Book review – Summer of Love by Katie Fforde

Sian Bishop has only ever experienced one moment of recklessness – a moment that resulted in her beloved son Rory. It’s not that she doesn’t love the outcome of that wild night, but since then she has always taken the safer route. So when dependable, devoted Richard suggests a move to the beautiful English countryside, she leaves the hustle and bustle of the city behind, and she throws herself into the picture-postcard cottage garden, her furniture restoration business, and a new life in the country.

Her good intentions are torpedoed on a glorious summer’s evening with the arrival of Gus Berresford. One-time explorer and full-time heartbreaker, Gus is ridiculously exciting, wonderfully glamorous and a completely inappropriate love interest for a single mum. But Gus and Sian have met before…

Sian has no use for a fling, she simply mustn’t fall in love with the most unlikely suitor ever to cross her path – even if he has now crossed her path twice. But who knows what can happen in a summer of love…

I’m always wary of describing a book as ‘lovely’ but Summer of Love really is just that! This is a book to curl up somewhere comfy with, relax and just enjoy. The characters are engaging and will make you smile, the plot is romantic and the country summer setting idyllic.

The story revolves around single mum Sian and her son Rory as they move to a new home in the country and begin a new life away from harsh city life. I liked Sian immediately and her relationship with Rory is well written. It was lovely to read about a mum who isn’t a scatty mess, yummy mummy or superwoman. Sian is refreshingly realistic and as a mum she’s just the sort of person I’d want as a friend. I also liked the fact that Sian wasn’t looking for romance – in fact she tends to run in the opposite direction, putting her son first and only wanting the best situation for him.

That’s not to say that there isn’t plenty of romance in Summer of Love – it is a love story above all else and a gripping one at that. The chemistry between Sian and Gus is spot on and I really enjoyed the mystery that their connection added to the story and the build up of tension between them. Add in a tempting proposition from Sian’s friend and suitor Richard and the amorous ambitions of Gus’s childhood friend Lissa and the scene is set for misunderstandings, heart-searching and romance aplenty.

Sian’s neighbour Fiona also adds her own share to the romance of the novel as she tries out internet dating. Her adventures made me smile and I think there is much in Fiona (twice married and with a grown up family) and her worries that readers will recognise which just goes to show that dating can be a minefield whatever your age!

When I read in the acknowledgements section at the start of the book that Katie Fforde went on a bush craft course to assist with her research for the novel, I found myself wondering how she’d work that into the plot but then Gus appeared on the scene and all became clear as he took every opportunity to demonstrate his survival skills. The detail added a nice edge to Gus’s character and he came across as much more than your average male traveller - it must have been a lot of fun to research.

Before I end this review, I’d like to take a moment to say how gorgeous the cover illustrations for this book are. The image above does not do the cover full justice as the background is actually a lovely pale green colour and there is a beautiful pencil drawing illustration of a little boy on the back cover … I had to take some pictures to show you!

I’m doing really well at trying new authors this year and Katie Fforde is another author whose books I haven’t read before. Summer of Love is written with warmth and humour and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’d love to hear about your favourites from Katie and recommendations for which of her sixteen other novels to read next, in the comments box below.

5/5

Summer of Love is released on 17th March and I’d like to thank Amelia at Random House for sending me a copy for review.

You can find out more about Katie and her books and read a sample from Summer of Love at: http://www.katiefforde.com/index.htm