A captivating dual timeframe novel about love in all its guises and about a house which is very much one of the characters in the story. Set in 1939 and the present day ‘Summer of Secrets’ revolves around two women, Madeleine who is living at ‘Summerhill’ in a world on the cusp of war and Chloe who is visiting the house many years later to take author photographs for a new and upcoming children’s book.

This is a lovely tale with some dark and disturbing moments. The two women whose lives interconnect are great characters - they are well drawn and realistic. Chloe’s story is particularly gripping as she realises some truths about her husband. Madeleine also has her cross to bear as her past continues to haunt her. There is also a fantastic cast of peripheral characters, a couple not particularly pleasant. ‘Summerhill’ itself is just so enchanting! I could easily visualise it in my mind, near the picturesque cliffs and small bays of Cornwall. There is a great sense of time and place which adds to the atmosphere and mood. I found myself totally immersed in the two separate but linked tales.

I very much enjoyed this engaging story about family, the importance of friendship and the courage to follow the right path.

Although I was expecting a simple easy to read love story I really enjoyed this interesting story echoing through the ages

This is a beautifully written summer read. Truly a book that captivates you from the off, simply from the stunning descriptions.

What then unfolds are a past and present insight into two lives, that intertwine. The story cleverly uses common, modern themes (controlling relationships, abuse) and ties them in in a parallel to the past. Perfectly these two tales come together.

I loved the way this book was written, and was really rooting for Chloe from the off; a likeable character, I was with her all the way. Well worth reading.

An enjoyable read, the story is set in both the present and past. Uncomfortable to read in parts you are taken on a roller coaster ride of varying emotions. Fantastic research done by the author, congratulations on a well written book.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the plot and the way it went between the past and present day. It tackled the subject of abuse really well. There are some strong memorable characters in this story. The two stories intertwined well. This is a beautifully written story.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I loved this book which follows a dual timeline ! . I loved Madeleines story and the way the author brought Cornwall and their estate of summerhill to life in the era of war ! And then Chloe living in the present with a controlling and abusive husband and how their luves become entwined ! A book of love and loss and abuse and freedom. 4.5 stars with my thanks to tbc reviewers for my chance to read

One of the best ive read in ages . Had me totally gripped and wanting to know more when id finished. Both stories were as interesting as each other and I loved the characters . 5 stars not enough !

I really love stories that follow dual timeline, and this story is particularly well done.

It follows the story of Madeleine and her sister Georgiana in 1939 in their country house Summerhill, in Cornwall. It also follows the story of Chloe in the present day, who has a seemingly perfect life with her doctor husband Aidan.

Both intertwining stories address both the light and darkness of love, from the joy of finding love to the dark side of love with control, abuse and violence.

It was a story that held my attention from the very first page right to the end, with a twist at the end that left me surprised.

This book was given to me to read via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This my first book by this author.

Set in two timelines... 1939 and the present.
It's a story of how two different women deal with tragedy, loss and love.
Their stories start to intermingle as the book progresses, with mental and physical abuse being part of the story.

Madeleine and her sister, Georgiana live in Summerhill, a sprawling country house situated on the coast of England. The country is on the cusp of war with Germany having just invaded Poland.
Georgiana returns from Europe with an entourage of new friends in tow... Madeleine is not very keen on her sister's new friends, and particularly, Georgiana's new beau, Victor who does not appear to be all he seems!

In the present day, Chloe is married to Aidan, a well-off and handsome doctor.
They've been married a couple of years and basically takes care of every aspect of Chloe's life.
Chloe's brother Danny is living in a care home with a long term illness.
Chloe discovers she is pregnant and a job practically lands in her lap... photographing an author of children's books written during wartime, her life takes an unexpected turn.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

This book took me a little while to get into but after a few chapters I was wanting to know he outcome. Chloe’’s story is something that is happening more and more to women. Many women don’t have the courage to do anything about it or even the confidence to get Away from the relationship. Coercive behaviour is now I’ll legal but more help should be given to people in this situation. At the start of this relationship everything appeared normal and it was a loving relationship. As time progressed it became more controlling, to the point where Chloe had her keys taken aay from her and was almost a prisoner in her own house. Many women simply suffer in silence for years . This book is an absolute read for many women in this situation. Well done to the author for having the courage to write about it

A brilliant read which is about love,but not just romantic love.
It is about the different levels of love which at times can be all encompassing but at the same times destructive.
At the basis of the story are three women who have each experienced different levels of love from love out of loyalty to love which psychologically dangerous and restrictive.
This is a very deep book which effected me emotionally because it outlined how easily a person not necessarily a women can be psychologically abused by what initially is seen as love.

My first book by this author. Enjoyed the story set in 2 timeframes connected by the character of Maddy. I would be interested to see the storybook featuring Foxy. I have great a few books recently partly set during the start of WW2 and have enjoyed them. Would read this authors first title.

Summer of Secrets is a story spanning decades over dual timelines - Madeleine in 1939 and Chloe in the present day. Madeleine and her sister, Georgiana live in Summerhill, a sprawling country house situated on the coast of England. Some years earlier, the sisters lost their father in an accident just off the grounds of the house and so live in Summerhill with their aunt and various members of the household who are more like family than staff. The country is on the cusp of war with Germany having just invaded Poland. Georgiana returns from Europe with an entourage of new friends in tow, all of whom take up residence in the house during their stay. Madeleine is not very keen on her sister's new friends, and particularly, Georgiana's new beau, Victor does not appear to be all he seems...

Meanwhile in present day, Chloe is married to Aidan, a well-off and handsome doctor. They are married a couple of years and basically, he takes care of every aspect of Chloe's life. Control appears to be a big thing for Aidan. Chloe's brother Danny is living in a care home with a long term illness. However, when Chloe discovers she is pregnant and a job practically lands in her lap to take photos of an author of children's books written during wartime, her life takes an unexpected turn.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It deals with love, loss, relationships, control, mental and emotional abuse, chronic illness, duty of care, and ultimately triumph. I am a huge fan of both elements of the story, historical and contemporary fiction and the two parts of the story were brought together and intertwined very well. This is a perfect holiday read and I would recommend to fans of Kate Morton and Kristin Hannah but also more contemporary author such as B.A. Paris and Ruth Ware.

Thank you to the publisher, Ms Scott and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Summer of Secrets in exchange for an honest review.

Whilst this was an enjoyable enough read with a story that spanned decades featuring three female characters, I felt that the characterisation of Chloe, the present day woman, lacked subtlety and the relationship with her husband was quite clunky and not entirely credible. On the other hand the relationship with her brother was beautifully drawn. The mysteries surrounding the inhabitants, past and present, of Summerhill are gradually revealed, but sadly I found the ending a little flat.

I enjoyed this story is set in two different time periods, 1939 and the present. It's a story of how two different women deal with tragedy, loss and love. Their stories start to intermingle as the book progresses, with mental and physical abuse being part of the story. Not wanting to give too much away I could have willing murdered a couple of the characters. I loved the way the author explained why the characters acted in certain ways but I would have liked a little bit more on the background of the doctor.

The concept is interesting- parallel lives separated by generations. The backdrop of WWII is always engaging but war ends up not being a strong theme. The book is very readable, although heavy foreshadowing overcomes the element of surprise. I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summer Of Secrets is set in 1939 and the present. Two women living in the Westcountry (I love books set near me in Cornwall) are linked together by their past and their future. I enjoyed reading both of their stories separately, and then together. Madeleine was such a strong woman - I would love to read ore about her past, what happened in between 1939 and the present, and also more of what happens in the future with Madeleine and Chloe. he book was moreish - I wanted to read more of the story, and so read it quite quickly. I almost found myself skimming some pages to get to the next part of the story. I finished reading this on the beach today, which was a perfect place to read it .

Fab story which really draws you I from the start. Good flow with strong characters and a story line that has lots of twists and turns