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.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

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