Atticus Arnott’s Great Adventure by Caroline James

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Atticus Arnott’s Great Adventure by Caroline James

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.

My Review

I’ve come to the conclusion that I am probably quite antisocial. I’m not saying that if I found myself in Atticus’s situation I would turn into a lonely old grump, but the idea of living with a load of partying old pats in sunny Spain is probably my worst nightmare. When I retired in 2023, my husband and I decided to spend two months at a time in Gran Canaria but we settled for a quiet life – mostly. If I pop my clogs before him, he’d better not go back there with someone else. Unlike his late wife Clara approving of his new found ‘second chance’, I would be more like Lazar Wolf’s dead wife in Fiddler On The Roof and come back to haunt him.

That’s not to say that I didn’t love the book – I even stayed up till midnight (told you I wasn’t a party animal) to finish it. My favourite character though was definitely the daughter Mary. Even though I am Atticus’s age, I found her story the one I could most empathise with. She left her family in Cumbria to marry estate agent Conor and move to Ireland. They set up the business together, then had four children and what a right so-and-so he turned out to be. But never let it be said that Mary is a doormat. We shall have to wait and see.

Mungo is Mary’s twin and more of a grump than Atticus. He’s changed the ailing sheep farm into a trendy camp site with a shop and cafe, but Atticus is upset that he sold off the sheep that had been his father’s life. However, Mungo’s son Jake is going to help change all that. Jake is my second favourite character. At sixteen, he can turn his hand to anything and everything from online dating apps in Spain to doing up an old camper van. I need a Jake in my life. And a camper van.

Anyway, no more Gran Canaria – we have a dog now – just need a suitable mode of transport so we can all take that trip. We just need to find somewhere quiet and rehome the gnomes…

Many thanks to @lovebookstours for inviting me to be part of #AtticusArnott blog tour.

About the Author

Caroline James is the celebrated author of later-life fiction, including The Cruise, the #1 best-seller that has captivated cruise ship passengers worldwide, earning its reputation as Girl Power for the Over-Sixties! Her eagerly anticipated follow-up novel, The Cruise Club, is set to make waves too. Caroline’s vibrant storytelling stems from her colourful career. Before becoming a full-time writer, she carved out a fascinating path in the hospitality industry, owning a charming country house hotel and a lively pub. As a media agent, she worked closely with celebrity chefs, giving her an insider’s perspective on the glitz, glamour, and grit of the culinary world. When she finally turned her focus to writing, she discovered her true calling, penning best-selling novels that have garnered her legions of fans.