Summer Daydreams

by Carole Matthews

Is it really possible to have it all? Nell McNamara has a happy her boyfriend Olly adores her, their four-year-old daughter Petal is the center of their world, and Nell has a steady job in the local chip shop. When the chippy needs a makeover, Nell jumps at the chance to unleash the creativity fizzing inside her. Inspired by what she can achieve—and encouraged by the very best friends a girl can have—Nell is determined to try something new. Waving goodbye to the chip shop, she starts up a new business making her own line of must-have handbags, which are soon flying off the shelves. It seems Nell's dreams are finally coming true, but her success doesn't come without a price. Before too long, Nell has to ask herself if it's really possible to have it all.

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Summer, Summer Reads

423 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2012

About the author

Carole Matthews is an international bestselling author of hugely successful romantic comedy novels. Her unique sense of humour has won her legions of fans and critical acclaim all over the world.

A Minor Indiscretion and A Compromising Position both reached the Top 5 in the Sunday Times bestseller chart in the UK. You Drive Me Crazy reached number 8 in the original fiction charts. The novel Welcome To The Real World was shortlisted for RNA romantic novel of the year 2007.

In 2006 Carole co-edited - with writer Sarah Mlynowski - two new editions of the hugely popular Girls' Night In charity series called Girls' Night Out - one for the USA and one for Canada. All proceeds go to War Child.

Carole has presented on television and is a regular radio guest. When she’s not writing novels, television or film scripts she manages to find time to trek in the Himalayas, rollerblade in Central Park, take tea in China and snooze in her garden shed in Milton Keynes which is near London, England.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm all for uplifting, happy novels but jeez. Everything the lead character Nell touched turned to gold! One day she wants to make a handbag and two chapters later she's being whisked away to Buckingham Palace to meet Prince Charles?! Then comes the huge deals, the celebrities with her bags and big business?! All of these things could have happened throughout the novel, granted, it IS fiction, but for it to all largely happen within a few chapters was a bit much.

Nell came across as too arrogant for me. She was annoyed when her husband and friend got too close but went for dates with her agent/mentor... One moment she was shocked at the publicity her bags were getting, and the next she was congratulating herself on being a creative genius...
I liked Olly, and felt that he was in the right for a lot of the novel, Nell made all the major decisions without him and I was expecting them to break up and stay that way. Their wedding was a ridiculous event that was only apparently worthy of a chapter of the book despite being a huge personal change for the family. Oh and I really didn't like their kid, she was meant, I think, to be comic relief but she just came across like a brat and a bit mouthy.

Overall I read it, (Mostly, I did start skipping parts towards the end) but I didn't really enjoy it at all. It was all too good to be true and not like some of Matthews other feel-good books which have better developed characters and plots. This novel was rushed, forced and unbelievable even for someone with an imagination like mine.

[Sandy Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite like this book for a bit of relief and a lighthearted read. The main character, Nell, seemed to have things fall in her lap, juggling a child Petal and a partner Olly with aspirations of becoming a hand bag designer. She wasn't particularly likeable, and I found myself rooting for Olly most of the book. That said it was a nice enough read.....

[Frenchorchidea · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for me! Wonderful book from Carole Matthews! Carole is for sure my favorite author! I loved all the characters of this book, I loved the tension that is building up bit by bit, I loved the story and all the events that happened. Perfect book!

[Βίκυ Μωραγιάννη · Rating 5 out of 5]

Να, κάτι τέτοια βιβλία με έκαναν κι εμένα να θέλω να γράψω πράγματα που θα δημιουργούν στους ανθρώπους το ίδιο αίσθημα που προκαλεί μια ζεστή σοκολάτα ή μια ρομαντική κομεντί. Είναι το 17ο βιβλίο μου για φέτος κι ενώ έχω διαβάσει βιβλιάρες, αυτό το διάβασα με ένα χαμόγελο στα χείλη και θυμήθηκα γιατί λατρεύω αυτό το λογοτεχνικό είδος. Η Carole Matthews, αν δεν την ξέρετε θα σας πρότεινα να τη μάθετε, γράφει πάντα με έναν τέτοιο τρόπο που σου δίνει την αίσθηση ότι κάθεσαι στον απέναντι καναπέ στο σαλόνι των ηρώων της με ένα φλιτζάνι τσάι στο χέρι και παρακολουθείς τί γίνεται. Το βιβλίο πέρα από το ανάλαφρο στυλ του, προβληματίζει πάνω σε θέματα όπως ο γάμος, η συντροφικότητα, η γονεικότητα ο συνδυασμός καριέρας και μητρότητας, η φιλία και τα ανεκπλήρωτα όνειρα. Εγώ πέρασα φανταστικά!❤️

[GreekReaders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Πάντα απολαμβάνω ένα βιβλίο της Matthews. Feel good, easy reading, ξέγνοιαστο και ευχάριστο, είναι πάντα μια ευχάριστη εναλλαγή στο διάβασμά μου.

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was simply fantastic I always love Carol's books and she certainly didn't let me down at all such a laugh and fun book and full of wit and helps lift your spirits I loved it and didn't want it to end. Shows how you can have a dream and make it happen a great chick lit book that is worth far more than the five stars.
Nell is happy with her life she's got a partner Olly and they have a child together four year old Petal. She loves her daughter and is working at a local chop shop and they manage child care between them as boyfriend works nights when she's home. The shop is struggling and Nell suggests that she decorates it and bring it up to date which she shows her creative side and her boss is so impressed and it turns the shop around and they are doing really well. She's had a dream and her boss says she should do some thing with her creative side so she decides to go to collage which her boyfriend isn't to happy about but they try and make it work but she then gets kicked of the course as she's not meeting the needs. Her boss tells her not to give up and to keep trying and a thought comes to her but problem is she has to have money and doesn't have it sadly but her boss lent her sons and she uses it but she soon starts selling her handbags on line really well but when something happens and she could loose a lot of money how will they all cope and will her dream have all crashed before she really get started or will it keep going thanks to her friends and partner.
Fantastic read.

[Simona · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gorgeous family from the start =) Petal seems so sweet and reading about Olly and Nell being parents is so cute. They are a happy family with not much money.

Both of them have small jobs and also works nights to get through. However, Nell is not happy and wants to go tot he college of arts, she is really talented. But what about the money? Her boss Phil helps her out. It turns out, that she is not really made for it and gets kicked out.

Then she starts designing handbags and the people like them. She becomes more and more successful, but this also changes her and her relationship to Olly and Petal. She is working all the time and has barley time for them, Olly even has to take Petal to work. It was sad and not fun at all to see them drift apart, I liked them so much as a couple and as a family as well. I just hoped for it to turn around.

He doesn’t like her changing at all and Nell’s colleague Jenny likes Olly (or rather Nell’s life). It’s only then when Olly realises what is really important in life.

Also Nell has learn what is essential and that she is still completely in love with Olly.

Her handbag business is blooming, but then everything changes.

One night Olly just leaves, sells his scooter and flys out to Miami and tries fix it. It’s dangerous. Nell however, has no idea where he is, he didn’t even leave a message.

She is so stunned when he comes back. I think it’s so cute what he did for them and the ending is just adorable, especially one little bit.

After reading this wonderful story and quickly downloaded the short story following it. It’s about Jenny trying to find love. It’s really cute and heart warming.

This story shows how close success and failure can be and how important family is in these moments.

[Claire Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book By Carole Matthews and I hooked from the first page like calling Mrs Christmas I found it hard to put this book down.
In this book we meet Nell McNamara how is happy in life she is with Olly her patter of ten years and they lovely daughter Petal. Nell's life is Olly and Petal she works happily in the local Chip shop but the shop days are number as sales are down till Nell thinks that it needs a makeover to solve its problems and she jumps at the chance.
While working in the makeover on the shop she realises that she dreams of a better life for family and decide that her life path should be design school. Her dear old boss gives her the money to go to design school , but working and family life takes its toll after a few weeks she asked to leave the course as she can't met the demands, but support from family and friends Nell designs her one luxury bags!!!!!!!
Her bags her are a hit and fly off the shelves but life for Nell is not plain sailing she has some troubles on the way from her designs being poached to fraud tv sells programme but will Nell finally get her life her family deserves well then you will have to read the book to the end I promise you will not be disappointed and I look forward to my next read from Carole Matthews!!

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first time reading anything from Carole Matthews. The novel is about a woman who realizes she wants more out of life, but struggles to do it without losing her husband and her child. I had a difficult time getting into the book at first but I forced myself to continue. I was happy I did, the book got really interesting once you get into. Although the story is a bit too unrealistic for me, it's nice to read the real life situation in what can happen if you don't cherish your family. Overall a nice read.

[Jenny L-R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book and couldn't put it down

[Shireen Alam · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book lovely story and so heartwarming

[Carole Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy reading

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Χωρίς ιδιαίτερες αξιώσεις, διαβάζεται εύκολα και μένουν ελάχιστα.
Ανήκει στο είδος που κυριαρχεί τελευταία στα ξένα ευπώλητα : η ηρωίδα είναι γυναίκα, με στόχους, με θέληση για αλλαγές και τολμήματα, με καθημερινά προβλήματα αλλά με αισιοδοξία και μαχητικότητα.
Εκτός πραγματικότητας κάποιες συγγραφικές επινοήσεις αλλά απορροφώνται εύκολα από το γρήγορο διάβασμα.

[Michaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Úplne jednoduchý príbeh, kde si mladá žienka ide splniť svoj životný sen - navrhovať a šiť kabelky. Má svoju rodinu, milovanú dcérku a verného muža, podporujúcich priateľov… len tých peňazí je málo. Skúša študovať, neskôr podniká a nie všetko vychádza podľa jej predstáv, no snaží sa. Okolie a jej blízki ju riadne podporujú. Je to vlastne príjemné čítanie, posúvam knižku ďalej do knižnej štafety.

[Kerry Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely feel good book, romance, laughter and empathy for the main character. A great read for a total chill out. You can't go wrong with a Matthews book

[Callie DiNello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer Daydreams is the latest of Carole Matthews' glorious, heart-stopping romp-through-life books - and I absolutely LOVED it!!

Summer Daydreams shares a tantalising tale about an everyday item - handbags, so dear to most women's hearts! - and the highs and lows as Nell McNamara makes huge changes to her life as she chases her dreams.

Carol, yet again, writes about the most delicious characters and brings them to life with such ease : Petal and Olly, Phil and Constance, Jenny, Betty and Tod - even Cruella Dev Vil's twin sister, Amelia - all make you feel as if you have known them for years and love them dearly, little quirks and all.

Summer Daydreams follows Nell's life as she makes many terrifying twists and triumphant turns; you cannot help but feel for her as she is torn between two very different worlds, and I often found myself pausing for breath inbetween chapters and wondering what I would do if I were Nell.

As with all of Carole's books, this is another great page-turner and a real keeper for lazy summer day reading!

[chippyvale · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book started off brilliantly; I was very keen to find out about Nell's adventures but the storyline quickly tumbled after the first few chapters. I'm baffled by her seemingly overnight success- ok so she struggled at first as with all new businesses but the business skyrocketed very soon. Paris Fashion Week? Shows? It doesn't sound in the least realistic to me. Plus I disliked Nell's attitude toward her poor obliging husband Olly. When her husband flew to Miami, I thought Nell REALLY didn't deserve that at all when you consider her crappy attitude toward him and their daughter Petal.

The only saving grace is the people at the Chips shop (save for Jenny), Olly and Petal, whose remarks I find amusing and charming for a 4 year-old.

[Niki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Carole Matthews is one of my favorite authors of the chicklit genre but this book just didn't do it for me. I didn't like the main character Nell, she seems to complain a whole lot and everything magically happens for her. I did like the other characters especially Ollie and Petal and the chip-shop people but unfortunately they hardly get any character building. It also might have something to do that I am not at all interested in handbags. I found the first half of the book to be dragging, then it sped up but unfortunately the story also turned so much less realistic with it. An ok read but not great.

[Agi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book belongs to the category of books that I want to read as fast as possible, because I am so curious what's going to happen, and as slowly as possible, because it is so, so good that I don't want to finish it.
Amazing. I don't know why but I just loved this book. It was full of warmth and love, it was funny and sad. OK, it was predictable and sometimes a little too cliche as well, but nevertheless it was a fabulous read. I really loved everything in this book.
And Petal is my idea of a perfect daughter:)

[Rosemary Kind · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've enjoyed the other titles by Carole Matthews that I have read much more than this one. They are good books, but for this one you will have to suspend reality just a little too much to make some of the scenes believable. In my opinion, a little more research of facts could have made this a much stronger title than it is.

[Kate Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only book of Carole's I've read. Is based on the life of my favourite kitsch designer Helen Rochfort. Was so interesting to read about Helen's dreams and struggles. Well written. Funny. Really enjoyed reading it. Will read another of Carole's books now

[Adeline Kam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Carole Matthews' books but I find Summer Daydreams is not as good as the rest of her other books. An easy read and adventures now and then. An adoring boyfriend/turned husband and a cute little girl. Supportive friends. Short chapters. Some funny moments now and then.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://chicklitcentraltheblog.blogspo...

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from this author. Loved the story of Olly and Nell (and the handbags) and feel the need for a sequel to find out more. A feel good story.

[Nessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book thoroughly enjoyable, so well written, just could not put it down and didn't want it to end. Really love this authors books :-).

[Hayley 🐝 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Not my favourite Carole Matthews book. Review to follow.

[Pari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I begin? Godddd, I have never read anything quite like this before. I have previously read a Carole Matthews book, so I was aware of her writing style, and even though there was familiarity with the style, the story was warm.

Nell is my new heroine. She’s the kind of person that girls should look up to. Her story tugs at your heart, and you can't help but root for her the entire time. You get happy for her, you get worried for her, you celebrate her achievements. Nell just deliciously invites you into her life and makes you never want to leave.

The character pack overall was great. They all were grey in their own way—Nell, Olly, Todd, Jen—but they all were so human and, in the end, stuck for each other. It all came out not like in a "this-only-happens-in-books" way, but as something that I could truly believe.

Olly had such a great character arc. I was pissed off with his initial behavior, and part of me wanted Nell to leave him, but in the end, it was Olly who crossed half the world with no money, no plan, just for the love of his life. Now, that's a man right there.

I would say I found Petal annoying, but Phil and Constance were such diamonds. They always made me happy.

This was a perfect 5-star read for me. I have never read a story like this before. I loved the setting too. Hitchin and the whole England background were something I had never really read in a book before, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Will definitely miss the nights staying up till 3 finishing this one.

[Allison Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

As you can tell, I didn’t want to put this book down. It was a great, gripping, funny, omg, heartbreaking and heartwarming story. Couple of things I managed to guess before it came out in the book. But that might come from reading all of Caroles books, I’ve only got the chocolate lovers ones to read now. The story is about Nell, her boyfriend Olly, 4 year old daughter Petal. Nell works in the local chippy Live and Let Fry, with her boss Phil and two colleagues Constance and Jenny. Nell decides she wants more one day and opens up her own business eventually getting guidance from business manager Tod. Who didn’t do that well in my opinion for most of it. Her colleagues were more like family. Lots of funny moments, especially around Petal, she’s funny. Some sad moments and some like omg how can Nell have such bad luck. She eventually gets what she’s been working hard for but not without lots of hard work and disasters. Loved the book and again gutted when it ended

[Mandy Marr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really kept me hooked and would've been a five star except that, sorry to say, I found Nell quite irritating and very selfish with some very questionable decisions that I found a little unbelievable. Tod was a bit of an odd character too. I thought he was a slime most of the time and not professional for a mentor and then like a different character in a turnaround towards the end.

Having said that the story is really well written and I found hard to put down as I liked to see how setting up her own business progressed.

I would also like to have known how things turn out in a sequel.

Recommended.

[Suzy Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVED Summer Daydreams with Nell, Olly and the precocious Petal.

What a great story - it was a good read from the struggling blissful start, to the stressful fraught middle and (spoiler alert) great ending.

Why do other people want to crush the life out of someones dreams? Its something I just struggle to understand. With Olly by her side, the lovely Phil and Constance, and the imperfect Jenny - Nell manages to make a go of her talent and dreams.

This is another great book by Carole Matthews and I'm seriously looking forward to getting my hands on another one of her books.