‘Charlotte Bold is nothing like her name - she is shy and timid and just wants a quiet life. When her job doing the traffic news on the radio in London is relocated to Sunshine FM in Mumbles, she jumps at the chance for a new start in Wales.
But when she arrives she discovers that she's not there to do the travel news - she's there to front the graveyard evening show. And she's not sure she can do it.
Thrust into the limelight, she must find her voice and a way to cope. And soon she realises that she's not the only person who finds life hard - out there her listeners are lonely too. And her show is the one keeping them going.
Can Charlotte seize the day and make the most of her new home? And will she be able to breathe new life into the tiny radio station too...?’ (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon UK.)
This is exactly the kind of book I would be drawn to based on its cover and description and it didn’t disappoint. This is a great book about trying to start over somewhere new whilst still being tied emotionally to somewhere old. I enjoyed how quickly we relocate the story to Wales as Charlotte faces the unexpected news that she’ll be fronting a radio show for the first time – Charlotte isn’t someone who jumps at the opportunity, in fact she runs away! Can Charlotte overcome her nerves and find her voice or is it just not meant to be?
I certainly enjoyed the setting; a part of Wales I’ve never visited, but a sense of place came across strongly. There’s also a strong community feel to it and a wide-range of characters. I admit sometimes I forgot who was who amongst the smaller supporting characters. There are three main narratives throughout the book. There's Charlotte, who is a lovely character just trying to make her way in life but struggling somewhat with leaving her boyfriend in London, or is she just trying to convince herself of this? Then there’s Tina, Charlotte’s new colleague. Tina is mysterious and keeps her cards close to her chest, she’s certainly hiding something and we see how that unravels.
My favourite character by far was Delme, the radio station’s health and safety guy, who provides the third narrative. He’s such a unique character; warm and funny, yet facing his own demons, over-eating as compensation for a family situation he can’t bear to face. I just loved him and was championing him all the way.
Bring Me Sunshine is a fantastic book which provides light and shade, but thankfully much more light than shade; a great balance for a summer read. This is the first novel I’ve read by Laura, but it won’t be my last.
Thanks to Orion for the book in exchange for an honest review.
Purchase Bring Me Sunshine:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
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