Skip to main content

Member Reviews

A very cute book with everything you would look for in a romcom! Moments that make you laugh and smile and some more tender or tense moments. It had a little almost parent trap style vibes going on with the single parents angle and who doesn't love fake dating and a setting abroad?

Was this review helpful?

This was a funny and light hearted read. Jess was likeable and her friendship group, although they seemed to live a rather entitled and spoiled lifestyle, were entertaining and clearly had strong sisterhood bonds amongst them. The spa setting was great, although the weather perhaps a bit unrealistic given they were in the North of England in May!! But it definitely made me want to stay somewhere like that with my gal pals and the celebrity drama/working out her feelings for her new crush were all fun to read about.

Was this review helpful?

A week-long spa break with her best friends is exactly what Jess needs. And the guy she spots on the first day is a nice addition, too. Until she realizes it's someone she should've recognized.

I absolutely loved The Pick Up when I read it last year, so I gladly jumped at the opportunity to read this one, but it unfortunately fell a little flat for me. I liked the story, it was a quick, light-hearted read. The writing is really fun and immersive, and it makes it so easy to feel like you're right there with the characters as the story unfolds.

Personally, as the story takes place over a week, I feel like it all happened so quickly it made it a little hard for me to believe the connection between the two main characters. On top of that, the MMC didn't feel fully fleshed out to me, it felt like he was just there most of the times, with nothing more to offer. That said, there's one character that's an absolute stand out to me, and I really liked the friendship between the three girls.

Overall, I do think it is still is a very fun cleanser kind of book, and definitely worth a read. Very quick to get through, and with loads of funny moments.

Was this review helpful?

Fantastic sounding setting for a lovely rom com romp with all the usual suspects of close girl-friends, chisel jawed heros and plenty of steam!
A good poolside option for the summer!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to HQ for the advanced E-ARC of this book!

I love Hannah Doyle's RomCom's. Her humor, depiction of friendships, and inevitable love stories never miss.
Hannah brings a quirkiness and endearing self-deprecation to her MFC's and Jess was no different. The background is set against a swanky resort and the reunion of three best friends, who bring their own color to the story. This book made me want to grab my girlfriends and force a weeklong retreat on them.
Luke is the brother one of Jess's best friends and after a pact made years ago, is off limits. To Jess's dismay and indiscrete ogling, she has not only caught the attention of Luke but ends up being the moth to his flame. The conflict in this book really comes down to not wanting to break girl code, but as these are consenting adults, it is pretty minimal.

While I loved Luke and Jess separately, together, their flirting verged on being too juvenile.
The MVP goes to Dita Ortiz for always saying "Yessica" and to ringing her servant bell everywhere she goes. ICON.

Was this review helpful?

Cute closed door romance with lots of tension! Forced proximity, best friend’s younger brother, late night swims. Jess is at a luxury spa with her best friends only to find that her friend’s kid brother is also there and he got HOT. But he’s off limits right?

There’s lots of modern slang which might bother some people. A few times Jess even thinks stuff like “I’m v not into it” (using ‘v’ instead of very).

It’s a fun, easy read that I stayed up until 1am to finish.

Thanks to HarperCollinsUK, Hannah Doyle, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for a review.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed The Pick Up, so it was a no brainer to read The Spa Break when the opportunity arose.

I liked it, but to me it fell a bit flat. Everything happens over the course of week, and because of that, to me it felt that the characters, particular the leading man, wasn't really rounded out. We get to know him, then it is more flat stanley kind of character, rathen than the wonderful love interest.

I enjoyed the setting - who doesn't want a week at a high end resort with our besties? It felt quite immersive, and I could picture myself wandering around the resort.

The star of the book for me though was not one of the friends or the love interests, but a secondary character, who like her profession, stole the scene every time she was on page.

I did enjoy the writing style (could do with a few less "Babes" though), and are easy reads.

This would be a good book if you are after a quick, fun, easy read with a cuppa and some snack.

Was this review helpful?

Jess can't wait for her spa getaway with her best friends. She is in dire need of a holiday and expects to make the most of her time away. What she doesn't know is that a man from her past will be there too and he'll shake up her trip in a way she doesn't expect!

This was such a fun, light hearted read. Luke was a great male lead and the chemistry between Jess and him was evident from the start. I loved seeing how their relationship built up and enjoyed their love story. This was a great follow up book from Hannah Doyle, after The Pick Up which I also adored.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you for the ARC of this copy.

Jess goes to a luxurious week long Spa with her friends Stella and Em. This is what she needs a relaxing week. She sees a gorgeous man at the pool but little does she know who he is, that is until she finds out later.
This had me giggling from the beginning of the book, a fun romantic comedy that is uplifting and entertaining. I enjoyed this very much. Very well recommended.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you so much to Lou and HarperCollins for reaching out and providing me with an advanced copy of The Spa Break! After really enjoying The Pick Up, I was excited to return to Hannah’s writing, and this story definitely delivered what I hoped it would.

The Spa Break was the perfect light read after finishing a heavy romantasy. It’ was so fun, uplifting, and full of charm. I really enjoyed the writing style , easy warm and engaging. The main character Jess was such a relatable protagonist making you instantly root for her . Her personal journey was lovely to see, and I loved seeing how her dynamic with her best friends, Stella and Em, grounded her throughout. I loved their scenes and would LOVE a book on either of them. I feel like Em ‘s life would be romcom gold!

The spa setting was so dreamy, making the whole book feel like a much-needed escape. I loved the closed-door romance and how the story focused more on character growth and emotional connection between them. I actually booked into a spa and finished the book off on the way to the spa!

The romance developed much faster than I usually like and am used to but I feel like it worked quite well in a feel-good book like this, it just added to the whirlwind charm of the story. I just loved Luke. He was so sweet.

If you’re looking for a comforting, fun, and heartwarming story with female friendships and some romance , The Spa Break is great for that. A great pallet cleanser between intense reads.

Was this review helpful?

So much fun! And a delight to have a holiday hotel romance set in the North of England for a change. So much to make you smile. The perfect tonic to cheer you up on a wet weekend.

Was this review helpful?

Cute romantic comedy with mild steam. I enjoyed the characters personalities. I felt they were realistic making it easy to get immersed in the story.

Was this review helpful?

I read The Pick Up by Hannah Doyle and thoroughly enjoyed it, so naturally, when the opportunity to read her next book presented itself I put my current read on the back burner to quickly binge this one.

The Spa Break is about Jess, a journalist who is unhappy with her job, unhappy with her love life and pretty much everything apart from her two best friends. So when the three decide to take a trip to an exclusive about to open luxury spa, Jess is understandably excited. That excitement only grows when the first other person she meets at the Spa is an irresistibly handsome man that she can’t stop looking at. If it were only simple…

Sadly, the Spa Break fell a little flat for me overall. The story takes place over the span of just seven days, and since the characters (more or less) meet for the first time, their connection is somewhat unbelievable. Some of the scenes didn’t feel fully fleshed out and it feels like at the start we learn a little bit about the MMC, but then he is kind of just there and we find out nothing more about him as a person. As a result, connecting with the two of them as a couple was difficult for me.

I still think the book is worth a read, especially for anyone who wants a closed door romance without any explicit scenes. It’s fun and quick and feel good. I’m excited to see what Hannah Doyle writes next.

Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

Oh my gosh, this was so funny! I laughed all the way through. A really quick, one-sitting read. Perfect for the beach. The FMC, Jess, was fantastic, but really, all of the characters were great. Dita was comic relief personified. Exactly how female friendships should be portrayed. I've read a few books by this author and haven't been disappointed. Highly recommend.

Was this review helpful?

I am a self-admitted book worm, and I have been the majority of my life. Here lately, I gravitate towards suspenseful books. Ultimately, at my core I am still a fan of romance. Because of this, I was very excited to read this book.

Although I read Hannah’s previous book “The Pick Up,” I still didn’t know what to expect with this one. I have to admit that the plot description definitely is one that piqued my interest. This book definitely blew away any expectations that I had. I was hooked before I had even gotten through the first chapter due to how much I absolutely adored the main character.

I loved this book so much, and am kind of sad that I am done reading it. This book made me laugh out loud at times. In addition to the main character, I really liked the secondary characters as well. I absolutely love the ending!

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Was this review helpful?

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!

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Was this review helpful?

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!

Was this review helpful?

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!

Was this review helpful?

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

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?