A review by haxxunne
The Spa Break by Hannah Doyle

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.5

Sweet and innocent fun

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Ignore the cover that makes it look like the Med or SoCal, this is set on the Northumberland coast at a brand new spa. Jess hasn’t seen her BFFs Stella and Em in ages so she leaps at the opportunity to spend an all-expenses but discounted week at a spa hotel. Her ex is still in her flat after breaking up two months ago, she’s just been leapfrogged at work, and her parents have just left for a year to travel the world. Then the instant Jess sits down at the pool with a well needed cocktail, she clocks a gorgeous hunk of humanity swimming towards her who doesn’t avoid her eyes. Will Jess be able to keep her mind on her friends when temptation is only a spa appointment away?

Without giving the game away, there are complications between Jess and hunka hunka burning love, as well as rivals, sports injuries and hush hush VIP guests. More com than rom, this is pretty much a script ripe for streaming adaptation, which is no bad thing. It simply breezes by, filled with loving friendships, wish fulfilment and romance, with some brilliantly weird characters of whom I would love to see more (Dita, I’m looking at you).