I thought I was going to like this one more than I did, because Hannah's previous book was so good. Maybe it's just because I don't like the miscommunication trope if it's easily resolved with one good conversation. Especially between best friends I would expect more communication.

The romance was cute though, it didn't disappoint. They had so many cute dates that it felt more realistic when the L-word was thrown around after just a week. If you know, you know.

I really enjoyed reading The Spa Break by Hannah Doyle. The FMC and MMC had amazing chemistry that leapt off the page. I really enjoyed the focus on female friendship in this book. As a mom of 2 young boys finding time to have the "me" time and the entire logic of help yourself to help others. I love that. All in all this is another Hannah Doyle book that I couldn't put down!

Sweet and innocent fun
—
Ignore the cover that makes it look like the Med or SoCal, this is set on the Northumberland coast at a brand new spa. Jess hasn’t seen her BFFs Stella and Em in ages so she leaps at the opportunity to spend an all-expenses but discounted week at a spa hotel. Her ex is still in her flat after breaking up two months ago, she’s just been leapfrogged at work, and her parents have just left for a year to travel the world. Then the instant Jess sits down at the pool with a well needed cocktail, she clocks a gorgeous hunk of humanity swimming towards her who doesn’t avoid her eyes. Will Jess be able to keep her mind on her friends when temptation is only a spa appointment away?

Without giving the game away, there are complications between Jess and hunka hunka burning love, as well as rivals, sports injuries and hush hush VIP guests. More com than rom, this is pretty much a script ripe for streaming adaptation, which is no bad thing. It simply breezes by, filled with loving friendships, wish fulfilment and romance, with some brilliantly weird characters of whom I would love to see more (Dita, I’m looking at you).

Three and a half stars

The Spa Break is a warm, witty, and delightfully uplifting novel that celebrates the messiness of life, the power of female friendship, and the unexpected turns that love can take. With its vibrant cast, sharp humor, and heartfelt moments, it’s the kind of story that feels like a comforting chat with your best friends—complete with laughter, chaos, and a few life-changing revelations.

At the heart of the novel is Jessie, whose journey toward rediscovery is both relatable and empowering. Her dynamic with Luke, the charming (and slightly off-limits) love interest, is full of spark and easy chemistry. Their relationship is sweet and refreshing, with a closed-door romance that allows for deeper emotional connection rather than relying on physical tension alone. While their arc did feel a bit rushed toward the end, particularly as the plot picked up speed, their quirky flirtation and heartfelt moments still made for a satisfying romantic thread.

But the real standout of the book is the friendship between Jessie, Em, and Stella. Their bond is messy, real, and full of heart. Through wild spa shenanigans, moments of vulnerability, and honest conversations, their friendship radiates off the page. It’s a joy to see female relationships given such depth and energy, and many readers will likely see echoes of their own friendships in the trio’s chaotic yet loving dynamic.

The pacing of the novel moves quickly—perhaps a bit too quickly at times—leaving little room to linger on some of the emotional beats. A bit more breathing space could have elevated the impact of the big moments. That said, the fast pace keeps the story energetic and fun, making it an ideal weekend or holiday read.

Final Thoughts
The Spa Break is a feel-good story brimming with heart, humor, and hope. Perfect for fans of character-driven contemporary fiction, closed-door romance, and stories centered on strong female friendships. It may not break new ground, but it leaves you smiling—and sometimes, that’s exactly what a book should do. A charming, cozy pick for your summer reading list.

Relaxing, hilarious, and full of feel-good fun 💆‍♀️✨. The Spa Break is the ultimate escapist read, packed with friendship, laughter, and a dash of romance. Hannah Doyle delivers loveable characters and a heartwarming story about taking time for yourself and finding unexpected joy along the way. I adored the humour, the spa setting, and the uplifting message that self-care matters. Perfect for fans of cosy, fun fiction with heart.

This book was a nice easy read for me. It wasn't the freshest thing I've ever read but I enjoyed the familiar tropes.

This was not a favorite of mine. The characters and the story felt a bit forgettable and the romance felt kind of forced. In this book we follow Jessica who just broke up with her bf and quit her job decides to go on a getaway. Where she literally falls in love at first sight with her best friend’s little brother. I just never really connected with the characters and felt like the romance was often an after thought. This book was very instalove and didn’t really give us much for the male main character. The third act conflict in this felt very low stakes and kind of pointless. This book just wasn’t for me but I could see others enjoying this. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

Another really cute story from Hannah Doyle - loved her last book The Pick Up, so was excited when I got offered to read and review this book of hers too!

Lovely story, characters and just a good old slow-burn romance with no spice if that’s what you’re into!

This book was absolutely delightful—genuinely laugh-out-loud funny from beginning to end. It’s a brisk, engaging read that I flew through in a single sitting, making it an ideal companion for a beach day or a cozy afternoon.

The female lead, Jess, was a standout—clever, relatable, and full of charm. That said, the entire cast of characters brought something special to the story. Dita, in particular, was pure comedic brilliance and added just the right amount of levity. The portrayal of female friendship was refreshingly authentic—supportive, witty, and full of heart.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This was the perfect quick, summer beach read that was fun and made me laugh. It gave me all the feels and I loved every moment. I need to now go read everything else Doyle has written.

This was cute, breezy, and packed with summery spa trip vibes, but it didn’t quite soak in the way I hoped.

Jess heads off on a girls’ getaway with her two besties to reset and shake off some serious life burnout, and honestly? The friendship dynamic is where this book shines. Jess, Stella, and Em are chaotic, hilarious, and genuinely supportive in that ride-or-die way that makes you want to crash their group chat. The setting is lush, the spa scenes are indulgent, and there’s plenty of hot tub tequila energy.

The romance? Sweet, but a bit underbaked. Luke (aka her best friend’s brother) is charming and there’s a nice little spark, but it didn’t go quite deep enough for me to fully feel it. It’s flirty, it’s cute, but I wanted more oomph. More tension, more development, just... more.

If you’re into:
✨ Feel-good girl group chaos
✨ Spa days and wine nights in cozy countryside retreats
✨ Gentle romance with low drama
✨ A heroine figuring herself out in a soft, sunny way

Then The Spa Break is a solid pick for your next warm-weather read.

Thank you to HQ and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a nice, quick lighthearted read. I wouldn’t say I was completely blown away as I found it hard to connect with the FMC, some of her thought processes just didn’t sit right with me. I’m also not the biggest fan of the “instant love” trope.
That said, I’d still recommend it to anyone looking for an easy, beach read this summer.

Another beaut from Hannah Doyle. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. I loved this book. Would re-read, so 5 stars.

One of the real highlights of this novel was the warm, witty, and delightfully chaotic friendship between the three women at its core. Their shared stories—full of laugh-out-loud moments, wild escapades, and heartfelt support—brought a vibrant energy to the book. It was refreshing to see female friendship portrayed in such a lively, genuine, and joyously messy way.

The chemistry between Jessie and Luke was another strong point. Their connection felt natural and full of spark, with just enough of a forbidden edge to keep things interesting. I was easily invested in their relationship and found myself rooting for them early on.

That said, the pacing threw me a bit. The story moved very quickly—at times too quickly. I would have appreciated a bit more time for the characters (and readers!) to sit with the big moments, especially when it came to the development of Jessie and Luke’s relationship, which felt extremely rushed in the final stages of the book.

Overall, this was an entertaining and heartfelt read. It’s ideal for fans of fast-paced romance, strong female friendships, and lighthearted drama. While the speed of the plot kept it from being a total standout for me, it was still an enjoyable ride with plenty to love.

[Thank you to HQ | HQ Digitial and Netgalley for the gifted eARC.]

After reading The Pickup by Doyle last year, I was excited to dive into this book. The premise is so good: three friends go away on a vacation to reconnect and one of them ends up finding love.

Ultimately, I’m not a big fan of instalove/instalust so the story ended up falling flat for me. Jessica and Luke go from seeing each other to saying “I love you” in about a week, even though they don’t spend all that much time together. And since the story is first-person POV we only really learn about Jessica, making it really hard to connect with Luke and understand why Jessica fell in love with him so quickly.

While this didn’t have the same charm as Doyle’s previous book, it would be a great beach read. It’s a light-hearted, closed-door romance that features strong female friendships (between three very different women). One of my favorite parts was watching Jessica stand up for herself, thanks to the support of her friends, and finally decide to go after her dreams and the life she wants.

A new author for me and an excellent book from Hannah. I will be having a look for more of this author's books. This one ticks all the boxes for me and didn't disappoint.

Oh what a lovely read this was.

I am so here for girls trips and watching these friends together has been really interesting and fun. They all have their own different personalities but together they’re just perfect.

Jess, Em and Stella are on this trip to catch up after being separated for a while. They’re there for a break, to try and find answers to their current problems whilst relaxing.

Then in comes Luke who throws everything Jess had planned right of course. She’s instantly attracted until she realises who he actually is and yes! Read the book!!

There’s chaos, banter and moments that’ll have you laughing. I’ve loved watching Jess manoeuvre through the obstacles thrown in her way. She’s clumsy and funny and I just loved her. Her best friends were also fun, I would love to know more about them and their stories.

This is my first book from this author and it most definitely won’t be my last.

The Spa Break is a fun and comforting quick read. It’s, I’d say, a slow burn but also instant like/love forbidden romance with zero spice.


If you like

* Best Friends on Holiday
* Forbidden Romance
* Best Friends Brother
* Slow burn
* Zero Spice

then you’ll enjoy this one.

Three friends on a luxurious spa break, Jess is hoping it will help her recover from a breakup, and it does, but not without emotional complications. It's a lighthearted beach read with female friendship, glamour and unexpected romance. I like the dynamic between Jess and her friends, the setting, and the intricate romance.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

This was a perfect book right from he start. A Luxury Spa Break is what Jess needs and for meeting up with her friends for a whole week. I loved Jess and Luke's chemistry they were perfect for each other. Funny and enjoyable this is a perfect summer read.

If you’re looking for a feel-good, girls weekend spa getaway meets romcom with a splash of humor and best friend’s brother, The Spa Break is your perfect escape!