The Spa Break by Hannah Doyle is a delightful and entertaining read that effortlessly blends friendship, romance, and self-discovery. The story follows Jess, who embarks on a much-needed week-long spa retreat with her best friends, Stella and Em. The spa is portrayed as the ultimate destination for relaxation, offering not only luxurious treatments but also a space for cleansing the mind and soul.

What I particularly enjoyed about this book was how well the characters were written. Jess, the protagonist, is a sensible friend, and I found her both relatable and endearing. Her internal journey throughout the story adds depth to her character, and I found myself rooting for her as she navigates the surprises that come her way. I also appreciated the strong portrayal of Jess’s friends, Stella and Em. Each of them had their distinct personalities, which made their interactions feel authentic. The idea of a follow-up book focusing on their individual stories is something I would love to see.

The setting of the spa is another highlight. Doyle does a fantastic job of immersing the reader in the luxurious atmosphere without overloading the descriptions. The pacing was perfect, with just enough detail to bring the setting to life without slowing the story down. It made me wish I could take a spa break of my own!

The unexpected twist with the man Jess meets at the spa adds an intriguing layer of complexity to the story. Their past connection makes for some interesting tension and leaves the reader wondering what will happen next. It’s a fun, light-hearted read that also touches on themes of personal growth and love, all set against the backdrop of a relaxing yet mysterious getaway.

Overall, The Spa Break is an enjoyable read that offers a refreshing blend of romance, humour, and a touch of drama. It’s the perfect choice for anyone looking for a feel-good story that will leave them smiling and perhaps longing for their spa retreat!

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Who doesn't need a break when going through a break up / job change and more. This is precisely what Jess and her best friends Stella and Em do. A week at a spa to help review it alongside other influencers and celebs.

I laughed out loud during this book. Great food, awkward situations, handsome boys, cocktails, pools, paddle boarding and more - everything a girl needs to relax and cleanse the mind and soul - however the handsome man turns out to be someone she probably shouldn't find attractive - and that's when it starts to get awkward!

A great light-hearted page turner.
I really like the friendship group and discovering more about the bond all 3 women had and the history they had shared.

The chemistry between Luke and Jess felt almost real and from the beginning you really want both characters to get their ending!

An ideal summer holiday read or just a nice afternoon page turner with a cup of tea that will leave you feeling warm and gooey in a sometimes not so sunny world! :)

Looking forward to reading more.

Thank-you NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to HQ, Hannah Doyle and NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Spa Break, releasing in the UK on May 22nd 2025, in exchange for an unbiased review.

The Spa Break is a very well written romcom about Jess, her two friends, and a mystery man who she sees in the pool on her first day on a week long, luxury hotel break. The twists and turns during the book make for an impossible to put down read that makes you need to know what happens on the next page.

It’s a very accurate representation of women in their twenties who struggle to find time for each other due to busy schedules and it was great to see them discuss memories from university and look back fondly.

My main critique is that this book is set in Northumberland, which even at the best of times, is quite windy and cold, especially as this resort seemed to be set on the coast until the last third of the book.

I will be looking into Hannah Doyle’s other books after reading this one!

This was my first Hannah Doyle read and I absolutely loved it! It was such an easy, entertaining read that also felt like catching up with old friends. As a 20-something myself I felt I could really relate to the friendships and intricacies of relationships depicted in the story and found the story to be the perfect mixture of relatable, funny, emotional and thought provoking. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, light hearted read and will definitely be reading more by Doyle in the near future! X

This was my first book by Hannah and I cannot wait to read her previous books now. This one was about three best friends who go on a spa weekend. They all need the rest for one reason or another. I like how all three women are all real women with real life issues. I feel as though women will be able to relate to at least one of the women in the group. I liked all of the characters and found parts of the story so funny. It was an addictive read full of friendship, love and cheekiness. I loved it and it put a smile on my face for the rest of the day.

Thank you to HQ and Hannah Doyle for this ARC. It was a really lovely read, a lighthearted and fun tale great for a bit of escapism.

I thought the protagonist was written well, she was quite relatable as the ‘sensible’ friend and I thought she was endearing all round. I also appreciated that her friends were well fleshed out too with their own personalities and lives. I would love to read follow up books about their stories!

The setting was excellent, the descriptions of the spa were really immersive without being too flowery so the pacing felt on-point. It also made me really want to go to a spa!

I would have appreciated more time spent exploring the love interest as a person, his quirks outside of the context of the protagonist to make him feel more well rounded, but I do think that’s really minor! I also don’t really like the trope of the super petite protagonist, but I appreciate that may be a personal preference.

I’d recommend it to anyone who is looking for a no spice romance, set in a blissful setting with reasonably low stakes. Also those who like a strong girl gang in their stories!

Thank you to Netgalley & HQ for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for honest feedback.

I'm so sorry but, if I'm honest, I didn't really vibe with this book... I didn't warm to any of the main characters and the constant use of 'babes' grated on me... Something was missing for me, but I can't put my finger on what!

I enjoyed some of the banter between the characters and the romance, but it felt like there could have been a wee bit more...

Dita was definitely the highlight for me - no filter & says it as it is!

Maybe I'm just in a slump and I need to revisit this again in future!

What a refreshing five-star read. This was refreshing like a spa break itself, I just got swept away with the characters and could imagine myself at the spa with the girls, Jess, Stella and Emerald (I know she gets called Em more, but I simply love her family names) just seem like my type of people, they all have their own lives and are super busy women, but they try their hardest to stay in each other’s lives and still be there for each other, and those are the friends who you know you can rely on, the ones who you may not speak to for weeks or months, but when you do you pick up the conversation like it was yesterday. This story is like a hug wrapped in the pages at times, and its really special, do not miss this one as it will fast become a firm favourite.

A fun beach read that spends time on both romantic relationships and strong female friendships. I devoured this in two days on holiday and it was the perfect escape.

A lighthearted, breezy read that is perfect for a spa break (or beach read).

I loved the strong friendship between Jess, Stella and Em and the banter between them. They might get on each others nerves a wee bit, but they still are fierce defenders of each other. Luke was such a sweetheart who got Jess and made her feel seen. A big part of Jess's journey is getting over her hang ups on why she can't date him. I also loved the comic relief with Dita. While she was a bit of a diva, she was big hearted and I loved her pep talks with Jess.

This is low drama, fun and lighthearted book that I devoured in one sitting.

Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the ARC.

Hannah Doyle is a new author for me and from the synopsis, I was eager to read it and it did not disappoint. It’s funny, endearing and impossible to put down. Great characters and a plot that unfolds with ease. You get completely lost in the book and feel almost as if you’re among friends. I loved this book and can’t wait to read more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and the author for the chance to review.

A week-long spa break is just what Jess needs. She’s going to be there with her best friends, Stella and Em. And the spa is so high-end it has an ethos about cleansing the mind and soul.

The laughter, gourmet food and cocktails are what every twenty-something needs. And then there’s the beautiful man she spots in the pool on the first day. A perfect addition to her week.
Until Jess finds out that he’s someone from her past. Someone she really should have recognized. Someone she should not find attractive. And that’s when things start getting a little confusing…

This was a fantastic lighthearted read. I was immersed in the spa and the activities and also the friendship group. It was lovely to read about 3 very different women’s bond and the history they share.

Luke and Jess’ chemistry is written so well, you can feel it coming out of the pages. Both seemed such nice characters you were rooting for them. The spa element of it added an extra dimension and was the perfect setting.

This is a sizzling summer read, an all immersive experience written brilliantly, I would recommend. A great romantic comedy with romance but also focusing on friendship.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Jess and her 2 best friends go for a spa break in a luxury hotel for a week, and Jess is looking forward to some relaxation.
However she is not expecting to set eyes on a handsome man in the swimming pool on her first day. Things don’t quite go to plan when she finds out who he is but what follows is brilliant.
Although the book is a romantic read it also focuses heavily on friendships and the friendship between the 3 girls is just perfect.
A great romantic comedy which I couldn’t put down.
Thanks to NetGalley, Hannah Doyle and HQ, Harper Collins for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

The Spa Break is the rom-com equivalent of a cozy blanket with a cocktail in hand—fun, lighthearted, and just the right amount of sweet. Jess heads to a luxurious spa retreat with her long-time besties, Stella and Em, thinking it's all about relaxation, cocktails, and maybe a little self-care—until she spots a handsome man lounging in the pool. Things quickly go from chill to "wait, what?" when Jess realizes he’s someone from her past. Cue the emotional rollercoaster.

However, the true star of the show is female friendship. Jess, Stella, and Em share a bond so real that you can almost hear them arguing over who gets to pick the next rom-com to watch (probably not this one—unless they want to laugh about it). Each of them brings something different to the table, and their ability to support each other through awkward, slightly weird romantic situations is truly heartwarming. It’s the kind of friendship that says, "I’ve got your back, even if you fall in love with my little brother."

Dita, initially a walking stereotype, quickly becomes the comic relief. Sure, she’s a little extra at first, but as the story progresses, she becomes the kind of friend you secretly wish you had—someone who can make you laugh during your worst moments... or spill all the A-list gossip! She’s like the human equivalent of an espresso shot—quirky, a little intense, but exactly what you need.

As for the romantic twists—well, they’re just enough to keep things fresh without feeling like whiplash. Jess’s discovery that the handsome pool guy isn’t just some random dreamboat adds an unexpected depth to the plot right at the beginning, making it way more than your average beach-read romance.
While the romantic humor is spot-on, I do have to admit that the UK characters’ (the author reaaaaly) refusal to call themselves European had me rolling my eyes so hard I almost needed an eye massage. UK is in Europe! Get used to it…

In short, if you're after a rom-com that’s equal parts cute, funny, and filled with moments of pure heart, The Spa Break is your go-to. With its mix of lighthearted humor, endearing friendships, and romantic chaos, this one’s a winner. Perfect for anyone who loves a good laugh with a side of will-they-won’t-they.