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Benson Family #1
Proper Family Holiday
The first in a laugh-out-loud chick lit series by bestselling author Chrissie Manby, perfect for your beach bag..
Could you survive a week-long holiday with your entire family?
Newly single magazine journalist Chelsea Benson can't think of anything worse.
Your grubby small nephew torpedoing any chance of romance with the dishy guy you met on the plane . . .
Your eighty-five-year-old granddad chatting up ladies at the hotel bar . . .
Getting nothing but sarcastic comments from your older sister, who's always been the family favourite . . .
And all this is before your parents drop their bombshell.
Is a week enough time for the Bensons to put their differences aside and have some fun? Or is this their last ever proper family holiday?
Heartwarming and funny, this is the perfect summer read for fans of SOPHIE KINSELLA and LINDSEY KELK. And provides a great excuse for ignoring your annoying family members . . .
Could you survive a week-long holiday with your entire family?
Newly single magazine journalist Chelsea Benson can't think of anything worse.
Your grubby small nephew torpedoing any chance of romance with the dishy guy you met on the plane . . .
Your eighty-five-year-old granddad chatting up ladies at the hotel bar . . .
Getting nothing but sarcastic comments from your older sister, who's always been the family favourite . . .
And all this is before your parents drop their bombshell.
Is a week enough time for the Bensons to put their differences aside and have some fun? Or is this their last ever proper family holiday?
Heartwarming and funny, this is the perfect summer read for fans of SOPHIE KINSELLA and LINDSEY KELK. And provides a great excuse for ignoring your annoying family members . . .
389 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2014
53 people are currently reading
999 people want to read
About the author
Chrissie Manby
33 books240 followersThis author has also released books under the name Chris Manby
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
September 24, 2015
Well i guess you could notice that i really enjoyed this book consider that i finished it in a day !!
This book is 100% about family bonding and friendship which what i always looking forward to.
You see, to me family is what really matters. No matter how awful you feel towards your family, you are still having the same blood running as them. This book proves that whenever you have an argument with your family members or you guys are not talking for 10 years, things will always make up by on their on. Blood is thicker than water right ?
I cried at some point of the pages. The sisters were so closed in their childhood years but as time pass by they became farther apart. Both are jealous of each others life. I am glad they realised that as sisters they need each other.
Definitely worth my read.
This book is 100% about family bonding and friendship which what i always looking forward to.
You see, to me family is what really matters. No matter how awful you feel towards your family, you are still having the same blood running as them. This book proves that whenever you have an argument with your family members or you guys are not talking for 10 years, things will always make up by on their on. Blood is thicker than water right ?
I cried at some point of the pages. The sisters were so closed in their childhood years but as time pass by they became farther apart. Both are jealous of each others life. I am glad they realised that as sisters they need each other.
Definitely worth my read.
May 29, 2017
A really good family chick lit, great characters and plenty of laughs
February 29, 2020
Loved it girlie chick lit. Loves Chelsea
November 4, 2019
A proper family holiday - join the Benson clan as they head out on holiday to Lanzarote. Jaqui wants all her family together for her 60th so she pays for both her daughters and the family to have some quality time together.
The two sisters Ronnie and Chelsea haven't seen eye to eye for quite a few years and lead very different lives, constantly sniping at each other and misreading what the other is saying causing tension between the sisters. Not knowing how the other really feels and both quite envious of each others lives.
Family feuds, a family secret all under the Lanzarote sun. A lovely funny, working class family.
The two sisters Ronnie and Chelsea haven't seen eye to eye for quite a few years and lead very different lives, constantly sniping at each other and misreading what the other is saying causing tension between the sisters. Not knowing how the other really feels and both quite envious of each others lives.
Family feuds, a family secret all under the Lanzarote sun. A lovely funny, working class family.
March 17, 2016
A great light read packed with interesting characters I felt for.
Two sisters, who have fallen out, are reunited on a holiday organised by their parents. Family secrets are spilt and it finishes with you wanting to find out more.
Two sisters, who have fallen out, are reunited on a holiday organised by their parents. Family secrets are spilt and it finishes with you wanting to find out more.
May 15, 2016
A real feel good book
I started reading this book on Thursday evening and finished it Friday evening. Loved the down to earth characters and their unfolding life stories. Very enjoyable
I started reading this book on Thursday evening and finished it Friday evening. Loved the down to earth characters and their unfolding life stories. Very enjoyable
August 29, 2014
Brilliant- perfect easy read for my holiday
September 28, 2014
Quite funny at times. Perfect by the pool. Easily forgotten.
November 16, 2017
A PROPER FAMILY HOLIDAY ✈️🏞⛱ Rating: 4/5
After going through a phase of girl meets boy, boy meets girl books, I wanted something different. I never read books in 3rd person and initially struggled to adjust, but at some point the story became so engaging, it didn't matter.
The Benson family are dysnfuctinonal yet endearing throughout this entire narrative. Chrissie Manbey is juggling between 8 primary characters in the Benson family itself along with supporting acts like Adam, Lilly, Gloria and Lesley. Despite this huge cast, each and every individual has such a remarkable presence on paper. Their personalities shine through and together they blend to create such heartwarming and hilarious conversations.
I loved the British undertones and commentary - Chelsea says only brits would go to Spain and eat fish and chips, sad but true!
❤️ moment: I don't think I can pick a particular moment but rather my favourite aspect of this book is the relationship between Chelsea and Jack. It was such a beautiful transition from the beginning till end on how they both taught and learned so much from one another. Jacks innocence, warmth and relentless happiness gave Chelsea a much needed perspective in her life. In return she instilled him with the confidence he needs to be his happy assertive self. The cornetto incident was so funny when Chelsea is trying to control him from not punching Lilly! As an uncle (youngest and coolest as I'm reminded often) I could see my own unique bond with the kids on paper. Really heartwarming stuff!
Any changes? A part of me STILL thinks some of this book could've been written in 1st person but I'll have to get over myself haha. If anything, I wish we could've seen Daisy reunite with Jacque and Dave. But I heard there is a sequel! I think I'm going to give myself a break from the Benson family and treat myself to the Christmas sequel as we approach December. Looking very forward to reading more of Manbey's work!
After going through a phase of girl meets boy, boy meets girl books, I wanted something different. I never read books in 3rd person and initially struggled to adjust, but at some point the story became so engaging, it didn't matter.
The Benson family are dysnfuctinonal yet endearing throughout this entire narrative. Chrissie Manbey is juggling between 8 primary characters in the Benson family itself along with supporting acts like Adam, Lilly, Gloria and Lesley. Despite this huge cast, each and every individual has such a remarkable presence on paper. Their personalities shine through and together they blend to create such heartwarming and hilarious conversations.
I loved the British undertones and commentary - Chelsea says only brits would go to Spain and eat fish and chips, sad but true!
❤️ moment: I don't think I can pick a particular moment but rather my favourite aspect of this book is the relationship between Chelsea and Jack. It was such a beautiful transition from the beginning till end on how they both taught and learned so much from one another. Jacks innocence, warmth and relentless happiness gave Chelsea a much needed perspective in her life. In return she instilled him with the confidence he needs to be his happy assertive self. The cornetto incident was so funny when Chelsea is trying to control him from not punching Lilly! As an uncle (youngest and coolest as I'm reminded often) I could see my own unique bond with the kids on paper. Really heartwarming stuff!
Any changes? A part of me STILL thinks some of this book could've been written in 1st person but I'll have to get over myself haha. If anything, I wish we could've seen Daisy reunite with Jacque and Dave. But I heard there is a sequel! I think I'm going to give myself a break from the Benson family and treat myself to the Christmas sequel as we approach December. Looking very forward to reading more of Manbey's work!
March 20, 2017
Dit is echt een boek dat je vrolijk maakt. Vandaar dat ik het vier sterren heb gegeven. In het begin gaan er allemaal dingen mis. Aan de ene kant was dat grappig, omdat de dingen waar Chelsea zich zo druk over maakte eigenlijk niet zo heel belangrijk waren. Aan de andere kant leefde ik met haar mee en hoopte ik dat alles toch goed zou komen. Ook leefde ik mee met haar zus Ronnie, die aan het begin van het boek niet heel gelukkig leek. Hoe het allemaal afloopt, moet je zelf maar ontdekken. Doordat ik echt blij werd van dit boek, wilde ik steeds verder lezen. Daarom is het aan de ene kant wel jammer dat ik dit boek zo snel uit heb. Ik zou dit gevoel graag nog iets langer vasthouden. Gelukkig zijn er nog drie delen in deze serie. Dus ik ga snel aan deel twee beginnen.
March 23, 2018
Typical chick lit, but was entertaining and quite addictive.
I love dysfunctional families and that’s what this was about, a typical family going on holiday for a week, clashing at all the right parts with a few secrets thrown in.
Just what I was in the mood for, would be a perfect summer read by the pool!
Really, REALLY enjoyed it.
Chelsea was my favourite character by far (I’d kill for her life) but Ronnie is really who I am, maybe that’s why it resonated with me. Nearly every family has similar characters and I’m sure after a week in the sun with family that hardly get together, the outcome would be the same.
Should give this a read.
I love dysfunctional families and that’s what this was about, a typical family going on holiday for a week, clashing at all the right parts with a few secrets thrown in.
Just what I was in the mood for, would be a perfect summer read by the pool!
Really, REALLY enjoyed it.
Chelsea was my favourite character by far (I’d kill for her life) but Ronnie is really who I am, maybe that’s why it resonated with me. Nearly every family has similar characters and I’m sure after a week in the sun with family that hardly get together, the outcome would be the same.
Should give this a read.
October 12, 2020
For a quick read, it fit the bill, but wanting to like some of the characters...eh.
When I was asked if I wanted to read any if the other books in the series, the response was a wrinkle of the nose at the thought of having to read Ronnie's selfish viewpoints in life without wanting to put the book down and never pick it up again. She is honestly such a vile character, and while somewhere the author wants you to hold some sympathy towards her, I just couldn't do it. She's incredibly narrow minded, selfish and very me me me, and I couldn't enjoy the sections of her narrative without wanting to scrape my eyeballs out with a rusty fork.
Sorry...but just not for me.
When I was asked if I wanted to read any if the other books in the series, the response was a wrinkle of the nose at the thought of having to read Ronnie's selfish viewpoints in life without wanting to put the book down and never pick it up again. She is honestly such a vile character, and while somewhere the author wants you to hold some sympathy towards her, I just couldn't do it. She's incredibly narrow minded, selfish and very me me me, and I couldn't enjoy the sections of her narrative without wanting to scrape my eyeballs out with a rusty fork.
Sorry...but just not for me.
September 3, 2021
It's ok, an easy beach read with a Sophie Kinsella/Bridget Jones feel to it. It's the sort of thing you could imagine watching as a comedy TV sitcom.
Family dynamics, personalities, new relationships, unexpected bonds, a rude grandad and a seemingly snotty sister, secret eating disorders and four generations all forced into one Lanzarote hotel for a week!! Sounds like a recipe for a bit of drama.
A big family secret is revealed, and the story ends on a rather abrupt coincidental note....clearly leading you to the follow up book.
Family dynamics, personalities, new relationships, unexpected bonds, a rude grandad and a seemingly snotty sister, secret eating disorders and four generations all forced into one Lanzarote hotel for a week!! Sounds like a recipe for a bit of drama.
A big family secret is revealed, and the story ends on a rather abrupt coincidental note....clearly leading you to the follow up book.
May 12, 2020
Chelsea's Parents pay for all the family to go on a week's holiday to Spain. Chelsea doesn't get on with her sister Ronnie, but a bout of a 24 hour tummy bug finds Chelsea having to take care of her nephew Jack. On the holiday, Chelsea starts to let her guard down and start enjoying the holiday. They learn that they have another sister that was adopted out when her parents were very young.
February 20, 2017
It's taken me a while to read this but I've sent an entire night reading and really didn't want the book to end.
Left wanting more!
Left wanting more!
June 19, 2017
Nice,easy story
November 26, 2017
A dysfunctional family go on holiday, would you like to sit at the next table to them, or are you that family?
February 10, 2018
I found some of the characters frustrating to start, but it drew me in and I ended up thoroughly enjoying this book. Touching and realistic.
July 4, 2018
Very enjoyable, funny, poignant, extremely likeable characters. And some extremely unlikeable ones too. Excellent narration. CD version.
August 28, 2018
Great holiday book
Great read insight into family holidays of which I have had many. Would recommend this book to anyone who likes family books instead of usual chick flirts
Great read insight into family holidays of which I have had many. Would recommend this book to anyone who likes family books instead of usual chick flirts
September 2, 2018
Absolutely loved it!
March 31, 2019
Love the Benson Family especially young Jack and I’m looking forward to another adventure soon 💖
June 1, 2019
A good little holiday read but nothing too exciting about it.
June 29, 2020
Un bon livre à emmener en vacances
July 19, 2020
5 stars
This is the perfect summer read. Can't wait to read the rest of the series now. Highly recommended for a lazy summers day or holiday read
This is the perfect summer read. Can't wait to read the rest of the series now. Highly recommended for a lazy summers day or holiday read
September 2, 2020
Good, easy read. I usually enjoy this author anyway so knew what to expect. Will read the others.
January 25, 2021
Finished in a day. Easy light reading which works for quarantine but nothing to write home about.
March 7, 2021
More 4.5 stars....it was a bit lagging at the beginning but then it was ok.
Read
March 16, 2021Loved it. Made me want to take family away. Very amusing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews