The 1960’s pop culture era that focused on living large and finding new paths…. So historical fiction meets romance meets finding yourself.

Caroline (Alice) lost her father to suicide and has spent the years since, spending the trust fund in escaping any type of timeline. On vacation she meets magazine photographer Jack (Texas) and the spark that happens is what leads Caroline into confidence to find a new path.

Think rich & famous jet setting life with the emptiness I expect happens. The characters all felt so shallow as we are introduced to them but you can see that Caroline knows she needs to find another way. She just needed to feel permission (hate that word, but thought it described it best) to grab it.

It was a Beachy read, like Daisy Jones lite. It made me want to travel 🧳 ….3.75 stars

WOW! This book grabbed my attention from the cover- and held me captive until the very last page!

It's the 1960s Jet Set era: Caroline Kimball- daughter of a famous artist and a fashion designer- uses travel as an escape from the pressures she feels from her Mother and the pain of losing her father. When she holds the gaze of photographer Jack "Tex" Fairchild beside a hotel pool in Acapulco, her world is forever changed. Jack takes the time to see the woman underneath the makeup and fancy clothes- and encourages Caroline to pursue her passion for music rather than settle for the life of a wife.

Enamored with the idea of a different path in life, Caroline runs away to her father's favourite Spanish island with Tex and pursues her passions away from the disapproving glare of her mother. However, while on the island, a family secret is revealed that pulls Caroline back into the life she wants to leave behind and forces her to choose between what is, and what could be.

Follow the Sun is a beautiful journey through an age-old story of finding yourself at a crossroad in life and needing to choose the best path forward for yourself. Tex is the leading-love interest we all need in our lives- the person who sees you for who you truly are and encourages you to 'seize the day' despite all that may stand in your way,

I could not put this one down- I wanted to see the locations Caroline visited, find out where she would go next and who she would go with, and I adored her neighbor on the small Spanish island. Liz Locke gave me major Taylor Jenkins Read vibes- if you're a fan of a gripping love story that is also about loving yourself and fighting for the life you deserve, pick up Follow the Sun!

Ever found yourself lost in the mesmerizing colors of a setting sun, dreaming about a different life? Perhaps one filled with melodious tunes, exhilarating travels, and breathtaking romance? Then step into the lively, swirling world of Liz Locke's debut novel, "Follow the Sun."

Locke invites us into the glamorous life of the 1960s International Jet Set Era, seen through the lens of the starry-eyed Caroline Kimball. From the synopsis, this book promises a captivating escape into an intoxicating past where the music is always playing, and love is just around the corner.

Caroline, a reluctant socialite (sigh) with a deep-seated desire to tread the path less travelled (bigger sigh), is a character whose struggles are not entirely unfamiliar but are exceedingly unrelatable for the average person. Discontent with the golden cage of societal expectations, she decides to cast aside convention, fuelled by her love for music and the fiery encouragement of a handsome stranger, Jack “Tex” Fairchild. Locke paints Caroline's journey with vivid strokes as she navigates love, loss, and the pressures of a life she didn't choose.

The problem is that some readers - i.e: me, might find the characters lacking a certain depth. Caroline and Tex, despite being at the heart of the story, come across as flat and I found Caroline especially tiresome, constantly complaining about having money, etc., and their actions seemingly motivated more by plot necessity than organic development. Their likability, or the lack thereof, does occasionally make it a tad difficult to root for them.

The core strength of "Follow the Sun" lies in its picturesque journey and the tantalizing promise of adventure. From the sun-kissed beaches of Acapulco to the glittering ski slopes of Gstaad, readers will be swept along a whirlwind tour of the glamorous '60s. I do love a vintage story and this is a great beach read if you can put aside expectations for a deeper tale.

In the end, "Follow the Sun" is an enjoyable, well-paced and surface-skimming debut, akin to a sun-drenched trip through a vintage postcard, with its blend of fashion, film, and '60s pop culture. It’s an invitation to follow your dreams and discover who you were always meant to be - a message that, like the setting sun, lingers long after the final page.

5⭐️'s. This book was one of the most beautiful and captivating things I've ever read. I loved every page so much. For me, this book was a cross between Daisy Jones and the Six, Malibu Rising and Pineapple Street. The story follows the life of jet setter, trust fund 22-year old Caroline in the late 60's and the difficult decisions she has to make about following her heart or the life she's comfortable with. Even though many of the characters were mega-rich, they were not shallow and the way problems were presented created a real landscape for people in this time period.

Caroline and Tex have my heart forever and ever. Thank you Liz Locke for writing the most beautiful and raw love story, and thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an advanced reader copy. I can't wait to make everyone I know go get a copy on June 6th.

This was the perfect summer read, and I think of marketed well it will be a big hit this season.

Jet setting, nepo babies, romance, and finding one’s self and following dreams is all here and if that doesn’t scream perfect escape read I don’t know what does.

This gave early TJR days and I look forward to whatever Locke writes next.

I’ll be singing this one’s praises on my bookstagram @thebookybird on release day.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the early review copy, all opinions are my own.

This is the story of a young adult born as a privileged and rich family, trying to find her place into the world. She meets a photographer while jet-setting in an Acapulco resort. From then on. She is trying to sort through her grief over her father’s death, and trying to start a music career. After Mexico, the scenes move to an island in Spain, Swiss, L.A. and finally Hawaii.

I find the hardships of the rich and famous are not as captivating as poor or modest heroines. Their obstacles do not seem real as they have everything easy so I was not emotionally involved into the story. I found the author’s note interesting but I wish she would have written the story through the photographer’s lense and not his muse.

If you are entertained with the jet set lifestyles of the 60s, you will enjoy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me a complimentary e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Follow the Sun was a well written novel that gives readers a look into a lifestyle many won't experience. It is also a love story. I enjoyed reading Follow the Sun and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC.

Follow the Sun was the best beach read. It was so fun to travel all over the world with Caroline in the 1960’s; she had all the glitz and glam of a high society lifestyle. But this is not to dissuade the reader into thinking there is no substance to the storyline. It covers some heavier topics and was a perfect amount of fun and depth. Highly recommend if you love:
-all things glam
-fresh take on historical fiction
-beach read but still has meaning
-looking for a strong debut novel

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for providing me with an ARC copy of this novel.

Thanks to Net Galley and Penguin Random House Canada for allowing me to read a pre-release of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Follow The Sun by Liz Locke is, as the author describes it, a love story about artists who inspire and strengthen each other. Set in the late 60s, Locke has perfectly portrayed the atmosphere of the times and included plenty of historical references to set the scene. There was plenty of nostalgia in reading it.

Caroline belongs to the “beautiful” people who jet set around the world, following the sun in constant search of fulfillment. Having lost her beloved father some years prior and enduring a tension-filled relationship with her mother, she is struggling to find meaning in her life. A chance encounter with a freelance photographer sets her on a new path, filled with fun, adventure, love and the challenges of making her way in the thriving music industry of the 60s.

I loved following Caroline on her journey of discovery. There was a warmth to this tale that made it an easy, enjoyable read. I definitely recommend it!

An easy, breezy read, just in time for summer. A different kind of Sixties story, set among the international jet set living perfectly empty Instagrammable lives well before Instagram. I like Caroline and Jack's easy chemistry, and really enjoyed their time spent running away and hiding on Formentera. Some of the conflicts are resolved a little easily for my taste, but overall an enjoyable read.

This book is a dream of the 1960s jet set lifestyle! I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the writing style. Liz Locke perfectly transported how I would imagine the jet set life to have been at the time as well as how people living that lifestyle would speak and act.

Caroline (nickname Al) and Jack (nickname Tex) are such amazing characters and it didn’t take me long at all to get invested in their story. Especially Caroline touched my heart with her journey from jet set life and party wherever the sun and her friends took her to finding her passions in music and love for her life. Tex is a kind and humble male main character that I liked very much. He is so caring and respectful with any women in this book but especially Caroline. I loved their story.

I loved the different parts of the story taking place in Acapulco, Gstaad, Formentera, Palm Beach, Los Angeles and Honolulu. Travelling with a story is always such an amazing journey and this book offers a multitude of literary destinations especially as all the above were so iconic in the 1960s.

The book reminds me of Sister Stardust by Jane Green which is set in the 60s as well and which I loved very much when I read it last year. I enjoy, when a book takes me to places and lives in different times and that is something Follow the Sun accomplished perfectly. Liz writes in her Author’s Note that she hopes the feeling of flipping through the coffee table book Poolside with Slim Aarons by the same (the real life Tex) is transported in the writing and I could not agree more to this statement. Very well done.

All in all this book gets my warmest recommendations to anyone looking for a 20th century historical fiction that celebrates the 60s and the jet set life some fortunate people had at the time. It was a hands down 5 star read for me and I am so grateful to have gotten this book as my very first ARC.

(A review will also be posted on Pub Day June 6th, 2023, on my instagram account @anns.book.chronicles)

Let's start by saying I'm not the right audience for this book. I don't read or like romance. I don't buy into the the happily-ever-after idea, mostly because I don't believe that one person can solve for another's angst or unhappiness. That is a huge burden to put on another individual.

I was dubious about this book to begin with as the blurb did make it seem romance heavy. But the idea of a book set in the 60s with the jet-setting crowd appealed to me. The idea of a young heiress to a fortune wanting to break free of that crowd and follow a passion for music seemed like it would focus on Caroline and the struggle between her place in society and what she desired in her heart. That very much appealed to me.

However, almost half-way in and the romance won out solidy over the music. Caroline had, by that point, only picked up an instrument once, and she spent all her time mooning over Tex. Three quarters of the way in, Caroline finally starts to persue her music in a real way, but by then it was too late for me to say I enjoyed the book much.

Again, a fan of the romance genre might think differently. I'm not that fan.

If I am going to read a romance book, it's going to be a historical romance book. I am so glad I was provided an advanced reader copy of Follow the Sun because it was an amazing read.

Taking place in the 1960's, protagonist Caroline is a rich socialite living a life most of us can only dream of if we win the lottery. Jet setting, traveling from one country to another, sipping drinks by a pool, attending lavish parties with a wealthy circle of friends. Her mother is a famous fashion designer and her father was a famous painter. Tragically, he took his own life leaving behind unanswered questions as to why.

While living the life she has only known, Caroline meets photographer Jack, who she calls Tex. They have an instant connection and she begins to question her so called life. Tex and Caroline (who he calls Al) have an instant love and attraction but they are from two immensely different worlds and when a huge secret in her life is shared by her mother, things become very complicated.

I really enjoyed this book for several reasons. The description of places travelled in the world was absolutely fantastic. I could feel the heat of the sun by the pool in Mexico, the chilly snow on the ski hills in Switzerland, the smell of the fire warming the home in Formentera, I was there for it all.

The connection between Tex and Caroline had me swooning. Ah, that young love. I caught myself giving mt own husband an appreciative look and smile thinking back to our early days. (I still love him almost 26 years later lol)

The panic at the end of the book had me on the edge of my chair wondering if this was going to be a happily ever after or not. (you can read it to find out for yourself)

The perfect light summer romance read. Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for providing an electronic ARC for me to review.

Perfect beach read. Perfect summer vibes.

Be swept away in this 1960’s jet set era, luxurious, sensual and inspiring story of socialite Caroline Kimball.

Feeling trapped in the world of riches, dodging her quasi-boyfriend, unable to please her disapproving mother - bored Caroline copes by traveling the world, playing the part that life is great in designer dresses, cocktail parties and meaningless conversations.

On an job assignment in Acapulco, handsome magazine photographer Jack ‘Tex’ Fairchild sees the real Caroline through his lens. Click. He captures her true beauty. She intrigues him.

One evening, Caroline and Tex connect in the pool, revealing her dreams of sharing singer-songwriter musical talents with the world. Tex believes there is more to life than aimlessly traveling around the world in style, encouraging Caroline to follow her passions. Emboldened by his carefree spirit and their undeniable attraction, the two runaway together to Formentera, a small Spanish Island.

Eventually Caroline must confront her family’s past and present demons, ultimately deciding if she should follow her heart and dreams.

Follow The Sun gave me vibes of the classic quaint Europe village romantic getaway with smouldering chemistry. You never want it to end. Following Caroline’s character arc and budding relationship, I had hoped for a little bit more in the final scene. Overall captivating story with closure. Go forth and discover what is out there for you.

~I also appreciated the historical nod to a real person in the Author’s Note describing the inspiration behind the photographer, the jet set era, which was embodied by the character Tex. Really captured the glamour of that alternate reality.

<i> Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada for providing me with an e-ARC of this via Netgalley. </i>

Follow the Sun is the perfect summer novel! It absolutely gave me Taylor Jenkins Reid vibes - I was expecting Mick Riva to pop up! I really enjoyed the story and characters. Caroline is a socialite and aspiring musician when she meets a Texas photographer named Jack "Tex" Fairchild. Caroline and Tex have an immediate connection which Caroline wants to explore, but she's got to sort out her life before everything can make sense.

This is a light read that gives you all the travel FOMO! The story takes place in several places around the world and will make you want to jump on a plane immediately! I liked Caroline and her interesting family history. Her friends make great secondary characters too. You will want to be poolside while you're reading this and this would make a great book to read with your girlfriends!

Thank you Penguin Random House and NetGalley for this advanced copy of Follow The Sun out June 6, 2023.

I enjoyed reading Follow the Sun by Liz Locke. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read it before it gets released to the public.
The jet set life in 1960’s suddenly seems shallow to Caroline, once she meets a charming, handsome, working photographer who encourages her to follow her dream of being a singer songwriter. I liked the characters in the book, Caroline’s loyal friends, and the beautiful places to which they get to travel. (So different from my growing up in the 60’s). But does Caroline really want to give it all up once she finds true love? You’ll have to read this book to find out.

This is a book that takes place in the 1960s. It is touted in a blurb that it is for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six. Sadly, it does not live up to this claim. Far from it.

In the beginning, it was like Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, in a cringe-worthy way. The setting is a posh resort in Mexico…….there are many celebrities mentioned, names from that era. Many songs from the time are mentioned too.

From the Mexican resort, we move to a ski resort in Gstaad, Switzerland. Again, the celebrities are there, along with lots of partying, booze, LSD laced punch.

The main character is a poor little rich girl. She is trying to find herself. Her mother has nothing positive to say to her. Her father committed suicide. She wants to become a singer/songwriter. This is possibly the only resemblance to Daisy Jones. She falls in love with a Life magazine photographer from Texas, whom she aptly nicknames Tex.

It does slightly improve in the second half of the book, but that is a long way to go for a story that just does not appeal to me. Caroline seems to find herself and find her path in life.

Unfortunately, I cannot find a lot of positive points to bring out in this review. I did enjoy the descriptions of the settings, especially the resort in Mexico. And it was fun to hear the names of the celebrities of the ear brought up. But, if it wasn't for the fact that I received an Advance Readers Copy, I would not have plodded my way through it. I do see some positive reviews for it, but this is just not the book for me.

Kindle Copy for Review from Net Galley and Penguin Random House Canada.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

A story about a girl chasing her dreams of a musical career. Her journey as she keeps her father memories in the background despite his death.

She seeks approval in her music that is an extension of what she lacks in her personal life. The choices she makes along her career reflect her emotional path.

It’s an emotional read.

Caroline Kimball comes off as a shallow person, jetsetting around the world, treating relationships as flings, not caring about much. I’m reality though, she struggles with who she is. She is bereft due to the suicide of her Father, she has dreams that are not validated by her Mother or her boyfriend, and she feels caged.

It isn’t until she meets Tex, a man who couldn’t be further removed from the jet set lifestyle, that she realizes that things can change. She learns to stand up for herself and break down the bars.

Not being wealthy, I can’t relate to the jet set at all. For me it isn’t reality and therefore, it was hard to like some of the characters at times. But most of the characters redeemed themselves when they were freed of the burdens they had long been carrying.

It’s nice to read a romance that has some depth to it rather than being all fluff. I also loved the 1960”s setting and references to the music and glitterati of the era. It’s a great debut for the author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

While on vacation in Mexico, socialite Caroline meets Tex. It's the 60s so Caroline has resigned herself to essentially being a socialite until it's time for her to marry and settle down. When she meets Tex though, she imagines life how she wants it to be.

This one was ok for me. I didn't get into Caroline's perspective early on, so I wasn't drawn in by her story. I can be picky about historical fiction though, so this could just not be for me while others love it!