A well written and sensitive story which explores the themes of grief and the power of friendship. I enjoyed all the details of Peru and its people. It kept my interest until the end.

📖BOOK REVIEW📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️

#WalkingOnSunshine by #giovannafletcher

➡️for synopsis

I find it really hard reviewing books of this genre mainly because they have a certain air of expected predictability and therefore it’s hard to moan and say it was predictable but well it was!

On the whole I definitely found it readable; but I was reading it in small chunks at a time which definitely helped - I get the feeling if I’d of had time to do a reading marathon this may have ended up being a dnf as there really was a lack of action or depth to the story line. I found overall that this book was just nice, there was no real amazing story or action to dig your teeth into or much to really keep your interest, I found it all just very mundane.

Saying all this, the characters were very well developed; I liked their back stories and how the friendship was depicted and played out throughout the story. Giovanna writes with ease and this book is uncomplicated and makes for a simple escapist read.

I’m a big fan of Giovanna but her last two standalone books haven’t quite hit the mark for me.

With thanks to #netgalley #giovannafletcher and #michaeljoseph for allowing me to read this one early!

-Emily

@the_book_girls_1

I have to confess to not immediately being drawn to this book although I liked the writing style of each chapter being from one of the three main characters perspectives.

It was only when the trek began that I found I began to enjoy reading it.

It's obvious from the writing that Gi has drawn on her own experiences from her own treks with Coppafeel and her many conversations with the participants.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with this eARC for review.

This is the first book I’ve read by Giovanna Fletcher. The characters are well written and realistic, enough emotion in the book to definitely pull on the heart strings!

A lovely read dealing with the difficult issue of grief. The main characters were really well rounded and the writing was good. The storyline kept me engrossed to the end. Recommended.

I wasn't sure if this book would be too close to home as I started it but instead I found it uplifting and sympathetic to the people left behind. The pain and suffering was there to read but it also showed that they can still be joy and a future and letting yourself grieve is natural.

Beautifully written and made me cry.

Disclaimer: I was given this book before publication in exchange for a review from NetGalley.

I also don’t need to add a disclaimer for this, but it’s probably worth mentioning that Giovanna is one of my favourite authors so I was pretty convinced that I was going to love this book before I read it.

I had no idea what to expect except for the title, but the book was heart warming in a way I didn’t expect.

At the start of the book, we’re introduced to three friends: Mike, Zaza and Vicky. They’re all still reeling from the death of Mike’s wife Pia. Obviously Mike is struggling the most, but they were a very close knit group.

Vicky is married with two young children, but ‘burnt out’ is a definite understatement of what she is feeling. As well as completely overwhelmed by looking after the children, she is also feeling unloved and undersupported by her husband.

And then we have Zaza, who is recently engaged and should be happier than ever, but seems to be pushing her fiancé away and doesn’t know if she can be happy as a wife.

But it seems like just when things are reaching breaking point for all three, Pia sense helps in the form of a list of things they need to do to move on from her passing. The list takes them on a trek to Peru where they will all find that they are stronger than they think and need each other more than they know.

I thought the book was absolutely fabulous. Rather than a stereotypical romance, it instead chooses to focus on the life-restoring power of friendship and the strength that we all have within.

I found myself immediately drawn to Vicky’s character and I felt so much like I could be a member of their friendship group. I loved the connection they all had, but mainly the fact that their relationship felt real. There were harsh words and raw arguments to provide balance to the journey that they were on.

The book was beautifully written and full of so much emotion. It was also full of a depth of knowledge from the CoppaFeel treks that Fletcher has led in real life, I truly felt like I was along with them for the journey.

This may be my favourite Fletcher book so far, which is saying something given how much I loved Billy and Me. A truly heart warming tale about the power of true friendship to redeem us from the hardest of times.

Mike who has lost his wife, Zaza who is engaged and Vicky who is a stay at home mum with 2 children are all struggling to get over the death of their best friend and Mike's wife Pia who had breast cancer. Pia left 'after death' instructions with what they should do with her things etc in the hope that it would help them move on.
Vicky and Zaza are unhappy with the way their life is going and Mike feels adrift without Pia so after a night with plenty reminiscing and drinking they all make the decision to go trekking in Peru.
The trip makes them all re evaluate their life and what is important to them
A moving story of moving on after such a big loss

I'm a big fan of Fletcher's books; they're relatable and easy to read. She writes with a natural voice and her characters are believable. In this one, they're particularly believable - this isn't as easy-going as her other works of fiction, it's got a much grittier subject as its about 3 friends united by grief. The characters are still very relatable, they're complex and you really care about them by the end of the story. I didn't devour this one as quickly as I have her other works, partly because it's much more grounded and there are points with are so realistic, I couldnt rush it... they had to be read carefully and with the emotion they demanded. It's a lovely journey to go on; if you like Gi's other pieces of fiction, definitely give it ago.

This was an emotional read about three friends coming to terms with the loss of their friend (or wife in Mike’s case) whilst questioning the lives they lead now. The impact of Pia’s death brings to light Zaza and Vicky’s current dissatisfaction in life but neither know how to move forward, a plan hatched on what would have been Pia’s birthday leads them all the way to Peru and on a trek which will help them reconsider their perspectives.

Mike was a great character, he clearly had fantastic memories of Pia but was understandably struggling with her loss whereas Zaza and Vicky had more going on to their stories which for me made them the more interesting of the trio. Zaza was quite complex where love was concerned and I’m sure Vicky’s struggles with motherhood will chime with many. The bond between the three was fantastic even when they were struggling with each other and the highs and lows of the trek made for brilliant reading.

A really lovely and beautiful book, despite the central topic being three friends who are dealing with the grief of losing the fourth member of their group. It's not at all anything new but it is approached in a refreshing way. It's not afraid to deal with all the messy bits while also injecting humour and care and love. Not my usual kind of thing but I did appreciate it.

I really enjoy Giovanna Fletcher’s books so couldn’t wait to read this advanced copy of her latest book, ‘Walking On Sunshine’

In her latest title we are introduced to Mike, Zaza and Vicky, three lifelong friends that are mourning the loss of their friend (and wife in Mike’s case), Pia who has lost her fight with cancer. Pia left them all a plan to help them deal with her death, and a trip to Peru is just the remedy all three need.

This is just a beautiful story, beautifully written. The emotions are clear in the writing from the very beginning and you instantly connect with all of the characters, all embarking on their own different journeys. From grief comes joy and rediscovery and an important lesson that even though people may leave our lives, they are not necessarily gone forever. If you’re looking for a read that puts a smile on your face, but also might bring a tear to your eye along the way, then look no further, add this to your to-be-read list now!

Thank you so much NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book ahead of publishing. If I start by letting you know that I didn't want the book to end, and even read the acknowledgements!! An emotional invitation to walk alongside three friends who have lost their best friend and soul mate. Each friend united in grief, but separated by experiencing their own sense of discomfort with their life. This story is emotional and will have you reaching for the tissues, but also make you smile, chortle and feel angry at society stigmas. I enjoyed this book so much more than I expected (sorry), and Giovanna Fletcher really evokes the desire to get out into the world and seek any opportunity to challenge yourself, whilst acknowledging that it wont be easy and you may have to learn to squat in a bush or two!
With most people's lives being brushed or squashed with loss, "Walking on Sunshine" reminds us all that life continues and we do have an option to accept that but create new ways to involve our lost ones in new memories. Thank you for the nudge that life does go on. x

Walking on Sunshine follows the story of three friends struggling with grieving for another one of their best friends. It highlights how friendship is the sunshine in our lives by listening and enabling us to find ourselves again when things get tough. Giovanna carefully handles the topic of grief excellently and for this reason I would read it again. Walking on Sunshine is a journey of self-discovery, accepting what is, the complexity of relationships and making it through the dark days. Praise to Giovanna for eloquently handling a variety of sensitive topics; losing a loved one/partner, post-natal depression and the general complexity of relationships. Thank you for the pre-read. I look forward to seeing it in the shops soon!

I did enjoy this book and found myself thinking about the various themes visited for days after I had finished the last page.

It is a difficult book at times, dealing with a heart-breaking situation of a husband mourning the loss of his beloved wife, as he learns to move forward, with the help of two of their best friends. The story looks at this scenario from the different characters' points of view and was quite thought-provoking.

We also have intertwined to this main plot the stories of the two best friends, and what is going on in their lives.

Would recommend this as a good, up-lifting story.

Walking on Sunshine is a heartbreakingly beautiful story of friendship and grief!

I loved the journey Mike, Zaza and Vicky went on both physically and emotionally over the course of the book, exploring all the ways people's lives may change after the loss of someone they love.

Not only did it have me tearing up as the three friends attempt to find their way in a world without their best friend, but also laughing at the jokes and camaraderie between them too.

I highly recommend this book, especially to anyone who's experienced or currently experiencing grief as I found it a huge comfort to read about other people's (even if it's only fiction).

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a very touching poignant story about loss and how it affects those left behind.

To be honest this book was a little to heavy for me and definitely not the book i was expecting. This is mostly because I am in the middle with dealing with my own grief so I did have a few break downs while reading.

I think I would recommend this to anyone as the story is amazing but be ready for a very heavy book which deals with grief.

What's the book about?

Vicky and Zaza, Pia's best friends, try to help Mike after he loses Pia, his partner of seventeen-years. But all three of them can't come to terms with losing Pia.

Before her demise, Pia left behind a plan for them in the form of a list to unite them in their grief. The list instructs them  to fly to Peru, where they set off on an adventure. The harsh journey up a mountain forces them to come to terms with their loss and take stock of their lives.

My thoughts:

This is exactly the kind of book I needed to read after finishing a disturbing one. The story of hope, resilience and love is written beautifully. I found that the characters came to swift and sudden realizations which I personally thought would have taken a little longer. But perhaps that's just my way of thinking because I dwell on things a lot. Also, maybe being on such a harsh journey tends to expedite things. Either way, I enjoyed the book and look forward to seeing what else this author will write going forwards.

I wasn't expecting to be so overwhelmed whilst reading this book. Tenderly written following the lives of Zaza, Mike and Vicky after the death of their best friend (wife) from breast cancer.

Gi writes from the heart and am sure has drawn on personal experiences in her role as trek leader.

This book needs to be read, exploring so many topics that need to be more openly discussed. I really felt emotional reading this book and didnt want it to end but also wanted to know how it was to end.

Huge applause and a great shout out to all the charities mentioned

Such a beautiful book, really poignant and dragged me in emotionally. The book takes you through dealing with death and loss and how thee are glimmers of hope as life just has to go on. There were some funny parts too and it was really well written giving a rawness to the loss that the group of friends are feeling. Throw in a little unrequited love too to work through and you get such a feel good book showing that spring always comes around again.