A sabbatical with more gained than expected

Synopsis

Home is where the heart is . . .
 
When Jaelee Tan leaves her high-flying PR job in Miami for a sabbatical in Bali, the last thing she expects is for it to become permanent. But when her boss demands the trip be cut short, Jae does the only thing she can think of and quits on the spot.
 
With two months in Bali, a new group of friends and the gorgeous scenery and beaches, Jae is determined to make the most of her new-found freedom. And when she locks eyes with hunky Scot, Alistair, Jae wonders if she’ll lose her heart to more than just a Balinese sunrise.
 
Escape to Bali in this uplifting novel full of friendship, laughter and romance, perfect for fans of Mandy Baggot, Julie Caplin and Holly Martin.

Join readers everywhere and prepare to fall for the most romantic escape of 2022…

My review

Jaelee Tan decides to take a sabbatical in Bali. She needs to recharge her batteries again, and while she has an important PR job and her boss wasn’t really that ecstatic with Jaelee’s plan, Jaelee embarks on this new, unknown adventure.
Little does she know that this adventure will become an important one, as after just arriving, Jaelee receives a phone call from her boos demanding her return. After everything Jaelee did to get to her destination, she doesn’t want to return to Miami, and just quits her job.
With an unknown future, she now has two months to figure out what her plans will be, but meanwhile she will enjoy the freedom of being in Bali without any obligation.
Jaelee never expected that Bali would give her so much, like wonderful sceneries and beaches, but most important new friends and new ideas for her own future. And then there is a certain Scottish hunk she starts on wrong terms with, but quickly changes into something more and more important… 

If someone is ever looking for an author that will take you away to amazing places, wonderful characters and hopeful prospects, Sandy Barker surely ticks off all those  boxes! 

Before I started this book, I knew I would the characters and the growth that they would go through, but I wasn’t really that sure about the place where this wonderful story took place. Ignorance from my side, I totally know that now! But I have never been to Bali (not even out of Europe, shame on me!) so I didn’t know really what to expect from it!
And reading more about Bali made some of my fears come true (only thinking about driving there!) but most of my fears were replaced by curiosity and a wish to visit the place. Luckily I am  not a big of beer, so I won’t be trying out the Balinese beer! 

But back to the story, because I don’t think you want to know what I like to eat or drink! 

From the start I admired Jaelee, because she just decides to take a sabbatical and going to a place where she doesn’t know anyone or anything! And my admiration only grew when she stands her ground when her boss demands her return. If only I would have the same guts!
But beside that fierce woman, we also get to learn that Jaelee is scared of showing affection or expressing her feelings.
Reading how it still hurt her to see her ex, shows us a more emotional Jaelee. While I liked the fierce Jaelee, I loved the Jaelee trying to  find a way to express her emotions and feelings. 

I found it so entertaining how Jaelee is making new friends in Bali, and even learns that our first impression of people can be wrong. It was wonderful to read that those friendships will stand even if they are living at the other side of the world.

And then the big elephant in the room… a magnificent elephant named Alistair… what starts as a holiday fling, makes Jaelee realize what love could look like and makes her wonder if there is a future in store for them.
While some readers may think it is going all too fast, trust me when I say that Jaelee meeting Alistair and their evolving relationship is just perfection. 

Jaelee shows on several occasions she is maturing, but my love for her expanded when she decides to be there for Alistair when he needs her comfort the most (you’ll know what I mean when you get there). She manages to change an awkward situation for the better and shows she sees more than you would think. 

There just HAS to be a special mention for Lou… this specific character (you’ll have to discover yourself the specifics) stole completely my heart! 

It was also lovely to see some of my old friends again, and seeing how Cat is doing after her own adventure! A very welcomed extra! 

There wasn’t one bit I didn’t like about Jaelee’s adventure, as we see the fear of the unknown, but also friendship, growth, love, courage, and many many emotions in a wonderful setting.

This book, a next chapter in The Holiday Romance series, should come with a warning. Not only will you wish to go to Bali yourself and experience everything Jaelee is living, but you will find yourself submerged in this wonderful tale and before you know you’ll be devouring the whole book!