Book Of The Week

8/10

Best-selling author Carole Matthews has proved herself to be the queen of feel-good fiction with this latest heart-warming novel, and from the moment I read the first page I was hooked.

The narrative opens with Matthews’ protagonist Jodie on board a ferry bound for the Isle of Wight, hoping to escape the chaos of her life back in London and the heartbreak that she has experienced. Having lost her sense of self, she decides to escape to her brother’s houseboat, Sunny Days, in Cockleshell Bay, longing for peace and quiet and the opportunity to reflect on how her world has been turned completely upside down.

It is not long from the moment that Jodie steps into the luxurious houseboat that her hopes for tranquillity and alone time are banished, in the form of her brother’s flamboyant housekeeper Marilyn. Marilyn has been tasked with looking after Jodie and, much to her dismay, seems to be determined to keep a watchful eye over her every move.

Attempting to escape from Marilyn’s boisterous presence, Jodie makes acquaintances with her noisy neighbour Ned, a sculptor who enjoys practising early-morning yoga on the beach. Despite her desires to isolate herself from the world, Jodie finds herself being encouraged to explore the area with her noisy neighbour, and manages to rediscover her sense of freedom, confronting emotions which she had buried for so long.

Inevitably, as soon as Jodie finds herself settled and rediscovering who she is, her old life comes knocking, and she must make difficult decisions that threaten to ruin her newfound happiness.

I felt a particular warmth towards the endearing protagonist Jodie, with whom every reader will be able to identify in some way. As an attractive woman with a flourishing career and a picture-perfect life, she feels completely isolated in London and, having gone through a traumatic experience, no longer feels supported by her husband, who has his own secrets.

This novel was not only the perfect form of escapism, but is a true testament to the storytelling ability of Carole Matthews; far from the predictable romance narrative that I was perhaps expecting, this novel packs a real punch.

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their development gave a real depth to the plot, which is ripe with unexpected twists and turns, taking the reader on a real emotional journey.

A word of warning though – it will leave you longing to book a holiday! Review by Hollie Bruce.

Sunny Days And Sea Breezes By Carol Matthews, Sphere, £12.99