The Spa Break by Hannah Doyle

1 month ago 14

My grateful thanks to Georgia Hester for sending me a surprise copy of The Spa Break by Hannah Doyle. There’s nothing I need more right now so it’s my pleasure to share my review of The Spa Break today. 

Published by HQ on 22nd May 2025, The Spa Break is available for purchase through the links here

The Spa Break

A week-long spa break is just what Jess needs. She’s going to be there with her best friends, Stella and Em. And the spa is so high-end it has an ethos about cleansing the mind and soul.

The laughter, gourmet food and cocktails are what every twenty-something needs. And then there’s the beautiful man she spots in the pool on the first day. A perfect addition to her week.

Until Jess finds out that he’s someone from her past. Someone she really should have recognized. Someone she should not find attractive. And that’s when things start getting a little confusing…

My Review of The Spa Break

Jess is meeting old friends Stella and Em for a week’s break celebrating the soft launch of a brand new, upmarket spa. 

If you’re looking for Dickensian style literary fiction, The Spa Break is probably not for you. If, however, you want a simply fabulous read that is laugh aloud funny and brilliant entertainment, then The Spa Break is simply perfect. I loved it.

Firstly, the setting is glorious. An upmarket spa hotel in Northumberland with gorgeous surroundings, sumptuous food and activities to suit every preference is just wonderful. Hannah Doyle had me wanting to pack my bags immediately because she described her setting so effectively. 

The three friends, Jessica, Emerald and Stella, have an enviable friendship and the dynamics between them lead to some hilarious moments. Each is very different from the other two so that their personalities balance beautifully. It is, however, Jess whom we get to know most intimately as the narrative is told through her first person voice. I thought the way she developed over the course of the story illustrated beautifully how making the most of life and being true to ourselves is a key to happiness. It’s impossible not to love her from the very beginning of The Spa Break.  

Indeed, whilst it is a funny romcom, The Spa Break is also filled with themes that resonate with the reader. Friendship, employment, loyalty, trust, family and self-worth are all explored with an authoritative lightness of touch this super narrative.

I absolutely adored the plot. Basically it is a ‘will they, won’t they’ story of the developing attraction between Jess and Stella’s younger brother Luke. The sexual chemistry and tension between them is brilliantly depicted as it isn’t explicit, but rather is built up through sometimes humorous, sometimes intense and sometimes emotionally vulnerable situations. This means that it feels authentic and convincing. The story races along and feels wonderfully escapist, hugely enjoyable and extremely entertaining. 

I finished The Spa Break feeling happy, uplifted and as if I’d had my own break from the cares of life. It’s such a funny, appealing and engaging story that I thought it was terrific. Don’t miss this one.

About Hannah Doyle

Former Hearst magazine celebrity journalist Hannah Doyle is the bestselling author of The Pick Up, The A To Z Of Us, The Year Of Saying Yes and Just My Type. The  Spa Break is her fifth novel.

For further information, find Hannah on Instagram, Twitter/X @byhannahdoyle and Facebook.

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