The Perfect Holiday

by Cathy Kelly

The Perfect Holiday (Quick Reads (Harper))

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Audiobook, Short Stories, Contemporary, Novella, Womens Fiction

87 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Born in Belfast but raised in Dublin, Cathy initially worked for thirteen years as a newspaper journalist with a national Irish Sunday newspaper, where she worked in news, features, along with spending time as an agony aunt and the paper’s film critic. However, her overwhelming love was always fiction and she published her first international bestseller, Woman To Woman, in 1997. She did not become a full-time writer until she had written another two books (She’s The One and Never Too Late) and finally decided to leave the world of journalism in 2001, moving to HarperCollins Publishers at the same time.

Someone Like You and What She Wants followed in successive years. Her sixth novel, Just Between Us, was her first Sunday Times number one bestseller, while her eighth novel, Always and Forever, topped the UK bestseller lists in October 2005, displacing Dan Brown and J. K. Rowling. In 2007, Past Secrets in was also a number one paperback bestseller.

Lessons in Heartbreak was shortlisted for the Eason Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards in April 2009. In September 2009, Once in a Lifetime topped the UK bestseller lists for three weeks. In March 2011, Homecoming achieved the same feat. Her latest novel is It Started With Paris, published by Orion in 2014.

In Autumn 2011, Cathy headlined a search for a new writer on ITV’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show.

Cathy’s trademark is warm story-telling and she consistently tops the bestseller lists around the world with books which deal with themes ranging from relationships and marriage to depression and loss, but always with an uplifting message and strong female characters at the heart.

Cathy also has a passionate interest in children’s rights and is an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. Her role for UNICEF is a Global Parent, which means raising funds and awareness for children orphaned by or living with HIV/AIDs.

She lives with her husband, John, their twin sons, Dylan and Murray, and their three dogs in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.

To contact Cathy email info@cathykelly.com

Reviews

[Erica⭐ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is based around five people all very different from each other.
There is Jessica, who is a widow and this holiday is her chance to start to heal from the tragedy and to help her move on with her life.

Anthony and Claire are married but their marriage isn’t all that it seems. Their holiday is to help repair all the damage that has effected them and their marriage, but it the holiday enough?

Susie and Chloe are two best friends on holiday before Susie gets married, will she still be walking down the aisle after this holiday after her affair? Only time will tell.

All of these people problems will take a surprising turn once they get on the plane to head home, but will it be for the better, worse or completely different entirely.

[Sivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really did enjoy this book but im only giving it three stars because i was so disappointed at how short it was!! Light, easy read about 3 different sets of people (2 friends, a couple and a recently widowed woman) who go to a Greek island to discover the truth about love and find their happy ending.

[Ella Callagher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read this book as a stop gap whilst I'm waiting for some other books to be delivered. There's not much to say to be honest, I feel like CK could have made a novel out of the characters as the stories were quite interesting but it was okay for a short read.

[Cassandra Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

despite some of the reviews saying it was too short. it was fine for me. I liked the beginning chapters that gave you an in sight to the characters. then I liked the last two chapters of the book as it brought all the characters together for the perfect ending!

[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Holiday by Cathy Kelly

Blurb

Sometimes all we need is a relaxing holiday in the sun. For Anthony and Carole, a week in a lovely Greek hotel has helped them mend the cracks in their marriage. For widowed Jessica, it’s the longest she’s ever gone without visiting her beloved husband’s grave. However when the flight doesn’t go according to plan, they are each forced to face up to the very things they have been avoiding for so long. By the time they land, they have learnt important life lessons about themselves and each other which change them forever.

My Opinion

At less than 100 pages this was a fun, quick read. An enjoyable read.

Rating 4/5

[Shahrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting quick snap shot look at the lives, relationships and complications of a small cross section of society, on holiday. It didn’t all end how I thought would either. Impressed with how much story was packed into such a small book.

[Lisa Baillie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no idea what this book was meant to be about. For a short story there were to many characters. Lost count of who was who. I imagined it to be about people on holiday but it skimmed that to coming home and I feel lost. There was nothing to the book. Rather odd ending also. Not for me at all

[Chrisoula Panagoulia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book but too short!
Why don't you write 3 more books/novels of those people? One for each one...

Anyway, keep up the good work. And don't forget that there is 'One more smile...' waiting for you to make your day.

[Shanice Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by Cathy Kelly and probably won't be the last. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Easy to read with an easy to follow story. I agree with the other readers by saying this should have been a longer book.

[Miss Di · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not lift my heart as stated on cover. The title is just misleading.

[Georgina Abbotts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read some of Cathy's novels and loved her style of writing this is the first quick read by Cathy I have read I really enjoyed this book it was heartwarming and about people going through different problems in lives but also how they can all face a problem and come together to support each other weather people know each other or have just met.i enjoyed how Cathy gave all the characters the problem on the plane where they hit turbulence and how the characters were reassuring each other and supporting each other.i adored this book

[Mabearbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and quick read from a very talented storyteller that will definitely warm your heart. Vathy Kelly knows just how to deliver a poignant message in just a few short chapters. The old adage that " life is too short" was one of the main messages within this short but uplifting book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would have loved to see how the characters got on with their lives after their life altering experience, so of course I wished this book was longer. A Cathy Kelly read is definitely good for your soul!!

[sonataiscool · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! so heart warming <3 at first i was a little confused with the pov switch but i really liked all of the characters and it was amazingly written! the fact that all these people were living such different lives while being in the same hotel together and having one big shared experience that helped them understand themselves more was undeniably clever!! My favourite character was Jessica and her Mars bars ;D

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A life-affirming novellette ...

This was a wonderful quick read that made me think about what it means to live and how sometimes one event can alter a perspective on what is meaningful and important in life.

I loved all the characters and liked how all their stories came together on the flight home.

I enjoyed this story and I some ways wish it could of been a longer novel or s follow on novel written based on some of the characters.

[Henriette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This quick read was okay, my main problem was with it being a quick read the focus on 5 very different characters was just too much. I would have preferred it if it had mainly just been about 2 people or so when it is a quick read.

The style and everything was typical Cathy Kelly so no complaints there.

[IrishFan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize I could buy this one, thought it was a kindle only, but found it on Thriftbooks.com. Nice little short story from Cathy Kelly. We have 3 different sets of characters and we see what happens when they think their lives might be over on a turbulent airplane ride home. I am sad that I only have about 5 more books by her before I've read them all...

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. We follow a couple & their children, a widow & 2 friends, on holiday in Corfu. All are there for different reasons, then when the flight home doesn't go to plan, their lifes change. Recommended reading

[irene miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greek tragedy

Tragedy i is it was too short!! Definitely a very quick read. Loved story but not good value for money.

[Plum-crazy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick & easy read which I found okay until the ending which I found poor. Short book = short review.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a while to get into this book but once I got into it I enjoyed it. A good read but sometimes a little waffly

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, quick, and had lots of variation in characters which kept it interesting

[Leonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of Kathy Kelly's work and this short story is just as perfect. It's a nice light read wrapped up well and easy to get into.

[Amanda Booth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t realise it was a novella on the library app. Very short character development, I felt unfulfilled.

[Martene Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love 💓 this author, will certainly be reading more of her books. The book itself was just a lovely laid back book 📖 an easy read 👍

[Marleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately, the narrator named Aoife McMahon is so dull and monotonous, I would bet money many of a reader has felt asleep while listening to this audio version. Although this short story presents us with family issues, we all can relate to (I think), the narration makes it so impersonal, so gruelingly tedious, it's impossible to empathize.

[jennie hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect!

I love all of her books but this is the first short story I've read by her. It's just as good as her novels and easier to read when you're short of time.

[Sara Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read easily knocked off. Follows Cathy's general character types.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the read. All about lessons in life. A very short story.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novella with a couple of parallel stories.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet little book