Walking on Sunshine – the first book to make me cry in public (on a train) wishing I had a tissue, a glass of wine and my best friend to share it with.
As revealed in the synopsis, the lovely Pia sadly dies of cancer leaving behind her husband Mike as well as their joint, long term best friends Vicky and Zaza. It’s clear that Mike, Vicky and Zaza are coping (or not coping as it seems) with their loss and grief differently however the one thing they all need is each other. Pia thoughtfully provides “Rules of Death” for Mike to help him carry on without her, resulting in the trio embarking on a challenging trek in Peru which not only strengthens their friendship and leaves them with blisters but also results in some life changing realisation as to who they are and what they want to be. Walking on Sunshine is a beautifully written, thought provoking story and the characters truly come alive in your mind. My heart ached for Mike, Vicky and Zaza – Pia seemed like the wonderful friend that everybody needs.
Some readers may be discouraged by what may sound like a “sad” storyline, however Walking On Sunshine is an emotive yet powerful and beautiful book that happens to cover some important but tough subject matters.
Having read on social medial months ago that Giovanna nearly lost a good chunk of the book after issues with her Mac, I’m SO pleased those Apple boys managed to retrieve it for her. Giovanna’s writing style is similar to that of Lindsey Kelk, Paige Toon and Mhairi McFarlane, so if you can’t put down any of these authors or have enjoyed any of Giovanna’s previous books, you’ll love this too.

Loved this book, it hit hards from the off with sadness of loss but quickly progresses to self awareness, compassion and finding who you are. I really enjoyed watching the characters come alive in my mind which Giovanna's writing always creates. Seeing how they go through the journey.

I laughed out loud at Vicky's quirky ways she was a brilliantly portrayed character.

A true 5 star read that gives you everything a 5 star read deserves. Loved every page

What a beautiful story of friendship and coping, from a new to me, author, Giovanna Fletcher.
Reading about how three close friends, Mike, Zaza and Vicky respond to the loss of the fourth that made their quartet complete, Pia, was very emotional. A wife to one, and best friend to the other two, losing Pia shows just how differently grief shows itself in each person and their own relationships.
They embark upon a trek, as a memory to her, and alongside collecting new memories and blisters, they slowly trek through their own feelings and become a stronger unit between themselves.
I really enjoyed reading this.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advance copy of, Walking on Sunshine, by Giovanna Fletcher. This is a good book about moving on after a loss. Learning to live and love again.

I’ve read every one of Giovanna’s books and loved them, and this one was no different. A beautiful, poignant story set around 3 friends. I’d definitely recommend

What can I say this book blew me away and was one of the most poignant reads of this year so far and was a beautiful life affirming read of love and loss and the power of friendship and how three friends all pulled together during a difficult time to lift each other up and to help each other try and unpick where they were at and what direction their lives were moving in following the passing of their wife/best friend and how going away on a journey together helped them to cast away the cloud and darkness they were carrying and move forwards in their lives. This book covered so many real life experiences and issues in such a sensitive way and also showed that there is nothing wrong in beefing to ask for help in times of need and that there is always someone able and willing to support you in times of need. This book reduced me to tears of happiness and sadness throughout and always was a brilliant read by this author.

As usual in my reviews I will not rehash the plot (plenty of reviews like that out there already).

Although I've read other books by Giovanna, this is the first "novel" I've read (the others being in the sci-fi/fantasy category). To begin with I wasn't sure if I was going to like the book, as I did not immediately warm to the main characters, but I persevered and I'm glad I did.

As I learned more about Vicky, Zaza and Mike (and their families) I found plenty to relate to. Their friendship helped each of them through difficult times, and if anything grew stronger as a result. I liked the sound of Pia - it felt as though she was still with them all, and her "Rules of Death" seem like a good idea to help loved ones gain the strength to carry on.

The book is written in the voices of Vicky, Zaza and Mike, which adds an interesting touch to the narrative.

You'll enjoy this if you are a fan of the Mhairi McFarlane type genre - be warned that there are some emotional sections in the book that will have you "filling up", so you'll need a tissue and a brew (or glass of wine!)

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

4.5 Stars

This book was such a lovely surprise. Pia dies and leaves her husband Mike a list of instructions to keep Mike and her best friends together. And just when they need it most they head off to Peru. This story just goes to show that a man can be friends with his wife's girlfriends and that they really needed each other when she died. They were exactly what each other needed at the moment. I loved this book so much, it made me feel so many things that the characters were going through. There was grief, yes but there was also a lot of laughter and love.

With many thanks to NetGalley, Giovanna Fletcher and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for the giving of the ARC.

I have read and loved every one of Gi's books since Billy and Me, and Walking on Sunshine was no exception. Read in just two sittings, I was immediately drawn in to the story and the friendship between Mike, Zaza and Vicky. Whilst the story felt, in many ways, sadder than Gi's previous books, it was also filled with hope, and made me yearn for some adventure (hard to come by in the midst of a pandemic!). An easy read, but one with many lessons to take away from it, and further cementing Gi on my list of must-read authors.

Gi has done it again. A beautifully written book with engaging and loveable characters. This is the perfect book to snuggle up with on a cold winters evening.

I have yet to find a book written by giovanna that I don't like and again she hit the jackpot for me. A well thought out, thought provoking read about three friends all going through different things in their lives but share grief too. All three of the characters were complete relatable and I was thinking who is my favourite and I really can't day because I loved them all. They all grew so much throughout the story and you deffo needed the tissues at the end but oh my God it was so good.

Pia has passed away from cancer leaving her partner Mike and her two best friends Zaza and Vicky.

This is a wonderful book full of life about three friends each with their own lives coming together and dealing with loss.

Pia was full of life and adventure and has left her friends and partner the challenge to do something to keep living even after she has gone.

This story is happy and sad all at the same time, it feels very real.

Wonderfully written and easy to read.

What a gorgeous book, just have your tissues ready. The story follows three friends , Mike, Zara and Vicky as they struggle after the death of their friend Pia. They plan their tour on Pia’s instructions and during their trek they are all battling their own demons. Great story, get ready to laugh and cry

You're going to need your tissues for this one. Be prepared!

When Pia dies of cancer, she leaves a list for her husband Mike. Along with Pia's two best friends, Zaza and Vicky, Mike embarks on a trek in Peru. Clearly inspired by Giovanna's Coppafeel treks, this novel is about friendship, heartache and finding yourself after tragedy.

This book had me hooked from the very beginning and I struggled to put it down, instead reading late in to the night and sobbing into my pillow! This beautiful story pulls on your heartstrings right from the first page.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy. I will certainly be recommending it to everyone I know.

This was too sad for me to read right now. Clearly well written and full of heart but too close to home

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel- each of the three main characters were so complex in their own right and had their own story to tell, while at the same time being there together, mourning the loss of their friend/wife. I thought Pia’s rules were inspired and it was amazing to see each of the friends test their own limits on their walk in Peru and for them all to come back healed in some way. A great story- would definitely recommend.

Thoroughly enjoyed this story and all it offered. Full of heartache yet true friendship shone through. This brought so much to life and would love a follow on to see what else happened!

This is definitely a 'write what you know' kinda book. Although I loved the messages it portrayed I feel it was too parallel to Gi's life and at parts I felt it was almost autobiographical. I won't be trekking up any mountains but I will start pushing myself out my comfort zone - which I guess is a deep theme of the book so thank you Gi for encouraging me to do that

This book made me emotional more than once - I also watched an Instagram video from Giovanni that explained how this book was many years in the making and how she wanted to make it worth the wait.
Zaza, Mike and Vicky have been friends for years but are brought closer together after the death of Pia, their mutual best friend and wife to Mike. When Pia leaves “Rules” for them to follow after her passing, the 3 friends find themselves leaving their normal lives behind band heading off on the trek of a lifetime, which may turn out to be more of a journey than any of them expected it to be……

I really enjoyed this book although I found the character Zaza to be a tad annoying as she seemed to be quite the princess. The premise of the book however was excellent with the 3 friends struggling to deal with the loss of their friend and wife in different ways and each finally finding acceptance, I always enjoy a good epilogue to a book and this didnt disappoint with an unexpected final surprise