Book Review - Boomerville at Ballymegille by Caroline James

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Title: Boomerville at Ballymegille

Author: Caroline James

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 6th October 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Boomerville is back!

Join Hattie and Jo as they head to Southern Ireland to open Boomerville Manor, a holiday retreat for guests of ‘a certain age’. There’s Irish craic and shenanigans aplenty for the colourful cast of characters as everyone gathers for the grand opening.

Meet Melissa, an ex-cabaret singer running from her abusive husband, and Bill, a bachelor bullied from beyond the grave by the ghostly voice of his mother. Along with local bobby Harry the Helmet, ageing aquatic team the Boomerville Babes, eccentric artist Lucinda Gray, and heartthrob Finbar Murphy, they gather in Ireland and the fun begins. But murder is in the air and there’s mischief afoot. Will the residents get more than they bargained for at Boomerville?

Set in the beautiful Irish countryside, ‘Boomerville at Ballymegille’ is a heart-warming story of friendship, fears and new beginnings.

This is the sequel I have spent months and months eagerly awaiting, ever since I finished the first Boomerville book.  It is so good to be back amongst Jo, Hattie and the quirky cast of characters that fleshes out a Boomerville book! 

For those that like me read and follow all of Caroline James books and love her standalone but interconnected stories, if you are also wondering where this fits, having read Hattie Goes to Hollywood, then let me just say that the reading order if you are trying to follow Hattie's life in order is The Best Boomerville Hotel, Boomerville at Ballymegille and then Hattie Goes to Hollywood - it flits in between them as far as I can tell. 

Where to start in describing this fabulousness, you know I'm not sure I can, it really is one of those books that you should enjoy fresh without really knowing much. 

I mean Teddy is adorable, even if his start in life is heart-breaking,  there is synchronised swimming with the Boomerville Babes, the Shaman is back but not featured much, we have a whole new set of Irish characters, and at points I was reading lines out loud in what I can only imagine was my attempt at an Irish accent. 

We have a man who seems scared of women and still lives with his dead mum'[s voice prevalent in his head, and all her negative comments (which I really hope won't be me in the future), there is a woman who is escaping her abusive husband, there is an abusive husband looking for his wife and he really is a nasty piece of work,  there is Irish craic,  a new Boomerville to open, lost love re-ignited, and so much more besides. 

There is never a dull or slow moment in this book, as we swap viewpoints regularly and get to know our main characters really well.   I would have perhaps liked to see more of Jo, or at least Hattie is such a strong character, I noticed her sections far more than Jo's. 

Boomerville at Ballymegille is a really fun and entertaining story, with a few more serious storylines in amongst it.  I left the book incredibly happy and with regrets that I ran out of pages so fast while I was enjoying myself so much. 

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily