Introduction
Published in 2022, My Killer Vacation is the perfect summer romantic comedy written by Tessa Bailey, a New York Times bestselling author and a beloved writer in the booktok community.
A Summary
Taylor heads to Cape Cod expecting a calm, sun filled break with her brother, but the trip derails the moment they unlock the door to their rental and find a dead body waiting inside. Any hope of a peaceful vacation disappears, and things only get messier when a grumpy, no nonsense bounty hunter rolls in to take charge. He is convinced Taylor has nothing useful to offer, even though she has spent years devouring true crime podcasts and has the patience of someone who manages second graders for a living. Their personalities clash instantly, but the danger surrounding them keeps forcing them into each other’s space. Before long, Taylor and the bounty hunter are working together to figure out who is behind the murder, even if neither of them seems thrilled about the arrangement at first. Between the close calls, the rising tension, and their constant back and forth, they become the most unexpected investigative duo. As the threats escalate and the mystery deepens, they have no choice but to rely on each other, turning their chaotic partnership into something far more compelling than either of them planned.
Writing Style
My Killer Vacation is classic Tessa Bailey with its humor. It pops in the right places and keeps the story feeling light even as the plot gets tense, which is perfect for a romcom novel. The double POV works really well in helping you to have a deeper connection to both of the characters, especially since the internal monologue is great. It’s also an incredibly fast read. The pacing is smooth, the dialogue flows easily, and it’s the kind of book you can finish in one sitting without trying. The summer vacation vibe is described so vividly that it feels warm, bright, and effortlessly immersive.
What I Loved
I loved how the plot kept me genuinely engaged from start to finish. The mystery wasn’t just window dressing or a loose excuse to push the romance forward. It actually made me think, and I found myself trying to piece things together right alongside the characters. Tessa Bailey has such a natural way of feeding the reader information at the perfect pace, and nothing ever felt forced or out of place. The romance was another huge highlight for me. It was adorable in all the right ways, and the love interest’s journey toward understanding himself added so much heart. His internal battles and the moments where he tries to make sense of his own feelings were so tender. Watching the main character grow into her own confidence, especially in the bedroom, felt empowering and honest. It added a layer of emotional depth that made their connection feel even more rewarding as the book went on. The smutty scenes themselves were handled with intention. How Bailey handled the characters’ exploration of their preferences and dynamics felt thoughtful and applicable to their personalities outside of the bedroom as well (which is surprisingly uncommon).
What I Didn’t Love
The only thing that really pulled me out of the story was the dynamic between the main character and her brother. Something about it felt off in a way that was hard to ignore. Their relationship read less like siblings and more like a parent managing a child, which made some of their conversations feel uncomfortable. She hovered over him in a way that felt overly controlling, yet they also talked openly about things like sex, which didn’t match the tone of the rest of their interactions. It created this really strange vibe to their interactions and to the story in general.
Spice Level
My Killer Vacation is a book full of yearning, and physical attraction, but it also has its fair share of spice. I’d rate the spice level a 3.5/5.
Recommendation
Look. Tessa Bailey is one of the top romcom authors for a reason. Her novels hit with passion, and I definitely recommend it for an adult audience.
Songs
Songs that I find reminiscent of the book:
I Can’t Be Your Friend by Aiden Bissett
Tripping Over Air by Aiden Bissett
Too Sweet by Hozier
(P.S. We made them links so feel free to click on them and get teleported straight into the vibes.)
