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.

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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".

Wow this book was a rollercoaster! Amazingly I could literally envision this entire book and I haven't even been to Benidorm.

That being said, Connie must literally have the worst luck in the world. If I was Matteo I would be sending her straight home on a plane cause she seems like very bad news. The first few accidents seemed funny and a bit fated but they just kept happening! I really felt sorry for her at points as she was clearly struggling with grief and depression and noone was really supporting that, but overall the trip definitely seemed to help her find herself even if it did all happen within a week.

The Dollz were absolute characters and honestly chaotic, they never seemed to make any progress and I couldn't really grasp what they were adding to the story positively. Although I definitely want friends like Ged & Liam! I weirdly don't really know what to think of this book but it definitely gave me some giggles.

Connie is down on her luck. She's depressed over her mother's death. She tanked her audition. And she just lost her singing job. But the next day her boss offers her a chance to redeem herself. A popular singer has had to bow out of a job, so Connie is offered a chance to be his replacement. She travels to Benidorm for a week accompanied by the Dollz, her opening act. These 5 ladies are opposite of Connie--they are loud, they are free-spirited, they love to drink, and they don't seem to take their jobs seriously. Can Connie survive the week with her career and her dignity intact?

If you are looking for a fun summer romance, this is it! It has been a long time since I laughed out loud during a book. The story was a comedy of errors. Connie reminded me of Mia in the Princess Diaries. Just when you think things couldn't get any more messed up...guess again! I love how the Dollz helped Connie evolve as a person and as a singer. The only thing that could've been better was her relationship with Matteo. I felt it could have been fleshed out a little bit more. It went from hate/annoyance to attraction to love fairly quickly. Overall, it was a lighthearted, feel good read.

It took me a few chapters to get into this book, Connie is struggling with grief and is a performer that gets offered a week singing in Benidorm. She reluctantly takes it and after a very rocky start bonds with the girls who are also performing with her.

I laughed, it was cheesy and predictable but a fun summer book. It leans more on the comedy than romance too.

Matteo seems lovely, although we actually don't know much about it or Nacho by the end of it. I also definitely wouldn't want to be on that flight to Alicante with Cherry and the rest of the girls twerking, singing and causing chaos. (Although I have been on a few flights to Alicante that are almost the same).

Each poolside read, I finished in a couple of hours. Overall I finished reading feeling positive about the book and enjoyed the story.

If you're craving a feel-good read that feels like a holiday in book form, Girls Just Want to Have Sun delivers. It’s messy, funny, and full of heart—with a chaotic girl group, big dreams, and just the right amount of romantic tension. Connie is totally relatable as she stumbles (and sparkles) through a week that challenges everything she thought she knew.

It’s not all poolside drinks and drama—there’s real emotion and growth tucked in with the glitter. One star off because I wanted a bit more depth in the romance, but this book absolutely shines when it comes to friendship and figuring yourself out.

I can see why other people liked this book but unfortunately it wasn’t my style. The humor was a bit too over the top and slapstick for my liking. And since I didn’t find the characters antics humerus, I didn’t have much to point to as an offset to their downsides (i.e., Connie is stuck up and judgmental, the Dollz are vapid).

However, if slapstick comedy is your thing, this could be a good summer read - easy, ridiculous, and light hearted.

Thank you to Jo Lyons, Boldwood, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.