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stew32s's review against another edition
4.0
Fun resolution to Sarah's journey!
There was the beautiful scenery and food descriptions as in the first two books that I enjoyed. Sarah's journey was alternately heart wrenching, heart warming and funny. I laughed out loud numerous times. Loved the ending!
There was the beautiful scenery and food descriptions as in the first two books that I enjoyed. Sarah's journey was alternately heart wrenching, heart warming and funny. I laughed out loud numerous times. Loved the ending!
bmwalsh26's review
3.0
Love triangle, so kind of tired trope, but nice travel/scenery descriptions. Sometimes just annoyed with the main character and want to force her to just make a choice
helenwhite83's review against another edition
5.0
A Sunset in Sydney is the third instalment of Sandy Barker’s Holiday Romance series. It picks up where the first book left off - which I found confusing to begin with! However, I soon warmed to the storyline, and really enjoyed rediscovering Sarah.
Fresh from her cruise around the Greek islands, Sarah lands back in London and falls straight into the arms of ‘silver fox’ James, who treats her to a taste of the high life at exclusive restaurants and art galleries. All too soon it is time for Sarah to return to Sydney - but no sooner does she arrive home than she is hopping on a plane to Hawaii to meet up with sometime lover Josh! As they celebrate the new year, Sarah finds herself becoming increasingly frustrated with their ‘vacationship’ and decides that she has a decision to make - will she fall into James’ arms and live a life of privilege, or will she continue to pine over Josh as he goes in search of his ‘bigger life’?
An absolutely fantastic read! Sarah is as sassy and as loveable as ever - if not frustrating as she fights with her feelings! One of my favourite, light-hearted series that never fails to make me smile.
Fresh from her cruise around the Greek islands, Sarah lands back in London and falls straight into the arms of ‘silver fox’ James, who treats her to a taste of the high life at exclusive restaurants and art galleries. All too soon it is time for Sarah to return to Sydney - but no sooner does she arrive home than she is hopping on a plane to Hawaii to meet up with sometime lover Josh! As they celebrate the new year, Sarah finds herself becoming increasingly frustrated with their ‘vacationship’ and decides that she has a decision to make - will she fall into James’ arms and live a life of privilege, or will she continue to pine over Josh as he goes in search of his ‘bigger life’?
An absolutely fantastic read! Sarah is as sassy and as loveable as ever - if not frustrating as she fights with her feelings! One of my favourite, light-hearted series that never fails to make me smile.
meg728's review against another edition
4.0
The third installment in this series and and. barker took me on a world wind trip to England, Australia Hawaii and New Zealand all while following Sarah’s journey to figure out her life and the man she really loves.
I enjoyed watching Sarah grow through this book while trying to decide what her life should be and the decisions she made. There were definitely some laugh out loud moments which I truly enjoyed and in the end was ecstatic over her decision about her life!
I enjoyed watching Sarah grow through this book while trying to decide what her life should be and the decisions she made. There were definitely some laugh out loud moments which I truly enjoyed and in the end was ecstatic over her decision about her life!
bookmadjo's review against another edition
5.0
When I first discovered Sandy’s books it was actually book two in the Holiday Romance series ‘That Night In Paris’ that I read first. Although ‘A Sunset in Sydney’ could technically be a standalone, I do have to say that you will get far more from it if you read book one, ‘One Summer in Santorini’ first. Knowing that book three was a continuation of the fictional journeys of Sarah, Josh and James who were seen in book one, I did take the time to read ‘One Summer in Santorini’ immediately before I read A Sunset in Sydney, and I was so glad that I did. The second book in the series, That Night in Paris, is about Sarah’s sister Cat, and the timeline intersects perfectly between ‘Santorini’ and ‘Sydney’.
Anyway, I digress. One of the many things that Sandy Barker excels at is her ability to whisk the reader around the world from the comfort of their armchair, which has been such a comfort, particularly in these uncertain times, where flying anywhere has either been restricted or is particularly problematic. This book is no exception, and I absolutely adored not only my time in Sydney, but also the time spent in London, Hawaii, New Zealand and Croatia too! In each location I really felt that I had a grasp on the beautiful scenery, the food, and the fabulous cocktails, almost as if I was there, and not in an unseasonably cold and wet location in the East Midlands of the UK.
This book is a traditional love triangle story, but unlike any love triangle story that I’ve ever read before because I found that almost to the end of the book, I had absolutely no clue who Sarah was going to choose. In fact, not only did I not know who she was going to choose, I had no idea whether I was on Team James or Team Josh. Even now, knowing the ending (my lips are firmly sealed!!), I still don’t know who I would have chosen in the same situation, although James was a silver fox with a touch of Richard Armitage about him, which might have edged it for me! I found it refreshing because normally in a story around a love triangle, it’s clear which person the author favours, and it’s usually clear to the reader that there is a compelling reason why the protagonist should choose one particular option over the other. With this story I was completely in the dark, and I think that made it easier to understand the confusion that Sarah went through. In fact as I read each section of the book I was like a human swingometer, leaning first one way and then the other!
The cast of additional characters were lovely. Sarah gets such fabulous advice and support from her sister Cat, and her friends (but possibly not Domino, although he is a cat, and therefore not so much comforting as aloof!). I really adored the joie de vivre of jilted bride Siobhan who Sarah and Josh befriend in Hawaii, and I really hope we get to find out more about her one day!
This was such a delightful read filled with romance and travel, that made me hanker for a large cocktail (complete with paper umbrella) and a large plate of seafood!
Anyway, I digress. One of the many things that Sandy Barker excels at is her ability to whisk the reader around the world from the comfort of their armchair, which has been such a comfort, particularly in these uncertain times, where flying anywhere has either been restricted or is particularly problematic. This book is no exception, and I absolutely adored not only my time in Sydney, but also the time spent in London, Hawaii, New Zealand and Croatia too! In each location I really felt that I had a grasp on the beautiful scenery, the food, and the fabulous cocktails, almost as if I was there, and not in an unseasonably cold and wet location in the East Midlands of the UK.
This book is a traditional love triangle story, but unlike any love triangle story that I’ve ever read before because I found that almost to the end of the book, I had absolutely no clue who Sarah was going to choose. In fact, not only did I not know who she was going to choose, I had no idea whether I was on Team James or Team Josh. Even now, knowing the ending (my lips are firmly sealed!!), I still don’t know who I would have chosen in the same situation, although James was a silver fox with a touch of Richard Armitage about him, which might have edged it for me! I found it refreshing because normally in a story around a love triangle, it’s clear which person the author favours, and it’s usually clear to the reader that there is a compelling reason why the protagonist should choose one particular option over the other. With this story I was completely in the dark, and I think that made it easier to understand the confusion that Sarah went through. In fact as I read each section of the book I was like a human swingometer, leaning first one way and then the other!
The cast of additional characters were lovely. Sarah gets such fabulous advice and support from her sister Cat, and her friends (but possibly not Domino, although he is a cat, and therefore not so much comforting as aloof!). I really adored the joie de vivre of jilted bride Siobhan who Sarah and Josh befriend in Hawaii, and I really hope we get to find out more about her one day!
This was such a delightful read filled with romance and travel, that made me hanker for a large cocktail (complete with paper umbrella) and a large plate of seafood!
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book: it's engrossing and entertaining. The characters are nice and fleshed out, the setting is interesting and there's an excellent storyline.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
amiefiremoon's review against another edition
3.0
I must begin by saying that the love triangle trope is my least favorite. That being said, this book was charming, engaging, and a worthwhile light summer beach read!
Sarah is faced with two amazing relationship choices: a slightly older millionaire who is falling for her and wants to show her the world, or a slightly younger "vacationship" with whom she is completely herself. The best relationship, though, is the one she has with her sister and friends, who are there to support her though it all. Underneath it all is a message of hope and the strength a woman has to make the difficult choices that are best for herself.
Advanced reader copy provided by #NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Sarah is faced with two amazing relationship choices: a slightly older millionaire who is falling for her and wants to show her the world, or a slightly younger "vacationship" with whom she is completely herself. The best relationship, though, is the one she has with her sister and friends, who are there to support her though it all. Underneath it all is a message of hope and the strength a woman has to make the difficult choices that are best for herself.
Advanced reader copy provided by #NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
javierfp82's review against another edition
3.0
When I first got a widget for “A sunset in Sydney” I didn’t realized it was part of a series and, although it can be read as a stand alone, I guess it would be preferable to read first the other books to know about Sarah’s story from the beginning and where she’s coming from.
Although the love triangle situation was a bit of a cliché it was entertaining enough if only because all the different places Sarah gets to travel to. I must say I had major issues with her attitude for the most part. I don’t think she was fair with Josh and James (call me old fashioned, but I like my lovers one at a time) and found her stringing them along pretty selfish. I can’t understand her dilemma but at least be clear with both guys so they know where they stand! But Sarah was not the only one being selfish. When Josh asks her to not make any decision and put her life on hold till he makes up his mind I couldn’t believe it! Seriously? I think that the only one who behave maturely all throughout the story was James, as he was the one that from the beginning put all his cards on the table.
There were some pretty great secondary characters and I would love to read their stories. Siobhan was so fun and I loved how Lindsey and Nick were so supportive of Sarah while being straight forward without sugarcoating their opinions of her behavior.
Although I had some issues with the MC I’m curious enough to read the other books of the series.
3,5⭐️
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK One More Chapter for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Although the love triangle situation was a bit of a cliché it was entertaining enough if only because all the different places Sarah gets to travel to. I must say I had major issues with her attitude for the most part. I don’t think she was fair with Josh and James (call me old fashioned, but I like my lovers one at a time) and found her stringing them along pretty selfish. I can’t understand her dilemma but at least be clear with both guys so they know where they stand! But Sarah was not the only one being selfish. When Josh asks her to not make any decision and put her life on hold till he makes up his mind I couldn’t believe it! Seriously? I think that the only one who behave maturely all throughout the story was James, as he was the one that from the beginning put all his cards on the table.
There were some pretty great secondary characters and I would love to read their stories. Siobhan was so fun and I loved how Lindsey and Nick were so supportive of Sarah while being straight forward without sugarcoating their opinions of her behavior.
Although I had some issues with the MC I’m curious enough to read the other books of the series.
3,5⭐️
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK One More Chapter for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.