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What Happens in Dubai
THE TOP TEN AMAZON BESTSELLER
Everyone's favourite Glaswegian girl is back!
After having her heart well and truly broken, Zara Smith is more interested in fun than forever. But she's starting to wonder if she's slept with every (somewhat) eligible bachelor in Glasgow... and if there's such a thing as too much fun?!
With competition ramping up in Glasgow, Zara and her friends at Individualise can't pass up an opportunity to promote their aesthetics clinic - especially not when it involves an all-expenses-paid quick getaway to Dubai! It's THE summer destination for the sexy, rich and famous. Cue sun, sand and disastrous flirtations for everyone. But it's okay because once they get back to Glasgow, what happens in Dubai stays in Dubai, right?
this is NOT a romcom. It's dating in the 21st century and Sophie Gravia is about to give you all the toe-curling, cringe-worthy, laugh-out-loud details.
Readers are loving What Happens in Dubai !
'Hilarious, filthy and totally relatable'
'I love love loveddd this book. Had me laughing out loud to myself one minute and crying the next'
' I was getting bored reading the same old romantic story lines. This book is real, it's hilarious, and it's the perfect follow on from A Glasgow Kiss !'
'It was THAT good that I read for 8 hours continuously to get it finished, couldn't put it down'
Everyone's favourite Glaswegian girl is back!
After having her heart well and truly broken, Zara Smith is more interested in fun than forever. But she's starting to wonder if she's slept with every (somewhat) eligible bachelor in Glasgow... and if there's such a thing as too much fun?!
With competition ramping up in Glasgow, Zara and her friends at Individualise can't pass up an opportunity to promote their aesthetics clinic - especially not when it involves an all-expenses-paid quick getaway to Dubai! It's THE summer destination for the sexy, rich and famous. Cue sun, sand and disastrous flirtations for everyone. But it's okay because once they get back to Glasgow, what happens in Dubai stays in Dubai, right?
this is NOT a romcom. It's dating in the 21st century and Sophie Gravia is about to give you all the toe-curling, cringe-worthy, laugh-out-loud details.
Readers are loving What Happens in Dubai !
'Hilarious, filthy and totally relatable'
'I love love loveddd this book. Had me laughing out loud to myself one minute and crying the next'
' I was getting bored reading the same old romantic story lines. This book is real, it's hilarious, and it's the perfect follow on from A Glasgow Kiss !'
'It was THAT good that I read for 8 hours continuously to get it finished, couldn't put it down'
368 pages, Paperback
Published February 21, 2023
249 people are currently reading
1429 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Gravia
11 books431 followersI began writing the @sex.in.the.Glasgow.city blogs in 2019 from my Instagram handle. The views shot up quickly and I was encouraged to write a book from my followers. During lockdown having more time than I normally have I began writing ‘A Glasgow Kiss’.
A Glasgow Kiss is about a young woman approaching thirty feeling pressured to settle down. She is single and joins an online dating site to find Mr right- however, her life suddenly spirals out of control.
A Glasgow Kiss is about a young woman approaching thirty feeling pressured to settle down. She is single and joins an online dating site to find Mr right- however, her life suddenly spirals out of control.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews
July 15, 2022
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review *
Honestly it was weird to read something (at least partly) set in Dubai, although they do mentione super touristy spots mainly - however, this was not my issue with this book. I have giving 1 star reviews, but I could not give myself to give this book more.
I absolutely couldn’t stand Zara as a protagonist. She was self-conscious, constantly self-pitying, trying to define her worth through sex and men, and didn't really show any growth at all in this respect. She was constantly putting down her own body and defining her character by her insecurities. On top of that, absolutely all her interactions with men were so toxic! Not a single healthy encounter in sight. (Including scenes likewhere she basically coaxes a guy to tell her his fantasy, it’s anal, she agrees even though she doesn’t want to do it and then she panics about it for ages but still doesn't feel like she can back out, and this encounter is somehow like 15 pages long?! Just tell him no!)
In relation to the side characters, honestly it just seemed like all her friends just enabling her incredibly toxic behaviour. Her best friend - These were all around terrible people
On top of that the pacing was all over the place. It felt like nothing much happened?
Honestly it was weird to read something (at least partly) set in Dubai, although they do mentione super touristy spots mainly - however, this was not my issue with this book. I have giving 1 star reviews, but I could not give myself to give this book more.
I absolutely couldn’t stand Zara as a protagonist. She was self-conscious, constantly self-pitying, trying to define her worth through sex and men, and didn't really show any growth at all in this respect. She was constantly putting down her own body and defining her character by her insecurities. On top of that, absolutely all her interactions with men were so toxic! Not a single healthy encounter in sight. (Including scenes likewhere she basically coaxes a guy to tell her his fantasy, it’s anal, she agrees even though she doesn’t want to do it and then she panics about it for ages but still doesn't feel like she can back out, and this encounter is somehow like 15 pages long?! Just tell him no!)
In relation to the side characters, honestly it just seemed like all her friends just enabling her incredibly toxic behaviour. Her best friend - These were all around terrible people
On top of that the pacing was all over the place. It felt like nothing much happened?
October 12, 2022
I really don’t know where to start with this review. This book was NOT what I expected at all. As previous reviews have stated, why is it called What Happens in Dubai when nothing much happens there at all. The main character basically has no morals and is totally unlikeable. Her friends aren’t much better. In fact, they seem to encourage her behaviour. Also, you get no idea what the main character looks like as she seems to hate herself and the way she looks, but continually gets told by others that she’s stunning. I couldn’t work out if they were just being kind or not, if she’s fat or not, if she’s thick or not!
Now I’m no prude but I found parts of this book disgusting and crude. Surely the author could have made some attempt to get a bit of romance in there somewhere as opposed to making the lead character seem like a slapper. I didn’t even find the bits that were supposed to be funny, funny at all! They made me cringe.
Maybe I was expecting a different style of book .. more of a love story with a strong female lead who had made some mistakes but who had turned her life around. This wasn’t that …
Very disappointed and probably scarred for life
Now I’m no prude but I found parts of this book disgusting and crude. Surely the author could have made some attempt to get a bit of romance in there somewhere as opposed to making the lead character seem like a slapper. I didn’t even find the bits that were supposed to be funny, funny at all! They made me cringe.
Maybe I was expecting a different style of book .. more of a love story with a strong female lead who had made some mistakes but who had turned her life around. This wasn’t that …
Very disappointed and probably scarred for life
January 29, 2023
One day, when we were at the store, my friend and I decided to do a buddy reading. We picked a random romance based on the cover and the back; we didn't even go to goodreads.
Well, clearly, it was a mistake.
My friend DNF’d it right at the beginning, but I pushed it through! And let me tell you, it was so bad. I couldn't stop laughing or cringing, because the book was so stupid and ridiculous.
And only at the end did I discover that this was the second book LMAO!!!!!!
Right, let's get back to the review.
First of all, this looked like it was written by a young teenage girl, who doesn't really know how intercourse happens. Not to mention, they didn't even use condoms....... or lube in one scene.
Secondly, I seriously don't care if she dates a lot of men. But the way it was described, that looked like it was written by a man, a very toxic man. Not a woman.
Thirdly, the characters. Man... Zara is a very patronizing person. AND HER HYGIENE, and her behaviour... I couldn't give a shit about her. Her comments about other people, and the whinning all the time about her body.
Even her friends are shit, especially Ashley (wtf girl, if you have a problem with your bf go talk to thim!). And at the end, with Tom.... WTF WERE YOU EXPECTING ZARA!??!?!?!
Fourth, the title.
Fifth, the only thing I liked was the Glaswegian patter. That's all.
Well, clearly, it was a mistake.
My friend DNF’d it right at the beginning, but I pushed it through! And let me tell you, it was so bad. I couldn't stop laughing or cringing, because the book was so stupid and ridiculous.
And only at the end did I discover that this was the second book LMAO!!!!!!
Right, let's get back to the review.
First of all, this looked like it was written by a young teenage girl, who doesn't really know how intercourse happens. Not to mention, they didn't even use condoms....... or lube in one scene.
Secondly, I seriously don't care if she dates a lot of men. But the way it was described, that looked like it was written by a man, a very toxic man. Not a woman.
Thirdly, the characters. Man... Zara is a very patronizing person. AND HER HYGIENE, and her behaviour... I couldn't give a shit about her. Her comments about other people, and the whinning all the time about her body.
Even her friends are shit, especially Ashley (wtf girl, if you have a problem with your bf go talk to thim!). And at the end, with Tom.... WTF WERE YOU EXPECTING ZARA!??!?!?!
Fourth, the title.
Fifth, the only thing I liked was the Glaswegian patter. That's all.
July 6, 2023
Loved it. Sophie has become one of my favourite authors :) can’t wait for new one in august.
Read
January 23, 2023I won't rate this book because if I don't have anything nice to say, it's better to not say anything at all.
I cannot, for the life of me, like Zara as a main character and all the side characters seem to feed into it.
Mild spoiler ahead.
The things that finally broke me were how Zara was genuinely mean about the men she was with? The older gent, who I can't remember the name of, was nothing but his white hair.
Then the younger guy was totally aggressive and she could only say that she was so "damp" for him, which is somehow worse than "moist".
And then her friend is upset with her boyfriend because she sent him 10 pictures and he didn't say she looked nice, so she goes and sucks some rando's dick.
What?
Maybe I'm missing something here, this book is not for me.
I just feel like apologizing to my friends since we were doing a buddy read, I can't take it anymore.
I cannot, for the life of me, like Zara as a main character and all the side characters seem to feed into it.
Mild spoiler ahead.
The things that finally broke me were how Zara was genuinely mean about the men she was with? The older gent, who I can't remember the name of, was nothing but his white hair.
Then the younger guy was totally aggressive and she could only say that she was so "damp" for him, which is somehow worse than "moist".
And then her friend is upset with her boyfriend because she sent him 10 pictures and he didn't say she looked nice, so she goes and sucks some rando's dick.
What?
Maybe I'm missing something here, this book is not for me.
I just feel like apologizing to my friends since we were doing a buddy read, I can't take it anymore.
July 27, 2023
Absolute trash
August 8, 2022
Thank you to Orion Publishing and Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I saw the cover and read the title I thought this would be a really fun read. However, as soon as I opened the cover I realised this would not be the case. From the title, I was obviously expecting more of the story to actually be set in Dubai, which is why I picked up the book in the first place, but sadly it wasn't it was set in Glasgow for the most part. I think she spent about 3 days in Dubai.
The main character Zara Smith is totally unlikeable and wants to be a cross between Bridgette Jones and Samantha Jones but it just isn't working. She is immature, selfish and has the personality of a stone.
Unfortunately, this book is not at all what I set out to read, a nice romantic summer read with some hot steamy moments. I don't even know what to call it, there was a lot of sex in it but even that wasn't erotic, most of the scenes were just awful and not even remotely sexy.
Not sure if I could read another book by the authors to be honest because I didn't like the character or the writing style. Not to mention the book title is very misleading.
When I saw the cover and read the title I thought this would be a really fun read. However, as soon as I opened the cover I realised this would not be the case. From the title, I was obviously expecting more of the story to actually be set in Dubai, which is why I picked up the book in the first place, but sadly it wasn't it was set in Glasgow for the most part. I think she spent about 3 days in Dubai.
The main character Zara Smith is totally unlikeable and wants to be a cross between Bridgette Jones and Samantha Jones but it just isn't working. She is immature, selfish and has the personality of a stone.
Unfortunately, this book is not at all what I set out to read, a nice romantic summer read with some hot steamy moments. I don't even know what to call it, there was a lot of sex in it but even that wasn't erotic, most of the scenes were just awful and not even remotely sexy.
Not sure if I could read another book by the authors to be honest because I didn't like the character or the writing style. Not to mention the book title is very misleading.
June 23, 2023
I mean, I feel like most of the other reviewers. Why the title?! This book is just plain cringe. I get that the author may have been trying to make Zara relatable, but why the need to describe everything so dirty?! Why does she never shower or wash her hair? Why have a friend look at her besties arsehole and then describe what the poop looks like? Why say that the vagina is so poorly shaven that it’s bloody? Why does the main character whine so much? What is with her friends? This girl goes through so many men to then end up with her “happily ever after” in just less than half a chapter? Also why never explain what happened between her and Tom? This is just too much… I needed to vent after I finished reading 😅
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2023
As a Glasgow girl, I loved Sophie Gravia’s first book ‘Glasgow Kiss’ but this one didn’t give me the same buzz. I’m not sure if it’s because I live in Dubai and wanted there to be more of that side of it, but I just didn’t feel the story was as good. The humour in her writing gets me every time but I just didn’t have the same buzz finishing this, although I hope Zara has found her happy ending! Some little thing annoyed me like how the flight times between Glasgow and Dubai were not the actual flight times for the airport, stupid I know but made it less realistic for someone reading as a Scot in Dubai. Funny novel but preferred Glasgow Kiss!
September 9, 2023
If I could give this book negative stars I would.
DNF at 50 pages (after reading book one and also giving 1⭐️)
The fat phobic, self hatred NEEDS TO STOP. Every page there’s some comment about the FMC’s weight, and it being first person she is constantly talking down on herself about it. Book 1 had enough for the whole series. She is described in book 1 as being a size 12, then spend the whole book calling herself monstrous and disgusting. Then in book 2, the narrative is that it’s so foul and she can’t believe she fits in men’s clothes. How is this even a comparison? She’s supposed to be 29 and she’s going on and on about wearing a men’s shirt? As if that means anything - surprise men can be a size XS too!? So the comparison of her being “big enough to fit in men’s clothes” is irrelevant.
Don’t get me started in when the FMC then has the audacity to say she doesn’t do pudgy guys. No soft bits on the men she wants to sleep with. What a hypocrite!? I won’t be finishing the series and these books will be immediately removed from my shelves.
DNF at 50 pages (after reading book one and also giving 1⭐️)
The fat phobic, self hatred NEEDS TO STOP. Every page there’s some comment about the FMC’s weight, and it being first person she is constantly talking down on herself about it. Book 1 had enough for the whole series. She is described in book 1 as being a size 12, then spend the whole book calling herself monstrous and disgusting. Then in book 2, the narrative is that it’s so foul and she can’t believe she fits in men’s clothes. How is this even a comparison? She’s supposed to be 29 and she’s going on and on about wearing a men’s shirt? As if that means anything - surprise men can be a size XS too!? So the comparison of her being “big enough to fit in men’s clothes” is irrelevant.
Don’t get me started in when the FMC then has the audacity to say she doesn’t do pudgy guys. No soft bits on the men she wants to sleep with. What a hypocrite!? I won’t be finishing the series and these books will be immediately removed from my shelves.
March 31, 2023
Advertised as "unputdownable". Give me a break. I put it down after chapter 3. I am 60 years old. The mockery at the expense of a 55-year-old man, the disgust the woman feels at the sight of his white pubes, the relentless jokery about "old enough to be your dad" (the MC knew his age when she agreed to the tinder date) and "don't break a hip" are enough for me to say: My life expectancy is definitely too short for this crap. There is some attempt at empathy but casual humour at the expense of age? No thanks. I would say I will await Gravia's writing improving as she herself turns 55 but who knows where or if I'll be then. She will look back on her youthful novel and be wiser.
September 6, 2023
This book is a turd in all the ways a book can be. In fact, I'm suspicious that anyone who reviews it otherwise is being paid by the publishers.
I'm not even going to bother with a synopsis, and why should I, since the author couldn't be arsed to give us a plot of any substance. The main character is a dickhead and her pals ain't much better. They setting of Dubai is short lived and really who the fuck cares because these people and situations are so horrendous, They could have been space shuttled to Mars by Jeff Bezos and I wouldn't have given a hoot.
Come on Sophie, let's do better.
I'm not even going to bother with a synopsis, and why should I, since the author couldn't be arsed to give us a plot of any substance. The main character is a dickhead and her pals ain't much better. They setting of Dubai is short lived and really who the fuck cares because these people and situations are so horrendous, They could have been space shuttled to Mars by Jeff Bezos and I wouldn't have given a hoot.
Come on Sophie, let's do better.
August 17, 2025
An easy, hilarious, fast paced read. Loved ‘A Glasgow Kiss’ and loved this too! Sophia Gravia is brilliant and so wide. The Scottish patter makes it 10x funnier. Definitely a holiday read I would say. Looking forward to reading ‘Meet Me in Milan’.
February 22, 2023
Loved this book so so good and such a good story and easy to follow along. Plenty of 🌶️ too defo recommend it x
July 21, 2025
Probably more 3.5* but rounded up because I did read it in one sitting and enjoyed it a lot more than the first one. So cringy, so cliché, so predictable but also quite funny and I did end up rooting for everyone to end up happy
September 10, 2022
Release Date: August 18, 2022
📖
This book was very close to the worst thing I’ve attempted to read (the worst being 50 shades in which I only made it through a few chapters). The writing is bad and the characters are flat. Skip skip skip my Lou away from this one.
📖
This book was very close to the worst thing I’ve attempted to read (the worst being 50 shades in which I only made it through a few chapters). The writing is bad and the characters are flat. Skip skip skip my Lou away from this one.
February 19, 2023
It was an enjoyable, easy to read rom-com. I felt there wasn't enough of a hook to keep me interested. Think this would be better suited for a light, holiday read. I did enjoy how up to date and based in real time it was, as I usually read history or fantasy books based in other realities.
January 11, 2023
I read this for work.... it's insane, but not in a good way. Do not recommend unless you want to cringe (the sex scenes make me want to never have sex again)
February 29, 2024
would give 0 if i could. worst writing i've ever read, wattpad in 2013 produced better written stories
January 23, 2025
1 word- hellish
Hands down the worst book I’ve ever read in my life and the only reason I finished it was because I was on a 7 hour flight and it’s all I had
Hands down the worst book I’ve ever read in my life and the only reason I finished it was because I was on a 7 hour flight and it’s all I had
July 16, 2022
What Happens in Dubai by Sophie Gravia was a bit of a letdown for me as I was expecting more of the story to actually be set in Dubai, which is honestly what drew me to this book. Further, I did not relate to protagonist Zara, and felt that much of the narrative was over the top raunchy, insubstantial, and downright shallow. On the plus side, I did enjoy a few laugh out loud moments, mostly down to the outrageousness of Zara's antics, and just genuine shock at what I was reading. While I consider myself to be very openminded, my jaw did drop several times, and I would caution more conservative readers to proceed with caution.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for an ARC.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for an ARC.
August 31, 2022
Adored this book! Really enjoyable to read something where you’re familiar with the places mentioned and the language used - not many books I’ve read with proper Glaswegian patter!! The FMC Zara is hilarious and this is the only book I’ve read (other than Sophie’s other novel A Glasgow Kiss) where I have literally laughed out loud 😂
July 5, 2023
I love this series!! Zara is crazy and totally hilarious. The way Sophie writes her books is as if you’re friends with Zara and Zara is telling you all about her adventures. No detail left hidden and always left laughing reading these books. Can’t wait for meet me in Milan
August 16, 2022
I absolutely adored this book and authors writing. The best sequel to A Glasgow Kiss I could have hoped for. I laughed all the way through. Please please give us another!!!
September 12, 2022
I didn't even realise this was the second book in a series until I read the Acknowledgements and More From This Author section at the back of the book.
August 6, 2023
Absolutely hilarious!! Love that even tho Zara has some major character development she’s still an absolute crease!! Just love love love
February 5, 2024
I actually SCREAMED at one point. I felt every emotion. I love Zara, her life is chaotic and it’s so comforting hahaha.
10/10 can’t wait to read the next one
10/10 can’t wait to read the next one
February 17, 2024
Needed a fast book to get me out my slump. This supplied the goods 😂 so filthy
March 13, 2024
Such a good read perfect for holiday loved it got me from the bottom word go
Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews