Review: My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey
2021 brought me one of the greatest joys of my life: Tessa Bailey. She has continued to deliver in 2022 and I am now VERY obsessed with her latest release, My Killer Vacation. When we interviewed Tessa back in December on Read It Or List It, she gave us a brief synopsis of it and it immediately moved up on my anticipated release list. Y’all, this book is so freaking FUN. If you enjoyed the Finlay Donovan books by Elle Cosimano and are invested in the Finlay/Nick/Julian situations, leading you to want more spice, you will love this book.
We’ve got a grumpy bounty hunter and a curious second grade teacher set in idyllic Cape Cod on the beach. There’s a murder, an investigation, banter, and a hot summer romance.
Synopsis:
“It was supposed to be a relaxing vacation in sweet, sunny Cape Cod-just me and my beloved brother-but discovering a corpse in our rental house really throws a wrench into our tanning schedule. Now a rude, crude bounty hunter has arrived on the back of his motorcycle to catch the killer and refuses to believe I can be helpful, despite countless hours of true crime podcast listening. Not to mention a fulfilling teaching career of wrangling second graders.
A brash bounty hunter and an energetic elementary schoolteacher: the murder-solving team no one asked for, but thanks to these pesky attempts on my life, we're stuck together, come hell or high tide.
I'm just here to do a job, not babysit an amateur sleuth. Although...it is becoming less and less of a hardship to have her around. Sure, she's stubborn, distracting and can't stay out of harm's way. She's also brave and beautiful and reminds me of the home I left behind three years ago. In other words, the insatiable hunger and protectiveness she is waking up in me is a threat to my peace of mind. Before I sink any deeper into this dangerous attraction, I need to solve this murder and get back on the road.
But will fate take her from me before I realize the road has been leading to her all along?”—Amazon
What I Liked:
The Setting—I’m a sucker for a New England beach town. This was even better because I know the Cape pretty well! And it’s where Ashley is from so we had a great time discussing it.
The Vibes—It’s just pure summer beach read bliss. It’s fun, it doesn’t take itself too seriously, and you’ll fall in love with sibling relationship between Taylor and Jude and the slow but not too slow burn between Taylor and Myles
Taylor and Myles—One trope I can’t stand is Insta Love. But give me Insta-Attraction and I am sold. Tessa Bailey handles Insta Attraction SO well. We know the characters want to bone but aren’t giving into their feels just yet. But then when the feels bubble to the surface…ugh, she just does it so well!
All the Spice from Myles POV—I haven’t read a romance where all the spice was from the male MC’s POV and gotta say…it was fun. I love how Tessa writes men who aren’t afraid to communicate. Consent is sexy, y’all and wow does Myles deliver on that front.
What Didn’t Work:
Tessa Bailey writes pure Romance, so if you’re not ready to go all in and suspend some disbelief, I don’t think you’ll enjoy this book. But if you’re ready to escape and have a good time, you will ADORE IT.
If it isn’t clear, I loved this book and it totally worked for me, i’m just putting this disclaimer here for anyone who needs it. To Queen Tessa Bailey, long may she reign.
Character Authenticity: 4/5 Steam Rating: 3.5/5 Overall Rating: 4.75/5
Content Warnings:
Murder, gun violence (minor)