I loved this book! Jodie runs off to the Isle of Wight having had a difficult time at home, and is looking for a break. Total, escapist chick lit, I found this book quite predictable but that didn't take away my enjoyment in the slightest. If anything it added to the comforting, heart warming story.

All of the characters were really well written and rather than liking them immediately I grew fonder and fonder of them as the book went on. Without spoiling it, the moment when Jodie takes her revenge is fabulous.

Overall a lovely book with a heart warming story. I highly recommend it. 🏖️👏🏃🌸🦁

Really enjoyed this book. Steady paced, great characters, I was absorbed throughout. Will be reading more books by the author in the future!

Another great book by Carole Matthews. Perfect summer read, great chick lit. If you just want to kick back and relax this is the perfect book for you. Loved it.

I absolutely loved this book! It's 5 star chick lit and a perfect escape for this crazy time we seem to find ourselves in.
I found myself wanting to get back to the little houseboat on the Isle of Wight at any available opportunity.
I felt totally immersed in the story and the characters felt like true friends...as sad as that may sound!
I can definitely recommend this for anyone wanting a feel good, funny book with a happy ending.

Escape with Jodie to the beautiful Isle of Wight, another Carole Matthews great read. Was hooked on Jodie's journey from start to finish. A lovely easy read

Twee seaside escapist chick-lit can get a bit samey, to be brutal. But even in the blurb, something set this one apart from the rest. The full book did not disappoint, Not so much twee as hopeful and life-affirming, with just enough reality to make the escapism worthy, Sunny Days and Sea Breezes is much better than the name or cover suggests. The characters may be a little exagerated but that just makes them all the more likeable. The location may be a little too perfect at times, but it pretends nothing else and is all the better for daydreaming. All in all, a truly enjoyable read.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for providing a copy in exchange for this honest review.

The book starts with Jodie leaving her life behind for a quiet break on her brother's houseboat in the Isle of Wight. She wants to forget about everyone and everything and just be left in peace to think and heal.

Her plans for peace and quiet are soon thwarted when she meets some interesting characters on the island that welcome her with open arms and expose her to an alternative lifestyle.

But there comes a time when she has to face what she was running from and make some difficult decisions to enable her to move forward...

Fast paced, laced with heartbreak, friendship and love, this was a perfect summer read and I devoured it within 3 days (begrudgingly around my work schedule). Well written, beautiful descriptive scenes, I could really imagine myself on a houseboat in the Isle of Wight with a nice cold glass of wine.

A solid 5 stars for me, would recommend to anyone looking for a easy summer read that touches the heart.

Lovely escapist read! Head off to the Isle of Wight to enjoy the thoughts of living on a beautiful house boat with a bit of a hunk living next door, there are sunny characters that lift your spirits, our heroine who needs healing and the description of a beautiful part of the Isle of Wight to keep you fully invested in the story until the end.

As always with Carole's books they aren't a tricky read, there are a few tears along the way (if you are that way inclined), lots of fun, and a feel good ending. What more could you possibly want, especially in the times we are in at the moment?

Thoroughly recommend this lovely book.

With thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I absolutely love Carole Matthews so when NetGalley presented the opportunity to read her new book it’s fair to say I was excited.

This book touches on very sensitive subjects and I feel that, as always, Carole writes about them with such emotion and empathy that it’s not too hard to read. You feel the emotion that the characters feel and you are completely absorbed in the story.

However, out of all of Carole’s books, I really struggled to get into this one. I felt that the beginning section of the book was a lot of unnecessary description and I found myself skim reading wanting to really get into the story. For some people, this would add so much more to the story but I felt that it made me more confused about what was going on.

Also, my other fault with this book is that it seemed to end very abruptly. I just could not get on with the ending. I would’ve loved to see the relationship start to grow rather than ending the story just as it’s begun. However, saying that, it does make a good story ending to lead on a sequel.

Generally though, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I wanted to see where it went. I could’ve guessed where the story was going but because of the way it was written in parts, it could’ve also gone another way and that made the story all the more interesting.

Overall, I found this a very enjoyable, light-hearted summer, seaside read. It wasn’t perfect and it wasn’t my favourite of Carole Matthew’s books but still enjoyable. there was so much that could be different but, for some people, it might be perfect just the way it is.

What perfect escapist reading this is! Leave the depressing news behind and cross the Solent to the Isle of Wight for a a few hours!! Jodie Jackson flees London and goes to her brothers newly renovated houseboat in Cockleshell Bay, Isle of Wight. Her relationship with husband Chris has hit bumps in the road and she has much sadness in her heart. Through new friendships on the island Jodie comes back to life in this lovely story.

First of all, the setting is wonderful and the pristine houseboat sounds magical - can I book ‘Sunny Days’ please, as it sounds idyllic!!! The characters on the island are excellent. Marilyn is the cleaner who is as colourful as a macaw parrot and her malapropisms are hilarious. She’s an absolute diamond, funny, kind and very perceptive and is the stand out character in my opinion. Everyone needs a Marilyn in their life! However, I wouldn’t mind living next door to Ned Haddon either! He owns Sea Breezes the next houseboat to Sunny Days and he’s easy on the eye as well as being a nice person. The other island characters that Jodie meets are very good too - there’s George the ‘statue’ and wannabe author and Ida at the cafe. Between them they all bring Jodie back to life and take her into their hearts. This is a charming, heartwarming and lovely story which makes you laugh, cry and want to go to an Isle of Wight festival! Ok, forget that last one, I don’t do wellies. The island makes Jodie feel free, the weight she is carrying begins to drop off and she lets happiness flood in. When she returns to London and Chris, I think the pace drops but I think that’s partly because London makes Jodie feel flat. Although you can see how the book is going to end, it’s predictable, that doesn’t in any way spoil your enjoyment because as a reader, it’s the end you want!!

Overall, a light hearted, breezy, sunny, summery and well written read which I really enjoyed.

With thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Group for the ARC.

A Carole Mathews book is always my go to for that lovely comforting, cosy read and this was no exception. I absolutely adored the setting in this book, I’m a seaside girl at heart so I loved that this was set on the coast of the Isle of Wight. As always with any Carole Mathews book I read, I devour it in no time at all and I always fall in love with her characters super easily.
I really enjoyed getting to go on a Journey with Jodie and finding who she is after a traumatic event causes her to soul search. Every time I read a Carole Mathews novel I instantly fall in love with the heart throb and I must admit that I probably liked this one the most.
Definitely recommend you read this book, it’s up there with one of my most favourites shes ever written.

I will be sharing my review on Good reads and Instagram: bookreviewsbyh on 11/06/2020 as requested in your email.

I used to love Carole's books, but must admit that I found her more recent books a bit samey (still good reads though). Sunny Days and Sea Breezes felt fresh, and I'm not just talking about the sea breeze! I loved the descriptions of the Isle of Wight. I'd love to visit there as a result. I felt Carole did an excellent job of covering what is a very poignant and sensitive topic. I liked all the main characters. It's so nice to read a book with a protagonist who is a similar age to me! I felt the ending was realistic. I was sorry to finish this story, but I suspect there could be more in the future. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my goodness, where do I start!! Firstly, I absolutely loved this book!! Everything about it was just perfect and once I started, I couldn’t put it down. I’ve had this waiting on my To Be Read list for some time now! I really wanted to start it but was conscious of the fact that I had a lot of Blog Tour books to be read first. Finally, I could stand it no more and settled down to opening scene of main character, Jodie Jackson aboard the Isle of Wight ferry, running away from something which is slowly revealed as the book moved on! I went to the Isle of Wight last year for the first time on a day trip, and absolutely loved it across the water!! Slightly different to Jodie as I went on the hovercraft, but as I read the first chapter, I could picture her journey standing on the decks of the ferry watching the island getting closer.

Jodie is such a likeable character and I connected with her immediately. She’s obviously going through a sad time and just wants some time out from her problems to think about what she does next. Using her brother’s newly renovated houseboat as somewhere to hide, she wasn’t expecting the wonderful Marilyn to keep her on her toes. I have to admit that I think Marilyn definitely wins the title of my favourite character ever! I loved her sincerity, honesty and genuine desire to help people, despite the first impressions of being loud, brash, colourful and, with all respect, downright annoying! Jodie, very quickly, finds this way of life really suits her and begins to look forward to getting out of bed in the morning, particularly when she is introduced to her neighbour, sculptor Ned.

I guessed where the storyline was going well before it got there, but that didn’t matter at all! I was so caught up in the loveliness of it all that you could have showed me the last page and I wouldn’t have even realised!! All the other characters supported and fitted into the storyline so well that by the end of the book I felt like I’d known them forever. The location had me filling my imagination with cold beach landscapes and warm coffees early in the book to bright blue skies and ice creams later on! It also had me googling the chairlift at the Needles to see what it looked like, and then vowing never to go on it!!

This was a heart-warming, wonderful read of self-discovery and new beginnings. The author has done a fabulous job of making the story so magical that I really didn’t want it all to end!! It does have a sad underlying storyline for Jodie, which brought tears to my eyes, but equally joyful and fun at other times! I even managed a few laugh-out-louds, particularly when Marilyn was around, and may even start using random emojis at the end of all my own messages! This book is definitely one of my favourite books of the year! Would definitely recommend!!

Just like an ice lolly on a hot day, this book was just what I needed and moorish from the first bite.

It has the recipe of a gorgeous chiclit, girl moves to a new place, girl makes friends, girl meets boy etc. But there is more to the book. I totally felt for Jodie. Carole Matthews doesn't throw the reader in to Jodie's story, she weaves it in slowing. Giving her little bits of information gradually.

Being a recent first time mum, who also had news in my pregnancy that made me feel fear that I had never felt before, I completely felt for Jodie's horrific tragedy. I felt her loss and pain. Her need to grieve and the space needed.

I loved the setting. It made me recall a holiday I took to Jersey... I know it's not the Isle of Wight but I felt the same when reading about the place. It made me smile and feel the memories of the holiday flooding back.

Matthews' vocabulary is scrumptious. With the use of some beautiful adjectives throughout the book. I especially love her use of description of the various elements especially the imagery created about 'Sunshine ' and 'seabreeze'. Her use of specific detail made me melt into the pages and felt like I was being given a virtual tour of the houseboats.
She always manages to make you feel cosy and happy through her writing and the characters she creates. This story has the same delicious ingredients of heart warming book.

Jodie is broken and confused; she is on a ferry to Cockleshell Bay, Isle of Wight. She has left her husband Chris, and her life in London feeling that she needs some time to herself, she decides to stay on her brother Bill’s houseboat.
On her arrival, we meet Marilyn. Marilyn is loud and unconventional, she cleans, stocks the shelves, and boosts Jodie’s spirits.
Ned lives on the next houseboat to Jodie; he carves wood with a chainsaw and becomes important to Jodie.
Just as Jodie starts to rebuild her life with the help of her new friends, her husband Chris turns up to beg for a second chance.
Sunny Days and Sea Breezes is a lovely read I know it will delight many readers.
I want to thank NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK and Carole Matthews for a pre-publication to review.

It’s been a while since I read a Carole Matthews novel. I’ve always loved them so was thrilled to be granted an ARC of her new novel Sunny Days and Sea Breezes.

From the first chapter I knew this was a book for me and also one I would be recommending to my mum. Jodie’s on a ferry heading to the Isle of Wight, leaving behind her husband, London and her career. She’s in turmoil but hoping escaping to her brother Bill’s houseboat, Sunny Days, will give her time to think, be alone and decide what to do. However she hadn’t realised her brother employed Marilyn to look after the boat and her. Everyone needs a Marilyn in their life. She’s warm, kind and had a great habit of mixing up her sayings bringing both warmth and humour and slowly helping Jodie to emerge from her uncertainty. Add in a rather gorgeous neighbour, a living statue and cafe owner and your in for a fantastic read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sphere and the author for the chance to review.

Having adored Carole Matthews's Happiness for Beginners, I was highly anticipating her latest offering, and once again she sprinkles her magic as she whisks the reader to a beautiful houseboat, Sunny Days, at Cockleshell Bay, in the Isle of Wight. 42 year old Jodie Jackson has fled from her workaholic life in London and her marriage to Chris, which has foundered on the rocks of betrayal, that is but the tip of the iceberg as there is a deeper trauma and tragedy that she cannot bring herself to face. She is refusing any contact from her frantic husband and avoiding getting in touch with best friend, Della, desperately worried about Jodie. Her trauma, fragility and need for peace and quiet has propelled to break the habits of a life, to head out of season, to the luxury houseboat owned by her beloved brother, Bill, to spend necessary time healing and recovering.

However, the locals are not about to let Jodie drown in her despair, the loud, brash, glamorous and colourful Marilyn McConaughey, cleaner and shopper extraordinaire, sets Jodie's teeth on edge at the beginning, but bulldozes her way with love into Jodie's heart. The chainsawing wood sculptor, Ned Haddon, Jodie's next door neighbour, on the Sea Breezes houseboat, is determined to get her acquainted with island life, doing early morning yoga and inspiring her to attend her first music festival ever and camp overnight. Then there is friendly beach statue and writer, George, and beach cafe owner, Ida. Just as Jodie begins to envisage that life can still hold possibilities of joy, love and friendship, her old life returns, threatening to destroy the hard won peace, friendships and love that she has found as she goes back to face the music in London.

It is unsurprising that Carole Matthews has an army of fans that devour her feel good, atmospheric, well written, and warm contemporary fiction. She has an unerring knack for picking the perfect locations which her descriptions and details make come alive, making the reader feel as if they are right there, and the Isle of Wight is just so magical a place. The character of Jodie is one that readers will take to their heart, and the supporting cast is second to none, I adored the caring Marilyn, with her own traumatic loss, who insists on helping Jodie begin to live again whilst getting her to add much needed colour in her clothes, not to mention the wonderful Ned. I urge you to visit the amazing Isle of Wight, acquaint yourself with ts charismatic locals and beaches, and soak in its healing properties, exactly as a broken Jodie does. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.

A delightful read that is beautifully written.

Set in the idyllic Isle of Wight it touches on some delicate subjects but has you totally hooked.

I really recommend it and can't wait to revisit the island!

Thank you to Netgalley, Sphere and of course Carole Matthews for allowing me to read an ARC of Summer Days and Sea Breezes.
I’ve been reading Carole’s books practically since the beginning so I was thrilled to be given the chance to read this early and it certainly does not disappoint!
The main character is Jodie, who we first meet on a ferry to Cockleshell Bay on the Isle of Wight. She has left her husband and is going to stay on her brother Bill’s houseboat.
On arrival, we meet the wonderful Marilyn, who (whisper it!) I didn’t like to begin with. Marilyn is loud and eccentric, she comes to the houseboat every day to clean, stock up with food and raise Jodie’s spirits. As the book continues, I fell in love with Marilyn and her slightly wonky comments.
I must also mention Ned, who lives on the next houseboat to Jodie and carves wood with a chainsaw. He sounds gorgeous and becomes very important to Jodie.
For me, this was a bit of a slow burner, but further in it absolutely rattled along and I loved it. There are some very emotional sections, some which were personally difficult for me to read, but nonetheless I would totally recommend this book. Yet another cracking read from Carole Matthews.

My thanks to Netgalley And Sphere for a copy of Sunny Days and Sea Breezes for an honest review.

I’m a longtime reader of Carole Matthews and the library I work at was lucky enough to have her for an author visit a few years ago.She was so nice and approachable it only added to my high opinion of her.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading “ Sunny Days and Sea Breezes”, which I think might be one of her best!
In “ordinary times “ I would have read this on holiday but the story was able to transport me from my garden to days I have spent in the New Forest and reminded me of why I need to revisit the Isle of Wight
I became totally involved in the storyline and the characters, Jody , Ned and Marilyn and I hope we get to hear more from them in the future.
Another 5 star review from me for her