When Diana quit her job and followed her husband to Manila, she believed the move would work for both of them: Jay would finally have his dream job, and she would take time off from her accounting career to start a family.Four years later, however, she’s still not pregnant. Her fertility doctor advises her to relax—an undertaking that is easier said than done in one of the noisiest, most crowded … crowded cities in the world. Nevertheless, Diana tries. She takes up yoga and meditation. She buys goldfish. Then one day, while Jay is away on business, a violent coup d’etat erupts. The rebels bomb the presidential palace and occupy parts of the city.Clearly, Diana decides, something needs to change. Determined to have a baby while she’s still young enough, she convinces Jay to transfer to the small South Pacific nation of Vanuatu, said to be “the most relaxing place on earth.” It isn’t long before she realizes that the island’s tropical beauty hides dangers and disappointments that will test her courage, her marriage, and her ability to open herself up to new possibilities.
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Diana has quit her job and followed her husband, Jay, to the Philippines. Jay has landed his dream job. These two build a unique life in this island paradise. However, Diana is obsessed with having a baby, so much so, it creates stress and anxiety for everyone. Will their marriage survive?
I loved the setting of this read! The author did an amazing job! I felt like I was right there seeing the views and smelling all the different aromas. The Philippines are now on my bucket list.
I did find Diana’s obsession and attitude a bit high-handed and overbearing. But, the story just keeps changing and the reader just can’t help but be captivated.
Need a good escape read….this is it! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the author for a honest review.
This is one of those stories that gave me such an expanded view of a location I didn’t know a lot about. I loved the setting in the Philippines.
When in Vanuatu is a story that follows Diana and her husband to Manila. We follow her focus on having a baby, and the struggles she has. At her doctor’s encouragement to destress, she moves to Vanuatu.
This was a story that was so deeply moving, I felt so emotional reading this. The writing really brings you into the characters’ lives. I felt truly connected to Diana. Her struggles throughout this book were really well written, and I found myself unable to put the book down so I could find out what happens!
The setting drew me in further as I became immersed in the culture of the location. The food…THE FOOD…oh my goodness, I need to eat this food now! On top of the food, the overall descriptions were so lovely. I felt like I was there with the characters hearing the sounds and seeing the sights. It was great.
I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
This book shows both the beauty and struggles of being an expat and following the one you love across the world. You’re not technically a tourist or a local, and you think of “home” as where you were before yet this place is also your new home. The author really captures you with the beautiful descriptions of the Philippines and Vanuatu. The food, the people, the beaches. Every travelers dream! I loved Diana’s character. She was very supportive of her husband and his career but wasn’t afraid to reach for her own dreams as well. Through her struggles of starting a family and the stress of political tension in the Philippines at the time, Vanuatu feels like a safe haven, a place to decompress and start fresh. However, it isn’t without its ups and downs.
If you love to travel, enjoy tantalizing food descriptions, and have a sense of adventure then this ones for you
Thank you for my copy in return for an honest review
My Review
Nicki Chen, the author of “When in Vanuatu” writes an intriguing and captivating story. The genre for this story is fiction. I love the author’s vivid descriptions of the beautiful landscape. The story takes place in the Philippines and Vanuatu. The reader will get to understand an expat’s life with more compassion. The author describes her characters as complex and complicated.
Diana gives up her career when her husband Jay gets an impressive job in the Philippines. Diana meets other women who are ex-pats, and also seem to have given up their dreams or jobs to follow their husbands. She finds there is both beauty and ugliness, in the landscape, weather, and political unrest. Diana’s dream is to get pregnant, and after failed attempts, Diana needs change. She wants her husband to take a job in Vanuatu, which she views as more of a paradise. She is very artistic and has her heart set on making some changes, and she is still obsessed with getting pregnant.
Diana can see in Vanuatu that there is beauty and ugliness again. For example, there are unique and spectacular fish in the water but some are deadly. It is hard to find a house to rent that feels like a home. She realizes many other women feel the same.
I would recommend this book to other readers.