Download Your Copy Staying Out For The Summer Scripted By Mandy Baggot Available In Audiobook

ashamed to say its a good few years since Ive picked up a book by Mandy Baggot and that is such a travesty as reading Staying Out for the Summer was just the tonic I needed.
I promise I wont leave such a long gap for my next Mandy Baggot story, Staying Out for the Summer is such a wonderful, fun, flirty, slightly bonkers read, I enjoyed it so much I could read it all over again and I probably will!

I wasnt sure how Id feel reading a novel that has snippets of the covid pandemic in its storyline but as we have lived through this situation for over a year now it has become the norm so to include it makes the characters seem that more relatable and you can understand and appreciate their current state of mind.
The author, Mandy Baggot, has been very sensitive about this aspect of the storyline and it isnt the main focus and I felt like she dealt with it with grace and humanity.


This is a story of two best friends Gavin and Lucie, who are also nurses on the same ward at a hospital in Southampton.
Life has been very gruelling for these best friends and in need of rest, recuperation and escape the pair book a holiday to Greece.


As soon as Gavin and Lucie arrive at their destination they start to realise that this holiday is going to be memorable as the Greek village they are staying in is full of strange traditions, quirky villagers and wildlife a plenty.
I loved the sound of this village with its picturesque landscape and traditional Greek outlook on life.
One of my favourite characters from the story was the multi talented taxi driver, Miltos, He seemed to appear out of the blue and always at a time when you needed him the most.
He also made you feel very welcomed to the village and to his family,

Gavins character was vivacious, cheeky but he also had a vulnerability about him especially when it came to love interests.
Lucie was very warmhearted, kind but held an anxiety about her mainly due to her upbringing.
Shes felt afraid to let herself go and try new challenges and thinks the past is holding her back.
When Lucie meets Michalis on their first day an instant attraction is made but as she learns he is a Doctor a sort of bonding between the working life during a pandemic is made.
As Lucie and Michalis spend more time together friendship soon blossoms into more but is this just a holiday romance

Mandy Baggot has written such a glorious escapism read whisking you off to sunny climes with new cultures to learn and discover the delicious sounding local dishes.
Its a comforting, warmhearted story that brings plenty of smiles your way, I do love Mandys books and was delighted to bag a place on the blog tour for this her new book.

Set in Corfu the book transports us to warmer sunnier climbs something we all need whilst we are all stuck at home.
I wasn't sure i wanted to read about Covid in a book, My reason for reading is to escape from reality not be reminded of the current shit storm going on around us.
But the references weren't too intrusive and I could gloss over them,
Such a comical cast of characters i was picturing scenes from Mama Mia in my head whilst I was reading.
And those tortoises
Really enjoyed this sunny book made me smile and we all need to smile more Funny and Romantic! What More Can You Ask For in Book!

The first chapter had me wondering what kind of book I was reading Waking up to clipped off hair Shaved eyebrows But as I read more and more of Staying Out for the Summer, I fell in love with the various characters, the setting in Corfu, and of course, the romance! This is the first book Ive read by Mandy Baggot and I will definitely be reading more.
If you havent already read this, I highly recommend you pick up a copy!
This is a lovely laugh out loud romantic comedy set mainly in Corfu.
There are many humorous moments and countless romantic encounters, Set in a postCovidworld, it acknowledges the courage of key workers and the effect on our everyday lives of the pandemic.


There is so much to enjoy in this story, Passionate romance, vibrant characters and the vivid setting make this story full of drama, humour and poignancy, come alive, letting the reader escape to the sunshine.
There was one aspect I didn't enjoy, and that was the setting in the butcher's shop and the associated humour.
I have strong beliefs about animals, so this element was tough to read for me, Overall this is an engaging story,

I received a copy of this book from 'Head of ZeusAria' via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Perfect escapism on

Corfu, complete with sun, adventure and romance the perfect combination for these times! Follow Lucie and her best friend Gavin as they escape the stress of nursing Covid patients to gorgeous Corfu not exactly the luxurious escape that Lucie was expecting as shed left the arrangements to Gavin, as she is transported from the airport to their rural hideaway in the back of a fruit truck and fed some traditional Greek food but turns out to be what they both need.
Fun, funny and total escapism the perfect beach or back garden with a sandpit depending on lockdown! read.
Grab it and enjoy! Staying out for Summer is a cute, funny, lighthearted and enjoyable romance that whisks us away on that much needed holiday.


I like that this is very relevant to the times we have been living for the lastmonths, Staying Out for Summer is the healing balm we have all been needing for such a long time, if youre like me and are unable to get away on holiday then youll love hitching along on Lucies holiday just as I did.


After a hell of a few months thanks to Covid, Lucie has all about had enough of life indoor who hasnt and is itching for sunshine and freedom after lockdown can anyone else relate to that.
Her good friend Gavin comes to the rescue and books a holiday on Corfu, but alas her peaceful summery getaway turns into yet another lockdown after a landslide occurs.
Lucie soon finds that this could be a great thing to happen as she meets gorgeous doctor Michalis and soon love blossoms.


I loved watching Lucie grow throughout the book, due to Covid she had sunk so low, she had lost so much of herself and her confidence.
But once stepping on Corfu and despite what happens her character blossoms, her confidence grows and her self believe starts to return.
Its so lovingly written you feel every one of Lucies emotions and you back her, especially more so after the year we have all had.


Staying out for Summer is a wonderful escapist read, full of sunshine and fun.
It has some fabulous characters who you can get behind from the moment you meet them, you feel their pain as they have just come through an awful ordeal like we all have its pulls at the heartstrings a fair few times but makes up for all the emotion with its summery setting which would make any person smile with joy.


Its a hilarious, summery, heartwarming, touching and feelgood story full of friendship and love.
I gave this aor/, It is the perfect read to help you escape real life and immerse yourself in the lives of others

Told during the current world that we live in, Staying out for the Summer is set inand all that the world has thrown at us.
Who doesn't want to escape the country that they live in to travel abroad to get away from it all I for one am looking forward to getting away at some point, as I am sure are many of you.


Lucie is no different than many of us in that respect, she's looking forward to travelling to Corfu to escape her current life to relax and get away from work for a while as she's been among the thick of things in her role in the NHS.
Things don't always go to plan though and in some ways, that's what makes for a good romance.
The lead up to the ultimate conclusion of boy winning the girl or man winning the woman, it's a story as old as time.


Mandy Baggot has a way with words and sets the scene well both in the UK and in the Greek setting that she knows so well, due to her obvious love of Greece and all things Greek including the men.


I particularly smiled at the detailing of the ball shaped pieces of food, that Michalis was given to eat by his sister that had been served up in the skull of a sheep.
I had to read the passage twice and her comment saying, ' ''Then I serve them in the skull.
Like balls for brains! Ha!'' ' I am not sure that it would make me fancy eating them to be honest, but I bet they were far yummier than they sounded.


If you enjoy a romance that has plenty of escapism, then this is the book for you.
Grab a copy and make yourself a cocktail or two, to enjoy while reading the story and you could almost make believe that you were sat by the pool or on the beach, watching the story develop before your own eyes.


My thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Aria amp Aries ,Netgalley, and author Mandy Baggot for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
All thoughts and opinions are my own,
.stars
This book follows two friends that work as nurses, Lucie and Gavin, who travel to the Greek island of Corfu for some much needed R and R post COVID.
While spending time on this beautiful island, Lucie and Gavin will meet the locals that will change their lives forever.

The author did a wonderful job allowing the reader glimpses into these nurses' minds as they recounted the virus surges and the tolls in took on them to watch people of all ages lose their lives to the virus.
The people of the village were so much fun, I loved how they were willing to help Gavin and Lucie to enjoy their time on the island by including them in the daily life of the village and the festivals.
Michalis and Lucie made a wonderful couple, They both worked in the medical field, which helped them understand the struggles they went through as well as the aftermath of feelings they still are dealing with.
During her time on the island, Lucie was able to find her confidence again and helped to plan for a better future post COVID.
The ending was so satisfying, Overall, this was a very enjoyable read and would make for a great beach/getaway read!
Thank you so much netgalley and ariafiction for approving me to read and review this book!

Once again, Mandy has written another brilliant book, set in beautiful Greece which is described soooo beautifully that I actually thought I was there.


Lucie and best friend Gavin are nurses, and they have worked tirelessly throughout the Covid pandemic.
They have seen the devastation that this virus has caused and its time for them to escape and have a much deserved break.


They head to a little Greek island which is such an idyllic place and I want to pack my suitcase and head there now.
They meet the beautiful Michalis who is a doctor and has also struggled during this pandemic.
Hes a swoon worthy doctor and he and Lucie hit it off straight away, sharing the same understanding of everything theyve been through in their jobs.


Its a beautifully written book with oodles of brilliant charactersso many to name but what I loved most is that it is written about the pandemic that has changed all our lives so significantly.
It made the book feel completely relevant and it had the ability to make me feel like one day soon we could be living life a little more normally.
Mandy dealt with the topic wonderfully, really highlighting how awful it must have been for staff who worked hands on during Covid, and just how much we owe them for all their hard work and all the heartbreak they must have witnessed first hand.


Another triumph in my opinion and Mandy continues to be one of my favourite authors.