Product Description

Torn between struggling to live up to the expectations of being a Modern Woman and ridding herself of the effect of a repressed upbringing, Izzy Jordan would be the first to admit that it's time to take stock of her life. She's 31 with a teaching career on the skids - not surprising really, given that she harbours a strong desire to lock her pupils in the art room cupboard and throw away the key. She also has a manipulative mother and an ex-boyfriend whose parting shot was to tell her she was boring in bed! So when she's invited to spend the summer on Corfu and is offered the chance of a no-strings holiday romance with the irresistible Theo, what should she do? Go for it, or listen to the voice of Modern Woman and tell him to sling his hook? Just as she thinks she's made up her mind, along comes Mark, whose turbulent past sets in motion a series of dramatic events that will bring near-tragedy, profound change and, finally, happiness for Izzy.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30993 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 528 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Pretty art teacher Izzy Jordan is recovering from a b-a-d relationship, so when friends Max and Laura (they of the 21-year-old perfect marriage), invite her to spend the summer at their beautiful villa in Corfu, she jumps at the chance. Also heading out from England is ex-alcohol and substance abuser, now successful crime writer, Mark St James. Apart from plans to finish his latest best-seller, top of his summer-time agenda is to escape the clutches of a stalker who may, or may not, be threatening to kill him.

Mark is staying at the villa next door, with unlikely best friend Theo, whose legendary romantic serialising is causing Laura a few worries for her bruised and fragile friend. Then, in a moment of inspiration, Laura wonders if a light-hearted holiday romance might not be the very thing to help boost Izzy's self-confidence. The question is whether Izzy will fall for the conveniently available, neighbourly Adonis.

The Holiday is Erica James' sixth novel in five years. Having won the WH Smith Fresh Talent promotion in 1996, she has since been short-listed twice for the Romantic Novel of the Year Award. What sets this novel apart is its easy blend of romance and humour with a darker, more dramatic under-belly. While the sun shines and the sea sparkles on this magical Greek isle, a series of unforeseen events could herald tragedy for all.

The Holiday is an easy-to-read, entertaining book. While its predictability and some less-than-convincing side-plots mean it fall short of being the perfect novel, the characters feel real and the plot is fast-paced enough to keep your attention to the very last line, which is perfect enough for an action-packed holiday read. --Carey Green

About the Author
Erica James grew up in Hampshire and has since lived in Oxford, Yorkshire and Belgium. She now lives in Cheshire. All of Erica's recent novels have been Sunday Times bestsellers.

Customer Reviews

Loved it
I struggled to begin with with this novel, it's not the usual book I read, and at first I found the characters unbelievable and all overly formal with one another. However, as the story progressed I became more and more engrossed in it. Towards the end I couldn't put it down and grew to really care about the characters, as they became so much more believable. The book has several different sub-plots which keep the reader's interest. Generally a great read which I would recommend to anyone. Don't be put off by the slow and slightly boring beginning.

Brilliant!
This was the first Erica James novel I've read and the book was stashed on a shelf for a long time before i read it - what a great book!! I read it while on holiday, lying in the sun, which only added to my enjoyment of it! I couldn't put it down and by the last page I'd decided that corfu was my next holiday destination!!

As brilliant as the rest of her books.
This book takes you to the Sun, sand and sea. It keeps you glued to the book. Total escapism. Erica James humour, and the way she tells a down to earth story are all present in this book. I thouroughly recommed it. I already have her next book on order.