Is there a book by Carole Matthews that isn’t just utterly perfect in every way?! If there is, I haven’t found it yet.
I loved the story, Jodie is a brilliant character and I absolutely loved following her through the novel. Perfect book to indulge in!

This is an author I absolutely adore and was so excited to get an advanced copy of this book I did a happy dance.
This has been the Perfect escapist read and has really helped me switch off from harsh reality.

I read this book while the country was in lockdown and it is perfect escapism for these difficult times. The Isle of Wight is the perfect setting for this story as it genuinely is like stepping back in time. The characters are likeable and believable and you find yourself wanting things to work out for them. I always love Carole Matthews books and this one lives up to her usual high standards. My only request is that she writes another with Marilyn as the central character, I think it could be hilarious.

This is the first Carole Matthews book I’ve read and I really enjoyed it. Loved the plot and the characters, nice bit of escapism. Looking forward to dipping into the back catalogue.

Another beautifully uplifting read from Carole. She really does have the magic touch! A fab read, some gorgeous characters and lovely writing all packed up into this wonderful novel. Keep doing what you do best Carole!

What a lovely snuggly book to curl up with in these troubled times.

High flying Jody is working in her brothers successful business in London when tragedy strikes. With her marriage falling apart she takes flight and ends up in the Isle of Wight on her brother's beautiful houseboat. Licking her wounds and feeling totally sorry for herself a "co eee" comes from the front door. Her brother has a hired cleaner called Marilyn, who is loud as she is colourful in her dress. She is a hilarious character with her comments. Ned a gorgeous wood sculpture lives next door.....and so the adventure begins?

This is a really good book with not too many characters to confuse you, but it has everything you need in a gentle book. Love, betrayal, comedy and deceit. I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend it.
Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

I was looking forward to this new book by Carole Matthews and it doesn’t disappoint.

Looking for peace and quiet and to recharge her batteries, Jodie Jackson heads for her brother Bill’s houseboat on the Isle of Wight. All she wants is to be left alone, but unfortunately for her she’s not going to get what she is looking for. Chatty Marilyn, Bill’s cleaner, does not let Jodie wallow in her misery; she encourages her to get to know sculptor Ned next door who gradually brings Jodie out of the cocoon she has wrapped around herself. But eventually reality will come knocking and Jodie will have tough decisions to make.

A great book with an excellent cast of characters. A perfect read which I would recommend.

This book is absolutely glorious! It took me about a third of the way through to begin to connect with the characters but once I did, I was absolutely hooked! It was funny, heart-wrenching, creative, inspiring and full of hope, humour and love! It had a beautiful ending and I am definitely hoping there'll be a sequel...

Wow brilliant from start to finish. Read in one sitting.

When life deals you some really unfair and truly difficult situations, what do you do? You escape to the Isle Of Wight of course! Jodie finds herself not happy with her life following some awful events in life, she needs an escape. Can Jodie fix herself and return to her normal self? Escaping for some much needed peace and quiet Jodie finds herself making friends and starting to enjoy life a little more.

Well written and an easy read. Captured from page one.

Well done Carole Matthews!

Looking for a summer novel to devour? Then I would highly recommend this one.

I’ve been a fan of Carole’s for years and really enjoyed her latest offering. Jodie is in her early forties and married but the novel starts with her leaving London for an extended stay on the Isle of Wight. Her story unfolds throughout the book as she meanders through a new way of life.

I always look out for Carole Matthews' books and I particularly enjoyed the very original setting on the Isle of Wight and the way a love story developed against the odds.

I did see the twist coming but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book too much since it was a lovely, feel-g00d read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was like a comfy warm blanket hugging me during very difficult days.
The writing style is captivating, the story is moving, the characters as usual crop up from the narration with their eccentric style and fill it with colour and music.
I always find it difficult to express how I feel when reading a book by Carole Matthews. The description of the setting - the beautiful isle of Wight is so vivid and accurate that you can breathe the salty air and feel part of the landscape. The topics in the story are once again incredibly serious and incredibly real, yet she manages yet again to treat them giving hope and positivity even in the darkest parts.
This is one of those books that you want to read slowly so it lasts longer and you'll find it hard to let it go.
Another amazing book that I can heartily recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sphere - Little, Brown Book Group UK and the author for an early copy.
#SunnyDaysandSeaBreezes #NetGalley

Carole did it again. I read this is ab ARC copy. This book deserves more than 5 stars.

I always love that Carole's books make me what to dive in and be in the places the characters are. This book is no exception.

The fact that it is set on two house boats makes me think about the canal boat my family and I used to live on. The names of the boats and cafes always have such good names Sunny Days and Sea Breezes are amazing names for boats.

Jodie and Ned are my favourite characters and I am so happy with the ending. At the beginning I thought that Ned may be a bit of a player but turns out he just wanted to wait to meet his lady.

I'm so sad for Jodie but also really pleased that things didn't go well with Chris because he was the player in the end and I'm glad she found out.

I really love the way Carole describes things like the café on the pier and the way the you can imagine sitting there in Jodie's favourite spot in the shelter of the wall.

Brilliant once again.

I adored this book! It was Carole Matthews at her best. Without giving anything away, I don't think I'd be exaggerating when I say that I think everybody's going to want to visit the Isle of Wight in the future.
Carole manages to bring warmth to all of her characters and makes you both laugh and cry. The book has an emotive subject at its heart, but Carole manages to write about that with an understanding that makes you feel a great empathy for the main character.
I think, as seems to be the trend these days, that there could be a sequel to this, something I was kind of expecting to happen at the end of the story didn't and I'd love to know if it ever does in the future!
Thanks Net Galley for giving me the chance to read, and review, this wonderful book.

Love Carole Matthews books.This one was a wonderful read characters that come alive.A story that took me to a new place a new group of friends Her books always put a smile on my face.#netgalley#littlebrownuk

I genuinely think that this might be one of Carole Matthew's best books. The character of Jodie is wonderfully written and just the setting of the Isle of Wight makes you want to forget all responsibilities and go! This is a great beach read and will have you escaping the pressures of your own life in just a few pages. Great read!

Wow what a beautiful read from one of my long term favourite authors!
Sunny days and sea breezes is perfection in a book a great mix of humour,sensitivity and reality! The new forest and Isle of Wight are very local to me and loved by myself and my family so I found the descriptions of the areas really appealing and could relate to them, making me want to visit again very soon!
Such likeable characters in Jodie, Marilyn , bill and Ned and the houseboats sound absolutely Devine!
Jodie freshly off the ferry from London is carrying a lot of angst and baggage with her and craves solitude and peace and quiet on her brothers houseboat, however the flamboyant gregarious Marilyn and gentle unassuming Ned have other ideas for her ranging from beach yoga, a festival,shopping trips and sandcastle making! Gradually Jodie begins to enjoy life again but had to make some hard decisions on the way! A great read for summer and for those who are unable to work at the moment, it really did provide such good escapism for me away from the pressures of the NHS at the moment, so thank you very much Carole and net galley.

Perfect escapism ( very much needed in the current world situation) and so relaxing to drift off into another world. This has made me immediately want to hire a houseboat and go and isolate by the sea and get back into festivals! Thumbs up from me!

This followed the usual style of Carole Matthews and if you are a fan of hers, you'll love this book. As a stand alone book if you haven't read any others, it's very enjoyable and it is an independent story.
It is good chick lit reading and paints a lovely picture of the Isle of Wight, where it is set. I've never been, however Carole's style of writing draws you in and paints a lovely picture. You can almost feel you are there!
The book contains the usual romance together with some turbulence, betrayal and comedy and is a good, all round, enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed this book! A great story line that kept me hooked and excellent main characters. I would highly recommend this book.