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How to Slay #2
How to Slay on Holiday
The BRAND NEW deliciously dark thriller from Sarah Bonner, author of How to Slay at Work You’d kill for a holiday like this one…
Chloe has spent months planning the murder of her husband, Scott. Everything is ready, but first she must create the perfect alibi to avoid any suggestion of her involvement in his death. And what better way to avoid suspicion than playing the loved-up wife on an extravagant holiday with their extended families?
A luxury villa on the Greek island of Mykonos should provide the ultimate setting for her week of make-believe married bliss. But as the sun sets on their first evening in paradise, the cracks in Chloe’s plan begin to show. Family rivalries bubble to the surface. Scott’s sister, Tori, begins to ask awkward questions, suggesting she might know more about Chloe’s plans than she should. Then there’s the villa concierge, Grace, who is watching her guests’ every moves.
As tensions rise, can Chloe manage to keep her murderous intentions hidden? And can she stop herself from adding a few more people to the body count along the way?
Fans of Katy Brent, Bella Mackie and Julie Mae Cohen won't be able to resist this twisty, darkly funny crime thriller.
Praise for Sarah
'A hilarious romp that I just couldn’t put down' Katy Brent
'Brilliantly twisty and thoroughly entertaining' T.M. Logan
'A perfect thriller, we read this in one sitting' Closer
'A wonderfully twisty, and twisted, thriller that will have you up until the early hours, and with an ending that you will NOT see coming. Brilliant' SJ Watson
'Captivating' Janice Hallett
Chloe has spent months planning the murder of her husband, Scott. Everything is ready, but first she must create the perfect alibi to avoid any suggestion of her involvement in his death. And what better way to avoid suspicion than playing the loved-up wife on an extravagant holiday with their extended families?
A luxury villa on the Greek island of Mykonos should provide the ultimate setting for her week of make-believe married bliss. But as the sun sets on their first evening in paradise, the cracks in Chloe’s plan begin to show. Family rivalries bubble to the surface. Scott’s sister, Tori, begins to ask awkward questions, suggesting she might know more about Chloe’s plans than she should. Then there’s the villa concierge, Grace, who is watching her guests’ every moves.
As tensions rise, can Chloe manage to keep her murderous intentions hidden? And can she stop herself from adding a few more people to the body count along the way?
Fans of Katy Brent, Bella Mackie and Julie Mae Cohen won't be able to resist this twisty, darkly funny crime thriller.
Praise for Sarah
'A hilarious romp that I just couldn’t put down' Katy Brent
'Brilliantly twisty and thoroughly entertaining' T.M. Logan
'A perfect thriller, we read this in one sitting' Closer
'A wonderfully twisty, and twisted, thriller that will have you up until the early hours, and with an ending that you will NOT see coming. Brilliant' SJ Watson
'Captivating' Janice Hallett
352 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2025
202 people are currently reading
506 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
January 11, 2025
Another fun summer read from Sarah Bonner. Absolutely a must read author for me. Always guaranteed binge read, full of laughs and shocking twists. I powered through this one, loving this story of 2 rich and powerful families on a Greek Island holiday where things don’t exactly go to plan.
Chloe is fed up with her husband Scott and decides that the only way to get away from him is to kill him. She has it all worked out. So she plans a big family holiday to act as her alibi for when he is dead, But of course nothing works out the way you hope it will which leads to a hilarious series of events keeping them all on their toes.
These people were all quite awful and it was so fun seeing them all wondering what in earth is happening. If you love a good popcorn thriller grab this one and have some fun with it.
Thanks so much to Boldwood Books on NetGalley for my early copy to read. Publishes on February 27th.
Chloe is fed up with her husband Scott and decides that the only way to get away from him is to kill him. She has it all worked out. So she plans a big family holiday to act as her alibi for when he is dead, But of course nothing works out the way you hope it will which leads to a hilarious series of events keeping them all on their toes.
These people were all quite awful and it was so fun seeing them all wondering what in earth is happening. If you love a good popcorn thriller grab this one and have some fun with it.
Thanks so much to Boldwood Books on NetGalley for my early copy to read. Publishes on February 27th.
January 19, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this book. From the short chapters (always a plus) and addictive writing style to the surprisingly brilliant characters, I was hooked from the very beginning. Each day followed chapters in a different characters POV alternating between 3, which changed my opinion on what I thought really happened each time. The short chapters kept me flying through the book, as I constantly told myself “Just one more chapter” over and over again. The last half of the book had me questioning everything constantly and the epilogue blew my mind! I highly recommend this book and wish I could go back and read it for the first time again. While I thoroughly enjoyed this in the middle of winter, this would be THE perfect summer read!
The biggest thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!
The biggest thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!
February 17, 2025
4/5
This is the first book I read by Sarah Bonner. I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style and the characters she creates.
In How To Slay On Holiday, we read the story of Chloe, who has planned the perfect vacation for her family and her in-laws at a luxury villa in Greece. However, what the family doesn't know is that this vacation was planned to showcase her perfect marriage and to avoid any suspicion when her husband, Scott, is murdered the following week.
Throughout the book, we read the POV of Chloe, Tori (Scott's sister) and Grace (the concierge at the luxury villa) and see that Chloe is not the only person in the family who is hiding secrets. The beginning of the book felt a bit slow, but as soon as we pass the 50% mark, the turns and twists in the story are incredible. The best twist is revealed in the epilogue, which turns this into an incredible 4-star read. Will definitely be reading more from Sarah Bonner.
Thank you Boldwood Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This is the first book I read by Sarah Bonner. I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style and the characters she creates.
In How To Slay On Holiday, we read the story of Chloe, who has planned the perfect vacation for her family and her in-laws at a luxury villa in Greece. However, what the family doesn't know is that this vacation was planned to showcase her perfect marriage and to avoid any suspicion when her husband, Scott, is murdered the following week.
Throughout the book, we read the POV of Chloe, Tori (Scott's sister) and Grace (the concierge at the luxury villa) and see that Chloe is not the only person in the family who is hiding secrets. The beginning of the book felt a bit slow, but as soon as we pass the 50% mark, the turns and twists in the story are incredible. The best twist is revealed in the epilogue, which turns this into an incredible 4-star read. Will definitely be reading more from Sarah Bonner.
Thank you Boldwood Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
February 22, 2025
Real rating: 3.5 stars
I've read both How to Slay at Work and How to Slay on Holiday and the latter is a massive improvement.
I liked both of these, I always think we need more women in male-dominated fields, even if we're talking about serial killers. This book series fulfills my dark needs. (this is a joke and should be read, accordingly).
How to Slay on Holiday follows Chloe, a woman who is fed up with her husband, so she decides to have him killer. However, things aren't as simple as they seem, and she takes their entire family to prove to them how in love they are.
Chloe, just like Millie on How to Slay at Work, is HORRIBLE. A horrible character. She comes from a drug lord's family, used to expensive things and power, yet all she does is judge those with money and power. Like her. She is extremely caught on her high horse, thinking she's smarter and better than absolutely all of them. Spoiler alert: she's not.
What really saves the book is Tori and, sometimes, Grace. They are far from perfect, but they are still better than Judgy McJudgy. I would've loved Tori to lose her "poor me, I'm a model" bit, but I loved the insight into her character and how much smarter she truly was. I would've loved if she blended both things. I understood she hated being a model because her father forced her to be one but still. Get off your high horse, too.
The book was so much easier and fun to read than the previous, and loved the sneaky little reference to Freya's company.
Overall, this was a fun read, Sarah Bonner's writing improved so much, with fewer boring details and more likable characters.
Thanks so much to Boldwood Books on NetGalley for my early copy to read and review.
I've read both How to Slay at Work and How to Slay on Holiday and the latter is a massive improvement.
I liked both of these, I always think we need more women in male-dominated fields, even if we're talking about serial killers. This book series fulfills my dark needs. (this is a joke and should be read, accordingly).
How to Slay on Holiday follows Chloe, a woman who is fed up with her husband, so she decides to have him killer. However, things aren't as simple as they seem, and she takes their entire family to prove to them how in love they are.
Chloe, just like Millie on How to Slay at Work, is HORRIBLE. A horrible character. She comes from a drug lord's family, used to expensive things and power, yet all she does is judge those with money and power. Like her. She is extremely caught on her high horse, thinking she's smarter and better than absolutely all of them. Spoiler alert: she's not.
What really saves the book is Tori and, sometimes, Grace. They are far from perfect, but they are still better than Judgy McJudgy. I would've loved Tori to lose her "poor me, I'm a model" bit, but I loved the insight into her character and how much smarter she truly was. I would've loved if she blended both things. I understood she hated being a model because her father forced her to be one but still. Get off your high horse, too.
The book was so much easier and fun to read than the previous, and loved the sneaky little reference to Freya's company.
Overall, this was a fun read, Sarah Bonner's writing improved so much, with fewer boring details and more likable characters.
Thanks so much to Boldwood Books on NetGalley for my early copy to read and review.
January 10, 2025
I absolutely loved this book.
It was fun, wit, crazy, relatable. I loved the writing style, which reminded me a lot of “How to kill your family” by Bella Mackie, another great book.
I loved the female characters, the honesty, how raw and relatable they were. I found enormously fun how the characters were (apparently) idiots, but how they turned out to be different.
This was a very nice novel, that I enjoyed much and I can’t recommend it enough.
I am looking forward to read the other books by this author!
Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC.
It was fun, wit, crazy, relatable. I loved the writing style, which reminded me a lot of “How to kill your family” by Bella Mackie, another great book.
I loved the female characters, the honesty, how raw and relatable they were. I found enormously fun how the characters were (apparently) idiots, but how they turned out to be different.
This was a very nice novel, that I enjoyed much and I can’t recommend it enough.
I am looking forward to read the other books by this author!
Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC.
January 3, 2025
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 book 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.
thank you to netgalley and boldwood books for providing an advanced reading copy. all opinions expressed are my own.
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 book 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.
thank you to netgalley and boldwood books for providing an advanced reading copy. all opinions expressed are my own.
March 2, 2025
This was a quirky, dark, humorous book. I wasn't sure what to expect at all. I saw the cover, skimmed the blurb, and jumped into the audiobook. I was hooked straight away when I was listening to Chloe's chapters. I was struggling with Tori's and Grace's chapters and contemplated reading instead of listening. However, once I sped the book up and we got to the spa scene, I forgot my issue and was well and truly hooked.
So much is happening, in the UK and Greece! And then Uncle George and Aubrey came to the apartment, you just knew things would be intense. So many spider webs linking everyone—families you do not want to mess with. However, I didn't get a definitive ending!! I need more, I have questions. What I did get was the most EPIC epilogue ever! I loved it! I wasn't expecting it and I had to rewind it because I was sure I couldn't have heard that right. Pure gold.
This was great fun to read, Chloe, naive but on a mission, Tori on her world domination and with plans to link up with Grace! I need a sequel. Do these girls get what they most desire??
I loves.hps the book was written, with the characters talking to you directly, telling you what was going on and how we are all pretty much a sucker for a guy with nice eyes.
I thought it was cleverly done, the overarching story was quite sad, but will we ever know the truth?
So much is happening, in the UK and Greece! And then Uncle George and Aubrey came to the apartment, you just knew things would be intense. So many spider webs linking everyone—families you do not want to mess with. However, I didn't get a definitive ending!! I need more, I have questions. What I did get was the most EPIC epilogue ever! I loved it! I wasn't expecting it and I had to rewind it because I was sure I couldn't have heard that right. Pure gold.
This was great fun to read, Chloe, naive but on a mission, Tori on her world domination and with plans to link up with Grace! I need a sequel. Do these girls get what they most desire??
I loves.hps the book was written, with the characters talking to you directly, telling you what was going on and how we are all pretty much a sucker for a guy with nice eyes.
I thought it was cleverly done, the overarching story was quite sad, but will we ever know the truth?
March 10, 2025
This was the perfect book to get me through the day! The story was fast-paced and kept me guessing the whole way through. I enjoyed the setting of a Greek resort for the ultra-rich and the characters were well-developed, which added to the thrill of trying to figure out who the guilty party was. The premise itself was interesting and kept me hooked on the story, with so many twists and turns that I always thought I knew and then was proved so wrong; the ending was something I definitely didn’t expect. Highly recommended and I don’t think you have to start with the first one (which was also fun) as the characters, from what I remember, don’t overlap.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
January 1, 2025
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.
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.
March 23, 2025
The first book in this series, How to Slay at Work, was a five star read for me last year, so when I saw that book two was available I immediately requested it.
The beginning was intriguing when Chloe subconsciously announces that she wants to kill her husband, but how will she get away with it? As the story unfolds, she finds out she’s not the only person that wants her husband dead and there’s someone within her family that’s on to her scheme of murder, but who?
There were TOO MANY characters to keep track of in this book. Seven characters in the very beginning, then more throughout the story. After finishing, I still don’t remember who was who and I feel like the constant retracing took the fun out of the book.
Not only were there several characters to keep track of, but there was several events happening and it was hard to keep up with it all. Everything went downhill pretty quickly, the story seemed far fetched, and the book just didn’t live up to my expectations.
The beginning was intriguing when Chloe subconsciously announces that she wants to kill her husband, but how will she get away with it? As the story unfolds, she finds out she’s not the only person that wants her husband dead and there’s someone within her family that’s on to her scheme of murder, but who?
There were TOO MANY characters to keep track of in this book. Seven characters in the very beginning, then more throughout the story. After finishing, I still don’t remember who was who and I feel like the constant retracing took the fun out of the book.
Not only were there several characters to keep track of, but there was several events happening and it was hard to keep up with it all. Everything went downhill pretty quickly, the story seemed far fetched, and the book just didn’t live up to my expectations.
January 10, 2025
Rating: 3.4/5
From the title and accompanying synopsis, I had anticipated "How to Slay on Holiday" centering around a serial-killing strong female character à la Villanelle or Sweetpea. However, although this novel is clearly derived from that sphere of influence (which is acknowledged by references in the book to both of these individuals), author, Sarah Bonner, takes this story down a slightly different track.
Given that it is revealed at the start of proceedings, it isn't really much of a spoiler to say that the tale begins with Chloe planning to end the days of her bullying husband. This seems to establish a fairly basic premise for the subsequent plot development, but matters are about to become more complicated. This aspect is well executed and I like the way Sarah Bonner gradually incorporates further elements of the backstory to allow the narrative to develop in a more unexpected fashion. There are numerous twists along the way, which could be described as either clever, convoluted, convenient or possibly even contrived, depending upon your personal viewpoint, but it does provide for an enjoyable romp.
The marketing blurb suggests that this book would appeal to fans of Katy Brent or Julie Mae Cohen and that claim is easy to appreciate. Personally, I don't think this quite matches the sharp-witted edginess of Katy Brent's work, but I prefer it to the excessive chick-lit bias of Julie Mae Cohen's books. Overall, a good fun read and I dare say I will be back for more from Sarah Bonner.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
From the title and accompanying synopsis, I had anticipated "How to Slay on Holiday" centering around a serial-killing strong female character à la Villanelle or Sweetpea. However, although this novel is clearly derived from that sphere of influence (which is acknowledged by references in the book to both of these individuals), author, Sarah Bonner, takes this story down a slightly different track.
Given that it is revealed at the start of proceedings, it isn't really much of a spoiler to say that the tale begins with Chloe planning to end the days of her bullying husband. This seems to establish a fairly basic premise for the subsequent plot development, but matters are about to become more complicated. This aspect is well executed and I like the way Sarah Bonner gradually incorporates further elements of the backstory to allow the narrative to develop in a more unexpected fashion. There are numerous twists along the way, which could be described as either clever, convoluted, convenient or possibly even contrived, depending upon your personal viewpoint, but it does provide for an enjoyable romp.
The marketing blurb suggests that this book would appeal to fans of Katy Brent or Julie Mae Cohen and that claim is easy to appreciate. Personally, I don't think this quite matches the sharp-witted edginess of Katy Brent's work, but I prefer it to the excessive chick-lit bias of Julie Mae Cohen's books. Overall, a good fun read and I dare say I will be back for more from Sarah Bonner.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
February 27, 2025
How to Slay on Holiday by Sarah Bonner is an intriguing blend of domestic drama, thriller and witty dark humor.
Chloe is absolutely fed up with her marriage to her husband Scott. When she comes up with a calculated plan to murder him, she knows that she must have a solid alibi. Planning a giant family vacation with both sides of the extended family seems to be a brilliant idea. Who would suspect the lovey-dovey wife of being the mastermind? But you can't always assume that your plans will turn out the way you want them to. With the murder plot disintegrating as quick as Chloe's love for Scott, things go from bad to worse when Scott's sister starts asking some weird questions hinting that she may know the real reason behind this vacation.
I really loved this book! This was a twisty, fast-paced read that was dark and hilarious. There are quite a few characters but I really like the three different point of views. Relatively short chapters keep you engaged and don't even get me started on that ending! I highly recommend this book for fans of Katy Brent and Asia Mackay!
Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Bonner, and Boldwood Books for this ARC. Expected publication date is February 27th 2025.
Chloe is absolutely fed up with her marriage to her husband Scott. When she comes up with a calculated plan to murder him, she knows that she must have a solid alibi. Planning a giant family vacation with both sides of the extended family seems to be a brilliant idea. Who would suspect the lovey-dovey wife of being the mastermind? But you can't always assume that your plans will turn out the way you want them to. With the murder plot disintegrating as quick as Chloe's love for Scott, things go from bad to worse when Scott's sister starts asking some weird questions hinting that she may know the real reason behind this vacation.
I really loved this book! This was a twisty, fast-paced read that was dark and hilarious. There are quite a few characters but I really like the three different point of views. Relatively short chapters keep you engaged and don't even get me started on that ending! I highly recommend this book for fans of Katy Brent and Asia Mackay!
Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Bonner, and Boldwood Books for this ARC. Expected publication date is February 27th 2025.
February 16, 2025
𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒑...𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒚 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚...𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏, 𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒐𝒖𝒕, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏, 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝑰 𝒈𝒐 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒆.
Chloe is fed up with her husband Scott. But why divorce him when she could kill him and get a big payday? She hires a company to do it, which only provides her a window when the deed will be done so that her reaction will be genuine. She has everything all worked out--she plans a big family holiday with both extended families so that everyone can see how happy she and Scott are. However, nothing works out quite the way Chloe envisioned, which leads to a darkly comedic series of events that get more and more outrageous.
This was my second read from this author, and she's firmly cemented her place in my must-read list. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this hilarious early read. This book is expected to publish February 27, 2025.
Chloe is fed up with her husband Scott. But why divorce him when she could kill him and get a big payday? She hires a company to do it, which only provides her a window when the deed will be done so that her reaction will be genuine. She has everything all worked out--she plans a big family holiday with both extended families so that everyone can see how happy she and Scott are. However, nothing works out quite the way Chloe envisioned, which leads to a darkly comedic series of events that get more and more outrageous.
This was my second read from this author, and she's firmly cemented her place in my must-read list. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this hilarious early read. This book is expected to publish February 27, 2025.
January 1, 2025
2.75/5 rounded up.
I'm so sorry, this had such a great premise but such a lackluster execution for me. It just could not keep my attention. And I don't think I can quite put my finger on why. I think maybe it was the slow start mixed with the writing style?? There also wasn't much characterization, in my opinion. But I feel like there was more to my inability to get invested in this book.
This book follows our main character as she takes a trip to a luxury resort in Greece. But she has been planning her husband's murder for months now. And as you can imagine, that's a bit chaotic and insane. And quite the premise for a story.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I'm so sorry, this had such a great premise but such a lackluster execution for me. It just could not keep my attention. And I don't think I can quite put my finger on why. I think maybe it was the slow start mixed with the writing style?? There also wasn't much characterization, in my opinion. But I feel like there was more to my inability to get invested in this book.
This book follows our main character as she takes a trip to a luxury resort in Greece. But she has been planning her husband's murder for months now. And as you can imagine, that's a bit chaotic and insane. And quite the premise for a story.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
January 11, 2025
A. Twists and Suspense
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Consistently suspenseful, with clever and satisfying twists.
B. Atmosphere and Writing Style
⭐⭐⭐: Good atmosphere, writing was solid but lacked emotional or suspenseful depth.
C. Character Development
⭐⭐⭐: Decent character development; some characters stood out.
D. Pacing and Engagement
⭐⭐⭐: Pacing was decent, with a few engaging moments.
E. Mystery Resolution
⭐⭐⭐: The resolution made sense but wasn’t particularly satisfying.
P.S. There is one plot hole for me though (how did even Tori knows!?)
F. Emotional Impact
⭐⭐: Minimal emotional engagement; few memorable moments.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐ out of 5
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC (epub)!
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Consistently suspenseful, with clever and satisfying twists.
B. Atmosphere and Writing Style
⭐⭐⭐: Good atmosphere, writing was solid but lacked emotional or suspenseful depth.
C. Character Development
⭐⭐⭐: Decent character development; some characters stood out.
D. Pacing and Engagement
⭐⭐⭐: Pacing was decent, with a few engaging moments.
E. Mystery Resolution
⭐⭐⭐: The resolution made sense but wasn’t particularly satisfying.
P.S. There is one plot hole for me though (how did even Tori knows!?)
F. Emotional Impact
⭐⭐: Minimal emotional engagement; few memorable moments.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐ out of 5
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC (epub)!
March 5, 2025
the twist at the end!! i didn’t expect that
i had mixed opinions throughout but it was mostly good so went for 4 stars in the end
i do find sarah bonner’s books to be a little chaotic with the multiple povs but it also works!
didn’t know which characters i wanted to root for but i guess that’s the point
do wish there could’ve been more of a finished story with some of the characters, the ending felt a little rushed
loved the little call backs to serendipity from how to slay at work + i loved the sweetpea mention lol
overall good book!
i had mixed opinions throughout but it was mostly good so went for 4 stars in the end
i do find sarah bonner’s books to be a little chaotic with the multiple povs but it also works!
didn’t know which characters i wanted to root for but i guess that’s the point
do wish there could’ve been more of a finished story with some of the characters, the ending felt a little rushed
loved the little call backs to serendipity from how to slay at work + i loved the sweetpea mention lol
overall good book!
March 1, 2025
4.5/5*
Thank you for Netgalley and Boldwood Boooks for letting me read this one. Only finished a day late but maaaaaan that was a fun and twisty cozy thriller.
I loved the Women in this book and yeah in some situations they are unlikable and even annoying but then there are other situations when i am really rooting for them and i am invested.
This book was really easy to get through and pure entertainment. loved it!
Thank you for Netgalley and Boldwood Boooks for letting me read this one. Only finished a day late but maaaaaan that was a fun and twisty cozy thriller.
I loved the Women in this book and yeah in some situations they are unlikable and even annoying but then there are other situations when i am really rooting for them and i am invested.
This book was really easy to get through and pure entertainment. loved it!
March 28, 2025
Review:
How to slay on holiday by Sarah Bonner
So Chloe has planned her husbands murder, first they are on a huge family holiday making sure that everyone sees her and her husband bonding.
What happens next well you need to read it but it’s funny dark and twisty. Actually loved this read was so good and well executed. It was like a real life family holiday with the sibling rivalry, annoying in laws and husbands that need to sort themselves out. Absolutely brilliant read
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
.
.
.
How to slay on holiday by Sarah Bonner
So Chloe has planned her husbands murder, first they are on a huge family holiday making sure that everyone sees her and her husband bonding.
What happens next well you need to read it but it’s funny dark and twisty. Actually loved this read was so good and well executed. It was like a real life family holiday with the sibling rivalry, annoying in laws and husbands that need to sort themselves out. Absolutely brilliant read
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
.
.
.
January 4, 2025
I received an ARC of this ebook from Netgalley and devoured it in a day! I thoroughly enjoyed the story with it's multiple POVs and the twists and turns that kept popping up. Will definitely look into more books by this author.
June 29, 2025
This is the second book in the How to Slay series, and it's a fantastic addition to the series. The first book, How to Slay at Work, is an amazing, fun and exciting book, and this is no different.
How to Slay on Holiday is a rollercoaster ride of a book. It's quite dark, but very funny and suspenseful. Definitely points where I was sitting on the edge of my seat.
Chloe has plans to murder her husband, Scott. But first, to take the attention off her after the murder she, Scott, both sets of parents, as well as Scott's sister and boyfriend and her brother and wife are heading away for a holiday in the sun. She is going to pretend that all is well with their marriage so that nobody will believe her responsible when her husband is killed.
But her plans don't quite work out. There are trust issues and rivalries between both sets of parents, her brother is more obnoxious than usual, and Scott's sister Tori is asking lots of strange questions, leading Chloe to fear that Tori knows more about her murder plans than she should. And all this is happening under the watchful gaze of the villa concierge. Grace, who seems to always be around.
Tensions are rising, loyalties are in question, and Chloe is trying to keep it all together.
This is a fun page turner that keeps amping up the tension with every page.
How to Slay on Holiday is a rollercoaster ride of a book. It's quite dark, but very funny and suspenseful. Definitely points where I was sitting on the edge of my seat.
Chloe has plans to murder her husband, Scott. But first, to take the attention off her after the murder she, Scott, both sets of parents, as well as Scott's sister and boyfriend and her brother and wife are heading away for a holiday in the sun. She is going to pretend that all is well with their marriage so that nobody will believe her responsible when her husband is killed.
But her plans don't quite work out. There are trust issues and rivalries between both sets of parents, her brother is more obnoxious than usual, and Scott's sister Tori is asking lots of strange questions, leading Chloe to fear that Tori knows more about her murder plans than she should. And all this is happening under the watchful gaze of the villa concierge. Grace, who seems to always be around.
Tensions are rising, loyalties are in question, and Chloe is trying to keep it all together.
This is a fun page turner that keeps amping up the tension with every page.
January 3, 2025
This was a twisty thriller that kept you engaged from start to finish! The writing was fast-paced and suspenseful. I was left with a few questions that I would have liked to have seen explored but, nothing that detracted from the overall story.
January 9, 2025
First off- WHAT?!?! I love a thriller that completely knocks me on my ass with the ending. as someone who reads a lot of the same premise a lot, it’s refreshing to get completely bamboozled by the ending.
How to Slay on Holiday is a story about 2 dangerous families and one dead husband. But the question is, who did it? The story keeps the reader enthralled with what was unfolding before you, and keeps you second guessing everything and everyone.
4 stars!!! Thank you netgalley for the ARC
How to Slay on Holiday is a story about 2 dangerous families and one dead husband. But the question is, who did it? The story keeps the reader enthralled with what was unfolding before you, and keeps you second guessing everything and everyone.
4 stars!!! Thank you netgalley for the ARC
January 12, 2025
I received this advanced copy and couldn’t stop reading it over the weekend.
It was twisty, turns, corrupt, and engaging from the very beginning. I am eager to pick up more of Sarah’s works!
It was twisty, turns, corrupt, and engaging from the very beginning. I am eager to pick up more of Sarah’s works!
dnf
March 16, 2025Recommended for fans of Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton.
March 24, 2025
Sarah Bonner is an amazing author!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved this crazy plot of a story. This plot is full of twists and turns and I enjoyed every second of it. A very diabolical, enjoyable book.
April 26, 2025
Started well, became increasingly more silly. Fine as a light holiday read
June 13, 2025
Lovely little holiday thriller, could not put down! Loved all the twists and left me on the edge of my seat with and ending I was not expecting
August 18, 2025
Solid 3.4 stars . Fun murder mystery beach read
August 20, 2025
Engaging and really clever twist at the end. Only thing I don't like is the random talking to the reader occasionally throughout.
February 27, 2025
This was such a great read and I’ll definitely go back and read some of Sarah’s previous work!
The short chapters work really well to keep the momentum going and for us as readers not to feel like they’re dragging on.
Sarah’s writing flows so well and just keeps you wanting to read more.
I loved the triple POV and how each day was broken down into mini chapters for each person.
It certainly added different elements as you went along that had you second guessing how things were going to pan out!
There are ALOT of characters in this book. Some quite minor but everyone contributes to the story in some way so if you struggle with a lot of names and who brings what to the story it might take you a little bit longer to digest what’s happening
There are some good twists and moments that keep you guessing. I’d say the final few chapters were quite surprising and I didn’t see some of that coming but the epilogue not so much. I had a feeling from little things that happened throughout the book that this was how it was going to go. Just suspicions though, I wouldn’t say I could’ve solved this and guessed the outcome!
Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read an advance copy of the book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
The short chapters work really well to keep the momentum going and for us as readers not to feel like they’re dragging on.
Sarah’s writing flows so well and just keeps you wanting to read more.
I loved the triple POV and how each day was broken down into mini chapters for each person.
It certainly added different elements as you went along that had you second guessing how things were going to pan out!
There are ALOT of characters in this book. Some quite minor but everyone contributes to the story in some way so if you struggle with a lot of names and who brings what to the story it might take you a little bit longer to digest what’s happening
There are some good twists and moments that keep you guessing. I’d say the final few chapters were quite surprising and I didn’t see some of that coming but the epilogue not so much. I had a feeling from little things that happened throughout the book that this was how it was going to go. Just suspicions though, I wouldn’t say I could’ve solved this and guessed the outcome!
Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read an advance copy of the book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
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