Winter Break: A Novel

by Kayla Perrin

Kayla Perrin, the Essence bestselling author of romantic suspense explores a cruise vacation gone wrong in her thriller, Winter Break .

I knew it wasn't true. It couldn't be. . . . And yet, I couldn't help staring at him, wondering. However fleeting, there was the slightest hint of doubt in my mind.

Didi Randall doesn't think her life can get much worse than public humiliation when her boyfriend is the subject of a vicious rumor on campus. Despite their four-year relationship, the rumor puts a wedge between her and Drake, but Didi is hopeful that they can reconnect on the winter break cruise. She, Drake, and a handful of Lan-U students will be sailing the high seas of the Caribbean just before the start of the New Year and new semester.

The cruise turns out to anything but happy and carefree when ugly secrets and grudges between friends are revealed. But Didi's troubles go beyond simple public humiliation when she wakes up on deck early in the morning, disoriented, and then learns that Drake is missing. It quickly becomes clear that he must have gone overboard. But was it an accident―or was it murder?

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

310 pages, Paperback

First published December 22, 2010

Reviews

[Tracy Darity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winter Break by Kayla Perrin was an enjoyable read. Although I was a little detached from it the initial few times that I attempted to read the book, a nice spring day found me picking the book up and giving it another try. I was finally able to get into the story and didn’t want to put it down.

Didi Randall, college student turned sleuth detective, has her world turned upside down when a vicious rumor involving her long-time boyfriend, Drake. The rumor brings a wedge between the two and threatens their long planned winter break cruise to the Caribbean. Coupled with her disdain for her boyfriend’s housemates, and a deep rooted secret shared between the two, the plot is set. On the cruise Didi’s relationship with her two closest friends is tested when they are both seen with the person who is the center of the rumors involving her now missing boyfriend. Suspicions begin to mount and Didi is unsure who she can trust, if anyone.

Perrin creates enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing as to who is behind the awful things happening to Lancaster University students. So much so that at times, even the main character seemed confused and grasping at straws. Although not totally believable at times, for instance, how several kids from Oakland, California, ended up at the same university on the other side of the country, the writing was solid.

I could actually see this novel finding its way into the line-up of the Lifetime Movie Network. It had all the qualifying qualities, all the way down to the heroine who goes against her better judgment and opens the door, turns down the dark narrow walkway, reveals too much information to the wrong people, and so on.

With Spring Break in full swing around the country and summer on the way; if you are looking for a fast paced, girl-mystery, for a getaway weekend, or just to relax and unwind, I recommend Winter Break as the book you toss in your bag to read in those rare, free moments.

Much Love,


Tracy

Tracy L. Darity is the author of He Loves Me He Loves Me Not! and Love...Like Snow In Florida On A Hot Summer Day. For more information visit www.TracyLDarity.com.

[Maggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Great story concept but very simplistic writing. Not much character development or depth. Decent beach read for my long weekend but I won't be seeking out more titles from this author.

[Michol Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Winter Break. The story had many twists and turns that kept me playing detective. Who knew a cruise full of college kids could be so full of darkness?

[Hugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four friends embarking on a week fun filled cruise turned into nightmares.

[Abyssinia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was interested to see how this thriller would end, but the way victims of SA were treated in the book was trash.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didi loved Drake with her whole heart. She ignored when he cheated, and she believed in him when the rape charge came up. Even though they broke up (in Drake’s mind) Didi tired with all her might to get him back on the winter break cruise. Who will lose their life to prove a point? Friends become enemies, enemies become confidants, and strangers might be murderers…the notes keep saying don’t trust anyone.

This is a well crafted story of revenge. The suspense and intense characters keep you riveted to the storyline. You won't realize the real bad person until the very end. Well done.

[Racquel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a simple easy read. Nothing to get excited about. It was more so of a drama filled book you'd read in high school. I feel like it was a little too basic for a mystery book. Not enough emphasis and description surrounding the mystery. The story had a good backbone but it just needed to be dressed up some more and be a little more believable. Although, I must say that I was still holding out hope for one of the characters in the end. smh...

[Nattie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable fast paced read. I pretty much love any book about someone going missing on a cruise ship, it turns out. This one is about college students. Some of the characters were pretty annoying and the writing style was a bit on the amateurish side of things. I would still say this is a good book because you can't wait to find out what happend. There was one character, Seth, that I wish had not been written.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

YA. I love the way Perrin writes. It’s for young adults so everything moves super fast. This is about college students, love and murder. Most of the story takes place on a cruise ship. I zoomed right through this book and am looking for other books by this author.

[Libby Waterford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twisty suspense mystery for the college set. Kept me turning pages, even though I didn't find the main character particularly likable until about three quarters of the way through the book. Interested to read more by this author!

[Tiffanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad story line just disappointed that it never said if they found drakes remains even though she admitted to killing him and what not he could have survived the fall into the ocean. It also never said that she was charged with anything.

[Phano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good, some suspense overall I'll read it again

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not one that held my attention enough to get through very many pages.

[Mandie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book fell outside the box of books I normally would read. Lots of college indiscretions, mystery, deception and murders. It was a great vacation book. Fast paced.

[Deedee Henson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always deliver an intriguing and suspenseful storyline

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

IT WAS AN OK READ.