Three Summers

by Karen Swan

If you love Lucinda Riley and Santa Montefiore, don't miss this sweeping and escapist new summer romance - preorder now!

'Transported me to Italy . . . very evocative' Fern Britton, the Sunday Times bestselling author

Tricase Porto, Puglia, Italy

1957: The summer of innocence
Amongst the lemon trees, Rafaella Parisi impatiently waits for the summer visitors to arrive in her small fishing village on the coast of Puglia. She may be dating Fon Gianelli, but there is one person she longs to Cosimo - son of the wealthy Franchetti family.

1958: The summer everything changed
After a devastating accident at the lavish Franchetti villa, Rafa makes a vow that changes the course of all their futures…

1961: The summer they met again…
And when Rafa and Cosi’s lives collide, Rafa must decide if she’s willing to risk the life she has built for the future she might have had…

Readers LOVE Karen Swan
'I utterly consumed this book as quickly as it consumed me!'
'It’s been a long time since I so thoroughly enjoyed a novel with the turn of every page'
'A fabulous book, almost impossible to put down'
'Reading this novel was a joy!'

Genres: Summer

454 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 26, 2026

About the author

Karen Swan began her career in fashion journalism before giving it all up to raise her three children and a puppy, and to pursue her ambition of becoming a writer. She lives in the forest in Sussex, writing her books in a treehouse overlooking the Downs. Her books include Christmas at Tiffany's, Summer at Tiffany's, The Perfect Present, Christmas in the Snow, The Summer Without You, The Paris Secret, and Christmas Under the Stars.

Reviews

[Lydia Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.

I really enjoy Karen Swan’s writing and have loved many of her Christmas books. I hadn’t yet read any of her historical fiction so was pleased to receive an ARC of Three Summers (thank you Net Galley). I have to say that I did really struggle with the first half of this book. I had to re-read the first few chapters a couple of times to try and make all the characters & their relationships stick in my head- there are just so many names to get your brain around. I couldn’t work out which brother belonged to which sister/girlfriend or even who was getting married and who all the older ladies were. At about 40% it did even out & I began to enjoy it. The format of spacing the story over three eventful summers really works and adds to the drama. Cosimo & Raffaella’s journey is a very romantic one, with vibes of a shakespearian romance beset by hurdles and issues. The kidnap plot line and & Dante’s darker presence from his underworld was a good contrast & it was easy to feel a lot of sympathy for Fon. The momentum built really well over the last few chapters and I loved the ending with all lose ends tied. The second half of the book definitely made up for the first ….and the setting is sublime!

Thank you Net galley for the ARC

[Trina Dixon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a book of two halves, the first I was transported to the sunny climes of Puglia, a village where time stood still, the Italian families clinging to the good days but looking forward to summer when the wealthy families descend and friendships are reignited. Despite their material differences Rafa, Gina, Cosima and Romoly have always been friends. The summer of 1957 changes everything.
The second half took on a darker more sinister side, despite having the same characters, at times it seemed like a different book.
A satisfying ending though

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never read a book by this author before and I was pleasantly surprised by it.
The Italian setting was enjoyable and put across very well. The characters interested me too, and their interactions were skilfully portrayed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy to review.

[Natasha Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this was an ok read though the first half was very slow, it didn’t feel like a Karen Swan book and I was glad when I finished it.

[Jayne Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a brilliant mix of characters and relationships! A tale of corruption and love spun along the Italian coastline; beautifully written.

[Josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in a small fishing village in Italy and beginning in 1957, “Three Summers” has three main characters: Rafaella, a young woman who has lived there all her life; Fon, the local young man she has been dating; and Cosimo, a member of a wealthy family who spends their summers in the village. They have all grown up together although with Cosi being away for much of the time, he has only just noticed how grown up Rafa is. But with Rafa dating Fon, conflict seems inevitable. What none of them realise is how that conflict will develop and, following a huge tragedy, will impact them and their families for years to come. Over the course of three summers, we find out how each character deals with the directions their lives go in. And when fate plays another part in the third summer and they find their lives still intertwined, what will they decide to do?

I really liked this book. As I say in a lot of reviews, if you find yourself both desperate to get to the end at the same time as dreading it because you don’t want it to end, it’s usually the sign of a good book. The settings are wonderfully described and I could really picture everywhere clearly, particularly the fishing village. But more importantly, the characters were all well fleshed out, even the supporting ones. If I have a criticism at all, it’s that the events of the first summer felt a tiny bit repetitive but this mattered less once the plot twist happened.

I would definitely recommend this book to others who like romance with a hint of the thriller about it too. 4.5 out of 5.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨3 stars✨

I have read many of Karen Swan’s contemporary books and I have always enjoyed her evocative writing, especially when her books are set in mainland Europe (e.g. Paris, Rome, Stockholm etc) as they have always offered the perfect escapism. This was the first of her books with a more historical backdrop that I have read and honestly the results were slightly disappointing.

The first summer felt fun and enjoyable (if not feeling like it dragged just a tad…) as the rich characters came back to the port town in sunny Puglia, where this book is set. I definitely felt frustrated by the characters and their actions, especially Fon and Romola, and how easily Rafaella forgave them had me rolling my eyes but overall it was a good time. That was until the event happened that would be the catalyst for the whole book.

The second chapter was barely a chapter and then the third chapter took a much darker and sinister tone which was a sharp juxtaposition to the first 50% and I didn’t enjoy it. Again it seemed to drag as it didn’t feel like much happened up until like the last few chapters when finally we hit the dramatic climax but it was over in a few pages. The ending was somewhat satisfying though which was a plus.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this author’s contemporary fiction however this book just didn’t hit the same sadly. However, this wasn’t a bad book so if the premise sounds interesting then I would suggest giving it a go.

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read many of Karen's books, and they transport you to some gorgeous places. This one is no exception.
We spent over half the book in the summer of 1957 in Puglia, Italy, where Raga and Gina live. Idyllic summers spent with friends who visit every summer. Fede, Cosimo, and Romola.
Something happened between Cosi and Rafa, and this summer, everything changes. Two brothers Dante and Fon are brought into the mix, and there is danger.
A tragedy takes place on the evening of Rafa's sisters wedding that changes the friendships.
The summer of 1958 is one chapter, and then we move on to the summer of 1961.
Gina and Rafa are now married, and this is where it really gets interesting.
I totally loved the dynamics of the characters. There was real depth. Some more likeable than others. I felt the story was very believable, and the location was beautiful.
The only thing I had a problem with, which for me lost a star, was the two scenes of animal cruelty, which I skipped past. Personally, I didn't think it added anything to the main story. I know in Karen's trilogy there was animal cruelty in that one, too, which stopped me from reading the following two in the series.
Getting past that. Overall, this was very good. I thought the ending was satisfying for all the main characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House uk, Transworld publishers/ Bantam, for the invitation to read this in return for an honest review.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Random House and Netgalley for the advanced copy for review!

I’m really digging the historical romances Karen Swan’s been writing - her Wild Isle historical mystery/ romance series was a favourite of mine. I’ve been looking out for her next winter book release but was pleasantly surprised when she announced Three Summers as her next novel.

We’re treated to a sun-soaked coastal Italian setting. Rafa is our beautiful main lead, and like other young women in her village, is thinking about her future. Her options are: Fon, a safe pragmatic choice from her village, or Cosi, the rich family’s son who is also her childhood best friend. Like all of Karen Swan’s novels, there’s a healthy dose of intrigue, dashing figures, sinister plots, and sweeping romance.

I particularly enjoyed these themes:
❤️ friends to lovers
💫 coming of age
💕 female friendships & sisterhood
💛 found family

Our cast of supporting characters are also thoroughly fleshed out - Rafa’s best friend Gina always has her back, and the brothers of both male leads are excellent foils for them.

I couldn’t put down Three Summers once I started it, and it left me thinking long after I’d finished it. I appreciated the research that must have gone into the settings and characters!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating this 5 out of 5 stars for a deeply entertaining summer read!

[Agi · Rating 4 out of 5]

With "Three Summers" we stay in the past, as it's Karen Swan's another try at historical fiction. And what can I say - as usually, brilliantly researched, with details we would probably never know if she hadn't digged them out somehow and brought them to life. The setting is beautiful and I was easily transported to Tricase, with the vivid and evocative descriptions of the gorgeous summers. The characters are brilliantly written and all the complexities of their relationships are there, captured and explored. There is a great dose of romance, mystery, intrigue.

As much as it was a good, solid read Karen Swan's Wild Isle historical series was simply extraordinary. "Three Summers", a brilliant read, but didn't deliver as well as the three historical stories. The end here felt rushed and a bit convenient, and as much as I really liked it, having the feeling that the characters deserved, what has happened to them, it still left me a little insatiable. Nevertheless, I really couldn't put this book down, was desperate to know what's going to happen - it's this kind of book that you're reading keeping your breath, because you have a feeling that something really bad will happen - it kept me sucked and the story grew on me. It's multi - layered and with great depth, exploring so many levels of relationships, class differences, revenge.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three Summers is a gorgeously written, emotionally rich story that sweeps you away to the lemon-scented coast of Puglia, Italy. Karen Swan masterfully captures the essence of three pivotal summers—1957, 1958, and 1961—through the eyes of Rafaella Parisi, a young woman whose life is shaped by love, loss, and the weight of choices made in youth.

The setting is beautifully evocative, with Swan’s prose painting vivid scenes of sun-drenched villas, seaside villages, and the quiet ache of longing. Rafaella is a compelling protagonist—spirited, vulnerable, and deeply relatable. Her connection with Cosimo Franchetti, the son of a wealthy family, is tender and complex, unfolding across years with a bittersweet intensity.

This isn’t just a romance—it’s a story about identity, class, and the courage to chase a life that feels truly yours. The emotional depth is balanced with a sense of nostalgia and hope, making it a perfect read for fans of Lucinda Riley and Santa Montefiore.

Three Summers is escapist fiction at its finest—elegant, heartfelt, and quietly powerful. A perfect companion for a lazy afternoon or a reflective evening.

With thanks to Karen Swan, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ This book had a bit of a slow start for me, and it took me a little while to get into, but when things picked up… wow. Honestly, it absolutely blew me away.

I went in blind and had no idea what I was in for. Not only does the beautiful writing transport you straight to 1950s Italy so you truly feel like you’re there, but the story completely grabs a hold of you and won’t let go.

There are themes of family, friendship, love, honour, power, corruption and revenge, to name a few. Swan explores a range of complex relationships so brilliantly. It turned a lot darker than I was anticipating, but I don’t want to spoil anything by explaining why.

The love story between Rafaella and Cosimo is undoubtedly a highlight. Amidst the darkness and the sinister aspects of some of the characters and their actions, the romance and yearning between these two is at times heart-wrenching, yet filled with depth, warmth, and representative of a love that perseveres, even when apart. I found their story really moving.

This is actually the first Karen Swan book I’ve ever read, and it won’t be the last. Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me an early copy. This one is going to be on my mind for a while!

[Liz T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three Summers is a story of love, jealousy, betrayal and revenge set against the backdrop of cerulean Italian skies and a beautiful seaside fishing village on the coast of Puglia. It is told from the point of view of Rafaella, Cosimo and Fon.
Although these three young people spend many Summers together from childhood those times of innocence are overtaken by jealousy when Fon realises that Rafaella has feelings for Cosimo when the Francetti family return to spend the Summer at Villa Agosto. Fon has always felt like an outsider and now he really has something to prove if he wants to keep his girl. However, would winning her hand really make him happy and at what price?
There are a number of characters to become acquainted with at the start of the story and it was a slow build up but once the saga of these intense relationships reached there climax I was hooked. Strong characters running alongside the three main characters added depth to the story, particularly Romola and Fede, Cosimos’s sister and brother, Rafaella’s best friend Gina and Fon’s brother Dante. As the pace of the story increased, I just couldn’t put this book down.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reading copy of Three Summers in return for an honest review.

[Olga Freer · Rating 2 out of 5]

About 15 years ago, I read one of Karen Swan’s Christmas novels, and I enjoyed it a lot. I wonder whether, if I read it now, I would find it basic chick lit, or whether “Three Summers”, her latest offering, is simply a far cry from what she used to write.

One thought followed me throughout the book - boring. Boring, boring, boring. It’s just… nothing really happens, and then the major event (no spoilers here) is dispatched in a few pages, after which the dullness resumes. Yes, the pace does pick up towards the end, but by then my overall impression of the novel was already set.

I’m sorry, but “Three Summers” is a dull offering, overcrowded with characters (it takes time to remember who is who), and the main ones are quite one-dimensional. The central love story is also rather blah.

Last but not least, the book clearly needed a more thorough editorial pass. “Turino” - what language is this? The plural of bella is not bellas in Italian. And sprinkling in the occasional si and ciao doesn’t really create the Italian atmosphere I was hoping for.

I don’t understand the book’s high rating. Almost gave a one star review to balance the rating.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

[Claire Mc Partlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book until about halfway through, when it took on more of a darker feeling.

The setting sounded lovely, a little Italian village in the summer, the summer visitors lifting the lives of the people who lived there year round, and summer friendships were renewed, especially with the rich family who visited every summer.

But about halfway through there was a horrible slaughtering of cows and a murder of an innocent who witnessed it, and it changed from a lighter, feel good book to one of corruption and murder with some characters you quite liked turning into villains.

This is the second Karen Swan book I've read that has lot of animals dying, and I don't like it! Is this going to be an ongoing theme of hers, because if it is I'm unfortunately going to have to give her books a miss. I've really enjoyed a lot of her previous books, especially the winter ones, but I'm definitely not keen on the direction her stories are going in now.

That being said I did finish it, albeit flipping through multiple pages around the slaughtering aspect, and it had a satisfying ending. Just not what I would expect from a Karen Swan book.

[julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of us know this author from the captivating Christmas books she writes. Then we had the Wild Isle series of three books, set on the remote Scottish island of St Kilda, which I loved. Therefore, I was thrilled to have a review copy of ‘Three Summers’ set in Italy. This author’s skill is setting the scene- we are transported to the hot dry days of summer with a beautiful blue skies and a sparkling sea, and the characters, their likes, dislikes, appearances, relationships etc. This scene and character setting takes place in the first few chapters, but if readers can persist, they will be entranced with this well written multi layered story. It’s a hefty read to become engrossed in, and a perfect holiday read. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to review another of Karen Swan’s books.

[Ann Pearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a person who regularly gives five stars to a book, but this book thoroughly deserves them. From the very beginning I was hooked and wanted to keep on reading to find out what happened next. If life hadn't intervened, I would have read it from start to finish in one go.

Set in Italy and the summers of 1957, '58 and '61, the book centres on three main characters, Rafaella Parisi, Cosimo Franchetti and Fon Gianelli and is told from their three different perspectives. It is a book covering so many human conditions: love, hate, revenge, acceptance, tragedy, loss, friendship, lust, power, fear. The finale took me by surprise; there had to be a resolution but I couldn't see how that would be achieved. Karen Swan succeeded admirably and the epilogue brought the whole book to a satisfactory conclusion.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley. #ThreeSummers #NetGalley.

The scene setting and descriptions of Italy during the late 1950s and early 1960s was beautiful. I was transported there. The descriptions of festivals and traditions were language rich and added to the depth and feel of the setting.
The characterisation developed well throughout the book and was interesting. The hint of mystery about the source of Dante’s income and how that developed was good.
I liked how it was broken into the three summers and how these families were all intertwined along with some historical events like the polio outbreak.
I didn’t give 5 stars because it felt a little slow in the third summer to begin with but by the conclusion I understood the need for that part.

I would definitely recommend this book.

[Sarah Truckell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. 4.5 stars. I do love Karen’s book and this was no exception. The book starts in the summer of 1957 in Tricase Porto in Italy. Eighteen year old Rafaella and her friend Gina are waiting for the wealthy Franchetti family to return to their villa for the summer. They have been friends with Cosimo and Romolla since they were children. Things have changed among the friends but they hope to get back on track. There is a tragic accident the following summer and everything changes. Rafaella makes a promise which will change the course of their lives. During the summer of 1961 they meet again. Rafaella has kept her promise and is unhappily married to Fon Gianelli and dreaming of Cosimo. Will Rafaella risk everything to find her own happiness and the future she deserves? A fabulous book.

[Cory Beyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and @RandomHouseUK for this ARC. 1957: Rafaella Parisi is waiting patiently for her best friends to arrive from Rome to their small village on the coast of Italy. After an unexpected kiss from Cosimo left her hurt with no answers, she is nervous to see him. 1958: Though "Rafa" is dating Fon now, her heart is still with Cosimo. When tragedy strikes this summer, it changes the course of all their lives. 1961: After 3 years of many changes, Rafa and Cosimo's paths cross again. Do they have what it takes to give everything to be together? This book was good but full of drama, violence and misunderstandings. If you like Karen Swan, I wouldn't miss it. #ThreeSummers #KarenSwan #RandomHouseUK #UKReleaseFeb2026

[Eibhlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a big fan of Karen Swan's Christmas novels for many years so I was delighted to get the opportunity to read this book from netgalley. In Three Summers there is a strong romantic element but it has a darker edge the christmas novels do not have which I enjoyed. I loved the suspense and excitement especially in the second half of the book. The central characters were well developed although I found it hard to follow in the beginning. Karen's descriptions of the Italian countryside were fantastic and I really enjoyed reading this book. Fans of historic fiction or romance would love this novel.

[Lynne James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having never read a Karen Swann novel before, I
I came at this with no prior knowledge of her style, so it is interesting to read, from other reviews, that this quite a departure from her usual style.
I was engrossed in the story of Rafaella and Cosimo, a pair of undoubtedly star crossed lovers; and Fon and, the aptly named, Dante with their shady, dangerous underworld dealings.
The fishing village in Puglia, the novel's setting, is vividly described, as is the heat of the three Summers themselves.
A very enjoyable tale, well told.
Thank you Random House and NetGalley for my earc of this throughly engrossing book.

[Marie Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely wonderful read, so much so I lost my weekend to this book.

Three summers, one group of friends, one village in Puglia!

Every summer, in Tricase, Raphaella waits patiently for the Franchetti family to arrive at their summer villa, every summer growing up has been spent having fun with them and this summer should be no different.

However things are changing, people are changing and tragic events shape their lives forever.

A story of love, friendship, honour and deceit. This book kept me second guessing right until the end, with fabulous characters and the amazing backdrop of Southern Italy.

A highly recommended read.

[Mrs Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rafaella and Gina had grown up in Tricase Porto and every summer the Duke's family came to spend 6 weeks there. The 2 girls would spend time with the Duke's family especially Cosimo and Romola but at the end of last summer something had happened between Cosimo and Rafaella.
Rafaella is now going out with Fon Gianelli (Dante's younger brother) and Cosimo invites a young movie star to his parents annual party. Will things ever be the same again.
A rollercoaster of emotions spread over 3 summers, a gripping novel.

[Michelle Wileman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to read a wonderful love story, you’ll love this. If, however you want a love story with an intriguing darkness, a touch of evil doings and a surprise ending, this will thrill you!

I don’t know how Karen Swan manages to write such evocative stories, full of human failings, a sense of history and truly capturing the environment of its setting. It’s a great story with a beautiful ending full of emotion, a fabulous 5* read

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a slow book to get going, lots of complicated character interactions and descriptions at the start, making it tricky to keep in your head who is who. However, as the story progressed, the excitement builds, just after half way through the book, the pace increases and a lot of the plot develops. Overall I enjoyed this book, but did find it lengthy and at times complicated to keep a track of

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Emily West · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to say that I was quite disappointed with this book. I have read many Karen Swan books over the years and absolutely loved the Wild Isles series but this wasn’t for me. I found the first half of the book too slow and a bit boring; I found it hard to keep track of who all the people were. It did get better in the final third of the book but it was too long to hold out for that bit. If I wasn’t reviewing this book and enjoyed previous books by this author, I wouldn’t have carried on reading past the 25% point.

[Nicola Mackenzie-Smaller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another massive,t enjoyable read from Karen Swan. This would be perfectly suited to a dreamy holiday in Puglia, but I read it on a flight to chilly Stockholm and it did an excellent job of transporting me to sunnier climes.
Rafa is going out with local boyfriend Fon, but longs for Cosimo, who visits with his family each summer. In the summer of 1958 romantic tensions run high and there’s a total tragedy which forces the two to be parted, seemingly forever.
Lots of drama and excitement, and a love story set in an evocative location. What’s not to love?
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m sobbing! This had me hooked, from 1957- 1963 we follow Rafaella as she navigates love and loss.

This is a love story but it’s not all hearts & flowers, it’s fairly gritty in parts, I don’t think I’ve ever had such a reaction to a character as I did with Dante. He starts off as a ‘jack the lad’ character and develops into a hideous mobster, my heart was hammering through the pages of the last chapter.

Some great character development, amazing descriptions of location and an all round great story!

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a story I had expected it to be. Starting out gentle and inoffensive, it became complicated and violent at times, full of passion, disappointment, love and anger. Difficult family relationships, small town romance, colliding with crime and lies. Full, rounded characters who you will come to love, hate or be amused with.
A well written tale, full of joy, tinged with sadness and anger, finished off with a dusting of hope.