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Kesämuistojen huvila
Viihdekirjallisuuden supertähden koskettava kirja osoittaa, millainen voima toiseen ihmiseen turvautuminen voi olla.
Ihastuttava merenrantahuvila Devonissa on ollut Alec ja Olivia Tarrantin perheen lomaparatiisi siitä lähtien, kun nuoripari sattumalta päätyi sinne häämatkallaan. Vuosikymmenet ovat vierineet, eikä kaikkien rakastamaa hengenluojaa Alecia enää ole. Onko uusien onnellisten kesämuistojen luominen silti mahdollista?
Elämä tuntuu heittävän jokaisen Tarrantin perheen jäsenen eteen lisää haasteita järisyttävien salaisuuksien ja kiperien tilanteiden muodossa. Millaisia sysäyksiä tarvitaan, jotta perhe pystyy kokoamaan voimansa ja näkemään tulevaisuuden taas valoisana?
Ihastuttava merenrantahuvila Devonissa on ollut Alec ja Olivia Tarrantin perheen lomaparatiisi siitä lähtien, kun nuoripari sattumalta päätyi sinne häämatkallaan. Vuosikymmenet ovat vierineet, eikä kaikkien rakastamaa hengenluojaa Alecia enää ole. Onko uusien onnellisten kesämuistojen luominen silti mahdollista?
Elämä tuntuu heittävän jokaisen Tarrantin perheen jäsenen eteen lisää haasteita järisyttävien salaisuuksien ja kiperien tilanteiden muodossa. Millaisia sysäyksiä tarvitaan, jotta perhe pystyy kokoamaan voimansa ja näkemään tulevaisuuden taas valoisana?
391 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2015
116 people are currently reading
2762 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Diamond
82 books1,429 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
First of all, a confession. My name isn’t really Lucy Diamond at all, it’s Sue Mongredien. I’ve used a pen name because ‘Diamond’ is a lot easier to spell and pronounce than ‘Mongredien’ and also because I’ve written lots of children’s books too and wanted to keep the genres separate. (There is actually another Lucy Diamond on Amazon who writes religious children’s books. That isn’t me, though.)
I was born in 1970 and grew up in Nottingham. I read English at Leeds University then moved to London and worked for various publishers before I packed it all in to go travelling around the world for a year and a half. When I came back to the UK, I worked in publishing again, then moved to the BBC. I now live in Bath with my husband and three young children and divide my time between writing and looking after them. You can have a look at my children’s books here.
Favourite things: beaches, holidays, chocolate, wine, reading, Green Wing, bubble baths, sunshine, hearing my children laugh, babysitters
Favourite books: The Magus (John Fowles), The Edible Woman (Margaret Atwood), The Secret History (Donna Tartt), The Colour of Memory (Geoff Dyer)
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
First of all, a confession. My name isn’t really Lucy Diamond at all, it’s Sue Mongredien. I’ve used a pen name because ‘Diamond’ is a lot easier to spell and pronounce than ‘Mongredien’ and also because I’ve written lots of children’s books too and wanted to keep the genres separate. (There is actually another Lucy Diamond on Amazon who writes religious children’s books. That isn’t me, though.)
I was born in 1970 and grew up in Nottingham. I read English at Leeds University then moved to London and worked for various publishers before I packed it all in to go travelling around the world for a year and a half. When I came back to the UK, I worked in publishing again, then moved to the BBC. I now live in Bath with my husband and three young children and divide my time between writing and looking after them. You can have a look at my children’s books here.
Favourite things: beaches, holidays, chocolate, wine, reading, Green Wing, bubble baths, sunshine, hearing my children laugh, babysitters
Favourite books: The Magus (John Fowles), The Edible Woman (Margaret Atwood), The Secret History (Donna Tartt), The Colour of Memory (Geoff Dyer)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 318 reviews
July 6, 2015
I started this book on my birthday the hottest day of the year and finished today on a miserable rainy day which summed it up ..how summer ends (even though I hope it hasnt yet). I had been looking forward to it..the cover is beautiful enough and it was such a lovely read. The characters were all very likeable and the descriptions of Shell Cottage and the seaside were so good it was hard to imagine you weren't actually there! I love Devon. It made me sad towards the end...and without spoilers some of the descriptions of summer ending were just so spot on and how I feel every year when the season draws to a close. It was one of those books I didn't want to end but I need to finish...am just glad I still have others of Lucy Diamonds to enjoy. I feel a Christmas at Shell Cottage in the pipeline...!! (so if Lucy decides to write it I would like a mention :-) And I really want to go and stay in my very own Shell Cottage. A fantastic read.
June 5, 2018
three and a half stars
For the Tarrant family, Shell Cottage in Devon has always been a seaside, summer idyll. Until this year when it all changed. Olivia is struggling to come to terms with her loss and the secret she discovers. Her daughter Freya is struggling to keep her work as a doctor and family life as mother to three children from overwhelming her. Robert, Olivia’s son has a huge secret that even his wife Harriet doesn’t know about. And unbeknown to Harriet, Molly, her fifteen year old daughter is embarking on a very dangerous course. So, as you can see there are a number of problems and secrets that will ultimately come out of the summer.
This is an easy read definitely in the chic lit genre but it does contain some darker incidents as well as a couple of light hearted moments. These lighter moments are often provided by Gloria, a character who enters Olivia’s life in a time of need and who becomes more than an employee. I thought certain aspects of the story could have been expanded on since they are huge issues. Yet, at the same time it felt like the ending had been wrapped up a little too swiftly and neatly. So for me it was a bit of a mixed read. I enjoyed it while reading it but after finishing it, I ended up thinking more about the things that troubled me about it. So best idea, read it yourself and make up your own mind. It is not a taxing read but one that deals with a lot of issues about secrets, truth and lies, family, marriage, work and friendship. In other words many of the things that make up life.
For the Tarrant family, Shell Cottage in Devon has always been a seaside, summer idyll. Until this year when it all changed. Olivia is struggling to come to terms with her loss and the secret she discovers. Her daughter Freya is struggling to keep her work as a doctor and family life as mother to three children from overwhelming her. Robert, Olivia’s son has a huge secret that even his wife Harriet doesn’t know about. And unbeknown to Harriet, Molly, her fifteen year old daughter is embarking on a very dangerous course. So, as you can see there are a number of problems and secrets that will ultimately come out of the summer.
This is an easy read definitely in the chic lit genre but it does contain some darker incidents as well as a couple of light hearted moments. These lighter moments are often provided by Gloria, a character who enters Olivia’s life in a time of need and who becomes more than an employee. I thought certain aspects of the story could have been expanded on since they are huge issues. Yet, at the same time it felt like the ending had been wrapped up a little too swiftly and neatly. So for me it was a bit of a mixed read. I enjoyed it while reading it but after finishing it, I ended up thinking more about the things that troubled me about it. So best idea, read it yourself and make up your own mind. It is not a taxing read but one that deals with a lot of issues about secrets, truth and lies, family, marriage, work and friendship. In other words many of the things that make up life.
February 3, 2018
I regret buying this book. I honestly, shamefully bought it for its cover, and after reading the summary I thought it couldn't be so bad. Oh how wrong I was.
The plot is an overdone mish mash of pointless descriptions and women-on-the-verge-of-a-nervous-breakdown cliches. Every single character, every single plot device was predictable and boring. And it was unbearably long, to make matters worse.
I loathed every moment of reading this book, constantly found myself groaning at everything, especially at the way that the author presented the characters' inner dialogue, like a weird and unfunny stream-of-consciousness.
But I read it all the way to the end so that I could make a properly informed critique. Or in other words, destroy it with authority.
I can barely describe how much I hated this book anymore, I don't even want to think about it anymore, and I'm sure I won't, as soon as I pick up another, much more decent work of fiction.
Does anyone want my copy? I will gladly give it away.
The plot is an overdone mish mash of pointless descriptions and women-on-the-verge-of-a-nervous-breakdown cliches. Every single character, every single plot device was predictable and boring. And it was unbearably long, to make matters worse.
I loathed every moment of reading this book, constantly found myself groaning at everything, especially at the way that the author presented the characters' inner dialogue, like a weird and unfunny stream-of-consciousness.
But I read it all the way to the end so that I could make a properly informed critique. Or in other words, destroy it with authority.
I can barely describe how much I hated this book anymore, I don't even want to think about it anymore, and I'm sure I won't, as soon as I pick up another, much more decent work of fiction.
Does anyone want my copy? I will gladly give it away.
February 6, 2016
I only started reading Lucy's books earlier this year, starting with The Year of Taking Chances and soon after I started One Night In Italy. I thoroughly enjoyed both of these books. Here she is again with Summer at Shell Cottage, which was another wonderful and eventful read.
Shell cottage, which is in Devon, is the holiday home of the Tarrant’s, headed up by Olivia and Alec, they have two children, Freya and Robert. Alec has recently passed away and Olivia is struggling to move on, she can’t imagine returning to the cottage this summer without her husband Alec. With help from her son, she sets off for Devon, upon her arrival at the cottage, she finds out an earth shattering secret.
The books introduces us to a very young Olivia on her wedding day, and then quickly fast-forward to the day of Alec’s death, and showing his family trying to cope. The family have always spent each summer together at Shell Cottage, where Alec and Olivia spent their wedding night, they then bought the cottage, when Alec became a best selling author.
Freya is a GP experiencing a little bit of a crisis at work, so a relaxing holiday is just what she needs. With out of control children and a busy working husband. The family consider her to being having her life under control, the one that can organize everything and help everybody. She’s not able to get through the day without a drop of alcohol, she finds solace in the drink.
Robert is married to Harriet who has been hurt in the past by a philandering husband. So when she catches Robert out, lying multiple times to her, her suspicions lead her to just one conclusion.
Olivia she’s lost her soulmate, her best friend, her other half. She discovers more about Alec than she could ever imagine, all of her memories are shattered. Her journey is probably the biggest, a highlight for me. Watching her having to cope not only with a bombshell, she receives arriving at the cottage, the loss of her husband and at the same time having to deal with the problems that her family members are all facing, upon arriving at the cottage. Loved her relationship with her granddaughter Libby (we get a couple of chapters from her point of view) we get some lovely and touching scenes between the two of them. Olivia’s journey is almost a self discovery journey, becoming a changed woman - for the better - by the end of the story.
Classic British summer holiday complete with BBQs, long walks, frolics on the sand, too much booze and shrieking kids. Loved that the book was set in Devon, took me back to all the summer holidays with the family that we have taken over the years.
Summer at Shell cottage is another winner from Lucy, with a story that won’t disappoint, the conclusion to the story was a particularly enjoyable one. I am excited to see what Lucy releases next. While waiting for that release, I have all of her previous books to get stuck into.
Shell cottage, which is in Devon, is the holiday home of the Tarrant’s, headed up by Olivia and Alec, they have two children, Freya and Robert. Alec has recently passed away and Olivia is struggling to move on, she can’t imagine returning to the cottage this summer without her husband Alec. With help from her son, she sets off for Devon, upon her arrival at the cottage, she finds out an earth shattering secret.
The books introduces us to a very young Olivia on her wedding day, and then quickly fast-forward to the day of Alec’s death, and showing his family trying to cope. The family have always spent each summer together at Shell Cottage, where Alec and Olivia spent their wedding night, they then bought the cottage, when Alec became a best selling author.
Freya is a GP experiencing a little bit of a crisis at work, so a relaxing holiday is just what she needs. With out of control children and a busy working husband. The family consider her to being having her life under control, the one that can organize everything and help everybody. She’s not able to get through the day without a drop of alcohol, she finds solace in the drink.
Robert is married to Harriet who has been hurt in the past by a philandering husband. So when she catches Robert out, lying multiple times to her, her suspicions lead her to just one conclusion.
Olivia she’s lost her soulmate, her best friend, her other half. She discovers more about Alec than she could ever imagine, all of her memories are shattered. Her journey is probably the biggest, a highlight for me. Watching her having to cope not only with a bombshell, she receives arriving at the cottage, the loss of her husband and at the same time having to deal with the problems that her family members are all facing, upon arriving at the cottage. Loved her relationship with her granddaughter Libby (we get a couple of chapters from her point of view) we get some lovely and touching scenes between the two of them. Olivia’s journey is almost a self discovery journey, becoming a changed woman - for the better - by the end of the story.
Classic British summer holiday complete with BBQs, long walks, frolics on the sand, too much booze and shrieking kids. Loved that the book was set in Devon, took me back to all the summer holidays with the family that we have taken over the years.
Summer at Shell cottage is another winner from Lucy, with a story that won’t disappoint, the conclusion to the story was a particularly enjoyable one. I am excited to see what Lucy releases next. While waiting for that release, I have all of her previous books to get stuck into.
June 14, 2015
The Tarrant family have always spent the summer at Shell Cottage. Many years ago, when Alec and Olivia were newly-weds, they discovered this wonderful little spot. They returned year after year, until eventually they bought it. They brought their children, who in turn, brought their own children. Shell Cottage is full of happy memories, a place to be together, to relax and forget about the stresses of everyday life.
This year is different. Alec died suddenly and Olivia is bereft. She has lost her soul-mate, her best friend, the father of her children, her other half.
When Olivia arrives at the cottage, her already upside-down world is shaken once more. She discovers more about Alec than she could ever have imagined. Her memories and beliefs are shattered, she's not sure that she will ever be mended.
Lucy Diamond has, once again, created a cast of characters that the reader can relate to, can love and can empathise with. A family with huge characters and lots and lost of issues. Each family member is precisely drawn, with their own traits and huge personalities. The reader accompanies each one of them as they travel through the summer and deal with a holiday that none of them will forget.
The Devon setting is perfect, described with exquisite detail that made me want to book a week in a cottage on the coastline immediately - and that says so much, as I actually read this novel whilst lying on a sun bed in Corfu!
Lucy Diamond's writing is warm and witty, yet manages to deal with some serious issues intelligently and thoughtfully.
Summer at Shell Cottage is another sparkly, glowing read from Lucy Diamond. Her fans will adore this one, and new readers will be delighted to find her stories too.
This year is different. Alec died suddenly and Olivia is bereft. She has lost her soul-mate, her best friend, the father of her children, her other half.
When Olivia arrives at the cottage, her already upside-down world is shaken once more. She discovers more about Alec than she could ever have imagined. Her memories and beliefs are shattered, she's not sure that she will ever be mended.
Lucy Diamond has, once again, created a cast of characters that the reader can relate to, can love and can empathise with. A family with huge characters and lots and lost of issues. Each family member is precisely drawn, with their own traits and huge personalities. The reader accompanies each one of them as they travel through the summer and deal with a holiday that none of them will forget.
The Devon setting is perfect, described with exquisite detail that made me want to book a week in a cottage on the coastline immediately - and that says so much, as I actually read this novel whilst lying on a sun bed in Corfu!
Lucy Diamond's writing is warm and witty, yet manages to deal with some serious issues intelligently and thoughtfully.
Summer at Shell Cottage is another sparkly, glowing read from Lucy Diamond. Her fans will adore this one, and new readers will be delighted to find her stories too.
September 22, 2019
Really enjoyed this book about family, dramas, and relationships. An easy to read, feel good book that gives you the warm fuzzies.
I loved that it is set by the beach in a cottage, a place I dream of living.
I loved that it is set by the beach in a cottage, a place I dream of living.
March 1, 2016
An excellent book by Lucy Diamond from the first line till the last line nothing disappointed me at all. Excellent characters and story lines that had you gripped all the way through. A family that lived a time of lies and how they come through it by going away to their family cottage and they work through their lies and problems to come through as a stronger family. Well worth reading.
July 20, 2017
I thought this book would be a nice romance type novel, however the story was dissatisfying and actually just annoyed me a little.
July 1, 2023
4,5 ⭐️
Kylläpäs Tarrantien perheen kesälomaan mahtui paljon draamaa ja surua. Kaikesta huolimatta Kesämuistojen huvila oli kesäinen hyvän mielen romaani, sillä vaikeuksista huolimatta perheen keskinäiset suhteet sekä nuorempi jälkipolvi kommeluksineen onnistui nostamaan hymyn huulille. Kappaleet viuhuivat ohi vauhdilla, kun Tarrantien perhe vei minut mukanaan aurinkoiseen Devoniin. Toistaiseksi lukemistani Diamondin kirjoista tämä taitaa nousta suosikikseni, sillä kepeän pinnan alla Diamond onnistuu käsittelemään kipeitäkin tunteita - läheisen poismenoa ja siitä koituvaa surua. Alec Tarrantin yllättävä kuolema ajaa raiteiltaan hänen vaimonsa kuin lapsensakin. Mutta surun lisäksi kirjan kantavia teemoja on toisen luottamuksen pettäminen tavalla tai toisella ja miten siitä voi selvitä. Kirjan ehdottomia piristysruiskeita olivat Freyan ja Vicin lapset sekä Olivian uusi ystävä, räiskyvä Gloria. Kyllä tämän parissa viihtyi ja kirja on aivan parasta kesälukemista! Lopusta löytyy myös kesäisiä drinkki sekä ruokaohjeita!
Kylläpäs Tarrantien perheen kesälomaan mahtui paljon draamaa ja surua. Kaikesta huolimatta Kesämuistojen huvila oli kesäinen hyvän mielen romaani, sillä vaikeuksista huolimatta perheen keskinäiset suhteet sekä nuorempi jälkipolvi kommeluksineen onnistui nostamaan hymyn huulille. Kappaleet viuhuivat ohi vauhdilla, kun Tarrantien perhe vei minut mukanaan aurinkoiseen Devoniin. Toistaiseksi lukemistani Diamondin kirjoista tämä taitaa nousta suosikikseni, sillä kepeän pinnan alla Diamond onnistuu käsittelemään kipeitäkin tunteita - läheisen poismenoa ja siitä koituvaa surua. Alec Tarrantin yllättävä kuolema ajaa raiteiltaan hänen vaimonsa kuin lapsensakin. Mutta surun lisäksi kirjan kantavia teemoja on toisen luottamuksen pettäminen tavalla tai toisella ja miten siitä voi selvitä. Kirjan ehdottomia piristysruiskeita olivat Freyan ja Vicin lapset sekä Olivian uusi ystävä, räiskyvä Gloria. Kyllä tämän parissa viihtyi ja kirja on aivan parasta kesälukemista! Lopusta löytyy myös kesäisiä drinkki sekä ruokaohjeita!
July 18, 2025
I won this book on a book blog competition 10 years ago. That’s right, TEN YEARS AGO. It’s an ARC of a book that was published in summer 2015. It’s one of the longest I’ve had on my shelves and the time felt right to read it now!
I took it on holiday and read in the sunshine which felt perfect. It was an enjoyable novel about a family holiday at a cottage in England. Some family drama, some likeable characters and some silly plot twists. I liked this novel and can’t believe it took me 10 years to read and enjoy!
I took it on holiday and read in the sunshine which felt perfect. It was an enjoyable novel about a family holiday at a cottage in England. Some family drama, some likeable characters and some silly plot twists. I liked this novel and can’t believe it took me 10 years to read and enjoy!
August 25, 2021
This was a complete change of pace for me from what I normally read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. It's a brilliant book about real problems that people would really face. The secrets it held within its pages had me wanting to know more and more. For a book just about normal problems, it was very suspenseful and had very intriguing or intense moments. I couldn't put it down, I had to find out what was going on. The people in this story had all very different lives with their own problems to deal with but you could still relate to them, which is what made this book so brilliant. That's what was so great about this book, because most books are fantasy stories or completely made up from thin air or a thought, but this was so real which is why I loved it so much. It's a fantastic read. The juicy secrets held within its pages and the scandals. Was refreshing to read a book like this. I would definitely recommend this if you'd like a change from the norm of escaping into beautiful words unknown.
May 15, 2022
Loved it and loved the writer's sense of humour 💙
October 9, 2022
This book was just lovely - sweet, funny and sad all at the same time. A really enjoyable read to curl up with in the evening.
June 22, 2019
Jag har nu läst ut boken ”En sommarens i Devon” av en av mina favoritförfattare, Lucy Diamond. Jag reserverade boken på biblioteket så fort jag hörde att den skulle ges ut. Jag längtade efter att få läsa den och blev inte besviken. Jag tyckte mer om den här boken än ”En sommar i Brighton” som jag läste förra veckan.
Vi får följa den kände författaren Alec Tarrants familj sommaren efter hans hastiga död. Änkan Olivia får reda på att Alec dolt en stor hemlighet för henne som är riktigt chockerande. Olivias dotter Freya har haft det tufft efter sin fars död och får problem på jobbet. Olivias son Robert vill visa för alla att han inte är misslyckad och ställer till det för sig rejält. Även flera av de andra familjemedlemmarna har problem på olika sätt. Sommaren i Devon blir en sommar familjen Tarrant aldrig kommer att glömma.
Jag blev riktigt sugen på att resa på semester till Devon. Lucy Diamond säljer verkligen in grevskapet som ligger i sydvästra England. Det verkar vara så vackert där!
Vi får följa den kände författaren Alec Tarrants familj sommaren efter hans hastiga död. Änkan Olivia får reda på att Alec dolt en stor hemlighet för henne som är riktigt chockerande. Olivias dotter Freya har haft det tufft efter sin fars död och får problem på jobbet. Olivias son Robert vill visa för alla att han inte är misslyckad och ställer till det för sig rejält. Även flera av de andra familjemedlemmarna har problem på olika sätt. Sommaren i Devon blir en sommar familjen Tarrant aldrig kommer att glömma.
Jag blev riktigt sugen på att resa på semester till Devon. Lucy Diamond säljer verkligen in grevskapet som ligger i sydvästra England. Det verkar vara så vackert där!
July 20, 2015
what a great book...from the beautiful cover to the last line in the final chapter nothing disappointed me...The storyline of this family saga and how the characters evolved during there summer holiday had me gripped.
Totally recommend this for a brilliant summer beach read..
Totally recommend this for a brilliant summer beach read..
October 25, 2017
I started listening to this book as light relief after a Steven King thriller. It was certainly light relief but it also had very little depth and the conclusion was so long winded and predictable with all the story lines finished it was just bland.
February 15, 2018
I feel a little harsh for only giving 3 stars, but I didn’t love it enough to give it 4 stars. It was captivating in places but just not my usual cup of tea. This was more about lies and deceit than my usual romance. A nice read really just not my cup of tea I guess.
June 29, 2015
Nice book to read but not really much of a story line or exciting ending more like 3 or 4 stories in one that just ended without anything really happening. Still it kept me turning the pages.
October 29, 2022
Älskar feelgoodromaner🥰. Så mysig bok att läsa oavsett vilket humör man är på!
June 4, 2015
Each time when I hear that Lucy Diamond is writing her new book, I start to count the days to the publication day. It wasn't different this time, "Summer at the Shell Cottage" has sounded so promising and inviting, and when I saw its cover for the first time, I could swoon. When it arrived on my doorstep, the reality exceeded my expectations, as the cover of my proof is just gorgeous! It has such lovely colours, and it's shiny, outside and inside! Just imagine what it means for such a sucker as me, a person who loves a wonderful cover and glitter. Ha!
But it is not only the cover that made me feel so excited. The premise to the book sounded just like my cup of tea: again, it's about a group of women, and secrets, just my kind of read, and when I finished it, I was ooh - ing and aah - ing for a very long time, feeling so, so good and contented.
What is the story about? Well, it's about Olivia and her family. It introduces us to very young Olivia on her wedding day to Alec and then quickly fast - forwards to a day of Alec's death and showing his family trying to cope with this unexpected fact. The family used to spent each summer together in the Shell Cottage, where Alec and Olivia spent their wedding night, and that they bought after he became a best - selling authors of crime, and this year, albeit reluctantly, they are going to Shell Cottage for their holidays as well. But this time it's a little different - they discover Alec's biggest secret, that is going maybe not to change their lives, but to change their perspectives for sure. Also, all of the family members has their own problems, demons and - yes, secrets! What is going to happen with their lovely holidays? And are they going to come to terms with all the mysteries?
Ah Lucy, lovely Lucy, she did it again! She wrote a real corker of a book that I couldn't put down, that has me hooked already after the first few pages! Let's start the gushing with the characters - realistic, vivid, jumping out of the pages characters that feel like real people and that I loved wholeheartedly.
Out of the three women I think it is Olivia that we don't know so well. Mostly she was in the shade of her husband, even after his death, and I truly, truly adored how she was coming to terms with the truth that she's just learnt. Of course the lovely Gloria has here big merits, there wouldn't be the new Olivia without Gloria, so thank you so much Gloria, and hats of to you, because I much more liked this new Olivia. She was full of life and spirit and plucked up the courage to do things that she would never even considered before. So yes, I'd much preferred Olivia after Alec's death - sorry Alec. She was like this proverbial Phoenix rising from the ashes and she proved that it's never too late to do things you've never imagined to do before.
Freya was the one, I think, that the story focused on mostly. She's a GP, the one that all the others consider to have life under control, the one that can organise everything and help everybody. But for sure they don't think that she can loose it one day - or can she? Making a mistake during examination of a little baby, not being able to go through a day without the comfortable feeling of alcohol going down her throat, snapping at children... You know, I think she must have really been a strong woman because she was able to come to her senses in time and get a grip, again without no - one's help. She strikes me to be the one that all other can go to with their problems but she can't do this, she has nobody like this in her surrounding and this is why she lost it. This journey from drinking to non - drinking was maybe a little too fast and too fairy - tale like, but on the other hand, if there was one person who could overcome her own problems, it was Freya.
And last but not least, Harriet. I think I liked her the most, although I adored all three women in this story, but Harriet seemed just to be closest to my heart. Really no particular reason why, maybe because she worked at school? Maybe because she was so great as a mother? I don't know, but I have liked her from start to finish and rooted for her. Yes, she might have been a little naive but I think it is normal that we don't want to think the worst and try to find excuses. But also she could be like a fury, thunder and storm in one person - but it was totally understandable that she reacted this way once or twice.
This is a little different to all the other stories about girls - power, women getting to know each other and then changing their lives for better, because in fact those women already knew each other, but it also seems that in this every - day reality they lost touch and well, this summer it was as if they were getting to know each other again, afresh, as if they were starting again.
But this time Lucy also scrutinizes male characters, especially Victor and Robert, and proves that she can write not only about girls. She has brilliantly show the nature of Robert and described him really vividly and realistically, all his feelings, and I really felt sorry for him. But it is again a case of lack of communication - while he was thinking his parents never appreciated him, that his family saw him as a failure and the second - best, it turned out that it wasn't true - so yes, please, let's speak with our beloved ones and tell them how much we appreciate and love them!
Also, there were some chapters told from the children's point of view, and I couldn't stop admiring how quickly and how easily the author changed her perspective and how brilliantly she could change her voice into those of children. Those chapters were truly told as if from a child or teenager's perspective, and they wonderfully captured their voice, their feelings, their reflections. I specially adored Milly's parts in the book, as they touched some really important issues, and when it came to THIS meeting I could feel my eyes widen and felt my mouth doing a very round and big "O" - such big surprise was this twist for me.
Yes, there are some secrets in the books and some mysteries to be solved, and maybe they are not some world - changing or jaw - dropping secrets, but I think this is the magic of Lucy's books - she writes about normal people and normal situations, all the things that we can relate to. The characters are not perfect, they make stupid mistakes and in my eyes this is what make them the most perfect characters for the book.
Now, you know, this story starts slowly, and it continues slowly. There is no galloping through the pages because the pace is so quick, no, it takes you on a very comfortable, unhurried, calm trip together with the characters, and from time to time the author does BANG, BANG, BANG and drops a bomb on your poor, expecting nothing like this head. No, it also doesn't happen often, and no, there are not as many secrets as I have expected, but you know what? I liked it. I absolutely adored this slow tempo, with only few twists - they were so unexpected, they took me totally by surprise and there were those kind of secrets that I haven't expected. And you don't always want to rush through the pages only to know how the story is going to end, right? From time to time it's so good to read such a gem of a book, where everything is on a right place, where everything is beautifully wrapped up and when everything ends with a happy end.
Well, I guess some may say this book is like a fairy - tale, with all the problems solved and people forgiving each other, but oh my, why not? It is actually how the problems are going to be solved that is so significant in the book, and why the characters put themselves into those troubles. I personally loved this book. It - again - deals with some important things in life and is written in this lovely, Lucy Diamond's writing style, that is gentle when it should be gentle, that is funny when it should be funny. I got everything what I wished from this story and even more. Lucy can write larger then life, down - to - earth, wonderfully portrayed and developed characters, her stories make sense, she always adds the most stunning setting and spoils us with wonderful, vivid, colourful descriptions, and her plots have always interesting twists and turns. It's no wonder then that I am already waiting for her next book, no?
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
But it is not only the cover that made me feel so excited. The premise to the book sounded just like my cup of tea: again, it's about a group of women, and secrets, just my kind of read, and when I finished it, I was ooh - ing and aah - ing for a very long time, feeling so, so good and contented.
What is the story about? Well, it's about Olivia and her family. It introduces us to very young Olivia on her wedding day to Alec and then quickly fast - forwards to a day of Alec's death and showing his family trying to cope with this unexpected fact. The family used to spent each summer together in the Shell Cottage, where Alec and Olivia spent their wedding night, and that they bought after he became a best - selling authors of crime, and this year, albeit reluctantly, they are going to Shell Cottage for their holidays as well. But this time it's a little different - they discover Alec's biggest secret, that is going maybe not to change their lives, but to change their perspectives for sure. Also, all of the family members has their own problems, demons and - yes, secrets! What is going to happen with their lovely holidays? And are they going to come to terms with all the mysteries?
Ah Lucy, lovely Lucy, she did it again! She wrote a real corker of a book that I couldn't put down, that has me hooked already after the first few pages! Let's start the gushing with the characters - realistic, vivid, jumping out of the pages characters that feel like real people and that I loved wholeheartedly.
Out of the three women I think it is Olivia that we don't know so well. Mostly she was in the shade of her husband, even after his death, and I truly, truly adored how she was coming to terms with the truth that she's just learnt. Of course the lovely Gloria has here big merits, there wouldn't be the new Olivia without Gloria, so thank you so much Gloria, and hats of to you, because I much more liked this new Olivia. She was full of life and spirit and plucked up the courage to do things that she would never even considered before. So yes, I'd much preferred Olivia after Alec's death - sorry Alec. She was like this proverbial Phoenix rising from the ashes and she proved that it's never too late to do things you've never imagined to do before.
Freya was the one, I think, that the story focused on mostly. She's a GP, the one that all the others consider to have life under control, the one that can organise everything and help everybody. But for sure they don't think that she can loose it one day - or can she? Making a mistake during examination of a little baby, not being able to go through a day without the comfortable feeling of alcohol going down her throat, snapping at children... You know, I think she must have really been a strong woman because she was able to come to her senses in time and get a grip, again without no - one's help. She strikes me to be the one that all other can go to with their problems but she can't do this, she has nobody like this in her surrounding and this is why she lost it. This journey from drinking to non - drinking was maybe a little too fast and too fairy - tale like, but on the other hand, if there was one person who could overcome her own problems, it was Freya.
And last but not least, Harriet. I think I liked her the most, although I adored all three women in this story, but Harriet seemed just to be closest to my heart. Really no particular reason why, maybe because she worked at school? Maybe because she was so great as a mother? I don't know, but I have liked her from start to finish and rooted for her. Yes, she might have been a little naive but I think it is normal that we don't want to think the worst and try to find excuses. But also she could be like a fury, thunder and storm in one person - but it was totally understandable that she reacted this way once or twice.
This is a little different to all the other stories about girls - power, women getting to know each other and then changing their lives for better, because in fact those women already knew each other, but it also seems that in this every - day reality they lost touch and well, this summer it was as if they were getting to know each other again, afresh, as if they were starting again.
But this time Lucy also scrutinizes male characters, especially Victor and Robert, and proves that she can write not only about girls. She has brilliantly show the nature of Robert and described him really vividly and realistically, all his feelings, and I really felt sorry for him. But it is again a case of lack of communication - while he was thinking his parents never appreciated him, that his family saw him as a failure and the second - best, it turned out that it wasn't true - so yes, please, let's speak with our beloved ones and tell them how much we appreciate and love them!
Also, there were some chapters told from the children's point of view, and I couldn't stop admiring how quickly and how easily the author changed her perspective and how brilliantly she could change her voice into those of children. Those chapters were truly told as if from a child or teenager's perspective, and they wonderfully captured their voice, their feelings, their reflections. I specially adored Milly's parts in the book, as they touched some really important issues, and when it came to THIS meeting I could feel my eyes widen and felt my mouth doing a very round and big "O" - such big surprise was this twist for me.
Yes, there are some secrets in the books and some mysteries to be solved, and maybe they are not some world - changing or jaw - dropping secrets, but I think this is the magic of Lucy's books - she writes about normal people and normal situations, all the things that we can relate to. The characters are not perfect, they make stupid mistakes and in my eyes this is what make them the most perfect characters for the book.
Now, you know, this story starts slowly, and it continues slowly. There is no galloping through the pages because the pace is so quick, no, it takes you on a very comfortable, unhurried, calm trip together with the characters, and from time to time the author does BANG, BANG, BANG and drops a bomb on your poor, expecting nothing like this head. No, it also doesn't happen often, and no, there are not as many secrets as I have expected, but you know what? I liked it. I absolutely adored this slow tempo, with only few twists - they were so unexpected, they took me totally by surprise and there were those kind of secrets that I haven't expected. And you don't always want to rush through the pages only to know how the story is going to end, right? From time to time it's so good to read such a gem of a book, where everything is on a right place, where everything is beautifully wrapped up and when everything ends with a happy end.
Well, I guess some may say this book is like a fairy - tale, with all the problems solved and people forgiving each other, but oh my, why not? It is actually how the problems are going to be solved that is so significant in the book, and why the characters put themselves into those troubles. I personally loved this book. It - again - deals with some important things in life and is written in this lovely, Lucy Diamond's writing style, that is gentle when it should be gentle, that is funny when it should be funny. I got everything what I wished from this story and even more. Lucy can write larger then life, down - to - earth, wonderfully portrayed and developed characters, her stories make sense, she always adds the most stunning setting and spoils us with wonderful, vivid, colourful descriptions, and her plots have always interesting twists and turns. It's no wonder then that I am already waiting for her next book, no?
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
June 26, 2015
Originally posted on http://beccasbooooks.blogspot.co.uk/2...
I haven't read many of Diamond's novels, referring specifically to Lucy's earlier titles but I have, in fact, lapped up the delights of One Night in Italy and The Year of Taking Chances, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed, so when I became aware of Summer at Shell Cottage, I really couldn't wait to disappear within the pages. I suppose, in a way, it's a slightly bad habit to automatically assume that you're going to love a new novel by an author that you have previously enjoyed. After all, how can you be certain that their new instalment will have the same effect on you as did the last? Well, that's one of the many reasons why I enjoy Diamond's novels so much. Lucy's uniquely warm, engaging and wholly satisfying way of storytelling reels me in each and every time, and I'm thrilled to say that, out of the three that I have read, Summer at Shell Cottage has just got to be my ultimate favourite. So far...
In a nutshell, Summer at Shell Cottage focuses on the Tarrant family as they embark upon yet another glorious summer holiday down in Devon. After having previously created many happy family memories during time spent there in summers gone by, the family are looking forward to another sun-drenched holiday in their much-loved Shell Cottage, as was I! Until of course, Lucy begins to reveal snippets of detail from each family members' life, and it suddenly dawns on the reader that, actually, things are never as perfect as they first appear to be (besides Shell Cottage itself, that place was pretty perfect, to be fair). Throughout this sparkling summer read that whisked me right away to the Tarrant family's side, Lucy takes us on a riveting, heart-warming journey, dipping in and out of the intricacies of the Tarrant family's life and all of the spaces in-between, including the messy, unpredictable, bumpy tracks that family life usually ends up veering down when we least expect it.
I adore Lucy's writing style, there's something so very charming, welcoming and utterly magical about it even when, as she does many times throughout this gorgeous novel, serious issues are raised and dealt with. I find it incredibly easy to lose myself in Lucy's stories, so easy to become wrapped up within her characters' lives and troubles, ultimately leaving me worrying about them too, which is always a good sign. After all, if you don't care about these characters, then what's compelling you to continue reading, right? Thankfully, this wasn't a problem at any point throughout this book.
Lucy's characters within Summer at Shell Cottage were absolutely brilliant, working fantastically as a collection but even more so in their singular circumstances which were what truly hooked me in, allowing me a sneaky insight into each of their lives, before even their own family members were aware, which was strangely satisfying. Not only did I enjoy the Tarrant family as a whole, but spending time with each of characters on their own made me feel just that much closer to them as a character in the book. This family was dissected and opened up to me in its truest form and Lucy didn't hold back when it came to the imperfections, which only made me love the Tarrants even more, because Lucy is right. No family is perfect and even if they appear to be on the surface, there is usually more going on underneath that we have absolutely no idea about. From Olivia, the eldest of the Tarrant women, to young Libby, who I absolutely adored and wanted to squish in a hug, these characters were flawed and cracked and stained. There was just so much going on within the perfect image of Shell Cottage, I could imagine a bystander looking upon the place and thinking how pretty it looked on the surface yet having no idea whatsoever of the chaos taking place within. It's amazing how appearances can be so deceiving, and Lucy explores that so beautifully within this novel, as well as alcohol dependency, dangerous teenage love and deceiving tales. Again, as I mentioned, you wouldn't think, when looking upon Lucy's cover, that anything so serious would be included, yet many topics are dealt with as the story progresses, topics that you wouldn't quite imagine to crop up, which make this novel all the more intriguing. In the end, each character learns a very important and valuable lesson, which makes for a deliciously satisfying ending.
Of course, I don't think this novel would be quite the same without the setting of Devon, full of hidden beaches, lobster burgers and sand-castles. It truly is a summery read that escapism completely defines. I had an overwhelming urge to run off to Devon, to set up camp in Shell Cottage and spend a summer there, dozing and strolling the hours away. It was charming in every aspect and had that lazy quality about it that I so love when reading a summer story. There was this distinct feeling of getting away from everyday life and the usual worries, but at the same time, it appeared that the Tarrant family's worries followed them there. Still, it was dreamlike and a little bit like paradise, and definitely had an effect over the characters, myself included. Lucy's descriptions of Shell Cottage and the Devon scenery were spot-on and the image in my mind swiftly built a whole new world for me to escape into and explore alongside the family.
All in all, Summer at Shell Cottage by the magnificent Lucy Diamond was a pure joy to lose myself within. I loved every single tiny aspect of this story and felt compelled to pick it up at every spare moment. This is definitely one of my favourite summer reads of 2015, perhaps even number one. Family life, lessons learnt and sun, sea and sand all rolled into one make for an absolutely gorgeous read beneath the sun, I can promise you that.
Becca's Books is awarding Summer at Shell Cottage by Lucy Diamond with FIVE SCRUMMY CUPCAKES. I'm so grateful that Lucy's books are out there in the world. I'd even go as far as saying I feel comforted just to know that we still have lots more to come from this author, and previous books that I can still catch up on. Just sensational!
I haven't read many of Diamond's novels, referring specifically to Lucy's earlier titles but I have, in fact, lapped up the delights of One Night in Italy and The Year of Taking Chances, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed, so when I became aware of Summer at Shell Cottage, I really couldn't wait to disappear within the pages. I suppose, in a way, it's a slightly bad habit to automatically assume that you're going to love a new novel by an author that you have previously enjoyed. After all, how can you be certain that their new instalment will have the same effect on you as did the last? Well, that's one of the many reasons why I enjoy Diamond's novels so much. Lucy's uniquely warm, engaging and wholly satisfying way of storytelling reels me in each and every time, and I'm thrilled to say that, out of the three that I have read, Summer at Shell Cottage has just got to be my ultimate favourite. So far...
In a nutshell, Summer at Shell Cottage focuses on the Tarrant family as they embark upon yet another glorious summer holiday down in Devon. After having previously created many happy family memories during time spent there in summers gone by, the family are looking forward to another sun-drenched holiday in their much-loved Shell Cottage, as was I! Until of course, Lucy begins to reveal snippets of detail from each family members' life, and it suddenly dawns on the reader that, actually, things are never as perfect as they first appear to be (besides Shell Cottage itself, that place was pretty perfect, to be fair). Throughout this sparkling summer read that whisked me right away to the Tarrant family's side, Lucy takes us on a riveting, heart-warming journey, dipping in and out of the intricacies of the Tarrant family's life and all of the spaces in-between, including the messy, unpredictable, bumpy tracks that family life usually ends up veering down when we least expect it.
I adore Lucy's writing style, there's something so very charming, welcoming and utterly magical about it even when, as she does many times throughout this gorgeous novel, serious issues are raised and dealt with. I find it incredibly easy to lose myself in Lucy's stories, so easy to become wrapped up within her characters' lives and troubles, ultimately leaving me worrying about them too, which is always a good sign. After all, if you don't care about these characters, then what's compelling you to continue reading, right? Thankfully, this wasn't a problem at any point throughout this book.
Lucy's characters within Summer at Shell Cottage were absolutely brilliant, working fantastically as a collection but even more so in their singular circumstances which were what truly hooked me in, allowing me a sneaky insight into each of their lives, before even their own family members were aware, which was strangely satisfying. Not only did I enjoy the Tarrant family as a whole, but spending time with each of characters on their own made me feel just that much closer to them as a character in the book. This family was dissected and opened up to me in its truest form and Lucy didn't hold back when it came to the imperfections, which only made me love the Tarrants even more, because Lucy is right. No family is perfect and even if they appear to be on the surface, there is usually more going on underneath that we have absolutely no idea about. From Olivia, the eldest of the Tarrant women, to young Libby, who I absolutely adored and wanted to squish in a hug, these characters were flawed and cracked and stained. There was just so much going on within the perfect image of Shell Cottage, I could imagine a bystander looking upon the place and thinking how pretty it looked on the surface yet having no idea whatsoever of the chaos taking place within. It's amazing how appearances can be so deceiving, and Lucy explores that so beautifully within this novel, as well as alcohol dependency, dangerous teenage love and deceiving tales. Again, as I mentioned, you wouldn't think, when looking upon Lucy's cover, that anything so serious would be included, yet many topics are dealt with as the story progresses, topics that you wouldn't quite imagine to crop up, which make this novel all the more intriguing. In the end, each character learns a very important and valuable lesson, which makes for a deliciously satisfying ending.
Of course, I don't think this novel would be quite the same without the setting of Devon, full of hidden beaches, lobster burgers and sand-castles. It truly is a summery read that escapism completely defines. I had an overwhelming urge to run off to Devon, to set up camp in Shell Cottage and spend a summer there, dozing and strolling the hours away. It was charming in every aspect and had that lazy quality about it that I so love when reading a summer story. There was this distinct feeling of getting away from everyday life and the usual worries, but at the same time, it appeared that the Tarrant family's worries followed them there. Still, it was dreamlike and a little bit like paradise, and definitely had an effect over the characters, myself included. Lucy's descriptions of Shell Cottage and the Devon scenery were spot-on and the image in my mind swiftly built a whole new world for me to escape into and explore alongside the family.
All in all, Summer at Shell Cottage by the magnificent Lucy Diamond was a pure joy to lose myself within. I loved every single tiny aspect of this story and felt compelled to pick it up at every spare moment. This is definitely one of my favourite summer reads of 2015, perhaps even number one. Family life, lessons learnt and sun, sea and sand all rolled into one make for an absolutely gorgeous read beneath the sun, I can promise you that.
Becca's Books is awarding Summer at Shell Cottage by Lucy Diamond with FIVE SCRUMMY CUPCAKES. I'm so grateful that Lucy's books are out there in the world. I'd even go as far as saying I feel comforted just to know that we still have lots more to come from this author, and previous books that I can still catch up on. Just sensational!
May 29, 2019
Bohužel další srdcovka, která mě moc neuchvátila. Nádherná obálka, která hned zaujme, ale uvnitř nic moc. Postavy mě moc neoslovily, přišly mi takové ploché a bez emocí, na to, že se tam řešily celkem závažnější témata, příběh samotný mě taky nezaujal, spíš to byl takový miš maš více příběhů a nebyla jsem z toho moc nadšená.
July 20, 2023
Kesämuistojen huvila lähti heti käyntiin, sitä toivoisi useammin uusilta kirjoilta, joissa sivuja riittää ja ensimmäiset sata saa miettiä, että milloin alkaa tarina kuljettamaan.
Tämän lukemiseen sattui hyvä aika ja väli, kirja oli jotenkin juuri sopiva, vaikka salaisuuksia piisasi, onnelliset ratkaisut eivät olleet liian siirappisia. Hyvä kesäkirja ihanine maisemineen.
Tämän lukemiseen sattui hyvä aika ja väli, kirja oli jotenkin juuri sopiva, vaikka salaisuuksia piisasi, onnelliset ratkaisut eivät olleet liian siirappisia. Hyvä kesäkirja ihanine maisemineen.
September 30, 2023
ai että tää ylitti jo valmiiksi korkealla olleet odotukset, taattua lucy diamond laatua siis!
todella monipuolinen juoni, täynnä yllätyksellisyyttä ja ristiriitaisia tilanteita. pidin siitä että tapahtumat kerrottiin monesta eri näkökulmasta, jolloin juonessa ei ollut ns ”pahiksia” vaikka kaikenlaisia paljastuksia ilmaantui jatkuvasti tarinan edetessä.
kaikesta draamasta huolimatta tunnelma oli kesäinen ja pysyi kepeänä.
todella monipuolinen juoni, täynnä yllätyksellisyyttä ja ristiriitaisia tilanteita. pidin siitä että tapahtumat kerrottiin monesta eri näkökulmasta, jolloin juonessa ei ollut ns ”pahiksia” vaikka kaikenlaisia paljastuksia ilmaantui jatkuvasti tarinan edetessä.
kaikesta draamasta huolimatta tunnelma oli kesäinen ja pysyi kepeänä.
June 4, 2020
Wasn't the page grabber that I was expecting, the story was okay and I enjoyed reading it when I got well over the half way point as the story picked up. After reading LD One Night In Italy it really couldn't compare/follow. Disappointed actually. Have given it 3 stars as did merit my attention to the end and did enjoy the final part of the story, quick and easy read.
October 22, 2024
The book started out with the main couple (parents) as newlyweds coming to this cottage, and then it went forward several years. The cottage was bought by the couple to use as a summer house. One summer when the children were adults and had their own kids, there is a change in situations and secrets come out. I liked the story, and it was an easy listen.
June 17, 2018
Probably 3.5*. It was good and i enjoyed it but it took me a little while to get into and follow all the characters. A nice story.
July 2, 2019
A very well written book that flows like the water. A kinda classic story with a good ending that goes great with the feeling that all must go well at the end, even if the way to get there is hard.
June 6, 2023
Luin e-kirjana
Helppo kesälukeminen. Ei jätä erityistä muistijälkeä, paitsi halun vierailla Devonissa.
Helppo kesälukeminen. Ei jätä erityistä muistijälkeä, paitsi halun vierailla Devonissa.
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