How to Slay on Holiday by Sarah Bonner offers an intriguing blend of sun-soaked luxury, dark humor, and domestic drama, set against the picturesque backdrop of Mykonos. The novel follows Chloe Cooper, heiress to a morally murky family empire, as she hatches a meticulously calculated plan to murder her cheating husband, Scott, while crafting the perfect alibi during a family getaway. What unfolds is a twist-laden narrative where nothing—and no one—is quite what it seems.

The premise is undeniably gripping, and Bonner’s vivid descriptions of the Greek villa, mouthwatering cuisine, and glittering coastline instantly immerse the reader in Chloe’s seemingly idyllic vacation-turned-crime scene. The book’s pacing is brisk, with tension bubbling under the surface of Chloe’s strained interactions with Scott, her suspicious sister-in-law Tori, and the mysterious villa concierge, Grace.

However, while the setup promises a deliciously dark romp, the execution leaves room for improvement. Chloe’s characterization wavers throughout the novel, making it difficult to connect with her motives or sympathize with her plight. She alternates between a cunning, relatable protagonist and a shallow, bratty figure whose final decisions feel inconsistent with the groundwork laid earlier in the story.

The supporting cast—Tori, Grace, and even Scott—offer interesting dynamics but lack the depth needed to fully engage the reader. Grace, in particular, had the potential to be a standout character, but her juvenile dialogue and underexplored backstory undermined her enigmatic presence. Similarly, Tori’s suspicions of Chloe’s plan are introduced but never fully explained, leaving a loose thread in an otherwise tightly plotted mystery.

Pop culture references peppered throughout the dialogue add a layer of humor and relatability but occasionally feel overused, detracting from the suspense during pivotal moments. In high-stakes scenes, these references break the immersion and diminish the gravity of the unfolding drama.

Structurally, the novel feels rushed in places where it could have delved deeper into character relationships, emotional stakes, or the logistics of the crime itself. Key moments—such as the aftermath of Scott’s demise or the family’s reactions during the explosive finale—are glossed over in favor of internal monologues or abrupt scene transitions, leaving readers craving more.

How to Slay on Holiday remains an entertaining read for fans of twisty domestic thrillers. Bonner’s clever premise, witty dialogue, and immersive setting carry the story through its weaker points, delivering a page-turner that will keep readers guessing. While the novel doesn’t fully capitalize on its potential, it’s a fun, fast-paced addition to the “vacation-gone-wrong” genre that will leave readers intrigued to see what Bonner pens next.

Incredibly engaging beginning all to end on a rather meh note. I think most readers are approaching this book with an understanding of “yes, I want her to kill her husband let’s do it” but it’s completely lacking the catharsis and enjoyment you’d expect from the description & cover. The stakes are routinely upside down, characters treat things laxs when they shouldn’t and freak out on things that are simple. The ending is desperately wrapped up like it’s midnight on Christmas Eve throwing a final twist in the hopes of making an impact. This only leaves the reader feeling unresolved & wishing for what could have been!

Sarah Bonner’s How to Slay on Holiday follows Chloe Cooper, an heiress to an illicit family empire with a bit of a marital problem: she’s spent months meticulously planning to murder her husband, Scott. Of course, she’s going to need a rock-hard alibi to ensure she’s never suspected, and what better way to craft it than by hauling their families to Greece for the perfect, week-long getaway? As Chloe works overtime to portray her marriage as the loving and fulfilling union their families believe it to be, tensions bubble amid sister-in-law Tori’s growing suspicions, and the increasingly enigmatic behavior of the villa concierge, Grace. Set against the sun-drenched backdrop of the Greek island, Mykonos, this book promises a thrilling mix of drama and intrigue, with twists at every corner.

I found the premise of this novel to be compelling, and thought Bonner created a vivid setting in her imagery of the Bougainvillea. Paired with detailed descriptions of Greek cuisine and culture, I felt immersed in the luxurious holiday atmosphere and found myself eagerly flipping pages to uncover the novel’s twists. There was clear effort in making the narrative feel fast-paced and engaging, which paid off in the sense that I finished the book rather quickly in one night.

Still, the execution of the plot left much to be desired. Chloe’s characterization felt inconsistent. Beginning as irritable and cold, Chloe grew more relatable and rational as the problems in her marriage were laid out, only to be reverted to a disappointingly bratty, shallow conclusion by the final page. Supporting characters like Tori and Grace had more potential, but their development felt incomplete. For example, Tori’s discovery of Chloe’s plan was never explained, and Grace’s professional persona often clashed with her juvenile dialogue, niche references, and a lack of distinct voice between the other character POVs.

The overuse of pop culture references was another drawback. While they at times added humor and relatability, they ultimately felt excessive, making the novel read as dated and out of place — especially during high-stakes moments where the characters should be focused on the weight of covering up a crime scene, not how they were sort of, kind of dressed as Walt and Jesse from Breaking Bad.

I also felt that, structurally, this book suffered from a rushed pace and lack of depth. Scenes that could have added emotional weight, established character dynamics, or built tension were glossed over in favor of repetitive internal monologues. I would have liked the story to include moments like the flight to Mykonos, or carrying the body out of the villa, or even more detail in how the family handled the finale. The abrupt ending simply didn’t do justice to the layered plot, leaving far too many questions unanswered and, in my opinion, character arcs unresolved.

All that being said, the story’s bones were solid enough for the story to be enjoyable. With stronger characterization, more descriptive scenes, and a bit tighter editing, this could have been a truly entertaining thriller. While How to Slay on Holiday didn’t quite hit the mark for me, I appreciate the author’s effort in delivering a fresh take on the vacation-gone-wrong trope, and I’m curious to see how her work evolves in the future.

This is a brilliantly clever mystery. The author writes in a really engaging way and creates characters who you won’t like, but whose fate you will want to know. The complex history and links between many characters emerges slowly and adds layers to the plot, while the clever and funny dialogue often makes for some ridiculous scenarios.

I loved this book it was extremely witty, dark and suspenseful! It made me laugh out loud many times whilst reading it!

I loved the character Chloe I thought she was scheming and all round hilarious! I wasn’t a fan of Scott for many reasons! This book was so good I devoured it in a day it was a real page- turner!

The twist wow it was so unexpected I thought I had worked it out but I was so wrong; it was a spectacular ending! 😊

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars