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The Summer Holiday
Two weeks. Two families. What could possibly go wrong...?
Claire Swift can't think of anything worse than another holiday with the Wellbeloved family. The last trip together was a complete disaster - yet somehow, despite Claire's best efforts, they're all off to the Cornish coast again this summer.
So, this time she's coming prepared.
But becoming a domestic goddess to keep up with perfect Honor Wellbeloved isn't easy - especially when Claire is known for being clumsy and burns every meal she makes. And it's not long before her carefully laid plans are going spectacularly wrong.
It's only two weeks, what's the worst that can happen?
A hilarious and relatable read perfect for fans of Catherine Alliott and Fiona Gibson
Claire Swift can't think of anything worse than another holiday with the Wellbeloved family. The last trip together was a complete disaster - yet somehow, despite Claire's best efforts, they're all off to the Cornish coast again this summer.
So, this time she's coming prepared.
But becoming a domestic goddess to keep up with perfect Honor Wellbeloved isn't easy - especially when Claire is known for being clumsy and burns every meal she makes. And it's not long before her carefully laid plans are going spectacularly wrong.
It's only two weeks, what's the worst that can happen?
A hilarious and relatable read perfect for fans of Catherine Alliott and Fiona Gibson
368 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 2021
1 person is currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Jo Clegg
4 books2 followersJo was born in West London. She has worked in a supermarket, as a silver service waitress, at Army and Navy selling gold chains from big rolls by the inch, and in a bar job where it was the tradition to spend your first week's wages buying a round for everyone in the pub. Well, that's what they told her anyway.
For 15 years she worked in TV and radio on shows for the BBC and Channel 4. Now she writes books, and scripts for kids' animation including BAFTA and Emmy-award winning Hey Duggee.
@jocleggwriter
For 15 years she worked in TV and radio on shows for the BBC and Channel 4. Now she writes books, and scripts for kids' animation including BAFTA and Emmy-award winning Hey Duggee.
@jocleggwriter
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 17, 2021
What a funny and really lovely book this turned out to be.
Claire is riddled with self doubt at all aspects of her life, so thought of spending a fortnight away with Honor and her family sends her a bit crazy.
After all Honor is seeming perfect at everything while Claire is referred to as dingbat a lot of the time.
So Claire tries to change in the run up to the holiday with amusing decision-making!
This was just a really enjoyable book, where I loved seeing the interactions between the families and seeing what random thoughts Claire would have next.
An entertaining debut, and I'm definitely keen to see what Jo Clegg writes next.
Thank you to Orion and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Claire is riddled with self doubt at all aspects of her life, so thought of spending a fortnight away with Honor and her family sends her a bit crazy.
After all Honor is seeming perfect at everything while Claire is referred to as dingbat a lot of the time.
So Claire tries to change in the run up to the holiday with amusing decision-making!
This was just a really enjoyable book, where I loved seeing the interactions between the families and seeing what random thoughts Claire would have next.
An entertaining debut, and I'm definitely keen to see what Jo Clegg writes next.
Thank you to Orion and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
June 21, 2021
This is a fun read that is perfect for the summer! We get some lovable characters like Claire who is very relatable in that juggling multiple hats as a career woman, loving wife and mum, a woman who takes care of herself, is not easy and that there is a constant guilt at failing at everything and not meeting the ‘yummy mummy’ standard. And then we get irritating characters such as Honor who seems to do everything perfectly in her life and seems to pass judgment onto other women who don’t hold it together all the time, and therefore a complete failure. The fact that these two women are so different but for some reason are maintaining a friendship seems baffling but also relatable as I think we’ve all experienced friendships that are probably not healthy from a self-esteem perspective but it’s perhaps easier to keep up pretenses to keep the peace.
There is a constant tension in this book between these two women, often with hilarious consequences when Claire is just trying too hard, especially for the summer holiday. My favourite scene involved the macaroni cheese…loved the build up of this which was so funny! I found myself rooting for Claire to stand up for herself and believe in herself, like her loving husband Ben and her best friend Katie are doing.
While this is a lighthearted read, Clegg does explore interesting themes on the societal pressures on women, friendships, expectations of being a good mother.
Fun and funny read with great characters which makes you want to go on holiday to the Cornish coast!
There is a constant tension in this book between these two women, often with hilarious consequences when Claire is just trying too hard, especially for the summer holiday. My favourite scene involved the macaroni cheese…loved the build up of this which was so funny! I found myself rooting for Claire to stand up for herself and believe in herself, like her loving husband Ben and her best friend Katie are doing.
While this is a lighthearted read, Clegg does explore interesting themes on the societal pressures on women, friendships, expectations of being a good mother.
Fun and funny read with great characters which makes you want to go on holiday to the Cornish coast!
May 22, 2021
Claire agrees reluctantly to go on holiday with her husbands best friend and his wife Honor, whose life is completely different to Claires. Claire feels upstaged by Honor all the time and wishes she could be anywhere other than in Cornwall during the summer holidays. However life is never what it seems which Claire soon discovers.
A lovely easy read novel perfect for a beach holiday
Many thanks to Netgalley and publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own
A lovely easy read novel perfect for a beach holiday
Many thanks to Netgalley and publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own
May 1, 2023
This book really made me laugh out loud!!
Starting with the story, I didn’t expect to take a weird turn like it did, but when it did, oh boy did it turn all the more weird! Not in a bad way though,
I felt so bad for Claire, i mean me being someone who is equally intimidated by people around me, felt so bad and kinda related ( I would never ditch an art class though:p)..
The end was definitely worth it, having all these accusations put up against her constantly and the shaming finally resulted in the end i was hoping for and that’s what was the best part! 🙃
This just goes to say how brilliantly the characters were captured .. when you feel the same emotions!
Define recommend for a quick laugh!
Starting with the story, I didn’t expect to take a weird turn like it did, but when it did, oh boy did it turn all the more weird! Not in a bad way though,
I felt so bad for Claire, i mean me being someone who is equally intimidated by people around me, felt so bad and kinda related ( I would never ditch an art class though:p)..
The end was definitely worth it, having all these accusations put up against her constantly and the shaming finally resulted in the end i was hoping for and that’s what was the best part! 🙃
This just goes to say how brilliantly the characters were captured .. when you feel the same emotions!
Define recommend for a quick laugh!
July 23, 2021
Oh to be on a beach right now accompanied by a good book, sunglasses and the waves rolling in - what a dream. What a dream. It is all that I wish for. The Summer Holiday fulfilled my needs. It is the ultimate beach read - engrossing in the truest sense of the word.
Two weeks, two different families. Claire is clumsy and all over the place. She is still reeling from the last disastrous trip with her husband's friends, the Wellbeloveds. When they propose a summer getaway to the Cornish coast again, all hell breaks loose. What follows is an insane amount of time spent compiling lists, hoarding new items, over-scrutinising every little thing and trying to prove herself worthy infront of the domestic goddess, Honor.
I was smitten with Jo Clegg's words, interiority and characterisation from the prelude. She excels in writing a riveting and compulsively readable story, filled with high-spirited characters and quintessential humor. One of the best things about The Summer Holiday is how relatable Claire's life is. Facing the things that scare us the most will always help us become better versions of ourselves. We often try to please the people around us, specially those who bring us down and belittle us with every passing day. Claire's attempts to gratify Honor are feeble at the end and she gradually learns how friendships should be based on the elements of honesty and mutual respect.
The Summer Holiday was pure fun. It felt like binge-watching a rather intense yet hilarious sitcom. We saw the chaos, hijinks and disasters unfolding which gripped me throughout. Pick this book up if you are after summer reads which have the right amount of lightheartedness and frenzy. Clegg is a force to be reckoned with and her literary style is admirable. A beautiful and warm piece of writing. Thank you so much Orion Books and Ellen for the gifted copy! The Summer Holiday is out now. 💛
Two weeks, two different families. Claire is clumsy and all over the place. She is still reeling from the last disastrous trip with her husband's friends, the Wellbeloveds. When they propose a summer getaway to the Cornish coast again, all hell breaks loose. What follows is an insane amount of time spent compiling lists, hoarding new items, over-scrutinising every little thing and trying to prove herself worthy infront of the domestic goddess, Honor.
I was smitten with Jo Clegg's words, interiority and characterisation from the prelude. She excels in writing a riveting and compulsively readable story, filled with high-spirited characters and quintessential humor. One of the best things about The Summer Holiday is how relatable Claire's life is. Facing the things that scare us the most will always help us become better versions of ourselves. We often try to please the people around us, specially those who bring us down and belittle us with every passing day. Claire's attempts to gratify Honor are feeble at the end and she gradually learns how friendships should be based on the elements of honesty and mutual respect.
The Summer Holiday was pure fun. It felt like binge-watching a rather intense yet hilarious sitcom. We saw the chaos, hijinks and disasters unfolding which gripped me throughout. Pick this book up if you are after summer reads which have the right amount of lightheartedness and frenzy. Clegg is a force to be reckoned with and her literary style is admirable. A beautiful and warm piece of writing. Thank you so much Orion Books and Ellen for the gifted copy! The Summer Holiday is out now. 💛
December 28, 2021
I like stories that have ‘normal’ families at the centre of a story and that are relatable to readers. Claire the main character I felt I could resonate with. She doesn’t feel good enough and is trying to do her best all the time. Her insecurities are impounded by her friend Honor who seems like the epitome of perfection and when it is decided reluctantly that Claire and her husband and kids will be going on holiday with Honor and her family, the real problems start.
Can you imagine spending a holiday with someone you didn’t like?! Honor is a woman who we will have probably all come across in life - all fur coat and no knickers as my grandma used to say! There are funny elements to the story and the author has intertwined serious matters with light hearted moments very well with a blend of characters that keep you turning the page. Macaroni Cheese, The Silver bullet (not what you think dirty minded people) and wet suit frolics included.
I thoroughly enjoyed this fun and easy read but still had depth and meaning to the story with the moral of the story being not letting anyone make you feel inadequate.
Don’t let the title fool you into thinking this can only been read in the summer months or as a holiday read, books are for anytime of the year. (And it’s always holiday season somewhere in the world)
Can you imagine spending a holiday with someone you didn’t like?! Honor is a woman who we will have probably all come across in life - all fur coat and no knickers as my grandma used to say! There are funny elements to the story and the author has intertwined serious matters with light hearted moments very well with a blend of characters that keep you turning the page. Macaroni Cheese, The Silver bullet (not what you think dirty minded people) and wet suit frolics included.
I thoroughly enjoyed this fun and easy read but still had depth and meaning to the story with the moral of the story being not letting anyone make you feel inadequate.
Don’t let the title fool you into thinking this can only been read in the summer months or as a holiday read, books are for anytime of the year. (And it’s always holiday season somewhere in the world)
June 14, 2021
𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 🏖
⭐⭐⭐
Claire can't think of anything worse than another holiday with the Wellbeloved family. Their last trip together was a complete disaster yet somehow here she is again. Preparation this time is key! But no preparation can be enough with the domestic goddess that is Honor and Claire's naturally clumsy behaviour and badly cooked meals. Its only two weeks, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯?
Such a relatable story, we all know the friends, have the friends, can never get away from the friends that make you feel so much less. Friendship should never feel like inequality, 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬. This is a very easy to read, short and snappy, funny and emotive book, perfect for the Cornish beaches of summer 2021.
Thank you so much for my copy on the blog tour @orionbooks @ellenturnerpr & @jocleggwriter 💛
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readersofinstagram #photosofbooks #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookblogger #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookish #orionbooks #jocleggauthor #thesummerholiday #beachreads #holidayreads #whatimreading #bookclub #bookgroup #bookcommunity #bookrecos #bookrecommendations #girlswhoread #womenwhoread #tbr #sharethebooklove #booktour #prproduct #ilovereading #gifted
⭐⭐⭐
Claire can't think of anything worse than another holiday with the Wellbeloved family. Their last trip together was a complete disaster yet somehow here she is again. Preparation this time is key! But no preparation can be enough with the domestic goddess that is Honor and Claire's naturally clumsy behaviour and badly cooked meals. Its only two weeks, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯?
Such a relatable story, we all know the friends, have the friends, can never get away from the friends that make you feel so much less. Friendship should never feel like inequality, 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬. This is a very easy to read, short and snappy, funny and emotive book, perfect for the Cornish beaches of summer 2021.
Thank you so much for my copy on the blog tour @orionbooks @ellenturnerpr & @jocleggwriter 💛
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readersofinstagram #photosofbooks #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookblogger #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookish #orionbooks #jocleggauthor #thesummerholiday #beachreads #holidayreads #whatimreading #bookclub #bookgroup #bookcommunity #bookrecos #bookrecommendations #girlswhoread #womenwhoread #tbr #sharethebooklove #booktour #prproduct #ilovereading #gifted
May 27, 2021
Like most people, I doubt I will be going on a Summer holiday this year, so when I saw the cover and read the synopsis I thought this would be right up my street.
Claire reluctantly agrees to go on holiday to Cornwall with her Husband's best friend and his wife and their children. Claire is dreading it, Honour has the ability to make her feel inadequate, with her perfect home, life, job and family. I am sure we all know someone who makes you feel like that and you try to avoid at all costs. I guess this book reiterates the point I stand by even more as I grow older, spend time with the people you want to be around....you only live once.
A great read for the garden or the beach.
Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Estimated publication date 10th June 2021.
Claire reluctantly agrees to go on holiday to Cornwall with her Husband's best friend and his wife and their children. Claire is dreading it, Honour has the ability to make her feel inadequate, with her perfect home, life, job and family. I am sure we all know someone who makes you feel like that and you try to avoid at all costs. I guess this book reiterates the point I stand by even more as I grow older, spend time with the people you want to be around....you only live once.
A great read for the garden or the beach.
Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Estimated publication date 10th June 2021.
July 15, 2021
'The Summer Holiday' is a vibrant story told with buckets (and spades) of insight and humour. Aspirations fizz, tensions mount, situations get out of hand, emotions simmer and boil over.. Relationships are portrayed with all their failings and loving-kindnesses.
As an ancient reader I wasn't sure the book would be for me, but I was drawn in and felt I was cheering some characters on from the sidelines in a grandmotherly fashion.
I would have liked to see a cover more like Claire's quirky drawings (and less reminiscent of Honor's bid for perfection). Luckily I heard about the book, as the cover alone would not have tempted me to take it off the shelf. The story is much funnier and more complex than the design suggests. But then if that is all I have to complain about... !
As an ancient reader I wasn't sure the book would be for me, but I was drawn in and felt I was cheering some characters on from the sidelines in a grandmotherly fashion.
I would have liked to see a cover more like Claire's quirky drawings (and less reminiscent of Honor's bid for perfection). Luckily I heard about the book, as the cover alone would not have tempted me to take it off the shelf. The story is much funnier and more complex than the design suggests. But then if that is all I have to complain about... !
April 20, 2021
A fun book about trusting your own instincts and not listening to your inner critic too much!
When Claire agrees to go on holiday with her husband’s best friend and his ‘perfect’ wife, Honor, Claire goes into overdrive trying to ensure that they have the perfect accommodation and that she has the perfect family. But it doesn’t quite work out that way.
I’m sure we all have someone in our lives who is a little bit like Honor, although I think here that she’s more pantomime villain than real person. However the moral of this story is definitely to never let anyone belittle you or feel that they are better than you. A great beach read.
When Claire agrees to go on holiday with her husband’s best friend and his ‘perfect’ wife, Honor, Claire goes into overdrive trying to ensure that they have the perfect accommodation and that she has the perfect family. But it doesn’t quite work out that way.
I’m sure we all have someone in our lives who is a little bit like Honor, although I think here that she’s more pantomime villain than real person. However the moral of this story is definitely to never let anyone belittle you or feel that they are better than you. A great beach read.
February 19, 2024
As I finish this book I'm wishing I could journey to Bodlowe for a Summer Holiday.
I almost stopped reading this book midway as Claire's obsession (with Honor and being better to impress 1 person that wasn't herself) was hard to read, it wasn't enjoyable. I hung in there as I wanted to complete it for a reading challenge and I'm now glad I finished it. There is much to take from the narrative and also from all of the characters and their ways. In all, an insightful and inspiring read.
I almost stopped reading this book midway as Claire's obsession (with Honor and being better to impress 1 person that wasn't herself) was hard to read, it wasn't enjoyable. I hung in there as I wanted to complete it for a reading challenge and I'm now glad I finished it. There is much to take from the narrative and also from all of the characters and their ways. In all, an insightful and inspiring read.
October 21, 2021
I struggled a little with this book to be honest.
I found it funny in parts but a little slow in others.
I found honour highly annoying and Claire a bit of a sap for being the way she was around her!
It was a nice read never the less
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion
I found it funny in parts but a little slow in others.
I found honour highly annoying and Claire a bit of a sap for being the way she was around her!
It was a nice read never the less
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion
November 27, 2024
enjoyable easy read
Enjoyable
Easy holiday book . Maybe not everybody’s taste but a pleasant change from murder mystery. Captured some believable characters
Maybe some a little exaggerated.
But a nice enjoyable book
Enjoyable
Easy holiday book . Maybe not everybody’s taste but a pleasant change from murder mystery. Captured some believable characters
Maybe some a little exaggerated.
But a nice enjoyable book
June 22, 2021
This was such a fun book and would definitely make the perfect ‘Summer Holiday’ read.
I think we can all relate to Claire in one way or another. She’s your average mum, trying to provide for her family, juggling work, the household and also trying to pursue her own dreams and aspirations. But as with life nothing ever goes to plan and there are definitely some mishaps throughout the book that Claire experiences, however I think these just make her more real to the reader and I connected with her so much.
The character of Honor Wellbeloved I’m sure each of us have experienced at one point in our lives, although hopefully not quite as bad as Honor, she seems to be a character that possesses all these little horrible attributes we’ve all encountered in someone and the author has multiplied that by 100 and put them all in Honor!
Whilst it’s a really lighthearted and easy read, it also explores how we all judge ourselves against others, especially other mothers and through the character of Claire it shows how we all need to learn to be happy in our own skin and with the choices we make for ourselves and our children. Not just for Claire but Honor too.
Overall this was such a lovely read, made me laugh in places and also made me realise that it’s ok to be a little disorganised as long as you’re happy and your family is loved.
I think we can all relate to Claire in one way or another. She’s your average mum, trying to provide for her family, juggling work, the household and also trying to pursue her own dreams and aspirations. But as with life nothing ever goes to plan and there are definitely some mishaps throughout the book that Claire experiences, however I think these just make her more real to the reader and I connected with her so much.
The character of Honor Wellbeloved I’m sure each of us have experienced at one point in our lives, although hopefully not quite as bad as Honor, she seems to be a character that possesses all these little horrible attributes we’ve all encountered in someone and the author has multiplied that by 100 and put them all in Honor!
Whilst it’s a really lighthearted and easy read, it also explores how we all judge ourselves against others, especially other mothers and through the character of Claire it shows how we all need to learn to be happy in our own skin and with the choices we make for ourselves and our children. Not just for Claire but Honor too.
Overall this was such a lovely read, made me laugh in places and also made me realise that it’s ok to be a little disorganised as long as you’re happy and your family is loved.
June 13, 2021
The Summer Holiday - Jo Clegg
In this book we meet Claire who agrees to go on holiday with her husbands best friend and his wife Honor. Claire continually feels down trodden and inferior to Honor and therefore is dreading the ordeal. However through many scenarios during the break away Claire discovers that life is not always what it seems. The writing style is lovely and laid back and draws you in to the character's lives perfectly. A great book for the beach (or more likely garden!) Thank you very much Orion publishing for an advanced copy of this book in return for my honest thoughts.
In this book we meet Claire who agrees to go on holiday with her husbands best friend and his wife Honor. Claire continually feels down trodden and inferior to Honor and therefore is dreading the ordeal. However through many scenarios during the break away Claire discovers that life is not always what it seems. The writing style is lovely and laid back and draws you in to the character's lives perfectly. A great book for the beach (or more likely garden!) Thank you very much Orion publishing for an advanced copy of this book in return for my honest thoughts.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews