Cover Image: Bootcamp for Broken Hearts

Bootcamp for Broken Hearts

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

The front cover is really pretty and cute but...so is the story line as well!

Nora is happily single as she had very bad experiences with the men in her life. So when her sister signed her up for a Bootcamp for posh singles, paid by one of her sister's loyal clients, Nora agrees even though she was initially skeptical about it. But Nora starts enjoying the bootcamp as it seemed to be good for Nora with scenic water falls and bird songs although there are so much activities inside the bootcamp like meditating and social activities. Then while at the bootcamp, she meets a man named Will. The two then eventually become romantic but will Nora find her happily ever after?

To be honest, at first I was a bit skeptical about this book. But as soon as I started reading the book, to my own surprise, I actually started enjoying reading this book! Nora Brown is a very likable character and you cab relate to her in so many ways. There were many other characters in the book with a blend of cultures ranging from Nepal to the States. This book slightly reminded me of Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty as it also involves a certain "healing" and meditation" although the difference is, this was way better than Nine Perfect Strangers and there were so many funny parts in the book that actually made me laugh out loud! Though the ending was predictable, nevertheless, I actually enjoyed reading this book.

Overall, if you like a perfect summer read, I recommend this book. Worth five stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Was this review helpful?

Nora is fine staying home with her teenage daughter and running a coffee shop. Who needs love? Her friends and family disagree, and send her to a Bootcamp full of woo woo. Besides rolling her eyes a lot, she meets Will, a journalist who makes her laugh. Fun to watch the transformation, and see the time is not totally a waste a time. Fun read and one I recommend.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book, likeable lead characters and funny bits with relatable subject matter. I look forward to reading more by this Author.

Was this review helpful?

The quintessential summer beach read! I LOVED this book because it gave me all the things I want in a modern day love story, as well as things I did not know I wanted. Author Joanna Bolouri created a story full of witty banter, believable characters who I would want to hang out with, and, of course, romance. What makes the story about Nora different is how the author tied in topics from the self-care and personal growth world into a a modern day, relatable romance.

Nora's family and friends, tired of her being a lonely single (who does not realize she is lonely) send her off to a singles "bootcamp" (hence the name of our story) for her 4oth birthday and that is where our story became refreshingly unique for me. Nora begrudgingly enters a posh world of meditation, yoga, frequencies and positive affirmations located at a Scottish castle. Nora is a hysterical non-believer who eventually drinks the Kool Aid and works to not only heal her broken heart, but reconnect with herself on a needed journey of self-discovery. As someone who has spent the past year diving into the self-care world as well, I loved that I could connect to Nora's sassy reluctance as well as her eventual moment of recognizing her ability to heal and grow through unexpected new habits.

Nora is a bright, strong woman and I adore her. I do not want to give anything away in this modern love story that perfectly blends the wacky world of dating after heartbreak with the trendy and cool self-help culture. Prepare to raise your frequency, to laugh out loud and to absolutely love this fabulously fresh new read.

I just reviewed Bootcamp for Broken Hearts by Joanna Bolouri. #BootcampforBrokenHearts #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

A Really enjoyable read with a likeable, and relatable lead character in Nora. A good supporting cast in Charlie, Faith and Victoria and a funny, charming love interest in Will. The bootcamp was very new ages but there were some good insights and personal development for the characters especially Nora. Would definitely recommend. (5 Stars)

Was this review helpful?

The book started off a little slow but once we got to the bootcamp it picked up. The story was funny, romantic and surprisingly insightful. Our leading lady Nora was funny, relatable and had great chemistry with the supporting characters. Loved her and Will and thought they had excellent banter. Liked that did not take themselves too seriously and how they initially bonded over taking the mickey out of the whole holistic, new age boot camp. I did also like that despite their initial skepticism the bootcamp actually led to self reflection, growth and change for them both. The writing was great and I legit laughed out at several points. Really enjoyable read (5 ⭐️)

Was this review helpful?

Nora is a forty-year old single mother who owns a slightly dated cafe in Edinburgh. After a series of disastrous relationships, including with her daughter Charlotte's father, she has given up on dating, concentrating on her daugher. Nora's sister and best friend/business partner conspire with her daughter to send her on a one-week Relationship Bootcamp to help her unlock her heart.

Although the other guests have paid £5,000 each for the privilege, Nora's stay is free, courtesy of one of her sister's clients. The bootcamp is just as awful as Nora fears, full of yoga, meditation, affirmative writing, etc. The other guests are well-dressed, well-coiffed, and (for the females) well made-up with just a hint of plastic surgery. There is some light at the end of the tunnel, one of the instructors, Brad, is so good looking he reduces Nora to a gibbering wreck with just a glance.

But underneath the mumbo-jumbo about the universe vibrating in tune with your desires, Nora starts to feel that there may be some truth in what the tutors are saying. But is she ready to take a chance again?

I've made this sound really boring and new age (and some of the psychobabble is) but actually this is very funny, especially when Nora finds a co-conspirator to laugh with at the weirder exercises they are forced to do. Really enjoyed this.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

The story
Nora’s a single mom to Charlotte. She split from her partner when he was cheating on her. Coming up to her 40th birthday, she realises her life revolves around her business, a cafe, her daughter and her best friend and sister. When her besties plan a surprise bootcamp week away as a gift for her birthday, the re-boot changes Nora’s life, even if she is really reluctant!

My thoughts
I loved the witty writing in this story, the slightly jaded heroine and her finding a new way of thinking of herself. While there is lots of love floating around in this story, the message is clearly that self-love comes first before we can attract the right kind of romantic love. Some parts felt like a bit of self help wrapped in a first person narrative, but Nora’s fun thoughts and self-deprecating default kept the story fast paced and ending is just lovely. It’s a goodie @bookouture ❤️

Was this review helpful?

Unputdownable worth a 5-star rating

Rarely do I finish a book and feel tempted to return to page one and immediately re-read. This is one such book. The characters are believable and entertaining. Nora and Will's dialogue was original, snappy, and frequently very funny, often compelling me to go back and read again once my laughter tears had cleared.

The woowoo ideals of the bootcamp's counsellors and instructors were written with just enough snark to be funny without mocking them.

With one unexpected turn of events, mostly what I expected to happen, did happen. This isn't a criticism.

Definitely recommended, pre-order or watch for release date on 6th July.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.

Was this review helpful?

Nora Brown is perfectly happy single. Well, sometimes she wishes there was someone else to do the dishes, or fight with her daughter about brushing her hair and sure, a woman has needs… but Nora knows better than most that it’s complicated when you’re a single mum of (nearly) forty. She’s not risking a broken heart ever again, thank you very much.
Which is EXACTLY WHY she’s dreading the ‘sexy singles getaway’ at a castle in the Scottish Highlands that her pushy sister is forcing her to attend. Faith says it’s a chance for Nora to relax, find herself, and maybe even get some action surrounded by tumbling waterfalls and the sweet sound of bagpipes. Nora thinks it’s a chance to embarrass herself in front of a bunch of un-marriageable weirdos with tufty facial hair.
Nora is definitely not going to enjoy it and definitely, definitely not going to fall for a roguish guy with a naughty grin who is the complete, exasperating opposite of her… right?
This book was such a pleasure to read, such a beautifully written, humorous, atmospheric book , everything about this book is just so perfect and beautiful, the writing, the characters, the world building and the story. I was so ecstatic at how good a read this was and it completely blew me away. Thoroughly, highly and wholeheartedly recommend this to everyone and can’t wait for more.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Was this review helpful?

Well this is just the perfect summer read. Nora is likeable, relatable and her cynicism at boot camp is thoroughly entertaining. Great ensemble of supporting characters, in Nora's home life and at the boot camp..
One particular speed dating scene had me cringing behind my kindle.
A sweet message of becoming your no1 champion and an empowering read also.
LOL funny, packed with awkward moments, and romance as a cherry on top. Blissful.

Was this review helpful?

This one was super cute. I really, really enjoyed this book. It was light and emotional all at the same time.

Was this review helpful?

It’s the classic single-mom-who-hasn’t-dated-much-since-her-ex-cheated-10-years-ago-so-her-friend-sister-and-daughter-send-her-to-relationship-bootcamp-where-she-may-or-may-not-find-true-love-but-hopefully-learns-to-love-herself-more trope 😜

I really enjoyed this story and actually laughed out loud a lot. Solid 5 stars from me! Excited to read more by this author!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for it to come out on July 6, 2022!

Was this review helpful?