Scotland? Yeah, a little bit🙁

3-3.5🌟stars
The story itself was an easy read, enjoyable and moved at a pretty good clip. However, I felt misled by the cover and blurb for this novel, since they had me thinking that the Scottish road adventure would play a major role in the plot. In fact, less than two chapters are devoted to Patty and Angie's Scottish trip, with the bulk of the story focusing on the ups and downs of running a small travel agency in Manchester (England) after the surprise arrival of a competing travel agency across the street.

Angie, the narrator and lead character, is part owner of the Mercury Travel Club and the story revolves around her business and love life, her colleagues at the agency, her family, a diabolical competitor, and Patty, Angie's BFF since their flight attendant days in their youth. For me, the nuts and bolts stuff on running the agency took up too much of the story.

This struck me as more in the women's fiction genre than romance. There's romance and wedding bells, but I found Angie's treatment of her beau Michael pretty shoddy until a spark of jealousy finally sets her on a better course and the travel club problems and successes really dominated the action.

The plot and characters held up well and some, like Angie's discount-loving mum and center-of-attention Patty, offered humor and whimsy, but I would have liked it better had I not anticipated more of the story unfolding in Scotland, which actually was the main draw for me to pick up the book in the first place.

Thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for providing this as a Read Now choice.

This is the third book in the charming Mercury Travel Club series.

This time, Angie has to fight off a rival travel agency that resorts to underhand methods to steal their customers.

She and co-owner Charlie try to do this by bidding to invest in a resort on Formentera. The blurb goes on and on about a road trip through Scotland - this only takes place for a few pages towards the end of the book so I have no idea why the blurb and some reviews wax lyrical about it. It disappointed me greatly as it sounded such fun and I thought it would cover most of the book. There is also very little romance. It's all about the travel agency against the rival business, so the title makes very little sense.

Angie is exactly my age, and she felt like a friend from the beginning of book 1 so it was lovely to spend some time with her again. The cover is gorgeous, the writing is humourous, and the book is full of quirky, lovable characters. I enjoyed this story about a middle-aged woman and her new life and work after divorce, but after the first two the content of this last installment somehow fell flat for me. Angie's friend Patty is the standout character and goes a long way to making the book funny.

Also, again - "stewardess" is an outdated term that has been replaced by the more gender neutral "flight attendant".

This will be a Kindle Unlimited release, and if you always wanted to own a travel agency, this is the book for you.

3.25 stars

Lovely to be back with Charlie, Angie and Patty. They are great characters. You can read alone. You follow the highs and lows of the travel agency . You have a love element . Lots of funny bits. I love Angie’s mum and dad. A great fun relaxing read.

The High Life by Helen Bridgett
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 2 July 2024

What a stunning read!

Angie Shepherd runs The Mercury Travel Club, renowned for curating exceptional travel experiences. However, her success is threatened when a ruthless competitor, Lorenzo, opens a rival agency across the street, employing cutthroat tactics to poach clients.

Determined to save her business, Angie and her loyal friend Patty embark on a daring road trip through Scotland to explore new travel offerings. They discover picturesque beaches, luxurious lodges, and even a hidden library in the woods, all while testing the potential of these destinations for their clientele.

As Angie navigates the challenges posed by Lorenzo and fights to preserve The Mercury Travel Club, she wonders if Scotland's captivating landscapes and unique experiences will be the key to securing her company's future.

The writing in this story is infused with sparkling wit and humour, effortlessly creating a delightful and inviting atmosphere that draws readers into its world. Each page brims with the author's skilful use of language, offering a breezy and enjoyable reading experience.

Central to the narrative are characters who are not merely protagonists, but friends readers come to cherish. Their loyalty, authenticity, and reliability shine through, grounding the story with their genuine personalities and relatable struggles. Whether navigating personal challenges or supporting each other through thick and thin, these characters resonate with readers as they embody the essence of true friendship.

At the heart of this captivating plot lies a charming tale that unfolds with depth and richness. It seamlessly weaves together themes of life lessons learned through adversity, the enduring bonds of deep friendships that weather all storms, and heartfelt moments that tug at the heartstrings. Alongside these poignant elements, the story embraces uproarious escapades that provoke laughter, showcasing the characters' resilience and determination in the face of challenges.

The narrative also takes readers on thrilling adventures, transporting them to wanderlust-inducing travel destinations and captivating exotic settings. Each locale is vividly portrayed, immersing readers in its sights, sounds, and flavours, igniting a desire for exploration and discovery.

Amidst the whirlwind of events, the story delves into the complexities of relationships, exploring the intricacies of love, trust, and forgiveness. It navigates the ups and downs of romantic entanglements with sensitivity and nuance, portraying tender moments of connection and understanding that resonate deeply with readers.

Overall, this tale is a tapestry of emotions and experiences, blending humour with heartfelt insights, and weaving together a tapestry of life's joys and challenges. It offers readers an enchanting journey filled with laughter, tears, and moments of profound reflection, making it a compelling read that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Joffe Books | Choc Lit, and the author, Helen Bridgett, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

This was such a good story. I liked it quite a bit and highly recommend picking it up on pub day. Don’t sleep on this one!

This book was adorable! I loved the main characters and the adventure they took the readers on. It was a very cute story