This book was ok. The plot and mystery were quite fun and I definitely did not guess the murderer in advance. And I did like the route Mack went with who the murderer was.

My issue with this book is the main character and writing style. I get wanting to be quirky and having your character break the fourth wall. To me it just felt odd to do that in a murder mystery and it made it difficult for me to really get into and enjoy the actual story.

A fun and quirky sequel.

Like the first book, this is a light and easy read for a holiday or winter day by the fire. Clever characters and a good mystery.

This was a funny quick read. If you’re a fan of murder mysteries &/or the TV show death in paradise then this book is for you.

I really enjoyed the breaking of the 4th wall via the footnotes - they were hilarious and informative in equal measures!!

There were many a twist and turn that kept me engaged. I can 100% say that if I ever met Eleanor Dash on holiday I am immediately leave! 😆

Actual rating 3.5.

I actually ended up listening to the audiobook of this one because I think the narrator is great, and it was a fun, easy listen.

I really loved the previous book by the author, but must admit this one didn’t match it. It was still a fun, and funny, read but the plot felt quite complicated at times and I found myself getting confused as to what was going on, especially with the film script moments and trying to work out what was movie vs actually happening. But I still love our main character and definitely had a few laughs, so it’s still worth a read if you’re after something a bit lighter!

After the events of the Italian book tour, Eleanor is happy to attend her friend Emma's wedding. It's to be held on an island off the coast of California. And, of course, there is a storm brewing that will cut the island off from the rest of the world. What could possibly go wrong? Right?

In true cosy mystery fashion there soon is a murder victim. Just as this past summer, Eleanor, the writer of detective fiction, starts investigating. Which, as readers of the first book know, won't get her in the crosshairs at all.

Fourth wall breaks, an unreliable narrator (Eleanor), and quirky secondary characters make this a page turner. I cannot wait to see what will happen to Eleanor next, she's going on a writing/writers' retreat with some other crime writers.

4.5 stars rounded up

Such a fun follow up! The chaos continues!

I love this little tongue in cheek murderous world that Catherine Mack has created! And the sequel was just as fun (well fun, but with murder) and crazy as the last book!

💍🎬💍🎬

Premise:

Eleanor Dash heads to an island off LA, to celebrate the secret wedding of the co stars of the film adaptation of her book.

But there is a storm coming in that will cut them off from the outside world. And a wedding schedule that suggests murder. And when the first body shows up, all these amateur detectives (crime writers / actors) are back trying to solve what’s going on

💍🎬💍🎬

Firstly I love the set up with the script pages scattered throughout the book, which kind of acts as more backstory of Connor and Eleanor in Rome! And the writing in general is just so funny as always! I love the footnotes, the agressive 4th wall breaks and the jokey nature of it all! The writing makes it easy to inhale and I read this in less than two days!

And the murder was fun! I had no clue what was going on, but kept making guesses! And I feel there is still so much left to uncover in the next books. For example there’s still a killer from book 1 on the loose! What??

And I really enjoyed Eleanor’s character this book. I find her super relatable - running away from seriousness, using humour to cope, her fear of emotional intimacy. Despite the more quirky nature of this book, the characters still have a great level of depth!

I’m on the fence about her and Oliver though. He’s so so lovely. And clearly good for her… but this book really made lean towards team Connor! (I don’t think this is even a series where there’s meant to be teams… but here we are!) I loved their relationship growth, her concern for him being dead and the flashbacks (through the script) of them in Rome and him encouraging her to live an exciting life. Blame my love of morally grey men, but I’m rooting for Connor (with much delusion!)

I liked the ending as well and can’t wait for book 3. I hope the whole gang of writer returns from book 1! And I saw in the ‘About the Author’ that this had been picked up for TV which is exciting! Hoping the costars in the TV series don’t decide to get married during a storm 🤣

This is the second book in The Vacation Mysteries series. Eleanor is an author, she writes mysteries and she also has a knack for solving them. This time she’s overseeing the movie adaptation of her book When in Rome. When the filming is done the movie team is invited to the wedding between the two main actors. There will be fun activities, dinner and of course a beautiful wedding. Except there is a storm coming, threats sent, strange accidents and murder…

I would call this a Cozy mystery. A book that you can bring to the beach this summer and get wrapped up in romances, jealousy and murder. I think the main character is a bit too talkative. She is the narrator of the book and except for being quite chatty she also makes footnotes (which is a bit tricky to follow when reading an ebook and can’t just flip the pages back and forth in an easy way) where she gets to talk a bit more. Sometimes it’s hard to follow who’s talking to who. Back to the positive. The book was entertaining and for once I didn’t figure out who’s done what until the end. For those who prefer a quirky lighthearted , and still exciting, mystery without gore.

Thank you to NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and the author for granting my request to read this e-ARC and provide my honest opinions.

I loved the first book (Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies), so when I saw this sequel on NetGalley, I didn’t waste a second requesting it!

This second book was even more chaotic than the first—with a ton of new faces, some returning characters, and a murder mystery unfolding at a glamorous wedding. Think actors, actresses, an ex trying to rekindle a flame, and a murder at midnight during a storm, all while stuck on an island.

I genuinely don’t think anyone could guess who the murderer was—I certainly couldn’t!

Overall, despite the chaotic vibe and the large cast, this was a really fun and engaging read. Thank you again for the e-ARC!