The Holiday Cruise by Victoria Cooke,
Hannah is struggling. Her husband has walked out on her and she has been mooching around the house for weeks on end. She has left her business in the capable hands of her two assistants but just can’t pull herself together enough to make that first move forward. When things come to a head she has to make decisions and sharpish. A chance conversation over a nail bar puts a thought into her head- one that won’t go away. It rather surprises even her and her next step is one she never would have dreamed of- a job on a cruise liner headed for the Caribbean. On board she discovers not only new friends and wonderful destinations but a new Hannah that the old one would struggle to recognise. This is a wonderful read. Most of us have been there in one way or another-when things are so bleak you don’t know which way to turn. One step can make a huge difference as we all know. I really took to Hannah with all of her ups and downs. Her character shone through the pages. Written in a realistic way with foibles and odd thoughts that we all have from time to time along with descriptions that may make you want to book your next holiday- or at least a break from the 9-5 of everyday life. I have never been on a cruise and never even been sure that I would want to- however this describes it from a “below” stairs experience rather than the glitz and glamour of what I imagine being a guest is like. A truly hope that there is a follow up book as I would like to get to know Hannah and Ben a little more. This book is one of those that communicates on many levels. A read to make you smile, a read to make you think. One life- live it.
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What a great book to put you in a holiday mood!

I liked the character of Hannah, and admired the way she picked herself up after discovering her husband’s infidelity and took matters into her own hands.

I knew nothing about life working on a cruise ship, and it was really facinating.

This book has sunshine, travel, lovely exotic settings, laughter, heartbrea

Lovely romantic book. Perfect to take it with you on a relaxing holiday. Would definitely recommend.

This book sounded great but it was predictable and repetitive

A good modern romance. Beautician Hannah is devastated when her husband of ten years leaves her for another woman. Eventually, encouraged by her sister, she takes a job aboard a cruise ship in the spa. The crew are really friendly and she begins to settle into her nine month contract. One day she meets recently jilted passenger Ben. They begin to spend a lot of time together and fall in love. Read on for a lovely holiday story!

This is a really cute book that I found really easy to read. Having never been on a cruise before I found it really interesting – the detail in which the destinations of the cruise liners stops were really well written – so for someone who definitely has the travel bug it was a big thumbs up from me.

It wasn’t your typical love story which was another bonus for me, something that's just just boy meets girl and happy ever after gets kind of samey for me – so this story had an interesting slant which kept me hooked!

I will definitely read more from this author and would recommend this book to anyone looking for a nice easy to put down and pick up read.

Take me back to this cruise ship!! Have you ever been so caught up in a storyline and its characters that when the story does come to and end, it’s as though you have lost one of your arms, whilst also wanting to run back to the book with your arms wide open screaming; ‘I’m sorry I left youuuuuuu. I’m sorry I had to finish youuuuu’? For those of you who have read Victoria Cooke’s novel, I am sure you’ll be nodding your heads in agreement right now. For those who haven’t read Victoria Cooke’s novel, your answer to my question will also be a yes once you pick up this book and read it!

I’m not even joking. Finishing ‘The Holiday Cruise’ was like having to leave my mum at the school gates when I was little! All I wanted to do was run back! I wholeheartedly agree with reviewer Rachel Gilbey – there has to be a sequel for this! Even though the main situation in this book reached its natural conclusion, there is oodles amounts of ways for old characters to reappear and new ones to make their presence known when it comes to a follow on book. I would be utterly devastated if we didn’t go back to visit some of these characters, I really would.

It’s clear from the onset that Hannah is pretty much sitting with her whole life broken around her. Not only has her husband decided to cheat on her, she’s also losing her business to a rival company after her so-called friend decided to be a loofah. Charming eh! With the list of people she can trust safely on the back of a stamp, Hannah decides to jump ship (literally) by working on a cruise ship. Lucky beggar…

I wanted to squish Hannah almost straight away! So much rubbish for one person, how can those people live with themselves after such betrayal? I loved how a person who loved routine, decided to do something completely against her usual values, and went to work in a spa on a cruise ship. I mean, there’s grabbing life by the starboard, and then there’s grabbing life for the starboard! I think…(yes, THINK), I may have maybe (ahem) yelped out loud ‘YOU GO GIRL!!!!’ whilst reading this book. Take away the ‘think’ and the ‘maybe’ and there is a definite chance that I did just that. Luckily my daughter was in bed at the time so I didn’t have to face the Spanish Inquisition from a four-year old. Those things are brutal!!

I have never, ever been on a cruise ship before but I can tell you now, after reading ‘The Holiday Cruise’ I would book a cruise holiday in a jiffy if I had the money. I never realised just how much there was on a cruise ship, as well as being able to stop in certain countries along the way for a bit of sightseeing. To be honest, it felt like the author was on a cruise whilst writing the novel as everything came across so realistic, pristine and pretty amazing.

I also loved how, despite Hannah’s earlier personality reservations, as soon as she found her feet on the ship, she got stuck in like a woman on a mission. To see such a broken character come out of their shell in such a short space of time was pretty emotional. It was as though Hannah was being given a second chance in life to find happiness, yet it was the first chance to do something for herself. Certainly makes you think eh?

Obviously I’m not going to go into detail about everything I loved about the book as I will end up giving spoilers, and I like to pride myself in not ruining an authors work by giving spoilers! However, I’m just going to say…..

I LOVED THIS BOOK
I LOVED THIS BOOK
I LOVED THIS BOOK
I LOVED THIS BOOK
VICTORIA COOKE COME READ ME A BED TIME STORY!

I fell in love with ‘The Holiday Cruise’ the moment Hannah stepped onto the ship. Everything about this book blew me away whilst also making me feel emotional at the same time. Throughout the book I witnessed a character find herself, new-found friends finding the courage to come out of their shells and start afresh, as well as taking notice of the underlying message the storyline contained; there are good and bad times in life, but through the bad times you must always do what is right for YOU and nobody else. Life your life YOUR way and not the way someone else wishes you would live your life. Find the courage to do things you wouldn’t usually do. Take the time out to just be, without feeling guilty. Most of all, just live…

Victoria Cooke has written such a stunning, thought-provoking and loveable read. I genuinely wish that I could read ‘The Holiday Cruise’ for the first time, every time. It’s clear that I found parts of the storyline quite emotional, but I also managed to laugh out loud multiple times. ‘The Holiday Cruise’ truly is one of the best books I have read so far this year, with author Victoria Cooke, cruising her way into my all time favourite authors list.

A majestic, inspiring, heart-warming and confidence boosting storyline – which is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, tears in your eyes, fire in your belly and love in your heart. Absolutely fantastic. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Victoria Cooke for writing a book I didn’t know I needed to read, but for also being one I know that I could never be without.

Thanks HQDigitalUK.

What a great book. Hannah is devastated when she learns that her husband is having an affair. Her salon suffers whilst she takes time out and then she decides to get away by taking a job in a spa on a cruise ship. We really feel as though we are experiencing everything with her. She makes new friendships, romance rears its head in unexpected quarters and we visit the most beautiful places on the cruises destinations. You can really imagine yourself at each port- with the sights, sounds and even food and that sunshine beating down on you.
It is a really cathartic experience for her- and she keeps in touch with her sister via Skype. She meets a mix of passengers and also the crew are soon mixing and creating wonderful friendships. We can take a virtual tour on the boat and enjoy every moment.
I loved the cruise that we went on in the Carribean and this book brought lots of lovely memories flooding back.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Read this on holiday and made me laugh out loud. Perfect (dare I say it) summer read.

Hannah Davis loses her husband of ten years to another woman and then loses her spa business on top of that. What’s a woman to do in this case? Hannah realizes she cannot remain in the village where both she and her ex, with is new squeeze, live. However, Hannah has never been on her own and is not known for making many decisions. Her older sister has always been there to pick up whatever pieces that fall—and her husband of ten years whenever her sister was not there or just could not do it. Wanting to escape and prove she can do it, Hannah applies and is hired to work in a cruise ship spa. Life in the Caribbean in Europe, anywhere in the world cruises go. Who could ask for more? Hannah begins her new career/life and is adjusting okay when she meets up with a cruiser, Ben, who is on this particular cruise to try to forget a fiancée who ditched him at the altar. Hannah knows that any relationship with a cruise passenger is strictly forbidden, but she is drawn to Ben. One day they meet up during a day in a Spanish town, and things change dramatically. However, can they manage to pull this off without Hannah being fired for her relationship with a passenger? Are both of them, each damaged/hurt in their own pasts, ready for something more? Can they be what they are each meant to be?

I have cruised many, many times, and this book hit home for me. I loved it. The story is fantastic. I did wonder about the hours Hannah kept and her time off, as I never heard time off was so abundant for cruise staff, but I really do not know what staff life is like during a cruise. I know I enjoyed vicariously experiencing Hannah’s job and travels with her. The job seemed far more glamorous than it probably is, but this is fiction, so most things appear more glamorous. I loved the character Hannah, as well as the other cruise staff with whom she worked and spent some of her free time with. Any job on a cruise ship always seems glamorous to anyone who has ever cruised, and this book definitely brought this idea home. Finally, the book was light hearted enough to appreciate Hannah and how she grew, despite the bad start she had in the beginning. The book reads smoothly and not-to-serious, but I definitely think anyone who has ever cruised or dreamed of taking a cruise or who enjoys a good story with a strong female lead, who manages to overcome odds, will enjoy this one. I recommend it. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

I enjoyed The Holiday Cruise and read it in a day I just had to keep on reading.
Hannah finds out her husband has cheated on her and is now leaving her to be with this other woman. After a lot of heartache, nearly losing her home and her beauty business she applies for a job on a cruise ship doing something she knows well, once accepted she joins the cruise ship to work in the spa.
This part of the story focuses on life on board the ship and the friends she meets along the way.
Well written and great descriptions throughout I felt I was on board the ship with Hannah.

Lovey book! Took a little while to get into, as it was (not surprisingly) a little melancholy but once Hannah joined the cruise ship I was transfixed.

Never having been a fan of the thought of cruising, I was intrigued by how the ship worked and lived vicariously by visiting lots of my favourite places.

An enjoyable escapist read - you can reinvent yourself! 4*

Travel fiction at its finest, cruise fun, easy read

Hannah Davis has lost her beauty salon that she has run for 10 years. Her heart has been broken by her husband, Daniel, when he left her for another woman, and she has allowed herself to crash. Now, she has lost her business, employees, and clients. Daniel has left her the house plus all the payments. After picking herself up and realizing her dilemma, she decides to apply to work in the spa of a cruise ship and she gets accepted. Putting her house up for rent, she packs up and heads out.

Hannah immediately likes her new job and meets some fun co-workers. The ports of call are gorgeous and even though her free time is limited, she manages to see a lot of the Caribbean Islands followed by the Mediterranean.

One day she is called to do a massage for a man named Ben. It is supposed to be a honeymoon couples massages. However, Ben’s fiancé called off the wedding at the last minute. Ben’s friends encouraged him to take the three week cruise anyway since it was paid for and he had vacation time allotted for it. Cruise employees and guests being together is strictly prohibited, but Hannah and Ben do become friends. They find time to meet up on shore when Hannah gets time off knowing they have to be discrete. Is there a way for them to continue with their relationship?

The story is full of descriptions of the beautiful stops that the ship makes, the fun times the ship’s crew has and the friendships they make all come together for a delightful book. As I have been lucky enough to take some cruises, this book was truly exciting to read and one that I would highly recommend. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

If you have the post holiday blues like me and want to be instantly transported back to the sun and see of the Caribbean and Mediterranean then The Holiday Cruise is the book for you.

This is the first book I've read by Victoria Cooke and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Her descriptions of life on board and the friendships Hannah makes are heartwarming but Victoria's real talent lies in her descriptive prose of the destinations , especially in the Med.

This book is a lovely easy read that will lift your heart and your spirits and I can't wait to read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, HQ Digital and the author for the chance to review.

This is a wonderful summer read. Lost your husband, lost your job and lost your wsy in life. Why not start a new adventure aboard a cruise ship. See the world, meet new friends, experience living not just existing.

What a brilliant and entertaining story by Victoria Cooke. I'll be honest and admit that I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started reading it. I'd read plenty of positive reviews on it but wasn't sure what I'd think of it myself - but I throughly enjoyed it! I've never read any kind of story about a cruise or a book by Victoria Cooke before so I was really interested as to what it would be like.

First of all, I loved the character of Hannah and really enjoyed reading all about her life and her story. I really empathised with Hannah in the beginning, the whole story felt so real and I really felt like I was there with Hannah and going through what she was going through. I loved when she first started on the cruise and even though the story was over 380 pages long, it flew by and I found myself wanting the story to carry on!

I loved that the story revolved around visiting all different cities and beaches and to be honest it really made me wish I worked on a cruise! That seems like the perfect life to me! I just really enjoyed going on Hannah's journey with her, and I was absolutely praying that Hannah found her perfect man! I could go on and on, saying what I loved about this book - but I don't want to give too much away! The story is brilliant and written really well and I loved (there's that word again!) every minute of it.

Overall, a really lovely and heartwarming story that I didn't want to end. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

This is the first book by Victoria Cooke that I’ve read, and it appealed to me as I’ve enjoyed two wonderful cruises. This was the pleasant, well-written story of Hannah, who was abruptly dumped for another woman by her husband of ten years. She gets chatting to a lady who encourages her to apply for work on a cruise ship, and Hannah’s application is successful. Her life then starts to get her back on her feet and enjoying life. It was good to be able to recognise many of the places named and visited in the book. However, I would’ve liked more wit, humour, or comedy; the book is in the humour category, but I don’t think I’d describe it as humorous. If you’re expecting romance, then this is the book for you, but if you’re expecting something funny, you’ll be disappointed. I’d still recommend it, though.

What a wonderful way to find yourself after a divorce. It was funny, sad and romantic. It made you want to cruise and travel abroad! Great read

I read all the way to the end of The Holiday Cruise hoping that there might be a plot. There wasn't really one but it was an enjoyable enough book if a bit bland. What did concern me, however, was the amount of alcohol being consumed and the lack of concern about it.