The Cruise by Caroline James

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Three women.
One widowed.
One unmarried.
One almost divorced.
All aged 63, but not ready to give up on life!

Leaving behind the heartache, guilt and disappointment of their real lives, three friends decide that now they’re in their sixties, it’s time they finally did something for themselves!

Swapping Christmas turkeys and BBC reruns for crystal waters, white sandy beaches and smooth golden rum, Anne, Jane and Kath throw caution (and tradition) to the wind as they set sail on a luxury two-week Christmas cruise around the Caribbean.

Will the three friends find the comfort and joy they seek aboard the Diamond Star?

My Opinion

This book is set at Christmas but with a twist - Anne, Jane and Kath have swapped a cold Christmas with a cruise around the Caribbean. Caroline James writes about older characters, the friends are all 63, but you will soon find that age doesn't hold back our main characters. This was a lovely, fun read and teaches the reader that you are never too old to have fun.

This is your ticket to join the friends on their Caribbean cruise. What are you waiting for?

Rating: 4/5

I didn't know what to expect from this book as it's not a gene - "Romantic comedy" I usually read!!! But the cover caught my eye
WoW I am so glad it did!

The Cruise by Caroline James was a fantastic, beautifully written book that will have you laughing out loud in so many parts. It's about three women over sixty, Kath, Jane and Anne. and they're not ready to become old!!. or retire to a nursing home etc! There's plenty of life left in them all!

This is how it all started. Over a few drinks at the high school reunion where one of their classmates was recently married for the fourth time. WoW!

Anne, is husband hunting again and wants to find her next husband but this time on a cruise. This is where she will find them.

So, Anne, Kath and Jane are all close friends all decide to take a two week Caribbean. cruise together over the Christmas holidays on The Diamond Star......... What fun they are all going to have........Plus, they all get out cooking their yearly Christmas Dinner!

This book had me laughing out aloud in so many parts of this book and I had strange looks from my Hubby!!! I am so glad I was not on a train!!! Embarrassing!! If you want a pick me up book and a great Holiday read this is a book for you!!!

I loved all the characters especially Jane, a lady that was so unhappy with her self but the only love she had was the love for Chocolate! Chocolate was her best friend and her comfort zone!

Kath is a widow who has endured a lifetime of domestic abuse and lacking confidence but her friends will help her overcome this! it's time for happiness and a fresh start for her.

The Captain. who has been on the cruise for months is lovely and so funny. He reminded me of my Father in law......Bless him......and he was just like this character when we took him on his first cruise at the age of 90! his first holiday - cruise and first time on a plane!

Dickie, is a cheesy comedian who really is a slippery character, but so funny but he has another agenda whist working in The Diamond Star!

Selwyn, who has recently widowed and is slowly and discreetly scattering his wife's ashes throughout the cruise, Is a lovely character and a real gent......With a big heart of gold! but does he find happiness on this cruise.

Harold and Nancy they are so funny I was crying with laughter throughout!! I loved these characters........and so will you!

I highly recommend this book I joy to read and I ended up purchasing more of Caroline James books........I am so glad this cover caught my eye!

5 stars from me.........A beautiful funny written book a great holiday read!!

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This was a wonderful funny & heartfelt read. It was light in parts, it packed a punch with emotion when needed but also had me laughing out loud. Anne, Jane & Kath decide to throw caution to the wind, leaving their current lives behind and decide to spend the festive season onboard The Diamond Star experiencing all it has to offer.

The three friends, all very different all seek something different too and what follows is a great reading experience. I loved spending time with each of the three as they rediscovered themselves and what life still has to offer even in their sixties.Their are all written so well, each is flawed and has had their challenges but their friendship is what i enjoyed the most. The laughter, the support and honesty. They rooted for each other, but warned each other too and if i get to sixty with a group of friends like these three i would be happy.

The settings are wonderfully well written and i could imagine every island stop off along the way, the scents sounds and tastes which is something i love about a book. If i can imagine im there then the author has done a fantastic job. I really needed a read like this.

What a great book. I love the three friends who suddenly decide to go on a cruise at Christmas. What a joy this book was. It didn’t drag or get boring and I loved the ending. A new author for me and one that I’d read again. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Jane, Kath, and Anne are good friends - all single and in their early 60s. They decide that they don’t want to stay in Britain for Christmas. Instead, they opt to take a two-week cruise to the Caribbean via Diamond Star Cruise Lines.

Selwyn is a recent widower and has decided to take this cruise as well. He is taking his wife’s ashes with him and puts a bit of them in various places so she can enjoy these lovely places She never wanted to visit.

Dicky is heading to the cruise to entertain the passengers. He is a bit of a schmoozer.

When these characters all come together on the cruise, each with a different reason for going, secrets are revealed.

Just the title of this book drew me to it. I love to cruise and have been lucky enough to have gone on quite a few. To see these wonderful friends be able to leave behind their regular lives for two weeks and find excitement and fun, just made me so happy for them. The descriptions of the beautiful islands of the Caribbean brought back great memories. I loved the stories that go with of these characters and so enjoyed seeing them grow. A terrific book. Don’t miss it.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

What a truly stunning read this book is and Caroline never fails to disappoint. Heart warming and beautifully written.

A funny, light-hearted read about three friends who embark on a Caribbean cruise. I loved the characters who all had different personalities and supported each other through their difficulties. The side characters throughout the story are also very funny and great additions to the cruise story and I really enjoyed reading about their antics both in port and on ship! This book made me both laugh and cry, it was a surprisingly refreshing read.

The Cruise by Caroline James is a sweet, laugh out loud, and naughty read. A perfect book for beach read. The story makes you laugh, and at times, cry.

As the three ladies embark on their Caribbean cruise journey, they learn to let go of their past - affairs, unfairness, abuse, and much more. They are on a mission - Anne is to find her next husband on the cruise. That's how it all started - at the high school reunion where one of their classmates was recently married for the fourth time.

As the story proceeds, we see the trio meet various people onboard - Selwyn, Harold, Nancy, Captain, Dicky, and Bridgette. One of them is the bad guy while the other unexpectantly falls in love with one of the trios.

The character I liked the most was Jane. It felt so good to see her walk out of comfort zone - or should I say sashay out of her comfort zone? She struggled a lot but at the end, she learned to let go of her low self-esteem.

Kath's role in the story, especially in the second half of the book, was impressive. We learn a lot about her 'happy marriage with Jim.' I felt so bad for her - seems like she was in a controlling relationship. Anne and Dicky - though they play a significant role in the story, I won't say I liked the way things ended for both of them. Maybe Anne is too forgiving but that's just my opinion.

Overall, this was a nice read. If you love stories based on older women, you might want to give this book a try.

I love these novels that talks about middle aged women who decide to change their life. This is a good one: compelling, entertaining and well plotted.
I loved the character and read this book in two sitting.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

What a fun read!

I got attached to all of the characters in this book, well maybe not Dickie, but particularly Selwyn and Jane. Each character has their own story to tell and this carried me along through the book. I have not been on a cruise, but would like to at some point in the future.

With amusement, intrigue and sadness too, this book has something for everyone. I love Caroline James’ way of storytelling and the fact she uses older characters.

Oh how I adored this. I envisioned the Golden Girls the entire time and this was, well....GOLDEN!
Loved the story. Loved the characters, loved the setting.
You will not want to put this down once you get going.

The Cruise by Caroline James is a delightfully fun novel that will make you smile.
A Christmas cruise in the Caribbean is a wonderful escape from the cold December days in Britain. It is a new experience for three school friends aged sixty three. They prove that you are never too old for new experiences.
Life has been difficult in recent years – we have a widow who has endured a lifetime of domestic abuse, a divorcee, and a character lacking in self confidence. Now is the time for a fresh start.
We meet an eclectic mix of characters cruising. Some are seasoned travelers; others are new to it. It is important to grab new experiences and opportunities. Don’t let life pass you by. Life is for living, as we see several characters having epiphanies.
Some characters need to be encouraged to try new things. We see that an obsession with weight and body-shaming has held a character to ransom over the years.
Caroline James has introduced not only the characters, but the reader too, to the joys and delights of cruising. Her words have vividly painted the landscape and the sights. We can almost ‘feel’ the heat as we figuratively step onto the white-hot sand.
I loved the exuberance that the characters put into life, the camaraderie and the love and support between friends.
Life is for living – so grab it and live! Hop aboard The Cruise today and remember “the best souvenirs are your memories.”
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

A story where girl power and ageing come hand in hand for a fun and entertaining read.

Three friends head off on a cruise to escape every day life but what will happen? You will have to read to find out. But what I will say is that it is a funny, entertaining, heartwarming, even a bit naughty but altogether warm and fuzzy type of read.

I went on this journey with these three women and I laughed and enjoyed my holiday (even though it was only in the book). It is one of those books that you need to read just for fun or even to get out of your doldrums and make you smile.

I highly recommend it for young and old!

Thanks you so much NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, One More Chapter for giving me the opportunity to read and review this glorious book!

This is my second book by Caroline that I’ve read ( I read The Spa Break for a tour last year) and have thoroughly enjoyed both. Both have been really great easy reads that have taken me no time at all.

I loved the characters in this one, just as I did in her previous book. Three women decide on a spur of the moment Christmas cruise for no reason other than why shouldn’t they! They have so much fun, laughs and serious moments on their journey and what a journey it was. They meet some interesting friends on the boat, The Captain and Harold & Nancy for starters. There’s also a dubious one, the comic Dastardly Dicky who is a bit of a charmer and certainly makes himself known.

Each finds what they were looking for and more on their cruise, and I really enjoyed their discovery of themselves and friendship that never dies. Definitely keeping this author on my radar for the future.

This is a great story of three sexagenarian friends who attempt to leave their troubles behind and embrace all that is to offer on a cruise. The bond between them is clear, and I loved the way they all looked out for each other. Other lively characters are introduced and are equally as well brought to life, but Jane, Kath and Anne are definitely the stars of the show. I adored the setting and felt the warmth, and imagined the colourful characters of the Caribbean as they explored each new island. You can rely on Caroline James’ characters to prove that it is never too late to embrace life and go for what you want; I loved it!

Three friends in their sixties at a school reunion chat
Talking about their lives and what they're at.
They decide to go together on a Christmas cruise -
Why not, in the Caribbean sun they'll have nothing to lose!

With unexpected upgrades adding to their fun,
These three sexagenarians are off to the sun!
Leaving family dramas, their cares and woes behind,
Looking forward to discovering just what they'll find.

One is on the hunt for a husband, on who'll be true
One is feeling overweight and hoping to hide away all through.
The third is feeling free but guilty, unsure just what to do
But they're excited about what all together they're going through.

A story of chances, changing attitudes and more
As these three intrepid ladies the Caribbean start to explore.
New friendships and new chances they'll greet along the way
As they visit new places and enjoy fun every day.

It isn't only these three who the cruise will change
New relationships with others it will also rearrange.
As with others they make new friends
Leaving you to guess just how this story ends!

A fun read with laughter threaded through
As these ladies throw off the shackles in everything they do.
For my complementary copy, I say a huge thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

A thoroughly entertaining read from start to finish. I only put it down at times to Google cruises! Never having been on one, this book has certainly got me interested (though I don’t need to look for a husband!). The main characters are very likeable, the descriptions of food, drinks and geographical places are wonderful. I highly recommend this book.

I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my kindle, in return for my honest review.

‘Girl power for the over sixties’.

This book was centred around three women, all aged 63, who say goodbye to the usual christmas traditions and go on a luxury cruise for 2 weeks around the Caribbean.

This book was such a fun journey with three women who are not yet ready to give up on life and it really was a wonderful read.

I do love a story that is set on a cruise ship and my favourite genre to read is christmas books, so when the two are combined then thats my kind of book and this one did not disappoint.

I loved how the story developed as we got to know the three ladies and I really felt as though i was on the cruise ship with them…….

The friends, all aged 63, decide to go on a cruise for Christmas around the Caribbean. Anne, about too be divorced from her philandering husband, Kathy, recently widowed, and Jane, always worried about her weight.
I loved the setting, it's been on a few cruises which helped me visualise the on-board events, although I've not been lucky enough to visit the Caribbean. The various characters were interesting, I loved The Captain who definitely seemed to be enjoying the cruise, and Selwyn who might be able to crack Jane's shell. I became involved with the women's story, going that each would get what they wanted, the scenery and the excursions also drew me in.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influenced my review of the book.

When three 63 year old women one divorced on widowed and one unmarried set out for some fun at sea over the Christmas holiday and wanting to leave their problems at home and just have fun they do just that. This journey made for a fun fast and easy read. I am ready to go on my cruise now.