Very similar to her last book , miscellaneous cruisers having a vacation together. There was also a mystery that could be solved by a child in two pages.

The Cruise Club was for me an absolute joy to read . I had read Caroline’s previous book The Cruise and it was nice to see some familiar characters appearing in this new book . But The Cruise Club can be read as a standalone . Everything about this book, from the characters to the story was superb. As I progressed through the book I could actually picture myself being there on the cruise and visiting all the various locations. There were many laugh out loud moments for me . To sum up The Cruise Club is a lovely easy read and one that when you’ve finished reading will have you wanting to book a cruise. Simply wonderfu.

Caroline James delivers a sun-soaked, feel-good rom-com in The Cruise Club, combining warmth, humor, and a touch of mystery. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Judy Leigh, the novel is a delightful escape to the Mediterranean, filled with friendship, romance, and lighthearted mischief.

The story follows cosy crime writer Carmen Cunningham, whose inspiration has dried up just as her deadline looms. In a bid to reignite her creativity, she books a dream cruise featuring workshops with her literary idol, Ruskin Reeve. But Carmen’s plans are complicated when her meddling mother, Betty, insists on tagging along. As the Diamond Star sails through picturesque ports, Carmen discovers new friendships, unexpected sparks with Ruskin, and a series of curious incidents hinting at a secretive cruise club.

James shines in creating charming, relatable characters and an immersive, sun-drenched setting. Carmen’s witty narration, combined with her mother’s lovable meddling and the camaraderie of fellow passengers, makes for a lively and engaging read. The plot strikes a perfect balance between romance, personal growth, and light mystery, keeping readers entertained from start to finish.

Verdict: The Cruise Club is a heartwarming, entertaining rom-com that effortlessly blends humor, romance, and seaside adventure. It’s an ideal choice for anyone looking for a cheerful, escapist read with vibrant characters and plenty of summer charm.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A fun, sunny, and utterly charming rom-com that will leave readers smiling and longing for a cruise of their own.

This was an easy to read book with some lovely characters. The changes in Carmen through meeting her new friends and her favourite author were very satisfying, as was her release from the overbearing mother who insisted on joining her on the cruise. Perfect holiday read.

The Blurb :
Cosy crime writer Carmen Cunningham is in trouble. Her inspiration has vanished, her deadline is looming, and her meddling elderly mother Betty consumes her every waking moment.
Hoping to revive her creativity, Carmen books a dream cruise, featuring workshops with her literary idol, Ruskin Reeve. It’s the perfect plan – until Betty insists on tagging along…
However, as the Diamond Star sails through sun-soaked ports and magical Mediterranean islands, Carmen finds the escape she needs as she discovers new friendships, and unexpected sparks with the grumpy, but charming, Ruskin.
But mischief is afoot on board the ship, with talk of items going missing and a secret club that’s got everyone talking… Will the cruise reignite Carmen’s writing muse or plunge her into the biggest plot twist of her life? Because, as she's about to find out, anything can happen at sea…


My Thoughts :
Having enjoyed Caroline Jame’s previous books, I was pleased to see we had another cruise offering. The story also featured previous characters like cruise entertainer Dicky Delaney from her book The Cruise.
We meet writer Carmen Cunningham, having had enough of looking after her annoying and needy mum Betty, she books a Mediterranean cruise on board the Diamond Star in the hope to get a break from her mum and to get her mojo back for the book she is currently struggling with writing.
Author Ruskin Reeve is due to do some workshops on the ship so she hopes attending his talks with inspire her.
Things dont always turn out for the best when her mum also books herself on the cruise and Carmen has no say in the matter.
As we follow carmen and her mum throughout the cruise, we meet many other passengers who turn out to be helpful to Carmen and even step in to lend a hand with Betty, husband and wife Sid and Fran, widowed Chef Theo and Debbie and Don, who is always putting his wife down.
What follows is a week filled with fun, laughter, friendships and romance. Such a great escape from day to day life and it will have you questioning if you yourself should pack your bags and take a cruise. Looking forward to more from Caroline James soon.

Having read Caroline James’ previous book The Cruise I was very excited to read this sequel. And I wasn’t disappointed. From the first page to the last I really felt that I was there on the cruise with the people in the book experiencing everything that they did. It was funny and engaging and I hope Caroline writes another as I’d love to find out the stories of some of the other characters in the book. If you’re looking for a holiday read that whisks you away to another place then this is for you. Pick up your copy now you won’t regret it!

Part of the Book Blog Tour

Set sail for sunshine, romance and a touch of mischief aboard the Diamond Star in this warm and witty rom com.

Carmen Cunningham, a cosy crime writer with writer’s block, books her dream Mediterranean cruise hoping for inspiration – and workshops with her literary idol, Ruskin Reeve. But her much-needed escape comes with an unexpected passenger: her endlessly demanding mother, Betty.

As the ship glides through glittering ports and sun-soaked islands, Carmen discovers friendship, fun, and even a spark of romance with the grumpy yet charming Ruskin. Alongside flamboyant Fran, celebrity chef Theo, and an eccentric mix of passengers, Carmen begins to find her confidence again – despite Betty’s constant interruptions.

But life at sea isn’t all cocktails and sunsets. There are whispers of stolen items, a secret club on board, and a splash of drama between the ship’s entertainer Dicky and scene-stealing drag queen Melody. With laughter, mystery, and heartfelt moments, The Cruise Club is as much about finding yourself as it is about finding love.

Perfect for fans of feelgood escapes, this is a joyous summer read that will leave you smiling long after you’ve docked.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

This is a new author for me but, definitely one I shall be reading in the future.
A cosy crime writer has lost her mojo so to escape in more ways than one she books A dream holiday on a cruise - The diamond Star. Hoping to rekindle her writing mojo by attending literary workshops on board.
Really funny in places and I absolutely loved the characters.
This summer read is exactly what you need to escape from real life.
Really enjoyed.

As the 'Diamond Star' cruises through the Med, Caroline James introduces us to a host of colourful characters. Very soon we are caught up in their romantic adventures and become desperate to solve the mystery of the secret club and missing jewellery.
Sharp, witty and frequently hilarious, this is pure escapism. Enjoy!

This is the follow up to The Cruise which I really enjoyed and although this can be read as a standalone I have to admit I found this tough going. Fran and Sid are brilliant characters but I just couldn’t buy that Carmen and the writer, whose character bored me so much I cannot even recall his name, were suddenly head over heels in love. The ending felt rushed and the plot non existent. I won’t be posting reviews to a wider audience as I usually really enjoy Caroline’s writing and I wouldn’t want to dissuade people from reading her work.

What a great book this was to read. Nothing complicated, just enjoyable storylines that blend together and characters you so could get into. An ideal book for the summer holiday or cosied up in winter with a glass of something in your other hand.

An author struggling to write her next book
Found an advert that was well worth a look.
A cruise holiday with her favourite author there
Can she go without her Mum there needing her care?

However, her Mum thinks the cruise sounds good, too,
So she'll tag along, sure they'll find lots to do.
Carmen isn't so sure as Mum complains even more
Instead of a getaway will it prove more like a chore?

Meeting new people, learning about each other
New places, new meals, so much to discover!
Inspiration to change, others helping, too
There's even romance for quite a few!

But mischief is there, along with the fun
With pineapples, jewellery and so much to be done.
From the crew to the guests, there are surprises, too,
Bringing laughter to readers, all the way through.

I really enjoyed this brilliant, light-hearted read
And hope it proves to be the next book that you need!
For my copy of this fab book, I say a huge thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

The Cruise Club by Caroline James is a fun story about a group of people on a Mediterranean Cruise hoping for new experiences that will help them make changes in their lives. Carmen Cunningham is a cozy crime author who is experiencing writer's block. Ruskin Reeve, an author she idolizes, will be doing workshops on the cruise, and she hopes this will help break through her block. Unfortunately, her overbearing mother, who demands her time and attention, is also going along on the cruise. There is a married couple who own a upscale restaurant, Fran and Sid Cartwright, who I first met in The French Cookery School. Throw in a comedian, Dicky Delaney, who is trying to restart his career, a drag queen, who is a wonderful singer, and a few more interesting passengers, and this is a cruise I would love to have been on.

I really enjoyed The Cruise Club and catching up with a few characters I liked from a previous book. This is not a series and you don't need to have read The French Cookery School. Fran took the class in that book, and now runs an upscale restaurant with her husband Sid. They are best friends, so in love, and they interfere in other's lives a bit to help them enjoy themselves and be the best they can be. Dicky is a bit jaded, and interacts with the audience well, especially when heckled. I wasn't a fan at the beginning of the book, but liked him by the end. I felt so bad for Carmen. Her mother Betty was an unhappy woman and it seemed her goal was to make Carmen's life miserable and put her down every chance she got. Carmen had been beaten down by her mother and gave in to her demands way too easily. When she attended the first workshop, she was fired up and ready to write again until her mother put a damper on it. I liked how Fran took her under her wing to help her come out from under her mother's shadow. There is some romance, some personal growth from various characters and some laughs. Although Carmen is the main character, I really enjoyed many of the other characters just as much. When Betty meets a man, I had some concerns about a con, but was I right? You will have to read this one to find out. A fun story, with great characters, and a cruise that I wish I had been a fly on the wall. If you enjoy a fun travel story, one with interesting characters and an uplifting story, then I recommend you pick up the Cruise Club.

Imagine reading the perfect book and envisaging it as a movie, this would make the most fabulous summer film. Anyway back tothe book, fun in the sun, mischief, with a little saucyness thrown in for fun.

If you want to escape to sunsoaked climes what better way than to do it on a cruise. The story follows Carmen a writer with a block and her demanding mother. Whilst Carmen books the cruise to escape the clutches of her mother for a short while and regain her writing flow, Betty has other ideas and books herself a room also. What ensues is fun and frolicks in the mediterranean.

Perfect summer sun reading - I loved it.

Caroline James's 'The Cruise Club' is a fun, feel-good read that transports readers instantly onto the warm decks of a Mediterranean cruise. As it follows along behind cozy crime writer Carmen Cunningham, who has writer's block and a controlling mother, the plot unravels as she sets off on a dream cruise in the hope of finding her muse again.

The author's inimitable style comes alive in a diverse cast of colorful, offbeat characters who become instant companions. The book seamlessly weaves humor with touching moments, examining second chances, self-discovery, and friendship. As Carmen searches for inspiration, she finds serendipitous love as well as becomes involved in a delightful on-board mystery with missing things and a secret club.

The colorful tales of the Mediterranean ports of call are a particular delight, immersing you in holiday mood. 'The Cruise Club' is an ideal summer read, full of laughter, wit, and just sufficient naughtiness to keep you turning the pages. It's a tribute to the thought that it's never too late to embark on fresh adventures and showing that anything can happen at sea.

Carmen looks after her mother and grabs time to write in any spare time. She has had her first novel published and is now trying to write her second but has writer's block. When she spies a cruise where her favourite author is giving workshops, she thinks there's a chance to get advice and have a break from her mum. Unfortunately mum decides to tag along.
On board, the varied people are described along with cruising life. Caroline describes all delightfully. Just right for which ever kind of holiday you choose

Carmen decides to take a chance. She's a writer who is currently blocked. She's also brow-beaten by her mother. But a flier for a cruise gives her a chance at getting out of her humdrum life and meeting her own favorite author, Ruskin Reeves. Her mother finds out and immediately books the cabin next door. Luckily for Carmen though, she meets a group of peope on board (all of whom we get to know through third person omniscence) who help her grow out of her shell.
I generally enjoyed the book but some of it was a bit more than my suspension of disbelief could bear.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out on July 3, 2025
ARC kindly provided by Avon Books UK and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

BLOG TOUR REVIEW


Review for 'The Cruise Club' by Caroline James

This is the third book I have read by this extremely talented author. I have also read 'The French Cookery School' and 'The Cruise'.

Wow!! Check out this absolutely laugh out loud perfect summer read!!! Yet another absolutely stunning book by this incredible author!! If you have read and loved Caroline's 'The Cruise' then you will LOVE this!! If you haven't then firstly why haven't you and secondly read this, LOVE this and then fall in love with 'The Cruise'!

This book is beautifully written with vivid descriptions and stunning surroundings I was absolutely captivated throughout. The cover and the synopsis work perfectly with the storyline.

I absolutely loved Caroline's 'The Cruise' so when I realised she was going to take us on yet another cruise aboard the 'Diamond Star' well I just had to get my hands on a copy!!! I did wonder how on Earth she was going to master another stunner as good as 'The Cruise' but I should never have questioned this incredible author's talent as, of course, she absolutely slam dunked it!!!! I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVED this absolutely fantastic and hilarious feel good book! Caroline's wonderful emotive and evocative writing skills and descriptions really do ensure the reader disappears into the storyline with the cruise, settings are and characters coming to life all around you from the moment you open the book and continuing long after you finish it. She leaves you smelling the sea air, feeling the sun on your skin and leaves you with a smile on your face and feeling much lighter and happier than before you started. It is one of those books that are rammed with feel good moments, laughter fun, friendship and absolutely everything that you could ever want in an addictive must read! The storyline is realistic and down to earth and the setting is picturesque. I was absolutely sucked in from the first to the last page of this laugh out loud feel good page turner. On several occasions I had to remind myself I was actually in the house and not on a cruise myself as I was that lost in the storyline!! It is one of those books that I just could not put down and I ended up walking around with my kindle glued to my hands. Every time I thought I will just read one more chapter and then get on with some chores it ended in a way that there was no way I could leave it there so I had to read another and then the same happened until I very sadly came to the last page and its absolutely fantastic ending. I absolutely devoured this beauty in just one sitting of a few hours. I genuinely felt like I was on holidays and I was devastated when I came to the end and realised I'd have to pack my suitcase to leave the gorgeous cruise ship and return to rainy Wales after a stunning getaway. I remember writing in my last review that I hoped that Caroline would turn 'The Cruise' into a series and I am just landed that she wrote this but Caroline, we need more!! Please keep them coming as I just cannot get enough of the 'Diamond Star' and your amazing characters!! I really am hoping she is busy writing her next book and I'm looking forward to escaping into more of her past and future successes!!! Each and every one of the characters are strong and realistic and thanks to Caroline's evocative writing skills they all came to life, jumping of the pages and sucking me deep into their lives. Whether I loved them or hated them they all came together to make a perfect story. Thank you so much Caroline on writing another absolutely amazing feel good, laugh out loud page turner!!

Pack your bags, get comfortable, clear your schedules and get ready to go on a cruise of a lifetime with the amazing Caroline James!!

The characters are all realistic, a mix of strong personalities, memorable and larger than life. I absolutely loved meeting all the new characters but also the brilliant Sid and Fran again who I "met" in her other amazing book 'The French Cookery Club', if you haven't read that then again, why on Earth not!! Although he drove me mad last time but we have to have that one character we love to hate and in this book it is Dick by name, Dick by nature!! He wasn't the only one I wasn't a fan of but if we loved everyone in a book there would be no fun!!! I absolutely LOVED meeting Carmen, Sid, Fran, Thea and Melody Moon to name just a few! Each of the characters that came on the cruise had their own unique personalities, flaws, weaknesses, quirks and strengths, staff and the public alike, and I absolutely LOVED IT!! All of these characters and more make this an unforgettable, stunning book that will have you putting on your sun cream, grabbing yourself a cocktail and being whisked away on a gorgeous cruise!!! They all came to life before my eyes and I am really hoping we get to meet them all again!!!

Caroline congratulations on yet another absolutely STUNNING novel. Your book is a page turning laugh out loud and soul lifting success and I cannot wait to get stuck into more of your books! This lady is why you are one of my favourite authors and go to ones when I want a feel good read!!

Overall an absolutely gorgeous book that will whisk you off on a cruise ship and lift your heart and spirit. A page turning, addictive compelling novel that will leave you wanting more

#TheCruiseClub #CarolineJames #Avon #RachelsRandomResources #rararesources
@CarolineJames @Avon @Netgalley @RachelsRandomResources @rararesources


https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__tn__=%2As-R

https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhitlock86/

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/34299953-kirsty-bookworm86

https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/profile/amzn1.account.AFZ2XZBSFHIHXBXGZLBQ666XVK4A?ie=UTF8&ref_=ya_mb_l_prf

An escapist summer read with lovely settings and funny characters with all the shenanigans. It is like catching up with old friends.

The Cruise Club follows the story of author Carmen, who has a looming deadline and writer’s block. She books a cruise to clear her head and for space from her overbearing mother.

Although a standalone, we met with characters from the author’s previous books who definitely added life to the party.

Set aboard the Diamond Star and the various islands visited, we are immersed into the lives of the characters and their shenanigans aboard the ship.

I love the author’s writing and her characters are real (no airs). I felt frustrated with Carmen and how she lets her mum belittle her. I was expecting her to apologise.

If you are looking for an escapist read for the summer, you should read this.

Although this is the sequel to “The Cruise” I was able to read this one without having read that with no trouble whatsoever and enjoyed it just fine. It is an uplifting read filled with characters of an older age which is always refreshing.
Carmen books the cruise as an escape from her overbearing mother when she sees her favorite author Ruskin is booked to speak onboard. Her mother has other ideas and decides to join her to Carmen’s dismay. Once onboard, Carmen makes new friends who help her come out of her mother’s shadow and find confidence in herself and her own writing. There’s also a mystery to solve as a side and some naughtiness with the UPPC.
This story is like spending the afternoon with old friends-love and laughter and touching moments too along with all the amenities onboard a cruise ship.
This is a great vacation read anytime of year.
Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.