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The Spa Break
A weekend at the spa will leave four old friends with a whole lot more than they’d bargained for…
The glossy brochure promised a serene experience of total tranquillity and rejuvenation, but what best friends Bridgette, Emily, Serena and Marjory get is a weekend that upends their lives!
There for a girls’ weekend to celebrate Bridgette’s impending seventieth birthday, the spa soon has these spicy sexagenarians realising that there are unexpected benefits to age and experience, and that over the hill certainly doesn’t mean out of the game…in any respect…>
The glossy brochure promised a serene experience of total tranquillity and rejuvenation, but what best friends Bridgette, Emily, Serena and Marjory get is a weekend that upends their lives!
There for a girls’ weekend to celebrate Bridgette’s impending seventieth birthday, the spa soon has these spicy sexagenarians realising that there are unexpected benefits to age and experience, and that over the hill certainly doesn’t mean out of the game…in any respect…>
308 pages, ebook
Published April 15, 2022
About the author
Caroline James
40 books182 followersCaroline James always wanted to write but instead of taking a literary route, she followed a career in the hospitality industry, which included owning a pub and a beautiful country house hotel. When she finally glued her rear to a chair and began to write the words flowed, and several novels later she has gained many best-seller badges for her books. When she’s not writing, Caroline likes to walk with Fred, her Westie and swim in a local lake. Caroline is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Women's Writers & Journalists and SOA.
Caroline's hilarious novel, The Best Boomerville Hotel has been depicted as 'Britain's answer to the Best Marigold Hotel - A fabulous read!'. Her debut novel: Coffee, Tea the Gypsy & Me went straight to #3 on Amazon and was E-book of the Week in The Sun. Coffee Tea the Caribbean & Me is a Top Recommended Read by Thomson Holidays. Coffee Tea the Chef & Me is described by one reviewer as: "AbFab Meets MasterChef in a Soap" and Caroline's popular novella, Jungle Rock, follows handsome chef, Zach Docherty as he steps into a TV reality show.
Also by Caroline James:
Boomerville at Ballymegille
Hattie Goes to Hollywood
The Spa Break
The Cruise
Contact Caroline:
website: www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk
Twitter: @carolinejames12
Facebook: Caroline James Author
Reviews for Caroline’s books:
"Caroline is a natural story-teller with a gift for humour in her writing." The Write Stuff, London Book Fair.
"A fabulous Story, it made me shriek with laughter and I loved every twist and turn." Valentina Harris, Author, Chef and International Cookery School Host.
"Caroline James has spun a tale that is enjoyable, funny, charming, believable and page-turning." Nigel May, TV Personality & Author
"A strong plot with likeable characters makes it a great read." Ebook of the week - The Sun:
"Caroline writes quite beautifully - great descriptions, vividly drawn characters, sparkling humour, a touch of real sadness - this book was the perfect escape."
"A thoroughly enjoyable read that takes you from the loneliness of single life in the wet UK through to the magic of the Caribbean. An indulgent feast of the best things in life - sun, rum, fun, love and laughter."
Caroline's hilarious novel, The Best Boomerville Hotel has been depicted as 'Britain's answer to the Best Marigold Hotel - A fabulous read!'. Her debut novel: Coffee, Tea the Gypsy & Me went straight to #3 on Amazon and was E-book of the Week in The Sun. Coffee Tea the Caribbean & Me is a Top Recommended Read by Thomson Holidays. Coffee Tea the Chef & Me is described by one reviewer as: "AbFab Meets MasterChef in a Soap" and Caroline's popular novella, Jungle Rock, follows handsome chef, Zach Docherty as he steps into a TV reality show.
Also by Caroline James:
Boomerville at Ballymegille
Hattie Goes to Hollywood
The Spa Break
The Cruise
Contact Caroline:
website: www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk
Twitter: @carolinejames12
Facebook: Caroline James Author
Reviews for Caroline’s books:
"Caroline is a natural story-teller with a gift for humour in her writing." The Write Stuff, London Book Fair.
"A fabulous Story, it made me shriek with laughter and I loved every twist and turn." Valentina Harris, Author, Chef and International Cookery School Host.
"Caroline James has spun a tale that is enjoyable, funny, charming, believable and page-turning." Nigel May, TV Personality & Author
"A strong plot with likeable characters makes it a great read." Ebook of the week - The Sun:
"Caroline writes quite beautifully - great descriptions, vividly drawn characters, sparkling humour, a touch of real sadness - this book was the perfect escape."
"A thoroughly enjoyable read that takes you from the loneliness of single life in the wet UK through to the magic of the Caribbean. An indulgent feast of the best things in life - sun, rum, fun, love and laughter."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
April 1, 2022
Yes, 100% this book is how you think it will be and if that appeals you will love it
4 ladies ranging from 60 to the cusp of 70 take themselves off for a spa long weekend, all ‘fed up’ with their lives and partners and lot and all determined to have a good time, and it has to be said a very good time is had by all, awakenings abound and new experiences ( mostly pleasurable ) become theirs as the 4 realise what they have been missing thanks to Lars the hunky Greek yoga instructor amongst others…..naturism, passion, Insta and new lives ahead follow in this highly improbable but wickedly funny book that had me turning the pages to see what each of them would do next
I guess its a ‘coming of age’ book but for the older gen and if it’s your kind of read you will be in stitches and love it, I really enjoyed it
8/10
4 Stars
4 ladies ranging from 60 to the cusp of 70 take themselves off for a spa long weekend, all ‘fed up’ with their lives and partners and lot and all determined to have a good time, and it has to be said a very good time is had by all, awakenings abound and new experiences ( mostly pleasurable ) become theirs as the 4 realise what they have been missing thanks to Lars the hunky Greek yoga instructor amongst others…..naturism, passion, Insta and new lives ahead follow in this highly improbable but wickedly funny book that had me turning the pages to see what each of them would do next
I guess its a ‘coming of age’ book but for the older gen and if it’s your kind of read you will be in stitches and love it, I really enjoyed it
8/10
4 Stars
April 17, 2022
Four women in their 60s are headed for a spa weekend away from their sons and husbands!
Early on you get to know that all these women have serious problems they are escaping from.
👩🏾🍳Serena, once a famous tv chef has been replaced by the younger hotter model and her husband is now a brooding and withdrawn partner.
👩🏼🏫Emily’s husband up and left her years ago and has since been a single hardworking teacher and a mum of two boys. Her boys are grown up now but she can’t get to move out of her house. As a result she looks and feels much older than she is.
👩🏻🌾Bridgette is an award winning garden designer turning 70 this weekend and her self-esteem is at an all-time low.
🧩Marjory has an empty nest and very little in common with her husband. Sex is a thing of the past and she feels trapped in her marriage.
One complaint I had while reading is that while I understand Marjory is heavier than the other women, I don’t think every description of her needed to remind the reader of that. A few examples -> “Plopped Her plump bottom” “her ample bottom wriggled” “she patted her ample bottom” It was too repetitive for me.
This was a story where the ladies found a second wind in their life, gained courage, and stood up for themselves. There were tons of hilarious scenes that has me cracking up laughing. If you like late in life books or stories of self-discovery this book is for you.
Early on you get to know that all these women have serious problems they are escaping from.
👩🏾🍳Serena, once a famous tv chef has been replaced by the younger hotter model and her husband is now a brooding and withdrawn partner.
👩🏼🏫Emily’s husband up and left her years ago and has since been a single hardworking teacher and a mum of two boys. Her boys are grown up now but she can’t get to move out of her house. As a result she looks and feels much older than she is.
👩🏻🌾Bridgette is an award winning garden designer turning 70 this weekend and her self-esteem is at an all-time low.
🧩Marjory has an empty nest and very little in common with her husband. Sex is a thing of the past and she feels trapped in her marriage.
One complaint I had while reading is that while I understand Marjory is heavier than the other women, I don’t think every description of her needed to remind the reader of that. A few examples -> “Plopped Her plump bottom” “her ample bottom wriggled” “she patted her ample bottom” It was too repetitive for me.
This was a story where the ladies found a second wind in their life, gained courage, and stood up for themselves. There were tons of hilarious scenes that has me cracking up laughing. If you like late in life books or stories of self-discovery this book is for you.
April 5, 2022
What starts off as what seems like a regular weekend Spa Break between friends, and I do initially wonder how on earth this weekend will have enough going on to turn into a full book - as it was such a gentle introduction - turns into the most memorable and life changing of experiences for all four of our heroines.
I couldn't get enough of Bridgette, Emily, Serena and Marjory who all have epiphanies of their own during the course of the book, while staying at Sparadise.
There are so many memorable and amusing moments that I wouldn't want to spoil for you. Suffice to say that these sexagenarians confound all stereotypes about their age and I only hope I am like them when I'm older.
Between new ways of life, finally standing up to sponging waste of space relatives, or controlling ones, or discovering at this time of life that you do in fact have a sex drive, or just want to show to the world that you are still alive and kicking in a memorable way, we have all of this and more.
At times elements of Sparadise reminded me of Caroline James previous books, specifically Boomerville and I kept thinking Hattie and Jo would appear. But instead we have a whole brand new cast of equally fantastic characters that Caroline James is so talented at creating.
This was amusing, had me smiling, had me inspired and generally had me loving every page, to the extent I read the second half of the book in one sitting, completely absorbed and oblivious to the mountain of work I was probably meant to be doing!
Utterly fabulous from Caroline James, not that I would ever expect anything less.
Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I couldn't get enough of Bridgette, Emily, Serena and Marjory who all have epiphanies of their own during the course of the book, while staying at Sparadise.
There are so many memorable and amusing moments that I wouldn't want to spoil for you. Suffice to say that these sexagenarians confound all stereotypes about their age and I only hope I am like them when I'm older.
Between new ways of life, finally standing up to sponging waste of space relatives, or controlling ones, or discovering at this time of life that you do in fact have a sex drive, or just want to show to the world that you are still alive and kicking in a memorable way, we have all of this and more.
At times elements of Sparadise reminded me of Caroline James previous books, specifically Boomerville and I kept thinking Hattie and Jo would appear. But instead we have a whole brand new cast of equally fantastic characters that Caroline James is so talented at creating.
This was amusing, had me smiling, had me inspired and generally had me loving every page, to the extent I read the second half of the book in one sitting, completely absorbed and oblivious to the mountain of work I was probably meant to be doing!
Utterly fabulous from Caroline James, not that I would ever expect anything less.
Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
April 20, 2022
You know those books that as soon as you start reading you instantly know that this is going to be a firm favourite?
This is one of those books – it will make you laugh and leave you feeling warm and very content. It’s like sunshine on a grey day, that feeling of sudden happiness.
I haven’t read any of Caroline James’ books before (why ever not???) I fell instantly in love with her incredibly easy to read and delightfully amusing writing, I will certainly be reading more from her.,
I liked the characters the four women are different and have their own interesting backstories and their own problems which must be resolved, but together at the spa they make for a brilliant little group, they gel together as though they were born to be friends. I love that Bridgette, Emily, Serena and Marjory are all over a certain age (I won’t say it, it’s rude to speak about a woman’s age) but let’s say that when I reach their age I hope that I can take after them, they are brilliant and at times a real hoot to follow and get to know.
love the journey these four women go on, they arrive at the spa all set for a weekend of pampering and being away from their claustrophobic lives, away from the control freaks of relatives, a weekend of ‘me time’ with friends and a few glasses of prosecco. It did get me wondering if such a normal and pretty simple plot if it could keep me hooked throughout a full-length book, but then things start happening and I will hold my hands up and admit I was wrong it did keep my attention
This boo is in one word; enjoyable! It made me smile all the way through, I really liked the gentle pacing, it’s not taxing and keep you reading and before I knew it I was a good halfway through in one sitting – believe me for an incredibly slow reader who never has two minutes spare is not bad going.
The Spar Break is a great story all about friendship, there are other things going on but essentially this is all about the power of good friends. It’s heart-warming, gentle and full of cheerful feel-good vibes.
What more would you want for a sunny weekend?!
This is one of those books – it will make you laugh and leave you feeling warm and very content. It’s like sunshine on a grey day, that feeling of sudden happiness.
I haven’t read any of Caroline James’ books before (why ever not???) I fell instantly in love with her incredibly easy to read and delightfully amusing writing, I will certainly be reading more from her.,
I liked the characters the four women are different and have their own interesting backstories and their own problems which must be resolved, but together at the spa they make for a brilliant little group, they gel together as though they were born to be friends. I love that Bridgette, Emily, Serena and Marjory are all over a certain age (I won’t say it, it’s rude to speak about a woman’s age) but let’s say that when I reach their age I hope that I can take after them, they are brilliant and at times a real hoot to follow and get to know.
love the journey these four women go on, they arrive at the spa all set for a weekend of pampering and being away from their claustrophobic lives, away from the control freaks of relatives, a weekend of ‘me time’ with friends and a few glasses of prosecco. It did get me wondering if such a normal and pretty simple plot if it could keep me hooked throughout a full-length book, but then things start happening and I will hold my hands up and admit I was wrong it did keep my attention
This boo is in one word; enjoyable! It made me smile all the way through, I really liked the gentle pacing, it’s not taxing and keep you reading and before I knew it I was a good halfway through in one sitting – believe me for an incredibly slow reader who never has two minutes spare is not bad going.
The Spar Break is a great story all about friendship, there are other things going on but essentially this is all about the power of good friends. It’s heart-warming, gentle and full of cheerful feel-good vibes.
What more would you want for a sunny weekend?!
July 26, 2023
Kindle edition - purchased.
Bridgette’s big birthday is nearing and she wishes to celebrate in style alongside her three best friends, Serena, Marjory and Emily. The girls have booked a mini-break at a local spa as each is in desperately in need of rest and recuperation away from their demanding families/partners/daily life.
Boy oh boy, do they have some fun! I don’t want to mention their antics as I’d hate to spoil the enjoyment of this fun packed, utterly hilarious and totally absorbing story of older women enjoying their best life. Every character, be it Norman, Yannis, Lars, Danka, Robin or Stevie is interesting, quirky and with rounded traits – bringing them to life in such an adorable fashion.
I happily enjoyed face masks, foot spa and sipped green tea whilst reading this book – whilst the four ladies entertained me and encountered so much more!
I was warned via social media to ‘brace myself’ having ventured as far as chapter one. It was a warning gladly received, as I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was my first read of a Caroline James book and it won’t be the last!
A true beauty tonic for the soul in the comfort of your own home!
Five fabulous stars. Highly recommended reading but 'brace yourself' for their antics!
Bridgette’s big birthday is nearing and she wishes to celebrate in style alongside her three best friends, Serena, Marjory and Emily. The girls have booked a mini-break at a local spa as each is in desperately in need of rest and recuperation away from their demanding families/partners/daily life.
Boy oh boy, do they have some fun! I don’t want to mention their antics as I’d hate to spoil the enjoyment of this fun packed, utterly hilarious and totally absorbing story of older women enjoying their best life. Every character, be it Norman, Yannis, Lars, Danka, Robin or Stevie is interesting, quirky and with rounded traits – bringing them to life in such an adorable fashion.
I happily enjoyed face masks, foot spa and sipped green tea whilst reading this book – whilst the four ladies entertained me and encountered so much more!
I was warned via social media to ‘brace myself’ having ventured as far as chapter one. It was a warning gladly received, as I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was my first read of a Caroline James book and it won’t be the last!
A true beauty tonic for the soul in the comfort of your own home!
Five fabulous stars. Highly recommended reading but 'brace yourself' for their antics!
April 10, 2022
Just what the doctor ordered! A nice piece of escapism. Easy on the brain and entertaining from beginning to end. I was happy to return to this one, when the opportunity arose.
Quite a lot happens over a very few days but they were all obviously ripe for the picking where changing their lives was concerned. Sometimes you need a little time away from it all to wake up and smell the roses and that is what they did albeit with life changing consequences! Yikes!
Quite a lot happens over a very few days but they were all obviously ripe for the picking where changing their lives was concerned. Sometimes you need a little time away from it all to wake up and smell the roses and that is what they did albeit with life changing consequences! Yikes!
March 31, 2022
Really fun story about friendship, love, getting older, taking chances, new experiences and never giving up on your dreams. Such a great story! So hard to put down!
April 15, 2022
Just sometimes, I pick up a new book and know from its opening pages that it’s one I’m going to really enjoy – this book really is sheer fun from beginning to end, but there’s also plenty of meat to the storylines at times to make it rather more than simply a laugh-a-minute read.
Four female friends, all in their sixties, are on their way for a weekend break at the Sparadise luxury resort to celebrate Bridgette’s seventieth birthday – what happens there (allegedly) takes you to paradise, they’re all very familiar with the enticing images in the glossy brochure (particularly the stunning yoga instructor), and they certainly intend to make the most they possibly can of their weekend of freedom.
Things don’t start well for Bridgette herself – she’d treated herself to a stay in the penthouse suite, but as other regular guests took it at short notice, she’s been relegated to a tent in the gardens (not a bivouac – she’s “glamping”!). And she eventually resigns herself to her lot, until she notices the naked man in the next tent – things were never like this when showing guests around her pristine gardens at Flaxby Manor. Marjory’s life revolves around her pigeon-fancying husband (sadly, he doesn’t seem to fancy her as much any more) – she’s looking to let her (cornflower blue) hair down a little (and my goodness, she most certainly does). Emily’s life is centred on her two adult sponging sons, and she’s become largely invisible (and, if truth be told, a little boring) – there really must be more to life that that. Perhaps the most exotic of the four is Serena – but she’s been supplanted as the nation’s favourite TV cook by a younger model, and she’s desperate to use all the social media tools at her disposal to draw herself to public attention again.
That’s where everything starts – and suffice to say that by the end of their glorious weekend they’ve all been very much transformed by their various adventures and experiences. I’m guessing we’ve all read the books about a group of twenty-something friends taking a break and finding it life-changing – it’s so much more fun with these rather more mature ladies, who throw themselves into their stay with total abandon and a loud whoop of sheer joy. They decided before arriving that they’d each do their own thing, meeting to catch up now and again – and by the time they all come together at Bridgette’s spectacular last night party, they’ve all changed beyond recognition, and only for the better in so many ways.
I must say that the whole supporting cast in this lovely book is wonderfully drawn too – the staff at the spa, the guests they get along with and who enhance their stay, and the miserable or antagonistic ones who feel that women of their age should be confined to a nursing home – every one of them a distinctly drawn individual playing their part in the story.
This is a book you read with a constant smile on your face – and when you’re not smiling, it’s only because you’re caring so deeply for each of these wonderful women that you want every one of them to achieve the happiness they deserve, even when it may not lie in the direction they expect. And I guarantee that you won’t just smile – there were so many moments in this book that made me laugh out loud, sometimes gently, sometimes a roar at the most over-the-top piece of slapstick. But there were plenty of moments that brought a small tear to my eye too – I really loved these women, and as an older woman myself it was never difficult to identify with those occasional times of introspection or regret. I loved the female friendship, and their sheer bravery in taking the opportunities and chances they were offered as they each gained a different perspective on their lives and realised what they had been missing.
Do you know, I always thought I’d really enjoy a stay at the Boomerville resorts of the author’s earlier books – but I think I might abandon my attempts to make a booking and head for Sparadise instead. This was a totally fabulous read, I enjoyed every moment, and recommend it really highly.
Four female friends, all in their sixties, are on their way for a weekend break at the Sparadise luxury resort to celebrate Bridgette’s seventieth birthday – what happens there (allegedly) takes you to paradise, they’re all very familiar with the enticing images in the glossy brochure (particularly the stunning yoga instructor), and they certainly intend to make the most they possibly can of their weekend of freedom.
Things don’t start well for Bridgette herself – she’d treated herself to a stay in the penthouse suite, but as other regular guests took it at short notice, she’s been relegated to a tent in the gardens (not a bivouac – she’s “glamping”!). And she eventually resigns herself to her lot, until she notices the naked man in the next tent – things were never like this when showing guests around her pristine gardens at Flaxby Manor. Marjory’s life revolves around her pigeon-fancying husband (sadly, he doesn’t seem to fancy her as much any more) – she’s looking to let her (cornflower blue) hair down a little (and my goodness, she most certainly does). Emily’s life is centred on her two adult sponging sons, and she’s become largely invisible (and, if truth be told, a little boring) – there really must be more to life that that. Perhaps the most exotic of the four is Serena – but she’s been supplanted as the nation’s favourite TV cook by a younger model, and she’s desperate to use all the social media tools at her disposal to draw herself to public attention again.
That’s where everything starts – and suffice to say that by the end of their glorious weekend they’ve all been very much transformed by their various adventures and experiences. I’m guessing we’ve all read the books about a group of twenty-something friends taking a break and finding it life-changing – it’s so much more fun with these rather more mature ladies, who throw themselves into their stay with total abandon and a loud whoop of sheer joy. They decided before arriving that they’d each do their own thing, meeting to catch up now and again – and by the time they all come together at Bridgette’s spectacular last night party, they’ve all changed beyond recognition, and only for the better in so many ways.
I must say that the whole supporting cast in this lovely book is wonderfully drawn too – the staff at the spa, the guests they get along with and who enhance their stay, and the miserable or antagonistic ones who feel that women of their age should be confined to a nursing home – every one of them a distinctly drawn individual playing their part in the story.
This is a book you read with a constant smile on your face – and when you’re not smiling, it’s only because you’re caring so deeply for each of these wonderful women that you want every one of them to achieve the happiness they deserve, even when it may not lie in the direction they expect. And I guarantee that you won’t just smile – there were so many moments in this book that made me laugh out loud, sometimes gently, sometimes a roar at the most over-the-top piece of slapstick. But there were plenty of moments that brought a small tear to my eye too – I really loved these women, and as an older woman myself it was never difficult to identify with those occasional times of introspection or regret. I loved the female friendship, and their sheer bravery in taking the opportunities and chances they were offered as they each gained a different perspective on their lives and realised what they had been missing.
Do you know, I always thought I’d really enjoy a stay at the Boomerville resorts of the author’s earlier books – but I think I might abandon my attempts to make a booking and head for Sparadise instead. This was a totally fabulous read, I enjoyed every moment, and recommend it really highly.
April 19, 2022
Oh. Difficult. I think I know what the author wanted to achieve with this story, to show the power of friendship and that love doesn't know any limits... But. On so many, many levels it felt forced and overdone and I simply couldn't buy all the changes and the comedy of errors - like situations. At the beginning, the friendship felt so wooden and yes, throughout the story and wit time it started to feel more real and genuine but because they've drunk a green juice??? Erm, no. Not buying it.
I was drawn by this lovely cover, to be honest, it felt as if it was promising fun and mischief. But this fun and mischief simply felt so surrealistic and I've read this book all the time having this feeling of disbelief and rolling my eyes. Some of the situations were SO overdone that I just couldn't. It felt as if the author thought, oh hell, let's add some ridiculous scene, no matter what it is.
Yes, the overall message was absolutely brilliant and very important. The characters, that were actually have been written off by their familiey and society, never gave up and fought for themselves. It'S not their fault that the author has chosen this strange way for them, making this, and them, unrealistic and forced and stereotyped, but on the whole they were adorable and deserved standing ovation. It was about catching second wind in life, about courage and standing for yourself - not bad, but also not my favourite.
I was drawn by this lovely cover, to be honest, it felt as if it was promising fun and mischief. But this fun and mischief simply felt so surrealistic and I've read this book all the time having this feeling of disbelief and rolling my eyes. Some of the situations were SO overdone that I just couldn't. It felt as if the author thought, oh hell, let's add some ridiculous scene, no matter what it is.
Yes, the overall message was absolutely brilliant and very important. The characters, that were actually have been written off by their familiey and society, never gave up and fought for themselves. It'S not their fault that the author has chosen this strange way for them, making this, and them, unrealistic and forced and stereotyped, but on the whole they were adorable and deserved standing ovation. It was about catching second wind in life, about courage and standing for yourself - not bad, but also not my favourite.
May 26, 2024
Caroline James' "A Spa Break" offers a lighthearted escape into the lives of four friends as they embark on a much-needed spa retreat. The novel is peppered with amusing moments that had me chuckling, especially the quirky situations the characters find themselves in. The humor is a definite highlight, adding a playful touch to the story.
The book also includes a few spicy elements that honestly, I could have done without. Though brief and not nearly as detailed as other books I’ve read, they didn’t do much for the main storyline.
However, while "A Spa Break" is enjoyable and has its charming moments, it ultimately feels just okay. The story moves at a leisurely pace, which might not hold the attention of readers looking for a more gripping or profound experience.
Overall, "A Spa Break" is a fun and enjoyable read, good for a relaxing afternoon. It may not leave a lasting impression, but its humor and light romance make it a pleasant getaway in book form. Three stars for a fun, if not particularly memorable, read.
The book also includes a few spicy elements that honestly, I could have done without. Though brief and not nearly as detailed as other books I’ve read, they didn’t do much for the main storyline.
However, while "A Spa Break" is enjoyable and has its charming moments, it ultimately feels just okay. The story moves at a leisurely pace, which might not hold the attention of readers looking for a more gripping or profound experience.
Overall, "A Spa Break" is a fun and enjoyable read, good for a relaxing afternoon. It may not leave a lasting impression, but its humor and light romance make it a pleasant getaway in book form. Three stars for a fun, if not particularly memorable, read.
May 18, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. Four mature ladies book a spa break to celebrate a 70th birthday. They all have issues bubbling but are determined to have a great break, booking different treatments but meeting up for meals.
I loved getting to know the characters and enjoyed the humour and friendships throughout the book.
I loved getting to know the characters and enjoyed the humour and friendships throughout the book.
August 4, 2023
Entertaining! Four women, in their sixties, are off for a girls
weekend to a spa to celebrate one of their birthdays. The
first to reach the big 70. What more could you ask for?
The book did not grab my full attention however it was interesting
enough that I wanted to see how it ended. I found the characters
to be overreacting, not real and “spoofy like”.
All in all, in was a good read.
weekend to a spa to celebrate one of their birthdays. The
first to reach the big 70. What more could you ask for?
The book did not grab my full attention however it was interesting
enough that I wanted to see how it ended. I found the characters
to be overreacting, not real and “spoofy like”.
All in all, in was a good read.
April 30, 2022
****4.5 stars!****
March 24, 2023
Easy read very predictable
May 6, 2022
Four friends, spa break, birthday weekend, sounds like fun and this sure was.
Four completely different women all go on a spa break to celebrate Bridgette's 70th birthday. From the moment of arrival things don't quite go as the friends planned.
As they navigate their way through the weekend each of them discover new activities and a new side to themselves and decide to fully embrace it. Lots of laugh out loud moments especially when you have four seniors, glamping, "special" smoothies, alcohol and naturism. I really hope I can have as much fun when I'm that age.
A lovely story of self discovery and embracing change in later life.
Four completely different women all go on a spa break to celebrate Bridgette's 70th birthday. From the moment of arrival things don't quite go as the friends planned.
As they navigate their way through the weekend each of them discover new activities and a new side to themselves and decide to fully embrace it. Lots of laugh out loud moments especially when you have four seniors, glamping, "special" smoothies, alcohol and naturism. I really hope I can have as much fun when I'm that age.
A lovely story of self discovery and embracing change in later life.
March 23, 2023
Bridgette is fast approaching 70 and arranges a spa weekend with three close friends. The reader should feel an urge to be introspective as certain ages approach. While the story is quite far-fetched, it can cause one to wonder what they may have given up or avoided along the way and whether a course correction is in order. This had a very personal tone as I did my own review, unrelated to the wacky story on the surface.
September 16, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and One More Chapter for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Four women in their 60s are off for a spa weekend, to celebrate their friend Bridgette’s up coming 70th birthday. The brochure for the spa promised a serene experience of total tranquillity and rejuvenation but the ladies get so much more. Each on wants to escape from their boring lives, be it jobs, husbands, children but find themselves going on a journey of self discovery.
It is a very humorous book and you will laugh throughout the chapters. I haven't read a book by Caroline James previously but I will definitely be looking out for more books by the author. It left me with a lovely warm feeling. An enjoyable read.
Four women in their 60s are off for a spa weekend, to celebrate their friend Bridgette’s up coming 70th birthday. The brochure for the spa promised a serene experience of total tranquillity and rejuvenation but the ladies get so much more. Each on wants to escape from their boring lives, be it jobs, husbands, children but find themselves going on a journey of self discovery.
It is a very humorous book and you will laugh throughout the chapters. I haven't read a book by Caroline James previously but I will definitely be looking out for more books by the author. It left me with a lovely warm feeling. An enjoyable read.
April 18, 2022
Thank you to @0neMoreChapter_ and @CarolineJames12 for this advanced copy of The Spa Break in return for an honest review.
Description 🔖
Best friends Bridgette, Emily, Serena and Marjory are on a weekend away to celebrate Bridgette’s seventieth birthday. The spa retreat they are on promises relaxation and tranquility and the ladies are definitely feeling ready for the time away from home.
What they all quickly realise, is that this spa weekend could be much more than massages and manicures. Age really is just a number and this group of ladies are very much still in the game.
General Thoughts 🤔
As soon as I saw the cover for this book I felt a sense of fun. Those ladies look like they’re mischief and I was looking forward to finding out what they were going to get up to on their break at Sparadise. I was pleased to find out that they got themselves into all kinds of trouble and met some fantastic characters along the way.
The Spa Break was fun, light hearted and uplifting but it was also very heart warming. These women had been written off by society or their family or their spouses but each one of them went through a transformation and it was lovely to read about them injecting some fun back into their lives.
Characters 👫👭👬
I liked each of the ladies equally. I thought that I may get a little annoyed by Bridgette to begin with as on the surface, she appeared a little snobby, but my mind was very quickly changed. I loved the friendships within the group and how these ladies had become close via a weekly swimming club. I genuinely would love to have a group of friends like this when I’m approaching my seventies.
As well as the main characters in the story, there are others for readers to fall in love with. I particularly liked Robin and Stevie; such a great couple and I loved the way they rallied for Serena. Norman was hilarious and I think everyone needs a Norman in their life if they find themselves in a bit of a rut.
Writing Style ✍️
This is the first Caroline James book that I’ve read and I really enjoyed her writing style. She was witty and was able to write the characters in such a way that had me rooting for them all by the end. There were some really funny moments in this book and I liked the way that the author weaved those in without making the characters or the story feel at all cheesy.
Conclusion & Scoring 🎖
The Spa Break was a fantastic story about friendships, love and rediscovery. Whatever the older version of coming of age is; these characters went through it. A great book that I would recommend for some light hearted entertainment and some good, warm, fuzzy feels.
Description 🔖
Best friends Bridgette, Emily, Serena and Marjory are on a weekend away to celebrate Bridgette’s seventieth birthday. The spa retreat they are on promises relaxation and tranquility and the ladies are definitely feeling ready for the time away from home.
What they all quickly realise, is that this spa weekend could be much more than massages and manicures. Age really is just a number and this group of ladies are very much still in the game.
General Thoughts 🤔
As soon as I saw the cover for this book I felt a sense of fun. Those ladies look like they’re mischief and I was looking forward to finding out what they were going to get up to on their break at Sparadise. I was pleased to find out that they got themselves into all kinds of trouble and met some fantastic characters along the way.
The Spa Break was fun, light hearted and uplifting but it was also very heart warming. These women had been written off by society or their family or their spouses but each one of them went through a transformation and it was lovely to read about them injecting some fun back into their lives.
Characters 👫👭👬
I liked each of the ladies equally. I thought that I may get a little annoyed by Bridgette to begin with as on the surface, she appeared a little snobby, but my mind was very quickly changed. I loved the friendships within the group and how these ladies had become close via a weekly swimming club. I genuinely would love to have a group of friends like this when I’m approaching my seventies.
As well as the main characters in the story, there are others for readers to fall in love with. I particularly liked Robin and Stevie; such a great couple and I loved the way they rallied for Serena. Norman was hilarious and I think everyone needs a Norman in their life if they find themselves in a bit of a rut.
Writing Style ✍️
This is the first Caroline James book that I’ve read and I really enjoyed her writing style. She was witty and was able to write the characters in such a way that had me rooting for them all by the end. There were some really funny moments in this book and I liked the way that the author weaved those in without making the characters or the story feel at all cheesy.
Conclusion & Scoring 🎖
The Spa Break was a fantastic story about friendships, love and rediscovery. Whatever the older version of coming of age is; these characters went through it. A great book that I would recommend for some light hearted entertainment and some good, warm, fuzzy feels.
April 25, 2022
I had a bit of a confession to make- yes yet another one. Although I have a few of Caroline’s books on my ‘to be read’ mountain, I haven’t actually read one yet. What a mistake to make as the saying goes. ‘The Spa Break’ is being marketed as being perfect reading for fans of Judy Leigh and Maddie Please. I am a huge fan of both authors and so I knew that I was going to enjoy ‘The Spa Break’. I was spot on too because I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Spa Break’ but more about that in a bit.
As soon as I started reading, I knew that I wouldn’t be doing anything else other than reading for the rest of the day. I was drawn straight into the story from the very beginning. To say that reading ‘The Spa Break’ became addictive is like saying that this Ginger Book Geek likes cake- in other words a huge understatement. I initially picked the book up to read a couple of chapters so that I could say that I had made a start on the story but I became so wrapped up in the story, in the characters and in the lives of the different characters that I was still sat there reading well over two hours and several chapters later. I was blown away by how much I enjoyed the story. I started chuckling away to myself at the start of the story and I didn’t stop chuckling all the way through. In that respect this book was the perfect ‘pick me up’. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘The Spa Break’ and I had to say goodbye to the girls. ‘The Spa Break’ was a joy to read from start to finish and I loved every minute of it.
‘The Spa Break’ is well written. Caroline has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading this book felt more like a chat between friends rather than reading an actual book. I hope that makes sense. Caroline clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes the characters seem just as real as you and I. I began to think of the four main ladies as friends rather than characters in a book. I love the way in which the author makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt anyway.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Spa Break’ and I would recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Caroline’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
As soon as I started reading, I knew that I wouldn’t be doing anything else other than reading for the rest of the day. I was drawn straight into the story from the very beginning. To say that reading ‘The Spa Break’ became addictive is like saying that this Ginger Book Geek likes cake- in other words a huge understatement. I initially picked the book up to read a couple of chapters so that I could say that I had made a start on the story but I became so wrapped up in the story, in the characters and in the lives of the different characters that I was still sat there reading well over two hours and several chapters later. I was blown away by how much I enjoyed the story. I started chuckling away to myself at the start of the story and I didn’t stop chuckling all the way through. In that respect this book was the perfect ‘pick me up’. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘The Spa Break’ and I had to say goodbye to the girls. ‘The Spa Break’ was a joy to read from start to finish and I loved every minute of it.
‘The Spa Break’ is well written. Caroline has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading this book felt more like a chat between friends rather than reading an actual book. I hope that makes sense. Caroline clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes the characters seem just as real as you and I. I began to think of the four main ladies as friends rather than characters in a book. I love the way in which the author makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt anyway.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Spa Break’ and I would recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Caroline’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
April 27, 2022
Four friends are off for a birthday spa break.
The Spa Break is an absolute joy. It’s slightly mad, funny, uplifting and filled with warmth and friendship so that it’s impossible not to feel happier as a result of reading it.
I so enjoyed meeting Serena, Bridgette, Emily and Marjory. It’s absolutely wonderful to encounter women in their sixties with all their attendant anxieties, routines and habits amassed over the years so that they feel much more real and relatable than so many thirty somethings in books. As The Spa Break allows them to discover sexual, emotional, artistic and professional creativity, there’s a joie de vivre that makes the reader feel they can achieve what they want too. It’s as if Caroline James is giving her readers the chance to be reminded of who they are and who they might like to be every bit as much as the four ladies in the book. That’s not to say that everything runs smoothly, but the bumps along the way add authenticity and the immense pleasure in reading The Spa Break.
There’s a relatively simple plot set over a long weekend that is all the more realistic because all the action takes place in the hotel and its grounds, making the reader believe any of the events could, genuinely, have happened. I loved the concept that, whist supporting one another and celebrating Brigitte’s seventieth birthday, each of the ladies is able to be an individual, find what works for her and doesn’t need to be just another adjunct to the group. All the minor characters are equally memorable too so that The Spa Break feels natural and engaging.
But within the fun and frolics are weightier themes that make The Spa Break such a good read. Professional duplicity, fame, ambition, marriage, relationships, identity, the role of social media in the modern world, ageism, expectation, parenthood and so on make this a layered and maturely written narrative that gently teaches even as it entertains.
I so enjoyed reading The Spa Break. I’ve come to expect humour, humanity and entertainment from Caroline James. The Spa Break has them all with added sexiness so that it’s a cracking read. I loved this treat of a book because it made me feel happy.
The Spa Break is an absolute joy. It’s slightly mad, funny, uplifting and filled with warmth and friendship so that it’s impossible not to feel happier as a result of reading it.
I so enjoyed meeting Serena, Bridgette, Emily and Marjory. It’s absolutely wonderful to encounter women in their sixties with all their attendant anxieties, routines and habits amassed over the years so that they feel much more real and relatable than so many thirty somethings in books. As The Spa Break allows them to discover sexual, emotional, artistic and professional creativity, there’s a joie de vivre that makes the reader feel they can achieve what they want too. It’s as if Caroline James is giving her readers the chance to be reminded of who they are and who they might like to be every bit as much as the four ladies in the book. That’s not to say that everything runs smoothly, but the bumps along the way add authenticity and the immense pleasure in reading The Spa Break.
There’s a relatively simple plot set over a long weekend that is all the more realistic because all the action takes place in the hotel and its grounds, making the reader believe any of the events could, genuinely, have happened. I loved the concept that, whist supporting one another and celebrating Brigitte’s seventieth birthday, each of the ladies is able to be an individual, find what works for her and doesn’t need to be just another adjunct to the group. All the minor characters are equally memorable too so that The Spa Break feels natural and engaging.
But within the fun and frolics are weightier themes that make The Spa Break such a good read. Professional duplicity, fame, ambition, marriage, relationships, identity, the role of social media in the modern world, ageism, expectation, parenthood and so on make this a layered and maturely written narrative that gently teaches even as it entertains.
I so enjoyed reading The Spa Break. I’ve come to expect humour, humanity and entertainment from Caroline James. The Spa Break has them all with added sexiness so that it’s a cracking read. I loved this treat of a book because it made me feel happy.
June 2, 2022
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Fans of Grace and Frankie and The Golden Girls are going to love Caroline James’ fun, irreverent and immensely entertaining new novel, The Spa Break.
Bridgette’s seventieth birthday is fast approaching and a celebration is definitely in order. Bridgette plans on marking this occasion in style and, gathering her close friends Emily, Serena and Marjory, heads off to a gorgeous spa where she plans to prove that it’s not the number of candles on one’s birthday cake that matters, but the ability to grab life by the horns and have fun. Bridgette certainly plans to make this birthday one she will always remember, but she should know by now to be careful what she wishes for because it just might come true!
These spicy sexagenarians plan on letting their hair down this weekend and no sooner have they unpacked and got settled that they find themselves embroiled in mischief and getting up to no good! Forget about daytime TV and knitting patterns, these four friends are about to discover that age and experience have got a lot to recommend them – but only if they have the courage to let go of their doubts and insecurities and live in the moment!
This week promises to be one Bridgette, Emily, Serena and Marjory will certainly never forget although there is one golden rule they must all abide by: what happens at this spa, stays at the spa!
With all that is going on in the world at the moment, Caroline James’ fabulous The Spa Break is just the tonic we need. A laugh a minute page-turner that will have readers clutching their sides, The Spa Break is uplifting, invigorating and hilarious and proves that you are never to old to have fun.
Caroline James certainly knows how to give her readers an escapist and enjoyable treat that will inspire them not to let their inhibitions get in the way of living their lives to the full.
The next best thing to a pampering weekend with your best friends, Caroline James’ The Spa Break should be on every woman’s must-buy list this summer!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Fans of Grace and Frankie and The Golden Girls are going to love Caroline James’ fun, irreverent and immensely entertaining new novel, The Spa Break.
Bridgette’s seventieth birthday is fast approaching and a celebration is definitely in order. Bridgette plans on marking this occasion in style and, gathering her close friends Emily, Serena and Marjory, heads off to a gorgeous spa where she plans to prove that it’s not the number of candles on one’s birthday cake that matters, but the ability to grab life by the horns and have fun. Bridgette certainly plans to make this birthday one she will always remember, but she should know by now to be careful what she wishes for because it just might come true!
These spicy sexagenarians plan on letting their hair down this weekend and no sooner have they unpacked and got settled that they find themselves embroiled in mischief and getting up to no good! Forget about daytime TV and knitting patterns, these four friends are about to discover that age and experience have got a lot to recommend them – but only if they have the courage to let go of their doubts and insecurities and live in the moment!
This week promises to be one Bridgette, Emily, Serena and Marjory will certainly never forget although there is one golden rule they must all abide by: what happens at this spa, stays at the spa!
With all that is going on in the world at the moment, Caroline James’ fabulous The Spa Break is just the tonic we need. A laugh a minute page-turner that will have readers clutching their sides, The Spa Break is uplifting, invigorating and hilarious and proves that you are never to old to have fun.
Caroline James certainly knows how to give her readers an escapist and enjoyable treat that will inspire them not to let their inhibitions get in the way of living their lives to the full.
The next best thing to a pampering weekend with your best friends, Caroline James’ The Spa Break should be on every woman’s must-buy list this summer!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 28, 2022
A really fun read, I enjoyed reading about this fun group of friends! Some of the things that occurred in this book were very concerning/unrealistic to me, but overall, I loved reading about these ladies re-discovering their passions and inner-selves.
The beginning was a bit slow, with a bunch of info dumps. However, Carolina is extremely talented in setting the scene and creating really beautiful visualizations. You could really build a mental image of Sparadise and what each of the characters looked like and how they acted. I was also super confused why this entire book is set in 2018, it seems weird since it's being published in 2022, and I feel like a simple ctrl-f could've replaced the 2-3 references when they say "yay it's 2018" or something and replace it with either 2022 or just take it out of the story because it really adds nothing?
I began to get quite a bit concerned when there are many references that the 'vitamin drinks' the spa provides probably include some type of drug to make the consumer much more relaxed and happy-go-lucky, and I low key suspect that one of the characters was sexually assaulted???? But the book treats its as a fun thing of her discovering orgasms for the first time, so good for her I guess, but it's still quite a bit problematic, so I definitely would've appreciated it if that was cleared up a bit. Also one of the characters is in quite a toxic relationship and There's also a bunch of cheating in this book, but for the most part it ends well?
But overall, this was a fun comedy with each of the girls going on a journey of self-discovery, showing us that happiness really has nothing to do with age.
--
Thanks publisher and NetGalley for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
The beginning was a bit slow, with a bunch of info dumps. However, Carolina is extremely talented in setting the scene and creating really beautiful visualizations. You could really build a mental image of Sparadise and what each of the characters looked like and how they acted. I was also super confused why this entire book is set in 2018, it seems weird since it's being published in 2022, and I feel like a simple ctrl-f could've replaced the 2-3 references when they say "yay it's 2018" or something and replace it with either 2022 or just take it out of the story because it really adds nothing?
I began to get quite a bit concerned when there are many references that the 'vitamin drinks' the spa provides probably include some type of drug to make the consumer much more relaxed and happy-go-lucky, and I low key suspect that one of the characters was sexually assaulted???? But the book treats its as a fun thing of her discovering orgasms for the first time, so good for her I guess, but it's still quite a bit problematic, so I definitely would've appreciated it if that was cleared up a bit. Also one of the characters is in quite a toxic relationship and There's also a bunch of cheating in this book, but for the most part it ends well?
But overall, this was a fun comedy with each of the girls going on a journey of self-discovery, showing us that happiness really has nothing to do with age.
--
Thanks publisher and NetGalley for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
April 29, 2022
What’s it about (in a nutshell):
4 female friends, all in their 60s, go on a spa retreat to celebrate one of them turning 70. With a lot of fun and reflection, they each learn to embrace a whole new side to themselves and with that, a whole new lease on life.
What I Enjoyed:
The characters are all relatable and recognizable. I felt like I knew each one of these lovely ladies. They are the women I volunteer with, attend church with, and enjoy as neighbors. They each have hit a point in their lives when they realize that they aren’t happy with the status quo. But change takes courage. Change takes finding a new direction. Change takes admitting the truth and embracing their needs. Do they have what it takes to find happiness? All they need is a weekend at the spa to show them the way.
The ending held many surprises. It’s a happily ever after story which is to be expected but that didn’t mean that the end is predictable. There were so many fun surprises and I loved each one. These ladies are anything but predictable and that is a large part of what makes the story so fun to read.
I loved the theme of your never to old to start a fresh chapter in your life. This is something I believe strongly in. After all, age is just a number and we all deserve happiness at any and all ages. I loved watching these four women realize that and grab on to the changes needed to make happiness a reality.
Characters:
Bridgette Haworth is the birthday girl. A well-respected horticulturalist, she gives lectures on cruise ships and tends to her own award-winning gardens. Thinking she had secured the best room at the spa, Bridgette’s fun starts when she finds out that not only did she not have the penthouse suite but that she had to stay in one of the spa’s glamping tents.
Serena Alleyne is a celebrity chef who has recently been replaced by a much younger chef by the tv network. She’s not ready for her career to end and her fun starts when she meets the couple staying in the penthouse suite that was supposed to be Bridgette’s.
Emily is a thin, spry lady who feels completely invisible. Her husband left her for a much younger woman and even started a family with his young bride. Emily’s grown sons live with her and still act like they are kids who need taking care of. Her fun starts when she takes a yoga class for the first time.
Margory has grown tired of her unfulfilling marriage and has started having thoughts about the one who got away. Her fun begins when she gets a very magical massage.
Reminds Me Of:
Fantasy Island
What I Wish:
I just wish that when I am in my 60s, I am just as brave as each of the women in this story and am willing to make changes for happiness-sake.
To Read or Not to Read:
If you are looking for a fun, relatable story that will leave you ready to start your own new chapter, The Spa Break is just the book you are looking for.
4 female friends, all in their 60s, go on a spa retreat to celebrate one of them turning 70. With a lot of fun and reflection, they each learn to embrace a whole new side to themselves and with that, a whole new lease on life.
What I Enjoyed:
The characters are all relatable and recognizable. I felt like I knew each one of these lovely ladies. They are the women I volunteer with, attend church with, and enjoy as neighbors. They each have hit a point in their lives when they realize that they aren’t happy with the status quo. But change takes courage. Change takes finding a new direction. Change takes admitting the truth and embracing their needs. Do they have what it takes to find happiness? All they need is a weekend at the spa to show them the way.
The ending held many surprises. It’s a happily ever after story which is to be expected but that didn’t mean that the end is predictable. There were so many fun surprises and I loved each one. These ladies are anything but predictable and that is a large part of what makes the story so fun to read.
I loved the theme of your never to old to start a fresh chapter in your life. This is something I believe strongly in. After all, age is just a number and we all deserve happiness at any and all ages. I loved watching these four women realize that and grab on to the changes needed to make happiness a reality.
Characters:
Bridgette Haworth is the birthday girl. A well-respected horticulturalist, she gives lectures on cruise ships and tends to her own award-winning gardens. Thinking she had secured the best room at the spa, Bridgette’s fun starts when she finds out that not only did she not have the penthouse suite but that she had to stay in one of the spa’s glamping tents.
Serena Alleyne is a celebrity chef who has recently been replaced by a much younger chef by the tv network. She’s not ready for her career to end and her fun starts when she meets the couple staying in the penthouse suite that was supposed to be Bridgette’s.
Emily is a thin, spry lady who feels completely invisible. Her husband left her for a much younger woman and even started a family with his young bride. Emily’s grown sons live with her and still act like they are kids who need taking care of. Her fun starts when she takes a yoga class for the first time.
Margory has grown tired of her unfulfilling marriage and has started having thoughts about the one who got away. Her fun begins when she gets a very magical massage.
Reminds Me Of:
Fantasy Island
What I Wish:
I just wish that when I am in my 60s, I am just as brave as each of the women in this story and am willing to make changes for happiness-sake.
To Read or Not to Read:
If you are looking for a fun, relatable story that will leave you ready to start your own new chapter, The Spa Break is just the book you are looking for.
April 14, 2022
A group of four friends make plans to be pampered at a spa for a weekend to help celebrate a 70th birthday. The rest of the friends are in the 60's so they've all lived their lives...but are they happy with their lives? This is a funny and poignant look at coming of age in your later years and learning what you want out of life no matter what age you are.
Bridgette, Emily, Serena and Marjory leave their families for a long weekend. Most of their family at home is not happy with their decision and call constantly to tell them to come home. The phone calls are upsetting until they all quit answering their phones.
All of the woman are looking forward to their spa weekend and plan to sign up for as many classes as possible - yoga, massages, facials and all the rest keep them busy. The more they relax, the more they get into other things that are totally outside their normal lives - nudity, instagram, marijuana, male friends (or more than friends) and discover that that over the hill certainly doesn’t mean out of the game…in any respect…
I always enjoy a book with older female main characters. Not just 20 and 30 year olds have problems. As you age, the problems often become more difficult plus you begin to realize that you are basically invisible to the rest of the world. These four women made me laugh and showed me that there is a possibility of life after 60 that is fun and satisfying.
Bridgette, Emily, Serena and Marjory leave their families for a long weekend. Most of their family at home is not happy with their decision and call constantly to tell them to come home. The phone calls are upsetting until they all quit answering their phones.
All of the woman are looking forward to their spa weekend and plan to sign up for as many classes as possible - yoga, massages, facials and all the rest keep them busy. The more they relax, the more they get into other things that are totally outside their normal lives - nudity, instagram, marijuana, male friends (or more than friends) and discover that that over the hill certainly doesn’t mean out of the game…in any respect…
I always enjoy a book with older female main characters. Not just 20 and 30 year olds have problems. As you age, the problems often become more difficult plus you begin to realize that you are basically invisible to the rest of the world. These four women made me laugh and showed me that there is a possibility of life after 60 that is fun and satisfying.
April 16, 2022
The Spa break will have you snorting with laughter, funny, heart warming and feel good; The Spa Break has become one of my favourite Romantic Comedy books that’s absolutely going to make it onto the keeper shelf.
When I think of Rom Coms I think of the usual trope of Girl meets boy, girl hates boy and girl ends up in embarrassingly funny situations with said boy and they fall in love at the end….not so with The Spa Break. The Book follows a group of women in their 60’s escaping the every day grind to go on a spa break for their friends 70th Birthday, what follows is a weekend of incredible transformations for each of them that will change their lives forever!
I loved Caroline James’s writing style, it’s witty and uplifting but also she writes in a way that makes you believe you know these women and by the end you are really getting behind each of them! I read this book in a day and some parts had me snorting with laughter, something that a book hasn’t managed to achieve for me in quite some time.
But amongst the humour was such feel good messaging about loving yourself, following your dreams and most importantly that you are never too old, too fat or to short to do ANYTHING,
An uplifting, light hearted happy book. A perfect Summer read and an Author that I am totally going to be going on a binge read of her other books!
Disclosure: The Pursuit Of Bookiness received a copy of this book free of charge in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own
When I think of Rom Coms I think of the usual trope of Girl meets boy, girl hates boy and girl ends up in embarrassingly funny situations with said boy and they fall in love at the end….not so with The Spa Break. The Book follows a group of women in their 60’s escaping the every day grind to go on a spa break for their friends 70th Birthday, what follows is a weekend of incredible transformations for each of them that will change their lives forever!
I loved Caroline James’s writing style, it’s witty and uplifting but also she writes in a way that makes you believe you know these women and by the end you are really getting behind each of them! I read this book in a day and some parts had me snorting with laughter, something that a book hasn’t managed to achieve for me in quite some time.
But amongst the humour was such feel good messaging about loving yourself, following your dreams and most importantly that you are never too old, too fat or to short to do ANYTHING,
An uplifting, light hearted happy book. A perfect Summer read and an Author that I am totally going to be going on a binge read of her other books!
Disclosure: The Pursuit Of Bookiness received a copy of this book free of charge in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own
April 18, 2022
The Spa Break by Caroline James
It’s 2018 and Bridgette Haworth’s 70th birthday is coming up, so along with her three best friends – Emily Avondale (63), Serena Alleyne (62) and Marjory Ecclestone (68), they leave their homes in Flaxby, Lancashire to go to a luxury spa called Sparadise for a weekend treat.
Emily is a single mum to two boys in their twenties who don’t want to leave home. Serena is a former TV chef and married to artist Cornelius. Bridgette lives in a big manor with her husband Hugo. Marjory is married to Reg, a man whose only love seems to be his pigeons. All the women are lacking something in their lives – relationship happiness, body confidence, sexual fulfilment and so on.
During their stay at Sparadise, they all discover some of what has been missing from their lives and try to improve things and reach for what they want out of life. The resort has plenty of entertaining characters and I especially loved the couple Stevie and Robin, as well as Norman the naturist!
It’s a fun girlie romcom, albeit a bit too “sexy” for me, as I prefer more “behind closed doors” scenes. But it is also about how the women discover what they need in their lives, and about the wonderful bonds of female friendship, so it is a positive and uplifting read and great to have older women as the main characters.
It’s 2018 and Bridgette Haworth’s 70th birthday is coming up, so along with her three best friends – Emily Avondale (63), Serena Alleyne (62) and Marjory Ecclestone (68), they leave their homes in Flaxby, Lancashire to go to a luxury spa called Sparadise for a weekend treat.
Emily is a single mum to two boys in their twenties who don’t want to leave home. Serena is a former TV chef and married to artist Cornelius. Bridgette lives in a big manor with her husband Hugo. Marjory is married to Reg, a man whose only love seems to be his pigeons. All the women are lacking something in their lives – relationship happiness, body confidence, sexual fulfilment and so on.
During their stay at Sparadise, they all discover some of what has been missing from their lives and try to improve things and reach for what they want out of life. The resort has plenty of entertaining characters and I especially loved the couple Stevie and Robin, as well as Norman the naturist!
It’s a fun girlie romcom, albeit a bit too “sexy” for me, as I prefer more “behind closed doors” scenes. But it is also about how the women discover what they need in their lives, and about the wonderful bonds of female friendship, so it is a positive and uplifting read and great to have older women as the main characters.
April 24, 2022
I loved everything about this book and I am so pleased that I signed up to join the tour. My girlfriends and I often go on spa overnight stays to celebrate special occasions and birthdays so I really related to some aspects of this story and how the girls bonded and changed over their stay at the super posh spa.
It was really refreshing to read about characters of a more mature age. Many people I know in their 60s and feisty and so much fin and spirited and it was wonderful to see this reflected in The Spa Break. All four women are so lovely and so very different but all have their own issues, uncertainties and insecurities going on. They also all deal with these in different ways. I loved them all but I must say that Marjory hilarious and was my absolute favourite.
All the other characters add so much depth to the girls’ experiences and journeys too whether they are in full support or of a more antagonistic disposition.
I enjoyed the journey that each lady went on over the space of a weekend and how much it impacted their lives. They all benefitted so much from the time, experience and each other’s friendships and it just totally warmed my heart. This book really gave me all the fuzzies and lots of laughs and I adored it.
Highly recommended for an afternoon of joy and a warm hug in a book.
It was really refreshing to read about characters of a more mature age. Many people I know in their 60s and feisty and so much fin and spirited and it was wonderful to see this reflected in The Spa Break. All four women are so lovely and so very different but all have their own issues, uncertainties and insecurities going on. They also all deal with these in different ways. I loved them all but I must say that Marjory hilarious and was my absolute favourite.
All the other characters add so much depth to the girls’ experiences and journeys too whether they are in full support or of a more antagonistic disposition.
I enjoyed the journey that each lady went on over the space of a weekend and how much it impacted their lives. They all benefitted so much from the time, experience and each other’s friendships and it just totally warmed my heart. This book really gave me all the fuzzies and lots of laughs and I adored it.
Highly recommended for an afternoon of joy and a warm hug in a book.
March 31, 2022
I think the book is well written. The story flows well. The characters and the plot are unique. That said, it was just an okay book for me. I really wanted to love this book. I really enjoy reading books with older characters and thought this would be something I would want to race through and would not be able to put down, but that was not the case for me.
I think there are several things that caused me to feel this way. The humor at times I thought was funny, but most of the time, it did not strike me as humorous. The way the characters were portrayed seemed to make them older than the ages they were, 62, 63, 68 and 69. That may well be since I know and am friends with people of those ages and they are confident in their lives and are proud of their age. Also, while I was interested in what would happen in the story, I was not totally invested in it. I was reading to finish the book, rather than being fully immersed.
Each person is different, and I am sure that they are many people that will fully enjoy all that this book offers.
Thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity of reading the advance reader copy. My review is my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.
I think there are several things that caused me to feel this way. The humor at times I thought was funny, but most of the time, it did not strike me as humorous. The way the characters were portrayed seemed to make them older than the ages they were, 62, 63, 68 and 69. That may well be since I know and am friends with people of those ages and they are confident in their lives and are proud of their age. Also, while I was interested in what would happen in the story, I was not totally invested in it. I was reading to finish the book, rather than being fully immersed.
Each person is different, and I am sure that they are many people that will fully enjoy all that this book offers.
Thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity of reading the advance reader copy. My review is my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.
April 21, 2022
The Spa Break by Caroline James
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A weekend at the spa will leave four old friends with a whole lot more than they’d bargained for…
The glossy brochure promised a serene experience of total tranquillity and rejuvenation, but what best friends Bridgette, Emily, Serena and Marjory get is a weekend that upends their lives!
There for a girls’ weekend to celebrate Bridgette’s impending seventieth birthday, the spa soon has these spicy sexagenarians realising that there are unexpected benefits to age and experience, and that over the hill certainly doesn’t mean out of the game…in any respect…
I initially struggled to figure out how Caroline was going to turn a spa weekend into a full book but very quickly it becomes apparent that this weekend is going to be life changing for all four of our leading ladies. A nice and easy read offers an ideal opportunity to escape reality.
This book is well-written and flows so well it is so easy to get drawn in and read a large chunk in one sitting. A cheerful read, with many chuckle worthy moments. All of these things make for a lovely read.
Rating: 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A weekend at the spa will leave four old friends with a whole lot more than they’d bargained for…
The glossy brochure promised a serene experience of total tranquillity and rejuvenation, but what best friends Bridgette, Emily, Serena and Marjory get is a weekend that upends their lives!
There for a girls’ weekend to celebrate Bridgette’s impending seventieth birthday, the spa soon has these spicy sexagenarians realising that there are unexpected benefits to age and experience, and that over the hill certainly doesn’t mean out of the game…in any respect…
I initially struggled to figure out how Caroline was going to turn a spa weekend into a full book but very quickly it becomes apparent that this weekend is going to be life changing for all four of our leading ladies. A nice and easy read offers an ideal opportunity to escape reality.
This book is well-written and flows so well it is so easy to get drawn in and read a large chunk in one sitting. A cheerful read, with many chuckle worthy moments. All of these things make for a lovely read.
Rating: 4/5
April 29, 2022
The Spa Break by Caroline James
The glossy brochure promised a serene experience of total tranquillity and rejuvenation, but what best friends Bridgette, Emily, Serena, and Marjory get is a weekend that upends their lives!
Therefore a girls' weekend to celebrate Bridgette's impending seventieth birthday, the spa soon has these spicy sexagenarians realising that there are unexpected benefits to age and experience and that over the hill certainly doesn't mean out of the game in any respect.
Well, what can I say? I absolutely loved this story and am happy to rave about it. In fact, I would love to see it made into a movie. It has such a feel-good vibe running through it, and the characters are at that age that they converse so honestly and naturally that you start thinking, I hope I will do that when I reach the new 40 (even, maybe, the naughty bits.....
The Spa Break is a must-read for all who enjoy a laugh out loud, naughty, enlightening, heartwarming story about friendship and discovery. I smiled from start to finish. So, of course, I am happy to recommend it.
Thank you to Rachel's Random Resource's, publisher One More Chapter and author Caroline James for sending me a copy to review.
The glossy brochure promised a serene experience of total tranquillity and rejuvenation, but what best friends Bridgette, Emily, Serena, and Marjory get is a weekend that upends their lives!
Therefore a girls' weekend to celebrate Bridgette's impending seventieth birthday, the spa soon has these spicy sexagenarians realising that there are unexpected benefits to age and experience and that over the hill certainly doesn't mean out of the game in any respect.
Well, what can I say? I absolutely loved this story and am happy to rave about it. In fact, I would love to see it made into a movie. It has such a feel-good vibe running through it, and the characters are at that age that they converse so honestly and naturally that you start thinking, I hope I will do that when I reach the new 40 (even, maybe, the naughty bits.....
The Spa Break is a must-read for all who enjoy a laugh out loud, naughty, enlightening, heartwarming story about friendship and discovery. I smiled from start to finish. So, of course, I am happy to recommend it.
Thank you to Rachel's Random Resource's, publisher One More Chapter and author Caroline James for sending me a copy to review.
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