The premise of this book sounded like it would be an entertaining book.

Connie's singing career has tanked. She is classically trained and has not been able to recover since the loss of her mom to cancer. She is given an unexpected opportunity to headline a music festival but has a unique cast of women as her support band.

There were some hits in this book for me. I thought the chemistry between Connie and Matteo was fun. But the over-the-top extreme repetitive antics of the Dollz felt unbelievable and contrived. If Connie said one more time that she was classically trained and the gig was below her, I would have screamed.

I feel like the book had possibility and that the editing was more of the issue than the writing.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

I wanna start off by saying thank you to both the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

I wanna start off by saying I am not usually a negative reviewer when it comes to rating books but I spent 90% of the time not knowing what the heck was going on in this story.
The Dollz? I still cannot tell you which is which, what they do, or their personalities. It was so hard to keep track of each of them and whenever they did or said something I couldn’t figure out who that one was. And the ways they treated Connie and she just took it? ANNOYING. And some of the Dollz did fat shame during the story when talking about outfits for the stage.
The FMC? She had absolutely no personality except woah is me and I am an opera singer. And the fact that her and Matteo fell in love? HOW! All they did is cause accidents together. They never actually got to know each other. She had better chances of falling for nacho when they were interacting.
Overall I do not feel like this story had any body to it and that there was multiple unnecessary moving parts. I usually do not DNF books as I always hope my opinion would change but this one would have definitely been one I did.

This was a really fun story that makes me really want to book a girls trip 🍹

I found the tone of voice very dry and funny, however I will say that it’s one of those stories where you have to completely suspend disbelief as a lot of the characters felt quite like caricatures.

I did find the message of the story uplifting, and I feel like this is a fun book to take on holiday. Overall, it was a 3⭐️ read for me.

I understand why "Girls Just Want to Have Sun" is receiving high reviews. This lighthearted summer novel humorously follows the chaotic story of Connie, a classically trained musician who dreams of joining the Royal Northern Sinfonia. However, her manager sends her to Benidorm where she either has to succeed or fail. There, Connie finds herself performing with the Dollz, a flamboyant and drunken group that is the complete opposite of her usual singing style. The week-long trip is filled with disaster after another, and I found the Dollz to be overwhelming. While I did laugh a few times, I ultimately wasn't a fan of the book or its story. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Jo Lyons for the advanced ARC copy for my honest review.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. The concept had a lot of potential, but the characters were one dimensional and the plot was completely all over the place. What I thought would be a fun poolside read turned into one of the most vapid, confusing books I’ve ever read. Connie needs to learn some serious boundaries.

A hilarious, warm and hopeful romcom. This is a fabulous read. Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

This is a short, breezy read that’s ideal for a beach day, following grief-stricken singer Connie as she finds herself on an unexpectedly wild adventure performing in Benidorm with the larger-than-life girl group, The Dollz. The story dives straight into outrageous antics, with each chapter ramping up the chaos and comedy.

It’s clear why this book has been getting great reviews—there’s plenty of fun and flair, and readers looking for an over-the-top escapist romp will likely enjoy the ride. Personally, though, I found myself cringing more than chuckling. As much as I wanted to love The Dollz and join in the madness, the humor and style just weren’t quite my thing.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Jo Lyons for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

📚 Follow me on TikTok for more reviews — @LacedinLit 🩷

The perfect start to summer beach read! I loved this from start to freaking finish!
This had all of the elements of a good summer read: I laughed out loud multiple times and enjoyed every single page!

2.5/5 This book unfortunately wasn't for me. I did not really enjoy the characters, especially The Dollz and did not really connect with the relationship between Connie and Matteo. I felt that all the accidents and things that went wrong throughout the book were not that funny. While it was a quick read and I did not mind the ending it just wasn't for me. Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this ARC.

This was a bundle of silly fun! At times it was ultra-ridiculous but I didn't mind that. Pacey, mad, funny. Cute, smouldering hero and slightly irritating heroine.

If you're looking for an easy, fun, light rom-com, this one is perfect.

I laughted so much during this story! It's such a fun summery rom-com, with emphasis on the Com. The FMC, Connie, is just a beautiful disaster. Seeing her finding her spot on the Dollz and navigating through Benidorm with her, was a party. Loved to read her journey of self discovery and self love and the humor is just outstanding.

The Rom part was cute but could be a bit more present. Love Matteo, he sure is the perfect fit. But would have loved to read a more in depth romance.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for entrusting me with an advanced copy to write an honest review about.

This is a fun, feel-good romp that perfectly blends humor, heart, and a splash of sunshine. Connie, a down-on-her-luck singer reeling from personal and professional disappointments, is thrust into the chaos of a last-minute gig in Benidorm with the wild, free-spirited Dollz as her opening act. What follows is a week full of mishaps, personal growth, and laugh-out-loud moments.

Connie’s journey—from grief and self-doubt to rediscovery—is heartwarming and relatable, especially as the unlikely friendship with the Dollz helps her break out of her shell. The dynamic among the women adds vibrant energy to the story, with each character bringing something unique and outrageous to the mix.

The romance with Matteo adds a sweet layer, though it could have benefited from more development—it leans a bit too heavily on the quick transition from friction to passion. Still, the charm of the setting and the comedic timing more than make up for it.

This book is an uplifting, summery escape about second chances, found family, and rediscovering your sparkle.

I loved this book. It was a fun and easy read. Connie’s life is a train wreck and she is trying to get it back together after her mom died. This book will have you laughing.
Connie goes to Spain with the Dollz to kick start her singing career and she has a hard time fitting in. She also meets this very handsome man that she is trying to impress.

such a feel good read. one we could all do with right now. i think these lighter books dont get enough credit for the genius they are. but im always going to shout up for them. as they really are little gems of genius.
Connie and all the characters she is forced to be amongst make this novel the star it is. and the characters are all shining stars themselves.
i was doing that too big smile many times throughout this book and giggling too.
a gorgeous read that makes you feel warmer just for reading it.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved the reading this book.

It was a story which was emotional, funny and one of finding yourself again after things go wrong in your life.

From the beginning it was a page turner, with lovely characters.

I liked Mateo, and how Connie tried to find her place with the Dollz.

It captured the vibe of holidaying in Benidorm perfectly.

I recommend this book.

This is a fun, feel-good book perfect for a sunny day and summer vacation. Jo Lyons delivers humor, heart, and a cast of relatable women navigating friendship, change, and second chances. It was a bit frustrating that some of the characters didn't make much progress.
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I wonder if an audiobook might have been a better option.

Thank you, @netgalley and @ BoldwoodBooks, for my #gifted (free) copy of the ebook. The publication date is June 14, 2025.

A down-on-her-luck singer gets a last-chance gig and joins a girl group in Benidorm. This book is full of mishaps and humor and is a light Summer read!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

Margaritas, mayhem, and a whole lot of glitter—Girls Just Want to Have Sun is a sun-soaked chaotic delight that had me laughing out loud from chapter one. This book is exactly what you want in a summer romcom: vibrant, hilarious, heartwarming, and just the right amount of ridiculous.

Connie is a classically trained singer whose career is circling the drain. After a string of flopped auditions and a rapidly evaporating reputation, she lands a last-minute gig in Benidorm (yes, that Benidorm) and figures she has nothing left to lose. What she doesn’t expect? A room full of glitter bombs known as the Dollz—a girl group of pure chaos—and a moody, maddeningly hot local named Matteo who has her off-key in more ways than one.

What starts off as Connie’s last-ditch effort to save her career turns into a wild ride of self-discovery, unlikely friendships, emotional healing, and—of course—a bit of romance under the Spanish sun. Jo Lyons masterfully balances humor and heart here. You’ll laugh at the disasters, cringe at the awkward moments (in the best way), and root for Connie as she learns to find her voice again—on stage and off.

The Dollz are outrageous and lovable, Matteo is grumpy-perfection, and Connie? She’s messy, funny, relatable, and just trying to get her life together with a mic in one hand and a tequila shot in the other. There are some truly touching moments around grief, resilience, and friendship that add depth to the glittery chaos.

If you love Portia MacIntosh, Sophie Ranald, or Sophie Gravia, Girls Just Want to Have Sun deserves a spot in your beach bag. It’s the perfect romcom for readers who like their laughs loud, their drama sparkly, and their love stories with just a touch of karaoke.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC!
Now excuse me while I try to join the Dollz.

This is a laugh out loud summer read that will actually have you laughing out loud (not just have you loudly exhaling while reading). There are multiple mishaps as well as moments that had you feeling for Connie. Although Connie is not my favorite character, you see how grief can hit you in ways you could not imagine. As she was picking up the pieces to her life, finding her path and finding her literal voice she comes into contact with a group of people who bring her out of her slump. Connie would not have picked Nacho or the Dollz to part of her grief journey but they were vital to how she learns to navigate life without her Mom earthside. Matteo was also integral to the story but I wish his dynamic with Alex played out differently (a little more backstory, timeline, and more protectiveness over Connie). In the end this was a fantastic summer read that has more depth then the usual "rom-com".