#Review: An Almost Perfect Summer by Jill Mansell @JillMansell @HeadlineFiction @headlinepg #publicationday #romance #AnAlmostPerfectSummer #RespectRomFic

Apologies, a little later in the day than usual, but it’s a delight today to share my publication day review of the latest book from Jill Mansell, An Almost Perfect Summer. Published today (16th January) by Headline Review, it’s now available in hardcover, on all major e-book platforms, and as an audiobook, with the paperback to follow on 8th May. My thanks to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy, provided via Netgalley.

Shall I mention again that I’ve been reading and enjoying Jill’s books since the early 90s – and if it hadn’t been for her, I might never have become such a fan of romantic fiction? I’ve missed a few books along the way, but I’ve never failed to love every single one I’ve managed to pick up. Did you read her last, The Wedding of the Year? Such wonderful storytelling, joyful and uplifting, filled with warmth, and a journey for its characters that had me totally engaged from beginning to end – do give it a try if you missed it (you’ll find my full review here), I promise you won’t be disappointed. I didn’t sign up for the blog tour for this one, organised by Anne at Random Things Tours, but only because I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to fit it in – but that snowfall last week saw all my usual activities cancelled, and what better way to fill the time than reading a book from one of my very favourite authors?

Nick is the most intriguing man Nella has met in a while. He’s a 9 in the looks department (no one gets a 10), he makes her laugh, and he keeps her company when she ends up in A&E. But they live hundreds of miles apart.

 

Then Nella loses her job. There’s a perfect role on offer at a Cotswolds holiday retreat. The catch is that her boss would be Nick. And that makes Nick the one man she can’t risk falling in love with.

 

While Nella struggles with her feelings, a Hollywood star has found a haven at the retreat. Lizzie’s sworn off people – especially men – until her friendly new neighbours entice her out of her shell. Maybe she needs a flirtation – with gorgeous Nick, perhaps? Not with taciturn local Matthew, though, who definitely isn’t a member of her fan club. Then an astonishing secret revealed changes everything . . .

Locking horns over the last bunch of roses in the farm shop might not have been the best introduction, even if Nick’s looks made Nella’s heart flutter – but he soon proves he’s one of the good guys when she finds herself in need of help while taking those flowers to her grandfather’s grave. But she’s only in the Cotswolds village of Starbourne – her former home – for a short visit, returning North to her job as right hand woman to an entrepreneur who treats and pays her well. But when he leaves her in the lurch and she finds herself less than happy working at a hotel, she remembers that Nick was trying to fill a similar role at his luxury holiday development – and, as luck would have it, the person he’d found to fill it had just left under something of a cloud. They’re a couple who are meant to be together (and, seeing things from both their viewpoints, they both know it) – but that would only make their working relationship difficult.

The other main character is Lizzie, a Hollywood star who desperately needs to escape the spotlight for a while – but having rented one of Nick’s luxury holiday retreats, finds it difficult both to relax and to fill her time. With Nella’s support, she grasps the opportunities to forge friendships in the village – although there is one resident she thinks will never warm to her – and writing her autobiography with a ghost writer fills the gaps in her days. Her attraction to Nick might cause some problems though – and just as Bella was starting to think that they should maybe give things a try.

But this book is very much an ensemble piece, with a number of unfolding storylines – all beautifully intertwined – and a collection of wonderfully drawn characters who entirely won my heart. Some of their stories were emotional, others’ experiences were rage inducing, others were extremely funny – and there’s a strong thread of humour throughout – but I became entirely caught up in their lives, and honestly loved every moment. There are a few surprises too – while some people are just as awful as you expect them to be, there are times when it’s good to be reminded that you really shouldn’t judge people by appearances. Every single storyline has an entirely satisfying ending – quite a feat, but something the author always does so very well. And alongside all the various dramas, new starts and secrets uncovered, there’s plenty of romance too – perfectly handled, and all I wanted it to be.

It really was such an enjoyable read – an escape from life’s realities, immersive and effortless to read, and so very uplifting with its moments of joy and many friendships. I really think this might be her best book yet – I really loved it.

About the author

Jill Mansell started writing fiction while working in the NHS, after she read a magazine article that inspired her to join a local creative writing class. Since then she has written over twenty-five Sunday Times bestsellers. Her acclaimed novels include The Wedding of the Year, Promise Me, Should I Tell You?, And Now You’re Back, It Started with a Secret and You and Me, Always. Jill’s books have sold over 14.5 million copies worldwide.

Jill lives in Bristol and for many years worked in the field of clinical neurophysiology. You’d think inventing characters and stories would be easier, but she can assure you it isn’t.

Jill keeps in touch with her readers on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram: you can also visit her website.