Charlotte Bold is nothing like her name - she is shy and timid and just wants a quiet life. When her job doing the traffic news on the radio in London is relocated to Sunshine FM in Mumbles, she jumps at the chance for a new start in Wales.But when she arrives she discovers that she's not there to do the travel news - she's there to front the graveyard evening show. And she's not sure she can do it.Thrust into the limelight, she must find her voice and a way to cope. And soon she realises that she's not the only person who finds life hard - out there her listeners are lonely too. And her show is the one keeping them going.Can Charlotte seize the day and make the most of her new home? And will she be able to breathe new life into the tiny radio station too...?
Bring Me Sunshine by Laura Kemp was published by Orion in paperback on 27 June 2019. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review, and who invited me to take part in this Blog Tour
In November 2017 I read and reviewed Laura Kemp's last novel; The Year of Surprising Acts of Kindness, here on Random Things .
I absolutely adored that book, so much so that I gave it a place in my Top Books of 2017 list.
I've been looking forward to reading her latest novel for such a long time.
Bring Me Sunshine is Charlotte Bold's story, and begins as she learns that her job at a London local radio station is no more. She's offered the chance of a transfer, and as Charlotte really needs a job, she has no choice but to accept.
The new job is in Wales, at Sunshine FM. In Wales! Far far away from the hustle and bustle of London, and her friends, and her boyfriend. Charlotte's very fragile; her self confidence is at rock bottom and having to leave everything that makes her feel a tiny bit safe is huge for her.
I really loved Charlotte; there were parts of her character that I really empathised with and the author excels in describing just how low and helpless a serious knock back can make someone feel.
Once more, just as in her last novel, Laura Kemp has brought a small Welsh town to life. I will admit that my Google Search History does contain phrases such as 'guest houses in Mumbles'; 'how long is the car journey from Lincolnshire to Mumbles' and 'Air BnB, Mumbles'.
Even though Charlotte arrives in Mumbles on foul, wet day, I still fell in love with the sound of the place. I really want to go there ...
Back to the story; and what a wonderfully uplifting and warm story this is. It is heaving with beautifully created characters who the reader cannot fail to swoon over.
Charlotte, Tina and Del are the main characters, with an equally well created supporting cast.
Without going to much into the story line, I will tell you that whilst this is ultimately a feel-good, witty story, it does also deal with some emotional and at times, heart breaking issues.
Whilst Charlotte is coming to terms with massive life upheavals, and slowly learning to trust other people, and herself again; the other characters are also dealing with their own demons.
This is delicately and sensitively handled, the author writes with heart and empathy and I love her for it.
Sparkly, heart warming and feel good. I can guarantee that readers are in for a fantastic read. I loved it and highly recommend it.
Laura Kemp started writing to get out of doing a real job.
A journalist for 15 years, she turned freelance after having a baby because she couldn’t get out of the house, washed and dressed, until lunchtime at the earliest.
A columnist and contributor, she regularly writes for national newspapers and magazines, such as The Daily Mail, The Sun and Grazia, and spends too much time on Twitter (@laurajanekemp).
Married with a son and a neurotic cat, Laura lives in the provinces, where she goes about her business ignorant of what’s on-trend until it reaches her town, by which time it’s out of fashion.
Laura’s first novel Mums Like Us was published by Arrow in February 2013 and Mums on Strike was published in January 2014. The Late Blossoming of Frankie Green was published by Head of Zeus in June 2016, and The Year of Surprising Acts of Kindness, was published in February 2018.
Her latest novel, Bring Me Sunshine, was published in ebook in March 2019 and in paperback in June.
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