Book Review - Wonder Cruise by Ursula Bloom

TITLE - Wonder Cruise

AUTHOR - Ursula Bloom

GENRE - Romantic Fiction 

Get a copy - Amazon UK

Synopsis from Goodreads.

Ann Clements is thirty-five and single, and believes nothing exciting will ever happen to her. Then, she wins a large sum of money in a sweepstake and suddenly can dare to dream of a more adventurous life. She buys a ticket for a Mediterranean cruise, against the wishes of her stern brother, the Rev. Cuthbert, who has other ideas about how she should spend her windfall. Ann steps out of the shadows of her mundane life into the heat of the Mediterranean sun. Travelling to Gibraltar, Marseilles, Naples, Malta and Venice, Ann’s eyes are opened to people and experiences far removed from her sheltered existence in the offices at Henrietta Street, and Mrs. Puddock’s lodging house. As Ann blossoms, discovering love and passion for the very first time, the biggest question is, can there be any going back?

MY REVIEW 

Ann comes across a lot older than her years and a bit prim and proper. It doesn't help that her Brother Cuthbert wants her to remain a singleton; a spinster, so his Daughter will inherit everything she owns. He and his wife are so old fashioned. Ann's life was very structured and routine. She goes to work as a typist, goes home to her rented room and then repeats it all over again. 

Ann just had one dream; to travel; see the world; see the churches, cathedrals and cities that were featured in Mr Thomas Cooks holiday brochures. Imagine her delight when this became a possibility.

I initially found the book a bit slow and just couldn't see where it was heading. Too much of it focused on her mundane life. There seemed to be some naivety to the writing. However not to be one to give up, I continued reading. I enjoyed how the author had made Ann a naive 30 something, unsure of the ways of the world, and then allowed her to bloom and become the young woman she still was, in the prime of her life.

There was a comedic element to the book too, especially within the description of her fellow travellers. the pictures you form in your mind make you smile. Some of the story-line I found a bit unbelievable for the time period it was written in, however it was a fairly fun read.

The book was building up to the climax and the much anticipated ending, and then........ it was all over. I feel it needed to have a more structured and lengthy ending and some parts of the story needed to be elaborated on more. I was left disappointed. It did make me smile in parts but it just needed more substance.

Thank you to the author for the chance to read and review her book.