I am delighted to share my review today of One Perfect Summer by Lucy Coleman. It has been a while since I have picked up a book by this author, she writes some fabulous books and her latest one is no exception.
My huge thanks to Embla Books who granted my request to read this title via NetGalley.
Summer doesn’t last forever, but can a perfect one change your life?
For successful estate agent Freya Henderson, life is all work and no play. But, when she crosses paths with carefree young surfer, Luke Stevenson, there’s no denying the attraction between them.
When Luke invites her to join him on a working holiday in France, it’s a real dilemma. Is it time to throw caution to the wind? Perhaps an enchanting summer fling with no strings attached would be a great way to de-stress and finally allow herself some fun.
As he takes her on a magical mystery tour of gorgeous locations among stunning châteaux, picturesque villages and sun-kissed vineyards, Freya can’t help feeling there’s something missing in her life… perhaps even a man like Luke.
But how well does she know him? Is he just looking for a summer adventure, or is he running away from something?
As the summer draws to a close, can Freya and Luke simply slip back into their old lives, or will they be left wondering ‘What if?’
Maybe this summer romance never has to end…
MY REVIEW
It has been far too long since I last picked up a book by this author. This one is a wonderful story with fabulous settings and some sumptuous foods.
Freya is in her 30s, but listening to her you would think she was a lot older. She is a partner in estate agents in Kent with her childhood friend. Together they have worked hard to get their business up and running and to make it successful. This means long hours and very little time for relaxation. Trying to relax, Freya starts to go to a gym where she meets Luke. He is a few years younger and seems so carefree, he could be mistaken for someone with no care in the world.
After getting to know each other, he finally asks how she would like to join him for two months on a working holiday in France. Being someone who is ordered, likes to have plans and wants to what she is doing the next moment, day, week or month ahead, Freay is unsure. Deciding that this could be a chance to take a much-needed break, Freya agrees. Things are sorted for her break and she joins Luke.
This was a wonderful story and one that took me around vineyards, farms, manors, markets and a quieter way of life. That doesn’t mean to say it was an amble around rural France, because Luke takes her around his friends’ properties. This is not the first time he has made this trip and it is a chance to catch up with his friends. They are all so welcoming of Luke and of Freya.
There is an undertone to this story and this is something that is consistent. What does Luke actually do, what is his past and why does he travel as he does? For Freya, it is her experiencing things that she is not in control of.
As they travel and work together they become close, while Freya struggles with the slight age difference and Luke is desperate to prove her wrong. Throughout the story, there is this tentative balance between friendship and something wanting to be more.
The story has a wonderful pace to it, the slower way of life but it still with plenty going on. I adored the different settings and the idyllic feel that the author managed to instil throughout the summer journey. Then the backdrop of the real world and being an adult with responsibilities for Freya. There are some good characters to meet and while they are not many they are wonderful and have a part to play in the story.
I adored this book and the story, it’s one of those stories that is heartwarming and was an absolute pleasure to read. If you are a fan of romance and contemporary fiction then this is one you should have a look at. I would definitely recommend it.
Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx