This was a long read, that I found didn't captivate me in the way that previous books by Erica James had. It felt quite heavy going, and I had to read it in small chunks rather than in one sitting.
That said, the story was a good one, and I liked a few of the characters. I liked the character of Blake, and was interested to find out what happened to him in the end.

Linston End may be an idyllic setting on the banks of the river but underneath the façade of this close group of friends there are secrets and resentments. With Alastair’s announcement, the summer brings to the surface this group of friend’s feelings that have been glossed over and lay buried for years. It makes them reassess their own lives and their own hopes and dreams. I loved the drama!

Alastair, Simon and Danny have been close friends since prep school and an integral part of each other’s lives as they’ve married and had children. Even though their children are now in their 30’s, the families are still close and get together at Linston End. I enjoyed getting to know all the characters, figuring out what motivates them and what part they had to play in the unfolding turmoil. I disliked one character but wasn’t sure at first whether that’s because I was emotionally attached to the others or whether she was manipulative and a danger (very clever with a gilded tongue … her step-children gave me goosebumps too and it turned out, for good reason). Laura is the voice of reason in amongst the different expectations everyone has. I loved how this tied in with Blake and Jenna.

One late night scene had me catching my breath and expecting the worst. I felt so much anger and frustration afterwards too. I was shouting out ‘are you for real!?!?!’ Another traumatic event for Frankie and Danny brings everything to a head. And a shocker that had me stunned. I really wasn’t expecting that to happen …

Swallowtail Summer left me with a feeling of optimism about moving forward to a different future. A future that will be lived to the full.

Recommended read no matter the time of year!

At first I found it difficult to get into the plot as there are so many characters. I adored the setting in Norfolk, somewhere I have never been but would now like to visit. There are many unpredictable turns in the book and I did not predict the ending. A feel good book to enjoy on a sunny night with a glass of wine.

Loved this story of best friends and family ties. Not everything ended happily ever after, but I thought the author really described the characters relationships and their own traits and problems really well. I became thoroughly immersed in the story. Only one character was left unfinished I thought and that was Callum.

This book is about friendship which has stemmed over decades. The friend Alistair, Danny & Simon have spent all their summer holidays together at Alistair's holiday home Liston End.
Alistair loses his wife Orla and decides to go travelling.
When he returns home he ask’s his friends and their families to come to Liston End as he has something to tell them.
There he reveals Valentina his new partner and his plans to sell the house and move to France with her.
This sends shockwaves through the friends & families.
What will become of their friendship and of coarse Liston End.
Thanks Netgalley

I loved the book, not that I expected not to as I've enjoyed all of Erica's books and eagerly look forward to any new publication of hers.

This one was a little bit different to the norm....love, loss, grief...and a bit of a murder mystery which added a whole new dimension to the book. I loved the story of those in their golden years coming to terms with the ageing process, of discovering love after a loss and of all the backstories and secrets that unearthed themselves as the book progressed. The ending was a bit of a surprise and all the better for it. It was good to see that the friendships built up over the years survived the upheaval of the loss(es)

Thoroughly recommend this as an easy read...chapters that enticed you to 'just one more...before I go and .....'

Another fantastic novel from Erica James, her books get better and better so this was a beautiful read. The storyline is very well presented and I would recommend that everyone reads it.

Loved my first Erica James read .
A slow start where I wasn't sure where the novel was heading but Page by page we were introduced t each character and their stories .
A lot of unexpected twists and turns .
My now new go to author .

I have read several of Erica James' books and I was also drawn to the setting of Norfolk Broads which I know well.
The book revolves round 3 friends, Alistair, Simon and Danny, and their families who often meet at Alistair's House on the Norfolk Broads. Alistair lost his wife a year ago and went travelling to help get over his grief. On his return, he makes an unexpected announcement which threatens to pull the friends apart.
Once I had sorted the families out in my mind, I really enjoyed the story told from different characters points of view. The story was plausible, the Broads captured well and I enjoyed all the sub stories.
Ideal for whiling away on a beach or a rainy day.
Thanks #Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love Erica James’ books and was so excited to read it, however this one didn’t capture my imagination like her previous books have done. Much didn’t seem plausible and I wasn’t captured by any of the characters unfortunately.

The story is of 3 best friends from childhood. Alistair, Danny and Simon. Alistair meets Sorrel and they date, but he then breaks up with her to date and marry the impetuous and tempestuous Orla. Danny married Frankie and the 3 couples are best friends. Danny and Simon’s wives have children but Alistair’s is unable. They spend summers together at Alistair’s country house. Then Orla dies and Alistair leaves and quickly meets Valentina with whom he is madly in love. He decides to introduce Valentina to his friends. However it soon appears apparent that she will not fit in with this long standing friendship group - especially when she wants him to sell the country house - the setting of all their holidays, and buy a house in the South of France for the two of them instead.

The book had so much promise, but just didn’t do it for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
A very good read and one I can highly recommend to others.
I could not put this down.
Thoroughly enjoyable with an amazing cast of characters that you cannot help but engage with.

It took me a little while,e to get into the book and sort out who was who and how they all fitted together. That said I enjoyed their complex characters, could predict some outcomes and had to read to find others. It is a story of old friends with secrets from each other, grief, compassion and love. A complex mix of stories which leaves you wanting to know if and how the issues are resolved. Well worth reading.

The story follows friends Alastair, Simon and Danny, their wives Orla, Sorrel and Frankie, and Simon and Danny’s children Jenna, Rachel and Callum.

Having met at school, the couples spend most holidays together at Alastair’s house, the idyllic, Linston End in Norfolk. After Orla dies in a boating incident, Alastair goes travelling and returns several months later with some devastating news for his friends. Not only has he met a new lady, but they’re planning on selling Linston End to start a new life together.

The characters have depth and their interactions are well presented and thought out. I spent much of the book trying to decide which side Valentina was on - was she the answer to Alastair’s problems, or the cause of more? It certainly kept my interest until the end, which came with a bang! Also, the setting of the Norfolk Broads is beautifully described and makes the story come to life.

Overall a very enjoyable story of friendship and love.

The synopsis made this sound like a whimsical book of endings and positive new beginnings. The cover leads you to believe this is a sweet summer story. Nope!

This was dark and every single character was petty in their own right. I'm trying to think of a character I disliked the least and the only one is Blake's mum living in the mill. Not a bad bone in her body. As for everyone else, meh. I get that change is hard but reading 400 pages of moaning is also hard. Taking responsibility for your own actions needed to be done. Listening to your friends, even if they were blunt, after decades of friendship you should be able to read between the lines. This was morbid, depressing, unhappy and dark. Too many secrets and withheld opinions, it just felt stifling. I was relieved when I finished. To say the least, this wasn't the sweet summer read I was expecting and hoping.

Alistair, Danny and Simon have been friends since school. When Alistair meets a new lady friend, she really rocks the boat on the Norfolk broads. Friendships are tested, truths are outed. Really well written, I really enjoyed reading this.

I enjoyed this book, it is a few years since reading Eric@'s first book. I like her characters ;they are complex and flawed but not so much that you can't invest in them. I feel like I would like to meet them.
Ending was a bit of a surprise too

My first taste of an Erica James book and hopefully not my last as I really enjoyed the book. There are a lot of characters to get to know and I thoroughly enjoyed finding out about them. The book is about close friends with grown up children and how their lives are changed when one of them finds a new partner after losing his wife. I definitely recommend this book. Thank you #netgalley

This is an easy read about family, friendship, secrets, mistakes. Unfortunately I really did not like the majority of the characters. Selfish, self centred, manipulative, vindictive are just a few words that came to mind while reading. I think this spoilt the book for me, it’s hard to enjoy a book when you can’t gel with the characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

I didn’t really enjoy this. It seemed very similar to previous novels by this author. I don’t usually read things like this but made an exception. It’s an ok story but not one I invested in.

Three couples, now approaching retirement age, have spent all their free time together at a house on the Norfolk Broads. This dynamic is shattered when one of the group dies.
Everyone is forced to move out of their comfortable routine and accept that in the future things will be different.
It is hard to ignore it is a story of affluent people, living a privileged lifestyle and it is difficult to care about any of them