Benidorm again (The Benidorm Series Book 2) - Jo Lyons

Benidorm again is the second book in the The Benidorm Series. Follow Connie as she embarks on her first classical tour.

Connie never dreamed she’d get the chance to follow in the footsteps of her beloved late mother, to become a classical singer. But when she attracts jealous comments from the choir, more attention than she would like from the lead tenor and some unwanted scandalous publicity involving the Royal family, she starts to wonder if she is doing the right thing.

Connie soon finds herself caught in a reluctant love triangle with a difficult choice to make - the gorgeous, moody-eyed music producer who was love at first sight, or the exceptionally talented aristocratic millionaire? Determined to follow her heart, she turns to The Dollz and her newly engaged best friends, Ged and Liam, for help, only to find they all have problems of their own.

Who knew touring with the Royal Northern Sinfonia would involve so much drama or so many Royals?

 

What did I think?

I absolutely loved meeting Connie Cooper and The Dollz in Benidorm, Actually so I couldn't wait to read the next book in the series, Benidorm again, to see what happens next and I was not disappointed.  My laughing muscles got a good workout once again at the escapades and drama in this hilarious book.

It's a bittersweet moment for Connie when she is given a starring role in the Northern Sinfonia as it is her dream to follow in her mam's footsteps but her mam isn't here to see Connie shine on stage.  I couldn't feel sad for long though as Jo Lyons shakes her virtual giggle stick and instantly transforms the poignant moment of Connie stepping on stage for the first time into an absolutely brilliant laugh out loud moment that made me almost choke with laughter.  I won't be able to watch Harry Potter again without laughing now!

The Northern Sinfonia tour is filled with drama as the leading man has the chorus girls all aflutter but he only has eyes for Connie.  Connie has to admit that there is amazing chemistry between her and Luke that sets the stage alight but her heart lies with Matteo.

I loved that Connie's new romance from her trip to Benidorm is still going strong, albeit she has only known Matteo for a week before he jets off to work in LA and Connie comes home to join the Northern Sinfonia.  Despite their busy schedules, the couple make plans to meet up in Las Vegas but it's soon hijacked by Connie's friends and before she knows it, her romantic trip to Vegas has been turned into a Barbie and Ken themed group outing.

Connie's friends, Ged and Liam and The Dollz, provide much of the hilarity as their lives are a constant drama show.  I absolutely love The Dollz; their antics make the cast of Geordie Shore look tame!  I really can't wait to read about the Vegas trip so I have book 3, Benidorm Cocktail Hour, already lined up to start reading.

Benidorm again is an absolutely brilliant sequel to a sparkling debut novel.  I didn't think it would be possible to contain even more laughs and drama but Jo Lyons packs the hilarity and high jinks in once again to leave her readers clamouring for more.  A very highly recommended read filled with fun, laughter and drama.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Benidorm, actually - Jo Lyons

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we will shortly be arriving into Alicante. Please ensure your big lips and heavy eyebrows are securely fastened, your eyelashes are stowed in the upright position and your leg tattoos are clearly visible for landing.”

Connie Cooper’s classical music career is at a dead-end. She’s singing cheap covers to a sea of bald heads and the nearest she has been to a romantic relationship in years is watching the Bridgerton buttocks scene on a continuous loop.

The last thing she needs is to be on a flight to Benidorm with strict instructions to impress the boss of Jezebel Music. But as she tries to keep up with support band, The Dollz, and the constant flashmob dancing, the going out in less than you’d wear on the beach and their obsession with the promiscuous bearded-Nuns in the villa next door, the boss seems less and less impressed.

The clock is ticking. She’s meant to be finding her voice, not finding his brooding good-looks irresistibly attractive… How can she show him that she has what it takes to succeed?

That’s right. Instead of just being herself, she’ll follow The Dollz’ advice to dress like a low-rent stripper and impress him by pole-dancing on top of a table full of drinks.

What could go wrong?

 

What did I think?

I absolutely loved this book; it was just what I needed to banish the winter blues as it whisked me away to sunnier climes.  It's so laugh-out-loud hilarious that it should come with waterproof pages as I had tears rolling down my face on so many occasions.

I've never been to Benidorm but Jo Lyons brings the vibrant and colourful holiday resort to life between the pages of her fabulous debut novel as we follow Connie Cooper's last ditch attempt to make it in the music business.  From the minute Connie steps on the plane in Newcastle, the reader is under no illusion that is going to be a regular holiday romance type of book...not with The Dollz around anyway.

I had such a vivid picture of The Dollz in my head and their constant practising of their routines still makes me smile long after turning the final page.  They're supposed to be Connie's support act, both in the story and character weighting, however, they are so much larger than life that nothing will keep The Dollz out of the limelight.

I absolutely loved Connie though; she seems to puts her foot in it every time she opens her mouth, especially with Mr Window Seat who she is destined to run into again (quite literally) when the plane touches down in Spain. 

Filled with sun, sea, sand and singing, Benidorm, actually is an entertaining and hilarious romantic comedy.  It's a sparkling debut from Jo Lyons and one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon