At first I didn't enjoy this book and stopped reading within the first 30% of the book. But recently I came back to it and I'm glad I did! I'll seek out more from this author.

Though I found this story initially slow to draw me in, it was worth continuing and finishing because it became intriguing and exciting. I enjoyed the characters, especially Chloe who showers such strength of character despite her circumstances. My thanks to Netgalley, publisher and author for providing a digital copy in exchange for my review.

Please note that this book is not for me - I have read the book, However I had to DNF and because i do not like to give negative reviews I will not review this book fully - there is no specific reason for not liking this book. I found it a struggle to read and did not enjoy trying to force myself to read this book.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused and thank you for the opportunity to read this book

It took me a little while to get into this book but once I did, I really enjoyed it. Great characters in both the past and present. Not the easiest read as it handles a few difficult subjects but very well handled and gripping. This is my first introduction to Nikola Scott but I will look out for more books in the future!

I love historical books and this one set against the backdrop of WW2 is one with a dark secret. As war encroaches on idyllic Cornwall we are introduced to two sisters and I particularly enjoyed the relationship between them, especially when the fiance of one may not be all he seems. There is suspense from the beginning but I also enjoyed the modern parallel story of Chloe and her abusive partner. The two stories come together perfectly but the ending is a real shocker! It caught me by surprise and will have you yelling aloud - at least it did me, much to my cat's surprise. Very well told and will stay with you.

Wow what wasn’t there to love about this book. I was gripped from the very first page and it had me enthralled until till the last word!!!

Set over 2 timelines, 1939 before the war breaks out, we are introduced to the delightful sisters, Maddy and Georgina. Georgina arrives home with several friends and her new boyfriend Victor,who seems charming at face value, but is not all he seems.

In present day we have Chloe who has just found out she is pregnant, but reluctant to tell her husband Aidan who is a control freak and who I hated immediately.

Loved the way the 2 characters Maddy and Chloe meet and have an instant bond. This story shows us the light and dark side of loving someone and truly reminds us all that you never really know someone.

A beautifully written book that will capture you’re heart and keep you thinking about the characters long after you have finished this.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review.

A well paced dual timeline story about Maddie and Chloe. The two characters lived decades apart but both stories set in the house, Summerhill, are compelling. An enjoyable read.

I like historical fiction and I also like books that are set in two different time periods.
This book ticks both boxes and I enjoyed reading it.
Chloe and Madeleine, two women separated by decades, are brought together at Madeleine's home and drawn to each other
Maddy's life as an innocent tennager on her family's estate was irrevocably changed when her sister returned with a fiance who she couldn't really understand.
Chloe is trying to understand if her marriage is the blissful union it seems to be and if she should take more control of her life.
Told in parallel, the stories of these two women have something in common.
A well paced story.

I absolutely loved Nikola’s first book so I’ve been waiting impatiently to read more from her and I was definitely not disappointed.

The author drew me in straight away with the beautiful description of Summerville and an idyllic summer spent there. I found myself sighing in happiness at the thought of childhood summers spent the same way. The two sisters were wonderful characters that I warmed to instantly, really enjoying the relationship they have with one another. The staff at the house are a lovely caring bunch too and I liked how much they care for the sisters.

The present day story line revolves around Chloe and her budding relationship with Maddy. Chloe wasn’t a character I liked straight away as I didn’t like how she let Alistair push her around like she did. However as the book goes on and the story develops I grew quite fond of her. It was lovely to see her come out of her shell and gain confidence.

This is the perfect book to lose yourself in for a few hours. The story isn’t particularly fast paced but there is always something happening to keep the readers interest. I soon found myself completely absorbed in the book and the lives of the sisters both past and present. I found I couldn’t wait for the kids to go to bed so I could read a bit more of the book.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Becky Hunter from Headline for my copy of this book. If you like dual timeline mysteries that you can get lost in then you’ll love this book.

I really enjoy dual timeline books and this was great. Set in the present day and the period leading up to world war 2, with a beautiful old house being the link to both stories. I found each time period to be equally compelling. Fabulous characterisation - I loved the stories of both Maddie and Chloe. The Cornish setting for the house Summerhill is perfect and sounds idyllic. The writing is beautifully descriptive with an intriguing sinister undercurrent. A story of love, friendship, families and secrets.

A book to be savoured on a lazy weekend or perfect holiday read. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This dual timeline story switches between the days just before WW2 &the present day.

Maddy grew up in the old house in Cornwall. Her mother died when she was very young & she had spent her childhood roaming around the estate, drawing making up stories & enjoying the countryside. Her elder sister Georgiana was the only mother she has really known, There relationship is a very close one. Her story begins as she waits for her sister to return from a tour of the Continent, but instead of being able to drop back into their comfortable ways Georgiana had brought visitors. They are loud, brash monied people. Maddy is in turns fascinated & repelled by them & by Victor, Georgiana's beau.

In the present Chloe has just discovered she is pregnant.She should be overjoyed but she keeps putting off telling her husband. Her husband seems to cosset & protect her, but she feels stifled. When the chance comes to photograph the author of her favourite childhood book she decides she is going to keep this to herself. The author is Maddy.

I enjoyed the dual aspect of this story and found both storyline grabbed my attention. The main characters wee really engaging & you wanted things to work out for them.

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

A story told in dual timelines, ‘Summer of Secrets’ is a book about love in its many forms. It tells the story of orphaned sisters Madeleine and Georgiana who live on the idyllic Summerhill estate in Cornwall in the summer of 1939, when the world is on the cusp of the Second World War.

It then moves forward to the present day and Chloe, a young woman who finds herself in an increasingly controlling marriage with some big decisions to make. Chloe’s life becomes intertwined with Madeleine’s when she is offered the job of taking a portrait of the now much loved author, whose books she and her brother, Danny, were infatuated with as children.

‘Summer of Secrets’ captivated me from the very first page. The magic of Summerhill drew me under its spell from the start, with the intertwining stories of the two timelines working extremely well. Maddy and Chloe have an instant connection and find themselves caught up in each others lives in ways they could never have expected. Once started I did not want to put this book down. It took some dark and surprising turns that had me gripped, but is essentially a story of love and family bonds and where they can take us.

A fabulous 4 star read that I highly recommend. Thank you to TBC, NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this lovely and moving book.

Absorbing! Unforgettable! Marvelous!

This is a beautiful duel timeline story that seamlessly weaves the past and the present... I am dipping my toe back into the historical fiction waters and this really is the best way to do that... it is always so interesting to see how much the present mirrors the past...

1939 the year before WWII breaks out and Maddie is excited for her sister to come home... but when Georgina arrives home she is not alone she has brought many friends including Victor... Victor is handsome and charismatic, but Victor is not what he seems... present day Chloe is expecting her first baby and should be elated, but she’s not... her husband is controlling and loves her to the point of suffocation.... The two women me when Maddie is 90 and Chloe is hired to photograph her... A beautiful friendship develops bringing back memories of Maddys past, and making both women realize human nature does not change with time...

I have to admit that Chloe’s story really resonated with me and as much as I enjoyed Maddie story I was always eagerly anticipating returning to Chloe... Chloe was very relatable to me and I completely understood what she was going through, and I so wanted everything to turn out for the best for her.... this book really is all about the ugly and dark side of love... both women truly found themselves in less than ideal relationships in this book... it was heartbreaking and yet it was hopeful... it was real and raw, love isn’t always the answer, sometimes it is the question....

A beautifully told story that captivated my heart and mind from start to finish... absolutely recommend to fans of historical fiction, complex relationships, and wonderful stories!

Wow, talk about parallel lives!

This novel covers the story of Madeleine, starting in 1939, and Chloe, in the present day. On the surface, these two women would seem to have little in common and yet, as the story unfolds, we discover that they actually have a lot in common, in a myriad of ways.

I enjoyed this book very much, it was an intricately woven story which covers love in its various forms and familial ties. My heart was in my mouth on several occasions and I very much got emotionally involved.

4.5 stars from me.

With thanks to NetGalley, Headline Review and TBC.

I loved Nikola Scott's first book, My Mother's Shadow, so was really keen to read her second book. I'm happy to report that I loved Summer of Secrets just as much.

This is one of my favourite kinds of stories: a dual timeline story. The narrative in the past is that of Madeleine, who is 16 in 1939. The world is on the cusp of war but she is cocooned from it to an extent at her beloved Summerhill on the Cornish coast. Her adored older sister, Georgiana, has just returned from the continent with her new beau, Victor. But Victor isn't all he seems, Maddy doesn't trust him but she can't yet imagine the impact he will have on her family.

The current day storyline is that of Chloe. She's in her late twenties, married to dashing doctor, Aidan. Except that Chloe has lost herself and who she once was. Aidan is quietly manipulative and is bit by bit stealing away every bit of independence and life that Chloe had.

The two strands collide in a most interesting way and I particularly loved those bits where Madeleine and Chloe feature at the same time. Each helps the other in ways they could never have imagined and I found their relationship really lovely. Secrets are part of the title and very much part of the story. Both of the main characters have secrets that are very important to them.

The author does a brilliant job of describing Summerhill, the grounds and the crashing waves around the coastline. Madeleine's life there has not exactly been carefree but she adores the place and I could see why. I would love to be able to visit it in real life, but doing so between the covers of this book was the next best thing.

The story jumps around between the two times quite a bit and I loved that. It left me wanting more every time, wanting to find out how the two women would deal with their secrets. The stories are perfectly intertwined and we sort of drift between them, learning more as we go along.

Towards the end there are a couple of shocking events that I didn't expect at all. My heart broke for Maddy and Chloe, and those final chapters were nail-biting as I raced toward the conclusion.

Summer of Secrets is a gorgeous book in every way. It's a story that cannot be rushed, in fact the first third or so was quite slow in that it was scene-setting, allowing me to become engrossed and enthralled by it. Then, once I was familiar with the characters and the setting, it all slotted into place. I found it to be a really moving read. I love this author's writing - it has a quiet beauty to it and I can't wait for her next book.

Summer of Secrets is the first book that I have read by Nikola Scott. It's just the type of book I love - historical fiction with a dual timeline and in this case both strands of the story are strong and absorbing keeping the reader interested and guessing from the start until the very last page. This story is one where you are slowly reeled in and you have to time to observe and get to know the characters, their situations and what feelings and emotions motivate them to act the way they do. I didn't feel there was a rapid pace with everything being fired at you where you become overwhelmed by the amount of information and then in turn you find it quite challenging to keep track of all the goings on. Instead the book had a slow and steady almost relaxing pace and quality despite the nature and tone of some of the subject matter. It's not the case that the story that lies waiting for you between the pages of a book with such a stunning and dramatic cover is all happiness and light., instead I found their to be dark tones and a sense of waiting. As if the characters were just halted in time on the cusp of something very important about to occur in their lives.

During the summer of 1945, the residents of the Summerhill estate in Cornwall are holding their breath, fearful of world events that are about to lead to dramatic changes in everyone's lives. The world is changing all thanks to the madness of one man and, even in their small corner of the country where everything seems so idyllic, the tides of change are apparent and nothing will ever be the same again. One would be forgiven for thinking that this is another story which follows a character's exploits during World War Two and that somehow a mystery of sorts is connected back to the present. But instead it is the days leading up to the announcement that Britain is at war with Germany that this book focuses on. The outside world is preparing for war but at Summerhill the arrival home of Georgina, after holidaying for six months in Europe, is enough to up scuttle the peace and calm that had pervaded.

Madeleine aged 16 loves the safety and calm aura that exudes from the house and surrounding land. She feels nothing can touch her here and that she can remain hidden away from the world content in enjoying nature and the animals she observes and subsequently draws in her sketch books. She is a free spirit in a way spending endless hours outdoors lost in her own world but this is within the grounds of Summerhill. Yet from quite early on the reader gets the feeling that there is something that haunts Maddy. She is not wild and brash and in with the it crowd as is Georgina, she prefers seclusion and peace to be free what she wants to do within the confines she has established for herself. The more we delve deeper into her character it becomes apparent she is complex but is also tortured by a significant event in her past which has left her fearful of going anywhere near water. Not very convenient given the estate borders the sea.

Maddy had long craved the return of Georgina as living with an old aunt and the servants is not all it is cracked up to be. She has always felt a closeness and bond with her sister but time away from Summerhill has transformed Georgina and maybe she needed this time away to explore the wider world and set her sights a little higher. As the country braces itself for a declaration of war Georgina arrives back with a group of friends who couldn't be more different from Maddy and she feels they are out of place at Summerhill. Amongst them is Victor who has established himself as Georgina's boyfriend with Georgina hoping for more.

What follows are observations from Maddy of what is going on and as the guests continue with their stay, Maddy's confidence is knocked and her unease grows. Tension becomes ever more apparent and combined with the fact Maddy is keeping a secret of her own the reader begins to feel that this is all one big train journey heading for nothing but an unnatural ending. What dangers, suspicion and intrigue lie in store for the family and will their lives ever be the same again once all the players have made themselves known? Is Maddy justified in the feelings that are running through her heart and mind? If they are spoken out loud will Maddy ruin the peace and safety net she had established for herself at Summerhill?

Running alongside Maddy's story is the story of Chloe in the present day living in Plymouth and married to a doctor named Aidan. Chloe on one hand is a very strong person or at least she was until she married Aidan. She had more than a passing interest in photography and could have made a good solid living out of it but since her marriage Chloe has changed, not that she at first notices it herself. She feels the same and for the most part acts the same but as we get to know her more we can see that her life is not all as it seems or how Aidan would like the outside world to see it. Chloe does not work any more and nothing at all is to be kept from Aidan. He likes to know her whereabouts and what she is doing at any given time in the day. Aidan feels it is her duty and it is important for her to be at home for him to keep the house in pristine order and meals readily prepared. But Chloe similar to Maddy is harbouring a secret of her own and it is one in which she is not willing to share with anyone at this point in time particularly with her husband.

I could see from the outset that Chloe was trapped almost in a predicament of her own making. She embraced Aidan when she first met him for the love he offered and the support he gave her in caring for her brother Danny who is suffering from a neurological illness which is non curable. Now Danny is in a home and out of the way and Aidan can focus all his attention on Chloe. Aidan was just plain sinister from the get go, his intentions never seemed genuine. All these outpourings of love, affection and care seemed so false and it's obvious to see there is a lot more things going on underneath the surface. He was domineering and controlling.

For a time I couldn't comprehend how Chloe couldn't see what was going on beneath her very eyes. How control of her own life and destiny was being wrenched from her grasp and instead of unity and love in a marriage it was developing into something far more dangerous. But when you step back and absorb all the finer strands of the story I think you must accept that for those in certain situations they feel trapped with nowhere to turn to. For some they don't even realise what is going on so caught up are they in just getting through the day in one piece. Something needed to change in Chloe's psyche for her sake and for the sake of the secret she was keeping close to her chest.

Chloe's love of photography, and of the children’s books written by Maddy and her sister, are what establishes the connection between the past and the present. There are innumerable comparisons to be made between the two women and the situations they found themselves in and I think is what makes this book ideal for a book club. Seeking out the comparisons and discussing them in general and seeing did fellow readers view things in the same way you did? I love when a major secret is revealed that throws you right off track away from everything that you had been thinking. Here there was one major one but to be honest I wanted even more after so much dedication in setting up the entire story and establishing two women at the forefront I wanted a major jaw dropping moment that left me saying wow. I didn't get that and although I really did enjoy the book overall there was just a small element missing of even just one or two major surprises slipped in that would have elevated the book to an even greater level than it has already achieved. But I did enjoy the relationship that brought Maddy and Chloe together for the unity, friendship, realisation, awareness and acceptance that it gave both women.

Summer of Secrets was an impressive read which showcased a talented author who I sense is on the cusp of really great things. I am keen to go back and read her début novel My Mother's Shadow 'now and am looking forward to seeing where her writing journey will take her in the future.

A duel storyline linked by the character of Maddy. In 1939 two young sisters orphaned by the death of their father are sent to live in Summerlea estate with their aunt. When older sister Georgina returns from Europe bringing her party going upper-class friends with her, Maddy is not impressed as she wanted Georgina to herself.
I found it took me a while to get into this part of the story. Georgina's friends didn't interest me and nor did Victor who I thought from the beginning was obnoxious. I did eventually get hooked on the story when Maddy started telling it to Chloe.
I immediately loved the present day story and every fibre of my being hoped for Chloe to stand up to her husband Aiden. Chloe was a strong woman who was being torn down by him.
Chloe is a photographer and although Aiden has told her to take no more jobs on she can't resist t when she's asked to take photos of Madeleine who with her sister wrote and illustrated children's books.
As revelations from 1939 become clear Maddy and Chloe become closer and Chloe tries to escape from the nightmare she is trapped in.
I loved this story once I got into the 1939 part and I felt sad when it ended.
This is the author's second book and this would definitely make me want to read her first one.

Summer Of Secrets by Nikola Scott is a marvellous historical and contemporary novel about the power of love to motivate actions. Set in present day and the summer of 1939, as the world was on the brink of war.. Lives mirror world events on the brink of change.
Parallel lives today and in 1939 hold the reader's attention. We see the powerful force of love at work. Siblings share bonds that it is impossible for anyone else to understand.
Love is a strange emotion. At its best it is pure and good. At its worst it is twisted and controlling. It is all consuming.
There are difficult to read scenes concerning domestic abuse. Abuse takes many forms including mental anguish and domination. You can be abused in a mansion just as easily as in a hovel. Abuse is never the victims fault.
Lives connect down the years through a love of fiction and the arts.
Set around Plymouth, the reader is treated to some idyllic scenes. 1939 was a time of great turmoil and unrest as people looked to see what Herr Hitler was up to but there was also a bohemian spirit as people sough distraction. A sense of community pervaded the novel.
I really loved Summer Of Secrets and just could not put it down. A fabulous dual timeline that unites. Just wonderful.
I received this book for free from Net Galley. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Summer of Secrets: sublime and emotionally charged

Summer of Secrets has been published today so I urge you to go out and buy your copy now. It really is a brilliant and compelling read that had me hooked all the way through. I finished it last night with tears streaming down my face and it's all I can think about since.

Dare I say that as much as the cover of this novel is romantic, I do think it is a tad misleading. Summer of Secrets is a powerful read that explores the themes of emotional dependence, control and the darker sides of love. But in a subtle way that reinforces the power of the story. Yet it is hopeful too, also revealing the strength of friendship and love.

It is a brilliantly structured novel juxtaposing between the story of Maddy whose relationship with her sister is redefined when Victor enters their lives and is not all that he seems; and newly pregnant Chloe who is struggling under the pressure of her husband’s all-consuming and controlling love.

Maddy’s story is set just days before the outbreak of World War Two. I loved this as the onset of war is always looming in the backdrop, skillfully adding to the dramatic tension. And Maddy’s story is dramatic. Orphaned at a young age and struggling to deal with her father’s death, she eagerly awaits the return of her adored sister Georgiana who has been travelling around Europe. Yet when Georgiana brings with her a group of friends, including the handsome Victor, their lives change irrevocably.

Chloe is a photographer living in the present day. She is approached to photograph Maddy who is now in her 90s. When Chloe’s husband emotionally coerces her not to take the photography job, Chloe takes the job in secret. As Chloe’s situation resonates with Maddy, reminding her of the summer of 1939, a close friendship develops between the two women.

I was gripped reading Summer of Secrets; it is emotionally charged, heartbreaking and also beautiful. I simply loved it. I will definitely be reading more from its author, Nikola Scott.

I also think this would be an ideal read for Reese Witherspoon’s book club, as that is a community celebrating women’s stories. So if by any chance you see this blog post Reese, check out Summer of Secrets. You won’t be disappointed. 😉

Thank you Nikola Scott for such a tense and beautiful read. Also thank you to NetGalley and Headline Publishing for sending me an advance copy in return for an honest review.

If you’re a fan of historic fiction, I’m sure you’ll love this book.

With thanks to the publisher for the copy received. I always enjoy a dual time frame novel and this novel was one I was looking forward to reading. I could visualise both periods very well. The reclusive Maddy who struggles to accept her sister’s friends and partying, and Chloe who would appear to have a fantastic life but for her very sick brother and her controlling husband.
At first I struggled to read Chloe’s story. I found intimidating with the way that her husband manipulated her. But, she is stronger than she appears, something he seems to have forgotten and she won’t behave the way that he expects. As the novel progressed and she became more aware, I wanted to carry on reading about her. Every time it switched back to Maddy I was itching to know what happened next.
I liked everything about Maddy’s story. The friendships she had with Susan, William and Cookie. The tolerance but devotion to Auntie and the way that she had to handle the death of her father. But again, there was a troubling relationship. Not as intimidating as the other but still a concern for the two sisters. There were a couple of touching parts in the novel, waiting for the announcement on the radio about the war starting and when the men started to leave to go off to war. I could picture clearly what it must have been like for thousands of families across the country.
The level of trust was something special, Chloe and Danny, Maddy and Susan and as they got to know each other, Chloe, Maddy and Matt. I would have loved to read about their relationships develop more.
A lovely novel and a reminder that I need to read the author’s earlier book My Mother’s Shadow soon.