on Sweet Home Summer
Avail Yourself Sweet Home Summer Originated By Michelle Vernal Displayed As Copy
story did take me a while to get into, I got confused over where the character was as she seemed to flit all over the world as the locations changed leaving it feeling a little disjointed, but then it settled just as Isla did and I started to get a feel of what the book was about and where it was heading.
There are a few characters in this book and I loved Bridget and she is such a wonderful sounding woman who made me chuckle on so many occasions.
There is a timeslip element to this story as Bridget tells Isla of her life and some of the memories of the's.
You really get a good story from Bridget's perspective about the time, history of the town and life.
Once the plot started to make itself known you begin to get an idea of what it is all about.
The community makes itself known in various ways as new plans and the way in which it rallies comes into play.
I did kind of know where the story was going before I got there but sometimes it's about the journey and I was taken through some really heartwarming moments as family truths and secrets were revealed.
Sometimes the past is best left there, other times it really does need to be confronted and accepted.
This is a heartwarming and enjoyable read that takes you through the lives of two women and is a story I would recommend.
I enjoyed this book loved the storyline it took a while to get into this book but I was left on tenterhooks wanting to know what was going to happen next
I enjoyed the storyline the book depicted how a community comes together and was a feel good book.
This book took a while to get going for me but I loved it once it did.
Don't often read a book set in New Zealand and it made a change, An interesting mix of characters lived Gran, Makes me think there should be a sequel as I would live to know what happens to Isla and Ben and of course what happens with Geans relationship with Charlie.
Thank you to TBC and to the author for the chance to read this title in exchange for a honest review.
What I like about this author is her originality, I preferred this story to 'The Traveller's Daughter', possibly because the author of the historical element in the story was still alive and you could see the possibility of a happy ending for her.
The story is well paced, The present interspersed with short flashbacks to an earlier time,
I also enjoyed the mystical element of 'the matchmaker',
An unusual, heartwarming romance, which illustrates what's essential in life and emphasises that the path to true love is often convoluted and painful.
The characters are welldeveloped and give the reader a flavour of smalltown life in New Zealand.
An engaging plot, often poignant with interesting twists,
The perfect story, if you enjoy family, smalltown romantic fiction with a unique setting and original plot.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Sweet Home Stars
This book left me with a smile on my face and an urge to go visit New Zealand.
this is a book about going home, new beginnings, second chances, friendship, romance, and family, all set in the quaint and charming small town of Bibury, New Zealand,
Isla has returned home after living foryears in London, . . she moves in with her grandmother Bridget who has a past that Isla knows nothing about, . The majority of the book is set in present time following Isla, as she builds a new life in her hometown and possibly rekindles an old romance, . . or not We also got little snippets of Bridgets life in her late teens in the lates.
grandmother and granddaughter have more in common than they ever knew, .
This was such an enjoyable read filled with such lovely characters, characters you would want to become friends with, sometimes it is nice just to read a peaceful book and enjoy the characters and the setting.
although there was even a bit of a twist at the end of this book and it worked nicely and it didnt alter my perception of the book or the characters.
This is a perfect summer beach read, . . although I spent half the time needing to remind myself that New Zealands summer is our winter.
I have such a hard time correlating Christmas with summer and I live in California, . . so no snow . .
Strongly recommend when you are in the mood for that fun beach read, with fabulous characters, and a lovely setting.
. .
thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book Sweet home summer by Michelle vernal.
Isla brooms has had enough, She is leaving london to stay with her grandmother in bibury,
This was a lovely feel good read, I loved the story and the characters, Couldn't put it down. A must read.Tired of both her worklife and her boyfriend, Isla leaves London to go back to Bibury, the small town in New Zealand where she grew up.
Living with her grandmother Bridget, Isla has to figure out what to do with her life and her feelings for her first love Ben, who still lives in Bibury.
In the meantime, Bridget receives letters from her own first love, Charlie, that bring back painful memories from her past.
The novel is romantic and wellwritten but it didnt really captivate me and I found the characters not completely engaging.
What kept me reading was the alternation between the past and the present that created a few twists.
All in all, this is an easyread with a few love triangles that will entertain you, What a delightful read! Its been quite a while since I have read such a charming and heartwarming read!
After a decade away from her small town of Bibury in New Zealand, Isla finds herself back home after a career burnout in London and breaking up with her boyfriend.
She isnt sure what her purpose is anymore, but she is hoping she finds it again now that she is living with her grandmother, Bridget, again.
Little do these two wonderful women realize they will help each other find their way again and possibly their HEAs.
I LOVED everything about this book, It really was two love stories, Isla and Bridget. They really helped one another learn to enjoy life again, not just living day to day never seeing the joy each day.
Both were truly remarkable women,
Kudos to Vernal on the aging process, It is something none of us can escape, and our physical bodies show it, but most of us never feel old inside.
She proves that age really is a state of mind, and Bridget beautifully exemplifies that!
I loved the other aspects of the book.
There is the backstory of Bridgets romance as a young girl which is shown in flashbacks, It also shows Bridgets love for her friend who died way too young, Through those stories, Vernal gave me the history of the town which really made me feel like I was a part of the story.
Isla loves her grandmother as much as her grandmother loves her, She takes a chance righting a wrong that could possibly give Bridget the happiness that has always eluded her.
In the process, Isla finds her second chance a romance as well,
When I read the synopsis, I knew I would love this book, But, Vernal far exceeded my expectations, It has a little something for everyonefamily, friendships, hope, a wee bit of a mystery, and of course, romance.
Do yourself a favor and travel to the town of Bibury to get to know the people there.
I guarantee you wont be disappointed,
Read and ed for Devilishly Delicious Book s
A warm, happy read which will leave you feeling good this is a truly enjoyable story.
Isla Brookes couldnt wait to escape the small New Zealand town of Bibury and spread her wings in the big wide world.
Having gained qualifications in Christchurch, she then spent several years living in London, enjoying city living and the rewards of her career.
Following the end of a very unhealthy relationship, Isla takes time out and heads to a Californian Retreat to lick her wounds and recover her equilibrium.
Realising that she wasnt getting the satisfaction she should be from her high flying life, she decides to return home to the bosom of her family and see where life takes her next.
This is a beautiful story, well told, Not only do we catch up with Islas earlier life we also are party to a bit of a mystery involving her grandmother, Bridget.
With brief flashbacks to her teenage years we discover the memories which haunt her, Captivating and with plenty going on, this is a novel Im very happy to have chosen to read.
If you enjoy a easygoing book packed with detail, then this is one Im happy to recommend.
A perfect read for this summer!
My thanks to publishers Harper Impulse for approving my copy via NetGalley.
This is my honest, original and unbiased review,
I mean there is plenty happening but for some reason it didnt quite capture my interest the way I thought it would in the beginning.
However, once I got past the halfway point things seemed to click and I felt a lot more involved in what was going on.
I felt like I whizzed through the last bit and really enjoyed it,
I liked all the characters in this book but the one that really stood out was Bridget, shes been through a lot but has such a cando attitude and always seems to have a club or meeting to go to.
I laughed at some of the words she mispronounced or misheard, Getting to see a little of her childhood was interesting as well and I liked how it revealed a different side to her.
Of course Isla was lovely too and I was rooting for her and Ben from the start but actually her relationship with Annie was the hidden gem, I loved how they were together and how they supported each other.
The setting of Bibury was brilliant, I love the small town dynamic in this book and the fact that it is a coal mining town with lots of history really added to the atmosphere.
I wont say too much about it but was really looking forward to seeing what trouble would be caused by the matchmaker festival.
Whilst it was a bit of a slow start for me, I ended up thoroughly enjoying this book, its a very light and fun way of exploring complex relationships and the writing flows, I would recommend it.
Originally posted on sitelinkeverywhere and nowhere I have been trying to read this book over the last week or so but am finding its not keeping my attention, so have given up trying to finish it.
I think for me it took too long to get into the story, This is a fun read, with plenty of interesting characters, I could relate to many of the family dynamics, Isla goes home, a different person than when she left, She has to make a new place for herself, both physically and emotionally, I felt like I knew the characters personally, by the end, I can't put my finger on it, but I just didn't gel with this book at all.
I found it took over half the story before I actually started enjoying it, and from there on was where for me it became a good story.
I think part of it is there are a lot of characters, as there is a focus on Isla and her friends, Bridget her grandmother and her friends, and also the flash backs to Bridgets past with even more characters introduced, plus of course the rest of their family too.
So the elements of the story I did enjoy I can't really specify as they are far enough in that it would be considered spoilers, but I did like the various relationships and the potential relationships that were in the small town of Bibury.
The story that Bridget tells about her past is ultimately tragic but still shocks too, and I did feel for her a bit.
For me though the best character was Carl who just added an extra dimension to any chapter he was in, His friendship with Isla and Annie meant there was a friendship group of six that had a great dynamic to it, and I enjoyed that element of the story.
I really had no idea what to expect from this story, and I can see that there are plenty of people that will love this, especially the look at small town life in New Zealand in thes, with the mining communities , but I think I just read this over a few days where I perhaps was in the mood for something different.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
.
There are a few characters in this book and I loved Bridget and she is such a wonderful sounding woman who made me chuckle on so many occasions.
There is a timeslip element to this story as Bridget tells Isla of her life and some of the memories of the's.
You really get a good story from Bridget's perspective about the time, history of the town and life.
Once the plot started to make itself known you begin to get an idea of what it is all about.
The community makes itself known in various ways as new plans and the way in which it rallies comes into play.
I did kind of know where the story was going before I got there but sometimes it's about the journey and I was taken through some really heartwarming moments as family truths and secrets were revealed.
Sometimes the past is best left there, other times it really does need to be confronted and accepted.
This is a heartwarming and enjoyable read that takes you through the lives of two women and is a story I would recommend.
I enjoyed this book loved the storyline it took a while to get into this book but I was left on tenterhooks wanting to know what was going to happen next
I enjoyed the storyline the book depicted how a community comes together and was a feel good book.
This book took a while to get going for me but I loved it once it did.
Don't often read a book set in New Zealand and it made a change, An interesting mix of characters lived Gran, Makes me think there should be a sequel as I would live to know what happens to Isla and Ben and of course what happens with Geans relationship with Charlie.
Thank you to TBC and to the author for the chance to read this title in exchange for a honest review.
What I like about this author is her originality, I preferred this story to 'The Traveller's Daughter', possibly because the author of the historical element in the story was still alive and you could see the possibility of a happy ending for her.
The story is well paced, The present interspersed with short flashbacks to an earlier time,
I also enjoyed the mystical element of 'the matchmaker',
An unusual, heartwarming romance, which illustrates what's essential in life and emphasises that the path to true love is often convoluted and painful.
The characters are welldeveloped and give the reader a flavour of smalltown life in New Zealand.
An engaging plot, often poignant with interesting twists,
The perfect story, if you enjoy family, smalltown romantic fiction with a unique setting and original plot.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Sweet Home Stars
This book left me with a smile on my face and an urge to go visit New Zealand.
this is a book about going home, new beginnings, second chances, friendship, romance, and family, all set in the quaint and charming small town of Bibury, New Zealand,
Isla has returned home after living foryears in London, . . she moves in with her grandmother Bridget who has a past that Isla knows nothing about, . The majority of the book is set in present time following Isla, as she builds a new life in her hometown and possibly rekindles an old romance, . . or not We also got little snippets of Bridgets life in her late teens in the lates.
grandmother and granddaughter have more in common than they ever knew, .
This was such an enjoyable read filled with such lovely characters, characters you would want to become friends with, sometimes it is nice just to read a peaceful book and enjoy the characters and the setting.
although there was even a bit of a twist at the end of this book and it worked nicely and it didnt alter my perception of the book or the characters.
This is a perfect summer beach read, . . although I spent half the time needing to remind myself that New Zealands summer is our winter.
I have such a hard time correlating Christmas with summer and I live in California, . . so no snow . .
Strongly recommend when you are in the mood for that fun beach read, with fabulous characters, and a lovely setting.
. .
thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book Sweet home summer by Michelle vernal.
Isla brooms has had enough, She is leaving london to stay with her grandmother in bibury,
This was a lovely feel good read, I loved the story and the characters, Couldn't put it down. A must read.Tired of both her worklife and her boyfriend, Isla leaves London to go back to Bibury, the small town in New Zealand where she grew up.
Living with her grandmother Bridget, Isla has to figure out what to do with her life and her feelings for her first love Ben, who still lives in Bibury.
In the meantime, Bridget receives letters from her own first love, Charlie, that bring back painful memories from her past.
The novel is romantic and wellwritten but it didnt really captivate me and I found the characters not completely engaging.
What kept me reading was the alternation between the past and the present that created a few twists.
All in all, this is an easyread with a few love triangles that will entertain you, What a delightful read! Its been quite a while since I have read such a charming and heartwarming read!
After a decade away from her small town of Bibury in New Zealand, Isla finds herself back home after a career burnout in London and breaking up with her boyfriend.
She isnt sure what her purpose is anymore, but she is hoping she finds it again now that she is living with her grandmother, Bridget, again.
Little do these two wonderful women realize they will help each other find their way again and possibly their HEAs.
I LOVED everything about this book, It really was two love stories, Isla and Bridget. They really helped one another learn to enjoy life again, not just living day to day never seeing the joy each day.
Both were truly remarkable women,
Kudos to Vernal on the aging process, It is something none of us can escape, and our physical bodies show it, but most of us never feel old inside.
She proves that age really is a state of mind, and Bridget beautifully exemplifies that!
I loved the other aspects of the book.
There is the backstory of Bridgets romance as a young girl which is shown in flashbacks, It also shows Bridgets love for her friend who died way too young, Through those stories, Vernal gave me the history of the town which really made me feel like I was a part of the story.
Isla loves her grandmother as much as her grandmother loves her, She takes a chance righting a wrong that could possibly give Bridget the happiness that has always eluded her.
In the process, Isla finds her second chance a romance as well,
When I read the synopsis, I knew I would love this book, But, Vernal far exceeded my expectations, It has a little something for everyonefamily, friendships, hope, a wee bit of a mystery, and of course, romance.
Do yourself a favor and travel to the town of Bibury to get to know the people there.
I guarantee you wont be disappointed,
Read and ed for Devilishly Delicious Book s
A warm, happy read which will leave you feeling good this is a truly enjoyable story.
Isla Brookes couldnt wait to escape the small New Zealand town of Bibury and spread her wings in the big wide world.
Having gained qualifications in Christchurch, she then spent several years living in London, enjoying city living and the rewards of her career.
Following the end of a very unhealthy relationship, Isla takes time out and heads to a Californian Retreat to lick her wounds and recover her equilibrium.
Realising that she wasnt getting the satisfaction she should be from her high flying life, she decides to return home to the bosom of her family and see where life takes her next.
This is a beautiful story, well told, Not only do we catch up with Islas earlier life we also are party to a bit of a mystery involving her grandmother, Bridget.
With brief flashbacks to her teenage years we discover the memories which haunt her, Captivating and with plenty going on, this is a novel Im very happy to have chosen to read.
If you enjoy a easygoing book packed with detail, then this is one Im happy to recommend.
A perfect read for this summer!
My thanks to publishers Harper Impulse for approving my copy via NetGalley.
This is my honest, original and unbiased review,
Sometimes, home really is where the heart is
Leaving behind her hiflying career in London, Isla
Brookes has had enough.
Burnt out and tired of an unfulfilling profession and lousy boyfriends, its time for her to go home.
Arriving back in cosy Bibury to stay with her grandmother, Bridget, everything is charmingly familiar.
Even her childhood sweetheart, Ben, is as handsome as she remembered
And when she discovers a stack of longforgotten Valentines Day cards, Isla, with the help of Ben, begins to realise exactly what is most important in life.
I mean there is plenty happening but for some reason it didnt quite capture my interest the way I thought it would in the beginning.
However, once I got past the halfway point things seemed to click and I felt a lot more involved in what was going on.
I felt like I whizzed through the last bit and really enjoyed it,
I liked all the characters in this book but the one that really stood out was Bridget, shes been through a lot but has such a cando attitude and always seems to have a club or meeting to go to.
I laughed at some of the words she mispronounced or misheard, Getting to see a little of her childhood was interesting as well and I liked how it revealed a different side to her.
Of course Isla was lovely too and I was rooting for her and Ben from the start but actually her relationship with Annie was the hidden gem, I loved how they were together and how they supported each other.
The setting of Bibury was brilliant, I love the small town dynamic in this book and the fact that it is a coal mining town with lots of history really added to the atmosphere.
I wont say too much about it but was really looking forward to seeing what trouble would be caused by the matchmaker festival.
Whilst it was a bit of a slow start for me, I ended up thoroughly enjoying this book, its a very light and fun way of exploring complex relationships and the writing flows, I would recommend it.
Originally posted on sitelinkeverywhere and nowhere I have been trying to read this book over the last week or so but am finding its not keeping my attention, so have given up trying to finish it.
I think for me it took too long to get into the story, This is a fun read, with plenty of interesting characters, I could relate to many of the family dynamics, Isla goes home, a different person than when she left, She has to make a new place for herself, both physically and emotionally, I felt like I knew the characters personally, by the end, I can't put my finger on it, but I just didn't gel with this book at all.
I found it took over half the story before I actually started enjoying it, and from there on was where for me it became a good story.
I think part of it is there are a lot of characters, as there is a focus on Isla and her friends, Bridget her grandmother and her friends, and also the flash backs to Bridgets past with even more characters introduced, plus of course the rest of their family too.
So the elements of the story I did enjoy I can't really specify as they are far enough in that it would be considered spoilers, but I did like the various relationships and the potential relationships that were in the small town of Bibury.
The story that Bridget tells about her past is ultimately tragic but still shocks too, and I did feel for her a bit.
For me though the best character was Carl who just added an extra dimension to any chapter he was in, His friendship with Isla and Annie meant there was a friendship group of six that had a great dynamic to it, and I enjoyed that element of the story.
I really had no idea what to expect from this story, and I can see that there are plenty of people that will love this, especially the look at small town life in New Zealand in thes, with the mining communities , but I think I just read this over a few days where I perhaps was in the mood for something different.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
.