The Cruise

This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Friends go on a cruise looking for adventure. Three senior citizens hope their lives will change. The escapades of these three women are funny.. Their voices come alive on the pages. Thanks to the publisher and the author for this quick read. Curl up in a cozy chair with a warm blanket and be transported to the ship with these quirky characters.

What a fun journey these three women embark on, leaving their problems at home and setting off into the sun. One widowed, one unmarried, one almost divorced, all aged 63, but not ready to give up on life. I enjoyed seeing them experience new things, slowly revealing more about themselves and coming into their own as the cruise progresses. There is a great cast of minor characters too, each one brought vividly to life. I particularly loved Selwyn, discreetly scattering little handfuls of his dead wife's ashes around the Catibbean as he lets his old life go and embraces the new. If you enjoyed the author's previous novel, The Spa Break, you will love this one too. Girl power for the over sixties!

Due to time constraints, I had to read this book over several different days, but in between reading, I kept thinking about the characters and couldn’t wait to get back to them, and their story! For me, that is the sign of an excellent novel.

I loved absolutely everything about all of the characters and their stories even Dickie (by the end). I have been on several cruises and really enjoyed going on one vicariously through this author’s eyes.

This author was new to me, and I am already downloading more of her books because she writes in a way that makes me keep reading and because I feel good at the end… What more could anyone want?

what an enjoyable read! having never read a book by this author before i didn’t know what to expect but i loved following the lives of jane, kath and ann aboard the diamond star. a fun filled trip for sure. will definitely look for more books by this author

The Cruise by Caroline James is an easy feel good book, great for reading when you want to be transported to another place in your mind.
The characters are beautifully written and described, the location just stunning.
I really emerged myself in this book, it provided a really nice escapism.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and One More Chapter for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I am not a great reader of romantic comedy, but I really enjoy Caroline James’ books. Not just because the protagonists are ladies in their sixties having a fabulous time, but because everything about them and their adventures is so beautifully observed and the pathos and humour eased out.

In The Cruise three single friends (one widowed, one almost divorced and the other resolutely single) decide to head to the Caribbean for Christmas. I loved the descriptions of the islands and it was wonderful to be back in a Barbados I recognised, albeit through the pages of a book. Anne, Jane and Kath, and the supporting cast of characters are bound to make you smile, so book your cabin now.