The best vacation reads about love and friendship

Victoria Browne Author Of Gut Feeling
By Victoria Browne

Who am I?

Romance and chick-lit books hooked me as a young adult. It was this genre that inspired me to write. Since publishing my first book Gut Feeling in 2012 I’ve since written three chick-lit novels and a holiday rom-com screenplay. The fiction world of perfectly unperfect romance never fails.   


I wrote...

Gut Feeling

By Victoria Browne,

Book cover of Gut Feeling

What is my book about?

Ashleigh Lands has given up the chance for a new life in America with her family to stay in London with her boyfriend, Lee Preston. When Lee cheats on her and quickly becomes an ex-boyfriend, Ashleigh loses herself in work and alcohol. Five months later, she’s ready for change and decides to reach for a new, empowered self.

When window glazier Dave Croft shows up for a job where Ashleigh works, the two hit it off immediately. Lee has been harassing her to get her back, but the more she falls for Dave, the more she leaves Lee in her past. Reports of an encounter Dave had while she's on a trip in Ibiza makes her question his integrity—and her life choices. Can she trust her gut feeling?

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The books I picked & why

The Lucky Dress

By Aimee Brown,

Book cover of The Lucky Dress

Why this book?

I enjoy a book that is easy to read and makes me laugh. The Lucky Dress is a story most of us can relate to, with heartache and triumphs. We see the main character deal with a no-good ex and follow her life where we meet her friends and family. She grows as a woman, though not without some bumps along the way.

The Lucky Dress

By Aimee Brown,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Lucky Dress as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

We all have our lucky dress… Emi Harrison hasn’t been feeling particularly lucky lately. Ever since her ex-fiancée, Jack Cabot, successfully shattered her heart into a million pieces. She’s managed to avoid him for a whole year, but all that’s about to change at her brother Evan’s wedding… She will have to face Jack, Jack’s sister, Jack’s parents, and Jack’s new girlfriend: a mean girl that just won’t quit. What could possibly go wrong? With her lucky dress on, all bets are off, and maybe Emi will find her happily-ever-after at last? Can this dream team thwart Edward Pennington’s plans…


Birdsong

By Sebastian Faulks,

Book cover of Birdsong

Why this book?

This is the most touching love story I have ever read. I do not tend to read period dramas, and so I was hesitant to read a book set during the first world war. However, this book had me in tears so many times. I read this book over ten years ago, yet it is still my favorite love story of all time to date. Beautiful, just beautiful.

Birdsong

By Sebastian Faulks,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Birdsong as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Set before and during the Great War, Birdsong captures the drama of that era on both a national and a personal scale. It is the story of Stephen, a young Englishman, who arrives in Amiens in 1910. His life goes through a series of traumatic experiences, from the clandestine love affair that tears apart the family with whom he lives, to the unprecedented experience of the war itself.


Sun, Sea and Sangria

By Victoria Cooke,

Book cover of Sun, Sea and Sangria

Why this book?

An easy vacation read is my go-to, so this book was perfect. I also read this during lockdown, when a vacation was only a fantasy anyway. It will not disappoint, the sun is real, the life is real and the need for love is compelling. Kat is a cute character I can relate to because I also moved to a country where it is summer all year round, but the sun doesn’t take your worries away.  

Sun, Sea and Sangria

By Victoria Cooke,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Sun, Sea and Sangria as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This has been the PERFECT escapist read. Lockdown has definitely been made better with this utter gem of a book.' - 5 stars, Netgalley reviewer

Kat swore off dating many years ago, after her marriage ended in a catastrophic mess. Having moved to the Canary Islands for a fresh start, she has never had much time for romance, channelling all her energy into managing an all-male dance troupe - the Heavenly Hunks.

With golden beaches, sparkling blue water and relaxing after work with a glass of sangria - or three - for Kat, it's summer all year round.

But despite…


Can You Keep a Secret?

By Sophie Kinsella,

Book cover of Can You Keep a Secret?

Why this book?

This was the book that inspired me to write chick lit and romance novels. After reading Can You Keep a Secret?, I went on to read every book Kinsella wrote. Timeless. But there’s something about this one that is special. A touch of excitement us romance readers love when a bigshot highflyer falls in love with the normal girl on the street. Classic.

Can You Keep a Secret?

By Sophie Kinsella,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Can You Keep a Secret? as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The hilarious romantic comedy from NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR Sophie Kinsella . . . soon to be a major motion picture!

Emma is like every girl in the world. She has a few little secrets.

Secrets from her mother:
1. I lost my virginity in the spare bedroom to Danny Nussbaum while Mum and Dad were downstairs watching TV.

... From her boyfriend:
2. I'm a size twelve. Not a size eight, like Connor thinks.
3. I've always thought Connor looks a bit like Ken. As in Barbie and Ken.

... From her colleagues:
4. When Artemis really annoys me…


Book cover of The Midwife Crisis: Following Labour you meet the love of you're life...but who could predict the fate of the midwife?

Why this book?

If you’re looking for a fresh and funny take on romance then, The Midwife Crisis is the book for you. Written in my family’s hometown of Galway, in Island, not only could I relate to this author's story, but it was a new take on a normal love genre.

The Midwife Crisis: Following Labour you meet the love of you're life...but who could predict the fate of the midwife?

By Lyndsey Gallagher,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Midwife Crisis as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

★★★★★ A love story that pulls on your heart strings

★★★★★ A beautiful read

★★★★★ A stunning read worthy of five thousand stars

As a midwife, nothing shocks Orla Broder. She's seen it all; from fainting to forceps, epidurals to epiphanies, tears to triumphs.

Miles from her Galway home, immersed in the magic and madness of an Edinburgh labour ward, not to mention the wild hospital nights out, Orla had never given much thought to her own happy ever after....

That is until an unexpected financial contractor arrives at the hospital ruffling feathers, including her own. To complicate things further,…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in romantic love, France, and midwives?

8,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about romantic love, France, and midwives.

Romantic Love Explore 589 books about romantic love
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And, 3 books we think you will enjoy!

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