Get ready to set sail on the Diamond Star and join our lovely characters in The Cruise Club for some fun, sun, soul searching and shenanigans!

Stuck in a rut and facing writers blog, cosy crime writer Carmen decides to be spontaneous and head off on a luxury cruise - alone! Except her overbearing mother has other ideas and tags along! What follows is a delightful tale of self discovery, family dynamics and friendships, plus beautiful settings, shows and food galore.

What you will find is pure escapism between the pages of this gem. The characters are brilliant, Betty especially. I can so envisage her, hear her comments and retorts and feel I’m cringing along with her daughter. All the characters are developed so well, and I loved the way they came together and friendships bloomed. In a short space of time friendships were made for life and people came together as a community to help and support each other.

Theo was another amazing character, while dealing with his own heartbreak he opens up and trusts others, giving assistance to them in ways only a best friend could. Theo is definitely someone you want in your life.

As much as I’d love to discuss all the main characters, you just need to jump on board and meet them all yourself.

The description of the cruise, where it sails and all the places that are visited are fantastic, you really will see yourself there among the characters, soaking up the sun and enjoying a cold beverage!

As Carmen and Fran head of shopping, it reminded me of a time I visited Rhodes and bought myself a dress in one of the many beautiful stores.

All in all this is a beautiful read to loose yourself in. Be ready for the many different (and sometimes slightly naughty!) adventures that happen in The Cruise Club!!

An enjoyable romantic comedy that kept me hooked to the end. Beautiful locations, interesting characters, romance and new friendships, the author weaved a lovely tale.

The Cruise Club was a joy to read. With its group of loveable (albeit some less so than others) and quirky characters, I instantly fell into the story. The group felt like old friends I'd joined for a holiday. As we cruised through the Mediterranean, I enjoyed all the stops and descriptions, which were wonderfully immersive.

This was a real comfort read with well-written characters and beautiful settings.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an ARC. All thoughts are my own.

I loved the background characters. There’s friendship, romance, laughter, all of the feelings with some mystery thrown in too. Cute cozy read

Absolutely loved this book. It was hilariously good fun! So many laugh out loud moments. Fantastic characters! I enjoyed the element of mystery trying to work out the thief.

The whole cruise and stopping off at each location was beautiful, I could just imagine myself there in all the sunny places.

Really enjoyed my cruise!

It almost felt as if I was sailing along on this cruise alongside the characters and the wonderful descriptions of places and food made it even more vivid.

I so wanted Carmen to stand up for herself and was definitely on her side as the book progressed. Great to catch up with characters from The French Cookery School, Fran and Sid. After reading this book I don’t think I will ever view depictions of pineapples in the same way again and any references to squid will make me smile.

Loved the fact that there were writers and writing classes on the boat. Theo definitely captured my heart.

Looking forward to the next Caroline James book already.

Another fun and lively story from Caroline James, bringing together a cast of interesting and realistic characters on a cruise for pensioners. Carmen is the main character- a writer of cosy crime who has missed her chance of love and a life of her own because of the overbearing and critical mother she feels obliged to look after. From fellow cruisers to guest speakers to the entertainment staff, there is s great mix of people here, each with their own problems, idiosyncrasies and secrets. Friendships are formed, romance blooms, and some lives are changed very much for the better.. I loved every minute of it.

This is my third Caroline James book and it's just as fun book filled with gorgeous locations, but also filled with friendships, kindness and of course, love.

From the moment I read the first line I knew I was going to love Carmen and reading her story but also getting to meet new people. There are many a moments I was giggling and times when I wanted to scream at certain characters. Caroline also, somehow, manages to weave a crime mystery but will you figure it before the end?

It was so nice picking up with old characters again from previous books. But who? You'll have to wait and see on this gorgeous beach or pool worthy book that has you smiling and laughing until the end.

Fabulous work and I can't wait to read her next one.

I couldn’t wait to read this one as I read The Cruise and loved it. It was great to be back with the ever charismatic Dicky (I seem to love his character and wayward charm). All Caroline’s characters are written in a way that makes them relatable and seem real. Betty was a hard faced character and I couldn’t wait to see if she lightened up for poor Carmen or if her reign of grumpiness would continue. I also had a soft spot for Fran and Sid. I couldn’t wait for Debbie to say her first words on the cruise since Don was the ever demeaning husband. Theo however, well I love him and his kindness he showed Carmen.

It is written in such a fun way and I enjoyed reading about the excursions they went on. There is a budding romance throughout, friendship and also a mystery that underpins the plot too which made for a great read. So much was packed into the story there wasn’t a dull moment, a fun, lighthearted, humorous read I would recommend.

The main character is described as an author of cozy mysteries and this book definitely has that cozy feeling to it. Most of the action takes place on a cruise liner and the interplay of all the different characters and all their colourfulness kept the pace of the book high.. the author has a way of describing a myriad of people and their social interactions in a way that made me feel part of it, the crew seemed a friendly place to be even when there was a bit of mayhem. There is a bit of romance running through the book however the real takeaway for me with the intersection of peoples lives on this cruise when no one can go anywhere.. Areal hopeful book.

“A cruise is more than the start of a journey, it is the beginning of a love affair with the sea, where every port brings a new adventure.”

This is the first quote in the book and as an avid cruiser, it couldn’t be more true. From the first page I knew I’d love this book. It’s full of warmth, humour, fun and friendship - everything you want in a book. There’s fun mystery elements in the book that adds a layer of depth to the story. It feels like you’re really there on the cruise and hanging out with your best friends. A fabulous summer read!

Another brilliant summer read from Caroline. I loved the characters she writes as they're always so human and relatable.

I just finished a great heartwarming book. The Cruise Club by Caroline James is available soon and is one you won’t want to miss.

This is a brilliant book, I felt as though the characters became my friends and felt sad to leave them when I finished reading it! At first I found Betty unbelievably irritating, she was so rude to her daughter, but then she became just one of a group of characters, and in fact is quite hilarious later on in the book. The cruise itinerary is so good I reached for my iPad more than once to Google more about it, I’ve definitely been inspired to go on a cruise. Please keep these books coming, they’re fantastic entertainment.

I am planning a Mediterranean cruise next month so I felt this would be a great kick off book.
Carmen, our FMC, is seeking a caregiver break from caring for her mother however, she comes along too.
Thankfully Carmen finds a found family of girlfriends that you will fall in love with! Each character is well developed and even a cameo from other books.
I greatly enjoyed the romance and the friendship and the humor lightened up the book.

I was so excited to read this book as I loved Caroline’s book The Cruise and couldn’t wait to hear more from The Diamond Star.

Carmen needs a break away from her elderly mother Betty but unfortunately she insists on tagging along to ruin Carmen’s dream holiday. However Carmen meets some great friends and both her and Betty make some life changing connections.

The characters were brilliant and so well described, I really felt like I was on the ship with them. Fran is an excellent character from Caroline’s previous book The French Cookery School so it was great to catch up with her and her lovely husband. It was also great to have Dicky Delaney back on board as i do have a soft spot for him and his act.

There was plenty of humour, romance, friendship and some mystery which made for an amazing 5 star summer read which I would definitely recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley, Caroline James and Avon Books UK for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Introvert Carmen, a crime writer with a writer's block, books a cruise to meet her favourite author, Ruskin. hoping for inspiration . Unfortunately her cantankerous mother insists on accompanying her. Meeting new friends and undergoing a make-over, the cruise may just change her life. Perfect easy holiday/wet weather reading ..

A brilliant light read. The author has cruising down to a fine art. Some laugh out moments . Great characters . Great story . You get love. I love the ending neat. Read it you won’t be disappointed. Some good twists . Perfect for a holiday read.

Carmen is a cosy crime writer but has lot the way for her next book. Her mother Betty is very controlling and won't let Carmen do. anything. Carmen finds out her favourite crime author is giving talk aboard a cruise ship so decides to book but then her mother finds and decides to book as well.

I was transported on The Diamond Star (Cruise Ship) which was a very special cruise. We follow the main characters Carmen Cunningham, Betty (Carmen’s mum), Ruskin Reeve and many others as they embark on the cruise and I have to say that I genuinely felt as though I was on the Mediterranean Cruise with them. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline as we follow each character. We experience the beauty of friendship and the importance of kindness which the author has portrayed beautifully in this book. If you need a form of escapism this book will definitely take you there. I’ve never been on a cruise (always dreamt of going on one). I genuinely felt as though I was riding the waves.. I was sad to see the journey come to an end.

This was a cozy feel good read about friendships, hardships and helping each other. Carmen is a writer who’s looking after her very grumpy mother when she sees an ad for a cruise, she jumps at the chance, but her mother wants to come too. When she’s on the cruise she meets new friends and has a great time. A lovely book with plenty of inspiring characters who are relatable. The descriptions of the surroundings were beautiful and it made you want to jump on a plane or ship to Greece. An overall happy 5 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

I may have said it before, but I'll happily say it again - Caroline James and cruising is an irresistible combination.

And what a book this is, I definitely recall wanting more books featuring cruising from this author after finishing the Cruise and boy has this delivered, but honestly I still want more - and there are far more places cruises go other than the Med and Caribbean, so I'd like to think there could be more!

Speaking of the the author's previous cruise book ,this one is onboard the same ship, with a couple of returning staff members, but it is a totally brand new, and completely standalone story. But for anyone that has read it, the ship itself will feel like a familiar friend.

I was back into the rhythm of the Diamond Star really quickly and I loved getting to know all of the new highlighted guest on board.

What really struck me was the very tricky relationship between Carmen and her mother, and how if the pandemic hadn't got in the way, how the relationship between me and my mum may have turned out. I completely sympathised with Carmen - Betty is very demanding and tricky to deal with.

Thankfully Carmen actually makes friends on this cruise, which Betty had tagged along on, and she even gets to meet one of her writing heroes, Ruskin who is one of the guest speakers on the ship.

I was delighted to see that one of the main headliners on board is in fact a drag queen, I love drag and in my 9 or so cruises, I don't believe I've seen drag act at all onboard, which is a shame. But Melody is fabulous and although not a main character, there is still a good amount of depth to her as we got to know her through conversations with Dicky!

I absolutely loved the various ports of call on this ship, and ones that I have visited myself really felt very well described. There is so so much that I loved about this story, but I don't want to give anything away. But rest assured there are some very nice character arcs, there is some romance, some humour and some really touching moments too.

I couldn't have enjoyed this more and I was totally hooked on reading it and it's a perfect summer holiday read.

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Cruise Club was exactly the escape I didn’t know I needed! This book had it all—sunshine, sass, a sprinkle of romance, and a good dose of cozy mystery—all set aboard a cruise ship sailing through dreamy Mediterranean ports. Honestly, I devoured it in two sittings with a big smile on my face.

Carmen Cunningham is the kind of protagonist you root for immediately: funny, frazzled, and fiercely relatable. As a cosy crime writer struggling with writer’s block and juggling the chaos that is her strong-willed mother, Betty, I instantly connected with her. The idea of booking a cruise to revive her creativity sounded like a perfect getaway… until Betty decides to tag along, of course.

Betty might just steal the show. She’s outrageous in the best possible way—meddling, dramatic, and secretly lovable. Their mother-daughter dynamic had me laughing out loud more than once, especially as they got wrapped up in shipboard shenanigans involving mysterious thefts and whispers of a secret club.

And then there’s Ruskin Reeve—the grumpy, aloof literary idol who ends up being more than he seems. The chemistry between him and Carmen felt like a slow simmer, full of banter and charm, and I loved watching their relationship unfold amid sun-drenched excursions and late-night confessions.

The pacing was perfect—light and breezy but never shallow. There’s a touch of mystery, but it’s handled with a gentle hand, keeping the focus on the characters and their emotional journeys. I especially appreciated how Carmen's creativity slowly returned as she reconnected with herself—not just as a writer, but as a woman rediscovering her spark.

If you’re looking for a feel-good read with humor, heart, and a few surprises tucked into its suitcase, The Cruise Club is your ticket. It’s uplifting, clever, and downright delightful. I didn’t want to disembark.

The Cruise Club is a delightful, feel-good escape that blends humour, heart, and a dash of mystery on the high seas. Cosy crime writer Carmen Cunningham is creatively blocked and emotionally drained, mostly thanks to her overbearing mother, Betty. Hoping to rekindle her writing spark, she impulsively books a place on a cruise ship writing workshop—only to find Betty has invited herself along too.

What follows is a charming, character-rich story set aboard the luxurious Diamond Star. Carmen is surrounded by a vibrant cast: the charismatic author Ruskin Reeve, celebrity chef Theo, and the lovable restaurant-owning duo Fran and Sid. As the cruise winds through stunning ports—Malta’s Valletta being a standout—Carmen begins to rediscover her voice, her confidence, and a hint of romance. Carmen’s transformation, supported by quirky friendships and laced with gentle humour, makes this an uplifting and thoroughly enjoyable read.

Overall, it is a charming voyage of self-discovery packed with laughter, lovable characters, and a warm sense of community.

Carman writes cozy crime books and lives with her demanding mother, Betty.

When her writing takes downturn, and she needs a break from Betty, Carman decides to book a cruise when she discovers her favourite author, Ruskin Reeve, will be holding workshops. Unfortunately Betty has a similar idea and now Carman isn't so sure her escape on the Diamond Star to the Mediterranean islands will be what she was hoping for!

The book brings people together to forms long lasting friendships and love and a smile to your face with every page!

As someone who loves a cruise this is right up my street. I read The Cruise by Caroline James and adored it so was very excited to receive an early copy of this. We meet a new bunch of characters and they take us along with them. It deals with friendships and life issues that will make you think and keep you hooked.

Like all good holidays, I didn’t want this cruise to end. This is Caroline James’ genius – to take you to exotic places alongside her characters and to draw them so vividly they become your friends too.
Cosy crime writer Carmen is carer to her ungrateful mother, but she rebels and books a cruise where her author hero Ruskin Reeve is a guest speaker. To her absolute horror, mum Betty books a ticket too and it looks as though Carmen’s plans for a restful and creative holiday are well and truly scuppered. But she hasn’t reckoned on kind and lively restaurant owner Fran, and celebrity chef Theo who befriend her in the most heart-warming ways.
I loved Fran in The French Cookery School and was delighted to see her again and meet her husband Sid. She takes Carmen in hand with surprising consequences and friendships are made, and maybe even a touch of romance. All with the backdrop of gorgeous locations like Rhodes Town, Kefalonia, Malta and Ibiza. Not to mention a little mystery that needs solving as well.
The Cruise Club is the ultimate summer read for friendships and fun, and I heartily recommend it.

This was such a fun and heartwarming read! The cruise ship setting was an absolute win—there’s just something so entertaining and cozy about being swept away at sea with a cast of charming, quirky characters and their unfolding drama. Caroline James really nailed the atmosphere; I felt like I was right there on board, sipping cocktails and soaking in the sun.

I didn’t know she had a previous book also set on a cruise, but now I have to get my hands on it—immediately adding to cart.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC

After reading the first book set on a cruise,’The Cruise’ ( funny enough ) I was keen to go straight into this follow up book,although it is the subject of cruising and cruises that is the follow on and not the characters we first met as aside from Dick Delaney,the crafty,sleazy ‘star’ comedian we meet a whole new set of travellers who for various reasons find themselves on this Med cruise..

Carmen ( author with writers block ); and Betty,her Mum,were my favourite characters…..Carmen,books the cruise as she sees her fav author, Ruskin Reeve,is doing a set of talks onboard and hopes to go alone,Betty has other ideas and demands to also go….she is terrible and rules Carmens life but you cant help but wonder what on earth she will say this time when you see her appear,she is a force to be reckoned with albeit a cruel one at times

Be prepared for the ‘Golden Oldies Meet Up’s’ 😀…………not quite as you might imagine……

As with ‘The Cruise’ a very funny and at times poignant read with fab descriptions of the ship,the food,the ports,onboard life and of course the wonderful people we find on board

As with ‘The Cruise’ it is an uplifting read and am really hoping for more cruising adventures in the near future from this author

the best adventures sure were still to come, and come they did in this wonderful book. its a book for everyone and will make everyone smile. i just warmed up reading it and it caused the corner of my mouth to slide up on far too many times. i also had that inner readers chuckles a few times too!
Caroline James i think has funny bones. as it comes through in all her books ive read. they just have lightness to them all and those perfectly times giggle or smile wide moments.
for this book we are given Carmen who is a crime writer, who biggest crime is currently not feeling at all happy in herself, her work, or her mother!
so what else can she do but jump aboard a ship and sail into the sunset right? well the best she can get right now is jump on a cruise ship. oh and her mother insists she coming too.
i have to admit that when i think of going on a cruise this one with all the characters involved would be my dream come true. the quirky characters and quirky goings on made me life and made me want o be part of the group.
this book was a joy to read. an absolute joy of joys.

A great story that took you on a journey full of laughter and seriousness. The characters are great to enjoy, predictable ending but still very fun!

An absolute hoot. A light enjoyable book with plenty of quirky characters including larger than life Fran, who was featured in a previous book, The French Cookery School. Set on a cruise ship around the Mediterranean with plenty of diverse people and situations make this a thoroughly entertaining read to escape with.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Cruise Club focuses on Carmen, who has a lot of love to give and life to live but feels it’s all squashed due to her obligation and the control of her mother Betty. So what better than for Carmen to take a cruise where she meets whole cast of characters who help her embrace life. Carmen struggles to find her voice on the cruise just as she solves a mystery that could have come straight from the pages of the books she writes.

This is cozy in every way, and I loved the locations (both the cruise and the locations it stops in) as much as I love the cruise patrons Carmen meets (with some exceptions). The Cruise Club really shines as it spotlights Carmen’s journey to find her voice and confidence and emerge from the shadow of her mother, but the most delightful parts are definitely from the ensemble cast of cruise goers.

A delightful read with a cast of quirky characters set off on the cruise of their lives. Through the individuals you will feel wealth of emotions as some have their lives transformed through their cruise experiences and through in a little bit of sleuthing .

What a delightful read, it took me a while to get into it but stick with it. Carmen has the patience of a saint, as her mother Betty is rather demanding, but the joys of the cruise find friendships for both, mystery and a spot of romance and some great humour whilst on the seas.
The descriptions of cruise life through the book have left me wanting to book one, Melody the superstar drag queen was a hoot, im sold!

I love cruising and this novel gave us a lot of what a cruise is like from boarding until dismemberment. The night life and the daily excursions were on point. A little bit of mystery and just a touch of romance but mostly friendship that last longer than the cruise.

I was so excited for this. Tq so much for approving me.

This book was amazing. What a journey.

I loved it so so much.

And that cover. Gorgeous!!

Tqtqtq

This is such a happy tale.
Full of interesting people, places, and cruise romance. A sparkling, energetic story to curl up with and enjoy.

Well this was a fun read. Transport yourself to the Diamond Star cruise as it departs the beautiful island of Kefalonia ahead of a twelve day cruise. Carmen is a successful writer, she’s had one book published but is suffering from writers block. After spotting a newspaper advert for a Mediterranean cruise in which one of her favourite authors is speaking, she books a ticket. It’s her chance for some me time for her away from her demanding elderly mother and hopefully it will inspire her next novel. It’s mainly older clientele in the shop but there’s no shortage of fun and frolics. An enjoyable book that is pure escapism. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author for the chance to review.

Perfect for readers who have previously cruised and for those who would like to experience visiting a new port on most days — but without the pineapples and the thefts.
I enjoy a good thriller or mystery, and initially I thought that this was a little tame - but the characters are fantastic and it is their interaction rather than solving the crime which kept me engrossed. Where else could you find a bully, a drag artist, comedian, chef, writer, caring couple, shrinking violet and hosts of unusual parties?
The friendships formed and the kindness shown to others was inspirational and the descriptions of the ports of call tantalising.
Even if you are not normally a reader of cozy mysteries, like me, it may be worth giving this one a try. I loved it . It made me laugh out loud and kept me interested right to the very end.

I felt as though I was on the cruise them. A great fun read full of heartwarming characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Scrumptious! This book evokes memories of holidays past. I was there on the cruise with them, soaking up the atmosphere of each country and that’s because of the way that it’s been described. The sights, sounds and smells are all brought to life and I mustn’t forget about the romance, the reinvention of Carmen and the intrigue into who is the thief.
An all together scrumptious book!

The Cruise Club by Caroline James is a delightfully fun contemporary novel that will leave you smiling.
As the title suggests, the action is aboard a cruise ship in the Mediterranean. The atmosphere is light and fun-filled, with blue sky days and relaxing nights.
The reader revels in the trips ashore as we ‘see’ some of the treasures that the local landscape has to offer.
There are a wonderful eclectic mix of characters, all of whom are the other side of sixty. Caroline James shows that you are never too old to have fun. Life is for living.
You are never too old to follow your dreams. “Don’t die wondering what it might have been like to be an author. Make it happen.” If you have a dream, why not fulfil it?
Characters bond together. They help each other when needed – whether it’s a shoulder to cry on, or a mother to push in a wheelchair.
Love can still blossom whatever your age. We meet a character who has never loved as well as those who have loved and lost.
The Cruise Club is the perfect read for a glorious summer day. It’s a wonderful light-hearted and fun read.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

This book is the next best thing to a real cruise. Lovely story that makes you feel as though you are on board sailing the Mediterranean. Thank you for the ARC.

Just what I needed on a dull summers day, to be transported to the Mediterranean on a cruise ship. Great characters and plenty of fun, especially about the upside down pineapple club. My favourite character was Theo, everyone needs a best friend like him.

A cozy writer finds herself in the middle of a real live cozy mystery when she takes a cruise with her overbearing mom. This is a fun read that has all the feels of a cruise around the Mediterranean and the family dynamics we sometimes miss in the genre. Carmen and Betty have a difficult relationship but you know things might, just might change on this trip. Then there's a bit of romance. Luckily, the crimes here aren't ugly but they are annoying and Carmen is reinvigorated by working the case. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read for summer.

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

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book by Caroline James.

Carmen has been looking after her elderly mother Betty, tired, fed up of the constant taunts, she’s in need of a break so that she can relax and focus on herself, so books herself on a cruise. But, when she explains this to her mother, Betty, she has no intention of being left behind and so, books herself on the same cruise. Now, that holiday seems l less enjoyable.

But, when they board the cruise liner, Carmen makes friends with some lovely people and as the ship travels through the different countries, Carmen and Bex begin to make decisions about their lives and those that they meet on board.

I loved the characters, each one so different and very well described, it felt as though you was on board, visiting the countries, seeing the different monuments and tasting the delicious foods.

I loved Fran, who is also in a previous book, she’s so friendly and so is her husband. Dicky was also a great character.

There was lots of places throughout the story that made you laugh, plenty of romance and new friendships made.

The one line I loved reading was You’ve Got to Have a Dream to Make a Dream Come True.

I highly recommend this book.

A romantic, comedy mystery, this book has it all! Entertaining characters, great locations and self discovery for some. It has a feeling of a follow up novel although it reads easily as a standalone. Great summer read.

This story was brilliant! I enjoyed it so much it was like I was there on the cruise, making friends and falling in love. Even the swingers and jewellery thieves just added to all the excitement on board, well done Caroline, another great story!

Absolutely loved this book. Great story and characters. Not been on a cruise but this has made me want to try them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC.

Carmen Cunningham, a downtrodden middle-aged cosy crime writer books a Mediterranean cruise on the Diamond Star because she sees that her idol, 60 year old crime writer Ruskin Reeve, will be giving talks and workshops. Unfortunately she can't shake off her rude, dismissive and manipulative mother Betty who books herself in a cabin next to her and bangs on the wall with her cane whenever she wants something, which is constantly.

The book is a really interesting account of life onboard a cruise ship, whether it's as a passenger or a staff member. The staff include Dicky Delaney, comedian and cruise ship entertainer, Melody Moon, drag act, Peter the purser, Theo McCarthy, chef and gay widower plus the aforementioned Ruskin Reeve. Passengers are happy restaurateur couple Fran and Sid Cartwright, unhappy couple Don and Debbie and Colin + Neeta Scott. Due to them I will never look at pineapples the same way again!

There are some deeply unlikeable people on the cruise. Betty is almost cartoonishly horrible but also Ruskin is arrogant, talks badly about ex wife Venetia he discarded, only notices Carmen after her makeover, is very critical and at one point patronisingly addresses her as "my dear girl". I wanted to hurl him into the sea, and the romance with such a man felt very unrealistic.

Thankfully, the book gets rescued by the descriptions of cruise ship life, the beautiful Mediterranean places and the many interesting side characters. I loved Fran and Sid who are just so cheerful and positive and are responsible for Carmen's transformation from a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly. There is also a mystery about some missing jewellery, although, seeing as two crime writers are on board, it was not given a lot of sleuthing effort.

This book apparently has characters from previous books I haven't read but I think it works well as a standalone. Friendships are formed and marriages are observed. The blend of friendship, humour and romance in a sunny Mediterranean setting is entertaining and makes for a light-hearted and fluffy holiday beach read.

3.5 stars

Thoroughly fed up with her demanding mother, Carmen decides to take a Mediterranean cruise, hoping for inspiration to start her second book.
Unfortunately, Betty (Carmen’s mother) discovers her daughter’s plans and tags along with her, making everyone feel as miserable as she is.
There is a diverse set of characters aboard the ship, and Carmen hopes to learn from her idol Ruskin Reeve, how to develop her writing skills. I enjoyed reading about Sid and Fran, his wife, Melody Moon, a drag artist, and Thea is the best friend everyone needs. There is a kind, friendly community aboard the Diamond Star as it sails the Mediterranean, with fun and mischief along the way.
This is a steadily paced, lighthearted romance cruising the Greek islands. The scenery sounds beautiful, and you can imagine seeing the waves lapping onshore, as they explore new friendships and relationships.

I enjoyed reading The Cruise Club by Caroline James. 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!

Carmen is the downtrodden daughter of a cantankerous and demanding widow, and when she finds a cruise with her favourite writer doing talks that also means she can escape Betty, she jumps at the chance. She's had a sudden success with a cosy crime novel but is stuck on the sequel. But Betty comes, too ...

Will the group of lovely folk she meets on the cruise, from devoted foodie couple Fran and Sid (who appear first in another of this author's books) to lovely chef Theo, missing his late partner but able to care for his friends, help her through? I liked the casual inclusivity of the book here, too, with same-sex ballroom dancing exhibitions and a drag artiste as the main draw on the boat, a powerful character with their own story to tell.

Other characters include an almost washed-up comic and a rather alarming couple with a penchant for pineapples, and of course that famous author, maybe not the man they think he is ... The cruise starts in the Greek islands, with lovely descriptions, but I will reveal, as it's not a plot point as such, that Cartagena does make an appearance, hooray! I read in the notes about the author that she specialises in writing about people in the later part of their lives, which is lovely and very refreshing.

Blog book review to come on 11 July: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2025/07/11/book-review-caroline-james-the-cruise-club/

My cases were packed and it was time to join the passengers, and crew of the Diamond Star for the cruise of a lifetime...

The Cruise Club is the third I've read from this author and another easy five star read.

It's full of quirky characters with their hijinks and humour leading the way. It was great catching up with Fran again. The last time I saw her she was at The French Cookery School.

I couldn't resist the draw of the Mediterranean islands, all that sun, sea and....sand. What more could you ask for? The settings were perfect!

As if that weren't enough there's romance in the air too!

The perfect summer read. It's uplifting, enjoyable and full of so much fun.

It was a real treat to fall back into Caroline’s fabulous writing and meet her new characters, as well as catch up with a couple we met in The French Cookery School, who have now opened an award-winning restaurant in Blackpool. Sid and Fran were fabulous last time, and I was thrilled to notice that they had now grown their sea legs.
The main story revolves around Carmen Cunningham, an author of a cosy crime novel, who was struggling with writing the next book in the series. On spotting that her favourite author, Ruskin Reeve, would be holding sessions on the Diamond Star Cruise line, Carmen makes the snap decision to throw caution to the wind and book her place on the cruise. Carmen was a fantastic character to whom I was immediately drawn, and I completely loved everything about her. Following her transformation was truly special, and watching her emerge from her mother’s control was perfect.
Betty, Carmen’s mother, was without a doubt the most controlling woman that I have ever encountered, and I’ve met a few. As the time on the cruise passed, it was interesting to learn more about Betty’s issues and what had led her to become so painfully determined to oppress her daughter.
As the other characters on the cruise came to the fore, it was a pleasure to get to know them all. There were a few who captured my imagination, especially a celebrity chef named Theo, who could offer Carmen everything her heart desired except the connection she was looking for. There are plenty of laughs and an opportunity to learn more about the secret code of the pineapple.
This was a perfectly curated glimpse at the cruising life with plenty of laughs and some of the best fellow passengers you could hope to meet. Trust me, this is a joy-filled book with utterly believable characters. All set against the backdrop of some of my most memorable adventures.

Having read the first book and really enjoyed it, I had no hesitation in picking up the second. Cruise entertainer, Dickie, is back and just as full of life along with some new cruisers. Although Carmen is the main character, it's her mum Betty who grabs the reader's attention - for all the wrong reasons. Betty is manipulative, demanding, rude and controlling so it's a miracle nobody pushed her overboard.

I enjoyed watching Carmen's transformation, as she gains in self-confidence, not only about her writing but also in herself.

Dastardly Dickie is up to his old tricks but manages to redeem himself at the end. With some naughty goings-on and a mystery to solve, this book is funny, life-enhancing and a damn good read.

There’s a couple on the Diamond Star this time – loud and obnoxious Don (from Halifax) in his lycra gear and his down-trodden wife Debbie taking refuge in drink – who I swear I came across on my last cruise too. And there are so many other characters I recognised including, unfortunately, the few passengers I encountered who were rather like Carmen’s mum Betty. And she so needed some time to herself – struggling to write her second cosy crime book, she really hoped she could learn from her writing hero, Ruskin Reeve, who’s on board as guest speaker. But Betty comes too – a constant drain on her time and energy, never saying thank you, determined not to enjoy any of the new experiences.

But, thank goodness, Carmen makes some good friends on board – Theo, a celebrity chef and the loveliest man (but no chance of romance…), and the wonderful Fran who we met through the French cookery school. Fran’s accompanied by husband Sid – they now have their fine dining restaurant in Blackpool – who’s totally made up to be spending time with one of his personal heroes too. And Fran’s as flamboyant and outspoken as ever – a few shopping trips together see Carmen ditching her shapeless and drab clothes and, despite Betty, finding new confidence and discovering all the fun that can be found.

It’s mainly Carmen’s story, and I was cheering her on at every turn. Ruskin’s not particularly likeable at first encounter, but takes Carmen under his wing – and there’s a nice frisson of attraction between them too. The words start to flow – around her need to attend to Betty’s every need, but with a little help from her friends – until things start to go a little less well for a while. And it’s all punctuated by the various on-board activities – I’m sure over-enthusiastic Kyle was managing everything poolside on my last cruise too – and all the shore excursions around the various ports of the Mediterranean, every destination fully explored and quite wonderfully described.

But there are a number of other stories that unfold in parallel. Perma-tanned and cocky comedian Dicky’s on board again, up to his usual tricks – but worried that he might not be such a regular fixture for much longer. Drag queen Melody’s rather stolen the spotlight – a character that was a real personal favourite – and they really don’t get on. And then there’s a bit of a mystery that unfolds, really worrying Peter who wanders the decks with his clipboard (yes, I think he was on my last cruise too!) – and he enlists Ruskin’s help to get to the bottom of it. And there are some rather interesting times ahead for Betty too – perhaps she’s not quite as attached to her wheelchair (or such a misery) as she makes out.

The characters are simply wonderful, and the whole book felt like spending time among friends – there’s lots of fun and laughter, but so many really touching moments too. And the Diamond Star’s itinerary couldn’t have been more perfect for me – I’ll be revisiting every port on my own cruise in a couple of month’s time, and it’s only made me even more excited about it. But thank you Caroline, I will learn from the pineapple experience – perhaps those tropical leggings I thought would be so ideal won’t be finding a place in my suitcase after all.

This really was the most perfect summer read – I raced through it, loved every single moment, and honestly couldn’t recommend it more highly. Bravo!

This was a fun read with an eclectic mix of characters on a cruise. Carmen has a bestselling cosy crime story and is working on the sequels. Fighting writer's block, she signs up for a cruise so she can see her favorite crime writer, Ruskin Reeve, who is holding a workshop on the boat. Accompanied by her grumpy, meddling mother, Betty, she is hoping to rejuvenate her writing spirit.

I loved all the characters in the story, especially Claire and Theo. Everyone needs a friend like Theo. It was a fun story with great characters, a great storyline, a bit of a mystery, friendship, as well as second chances. Plus, wonderful descriptions of all the locales they traveled to on the cruise.

Thanks to @avonbooks.uk, @netgalley, @rachelsrandomresources, and the author for this arc.

Welcome on board the Diamond Star! The sun is shining, the drinks are flowing, and the sightseeing is amazing.
This is the second book from author Caroline James set on board the Diamond Star. I hadn't read the first book, The Cruise, but it didn't really matter as it appears that the story is set on the same ship but with only a couple of crew members returning as characters, one of which was the old style comedian Dickey Delaney. I was surprised in a good way to see Sid and Fran from The French Cookery School (
which I reviewed here) pop up on the cruise on holidays

Carmen Cunningham is an author who has had one successful cosy mystery novel published. She has a contract for two more, but the words just aren't coming. She also has a very difficult and demanding mother, Betty, who is really, really horrible to her the vast majority of the time. One day, Carmen sees an advertisement for a Mediterranean cruise where there is a special guest. Her author hero Ruskin Reeve is going to be on board and leading writing workshops. Thinking that maybe this might help her writing so she books! Of course, as soon as Betty finds out she is insistent that she too will go on the cruise and must be in the cabin next to Carmen. Poor Carmen. Every time her mother bashes on the wall with her walking stick she is expected to react immediately.

Once on board, we meet a variety of characters from Dickey to the drag queen Melody, who don't initially like each other which is tricky seeing as they are sharing a backstage dressing room. We meet Ruskin who has his own reasons for coming on the cruise, Theo a famous TV chef, Holden who is an American gentleman and a few other characters.

When mystery author Ruskin initially meets Carmen he pretty much dismisses her, which might say something about him but it also reflects how Carmen feels about herself. She dresses in boring, drab clothing, hasn't had her hair done in forever and hides behind her big glasses. However, colourful Fran gets hold of Carmen and helps give her a makeover, and magically, Carmen begins to shine. Of course, her mother does her best to knock that shine off.

For the crew on the Diamond Star, things start to get a bit problematic when there are a series of jewellery thefts on board. Can the author of mysteries figure out who the thief is before they have to alert the authorities and cause panic on board?

My favourite things about this book was the ports that the boat stops in at. It visits places like Rhodes, Crete and Malta. There was also a description of the ship passing through the Corinth Canal, which as a smaller ship it was able to do, although I don't think cruise ships go through there too often, regardless of their size. All of the places describe made me wish I could go on a Mediterranean cruise now.

We enjoy a cruise. Together we have been on two. The first was to the Caribbean and then recently to Japan. Separately we had done the Pacific Islands. One thing I don't remember seeing much of were the upside down pineapples which apparently mean that you are up for some "good times" if you get my drift. Maybe they were there but I just wasn't seeing them.

If you are looking for a quick, easy and fun escapist read which takes you on a journey through the Mediterranean this is a book for you. There's humour, romance, some interesting characters (good and bad), a bit of a mystery and more.

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

Rating 4/5

The Cruise Club by Caroline James

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Set sail on the Diamond Star for sunshine, romance – and just a little bit of mischief…

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 Opinion

An uplifting and entertaining read. Caroline James has written a comforting novel with some great characters. With beautiful descriptions this was such an easy read. Pack your bags and join our characters on their cruise.

Rating 4/5

I enjoyed the characterisation and the immersive descriptions, which brought the characters and the various settings to vibrant life. I invested in Carmen, a cosy crime writer who is also the carer for her mother, Betty. Betty is not an easy character to like, mainly because of her attitude towards Carmen, but she is believable and makes the story relatable. The author achieves an entertaining balance of humour and poignancy as new friendship and gentle romance abound. It's an armchair traveller's delight, an escapist and evocative experience.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.