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Glow Job
A laugh-out-loud, escapist summer holiday rom-com, perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Beth O’Leary and Sophie Kinsella.
Chloe needs a holiday. She’s invisible to her boss, overworked and burnt out. What she gets is a chaotic wellness retreat at a sun-drenched Ibizan villa, run by a man whose resemblance to Pedro Pascal and sublime cooking make up for seeming a bit out of his depth.
Ben has taken a sabbatical from his London restaurant, and is trying to turn his late uncle’s rundown, rustic villa into a fully-booked, profitable, functioning retreat. He can wing the catering and count on the sunshine, but he hasn’t planned on clumsy, brilliant, and so overworked and underappreciated it’s quietly heartbreaking.
As the week unfolds – complete with feral goats, beach raves, skinny-dipping and wedding-crashing – both of them begin to feel a glow that neither of them saw coming.
But real life is waiting for them both back in London. And real feelings are a lot harder to pack up than a suitcase.
Warm, fizzing with Kristen Bailey’s signature humour and full of genuine heart, Glow Job is the summer rom-com you’ll never want to end, but will devour in one sitting.
Perfect for readers who
· Sun-soaked holiday romance
· Sizzling chemistry and spice
· Whirlwind time-pressured new love
· Workaholic heroine learning to let go
· Dual POV and found family dynamics
Readers adore Kristen Bailey’s
“FAVOURITE ROMANTIC COMEDY OF THE YEAR!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Oh wow, I love this novel… it was like watching the best comedy of my life. Fantastic.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Obsessed… One of the best rom-coms I’ve ever read.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The perfect spicy romcom to kick off summer!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“All I can say is wow! I absolutely loved it… so good I didn’t want to put it down. Absolutely hilarious… a massive 5 stars from me.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Hot, sexy, and kept me wanting more!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A great big yes, yes, YES! A delight from start to finish.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Pure reading escapism. Had me laughing the whole time, with tears of laughter and joy.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“My favourite rom-com of the year.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Had me howling with laughter.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The funniest book I have ever read!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I LOVED this book!!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Chloe needs a holiday. She’s invisible to her boss, overworked and burnt out. What she gets is a chaotic wellness retreat at a sun-drenched Ibizan villa, run by a man whose resemblance to Pedro Pascal and sublime cooking make up for seeming a bit out of his depth.
Ben has taken a sabbatical from his London restaurant, and is trying to turn his late uncle’s rundown, rustic villa into a fully-booked, profitable, functioning retreat. He can wing the catering and count on the sunshine, but he hasn’t planned on clumsy, brilliant, and so overworked and underappreciated it’s quietly heartbreaking.
As the week unfolds – complete with feral goats, beach raves, skinny-dipping and wedding-crashing – both of them begin to feel a glow that neither of them saw coming.
But real life is waiting for them both back in London. And real feelings are a lot harder to pack up than a suitcase.
Warm, fizzing with Kristen Bailey’s signature humour and full of genuine heart, Glow Job is the summer rom-com you’ll never want to end, but will devour in one sitting.
Perfect for readers who
· Sun-soaked holiday romance
· Sizzling chemistry and spice
· Whirlwind time-pressured new love
· Workaholic heroine learning to let go
· Dual POV and found family dynamics
Readers adore Kristen Bailey’s
“FAVOURITE ROMANTIC COMEDY OF THE YEAR!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Oh wow, I love this novel… it was like watching the best comedy of my life. Fantastic.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Obsessed… One of the best rom-coms I’ve ever read.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The perfect spicy romcom to kick off summer!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“All I can say is wow! I absolutely loved it… so good I didn’t want to put it down. Absolutely hilarious… a massive 5 stars from me.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Hot, sexy, and kept me wanting more!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A great big yes, yes, YES! A delight from start to finish.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Pure reading escapism. Had me laughing the whole time, with tears of laughter and joy.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“My favourite rom-com of the year.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Had me howling with laughter.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The funniest book I have ever read!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I LOVED this book!!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 405 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"Because the sparkle in her eyes is like a picture, a memory I want to frame forever. You're here. For me. For us."
Thank you Netgalley and Kristen Bailey for an ARC in exchange of an honest review.
This is a book perfect for the summer! I am trying to read more rom-coms and romance books in general, and I must admit that this was a pleasant surprise.
The name is suggestive af and the book has so many innuendos that I was laughing so hard at 11:00 p.m when my family was sleeping. It was THAT good to have me laughing and smiling and giggling and kicking my feet in the air.
I was a bit weirded out by the multiple POVs in the prologue, however, it all made sense as the book passed by.
Chloe, Zara and Jess are three women who decide to retreat and take a break from their busy and stressful lives, and go to a retreat home located in Ibiza. I would personally never take the risky decision of going to a foreing place without any details and by the influence of a flier only, but it worked out for them.
I loved these characters so much because they felt real and relatable. Chloe a twenty-five year old who is stressed and burn out from her job, in which she's excellent, but she isn't valued there and is isolated and critized by her own coworkers. I related a lot to her because I felt that way in my old job, and this aspect reminded me a bit of A Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston, book that helped me to make the decision to quit my old job.
Zara lives with the stress and sadness and frustration of dealing with her teen kids (fortunately, I wasn't this rowdy or rebellious back when I was 16 with my mum because I was busy reading, lol) and she needs a break. Because, as much as she loves her family, she realizes that she's giving too much and feels tired, like she's neglecting herself.
And Jess is a new mum who feels like she hasn't recovered entirely from giving birth and is comparing herself with other women. Ugh, I wanted to hug her SO BADLY. I love that her husband is always supporting her, hyping her and showing her how much he loves her despite everything, telling her and showing her that she's perfect.
Ben, my Pedro Pascal, Adonis or Ibiza Jesus, is such a cutie. He inherits his uncle Lorenzo's home in Ibiza and decides to transform it into a retreat home, tired of his stressful and demanding job in Notting Hill, his restaurant. He receives these 3 women and takes care of them, observing them and making sure they feel taken care of and heard.
Leaving aside the romance, this book was fun, witty and sassy. The friendship, the rave fights, the goats, the women with guns, Miguel and the goats... Everything was real good.
I enjoyed this book so much and I was glad I requested this book for the cover and description only because I found myself laughing, giggling, kicking my feet in the air and even tearing up because I didn't want it to end. It's why it took me a bit longer than expected.
So, yeah, a 4.75 stars from me because some aspects from the romance didn't entirely click for me, BUT, the vibes and everything else made it for me.
I will definitely pick up more books from this author.
──────────────────────────────────────
⌗ ── 🐚🍋🟩🐈⬛ᝰ .ᐟ -read.
oh, gods, this was such an amazing journey, and i adored every minute of it.
RTC because I need to get my shit together.
⌗ ── 🐚🍋🟩🐈⬛ᝰ .ᐟ pre-read.
this book seems pretty interesting and cute!
thank you netgalley and kristen bailey for an arc in exchange of an honest review!
August 9, 2026
Last year I read Kristen Bailey’s book Big Nick Energy, nervous from the cheeky title that it was going to be too full of spice for my taste. To my very pleasant surprise, it was quite clean, as was the previous book of hers I read, We Three Kings. When I saw her newest suggestively titled book, Glow Job, I felt sure that the content would remain relatively clean despite the colorful euphemism of the title. It’s never smart to make assumptions, is it?
The idea of the book is very sweet. Three women: Zara, a wife and mom of three teens, Jess, a wife and mom of young twins, and Chloe, a single talented London architect, whose work-life balance is way out of whack, go to Ibiza to stay at a resort that was bequeathed to single chef Ben by his late uncle Lorenzo. He’s testing the waters to see if he can make this resort a full-time business and these three ladies desperately need to restore their “glow” after losing it under the weight of all their family and work responsibilities.
The armchair trip to Spanish island Ibiza was so fun! The beautiful setting leapt off the page and I could almost feel the sand and smell the fresh air as I spent time with these characters. Zara is hilarious, unfiltered and will never pass up a good (or I suspect bad) bottle of wine. Jess is sweet and thoughtful, loves her husband and kids, but is now struggling with her changed body. Chloe is a workaholic, who’s far more talented than her work peers, but is overlooked and underappreciated by them. Ben is the baby brother to three very funny older sisters who have very definite ideas of what he should be doing with his life.
Starting with the first day of the trip when Zara, Jess and Chloe encounter the very nude (and utterly delightful) groundskeeper Miguel, an older gay Ibizan local who was long-time friends with Lorenzo, snorkeling in the pool while cleaning it, I knew this would be a colorful book … I just didn’t realize HOW colorful! It doesn’t take long after these ladies arrive for Ben and Chloe to discover each other, and once they do …. it’s far more than the island that’s being explored! It was insta-love at its peak, but I did like Chloe and Ben, and their connection was believable.
As spice standards go I’m sure there’s much worse out there, but this has way too much for my preference. Not even in my twenties did I want to see sex described in anatomically vivid ways, using more crass terms for body parts or reading cringey intimate dialogue. Hey … if characters want to go at it like rabbits, good on them. I just don’t need to hear about it. Thankfully, the charming parts of the book - and there were a lot of them - still made this an overall good read.
If you enjoy a beautiful island get-away with well-written characters, some very sweet found family connections and you don’t mind your romance on the spicier side, this may be one for you. I’d give the story 4 stars, but it loses one because the spicy parts felt too different in tone from the rest of the book. Overall, though, the story was so sweet, the characters were all wonderful and the message was positive and life-affirming. The narration by Fran Burgoyne was excellent as well!
★★★ ½
Thanks to Storm Publishing, NetGalley and author Kristen Bailey for this digital ARC to honestly review and to Audible for the audio. It’s out now.
The idea of the book is very sweet. Three women: Zara, a wife and mom of three teens, Jess, a wife and mom of young twins, and Chloe, a single talented London architect, whose work-life balance is way out of whack, go to Ibiza to stay at a resort that was bequeathed to single chef Ben by his late uncle Lorenzo. He’s testing the waters to see if he can make this resort a full-time business and these three ladies desperately need to restore their “glow” after losing it under the weight of all their family and work responsibilities.
The armchair trip to Spanish island Ibiza was so fun! The beautiful setting leapt off the page and I could almost feel the sand and smell the fresh air as I spent time with these characters. Zara is hilarious, unfiltered and will never pass up a good (or I suspect bad) bottle of wine. Jess is sweet and thoughtful, loves her husband and kids, but is now struggling with her changed body. Chloe is a workaholic, who’s far more talented than her work peers, but is overlooked and underappreciated by them. Ben is the baby brother to three very funny older sisters who have very definite ideas of what he should be doing with his life.
Starting with the first day of the trip when Zara, Jess and Chloe encounter the very nude (and utterly delightful) groundskeeper Miguel, an older gay Ibizan local who was long-time friends with Lorenzo, snorkeling in the pool while cleaning it, I knew this would be a colorful book … I just didn’t realize HOW colorful! It doesn’t take long after these ladies arrive for Ben and Chloe to discover each other, and once they do …. it’s far more than the island that’s being explored! It was insta-love at its peak, but I did like Chloe and Ben, and their connection was believable.
As spice standards go I’m sure there’s much worse out there, but this has way too much for my preference. Not even in my twenties did I want to see sex described in anatomically vivid ways, using more crass terms for body parts or reading cringey intimate dialogue. Hey … if characters want to go at it like rabbits, good on them. I just don’t need to hear about it. Thankfully, the charming parts of the book - and there were a lot of them - still made this an overall good read.
If you enjoy a beautiful island get-away with well-written characters, some very sweet found family connections and you don’t mind your romance on the spicier side, this may be one for you. I’d give the story 4 stars, but it loses one because the spicy parts felt too different in tone from the rest of the book. Overall, though, the story was so sweet, the characters were all wonderful and the message was positive and life-affirming. The narration by Fran Burgoyne was excellent as well!
★★★ ½
Thanks to Storm Publishing, NetGalley and author Kristen Bailey for this digital ARC to honestly review and to Audible for the audio. It’s out now.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
౨ৎꨄ︎ 3 stars
Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Kristen Bailey for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
this book definitely has its perks and is a perfect summer read, especially if you are still not in a vacation mode! it has fun moments and can be defined as a rom-com. and the pacing of the middle part is so good, i couldn’t really put it down!! however,..
i won’t lie that the book misses the opportunity to pull you in. what it did to me was confuse me as i had to reread the prologue twice to understand who the main characters actually are. furthermore, the reader will understand why we get several different povs at the beginning, but i feel like it could have been done so much better.
when the pace finally picks up, it gets so much better. i enjoyed the setting and most of the moments. whilst the entire retreat thing seems to be a bit unrealistic (honestly, as a woman i would never ever sign up to a sketchy retreat abroad with zero information and reviews), the activities the main characters do are so fun, it adds to the summer vibe so much! it also made me miss ibiza ahh.
the characters are ok. not bad, but definitely not memorable. i was also having an issue to see any chemistry between chloe and ben. it just sort of happens and rather than having a stronger bond, it just gets sexual.
as someone that actually isn’t against third ard breakups and sometimes even enjoys them... the one here? no. there could have been million other reasons for the separation, but this one just made their whole relationship seem like a total joke.
i do, however, have to say that i enjoyed how the retreat helped both chloe and ben. you can definitely see a switch in them and how they benefited from that week. whilst they both still have some flaws, kristen did so well with them and their progress.
overall, the main issue for me is that i truly couldn’t connect to the story or the characters. not saying the book is bad, but there are many, many things that deserved to be polished. still, i can picture it being a perfect vacation read!
────୨ৎ────
౨ৎꨄ︎ pre-read: got the arcccc! summer holiday rom-com??? exactly what my heart needs 🙂↕️
Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Kristen Bailey for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
this book definitely has its perks and is a perfect summer read, especially if you are still not in a vacation mode! it has fun moments and can be defined as a rom-com. and the pacing of the middle part is so good, i couldn’t really put it down!! however,..
i won’t lie that the book misses the opportunity to pull you in. what it did to me was confuse me as i had to reread the prologue twice to understand who the main characters actually are. furthermore, the reader will understand why we get several different povs at the beginning, but i feel like it could have been done so much better.
when the pace finally picks up, it gets so much better. i enjoyed the setting and most of the moments. whilst the entire retreat thing seems to be a bit unrealistic (honestly, as a woman i would never ever sign up to a sketchy retreat abroad with zero information and reviews), the activities the main characters do are so fun, it adds to the summer vibe so much! it also made me miss ibiza ahh.
the characters are ok. not bad, but definitely not memorable. i was also having an issue to see any chemistry between chloe and ben. it just sort of happens and rather than having a stronger bond, it just gets sexual.
as someone that actually isn’t against third ard breakups and sometimes even enjoys them... the one here? no. there could have been million other reasons for the separation, but this one just made their whole relationship seem like a total joke.
i do, however, have to say that i enjoyed how the retreat helped both chloe and ben. you can definitely see a switch in them and how they benefited from that week. whilst they both still have some flaws, kristen did so well with them and their progress.
overall, the main issue for me is that i truly couldn’t connect to the story or the characters. not saying the book is bad, but there are many, many things that deserved to be polished. still, i can picture it being a perfect vacation read!
────୨ৎ────
౨ৎꨄ︎ pre-read: got the arcccc! summer holiday rom-com??? exactly what my heart needs 🙂↕️
June 19, 2026
3.5
This was the summer rom-com book that you might need to read soon, especially if you’re the type that loves to match books to seasons.
It had multiple POVs which I usually don’t enjoy btw, but I paused my romantasy for this one, so that says a lot about how much I was entertained. It was spicy, but not too much.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.
This was the summer rom-com book that you might need to read soon, especially if you’re the type that loves to match books to seasons.
It had multiple POVs which I usually don’t enjoy btw, but I paused my romantasy for this one, so that says a lot about how much I was entertained. It was spicy, but not too much.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.
Read
June 15, 2026Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc☆
July 19, 2026
✨✨REVIEW OF ADVANCED COPY RECEIVED FROM NETGALLEY✨✨
If you're looking for a fun summer read, this is it.
Glow Job tells the story of two people who are stuck in the monotony of their own lives until they find themselves—and each other—at a Spanish villa, where everything changes for both of them.
At the beginning, we're introduced to four characters who each play an important role in the story. Every one of them is stuck in a relatable routine, dealing with their own struggles and longing for something more. Then we meet the two main characters: Ben, the owner of the villa he inherited from his late uncle, and Chloe, who lives a gray, unfulfilling life where everyone seems to take her for granted, and finds this villa for a vacation.
The first part of the book is a little slow, but that's because it takes the time to develop the characters. Through dual POV chapters, we get to understand how they feel and why they're hoping this vacation will change their lives. As the story progresses, however, things take an unexpected turn. What begins as a vacation becomes more of a retreat. Ben does everything he can to make sure his guests feel they made the right decision by coming, encouraging them to disconnect from their everyday lives and embrace a more peaceful way of living.
Naturally, the story is filled with people trying to let go of their mistakes, enjoy themselves, and discover new sides of who they are. Everything changes once Ben and Chloe begin to develop feelings for each other. What starts as a story about rest, healing, and self-discovery slowly evolves into a romance, as they explore the undeniable chemistry between them and wonder how this new relationship might affect their lives once they return to London.
I had a blast reading this book. It was funny, heartwarming, and incredibly entertaining. I kept picturing it as a charming Spanish rom-com, and I quickly became invested in every character and their personal journey. The writing is witty, engaging, and full of heart—I genuinely didn't want to put it down.
The story is packed with hilarious moments, memorable characters, and a beautiful setting filled with Ibiza vibes, parties, sunshine, and vacation energy. It truly makes you feel as though you're on holiday alongside the characters. The author does a wonderful job of making you care about everyone's growth and relationships, and by the end I was completely invested in their journey.
I genuinely loved this book. It was fun, heartfelt, and exactly the kind of story I love to read during the summer. I'll definitely be looking into more of this author's work because if it's anything like Glow Job, I'm sure I'll have just as much fun reading it.
If you're looking for a fun summer read, this is it.
Glow Job tells the story of two people who are stuck in the monotony of their own lives until they find themselves—and each other—at a Spanish villa, where everything changes for both of them.
At the beginning, we're introduced to four characters who each play an important role in the story. Every one of them is stuck in a relatable routine, dealing with their own struggles and longing for something more. Then we meet the two main characters: Ben, the owner of the villa he inherited from his late uncle, and Chloe, who lives a gray, unfulfilling life where everyone seems to take her for granted, and finds this villa for a vacation.
The first part of the book is a little slow, but that's because it takes the time to develop the characters. Through dual POV chapters, we get to understand how they feel and why they're hoping this vacation will change their lives. As the story progresses, however, things take an unexpected turn. What begins as a vacation becomes more of a retreat. Ben does everything he can to make sure his guests feel they made the right decision by coming, encouraging them to disconnect from their everyday lives and embrace a more peaceful way of living.
Naturally, the story is filled with people trying to let go of their mistakes, enjoy themselves, and discover new sides of who they are. Everything changes once Ben and Chloe begin to develop feelings for each other. What starts as a story about rest, healing, and self-discovery slowly evolves into a romance, as they explore the undeniable chemistry between them and wonder how this new relationship might affect their lives once they return to London.
I had a blast reading this book. It was funny, heartwarming, and incredibly entertaining. I kept picturing it as a charming Spanish rom-com, and I quickly became invested in every character and their personal journey. The writing is witty, engaging, and full of heart—I genuinely didn't want to put it down.
The story is packed with hilarious moments, memorable characters, and a beautiful setting filled with Ibiza vibes, parties, sunshine, and vacation energy. It truly makes you feel as though you're on holiday alongside the characters. The author does a wonderful job of making you care about everyone's growth and relationships, and by the end I was completely invested in their journey.
I genuinely loved this book. It was fun, heartfelt, and exactly the kind of story I love to read during the summer. I'll definitely be looking into more of this author's work because if it's anything like Glow Job, I'm sure I'll have just as much fun reading it.
July 26, 2026
A nice multiple-POV summer romance with a sprinkle of a self-healing journey.
Four people, different issues, one villa in Ibiza: a very unusual set of circumstances. We get workaholics, overwhelmed mums, and Miguel, the funniest person in that villa. Long story short, Ben, who owns a restaurant in London, receives news that he inherited a villa in Ibiza from his uncle. His sisters convince him to fix it up and offer a stay in the villa as a retreat of sorts. The first cohort comes in—three ladies looking for an escape from their daily lives. What could possibly go wrong?
Ben is taking it one day at a time, and it's clear that while he loves his family and his restaurant, the constant hustle was getting to him. He probably didn't notice day to day until he left for Ibiza that life can be more than the rush of the kitchen. Jess and Zara are both powerful mums, just at different stages of motherhood: Zara has a house full of teenagers while Jess is a new mum. Both are looking to recharge their batteries before it's time to go home. All three of them were relatable, and I had so much fun reading about them.
And then there's Chloe. Oh, how she infuriated me! I get being a workaholic, I can sometimes get too passionate at work as well. But girl, this is some next-level stuff that requires therapy at this point. It was like Stockholm Syndrome with Chloe; she should've left that job a year ago, and instead, it was like her work was her entire life. On a personal level, her defensiveness at the beginning was understandable—the retreat wasn't professionally done through an agency, it's a remote place with people you don't know, I get it. But there was something about her all the time that just made me want to punch her. In the last part of the book she got better, clearly must've done some therapy in the meantime!
Romance-wise it was fine, though the romance isn't the main point of the story here, which the author explains in the notes at the end. The story doesn't suffer because of it; it still holds together nicely, so it's not a huge loss. However, it all does happen so quickly and suddenly they're in love after a few days, it feels like codependency will just follow them after.
Overall, it was a nice summer read. 3.5 for me—Chloe was really dragging it down here.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
Four people, different issues, one villa in Ibiza: a very unusual set of circumstances. We get workaholics, overwhelmed mums, and Miguel, the funniest person in that villa. Long story short, Ben, who owns a restaurant in London, receives news that he inherited a villa in Ibiza from his uncle. His sisters convince him to fix it up and offer a stay in the villa as a retreat of sorts. The first cohort comes in—three ladies looking for an escape from their daily lives. What could possibly go wrong?
Ben is taking it one day at a time, and it's clear that while he loves his family and his restaurant, the constant hustle was getting to him. He probably didn't notice day to day until he left for Ibiza that life can be more than the rush of the kitchen. Jess and Zara are both powerful mums, just at different stages of motherhood: Zara has a house full of teenagers while Jess is a new mum. Both are looking to recharge their batteries before it's time to go home. All three of them were relatable, and I had so much fun reading about them.
And then there's Chloe. Oh, how she infuriated me! I get being a workaholic, I can sometimes get too passionate at work as well. But girl, this is some next-level stuff that requires therapy at this point. It was like Stockholm Syndrome with Chloe; she should've left that job a year ago, and instead, it was like her work was her entire life. On a personal level, her defensiveness at the beginning was understandable—the retreat wasn't professionally done through an agency, it's a remote place with people you don't know, I get it. But there was something about her all the time that just made me want to punch her. In the last part of the book she got better, clearly must've done some therapy in the meantime!
Romance-wise it was fine, though the romance isn't the main point of the story here, which the author explains in the notes at the end. The story doesn't suffer because of it; it still holds together nicely, so it's not a huge loss. However, it all does happen so quickly and suddenly they're in love after a few days, it feels like codependency will just follow them after.
Overall, it was a nice summer read. 3.5 for me—Chloe was really dragging it down here.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
July 22, 2026
Kristen Bailey has officially become my go-to author whenever I need a romantic comedy that guarantees equal measures of laughter, heart, and absolute chaos. This time she has packed her bags for Ibiza, and Glow Job might just be her sunniest, funniest, and most uplifting escape yet. Blending her trademark wit with sparkling romance and heartfelt emotion, she once again delivers an irresistible summer escape that will have you laughing out loud one minute and melting your heart the next. And honestly? Nobody does that better than Kristen Bailey.
Burnt out and exhausted, Chloe escapes to Ibiza in search of relaxation, only to discover a wonderfully chaotic wellness retreat run by Ben, a charming chef attempting to reinvent his late uncle's villa. Between unexpected adventures and undeniable chemistry, their week in paradise becomes something neither of them anticipated. But can a holiday romance survive once they're back in London?
What follows is a week filled with exactly the sort of delightful mayhem Bailey excels at writing. Wild goats appear when they're least welcome, beach parties spiral into unforgettable nights, skinny-dipping becomes surprisingly significant… and every new disaster somehow brings Chloe and Ben closer together. She has an incredible talent for escalating everyday mishaps into wonderfully ridiculous situations. The comedy is highly visual, the pacing never lets up, and the sharp, witty dialogue keeps every page crackling with energy.
Chloe is another fantastic addition to Bailey's gallery of wonderfully relatable heroines. She's intelligent, capable, and genuinely good at her job, yet years of putting work before herself have left her emotionally drained and struggling to remember who she is beyond her career. Watching her slowly reconnect with the parts of herself that had been buried beneath endless deadlines becomes every bit as rewarding as the romance itself. She's awkward in the most charming way, endlessly likeable, and refreshingly human throughout. It's impossible not to cheer her on as she slowly learns that putting herself first isn't selfish—it's long overdue. By the end, you'll be rooting for her happiness every bit as much as for the romance.
Ben is equally easy to fall for. Of course, it certainly doesn't hurt that he's ridiculously attractive. Picture Pedro Pascal with exceptional culinary skills (seriously... now I'm craving Ben's croquembouche!). Whether it's the croquembouche or the chef, Bailey somehow makes both utterly irresistible. Behind his easygoing nature lies someone who's also trying to rebuild his life. His dream of transforming his uncle's villa isn't simply a career change—it's his way of creating something meaningful from loss. Instead of feeling like another impossibly perfect rom-com hero, his quiet vulnerability makes him feel refreshingly genuine, making it impossible not to root for him from the moment he walks onto the page.
Together, Chloe and Ben have exactly the kind of chemistry Bailey writes so effortlessly well. Their relationship grows naturally through shared experiences, endless banter, and moments of genuine emotional honesty. The attraction is immediate, but the love story itself unfolds at a slower, more satisfying pace, allowing both characters to become each other's safe place without ever losing sight of who they are as individuals.
As always, Bailey surrounds her protagonists with a supporting cast bursting with personality. She has a gift for creating secondary characters who never feel like background decoration. Jess, Zara and Miguel ensure there's never a dull moment, bringing plenty of comic relief while making the retreat feel like a real little community. Miguel, in particular, is an absolute delight and repeatedly walks away with every scene he appears in.
Ibiza represents the possibility of reinvention, offering both protagonists the space to imagine different versions of themselves. The Mediterranean sunshine, spectacular food, and carefree atmosphere create an irresistible sense of escapism while reinforcing one of the novel's central ideas: healing begins when we finally allow ourselves to step outside the lives that have been exhausting us.
Despite its breezy atmosphere, Glow Job has plenty to say about modern work culture, burnout, self-worth, and the importance of giving ourselves permission to slow down and build a life that leaves room for joy. Yet none of these themes ever feel heavy. Bailey wraps them inside sparkling dialogue, genuine warmth, and a romance that feels both escapist and emotionally authentic.
Glow Job is another reminder of why Kristen Bailey continues to stand out in contemporary romantic comedy. Warm, witty, wildly entertaining, and full of heart, it is the kind of book you want tucked into your beach bag this summer. It's not just one of my favourite romantic comedies of the year—it's also become one of my all-time favourite Kristen Bailey novels.
Burnt out and exhausted, Chloe escapes to Ibiza in search of relaxation, only to discover a wonderfully chaotic wellness retreat run by Ben, a charming chef attempting to reinvent his late uncle's villa. Between unexpected adventures and undeniable chemistry, their week in paradise becomes something neither of them anticipated. But can a holiday romance survive once they're back in London?
What follows is a week filled with exactly the sort of delightful mayhem Bailey excels at writing. Wild goats appear when they're least welcome, beach parties spiral into unforgettable nights, skinny-dipping becomes surprisingly significant… and every new disaster somehow brings Chloe and Ben closer together. She has an incredible talent for escalating everyday mishaps into wonderfully ridiculous situations. The comedy is highly visual, the pacing never lets up, and the sharp, witty dialogue keeps every page crackling with energy.
Chloe is another fantastic addition to Bailey's gallery of wonderfully relatable heroines. She's intelligent, capable, and genuinely good at her job, yet years of putting work before herself have left her emotionally drained and struggling to remember who she is beyond her career. Watching her slowly reconnect with the parts of herself that had been buried beneath endless deadlines becomes every bit as rewarding as the romance itself. She's awkward in the most charming way, endlessly likeable, and refreshingly human throughout. It's impossible not to cheer her on as she slowly learns that putting herself first isn't selfish—it's long overdue. By the end, you'll be rooting for her happiness every bit as much as for the romance.
Ben is equally easy to fall for. Of course, it certainly doesn't hurt that he's ridiculously attractive. Picture Pedro Pascal with exceptional culinary skills (seriously... now I'm craving Ben's croquembouche!). Whether it's the croquembouche or the chef, Bailey somehow makes both utterly irresistible. Behind his easygoing nature lies someone who's also trying to rebuild his life. His dream of transforming his uncle's villa isn't simply a career change—it's his way of creating something meaningful from loss. Instead of feeling like another impossibly perfect rom-com hero, his quiet vulnerability makes him feel refreshingly genuine, making it impossible not to root for him from the moment he walks onto the page.
Together, Chloe and Ben have exactly the kind of chemistry Bailey writes so effortlessly well. Their relationship grows naturally through shared experiences, endless banter, and moments of genuine emotional honesty. The attraction is immediate, but the love story itself unfolds at a slower, more satisfying pace, allowing both characters to become each other's safe place without ever losing sight of who they are as individuals.
As always, Bailey surrounds her protagonists with a supporting cast bursting with personality. She has a gift for creating secondary characters who never feel like background decoration. Jess, Zara and Miguel ensure there's never a dull moment, bringing plenty of comic relief while making the retreat feel like a real little community. Miguel, in particular, is an absolute delight and repeatedly walks away with every scene he appears in.
Ibiza represents the possibility of reinvention, offering both protagonists the space to imagine different versions of themselves. The Mediterranean sunshine, spectacular food, and carefree atmosphere create an irresistible sense of escapism while reinforcing one of the novel's central ideas: healing begins when we finally allow ourselves to step outside the lives that have been exhausting us.
Despite its breezy atmosphere, Glow Job has plenty to say about modern work culture, burnout, self-worth, and the importance of giving ourselves permission to slow down and build a life that leaves room for joy. Yet none of these themes ever feel heavy. Bailey wraps them inside sparkling dialogue, genuine warmth, and a romance that feels both escapist and emotionally authentic.
Glow Job is another reminder of why Kristen Bailey continues to stand out in contemporary romantic comedy. Warm, witty, wildly entertaining, and full of heart, it is the kind of book you want tucked into your beach bag this summer. It's not just one of my favourite romantic comedies of the year—it's also become one of my all-time favourite Kristen Bailey novels.
July 31, 2026
3⭐️
This was a very cute and quirky book. I loved the setting and the silly things that happened. The only thing that I really disliked was the third act breakup and how the MMC handled things after. It was really offputting and kind of derailed so much of the great tension and love that was built in the book, and kind of made you dislike the MMC. I feel like I would’ve rated this book a lot higher if that scene had been done differently or just wasn’t in the book.
This was a very cute and quirky book. I loved the setting and the silly things that happened. The only thing that I really disliked was the third act breakup and how the MMC handled things after. It was really offputting and kind of derailed so much of the great tension and love that was built in the book, and kind of made you dislike the MMC. I feel like I would’ve rated this book a lot higher if that scene had been done differently or just wasn’t in the book.
June 17, 2026
This was a really fun read! An easy, summer romcom that had me giggling! Ben inherits a villa in Ibiza and with help from his sisters turns it into a retreat. His first 3 guests are women who are burnt out from life (one workaholic, one new mom, and one mom of teenagers). A lot of fun and chaos transpires over their time at the villa, with a lot of heart to hearts and relatable moments in between.
I received this via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 5, 2026
Sometimes the biggest wake-up call isn’t a breakdown…it’s realizing you’ve forgotten how to actually enjoy your own life.
Kristen Bailey’s Glow Job reminded me that burnout doesn’t disappear with one vacation—but sometimes one unexpected week can change everything. Storm Publishing, thank you so much for the gifted book.
I picked this up expecting a light summer rom-com, but it surprised me with how much heart it tucked between all the laughter. Yes, I laughed—often. The title gives you a pretty good clue that the humor leans into cheeky innuendo, but underneath all the chaos is a story about women who have spent so much time taking care of everyone else that they’ve forgotten how to take care of themselves.
Chloe immediately had my sympathy. She’s overworked, overlooked, and running on empty in a job that takes far more than it gives back. Watching her slowly rediscover who she is away from deadlines and office politics felt incredibly satisfying. Ben was exactly the kind of hero I love reading about. He’s thoughtful, kind, a talented chef, and trying his best to transform his late uncle’s Ibiza villa into a wellness retreat despite having absolutely no clue what he’s doing. Somehow his complete lack of experience only made him more charming.
The supporting cast deserves just as much credit. Jess and Zara brought different perspectives on motherhood, marriage, confidence, and identity, while Miguel nearly stole every scene he wandered into. Add feral goats, beach adventures, wedding chaos, gorgeous food, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, and this became the literary equivalent of taking a sunny vacation without leaving my couch.
“Because the sparkle in her eyes is like a picture, a memory I want to frame forever.”
The romance moved a little faster than I typically prefer, but Bailey balanced it with genuine emotional growth, strong friendships, and enough humor to keep me smiling from beginning to end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
If you enjoy vacation romances, found family, lovable side characters, witty banter, workaholic heroines, and stories that leave you feeling lighter than when you started, this belongs in your beach bag.
Have you ever read a book that made you feel like you’d just come home from vacation?
Kristen Bailey’s Glow Job reminded me that burnout doesn’t disappear with one vacation—but sometimes one unexpected week can change everything. Storm Publishing, thank you so much for the gifted book.
I picked this up expecting a light summer rom-com, but it surprised me with how much heart it tucked between all the laughter. Yes, I laughed—often. The title gives you a pretty good clue that the humor leans into cheeky innuendo, but underneath all the chaos is a story about women who have spent so much time taking care of everyone else that they’ve forgotten how to take care of themselves.
Chloe immediately had my sympathy. She’s overworked, overlooked, and running on empty in a job that takes far more than it gives back. Watching her slowly rediscover who she is away from deadlines and office politics felt incredibly satisfying. Ben was exactly the kind of hero I love reading about. He’s thoughtful, kind, a talented chef, and trying his best to transform his late uncle’s Ibiza villa into a wellness retreat despite having absolutely no clue what he’s doing. Somehow his complete lack of experience only made him more charming.
The supporting cast deserves just as much credit. Jess and Zara brought different perspectives on motherhood, marriage, confidence, and identity, while Miguel nearly stole every scene he wandered into. Add feral goats, beach adventures, wedding chaos, gorgeous food, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, and this became the literary equivalent of taking a sunny vacation without leaving my couch.
“Because the sparkle in her eyes is like a picture, a memory I want to frame forever.”
The romance moved a little faster than I typically prefer, but Bailey balanced it with genuine emotional growth, strong friendships, and enough humor to keep me smiling from beginning to end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
If you enjoy vacation romances, found family, lovable side characters, witty banter, workaholic heroines, and stories that leave you feeling lighter than when you started, this belongs in your beach bag.
Have you ever read a book that made you feel like you’d just come home from vacation?
May 29, 2026
All the stars !!!!
Glow Job is the perfect spicy romcom to kick off summer. All I can say is wow! I absolutely loved it. It was so good I didn’t want to put it down. It was absolutely hilarious with an LOL on pretty much every page. This is one of the best rom-coms to date. Kristen certainly knows just where to put those innuendos.
Wedding ring, mud, bush …… IYKYK 🤭
Chloe needs a holiday. She’s invisible to her boss, overworked and burnt out. What she gets is a chaotic wellness retreat at a sun-drenched Ibizan villa, run by a man whose resemblance to Pedro Pascal and sublime cooking make up for seeming a bit out of his depth.
Ben has taken a sabbatical from his London restaurant, and is trying to turn his late uncle’s rundown, rustic villa into a mostly functioning retreat. He can wing the catering and count on the sunshine, but he hasn’t planned on Chloe: clumsy, brilliant, and so overworked and underappreciated it’s quietly heartbreaking.
As the week unfolds – complete with feral goats, beach raves, skinny-dipping and wedding-crashing – both of them begin to feel a glow that neither of them saw coming.
But real life is waiting for them both back in London. And real feelings are a lot harder to pack up than a suitcase.
If you like the following then this is definitely for you !!
* Sun-soaked holiday romance
* Sizzling chemistry and spice
* Whirlwind time-pressured new love
* Workaholic heroine learning to let go
* Dual POV and found family dynamics
Thanks so much to Kristen and Netgalley for the opportunity to be an early arc reader. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would highly recommend
Glow Job is the perfect spicy romcom to kick off summer. All I can say is wow! I absolutely loved it. It was so good I didn’t want to put it down. It was absolutely hilarious with an LOL on pretty much every page. This is one of the best rom-coms to date. Kristen certainly knows just where to put those innuendos.
Wedding ring, mud, bush …… IYKYK 🤭
Chloe needs a holiday. She’s invisible to her boss, overworked and burnt out. What she gets is a chaotic wellness retreat at a sun-drenched Ibizan villa, run by a man whose resemblance to Pedro Pascal and sublime cooking make up for seeming a bit out of his depth.
Ben has taken a sabbatical from his London restaurant, and is trying to turn his late uncle’s rundown, rustic villa into a mostly functioning retreat. He can wing the catering and count on the sunshine, but he hasn’t planned on Chloe: clumsy, brilliant, and so overworked and underappreciated it’s quietly heartbreaking.
As the week unfolds – complete with feral goats, beach raves, skinny-dipping and wedding-crashing – both of them begin to feel a glow that neither of them saw coming.
But real life is waiting for them both back in London. And real feelings are a lot harder to pack up than a suitcase.
If you like the following then this is definitely for you !!
* Sun-soaked holiday romance
* Sizzling chemistry and spice
* Whirlwind time-pressured new love
* Workaholic heroine learning to let go
* Dual POV and found family dynamics
Thanks so much to Kristen and Netgalley for the opportunity to be an early arc reader. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would highly recommend
August 7, 2026
I LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED this book! 😍 I read Glow Job in ONE DAY and spent so much of it smiling from ear to ear. It was genuinely HILARIOUS. I was laughing out loud so much I was nearly crying 😂 But underneath all the fun, it was also such a warm, heartfelt story.
When Chloe, Zara and Jess head to a retreat in Ibiza, they each get something they desperately need, body confidence, self-belief and a reminder of their own worth. And a huge part of that is down to Ben…Where can I find a Ben?! He is EVERYTHING we need in a man. The way he sees Chloe, believes in her and helps her rediscover her confidence and self worth absolutely melted my heart, I loved watching them fall for each other!
And BEN'S SISTERS!!! 😭 I adored their family dynamic. Zara, Jess and Chloe's friendship was also fantastic, and Miguel had me crying with laughter with his happy go lucky nature. Even Bella had me crying with laughter, such a phenomenal cast of characters!!
Funny, uplifting, romantic and SO full of heart. I absolutely adored this book and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It’s the most PERFECT summer read and I’m now off to look at solo Ibizan retreats hosted by Pedro Pascal lookalikes…😂
When Chloe, Zara and Jess head to a retreat in Ibiza, they each get something they desperately need, body confidence, self-belief and a reminder of their own worth. And a huge part of that is down to Ben…Where can I find a Ben?! He is EVERYTHING we need in a man. The way he sees Chloe, believes in her and helps her rediscover her confidence and self worth absolutely melted my heart, I loved watching them fall for each other!
And BEN'S SISTERS!!! 😭 I adored their family dynamic. Zara, Jess and Chloe's friendship was also fantastic, and Miguel had me crying with laughter with his happy go lucky nature. Even Bella had me crying with laughter, such a phenomenal cast of characters!!
Funny, uplifting, romantic and SO full of heart. I absolutely adored this book and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It’s the most PERFECT summer read and I’m now off to look at solo Ibizan retreats hosted by Pedro Pascal lookalikes…😂
August 5, 2026
I like this author's voice and sense of humor, although the writing felt a bit corny at times. The affection and chemistry between the main characters were sweet, and I enjoyed their banter. Miguel was my favorite side character. I did start to lose interest about halfway through.
June 12, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the arc! I found the introduction of the characters to be a bit confusing. Once they made it to the island, things came together. The friendship between the women was warm and engaging, and Miguel brought the humor. I feel the book lacked emotional development and overall depth.
July 27, 2026
Did I just read my favorite summer romance of the year? Yes, yes I think I did! And it should be no surprise that it is the newest romcom by Kristen Bailey (sadly no relation to Jonathan Bailey but I love her still)! She is one of those authors that is an automatic read for me, and I would happily read her to-do list and probably laugh hysterically through it because she's just that funny!
I am always surprised at how she can incorporate ridiculous elements into her novel (like wild goats) and yet it still be packed with so much heart, emotion and substance. This is the fourth book I've read of Kristen's and I think it tops them all for me - which is saying a lot because I've given every book of hers five stars! But when you begin with an exotic island setting like Ibiza, inhabited by a Pedro Pascal lookalike with his same charm and heart, and you add in hilarious side characters like Miguel the groundskeeper, who sometimes cleans the pool naked or feral wild goats, and top it with three very relatable women who find close friendship together, you will certainly win me over! Not to mention the hot swoony romance!!! And it was hot!
I was a bit worried I wasn't going to finish the book in time to post my review for the book tour, but I happily stayed up way past my bedtime because I could not get enough of Chloe and Ben's romance. He is a man that makes an effort and I loved to see it! And as a stay-at-home mom myself, who is currently struggling with my own body image after having two kids, and also feeling burnt out most of the time, I related to every single one of these women in some capacity. It made me feel known, and almost as if Kristen was reaching out herself and giving me a big hug. I laughed and definitely cried, and just wholly loved this sweet (and sexy!) romcom!
You will LOVE this book too if you fancy...
* Found family tropes
* Hilarious side characters
* Relatable women who are still figuring themselves out
* A delicious Pedro Pascal lookalike MMC who is a talented chef/restaurant and Ibiza retreat owner with three sisters who taught him how to be kind and have empathy
* Dual POVs
* Swoony, spicy summer love
Thank you so much to @stormbooks_co and of course, @kristenbaileywrites for my arc copy and for including me on this lovely book tour! I will yell my love for Kristen and her books on every mountaintop forever!
I am always surprised at how she can incorporate ridiculous elements into her novel (like wild goats) and yet it still be packed with so much heart, emotion and substance. This is the fourth book I've read of Kristen's and I think it tops them all for me - which is saying a lot because I've given every book of hers five stars! But when you begin with an exotic island setting like Ibiza, inhabited by a Pedro Pascal lookalike with his same charm and heart, and you add in hilarious side characters like Miguel the groundskeeper, who sometimes cleans the pool naked or feral wild goats, and top it with three very relatable women who find close friendship together, you will certainly win me over! Not to mention the hot swoony romance!!! And it was hot!
I was a bit worried I wasn't going to finish the book in time to post my review for the book tour, but I happily stayed up way past my bedtime because I could not get enough of Chloe and Ben's romance. He is a man that makes an effort and I loved to see it! And as a stay-at-home mom myself, who is currently struggling with my own body image after having two kids, and also feeling burnt out most of the time, I related to every single one of these women in some capacity. It made me feel known, and almost as if Kristen was reaching out herself and giving me a big hug. I laughed and definitely cried, and just wholly loved this sweet (and sexy!) romcom!
You will LOVE this book too if you fancy...
* Found family tropes
* Hilarious side characters
* Relatable women who are still figuring themselves out
* A delicious Pedro Pascal lookalike MMC who is a talented chef/restaurant and Ibiza retreat owner with three sisters who taught him how to be kind and have empathy
* Dual POVs
* Swoony, spicy summer love
Thank you so much to @stormbooks_co and of course, @kristenbaileywrites for my arc copy and for including me on this lovely book tour! I will yell my love for Kristen and her books on every mountaintop forever!
August 2, 2026
This was such a cozy little summer beach read and considering I read it on vacation, it definitely added to my enjoyment a bit. I love Bailey’s way of writing romcoms and this one was no different.
The book follows three women who are all just needing a break from their lives: Jess is a mom of twins and hasn’t really had time to reconnect with herself as an individual, Zara is a mom of three teenagers who she feels don’t fully respect her, and Chloe is an overworked but overlooked architect at her firm. The three women see fliers for a villa retreat in Ibiza and jump on it. As for the owner of the villa, Ben is taking over the house after the passing of his uncle, leaving his startup restaurant in the hands of his sisters. Soon enough, Chloe and Ben begin to hit it off a bit in Ibiza, but worried that this might be nothing more than a vacation romance.
I think the characters in this book were extremely well-developed and that definitely played into my enjoyment of the book. I did find the physical connection between Ben and Chloe to be the driving force of their relationship, which I don’t always love. The emotional connection also just seemed very performative on Ben’s part sometimes and this is attributed to the fact that he has three sisters but sometimes it borders on inappropriate, especially when you take into account that he has known these women for a week maximum by the end of the book. It felt a little instalovey and that is definitely not my thing. Overall though I did enjoy the more comedic aspects of the book and found it to be a very enjoyable little romcom.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The book follows three women who are all just needing a break from their lives: Jess is a mom of twins and hasn’t really had time to reconnect with herself as an individual, Zara is a mom of three teenagers who she feels don’t fully respect her, and Chloe is an overworked but overlooked architect at her firm. The three women see fliers for a villa retreat in Ibiza and jump on it. As for the owner of the villa, Ben is taking over the house after the passing of his uncle, leaving his startup restaurant in the hands of his sisters. Soon enough, Chloe and Ben begin to hit it off a bit in Ibiza, but worried that this might be nothing more than a vacation romance.
I think the characters in this book were extremely well-developed and that definitely played into my enjoyment of the book. I did find the physical connection between Ben and Chloe to be the driving force of their relationship, which I don’t always love. The emotional connection also just seemed very performative on Ben’s part sometimes and this is attributed to the fact that he has three sisters but sometimes it borders on inappropriate, especially when you take into account that he has known these women for a week maximum by the end of the book. It felt a little instalovey and that is definitely not my thing. Overall though I did enjoy the more comedic aspects of the book and found it to be a very enjoyable little romcom.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2026
Review of Advanced Reader Copy received from NetGalley!
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!!
Kristen Bailey is fastly becoming one of my favourite romance authors.
Glow Job follows Chloe and Ben, both struggling with different forms of burnout and desperately searching for a way to escape the pressures of their everyday lives. Their escape comes in the form of an Ibiza villa that Ben inherits from his uncle, which he decides to turn into a holistic retreat filled with good food, questionable face masks, and the hope of helping people feel a little more like themselves.
Chloe arrives at the retreat with low expectations and plenty of skepticism, but she soon meets Jess and Zara, two other guests we follow throughout the book — and two characters I completely fell in love with. Their positivity makes it difficult for Chloe to maintain her cynicism, and before long, the three women become fast friends despite being in completely different stages of life.
Over the course of the week, we follow Chloe, Jess, Zara and Ben as they navigate the highs and lows of the retreat, confronting parts of themselves they have been avoiding and slowly becoming more comfortable in their own skin.
I really really loved this book. I read it on holiday in one sitting, sat on a sunbed with a cocktail in hand which felt like the most perfect setting for this story🍸
It was so so funny, the beach party, Miguel in the pool, the ants, the goats! Just an all around good time! I loved seeing Ben’s dynamic with his sisters, it felt so cosy and I really hope we get to see more of them in future books! Miguel was such a bright spot in this book, so so funny consistently.
The romance kind of took a back seat for me because I enjoyed all of the characters so much in their own right, ALTHOUGH, I really liked Ben and Chloe together, they really brought out the best for each other.
I wish we had more POV’s from Zara and Jess. I really enjoyed them as characters and I would really like to see more of them. I’d pay a lot of money to have a book from their POV’s. I loved that the book didn’t just focus on Chloe and Ben’s development but also we see Zara and Jess come into their own.
I didn’t like the miscommunication/drunk talk that we got near the end of the book, it felt so far from Ben’s personality in the rest of the book. HOWEVER, I liked the way that it was resolved with Chloe going back to the retreat with Miguel’s help!!
Overall, the perfect holiday romance read, would really recommend this one along with ALL of Kristen Bailey’s books, they’re all such a fun time!! ☀️💌
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!!
Kristen Bailey is fastly becoming one of my favourite romance authors.
Glow Job follows Chloe and Ben, both struggling with different forms of burnout and desperately searching for a way to escape the pressures of their everyday lives. Their escape comes in the form of an Ibiza villa that Ben inherits from his uncle, which he decides to turn into a holistic retreat filled with good food, questionable face masks, and the hope of helping people feel a little more like themselves.
Chloe arrives at the retreat with low expectations and plenty of skepticism, but she soon meets Jess and Zara, two other guests we follow throughout the book — and two characters I completely fell in love with. Their positivity makes it difficult for Chloe to maintain her cynicism, and before long, the three women become fast friends despite being in completely different stages of life.
Over the course of the week, we follow Chloe, Jess, Zara and Ben as they navigate the highs and lows of the retreat, confronting parts of themselves they have been avoiding and slowly becoming more comfortable in their own skin.
I really really loved this book. I read it on holiday in one sitting, sat on a sunbed with a cocktail in hand which felt like the most perfect setting for this story🍸
It was so so funny, the beach party, Miguel in the pool, the ants, the goats! Just an all around good time! I loved seeing Ben’s dynamic with his sisters, it felt so cosy and I really hope we get to see more of them in future books! Miguel was such a bright spot in this book, so so funny consistently.
The romance kind of took a back seat for me because I enjoyed all of the characters so much in their own right, ALTHOUGH, I really liked Ben and Chloe together, they really brought out the best for each other.
I wish we had more POV’s from Zara and Jess. I really enjoyed them as characters and I would really like to see more of them. I’d pay a lot of money to have a book from their POV’s. I loved that the book didn’t just focus on Chloe and Ben’s development but also we see Zara and Jess come into their own.
I didn’t like the miscommunication/drunk talk that we got near the end of the book, it felt so far from Ben’s personality in the rest of the book. HOWEVER, I liked the way that it was resolved with Chloe going back to the retreat with Miguel’s help!!
Overall, the perfect holiday romance read, would really recommend this one along with ALL of Kristen Bailey’s books, they’re all such a fun time!! ☀️💌
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2026
The Glow Job by Kristen Bailey is a humorous romantic comedy and work of women’s fiction told from dual points of view.
Chloe is a brilliant yet eccentric architect suffering from severe burnout. At work, she feels unseen; she handles the bulk of the workload without receiving any accolades, and her boss rarely remembers her name. Seeking a much-needed reprieve, she decides to take a vacation.
Ben is a London-based chef on sabbatical after inheriting a Spanish villa in Ibiza, which he is attempting to market as a wellness retreat. Interestingly, Ben bears a striking resemblance to Pedro Pascal, though he lacks the expertise to manage a retreat effectively. This leads to a series of chaotic events, including encounters with unruly goats, beach raves, wedding crashing, and skinny dipping.
During her stay, Chloe forms close bonds with two other guests, Zara and Jess. Their mutual support and blossoming friendship become an integral part of the narrative as they help one another navigate their respective struggles.
Ben and Chloe begin a romantic relationship of sorts as they both start to rediscover themselves.
As the vacation draws to a close, they face difficult decisions. They must determine if they can return to their previous lives and endure the daily routines and professional pressures they left behind.
Overall, the portrayal of new female friendships was a highlight for me. While the beginning felt somewhat disjointed due to an overabundance of characters and a slow pace, the story eventually found its footing. The romance was pleasant, though I found the chemistry between the leads to be somewhat lacking. Ultimately, I would rate this a 3.5-star read.
Chloe is a brilliant yet eccentric architect suffering from severe burnout. At work, she feels unseen; she handles the bulk of the workload without receiving any accolades, and her boss rarely remembers her name. Seeking a much-needed reprieve, she decides to take a vacation.
Ben is a London-based chef on sabbatical after inheriting a Spanish villa in Ibiza, which he is attempting to market as a wellness retreat. Interestingly, Ben bears a striking resemblance to Pedro Pascal, though he lacks the expertise to manage a retreat effectively. This leads to a series of chaotic events, including encounters with unruly goats, beach raves, wedding crashing, and skinny dipping.
During her stay, Chloe forms close bonds with two other guests, Zara and Jess. Their mutual support and blossoming friendship become an integral part of the narrative as they help one another navigate their respective struggles.
Ben and Chloe begin a romantic relationship of sorts as they both start to rediscover themselves.
As the vacation draws to a close, they face difficult decisions. They must determine if they can return to their previous lives and endure the daily routines and professional pressures they left behind.
Overall, the portrayal of new female friendships was a highlight for me. While the beginning felt somewhat disjointed due to an overabundance of characters and a slow pace, the story eventually found its footing. The romance was pleasant, though I found the chemistry between the leads to be somewhat lacking. Ultimately, I would rate this a 3.5-star read.
June 9, 2026
First of all, thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC!
This book gives the reader amazing writing, an entertaining cast with issues that weave together and issues that set them apart, and an interesting plot that has you intrigued throughout the entire read.
Being entirely honest, the only reason I didn't DNF this is because I can appreciate good, interesting writing whilst pushing aside my own opinions on it. I almost couldn't put this book down, I have to admit that. Kristen Bailey has a way with words, and a way with romantic comedy, that feels like it's Summer, and you're with your girl friends about to binge your favorite movies in someone's living room.
Regardless of all the positive things, I cannot give this book more than two stars. Throughout the whole read, I couldn't shake the way that non-native english speakers are portrayed in this book. Now, I am aware that this was most likely a move to sprinkle comedy into some characters and situations, but it truly feels like we are being mocked. English is not my first language, Spanish is. I have gone through every level of fluency, and I am aware of what a character not being fluent in English looks like, and what a character being a mockery looks like.
I don't think this was on purpose at all. I do wonder why comedy comes at the hand of mocking people that aren't like us these days, though.
I wish I would've been able to enjoy this to its full potential. I am, still, incredibly thankful for this ARC.
This book gives the reader amazing writing, an entertaining cast with issues that weave together and issues that set them apart, and an interesting plot that has you intrigued throughout the entire read.
Being entirely honest, the only reason I didn't DNF this is because I can appreciate good, interesting writing whilst pushing aside my own opinions on it. I almost couldn't put this book down, I have to admit that. Kristen Bailey has a way with words, and a way with romantic comedy, that feels like it's Summer, and you're with your girl friends about to binge your favorite movies in someone's living room.
Regardless of all the positive things, I cannot give this book more than two stars. Throughout the whole read, I couldn't shake the way that non-native english speakers are portrayed in this book. Now, I am aware that this was most likely a move to sprinkle comedy into some characters and situations, but it truly feels like we are being mocked. English is not my first language, Spanish is. I have gone through every level of fluency, and I am aware of what a character not being fluent in English looks like, and what a character being a mockery looks like.
I don't think this was on purpose at all. I do wonder why comedy comes at the hand of mocking people that aren't like us these days, though.
I wish I would've been able to enjoy this to its full potential. I am, still, incredibly thankful for this ARC.
June 15, 2026
2.5 stars for me. I don’t understand how three woman go to this random “retreat” with no reviews, no website, no real information other than a flyer. But I can put that aside because it’s a book.
This was much too insta love for me. The fmc was so distrustful of the mmc and then in love with him the next day? They were both deeply in love with each other and it was only 7 days? Normally, an insta love doesn’t bother me but this one didn’t work for me!
I also hated the third act breakup, it felt very silly to me. And then to top it off the fmc was the one to make the grand gesture even though the mmc was the one who was so awful?? I understand he was self sabotaging but that doesn’t make up for the awful things he said! He never even apologized??? Wouldn’t have done a thing about it until she came to him? Makes me sick.
I liked Jess and Zara and how they supported both Chloe and Ben but their only personality traits was that they were tired moms? And I get it! I’m a tired mom! But it was a bit too much to read about I thought. Maybe it’s just because I’m living that but idk!
Also the epilogue was crazy! It was like 20% of the book! At that point just make it multiple chapters.
Miguel was my favorite person in the book! No flaws to me. Not a bad read! Just not good.
Advanced copy received from NetGalley.
This was much too insta love for me. The fmc was so distrustful of the mmc and then in love with him the next day? They were both deeply in love with each other and it was only 7 days? Normally, an insta love doesn’t bother me but this one didn’t work for me!
I also hated the third act breakup, it felt very silly to me. And then to top it off the fmc was the one to make the grand gesture even though the mmc was the one who was so awful?? I understand he was self sabotaging but that doesn’t make up for the awful things he said! He never even apologized??? Wouldn’t have done a thing about it until she came to him? Makes me sick.
I liked Jess and Zara and how they supported both Chloe and Ben but their only personality traits was that they were tired moms? And I get it! I’m a tired mom! But it was a bit too much to read about I thought. Maybe it’s just because I’m living that but idk!
Also the epilogue was crazy! It was like 20% of the book! At that point just make it multiple chapters.
Miguel was my favorite person in the book! No flaws to me. Not a bad read! Just not good.
Advanced copy received from NetGalley.
July 27, 2026
3.5 Stars
Thank you so much NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this overall! I loved the setting of Spain and the imagery that the author created for this story. I found Ben to be so charismatic and kind, seeing a character like Ben in a modern romance was refreshing as he was such an honest and genuine character. I liked Chloe as well but wanted her to snap out of the isolating mood she was in for the first half of the novel. The three other side characters at the villa were hilarious and lovable. I truly loved the way the author portrayed these side characters own plots without it taking over our main romance plot. When it came to the humor I found the events and happenings throughout the novel hilarious but when it came to the banter I couldn't help but cringe. I found our third act conflict to go against Bens character completely and felt as it was just used for a conflict. I felt that at first I really loved the romance because of how perfect Ben was but when the lust started it seemed to focus on that more than an emotional relationship like t was at the start.
Overall I enjoyed the novel but the banter and romance were just okay.
Thank you so much NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this overall! I loved the setting of Spain and the imagery that the author created for this story. I found Ben to be so charismatic and kind, seeing a character like Ben in a modern romance was refreshing as he was such an honest and genuine character. I liked Chloe as well but wanted her to snap out of the isolating mood she was in for the first half of the novel. The three other side characters at the villa were hilarious and lovable. I truly loved the way the author portrayed these side characters own plots without it taking over our main romance plot. When it came to the humor I found the events and happenings throughout the novel hilarious but when it came to the banter I couldn't help but cringe. I found our third act conflict to go against Bens character completely and felt as it was just used for a conflict. I felt that at first I really loved the romance because of how perfect Ben was but when the lust started it seemed to focus on that more than an emotional relationship like t was at the start.
Overall I enjoyed the novel but the banter and romance were just okay.
June 28, 2026
3,5
This book is very much a summer rom-com vibe, like, if you want something light to read on holiday or just pretend you’re in Ibiza, it does the job.
The first few chapters with the multiple POVs were a bit disjointed and I'll admit I had to reread them more than once to figure out where the story was going. That said, the middle part honestly carries: once it gets going, there are some really fun, chaotic, slightly unhinged moments that fit the whole “summer escape” aesthetic perfectly.
Chloe and Ben's chemistry feels more told than shown, and it kind of just… happens, and yeah, the third-act breakup didn’t really hit (I'm not a fan). It felt a bit out of nowhere and a little out of character, and then it gets resolved way too fast, like we missed the actual emotional conversation that should’ve mattered most.
Still, I did like seeing the group grow and how the retreat kind of forces everyone to change a bit. That part was actually sweet and satisfying.
Thanks to Net Galley and the author Kristen Bailey for giving me an arc. This was my first time reading something by her, I really appreciated it and I'll definitely be picking up more of her books when I get the chance.
This book is very much a summer rom-com vibe, like, if you want something light to read on holiday or just pretend you’re in Ibiza, it does the job.
The first few chapters with the multiple POVs were a bit disjointed and I'll admit I had to reread them more than once to figure out where the story was going. That said, the middle part honestly carries: once it gets going, there are some really fun, chaotic, slightly unhinged moments that fit the whole “summer escape” aesthetic perfectly.
Chloe and Ben's chemistry feels more told than shown, and it kind of just… happens, and yeah, the third-act breakup didn’t really hit (I'm not a fan). It felt a bit out of nowhere and a little out of character, and then it gets resolved way too fast, like we missed the actual emotional conversation that should’ve mattered most.
Still, I did like seeing the group grow and how the retreat kind of forces everyone to change a bit. That part was actually sweet and satisfying.
Thanks to Net Galley and the author Kristen Bailey for giving me an arc. This was my first time reading something by her, I really appreciated it and I'll definitely be picking up more of her books when I get the chance.
July 20, 2026
Thank you to Storm Publishing and author Kristen Bailey for the NetGalley arc! Once again, Kristen Bailey pulls off a summer holiday rom-com with plenty of humor, warmth and spice! I was a little confused at the beginning when there were multiple POVs but I knew it would come together and those four characters (Jess, Zara, Chloe and Ben) soon become a found family while vacationing together. I loved that Jess and Zara were moms at different points in their children’s lives that needed some time to themselves and that Chloe and Ben who are both questioning their busy and demanding careers are drawn to each other in a whirlwind romance. The setting of Ibiza and Lorenzo’s estate where they stay becomes its own character and I love that about Kristen’s books. I can’t wait to read what Kristen writes next!
July 30, 2026
A cute, generally entertaining romcom read about finding yourself and reclaiming what was lost. I loved the Ibiza setting which was so well-described that I could imagine myself there. The romance was sweet though there were some spicy scenes thrown in. There were some funny, laugh-out-loud moments.
There were several characters introduced at the outset with alternating POVs which made it a bit difficult to know who was who. However, things became clearer after the first couple of chapters when the POV focused on the FMC and her love interest (with the other characters playing a secondary role).
While the romance was believable, the third act break-up between the MCs seemed a bit contrived. In addition, while the last part of the book wrapped the story up quite nicely, it was unclear why it was entitled “Epilogue” as it was a full-length chapter that really should have been the last chapter of the novel.
A quick summer read.
Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.
There were several characters introduced at the outset with alternating POVs which made it a bit difficult to know who was who. However, things became clearer after the first couple of chapters when the POV focused on the FMC and her love interest (with the other characters playing a secondary role).
While the romance was believable, the third act break-up between the MCs seemed a bit contrived. In addition, while the last part of the book wrapped the story up quite nicely, it was unclear why it was entitled “Epilogue” as it was a full-length chapter that really should have been the last chapter of the novel.
A quick summer read.
Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.
July 31, 2026
This was so funny and quirky with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments! Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the eARC. Glow Job released on July 20.
A perfect summer rom-com! Three women answer a flyer promising Pedro Pascal, yoga, and a relaxing retreat, each desperate for a break from their everyday lives. Instead, they meet Ben, basically Temu Pedro Pascal, who cooks for them, treats them like royalty, and gives them unforgettable experiences and a fresh outlook on life during their stay on the beautiful island of Ibiza.
This was such a fun, feel-good read. I flew through it and loved it.
A perfect summer rom-com! Three women answer a flyer promising Pedro Pascal, yoga, and a relaxing retreat, each desperate for a break from their everyday lives. Instead, they meet Ben, basically Temu Pedro Pascal, who cooks for them, treats them like royalty, and gives them unforgettable experiences and a fresh outlook on life during their stay on the beautiful island of Ibiza.
This was such a fun, feel-good read. I flew through it and loved it.
June 9, 2026
This book was so good! The characters were lovable and their stories were enjoyable. I was laughing out loud at some of the situations that arose! There was a lot of foreign language phrases in the book that were not always interpreted or explained which was bothersome at times. This is the perfect vacation read! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 6, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley and the Storm Publishing for the ARC of this title.
This was a cute, fun read for the summer. Ben inherits his uncles home in Ibiza and he and his sisters decide to make a vacation retreat.
The first visitors are two moms and Chloe, a workaholic who needs to slow down.
This story had me laughing out loud. I loved the way Ben and Chloe’s relationship came together organically. This was just such a fun refreshing read. 4stars
This was a cute, fun read for the summer. Ben inherits his uncles home in Ibiza and he and his sisters decide to make a vacation retreat.
The first visitors are two moms and Chloe, a workaholic who needs to slow down.
This story had me laughing out loud. I loved the way Ben and Chloe’s relationship came together organically. This was just such a fun refreshing read. 4stars
Did Not Finish
August 24, 2026Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Kristen Bailey for the opportunity to read this book in advance in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, Glow Job and I were not a glowing match. The beginning of the book felt very confusing with the different POVs and it felt very... Chaotic just for the sake of being chaotic. I was not connecting to the characters, the story or the plot. But I am sure other people will find humor in it - it just wasn't for me!
Unfortunately, Glow Job and I were not a glowing match. The beginning of the book felt very confusing with the different POVs and it felt very... Chaotic just for the sake of being chaotic. I was not connecting to the characters, the story or the plot. But I am sure other people will find humor in it - it just wasn't for me!
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