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Jun 23

The Summer Trip By Isabelle Broom

‘The Summer Trip‘The Summer Trip’ is the latest book by Isabelle Broom.

It’s been 18 years since Ava spent the summer on the Greek island of Corfu, but she has never forgotten what happened during those months – or who she left behind. Now single, estranged from her family, and preparing to wave her daughter off to university, Ava’s life seems a million miles away from the one she dreamed about as a teenager – a life now being lived by her sister instead. When Ava decides to return to Corfu for the summer, she knows she must finally face the place and the people that broke her heart. But with old resentments festering, long-buried secrets lurking, and familiar feelings resurfacing, it looks set to be a holiday that will change all their lives forever.

The latest offering by Isabelle is a glorious escape to the sun kissed shores of Corfu. Say goodbye to clammy weather, interest rates and drama and hello to an exquisite escape, packed with delicious Greek food, Greek gods and a nostalgic journey into what could have been.

The story is seen through the narrative of Ava who’s never quite gotten over her first love. 18 years after leaving Corfu, she returns with her 17 year old daughter to catch up with her younger sisters as well as the man who first stole her heart.

I love Isabelle’s books, they’re vibrant, romantic and are the perfect distraction from the mundane life.

Ava is an interesting character, she’s fun and protective of daughter and when she meets Niko, the boy she fell in love with, it makes for tender reading as they both have to face up to the past and what could have been. Her relationship with her sisters is strained so it’s interesting to see the different personalities come together and reflect on old times. Niko is also a lovely character with his charming and spirited attitude.

Like Isabelle’s, previous books, this story is vividly written packed with wonderful descriptions of the island, the delicious cuisine and the culture. So if you were thinking of a Greek adventure, ‘The Summer Trip’ is the perfect guide book with the added bonus of some romance.

The story is written in the past and present when Niko and Ava first met as teenagers and it’s so lovely to join as their young love flourishes and this really made for tender and sweet reading.

Beautifully written and wonderfully captivating, ‘The Summer Trip’ is a gentle, heartwarming and witty story about self-discovery and forgiveness that made for poignant and fun reading.

You can pre-order ‘The Summer Trip’ from Amazon and will be available to buy from good bookshops from 23rd June 2022.

Feb 17

Isabelle Broom Writers Tip

Isabelle BroomIsabelle Broom was born in Cambridge nine days before the 1980s began and studied Media Arts in London before joining the ranks at ‘Heat’ magazine, where she was the Book Reviews Editor. Always happiest when she off on an adventure, Isabelle now travels all over the world seeking out settings for her novels, as well as making the annual pilgrimage to her true home – the Greek island of Zakynthos. Currently based in Suffolk, where she shares a cottage with her dog Max and Julius.

Today Isabelle shares her writing tips for aspiring authors.

Decide which genre you want to write within, then set yourself a challenge to read the Top 10 bestsellers in that category, be it crime fiction, sci-fi dystopia or romance. As you read, note down observations. Ask yourself what these authors have done differently, or better, and how they have developed their characters, then map yourself a list of dos and don’ts. If you haven’t already, then pick up a few “how to write” books and learn as much as you can about structure and plot. Trust me, getting lost in the middle of your novel will only knock your confidence and set you back. The planning may seem dull compared to the fun writing part, but it will help you to stay on track and make sure that your character arcs don’t vanish into thin air. Try to write every day, even if it’s just a few lines, and on the days the creative juices aren’t flowing, go back and edit what you’ve already done. You need to live and breathe a book for it to really flourish.

Read more about Isabelle and her writing journey here.

Sep 4

Isabelle Broom

Isabelle BroomIsabelle Broom was born in Cambridge nine days before the 1980s began and studied Media Arts in London before joining the ranks at Heat magazine, where she was the Book Reviews Editor. Always happiest when she off on an adventure, Isabelle now travels all over the world seeking out settings for her novels, as well as making the annual pilgrimage to her true home – the Greek island of Zakynthos. Currently based in Suffolk, where she shares a cottage with her dog Max.

  1. To readers of the blog who may not be familiar with you or your writing, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into writing?
    I have been writing stories down ever since I could write things down, but even before that I enjoyed creating imaginative games with my toys. I was a big fan of ‘Care Bears’ as a kid, and I would make up plays and have my toys act them out. My dream growing up was always to become an author one day, but it wasn’t until about four years ago, when I won a short story competition, that I felt confident enough to tackle a big, solid novel. And thank heavens I did! I continued to work full-time while writing my first four novels, but last summer I made the decision to scale back a bit and turn my hand to freelancing, which I still do today. I’m based in Suffolk now, where I share a small converted barn with my dog Max, and on the days that I’m not working in the city, I’m writing, plotting, reviewing books for heat magazine or I’m off travelling the globe to research novel locations. It’s a very busy life, but it’s all mine and I love it.
  2. Can you tell us a bit about your upcoming book, ‘One Thousand Stars and You’?
    My new novel is set in the colourful and endearingly chaotic country of Sri Lanka, where Alice and her two best friends have travelled to for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to celebrate turning 30. Alice’s long-term boyfriend Richard has not gone with them, however – adventurous locations are definitely not his scene – but he says to Alice that when she gets back, they should take the big next step in their relationship. For Alice, who was outgoing as a child until having her wings clipped by a nasty accident, this holiday feels like her last hurrah. And then we have Max. The three girls encounter former soldier Max and his friend Jamal a few days into their trip, and the five of them begin to travel together. Drawn to one another from the off, Alice and Max soon discover that they have lots of things in common, but is it just friendship they’re feeling, or something deeper? It’s a story about being brave, being yourself, and being bold – but most of all it’s an exploration of love in all its many guises. Is simple contentment good enough if it means saving those close to you from upset, or should you always chase down happiness as ferociously as you possibly can?
  3. If you were to start your own book club, what authors would you ask to join?
    Oh, gosh! Well, there are just so many authors that I love and respect, across all genres. To keep things simple, I’ll stick to fellow scribes of so-called “women’s fiction”, and I would choose Rosie Walsh (author of ‘The Man Who Didn’t Call’) because she is wise, warm, funny and writes more beautifully about love than anyone else, Katie Marsh (‘The Rest Of Me’), who makes me laugh, think, cry and feel with her wonderful books, and Cesca Major, due to her wit, passion and utterly captivating writing.
  4. Why did you decide to write female fiction?
    I don’t think it was ever a conscious decision, to be honest. One of the best pieces of advice I was ever given was to “write the books you want to read”, which is exactly what I do. I grew up reading a variety of genres and still enjoy many types of both fiction and non-fiction, but the subject that has always fascinated me the most is people – how lives are shaped by love, tragedy, heartbreak and success; how we respond to one another; how we find someone to share life with; how travel helps us to grow. I pour so many of my own experiences into my writing, and I believe that if you begin with a foundation of truth, then you can’t go far wrong. I want books that make you think and feel as well as just entertain you, so those are the stories I try to write.
  5. Your books are always set in amazing locations that you travel to for research. Where has been your favourite location?

    That’s such a toughie! The thing is, every location has its own set of merits. The Greek island of Zakynthos, where I set my debut novel ‘My Map Of You’, occupies a very special place in my heart because I used to live there – and still return every year. It’s more of a second home than a mere novel setting, and I dream about retiring there one day. Prague is so beautiful and magical, Mojacar in Spain is like something from a fairy tale and Lake Como is staggeringly stunning – plus, they have all the cutest dogs there. Sri Lanka – despite poisoning me with its contaminated water twice now – holds so many cherished memories for me, and I long to go back and explore more. I will let you in on a secret, however – the setting for my 2019 novel, which I’m halfway through writing now – is definitely a contender for very close second favourite after Greece…

  6. What’s your favourite part of the writing process?
    There are so many! I love the very beginning, when you sit down with a few ideas and a blank page and start plotting. I love seeing my covers for the very first time, because that is the moment you realise your scrambled collection of words and thoughts will one day be a real book, and I get a huge buzz out of delivering that final, copy-edited and page-proofed edit, knowing that the next time I see it will be when it’s delivered back to me in a big pre-publication box of shiny finished novels. Of the writing nuts and bolts, my favourite bit is when characters begin interacting. You can plot and plan and outline those people as much as you want, but you never really know them until they begin communicating with one another – that’s the point when the real magic starts to happen.


    7. One Thousand Stars And You

  7. Is there anything that you would change about your writing journey?
    I feel extremely fortunate to have secured myself an incredible agent and a legendary publisher, and while there have been ups (that first call saying an offer was in) and downs (my first big structural edit – I lay in the bath and wept), overall, it’s been a total blast. The fact that I get to make up stories for a living still prompts numerous pinch-me moments, and I am and continue to be so very grateful. Of course, if I had a magic wand in my hand right now, then a few (hundred thousand) more sales wouldn’t go amiss. Oh, and a film rights deal with Aidan Turner snaffling the lead role, please!
  8. What’s your favourite book of all time?
    Impossible question klaxon! There are too many, I honestly don’t have one favourite – I have many favourites. I can tell you my favourite book of the past few months, though – ‘This Is Going To Hurt’ by Adam Kay. Not only hilarious, but absolutely vital. I cannot recommend it enough.
  9. If you were stranded on a desert island, which three books would you bring with you to pass the time?
    ‘War and Peace’, because it’s huge and I love it, but never have time to read it. ‘Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince’, because I love all-things Potter and this book is my favourite of the seven, and probably something by Bill Bryson, too, to keep me chuckling. I still cry tears of mirth whenever I read ‘The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid’.
  10. What area do you suggest a budding writer should concentrate on to further their abilities?
    Decide which genre you want to write within, then set yourself a challenge to read the Top 10 bestsellers in that category, be it crime fiction, sci-fi dystopia or romance. As you read, note down observations. Ask yourself what these authors have done differently, or better, and how they have developed their characters, then map yourself a list of dos and don’ts. If you haven’t already, then pick up a few “how to write” books and learn as much as you can about structure and plot. Trust me, getting lost in the middle of your novel will only knock your confidence and set you back. The planning may seem dull compared to the fun writing part, but it will help you to stay on track and make sure that your character arcs don’t vanish into thin air. Try to write every day, even if it’s just a few lines, and on the days the creative juices aren’t flowing, go back and edit what you’ve already done. You need to live and breathe a book for it to really flourish.
  11. When sitting down to write, what is the one item you need beside you?
    Probably Post-it notes – and a pen. Lots of thoughts occur to me when I’m in the writing flow and scribbling them down is absolutely paramount. The one item I do NOT need is my phone. So, so, soooooo distracting!
  12. And finally, do you have any projects or releases on the horizon which you would like to share with the readers of the website?
    I guess the biggie is that my new novel ‘One Thousand Stars and You’ is out now. There’s also a competition currently running on my Penguin Author Page (www.penguin.co.uk/authors/isabelle-broom/126001/), where you can win the chance to be a named character in my summer 2019 novel. I often do giveaways and polls etc on my Twitter and Facebook, and whenever I embark on a research trip abroad, I use the hashtag #BroomsBookTrip on all my many Instagram photos. Just search for @isabelle_broom to find me. My next big adventure is coming up on 2 November, and it’s a DOOZY!

    13. Follow Isabelle Broom on Twitter Isabelle Broom and Facebook Isabelle Broom for updates.

    You can buy One Thousand Stars and You from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

Mar 14

Isabelle Broom Reveals New Book – One Thousand Stars And You

One Thousand Stars And YouIsabelle Broom has revealed the name and cover of her fifth novel called ‘One Thousand Stars And You’

What the back cover says –

Alice is settling down. It might not be the adventurous life she once imagined, but more than anything she wants to make everyone happy – her steady boyfriend, her over-protective mother – even if it means a little part of her will always feel stifled.

Max is shaking things up. After a devastating injury, he is determined to prove himself. To find the man beyond the disability, to escape his smothering family and go on an adventure.

A trip to Sri Lanka is Alice’s last hurrah – her chance to throw herself into the heat, chaos and colour of a place thousands of miles from home.

It’s also the moment she meets Max.

Alice doesn’t know it yet, but her whole life is about to change.

Max doesn’t know it yet, but he’s the one who’s going to change it.

With an absolutely stunning cover, this book sounds like a delicious read!

You can pre-order One Thousand Stars and You from Amazon and will be available to buy from good bookshops from 23rd August 2018.

Jan 19

My Map Of You By Isabelle Broom

My Map Of You‘My Map Of You’ is the first book by Isabelle Broom

Holly Wright has had a difficult few years. After her mother’s death, she’s become expert at keeping people at a distance – including her boyfriend, Rupert. But when Holly receives an unexpected letter explaining that an aunt she never met has left her a house on the Greek island of Zakynthos, the walls she has built begin to crumble. Arriving on the island, Holly meets the handsome Aidan and slowly begins to uncover the truth about the secret which tore her family apart. But is the island where Holly really belongs? Or will her real life catch up with her first?

If you are looking for an escapism read, then this book is most certainly the book for you, set against the glorious backdrop of Zakynathos, this summer read will encourage everyone to book a holiday.

The story is seen solely through the narrative of Holly Wright, a girl who is unhappy in life, although her boyfriend is besotted with her, Holly feels that her life isn’t complete and with her 30th birthday just around the corner, she feels the pressure of life becoming more immense. When she suddenly receives a letter from an aunt that she didn’t know about, Holly finds herself travelling to Greece by herself, hoping to uncover the truth about her family’s feud as well as find her place in life.

Isabel is the book review editor at Heat magazine and with her knowledge and skills, she’s written a witty and exotic book that made for warm-hearted reading during the coldest of months. Holly is an interesting character, with her mother deceased, she’s alone with no family and she always wondered about her heritage. So, she jumps at the chance to visit Zakynathos and look after her Aunt Sandra’s house, who also sadly passed away. It’s on this adventure, that Holly begins to discover, about her past, her mother and that maybe life in London, isn’t the life for her. At the start of the story, we meet a quiet girl who’s settling in life but as the story progresses, we see Holly come out her shell and begin to feel happier in herself. The addition of a handsome Irish man called Aidan in the story also makes for nice reading, as himself and his dog Phelan, look after her and take her on many adventures around and beyond the island.

An interesting inclusion to the story, is the addition of letters in the book that add an element of mystery to the story, as Holly begins to expose family secrets.

Fun from the first page, ‘My Map Of You’ is an emotional and sassy book that made for tender reading, packed with glorious blue skies and turquoise seas, this book is a story about self discovery, forgiveness and love and is perfect for fans of Paige Toon and Ali McNamara.

You can buy My Map of You from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

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