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The Mini Break
When Sophie's friend Anisha is sent on her first foreign trip in her job at a travel agency - and gets to take Sophie with her - she jumps at the chance of some time away. But what Sophie doesn't realise is that there is a catch - a rather large catch. The five-star hotel is also a world-renowned golf resort. And its owners have offered the holiday on the basis of the girls' golfing prowess. Of which they possess quite literally none...
68 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2014
9 people are currently reading
342 people want to read
About the author
Jane Costello
18 books1,101 followersI’m the internationally bestselling author of 15 novels, five of which have been published under the name ‘Catherine Isaac’.
The latest of my ‘heartwarming and hilarious’ romantic comedies is ‘IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE’, the first book I’ve written that has a 40-something main character. My novels have been translated into 26 languages, selected by the Richard & Judy Book Club and I’ve been honoured to win a Romantic Novelists’ Award - twice!
I was born in Liverpool, where I still live with my husband and three sons. When I’m not writing, you’ll usually find me on the tennis court, wishing I’d started to play about 25 years before I did.
The latest of my ‘heartwarming and hilarious’ romantic comedies is ‘IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE’, the first book I’ve written that has a 40-something main character. My novels have been translated into 26 languages, selected by the Richard & Judy Book Club and I’ve been honoured to win a Romantic Novelists’ Award - twice!
I was born in Liverpool, where I still live with my husband and three sons. When I’m not writing, you’ll usually find me on the tennis court, wishing I’d started to play about 25 years before I did.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 3, 2017
Jane Costello is one of my favourite authors and I love all her books however I can't help be a little disappointed I payed for this as it was ridiculously short. I get much better and longer books for free on Kindle. I felt like I kept waiting for something to happen but it never did, then just ended very quickly.
December 30, 2014
A lovely short story which will entertain on the tube/bus/train. Jane writes fab books and this short story is no exception/ We are treated to the story of Anisha & Sophie's holiday at a golfing resort.
So much is packed in the few pages and you will certainly have a giggle or three along the way.
So much is packed in the few pages and you will certainly have a giggle or three along the way.
Read
February 7, 2014It is a VERY short story, about 30% and the rest is preview of Jane's next book. While I found the reading entertaining, written in this brilliant Jane Costello style, I personally think this story should be add as an exclusive to some book of hers and not sold separately.
May 3, 2015
This was a short story of janes and very well written as always it's the story of Aniska and Sophie who need a holiday and Aniska books one and the only problem is that it's a holiday on a golf complex and they have no idea on how to play golf an excellent short story
April 12, 2015
Very, very short. Kept on waiting, but nothing happened.
June 13, 2024
A short but sweet story from Jane Costello. I love a short story every now and then, I always think they come in handy when I can’t decide my next book!
An entertaining story of friends Sophie and Anisha. When Anisha is sent on her first foreign trip in her job at a travel agency, Sophie jumps at the chance of joining Anisha for some much needed time away. The only problem is the catch (a rather large one too!) the hotel is at a golfing resort and the holiday deal was on the basis that the girls play golf, and actually be good at golf. We soon find out they are not the pros the owners were led to believe 😆
An easy feel good fun read that has made me want to read more of Jane’s books!
July 15, 2018
This was annoying! I enjoyed the writing bar a few typos. But the fact that it wasn’t a full book was very irritating. Why even sell this? It was like getting a free sample book but not free.
April 20, 2020
It was way too short, even for a short story. And nothing much happened. I like Jane’s books but this one was a waste of money
March 17, 2014
Review: this is a teeny tiny taster from a fabulous author nd includes a much bigger tastes of her wonderful new novel The Time of Our Lives.
The thing I love about Jane Costello's writing is how witty and funny it is. You only need to sample a couple of pages of her work to realise what a fab writer she is. This novella showcases that brilliantly. It's a cute little story about a couple of girls who end up unwittingly on a golfing holiday. Of course there are many mishaps and some girly bonding and that's all you really need in a sassy short story like this right? The fab thing is that this little treat introduces us to James who actually pops up in Jane's new novel. I would definitely like to her more from James.
This is the perfect treat for a lunchtime read or to fill those last few bus stops on the train to work. Or better still, do like I did and read it as a teaser for her new novel before you delve back into the wonderful world of this authors writing!
The thing I love about Jane Costello's writing is how witty and funny it is. You only need to sample a couple of pages of her work to realise what a fab writer she is. This novella showcases that brilliantly. It's a cute little story about a couple of girls who end up unwittingly on a golfing holiday. Of course there are many mishaps and some girly bonding and that's all you really need in a sassy short story like this right? The fab thing is that this little treat introduces us to James who actually pops up in Jane's new novel. I would definitely like to her more from James.
This is the perfect treat for a lunchtime read or to fill those last few bus stops on the train to work. Or better still, do like I did and read it as a teaser for her new novel before you delve back into the wonderful world of this authors writing!
July 16, 2014
It hurts to give a two star review. :( sadly I must confess this is my least favourite of Jane's books. I love short stories so the length didn't bother me.
What did bother me was the story didn't have a lot of guts. These girls go on a golfing holiday having no idea how to gold. Of course it all goes kaput and they have to enter a tournament. Somewhere along the way a handsome guy enters the scene but we don't see much of him.
Next thing we know, the tournament is over and the girls are going home. Not to mention handsome guy comes along and kisses the girl and says something like 'let's catch up' and the story ends.
I understand all too well how hard short stories are to write. I struggle with them too but I still give huge credit to Jane for writing it because it is difficult. Still, I still felt as though there could have been more detail and emotion in this story. It really was lacking. Sadly that happens a lot on short stories but it can be improved.
What did bother me was the story didn't have a lot of guts. These girls go on a golfing holiday having no idea how to gold. Of course it all goes kaput and they have to enter a tournament. Somewhere along the way a handsome guy enters the scene but we don't see much of him.
Next thing we know, the tournament is over and the girls are going home. Not to mention handsome guy comes along and kisses the girl and says something like 'let's catch up' and the story ends.
I understand all too well how hard short stories are to write. I struggle with them too but I still give huge credit to Jane for writing it because it is difficult. Still, I still felt as though there could have been more detail and emotion in this story. It really was lacking. Sadly that happens a lot on short stories but it can be improved.
November 15, 2015
Sophie needs a break (don’t we all?) and when her friend Anisha offers her a holiday in a fancy pants hotel she almost bites her fingers off. If you are thinking that this seems too good to be true then you would be right. For the duration of their stay, Sophie and Anisha have to pretend to be experienced golf players – and since neither of them even know what a ‘birdy’ is they are almost definitely screwed. Can the two manage to keep their subterfuge under wraps?
So, as far as short stories go this wasn’t my favourite. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed The Mini Break but I felt that it would have made a better buddy novel. The capers and mistakes that Sophie and Anisha got up to could have been embellished a bit more. There was so much that could have been done with the basis of this story. I also think that it would have read better if it wasn’t told in the first person.
I just wish that this had been a full length novel.
The Mini Break by Jane Costello is available now.
So, as far as short stories go this wasn’t my favourite. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed The Mini Break but I felt that it would have made a better buddy novel. The capers and mistakes that Sophie and Anisha got up to could have been embellished a bit more. There was so much that could have been done with the basis of this story. I also think that it would have read better if it wasn’t told in the first person.
I just wish that this had been a full length novel.
The Mini Break by Jane Costello is available now.
March 5, 2015
Sophie and Anisha are surrounded by ultimate luxury in their five star hotel I'm Murcia, Alicante. Spas, cocktails, sea, they should be in utter bliss right? Well they're not. Sophie and Anisha are there under false pretences and are posing as professional golfers. The hotel they're in is a golfers dream and just happens to be holding a competition too. Oops!
I was extremely disappointed with The Mini Break as it was so short. Yes, it's a novella, but as soon as it started and you settled into the story, it just stops and it's over. Being totally honest though, it wasn't actually that good either.
The rest of the book is a taster into Jane Costello's newest novel The Time Of Our Lives which actually sounds fantastic. I am looking forward to reading it. I'd give full marks for the taster, but unfortunately I'm not reviewing that am I?
2/5
I was extremely disappointed with The Mini Break as it was so short. Yes, it's a novella, but as soon as it started and you settled into the story, it just stops and it's over. Being totally honest though, it wasn't actually that good either.
The rest of the book is a taster into Jane Costello's newest novel The Time Of Our Lives which actually sounds fantastic. I am looking forward to reading it. I'd give full marks for the taster, but unfortunately I'm not reviewing that am I?
2/5
December 25, 2014
I was really looking forward to reading this short story. Unfortunately for me this was just to short. I do love short stories as they allow you to dip into a world in between doing everything that your busy life entails. But I felt that it was rushed in places and I didn't feel I really got to know the characters.
This is about two girls who need a holiday. They end up on a golfing holiday, which is not great considering neither one of them know how to play. They spend their time dodging James the guy who is looking after them during their stay.
This is amusing and fun, just a little short to be able to really get into it. Most of the book is actually made up of a 'taster' of Jane's current novel, which I have already read, I feel this could have perhaps been at the end of a book; rather than sold separately.
This is about two girls who need a holiday. They end up on a golfing holiday, which is not great considering neither one of them know how to play. They spend their time dodging James the guy who is looking after them during their stay.
This is amusing and fun, just a little short to be able to really get into it. Most of the book is actually made up of a 'taster' of Jane's current novel, which I have already read, I feel this could have perhaps been at the end of a book; rather than sold separately.
January 6, 2015
Jane Costello writes brilliantly, however this story is TOO short for us to see all that brilliance. It's too short even for a novella and by the time I got to meet the characters, the story was already over. Overall, not something I would recommend.
Read
January 9, 2015Would be better if it didn't end so abruptly. Normally like Jane Costello but she needs to double check her grammar in this book. I noticed she has missed a few words where it's obvious they are needed.
Want to read
January 22, 2014Got 2 read
March 5, 2014
Disappointingly short. I enjoyed the story but it felt like it had barely started when it ended.
February 8, 2015
very short. read it in about 15mins
June 19, 2014
Very short, nothing really happened.
December 18, 2014
A delightful little read by Jane Costello.
December 26, 2014
This was disappointing extremely short even for a short story (only 30% of the "book" is the wish list)
December 29, 2014
It is what it says it is - a short story. Fun, lighthearted with a couple of giggles thrown in.
January 24, 2015
A great short read which made me laugh out loud. Sophie and Anisha were hilarious. A real feel-good story with plenty of giggles!
June 13, 2015
THE shortest 'book' I have ever read.. Never the less it still made me giggle and therefore gets the 5 stars
May 26, 2014
Wish it had been a little longer.
April 4, 2015
Quick and fun book by Jane Costello x
October 10, 2017
What there was of it was great. Unfortunately it finished really before it even got started. Add to that the misleading length given that over half of the 'book' was actually a preview of another book I sadly wouldn't recommend.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews