A job offer in paradise, how to refuse?

Synopsis

Welcome to Holly’s Hawaiian Holiday, the third book in a brand new series from the author of the Hummingbird Hotel series and the Cornish Confetti Agency series.

Escape to the beautiful Hawaiian Islands!

When Holly Henderson loses her dog-grooming business in the Blossomwood Bay fire, she’s devastated, and her plans to expand into creative coat-dyeing are over before they began. After her temporary job at Blossomwood Kennels also comes to a heart-breaking end, she’s left with no choice but to accept her cousin’s offer of a dog-sitting assignment for celebrity TV chef Oscar Reynolds if she wants to keep her beloved springer spaniel, Ariel, in dog biscuits.

However, the assignment is in Hawaii and Holly has never been further than a short weekend trip to Paris. With some trepidation, she heads to Oahu and the Mahina family’s ranch where, within five minutes of arriving, she’s run off the road by a speeding Ferrari and doused in an avalanche of “organic” fertiliser.

So much for the glamorous holiday she’d hoped to enjoy!

But despite the inauspicious start, it doesn’t take long for the tropical island paradise to weave its Aloha magic through Holly’s veins. Can the hang loose lifestyle help her find the confidence she needs to deal with the demons that have been chasing her for as long as she can remember? Or will they continue to pursue her, sapping her energy, and ruining her chance of finding happiness?

Join Holly as she explores everything the beautiful Hawaiian Islands have to offer, and enjoy a story filled with sun, sea, and surfing, along with a Dash, Dollop & Drizzle of heart-warming romance.

My review

After the Blossomwood Bay Fire, Holly Henderson has lost her dog – grooming business. Even if her dream ended up in fire, she luckily found a new temporary job at Blossomwood Kennels. But when that job comes also to an end, Holly doesn’t know what to do.
Her cousin comes up with the perfect solution: a job as dog – sister for celebrity TV chef Oscar Reynolds. The only “downside” is that the job is in Hawaii and Holly has never been on such a faraway journey.
However, beggars cannot not be choosers and Holly heads to Oahu, even if her arrival isn’t exactly how it was planned.
Nevertheless, Holly finds herself quicky submerged in the magical atmosphere of the place. And perhaps she can finally defeat her demons and find her own happiness, while helping the Mahina family too with their own struggles. 

How does Daisy James do it in each book? No matter where she takes us with her stories, whether we are in France, Italy or Hawaii, she captures perfectly the way of life in that place, and makes it so easy for her readers to make them feel they are walking there themselves. 

The book starts when the tragical fire already took place, and we get to know a Holly that is trying to put her life back on track. But it’s easier said than done of course. 

From the beginning, we see that Holly is the kind of person that wants to avoid any kind of confrontation as much as possible. And while that is very relatable, because don’t we all want to avoid it, for Holly is has a deeper reason, a reason that has affected her at a younger age and she is still having that same demon hanging over her. 

But we also see a Holly with her heart at the right place. While she loses her temporary job, she also knows that it’s the best decision, also for the animals kept at the kennels. Because she for sure is an animal – lover, and if she could, she would take all the animals with her! 

So having presented a job as a dog – sitter is absolutely her cup of tea! Despite the job being in the paradise of Hawaii, I could understand her initial trepidation, especially when we learn that Holly hasn’t been a real globe trotter. And her arrival isn’t exactly running smoothly.. 

But no worries, as Hawaii quickly shows its way of living, and ‘hanging loose’. I have never been to Hawaii myself, but I liked it to read how laid back the people there are. They have obviously their responsibilities and they take them too, and their worries for sure bring a few frowns on their forehead. But generally speaking, it’s a relaxing way of life. 

I have to say, I don’t think I would manage to work with Alani. That woman is a recipe for disaster, with her forgetfulness. But that doesn’t take away her kind and generous character, even if she is adamant on finding The One, but having the wrong mindset perhaps? 

Holly working in Hawaii may be exactly what Holly needed in her life. Hawaii, its inhabitants and also Oscar give her the chance to mature, to face her demons and stand tall. Of course this isn’t a change made overnight, as she needs a lo of courage to finally do it. But she also knows that it’s the right thing to do, as the confrontation may reveal the truth that affects the island. 

It was lovely to see Holly and Oscar grow together, how even if they don’t know each other, are so at ease with each other. Of course does the presence of Max, the Westie, help. But there is just an underlying something bringing these two people together. 

Yes, there are also a few twists, a few predictable and some not, adding drama to the story. but that drama is also needed, as the characters need to understand what is happening and what it is that they true want. 

I absolutely enjoyed this journey to Hawaii and I loved seeing Holly emerge from the shadows. Daisy James took us to an amazing place, making us wanting to order any food and drink that was mentioned. And we got to know some wonderful characters, going through their own rollercoasters but rising stronger and fiercer than before!