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📅 Release date: 9th September 2025
⭐️ 4/5 stars
📖 Length: 356 pages
📱 Format: ePUB
⏳ Read Time: 4 days

Synopsis

Escape to sunny Spain with the #1 bestselling author of The Cruise in this heartwarming rom com full of romance, self-discovery and the magic of saying yes to adventure.

The best chapters of life are still waiting to be written…

When seventy-year-old Atticus Arnott trades the rainy hills of Cumbria for the golden coast of Spain in his beloved vintage campervan, his quiet village is left reeling from the shock. With only his faithful collie, Ness, for company, Atticus sets off in search of sunshine, serenity, and perhaps a glass or two of sangria. But his solo adventure quickly turns into something far more unexpected…

Back in Ireland, Atticus’s daughter Mary is facing a crisis of her own. As her picture-perfect life starts to crumble, she must find the courage to put herself first for once and rediscover the dreams she set aside long ago.

As father and daughter navigate new paths, they learn that starting over isn’t about running from the past—but embracing the unknown with open arms…

Full of laughter, love and second chances, Atticus Arnott’s Great Adventure is a feel-good escape that proves it’s never too late for a new beginning—no matter where life might take you.

What I thought

I wasn’t expecting to fall for Atticus Arnott’s Great Adventure by Caroline James, but from the moment I started, I was completely hooked! This isn’t usually the kind of book I pick up (I often lean towards darker or twistier stories) but I couldn’t put it down, and by the end, it felt like I’d been on the adventure with him every step of the way. Having always dreamed about van life, reading about Atticus’s journey only made that need to get out there grow stronger, and I found myself daydreaming about packing up and hitting the open road.

What really made this book stand out for me was the relationships between the characters. Atticus is seventy, grieving his late wife, and initially a little lost, but he’s stubborn, funny, and utterly endearing. Finding the old camper van tucked away in one of the farm’s outbuildings gives him a purpose, and bringing his grandson on board to help with the restoration adds a lovely multi-generational dynamic. Their interactions are full of warmth, humour, and real-life charm, from the mishaps during the van restoration (a nod to the gnomes!) to the small victories that make you root for them both. It’s a joy to watch Atticus rediscover happiness and learn that life can still be full of adventure, even after loss.

Mary’s storyline is equally compelling. I loved her fight and persistence, and she definitely reminded me of myself when it comes to matters of the heart. Watching her take control of her own life, step back from putting everyone else first, and rediscover her dreams was both touching and inspiring. Sometimes you just have to put yourself first, right? The parallel journeys of father and daughter make the story resonate on multiple levels, showing that reinvention, healing, and self-discovery can happen at any stage of life.

One of the highlights of the book for me was the world-building. Caroline James paints such a vivid picture that I could easily imagine every page. From the rainy, almost cosy hills of Cumbria to the sunny Spanish coast, the lively campsite, and even the little red Fiat 500 that sneaks into the story, the settings are so immersive that the story feels real and alive. It adds a wonderful escapist quality that had me completely absorbed.

The humour and warmth throughout the book are another reason I loved it. Caroline James has a knack for balancing light-hearted, laugh-out-loud moments with tender, reflective scenes. There were plenty of moments that made me chuckle, smile, and even tear up a little, all while keeping the tone uplifting. The interplay between characters, the gentle romantic tension, and the everyday mishaps create a story that’s both entertaining and emotionally satisfying.

Overall, I’d give Atticus Arnott’s Great Adventure an easy 4 out of 5 stars. It’s not only a heartwarming, funny, and uplifting read but also a reminder that life is full of second chances, and adventure can appear in the most unexpected forms. Whether you’re drawn to the humour, the family relationships, the escapism of van life, or the emotional journeys of Atticus and Mary, there’s something here for everyone. This book left me smiling, feeling inspired, and wishing I could hop into my own camper van and follow the sunshine.

If there’s ever a sequel, I would buy it in a heartbeat!

You can grab your copy on Amazon UK, Amazon US, or add it to your Goodreads shelf.

Thank you to Love Books Tours, the publisher and the author for having me on this tour and providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.