This is my first Caroline James book which I read in just two days. Great plot, characters and writing. As the cover says "What goes on at the spa, stays at the spa".

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.

This was such a fun read, and if can grow old as disgracefully as the ladies in the book, then bring it on!

A fabulous story of friendship, second chances and fun.

Well written, with some absolutely fabulous characters. My favourite by far was Marjory and her 'organisms'.

With plenty of sniggery, laugh out loud moments, and the added addition of some 'special' herbs, The Spa Break was a delight to read, and I thoroughly recommend to anyone.

Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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.

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!

#blogtour

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.

What's it about (in a nutshell):
Four 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 of themselves and gain a 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 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 doesn't mean that the end is predictable. There were so many fun surprises, and I loved each one. These ladies are anything but predictable, which is a large part of what makes the story so fun to read.

I loved the theme that you're never too old to start a new 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 horticulturalists, 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 she did not have the penthouse suite and 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 care. Her fun begins when she takes a yoga class for the first time.

Marjory has grown tired of her unfulfilling marriage and has started thinking about the one who got away. Her fun begins when she receives a very magical massage.

What I Wish:
When I am in my 60s, I just wish that I am as brave as each woman in this story and am willing to make changes for happiness.

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.

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.

Told from the perspective of four friends Serena, Emily, Bridgette and Marjory. They decided to leave everything behind them for a well deserved weekend away. Leaving behind husbands, sons and responsibilities.
At the beginning of this book I had every confidence I wouldn’t like it. I think the language regarding the four friends getting older and their changing bodies put me off initially. However I continued on and I’m so glad I did book had everything, love, laughing, glitz, glamour and naturism thrown in for good measure. I really enjoyed the fact the spa was so different and how the ladies each had their own transformation! Proving that there is indeed life in the old dog yet. A lovely light and easy read perfect for passing an afternoon!

The Spa Break is a funny feel-good book with a fantastic cast of imperfectly-perfect characters. It's a great quick read that leaves you feeling uplifted.

This would be a great book to take on holiday with you. Easy to pick up and put down and still follow the plot. Four friends going away together and having a good time.

My gosh! What in the world did I just read!
This reminded me so much of that Netflix show Grace & Frankie!

Bridgette, Emily, Serena and Marjory are ladies who I want to spend my time with and can only dream of having people like them in my corner in my "silver year's"!
The characters were all real and fun, so full of life... and it was so easy to empathise with everyone involved.
A beautifully written book that had me enthralled from start to finish, I was completely absorbed within these pages!
Filled with beautiful scenery, Sparadise had me wanting to book a flight to very next island.
The Spa Break is a funny, smart, sweet romance anything is possible! And these four friends show us that in this beautiful story!
An absolute favorite of mine!

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

One More Chapter,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my platforms, blog, B&N and Waterstone closer to pub date.

I really wanted to like this book based on the synopsis but the writing was horrible and the story fell flat quickly. Don't waste your money.

How marvellous to have a book about four women in their sixties going away on a girls’ weekend. It happens in real life quite a lot (some young people would be amazed to hear), but rarely between the pages of a book, and frankly I’d like more of it.

Caroline James’ characters are brilliant; fully rounded, far from perfect and never, ever, falling into the trap of being stereotyped. Each of the four women has their own story to tell, their own future to grab hold of and change, and it seems that a spa break is the best place to do it.

This is a gorgeously warm, witty book and I would totally recommend it as a feelgood weekend or holiday read.

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy of this book.

This was fabulous. It was refreshing to have a group of 4 over 60’s friends, rather than 20-somethings as the main characters, who are having a spa weekend to celebrate Bossy Bridgette’s 70th birthday - what could possibly go wrong? Err, quite a bit actually 😂

I loved this, it gave me Beth O’Leary vibes from the start. I laughed so often reading this, the ladies are amazing. There are ups and downs in this book, and so many changes for all of them. I’m not going to say more as I don’t want to spoil it for you, just go read it! I’m going to keep an eye out for more from this author, the writing was great and just a good honest read.

A weekend at the spa will leave four old friends with a whole lot more than they’d bargained for… Stunning… Loved the story and the pacing and just everything about it… A great story that I couldn't put down!

I love stories where the protagonists are older - the characters are often more colourful and they have a wealth of experience behind them. That's not to say that they don't share similar fears, hang-ups and insecurities as their younger counterparts, or face the same issues.

That said, they also had additional ones, such as being expected to act their age (pish!) and becoming invisible to younger people. And boy do these ladies have their issues! But it's amazing what a weekend away from the humdrum sameness of home can do, and it certainly does a lot for these four. They went into the spa weekend with a certain mindset and all of them came out of the other side having grown and developed.

Mind you, for one of the characters at least, it might have had something to do with a certain vitamin drink... ;)

A laugh from start to finish this book shows you that although you grow older in years, you don't have to grow older in attitude.

Bridgette, Marjory, Serena and Emily are all off on a weekend away to celebrate Bridgette’s seventieth birthday. What should be a soothing and restful weekend turns into anything but.

A lighthearted, fun filled story with a great mix of characters which made for an easy and enjoyable read.

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.

This is like a spiced up version of Calendar Girls!
Great to see a book that covers this age range as its so unusual to see.
However, I did find this a little too over dramatic, stereotypical and at times a bit wishy washy.