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What I Did On My Holidays: the perfect escapist read for the holiday season!
Sophie Sturgeon can't wait for her annual summer holiday. Not only will it be a week away from work, it will be a chance to reconnect with her boyfriend Callum.'Manby's novels are made for holidays - light enough to pick up and put down, but entertaining enough to keep you happy by the pool.' - GlamourSo this upcoming trip to Majorca is a big deal. Sophie's spent a lot of time getting ready. She's bought a new wardrobe. She's been waxed to within an inch of her life. She's determined she and Callum will have the best time ever.Then Callum dumps her, the night before they're due to leave. In a show of bravery, Sophie says she'll go to Majorca alone - but in fact, she hides in her London flat. But when her friends, family, and even Callum seem so surprised and delighted at her independence, Sophie decides to go all out and recreate the ultimate 'fake break' . . . with hilarious results.'Smart and entertaining, beach reading doesn't get much better than this!' **** - Closer
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2012
29 people are currently reading
414 people want to read
About the author
Chrissie Manby
32 books240 followersThis author has also released books under the name Chris Manby
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
May 7, 2020
It was a really amazing book. A blend of fiction and humor. I liked the idea of Chrissie Manby. The storyline and the characters were also very good. I enjoyed this book very much. After reading it, you will also want to go to holidays. Sophie and Clare did the hiding plan very well. I highly recommend this book to all.
June 13, 2012
What I Did On My Holidays was right at the top of the list of books I want to read this summer. Despite never reading a book by Chrissie Manby before I’d heard what a fab writer she is and this book sounded so funny and uplifting that I was looking forward to reading it hugely and it certainly lived up to my expectations!
The book begins with our hilarious heroine Sophie looking forward to her annual summer holiday and this holiday in particular will be extra special as she plans to spend her thirtieth birthday celebrating in Majorca with long term boyfriend Callum. However as the hours pass before the plane takes off with no word from Callum Sophie starts to get slightly frantic and after several failed attempts to reach him he finally texts to let her know that he’s not going to be going to Majorca with her after all and worst of all dumps her hours before they’re meant to leave. Heartbroken and devastated with nobody who can accompany her on such short notice Sophie decides to stay at home and nurse her broken heart. But when her family and friends assume that she has gone ahead with her holiday alone and Callum gets wind of it he starts to regret the break-up and is impressed with Sophie’s new found independence. And so from her London flat, in the middle of a drizzly English summer, Sophie goes about trying to re-create the perfect holiday in Majorca in an all or nothing attempt to win Callum back.
What I Did On My Holidays was such a hilarious read. Sophie’s drastic attempts to live out an abroad holiday at home made for the wackiest staycation ever. Stealing pictures from the hotels website to send to her friends, checking club webcams to see what’s happening live, and even re-creating a beach scene in her garden with a whole lot of builders sand, Sophie does it all. Reading about Sophie’s staycation was the real highlight of the book for me and I’d find myself laughing out loud at just how far she was willing to go so as not to be found out. What I Did On My Holidays certainly celebrates the joys of having a holiday from home something which I’m sure a lot of people can relate to with more and more people having to cut back on their holidays with the recession.
Sophie was such a likeable, funny, heroine who I wanted the best for from the start. After being dumped so horribly at the beginning of the book she’s immediately endearing as a character and I was cheering her on throughout.
What I Did On My Holidays had everything I could want from a summer story. It was a feel good, light hearted, hilarious read that’s definitely made me want to check out Chrissie Manby’s other books. Whether you’re staying at home this summer, going on an English holiday, or going abroad this is a holiday read that can be enjoyed whatever the occasion and celebrates holidays of all shapes and sizes. Perfect to be read either by the pool with a cocktail or curled up on the couch with a cuppa this is a holiday book that has something to offer everyone.
The book begins with our hilarious heroine Sophie looking forward to her annual summer holiday and this holiday in particular will be extra special as she plans to spend her thirtieth birthday celebrating in Majorca with long term boyfriend Callum. However as the hours pass before the plane takes off with no word from Callum Sophie starts to get slightly frantic and after several failed attempts to reach him he finally texts to let her know that he’s not going to be going to Majorca with her after all and worst of all dumps her hours before they’re meant to leave. Heartbroken and devastated with nobody who can accompany her on such short notice Sophie decides to stay at home and nurse her broken heart. But when her family and friends assume that she has gone ahead with her holiday alone and Callum gets wind of it he starts to regret the break-up and is impressed with Sophie’s new found independence. And so from her London flat, in the middle of a drizzly English summer, Sophie goes about trying to re-create the perfect holiday in Majorca in an all or nothing attempt to win Callum back.
What I Did On My Holidays was such a hilarious read. Sophie’s drastic attempts to live out an abroad holiday at home made for the wackiest staycation ever. Stealing pictures from the hotels website to send to her friends, checking club webcams to see what’s happening live, and even re-creating a beach scene in her garden with a whole lot of builders sand, Sophie does it all. Reading about Sophie’s staycation was the real highlight of the book for me and I’d find myself laughing out loud at just how far she was willing to go so as not to be found out. What I Did On My Holidays certainly celebrates the joys of having a holiday from home something which I’m sure a lot of people can relate to with more and more people having to cut back on their holidays with the recession.
Sophie was such a likeable, funny, heroine who I wanted the best for from the start. After being dumped so horribly at the beginning of the book she’s immediately endearing as a character and I was cheering her on throughout.
What I Did On My Holidays had everything I could want from a summer story. It was a feel good, light hearted, hilarious read that’s definitely made me want to check out Chrissie Manby’s other books. Whether you’re staying at home this summer, going on an English holiday, or going abroad this is a holiday read that can be enjoyed whatever the occasion and celebrates holidays of all shapes and sizes. Perfect to be read either by the pool with a cocktail or curled up on the couch with a cuppa this is a holiday book that has something to offer everyone.
June 19, 2012
After months of planning the most perfect romantic holiday Sophie finishes her last day at work and decides to cook a nice meal for Callum but when he still doesn’t arrive later than planned Sophie calls him and he dumps her the night before they are due to jet away to their holiday destination. Sophie is stuck what should she do go on her long awaited holiday or forget about it all together?
Sophie didn’t feel she could go on holiday on her own and so she plans to hide out in her flat in London. She pretends to her family and colleagues that she has jetted away and posts random texts but soon she is recreating her whole holiday in her flat but how long will she be able to keep up the game before someone suspects something?
I absolutely loved this book it is one of the most hilarious books I have read so far this year! When the book starts poor Sophie is looking forward to her holiday with partner Callum until he dumps her and I thought the book was going to be very emotional and I did feel that Chrissie Manby's usual writing style had changed and I was a little worried but from out of nowhere the humour starts and it had me laughing out loud ( in the middle of Costa which isn’t so good!)
Sophie was a fantastic main character she was so entertaining and she felt so life like and I connected with her character right from the first character. I also loved her sister Clare who also brought a lot of humour to the book even if it did mean she was creating more sticky situations for her sister. I think what made this book such a simple read was there was very few characters to get to know and the two characters who featured the most were developed so well.
The book was a quick read at only 308 pages but this was perfect for this book as there was something going on in each chapter which had you turning the pages to see what on earth Sophie and Clare were going to do next and I think if the book was any longer it would have felt a little drawn out. This would be a perfect beach read as it is a very light-hearted and entertaining storyline.
I highly recommend What I Did On My Holidays it was oozing with humour, a real feel good read. I am looking forward to more books by Chrissie Manby.
Sophie didn’t feel she could go on holiday on her own and so she plans to hide out in her flat in London. She pretends to her family and colleagues that she has jetted away and posts random texts but soon she is recreating her whole holiday in her flat but how long will she be able to keep up the game before someone suspects something?
I absolutely loved this book it is one of the most hilarious books I have read so far this year! When the book starts poor Sophie is looking forward to her holiday with partner Callum until he dumps her and I thought the book was going to be very emotional and I did feel that Chrissie Manby's usual writing style had changed and I was a little worried but from out of nowhere the humour starts and it had me laughing out loud ( in the middle of Costa which isn’t so good!)
Sophie was a fantastic main character she was so entertaining and she felt so life like and I connected with her character right from the first character. I also loved her sister Clare who also brought a lot of humour to the book even if it did mean she was creating more sticky situations for her sister. I think what made this book such a simple read was there was very few characters to get to know and the two characters who featured the most were developed so well.
The book was a quick read at only 308 pages but this was perfect for this book as there was something going on in each chapter which had you turning the pages to see what on earth Sophie and Clare were going to do next and I think if the book was any longer it would have felt a little drawn out. This would be a perfect beach read as it is a very light-hearted and entertaining storyline.
I highly recommend What I Did On My Holidays it was oozing with humour, a real feel good read. I am looking forward to more books by Chrissie Manby.
December 8, 2017
Dit is echt een boek om vrolijk van te worden. Ook kreeg ik er een zomers gevoel door. Toen ik aan het boek begon was ik zelf ook op vakantie. Lekker warm in de Cariben. Omdat het bij mijn omstandigheden paste heb ik dit boek uitgekozen om te lezen. Inmiddels ben ik weer thuis en ligt er buiten sneeuw. Een groter contrast met dit boek kan er niet zijn. Ik ben echt positief verrast door dit boek. Ik had gedacht dat de hoofdpersoon echt down zou zijn en depressief vanwege de breuk met haar vriend. Dat was gelukkig niet het geval. Het was een veel optimistischer boek dan verwacht en uiteindelijk maakte Sophie ook de juiste keus. Ook de band met haar zus kwam uitgebreid aan bod. Die is haast nog belangrijker dan het romantische gedeelte. Dat vond ik ook erg leuk. Echt een aanrader. En dan te bedenken dat ik nog getwijfeld heb of ik dit boek wel zou kopen.
March 6, 2013
Sophie is dumped by her boyfriend just before she goes on holiday. She then decides to pretend she still went, even though she didn't and hijinks ensue. This is a really funny and light read. It has enough twists and comedic situations to keep me reading it. It's nice and lighthearted, bound to cheer anybody up, and what more can you want from a book. A very good read.
August 20, 2024
“What I Did on My Holidays” is a wonderfully funny and clever novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. The story follows a woman who, after being dumped by her boyfriend just before a planned trip to Mallorca, decides to pretend she’s traveling alone while actually staying in her London flat. Manby’s humor shines through as the protagonist navigates a series of amusing and awkward situations while trying to keep up her ruse. The novel’s blend of wit and heart makes for a delightful read. It’s a hilarious escape into a charming and relatable scenario, earning a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2012
This is the second time I've read this book, so I knew in advance I was going to enjoy it. Chick lit is one of my favourite escapist genres, but I'm pretty selective - there are only a few authors who are really good, and Chrissie Manby is one of them. Her books don't always work as well as each other, but she does always have an interesting premise.
This, probably my favourite of hers, is no exception. The narrator is Sophie, your standard chick lit heroine - she's in her twenties, she's unmarried, she lives in London, she has a job she's not very happy with, and she has a patently unsatisfactory boyfriend whom she only THINKS she's happy with. So far, so many other pastal-coloured paperbacks. But then, upon being dumped by the unsatisfactory boyfriend on the eve of a long-anticipated holiday to Majorca, Sophie decides - egged on by her sister - to pretend that she's gone on holiday alone, but hide at home instead. Now that's not a story I think is told often.
And it's a terrific plot. The majority of the action of the novel takes place within the physical confines of Sophie's small, dreary London flat. And if that sounds dull, it's not. It's a page turner! The scene opens up a bit and then a lot later on, but a good two thirds of the book stays between Sophie's four narrow walls. It's funny, it's exciting, and it's heartwarming. Sophie and her sister Claire are very well-drawn, the errant boyfriend Callum less so (it's always a flaw in these books where the heroine is with or has recently split from a dork, it's never clear why she was with him in the first place).
Altogether, I prefer this one to my previous Chrissie Manby favourite, Getting Over Mr Right. I'd say this was almost the perfect example of how to do chick lit really well. And it will only take you an afternoon to read. High recommended.
This, probably my favourite of hers, is no exception. The narrator is Sophie, your standard chick lit heroine - she's in her twenties, she's unmarried, she lives in London, she has a job she's not very happy with, and she has a patently unsatisfactory boyfriend whom she only THINKS she's happy with. So far, so many other pastal-coloured paperbacks. But then, upon being dumped by the unsatisfactory boyfriend on the eve of a long-anticipated holiday to Majorca, Sophie decides - egged on by her sister - to pretend that she's gone on holiday alone, but hide at home instead. Now that's not a story I think is told often.
And it's a terrific plot. The majority of the action of the novel takes place within the physical confines of Sophie's small, dreary London flat. And if that sounds dull, it's not. It's a page turner! The scene opens up a bit and then a lot later on, but a good two thirds of the book stays between Sophie's four narrow walls. It's funny, it's exciting, and it's heartwarming. Sophie and her sister Claire are very well-drawn, the errant boyfriend Callum less so (it's always a flaw in these books where the heroine is with or has recently split from a dork, it's never clear why she was with him in the first place).
Altogether, I prefer this one to my previous Chrissie Manby favourite, Getting Over Mr Right. I'd say this was almost the perfect example of how to do chick lit really well. And it will only take you an afternoon to read. High recommended.
May 14, 2013
What I Did on My Holidays is as always with Chrissie's books fast, witty, and brilliant. She has certainly gone to town here.
The plot is one of the best I have read by Chrissie so far. Stupidly brilliant because let's face it we all would actually do the same as what Sophie does. We hide away in heartbreakingly tough times or after embarrassing situations don't we?
After Callum dumps Sophie hours before their much needed holiday to Majorca to celebrate her 30th birthday, she stays home and pretends she's gone.
She is bound for failure with her little stay-at-home holiday.
When her sister Claire gets involved you know it’s going to get worse. Claire has a tendency to cause mischief.
I howled with laughter when Sophie recreated her holiday snaps for friends, danced in her living room while watching a club webcam, topping it off her making her garden beach. (which really sounds amazing) She really does go all out to pretend she was in Majorca celebrating, bless her.
You wouldn't think a book mainly based in the confinement of four walls could be so exciting. The fact that by the near end of the book you're basically wiping away sweat and trying not to scream “Sophie what the hell are you doing?” proves that this is a good-en. This is a must read. It's short, exciting, thrilling, and hilarious. Our Chrissie still has it.
5/5
A definite read again.
What I Did on My Holidays is as always with Chrissie's books fast, witty, and brilliant. She has certainly gone to town here.
The plot is one of the best I have read by Chrissie so far. Stupidly brilliant because let's face it we all would actually do the same as what Sophie does. We hide away in heartbreakingly tough times or after embarrassing situations don't we?
After Callum dumps Sophie hours before their much needed holiday to Majorca to celebrate her 30th birthday, she stays home and pretends she's gone.
She is bound for failure with her little stay-at-home holiday.
When her sister Claire gets involved you know it’s going to get worse. Claire has a tendency to cause mischief.
I howled with laughter when Sophie recreated her holiday snaps for friends, danced in her living room while watching a club webcam, topping it off her making her garden beach. (which really sounds amazing) She really does go all out to pretend she was in Majorca celebrating, bless her.
You wouldn't think a book mainly based in the confinement of four walls could be so exciting. The fact that by the near end of the book you're basically wiping away sweat and trying not to scream “Sophie what the hell are you doing?” proves that this is a good-en. This is a must read. It's short, exciting, thrilling, and hilarious. Our Chrissie still has it.
5/5
A definite read again.
September 20, 2012
A great book. I used to read Chrissie's book many years ago and, for some reason (not sure why!)I stopped. Saw this book in the shop and read the first few pages and was hooked.
It's an unusual idea - woman splits from boyfriend she should have been going on holiday with and tells him she will go on the holiday on her own. Then she sets out - whilst hiding in her flat - to convince everyone that she's actually soaking up the sun in a European hotel.
How can you base a whole book on that you ask? Believe me, you can! Chrissie has done so extremely well!
Another real page-turner.
If you're interesting in writing as well as reading then Chrissie has written a great ebook on structuring a novel (Writing For Love) available on Amazon - highly recommend it!
It's an unusual idea - woman splits from boyfriend she should have been going on holiday with and tells him she will go on the holiday on her own. Then she sets out - whilst hiding in her flat - to convince everyone that she's actually soaking up the sun in a European hotel.
How can you base a whole book on that you ask? Believe me, you can! Chrissie has done so extremely well!
Another real page-turner.
If you're interesting in writing as well as reading then Chrissie has written a great ebook on structuring a novel (Writing For Love) available on Amazon - highly recommend it!
June 29, 2012
The book starts with Sophie Sturgeon very excited she has been planning
a well deserved trip to Majorca for months, with her boyfriend Callum.
However the night before Callum dumps her Callum, her Colleagues and
family think that she has gone on her own, she gets updates from her
colleagues of how annoyed Callum is. But all the time she is in her
flat in Clapham, when her sister finds her, can she keep up the
pretence?
I loved the cover, and I found this book funny I really enjoyed this
book and definitely I would recommend.
a well deserved trip to Majorca for months, with her boyfriend Callum.
However the night before Callum dumps her Callum, her Colleagues and
family think that she has gone on her own, she gets updates from her
colleagues of how annoyed Callum is. But all the time she is in her
flat in Clapham, when her sister finds her, can she keep up the
pretence?
I loved the cover, and I found this book funny I really enjoyed this
book and definitely I would recommend.
March 9, 2015
I totally love this book!!!
At the first glance, I'd never give a high expectation on this one. But as I read it, I was totally couldn't stop reading it....
I thought this book is about a broken-hearted typical stories but I was wrong!!!! It's full of colorful slice of life that I've been looking for!
At the first glance, I'd never give a high expectation on this one. But as I read it, I was totally couldn't stop reading it....
I thought this book is about a broken-hearted typical stories but I was wrong!!!! It's full of colorful slice of life that I've been looking for!
July 16, 2012
First book I've read by this author after stumbling across it on Kindle. Was a nice easy summer read. Sophie has a shoe collection to die for. Nice and girlie.
July 28, 2012
A very light hearted, funny read. It kept me very entertained while on my holiday
May 28, 2013
great read for round the pool on a holiday filled with sunshine
June 9, 2013
Light hearted fun where you are willing the characters on and are made to really care about them!
April 28, 2015
Seriously the best book ever I've read this year at January month!!! Thought it was typical heartbroken story but proven I was wrong. This book offers more than I've imagined....
May 4, 2015
This was a really light read but quite funny. I wasn't sure if I would like this book, but it ended up being really good and I feel like it's one that I would read again.
December 30, 2016
A broken heart + a trip to "Majorca" = a hilarious and fun-filled read. Refreshingly different from the other books I have read lately!
February 7, 2022
It was a fantastic read!
I received this book in a book box. And I was unsure whether it will be fun or not as I had never read any other book of the author. But damn i was in for a surprise!
It was such a cute heart warming feel good novel!! I loved it from start to end! Made me laugh out loud on numerous scenes.
The story is rich with different characters although most of the book is set in one apartment but it doesn’t mean the story was boring. The sisterly bond MC shares with her sister is a must to experience!
A proper story and character development.
Definitely a fun one!
Looking forward to read more books from Chrissie Manby!!
Thank you!
My ratings- 5 stars!
I received this book in a book box. And I was unsure whether it will be fun or not as I had never read any other book of the author. But damn i was in for a surprise!
It was such a cute heart warming feel good novel!! I loved it from start to end! Made me laugh out loud on numerous scenes.
The story is rich with different characters although most of the book is set in one apartment but it doesn’t mean the story was boring. The sisterly bond MC shares with her sister is a must to experience!
A proper story and character development.
Definitely a fun one!
Looking forward to read more books from Chrissie Manby!!
Thank you!
My ratings- 5 stars!
December 17, 2017
Sophie cannot wait for her dream holiday in Majorca with her boyfriend Callum to celebrate her 30th birthday. But the night before they are due to fly, he dumps her. She lets her work colleagues think she has flown out on her own, but is really holed up in her flat until her sister Clare finds her and concocts a false picture via Facebook of them on the island holiday. A light hearted, easy read, though I got a bit fed up of Clare’s machinations. But I did finish it - hence a three stars but more a 2.5.
.
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January 30, 2019
Reminded me of a comic I read when I was young kf a family who pretended to go away for a long-awaited and much publicised holiday when something went wrong and meant the holiday wasn’t going to happen. Remember thinking how lovely it would be to have a reason to hole up in your own house and not see people. I’m a hermit ar heart even at such young age. This book brings back all those memories. The character was annoying at times for her patheticness but I guess it worked out well at the end and in moment of madness and heartbreak, we could all go a bit pathetic.
July 30, 2024
This story started out strong and with promise, but quickly became a bit of a dud for me, with unrealistic and over the top situations. Funniest bit was when Sophie grabbed Clare's foot from under the bed and then Clare didn't believe it was her sister. Laugh out loud moment, but the only one I found in the book. Read the first 100 pages, then skipped to the end to read the final couple of chapters and didn't lose anything because of it. Will most likely try another Chrissie Manby book, but won't reread this one.
August 8, 2019
The first 45% of the book seemed to drag. I kept thinking, "Surely, hiding in her apartment isn't all she is going to do?" Finally, it picked up and got more entertaining. I could see this being made into a fun Rom Com movie as long as the beginning scenes were handled a little quicker.
June 15, 2024
Loved this book a lot! Been in a reading slump for a couple of years but this has managed to whiz me out of it.
It’s hilarious, moving and has taught me to value myself more when in relationships.
Both me and my mum love it and would definitely recommend.
It’s hilarious, moving and has taught me to value myself more when in relationships.
Both me and my mum love it and would definitely recommend.
August 18, 2018
Cute beach read.
June 4, 2019
"I am the kind of person who likes to live in denial until the last possible moment".
October 20, 2019
Great little read really enjoyed the plot and the nutty sisters antics. A true chic lit
April 5, 2020
Interesting idea and easy read if you are looking for something after a busy day. Some things were unexpected, the ending was pretty lame and predictable, though.
March 2, 2021
Great read
Loved this book and really wanted it to go on a bit longer. Happy to recommend this as an easy read especially while we wait for the summer to arrive!
Loved this book and really wanted it to go on a bit longer. Happy to recommend this as an easy read especially while we wait for the summer to arrive!
April 24, 2022
the plot is so damn good!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews