Nobody wants to read anything too serious when summertime rolls around, do they? I know I certainly don’t. Not that my reading is usually so very high brow, of course, but when the sun is shining and I’m lazing in the park with a book as the girls play, I just want some happy fluffy fiction on my beloved Kindle.
Not all of the books in this post are complete easy happy fuzzy feeling reads, but I am warning you now – a lot of them are! Here is an insight into what I have been reading lately, and some recommendations for your Summer reading pile.
Holly Martin / Amelia Thorne
I’ve just finished reading Fairytale Beginnings which describes itself as “a heartwarming romantic comedy”, but I actually recommend all three of Holly’s romantic fiction books, beginning with One Hundred Proposals which began as a short story in one of the Sunlounger anthologies, and ended up being turned into a full length (fantastic) novel.
The two books that she has published as Amelia Thorne are excellent, although slightly less fluffy and more adult with some seriously sexy chemistry in both books and more serious storylines. I really loved Tied up With Love in particular and will certainly be reading that one again.
Jess McGlynn – Secrets of the River
Jess sent me a copy of this book free of charge so that I could share my thoughts here on my blog. I definitely enjoyed her debut novel and it is an excellent first book. I thought the main character, Isabelle was very relatable and likeable, and her struggles with her relationships with her sister and friends were well portrayed.
Jess paints a great picture of the French setting without weighing it down with too much descriptive language. There is romance and mystery all interwoven together, and it definitely kept me guessing all the way. Occasionally I found it a touch disjointed and confusing, but overall I really enjoyed this novel and it definitely deserves it’s place on my Summer Reads list.
Cathy Bramley
I discovered Cathy’s books a few months ago, and read my way through Ivy Lane and Conditional Love in quick succession, before reading Appleby Farm bit by bit as she released it in four parts over several months. Part One of her next four-part story, Wickham Hall, has just been released – I read it in one sitting and am eagerly awaiting the next instalment which is handily released the day before we leave for Cornwall.
Conditional Love is a really lovely story and although slightly predictable in places it is really impressive as a debut novel and definitely one to add to your summer reading list if you want a case of the warm fuzzies. Ivy Lane is another that just makes you happy when you read it – set in an allotment with a fantastic sense of community and comedic quirks. Appleby Farm is vaguely linked to Ivy Lane (you should avoid reading them out of order) and is another sweet story with some unexpected and funny moments.
Appleby Farm is due to be released mid-August so you can either pre-order that or buy the four parts separately if you are feeling impatient!
John Green – The Fault In Our Stars
I read this book after watching the film on Now TV, and I have to say the film captures the book so well, unlike so many adaptations. I am frequently disappointed by films of great books, but both the book and the film of this story made me really emotional and completely drew me in. The characters are so real and it doesn’t make a clichéd mockery of the sensitive subjects unlike so many cancer kid books.
It isn’t a fluffy summer read like a lot of the others I am recommending today, but it is excellent and if you haven’t read it already you should! I hadn’t heard of it before I saw the film on Now TV and I wish I had – I think I’ve been living under a rock a bit, so I thought I would include it in case there are any other rock-dwellers that may have missed this one.
Rachael Lucas – Coming up Roses
I’ve mentioned Rachael’s books on the blog before, and her latest offering did not disappoint at all. The main character, Daisy, needs to get away after a bad break-up, and ends up house sitting for her parents in a sleepy village, and spends her time lovingly restoring their garden. There are some wonderful characters and the setting of this book is perfect and feels really familiar to me, having lived in several villages in my lifetime.
Of course, there is a romantic storyline, but it doesn’t feel like the main plot of the book which makes a pleasant change. There is a lovely nod to the weird and wonderful world of bloggers, too. I look forward to Rachael’s next!
Well, there you have it – a (virtual) stack of books to keep you entertained this summer. I’ve also been reading and enjoying books by:
- Kristen Proby
- Abigail Reynolds
- Rachel Shurig
- Eloisa James
- Kara Louise
- Nicole Edwards
- Elaine Owen
- Anne Gracie
- Jean Sims
- Cassandra Grafton
- Tessa Dare
I probably read to much (if that is possible). Happy reading!
I have used affiliate Amazon links in this post for your convenience.
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