What a great book this was to read. Nothing complicated, just enjoyable storylines that blend together and characters you so could get into. An ideal book for the summer holiday or cosied up in winter with a glass of something in your other hand.

An author struggling to write her next book
Found an advert that was well worth a look.
A cruise holiday with her favourite author there
Can she go without her Mum there needing her care?

However, her Mum thinks the cruise sounds good, too,
So she'll tag along, sure they'll find lots to do.
Carmen isn't so sure as Mum complains even more
Instead of a getaway will it prove more like a chore?

Meeting new people, learning about each other
New places, new meals, so much to discover!
Inspiration to change, others helping, too
There's even romance for quite a few!

But mischief is there, along with the fun
With pineapples, jewellery and so much to be done.
From the crew to the guests, there are surprises, too,
Bringing laughter to readers, all the way through.

I really enjoyed this brilliant, light-hearted read
And hope it proves to be the next book that you need!
For my copy of this fab book, I say a huge thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

The Cruise Club by Caroline James is a fun story about a group of people on a Mediterranean Cruise hoping for new experiences that will help them make changes in their lives. Carmen Cunningham is a cozy crime author who is experiencing writer's block. Ruskin Reeve, an author she idolizes, will be doing workshops on the cruise, and she hopes this will help break through her block. Unfortunately, her overbearing mother, who demands her time and attention, is also going along on the cruise. There is a married couple who own a upscale restaurant, Fran and Sid Cartwright, who I first met in The French Cookery School. Throw in a comedian, Dicky Delaney, who is trying to restart his career, a drag queen, who is a wonderful singer, and a few more interesting passengers, and this is a cruise I would love to have been on.

I really enjoyed The Cruise Club and catching up with a few characters I liked from a previous book. This is not a series and you don't need to have read The French Cookery School. Fran took the class in that book, and now runs an upscale restaurant with her husband Sid. They are best friends, so in love, and they interfere in other's lives a bit to help them enjoy themselves and be the best they can be. Dicky is a bit jaded, and interacts with the audience well, especially when heckled. I wasn't a fan at the beginning of the book, but liked him by the end. I felt so bad for Carmen. Her mother Betty was an unhappy woman and it seemed her goal was to make Carmen's life miserable and put her down every chance she got. Carmen had been beaten down by her mother and gave in to her demands way too easily. When she attended the first workshop, she was fired up and ready to write again until her mother put a damper on it. I liked how Fran took her under her wing to help her come out from under her mother's shadow. There is some romance, some personal growth from various characters and some laughs. Although Carmen is the main character, I really enjoyed many of the other characters just as much. When Betty meets a man, I had some concerns about a con, but was I right? You will have to read this one to find out. A fun story, with great characters, and a cruise that I wish I had been a fly on the wall. If you enjoy a fun travel story, one with interesting characters and an uplifting story, then I recommend you pick up the Cruise Club.

Imagine reading the perfect book and envisaging it as a movie, this would make the most fabulous summer film. Anyway back tothe book, fun in the sun, mischief, with a little saucyness thrown in for fun.

If you want to escape to sunsoaked climes what better way than to do it on a cruise. The story follows Carmen a writer with a block and her demanding mother. Whilst Carmen books the cruise to escape the clutches of her mother for a short while and regain her writing flow, Betty has other ideas and books herself a room also. What ensues is fun and frolicks in the mediterranean.

Perfect summer sun reading - I loved it.

Caroline James's 'The Cruise Club' is a fun, feel-good read that transports readers instantly onto the warm decks of a Mediterranean cruise. As it follows along behind cozy crime writer Carmen Cunningham, who has writer's block and a controlling mother, the plot unravels as she sets off on a dream cruise in the hope of finding her muse again.

The author's inimitable style comes alive in a diverse cast of colorful, offbeat characters who become instant companions. The book seamlessly weaves humor with touching moments, examining second chances, self-discovery, and friendship. As Carmen searches for inspiration, she finds serendipitous love as well as becomes involved in a delightful on-board mystery with missing things and a secret club.

The colorful tales of the Mediterranean ports of call are a particular delight, immersing you in holiday mood. 'The Cruise Club' is an ideal summer read, full of laughter, wit, and just sufficient naughtiness to keep you turning the pages. It's a tribute to the thought that it's never too late to embark on fresh adventures and showing that anything can happen at sea.

Carmen looks after her mother and grabs time to write in any spare time. She has had her first novel published and is now trying to write her second but has writer's block. When she spies a cruise where her favourite author is giving workshops, she thinks there's a chance to get advice and have a break from her mum. Unfortunately mum decides to tag along.
On board, the varied people are described along with cruising life. Caroline describes all delightfully. Just right for which ever kind of holiday you choose

Carmen decides to take a chance. She's a writer who is currently blocked. She's also brow-beaten by her mother. But a flier for a cruise gives her a chance at getting out of her humdrum life and meeting her own favorite author, Ruskin Reeves. Her mother finds out and immediately books the cabin next door. Luckily for Carmen though, she meets a group of peope on board (all of whom we get to know through third person omniscence) who help her grow out of her shell.
I generally enjoyed the book but some of it was a bit more than my suspension of disbelief could bear.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out on July 3, 2025
ARC kindly provided by Avon Books UK and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

BLOG TOUR REVIEW


Review for 'The Cruise Club' by Caroline James

This is the third book I have read by this extremely talented author. I have also read 'The French Cookery School' and 'The Cruise'.

Wow!! Check out this absolutely laugh out loud perfect summer read!!! Yet another absolutely stunning book by this incredible author!! If you have read and loved Caroline's 'The Cruise' then you will LOVE this!! If you haven't then firstly why haven't you and secondly read this, LOVE this and then fall in love with 'The Cruise'!

This book is beautifully written with vivid descriptions and stunning surroundings I was absolutely captivated throughout. The cover and the synopsis work perfectly with the storyline.

I absolutely loved Caroline's 'The Cruise' so when I realised she was going to take us on yet another cruise aboard the 'Diamond Star' well I just had to get my hands on a copy!!! I did wonder how on Earth she was going to master another stunner as good as 'The Cruise' but I should never have questioned this incredible author's talent as, of course, she absolutely slam dunked it!!!! I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVED this absolutely fantastic and hilarious feel good book! Caroline's wonderful emotive and evocative writing skills and descriptions really do ensure the reader disappears into the storyline with the cruise, settings are and characters coming to life all around you from the moment you open the book and continuing long after you finish it. She leaves you smelling the sea air, feeling the sun on your skin and leaves you with a smile on your face and feeling much lighter and happier than before you started. It is one of those books that are rammed with feel good moments, laughter fun, friendship and absolutely everything that you could ever want in an addictive must read! The storyline is realistic and down to earth and the setting is picturesque. I was absolutely sucked in from the first to the last page of this laugh out loud feel good page turner. On several occasions I had to remind myself I was actually in the house and not on a cruise myself as I was that lost in the storyline!! It is one of those books that I just could not put down and I ended up walking around with my kindle glued to my hands. Every time I thought I will just read one more chapter and then get on with some chores it ended in a way that there was no way I could leave it there so I had to read another and then the same happened until I very sadly came to the last page and its absolutely fantastic ending. I absolutely devoured this beauty in just one sitting of a few hours. I genuinely felt like I was on holidays and I was devastated when I came to the end and realised I'd have to pack my suitcase to leave the gorgeous cruise ship and return to rainy Wales after a stunning getaway. I remember writing in my last review that I hoped that Caroline would turn 'The Cruise' into a series and I am just landed that she wrote this but Caroline, we need more!! Please keep them coming as I just cannot get enough of the 'Diamond Star' and your amazing characters!! I really am hoping she is busy writing her next book and I'm looking forward to escaping into more of her past and future successes!!! Each and every one of the characters are strong and realistic and thanks to Caroline's evocative writing skills they all came to life, jumping of the pages and sucking me deep into their lives. Whether I loved them or hated them they all came together to make a perfect story. Thank you so much Caroline on writing another absolutely amazing feel good, laugh out loud page turner!!

Pack your bags, get comfortable, clear your schedules and get ready to go on a cruise of a lifetime with the amazing Caroline James!!

The characters are all realistic, a mix of strong personalities, memorable and larger than life. I absolutely loved meeting all the new characters but also the brilliant Sid and Fran again who I "met" in her other amazing book 'The French Cookery Club', if you haven't read that then again, why on Earth not!! Although he drove me mad last time but we have to have that one character we love to hate and in this book it is Dick by name, Dick by nature!! He wasn't the only one I wasn't a fan of but if we loved everyone in a book there would be no fun!!! I absolutely LOVED meeting Carmen, Sid, Fran, Thea and Melody Moon to name just a few! Each of the characters that came on the cruise had their own unique personalities, flaws, weaknesses, quirks and strengths, staff and the public alike, and I absolutely LOVED IT!! All of these characters and more make this an unforgettable, stunning book that will have you putting on your sun cream, grabbing yourself a cocktail and being whisked away on a gorgeous cruise!!! They all came to life before my eyes and I am really hoping we get to meet them all again!!!

Caroline congratulations on yet another absolutely STUNNING novel. Your book is a page turning laugh out loud and soul lifting success and I cannot wait to get stuck into more of your books! This lady is why you are one of my favourite authors and go to ones when I want a feel good read!!

Overall an absolutely gorgeous book that will whisk you off on a cruise ship and lift your heart and spirit. A page turning, addictive compelling novel that will leave you wanting more

#TheCruiseClub #CarolineJames #Avon #RachelsRandomResources #rararesources
@CarolineJames @Avon @Netgalley @RachelsRandomResources @rararesources


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An escapist summer read with lovely settings and funny characters with all the shenanigans. It is like catching up with old friends.

The Cruise Club follows the story of author Carmen, who has a looming deadline and writer’s block. She books a cruise to clear her head and for space from her overbearing mother.

Although a standalone, we met with characters from the author’s previous books who definitely added life to the party.

Set aboard the Diamond Star and the various islands visited, we are immersed into the lives of the characters and their shenanigans aboard the ship.

I love the author’s writing and her characters are real (no airs). I felt frustrated with Carmen and how she lets her mum belittle her. I was expecting her to apologise.

If you are looking for an escapist read for the summer, you should read this.

Although this is the sequel to “The Cruise” I was able to read this one without having read that with no trouble whatsoever and enjoyed it just fine. It is an uplifting read filled with characters of an older age which is always refreshing.
Carmen books the cruise as an escape from her overbearing mother when she sees her favorite author Ruskin is booked to speak onboard. Her mother has other ideas and decides to join her to Carmen’s dismay. Once onboard, Carmen makes new friends who help her come out of her mother’s shadow and find confidence in herself and her own writing. There’s also a mystery to solve as a side and some naughtiness with the UPPC.
This story is like spending the afternoon with old friends-love and laughter and touching moments too along with all the amenities onboard a cruise ship.
This is a great vacation read anytime of year.
Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

What a great and funny read about girls in their 60's having a great time onboard a cruise ship. Very entertaining and I read it in a day. Highly recommend this one if you like a chuckle. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher's for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

The Cruise Club is the perfect holiday or back garden read. All the characters are huge personalities and you feel like you've known them forever.,
I loved the unlikely friendship between Carmen & Fran. The book made cruising sound very glamorous and the descriptions of the stopovers drew you there,
A fun laugh-out loud book!

I enjoyed this author’s previous book The Cruise, so as this her latest is also set on a beautiful cruise ship the Diamond Star, I knew it would be a goodie. In fact I even read it whilst on a cruise ship myself and found myself comparing some of its characters to fellow passengers! It’s pure escapism, set on a wonderful cruise ship, what’s not to enjoy.

Oh this book was such a joy; following a group of strangers who bond over fine dining, small towns and historical tours of the Mediterranean. I found the characters to be a true mixed bag from the warm and friendly, to the crude and obnoxious and I really enjoyed seeing how everyone supported each other and formed friendships along the way. I was my mums carer when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer and know the struggles that Carmen faced but thankfully my mum was nothing like Betty, it was so lovely seeing Carmen come in to her own and Betty simmered down by the end. Overall my take away from this book is that in a world full of Don's be more like Fran and Sid

Carmen is a cosy crime author, suffering with writer's block. She books herself onto a cruise with literary workshops in the hope of rediscovering her inspiration. However her meddling mother books herself onto the cruise too - will Carmen have time to write?

The story is told from different points of view, from different characters on the cruise. There are a number of fun characters (Fran, Sid and Theo were my favourites), but no real plot as such - the story just felt like it moved along with no purpose. There were plenty of beautiful descriptions of the cruise stops, many of them are now on my "would like to visit" list! However, the romance element felt extremely forced to me, and I just didn't understand the speed of the relationship. A nice enough easy Summer read.

I enjoyed reading The Cruise Club by Caroline James. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

The characters were charming, for the most part, and the locations visited on the cruise were lovely but the plot itself was incredibly simple. It was so simplistic in fact, that the plot barely existed. The thread of plot is that the main character, Carmen, is henpecked by her demanding, elderly mother, and decides to book a cruise with her favorite mystery writer. Her hope is that she'll get through her own writer's block as she's due to turn in her sophomore cozy mystery novel and she's severely struggling with it.
Her plans are immediately scuppered when her mother insists on booking the same cruise for herself.
Lots of set up for hijinks, yes? Unfortunately, no.
The book hopes between the perspectives of several of the passengers and entertainers on the cruise. No one other than Carmen has any particular goal to accomplish, other than to enjoy the cruise. Each chapter reads as a description of how various characters pass their time on the cruise. There is no real plot to move forward.
Still, the characters are endearing in their own ways.
The book takes a sharp turn into romance that doesn't really work. The new friendships and the writing style are what really make this book.
I was able to finish the book even though the "mystery" aspect is extremely underdeveloped, as is the romance.
I did not love this book, but I would be willing to read another book by this author to see if her other work has stronger plotting.

My cases were packed and it was time to join the passengers, and crew of the Diamond Star for the cruise of a lifetime...

The Cruise Club is the third I've read from this author and another easy five star read.

It's full of quirky characters with their hijinks and humour leading the way. It was great catching up with Fran again. The last time I saw her she was at The French Cookery School.

I couldn't resist the draw of the Mediterranean islands, all that sun, sea and....sand. What more could you ask for? The settings were perfect!

As if that weren't enough there's romance in the air too!

The perfect summer read. It's uplifting, enjoyable and full of so much fun.

It was a real treat to fall back into Caroline’s fabulous writing and meet her new characters, as well as catch up with a couple we met in The French Cookery School, who have now opened an award-winning restaurant in Blackpool. Sid and Fran were fabulous last time, and I was thrilled to notice that they had now grown their sea legs.
The main story revolves around Carmen Cunningham, an author of a cosy crime novel, who was struggling with writing the next book in the series. On spotting that her favourite author, Ruskin Reeve, would be holding sessions on the Diamond Star Cruise line, Carmen makes the snap decision to throw caution to the wind and book her place on the cruise. Carmen was a fantastic character to whom I was immediately drawn, and I completely loved everything about her. Following her transformation was truly special, and watching her emerge from her mother’s control was perfect.
Betty, Carmen’s mother, was without a doubt the most controlling woman that I have ever encountered, and I’ve met a few. As the time on the cruise passed, it was interesting to learn more about Betty’s issues and what had led her to become so painfully determined to oppress her daughter.
As the other characters on the cruise came to the fore, it was a pleasure to get to know them all. There were a few who captured my imagination, especially a celebrity chef named Theo, who could offer Carmen everything her heart desired except the connection she was looking for. There are plenty of laughs and an opportunity to learn more about the secret code of the pineapple.
This was a perfectly curated glimpse at the cruising life with plenty of laughs and some of the best fellow passengers you could hope to meet. Trust me, this is a joy-filled book with utterly believable characters. All set against the backdrop of some of my most memorable adventures.

Carmen is the downtrodden daughter of a cantankerous and demanding widow, and when she finds a cruise with her favourite writer doing talks that also means she can escape Betty, she jumps at the chance. She's had a sudden success with a cosy crime novel but is stuck on the sequel. But Betty comes, too ...

Will the group of lovely folk she meets on the cruise, from devoted foodie couple Fran and Sid (who appear first in another of this author's books) to lovely chef Theo, missing his late partner but able to care for his friends, help her through? I liked the casual inclusivity of the book here, too, with same-sex ballroom dancing exhibitions and a drag artiste as the main draw on the boat, a powerful character with their own story to tell.

Other characters include an almost washed-up comic and a rather alarming couple with a penchant for pineapples, and of course that famous author, maybe not the man they think he is ... The cruise starts in the Greek islands, with lovely descriptions, but I will reveal, as it's not a plot point as such, that Cartagena does make an appearance, hooray! I read in the notes about the author that she specialises in writing about people in the later part of their lives, which is lovely and very refreshing.

Blog book review to come on 11 July: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2025/07/11/book-review-caroline-james-the-cruise-club/