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The Vacation Shift

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Gilmore Girls meets a reverse Parent Trap in this swoony and hilarious YA rom-com rom from popular adult romance author Lily Chu, following a teen who, while on a group tour to Japan, teams up with a fellow traveler to keep their parents from falling in love with each other.

Ivy Yu is cursed. Her parents separated six months ago, and she’s fallen into a fog. To help, her mother books an impulsive trip to Japan (cool) on a bus tour (very uncool). Ivy should be grateful, but this summer is her last chance to get her situationship, Connor, to fall in love with her.

When they arrive in Tokyo, it’s even worse than she imagined. Ivy and her Mom are the youngest of a group of seniors. Make that two of the youngest: there’s brooding Matteo, with his single dad, Keith.

Then Ivy discovers her mother and Keith are getting close, and her crush back home is hooking up with someone else. Desperate for some semblance of control and a distraction from the heaviness she can’t seem to shake off, she makes a deal with Matteo to keep their parents apart. Luckily, he agrees—and their devious plans begin.

Dodging nosy old ladies on the bus ride through Japan, their strange partnership begins to blossom into something unexpected and exciting—but can their romantic spark survive the journey? 

352 pages, Paperback

First published June 23, 2026

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About the author

Lily Chu

11 books1,936 followers
Lily Chu loves ordering the second-cheapest wine, wearing perfume all the time, and staying up far too late with a good book.

The Stand-In, The Comeback, and The Takedown are released in audio as Audible Originals, and are performed by Phillipa Soo. Lily’s critically acclaimed books have spent multiple weeks at number one in Audible Top Plus Listens in the All and the Romance categories, and have been named in Audible’s Best of the year lists.

In print, The Stand-In was named Target’s Book Club Pick for May as well as an Amazon Book of the Month and Apple Best Books of May.

Translation rights have been sold for seven languages.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for jo ୨୧.
337 reviews290 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 23, 2026
huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

⛩️🌸🍵🍣🥢

happy publishing day!

i love a cutesy little romcom set in a different country with dysfunctional families and food and travel! there's nothing like a reverse "almost fake dating" trope. and even though it was pretty vanilla and boring, i also needed just a light book after reading a ton of fantasy at the time.



ivy
honestly i loved her, her internal dialogue was so real and valid and i was like "is this me?" at times even though it was not me. she was so valid for everything and loved her down < 33 and shes an art girlie WE STAN

matteo
literal king material, he was such a solid love interest with a personality and he balanced out ivy so well. i thought that their romance was cute because he had a personality and it was just a cute little plot with him.

everyone else
the parents sucked !!! the genuinely absurd lowk racist old ladies sucked !! but the overall vibes were good so this was a solid little read and i thought the setting was well done considering our prose was simple.

end notes
pick this book up if you want a little travel romcom for the plane.

frtc! this was cute tho, a pallete cleanser
Profile Image for Shannon  Miz.
1,569 reviews1,076 followers
Want to Read
November 9, 2025
From PW:

"Lily Chu’s YA debut THE VACATION SHIFT, pitched as a Gilmore Girls meets reverse Parent Trap mashup, about a struggling teen and her spontaneous mom who end up on a seniors tour of Japan in a spur-of-the-moment decision, with old ladies trying to matchmake them with a teenage boy and single dad on the trip, to Jennifer Ung at Quill Tree, in a very nice deal, at auction, by Carrie Pestritto at Laura Dail Literary Agency (world English)."
Profile Image for BookishKB.
1,558 reviews393 followers
Want to Read
July 4, 2026
✈️🌸 The Vacation Shift 🌸✈️

📖 Bookish Thoughts

Full ARC Review to come!

✨ What to Expect
• YA Romance
• Forced Proximity
• Travel Romance
• Japan Setting
• Opposites Attract
• Fake Team Up
_ _ _ _

🎧 Narration: Sarah Skaer
📅 Pub Date: June 23, 2026
Thank you to HarperAudio Children's, Quill Tree Books, and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy.
Profile Image for Eden.
1,090 reviews269 followers
Did Not Finish
May 20, 2026
DNF @10%

I love Chu’s adult romances, but from the very get-go, this story didn’t feel the same. The writing style was completely different. 1st person pov and so much telling instead of showing. YA doesn’t mean “dumbed down,” and that’s what I was getting from this. It saddens me, but I will stick with Chu’s adult stories.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an e-arc for review.
Profile Image for Cole.
222 reviews73 followers
July 18, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Thank you Harper Audio for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!

Ivy Yu is so cursed. She’s getting ready for a perfect summer with her situationship, Connor, when her mom impulsively books a bus tour of Japan to compensate for being recently separated from her dad. Japan is super cool, but a bus tour with a bunch of seniors? Not so much. The only person close to her age is Matteo, who’s there with his single dad. As Ivy’s mom and Matteo’s dad start getting a little too close for comfort, Ivy and Matteo hatch a plan to keep them apart. But what happens with all this planning to keep their parents apart unexpectedly sparks a flame?

Low-key, Lily Chu is one of the queens of the romance genre and is proving she can take over the YA space as well! I’ve enjoyed listening to many of her other books, but I have to say that this is one of my new favorites. I loved the reverse Parent Trap vibe, in addition to the forced proximity thousands of miles from home. Bonus points for including a tour guide that made me feel like I was exploring Japan alongside them! Sarah Skaer made me empathize with the teen situationship drama, loathe the tourist with her nose in the air, and love the lively spirit of the Japanese tour guide. If you’re a fan of YA romance, The Parent Trap movies, or even just want a written tour of Japan, this is a great book for you!

Reviewed as part of an #ARC from NetGalley.

Read this book if you:
✈️ hate the reclining seats on airplanes
💁🏼‍♀️ agree that Mean Girls is a Christmas film
🧸 have a love/hate relationship with the claw machines at arcades

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Profile Image for Karissa Dykstra.
21 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 20, 2026
4.25 ⭐️

What a wholesome read full of fun traveling adventures, familial relationships, young love, and a bit of mental health representation!

The Vacation Shift follows Ivy and her mom as they go on a group tour in Japan together. Ivy is struggling with the separation of her parents as she starts noticing her mom becoming close with another member of the group, Keith. His son Matteo teams up with Ivy to stop their parents from getting together. In the process, they start to see each other in a new light.

I love the mix of Japanese culture, young romance, and coming of age. It’s a fun yet meaningful YA romance, perfect for when you’re traveling or just need a little escapism. It’s cozy, wholesome, and sweet!

Thank you NetGalley for an early listener’s copy!
Profile Image for AllBookedUp.
967 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 7, 2026
Teenage angst ✅
Parents divorcing ✅
Moodiness ✅
Unrequited love ✅
Found family vibes ✅
Japan adventure ✅

Ivy is having a really bad day. In fact, she has been having bad days ever since her parents separated several months ago. This YA coming-of-age novel explores the challenges of high school life while balancing lighter moments with deeper emotional stakes. Ivy's struggles feel relatable, authentic, and emotionally resonant.

One of the things I appreciated most about Ivy's character is how easy it is to see a little of yourself in her. Who does not remember being a teenager and feeling like fitting in, navigating friendships, and getting your crush to notice you were the most important things in the world? Ivy is dealing with all of that while also trying to cope with her parents' separation. When she thinks she has her summer planned out, everything changes when her mother announces they are taking a two-week trip to Japan, forcing Ivy to leave behind her summer job, her friends, and the chance to spend more time with her crush.

One of the strongest aspects of the novel is Ivy's relationship with her mother, Lillian. Their personalities constantly clash, creating much of the story's emotional tension. Ivy often feels unheard and overlooked, while Lillian struggles to understand the impact her actions have on her daughter. Their relationship is messy, frustrating, and painfully realistic, making Ivy's emotional journey all the more compelling.

As Ivy travels through Japan, she encounters a colorful cast of characters who challenge her assumptions, broaden her perspective, and help her grow in unexpected ways. Some interactions are frustrating, while others become meaningful sources of support and understanding.

What stood out to me most was how effectively the author captures the feeling of wanting to be heard. Ivy's frustration, disappointment, and loneliness come through on every page. The story does not shy away from the complicated emotions that accompany family conflict, and it thoughtfully explores how even well-meaning parents can sometimes fall short.

I also loved the Japan setting. Having taken a similar tour myself, I was impressed by how accurately the itinerary and overall experience were portrayed. The descriptions felt genuine and brought back many memories of my own trip, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the reading experience.

A special shout-out to Matteo and Tom, who provide Ivy with something she desperately needs throughout the novel: a safe space to be herself. Their kindness, patience, and willingness to truly listen made them some of my favorite characters in the book.

I am a huge fan of Lily Chu, and while she is best known for contemporary romance, this YA novel was a definite hit for me. Although it is marketed as a teen romance, it is so much more than that. At its heart, it is a story about family, self-discovery, friendship, and learning how to move forward when life does not go according to plan. The emotional depth, relatable characters, and heartfelt growth make this one of my favorite reads from Lily Chu so far.

Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Pine Reads Review.
777 reviews34 followers
June 26, 2026
“I usually love meander days, but it’s hard for me to get moving. I know I need to. I’m in Japan. I want to sightsee. I want to be normal. I want the Ivy I am for Mom and everyone else to be the same one right down to my bones, instead of only surface level. Why am I like this?”

A trip to Japan should be fun, right? Well, Ivy Yu has some mixed feelings. Since her parents’ separation, Ivy has felt a weight on her chest. All she wanted was to spend the summer at camp trying to win over her crush, Connor—not waste time on a bus tour with strangers far away from home. When Ivy and her mom arrive in Japan, Ivy realizes that the added weight she feels isn’t going anywhere, because her mom starts hitting it off with another single dad on the trip, Keith. Ivy wants her parents to get back together, and Keith’s presence will ruin Ivy’s dreams. Keith’s son, Matteo, also isn’t thrilled by this budding relationship, so he and Ivy form a plan to keep their parents apart. In an attempt to keep them separated, Ivy and Matteo grow closer, and Ivy starts to wonder if her romance will survive past the trip.

This book is Chu’s debut young adult (YA) novel, and she did such an incredible job. I thoroughly adored this story and Japan as the setting was honestly magical. At the beginning of some chapters, there were introductions into what the excursions would be for the day, and I felt like I was on the journey with the characters. Ivy was an incredible character; her battle with depression was a proper depiction of mental health struggles, and the guilt that she felt because she thought she should be happier was realistic. By the end of the story, Ivy isn’t fully healed, but is growing stronger every day as she manages her depression, and I think this is a great message to give to teens who may be struggling themselves. I also liked how her relationship with Matteo didn’t solve all of her problems but, at the same time, helped her grow into a more confident person. Matteo provided a great outlet for Ivy, and I was glad she had someone to talk to because her relationship with her mom was tense. Both Matteo and Ivy pushed each other into thinking about what they really wanted, and I was glad to see that Matteo kept working on his graphic novel and Ivy picked back up her crochet amigurumi hobby. Ivy even inspired me to crochet again, which made this a truly immersive read. I hope that Chu writes more novels in this genre, because The Vacation Shift is one of the best YA books I’ve ever read!

The Vacation Shift releases on June 23rd, 2026.

Pine Reads Review would like to thank SparkPoint Studio and Quill Tree Books for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
Profile Image for Julianne.
498 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 15, 2026
Lily Chu brings alllll the teenage angst in this adventurous tour through Japan. Sadly, her main character, Ivy Yu, is struggling. Amidst her parents' *separation*, Ivy ignores the good parts of life, falls into the immature trap of interpreting every issue as a personal attack, and is too selfish to understand that every human has their own life to live. While she may be the main character in this story, she is not the main character in the world and is responsible for her own thoughts and actions. From looking for her worth in a valueless boy, to whining about a once in a lifetime trip through Japan- the whole time, and constantly complaining about her mom while giving her dad waaaay too much grace, Ivy is relentlessly selfish and ungrateful.

There are fun aspects along the way: hijinks between her, Matteo, and their parents, delightful descriptions of multiple high-tourist areas of Japan and its culture, and even some emotional and mental growth in the denouement. Readers get stress relief when Ivy realizes maturity and emotional intelligence comes from communication and applying different techniques to find peace during uncertainty. Humans are not born with an innate understanding that their emotions do not have to rule their lives, but how thankful can we be that we live in a time of ample resources and unstigmatized therapy!

*SPOILER* I did not love the ending. How can Ivy think it's okay wander off in Japan without telling her mom and yet cry, pretending she's heartbroken, that her mom climbed Mount Fuji, achieving her own dream, when Ivy said she was fine climbing back down with the group? She vacillates between acting like a baby and demanding adult privileges even in the conclusion when I hoped more emotional growth would be present. Teenagers are capable of more intelligence and generosity than Ivy had at the end of the book, and mom should not have apologized to her.

Troupes: troubled anti-hero, meet not-so-cute, Japan vacation, parent trap-esque, slow burn, requisite miscommunication break-up, emotional growth, grand gesture apology
Spice: 1/5 🌶️ "f-boy"
Gore: 0/5 🩸
Language: 2/5 👀
Triggers: immature teenager
Ages: 15+

Thank you to HarperAudio Children's and NetGalley for this ARC!
Profile Image for Jada.
157 reviews
June 24, 2026
Thank you to HarperAudio Children’s, Quill Tree Book, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review.

Ivy Yu has big plans this summer-- somehow get her parents back together and work with her crush, Connor, as camp counselors to turn their situationship into something more. Her plans are ruined by a last minute group tour to Japan with her mom. On the tour, her mother is getting awfully close to another traveler, Keith. Determined to keep them apart, Ivy teams up with Keith's son, a handsome boy named Matteo. Perhaps this trip is just what she needed after all?

This book surprised me in so many ways! I thought it was just going to be your typical, cute YA rom-com, but it was that and much more. Ivy's struggles with her parents' impending divorce and wrestling with the new feelings that her mother doesn't understand is very relatable. She's learning about what she truly wants in a romantic relationship and how to communicate her needs, all while exploring some of the most famous sites that Japan has to offer. (Side note: If you're planning a trip to Japan soon, take notes! The tour group follows a great itinerary.)

Matteo is an amazing love interest. He complements Ivy so well with his calm demeanor, encouraging remarks, and support. His own struggles with his father's constant pressure allow the two to bond on a deeper level. Ivy's amigurumi making was a fun addition. I've enjoyed crocheting since I was young, so I had a blast hearing about her creative process.

I think Ivy and her mother's dynamic will be relatable for many teen girls. Communication is hard, and we often hear what we want instead of what the other person is saying. Since the book is told from Ivy's perspective, it's easy to see where the adults miss the mark, even though it could be hard to spot if you were just looking at things from the outside. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to YA readers young and young at heart!

Narration Review: Sarah Skaer did a wonderful job at portraying Ivy's youthful naivety, brightness, and her frustrations. There were quite a few characters, but Skaer's narration made sure you weren't confused by who was speaking. She certainly enhanced the experience for this audiobook!
Profile Image for Corinne’s Chapter Chatter.
1,299 reviews53 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 15, 2026
I really enjoyed this one! It’s a sweet, clean YA romance that also tackles some heavier topics I think many teens will relate to. While I’m not really sure where the Gilmore Girls comparison comes from, the “reverse Parent Trap” description is definitely fitting. Honestly, “reverse Gilmore Girls” would have made more sense, so maybe there was a mix-up in the marketing copy.

I mention that because the mother-daughter relationship is one of the central focuses of the book alongside the romance, and it certainly doesn’t evoke Lorelai and Rory. In fact, it’s about as far from that dynamic as you can get. If anything, it almost deserves a content warning for its depiction of a toxic parent-child relationship.

That being said, I loved the journeys that both FMC Ivy and MMC Mateo go through, together and individually, as they travel through Japan. Alongside their budding romance, they’re juggling complicated family relationships from afar, bickering parents, trying to keep Ivy’s mom and Mateo’s dad from getting to know each other, and dealing with their own emotional struggles. I also enjoyed learning little bits about Japan through the characters’ experiences, which added a nice layer to the story.

I read this in audio after receiving a complimentary ALC from HarperAudio Children’s via NetGalley. It was narrated by Sarah Skaer, who did a wonderful job with the material and sounded genuinely age-appropriate for the characters. The production as a whole was polished and well engineered.

Overall, I think this is a perfect read for a younger teen audience. It packs a lot into its pages without ever feeling too heavy, balancing family drama, self-discovery, travel, and first love in a way that stays fun and accessible. No matter which format you choose, it’s an engaging and heartfelt story.
45 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 13, 2026
This is a wonderful Young Adult novel about a 16 year old girl named Ivy who goes on a summer vacation trip to Japan with her mom. Her parents have been separated for a few months and sold their home, so Ivy has been adjusting to living in an apartment with her mom, seeing her dad less frequently and having a longer commute to high school. She also has a crush on a boy whom she will not spend time with over the summer because of the vacation trip. So Ivy has lots of things going on in her head. Ivy and her mom are seeing Japan with a tour group, and during this trip Ivy becomes worried that her mom might be interested in another vacationer who also has a teenage son along. So Ivy and this teenage boy named Matteo start scheming to make sure that her mom and his dad don’t get time together or look too attractive to each other. As the trip progresses, the two teenagers realize that they themselves are getting along very well. 



At the beginning, when I realized this is a Young Adult book, I wasn’t sure I would enjoy this book because reading about teenage angst is not that entertaining to me. But I kept reading and two things became very clear: 1) I was learning about fun things to see and do in Japan and 2) Ivy was having some mood issues that went beyond typical teenage drama. I thought it was interesting that Ivy eventually reaches some conclusions about how she has been coping. This book deals a lot with relationships and also about how we think about ourselves. I enjoyed this book even though YA fiction is not my usual fun read.
Profile Image for Jen.
1,185 reviews11 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 23, 2026
Ivy’s parents have been separated for six months and Ivy has been down. She’s starting to she’s the light when she gets the summer job she’s been wanting alongside her crush, but when her mom springs a summer trip to Japan on her those plans go up in smoke. Instead of having the summer she planned she halfway across the country with a bunch of strangers and seniors to boot. There is one other teenager, Matteo, besides Ivy. When Ivy and Matteo’s parents start to get friendly they team up to try to stop a relationship from forming. Along the way they start to build a friendship and maybe something more.

I thought this was a fun, young adult summer read that had some good funny moments interspersed with family drama. I liked Matteo and Ivy as the leads and thought they were good together. The reverse Parent Trap angle was fun and creative and I liked following along to see what Ivy and Mateo would come up with next. I wasn’t a huge fan of either of the parents or the gaggle of old ladies, but some of the old guys were cool. The Japan setting was fun and I enjoyed hearing about the different spots on their trip. Overall this was a quick and easy read that I enjoyed.
Profile Image for Mackenzie Maczko.
71 reviews
June 26, 2026
⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

The Vacation Shift by Lily Chu had an interesting premise and plenty of potential, but it ultimately wasn’t the right pacing for me. The story has some enjoyable moments, relatable characters, and a cozy atmosphere that I think many readers will appreciate. Unfortunately, it took a long time for the plot to really gain momentum, and I found myself wanting things to move along much sooner.

While I stayed invested enough to finish and could definitely see what the author was aiming for, the slower pace made it difficult for me to fully connect with the story. I kept waiting for the stakes and character development to pick up, and by the time they did, it felt a little too late for my personal taste.

Overall, this was a solid read with a lot of promise. If you enjoy character-driven stories that take their time unfolding, this may be a great fit for you. For me, though, the pacing held it back, making this a 3-star read.
Profile Image for Honora.
137 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
March 30, 2026
big thanks to netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review - all thoughts are my own

As a huge fan of The Parent Trap, reading a reverse version of it was hilarious. I love the concept so much, and the author executed it super well.

The parents are all jerks and need to get a lesson in how to actually parent their children. Hint: actually care about them instead of just yourselves. Whoa, crazy, I know! But at the same time, Ivy's mom was an icon. 😂 Terrible but iconic.

I'm afraid Matteo and Tom were the only sane people in this story, but Ivy's way of processing things was so relatable I can't even express it. Throughout the story, there were consistently moments that I related to and Ivy's emotions felt so realistic and the characters all felt like real people.

So all in all this was a cute travel romance with terrible parents and emotions and a way too amazing guy. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone but it was still super good!
Profile Image for HeadCanonHeadCase.
1,490 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 9, 2026
Ivy and her mom are spending two weeks touring Japan with a group. On the tour with them are Matteo and his dad Keith, who instantly hits it off with her mom. The two are them are determined to keep their parents apart, but what starts as scheming soon turns to friendship. And maybe something deeper.

Read if you like:
-YA Romance
-Reverse Parent Trip
-Summer Vacation
-Mental Health Rep

I loved The Vacation Shift for two big reasons. First, the mental health rep was amazing. It was so good to see Ivy speak up for herself and let her parents know she needed help and to finish the book knowing she'd found a therapist. Second, I loved that Ivy and Matteo had their own little vacation within a vacation. Yes, they were on the tour with their respective parents, and yes, they were the youngest of the group by far. But they had enough time to form a real bond and to make memories apart from the tour.
Profile Image for Connie.
245 reviews
July 1, 2026
In this travel story, Ivy is swept along with her mom to Japan, on an impromptu tour group vacation, instead of being at home where she’d be working as a camp counselor with her high school crush/maybe boyfriend. To make matters worse, her parents are going through a divorce and everything in Ivy’s world is changing. Also on the tour, which is primarily made up of retired folks, is another teenager, Matteo, and his dad. Matteo has also been forced to come along for this trip, so the two teens brood together over their unfair circumstances.
The travel parts of this book were an unexpected plus, as I learned a lot about Japan. I thought the writing in general was very well done, and I connected with both of the teen characters. The parents were horrible in the ways that they treated their children, which I know is on par for YA books, but as a mom, it angered me. Overall, I enjoyed this book and I will be looking for more by this author!
297 reviews3 followers
July 28, 2026
Matteo and Ivy are my new favorite couple. They are adorable together, and they have so much unexpected fun with each other in this novel.

I felt like I was in Japan with Ivy. Everything was so easy to imagine, especially the storefronts. There was something for everyone. I love the foreshadowing from the plane to the hotel. I really liked how diverse the tourist group was. I think it made the storytelling even better.

The underlying issues were well done: loneliness, depression, grief, hobbies, bullying. It was spoken about in a way that made sense. Ivy couldn't find the words to speak on how she felt, but she showed it through her crocheting. Matteo finally spoke up and explained to his family that he needs them to step back, and he was in such better spirits.

The way they both handled their own conflict was cathartic. Adults need to learn from them: laying it on the line, no games, they said exactly what they meant (eventually).
Profile Image for Larissa.
1,126 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 22, 2026
I love the hard topics that this book touches on, that life can be lived, it can be hard, and it is okay to ask for help. I think this is such a powerful book for teen readers and there are so many different topics and ideas that will truly resonate with them. I also love that this isn’t a straightforward love story. Yes, you have a love interest, but their interest in each other truly builds and the way that it is handled shows a more realistic ideal that just because you’re interested in someone it can still be messy. There should be more of these types of books written for teens or younger readers. I truly enjoyed reading this book and am excited to get it in readers hands soon.
Thank you to HarperCollins Children’s Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.
140 reviews3 followers
June 26, 2026
**Thank you to Quill Tree Books for giving me an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!**

This book has me torn. It had a lot of potential, and it was really good sometimes, but there were also parts that I really struggled to push through.

I found the beginning of this book (the first 30% or so) to be extremely slow. I found throughout the book that the writing style was more tell than show, which didn't help the pacing issues I encountered. This "tell" writing style also made the main character Ivy fall flat for me. Her emotions didn't come across naturally, and she felt very immature.

The rest of the story was definitely more engaging, and I loved the elements about parental expectations and their effects on children. I think this book could have been great, but the writing style and pacing just fell flat.
Profile Image for MKAC.
62 reviews
June 24, 2026
4.5⭐️

Ivy is a teenager going through some hard things, made more difficult by the fog she doesn’t have the words to express.

Matteo is dealing with his own grief and struggles to connect with his dad without the things that bind them.

This story is a wonderful trek through Japan while Ivy learns more about herself and the relationships she held dear and Matteo tries to discover what is right for him.

Together Ivy and Matteo start to form a bond with each other and Japan that one can only hope is one that will see them through more than this summer trip.

Sarah Skaer did a fabulous job on the narration of this audiobook.

Thank you to HarperAudio Children’s and NetGalley, for the ALC of this story.
Profile Image for Alexa.
77 reviews1 follower
June 25, 2026
This was such a perfect summer read!

The characters are messy and lovely, and the tour of Japan makes you feel like you're traveling right alongside of them! It literally made me look up similar tours as soon as I put the book down. This is a bit of a coming-of-age, but it's really so much more. It was a beautiful story highlighting mental health struggles for teens, and how that affects your relationships especially with your parents.

It was a beautiful story, and still a fun summertime adventure, with a sweet budding romance thrown in. I love Lily Chu, and this might have been my favorite read yet!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!
Profile Image for Corrie.
42 reviews2 followers
June 17, 2026
Thanks to Lily Chu, the publisher and NetGalley for the ALC!

I am a huge fan of Lily Chu and The Vacation Shift!

As a full YA novel, the characters are in such a different place compared to her other books, but is still very much a Lily Chu book.

The characters are strong and appropriately developed for their ages. The relationships are so real, especially between parents and children but also that one person in the group who just doesn't get it. Lily did a fantastic job describing and developing Ivy's mental health struggles.

Sarah Skaer does a great job bringing everyone to life.

I've already pre-ordered the paperback and can't wait to have it on my shelf!
Profile Image for Ashlee.
739 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 18, 2026
This book was just the sweetest and completely relatable. There was the right amount of heavy that a teenager would deal with, without crossing the line into not believable. And oh teenage angst! The narrator was listed as Sarah Skaer. Although I have never heard her work, I was so impressed with the innocence and young vibe she was getting in her story telling.

This book was a bit long and probably could have had a bit more editing down. Also, I really did not like the FMC’s mom. I get that she had her role, but she had no redeemable qualities and I struggled there.

Great book, so thankful to NetGalley for the listen!
Profile Image for Kasey Connors-Beron.
654 reviews5 followers
Read
May 9, 2026
I received an ARC of The Vacation Shift thanks to the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have always wanted to visit Japan and this book transports you there. I love all of the cultural references and being able to identify places that I wish to visit. It was the perfect backdrop to this cute YA romance. There was great mental health representation and the love interest is super supportive even if other characters are not. It was a great experience reading this book.
Profile Image for Stefanie .
135 reviews2 followers
July 4, 2026
Thank you Lily Chu, NetGalley, HarperAudio and Sarah Skaer for this ALC!
This was a sweet coming of age story of 16 year old Ivy whose parents have gotten separated and have made her life even more overwhelming. When instead of letting her work at the summer camp with her crush her mom books a trip to Japan; things become even more pressing to Ivy. Then she meets Matteo who has also been dragged on this trip by his parent. While trying to keep their parents apart Ivy and Matteo get to know each other and feel a spark.

This story has all the pieces of teenage angst, but also has a great representation of what it’s often like to be the eldest daughter and a people pleaser.

The narrator does a great job bringing the emotions of Ivy to life.

3.5 ⭐️/5
Profile Image for Szandra.
335 reviews17 followers
July 27, 2026
Thanks Book Ramble PR and Harper360YA for the review opportunity. As always, this is an honest, voluntary review.

Oh, the teenage angst! It's been a while since I've read an actual young adult book so this was quite a change. The pace was a bit too slow for me to start with and I wish there was more of a character development happening by the end. But this was a nice, cozy read with really a serious amount of very teenage angst. I was very happy Ivy's mental health was addressed in the end. All in all, this was a nice read and I really appreciated Japan being such great part of the story.
440 reviews9 followers
July 23, 2026
3.5 rounded up. Thanks to Harper Collin’s Audio and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the ALC and ARC. The narrator seemed well matched for the story. The children seemed to have no respect for their parents at all and the parents seemed to have very little interest in parenting, depending their kids to Japan. I had a hard time getting past this incongruity. Otherwise, the book is fun with great supportive characters. A great exploration into dealing with teenage angst vs depression also.
Profile Image for Shannon.
9,280 reviews453 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 21, 2026
This was a cute YA vacation romance that has two teens trying to reverse parent trap their mom and dad while touring around Japan. I liked the complicated mother-daughter dynamics, the emotional depth and the depression rep. This was both light hearted and deep and also good on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
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