Bestselling romance author unpacks the story behind latest novelIn an exclusive interview with The South African', bestselling author Jo Watson discusses her new romance novel What Happens on Vacation'.
by Carmen Coetsee
31-05-2023 11:45
in Books
Bestselling author Jo Watson and her latest novel What Happens on Vacation'. Image: Supplied.
South African author Jo Watson is no stranger to the world of romance stories. She has written over ten romantic comedy novels and she started publishing her earlier works on Wattpad. Her work has been translated into six different languages and has become bestsellers all over the world.
--
Her latest novel, What Happens on Vacation, tells the deliciously romantic and devilishly funny story of a classic enemy-to-lovers romance. It is the perfect novel to take with on vacation or to cuddle up with on the couch and pretend you are on a beach somewhere.
In an exclusive interview with The South African, Watson unpacks her writing process behind What Happens on Vacation, shares her literary heroes and dishes on her writing pet peeves.
WHAT HAPPENS ON VACATION': WATSON'S INSPIRATION Jo Watson returns with a hilarious and heartfelt new enemies-to-lovers #BookTok rom-com! It s the book you won t want to go on holiday without! @JonathanBallPub @JoWatsonWrites
OUT NOW in Exclusive Books stores and online!
https://t.co/wdtTKvvcPn pic.twitter.com/lNjhfWR5TA
Exclusive Books (@ExclusiveBooks) April 25, 2023
What Happens on Vacation tells the hilarious story of overworked journalist Margaret who gets the chance to go on an all-expenses-paid trip to Zanzibar. But there is one catch: she has to go on the trip with Jagger Villain, a man she cannot stand. Away from the office and in a tropical paradise, Margaret beings to wonder if her archnemesis maybe has some good qualities. Could the holiday from hell turn into the vacation of her dreams? Readers will have to find out
--
ALSO READ: Local author sheds light on silenced voices in groundbreaking novel
When asked about the inspiration behind her bestselling new novel, What Happens on Vacation, Watson laughs and says You know, I can't pinpoint one moment where inspiration struck. My inspiration comes from absorbing other stories and people-watching. I love people-watching . She goes on and says that she has always wanted to write a book set in Zanzibar but was waiting for the right story.
As a writer, I am always on the lookout for inspiration. I don't sit around waiting for it to hit me; I go and find it. I absorb stories and these stories then become other stories.
Author Jo Watson on her writing process. AUTHORS ON AUTHORS: WHAT'S ON WATSON'S READING LIST It s the brand-new enemies-to-lovers rom-com you won t want to go on holiday without!
Two rivals. One holiday. A trip they will NEVER forget.@JoWatsonWrites s hilarious and heartfelt #WhatHappensOnVacation is out in ebook this month/PB in July!!
https://t.co/3cMvIqBrad pic.twitter.com/i0cMVW7Bbo
Headline Eternal (@eternal_books) March 17, 2023
As well as a prolific writer, Watson is a voracious reader as well. When asked about her favourite authors, Watson stated that she reads anything and everything she can get her hands one. It might be a shock to fans to find out that the one genre Watson does not read often is romance. She said, I prefer dark stories. Ones that confront you and make you think .
--
She enjoyed reading the gritty dark noir novel Any Man by Amber Tamblyn as well as Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Cleopatra and Frankenstein' unpacks dark side of modern romance
WATSON REJECTS STIGMA AROUND ROMANCE NOVELS: ROMANCE IS NOT A GUILTY PLEASURE' As a writer who began sharing her stories with the world on Wattpad, Watson is very passionate about dismantling the stigma that comes from reading (and writing) romance novels. She says, People need to get over it. Reading romance is not a guilty pleasure that you need to do in secret. Heaven forbid someone finds out! .
Watson goes on to say that the romance genre is one of the most popular genres in the world and this is for a reason. People love love. Looking down on readers who enjoy romance stories is just ridiculous, Watson says.
Author Jo Watson. Image via Twitter @JoWatsonWrites. With her incredible romance stories, jam-packed with humour and many life lessons, Watson is certainly showing that the romance genre is not one to be snubbed.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR WATSON: I HAVE MANY OTHER BOOKS IN ME' When asked about her future writing plans, Watson smiles and says, I have many other books in me . As a fan of young adult fiction, Watson says she would like to write more in this genre. I would also like to write something dark, maybe. Who knows what the future holds? .
Well, one thing is for sure, Jo Watson is a writing tour de force and the future looks bright for this author.
What Happens on Vacation is published by Headline Publishing Group and is available for purchase from Exclusive Books stores for R335.
SOCCER QUIZ | FIVE simple answers could win you R500 in cash! ENTER HERE
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
26/03/2026
Extron and Audio-Technica have announced that their Design Solutions devices, Ce...
26/03/2026
SPORTEL Asia took place March 24-25 at the Orchard Hotel Singapore, drawing 370 participants representing more than 220 companies from 35 countries. Approximate...
26/03/2026
LTN will demonstrate satellite-to-IP migration solutions for broadcasters, cable networks, MVPDs, and station groups at NAB Show 2026 (Booth W2100).
The C-Ban...
26/03/2026
The Seattle Mariners have partnered with Daktronics to install an upgraded outfi...
26/03/2026
The Esports Foundation (EF) has awarded National Team Partner status to organizations and individuals across more than 100 countries and territories for the Esp...
26/03/2026
Telestream has announced expanded integration between its Vantage workflow platf...
26/03/2026
FOR-A Corporation has announced a partnership with Nippon TV and NVIDIA to distr...
26/03/2026
CBS Sports and the WNBA have expanded their partnership through a new long-term, multiplatform rights agreement. CBS Sports will feature up to 20 regular-season...
26/03/2026
Zac Brown Band will star in the Sunday Night Baseball show open on NBC and Peacock, NBC Sports announced. The open was filmed at American Family Field, home of ...
26/03/2026
Major League Baseball opens the 2026 season with nationally televised games across multiple media partners. Fans can visit MLB.com/Watch for a complete schedule...
26/03/2026
DIRECTV has announced an agreement to carry nine new MLB-operated team channels, covering the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers (Detroit SportsNet), Kansas City R...
26/03/2026
Nationals.TV, the Washington Nationals' local broadcast channel, is now avai...
26/03/2026
Starting Thursday, March 26, MLB.TV will be available on the ESPN App, giving fans access to more than 2,000 out-of-market regular season games. Fans can also r...
26/03/2026
Spotify's partnership with NAVER, Korea's leading digital platform, is built around one simple goal: making it easier for listeners in Korea to discover...
26/03/2026
Exclusive to ComposerCloud for first month
Sample library and virtual instrument gurus EastWest have announced the upcoming release of a new virtual drum i...
26/03/2026
Friday 27 March
Friday 27 March will mark Dynamic Range Day 2026, the annual day of online activity that was started in 2010 by mastering engineer Ian Sheph...
26/03/2026
Includes four separate instruments
Max Richter's SRM Sounds venture have just announced their fifth release, ASMR Choir. Captured at the main live room ...
26/03/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), has been tasked with administering the Sixth Presi...
26/03/2026
By Matt Klein
Hello to everyone reading this - whether you're a current YEP, HPA member, or just YEP-curious. I'm Matt Klein, one of the co-chairs of t...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
28 participating companies, from start-ups to blue-chips, lead the UK Group as part of the GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland presence across all the Halls at N...
26/03/2026
Arkona Unveils BLADE//planner and Major Usability Enhancements at NAB 2026
Brie Clayton March 26, 2026
0 Comments
New graphical configuration tool and...
26/03/2026
Bitfocus showcases complete control at NAB Show 2026
Brie Clayton March 26, 2026
0 Comments
Continuing development drives advances in security, availa...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Nevion introduces powerful new Panel Builder to enhance VideoIPath broadcast con...
26/03/2026
2026 Oscar Nominated Films Powered by Blackmagic Design
Brie Clayton March 25, 2026
0 Comments
DaVinci Resolve Studio used on 27 of this year's no...
26/03/2026
Leader to present full suite of advanced Test & Measurement solutions at NAB Sho...
26/03/2026
Boston Conservatory to Present New England and Collegiate Premiere of Groundbrea...
26/03/2026
Thursday 26 March 2026
HBO Max included for Sky and NOW customers from 26 March...
26/03/2026
Thursday 26 March 2026
Sky Sets Iconic Costumes Dancing Together Like Never Before' in Brand CampaignTurn on cookies to view this content. Go to Privacy o...
26/03/2026
Wuppertal March 26, 2026
CS live Builds Future-Ready OB Van With Riedel MediorNet and hi Control SystemRiedel Communications today announced that Czech-based ...
26/03/2026
Back to All News
Have a Wish Worth Dying For? Netflix's First Korean YA Hor...
26/03/2026
Back to All News
The Truthers, Starring Jose Coronado and St phanie Magnin, Pre...
26/03/2026
Enhancements to Harmonic's Sports Streaming Solution Introduce Server-Side Multiview, Contextual Metadata-Driven Advertising, Dynamic In-Stream Ads and Robu...
26/03/2026
Open the report
Our 2025 report brings together results from 79 business magazine titles across 22 market sectors, published by 49 media owners. Over the year,...
26/03/2026
Editor's note: This post is part of Into the Omniverse, a series focused on ...
26/03/2026
RT Commercial today announced Fiat as sponsor of The Louise Duffy Show on RT Radio 1, Weekdays 3pm 4pm.
The Louise Duffy Show is the home of daytime music...
26/03/2026
That gaming backlog won't clear itself - GeForce NOW is here to help. Stream the latest titles straight from the cloud across a variety of devices.
This we...
26/03/2026
Wayne, N.J., March 26, 2026 Phantom High-Speed announces the latest product li...
Bestselling romance author unpacks the story behind latest novelIn an exclusive interview with The South African', bestselling author Jo Watson discusses her new romance novel What Happens on Vacation'. 
