The Staycation

by Cressida McLaughlin

Travel agent, Hester Monday, has been keeping a secret …


Thanks to her fear of flying, she hasn’t been on a plane in years. Now Hester wants to make a good impression on her newest client, Jake Oakenfield, who was heroically injured saving an old lady, and is now laid up in a luxury hotel.

For Jake, unable to return to New York, binge watching Netflix just won’t do. He wants Hester to invent the ultimate escape and re-create her most magical holidays abroad from the confines of his hotel room.

As their perfect mini-breaks around the globe take on a life of their own, Hester wonders if her world of make-believe is all starting to feel just a little too real…

Everyone loves The Staycation:

‘Utterly perfect book’ RACHAEL LUCAS

‘Made me melt. Just gorgeous’ JULES WAKE


‘Sweep-you-off-your-feet romantic. You’ve GOT to read this’ ZARA STONELEY

‘Off the charts sexy – I adored this’ KIRSTY GREENWOOD

‘The Staycation is a triumph’ MIRANDA DICKSINSON

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Summer, Contemporary Romance

384 pages, Paperback

Published September 13, 2022

About the author

I grew up in London surrounded by books and with a cat named after Lawrence of Arabia. I studied English Literature at the University of East Anglia and live in Norwich with my husband David.

I'm a total book nerd and my TBR pile is out of control. I would quite like to be a ghost hunter, and I'm a huge fan of a fictional hero.

When I'm not writing, I spend my spare time reading, returning to London or exploring the beautiful Norfolk coastline.

I love hearing from readers, so please get in touch if you have a question or if you just want to say hello.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hester Monday works as a travel agent working for Paradise Awaits, she loves building a rapport with her customers but instead of going overseas she brings the holiday to Jake Oakenfiels who flew from New York to London , he has an accident that left him bedridden & Hester takes him on virtual trips to Australia, 🇦🇺 Italy,Thailand but as she gets to know Jake she falls for him.


We find out that Hester is hiding something she doesn’t wan’t Jake to find out, will her secret destroy their romance or will they live happily ever after … this is for you to find out!!!


I loved this book by Cressida Mc Laughlin it was quite steamy between Hester & Jake the characters were perfect highly recommended.

[Katie O'Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasnt my kind of read but still read it as I always find you must give something a chance. I wasn't excited about this.

[Grackie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was just not for me. I did not finish it and I don’t expect I will pick this up again. I found it quite slow paced, did not click with the MC or the love interest and i didn’t love the storyline either. I am sure other people will absolutely love this book, but I am not one of them.

[Joanna Donaldson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Not what I expected with the title staycation so enjoyed the storyline. Loved Hester and Jake’s chemistry and Rosalie was a wonderful character!

[reading_with_ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake got hit by a car and is now recovering and he wants to go home so instead his sister has sent a holiday travel agency package to Thailand. Hester arrives at his door to talk him through the whole package as she is a travel agent but he’s not interested.

That was until he changed his mind all of a sudden. He doesn’t want the Thailand holiday he wants her to recreate the holidays she’s been on so that he thinks he’s there but he’s not.

She hasn’t been on any holidays, so she lies and makes him think that she has been on them, Now they can’t keep their hands of each other…
But when Jake gets drunk with Richard, Hester is angry with him apparently he was supposed to be going home the next day so Hester told him it was only going to be temporary and left.

He apologised and did something for her and now she knows she’s going to have to tell him the truth about her been scared of flying.
They were going to Norfolk, Jake’s favourite place.

She finally told him and he wasn’t that bothered about it, because he understood or so she thought. They could never make it work they lived in different locations.
Beth, Jake’s sister has been trying to get a hold of Hester, because jake is going home and Hester has to go and apologise.
The only way to do it was to fly to Edinburgh because that’s where Betty died on the plane, she wasn’t close to her but she was nice to her before she got to Edinburgh.
Jake was in Edinburgh when she got there and when they got back to New York Hester was staying with him until he said he would move to London with her.

[Lisa Whittaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn’t what I was expecting at all. Thought it would be about a holiday in the UK! Loved the idea of ‘visiting’ these countries how Hester delivered them to Jake. Wouldn’t mind sitting in a suite in a luxurious hotel, having a holiday experience like them!

Found myself rooting for Hester when she started to overcome her phobia. Imagine having a Jake in your life! 😍 Made me want to visit New York even more!

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from this author. It was so good that I just whizzed through it. The characters were all lovely which made it a very entertaining book . I love all this author’s books and I hope she continues writing in the future. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh I do love a Cressida McLaughlin novel and this one is utterly fabulous too. It was such a quick read for me as I devoured every word, every description of a holiday, every description of the fear of flying, and even more.

I could picture everything so clearly, especially how Hester set up the hotel room for Jake, for the first of the staycations he asks her to organise. Despite Hester having never really gone anywhere, she gave such a taste for the country and in fact just about any country she books holiday for.

As in theory, and she does prove it that you can easily sell a holiday even if you haven't experienced it first hand, if you research enough, are passionate about the location, are able to research and have a way with words.

Which is of course the exact reason I love armchair travel, through fiction, as much as real travel, and is a point that comes up while Jake is trying to persuade Hester that her wants to virtually travel to places, thus setting up this series of staycations.

Jake is incredibly good looking, slightly heroic in his actions which are what caused him to be stuck in a hotel room on the wrong side of the Atlantic for a few weeks, and clearly is intrigued by Hester.

I really enjoyed the glimpses of Rosalie who is a remarkable older lady and so instrumental in various parts of the book, and the first time we get to meet her properly, and well she has some great lines!

Between vivid travel elements, a potential for romance, great characters, some really imaginative ideas, and just the authors ability to tell an entertaining and enjoyable story - this book has it all. And I couldn't have loved it more if I tried!

Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m surprised at the good ratings. I love romance books but this one was hard to finish. The writing was repetitive such as “his A-Z smile”. I found myself skipping lines towards the end.

The characters were cringy and unbelievable. The worst was that she had a straight male friend that hung out with two single females and was completely involved in their romantic lives. He has a wife (who we never hear from) and went on an all inclusive holiday with these two girls. I found it so strange.

The main character had a phobia of flying but suddenly got over it because she was in love with a guy that she has known for about two weeks. The cover of the book looks lovely but the story was not captivating for me personally!

[Bárbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

My problem with this book wasn’t so much the plot. I thought the plot was clever and sweet, but some of the writing not so much.
I have to admit, I didn’t enjoy much how the main character seemed to judge people so quickly and have such prejudiced opinions or make comments about them. Some of her decisions and actions were a bit off too.
But my main issue with this book was the writing. Certain expressions that were repeated over and over, such as “his A to Z grin” that I just couldn’t get over, and comparisons I wouldn’t expect from such an acclaimed author, namely the “silver boobs” in regards to cloches. Otherwise, it was an enjoyable read.

[Lauren Appleyard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely your classic romance book. The characters fell flat in a few places but overall I enjoyed reading this!

Hester and Jake make a good pair, and I especially enjoyed that Hester's personal development was not solely written to please Jake. She wanted to move on and grow, but Jake didn't have to be there for that. Whic was a great thing to read - especially when big changes and character development typically revolves around pleasing someone else.

[Lisa Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh... the best book I've read in a while. I did not want it to end. I fell in love with Hester and Jake.
You will not be able to put this down!!
Such a catch 22 as you want to keep reading but don't want it to end xx

[Christie Guillory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billed as a romantic comedy, a travel agent finds herself unable to fly after experiencing a traumatic event. If that wasn't already enough, her new client wants something radically different: a vacation without leaving his hotel suite. Hester would like nothing more than to turn this job down and focus on her bigger problem, except for one thing - this client was just so gorgeous to look at. A fun, lighthearted listen with a happy ending. 3.8 stars

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a little hot and cold for me. It was a little slow in places, picked up pace in the last parts. It was quite easy to guess why Hester was scared of flying. I get why she was too. I liked Hester and Jake in general I just did not love them. I loved the settings and the telling of the places even if it was others stories. The one thing I will say it us different and that is no bad thing.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Staycation turned out to be totally different to what I expected! I thought its be a holiday in the garden or a few miles down the road but it's even closer to than that. I enjoyed the holidays without leaving the hotel room, like travelling anywhere by reading a book, an escape within an escape.

It did feel a little bit slow in places but in others I found myself skipping lines, eager to find out the next bit.

At one point I thought it was going to be revealed that Hester's happy ending wasn't going to be with Jake but I thought Hester and Marty could get close.

I enjoyed this book, especially towards the end, conquering fears and enjoying life. Lovely, easy and gentle read! 📚

[Lyndsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one hope there is a follow up

[Ellie (bookmadbarlow) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a Cressida McLaughlin book and had this one on preorder. I enjoyed it on the whole, but struggled with the main character a bit.
Hester Monday is a luxury travel agent, the only problem is she is terrified of flying and spends most of her time trying to get out of work trips. She gets sent to meet Jake, who after having an accident is convalescing in a luxury hotel, to try to sell him a holiday, but he doesn't want to travel.
Et voila , The Staycation is born.
It was a fun idea and as always, the author has a way of describing food that just makes me want to eat it all!
I liked their chemistry and yes, there was a little steam in this book 🔥 which is always welcome. Overall a solid romance, which made me want to travel and eat.

[Bookshortie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hester Monday is a luxury travel agent for Paradise Awaits. She organises the best holidays her clients can dream of sending them to their perfect destination based on their requirements. No detail is too big or too small for Hester when organising the perfect holiday. When Hester is tasked to arrange a holiday for Jake Oakenfield who is recuperating in London after being in an accident, her work is cut out for. Initially Jake is reluctant to have a holiday arranged because all he really wants to do is recover enough so that he can fly home to New York. However, he soon changes his mind after spending some time with Hester and her describing a holiday to him which comes alive right before his very eyes. Although Hester might be a travel agent and can talk about lots of places around the world she hasn’t actually visited any of them because of something that happened in her past. So Hester agrees to create Staycations for Jake in the hope that she can take him too different cities and places from the comfort of his hotel room which he recuperates and Jake agrees because he believes that Hester is well travelled. When the truth is revealed how will this impact on their relationship and their flourishing romance?

I loved the concept of this story i.e. that you can visit any place that you want but from within the comfort of your own home especially if you’re feeling unwell. However there’s nothing like being able to travel to those places and being present there and experiencing everything first hand. As a character I loved Hester. She is very passionate about the work she does and creating packages and holidays to each customer. The unique thing about Hester is that she’s never visited these places that she recommends but she is able to sell on that dream, showing she has a knack for her role. Having learned more about Hester and why she stopped travelling I did feel bad for her and I think if I was in the same situation I would feel reluctant to travel too. In Hester’s case this once bad experience had a significant impact on her life and confidence. All I can say about Jake is that he was very sweet and adorable. The first meeting between Hester and Jake was probably not the best because Hester was trying to cheer Jake up and he was nothing but grumpy and dismissive. But the more time they spent together the more Hester’s cheeriness transferred to Jake.

My favourite parts of the book that had be smiling were the scene in the bath and the scene by the fountain. It felt like I was watching a movie when I was reading these parts and left a lasting memory after I’d finished reading.

I have read many of the author’s books and like them this was a lovely read. The storyline was on point as were the characters. This is the perfect book for those who are missing travel and wish they could visit a new place from the comfort of their own home.

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hester Monday is a travel agent with a secret…she’s afraid of flying and hasn’t been able to leave the country on a trip of her own for a very long time.

Jake Oakenfield is recuperating in a luxury hotel after saving an old lady, but the confines of his room are starting to feel like a gilded cage.

All Jake really wants is to be able to return home to New York, and Hester is determined to impress her new client even if his request is a little odd. To produce the ultimate escape by re-creating her most memorable holiday moments right from his suite.

And so begins a journey; around the globe from the comfort of the sofa. But is the make-believe about to get a little real for Hester and Jake.


The Staycation is a light-hearted and highly enjoyable read, perfect for snuggling on the sofa or stretching out on the sun lounger.

How many of us have whiled away more time than is appropriate researching countries we want to visit? I know I am certainly guilty of losing hours virtually walking the streets and immersing myself in much wished for holiday destinations. For this reason alone, I think this book will be a huge success.

Now throw in two wonderful protagonists, sweet Hester and charismatic Jake, and you’ve got a real winner! I loved following these two on their journey, not only on their holibobs but also their personal ones. McLaughlin has a skill for writing characters that are so honest, relatable, and real that they could easily be any one of us, a friend or family member. My particular favourite of this story was Rosalie. Whilst she wasn’t in it often, she had me laughing out loud with each appearance. A true 90-year-old minx!

Another thing I must applaud this author for is her ability to set a scene, which she managed to do in this novel two-fold. I could clearly envision Jakes hotel suite with all it’s luxury details as well as the locations Hester turned them into nightly.

This book is the perfect escapism, which was most needed, whilst the ongoing pandemic keeps unexplored vistas banished to wistful dreams. I highly recommend.


* Thanks to HarperCollins UK, via NetGalley, for this ARC *

For more reviews, please visit: https://twiabblog.wixsite.com/theworl...

[Anjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have seen many of the author's works reviewed on the blogosphere but had never read any myself. I thought that this looked like a good place to start since it was a standalone.
The first thing that struck me was the writing. I really enjoyed the narrative flow and ended up reading this in almost one sitting. This is an almost purely romantic story. The character's personal hangups and their growth arcs are presented as a part of their progression as a couple.
It helps that both Hester and Jake are very people with great personal characteristics, helpful, and think a lot more about others than an average person. Jake is trapped in a hotel room (a fancy one at that) when his sister decides that planning his next holiday would help him. Enter Hester, who works in a travel agency (a concept that seemed to be more in fashion before the advent of the internet, maybe it is making a comeback). Hester has not left the country since she was a child but lives out scenarios with the information at her fingertips. At this point, Jake and Hester's story begins.
The rest is not unexpected or entirely out of the blue but is a steady narrative has the reader emotionally invested in the progress. The descriptions of the travels and the locations might work differently for different people in the post-pandemic world. Some may feel frustrated at all the things they are/were unable to do, and others may love this chance at this couch surfing. There was humour injected at heavy moments, something that I appreciate, especially as it does not always come out like this. There is this scene in Scotland with the Police and the flight before that I mainly laughed at. Others who have read this will know what I mean!
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

[Bookclub_nerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly this was such an adorable read. From the moment they met you could sense the sparks and they were just so cute and gentle and caring it was hard not to root for them. I loved the idea of staycations and how much time and effort Hester was putting in just so she could spend some more time with him and how much he enjoyed seeing her.
Everytime she described a holiday I could see it even though I've never been abroad, never seen any of these places. Honestly it's made me want to go to Italy.
I loved the storyline about her phobia and how it was never downplayed at all. How ot was like the main romance theme which showed just how important it was. I'm so proud of Hester. I love in all the retwllinga of her memories it didn't seem repetitive and I learned something new each time.

The side characters were amazing and I loved them all, her friends and neighbour, Mary and Rosalie, and Jakes sister Beth. I liked the drops of humour throughout keeling it light, balancing out some of the more difficult bits about her phobia.

[Wendy(Wendyreadsbooks) Robey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of Cressida’s books and so when I saw mention of this new book late last year I jumped at the chance to grab a copy.
As with her other stories the writing in The Staycation is brilliant and the storyline captivating. I really journeyed with Jake and Hester to each exotic location and the chemistry between the two of them is magical.
I was able to picture entirely Jake’s suite at the hotel and the ideas from Hester to take him away from it all.
Throw in some additional great characters- I especially liked Marty and Rosalie - and this is a definite hit and recommendation from me.

[Between The Pages (Gemma M) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another buddy read with Mel from Melanie’s read. She was on the tour for this I wasn’t but we love buddy reading so why not? I devoured 80% of this in one day. Easy, light reading. I thought I had figured it all out by chapter three… I was wrong so wrong. But what a brilliant read. Staycations are the new thing surely with covid around, storms and life in general. Hester is a professional at her job and knows what she’s doing but behind all that she’s hiding a huge secret which could ruin her career and relationship.

Can she face her fears? Reveal her hidden secret? Will she have her happy ever after with Jake even with the long distance? A story full of love, imaginary holidays and friendships. Loved all the characters in this story. Would highly recommend. A well deserved four stars for me. My first book by this author too, impressed.

[Noemi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hester is a travel agent with the fear of flying. Jake just got hurt trying to save an old woman from a car. Set up into a room in a fancy hotel in London, Jake's sister enlists Hester's help to set up a vacation that Jake can enjoy. However, Jake doesn't agree and proposes an alternative—Hester needs to recreate her travels in Jake's suite at the hotel. She accepts the challenge because she can't stay away from him, and so every night Jake's suite turns into an exotic location.

I really liked the idea for this book, but I couldn't get into the story. Hester and Jake feelings develop in only one week, so much that both of them are willing to uproot their life for the other–despite this I couldn't feel the chemistry between the two.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

I’ll start of by saying I’m probably in the minority here and the book wasn’t badly written at all, Cress is a wonderful author and I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed the cream tea bus series. From the beginning this one just didn’t click for me. I couldn’t stand the main character, I have no idea why she just got on my nerves and I personally didn’t find the fact that she pretended to visit the countries a big deal. I didn’t care, I thought that it was a pretty minimal thing to be annoyed about. I was also bothered by the fact of how quickly the guy got to Scotland and seemed to know exactly where Hester would be, the whole emerging himself in water fully clothed I also found ridiculous.

I did enjoy the character of the elderly lady and I did like the concept of the storyline and the setting in a travel agency. The descriptions of the different countries were really interesting and made me want to visit them.

All in all it was ok , not a book that I’d personally recommend to others but def an author that I would recommend but read the cream tea bus series rather than this one.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous read! Thoroughly enjoyable ride through the rollercoaster of romance! Both main characters are so likeable and the supporting cast are fabulous. Warmly written and so entertaining! I loved every page and do so hope Hester and Jake have a sequel in the works. Heart warming, romantic, entertaining and just so cheerful (the majority of the time) you couldn’t ask for more!

Thank you Netgalley

[. beckii.books.home.and.life · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, the cover is beautiful and it just makes me wish I had been sat by the pool on holiday reading it instead inside avoiding to storm Eunice 😅

This story is the sweetest! It made me feel all warm and gooey watching Hester and Jake’s relationship blossom. All the characters are great and I found it an easy, fun read 😍

[SophieWorrall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a romance between a travel agent and a man who can’t travel because of an accident. The characters were really likeable and the storyline different but felt familiar. Through out the book it felt easy to read and a real summer comfort. Although nothing absolutely ground breaking happened, I really enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down.

[Daisy Hodgson · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

- The Staycation by Cressida McLaughlin!

I picked this book out because I am currently on my own staycation which I’m loving and ahhhh this book is just pure brilliance.. I read it so easily, the characters are easy to connect with and we feel part of their journeys.

I loved how the characters changed because of love ❤️ it just made my heart melt 🥰🥹

[Charlotte Goulding · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice easy read, about a woman with a fear of flying and a man who is stuck in London after a car crash.

Heart warming and sweet!