This book made me want to jump on a plane and fly to Italy.
I loved the setting of this book. Perfect summer read
A great book

A story of long buried secrets. Three friends reunite at the Dolce Vita on the Amalfi Coast where they met years ago. Hedonistic Annie, shy Collette and spoilt brat Kim formed an unlikely friendship all those years ago and now Kim has transformed the Villa and invited her friends to the opening. The beautiful Italian countryside redeemed this book for me as I found the characters rather annoying.

Nice book. I enjoyed it very much. Lovely location. Perfect holiday what’s not to love. Told in different times. The book was very well written.

Delightful and easy to read, I enjoyed this.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t think I have ever read any of Melissa’s previous novels, but will do so now. Her penmanship painting the gorgeous scenery made me feel totally ‘there’ whilst the secrets, which intensified throughout the book, made it compulsive reading! Well worth reading!

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

A new author to me, I won't lie it was the cover that first drew me in and thought it would be a great summer read.

I wasn't disappointed. What's not to love about reading a book set in Italy? The descriptions were lush !

I thought it was interesting to have chapters jumping backwards and forwards in time

A great afternoon read in the sun

The title and the setting appealed to me and I wasn’t disappointed. The Summer Villa tells the story of three girls lives coming together after staying at the same villa. The story was beautifully told and their lives interwoven throughout. This really is a great summer read and whilst at times could be a bit predictable was overall really enjoyable

I don't believe I have ever read a novel by this author before but when I saw this cover it really drew me in and I couldn't wait to read it. I also liked the sound of the storyline, who doesn't like reading about Italy?! With the wonderful surroundings and the deliciously mouth-wateringly described food?! The cover is so bright and summery that I was so excited to dive in.

At first, I found it a bit difficult to get into - the chapters are called 'Then' and 'Now' and whilst that's fine, some of the story in those chapters for a little confusing and it took me a while to get used to it as some of it seemed a little unnecessary. However, the more I read and when we started to read more about Italy and less about Kim's past, I really started enjoying it.

What I loved, was the descriptions of Italy and the friendship between the three women. It was enjoyable but not my favourite summer read unfortunately. Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read an advance copy of this novel via Netgalley, which I have reviewed honestly.

Lovely read, a perfect escape from reality. I thought the books description of the scenery made me feel like I was there.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

The bright sunny cover reflects the perfect summer escapism this novel provides. A story of angst friendship and secrets plays out over two-time frames. Despite their different background and lives, a lifelong friendship is formed at the Villa Dolce Vita in Italy between three women.

The Italian location is vibrant and the perfect contrast to the deceit and secrets. Complex, flawed protagonists draw the reader into their stories. The plot has surprises, and it's pace intensifies, as it reveals its secrets.

An escapist summer read.

I received a copy of this book from Mills and Boon via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Very similar in style to Hill’s previous novels, a good summer read that would be ideal if we were allowed to travel!

I enjoyed this story, but it's not my favourite book by Melissa Hill. I was left feel underwhelmed. I think the problem was I didn't feel any deep emotion from any of the main characters, and I didn't like them much either. I liked the two timelines, and loved the description of Italy. The way one of the male characters was cast as a villain seemed a bit too convenient and not true to character. Perhaps there should have been more clues along the way. A nice summer read, but I do think something was missing. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. It had many twists and turns and I was rooting for the characters to find their happy ending. At one point I realised one of the secrets that came out in the end and was puzzled but I'm glad to say the ending was satisfactory. I would love to go the Villa if it is real and reading the book made me long to visit the Amalfi coast again.

Loved this book. Great characters, easy read, uplifting, funny, romantic and charming.
It is based on the story of 3 women, Collete, Annie and Kim, all 3 are from different countries, and all 3 have different back stories.
They meet at Villa Dolce Vita for 3 weeks, have a good time and all go off to live their lives, however, their lives are very much linked in ways that they dont all know about.
A really nice story that is the perfect escapist read.

To begin with I found the way the plot moved back and forwards in time a bit difficult to follow, but as I got into the plot I found that this device really did add to the pace and drama of the story, the characters were distinct and likeable and the setting was really well written, I could picture the gorgeous scenery described easily. The best point however was the plot, it was well written and build steadily to the point where I read the last third of the novel in one sitting wanting to know how it would turn out. Recommended as a good read.

I love Melissa Hill's books and this s no different. Kim, Colette and Annie meet at the Dolce Vita Villa and become friends but that that time changes all of their lives. The book takes you from when they met to the present day going back and forwards.

I have read and loved a few of Melissa's books now. I haven't read all of them by any means but when I have time, I try to read one of her earlier books to catch up on her back catalogue. I read the synopsis for 'The Summer Villa' and it certainly sounded like another amazing read from Melissa Hill. It was the sort of book I so badly needed at the moment. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Summer Villa' but more about that in a bit.
I fell in love with this book from the moment I first saw the bright, breezy and summery cover. It is enough to brighten the darkest sort of days. When I started to read the book that was it. I knew I wasn't going to get much else done for the rest of the day. To say that reading 'The Summer Villa' was addictive seems a huge understatement. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters and fill in the odd half hour or so. Let's just say that the odd half hour regularly stretched into an hour or more. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and I didn't realise just how quickly I was reading the story. It didn't take me long at all to get to the end of the book, which made me kind of sad because it meant that I had to say goodbye to the beautiful scenery and the characters.
'The Summer Villa' is very well written but then I think that to be true of Melissa's books in general. Melissa has a writing style that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. She grabs your attention and draws you into the story from the first word on the first page. She then takes you on one emotional but essentially uplifting journey. I love the way in which she describes the scenery where the story is set. She describes it so realistically and vividly that if I closed my eyes, it would be easy to imagine that I was there in the thick of the story with the sun beating down on my face and the sounds of Italy going on around me. I really felt as though I was part of the story myself and that's all down to Melissa's very vivid storytelling.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Summer Villa' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will be reading more if Melissa's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board has to be 4* out of 5*.