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An Almost Perfect Summer
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 . . .
The scene is set for a fabulous new novel full of friendship, warmth and romance.
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 . . .
The scene is set for a fabulous new novel full of friendship, warmth and romance.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 16, 2025
855 people are currently reading
1879 people want to read
About the author
Jill Mansell
85 books4,870 followersJill Mansell lives with her partner and children in Bristol, and writes full time. Actually that’s not true; she watches TV, eats fruit gums, admires the rugby players training in the sports field behind her house, and spends hours on the internet marvelling at how many other writers have blogs. Only when she’s completely run out of displacement activities does she write.
Jill Mansell's books have sold over ten million copies and her titles include: Making your Mind up, Fast Friends, Good at Games, Sheer Mischief and Solo, among many others.
Jill Mansell's books have sold over ten million copies and her titles include: Making your Mind up, Fast Friends, Good at Games, Sheer Mischief and Solo, among many others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 333 reviews
January 30, 2025
3.8 Stars
One Liner: Quite a bit of funny drama and OTT moments
Nella meets Nick, an intriguing man she rates 9 before she ends up in the A&E. Too bad they live in different regions. However, when Nella loses her job, she takes up Nick’s offer to join his company, a Cotswolds holiday retreat. However, can she risk everything to explore their attraction?
Lizzie, a Hollywood star on the verge of burnout, arrives at the holiday retreat to unwind. She has sworn off men but may flirt with Nick. She also loves to hate the grumpy Matthew but hey, things are hardly that straightforward.
As more people arrive and meet each other, the retreat becomes the place for endings and new beginnings.
The story comes in Nella, Lizzie, Mauve, Nick, Matthew, and other character’s third-person POVs.
My Thoughts:
As you might have guessed by now, this is a fun-filled read with many characters and multiple tracks. We have not one but multiple pairings that happen throughout the book. Naturally, there are breakups and new bonds, leading to more drama.
Though the POV shifts between different characters, it is easy to follow the plot. It might help to make note of the names and relationships, though.
The 430+ pages are used fully to develop the subplots. However, the distribution is uneven. I expected Nella to get more space, which she did but also didn’t. Lizzie ends up in the limelight, true to her role as a film star. A couple of them get limited space but manage to make an impact. Others do what they are supposed to do for the plot. Nella was easy to like. Lizzie is a bit extra (she is a celeb, after all) but a genuine person and someone easy to like.
Though this is romance, it is not steady. For example, one track is a super slow burn. Another is pretty fast-paced. It shines brighter as women’s fiction since the characters make some worthy friendships (found family vibes). There are no descriptions either (totally closed-door).
Of course, we have some annoying characters as well. Thankfully, these traits have been distributed between men and women, so the scales are not entirely one-sided.
The pacing is on the slower side due to the constant drama and developments. There are many funny moments as well. The overall effect is lighthearted with a sprinkle of bittersweet moments.
To summarize, Almost Perfect Summer is an entertaining book with some OTT moments and a great choice for summer beach reading.
My thanks to the author and Random Things Tours for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
One Liner: Quite a bit of funny drama and OTT moments
Nella meets Nick, an intriguing man she rates 9 before she ends up in the A&E. Too bad they live in different regions. However, when Nella loses her job, she takes up Nick’s offer to join his company, a Cotswolds holiday retreat. However, can she risk everything to explore their attraction?
Lizzie, a Hollywood star on the verge of burnout, arrives at the holiday retreat to unwind. She has sworn off men but may flirt with Nick. She also loves to hate the grumpy Matthew but hey, things are hardly that straightforward.
As more people arrive and meet each other, the retreat becomes the place for endings and new beginnings.
The story comes in Nella, Lizzie, Mauve, Nick, Matthew, and other character’s third-person POVs.
My Thoughts:
As you might have guessed by now, this is a fun-filled read with many characters and multiple tracks. We have not one but multiple pairings that happen throughout the book. Naturally, there are breakups and new bonds, leading to more drama.
Though the POV shifts between different characters, it is easy to follow the plot. It might help to make note of the names and relationships, though.
The 430+ pages are used fully to develop the subplots. However, the distribution is uneven. I expected Nella to get more space, which she did but also didn’t. Lizzie ends up in the limelight, true to her role as a film star. A couple of them get limited space but manage to make an impact. Others do what they are supposed to do for the plot. Nella was easy to like. Lizzie is a bit extra (she is a celeb, after all) but a genuine person and someone easy to like.
Though this is romance, it is not steady. For example, one track is a super slow burn. Another is pretty fast-paced. It shines brighter as women’s fiction since the characters make some worthy friendships (found family vibes). There are no descriptions either (totally closed-door).
Of course, we have some annoying characters as well. Thankfully, these traits have been distributed between men and women, so the scales are not entirely one-sided.
The pacing is on the slower side due to the constant drama and developments. There are many funny moments as well. The overall effect is lighthearted with a sprinkle of bittersweet moments.
To summarize, Almost Perfect Summer is an entertaining book with some OTT moments and a great choice for summer beach reading.
My thanks to the author and Random Things Tours for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
June 20, 2025
I’ve been reading Jill’s books since forever and they never disappoint. I love the escapism they provide – idyllic settings (books set in the Cotswolds are a favourite), characters that would make fabulous friends and of course the will they/won’t they element of romance. Although as many romance readers know by now there will be a HEA, its just a question of how they get there.
I devoured the latest book, An Almost Perfect Summer in just over a day, I just kept wanting to pick it up. This story is set in the Cotswolds village of Starbourne and at the centre, a complex of luxury holiday houses for that much needed retreat or just for some self indulgence. A full concierge service is provided and nothing is too much trouble. In charge of all this, is Nick; being quite a catch he caught the attention of our female main characters, Nella and Hollywood actress Lizzie. Normally, there is always one person that you hope will be part of that perfect love match but here, honestly, I loved both the characters of Nella and Lizzie and if either could steal Nick’s heart then I would be happy. Nella had grown up in the village and despite making her life elsewhere, Starbourne felt like home. She was super organised, totally unflappable and the job suited her perfectly. Lizzie’s intention had been to have a break from her relentless acting schedule and have a few months of solitude and rest but it seems the universe had other plans.
There were many characters here, all with their own story and I loved seeing how they all connected, at times quite unexpectedly. Every character had a reason to be in the story and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each of them. From clubland wars to ghostwriting, emotional baggage, secrets and of course a shedload of humour, this was such a joyous and uplifting read. With its fantastic community vibes, the value of friendship is at the fore here.
I say this every time but this might be my favourite Jill Mansell book! If you’re looking for a super read with heart and warmth then look no further. (And did I mention there is a map!).
I devoured the latest book, An Almost Perfect Summer in just over a day, I just kept wanting to pick it up. This story is set in the Cotswolds village of Starbourne and at the centre, a complex of luxury holiday houses for that much needed retreat or just for some self indulgence. A full concierge service is provided and nothing is too much trouble. In charge of all this, is Nick; being quite a catch he caught the attention of our female main characters, Nella and Hollywood actress Lizzie. Normally, there is always one person that you hope will be part of that perfect love match but here, honestly, I loved both the characters of Nella and Lizzie and if either could steal Nick’s heart then I would be happy. Nella had grown up in the village and despite making her life elsewhere, Starbourne felt like home. She was super organised, totally unflappable and the job suited her perfectly. Lizzie’s intention had been to have a break from her relentless acting schedule and have a few months of solitude and rest but it seems the universe had other plans.
There were many characters here, all with their own story and I loved seeing how they all connected, at times quite unexpectedly. Every character had a reason to be in the story and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each of them. From clubland wars to ghostwriting, emotional baggage, secrets and of course a shedload of humour, this was such a joyous and uplifting read. With its fantastic community vibes, the value of friendship is at the fore here.
I say this every time but this might be my favourite Jill Mansell book! If you’re looking for a super read with heart and warmth then look no further. (And did I mention there is a map!).
February 1, 2025
✰ 2.75 stars ✰
It is fair to admit that I may not be the right target audience for Jill Mansell's stories, but I had read one of her reads from last year, and GR included there was a new release of hers this year, so... 😊 It is not fair for me to be too critical with the intended reader who appreciates a slow-paced, but selectively endearing in how the story progresses is what perhaps I can find in my heart to be more agreeable to how it unfolded. ✨
It took awhile for it to gain my interest; actually, it did take a little bit more than halfway into it that I really started to get interested. I spent the better start of the book trying to figure out how exactly each character would correlate with one another; with multiple perspectives, it was difficult to discern how their storylines would overlap, let alone make a difference to one another. It was a little bit more than halfway into the story that I started to slowly understand what Mansell was depicting.
“And here was life in a nutshell; never simple.”
That is certainly putting it lightly! 😥 For the chosen few, it is those revelations that made the life-changing moments so very groundbreaking that it alters our perception of what we feel to believe is a meaningful life. Life is about coincidence; it is about a random chance that suddenly can make a difference in everything. It is the unexpected that unravels into something meaningful - that can surprise you in the most unlikely fashion. 'Dangerous, dangerous, but she was only human.' Each of the characters - the good and the not so good - that arrive at Starbourne for whatever purpose, face unique opportunities and prospects that have the ability to alter that notion and be bold and daring. To break free of the limitations and be different to find a way to breathe life into themselves. 😔
There was something heartwarming about how each approached these challenges; an eclectic cast who have found their way into a close-knit village, where bonds of community shine, but also where 'secrets never managed to stay secret for long.' 😢 It is those unique ways in which we meet people that may be on unpleasant circumstances, but somehow end up being the very answers to what we've been missing in our lives and hearts all along. 'When love hit you with such force, it was all-consuming.' New arrivals and familiar faces collide, old friendships are reforged and rekindled, while family secrets and buried truths unravel in a rather cathartic and refreshing way that steadily ties the story together. A unique blend of different relationships that melded into a worthwhile bond of love and trust and respect. 💟🫂
During certain instances, I was slightly wary of the grandiose theatrics with some rather disconcerting personalities, but it made me all the more appreciative for the kind-hearted and generous souls that proved the goodness in humanity. The events that unfold and the relationships that develop whilst their time there makes it impossible to leave. Be it an emotional escape, a celebrity retreat, or a life-changing discovery, or even a simple change of scenery that allows us to reflect and ponder on which direction we wish our life to follow and who we'd like to share it with.
“When people talked about finding their soulmate, maybe this was what they meant.”
Happiness has no time limit or guidebook - unexplained circumstances fall into our lap to grace us with their presence to brighten up and enrich our lives. With traces of humor and touches of heart, the untimely, but certainly not unwelcome romances that blossom, the gentle beauty and tender charm that blesses each character at their various stages in life made An Almost Perfect Summer end on a mostly perfect note for everyone. 🥹 It is the soft and patient reminder that when the right one does along, you'll know - ‘for ‘sometimes it’s fun to wait’ to make it all the more worth it. 🩷🤍
And not to end on a sour note, but inquiring minds need to know - which of the following two is the lesser evil of these atrocious forms of behavior? Leave his girlfriend of three years when she's six months pregnant with his child, suddenly proclaiming that he's not cut out to be a father - never was - not interested and leaves her high and dry? Or a man who says that he and his precious car are in no position to take a pregnant woman whose water has just broken, because he can't risk damaging his car seats?
Just asking because I'm trying to judge which of said characters was the best definition for showcasing the worst portrayal of man. 😡
“It was perfect. And definitely worth waiting for.”
It is fair to admit that I may not be the right target audience for Jill Mansell's stories, but I had read one of her reads from last year, and GR included there was a new release of hers this year, so... 😊 It is not fair for me to be too critical with the intended reader who appreciates a slow-paced, but selectively endearing in how the story progresses is what perhaps I can find in my heart to be more agreeable to how it unfolded. ✨
It took awhile for it to gain my interest; actually, it did take a little bit more than halfway into it that I really started to get interested. I spent the better start of the book trying to figure out how exactly each character would correlate with one another; with multiple perspectives, it was difficult to discern how their storylines would overlap, let alone make a difference to one another. It was a little bit more than halfway into the story that I started to slowly understand what Mansell was depicting.
“And here was life in a nutshell; never simple.”
That is certainly putting it lightly! 😥 For the chosen few, it is those revelations that made the life-changing moments so very groundbreaking that it alters our perception of what we feel to believe is a meaningful life. Life is about coincidence; it is about a random chance that suddenly can make a difference in everything. It is the unexpected that unravels into something meaningful - that can surprise you in the most unlikely fashion. 'Dangerous, dangerous, but she was only human.' Each of the characters - the good and the not so good - that arrive at Starbourne for whatever purpose, face unique opportunities and prospects that have the ability to alter that notion and be bold and daring. To break free of the limitations and be different to find a way to breathe life into themselves. 😔
There was something heartwarming about how each approached these challenges; an eclectic cast who have found their way into a close-knit village, where bonds of community shine, but also where 'secrets never managed to stay secret for long.' 😢 It is those unique ways in which we meet people that may be on unpleasant circumstances, but somehow end up being the very answers to what we've been missing in our lives and hearts all along. 'When love hit you with such force, it was all-consuming.' New arrivals and familiar faces collide, old friendships are reforged and rekindled, while family secrets and buried truths unravel in a rather cathartic and refreshing way that steadily ties the story together. A unique blend of different relationships that melded into a worthwhile bond of love and trust and respect. 💟🫂
During certain instances, I was slightly wary of the grandiose theatrics with some rather disconcerting personalities, but it made me all the more appreciative for the kind-hearted and generous souls that proved the goodness in humanity. The events that unfold and the relationships that develop whilst their time there makes it impossible to leave. Be it an emotional escape, a celebrity retreat, or a life-changing discovery, or even a simple change of scenery that allows us to reflect and ponder on which direction we wish our life to follow and who we'd like to share it with.
“When people talked about finding their soulmate, maybe this was what they meant.”
Happiness has no time limit or guidebook - unexplained circumstances fall into our lap to grace us with their presence to brighten up and enrich our lives. With traces of humor and touches of heart, the untimely, but certainly not unwelcome romances that blossom, the gentle beauty and tender charm that blesses each character at their various stages in life made An Almost Perfect Summer end on a mostly perfect note for everyone. 🥹 It is the soft and patient reminder that when the right one does along, you'll know - ‘for ‘sometimes it’s fun to wait’ to make it all the more worth it. 🩷🤍
And not to end on a sour note, but inquiring minds need to know - which of the following two is the lesser evil of these atrocious forms of behavior? Leave his girlfriend of three years when she's six months pregnant with his child, suddenly proclaiming that he's not cut out to be a father - never was - not interested and leaves her high and dry? Or a man who says that he and his precious car are in no position to take a pregnant woman whose water has just broken, because he can't risk damaging his car seats?
Just asking because I'm trying to judge which of said characters was the best definition for showcasing the worst portrayal of man. 😡
January 22, 2025
Agh it makes me sad to say this because I have loved reading Jill Mansell for years… but I just didn’t like this one.
It has all the ingredients that have made Mansell’s books in the past work so well - a charming English village, a cast of vibrant and fun characters and an adorable meet-cute.
But where it falls down for me is the execution. There are just so many storylines! Rather than a main plot with a one or two sub plots, there was just so much going on and it left me feeling disappointed. The early chapters set up a cute romance between Nick and Nella and then the book proceeds to barely feature them until three quarters of the way through. There is no development and no stakes. We’re just told they like each other and then eventually they get together. I see no spark, or tension, or longing. We’re just told they have feelings for each other but can’t be together until they suddenly can. There is a potential plot line set up early on where another character likes Nick which seemed promising, but then absolutely nothing comes from it leaving me wondering what the point of it was. Ultimately the main story line could’ve been told in about five chapters.
In the meantime there is an array of supporting characters, all of whom conveniently get matched up throughout the book but there’s so much going on that it meant there was no depth to any of them. It’s a shame but this just didn’t work for me at all.
It has all the ingredients that have made Mansell’s books in the past work so well - a charming English village, a cast of vibrant and fun characters and an adorable meet-cute.
But where it falls down for me is the execution. There are just so many storylines! Rather than a main plot with a one or two sub plots, there was just so much going on and it left me feeling disappointed. The early chapters set up a cute romance between Nick and Nella and then the book proceeds to barely feature them until three quarters of the way through. There is no development and no stakes. We’re just told they like each other and then eventually they get together. I see no spark, or tension, or longing. We’re just told they have feelings for each other but can’t be together until they suddenly can. There is a potential plot line set up early on where another character likes Nick which seemed promising, but then absolutely nothing comes from it leaving me wondering what the point of it was. Ultimately the main story line could’ve been told in about five chapters.
In the meantime there is an array of supporting characters, all of whom conveniently get matched up throughout the book but there’s so much going on that it meant there was no depth to any of them. It’s a shame but this just didn’t work for me at all.
January 20, 2025
If you are looking for a character led,feel better than good story set in a beautiful village where various strangers all have landed to spend time with the residents……..including extremes from a burnt out LA actress to a Mrs Catchpole a nosey belligerent life long villager…..then this is the book for you
The story has romance,laughter,tears,secrets,more romance and some really good storylines that all magically weave together and come to happy endings
The writing is effortless and within minutes I was there on holiday/living there with the various players and enjoying the life that sounded so perfect
Of course there is scandal and surprises,big surprises in store for some of those involved
This author creates a brilliant story,setting and outcome (s) and I cant think of one criticism of it
Summed up…a great time was had by all including me…
The story has romance,laughter,tears,secrets,more romance and some really good storylines that all magically weave together and come to happy endings
The writing is effortless and within minutes I was there on holiday/living there with the various players and enjoying the life that sounded so perfect
Of course there is scandal and surprises,big surprises in store for some of those involved
This author creates a brilliant story,setting and outcome (s) and I cant think of one criticism of it
Summed up…a great time was had by all including me…
June 28, 2025
Another great book by Jill Mansell. Very predictable in some ways, but there are so many people that it’s not always immediately clear who will end up with who.
July 14, 2025
3.5 stars. Great cast of characters, and they made me laugh a lot.
April 16, 2025
3/3.5⭐️
May 14, 2025
Jill Mansell is bij mij niet onbekend. Inmiddels heb ik zo’n 4 boeken van haar gelezen en elke keer wanneer er een nieuw boek uitkomt, ben ik erg benieuwd. ‘Denk jij ook weleens aan mij?’ was een boek waar ik erg naar uitkeek en dat perfect bij het mooie weer past.
In dit boek maken we kennis met ontzettend veel personages - wat voor mij in het begin wel wat lastig was. Ik raakte in de war en had niet altijd direct door met wie ik nu te maken had. Later in het boek werd dit makkelijker en bouwde ik een band met de personages op. De ene vond ik leuker dan de ander, maar toch waren ze allemaal uniek en droegen ze bij aan het verhaal.
Wat ik zo fijn vond aan dit boek, was dat ik helemaal kon wegdromen bij het prachtige Engeland en dat het vol zit met grappige momentjes. Kleine dorpjes, vriendelijke mensen, mooie landschappen en af en toe wat chaos. Dit komt allemaal aan bod en ik genoot hier zo van. Als iemand nog een huis vrij heeft in de Cotswolds bied ik me graag aan.
De romantiek is mooi geschreven. Bij het ene personage wat sneller dan bij de ander, en soms miste ik hier net wat diepgang. Van sommige personages had ik graag iets meer willen weten. Hier bleef het wat oppervlakkig.
Ik vond dit weer een typische Mansell en kon heerlijk wegdromen. Zeker een aanrader om tijdens het mooie weer te lezen.
Bedankt uitgeverij Luitingh-Sijthoff en Lees Bol voor dit recensie-exemplaar in ruil voor een eerlijke mening.
In dit boek maken we kennis met ontzettend veel personages - wat voor mij in het begin wel wat lastig was. Ik raakte in de war en had niet altijd direct door met wie ik nu te maken had. Later in het boek werd dit makkelijker en bouwde ik een band met de personages op. De ene vond ik leuker dan de ander, maar toch waren ze allemaal uniek en droegen ze bij aan het verhaal.
Wat ik zo fijn vond aan dit boek, was dat ik helemaal kon wegdromen bij het prachtige Engeland en dat het vol zit met grappige momentjes. Kleine dorpjes, vriendelijke mensen, mooie landschappen en af en toe wat chaos. Dit komt allemaal aan bod en ik genoot hier zo van. Als iemand nog een huis vrij heeft in de Cotswolds bied ik me graag aan.
De romantiek is mooi geschreven. Bij het ene personage wat sneller dan bij de ander, en soms miste ik hier net wat diepgang. Van sommige personages had ik graag iets meer willen weten. Hier bleef het wat oppervlakkig.
Ik vond dit weer een typische Mansell en kon heerlijk wegdromen. Zeker een aanrader om tijdens het mooie weer te lezen.
Bedankt uitgeverij Luitingh-Sijthoff en Lees Bol voor dit recensie-exemplaar in ruil voor een eerlijke mening.
January 28, 2025
I enjoyed this book from the beginning of the book to the very last page! What made it so enjoyable was the cast of characters which Jill Mansell has created and, with one or two exceptions, I really liked them all. There’s Nella, who is a concierge at an exclusive Cotswold retreat and who we first meet when she crashes her car into a wall. There’s Nick who rescues her and takes her to A&E and soon after becomes her boss. There’s Lizzie, a Hollywood actress looking for a bit of peace and quiet out of the limelight. There’s Cami who is ghost-writing Lizzie’s ‘autobiography’ and is expecting a baby. There’s Hugo who Nick’s friend, Matthew who gets off on the wrong foot with Lizzie, Maeve who is Matthew’s daughter, Nella’s previous boss Tommy and his arch enemy Jed – and more! It may sound like there are a lot of characters to get your head around but it’s testament to Jill Mansell’s writing that they all feel fully rounded and I never found myself wondering who was who.
I felt there was a fair amount in the book about how first impressions aren’t always correct and it was interesting to see how some characters had to re-evaluate what they had initially thought of others. It was interesting as a reader too that the author gently led us to see that some of our first impressions were wrong.
Love is in the air in the village of Starbourne and I loved following the characters on their paths to happiness, some of which were more unexpected than others. I felt like I knew the village and its inhabitants rather well by the time I finished the book. There’s a sentence I came across which sums up this book (and many others) rather nicely: “What was it about words on a page having the ability to sweep you into another world so completely that it felt more real than the one you were actually living in?“. An Almost Perfect Summer certainly gave me a rather lovely escape from the real world while I was reading. I particularly liked the ending, which I won’t give away of course but which put me in mind of the end of one of my favourite films. Very romantic, a real lump in the throat moment.
I don’t know about An Almost Perfect Summer but this is an almost perfect feel-good novel. In fact, I’d go as far to say it is a perfect feel-good novel! The back of the book says it’s full of friendship, warmth and romance and that really does sum it up perfectly. Another cracker of a book from Jill Mansell, a real joy to read. I loved it!
I felt there was a fair amount in the book about how first impressions aren’t always correct and it was interesting to see how some characters had to re-evaluate what they had initially thought of others. It was interesting as a reader too that the author gently led us to see that some of our first impressions were wrong.
Love is in the air in the village of Starbourne and I loved following the characters on their paths to happiness, some of which were more unexpected than others. I felt like I knew the village and its inhabitants rather well by the time I finished the book. There’s a sentence I came across which sums up this book (and many others) rather nicely: “What was it about words on a page having the ability to sweep you into another world so completely that it felt more real than the one you were actually living in?“. An Almost Perfect Summer certainly gave me a rather lovely escape from the real world while I was reading. I particularly liked the ending, which I won’t give away of course but which put me in mind of the end of one of my favourite films. Very romantic, a real lump in the throat moment.
I don’t know about An Almost Perfect Summer but this is an almost perfect feel-good novel. In fact, I’d go as far to say it is a perfect feel-good novel! The back of the book says it’s full of friendship, warmth and romance and that really does sum it up perfectly. Another cracker of a book from Jill Mansell, a real joy to read. I loved it!
April 10, 2025
Feel good op z’n best, dat zijn de boeken van Jill Mansell!
Elk jaar kijk ik weer uit naar haar nieuwste boek, en ook dit keer stelde ze absoluut niet teleur. Ondanks mijn liefde voor duistere verhalen, blijft Jill Mansell al jarenlang één van mijn favoriete auteurs. Waarom? Omdat ze als geen ander weet hoe je je lezers laat wegdromen met hartverwarmende personages, fijne dialogen en romantiek die je een glimlach bezorgt.
In ‘Denk jij ook weleens aan mij?‘ maken we onder andere kennis met Nella en Nick, die elkaar ontmoeten in het pittoreske dorpje Starbourne in de Cotswolds – alleen al die setting zorgt voor heerlijke romantische vibes. Wat volgt is een verhaal waarin niet alleen romantiek, maar ook vriendschap, tweede kansen en een gevoel van gemeenschap centraal staan.
Zoals we gewend zijn van Jill, volgen we meerdere verhaallijnen, waaronder ook die van Hollywood-actrice Lizzie. Haar vlucht uit de spotlights brengt haar in aanraking met de norse maar charmante Matthew. En laten we eerlijk zijn: zulke personages zijn toch genieten? Ik hou er in ieder geval enorm van!
De personages hebben precies de juiste hoeveelheid diepgang voor een feel good verhaal. Wat mij betreft zijn ze geloofwaardig, sympathiek en allemaal maken ze een mooie persoonlijke ontwikkeling door. Ze zijn stuk voor stuk loveable, waardoor je ze eigenlijk geen gedag wilt zeggen als het boek uit is. Ik had graag nog even in Starbourne willen blijven.
Alle verhaallijnen in dit boek komen uiteindelijk prachtig samen in het slot.
Natuurlijk is een feel good verhaal voorspelbaar – dat hoort er gewoon bij – maar Jill Mansell weet er zoals altijd genoeg verrassingen in te stoppen om vernieuwend te zijn.
Haar schrijfstijl is heerlijk vlot en beeldend, de gebeurtenissen volgen elkaar in lekker tempo op, en voor je het weet ben je alweer op de laatste bladzijde beland. Dit was weer een boek waarin je moeiteloos verdwijnt.
Conclusie
De nieuwe Jill Mansell was wat mij betreft weer een feestje en ik vind het jammer dat ik deze heerlijke roman alweer zo snel uit had.
‘Denk jij ook weleens aan mij?‘ is weer een typisch Jill Mansell-verhaal: warm, romantisch en ideaal om even helemaal in weg te duiken. Perfect voor op een vrije middag of als je gewoon behoefte hebt aan een oppepper.
De beeldende beschrijvingen en de heerlijke personages zijn ook hier weer de kracht van het verhaal!
Elk jaar kijk ik weer uit naar haar nieuwste boek, en ook dit keer stelde ze absoluut niet teleur. Ondanks mijn liefde voor duistere verhalen, blijft Jill Mansell al jarenlang één van mijn favoriete auteurs. Waarom? Omdat ze als geen ander weet hoe je je lezers laat wegdromen met hartverwarmende personages, fijne dialogen en romantiek die je een glimlach bezorgt.
In ‘Denk jij ook weleens aan mij?‘ maken we onder andere kennis met Nella en Nick, die elkaar ontmoeten in het pittoreske dorpje Starbourne in de Cotswolds – alleen al die setting zorgt voor heerlijke romantische vibes. Wat volgt is een verhaal waarin niet alleen romantiek, maar ook vriendschap, tweede kansen en een gevoel van gemeenschap centraal staan.
Zoals we gewend zijn van Jill, volgen we meerdere verhaallijnen, waaronder ook die van Hollywood-actrice Lizzie. Haar vlucht uit de spotlights brengt haar in aanraking met de norse maar charmante Matthew. En laten we eerlijk zijn: zulke personages zijn toch genieten? Ik hou er in ieder geval enorm van!
De personages hebben precies de juiste hoeveelheid diepgang voor een feel good verhaal. Wat mij betreft zijn ze geloofwaardig, sympathiek en allemaal maken ze een mooie persoonlijke ontwikkeling door. Ze zijn stuk voor stuk loveable, waardoor je ze eigenlijk geen gedag wilt zeggen als het boek uit is. Ik had graag nog even in Starbourne willen blijven.
Alle verhaallijnen in dit boek komen uiteindelijk prachtig samen in het slot.
Natuurlijk is een feel good verhaal voorspelbaar – dat hoort er gewoon bij – maar Jill Mansell weet er zoals altijd genoeg verrassingen in te stoppen om vernieuwend te zijn.
Haar schrijfstijl is heerlijk vlot en beeldend, de gebeurtenissen volgen elkaar in lekker tempo op, en voor je het weet ben je alweer op de laatste bladzijde beland. Dit was weer een boek waarin je moeiteloos verdwijnt.
Conclusie
De nieuwe Jill Mansell was wat mij betreft weer een feestje en ik vind het jammer dat ik deze heerlijke roman alweer zo snel uit had.
‘Denk jij ook weleens aan mij?‘ is weer een typisch Jill Mansell-verhaal: warm, romantisch en ideaal om even helemaal in weg te duiken. Perfect voor op een vrije middag of als je gewoon behoefte hebt aan een oppepper.
De beeldende beschrijvingen en de heerlijke personages zijn ook hier weer de kracht van het verhaal!
April 16, 2025
Wanneer Nella Nick ontmoet, weet ze één ding zeker: dit is de meest intrigerende man, die ze sinds tijden heeft ontmoet. Dan verliest Nella haar baan en krijgt ze niet veel later de perfecte baan aangeboden bij een vakantieresort in de Cotswolds. Enig nadeel hierbij wel, is dat Nick haar baas is. De enige man op wie ze dus dan niet verliefd kan worden. Terwijl Nella worstelt met haar gevoelens arriveert Hollywoodster Lizzie op het resort. Ze zegt dat ze mannen heeft afgezworen, maar is dat zo? Flirt ze nu met Nick? Of gaat ze voor de zwijgzame Matthew, die duidelijk geen fan is van de ster. Dan blijkt maar weer, dat de onthulling van een geheim het leven compleet kan veranderen. Een wervelende romantische komedie vol verrassingen!
Conclusie:
Wat een fijne, hartverwarmende en mooie feelgood. Dit is echt Jill Mansell. Haar unieke, levendige, vlotte en frivole schrijfstijl is direct al bij de eerste pagina te herkennen. Ze weet erg veel sfeer en emotie in het verhaal te brengen, waardoor je op en top geniet van dit onstuimige, grappige en erg fijne verhaal.
We lezen het verhaal van meerdere personages, waarbij Nella en Lizzie wel het meest in de spotlights staan. De personages zijn met finesse en heerlijk divers uitgewerkt, wat de personages erg realistisch en sterk maakt, is dat Jill Mansell ook een rugzakje geeft. Daarbij maken de verschillende personages een mooie groei en ontwikkeling door.
De verhaallijn wordt mooi opgebouwd, zeker met de leuke ontmoeting die Nella en Nick hebben weet Jill Mansell je echt mee het verhaal in te trekken. Doordat het verhaal bestaat uit meerdere verhaallijnen, veel wendingen, gebeurtenissen, opbloeiende liefdes, vriendschappen en zwangerschappen, ontroerende, hartverwarmende en hilarische momenten weet het verhaal je echt van het begin tot het einde te vermaken. Tot slot wordt zowel de verhaallijn van Nella als die van Lizzie op echte feelgood wijze afgesloten.
Denk jij ook weleens aan mij? is een heerlijke, hartverwarmende en een echte Jill Mansell. Haar schrijfstijl is weer direct te herkennen, de personages zijn realistisch en erg goed uitgewerkt en maken gedurende het verhaal een mooie transformatie door . De verhaallijn bestaat uit meerdere pakkende lijnen waarin liefde, vriendschappen, rouw, verdriet, zwangerschap en humor verwerkt is. Echt op en top genieten, deze nieuwe Jill Mansell.
Conclusie:
Wat een fijne, hartverwarmende en mooie feelgood. Dit is echt Jill Mansell. Haar unieke, levendige, vlotte en frivole schrijfstijl is direct al bij de eerste pagina te herkennen. Ze weet erg veel sfeer en emotie in het verhaal te brengen, waardoor je op en top geniet van dit onstuimige, grappige en erg fijne verhaal.
We lezen het verhaal van meerdere personages, waarbij Nella en Lizzie wel het meest in de spotlights staan. De personages zijn met finesse en heerlijk divers uitgewerkt, wat de personages erg realistisch en sterk maakt, is dat Jill Mansell ook een rugzakje geeft. Daarbij maken de verschillende personages een mooie groei en ontwikkeling door.
De verhaallijn wordt mooi opgebouwd, zeker met de leuke ontmoeting die Nella en Nick hebben weet Jill Mansell je echt mee het verhaal in te trekken. Doordat het verhaal bestaat uit meerdere verhaallijnen, veel wendingen, gebeurtenissen, opbloeiende liefdes, vriendschappen en zwangerschappen, ontroerende, hartverwarmende en hilarische momenten weet het verhaal je echt van het begin tot het einde te vermaken. Tot slot wordt zowel de verhaallijn van Nella als die van Lizzie op echte feelgood wijze afgesloten.
Denk jij ook weleens aan mij? is een heerlijke, hartverwarmende en een echte Jill Mansell. Haar schrijfstijl is weer direct te herkennen, de personages zijn realistisch en erg goed uitgewerkt en maken gedurende het verhaal een mooie transformatie door . De verhaallijn bestaat uit meerdere pakkende lijnen waarin liefde, vriendschappen, rouw, verdriet, zwangerschap en humor verwerkt is. Echt op en top genieten, deze nieuwe Jill Mansell.
June 18, 2025
Like most of Jill Mansell's books, some aspects of this one were a bit predictable, but there were also nice surprises along the way. The main love interests were the blandest characters, but the others around them were fun. So overall it was a fun bubbly read, but nothing that stands out. You can always count on Jill when you need a comforting summer read!
January 26, 2025
What can I say? It’s Jill Mansell and she always writes just the book I need, her books are comfort reads to me. Like sitting down for a long chat with a good friend over warm beverages. I picked this one up to both start and finish today - couldn’t resist, just too easy to slip away inside the pages.
Once again she paints a lovely, small English countryside town you long to visit and walk the streets of. Her characters are relatable and lovely and feel like old friends, I always just long for each to get a nice HEA send off. One of the things I’ve always liked best is she weaves together several characters stories at once. Loved the ending of this one, with only one thread I would have liked to see tied up (I won’t say who, but if you read you’ll know).
All and all a lovely way to spend a Saturday- though sad because now I’ll have to wait a year for another new release 😊
Once again she paints a lovely, small English countryside town you long to visit and walk the streets of. Her characters are relatable and lovely and feel like old friends, I always just long for each to get a nice HEA send off. One of the things I’ve always liked best is she weaves together several characters stories at once. Loved the ending of this one, with only one thread I would have liked to see tied up (I won’t say who, but if you read you’ll know).
All and all a lovely way to spend a Saturday- though sad because now I’ll have to wait a year for another new release 😊
April 18, 2025
4.25 stars
Ik denk dat ik dit de fijnste Jill Mansell vind van de laatste jaren. Fijne setting, leuke personages en ook mooi hoe alle perspectieven samenkomen. Heerlijk boek
Ik denk dat ik dit de fijnste Jill Mansell vind van de laatste jaren. Fijne setting, leuke personages en ook mooi hoe alle perspectieven samenkomen. Heerlijk boek
May 2, 2025
Iets te veel mensen met een rol in dit boek.
Hierdoor heb ik het idee dat ik niet iedereen goed heb leren kennen.
Alsnog zeer vermakelijk, maar wat aan de drukke kant.
Hierdoor heb ik het idee dat ik niet iedereen goed heb leren kennen.
Alsnog zeer vermakelijk, maar wat aan de drukke kant.
June 8, 2025
Such a wholesome book with wonderful characters in🩷 #welovejillmansel
July 31, 2025
As always, Jill Mansell delivers a lovely summer holiday read!
May 9, 2025
4 sterren voor het verhaal van Nellie en Nick🫶🏻
Teveel side stories als je het mij vraagt
Teveel side stories als je het mij vraagt
February 20, 2025
This book was just too busy with characters for my liking
January 19, 2025
Jill Mansell always provides her loyal readers with fun, entertaining and engaging reads and this latest story, An Almost Perfect Summer, is no different. It’s packed full of characters and different ongoing storylines. I saw another review comparing it in a way to Love Actually and to be honest that wouldn’t be too far from a good description of it.
Set in a Cotswolds village, the descriptions of which were stunning, the story follows Ella and Nick and although they start out being the main characters, a whole host of other people join them and slowly lots of different storylines merge into one. I will admit to feeling slightly overwhelmed with the number of characters and trying to keep track of who was who and what was going on with them. But around the midway point, I found myself settling more into the pacing and plot of the book. I began to see connections emerging and I enjoyed trying to figure out how things would eventually pan out.
Nella and Nick first bump into each other in the local shop in the small village of Starbourne as Nella is trying to buy a bunch of flowers for her grandfather’s grave. Following an incident with Nella’s car leads Nick coming to her rescue and from that moment on a small spark is ignited but whether it turns into a roaring fire remains to be seen. Nella now lives in Manchester but had lived with her grandfather after her mother had passed away. She knows the residents there well and is very familiar with the area and all its quirks and eccentricities. After all in a small village everyone knows everyone else’s business no matter how much you try to keep things under wraps. Nella is a fixer, she loves solving other problems no matter how big or small and she brings this trait to her job working for nightclub owner Tommy. She keeps him on the straight and narrow but despite how good she is at her job she finds herself let go after Tommy gets into a bit of trouble. I kept thinking why were certain characters mentioned so much or those that I deemed to be lesser characters give airtime a such but I was surprised to discover further on that really every character was relevant and had their own little storyline. Yes, there were a lot of sub/mini plots but I found they all added to the charm of the overall story.
Through one way and another Nella ends back in Starbourne and working for Nick and the rental company he runs. There are several properties in the village which he rents out and Nella is now there as concierge to cater to every whim of the guests. It’s through this that we get to know some of the guests and the locals and come to know how they start to interact with each other. Here is where the specific focus shifted away from Nella and Nick and this was great because it meant the usual format of a book in this genre wasn’t being followed. The regular romance tropes weren’t apparent and it was brilliant that it wasn’t so clear cut as to who was going to end up with who or if indeed anyone at all.
As previously mentioned, a bevy of characters were introduced and all had different problems and personalities. Lizzie is a Hollywood actress who rents a house for several months from Nick. She is exhausted and completely worn out and just needs some time away from the bright lights of Tinseltown to rest and relax and decide her next move. Is she keen to continue on with her movies or is she ready to call time on things? As the months stretch ahead of her with no schedule to stick to will Starbourne offer the solitude she craves or will her kind and caring nature her see get stuck into the heart of things wanting to do good for others whenever she can? After all that’s what she realises she gets a kick out of, helping others because she has the ability to do so. Coming to the village might just be the best decision she has ever made. This compassionate and caring nature that she possesses is highlighted when she gives Cami, the ghost writer for her biography, a place to stay in her hour of need. I won’t go into details re Cami’s situation but I loved her as a character and was desperately hoping she would get the happy ending that she deserved. Well really every character that came into play I knew that I wanted the to end up with someone but finding the right person and reading about the obstacles they must overcome is half the enjoyment of the story.
Maeve is a young girl working at cleaning out the rental homes before going to college in the Autumn. Matthew is her Dad and they are still grieving the loss of the their mother and wife respectively. Again two great additions to the story and I was delighted to see that Maeve wasn’t treated like a baby and actually had a good solid and serious storyline and the way she handles things shows she is far mature than her age would suggest. Hugo and Tristan Peverell are the sons of the local estate owners. Hugo is down to earth and just a lovely all round character where as Tristan is an obnoxious, hideous man who prefers speeding around in his car causing havoc and drinking and partying with his friends. Dane Cruise is a celebrity artist renting another house of Nicks and has his assistant Billy to help. Again with this two I questioned their inclusion but Jill had things plotted out very well and was utilising her characters to great effect. The same could be said for Esme, who works in the local bar, and Jed another nightclub owner connected to Tommy. Why were they there but this was like one giant chess board with constantly shifting pieces and I just had to be patient and all would be revealed over one perfect summer as the title suggest.
Although not my favourite book by Jill Mansell, I mean there are so many to choose from if you’ve been with her from the very beginning and read them all which I have, I did still very much enjoy An Almost Perfect Sumer. It was the perfect antidote to the slew of Christmas books that I had read and a nice way to ease me into my January reading. You’ll get easily wrapped up in the charming and inviting writing. Observing the residents of the Cotswolds village for one summer provided me with a sense of escapism as you become hooked on the secrets and the romance unfolding. Overall a delightful read that everyone will find something to enjoy and take from.
Set in a Cotswolds village, the descriptions of which were stunning, the story follows Ella and Nick and although they start out being the main characters, a whole host of other people join them and slowly lots of different storylines merge into one. I will admit to feeling slightly overwhelmed with the number of characters and trying to keep track of who was who and what was going on with them. But around the midway point, I found myself settling more into the pacing and plot of the book. I began to see connections emerging and I enjoyed trying to figure out how things would eventually pan out.
Nella and Nick first bump into each other in the local shop in the small village of Starbourne as Nella is trying to buy a bunch of flowers for her grandfather’s grave. Following an incident with Nella’s car leads Nick coming to her rescue and from that moment on a small spark is ignited but whether it turns into a roaring fire remains to be seen. Nella now lives in Manchester but had lived with her grandfather after her mother had passed away. She knows the residents there well and is very familiar with the area and all its quirks and eccentricities. After all in a small village everyone knows everyone else’s business no matter how much you try to keep things under wraps. Nella is a fixer, she loves solving other problems no matter how big or small and she brings this trait to her job working for nightclub owner Tommy. She keeps him on the straight and narrow but despite how good she is at her job she finds herself let go after Tommy gets into a bit of trouble. I kept thinking why were certain characters mentioned so much or those that I deemed to be lesser characters give airtime a such but I was surprised to discover further on that really every character was relevant and had their own little storyline. Yes, there were a lot of sub/mini plots but I found they all added to the charm of the overall story.
Through one way and another Nella ends back in Starbourne and working for Nick and the rental company he runs. There are several properties in the village which he rents out and Nella is now there as concierge to cater to every whim of the guests. It’s through this that we get to know some of the guests and the locals and come to know how they start to interact with each other. Here is where the specific focus shifted away from Nella and Nick and this was great because it meant the usual format of a book in this genre wasn’t being followed. The regular romance tropes weren’t apparent and it was brilliant that it wasn’t so clear cut as to who was going to end up with who or if indeed anyone at all.
As previously mentioned, a bevy of characters were introduced and all had different problems and personalities. Lizzie is a Hollywood actress who rents a house for several months from Nick. She is exhausted and completely worn out and just needs some time away from the bright lights of Tinseltown to rest and relax and decide her next move. Is she keen to continue on with her movies or is she ready to call time on things? As the months stretch ahead of her with no schedule to stick to will Starbourne offer the solitude she craves or will her kind and caring nature her see get stuck into the heart of things wanting to do good for others whenever she can? After all that’s what she realises she gets a kick out of, helping others because she has the ability to do so. Coming to the village might just be the best decision she has ever made. This compassionate and caring nature that she possesses is highlighted when she gives Cami, the ghost writer for her biography, a place to stay in her hour of need. I won’t go into details re Cami’s situation but I loved her as a character and was desperately hoping she would get the happy ending that she deserved. Well really every character that came into play I knew that I wanted the to end up with someone but finding the right person and reading about the obstacles they must overcome is half the enjoyment of the story.
Maeve is a young girl working at cleaning out the rental homes before going to college in the Autumn. Matthew is her Dad and they are still grieving the loss of the their mother and wife respectively. Again two great additions to the story and I was delighted to see that Maeve wasn’t treated like a baby and actually had a good solid and serious storyline and the way she handles things shows she is far mature than her age would suggest. Hugo and Tristan Peverell are the sons of the local estate owners. Hugo is down to earth and just a lovely all round character where as Tristan is an obnoxious, hideous man who prefers speeding around in his car causing havoc and drinking and partying with his friends. Dane Cruise is a celebrity artist renting another house of Nicks and has his assistant Billy to help. Again with this two I questioned their inclusion but Jill had things plotted out very well and was utilising her characters to great effect. The same could be said for Esme, who works in the local bar, and Jed another nightclub owner connected to Tommy. Why were they there but this was like one giant chess board with constantly shifting pieces and I just had to be patient and all would be revealed over one perfect summer as the title suggest.
Although not my favourite book by Jill Mansell, I mean there are so many to choose from if you’ve been with her from the very beginning and read them all which I have, I did still very much enjoy An Almost Perfect Sumer. It was the perfect antidote to the slew of Christmas books that I had read and a nice way to ease me into my January reading. You’ll get easily wrapped up in the charming and inviting writing. Observing the residents of the Cotswolds village for one summer provided me with a sense of escapism as you become hooked on the secrets and the romance unfolding. Overall a delightful read that everyone will find something to enjoy and take from.
January 22, 2025
Jill Mansell's "An Almost Perfect Summer" is the ultimate cozy comfort read! If you're looking for a charming escape to the English countryside, this one's your ticket.
The story sweeps us away to Starbourne, this picture-perfect Cotswolds village where luxury holiday houses are managed by the irresistible Nick. Enter our two leading ladies: Nella, the super-organised local who's returned home, and Lizzie, an actress supposedly seeking solitude (spoiler: she finds anything but!). And here's what I love - both women are so wonderfully written that I couldn't pick a favourite to win Nick's heart!
Mansell has this magical ability to juggle multiple storylines like she's conducting an orchestra - every character and plot thread harmonises perfectly. She weaves together romance, humour, and secrets with the skill of a master storyteller. The way she builds this world, you'll feel like you're right there, sipping tea in a cozy cottage or strolling through village lanes.
Think of it as a heartwarming mix of romance and village drama, with enough twists to keep you guessing. It's like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket on a rainy day - pure comfort with a side of scandal!
If you're a fan of British village life, charming romance, and stories that leave you with a big smile, this book needs to be on your TBR pile. It's Mansell at her finest - proving once again why she's one of the queens of feel-good fiction!
I definitely recommend this if you’re a fan of writers such as Phillipa Ashley or even Jo Thomas.
The story sweeps us away to Starbourne, this picture-perfect Cotswolds village where luxury holiday houses are managed by the irresistible Nick. Enter our two leading ladies: Nella, the super-organised local who's returned home, and Lizzie, an actress supposedly seeking solitude (spoiler: she finds anything but!). And here's what I love - both women are so wonderfully written that I couldn't pick a favourite to win Nick's heart!
Mansell has this magical ability to juggle multiple storylines like she's conducting an orchestra - every character and plot thread harmonises perfectly. She weaves together romance, humour, and secrets with the skill of a master storyteller. The way she builds this world, you'll feel like you're right there, sipping tea in a cozy cottage or strolling through village lanes.
Think of it as a heartwarming mix of romance and village drama, with enough twists to keep you guessing. It's like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket on a rainy day - pure comfort with a side of scandal!
If you're a fan of British village life, charming romance, and stories that leave you with a big smile, this book needs to be on your TBR pile. It's Mansell at her finest - proving once again why she's one of the queens of feel-good fiction!
I definitely recommend this if you’re a fan of writers such as Phillipa Ashley or even Jo Thomas.
July 26, 2025
This was such a charming feel-good read. Classic Jill Mansell with all the ingredients that make her books so enjoyable: quirky characters, unexpected twists and that unmistakable warmth that keeps you turning the pages.
I really liked Nella as a main character. She’s relatable, witty and just trying to figure things out after a major life shift (haven’t we all been there?). Her chemistry with Nick was sweet and slow-burning and the fact that he becomes her boss adds just the right bit of tension. It kept things interesting without being over the top.
The storyline with Lizzie the Hollywood star hiding out in the Cotswolds was a nice addition. Watching her slowly come out of her shell especially through her interactions with her grumpy neighbor Matthew added depth to the story. I actually found Matthew really endearing. And yes there is a juicy secret that gets revealed later on. I didn’t see it coming but it made everything come together nicely.
As always the setting was lovely. The holiday retreat felt almost like another character in the book. I could picture it so clearly and it made me want to escape to the countryside myself.
The only reason I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because a few parts felt a bit too neat or predictable. But honestly it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the book. If you're looking for a cozy heartwarming read filled with romance, friendship and just enough drama to keep things moving An Almost Perfect Summer is a great pick.
I really liked Nella as a main character. She’s relatable, witty and just trying to figure things out after a major life shift (haven’t we all been there?). Her chemistry with Nick was sweet and slow-burning and the fact that he becomes her boss adds just the right bit of tension. It kept things interesting without being over the top.
The storyline with Lizzie the Hollywood star hiding out in the Cotswolds was a nice addition. Watching her slowly come out of her shell especially through her interactions with her grumpy neighbor Matthew added depth to the story. I actually found Matthew really endearing. And yes there is a juicy secret that gets revealed later on. I didn’t see it coming but it made everything come together nicely.
As always the setting was lovely. The holiday retreat felt almost like another character in the book. I could picture it so clearly and it made me want to escape to the countryside myself.
The only reason I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because a few parts felt a bit too neat or predictable. But honestly it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the book. If you're looking for a cozy heartwarming read filled with romance, friendship and just enough drama to keep things moving An Almost Perfect Summer is a great pick.
June 7, 2025
a hoot and a half!
i had never read a jill mansell novel before this one so i had absolutely no idea what to expect, but i was very happily surprised!
i was originally taken by this book due to the pretty pink cover (i am a hater of the phrase 'never judge a book by its cover'; i couldn't be more judgier) and was hoping for a good rom-com - instead i got a multitude of good rom-coms!
we followed several different characters all discovering their feelings for each other (some guessable and some not) and it was highly enjoyable! i probably could've read this in 1-2 sittings but sadly i have a job and real life took me away from my true priority of reading everyday.
some parts were rather unrealistic and certain sub-plots felt like they were thrown in just for fun, but it was an incredibly easy and light-hearted read with funny, likeable characters. i would even go so far to say this would be good for when you're in the midst of a reading slump and need something to get you back on the literary wagon - and i wouldn't mind a sequel at all!
July 27, 2025
the most insane crossover book you’d ever read , every character has such a specific role in this book and i won’t lie when i say i really loved every single one of them
no one was unlikeable in this book (unless they were supposed to be, in which they were still so well written to be infuriating)
it’s very cheesy i love a cheesy holiday book,
some of the characters although did really bloody confuse me LOL sometimes their ages weren’t specified or detailed as well as they could have been so when they started seeing others and forming relationships it really did a 180 on me
fully thought that matthew the bluebell guy at the church was a grumpy old grandad , didn’t realise that esme wasn’t near in age to Jed either so that’s quite funny
but yeah really cute ! sort of feel like nella and nicks story wasn’t focused on enough , there was a lot of built up tension between them that could’ve been built on more but i love their ending and tommy kesslers involvement , also nella’s inital a&e car crash scene wasn’t very well dramatised or written it was just short and everyone moved on really quickly
—————————————————————
reading times:
an almost perfect summer:
july 25: page 30
july 26: page 60, 305, 369
july 27: page 422(end)
no one was unlikeable in this book (unless they were supposed to be, in which they were still so well written to be infuriating)
it’s very cheesy i love a cheesy holiday book,
some of the characters although did really bloody confuse me LOL sometimes their ages weren’t specified or detailed as well as they could have been so when they started seeing others and forming relationships it really did a 180 on me
fully thought that matthew the bluebell guy at the church was a grumpy old grandad , didn’t realise that esme wasn’t near in age to Jed either so that’s quite funny
but yeah really cute ! sort of feel like nella and nicks story wasn’t focused on enough , there was a lot of built up tension between them that could’ve been built on more but i love their ending and tommy kesslers involvement , also nella’s inital a&e car crash scene wasn’t very well dramatised or written it was just short and everyone moved on really quickly
—————————————————————
reading times:
an almost perfect summer:
july 25: page 30
july 26: page 60, 305, 369
july 27: page 422(end)
January 25, 2025
Jill Mansell pulls it out the bag again!
This time we’re off to the Cotswolds, and the picturesque village of Starbourne. Where most of the residents are friendly and welcoming (and then there’s Tristan).
This story of love, friendship and community is told from various viewpoints and I’d be hard pushed to tell you who was my favourite, as they all brought their own unique personalities to the table.
I thoroughly enjoyed following all their individual experiences and watching their characters grow and develop against the beautiful backdrop of this quaint English village.
Would recommend if you’re looking to be whisked away for a few hours.
This time we’re off to the Cotswolds, and the picturesque village of Starbourne. Where most of the residents are friendly and welcoming (and then there’s Tristan).
This story of love, friendship and community is told from various viewpoints and I’d be hard pushed to tell you who was my favourite, as they all brought their own unique personalities to the table.
I thoroughly enjoyed following all their individual experiences and watching their characters grow and develop against the beautiful backdrop of this quaint English village.
Would recommend if you’re looking to be whisked away for a few hours.
April 17, 2025
Bedankt @lsuitgeverij voor dit recensie-exemplaar!
Nick is de meest intrigerende man die Nella in tijden heeft ontmoet. Nella verliest haar baan maar krijgt werk bij Nick. Best onhandig!
Hollywood-actrice Lizzie komt in het resort van Nick wonen. Ze heeft mannen afgezworen maar toch begint er wat geflirt.
En dan doet een geheim alles kantelen.
Dit boek is weer zo’n prachtige limited edition met prachtige bloemige edges ❤️.
Het boek begon direct super grappig.
De vele pov’s in het boek vond ik soms wel lastig volgen. Had opgelost kunnen worden met de naam bij hoofdstukken zetten, maar dit was helaas niet het geval. Goed opletten dus!
Het duurde even voor het boek wat op gang kwam. Een echte slowburner.
Ik kreeg een beetje virgin river vibes van het boek. Small town, we leren veel over heel veel verschillende mensen ook.
Dus ook veel verschillende verhaallijnen, waardoor er veel gebeurt.
Er was liefde in het boek, maar daar werd niet voornamelijk de nadruk op gelegd en dat was eigenlijk wel prettig.
Dit boek was voor mij eigenlijk precies 3,5⭐️, maar ik geef geen half dus:
Nick is de meest intrigerende man die Nella in tijden heeft ontmoet. Nella verliest haar baan maar krijgt werk bij Nick. Best onhandig!
Hollywood-actrice Lizzie komt in het resort van Nick wonen. Ze heeft mannen afgezworen maar toch begint er wat geflirt.
En dan doet een geheim alles kantelen.
Dit boek is weer zo’n prachtige limited edition met prachtige bloemige edges ❤️.
Het boek begon direct super grappig.
De vele pov’s in het boek vond ik soms wel lastig volgen. Had opgelost kunnen worden met de naam bij hoofdstukken zetten, maar dit was helaas niet het geval. Goed opletten dus!
Het duurde even voor het boek wat op gang kwam. Een echte slowburner.
Ik kreeg een beetje virgin river vibes van het boek. Small town, we leren veel over heel veel verschillende mensen ook.
Dus ook veel verschillende verhaallijnen, waardoor er veel gebeurt.
Er was liefde in het boek, maar daar werd niet voornamelijk de nadruk op gelegd en dat was eigenlijk wel prettig.
Dit boek was voor mij eigenlijk precies 3,5⭐️, maar ik geef geen half dus:
December 26, 2024
This is a really great feel good romance which is packed with great characters and a well rounded storyline to keep the interest of the reader from start to finish.
The book follows residents in a Cotswold village, some of whom are living or working in a new development of luxury homes which are rented out as holiday accommodation. As we meet them they immediately begin to sparkle with personality and I couldn’t wait to see if romance would blossom and friendships would be made or lost.
The story is about love, friendship, second chances and the importance of family and friendship; not taking anyone or anything at face value. It is a great feel good story that I thoroughly enjoyed and would not hesitate to recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book follows residents in a Cotswold village, some of whom are living or working in a new development of luxury homes which are rented out as holiday accommodation. As we meet them they immediately begin to sparkle with personality and I couldn’t wait to see if romance would blossom and friendships would be made or lost.
The story is about love, friendship, second chances and the importance of family and friendship; not taking anyone or anything at face value. It is a great feel good story that I thoroughly enjoyed and would not hesitate to recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2025
Ooohh wat heb ik weer een pret gehad tijdens het lezen van de nieuwste J.M. , er viel weer heel wat te grinniken om de capriolen van enkele personages .
Wat ik echt leuk vind is dat er meerdere liefdes verhaaltjes door elkaar lopen en dat de leeftijden van de betrokken personen uiteenlopen van tiener tot 40/ 50 jarigen .
Wat ik echt leuk vind is dat er meerdere liefdes verhaaltjes door elkaar lopen en dat de leeftijden van de betrokken personen uiteenlopen van tiener tot 40/ 50 jarigen .
March 19, 2025
4.5 ⭐️⭐️ A warm and sweet romance set in the Cotswolds. Delightful goings on, romantic entanglements, secrets, sadness, village life, dog antics, selfishness and how will the characters’ experiences and happy endings pan out add up to a heartwarming read.
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