Sunshine and Second Chances by Kim Nash is a gorgeously warm, uplifting and inspiring tale of friendship, love and family. This is the first of the author’s three books that I’ve read, though, after reading Sunshine and Second Chances, I now know that Kim Nash’s stories are a wonderful chance at escapism, and would certainly be the perfect accompaniment for a sunny, hot day in the garden. Nash is a fantastic writer who swiftly transports her readers to Portugal in her latest release and allows them a gorgeous visual of the world her characters inhabit. Nash envelops her readers in a friendship group which invites the reader inside instantly, warmly, and like you, yourself, are an old friend, too, reunited with these women who will make you feel like family.
Sunshine and Second Chances by Kim Nash follows four women, life-long friends, who set out together for a week’s holiday in Portugal. Although having known each other for years, life has, as it so often does, taken Olivia, Fiona, Samantha and Debs on their separate paths away from each other, leaving a phone call the only way of catching up between them. Each of them hitting their fifties, it’s a promise they made years before to each other, and now it’s finally taking shape. Suitcases packed and sunhats atop heads, the four women set out on an adventure of self-discovery, realisation and encouragement side by side in the hot, vibrant and beautiful setting of the Algarve, where dreams will become reality and demons will finally be faced.
I am certain that this story will feel very relatable to a lot of readers, and that many of them will empathise with one or more of the characters in the story. They face real life troubles, that of which it is impossible for any of us to avoid, and so this feeling of being familiar with the topics raised within Sunshine and Second Chances will allow readers to feel that little bit closer to the women. Sure, it’s a dreamy escape to a desirable location with a group of women who feel like friends towards the end, but it’s also much more than that. In Sunshine and Second Chances, Kim Nash tackles many real issues. From dementia, to the slipping away of a woman’s identity after she becomes a wife and a mother, from the loss of a partner, to the heart-breaking comparison made between one woman and another after experience an unfaithful partner, these are things that women all around the world, from all walks of life and of all ages, will be able to share in. I think that is one of the reasons I enjoyed this story so much. It may be fictional, but it is written from the heart, and it is written with truth and wisdom.
Kim Nash really takes her readers away with her third book. It’s an emotional story which draws on the strength of the women within it, each facing their own unique battles and trying to find their way back to what it is that truly makes them happy. I felt completely wrapped up within the Portugal heat and sunshine, sorely tempted by the delicious food and drink on display, and the exploration of their surroundings during the women’s shared time away. From a gorgeous and awe-inspiring boat trip to the flashing lights of the casino, Fiona, Olivia, Samantha and Debs truly do have the trip of a lifetime. A trip that encourages them, and allows them enough strength, while surrounded by their closest friends, to make decisions that have been waiting to be made for quite some time. It’s a joyous and life-affirming story about how anything is possible when you have the support of your friends, and it reminds us that it is never too late to take that chance, make that choice, and take the leap towards happiness.
I think that Kim Nash captures the true essence of living life to its fullest in all of its glory in Sunshine and Second Chances. She writes perfectly of what it is like to find yourself wandering down a path that you perhaps didn’t strictly choose to walk down, or weren’t conscious of yourself making that choice. She shows the truest form of friendship, the sort where there is no judgement, no matter the situation. It’s a real story to sink your teeth into and while away the hours with. An excellent example of what escapism is so good at doing; taking you far away from your own problems to focus on someone else’s for a little while.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading Sunshine and Second Chances by Kim Nash. It was a wonderful delve into a friendship that has spanned years. I loved the different avenues I was led down as I was introduced to each of the lovely women who take centre-stage in this story. It was uplifting and exciting, and lent me some much-needed calm in a world so anxious at the moment. I’d like to thank the tour host for providing me with an advanced reading copy of this book, that of which has no reflection on me providing a fair and honest review.
Read on to find out more about Sunshine and Second Chances by Kim Nash.
It’s never too late to be offered a second chance at life…
Debs is newly single, Fiona is caring for her mum, Samantha is grieving, and Liv has the perfect life – or so she’d like her friends to think…
This year, these four life-long friends are turning fifty, and Liv is determined they will honour their promise to each other – made on a beach at sunrise twenty-nine years before – to celebrate this milestone together.
And what better place than a gorgeous villa where they will be spoiled and enjoy the stunning beaches, picturesque fishing towns and glorious climate of the Algarve?
But time away from home doesn’t always make the heart grow fonder. Sometimes it makes the thought of returning to your life too hard to bear. Especially with more than one gorgeous Portuguese man making hearts unexpectedly flutter…
It begins as a reunion in the sunshine, but little do the four friends know what life-changing decisions they’ll all be making before their flight home.
You can purchase your copy of Sunshine and Second Chances by Kim Nash here (also available via Amazon US here).
Kim Nash is an author of uplifting, funny, heartwarming, feel-good, romantic fiction.
She lives in Staffordshire with son Ollie and English Setter Roni, is Head of Publicity for Bookouture and is a book blogger at http://www.kimthebookworm.co.uk.
Kim won the Romantic Novelists Association’s Media Star of the Year in 2016, which she still can’t quite believe. She is now quite delighted to be a member of the RNA.
When she’s not working or writing, Kim can be found walking her dog, reading, standing on the sidelines of a football pitch cheering on Ollie and binge watching box sets on the TV. She’s also quite partial to a spa day and a gin and tonic (not at the same time!) Kim also runs a book club in Cannock, Staffs.
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Amazing Grace was her debut novel with Hera Books and came out in April 2019.
Escape to Giddywell Grange is Kim’s second novel and was published in September 2019.
Sunshine and Second Chances is Kim’s third novel and will be published on June 4th 2020.
You can read Kim’s Blog here: http://www.kimthebookworm.co.uk
Connect with Kim on Social Media here: Twitter: (@KimTheBookworm) https://twitter.com/KimTheBookworm Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimTheBookWorm/ Instagram: @Kim_the_bookworm
Be sure to keep up with the Sunshine and Second Chances blog tour with these fabulous book bloggers!
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