Whilst this is a likeable enough story, I never really got into it. Why? Not sure, but I wonder if it's because it's so long since I read the previous novel?

Continuing on from the bestselling 'The Note' - which, I have to say I enjoyed very much - we find ourselves back with Maya and James, now living together and life has moved on for both of them. What starts as a trip to India to attend a wedding morphs into a year long back-packing trip after Maya persuades James round to her way of thinking. Whilst this is foremost the details of that trip, the book also jumps back and forward quite a bit.

I've been looking forward to reading this novel for weeks; working towards it on my spreadsheet and, yes, getting a little excited the closer I got. However, the latest versions of James and Maya just didn't click with me the way they had in the first book and I found myself on the back foot from the very beginning. I tried to get into the rhythm of the story but couldn't quite manage to make the connection to the previous book. However, I don't give up easily and whilst it's a nice read it just didn't do it for me. I know others have loved it, so I'm the one out of step here. I don't expect to love every book I read; perhaps if I had approached this as a stand-alone I may well have got more from it. Having given it considerable thought, I'm happy to give it 3.5 stars.

My thanks to publisher Aria for my copy via NetGalley, and to Vicky Joss for including me in this Blog Tour. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.

Very cleverly written book which I enjoyed. I have read the prequel to this but it was quite some time ago however it did not take long to get immersed into Maya’s world. The three distinctive threads are woven skilfully to create a fantastic story. There are definite high and low moments for all characters which can be instantly identifiable to all. Nenas story struck a instant chord. Read, escape and enjoy.

Thank you Netgalley

The Postcard is the second book in a series, a sequel to The Note, published in 2017. I haven’t read The Note and I don’t think it hampered my enjoyment of this book so would say you could definitely read it as a stand-alone.
Maya and James are embarking on an adventure of a lifetime, travelling through India and beyond they have dreams of sunsets, cocktails, amazing culinary experiences and adventure. What they do get is coffin busses, colonic irrigation, dodgy accommodation and adventure. It soon becomes clear that Maya and James have different ideas for the future but can they meet in the middle or is it destined for failure.
I enjoyed this book even though I had no background of Maya and James and would be interested in where there lives take them and how.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Aria for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

I must be the only person in the UK who didn’t read ‘The Note’, but fortunately ‘The Postcard’ whilst being a sequel, is also a separate adventure for Maya and James and reads well as a standalone.

There is a curious diversion from Maya’s story as she prepares to go on around the world trip with #TheTrainMan. A different character, confused, lost and vulnerable, is introduced, the menace and mystery of this encounter are on your mind as Maya and James start their journey, and then the person’s identity and the situation is revealed, and you wonder if, where and when, Maya will meet her?

The characters and relationships you explore in this story are complex and realistic, whether they be from Maya’s past, present or on the trip of a lifetime. Her best friend’s story is so far removed from Maya’s at this time, and yet both think they want what the other is experiencing.

There is a lovely balance of humour and poignancy in this, the romance is still there, but tempered with reality and therefore authentic. Maya and James find out who they are as a couple as a series of conflicts, try to break them.

The final conflict is adrenaline-fueled, suspenseful and unexpectedly poignant. These scenes are full of vivid imagery that really lets you experience the tension, terror and tumultuousness of the events. Romance and love prevail, and the final scenes provide a heartwarming and believable ending.

I received a copy of this book from Aria -Head of Zeus Books in return for an honest review.

The Blurb :
A year after the kiss that brought them together in a snowy train-station doorway, Maya and James are embarking on another journey – this time around the world.
The trip starts promisingly, with an opulent and romantic Indian wedding. But as their travels continue, Maya fears that 'love at first sight' might not survive trains, planes and tuk tuks, especially when she realises that what she really wants is a baby, and James doesn't feel the same.
Can Maya and James navigate their different hopes and dreams to stay together? Or is love at first sight just a myth after all...

My Thoughts :
This is a sequel to Zoe Zolbigg’s first book The Note and as I enjoyed that one, I couldnt wait to get back to see where Maya and James were at now in their lives.
Having given up their jobs and leaving their family and friends behind, Maya and James are off the travel the world back packing. Pure escapism as its best. We also get to see how Maya’s best friend Nena is coping with motherhood after having baby Ava with Tom. She is struggling and exhausted. Feeling just a bit jealous of Maya’s life.
It was easy enough to follow the storyline and place characters as we were reminded of what happened in the first book. Although there is a lot of characters to get your head around this was full of laugh out loud moments, beautiful scenery and cliffhangers to be had.
This is one story will leave you wanting more.

When I read the preview I was excited for the book. However once I started to read it I could not get into the plot or the characters. I have not read the first book so maybe that is the reason. I know many others have loved it but the writing was just not my style.

I hadn’t read the first in the series of this, but I didn’t feel it affected my reading of this. It was an enjoyable read, great pacing, addictive and you don’t want to put it down. Memorable, relatable characters and a warm cast of supporting characters. Lovely read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Absolutely fantastic had me gripped!!! Loved it! Can't wait for more from.this author. Storyline was great, characters were easy to.connect with

Thank you for the advanced copy

I will be honest and say after the first few chapters I was ready to give up but I don’t like to give up on books so I didn’t and it did improve

I enjoyed reading about maya and james’ Travels round the world and how they coped with different situations. I also enjoyed reading about Nena and how becoming a mum had changed her - very easy to relate to

I didn’t enjoy the Manon story - I couldn’t see the point of it and how it linked to the rest of the book. For me it just seemed strange - a totally separate thread

I haven’t read the first book but it didn’t matter at all.

I was pleasantly suprised by this book.

20% into this book I was going to give up if I am completely honest. It was confusing, there were too many characters, plots and POV! It jumped from Maya and James individual POV about their travels, to Nena and Tom's POV about how they are each handling parenthood. To add more to the mix, there are chapters dedicated to Maya's article and then there are police and news reports on Manon Junot who goes missing. Confused?? i certainly was!!

In saying this however, the story was gripping! Each POV was left on a cliffhanger, I NEEDED to know what was going to happen.

I have not read the first book 'The note", however I dont think I needed to as this book offered me a brief overview how Maya and James met.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.

What a cleverly written book with amazing characters. The plot made me want to keep turning the pages
This book is a sequel but could be read as a stand-alone book
An unforgettable read

I'd seen this on Netgalley and it really appealed - but I realised it was a sequel, and I am a dyed in the wool rule follower - so went on a hunt for 'The Note' first! I found it for free on Amazon and so quickly devoured - and enjoyed that first. Now here is the blurb for The Postcard:
"A year after the kiss that brought them together in a snowy train-station doorway, Maya and James are embarking on another journey – this time around the world.
The trip starts promisingly, with an opulent and romantic Indian wedding. But as their travels continue, Maya fears that 'love at first sight' might not survive trains, planes and tuk tuks, especially when she realises that what she really wants is a baby, and James doesn't feel the same.
Can Maya and James navigate their different hopes and dreams to stay together? Or is love at first sight just a myth after all... "
I read the first chapter and was completely confused and thought I'd been hoodwinked - as it was seemingly totally random! However, it soon became evident that there were two stories running concurrently which I suspected would link up further on (which they did!)
As well as following Maya and Train Man's story, and the story of Manon (the one I thought had hoodwinked me!) it also follows the story of Maya's BFF, Nena, back in London who is starting life as a mother. The inter connection of them all was done really well (and whilst I know the story of Maya and Train Man is true to life - I wondered how much of this, and the interconnecting stories, was too?)
The descriptions of places on Maya and James's travels was great - and really evoked the feeling of being there (even if 'there' involved self administered colonics!!!) but equally Nena's story - drowning in life with a newborn - was also really believable.
As with the first book in the series, it was an easy read that kept me intrigued and wanting to read on and I enjoyed it.
I was lucky enough to be given an advanced review copy from Netgalley - but you can buy this later this week! (But I would recommend reading The Note first to appreciate The Postcard fully)
My 7 year old always asks what I'm reading - and so she knows it's been The Note followed by The Postcard - so she's been coming up with suggestions for the next book in the series - The Piece of Paper, The Book etc etc.

Thank you NetGalley and Aria for the ARC ebook copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

This is the second book in a series, a sequel to The Note, published in 2017. This time the story follows Maya and James on a year trip around the world. This book was full of charm and passion, with a sprinkling of intrigue, drama and adventure. I enjoyed Folbigg's characters as they come to life taking the readers along in this thrilling and exciting journey. I loved this read very much even though I didn't have a chance to read the first part of the series. This is an easy book to devour on a nice relaxing week-end to take to the beach or on a vacation with you this summer.

How would you do traveling with your new love- for a year? That's what Maya and James are about to find out! Maya's writing about their trip for a magazine, which gives her a bit of underpinning. This is more than a travelogue - although they do go to some great places and I found myself envious- it's really about the two of them growing toward each other. Interspersed are bits with Nena, Maya's best friend, who is home with her new infant. I didn't read the first book but that wasn't a problem. Folbigg has created two nice characters and supporting cast. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Nice escapist read!

The Postcard is the much-hoped-for sequel to The Note, published in 2017. When I had read The Note, I really felt that the story needed more. It wasn't over, and this sequel delivered that missing piece.

Folbigg writes with the same charm and passion, as with the first book. And as always the sense of adventure and excitement is thrilling. As with The Note, I liked the overlapping character perspectives, they drove the story well and the contrasting lives was something that worked. No one's life was perfect, and there was a roller-coaster of feelings. A journey. Where The Note was mostly uplifting and happy, The Postcard is more aware, and content. The different perspectives also meant we learned more about Nena and Tom, characters from the previous book.

Right from the beginning, we learn that there may be trouble in paradise- for both Maya and Nena. For Maya, travelling with James is an opportunity of a lifetime. For Nena, motherhood doesn't seem to be working...

For anyone who adored The Note, you'll love this one too! And you don't have to worry about having forgotten the characters, it'll soon come back to you! Particularly as we're sort of re-introduced to the characters at the beginning.
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I received this book for review consideration through Netgalley.

I was surprised to read some of the reviews on here. I read The Note earlier this year and was excited to read the sequel - I wasn’t disappointed. I couldn’t put the book down and read it in just over a day whilst on holiday. The main characters Maya and James decide to have a year of travelling and we follow them on their journey, with James continuing to photograph everything and everyone, and Maya writing a travel blog in her own inimitable style. Just shows you that we think we know each other, but actually, we’re not always very good at communicating our thoughts. A 5 star review from me and look forward to reading more from this author,

I didn't realize that this was not a standalone. I will update with a review after reading the previous book and then this one.

This book was very hard to get into, and I just couldn’t get into it. I tried to stay with it but I couldn’t follow the characters. I did not finish this book.

From the cover and the synopsis, you'd be forgiven for thinking this was a simple easy going novel about a couple travelling around the world - but you'd be wrong. The book starts with a surprising beginning which confused me a little as I didn't see how it would have any bearing on the story. However, this sub plot wove into the main story quite well and although I felt the story started a little slowly, it soon picked up and I wanted to find out more.

This is the second book in a series, following on from 'The Note', however this could easily be read as a stand alone book too. You find out a little about James and Maya's back story throughout 'The Postcard'. I liked the different POV's - it was nice to see Maya's friends given some time to develop their stories too.

I found the few pages towards to the end incredibly gripping as it came to a climax and it really shows that this book isn't what you'd necessarily expect. I really enjoyed the book and will definitely be checking out more of the author's work.

I didn't read the first book so I found this one hard to follow. Also, the characters were not all that likeable.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.