This was a quirky book about a female going to a Boot Camp as a birthday present and falling in love with a guy who was in a relationship and is it a reporter on the new facility and Boot Camp for people with broken hearts to accept themselves their pasts and look to the future. This is where she falls in love with the reporter and they get to know each other by making fun. The comedy is great and they have very deep relatable conversations which is interesting but also it’s lighthearted enough to make fun of itself. I would 100%. Recommend this book.

A brilliant rom-com that is easy to enjoy in one sitting. I really enjoyed this listen and was able to finish it in a speedy fashion.

My first book by this author, but definitely not the last.
A laugh out loud story of two people attending a bootcamp to teach them to love again, one who doesn't want to be there and one who is only there for work
Great story, strong characters and an emotional rollercoaster with tears of laughter and sadness.

This was fun to listen to and perfect to start my summer with.
The story is not surprising in what happens or how it ends, but it was an enjoyable story.

The narrator did a good job with the accents.

I was looking for a nice romcom and found this gem in audio format. I loved the story around the bootcamp and the protagonists so much. A warm hearted story about Nora and Will. It also got me cackling several times. The grew to my heart. Helen McAlpine did a fantastico job with the narration. I already checked out further books from Joanna as I definitely need more.

Thank you so much to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for this Arc.

Okay, I’m a Scottish guy. I was looking for some light holiday reading, and thought let’s try something different. I am so glad I did. This audio book is an absolute hoot! Definitely a book for women and men. Have a read you will end yourself in laughter! The narrator is Scottish, I felt right at home from the first word. Nora is a divorced mum, of almost forty, reflecting on her life choices and future. Her thoughts and responses to those around her are so down to earth, and so, so witty. They cracked me up! She has a teenage daughter, Wow, the accent, tone and narrative used, are so teenager that they had me laughing every time her daughter was part of the narrative. Will Nora be able to put her past love experience behind and find the perfect partner? Read the book and find out. Sorry for all the exclamation marks, but this book deserves them!!!!!Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

4.5 stars

I’ve been a fan of Joanna’s since I first read The List years ago. Everything I’ve read so far I’ve enjoyed and this was no exception in that regard! The only exception with this was was that I half listened on audio and half read the kindle version - largely due to being on holiday and not being in the car as often to listen along!

The story focuses on cafe owner Nora and her love life, or rather lack of it. Her sister meddles and finagles her a place at a week long boot camp where she will learn mindfulness and affirmation.

She’s very sceptical and honestly so was I when I read where the story was going however in the end it even gave me some food for thought!

Romance develops with one of her fellow boot campers and as to be expected from Joanna’s writing there’s just the right amount of tension and spice to along with her sharp wit and down to earth characters.

If you have enjoyed and of Lindsey Kelk’s books then I’d recommend you give Joanna a try.

5 Word Review: Family, love, self-empowerment, belonging, happiness.

I needed a romcom, and it turns out Bootcamp for Broken Hearts by Joanna Bolouri was just the ticket.

Helen McAlpine did a truly marvellous job narrating the audiobook. I would definitely listen to more of their performances, and I love the life they brought to the characters and the emotions displayed as the story played out.

I want Nora to be my mum and my best friend, because she's exceptional at both. She is a wonderful mother to a daughter that loves her deeply. She is a smart business woman who values her customers no matter their age or wealth. She's a brilliant friend to anyone who may need her. Nora is a gem.

I loved Nora's cynicism when she first got to the camp, and once she met Will and they started the banter? I couldn't put this down. They get on so well, like their souls were made to meet.

I want to go to the bootcamp myself, it sounds amazing. The luxury of the place alone would have me sold, but the self discovery attainable there is something special. I loved how every character was challenged and got something from it, no matter how cynical.

I loved the twist at the end that brought them together, I thought it was so clever and I only just worked it out myself before it was revealed.

Bootcamp for Broken Hearts is the perfect audiobook to escape in to. I don't think I've ever got so much housework done in one go before, because I kept finding more things to do so I could keep listening. It was was bloody brilliant and I will definitely read more by Joanna Bolouri.

An absolutely hilarious, totally unputdownable romantic comedy from a bestselling author. This audiobook was a joy to listen to.

Really enjoyed this audio book. Fabulous characters well written & so heart warming. I’d highly recommend this to anyone.

You get two-in-one with this book: A sweet romance and free therapy. The bootcamp element of the story really does give you food for thought and the bootcamp sessions really do feel like life therapy. The romance between Will and Nora is well done and it's an enjoyable read overall.

The setting is Scotland and the audio format has a Scottish narrator who is easy to understand. Overall I would not say that it is a 'hilarious romantic comedy' - it's mildly amusing at best, but it is certainly worth the read; if not for the comedy, certainly for the 'self-help' aspect.

Many thanks to NetGallery and Bookouture Audio for allowing me to get a copy of the book- it's greatly appreciated.

A thoroughly enjoyable romcom, 'Bootcamp for Broken Hearts' is my first Joanna Bolouri but won't be my last. I look forward to checking out her other work. I listened to the audiobook and found it to be a perfect accompaniment to the summer sunshine. Standout supporting characters Tricia and Kenneth are an absolute scream! The way the narrator (Helen McAlpine) imbues them with life in the audiobook is first class.

Thank you Bookouture Audio for this alc. I was really excited what would happened to a camp like that. I was having fun listening to this audio. It was pleasant and enetaining. Second chance for broken hearts the title says all itself. It was quite obvious what would happen but it was well presented, not annoying for me but interesting. If I was reading I would say a page turner.

The audiobook is very easy to listen to, fun and enjoyable. The story is heart warming and quite funny in places.

Nora is a single mum with a teenage daughter and a group of friends who are constantly trying to get her to put down the TV remote and start dating again. But Nora has given up hope that she's going to find someone and has stopped caring - she'd rather binge watch a true crime documentary on Netflix than meet some fella for drinks. But her well-meaning and annoyingly pushy friends arrange for her to do a week-long retreat for singles and most of the book takes place there.

I liked the main character, Nora. She was relatable and easy to like. When she gets to the resort it's run by new-age Americans who believe that "energies", "manifestation" and "the universe" play a role in our lives. Naturally, Scottish Nora thinks this is all B.S. and it takes her a while to warm up to the whole thing. She meets a man there who is equally sceptical and they are immediate friends.

It was very predictable - there's an identity 'twist' in the last couple of chapters that I spotted the moment the guy introduced himself but it didn't spoil the book. There were a few occasions where the author's turn of phrase were off-putting - I challenge anyone to read the expression "finger banging" and see it as romantic or sexy!

Overall I did enjoy it - I pretty much listened to it in three long sessions because the character's voice was strong enough to keep me interested.

Great narration, too.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of the audiobook.

I had the audiobook. Firstly I didn’t like the narrator(s). The Scottish accent was too slow. I had to speed it up. I also disliked the Texan/southern accent. I just wished I would have read it rather then listened and I am only 27% in when writing this. It got better but my option is reading would have been preferable

I could not relate to thinking meditation and other aspects were pointless. This changed with the characters later on. I guess Nora and Will were supposed to be cynical.

At 5 hours 57 mins left the audio skips (35.6%)

Interesting story of a lady at a singles boot camp which is more about self love and acceptance. I feel that this was the overall message of the book and that’s why the ending wasn’t quite as tied up as I’d have liked (because it’s about the person, not relationships). Therefore I give this 3/5. This is my least favourite Joanna Bolouri book so far but it was ok.

Many thanks to Netgalley for this ARC

The narrator is brilliant - it’s a joy to hear an authentic Scottish accent, rather than the awful ones done so frequently by American narrators! I love how each character has their own, distinctive voice. I’ve not read anything by this author before, but loved her writing style. I defy any woman in her 40s not to relate to Nora’s situation! The wry, self deprecating humour is delightful and I quickly got drawn into the story.

First I would like to say thankyou to publisher for this fun and uplifting audio .

Sadly I only had 6 chapters it wouldn't let me play the rest not sure why . But what I did get I really enjoyed very witty. Few belly chuckles . I loved the character the all signed in their own light. .I'll definitely be buying the book to read the rest . As I know I'll enjoy it very much . The narrator was wonderful., really helped with setting the story .

Just from what I've heard I give the book 4 stars 🌟

Nora finds herself at a bootcamp for lonely hearts not by choice but it may just end up being exactly the thing she needs.
I really enjoyed this the humour throughout had me laughing along and was really rooting for Nora and really warmed to her character. I actually wouldn't mind going to the bootcamp myself after reading this 😂. Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC.

If anyone is in need of a vacation to stay in a castle in the glorious Scottish Highlands, then this is the book to read or listen to. You will be transported there in an instant.

Nora is quite content being single. She has a happy life running her cafe with her best friend, Victoria. Nora has her box sets, cozy flat and a very clever daughter called Charlie. Her sister Faith and Victoria have other plans though to "fix" Nora's life. Faith arranges a stay at a bootcamp in the Scottish Highlands for people who have had their hearts broken or have been unlucky in love. This is no ordinary, run of the mill bootcamp. It's a £5000 posh, new age retreat for a wide variety of souls. Nora reluctantly attends in order not to offend her extremely persistent sister and bestie. Charlie also desperately wants to see her mum happy and in love. Off she goes on her adventure just wanting to get it over and done with quickly. Once there, she meets rugged sharp witted Will. He is also there for reasons other than fixing his love life. Nora and Will are perfect foils for one another in a me and you against the world type of vibe. But of course, there's no romance happening there! They are just there for other people. Or maybe....

I really loved the cast of supporting characters all as different as the assortment in a box of chocolates but with one common center. Finding love. Even Nora and Will, despite their protestations, find themselves being transformed. I even found some of the bootcamp self help tips relevant and useful for my life. That was an added bonus.

I have never read a book by Joanna Bolouri but I will definitely be seeking more out by this author.

I had the audio version of this book which was read by Helen McAlpine. She was absolutely perfect. Every character's voice was distinctive and easily identifiable. Her pacing couldn't have been better. She had just the right cadence in her rhythm of the words. Helen was dynamic and deliberate in her approach. She was a joy to listen to for the entire book. I recommend getting the audio version as it enhances the book and draws you into Scotland. I enjoyed every minute spent listening to this gem of a book.

I received this audio ARC from Bookouture Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This exceeded all my expectations! I knew it was going to be good; it sounded good but it was so much more. It was fun, full of banter, a gorgeous romance and a lovely heartwarming story.

I adored the main character. Nora was so so likeable and you find you immediately warm up to her. She’s a single mum of Charlie, a fresh 40 year old and surrounded by people who think she needs to find love. A birthday present sees her travelling to a gorgeous castle for a ‘romance retreat’ and she is far from open to the experience.

She meets Will though, a fellow sceptic and an undercover journalist who is writing up his experience of the retreat. Neither of them take it seriously but along the way, they may find more than they initially signed up for…

This book made my heart happy. It made me smile, chuckle and laugh (and blush!). The writing is amazing and the audiobook I listened to was utterly brilliant. It really brought the book to life and added immensely to the experience of this book. I loved it!