The Trip of a Lifetime, Part 1

Caribbean #1

by Coral Harper

Four former best friends are reunited at their 25th high school reunion. Little did they know this reunion would rekindle their friendship and lead them to an adventure of a lifetime.

Andrea, Rita, Lauren, and Monica promised each other that they would always remain close but life happened leading them to go their separate ways and fall out of touch. Over two decades later, the four decide to dust off their high school yearbook and take a blissful trip down memory lane. As they flip through the pages, they are reminded of their senior class trip that was canceled due to the sudden death of a fellow classmate. They discover an old promise they made to each other to take a trip together someday.

The reunion ends and the four friends head back to their cold-weather states. Little did the ladies know the whirlwind that the next year would be. Monica has had enough. She picks up the phone and calls her friends…

“I think we should make good on that promise we made and have ourselves the trip of a lifetime. No more waiting. No more putting it off. No more excuses. Life is too short…”

The Trip of a Lifetime is a feel-good series of a group of friends who rekindle their friendship and renew their passion for life. They embark on a once in a lifetime trip to the Caribbean. With many ups and downs, you’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat. Mostly, your heart will be filled with warmth and love.

66 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 2, 2021

About the author

Coral Harper is the author of feel good beach reads along with other clean and wholesome fiction. When not publishing books, Coral enjoys soaking up the sun with family and traveling the world. Be sure to check out The Seahorse Cottage, Trip of a Lifetime, Stargaze Island, The Nantucket Estate, and Lighthouse Letters.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good beginning to the series. Hooks you from the start with the great relationship between Rita and Harvey. Then with the reunion between the girls keeps the interest going. What will happen? Will they finally take that trip they promised at graduation? Looking forward to the next episode.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I've read this author. I love the first book in the series. It explains how the friends reunite and how the trip comes about. It also has a very sad happening for one of the friends. Looking forward to starting book 2 now.

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great start to this new series. I was hooked right away into the drama that happened and how that set up the trip of a lifetime for Rita. The book was definitely full of drama, intrigue, and wonderful characters. I cannot wait to see what happens next for Rita Caldwell. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This starts out with a twenty year reunion with four friends gathering and talking of taking a senior trip since they didn’t get to years ago.

Then the story starts following one of those friends snd her life. Her husband was sick but they didn’t realize how sick until a car wreck. It follows her little family as they deal with that illness.

This does end in a cliffhanger so you will want the next book handy.

No curse words or sexual references so I feel comfortable recommending this to my preteen advanced reading friends.

[Donna Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This couple has the perfect romantic relationship it seems until it's cut short. This story is a very sad one but the beginning of what I hope to be a great adventure. I look forward to the rest of the series.

[Tricia Alfonza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very well written and a compelling beginning to a new series! I received a copy for an honest review. I would definitely recommend this book and author!

[Cathy Cottrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a group of friends, most dating back 50+ years, so this book really resonated with me. Thank you for the chance to read an ARC, can't wait for the next in this series.

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book one of the Caribbean series and tells the story of four former high school friends, as they finally reunite at their 25th high school reunion. They have lead completely different lives since high school and didn’t quite manage to stay in touch as they had promised. The only one still living in the state is Rita, who has been with her high school sweetheart Harvey, the only man she has ever been with and he still treats her as romantically as he ever did at the beginning of their relationship together. This first book tells their story, as they prepare for a night out at the reunion and also their twin sons, Eric and Frankie, packing up to leave for college. Both big events in their lives and one that Harvey wanted for his sons, as he never got the chance to go to college, needing to support his family and starting work with his father, from an early age. Before they can even get to the reunion,

Harvey has what seems to be an asthma attack, as he is driving them there, but typical male, he is reluctant to get it checked out and insists they carry on to the reunion. There he gets to meet back up with his nerdy fellow chess club mates and she finds her old friends Monica, Andrea and Lauren. They discuss the trip they missed out on during their senior year, when one of their classmates died suddenly and the trip was cancelled. They’d promised each other that they would go on a trip of a lifetime, somewhere warm, all together, and the reunion reminds them of this promise. They met the next day at Rita and Harvey’s home for lunch the next day, before the other ladies have to get flights home, but it is not a pleasant time, as Harvey is struck seriously ill again and it doesn’t seem that it is his asthma this time. Her friends stay until she forces them to catch their flights, as the doctors can’t really find out what is wrong with Harvey, promising to keep in touch.

Nothing is really sorted out and Harvey returns home, just in time to take the boys and drop them off at college. But matters change drastically on the way home as illness strikes again. This time it is much more serious and the underlying illness is finally discovered. Her boys, or should that be young men, take a year out and stay home with her until the following year. It is as she is home alone, after they have gone off to college for the second time round that she suddenly gets a call from one of her dormer friends, offering a trip of a lifetime together, and she jumps at the chance. Anything is better than sitting alone and wondering what to do with her time, life is too short as she has been reminded. No more excuses and somewhere the opposite of where they all live in cold states, to somewhere warm and sunny. The Caribbean awaits! This story is told in short episodes, and this starter only gets you to the idea of the trip of a lifetime and what has happened to one of the group in the time since they met. Life moves on and so do the characters, no matter what has happened. I look forward to seeing what happens in the next short stories in this series. I received an ARC copy or this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Robin Riley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read all six books, downloading them as a group from my Kindle Unlimited account. I enjoyed the books as a quick, easy, romantic beach read. They did keep me reading from one book to another, but it was just a quick read for me. Actually, what I needed after reading two rather heavy duty books and in-between reading a nonfiction book for school. I'm only commenting on this first book, rather than doing them all at once.

The story did make me wish I had four such close friends from high school to travel with. I do have some adult friends I have traveled with and some college friends I wouldn't mind taking the "trip of a lifetime" with.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first book sets the scene for the the rest of the books we get to meet the 4 very different friends who lost touch after going their own way when they left school. We are first introduced to Rita and Harvey and their love is something you want and the school reunion that will put the wheels in motion. There is love, loss and friendships revived which has you connecting with the characters and wanting to read the next book!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story gives us the background on the group of friends that were supposed to keep in touch after finishing high school and only reconnect at the homecoming party after 20 years have gone by. It focuses on one specific couple that is hit by a tragedy and the girls finally start to get around to planning the trip they dreamed about for so long. We´ll only know what happens in the next book of the series. In spite of the cliffhanger and the tragedy in the story, it is easy and pleasant reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember in high school when you told everyone you would keep in touch, yet life gets in the way and promises are forgotten. This is the first book in the series when, at a high school reunion, four women rekindle that friendship and decide they should plan a big trip. Rita is thrown the first curveball and, after some time, friends decide it is time to make good on that "trip" promise. I loved that this is clean, with no cursing, and has you wanting the second book. For some reason, I read the third book first, and am back-tracking from the beginning. Loved the beginning and cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

[Marichus Real · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rita and Harvey have been married for twenty years and they are still in love as the first day, but then tragedy strikes, and everything just disappears.
I like the start of this series. It is well-written and very emotional. I’m looking forward to reading the next part.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great start to a new series by Coral! It's well written, pulls you in and holds your interest. The characters are fun, engaging and easy to get to know. Perfect for a weekend when you want to curl up on the couch with a good book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joelle Teague · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a good, but quick read for me. I expected a lot of feel good moments, and while there were some it was not quite what I was thinking. In my opinion, this was more of a prequel to introduce the series rather than a first in series story. It was also more emotion-tugging than I though. I anticipate reading the next one to see if I get more of a warm fuzzy feeling than this one.

[Jeri Repp · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is another one of those books that call themselves a series. Its several short chapters then boom...the end. If you put them all together you would get an actual book but separately they are novellas. I would have preferred to get comfortable and settle in for a good read. I won't finish the "series".

[Peggy Sale · Rating 1 out of 5]

62 pages is not a book
The characters were like stick figures. No substance, one dimensional.
In no way was the medical problem realistic. The author would do well to consult anyone with even rudimentary medical knowledge instead of just making something up.
I now recall reading and reviewing another series by this author. My bad for accidentally doing it again.
I won't be reading "book" 2.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series, which has more interest and intrigue pulling on all points i.e. emotional, romance, physical, brought me back into the fold of being an advocate for series readers. This series covers it all with plenty of twists, turns and rollercoaster ups and downs throughout. A must read! Well written, a top 3 favorite!!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allow about two hours for this fast-paced, family-friendly, mid-life tale of 40-year-olds Rita and Harvey Caldwell as they head to their high school reunion in Oregon.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feel good story about four friends that reunite. Wonderful characters and good interaction between characters. Always like a story with good friends that are always there for each other. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shirley P. Stout · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sad to lose your life mate

This story was particularly sad as I lost my mom to cancer at the early age of 41. Sad for the twins losing their dad at an important age and time in their lives.

[Paulette Fritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story but sad when her husband died. I will continue to read the next book.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s Ok but I’m getting a little tired of these chapters being called whole books. Moving on to book 2.

[Sharon Van Hooser Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am hooked, I love this book already, interesting, like the characters and the way the author, Coral Harper writes. Looking forward to Book 2 in the series.

[Ashley Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW: death of a loved one, cancer

[Annette Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

it held my attention

It held my attention I am looking forward to reading the other books she is a good writer I will read the other books

[Candy Sowers · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book ended by discussing a future trip. I don't enjoy a teaser. I didn't check to see how many are in the series. I really don't want to get to the end of the next book only to be left hanging again.

[Sharon Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Trip of a Lifetime

A group of friends rekindle their friendships and renew their passion for life. They embark on a once in a lifetime trip to the Caribbean. A loving series.