*Best Summer Ever* by Heidi Swain is a charming and easy read—just the kind of book you'd want to pack for a summer holiday. Light, feel-good, and full of heart, it’s the perfect companion for lazy afternoons in the sun.

At the centre of the story is Daisy, a character who begins the book feeling quite lost—unsure of her future, disconnected from her family, and in need of a reset. Her time in Wynmouth becomes more than just a change of scenery; it marks the beginning of a quiet but meaningful journey. Through new connections and the gentle rhythm of seaside life, Daisy begins to rebuild her confidence, heal old wounds, and gain clarity on both her career and her relationship with her loved ones.

While some parts of the story lean a little twee, especially in their picture-perfect portrayal of small-town life, it’s all part of the novel’s comforting charm. Heidi Swain delivers what she does best: a warm, uplifting tale of self-discovery, second chances, and community.

If you’re after a wholesome escape with heart and hope, *Best Summer Ever* will deliver.

It’s been a very long time since I have read a book by Heidi Swain and I think it’s because I’m not a fan of reading series where I dip in a few books in instead of starting at the beginning. Or else I read the first one or two books and then for one reason or another I never get back to the rest and before I know it there are quite a few written and I’ve lost track etc. I do know Heidi writes standalone novels as well but this new summer read, Best Summer Ever, is the third book in the Wynmouth series which I had previously known nothing about. Book three I hear you say and you’re going to start there instead of at the beginning. Well two reasons, first I wanted a nice light summery read after reading a slew of historical fiction books and the fact that I had it in paperback was an added bonus as I needed a break from reading on my Kindle.

After all, there is nothing like the feel of a physical book in your hands and for some reason I read physical books far quicker than I do books on the Kindle. Secondly, I’m forever saying in reviews regarding books in a series that this book can easily be read as a standalone and I thought well let’s put that to the test. The above statement proved true as at no point did I feel I had missed out by not reading the previous two books. I could tell who had featured before and could read between the lines as to what their storylines had been but without specifics being given away and therefore I was happy to just get on and focus on Daisy and what she hopes would be her best summer ever.

Daisy arrives back to Wynmouth after many years away, with no money, no job and no prospects. Oh and not to forget to mention no boyfriend either since Laurence had cheated on her. But this had only served to reinforce for her that the pair no longer had anything in common. So what do you do when things really have gone belly up and there is no firm plan for the future? Return home and so she does but with her tail between her legs in some ways. Wnmouth is a small coastal village and her parents, Janet and Robin live and work at nearby Wynbrook Manor Estate which is owned by Algy. Daisy keeps Laurence’s infidelity to herself and just lets her parents think that yet again their daughter has given up on something. For she does have a reputation of flitting from one thing to another, never sticking at anything and not really capable of applying herself to something and giving it her full attention. At aged 28 her parents would have expected her to be sensible and be settling down and stop her life choices being a constant disappointment and to search for a job that is straightforward and one that would make her some money.

This all makes it sound as if Daisy is a free spirit and someone who just lets the world pass her by whilst she is happy just ambling on in life. That’s not her at all well maybe to a very slight degree but surely it’s not her defining characteristic. I just got the sense that she hadn’t found what she really wanted to do and something in the past many years ago had had a significant impact on the decisions she makes in the present. Old memories start to surface when she returns but can she put these to bed and move on once and for all? She hopes this summer will give her a chance to regroup and make some wise choices. She is determined not to let anyone down, to be a nuisance or get in the way, which is sad in a way because she shouldn’t feel like this around family and friends.

I think a lot of the way Daisy was feeling was all to do with her parents. Having to go back and live with them in their cottage on the estate must have been hard for her and to constantly hear nothing positive being said about her just criticism and lack of support must have been very wearing. I really couldn’t fathom why they spoke to her the way they did at certain times and why they weren’t fully supportive of their daughter? Don’t get me wrong they weren’t all bad but god they seemed to preoccupied with their jobs at the manor. Those being head gardener and housekeeper for Alby that they made Daisy feel like a naughty child for her lack of commitment. To say familial relationships were not great would be an understatement and the pair came across like the baddies and I hoped there would be some sort of redemption for them further on in the book because I hated feeling like this about parents of a character that you are rooting for.

Daisy’s problems with her parents weren’t always the dominant presence in the book and to be honest if they had been it wouldn’t have been the summery read that I was expecting and I would have been turned off. Daisy finds herself a job at the local pub, The Smuggler’s Inn, run by Sam and she starts to reconnect with her old friends especially Penny, whom I loved. Her storyline was great. An overworked teacher who takes on even more running the running of the beach café for the summer as if she hasn’t enough to be doing. But she was brilliant, and this also allowed for the development of Daisy’s storyline. I loved how we became very familiar with the setting of Wynmouth itself as Daisy worked and spent days at the beach but yet the manor wasn’t forgotten and Algy too had his own problems which Daisy was determined to get to the bottom of. She does have a kind heart and would help anyone out it’s just not her fault that she can be late for work or she forgets things. She’s just that kind of person and if you are not fully happy with the trajectory of your life than everything doesn’t always fall instantly and comfortable into place. I could sense the manor and the gardens had a crucial role to play in the transformation of Daisy and oh not forgetting of course the very handsome Josh.

Josh was someone who at first seemed to good to be true. A gorgeous American new to the area for the summer whom Daisy has an unfortunate but funny first few encounters with but who soon catches her eye and she subtly lets it develop into something more. I mean who wouldn’t a summer romance with no strings attached with someone who makes you feel good and provides some light relief from more pressing issues that she prefers not to deal with straightaway. He really is Insta perfect as she says and there is electricity between them. I loved how we saw a soft side emerge re Josh as we learnt little titbits about him and I thought good for Daisy she’s doing something she wants without the need for real commitment but what happens if things start to change. Given all she is dealing with personally and a new venture that appears on her horizon will she want to take things further with Josh? There were a few twists and turns towards the ends and I did have my suspicions the further I got into the book but I never could quite put my finger on it and pinpoint things down which was good. The ending I felt was lovely and just absolutely perfect and really brought the story full circle.

Best Summer Ever although cliched as it may sound really was the perfect summer read. It had a beautiful bright, inviting cover, a catchy title, a brilliant setting, characters that were varied with plenty of issues but also with humour thrown in as well and a plot that kept moving along at a lovely pace. I really enjoyed this book. It gave me what I needed at just the right time. A chance to unwind, relax and escape to Wynmouth. It’s the perfect read for poolside abroad somewhere or just chilling I the garden on a beautiful summer’s day.

Silver lining of a benevolent universe
—
Daisy, unable to stick to one job for very long and seriously betrayed by her now ex-boyfriend, returns to Wynbrook Manor sure of her parents’ disappointment. Before she has to face that particular music, she knows a dip in the sea at Wynmouth will fortify her for the task ahead; but instead she keeps bumping into a handsome American stranger. Could he be the summer cure for whatever ails her?

Twenty books in and Swain does it again: another rollercoaster romance between a capable but lost heroine and her ambiguously suitable beau. Like a Norfolk Dickens, Swain’s enormous cast of characters provide the familiarity that we have come to expect from a trip to the Wynmouth coast; while adding to the incredible detail built up over previous books with new characters and events that only serve to further enrich Swain’s hopeful world. I’ve heard it said of my favourite television programme of all time that it’s a benevolent universe, and I feel the same about Swain’s novels, as I do about Pratchett’s Discworld or Maupin’s 28 Barbary Lane, that things may turn dark or difficult for a time, but there’s always a silver lining to come.

Four and a half stars

A new title from Heidi Swain is always welcome and Best Summer Ever is a fantastic new addition.

Returning to the seaside of Wynmouth, we meet Daisy, who has returned to her parents after leaving both her job and her boyfriend. When she bumps into American tourist Josh, sparks fly. Could he be the distraction that Daisy needs? But why is he in Wynmouth?

This was a lovely summer read - Daisy and Josh are great characters who develop throughout the book.

'Best Summer Ever' is a return to Heidi Swain's fictional world of Wynmouth/Wynbridge. After another failed job and the end of her relationship, Daisy returns home. Her parents are the housekeeper and gardener to Algy, the owner of Wynbrook Manor. However, moving back as an adult to her childhood home is not without its complications. Her parents adored her former partner and Daisy feels she can't tell them the truth about the break-up. Whilst easily fixing up a new job she looses it again just as quickly... A fun summer read, perfect for an afternoon in the garden or a beach-side read. Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC, this has not affected my review.

Entering into Heidi Swain’s fictional world is like going to my favourite location to meet wonderful people I just know I’m going to love. The latest of her books (can you believe it is the 20th?), Best Summer Ever is set in fictional Wynmouth on the Norfolk coast, and a short distance away at Wynbrook Manor.

I adored Daisy and her spirit. She had never found a career that suited her, but she knew deep down the right one was out there somewhere. Combining her search for a career, together with a summer fling with hot American, Josh, and this could easily be the best summer ever!

The attraction between Daisy and Josh was instant, and their meet cute, spaced out into three separate events over a few hours, was adorable and very funny. Josh was incredibly relaxed and took everything in his stride

I loved the time spent at Wynbrook Manor. Algy was the perfect grandfather figure for Daisy and I loved their interactions together. In many ways he was more in tune with Daisy than her own parents were (his housekeeper and gardener).

Best Summer Ever is an adorable romance in a seaside setting with summer vibes and the community spirit Heidi Swain excels at writing.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

daisy's world was rocked the day she caught her boyfriend in the act with another woman and she knew in her heart of hearts it was over between them... it had been for a while but this was the end

so she did what she did best and went home.... her parents though wouldnt be happy with her and they loved lawrence but she just couldnt tell them the reason why she had left him or for that matter why she had also left her job... one of many

it also didnt help that someone walked right in front of her car but it was tourist season so anything could happen

daisy could only hope that something would happen to ease her journey and her parents wouldnt be let down again by herself....

daisy summer was about to get interesting in so many ways.....

have to say i loved how easy i fell into this book and loved all the characters.... if only.....

will be keeping an eye out for more books by this author

I adore a Heidi swain book, the characters are well crafted, the story is thoughtfully executed and there’s something warming about starting a new one. As ever I was engaged and drawn in by this one. Delightful

Thank you for allowing me to read and review.

I always look forward to a visit to Wymouth, catching u with all the characters old and new.

Heidi Swain Always draws you in to her books making them Hard to put down, this certainly didn't disappoint.

Another great summer read from Heidi Swain.

Set back in Wynbridge with characters new and old. The main character Daisy arrives back in Wynmouth after yet another failed job and without her partner, much to the dismay of her parents. She reconnects with friends, tries to find a job she actually wants to do and keeps bumping into Josh , an American visitor there for the summer but with his own story. This book is mainly based around their stories , along with a fantastic supporting cast. A standalone book , definitely! But also part of a wonderful series.
The perfect summer read, pure escapism and a book I would highly recommend
Thank you to Netgalley, Heidi Swain and Simon & Schuster for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

Love a new Heidi Swain book this time we are off to Wynmouth where Daisy is returning home having broken up with her boyfriend and lost her job she returns home determined to put the past behind her. Determined to have a summer of fun she finds herself a job and a new friend but can she find happiness back home with her family and friends

This was a delightful read, perfect for summer holiday reading. The story builds and builds. I enjoyed the subplot romance of Penny and Max and the circumstances of how they finally came to be together.

The plot twists with Josh and Daisy kept me hooked as you could see from the start they were drawn to each other and were much more than a summer fling. Learning about Josh and his family was interesting and it really made me happy that he wasn’t like his father, the family he chose to be with love and care for him so much more.

Some amazing descriptions of the estate gardens and flowers, as well as lots of summer beach scenes with plenty of sea swimming. You really can’t go wrong.

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

It has always been a pleasure to read a book by Heidi Swain and to return to Wynbrook is an added bonus.
That said, I really struggled with some of the characters, especially Daisy. For the first half of the book I found her shallow, selfish and insincere and also very immature.
However, she did eventually grow on me or maybe she just grew up!
This is a perfect summer read.

This was a really fun Summer read with great romance and character development. The only flaw I had was the dialogue between the characters were extremely harsh at times, it made me dislike a few characters and spoilt my reading experience out of frustration.

As always brilliant character building from Heidi Swain, great to be back in the village again. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

Another fabulous book from Heidi.
There's nothing I love more than being back in Wynmouth and meeting more new amazing characters.
It was good to get to know Daisy, Josh and all their friends and learn their back stories, but even better to see how they all found their places throughout this book.

Ah, how lovely to be back in Wynmouth. Simply put, everything about this book is 'just right'. The right amount of romance, conflict, wonderful settings, just a perfect summer read!

I’m always so excited to read a new Heidi Swain book and this one did not disappoint. Following the wonderful character Daisy in this pure escapism read which kept me hooked from start to finish. Another first class read from this author.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

You know when you pick up the latest book from this author that you’re in for a treat and my goodness this book did not disappoint. Heidi Swain just gets better and better!

I loved the main character Daisy and I enjoyed following her story.

The location as always was perfect! So so easy to imagine and you definitely wish you where there.