Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.

I couldn’t put this book down and thoroughly enjoyed the journey it took me on.

Another great read from this author. I just whizzed through this as it was so different and so good to read. The characters were all very sweet and entertaining and that was what made the story all that sweeter. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Another great book from Cressida! Great characters & plot line. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I always enjoy books written by Cressida McLaughlin, and have recently been following and entranced by her Cornish Cream Tea series. I was pleased to find this new story from her and was intrigued to find out what kind of staycation I was to be treated to; we have all become much more familiar with this term of late, but it means very different things to different people. I was instantly alert as my eye was drawn to my surname on the very first page of the story, but this was a mere detail in a tale that had me engrossed from this page to the last.



The story concerns mainly two people - Hester Monday, a travel agent with a fear of flying, and Jake Oakenfield, a tourist marooned in London following an accident, injuries from which have prevented him for now from flying home to New York. Jake is lucky enough to be spending his enforced vacation in a luxurious hotel, but is frustrated by his inability to get around and in dire need of entertainment. When his sister sends Hester along to plan a holiday for him when he has recovered, he instead asks her to visit daily and describe details of what he imagines are her magical escapes around the world. Of course, Hester, unable to board a plane, hasn’t been to any his desired destinations, but, with the help of the hotel staff, manages to transform Jake’s hotel suite into some exotic locations and depict some experiences to be enjoyed there. As the days pass, Hester begins to feel herself drawn to Jake and he to her, but she is worried about how he will react when he finds out she has been lying to him.



I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end and would not hesitate to recommend it to others. It is, as described, a romantic escape and one that I did not want to end. The story is filled with interesting and well formed characters who I’m confident I would enjoy meeting. I loved watching as Hester and Jake became closer and closer, but, like Hester, feared the outcome when Jake discovered the truth, as of course he must; I was never quite sure how he would react. The ending was all that I hoped it would be, but the story was so skilfully written that it was never a foregone conclusion. Although the circumstances of Jake’s ‘incarceration’ were unfortunate, his suite and the hotel as a whole sounded absolutely wonderful, especially with that amazing concierge on hand; I wouldn’t mind spending a few days there myself. I am already missing Hester and Jake - the sign of a good story - I would love to know what they did next.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I absolutely loved reading this book.

A trip to all the countries without leaving home was the feeling Hester Monday, who was a sweet person I really liked, gave me as she showed Jake through her displays and descriptions, making my mouth water with the different cuisines for each country and the sights.

Jake, a was a handsome, character.

The book definitely gave you the escapism you need, not only were the places beautiful but you also got to think about what the hotel that Jake was staying in would look like. I was hooked from the beginning and I wanted it to end quickly but also, not to.

It was a real roller coaster, all the emotions were felt whilst reading. But it also had some hard topics covered.

Would definitely recommend.

What can I say other than another wonderful book from Cressida McLaughlin. A book about how loss, love and tragedy brings two strangers together, one doing there job abit differently to bring joy to a client who has become flight bound due to being a hero. I loved the friendships, imaging places I've never visited and the general beat of the story. Loved it and Stanley too

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Hester is a travel agent who books luxury holidays for her clients all over the world despite not being able to fly since she was 11. She meets Jake who lives in New York and is in London when he stops a lady from getting hurt in a car accident meaning he can’t return home as he is unable to fly due to his injuries. Hester is given the job of organising and pulling of the task of setting up staycation holidays in Jakes’s hotel room. When she starts to fall for Jake she decides to keep it a secret that she can’t fly as she doesn’t want to disappoint him and end what they have started. Will Jake find out the truth and if he does will he forgive her and try to come up with a solution or will he break Hester’s heart.

Another brilliant book from Cressida.

I was drawn to the premise of this read. A staycation seemed the perfect escapist read for this pandemic world we’re living in and I lived vicariously through Hester.
In a nutshell this follows Hester, a travel agent with a secret: phobia of flying. When her client, the grumpy but handsome Jake (whose had a car accident and is stuck in a lush hotel) asks for Hester to recreate memories/staycations from her favourite holidays she lies, using her friends’ memories, and in the process falls in love with him...
This was a sweet book. I liked how they gradually fell in love. I did find the conflict and tension could’ve been more dramatic; I did find it predictable at times and the obstacles not that gripping. Also, I was initially put off by the body-shaming at the beginning with Hester referring to a man as, “Saggy Man” for being middle aged and not having six-packs 🙄 like is that really necessary??! 🤦🏻‍♀️ Lets stop this silly nonsense in books, it’s really outdated and derogatory. That one flaw aside, this was a fun read. 3.5/5.

Cressida McLaughlin is one of my go to authors and as I sit patiently waiting for the next book in the Cream Tea series I jumped at the chance to read her latest standalone novel The Staycation.

Travel Agent Hester Monday has the world at her fingertips but when she is called into a new client Jake who wants the perfect holiday experiences from the comfort of his hotel room drawn from her own personal travels there is a big problem, Hester hasn’t been on a plane since she was a child!

This was a perfect light read full of a blossoming romance, facing your fears and making the most of what you have which is something we have all had to do over the last few years with the dreaded C-word!

Hester was such a little sweetheart and despite her fear caused by trauma she has still pushed forward and managed to pave her way with a successful career but it constantly reminds her of her barriers. I loved Hester and found her kindness and creativity a breath of fresh air but I longed to see her break down her barriers and really open up all the opportunities available to her. Jake was a real heart throb and has us swooning over him along with Hester.

Ok so the romance was predictable but we all need a little bit of simple love and positivity in our lives and also a little splash of humour and there were a couple of laugh out loud moments in this book.

Warm easy reading, like a warm blanket and comfort food!!
Hester Monday works for a high end travel agents in London called Paradise Awaits. She is sent to an exclusive hotel to plan a luxury Thai holiday for a gentleman who is stuck in London. She calls on all her resources to create the perfect staycations for him instead which unlocks her secrets.......
Loved the story and inventiveness of the staycations!! Great characters, believable and ones you can really sympathise with.
Fab book, and highly recommended.
Thank you NetGalley for the early read, loved it!!!!

Hester Monday is a travel agent with a secret…she’s afraid of flying and hasn’t been able to leave the country on a trip of her own for a very long time.

Jake Oakenfield is recuperating in a luxury hotel after saving an old lady, but the confines of his room are starting to feel like a gilded cage.

All Jake really wants is to be able to return home to New York, and Hester is determined to impress her new client even if his request is a little odd. To produce the ultimate escape by re-creating her most memorable holiday moments right from his suite.

And so begins a journey; around the globe from the comfort of the sofa. But is the make-believe about to get a little real for Hester and Jake.


The Staycation is a light-hearted and highly enjoyable read, perfect for snuggling on the sofa or stretching out on the sun lounger.

How many of us have whiled away more time than is appropriate researching countries we want to visit? I know I am certainly guilty of losing hours virtually walking the streets and immersing myself in much wished for holiday destinations. For this reason alone, I think this book will be a huge success.

Now throw in two wonderful protagonists, sweet Hester and charismatic Jake, and you’ve got a real winner! I loved following these two on their journey, not only on their holibobs but also their personal ones. McLaughlin has a skill for writing characters that are so honest, relatable, and real that they could easily be anyone of us, a friend or family member. My particular favourite of this story was Rosalie. Whilst she wasn’t in it often, she had me laughing out loud with each appearance. A true 90-year-old minx!

Another thing I must applaud this author for is her ability to set a scene, which she managed to do in this novel two-fold. I could clearly envision Jakes hotel suite with all it’s luxury details as well as the locations Hester turned them into nightly.

This book is the perfect escapism, which was most needed, whilst the ongoing pandemic keeps unexplored vistas banished to wistful dreams. I highly recommend.

I’ve read a few of Cressida’s Cornish Cream Tea series over the last couple of years and have really enjoyed them so was quite looking forward to her latest summer edition that explored a totally new set of characters and dynamics.

This is also my first summer read of the year and was perfectly suited for a holiday read, even if the whole point of the book is staying at home…

Like Jake, I was transported with Hester’s descriptions of holiday destinations - especially the Canadian Rookies! I mean where can I sign up?! I was actually reading this bit while sitting in a pool with a cocktail at 31’ and it’s still made me think I was snuggling up in front of a roaring fire! That’s how good Cressida’s books are!

I really liked watching how the ‘relationship’ between Hester and Jake developed although I did keep having those ‘when is it going to go wrong’ moments as you just knew the truth was going to come out and ruin things…

A fab book that I really enjoyed, and even included a few home comforts including a mention of the 5 ways roundabout in Mildenhall which was where I grew up - never heard that mentioned in a book before!

This author is so well known for her delightful series of books such as the Cornish Cream Tea, Blue Moon Guesthouse and Canal Boat Cafe series. This latest read however is a standalone book, so can be read easily without knowing any of the others. We meet Hester Monday, a travel agent who works for an agency that specialises in tailor made, exclusive and very expensive holiday packages! Hester has a phobia of flying though and whilst she's very good at her job she's never been to any of the places that she's selling. Her latest client, Jake Oakenfield is recovering from an injury sustained whilst rescuing an old lady, and has found himself stuck in a hotel room unable to return home to New York. It's Hester's job to take him to some faraway destinations from the comfort of his room, but how can she do that when she's never been anywhere!

I loved this book!! Hester Monday is a fabulous character, so sweet, kind and likeable! I was transfixed by the delights of the places that she arranged for Jake and the descriptions of the local cuisine were simply mouthwatering! Jake was also a lovely character- very handsome and charming, with the actions of his heoric dead making him seem all the more so!! I loved their relationship together and felt that both characters worked really well.

This book is definitely the big dose of escapism that the doctor ordered right now! It was wonderful not only to experience the destinations Hester organised for Jake, but to imagine the pure luxury of Jake's hotel in London- I would have happily stayed there for two weeks! The book captured my interest at the very first page and once I started it I couldn't put it down until I'd finished it!

The author's writing was perfect, taking me on a roller coaster of emotions as I read. It made me laugh throughout (Rosalie's character was great at doing this!), it brought tears to my eyes at times and left me feeling hot under the collar with the sex scenes! This was such a lovely read, with an equal amount of light-hearted fun and serious topics to balance each other out. It was so easy to read though with a genuine warmth coming out from the pages. Would definitely recommend!!!

Ooh I do love a Cressida McLaughlin novel and this one is utterly fabulous too. It was such a quick read for me as I devoured every word, every description of a holiday, every description of the fear of flying, and even more.

I could picture everything so clearly, especially how Hester set up the hotel room for Jake, for the first of the staycations he asks her to organise. Despite Hester having never really gone anywhere, she gave such a taste for the country and in fact just about any country she books holiday for.

As in theory, and she does prove it that you can easily sell a holiday even if you haven't experienced it first hand, if you research enough, are passionate about the location, are able to research and have a way with words.

Which is of course the exact reason I love armchair travel, through fiction, as much as real travel, and is a point that comes up while Jake is trying to persuade Hester that her wants to virtually travel to places, thus setting up this series of staycations.

Jake is incredibly good looking, slightly heroic in his actions which are what caused him to be stuck in a hotel room on the wrong side of the Atlantic for a few weeks, and clearly is intrigued by Hester.

I really enjoyed the glimpses of Rosalie who is a remarkable older lady and so instrumental in various parts of the book, and the first time we get to meet her properly, and well she has some great lines!

Between vivid travel elements, a potential for romance, great characters, some really imaginative ideas, and just the authors ability to tell an entertaining and enjoyable story - this book has it all. And I couldn't have loved it more if I tried!

Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This book is the most wonderful escapism, perfect to banish the blues! It's got a great mix as its funny, sexy, romantic and yet also mentions some relatable subjects. I can imagine it'd make a fabulous film!

The staycation is a lighthearted funny enjoyable read with great characters and an unusual original quirky concept that totally works!
Hester and Jake are a total delight and make such a great couple even if they have come together in unusual circumstances but it really works and I was willing them on at the end to sort out their differences!
Although a fun read several deep rooted issues are covered in a sensitive tactful manner and it just goes to show with perseverance, a great incentive and tenacity most things can be overcome !
I really felt that I had experienced so much from the descriptions of the places visited the foods sampled and the ambience all from the confines of a hotel room which is an amazing feat and shows how great Hester is at her job!
Would love to see a follow up to see where Hester and Jake go next and what the future holds for them!
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

What a lovely read, The Staycation is perfect for curling up on an afternoon and just enjoying from start to finish. It’s full of fun whilst also being heartfelt and emotional; with great descriptions and fun conversational back and forths. You will be whisked away, just like the characters of this book.
I loved that it was different to the authors other books, just as enjoyable though. I was just expecting a love story, but it does give you so much more, covering sensitive issues many readers may connect with.
I really liked Hester and Jake, thought they would be a great couple if they could be honest and open with each other. Seeing how their friendship develops is interesting and had it’s ups and downs. Secondary characters in the story are also fun and add some comedic moments.
I think this story would definitely work as a film, we’ve had The Holiday, why not The Staycation?
Highly recommended!

This is a typical romance with the usual tropes, twists and turns but the focus isn't only on Hester and Jake. Hester is an adorable main character and we discover her life, friends and colleagues as well as her well-kept secret while the story (and romance) unfolds.
I definitely recommend this cute, well-written and heartwarming story with lovable characters all around.

Thank you to the publisher who provided me with an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a lovely book with a real holiday vibe.

A heartwarming book about the highs and lows of life as Hester the travel agent has a fear of flying.
Will she overcome her fears as she seeks to follow Jake all the way to his home in New York?

A brilliant book written with humour and sympathy.

Loved it.

I absolutely ADORED this book! Out main character Hester is lovable from the moment we meet her - a travel agent who loves her job but has something holding her back - enter Jake Oakenfield, perhaps he is the solution to her problems??
A wonderfully written that made me laugh, cry and gasp in equal measures, a fantastic read.