Sunny Days and Sea Breezes: The PERFECT feel-good, escapist read from the Sunday Times bestseller

Jodie Jackson has left her husband and her high-flying interior design job in trendy Shoreditch and retreated to her brother's newly renovated houseboat on the Isle of Wight. What she craves is peace and quiet, a time to reflect and heal her metaphorical wounds, instead she gets a loud, colourful cleaner called Marilyn, a nextdoor neighbour who likes to carve with a chainsaw and a guy who pretends to be a statue. It seems that what Jodie wants isn't what she really needs, soon the stresses and strains of her life in London are replaced by yoga on the beach and the Isle of Wight festival, but just as her life seems to be turning around her old life comes a-calling. I enjoyed this novel, not least because I think this is the first novel I can recall reading which is set on the Isle of Wight. However, I thought it was also very predictable. But definitely a lovely summer romance read. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Another fabulous read by Carole Matthews. Jodie is having a personal crisis and unable to cope with things takes a break on her brother's houseboat on the Isle of Wight. The fully renovated houseboat sounded absolutely wonderful, nothing like I would imagine them to be, and really made me want a trip to stay on one! Whilst there she meets her cleaner Marilyn (loud/bright/always happy/very funny) who works for her brother, Bill, keeping everything in order, and whilst she tries to get rid of her initially she grows to really love her. She also makes friends with her next door neighbour, Ned, a wood sculptor, and the local cafe owner Ida. Ida and Ned are great friends, but nothing more even though Ida would like it to be. Ned is a lovely character and Jodie and him get closer as time goes on, with various trips to the Isle of Wight's attractions during one of Ned's business trips, and they all go to a festival where Ned showcases his woodworking skills, along with playing in a band. During this time Jodie slowly starts to heal, emotionally-wise, but eventually has to sort out her private life when her husband turns up on her doorstep and persuades her to come back home. Luckily enough he shows his true colours pretty quickly and even though Jodie has tried to heal her marriage it's obviously not working and instead of trying to make everything work because she feels she has to make that effort, she decides that she's had enough and wants to change her life and be happy. I have to say I've never really thought about staying on a houseboat before, but I would definitely be interested in the high-end one Jodie was staying on, and again I've never visited the Isle of Wight or gone to a festival. But reading about all this has made me want to do every one of them now! A really great read, funny and very emotional, with a wonderful ending.

I have read every one of Carol Matthews books and she never cease to delight me I have enjoyed each and everyone. I am always on the look out for the next marvellous adventure.Thank you Carol Matthews.