A light, enjoyable read if you’re after a funny summer book.

Connie is grappling with the loss of her mother and can’t seem to move on, something I found really relatable. The story captures all the ups and downs she goes through to finally feel like herself again, and it’s portrayed as a genuine part of the healing process.

I also liked how the book explores the meaning of friendship. Overall, it touches on important themes with a comedic tone, which makes them feel less heavy.

Definitely worth a read!

This book was cute. There was a lot of second hand embarrassment happening and a few cringe worthy moments but all in good humor. If I had to give it a category it would be a feel good summer read. While this wasn't the most exciting book it definitely is light hearted. It's all told from Connie's perspective.

Connie is a singer who's on her last chance with her manager because she's been on a downward spiral since her mom died a few years ago. She's been struggling and mainly just existing instead of living. On her last chance, it's to fill in for a cover singer with a band called The Dollz. Her two best friends encourage her to take this chance and use it to the fullest, so she does. But The Dollz are on the opposite end of the spectrum from Connie where they are all party and no discipline. When they get on the plane to head to their destination she meets Matteo. But none of their meetings are easy because something always goes wrong. Throughout this journey Connie is struggling to live life to the fullest but is desperate to make it work.

The Dollz got on my last nerve for most of the book but their chaotic behavior grew on me towards the last third of the book. I wouldn't say they were my favorite people in the story but Cherry had to be my favorite of the girl group. They were a hot mess but even through their chaos they seem to be like that life long crazy friend.

Connie's roommates were my favorite side characters. They have so much love and drama running through them that everytime they were in the story I would burst out laughing. Nacho was another one. He was very vain but it never rubbed you the wrong way. He was just too adorable.

Connie was a hot mess too and her struggle was probably the most realistic thing about this story. Her character development felt genuine and you could see each growth and back peddle because overcoming grief or depression is never a straight line. Her cringy moments really made me feel it and the amount of ohh my god or ohh no's I repeated throughout this book had to be over a few dozen. Matteo was adorable and you can't help but love him even when you want him to make a move so badly.

All in all, super cute summer read.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Very funny book full of lighthearted moments. Perfect for a day at the beach or by the pool

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Losing her Mum brought Connie down
But singing sad songs just brings on a frown.
Her agent has had enough of the lows
So off to Benidorm Connie goes!

Meeting other performers on her way there
Gives Connie something like a bad scare.
This sets the tone for their acts, too,
What on earth should Connie do?

On the plane journey she met Matteo, too,
Not knowing his role or what he’d do!
With new roles, new gigs and surprises galore
Connie has new opportunities to explore.

A fun read despite starting with so much grief
Showing living life to the full can change your belief
New experiences, new friendships and so much more
Make this too delightful a read to ignore!

For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this my honest review.

This is a great holiday book: an easy rom-com read, set abroad and with humour. It's not my usual sort of read but it was enjoyable. It took me a while to warm to the main female character but it was still enjoyable.

My Initial Thoughts
I knew I was going to love this, after the first few chapters! I was giggling so much at Mr Window Seat guys misfortunes. The chaos that erupts just in the first 5 or so chapters just sets the tone for the rest of the book and I knew I was going to be in a great place while reading. The Dollz was actually madness, like a bunch of feral toddlers on the loose and poor Connie, trying to pick up the pieces.
Plot
I love the slowness of this, it was like watching a romance fall perfectly in place, despite the obstacles in their way. There was so much comedy in every time Matteo and Connie was together. Not to mention The Dollz and the nuns. There was so much laughter, that was much needed. The development for Connie’s character and travelling through her grief is also a big part of the storyline which Jo writes in spectacularly.
Characters
I loved the characters, The Dollz, although self-centred, do have some heart and love for Connie in their own way. Nacho and Matteo add the elements of males, with their own need and helpfulness to Connie, Nacho bringing her out of her comfort zone and Matteo being the romance interest. I was so zoned in on Connie’s journey through grief and lost, no matter how much time has passed and it was a journey that she conquered and then some.
Recommend
If you need a laugh, romance, and to watch a characters journey to discovering themselves again, pick this up!!!
Favourite Quote
“We are responsible for our own happiness and success. Don’t rely on anyone to make it happen for you.”
Favourite Chapter/s
My favourite chapters were 3,6,13 and 14.
Summed up in one sentence
The wholehearted laughter I didn’t know I needed.
Overall Wrap up
I was in need of so much humour, and this hit the spot and then some! I loved everything about this and was giggling non-stop and the chaos that followed Connie was just hilarious and the cave scene had me in fits. There was a part that shocked me and I was not happy but its soon fixed and the love is there again. All in all this was an awesome rom-com!
Stars & Spice – 5 stars and 2 chilli spices.

Book Information – Girls Just Want To Have Sun by Jo Lyons.

Genre – Rom-Com.

Pages – 310 pages.

Tropes –
Grumpy x sunshine.
Brooding MMC.
Travelling through grief.

Available on Kindle Unlimited – Yes this is available on kindle unlimited!

Available Formats – Available on kindle, audiobook, paperback and hardcover.

Publishing Information – Published on 14th June 2025 by Boldwood Books.

Format in Which I Read – I read this on my kindle.

Where my copy come From – My copy came from Netgallery.

POVs – This is written in a single POV, just Connie's.

Single/Dual/Multiple Timelines – This is written on a single timeline.

1st, 2nd or 3rd person – This is written in 1st person.

HEA, HFN or Cliff hanger – This ends in a HEA.

Series or Standalone – Girls Just Want To Have Sun is the first book in The Girls series.

Trigger Warnings – Please check content warnings before reading if necessary and please always remember that your mental health matters.

I think I have found a new must read author! Jo Lyons has really hit the mark with this laugh out loud romantic comedy.

We are taken on quite the emotional rollercoaster with the female main character, Connie, as she makes a last ditch attempt to take back control of her life. She takes a job in Benidorm which is completely out of her comfort zone. However it could be just the thing to turn her life around.

The Dollz are absolutely hilarious as characters and I loved reading about their antics.

Highly recommend a read - now I’m off to pick up the next in the series!

A hilarious rom com about 3 girls on a trip who have bad luck, I don't laugh at many books. Jo Lyons definitely knows where to hit the funny bone. This is a short, easy read for a day laying out by the pool or the beach if you are lucky. Thanks to netgally and the publisher Boldwood books for this eARC
!

This was a quick and entertaining read that I finished in a few hours.
A well written story that kept me hooked from the very beginning.
The characters draw you in and keeps you flipping the pages.
The characters were all realistic and very well developed.
I really enjoyed the writing style. I found myself hooked, turning the pages.

This was a funny story!

Connie is a singer and she gets a fill-in gig trying to save her career. She's off to Benidorm with opening act, the Dollz. Now those girls know how to have a good time - only they keep forgetting Connie is with them. She gets mixed up with the hot guy she met on the airplane and her landlord, who's crazy fun. It's a great summer read - but has a lot of depth, too. Connie is a very interesting character and I enjoyed this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

A fun summer read to get lost in. I love beach reads; this book doesn't take itself seriously at all. The characters were fun and the storyline zany. Sure some characters weren't that likeable but who cares?! It was an enjoyable read!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I rated this book 3.5 stars because it took me a minute to connect with Connie... but really it is a 3.8 stars!

Connie is a mess emotionally and physically! Her biggest fan passed away and she has not recovered. I mean I do not blame her, I have no idea what I would do if I lost my mother.

Then she gets a last minute opportunity to and sing...and this is where the fun begins.

This story is about friends, love, soul searching (when you least expect it) taking changes, and living in the moment!

I enjoyed this book! It was hilarious and heartfelt. This is my first Jo Lions book and it will not be my last.

Ps. Best lines that had me rolling!
“ Remember , girls, chicks before dicks! Sisters before misters! Hoes before bros,

“I don’t think so Mr. Window seat! You are clearly not ready for this jelly!”

I need more Jo Lyons in my life. I need more Connie, Matteo and Dollz in my life!! I devoured this in the audiobook in a day. I couldn't stop listening to the book. I was hooked.

I must admit, like everyone, you aren't going to like the Dollz to begin with. I mean, at the end, you still might not, but I loved the camaraderie at the end. Yes, they were selfish at the beginning; they left Connie, and I was outraged for her. From the cringy airplane trip, to black eyes, concussions, sick around the poolside. I was hooting and having a whale of a time. My only gripe is I couldn't see the Dollz perform or Connie sing! I can imagine from the descriptions that it was magical.

You just know anytime the Dollz need to be somewhere, there is carnage. Everything you imagine that could go wrong does. I just don't know how it happened! It was spectacular! These girls do need to learn a little bit from their actions and look around further than themselves. Connie is a diamond amongst the rough, and I loved to see her grow.

I adored this book. I loved this book. I want more, and I am here for anything that Jo might write. She really does have a way with words; she gives you a story that you are invested in and that gives you an escape for a few hours.

This was such a fun read and I honestly had tears of laughing rolling down my face at times . Sometimes we all need to have a good laugh and this book is just the ticket . From the characters to the setting of Benidorm there wasn’t one single thing I could fault about this book. It had everything for the perfect summer beach read.

Thank you boldwood books for the arc and NetGalley

I fully enjoyed it, it was fast paced it was a cute rom com everything you want for it, I laughed a few times enjoyed the characters and the fun plot it was a good summer read and it was a self discovery for the main character too which was good it has humour a few mishaps friendship and second chances I realised aswell this is 4 book I believe you can read it a standalone now need to read the rest of series overall 4 stars

Girls Just Want to Have Sun is a lighthearted, laugh-out-loud summer read. Connie’s down on her luck—grieving her mom, flopping an audition, and losing her singing gig—until she’s offered a last-minute chance to perform in Benidorm. She’s joined by the Dollz, a wild and carefree girl group who are nothing like her. Chaos, comedy, and unexpected friendships follow.

This book gave me major Princess Diaries vibes, with plenty of hilarious mishaps and heartfelt moments. I especially loved seeing Connie grow with the help of the Dollz. My only wish? A bit more development in her romance with Matteo—it moved a little too fast. Still, it’s a fun, feel-good escape perfect for summer.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The perfect piece of summer escapism, I loved this and was reading it during the mini heatwave we had, I say that jokingly as a day and half of nice weather isn’t a wave of anything, but it made me be able to pretend even more I was on the beach. Fun summer read perfect for any escape

Connie is a singer stuck in a rut and her agent sends her off to Benidorm to fill in for an Ed Sheeran tribute act. I’ve got to admit, I can’t get excited for a Sheeran tribute act but Connie is in a bad way with a level of grief for her mum which she’s struggling to get out of. Can a term on the Costa Blanca help our leading lady?!

The short trip Connie is sent on is a game changer, from UK airport to the village she stays in. Her life changes from the second she meets the Dollz. They are a force to be reckoned with, escaping their day to day life to perform on a stage to drunken crowds. I loved their exuberance but cringed at some of their antics given their home life!

This is a glorious journey that Connie goes on. It’s tough at times but she learns a lot about herself and her attitude to life. I did identify with Connie to an extent, she’s not a risk taker, she goes with the crowd but she’s a rule follower (yes they are some of my downfalls – particularly the first and last).

I thought I’d had a previous taster of Jo Lyon’s’ writing prior to heading to Benidorm but Goodreads tells me differently. That said, I loved my trip to the Costa Blanca and went through Connie’s emotional rollercoaster as she tried to organise the Dollz, deal with her pervy landlord and fight her desire for the man who could send her home at the drop of a hat! Cracking fun read! Looking forward to more from Jo Lyons!!

I enjoyed reading Girls Just Want to Have Sun by Jo Lyons. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Oh my goodness this book had me belly laughing from the start. The dynamic between Connie and the Dollz was brilliant, I resonate with Connie so much that need to make your mum proud and live a life in their memory but struggling with grief is hard. The levity provided by the chaos of the dollz and their antics had me smiling throughout and laughing til it hurt. This book is perfect for long summer days and I loved it so much.