Jungle Rock

by Caroline James, Alli Smith (Illustrator)

A romantic comedy novella by Caroline James

Handsome young chef Zach Docherty is feeling the heat. Following an exposé in a national newspaper, his fiancée Poppy Dunlop has broken their engagement. Heartbroken at the thought of life without Poppy, Zach drowns his sorrows and, when his agent suggests that Zach becomes a contestant in a reality TV show, Jungle Survival, he reluctantly agrees. Plunged deep in the jungle, into a bizarre mix of talent and trials, Zach meets glamour model Cleo Petra, and the cameras go crazy.
Will Zach survive and be crowned Jungle King? Or will his latest exploits push Poppy further away...


Caroline's books are all stand-alone stories but some characters do make appearances throughout.

Genres: Romance

119 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2016

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, and her eagerly anticipated follow-up novel, THE CRUISE CLUB, is out now.

Her new novel ATTICUS ARNOTT’S GREAT ADVENTURE is described as “A heartwarming and uplifting read where the characters shine from the page.”

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.

When she’s not writing in her cosy writing retreat, Caroline enjoys tranquil walks with Fred, her Westie, and refreshing swims in a local lake. As a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the SoA, ARRA, and the Society of Women’s Writers & Journalists, Caroline is a champion of lifelong creativity.


Books by Caroline James:

Atticus Arnott's Great Adventure
The Cruise Club
The Cruise
The French Cookery School
The Spa Break
Boomerville at Ballymegille
The Best Boomerville Hotel
Hattie Goes to Hollywood
Jungle Rock
Coffee Tea the Caribbean & Me
Coffee Tea the Chef & Me
Coffee Rea the Gypsy & Me

Contact Caroline:

website: www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk
Twitter: @carolinejames12
Facebook: Caroline James Author
Insta: Caroline JamesAuthor

Reviews for Caroline’s books:

"Caroline is a natural story-teller with a gift for humour in her writing." The Write Stuff, London Book Fair.

"A fabulous Story, it made me shriek with laughter and I loved every twist and turn." Valentina Harris, Author, Chef and International Cookery School Host.

"Caroline James has spun a tale that is enjoyable, funny, charming, believable and page-turning." Nigel May, TV Personality & Author

"A strong plot with likeable characters makes it a great read." Ebook of the week - The Sun:

"Caroline writes quite beautifully - great descriptions, vividly drawn characters, sparkling humour, a touch of real sadness - this book was the perfect escape."

"A thoroughly enjoyable read that takes you from the loneliness of single life in the wet UK through to the magic of the Caribbean. An indulgent feast of the best things in life - sun, rum, fun, love and laughter."

"Caroline James has served up a comedic masterpiece that proves retirement doesn't mean retreating—it means going full throttle with absolutely zero effs left to give."

Reviews

[Dash fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆ Fun, Frolics, Romance, Drama... Didn't want it to end!

Jungle Rock couldn't of come at a better time for me.... I'm a celebrity has just started my fave show...and reading Jungle Rock was simply Perfect!

This is my first book from Caroline and I can't wait to read more!
Caroline writes with such humour and ease before I knew it the book was finished! Much to my disappointment!!

Ok so where to start.... Zach the Romany Gypsy Chef was at a point in his career where his Agent and good friend Bob persuaded him to sign up to the reality TV show Jungle Rocks. Which is based on the I'm a celebrity get me out of here tv show!

Zach has recently split from the love of his life Ex Fiancée Poppy. He is distraught and has no way of getting back with her! So why not jet off to the jungle!
I mean how hard can it be!

Zach has a bit of a bad boy reputation so being in the Jungle gives him a chance to show a different side to him ..... or will it!?!?
Can Zach last in the Jungle or will it all become too much??

There are some fun endearing characters in the Jungle you just don't want to miss!

I absolutely ADORED Zach's Mother Jo and his Autie Hattie.
They are larger than life characters, full of Fun, the perfect amount of Banter between them, a huge heart, made me laugh so hard, but also warmed my heart and for me they made the story!
By far my Favourite Characters!

Jo had re-opened her hotel, Boomerville, as a retreat for guests in their later years, with the help from Hattie.
Zach helped run the food side with the Chef, in doing so he helped bring custom in due to his celeb status.

I know this book was a Novella but I wanted more.... I wanted more of Zach's Romany history, I wanted more drama and tasks from the jungle.
In fact i just wanted more full stop!!!

Jungle Rocks is a fun, exciting, definetly feel good, humorous, witty, loveable and quirky characters, great little twists, lust and Romance, which is highly addictive and way too short!!!

Now would I recommend this book......without a doubt..... 100%.....YES!!!

I do hope this isn't the end for Zach the Gypsy Chef.... in fact I think Jo and Hattie should have a book they are amazing!

Perfect read for those who love the celeb jungle, Rom coms, Chick Lit, Humour, adventure, The Perfect Anytime Easy to read book that will leave you wanting more and feeling warm inside!

I received this book from the Publisher in which I voluntarily reviewed.

My Review is also on my blog website: https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2017/1...

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+ Stars!

Amusing, fun, and delightfully appealing!

In this novella, we not only get to revisit some of our favourite characters from Coffee, Tea, The Caribbean & Me, but we get an in-depth look into the life of Jo’s hunky talented son, Zach as he embarks on an adventure of survival and self discovery of his own.

The writing is vividly descriptive and fluid. The characters are charming, real, and extremely lovable. And the plot is remarkably entertaining and engaging as it sweeps us back and forth between the English countryside and the jungles of Australia and gives us a little fix of the reality tv we all love, complete with witty dialogue, challenges, food, friendship, family, and romance, as well as a little lesson in the pitfalls of conjecture and the importance of trust.

This truly is a lighthearted, captivating, humorous read with a festive undertone that is perfect for the holidays.

All my reviews can be found on my blog at http://whatsbetterthanbooks.com

[Sabine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.45 stars

A lighthearted romance especially for fans of celebrity reality shows. I don't ever watch TV but still enjoyed it immensely.

The only drawback and reason for my low rating is that I had a hard time constantly switching between the 4 POV's.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

First let me take a moment to comment on the beautiful colour palette of this cover, it screams rainforest and warmth to me, which is perfect on a cold winter's day such as today.

And the story definitely brings a warmth into my life, as it involved the jungle in Australia, where celebrity chef Zach is taking part in reality TV show Jungle Survival. It is obviously a fictional version of I'm A Celebrity, but I much prefer this version. Thankfully none of the really gruesome trials are talked about in any detail, more mentioned in passing.

Zach's stint in the jungle has repercussions on various people close to him. We find out how Poppy is coping with her latest job, while having an eye on her ex-fiancee. Then there is Zach's manager Bob who is enjoying himself in the friends and family area in Australia. We also get to see what is going on in Jo and Hattie's lives.

If you have read other books by Caroline James, some of the characters will be recognisable to you such as Jo and Hattie, but this definitely works as a standalone novella.

As everyone around Zach gets sucked in by Jungle fever, I loved seeing just how Zach was doing in Australia, and he had some great tactics.

Jungle Rock is an entertaining short novella, that is a highly enjoyable story, set over a couple of weeks, in a reasonable fast pace, and feels like another really good book from Caroline James. Easy to read, perfect to while away an hour, especially if you are a fan of I'm a Celeb. Even if you aren't like me, I still got a lot from the story, as it has quite a few different strands, and I was really hoping that Zach would do well.

Thank you to Caroline James for my copy of the book which I read and reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

[Joanne Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read both “Coffee, Tea, The Gypsy and Me” and “Coffee, Tea, The Caribbean and Me” I was looking forward to the next instalment in the life of Jo and her family and friends in “Boomerville”. So it was a lovely surprise to find out I didn’t have to wait till Spring 2017 to get my next fix as Jungle Rock has come along just in time for a Christmas hit of Jo, Hattie, Zack, Poppy and the gang.

The jungle game show here is obviously based around I’m a Celebrity Get me out of here…..so it’s a great time of year to read this novella especially if you are a fan of that show. It didn’t dwell on a HUGE cast of characters though or, thankfully, any in-depth descriptions of the sometimes stomach churning tasks, instead it was used as a platform for Zach, the celebrity chef to raise his public profile and contemplate his messed up life. He has lost the the girl  his dreams, Poppy, through a drunken mistake and escaping the UK and his bad reputation in the press seems a gift too good to turn down, especially if he increases his popularity AND meets an pneumatic blonde model in the process. Back home his mum Jo and her partner in crime best friend Hattie have turned their hotel into Boomerville for the single over 50s and are cashing in on Zachs jungle celebrity status! I’ve loved Jo throughout these books and watching her adapting to different changes in her life is one of my main enjoyments of this series.

This is a fun, romantic novella and so only took me a couple of hours to read but what a humour filled, chilled out couple of hours they were! I did stop reading at one point as I was loving the descriptions of the Epcot Food Festival so much that I had to go off to Google it to check if it’s a real event…..and it is! Heaven!

So if you fancy a Christmas novella with a jungle twist then this is the festive download for you. And how can you not fall in love with this colourful cover giving a blast of Jungle heat in a frozen sea of snowy white Christmas books! And don’t worry if you’ve not read any of the authors other books, it works totally as a standalone and will set you up for the riotous fun and frolics that look set to come in Boomerville next year!

[Nerdish Mum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline James has blown me away again! I'll hold my hands up and say I'm not a fan of reality TV and have never watched I'm A Celeb,.. which Jungle Survival is based on, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Zach's adventures in the Jungle and the way it affected both him and the other celeb contestants that he met while in there.

Jungle Rock can be read as a stand alone but it features characters from Caroline James' other books and I was definitely glad that I was getting more of Zach and Poppy as I loved their story in Coffee, Tea, The Caribbean and Me. They are both great characters and you get to know them both even better in Jungle Rock.

The writing is smooth and beautiful as usual, I find Caroline James' writing really easy and enjoyable to read. The world building is done really well and you can picture each setting vividly. The characters, both old and new are all really well developed and I liked seeing more of Bob, Zach's manager. It was good to catch up with Jo and Hattie too, Hattie is still as wonderful as ever! But now I need to know what happened to the man Jo ended up with (not naming names so no spoilers) at the end of Coffee, Tea, The Caribbean and Me as he wasn't mentioned, so hopefully that will come out in a future book.

Jungle Rock is such a happy story, though it does take you through the works to get to that stage. It was really nice to read something so fun and happy.

I do have to mention the cover of Jungle Rock, all the covers of Caroline's books are perfectly suited to the story and this one didn't disappoint. The colours are bright and engaging and you really get drawn to the book.

Overall a really fun and quick read and I look forward to reading more books by Caroline James in the future.

My review was originally posted over on my blog http://lifeofanerdishmum.blogspot.co.uk/

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly I'd like to thank TBC and the author Caroline James for this book.
A lovely lighthearted romantic novella which stars The gypsy chef Zach and his family. Set in Marland where Zach, his mother and aunt live and work this book follows the trials and tribulations of Zach's working life as a celebrity chef and his love life.
Poppy was Zach's fiancée until recently when an ill fated trip to the Highlands led to a rendezvous with the delectable Dolores, this broke the news and their once solid relationship was now over. Bob as Zach's manager needs to regain his status after the debacle in the Highlands and recruits Zach to Jungle Survivor a prime time tv programme.....
Such an easy read with lots of comedy moments, I thoroughly enjoyed this book

[Nicola Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caroline James is a new author for me but I found this novella to be a lovely taster of her work. We follow Zach, aka The Gypsy Chef, as he enters the Australian jungle for popular show, Jungle Survival (based, obviously, on I’m A Celebrity). There’s also his ex-girlfriend, Poppy, his agent, Bob, and his mum and godmother, Jo and Hattie, who run Boomerville, a hotel for the over fifties back home in the Lake District. I loved reading about all of these characters.

This was a charming read. I liked Zach a lot and found myself rooting for him. It’s a feel-good story with lots of fun and although I no longer watch the programme it’s based on, the setting is instantly recognisable and as it’s set at this time of year it also has a nice festive feel to it. I understand that the characters pop up in the author’s previous works and also her next book, Boomerville which will be published in 2017, but Jungle Rock can be read as a standalone book.

I thought this was a well written novella with an interesting and current setting. It’s a lovely short read, but jam-packed with entertaining goings-on.

[Reader43 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Survival in the jungle

A cute short story with romance thrown in. A jungle survivors story, a Disney cook off, and a Mom's love, what a story! A fun read. I received this free for an honest review.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always Caroline writes with great warmth and wit and in this novella she again shows just how quickly she can bring her characters to life. There is much that is topical in this story and there is a nice feeling of authenticity in the way the story progresses especially if you are fan of the TV series I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here...

Coming in at 80 pages, the story is light and easy to read, and I think that's sometimes just what is needed at this time of year, especially when the whole Christmas razzmatazz cranks up to high, sometimes, it's just oh so nice to sit back with a gingerbread latte, kick off your shoes and let the whole world drift on by.

For those who have read Caroline's previous books you will notice a welcome return of some of the characters but don't despair if you haven't, as this story easily stands alone and can be read with no prior knowledge.


Jungle Rock is a joy to read from start to finish and a perfect antidote for Christmas Stress..

[Bharti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jungle rock is all about the handsome gypsy chef Zach who is off for 3 weeks in an Australian jungle to participate in tv show - Jungle Rock.
For 3 weeks Zach tries to distracts himself from the sadness and heartbreak due to his scandalous, terrible break up with fiancée Poppy. Back home Poppy and Mom Jo we anxious for Zach while Auntie Hattie makes the most of her talented ward's TV appearance.
Read to find if Zach wins the reality show and wins back his love, and how Auntie Hattie spreads her trademark humour and lightens mama Jo's worries. I enjoyed every bit of this fun, humorous novella. it was heartening to witness Zach and family survive the Gypsy star's yet another scandal and still retain their humour and wits. Before I knew it the story ended and I was in happy tears. One of the good novella's I have read this year.

More on the Blog:
https://t.co/W06o3TIxC3

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don’t have to be a fan of I’m A Celebrity… to enjoy this one, but the Australian jungle setting for much of the action will be very familiar to you if you are. While Zach faces up to the trials, Poppy is on the other side of the world looking after another celebrity chef – and a rather attractive one – as he competes for a top prize in Disneyland. Meanwhile, back at the hotel in Cumbria, mother Jo watches on television – and best friend Hatty joins in the action in her inimitable fashion, with laugh out loud moments and some real drama. And it’s rather good to see more of agent Bob too.

Caroline James is a wonderful comedy writer, but turns her hand equally well to the more tender and touching moments. This novella might be just 80 pages long, but it’s a great story, with quite a large cast of characters perfectly drawn. Real fun, and such an enjoyable read – don’t miss it!

[Helen Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK AND THE DIFFERENT POV's. THE SHORT NOVELLA WAS A REALLY ENJOYABLE READ. LOVED THE I'M A CELEB VIBE AND THE CHARACTER ZACH. HEARTACHE AND AND FULL OF SURPRISES. THE ENDING WAS A NICE TOUCH. WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and fast paced read at only one-hundred eighteen pages. There were a lot of stories and characters especially given that there were two cooking competitions going on. One was set in Walt Disney World in Florida and the other in Australia which was a reality television show, Jungle Survival, to see who would get booted out of the jungle and who would ultimately be crowned the King of the Jungle.

There are family relationships as well as business ones which are set in England. There are friends and lots of background information given on some of the relationships. The characters were likable for the most part although some seem very insecure. Chef, who was in the cooking contest in Florida was hard to like since he was often too intense and had a feeling of entitlement. But he knew how to socialize and interact with his audience. Poppy has her work cut out for her in Florida and her heart wasn't always in it given her breakup from Zach, The Gypsy Chef, whom she worked with as well. There were twists and turns to the story as we went back and forth between the three countries for the stories taking place in each of them. There are misunderstandings, loves lost and lots of work for everyone. The scenic descriptions made me feel like I was there. There was some closure and some happily ever afters in the offing. An epilogue would have been nice.

Ms. James is a new to me author and I hope to read more of her books. This book has characters from The Best Boomerville Hotel and three books in the Coffee, Tea series but isn't shown as linked to a series.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zach Docherty, a Celebrity chef, is sent to enter the jungle in a reality tv show closely based on 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!" His mind isn't really on the show because his fiance Poppy has found out some information about Zach through a tabloid newspaper, and has ended the relationship.

Meanwhile back in England Zach's mum Jo and friend Hattie settle themselves down each evening to catch up on the jungle news. Jo is worried about her son, she knows he is still reeling from the break-up. In stark contrast, Hattie relishes the opportunity and arranges tours around Zach's previous abode, whilst wearing 'a khaki shirt and very tight shorts with knee high socks over her crusty walking boots'.

I loved Hattie, what a character! for me she was the star of the story. The suspense grew as we awaited the outcome of the reality contest, and to see if Zach could return to England a hero and make amends with Poppy, who clearly still loves him.

This was an introduction for me to Caroline James and I found Jungle Rock a really entertaining read with loveable characters and an amusing storyline.

[Christie72 (Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a funny, quick read with quirky characters, then look no further than Jungle Rock by Caroline James.
Sexy chef, Zach, has somehow found himself on a reality TV show, Jungle Survival. He agrees…what does he have to lose? He lost the only thing that mattered to him, his fiancée, Poppy, after he was featured in a magazine in a very compromising position with another woman. He tried pleading with Poppy, telling her he doesn’t remember anything except getting really drunk that night. As he finds himself faced with all sorts of things in the jungle, especially model Cleo, will he ever find his way back to his true love, Poppy?;\

This was a very funny, romantic comedy told from several characters POVs. The way in which James did it was unique. Not each chapter was about one specific character. It was written into the storyline as it unfolds which made the book and characters mesh perfectly.

As I wrote earlier, this is a quick, funny read with charming, loveable characters. It was a great way to spend the afternoon getting to know Zach, Poppy, Bob, Jo, and Hattie!

***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick read. Although, as I was reading, the story felt a little rushed. For example; when Zach and the rest of the contestants were competing on Jungle Survival, there was very little details given about the tasks that the contestants had to endure. It went from Zach arriving to four contestants. In addition, I was hoping to laugh more than I did. Part of this was because some of the jokes or comments made were too obvious. So, it felt forced. Plus, anything that Lenny said was just sexist. He is the type of guy that you would not want to turn your back on or be alone with.

There was no chemistry between Zach and Cleo; despite what Poppy may have thought or seen on television. Which, to be honest, I didn't really understand why Poppy was still pining for Zach. I did not feel a strong connection with the two of them. Overall, though, this was a good read.

[Aisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It brightened up a dreary afternoon and kept me interested. It contains a bit of everything - suspense, humour, romance.. it doesn't quite fit into any one genre! I'd say that's a bonus as it will appeal to most readers.
I didn't know that this was book 3 in a series. Clearly, it works well as a standalone as I didn't feel like I'd missed anything. I'm going to be checking out the other books, having thoroughly enjoyed this one!

Give it a go, I'm sure you'll like it as much as I did.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

I've had this sitting on my Kindle far too long. I love Carolines characters Jo and Hattie. Hattie is a joy to read and get to know, you just never know what shenanigans she will be up to next. We watch Jo's son Zach, celeb chef as he's a contestant on the jungle show, but learn that he's trying to recover his reputation after a few inappropriate pictures showed up in the press, affecting his reputation and loosing him his fiancee. Fun and games ensue as always at Bommerville .

[Darlene Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

No and Hattie get ready f or Christmas at Boomerville.

Zack goes into the jungle to help save his reputation from his foolish mistake. Poppy is at Disney World with another chef for a cook off for bragging rites. Poppy doesn't look like she is ever going to get her life back. No and Hattie have to sit on the sidelines on this book to watch Zack do a cook off in the jungle. This was a welcome change f r ok murder and mayhem. Already signed in for the next book. Well done.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

This book was a delightfully fun, romantic read and I absolutely loved it!!

For a short read (80 pages) the book has been written with a real wit to it that makes it very hard to put down!  The characters are great and I found myself laughing out loud more than one!  It is so easy to read and an ideal pick me up for drab days as you can escape to somewhere warm and sunny!
 
Five stars from me - really glad I found this author and definitely going to look for her other books now

[Gail Marchant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella from the great author Caroline James
Back at the Boomerville Jo & Hattie are enjoying the hype over Zach the Gypsy chef (Jo’s son) who has joined the cast of Jungle Survival in Australia
Hattie exploits the connection & lays on tours of Zach’s home & organising a crowning party for the winner
During Zach’s time in the jungle we learn of the contesters life , their families & friends
Who will be king or queen?
Who will find the love they want ?

[Linda Rorex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zach Docherty is a popular chef known as the Romany Gypsy Chef who broke off his engagement to Poppy Dunlop. Zach’s mother Jo ran the hotel Boomerville with her friend Hatie and Zach was the chef. Zach’s agent signs had signed him up to compete in a reality cooking competition show in the Australian jungle. Zach meets model Cleo Petra and the fans go crazy. While Poppy goes to Disney she is assaulted by a chef. I really enjoyed this funny comedy romance novel.

[Sharon M. Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short story but all the elements.

Start with a celebrity chef, an angry ex-fiancee, a reality show half way around the world. Throw in a family owned hotel. Follow along with the workings of a reality show in an Australian jungle and a celebrity cook off at Disney World. Put it all together and find out it the chef and the fiance get back together.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

Very superficial, none of the main characters were more than an outline of a character. It wasn't truly bad, but with some details filled in to make them seem like actual people, it could've been a lot better.

From the blurb describing the story, I expected Survivor with a twist. So, not celebrities surviving in the jungle.

[Christine Margaret Costello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get me out of here and cookery

Loved the story, another fun read from Caroline James, I really hope there will be another one to follow. Gypsy Chef and Poppy, what will be next for them and Hattie....

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hattie & Jo

The author focused on the people in story. Mainly, Who was broken up with thier partner and how they felt about it.
I personally would have liked to read more about the show " Jungle Rock"

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun easy read.

[Miss Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant as always from Caroline James

Brilliant as always from Caroline James, always feel bereft when her books end. Love Jo, Hattie, Zach,Jimmy, Bob Hillary and Poppy

[joann hodosi · Rating 3 out of 5]

review

Don’t like when all the words like commis and others are not known to me,, they should explain to the American reader the translation.