Nina Manning’s latest psychological offering is an interesting perspective on the destination thriller.
After a tumultuous relationship break-up, Sadie finds herself in Nadi, Fiji. She is enjoying her time there, but still feels unfulfilled until she has a meeting with the enigmatic Avril. Avril gives her an invitation to spend the rest of her time on the remote island of Totini.
Totini seems like an island paradise, with pure white sands and total isolation, offering no Wi-Fi or mobile phones. Sadie quickly seems to have doubts as the community Avril heads up consists of only women. There is also a part of the island which Sadie is informed is strictly off- limits.
The story is told in dual timelines, which include Sadie’s time on Totini and now. It soon becomes apparent that something devastating has happened to Sadie. Experts try to unravel her torn and fractured memories.
The sense of menace and unease is quite slow to unfold, then Nina Manning rachets it up, and we arrive at a premise which has a sense of Lord of the Flies.
Nina Manning does a good job of preparing you for an ordinary destination thriller and then turning it on its head. A minor issue is I would have liked a faster pace initially, but still four stars from me
Sincere thanks to NetGalley, Nina Manning and especially Boldwood Books for the much-appreciated ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

The story begins with Sadie, who has just left a toxic relationship with her boyfriend and sets off on a holiday to Fiji to find herself again. After being met at a bar by another female traveler who invites her on a ‘boat trip’ Sadie meets the lady the following morning and off they go out to sea in search of another one of Fijis beautiful islands.
When they arrive Sadie finds out that this is not their final destination but the middle ground and they have another boat to catch on the other side of the island, then after that they have a helicopter ride too which takes them to their final destination of paradise.
Upon arrival Sadie is overwhelmed with the beauty and simplicity of the island’s activities but when she finds out that they live without any electricity or WiFi etc she begins to feel uneasy, when they all sit down to eat and introductions between the other ladies takes place Sadie feels that something isn’t right and certain members are jealous of her arrival.
When an accident occurs with her camp buddy and she gets taken away to ‘recover’ never to be seen again Sadie’s sense of unease grows and she just wants to leave asap - but with no boats returning to collect anyone it looks like she is stuck and in danger!

One word to sum this book up would be shocking! For some reason I really struggled to get into this but once I'd hit the halfway point I was hooked so pls keep at it if u struggle at 1st.
Despite being quite unrealistic I could imagine it being made into a TV box set or similar, definitely some jaw dropping moments, reminded me a bit of Yellowjackets.
I was disappointed with the ending though, I understand leaving the reader with a bit of mystery but I would've really liked to have known what happened to some of the characters, it felt a bit rushed.
A good 4 star rating, thank you #NetGalley for the arc

I really enjoyed this book. After escaping a toxic relationship, Sadie finds herself on a remote island off the coast of Fiji. It seems like paradise but it soon becomes obvious that something sinister is going on. Why are there no men on the island and why does it seem to be impossible to leave? This is a very creepy story that will keep you guessing to the end.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

Told in alternating timelines, the story slowly builds tension as the main character begins to notice strange rules, secrets among the other women, and a growing sense that not everything is as it seems. The author does a great job with atmosphere. You can almost feel the heat pressing down and the isolation creeping in. The psychological suspense builds quietly, and while it does not rely on big twists, there is a steady sense of unease that keeps you turning the pages.
This is a quick and engaging read, perfect for those who enjoy psychological suspense in a beautiful but eerie setting.

The Beach Holiday by Nina Manning, usually when reading a book after finishing it I can always find something I like about it but from the beginning of this book there was nothing but contradictions complaining etc. First of all she left England because she didn’t wanna have a wash, rinse, spin, and repeat lifestyle, like her and her Ex’s friends their same age were having. So after a very violent break up, she drops everything to live a life of adventure but in reality she’s really selling chocolate on the beach to try and pay for her apartment then when a girl convinces her to pack everything up and go with her to an island she doesn’t ask questions no she says i’ll be there!“ she arrives on the island that has a cult vibe to it immediately and what does she think oh well at least we have our own cabins. Her biggest worry was sleeping on the beach… OK she’s on an island where she has no contact with anyone except the people who live there the first day she’s there she learns they all have chores they divvy up different responsibilities and she’s all OK with that because that has to be better than working in London striving to pay your rent/mortgage. soon after arriving she starts learning contradictions that the girl who invited her to the island told her and then she learns of a place that people don’t/can’t go in at first she blows it off but then she must go to this place. This book was predictable annoying and that truly makes me sad because I really really love Nina Manning books but this one was such a disappointment I was so letdown by this book I can’t even put into words especially because of the height of my excitement to read it. Having said that read it at your own risk I found it predictable contradictory and just ridiculous. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #NinaManning,#TheBeachHoliday,

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The blurb of The Beach Holiday immediately caught my attention. I’m a big fan of thrillers set on remote islands, and the prologue promised tension and intrigue. Unfortunately, the book never quite delivered on that early promise.

At around 6%, I started to feel the dialogue was a bit clunky and the main character, Sadie, came across as one dimensional. By 9%, the introduction of a dual timeline gave me hope. I enjoy that structure, but I was already confused and unsure of what was happening. Still, I was curious enough to keep going.

By 17%, it became clear I didn’t like Sadie. As the story progressed, particularly around the halfway mark, I found her character frustratingly weak. Her emotions were repeated so often it felt like the same few thoughts were being recycled again and again. I couldn’t connect with her at all, and it began to wear me down.

That said, at 85% I was fully invested. Not in Sadie, but in getting to the end. I was intrigued enough by the plot and needed to know what had happened. Ula, a secondary character, held my attention far more. I found myself wanting her story rather than Sadie’s.

And then… the ending. I finished the last page feeling flat. I expected a strong, satisfying resolution after all the build-up, but what I got felt rushed, vague and ultimately disappointing. Loose ends were left dangling, and I was left wondering what the point of some of it was.

In the end, The Beach Holiday had a solid premise and fleeting moments of suspense, but it lacked depth, clarity and a compelling lead. 2.5 stars from me.

I know I can always count on Nina to bring me a fantastic suspenseful read just when I need it!
The Beach Holiday by Nina Manning is a gripping and suspenseful novel.
I’m a big fan of Manning’s work and this was another wonderful read.
The compelling narrative and well-drawn characters had me up so late.
The way she creates her characters is seriously the best. They are intriguing and entertaining.
Nina Manning's ability to build and maintain suspense makes this novel a captivating read for fans of psychological thrillers.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I am a fan of Nina's books but unfortunately this one wasn't as good as the others. I didn't connect with Sadie and the ending was disappointing.

This is my second book by Nina Manning, I loved the first one and this one definitely does not disappoint.

I absolutely love a destination sitting in a thriller book, even more so when it’s a remote setting or a setting that can’t be left.

The pacing is slower than what I’m used to but I quite liked that - it helped build up tension and suspense.

I loved the ending, which I didn’t expect at all, and it left some questions unanswered.. are we going to get a sequel?

This is the perfect summer/beach read! I am also a huge fan of thrillers taking place on remote islands, so that was a huge plus! This was a great quick read and I was very pleased with it. I’ll definitely be checking out more books from this author.

What a twisted and delightful read! I can't stop thinking about it.

Sadie Adamson is working in Fiji and trying to move on from a toxic ex. She has friends she hangs out with. There is one in particular, Avril, with whom she connects and immediately goes on a mini vacation to an unknown island that is far away. Sadie arrives at the location and notices that there are only women, 2 children, and nothing else. She realizes that Avrim has brought her there and doesn't intend to take her back to her old life.

As days pass, Sadie begins to notice some discrepancies, half truths, and lots of silence from Avril and the other women. The commune is not the utopia that Avril was selling and that Avril and the rest of the women hide deadly secrets.

Thank you, Netgalley and Hodder & and Stoughton, for this magnificent ARC. All opinions are entirely my own

This was different from other thrillers I’ve read.

Although it didn’t feel particularly fast paced I still felt compelled to read as I just wanted to know what was happening!

Really thought the writing flowed well and kept me intrigued. Liked having the story told from ‘Now’ and ‘Then’ POV’s.
This is the first Nina Manning book I’ve read but I do have others on my TBR and I know I’ll enjoy them!

I’d say this is definitely a thriller with discoveries rather than shocking moments but enjoyable to see how it all panned out.

The ending does leave you wondering a few things and I actually enjoyed that as it’ll keep me thinking!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This is the perfect destination thriller for the summer of 2025! The secluded island serves as the perfect backdrop for a scary yet entertaining plot. A terrific read all around!

“You won’t want to leave… until you can’t.” That tagline couldn’t be more fitting for Nina Manning’s latest psychological thriller, The Beach Holiday which is a compelling, atmospheric read that had me hooked from the start.

After a break-up and in need of an escape, Sadie accepts an invitation to a remote island just off the coast of Fiji.

With its white sands, postcard-perfect sunsets and blissful isolation (no Wi-Fi or mobile signal), it feels like paradise.

A chance to finally switch off, reset, and leave her past behind.

But it soon becomes clear that the island is hiding more than just luxury and tranquillity.

Why are only women allowed? Why is a part of the island strictly off-limits? And why do the guests never seem to leave?

Told through a dual timeline, the story moves between “then” and “now,” gradually building tension as Sadie’s memories and understanding begin to fracture.

As she starts to piece together what’s really going on, the sense of unease ratchets up and so does the pace.

I devoured this book in just three days; the short chapters and the mounting mystery made it hard to put down.

Manning does a brilliant job of creating a sense of claustrophobia and growing dread, despite the seemingly idyllic setting.

I really felt like I was on the island with Sadie, experiencing the disorientation, the suspicion, and the creeping realisation that something isn’t quite right.

This is a twisty, unsettling thriller that explores themes of control, identity, and the dark side of utopia. If you enjoy stories where paradise slowly turns to nightmare, The Beach Holiday is one you won’t want to miss.

A gripping, sun-drenched psychological thriller with a sinister undercurrent. Prepare to be pulled in... and not let go.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. Tense, twisty and intriguing all in a beautiful setting. Fabulous book for a holiday read or anytime really. I loved this book and would definitely look out for other books by this author. The only slight downer was the book ended so suddenly, I hoped it would go on a bit longer.

Thank you to Net Galley for my advanced copy of this book for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I read it in less than 24 hours. The short chapters really added to the pace of the book. It has plenty of mystery and plenty of questions that needed answering. The island was described really well and the characters were likeable. I also really liked the dual timeline with it going back from then to now.

A good read. I would recommend this book and I will look for books by this author in future.

**3.5**

Thank you so much, NetGalley for this ARC ❤️

Sadie comes out of a bad relationship and travels to Fiji. Gets herself a job. One day meets a woman who invites her to a remote paradise island. She goes. Notice that it's a women's commune and it does seem like paradise. At first. Something isn't right....

A thriller. It's good, but I found it all very slow. But still intriguing.

The Beach Holiday is billed as an utterly gripping psychological thriller with a heart stopping twist. Sadie has escaped England and toxic boyfriend and heads to Fiji. Here she is befriended by Avril and travels with her to a remote, women only Fijian island. It seems the perfect place to reflect and rebuild but is everything as it seems. What starts out as a new adventure, quickly develops into a place of uneasiness with areas off limits and dark secrets. Whilst I enjoyed this book, I did feel like there was something lacking and it didn’t grip me as much as other thrillers. Thank you to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton and the author for the chance to review.

What begins as a sun-soaked escape quickly twists into a chilling and suspenseful thriller in Nina Manning’s The Beach Holiday. After a breakup and in desperate need of a fresh start, Sadie accepts an invitation to an exclusive island off the coast of Fiji. With no Wi-Fi, a stunning landscape and the promise of peace, it seems like the perfect chance to reset.

But paradise doesn’t come without its shadows. The island’s rules are strange — only women are allowed to visit, one section is completely off limits, and no one seems to be leaving. As Sadie tries to relax, her unease grows with every cryptic conversation and unanswered question.

Manning crafts a tense atmosphere that slowly seeps into every chapter. As Sadie unravels the truth behind the island’s eerie serenity, the book evolves into a powerful commentary on autonomy, power and what it truly means to be free.

Suspenseful, clever and deeply unsettling, The Beach Holiday grips tightly and refuses to let go.

3.5/5.

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