A heartwarming story of self-discovery set in beautiful Japan!

I picked up this book as a lighter read to cheer me up during COVID times, and it definitely did the trick! When Charlotte is unceremoniously dumped by her fiancé just days before their wedding, she decides to make the most of it and take their Japanese honeymoon by herself. Along the way, she crafts her own identity independent of her fiancé (they had dated since high school) and explores Japan on her own terms.

I loved Charlotte’s optimism, strength, and zest for travel - she felt like the kind of person you’d want to be best friends with. And at a time when international travel is certainly not possible, I enjoyed the chance to 'get away” and enjoy Japan through Charlotte’s eyes. There is a bit of romance here (I don’t want to spoil too much) but this is primarily a story of self-love and acceptance.

Highly recommend if you’re wishing you could hop on a plane right now - this is a lovely quick read filled with positivity.

Thank you to Random House UK/Cornerstone for providing an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I normally read romance, which this book isn't. However, it does have romantic elements, and as a traveler, I loved the overall plot.

Charlotte's fiance suggests they "take a break for a week" three weeks from their wedding - but still get married. She's, understandably, horrified, and calls the whole thing off. They've already booked a one month trip to Japan.

Charlotte wisely takes off to Japan by herself. Her trip is adorable, full of introspection and the wonders she finds in Japan. As this is not a romance novel, there isn't a romantic thread throughout the book, but Charlotte is not without the love of her family and a well-timed fling.

One of my favorite lines:

"Mostly, right now, I'm just enjoying how we seem to be making each other glow." ♥

Great read, especially for an armchair traveler.

Wow, I was blown away by this book! Wasn’t prepared for the emotional journey I would take once I started reading it. Such a beautiful story with stunning descriptions of Japan, I could almost feel the sea breeze in my hair and the sun on my face. Charlotte is a real heroine of a main character and I loved following her journey of self discovery. Truly amazing read. Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley, Random House UK and Lucy Dickens for gifting me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
If you’re looking for your next feel-good, romance with a strong female lead and a realistic love story, look no further!
The Broken Hearts Honeymoon was a quick and light read that left me smiling and wanting a vacation to Tokyo. This is my second Tokyo based book this summer and I am about one book away from booking the next flight out of Iowa!
Readers follow Charlotte on her journey to rediscover herself after a bad breakup. Charlotte is not your usual leading lady. Lucy Dickens very clearly did her research. Japan was brought to life through the pages of this book with details making me feel like I’d taken a trip with Charlotte.

This is the ultimate in armchair travel! And as I'm craving a holiday right now, like many of us I'm sure, this came at the perfect time.
Charlie is preparing for her wedding which is only weeks away when her fiance, in front of their friends, asks her if she fancies taking a break to "make sure they're sure" and sow any wilds oats! Understandably, Charlie realises that they are on different pages and calls off the wedding. They try to cancel their honeymoon which is a trip of a lifetime to Japan, something that has always been on Charlie's "to visit" list but they're told they can't get their money back so Charlie makes the brave decision to go on honeymoon alone.
This is a romance novel with a difference. It's not about falling in love with someone but falling in love with yourself.
I am definitely going to look out for more Lucy Dickens books.

This was an okay book. I was excited about the premise as I love Japan and lived there for a few years myself, but I just didn't love this book. The writing was a little bland and I didn't really feel a connection to the main character. The descriptions of Japan were just a little cut and dry.

The majority of this book was fine, but towards the end I started to have issues. I didn't like that Matt showed up in Japan to win her back, and it was especially cringe-worthy that he burst into a temple during a meditation. I don't think anyone could be THAT clueless. Also, the weird behavior Charlotte's brother Benny was exhibiting throughout was NEVER resolved. Why include any of that if we never find out why he was acting that way?

Overall, I think this book just wasn't quite for me.

There is not a single thing I don’t love about this book!!! It’s given me an absolute desperate urge to go to Japan and most importantly really do some soul searching. An absolutely gorgeous, heart warming, page turner!

Great empowering read for the genre, it’s such a great read, seeing a character on their journey of self growth and worth, learning to love herself over running off to find a man to heal herself. This brings me to the other journey Charlotte takes, to Japan, I loved the fact Lucy has clearly researched her story well, because I Love Japanese culture and I haven’t been, but Lucy made me feel like I have, I felt immersed in this book. With a year most of us can’t travel or won’t be willing to or be able to afford it, books that are well written, well researched are a treasure and they make me feel so much happier, even if I’m only travelling in my armchair. I highly recommend this to take you away, well for the books journey anyway.

Please not this relates to the e-book as the paperback will now be published on 1st April 2021

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

First of all, many thanks to Netgalley for this advanced copy.

Charlotte "Charlie" and her long time boyfriend, Matt are planning for their wedding and she is excited to spend their three week honeymoon in Japan! But then, their wedding is cancelled when Matt starts having second thoughts. They cannot cancel the honeymoon either that Charlie end up going to this Honeymoon tour to Japan--alone to fulfill her childhood wish.

Having lived in Japan during the early days of my childhood and my two years ago visit to Japan, reading this book brought me some fresh memories of Japan. Of course, I have not visited Hiroshima or Nagano or the islands around Japan but still brought me memories of my childhood in Japan, particularly the part about Disneyland, which I have visited million times, when I was living in Japan.. The middle parts till the end was based on Japan itself--the vivid descriptions of the places particularly when Charlie goes hiking and visiting Kyoto makes the reader feel as if they are in Japan. That they too are in enjoying this adventure with Charlie. The description of kayaking, snorkeling and hiking in the woods also made the reader feel as if they are also doing these activities with Charlie.

I also like how the author has explained the Japanese culture in detail, so the reader can get to know more about the Japanese culture. Particularly about the tea ceremony and kabuki performance. I know not many people are familiar with the Japanese culture so I am glad that the author has written it in detail and the reader can experience the culture without having going to Japan. The story was funny in some ways, as Charlie is trying to learn some Japanese phrases for her to get around the place. Some parts of the story was emotional and heartbreaking, particularly the parts when Charlie is feeling lonely during the honeymoon tour, though in the end, she does her solo adventure around Japan. I also can understand Charlie's feelings in the book.

The book was well written but I kind of wished there was an epilogue after the chapter was over--like maybe fast forward to six months or a year later with Charlie working in the travel magazine. I would be curious as a reader to know what Charlie is planning to do, once she returned back from England. I felt some parts are bit overexaggerated, but maybe that's just me. To me, some parts of the chapters were a bit confusing--one minute Charlie was in another place and all of a sudden, she seems to be in a different place. I don't know whether it was a typing error but that made me confused at times.

Overall, this is a good book, adventurous and for those who never been to Japan, this book might be perfect

I found this a bit of a predictable read, but enjoyed it non the less. I was too keen on the flashbacks.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

I loved this book. Lucy Dickens style of wit and plot makes for an amazing story. A great book for women and lovers of self growth, self love and coming of age values.

2.5 stars- rounded up for Goodreads. I struggled with this novel. I think the main issue for me was the flash backs which seemed to be heavily featured but seemed to be parachuted in. Instead of being brought in by them, I was forced out by both the content and the change in formatting on my device- not a good combination no matter how I try to spin it.

I also struggled with liking Charlotte and the timelines of her doing things- I had too many moments where I had to circle back because it seemed like she was time traveling with the speed from place to place. I think a bit more of feeling out the experiences than checking them off a list would have made the story more fluid. I find it to be nearly impossible to finish a book if I’m not on the same team as the main character.

In theory I should have loved everything about this. I love women’s fiction, I adore travel, by all accounts it should have been a home run. I hope that many others enjoy is but I found it was not for me.

DNF @ 35%.

Firstly, I’d like to say that if this review doesn’t make you want to buy/download/run to the library then I have not done this book justice.
What I originally interpreted as a love note to Japan soon became a clear message to anyone who has ever felt truly broken. I laughed and cried with Charlotte’s adventures and I willed her to kiss the boy with Caramel hair and for her to see the parrot fish as she snorkelled in the clear waters of a paradise island.
I see books as escapism, a chance to visit new places and scenarios. I finished this book feeling like I’d visited Japan and discovered my own Ikigai (secret to a happy life). I feel, all at once, calmer and able to face life’s hurdles.
The ending of this story, for me, came too quickly but it was filled with happiness and a positive outlook for the future.
I don’t include spoilers in my reviews and will leave it there before I give away too much of the magic.

When was the last time you read a romance novel about a character falling in love - with herself?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•
The Broken Hearts Honeymoon follows Charlotte on her honeymoon, with a catch – she’s taking her honeymoon tour to Japan by herself after her fiancé decides he’d rather sow his wild oats. Charlotte’s always wanted to be an adventurer and travel writer, and she sets out to rediscover her love of travel while putting herself back together after a decade long relationship.
•
Lucy Dickens has written a lovely, warm story about self-discovery and adventure. Charlotte’s voice is hilarious, and I found myself laughing out loud quite a few times. Charlotte’s relationship with her family is wonderful, and her struggles, romantic and otherwise, felt so real all the way through.
•
Now let’s talk travel. Most of this book is set in Japan, and Charlotte does everything she possibly can, from the streets and sights of Tokyo to scuba diving in Ishigaki to staying in a monastery. Inspired by the gorgeous descriptions, I found myself Googling monuments, cultural sites, and cities all the way through, and folks, I’ve never left a book wanting to visit more. Dickens seems (I say seems as I haven’t yet been to Japan) to have authentically appreciated the beauty of Japan in this novel, and I discovered so much through this story.
•
Charlotte is the type of respectful traveler we should all emulate. She preps for her trip by researching the cultural and religious sites she will be visiting and memorizing the customs and appropriate ways to pay respect. She learns as much of the language as she can and uses it even though it can be nerve wracking. She works on not normalizing her own experiences vs. the new, and so many more little things. It was so heartening to read about Charlotte’s journey and take a few notes along the way.
•
I can’t wait for travel to be unrestricted again (when it is safe to do so, and not a moment sooner). In the meantime, if you’d like to go on a journey of love, heartbreak, and what happens next, all while experiencing Charlotte’s travels through Japan, I would highly recommend picking up The Broken Hearts Honeymoon. I give this delightful read four stars out of five!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•
The Broken Hearts Honeymoon is available now as an e-book and the paperback is out July 23rd! Thank you to Arrow, Cornerstone, and @netgalley for this #gifted e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I just could't get into this one. I didn't love the tone of the main character, but the plot seems relatively believable. I think if the tone was different, I would have loved it.

**I've received this digital copy in exchange of an honest review**
3.7 stars
Thank you @netgalley and @Cornerstone for this free copy.

I have to say that this book has been a real surprise for different aspects.
I've read the plot and I expected a light funny reading that could be a little break from something more challenging: I was partly wrong.
The author creates a really entertaining story (especially for the character of Matt) but what I've found is more than that.
It's easy to relate with Charlotte, maybe because I've experienced something a little bit similar. No, I've not canceled a wedding few weeks before the date, but I've ended a long-time relationship and I know what it means to expect to live a life with someone and find instead all upside-down and a new reality where this person isn't by your side anymore. It's sad, it's heartbreaking and you oftern struggle not to think about memories together even if you understand it has been the right choice since you're on two different paths. This character has all this and I've found myself emotionally really close to her. Maybe yes, my personal history helped me to emphatize with her, but I think that the way Charlotte has been portraited is very realistic and concrete.
She starts a journey with her dreams shuttered, an uncertain working future and a little struggle to find herself after years and years of collectives decisions that included not only her former and only fiancèe but also family and friends. She has doubts about what is her real voice and what she really wants to do, but at the same time we can easily find a glimpse her strong personality in the choice to make a trip to Japan ( her honeymoon journey) all alone even if she's understandably scared.
From here we can see gradually her "rediscovering herself journey" through a voyage that takes her in very different places and experiences in Japan. I've been there and I can confirm that the book expresses the same vibes from the crowded cities to the temple's and sanctuary stillness.
We are taken to various aspects of this peculiar nation and in every one of them we observe Charlotte discovering something of herself too. Charlie began to shine on her own and remember herself her love for travel, adventure and her willpower! Plus, I've appreciated the fact that the author underlines that this is just the beginning of a new chapter of her story, because some changes takes more than 21 days to happen. At the same time I'm now too curious about what will happen next to her!! I needed a flashforward of at least some years (even if yes, we can imagine what would have happened)!
I've also liked very much the use of flashbacks and I'm sincere, I wanted more. I would love to know more about Charlie's siblings and a part of my wishes we could see this family again in other books ( not necessarily travel related). It has been good to see how she and her brothers and sisters count on each other and how they know the others so well to understand even the unspoken - the flashback of Charlotte, Benny and their mother is one of my favorite scene ever <3.
Another thing to mention: I'm a romantic person and I expected a romance. Instead I think that Dicken's decision about this aspect is again so real and concrete that I'm likewise satisfied.

So, why 3.7 and not more?
I think it's interesting to read a contemporary that talks about a journey describing places, food, customs and traditions, but in order to do that and being a little bit different from a travel guide or a book in where the main character travels through places that are only mentioned in a line, the whole thing would have to be more in-depht. In fact, in some parts this has been a little bit fast and It is a pity because Dickens has been very good in creating the right atmophere.
Secondary, PLEASE ATTENTION, SPOILERS AHEAD : Through the book it's impossible to disagree with Gray's definition of Matt, but since they seemed to have a beautiful relationship (even if it was clear it wasn't perfect.. but, thinking about it, which relationship is perfect?), I would have preferred more time for the final showdown between them.

So, I think this book is REALLY GOOD but could be even more better.
If you love Japan and maybe you feel a little bit lost this is the right book for you!
As for me, I can't wait the next Lucy Dicken's book <3

I had such a great time reading The Broken Hearts Honeymoon. Definitely one of the best armchair adventures I have had this year. Japan was already on my top places to visit but after reading this story, it is now on the very top.

Charlotte was an amazing main character. When we meet her at the beginning of the story, she is about to get married to her long term boyfriend. She is excited to start a new chapter in her life: wedding, honeymoon and moving to London for her dream internship in a travel magazine. But when she finds out that her fiancé is not as excited as her... she needs to make some big changes in her life, starting with figuring out who she is without him.

It was an absolute pleasure following Charlotte's adventures, not only because of all the beautiful places she visited but because following her journey to discover what a brave and smart woman she is was really inspiring. Sometimes we forget who are as individuals and what we are capable of, so it is important to find the time to invest in yourself and your wellbeing.

And as I said, she visits some truly fascinating places while in Japan. Lucy Dickens makes a marvelous job of describing them, they come alive as you read about all of them. I could perfectly picture it all, from the sandy beaches, to the gorgeous food, to the temples...

And finally, a special mention to Dickens' hilarious writing style. She made me laugh constantly, but also made me feel emotional on all the important moments. This is indeed a very special read that will bring lots of positive vibes, highly recommended to enjoy a bit of an adventure from home.

“You never know what can come of having an adventure. It might be something big. So catch every adventure you can.”

When Charlotte’s childhood-sweetheart-turned-fiancé gets cold feet mere weeks before the wedding, Charlotte knows it’s time to say sayonara. But what she can’t seem to break up with is the month-long honeymoon trip to Japan she planned back when she was living what she thought to be her happily ever after. Newly single, Charlotte decides to venture off alone with the hope of finding out who she is on her own – without the man who’s been in her life since she was a kid.

Rather than a love story, this is a tale about falling in love with yourself.

This book is, above all else, very cute. Each chapter starts off with a silly little haiku written from the protagonist’s perspective that sets the stage for Charlotte’s mental satte as she travels around and tries to move on from her ex, and the life they had planned together. It’s a sweet story made up of many fun little moments of Charlotte exploring the country of Japan, learning about the culture, and above all else, finding herself.

“Once upon a time, when you proposed to me, you said you’d never leave me. Well now I’m going to try and leave you.”

My favorite part by far was Charlotte’s time staying at the Buddhist temple, and of course the descriptions of FOOD!!!!

Dickens made everything sound So Good, I had serious sushi cravings while reading. I also enjoyed seeing Japan through Charlotte’s eyes. I’ve never been to Japan, and I feel like this novel was the next best thing to actually hopping on a plane and flying there myself! Charlotte is always very respectful of the culture and open to whatever new experiences come her way while there, and I really appreciated that aspect. She was so full of wonder, it made me long to go on an international adventure for myself!

The writing style itself is very simple. I found the narration came across a little immature for a character it was intended to be believed was supposed to be married when all this took place. I also wish there could have been more detail given to the side characters Charlotte met along the way. I didn’t enjoy how when someone else would start speaking about themselves the narration would trail off with a ‘…’ and then the scene would end abruptly.

And while I enjoyed the descriptions of the tour itself, the plot didn’t really hold me for the first half of the story. However, at around the 50% mark there was a shift in both Charlotte herself and the direction her story was headed, and I found myself much more engaged with what was going on, and much more excited to see what happened next. I’m glad Dickens decided to take the plot in this direction, because I feel like it really redeemed her story and made the overall experience of reading it much more rewarding.

Overall, I think this book is a light, fun read – easy to digest and good for a laugh. The highlight of the tale was definitely the descriptions of the country, and seeing Japan through Charlotte’s eyes. I’ve always wanted to travel to Japan, and this story just made me all the more keen to do it!

“If you’re broken it’s never really the end, you’re never really lost, you can always put yourself back together.”

Thank you to the publisher, Random House UK, Cornerstone/Arrow, and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I have so many amazing things to say about this book. I absolutely adored every part of it!! Charlotte breaks up with her fiancé and heads on their honeymoon to Japan alone. My story was the opposite of Charlotte's (I went to Japan with a fiancé and came home broken hearted) but I still feel like her journey was so similar mine. I found myself walking alongside Charlotte as she explored Tokyo and Kyoto, then cheering for her as she took a leap of faith and continued to travel on her own (much like I did!). The descriptive scenery and heartwarming scenes captured my heart and my memories. I loved following Charlotte's adventures around Japan but most of all, I love following her journey to self awareness, confidence and self love. Wonderful, fun, top notch read!!

The Broken Hearts Honeymoon is probably one of my favourite books of the year so far. I thought it was a romance story, but how wrong I was! It was about the protagonist Charlotte finding herself both mentally and spiritually after the breakdown of her relationship, weeks before she was to be married.

Charlotte decides to take the plunge and go on her honeymoon alone, to Japan. However, after a couple of days, she decides to leave the tour she’s on, and goes travelling around the country by herself. The story really immersed me in the Japanese culture, the descriptions so detailed, you could have a vivid picture of what Charlotte was experiencing. You become invested in Charlotte’s holiday, hoping she has a good time and you’re so happy in the end when she finally seems to ‘find’ herself.

*I was given this book in exchange for my opinion via NetGalley*