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The Holiday Escape
Her dream holiday is his everyday life. His dream holiday is her normal life. What happens when they collide?
Ally and her dad, Geoff, run the family business, a creative retreat, from their home Hollyhock Cottage in picturesque Kittiwake Cove. They give their guests their dream break, but Ally hankers after glamourous city living, fancy restaurants and art galleries.
Ally’s survival strategy is to escape out of season, take a break abroad and pretend to be the person she always imagined she would be. She meets Logan while she’s away and he turns out to be exactly the kind of distraction she’s looking for.
With her spirits restored, Ally returns home, picks up the reins again and sets her sights on another successful season, but when Logan unexpectedly arrives on the scene, she soon realises she’s in for a summer that’s going to be far from straightforward…
A story about bringing a holiday home – and what happens when what goes on on holiday comes back to bite you…
Ally and her dad, Geoff, run the family business, a creative retreat, from their home Hollyhock Cottage in picturesque Kittiwake Cove. They give their guests their dream break, but Ally hankers after glamourous city living, fancy restaurants and art galleries.
Ally’s survival strategy is to escape out of season, take a break abroad and pretend to be the person she always imagined she would be. She meets Logan while she’s away and he turns out to be exactly the kind of distraction she’s looking for.
With her spirits restored, Ally returns home, picks up the reins again and sets her sights on another successful season, but when Logan unexpectedly arrives on the scene, she soon realises she’s in for a summer that’s going to be far from straightforward…
A story about bringing a holiday home – and what happens when what goes on on holiday comes back to bite you…
416 pages, Paperback
Published April 25, 2024
145 people are currently reading
1006 people want to read
About the author
Heidi Swain
31 books1,225 followersAlthough passionate about writing from an early age, Heidi Swain gained a degree in Literature, flirted briefly with a newspaper career, married and had two children before she finally plucked up the courage to join a creative writing class and take her literary ambitions seriously.
A lover of Galaxy bars, vintage paraphernalia and the odd bottle of fizz, she now writes contemporary fiction and enjoys the company of a whole host of feisty female characters.
Heidi can be found at the keyboard at all hours of the day and night and quite often scribbling longhand in her car during her lunch break. She lives in stunning south Norfolk with her wonderful son and daughter and a mischievous cat called Storm.
A lover of Galaxy bars, vintage paraphernalia and the odd bottle of fizz, she now writes contemporary fiction and enjoys the company of a whole host of feisty female characters.
Heidi can be found at the keyboard at all hours of the day and night and quite often scribbling longhand in her car during her lunch break. She lives in stunning south Norfolk with her wonderful son and daughter and a mischievous cat called Storm.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
December 7, 2025
Now that I'm done reading this book, I wish I could go back in time and DFN it 🤦🏼♀️ it seemed so damn long, the story dragged and wasn't as good as the rating makes it out to be.. The romance was meh, there was no chemistry between the MCs, the plot was blah. Idk. I am being generous with 3 stars..
June 4, 2024
*Escapism & Fun*
Ally is currently running a family business with her Dad Geoff. They live in a beautiful home called Hollyhock Cottage based in kittiwake Cove in Dorset. The whole area sounds idyllic. Over time they have turned it into a retreat. Ally is biding her time as she worries about her Dad. Her plan is to leave once things are more established.
Can you imagine that you hate where you live but long to live abroad. By way of achieving this Ally opts to go to Barcelona. When she travels she always adopts a different persona, name and backstory.
On the plane ride out she meets Logan and he is handsome and is not keen on flying and they seem to have a spark. To Ally she is putting this down to a holiday fling but is there something more?…..
Ally decides because she is starting to feel something that she would hotfoot it back home without a word to Logan. All is going well until a new guest arrives, you kind of guess what is going to happen but I enjoyed the journey….
Ally is currently running a family business with her Dad Geoff. They live in a beautiful home called Hollyhock Cottage based in kittiwake Cove in Dorset. The whole area sounds idyllic. Over time they have turned it into a retreat. Ally is biding her time as she worries about her Dad. Her plan is to leave once things are more established.
Can you imagine that you hate where you live but long to live abroad. By way of achieving this Ally opts to go to Barcelona. When she travels she always adopts a different persona, name and backstory.
On the plane ride out she meets Logan and he is handsome and is not keen on flying and they seem to have a spark. To Ally she is putting this down to a holiday fling but is there something more?…..
Ally decides because she is starting to feel something that she would hotfoot it back home without a word to Logan. All is going well until a new guest arrives, you kind of guess what is going to happen but I enjoyed the journey….
October 22, 2025
Kittiwake Cove.
Hollyhock Cottage.
Dorset.
Ally and her dad Geoff run a family business, a retreat known for their weekends courses, the deliciously amazing meals, and the beautiful views, from spring to the end of summer.
The Cottage was inherited by her parents from their employer Beatrice Baxter, her mum an assistent and later her carer, and her dad taking care of the garden and the grounds, and with it Kasuku an african grey parrot.
The idea was her mother's, who made her promised if anything ever happened to her she'll come back and help her dad, and that changed the course of her life forever, because her mother suddenly passed away of a massive heart attack when she had finished college.
And instead of working in a museum in Spain, her dream life, she was forever linked to Hollyhock Cottage, a place she hated since childhood, fretting about her dad's health, and always working harder for him not being burden with to much on his back, in charge of every detail necessary to run a profitable business.
So before the season start it and with the help of her best friend Flora, and everything was already set for the opening, Ally always went for an overseas getaway adventure, becoming someone else entirely.
This time going to Barcelona, meeting on the plane a broad, tall, tonned, dark blond hair, green eyes, and stunning smile of a man, Logan.
There was instant chemistry between the two of them.
It was so much more than scorching sex or a holiday fling.
They had a connection.
She got scared of her feelings and never returned to Logan's hotel.
She felt guilty for what she's done, but she would never see him again!
But when her dad told her he had rented the apartment, one of her newest projects to upagrade their offerings, to a single person until the end of August, she was so very proud of herself.
It turns out the new guest was no other than the gorgeous Logan!
She told him the whole truth and promised to get out of his way, so he could grieve the recent death of his uncle without having any contact with her.
But Logan forgave her and proposed they become friends, they get to know each other, because the connection was still there on both sides.
Fate?
No.
It so happens he is also harboring secrets himself, that could afect everyone in Hollyhock Cottage.
And with the reappearance of Tara, a school friend of Ally and Flora and the incident she provoked at the time, separating Flora from her boyfriend Joe, not even speaking with one another affer 10 years, the plot thickens.
Tara is also harboring secrets that will affect the Cottage.
Ally outings with Logan that his uncle listed in the will for him to visit, are making her look at the place she lives with a fondness she didn't now she had.
Will there be a second chance romance for Ally and Logan, for Flora and Joe and even a new one for Geoff and someone else?
All will be revealed at the end, in the beautiful and emotional writing of Heidi Swain!
Hollyhock Cottage.
Dorset.
Ally and her dad Geoff run a family business, a retreat known for their weekends courses, the deliciously amazing meals, and the beautiful views, from spring to the end of summer.
The Cottage was inherited by her parents from their employer Beatrice Baxter, her mum an assistent and later her carer, and her dad taking care of the garden and the grounds, and with it Kasuku an african grey parrot.
The idea was her mother's, who made her promised if anything ever happened to her she'll come back and help her dad, and that changed the course of her life forever, because her mother suddenly passed away of a massive heart attack when she had finished college.
And instead of working in a museum in Spain, her dream life, she was forever linked to Hollyhock Cottage, a place she hated since childhood, fretting about her dad's health, and always working harder for him not being burden with to much on his back, in charge of every detail necessary to run a profitable business.
So before the season start it and with the help of her best friend Flora, and everything was already set for the opening, Ally always went for an overseas getaway adventure, becoming someone else entirely.
This time going to Barcelona, meeting on the plane a broad, tall, tonned, dark blond hair, green eyes, and stunning smile of a man, Logan.
There was instant chemistry between the two of them.
It was so much more than scorching sex or a holiday fling.
They had a connection.
She got scared of her feelings and never returned to Logan's hotel.
She felt guilty for what she's done, but she would never see him again!
But when her dad told her he had rented the apartment, one of her newest projects to upagrade their offerings, to a single person until the end of August, she was so very proud of herself.
It turns out the new guest was no other than the gorgeous Logan!
She told him the whole truth and promised to get out of his way, so he could grieve the recent death of his uncle without having any contact with her.
But Logan forgave her and proposed they become friends, they get to know each other, because the connection was still there on both sides.
Fate?
No.
It so happens he is also harboring secrets himself, that could afect everyone in Hollyhock Cottage.
And with the reappearance of Tara, a school friend of Ally and Flora and the incident she provoked at the time, separating Flora from her boyfriend Joe, not even speaking with one another affer 10 years, the plot thickens.
Tara is also harboring secrets that will affect the Cottage.
Ally outings with Logan that his uncle listed in the will for him to visit, are making her look at the place she lives with a fondness she didn't now she had.
Will there be a second chance romance for Ally and Logan, for Flora and Joe and even a new one for Geoff and someone else?
All will be revealed at the end, in the beautiful and emotional writing of Heidi Swain!
July 31, 2024
Probably my least favourite from Heidi Swain 💔 Story took so long to develop, didn’t really like the FMC, you didn’t really get to know the MMC, you were just kind of told that they were perfect for eachother, the parrot was supposed to be funny but was kind of just annoying, lacked the heidi swain charm altogether
April 26, 2024
Such a fantastic book, I really loved the beautiful setting of Dorset, and the wonderful character of Ally. Straight away I felt a bond with her, her attempt to give herself a taste of the life she wanted to lead was so moving. Seeing her give up her dreams to support her lovely dad was very inspiring. I was rooting for her to find happiness and as always in a Heidi book, we get to see her find a chance of joy and accomplishment.
Logan was gorgeous and I enjoyed watching him connect with Ally. His thoughtfulness was a delight to see and I found him extremely likeable too.
Some great twists in the story kept me avidly reading.
And can I just say , I’d love to have a friend like Flora!
Heidi writes the best friendships into her gorgeous books! I always find myself wanting to be in the fantastic communities that she writes about!
An amazing standalone story that certainly helped me escape my life for several hours as I avidly read about Ally and Logan, with their sweet romance and the uplifting moments that only a Heidi Swain book can provide.
Logan was gorgeous and I enjoyed watching him connect with Ally. His thoughtfulness was a delight to see and I found him extremely likeable too.
Some great twists in the story kept me avidly reading.
And can I just say , I’d love to have a friend like Flora!
Heidi writes the best friendships into her gorgeous books! I always find myself wanting to be in the fantastic communities that she writes about!
An amazing standalone story that certainly helped me escape my life for several hours as I avidly read about Ally and Logan, with their sweet romance and the uplifting moments that only a Heidi Swain book can provide.
December 12, 2025
This read like an episode of Dora the Explorer.
May 5, 2024
I always enjoy Heidi's books, She is a really good story teller with a relaxed and easy to read style. However, this is the first book of hers that I've struggled with. I'm not at all sure why, maybe it was because our main female lead character couldn't articulate herself in a timely manner so got the wrong end of the stick, or didn't speak up to stop confusion, I just don't know. I found the story dragged in places but it was a good tale with interesting parts.
There are some interesting secondary characters who I would have liked to find out more about like Joe and Flora.
I did overall like the book, I just didn't feel that this was one of her best.
There are some interesting secondary characters who I would have liked to find out more about like Joe and Flora.
I did overall like the book, I just didn't feel that this was one of her best.
January 5, 2025
Wanted a cosy romcom for the Christmas break but this wasn’t it - wish I DNFed.
August 3, 2025
Nice Summer Story
The characters were likeable and the storyline was nice. There was some romance as well as good story to read. Some of the characters had history together so that made the story interesting.
The characters were likeable and the storyline was nice. There was some romance as well as good story to read. Some of the characters had history together so that made the story interesting.
August 17, 2025
You know how sometimes you read the right book at the right time? Well, this was just perfect to help me during a very sad time.
I knew Heidi wouldn't let me down with a perfect bit of escapism and I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Kittiwake Cove and this story of family and friendship.
I knew Heidi wouldn't let me down with a perfect bit of escapism and I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Kittiwake Cove and this story of family and friendship.
April 25, 2024
I love a Heidi Swain read and it’s been lovely to get to know Kittiwake Cove in The Holiday Escape.
Ally and Geoff are the perfect custodians of Hollyhock Cottage and the creative breaks they offered from their home sounded wonderful in such an idyllic setting.
Full of community spirit, the whole Cove felt a wonderfully warm place to be.
I had to feel for Ally - she’d committed to making the cottage enterprise a success but obviously felt a little constrained in Kittiwake Cove. Her escape plans sounded the perfect foil to her work at home and when you thrown Logan into the mix, it was obvious Ally had lots to ponder.
As per all of Heidi’s books, the Holiday Escape is full of friendships, family, and the love and support of the community around them.
Ally and Geoff are the perfect custodians of Hollyhock Cottage and the creative breaks they offered from their home sounded wonderful in such an idyllic setting.
Full of community spirit, the whole Cove felt a wonderfully warm place to be.
I had to feel for Ally - she’d committed to making the cottage enterprise a success but obviously felt a little constrained in Kittiwake Cove. Her escape plans sounded the perfect foil to her work at home and when you thrown Logan into the mix, it was obvious Ally had lots to ponder.
As per all of Heidi’s books, the Holiday Escape is full of friendships, family, and the love and support of the community around them.
October 28, 2024
Got to chapter 10 and gave up. The book seemed more about the cottage, main character and her best friend (and some girl called Tara) than the romance on the front cover or the main characters desire to move to Barcelona. Disappointing, the first romance book I’ve started and deliberately not finished.
September 26, 2024
The book was long winded and the story took time to take off. Also, why did the characters hold grudges for things that happened in high school? Urgh. Ridiculous.
April 25, 2024
In The Holiday Escape we meet Ally, who runs a holiday retreat with her dad in Kittiwake Cove. Although Hollyhock Cottage is most peoples’ ideal world, for Ally she feels trapped. She stayed to run the business with her dad when her mum suddenly passed away, but she feels like she wants more. She loves to travel and in particular loves Barcelona. So when she goes for a holiday for a week she feels hopeful. She has a wonderful holiday fling with Logan and comes back feeling guilt and leaving him (without telling him her real name) but rejuvenated.
When Logan turns up for a long stay rental at Hollyhock Cottage, Ally’s world implodes. When it turns out Logan has some secrets of his own, can Ally make it happen with the man she feels a deep connection with? Or will a base of lies come to haunt her?
Swain has the most wonderful knack of not only setting a brilliant background (in Kittiwake Cove), but in all characters, be they main ones or locals who you dip in and out of. I wanted to move there myself and have a drink in the local pub. I loved Ally’s relationship with her dad, her family was so important to her that she put her own life on hold indefinitely to support her grieving father.
The burn and fizz of the attraction between Logan and Ally was just lovely to read. I was so rooting for them. I could have banged their heads together at times as I wanted them to resolve things!
As with every Swain book, there are layers that are much deeper than you would think of a chic lit story. She peels them back slowly and you become more invested in each character with every new reveal.
This is the perfect read for summer. It will leave you with the warm fuzzies and that feel-good factor that is a must for an escapist read.
When Logan turns up for a long stay rental at Hollyhock Cottage, Ally’s world implodes. When it turns out Logan has some secrets of his own, can Ally make it happen with the man she feels a deep connection with? Or will a base of lies come to haunt her?
Swain has the most wonderful knack of not only setting a brilliant background (in Kittiwake Cove), but in all characters, be they main ones or locals who you dip in and out of. I wanted to move there myself and have a drink in the local pub. I loved Ally’s relationship with her dad, her family was so important to her that she put her own life on hold indefinitely to support her grieving father.
The burn and fizz of the attraction between Logan and Ally was just lovely to read. I was so rooting for them. I could have banged their heads together at times as I wanted them to resolve things!
As with every Swain book, there are layers that are much deeper than you would think of a chic lit story. She peels them back slowly and you become more invested in each character with every new reveal.
This is the perfect read for summer. It will leave you with the warm fuzzies and that feel-good factor that is a must for an escapist read.
April 28, 2024
Another wonderful holiday romance by fantastic author Heidi Swain!
Ally lives in the idyllic coastal village of Kittiwake with her father, helping him to run a retreat that was the dream of both him and her mother. She loves her dad, but this was never the life she envisioned for herself. Instead, a promise to her mother, before she died, ties Ally to a place filled with memories that aren't all pleasant.
On a much needed break away, Ally reinvents herself and meets a young man, Logan, who she begins to develop[p feelings for, and not wanting him to know the extent of her pitiful real life, she ghosts him.
Coming back home, she makes plans to finally admit to her father that running the retreat with him is not what she wants to do, forever, but then several spanners get thrown in the works, with the reappearance of an old school 'friend', Tara, and, then, ironically, Logan.
Nothing is ever as straightforward as that, so I'll leave you to the book to find out what happens!
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, immersing myself in the life of Ally and the Kittiwake residents.
Ally, herself is a mixed up character, trying to fulfil a vow while forsaking all she really wants.
Her best friend, Flora, is a real rock, and you see the ups and downs they both travel, as various events unfold. And the strength of friendship.
Logan - I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with, as I could see how good they were for one another, but as I came to realise certain things, I doubted his character, but he redeemed himself!
I LOVED Kasuku, the foul-mouthed parrot who was inherited along with the cottage by Ally's parents was a fabulous addition to the cast of colourful characters, too.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC.
Ally lives in the idyllic coastal village of Kittiwake with her father, helping him to run a retreat that was the dream of both him and her mother. She loves her dad, but this was never the life she envisioned for herself. Instead, a promise to her mother, before she died, ties Ally to a place filled with memories that aren't all pleasant.
On a much needed break away, Ally reinvents herself and meets a young man, Logan, who she begins to develop[p feelings for, and not wanting him to know the extent of her pitiful real life, she ghosts him.
Coming back home, she makes plans to finally admit to her father that running the retreat with him is not what she wants to do, forever, but then several spanners get thrown in the works, with the reappearance of an old school 'friend', Tara, and, then, ironically, Logan.
Nothing is ever as straightforward as that, so I'll leave you to the book to find out what happens!
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, immersing myself in the life of Ally and the Kittiwake residents.
Ally, herself is a mixed up character, trying to fulfil a vow while forsaking all she really wants.
Her best friend, Flora, is a real rock, and you see the ups and downs they both travel, as various events unfold. And the strength of friendship.
Logan - I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with, as I could see how good they were for one another, but as I came to realise certain things, I doubted his character, but he redeemed himself!
I LOVED Kasuku, the foul-mouthed parrot who was inherited along with the cottage by Ally's parents was a fabulous addition to the cast of colourful characters, too.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC.
December 25, 2024
This was a great refresher after fantasy reads, groundbreaking? no, however it was comforting and a sweet respite especially during a hot Christmas season. A daughter feeling the need to sacrifice it all for her dad that is all she has left really felt cathartic walking through the journey of wanting something else away from where you’re placed and just thinking again of whether it is all worth it to begin with.
Quite perfectly timed to read a character figuring out what she thinks she wants is really what she wants, if that makes sense.
Also everyone deserves a Flora and Freddie!
Quite perfectly timed to read a character figuring out what she thinks she wants is really what she wants, if that makes sense.
Also everyone deserves a Flora and Freddie!
April 25, 2024
Heidi Swain is my favourite author so I was thrilled at the opportunity to read her latest standalone novel. I think Hollyhock Cottage is my dream!
Ally made a promise to her late-Mum that she would help her Dad with their holiday retreat home, Hollyhock Cottage, despite her dream of travelling around Europe. Feeling stuck, every year she has a holiday where she pretends to be the person she dreamed of. In Barcelona she meets Logan, the distraction she is looking for, what she doesn’t expect is for him to turn up in Kittiwake Cove.
From the start of the book you feel sorry for Ally, keeping the promise to her Mum before she died but not living the life she had dreamed of. You can understand her desire to create a whole new person when she travels abroad, not expecting that to catch her out when she returns home. The connection that was there in Barcelona between Ally and Logan is definitely still there when he arrives unexpectedly at Hollyhock Cottage. It is then a journey to see how Ally will cope with this clashing of ‘lives’.
Along with Ally and Logan, Heidi creates a group of characters who feel like your friends, I especially liked Flora.
I loved the sound of Hollyhock Cottage and Kittiwake Cave. It sounded idyllic and just the place I wish I was living, so I loved spending my time there with Ally.
In typical Heidi fashion this book is filled with friendship and second chances. It certainly ticks the box for perfect summer escapism.
Ally made a promise to her late-Mum that she would help her Dad with their holiday retreat home, Hollyhock Cottage, despite her dream of travelling around Europe. Feeling stuck, every year she has a holiday where she pretends to be the person she dreamed of. In Barcelona she meets Logan, the distraction she is looking for, what she doesn’t expect is for him to turn up in Kittiwake Cove.
From the start of the book you feel sorry for Ally, keeping the promise to her Mum before she died but not living the life she had dreamed of. You can understand her desire to create a whole new person when she travels abroad, not expecting that to catch her out when she returns home. The connection that was there in Barcelona between Ally and Logan is definitely still there when he arrives unexpectedly at Hollyhock Cottage. It is then a journey to see how Ally will cope with this clashing of ‘lives’.
Along with Ally and Logan, Heidi creates a group of characters who feel like your friends, I especially liked Flora.
I loved the sound of Hollyhock Cottage and Kittiwake Cave. It sounded idyllic and just the place I wish I was living, so I loved spending my time there with Ally.
In typical Heidi fashion this book is filled with friendship and second chances. It certainly ticks the box for perfect summer escapism.
March 24, 2025
I struggled with this book. I found the main character rather annoying. She isn't a very good friend, and was rather pathetic.
July 20, 2025
an easy read but didn’t grab me
Not my favourite Heidi swain book, I prefer the series’ but still an easy read and an enjoyable couple of hours
Not my favourite Heidi swain book, I prefer the series’ but still an easy read and an enjoyable couple of hours
May 4, 2024
This book whisks the reader to Barcelona and Dorset. Ally enjoys a break in Barcelona before heading back to Dorset to help run the family business. Would Logan put a spring in her step for the next few months? Or would this feel more than a holiday romance?
Ally’s best friend Flora is making changes to her life by moving in with Ally and her dad. But can she finally move on from the events of prom night? And what really happened to Tara?
Hollyhock Cottage sounds lovely (I must admit that I did have to look up what a Hollyhock looks like) – and Geoff’s food sounds delicious. Love the idea of spending a weekend enjoying learning a new craft and eating freshly cooked local food.
This is a lovely uplifting book but as usual, Heidi looks at some challenging life events that have happened to the main characters. Loved the community feel to this book as the locals rally round to help each other.
A gorgeous book to relax with by a sunny pool or with a mug of tea under a blanket on a rainy day. It is guaranteed to brighten your day as much as the stunning cover does. Thank you Heidi for another lovely story to escape into.
Ally’s best friend Flora is making changes to her life by moving in with Ally and her dad. But can she finally move on from the events of prom night? And what really happened to Tara?
Hollyhock Cottage sounds lovely (I must admit that I did have to look up what a Hollyhock looks like) – and Geoff’s food sounds delicious. Love the idea of spending a weekend enjoying learning a new craft and eating freshly cooked local food.
This is a lovely uplifting book but as usual, Heidi looks at some challenging life events that have happened to the main characters. Loved the community feel to this book as the locals rally round to help each other.
A gorgeous book to relax with by a sunny pool or with a mug of tea under a blanket on a rainy day. It is guaranteed to brighten your day as much as the stunning cover does. Thank you Heidi for another lovely story to escape into.
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October 28, 2024dnf @50%
April 22, 2024
This was a lovely read about finding joy and love in what’s right under your nose. Ally always thought she had to go abroad to find the history and the culture she craved but through a series of events she’s has to accept a live at home along the Dorset coast. Logan however sees the coast line and area as the perfect place to be and with a little covert help from Ally’s dad he sets out to make her fall in love with her home.
There are other twists and turns along the way, with people not being who they said, and under hand tactics, but everything finally comes to a head thanks to a once in a generation storm and everyone finally manages to clear their conscious and say what they really want and feel.
Some amazing descriptions of home grown sights that easily rival those European ones. A nice easy read with lots of heart and family. Some amazing characters which were easy to relate to. A great stand alone book.
There are other twists and turns along the way, with people not being who they said, and under hand tactics, but everything finally comes to a head thanks to a once in a generation storm and everyone finally manages to clear their conscious and say what they really want and feel.
Some amazing descriptions of home grown sights that easily rival those European ones. A nice easy read with lots of heart and family. Some amazing characters which were easy to relate to. A great stand alone book.
February 5, 2025
This story is actually very little about Ali's holiday escape to Barcelona and more about her life when she returns home from that holiday and the life she dreams of having.
The story has an eclectic mix of characters from the loveable to the vindictive and everything in between. The parrot Kasuku, has to be my favourite character though, he is naughty, uses 'colourful' language and is often in trouble with the Ali and her dad.
Favourite Quote
"I just know that was the parrot equivalent of flipping the bird"
The story has an eclectic mix of characters from the loveable to the vindictive and everything in between. The parrot Kasuku, has to be my favourite character though, he is naughty, uses 'colourful' language and is often in trouble with the Ali and her dad.
Favourite Quote
"I just know that was the parrot equivalent of flipping the bird"
May 29, 2024
This was just boring and underdeveloped. Felt like a teenager had written it. Or it read a bit like when you’re watching kids play with their Barbie dolls and they’re speaking aloud the internal dialogue. Took me a long time because I’ve been busy but also it was just boring.
April 26, 2024
The Holiday Escape is the second standalone novel that Heidi Swain has written. I must confess that it has been a very long time since I have read a book by this author and the reason is quite a silly one. I’m not one for dipping into series or connected books without starting at the beginning and as I haven’t had the chance to keep up with the author’s interconnected books I didn’t want to jump in midway. But boy am I glad I held out for anther standalone book because this was a fabulous read. Pure escapism and a great story at its very heart and I enjoyed every minute of it. Life has been a bit busy as of late and when I got the chance to sit down and read this I most certainly read it in huge chunks as I was enjoying Ally’s story so very much. There is a strong theme of conflict between duty and desire running through the story and it’s something that we can all identify with in one way or another. Perhaps not to the extent that Ally has to battle with but still there is lots for the reader to take from the story on a personal level.
The setting is everything in a book and can make or break it as well as needing good, solid and relatable characters and here both were brilliant. The setting of Kittiwake Cove and specially Hollyhock Cottage was perfect and idyllic and played such a vital role in the overall plot. We are first introduced to Ally as she is making her annual escape from Hollyhock Cottage and the business she runs there with her father Geoff since the sudden and unexpected death of her mother several years previously. During the off season, Ally likes to get away and live the life that she had always wanted to prior to losing her mother. She gets a chance to refresh and reset and creates an entirely different persona for herself whilst she is away. Right down to a change of name and the type of clothes she wears.
Barcelona is her destination of choice as this is where she had wanted to move to after finishing her MA in Spanish and history. On the flight over she is minding her own business but the nun next to her keeps her chatting and next to said nun is the very handsome Logan. Ally lies and says her name is Flora (who is actually her best friend ) and before she knows it she agrees to sightsee with Logan but soon a holiday romance that is very passionate ensues. She promises to meet him again after a job interview in the city but she never does and leaves Barcelona without meeting him again and in some way a little bit of her heart is left there too.
Ally is a very complicated character who wrestles with a lot of emotions and indecision throughout the book. Frustratingly so I may add. On one hand I wanted her to follow her dream and make a break from the business and enjoy the history and cultural that Barcelona would offer her. On the other hand she was so very loyal to her father and I 100% understood that but because she was so caught up in the promise that she made to her mother that she would care and protect Geoff if anything ever happened. Well, in my mind she became too entangled in that promise. I felt she had taken it to heart way too much and could have struck a balance that would have suited everyone perfectly. She could have been more open with her father because I’m sure he would have wanted Ally to be happy in her life and not feel obliged to slot into one that wasn’t making her contented. Don’t get me wrong it’s not all doom and loom on Ally’s part. She has made a real go of the business that was established at Hollyhock Cottage and is still bursting with ideas for it. But perhaps now is the time to break free? She wonders how she can achieve this without upsetting her father?
A major spanner is thrown into the works when a newly converted apartment is let out for the summer. Yes it means money for the business and they can continue to offer retreat weekends and workshops where Geoff provides the food from his garden and vegetable plot but the guest that arrives is not someone Ally had ever expected to see again. Best friend Flora is not living permanently at the cottage and helping out as her own family situation is not the best. She is a breath of fresh air throughout the book and I loved her storyline involving someone from their past who makes a surprise return. So in a sense both Ally and Flora have to deal with the not so recent and the recent past coming right to their doors. Who will cope with it best?
Flora meets the new guest before Ally does and when she finally comes face to face with him I could literally feel the apprehension and shock that ensues. The new long-term guest is Logan who has come to do some work on his uncles estate following his death and at the same time he needed an escape. Ally for certain had gotten herself in a right mess seen as she had broken the promise to contact Logan. Yes, it’s a bit typical of the genre that they should happen to meet again but to be honest I didn’t care as by this point I was really getting into the story. I was keen to see how Ally would back herself out of the corner she had boxed herself into with Logan and also with her Dad regarding whether she was brave enough to speak to him as to how she truly felt deep inside and whether she would make up her mind. But Logan had certainly thrown a spanner in the works as she had felt a deep connection with him during their brief time together in Barcelona.
The story moved along at nice pace with not many lulls nor was there a heap of information thrown at us at the last minute. Instead, it was all perfectly paced and plotted and I found myself rooting for all the characters to get the ending they deserved but to be honest I couldn’t see how that would occur given the various situations that they found themselves in. Bringing Tara in as a new character from the past meant Ally and Flora were tested even more. Can a leopard change its spots? Given the history they had with Tara and what she did I felt Ally was just that little bit too forgiving and she seemed too good to be true. How can someone who caused hurt and pain to Flora just be allowed waltz back in after many years and provide an explanation and expect everything to be all right I wondered? During the time that Logan stays at the cottage he grows closer to Ally and he seemed like the perfect gentleman where they went off on day trips seeing historical sites in the county. I could see they were perfect for each other as Logan appeared real, genuine, trusting and loving but given how hell bent Ally was on escaping Kittiwake Cove I didn’t think anything could possibly occur between in the long term even though I desperately wanted it to.
For Ally, there is too much baggage attached to Hollyhock Cottage and not enough potential now that things are well established and really starting to thrive but still she wants everything sorted in every department so that someone else can take over the reins when she leaves. I wanted to reach into the pages of the book and grab her and say well the first thing to do would be truthful with your Dad. He deserved honesty if nothing else and perhaps she didn’t realise he was as astute as he was. I wondered would Ally have a change of heart given Logan was now on the scene and that Geoff didn’t need as much protecting as she thought he did? Yes, in the aftermath of their huge loss they needed one another and in turn needed to establish the business to keep themselves moving forward but Ally was becoming trapped in a promise that she had fulfilled. As the days pass the summer becomes far from straight forward and I loved how in the last quarter secrets and twists and turns started to occur that really brought the entire plot full circle. Heidi Swain had it all planned out so well and kept the reader guessing until just the right time.
I loved The Holiday Escape and cliched as this may sound given the title it would be the perfect book to bring on your summer holiday escape this year. This was a great read with a charming setting, relatable and likeable characters with lots of fun, drama, romance and of course some angst thrown in also which all made for a delightful and entertaining read. Make sure to out this on your summer reading list as soon as possible.
The setting is everything in a book and can make or break it as well as needing good, solid and relatable characters and here both were brilliant. The setting of Kittiwake Cove and specially Hollyhock Cottage was perfect and idyllic and played such a vital role in the overall plot. We are first introduced to Ally as she is making her annual escape from Hollyhock Cottage and the business she runs there with her father Geoff since the sudden and unexpected death of her mother several years previously. During the off season, Ally likes to get away and live the life that she had always wanted to prior to losing her mother. She gets a chance to refresh and reset and creates an entirely different persona for herself whilst she is away. Right down to a change of name and the type of clothes she wears.
Barcelona is her destination of choice as this is where she had wanted to move to after finishing her MA in Spanish and history. On the flight over she is minding her own business but the nun next to her keeps her chatting and next to said nun is the very handsome Logan. Ally lies and says her name is Flora (who is actually her best friend ) and before she knows it she agrees to sightsee with Logan but soon a holiday romance that is very passionate ensues. She promises to meet him again after a job interview in the city but she never does and leaves Barcelona without meeting him again and in some way a little bit of her heart is left there too.
Ally is a very complicated character who wrestles with a lot of emotions and indecision throughout the book. Frustratingly so I may add. On one hand I wanted her to follow her dream and make a break from the business and enjoy the history and cultural that Barcelona would offer her. On the other hand she was so very loyal to her father and I 100% understood that but because she was so caught up in the promise that she made to her mother that she would care and protect Geoff if anything ever happened. Well, in my mind she became too entangled in that promise. I felt she had taken it to heart way too much and could have struck a balance that would have suited everyone perfectly. She could have been more open with her father because I’m sure he would have wanted Ally to be happy in her life and not feel obliged to slot into one that wasn’t making her contented. Don’t get me wrong it’s not all doom and loom on Ally’s part. She has made a real go of the business that was established at Hollyhock Cottage and is still bursting with ideas for it. But perhaps now is the time to break free? She wonders how she can achieve this without upsetting her father?
A major spanner is thrown into the works when a newly converted apartment is let out for the summer. Yes it means money for the business and they can continue to offer retreat weekends and workshops where Geoff provides the food from his garden and vegetable plot but the guest that arrives is not someone Ally had ever expected to see again. Best friend Flora is not living permanently at the cottage and helping out as her own family situation is not the best. She is a breath of fresh air throughout the book and I loved her storyline involving someone from their past who makes a surprise return. So in a sense both Ally and Flora have to deal with the not so recent and the recent past coming right to their doors. Who will cope with it best?
Flora meets the new guest before Ally does and when she finally comes face to face with him I could literally feel the apprehension and shock that ensues. The new long-term guest is Logan who has come to do some work on his uncles estate following his death and at the same time he needed an escape. Ally for certain had gotten herself in a right mess seen as she had broken the promise to contact Logan. Yes, it’s a bit typical of the genre that they should happen to meet again but to be honest I didn’t care as by this point I was really getting into the story. I was keen to see how Ally would back herself out of the corner she had boxed herself into with Logan and also with her Dad regarding whether she was brave enough to speak to him as to how she truly felt deep inside and whether she would make up her mind. But Logan had certainly thrown a spanner in the works as she had felt a deep connection with him during their brief time together in Barcelona.
The story moved along at nice pace with not many lulls nor was there a heap of information thrown at us at the last minute. Instead, it was all perfectly paced and plotted and I found myself rooting for all the characters to get the ending they deserved but to be honest I couldn’t see how that would occur given the various situations that they found themselves in. Bringing Tara in as a new character from the past meant Ally and Flora were tested even more. Can a leopard change its spots? Given the history they had with Tara and what she did I felt Ally was just that little bit too forgiving and she seemed too good to be true. How can someone who caused hurt and pain to Flora just be allowed waltz back in after many years and provide an explanation and expect everything to be all right I wondered? During the time that Logan stays at the cottage he grows closer to Ally and he seemed like the perfect gentleman where they went off on day trips seeing historical sites in the county. I could see they were perfect for each other as Logan appeared real, genuine, trusting and loving but given how hell bent Ally was on escaping Kittiwake Cove I didn’t think anything could possibly occur between in the long term even though I desperately wanted it to.
For Ally, there is too much baggage attached to Hollyhock Cottage and not enough potential now that things are well established and really starting to thrive but still she wants everything sorted in every department so that someone else can take over the reins when she leaves. I wanted to reach into the pages of the book and grab her and say well the first thing to do would be truthful with your Dad. He deserved honesty if nothing else and perhaps she didn’t realise he was as astute as he was. I wondered would Ally have a change of heart given Logan was now on the scene and that Geoff didn’t need as much protecting as she thought he did? Yes, in the aftermath of their huge loss they needed one another and in turn needed to establish the business to keep themselves moving forward but Ally was becoming trapped in a promise that she had fulfilled. As the days pass the summer becomes far from straight forward and I loved how in the last quarter secrets and twists and turns started to occur that really brought the entire plot full circle. Heidi Swain had it all planned out so well and kept the reader guessing until just the right time.
I loved The Holiday Escape and cliched as this may sound given the title it would be the perfect book to bring on your summer holiday escape this year. This was a great read with a charming setting, relatable and likeable characters with lots of fun, drama, romance and of course some angst thrown in also which all made for a delightful and entertaining read. Make sure to out this on your summer reading list as soon as possible.
April 18, 2024
When Ally's mother died unexpectedly, she suddenly found herself tied to a promise to help her dad achieve her parents' dream of turning Hollyhock Cottage, in Dorset's beautiful Kittiwake Cove, into a creative retreat. True to her word, Ally has done just that, never admitting to her father that in her heart she has never loved the house, or the Cove come to think of it, and yearns to follow her dream of exciting city living in Spain.
Ally tells herself that the escapist holidays she takes out of season, pretending to be the kind of person she once envisaged she would be, are enough to keep her sane amidst the busy, but unfulfilling, life she leads back in Dorset. But her latest trip to Barcelona has thrown an emotional spanner in her carefully curated works. For during her adventure in the guise of sophisticated 'Flora', she meets the extremely attractive Logan. She finds herself developing real feelings for him, when all she was looking for was a holiday fling.
When Ally returns home to Kittiwake Cove, she struggles to keep her conflicted feelings about more than one path not taken from bubbling to the surface. Determined to make the season a success for the sake of her father, she is just about holding it together. So the last thing she needs is for Logan to appear on her home turf, and set her emotions spiraling once more. It is time for Ally to make some big decisions about what she really wants...
Ah, what utter loveliness this book proved to be. Heidi Swain knows just how to pull you into a book with just the right mix of an escapist story in a gorgeous location, threaded with relatable themes, and with characters you can take to your heart - all wrapped up in a romantic bow! And she pulls this off in typical Swain-style in her larest gem, The Holiday Escape.
Ally is a great protagonist, pulled in two by the promise she made to her mother and her secret dreams, and nothing about the choices she must make is simple. As we get to know her, Swain does an excellent job of showing how she is grieving from not only the loss of a parent, but the life she thought she would be living, and this gives rise to layered storylines about forgiveness and unresolved feelings, that must be worked through before the heart-warming ending comes around - via all the necessary mishaps and misunderstandings along the way, of course.
I really enjoyed the multiple threads of gentle romance that run through this story, especially the clever twist that makes Ally reassess her feelings about the direction of her life through the eyes of Logan, and Swain builds in clever suspense around the will-they-won't-they element, as well as the nicely judged over-arching plotlines of deception and the weight of things unsaid. There are some cracking characters who spring from the pages to become living, breathing people (or foul-mouthed feathered friends), which makes the novel enjoyably cinematic - and their storylines have you chuckling, cheering, cussing, and crying in equal measure. Everything revolves beautifully around Swain's favourite topics of family, friendship, second chances, and a community pulling together in times of trouble - which just happen to be my favourite themes too!
This is one of those books you find yourself swallowing whole, completely tied to the fate of the characters until the emotional finale rolls around. I always know I am in for some powerful tugging of the heart strings when a new Heidi Swain book arrives, and The Holiday Escape hit that sentimental sweet-spot to perfection. I loved it!
Ally tells herself that the escapist holidays she takes out of season, pretending to be the kind of person she once envisaged she would be, are enough to keep her sane amidst the busy, but unfulfilling, life she leads back in Dorset. But her latest trip to Barcelona has thrown an emotional spanner in her carefully curated works. For during her adventure in the guise of sophisticated 'Flora', she meets the extremely attractive Logan. She finds herself developing real feelings for him, when all she was looking for was a holiday fling.
When Ally returns home to Kittiwake Cove, she struggles to keep her conflicted feelings about more than one path not taken from bubbling to the surface. Determined to make the season a success for the sake of her father, she is just about holding it together. So the last thing she needs is for Logan to appear on her home turf, and set her emotions spiraling once more. It is time for Ally to make some big decisions about what she really wants...
Ah, what utter loveliness this book proved to be. Heidi Swain knows just how to pull you into a book with just the right mix of an escapist story in a gorgeous location, threaded with relatable themes, and with characters you can take to your heart - all wrapped up in a romantic bow! And she pulls this off in typical Swain-style in her larest gem, The Holiday Escape.
Ally is a great protagonist, pulled in two by the promise she made to her mother and her secret dreams, and nothing about the choices she must make is simple. As we get to know her, Swain does an excellent job of showing how she is grieving from not only the loss of a parent, but the life she thought she would be living, and this gives rise to layered storylines about forgiveness and unresolved feelings, that must be worked through before the heart-warming ending comes around - via all the necessary mishaps and misunderstandings along the way, of course.
I really enjoyed the multiple threads of gentle romance that run through this story, especially the clever twist that makes Ally reassess her feelings about the direction of her life through the eyes of Logan, and Swain builds in clever suspense around the will-they-won't-they element, as well as the nicely judged over-arching plotlines of deception and the weight of things unsaid. There are some cracking characters who spring from the pages to become living, breathing people (or foul-mouthed feathered friends), which makes the novel enjoyably cinematic - and their storylines have you chuckling, cheering, cussing, and crying in equal measure. Everything revolves beautifully around Swain's favourite topics of family, friendship, second chances, and a community pulling together in times of trouble - which just happen to be my favourite themes too!
This is one of those books you find yourself swallowing whole, completely tied to the fate of the characters until the emotional finale rolls around. I always know I am in for some powerful tugging of the heart strings when a new Heidi Swain book arrives, and The Holiday Escape hit that sentimental sweet-spot to perfection. I loved it!
January 26, 2025
My goodness, what an absolute delight The Holiday Escape was - I loved everything about it.
From the moment I clapped eyes on the most vibrant of covers to the characters, storyline and settings, I knew I was going to love this book. This was just what the doctor ordered, the tonic I needed to lift me up and escape the drab, grey autumn and winter that had carried on into spring.
Our lead character Ally has two personas, the one where she and her dad run a creative retreat in Kittiwake Cove, Dorset. Both of them working hard, hosting all manner of people who enrol in the many creative craft classes held by the artists in residence for that season. Ally bends herself out of shape, going above and beyond to ensure they have the very best of times, her attention to detail ensures that they all leave, missing the place before they get to the end of the drive - all desperate to return. When the season closes for winter Ally works hard to put in place the many improvements that have come to mind during the year to ensure the following season is even better before switching guises and heading off on holiday where she presents herself entirely differently, reinventing herself and her life that, taking on a persona that is as far from her reality as possible.
I loved that Heidi took us all on a journey with Ally as she had to face reality when coming face to face with her Spanish fling Logan. What goes on tour, is supposed to stay on tour, I can only imagine the anguish Ally felt when her two worlds collide. The turmoil and anguish was palpable and probably inevitable - lies and half truths tend to come back to haunt.
I loved Ally’s relationship with her dad and the retreat she ran with him, but we find out early on that Ally is putting on a facade - truly believing her heart and life is meant to be elsewhere - guilt and a sense of duty keeping her in Dorset instead of Spain where her heart and passion is truly ignited. Not wanting to tell her dad, she puts her heart and soul into making it the best place, thinking that will make it easier for her to leave and live out her dreams abroad.
However, life has a way of working itself out. The Holiday Escape does what it says on the tin, it was an escape and haven for its many visitors and resident artists to Hollyhock Cottage, each reluctant to leave when their break was over. There was a multitude of secrets, gentle slow burning love, friendship and a real sense of community. It was difficult for me to see why Ally wanted to escape from it and was delighted to be a fly on the wall as both she, her dad, best friend Flora, and foul mouthed Kasuku the resident parrot navigate a season like no other - somehow life has a way of working itself out and it was a joyful ride to be on as a reader.
Throughout I quietly cheer leaded in the corner, for Ally to see what was in front of her and to take off the emotional blinkers, sometimes we don’t realise we have everything we want and need, the grass is not always greener on the other side. I would love to move to Kittiwake Cove, I even contemplated finding some sort of crafty retreat then I remembered I’m the least crafty person I know - I’ll just come for the friendship, wine and good food - straight from Geoff’s cottage garden
As ever this was the perfect tonic, I loved every single page and was gutted when I turned the last page - Heidi Swain, once again you have brought sunshine and smiles to what is at the moment a very monochrome world - roll on blue skies and summer.
From the moment I clapped eyes on the most vibrant of covers to the characters, storyline and settings, I knew I was going to love this book. This was just what the doctor ordered, the tonic I needed to lift me up and escape the drab, grey autumn and winter that had carried on into spring.
Our lead character Ally has two personas, the one where she and her dad run a creative retreat in Kittiwake Cove, Dorset. Both of them working hard, hosting all manner of people who enrol in the many creative craft classes held by the artists in residence for that season. Ally bends herself out of shape, going above and beyond to ensure they have the very best of times, her attention to detail ensures that they all leave, missing the place before they get to the end of the drive - all desperate to return. When the season closes for winter Ally works hard to put in place the many improvements that have come to mind during the year to ensure the following season is even better before switching guises and heading off on holiday where she presents herself entirely differently, reinventing herself and her life that, taking on a persona that is as far from her reality as possible.
I loved that Heidi took us all on a journey with Ally as she had to face reality when coming face to face with her Spanish fling Logan. What goes on tour, is supposed to stay on tour, I can only imagine the anguish Ally felt when her two worlds collide. The turmoil and anguish was palpable and probably inevitable - lies and half truths tend to come back to haunt.
I loved Ally’s relationship with her dad and the retreat she ran with him, but we find out early on that Ally is putting on a facade - truly believing her heart and life is meant to be elsewhere - guilt and a sense of duty keeping her in Dorset instead of Spain where her heart and passion is truly ignited. Not wanting to tell her dad, she puts her heart and soul into making it the best place, thinking that will make it easier for her to leave and live out her dreams abroad.
However, life has a way of working itself out. The Holiday Escape does what it says on the tin, it was an escape and haven for its many visitors and resident artists to Hollyhock Cottage, each reluctant to leave when their break was over. There was a multitude of secrets, gentle slow burning love, friendship and a real sense of community. It was difficult for me to see why Ally wanted to escape from it and was delighted to be a fly on the wall as both she, her dad, best friend Flora, and foul mouthed Kasuku the resident parrot navigate a season like no other - somehow life has a way of working itself out and it was a joyful ride to be on as a reader.
Throughout I quietly cheer leaded in the corner, for Ally to see what was in front of her and to take off the emotional blinkers, sometimes we don’t realise we have everything we want and need, the grass is not always greener on the other side. I would love to move to Kittiwake Cove, I even contemplated finding some sort of crafty retreat then I remembered I’m the least crafty person I know - I’ll just come for the friendship, wine and good food - straight from Geoff’s cottage garden
As ever this was the perfect tonic, I loved every single page and was gutted when I turned the last page - Heidi Swain, once again you have brought sunshine and smiles to what is at the moment a very monochrome world - roll on blue skies and summer.
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