Stuck in a dead-end relationship, Erica Bennett finds herself daydreaming of her first holiday romance. She was fifteen, it was exciting, new and full of possibilities…and Jack Lawson was hot as hell. That kind of thing leaves a mark.So when her friends suggest a girls holiday to Luna Island, it’s exactly what she needs to take her mind off things. What she doesn’t expect is to spot Jack – a much … Jack – a much older, hotter version of him – across the hotel lobby.
Their attraction is still there and it isn’t long before sparks fly, but fifteen years is a long time. They aren’t the same people they were back then and besides, it’s only a week, right?
Is it a second chance at something real or will their excess baggage ruin their shot at love after they leave Luna Island?
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I love all of Laura Barnard’s books, so when I got the opportunity to read ‘Excess Baggage’ I snapped it up.
The story is about Erica a girl who escapes on a girls holiday, never expecting to run into her ex ‘the one that got away’.
Jack is a man now, but Erica still can’t forget the painful break up, or the way in which he so brutally dropped her, but she also cannot stop her heart from fluttering whenever he is nearby, or the way in which she is attracted to him.
Jack has always had a soft spot for Erica, she is cute, fun and trouble always seems to find her. When he is reunited with her, he swears nothing can happen beyond their trip, but that it doesn’t mean they can’t have some fun.
But what happens when both Erica and Jack have secrets? And will it all end in heartache for a second time?
This book was fun, flirty and overall funny. Erica is a relatable character, and I love her friend Brooke and the overprotective Evelyn. What makes the book appealing is it could literally be anyone’s love story, and all the mishaps and situations that Erica gets herself into, are relatable, and you can’t help but cringe for her.
A fun easy read that kept me entertained throughout.
The perfect read for all romantic comedy lovers, and those wanting to try a new author.
This was such an adorable second chance romance! I absolutely loved Erica & Jack. These two had me laughing until I cried and swooning as they reconnected! Erica is maybe one of my favorite heroines and I just want to be friends with her!! A bonus of this book was that I loved each of the secondary characters as much as the main ones. I’m so excited to read the rest of this series!!!
4.5 Stars for Audio Review of Excess Baggage
I have read a few books by Laura Barnard but as I’m fairly new to Audio books Penny Scott-Andrews the narrator is new to me.
Excess Baggage is a second chance romance mixed with some hilarious laugh out loud moments especially the scene at the Water Park. Erica Bennett is away on a trip with her girlfriends and the last person she expects to bump into is Jack Lawson the man who broke her heart. First loves are always special and for Erica and Jack it seems nothing has changed over time, the attraction and chemistry are still there so with the help of some interfering girlfriends life starts to heat up once again for this couple who fate has given a second chance at love to.
Sizzling chemistry, witty banter, great friends and a entertaining plot all added up to make Excess Baggage an enjoyable fun listen.
The narrator did a great job with so many characters to portray.
4 Star review of Excess Baggage (Babes of Brighton #1) by Laura Barnard
Audio Review:
This is a second chance at love story and although I have read several books form Laura Barnard, the narrator Penny Scott-Andrews is new to me.
This is not a particularly long book to listen to and although I enjoyed the story line I could not get into the narrator at all.
A girls trip away leads Erica Bennett to a blast from the past, when she comes face to face with her first love Jack Lawson, the man who broke her heart. However, the attraction is still there and now all that needs to be considered is whether they should act on it since nothing has really changed from when they were 15.
The chemistry between Erica and Jack is intense and thanks to their interfering friends life becomes complicated. I really enjoyed the camaraderie with the secondary characters who were entertaining.
Can Erica and Jack, get through the emotional baggage from their past and in doing so create a future or should they quit while they are ahead?
*** audio book review ***
This is a great second chance, vacation romance. This is the story of Erica and Jack. They had a fling on vacation as teenagers. Their relationship ended up in heartbreak. Years later they are both adults and moved on with their lives. By chance they are on vacation at the same place. The feelings they both tried to forget resurface. There are complications of course. It was a fun story to follow. I wanted these two together so bad. I am a sucker for second chance romances. Jack had me swooning for sure. I loved Erica. She was fun and I could relate to her inner turmoils. The supporting characters were also fun, the friends with them on vacation. I would love to see another book with these characters. Narrator Penny Scott-Andrews does a great job telling the story to the listener. I loved her voice and she was a perfect Erica. Even when she reads Jack’s parts I heard Jack as a male not a female. This is a great read/listen that will become a quick favorite.
Excess Baggage was a nice quick read.
I’ve appreciated the sunny lively atmosphere and the motley group of characters that make this story funny,intriguing and enjoyable.
Erica and Jack didn’t have a good record for their past encounters but their attraction is still over the top.I was so curious to know if their future will be better now after 15 years I’ve read this story in a day.
Favorite Quotes:
My God, how is it fair that he got hotter? I’ve always kind of hoped that he was one of those gorgeous teenagers that peaked early and was now obese and ugly, possibly bald. But this level of good looking, well it’s just not fair at all.
Friends are supposed to be there for you when you do stupid stuff. Not to just judge you and say I told you so. I have my mother for that.
Molly is so cute and loveable that it’s like sunbeams actually shine from her eyes. No one ever meets her and doesn’t like her. Although they always seem to be shocked when they find out she’s a lesbian. I think they expect all lesbians to be thick-necked girls in Doctor Martins with a tattoo on their neck. Idiots.
I attempt a sashay, but for all I know I could look constipated. I don’t do sexy well.
I can feel myself blushing more, which isn’t helping. I must be the colour of a beetroot right now. Sexy.
My Review:
Excess Baggage is a delightfully naughty and amusing tale of single women letting their hair down and behaving like teens while on a much-needed vacation. The writing is laced with irreverent humor, salacious sensual scenes, and ironic wit while featuring Erica – a clumsy, immature, and awkward woman runs into her first love, Jack, whom she had never gotten over from a summer vacation at the tender age fifteen. Jack and Erica were both idiots, but despite their harsh ending fifteen years ago, they had each continued to regret and fantasize about, “the one that got away.” They run into each other by chance while vacationing at a resort with friends and were immediately besotted and occasionally obnoxious. Their antics and status ran hot and cold while becoming reacquainted over a weeks time while far from home and the stressors of their daily lives. Erica was a trouble magnet and a Calamity Jane type who fell into embarrassing predicaments several times a day.
This was a cute read about finding getting a second chance at love while on vacation. Jack and Erica met 15 years ago while they were on vacation with their families. Unfortunately life, youth, and pride got in the way. Now that they are older they are getting a second chance. But neither knows what that means after their vacation is over. Like I said, this was a cute read. I enjoyed the little laughs we got, unfortunately at the expense of Erica. Poor girl was just so unlucky when it came to getting embarrassed. Jack was a decent guy, yet he was still a guy and definitely wasn’t perfect. But that’s what made him so likeable and realistic. I love the secondary characters, even Evelyn. She may have come off as a pain in the ass but she just kept proving that she only cared.