What I Did On My Holidays by Chrissie Manby

How excited was I when my review copy of “What I did on My Holidays” fell through my letterbox? So excited that I read the book in one day. I had to, it was such a gloriously delicious read!

Sophie Sturgeon can’t wait for her annual summer holiday, two weeks in sunny Majorca. Not only will it be a break from her job as a PR officer for a lift company but will give her the chance to reconnect with her boyfriend Callum, who has been away on business a lot.

This is an important holiday for Sophie, hoping to salvage their relationship. She will also be celebrating her 30th birthday and hopes that whilst they are sunning themselves that Callum might drop down on one knee and finally make a commitment. They have been together for 18 months, they’re not getting any younger and it’s what everyone at work has been talking about. So it’s only to be expected. Right?

Wrong.

The night before they are due to fly to Majorca, Sophie doesn’t hear a peep from Callum, until she finally receives a text telling her that he doesn’t want to go to Majorca. With her.

She’s been dumped. Just before she was due to go away with the love of her life and celebrate her 30th birthday. He decides that he wants nothing to do with her.

Feeling brave and independent, Sophie decides to go on the holiday, she can’t let it go to waste, but in the end she caves and doesn’t go. As Callum works along with her and goes into work the following day. Immediately everyone knows about the break-up, assuming that she has gone to Majorca alone, they offer her support and comfort, whilst giving her regular updates on the Callum’s status. And so it begins that Sophie begins to pretend that she has gone on alone, to Majorca, egged on by her sister who decides to join her on their “Fake break” as she wants a break from her budget loving fiancee. Together they create the dream holiday, filled with Facebook and Twitter updates and even re-enacting the sunny beaches.

“What I did On My Holidays” is a fabulous read, I couldn’t put it down and then when I eventually finished it, I was a bit sad because it felt like my holiday had ended also. As a main character Sophie, is a delight, as she continues with the illusion that she is sunning herself in Spain, when in-fact she is hiding behind her living room curtain, openly pining for Callum and hoping he will change his mind. I have to admit it’s Clare, her older bossy sister that I enjoyed the most, as she lived it up in the small flat constantly coming up with creative ideas to make their holiday look authentic to their audience and to show Callum what he is missing. Making the most of their “break” the sisters begin to grow close and begin to realise how little they actually know about each other. Together they make the most of their break and reflect on their lives.

“What I did On My Holidays” is a hilarious story, as we join Sophie and Clare on their holiday of the lifetime from the front door to the sofa. Packed with warm characters and hilarious situations, “What I did On My Holidays” is witty, refreshing and is perfect book if you wish for break from reality. An ideal read for all, who wants a break but don’t have the budget, “What I did on my Holidays” is the perfect escapism book as you join Sophie and Clare and have fun in the sun without leaving your armchair!

You can buy [amazon_link id=”0340992832″ target=”_blank” ] What I Did on My Holidays on Amazon [/amazon_link] and other good bookshops.