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Title: Sunny Days and Sea Breezes
Author: Carole Matthews
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Sphere
Publication Date: 25th June 2020
Rating: 5 Stars
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| Amazon UK |
Jodie Jackson is all at sea, in every sense.
On a ferry bound for the Isle of Wight, she's leaving her London life, her career, and her husband behind. She'd like a chance to turn back the clocks, but she'll settle for some peace and quiet on her brother Bill's beautifully renovated houseboat, Sunny Days.
But from the moment Jodie steps aboard her new home, it's clear she'll struggle to keep herself to herself. If it isn't Marilyn, who cleans for Bill and is under strict instructions to look after Jodie, then it's Ned, the noisy sculptor on the next-door houseboat. Ned's wood carving is hard on the ears, but it's made up for by the fact that he's rather easy on the eyes.
Bustled out of the boat by Marilyn and encouraged to explore with Ned, Jodie soon delights in her newfound freedom. But out of mind isn't out of sight, and when her old life comes knocking Jodie is forced to face reality. Will she answer the call or choose a life filled with Sunny Days and Sea Breezes?
On a ferry bound for the Isle of Wight, she's leaving her London life, her career, and her husband behind. She'd like a chance to turn back the clocks, but she'll settle for some peace and quiet on her brother Bill's beautifully renovated houseboat, Sunny Days.
But from the moment Jodie steps aboard her new home, it's clear she'll struggle to keep herself to herself. If it isn't Marilyn, who cleans for Bill and is under strict instructions to look after Jodie, then it's Ned, the noisy sculptor on the next-door houseboat. Ned's wood carving is hard on the ears, but it's made up for by the fact that he's rather easy on the eyes.
Bustled out of the boat by Marilyn and encouraged to explore with Ned, Jodie soon delights in her newfound freedom. But out of mind isn't out of sight, and when her old life comes knocking Jodie is forced to face reality. Will she answer the call or choose a life filled with Sunny Days and Sea Breezes?
It is always a wonderful feeling to be able to sit down with a new Carole Matthews book, and it took less then the first chapter to be intrigued and keen to see just why Jodie is on a ferry across the Solent to the Isle of Wight.
Strangely with the books I read I don't tend to see the Isle of Wight as a location, so this made a pleasant change, and reminded me of a childhood holiday to the island.
Again it's not often I get to read a book where houseboats are featured, so this too made this story feel quite refreshingly different, and the people Jodie meets despite her quest for peace and quiet are fabulous.
We have Marilyn who is larger than life, speaks common phrases wrongly, full of colour and one of life's nurturers who has been asked to come in and check on Jodie and clean each day, by Jodie's brother Bill, whose boat it is.
Then there is next door neighbour Ned, who is a sculptor of wood with a chainsaw - so clearly what someone wanting peace needs. Yet Ned is one of my favourite characters and you will see why rather quickly!
Then there is the living statue George who always managed to raise a smile and Ida the owner of the local cafe. Between them they somehow get under Jodie's skin and become friends and get her to change in various ways.
I loved the day trip to Alum Bay and the Needles, it reminded me of long forgotten memories of my trip there all those years ago, even down to the coloured sand being put into moulds and trying to get the lines neat!
There is just such a warm vibe to this book, it really hit all the right notes with me, in these troubled times. It took me away from real life and I loved my time spent between the pages.
It is Carole Matthews at her best, with a fabulous story, some nice directions it turns into, and just a great feel to the whole story.
Thanks to Sphere and Netgalley and this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Strangely with the books I read I don't tend to see the Isle of Wight as a location, so this made a pleasant change, and reminded me of a childhood holiday to the island.
Again it's not often I get to read a book where houseboats are featured, so this too made this story feel quite refreshingly different, and the people Jodie meets despite her quest for peace and quiet are fabulous.
We have Marilyn who is larger than life, speaks common phrases wrongly, full of colour and one of life's nurturers who has been asked to come in and check on Jodie and clean each day, by Jodie's brother Bill, whose boat it is.
Then there is next door neighbour Ned, who is a sculptor of wood with a chainsaw - so clearly what someone wanting peace needs. Yet Ned is one of my favourite characters and you will see why rather quickly!
Then there is the living statue George who always managed to raise a smile and Ida the owner of the local cafe. Between them they somehow get under Jodie's skin and become friends and get her to change in various ways.
I loved the day trip to Alum Bay and the Needles, it reminded me of long forgotten memories of my trip there all those years ago, even down to the coloured sand being put into moulds and trying to get the lines neat!
There is just such a warm vibe to this book, it really hit all the right notes with me, in these troubled times. It took me away from real life and I loved my time spent between the pages.
It is Carole Matthews at her best, with a fabulous story, some nice directions it turns into, and just a great feel to the whole story.
Thanks to Sphere and Netgalley and this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Definitely one of Carole's best books. She captures the atmosphere and mood so well here. I was totally drawn into Jodie's world
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