right up my street. An enemies to lovers rom-com where the main characters, Margaret and Jagger end up on holiday together.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My review:
I went into this book with an open mind and an open heart, ready to see what differences this book had to all the other enemy to lovers books I have read.

Margaret's character was so well portrayed it made me really connect with her, she was outspoken, knew what she wanted and had an element of clumsiness to her which made her so relatable. She was such a strong character throughout the book and it was nice to see that as the storyline went on she began to soften and we saw what was really lying underneath her exterior. Jagger was also a relatable character and it was great to see more of the male perspective in this kind of book.

Now I have read a lot of rom-coms and this one had me laughing out loud and smiling non stop, the humour inside this book was another level and I think without it, it would not have grabbed me as much as it did. I felt Margaret's embarrassment and laughed with both her and Jagger. For that on its own I would recommend this for anyone to read!

This would have been a 5 star read for me but I felt that towards the end the book became very sex orientated, I don't mind sex scenes in books but this one had a lot and it almost took over the meaningful love story happening behind. So for that I only rated 4 stars.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a rom-com with plenty of humour, relatable characters and a bit of chemistry! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, i found it very funny and caught myself laughing many times! Being Gen z i feel as though the “Gen z” references were very accurate with what i have seen on social media.

I adore Jo Watson. She has some of my favourite romance books ever and was one of the first authors who really got me into romance novels. I have many of hers on my bookcase and I cannot wait to add a paperback copy of this too it when it comes out. I enjoyed every second off this and you are all in for a treat when it's out.

Margaret likes order, she likes to do things a particular way and is also very good at the office quiz night which, if she wins, like she always does she will win a trip for two to Zanzibar. A holiday she definitely needs. But enter Jagger Villain. Her office partner and also the bane of her existence. Everyone loves him and his fun articles he writes and he seems to like annoy Margaret. Jagger is also good at quizzes and when it comes to announce the winner its a tie. She really doesn't want to go on this trip with him she wanted to take her mother but they find a compromise they are both happy with.

Margaret and Jagger are the definition of opposites attract. He is more mellow where she likes order. Throw in a free sunny holiday and some forced-proximity can he break down her walls? Or will she get through this holiday without feeling herself slipping and falling for him after spending time together?

Full of banter, wonderful characters, times that had me laughing out loud and a holiday that could become something more for both of them. Jo has a way of writing that I just adore and these characters where no difference. They both had their differences but that's what made them, them. They really had great chemistry that at time made this book a little steamy....

A wonderful new romance book from Jo and I enjoyed every second of this book.