Cover Image: Sunny Days and Sea Breezes

Sunny Days and Sea Breezes

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Member Reviews

This is the most perfect summer read. I just loved it! The storyline itself just draws you right in honestly I couldn’t put this down.

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Jodie Jackson is escaping to the Isle of Wight to stay on her brother’s houseboat and try leave the stress and pain behind. She just wants to keep herself to herself but hadn’t figured on the locals pulling her out of her fog and into their lives. But it’s difficult to escape the world she left behind and finds she has to face some difficult decisions. Entertaining escapism but I did find Jodie a bit irritating and the storyline a bit predictable.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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I absolutely loved this book, it follows through Jodie and her coming to terms with the loss of her baby. Having been through the experience more than once I was hesitant to continue but I’m glad I did. Carole definitely captured the feelings and anguish any mother feels losing a baby, and although it’s in the book a lot it doesn’t over power it. Jodie has run from London to the Isle of Wight to stay on her brother house boat which sounds amazing! Whilst there she makes great friends with Ned, Ida, George and who could forget the awesome Marilyn! We come to learn jodies husband hasn’t been so understanding and compassionate with the loss. But we also learn much more that I don’t want to spoil. Definitely worth picking this book up!

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My god, even after the years she has spent writing Carole Matthews just has that something special. Jodie is a character that I liked immediately and at the very early stages all we know is she is going to the Isle of Wight to spend some time alone. She is lucky enough to not only work for her brother, but to be able to stay at his recently renovated houseboat named Sunny Days.

Once there her wish to be left alone is completely ignored…enter Marilyn…the second star of this book! She is a cleaner her brther has employed and she is one woman positivity showboat. Jodie is reluctantly forced to explore life on the island by Marilyn and makes friends along the way invluding her neighbour Ned, the beach statueman George and Ida the owner of the beach cafe.

The story is wonderful and frankly made me want to pack a bag and jump on a ferry. This book was an absolute delight to read andI was truly dissapointed to finish it. I would love to see another book set here in the future!

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Such a lovely story, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it - Carole Matthews has worked her magic once again.
I’ve never visited the Isle of Wight but this story has sold it to me, although Cockleshell Bay is fictional the author’s affection for the real places on the Isle of Wight shows in her writing.
Fantastic characters and a great storyline that, although a little predictable at times, kept me hooked throughout and willing the right outcome.
I loved that this was set on a houseboat, an extra bit of quirkiness to lift the story and at times had me giggling - such great writing with the perfect balance of mirth and merriment alongside more serious and sad aspects of the plot line.
Perfect summer reading.

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I’ve always loved Carole’s books and I definitely loved this one. It’s made me want to visit Isle of Wight. Nothing to dislike about it. It’s a feel good read. Can’t wait to read more of Carole’s books

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A lovely book reminding one of lazy summer days on holiday on the Isle of Wight. Definitely recommended to those readers who enjoy reading this type of book.

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Had been looking forward to reading this book. I love this author. Glad to say I was not disappointed. The book was great . The plot interesting. I wished I could have been Jodie . Interesting and very well written

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What's not to love? Carole Matthews is a go to author and her books never fail to bring a smile to your face. She has such a way with words and her characters spring to life! Life on a canal boat was so fun to read about.

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Perfect way to spend a sunny day. Really enjoyed this book a nice quick feel good book that had me hooked from the start. Another amazing read by this author.

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Josie Jackson leaves London and goes to the Isle of Wight to stay on her brothers renovated house boat .
Jodie and her husband are having problems to she wants some time on her own.
She meets some great characters.
Marilyn the cleaner larger than life and is a wonderful woman
Ned who lives on the next boat . There friendship grows through this book
The other main characters are Ida who owns the cafe and has a massive crush on Ned and George who earns his money standing as a statue but deep down he wants to be an author.
Will Jodie find here peace here or will she go back to London.
Another great book by Carole Mathews.
Thanks NetGalley

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Sunny Days and Sea Breezes
(2.5/5)

Jodie decides to take a break from her fast paced London life, run away from her problems, and live on her brother’s houseboat in the Isle of Wight. She has a supportive brother, and cultivates some wonderful new relationships during her time away. Throughout the novel we don’t know why she has left her London life, but these pieces get filled in little by little until we discover her true reason for leaving.

This was a light, easy read with a few tougher topics covered, including grief, infidelity, friendship, family, and the collapse of a relationship. Overall, I thought it was enjoyable for someone who would like to explore the aforementioned topics. Similarly, Jodie goes on a bit of a self-exploration tour and does some fun new things she never would have done in London. It is a great summer read with a lovely escape to the beautiful scenery of the Isle of Wight (which I want to go visit now!). Personally, I had a huge issue with a pertinent story-line of this novel which I will discuss next.

(SPOILER ALERT)


One personal issue that I had with this story was all of the infidelity. Jodie is still married and decides to take time away from her relationship, which is by all means fine and totally normal; however, where I take issue is her developing a new relationship during her time away. I am very against cheating and I do not think that it should be romanticized in any way, and this novel does exactly that. Yes she believes that her husband had been cheating on her, but that by no means gives her the green light to go and do the same thing. The infidelity aspect of the story bothered me immensely, and made me feel terrible for rooting for the couple. However, if this aspect doesn’t bother you in the way it bothered me then this is a great and fun book.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for this e-book.

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This is wonderful escapism. You can't go wrong with Carole Matthews if you're having a bad day. The idea of escaping the rat-race and heading off to live on a boat near the sea is irresistible. The Isle of Wight should pay her for advertising – I really want to go now!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Once again another enjoyable romp from Carole Matthews. Nothing mind-blowing here just straight forward well written chick lit. A pleasant cosy read.

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A little way into this book I realised I had read it before. As I couldn’t remember what happened I read it again. I enjoyed it as much the 2nd time and loved the descriptions of the Isle of Wight which I known well. A well written book with humour and poignancy-a delight to read

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*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

When we meet Jodie in this book, we don’t know much about her, but she definitely seems ready for some time off on the Isle of Wight. Her brother Bill lets her stay at his houseboat and really has her back, I loved how caring he was.

After time we find out what happened to Jodie and the history with her husband. Jodie is determined to let it all behind her, but that’s easier said than done.

The Isle of Wight is a beautiful setting and I loved getting to know the place together with Jodie. There are a lot of lovely characters in this book, like Ned, George, but especially Marilyn. I absolutely adore her. I dont want to give to much away, you have to read it yourself.

All these characters help Jodie and they take her on different trips and other exciting things. It was fun to watch all that develop. Until a ceratin someone turns up and everything changes.

I didn’t really like the way the story went from that point onwards and the ending seemed a bit rushed. I still enjyoed this book very much.

It touches some difficult topics, but the storyline is always full of fun and engery. Carole Matthews style is fresh, heart-warming, sweet and very gripping!

A great book for summer!

4.5/5

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What a wonderful book! Great storyline, great characters, kept me hooked and I want to go visit the Isle of Wight myself! My first book by Carole Matthews but I definitely think it wont be my last, you got yourself a new fan!

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I have read many books by this author but this is my favourite. The plot deals with a subject that still isn’t talked about enough and is dealt with sensitively. The characters are loveable and and I felt very invested in their story, so much so that I was sorry when the book ended as I would love to have seen how their journey developed further. A lovely read that I couldn’t put down.

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Jodie has had a tough time, which is hinted at throughout the book. She needs a break and decides to use her brothers luxurious houseboat on the Isle Of Wight. I fell in love with the boat and now really want to visit the Isle of Wight.
The characters are amazing. Marilyn is a wonderfully interfering, eccentric cleaner who is initially very annoying- but she works her magic with Jodie and she soon becomes the highlight of her day. Ned lives on the boat next door and it could not be more different. An artists boat, full of colour and interest. His sculptures sound amazing.
A wonderful read.

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A beach story from the usual style of Carole Matthews that we've come to expect and love at the summertime. The setting of the Isle of Wight is very inspiring. I would definitely read a sequel to the story as I really enjoyed the protagonists. My favourite one, of course, is Marilyn that I really couldn't get enough of. So lovely!
Trigger warning on a sensitive subject (I won't reveal it here as it is part of the plot).

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