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The Mercury Travel Club #2
The Happiness Project
It’s never too late for a second adventure!
Angie Shepherd is blissfully happy. She’s running her own successful travel company. She has best friends to share karaoke nights and cocktails. And she has a gorgeous new man in her life — Michael.
What she doesn’t expect is her mum to want to join in the fun. She’s written a bucket list. And she wants Angie’s help ticking it off!
Angie is very happy to help her mum have a makeover, ride a motorcycle and learn to waltz in Vienna. Life is all about taking chances after all.
But now Angie’s beginning to feel left behind. Her friends are heading off on a cruise, or getting married. Her mum is reinventing herself, and Michael has been avoiding her. Suddenly Angie is the one left on dry land.
Maybe it’s time for her own journey of self-discovery . . .
Angie Shepherd is blissfully happy. She’s running her own successful travel company. She has best friends to share karaoke nights and cocktails. And she has a gorgeous new man in her life — Michael.
What she doesn’t expect is her mum to want to join in the fun. She’s written a bucket list. And she wants Angie’s help ticking it off!
Angie is very happy to help her mum have a makeover, ride a motorcycle and learn to waltz in Vienna. Life is all about taking chances after all.
But now Angie’s beginning to feel left behind. Her friends are heading off on a cruise, or getting married. Her mum is reinventing herself, and Michael has been avoiding her. Suddenly Angie is the one left on dry land.
Maybe it’s time for her own journey of self-discovery . . .
277 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 21, 2024
120 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Helen Bridgett
14 books25 followersHelen has always loved books and always loved writing. One year she decided her New Year’s resolution would be “Write a novel to give as a Christmas present”. She spent the year writing and The Mercury Travel Club was born.
Helen hails from the North East When not writing, Helen can usually be found walking or drinking wine – not usually at the same time.
Like many people, Helen believes that the music you grow up with as a teenager stays with you for the whole of your life. Being a child of 80’s rock, when she hears the opening riff to Sweet Child of Mine, she cannot be held responsible for her actions!
Helen hails from the North East When not writing, Helen can usually be found walking or drinking wine – not usually at the same time.
Like many people, Helen believes that the music you grow up with as a teenager stays with you for the whole of your life. Being a child of 80’s rock, when she hears the opening riff to Sweet Child of Mine, she cannot be held responsible for her actions!
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 2, 2024
Where the first book definitely wasn’t a romance, this one has more romance to it, as Angie tries to start a relationship, and Patty dives into one of her own.
Again, the stories about the tours that Mercury puts together are the highlight for me. They would be so much fun to go on!
This book sees all of the characters develop a bit more. Angie’s mum is still kind of a nutball, but a lovable one who clearly loves her daughter.
Angie works hard at her job and goes out of her way to bring happiness to her friends. She still battles her self-doubt a lot, but her intentions are good and her heart is huge. And this is what causes the problems with her fresh relationship with Michael—she is totally blindsided when it turns out that someone she looked on as a friend has betrayed her.
I do question whether the author actually knows the difference between a trans woman and a drag queen. The drag queen in this story is ALWAYS in drag persona, and is referred to using they/them pronouns. The difference between trans and drag is an important one. (Just ask the national champion informative speaker, whom I had the pleasure of judging in finals at nationals last week. I would love to provide you a link to the speech, but it’s not released yet.)
Possible Objectionable Material:
Lots of innuendo, a few curse words. LGBT+ characters. Drinking, sometimes to the point of getting drunk. Infidelity. Unmarried sex.
Who Might Like These Books:
Those who like stories about women over 50 taking charge of their lives. Those who like travel.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...
Again, the stories about the tours that Mercury puts together are the highlight for me. They would be so much fun to go on!
This book sees all of the characters develop a bit more. Angie’s mum is still kind of a nutball, but a lovable one who clearly loves her daughter.
Angie works hard at her job and goes out of her way to bring happiness to her friends. She still battles her self-doubt a lot, but her intentions are good and her heart is huge. And this is what causes the problems with her fresh relationship with Michael—she is totally blindsided when it turns out that someone she looked on as a friend has betrayed her.
I do question whether the author actually knows the difference between a trans woman and a drag queen. The drag queen in this story is ALWAYS in drag persona, and is referred to using they/them pronouns. The difference between trans and drag is an important one. (Just ask the national champion informative speaker, whom I had the pleasure of judging in finals at nationals last week. I would love to provide you a link to the speech, but it’s not released yet.)
Possible Objectionable Material:
Lots of innuendo, a few curse words. LGBT+ characters. Drinking, sometimes to the point of getting drunk. Infidelity. Unmarried sex.
Who Might Like These Books:
Those who like stories about women over 50 taking charge of their lives. Those who like travel.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...
May 26, 2024
✨ spoilers ✨
Although it seems on Goodreads that this is part two in a series (google tells me otherwise?); the author introduces the characters as a standalone ;) Normally I read about FMC's around my age, so it was new for me to read about a woman in her fifties. 💐
The fact that Micheal stood Angie up comes to no surprise really, because it seems so be the new way of communicating for men 🫠 Later on, Angie tells that she has difficulty moving on from him because she doesn’t know why he stood her up. 🥺
I have to admit that David is kinda disappointing me already, he doesn’t seem to swoop her of her feet and their humor isn’t aligned. I love how Patty looks out for Angie! 💪🏼💕
I love that a woman in her seventies makes a bucket list, but a cheating trope has never taken my interest. The fact that waltzing was on her bucket list briefly made me feel like a was in a Bridgerton scene. 👒
Throughout the book it seemed as though Michael’s story wasn’t finished. 😉 I loved how Mum (and Patty) became the detective! 🕵🏼♀️ The reconciling between Angie and Michael could have been drawn out more, it seemed as though they got over the actions of Sarah wayyy too quickly.
All-in-all, I think this was a good read for on the go, when you only have a couple of minutes and don't want any big tension driving you away from school haha! 😂
Although it seems on Goodreads that this is part two in a series (google tells me otherwise?); the author introduces the characters as a standalone ;) Normally I read about FMC's around my age, so it was new for me to read about a woman in her fifties. 💐
The fact that Micheal stood Angie up comes to no surprise really, because it seems so be the new way of communicating for men 🫠 Later on, Angie tells that she has difficulty moving on from him because she doesn’t know why he stood her up. 🥺
I have to admit that David is kinda disappointing me already, he doesn’t seem to swoop her of her feet and their humor isn’t aligned. I love how Patty looks out for Angie! 💪🏼💕
I love that a woman in her seventies makes a bucket list, but a cheating trope has never taken my interest. The fact that waltzing was on her bucket list briefly made me feel like a was in a Bridgerton scene. 👒
Throughout the book it seemed as though Michael’s story wasn’t finished. 😉 I loved how Mum (and Patty) became the detective! 🕵🏼♀️ The reconciling between Angie and Michael could have been drawn out more, it seemed as though they got over the actions of Sarah wayyy too quickly.
All-in-all, I think this was a good read for on the go, when you only have a couple of minutes and don't want any big tension driving you away from school haha! 😂
May 16, 2024
It was a pleasant surprise to get this second book in the Mercury Travel Club series so soon after the first one. With the previous events still fresh in my memory (but still summarised at relevant points in this book in case someone reads it first or much later), I dived enthousiastically in this new episode of Angela's funny adventures and I'm now pleased to report that I thought it entirely lived up to the expectations the first one had given me.
This time, Angela's mother is making a list of unusual things she'd like to try, prompting some new ideas of travel destinations for the club and creating some funny situations. Between her and Patty (Angela's extravagant best friend and temporary housemate), there's no time to get bored. I enjoyed every page and was happy to see confirmation of an upcoming third book at the end.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This time, Angela's mother is making a list of unusual things she'd like to try, prompting some new ideas of travel destinations for the club and creating some funny situations. Between her and Patty (Angela's extravagant best friend and temporary housemate), there's no time to get bored. I enjoyed every page and was happy to see confirmation of an upcoming third book at the end.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2024
A Fun Read
After her divorce, Angie has started to get her life back together. She has invested in a travel company with a friend and business is doing great. At the moment she is living with her best friend but they have a lot of laughs, and there is possibly a new man on the horizon, Michael who was once a neighbour until she had to move out of her rented property as the owner wanted the house back. Life is good, until her mother decides she wants to fulfil her bucket list, and insists Angie helps her. Then Michael is suddenly ignoring her and she can’t quite forget him. The book made me laugh at times and also brought a tear to my eye on occasion. It was a good light hearted read.
After her divorce, Angie has started to get her life back together. She has invested in a travel company with a friend and business is doing great. At the moment she is living with her best friend but they have a lot of laughs, and there is possibly a new man on the horizon, Michael who was once a neighbour until she had to move out of her rented property as the owner wanted the house back. Life is good, until her mother decides she wants to fulfil her bucket list, and insists Angie helps her. Then Michael is suddenly ignoring her and she can’t quite forget him. The book made me laugh at times and also brought a tear to my eye on occasion. It was a good light hearted read.
June 13, 2024
This is the second book in a series and I felt that I was missing some of the back story - but it was still a very good book!
Uplifting and enjoyable story about finding happiness, by living life to the full. Angie's mum asks her to help her tick experiences off her bucket list - all but one are doable in Angie's mind, but her mum is determined to do them all.
At the same time Angie is dealing with her own life, including meddling men, but she's beautifully supported by her close friends and colleagues.
Great summer holiday / beach read!
Uplifting and enjoyable story about finding happiness, by living life to the full. Angie's mum asks her to help her tick experiences off her bucket list - all but one are doable in Angie's mind, but her mum is determined to do them all.
At the same time Angie is dealing with her own life, including meddling men, but she's beautifully supported by her close friends and colleagues.
Great summer holiday / beach read!
May 28, 2024
This is a lovely romance with a real friendship group attached. There is plenty to keep you turning the pages and you'll be routing for all the “couples” to manage to tie together. Angie has a lot to deal with and does it well, from running her travel club, helping her mum and finding a man, you are loving her and desperately want it to come right for her. Read and see how she does.
June 10, 2024
A quick, lightweight read with very little drama or angst to ruin your mood. A good book for taking on the go, for when you only have a few minutes here and there to read.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.
September 1, 2025
Angie runs a travel company and with her colleagues help they do lots of promotions and different themes to sell destinations and her mother wants her help in ticking off her bucket list. This novel is a fun read
May 27, 2024
Read the book in a few days.
Nice light hearted book with some fun storyline’s
Nice light hearted book with some fun storyline’s
June 9, 2024
Only one disappointment, I've finished the series, but hear another book may be coming in the future. I really hope so, I'd love to catch up with Angie and her lovely family and friends again.
November 24, 2024
What a laugh
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, found myself chuckling out loud.
Certainly will be recommending it to family and friends.
It will brighten up your day.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, found myself chuckling out loud.
Certainly will be recommending it to family and friends.
It will brighten up your day.
September 5, 2025
I enjoyed this second book in the Mercury Travel Club series. Lots of fun and some romance.
August 11, 2024
When paragraphs are considerably longer than a page on my Kindle, I'm afraid that's the point I'm out. Could do with a good editor to break things up and prevent rambling.
June 5, 2024
This book couldn’t have been named more aptly as I felt a significant boost to my mood every time I picked up this book! This was technically the second of a series, although, it reads wonderfully as a standalone. It reads like a small town romance with the most amazing cast of characters! One of the things I enjoyed about this book was that while there were romantic elements, it was not the driving force of the plot. In fact, there wasn’t too much of a plot to this book but that is a-okay with me because the characters in this book were everything and their antics had me literally cackling!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews