"Here Come the Girls" by Milly Johnson

As young girls in school, Ven, Roz, Olive, and Frankie were inseparable.  As they daydreamed about all the future held in store for them, the romance and the fabulous jobs, they made a promise that they would take a cruise together when they're forty.  

But twenty-five years later, their lives haven't turned out the way they thought they would.  Olive cleans other people's homes while supporting her lazy husband and mother-in-law.  Roz is in a difficult relationship with the wonderful Manus because of the emotional state her cheating ex left her in.  On top of that, Roz and Frankie haven't spoken to each other in years.

But Ven thinks that she can get the girls back together and back on track.  When she wins a cruise before her fortieth birthday, everything seems to fall into place.  The ladies set sail for sixteen days of blue skies and hot sun.  But no matter how far away they go, they can't escape the life that awaits them back home.  Their two weeks at sea will see them make difficult decisions and life-changing discoveries about themselves all while having the time of their lives.

Here Come the Girls by Milly Johnson is a fun escape in a novel for anyone who loves travel, getting away from it all, or is looking for inspiration to give yourself a change.  I took this one on vacation with me and it was the perfect pairing.  

The book is written well so that you get the feel of everything going on around you - the cruise ship setting, the dreamy destinations, and the friendships and relationships developing on board.  It's very easy to imagine yourself right in the midst of it all.  I also enjoyed how loved ones staying at home were also given chapters to make the story lines well-rounded.

All of the characters in this book are easy to like despite their flaws.  While this book isn't one that will have you laughing the whole way through, it is one where you will find yourself invested in the characters and soaking up the warmth of both the stories and the setting.  This is a book where it is evident that the author knows how to do chick lit right.  There is nothing life-changing or incredibly thought-provoking, however it is full of joy and warmth and is just a lot of fun to read.  This is the first novel I have read by Milly Johnson and based on this, I will definitely be picking up more.

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