Originally published: 11 November 2021

Author: Giovanna Fletcher

Published by: Michael Joseph

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Length: 400 pages

Listening Dates: 20-26 October 2021

In the darkness, we all need a little light…

After Mike loses Pia, his partner of seventeen years, their best friends Vicky and Zaza try to help pick up the pieces.

But though Pia’s gone, she left a plan. A list of loving instructions to help Mike and her friends come to terms with their loss.

And they’re each going to need it . . .

Just-engaged Zaza fears committing any further.

Exhausted mother and wife Vicky has lost sight of herself.

While Mike just feels all the colour has gone from his life.

When the list sends them trekking to Peru, where high mountains and sweltering rainforests push them to the brink, all they have to guide them is their faith in Pia and in themselves.

But will they learn that anything is possible when you’re walking on sunshine?

Mike has lost the love of his life Pia to breast cancer, and Vicky and Zaza have lost their best friend. A few months on and the three of them are struggling in their own ways. Vicky is a mum to two young children and she feels miserable and thinks she is failing as a parent. Zaza has just gotten engaged to Liam after many years of not being able to find the right man – but now she has him she is wondering if he will be enough for her. And Mike is lost without his soulmate.

On Valentines Day which would also of been Pia’s birthday, the three of them meet for a takeaway and drinks and while reminiscing over old photos, Mike comes across one of Pia’s Rules of Death which tells them they should have an adventure! Before long, the three of them have decided they should take part in a trek across Peru.

This was such an emotional read that had me holding back the tears a couple of times. Such a lovely story of friendship with characters that were truly relatable. I really enjoyed the journey both physically and mentally that the three friends went on together. Doing the trek was physically hard and Vicky and Zaza especially have a couple of times where their friendship was tested but overall the experience was a learning curve for them all and helped with their recovery at the loss of their best friend.

I haven’t read Giovanna Fletcher before and after seeing her on I’m a Celebrity last year, I really liked her. She has written an emotional yet heart-warming story here with Walking on Sunshine, reminding me a little of Cecelia Ahern’s writing. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Mike, Vicky and Zaza and look forward to reading more of her books. Let me know your recommendations for what I should try first!

Thank you to Kallie for sending me a proof copy of the book. Check out the rest of the blog tour below:

About the author:

Giovanna Fletcher is a number one bestselling author and podcast creator. With eleven titles under her belt so far, she is one of the UK’s most successful women’s fiction authors; she has also written two non-fiction works focusing on parenting and motherhood. Her podcast Happy Mum, Happy Baby has over seven million downloads to date and has featured a range of celebrity guests, including the Duchess of Cambridge. Giovanna is an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust, a patron for CoppaFeel!, and she also works closely with Tommy’s and Save the Children. In 2020 she was crowned I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’s Queen of The Castle.

Twitter – https://twitter.com/MrsGiFletcher