#Blogtour #review: Summer in San Remo @evonnewareham @BrookCottageBks @ChocLituk

It might surprise you to learn that there are actually some authors published by Choc Lit that I just haven’t managed to fit into my reading list – and I really shouldn’t have allowed Evonne Wareham’s books to pass me by. But today – with thanks to Brook Cottage Books for including me in the blog tour – I’m happy to share a review. This one isn’t her usual romantic suspense, but a romantic comedy – Summer in San Remo was published on all e-book platforms on 18th July 2017, and is the first in a planned series, The Riviera Rogues.

Anything could happen when you spend summer in San Remo …

Running her busy concierge service usually keeps Cassie Travers fully occupied. But when a new client offers her the strangest commission she’s ever handled she suddenly finds herself on the cusp of an Italian adventure, with a man she thought she would never see again.

Jake McQuire has returned from the States to his family-run detective agency. When old flame Cassie appears in need of help with her mysterious client, who better than Jake to step in?

Events take the pair across Europe to a luxurious villa on the Italian Riviera. There, Cassie finds that the mystery she pursues pales into insignificance, when compared to another discovery made along the way …

Purchase links:  Amazon UK | Amazon US | Apple | Kobo | Google | Nook

I’m delighted to see – on the Choc Lit website – that this book is also due to be released in paperback on 9th July 2018. If you’re not an e-book reader, that’s such perfect timing – if there was ever a book I’d describe as perfect for reading on your sun lounger with a cocktail in hand, this has to be it (although I rather enjoyed it in snowy February too!). This was such a lovely, light, beautifully written get-away-from-it-all read. Romantic comedy isn’t always for me, but I enjoyed every moment of this one.

A billionaire who runs a detective agency in Jake, Cassie with her struggling concierge service, a youthful romance gone wrong, a slightly suspect commission they need to work on together… stand back and wait for the explosion. Move the action to the South of France (vividly drawn), add in a double-crossing ex, lots of twists and turns and unexpected discoveries. The dialogue fizzes and sparkles, two quick-witted people verbally sparring with each other – not always something I enjoy, but the author has a perfect touch, mixing in well judged moments of simmering attraction and others of real poignancy before the next exchange that has you smiling again.

I instantly took to Cassie – and I particularly enjoyed the insights into Jake’s thoughts and point of view. The story’s a little different too – some surprises and twists that I really didn’t see coming. This book was just FUN – yes, with capital letters – but with enough originality and wit to make it stand out from the crowd. Remember now… one for your holidays (or guaranteed to lift your spirits on a snowy day). A lovely read.

About the author

Evonne Wareham was born in Barry on the South Wales coast, but spent most of her working life in London. Now home again in Wales she is studying for a PhD in History and writing romance. She was a finalist in two reality writing contests in the United States and had a great time, even if she didn’t win. When not studying or writing, she loves to travel, go to the theatre, walk on the beach and sleep.

She has won and been nominated for awards for her romantic suspense novels on both sides of the Atlantic, but Summer in San Remo is something different – a romantic comedy with a light dusting of crime – which is a change of pace from writing the dark scary stuff. She is a member of both the Crime Writers’ Association and the Romantic Novelists’ Association, which means she gets to go to twice as many literary parties.

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