The Forever Summer

by Lulu Taylor

'Absorbing, compelling and completely unputdownable, every Lulu Taylor novel grips you to the very end' LISA JEWELL

Germany, 1932: On their honeymoon, William and Dinah Conway cross paths with Winston Churchill and witness a meeting that almost changed history. Back in London, as the threat of war looms, the young couple is pulled into a perilous world of secrecy, taking great risks for the sake of conscience.

The arrival of William’s mysterious cousin Victoria Gauntlett brings another threat to their happiness. What is her real aim as she works her way into their lives? And what is her pull to Munich, where William and Dinah must return for the sake of young Rosemary, another cousin?

Kent, 2001: Lottie Conway has lived with her family’s notoriety, knowing that her grandfather, William, was a traitor, and that two women – Victoria and Rosemary – caused a scandal that still fascinates the world.

Sent to New York to report on the sale of Victoria Gauntlett’s paintings, Lottie starts to learn about her family history. Only one person knows the truth about what happened all those her grandmother, Dinah, now increasingly lost to dementia. But is it too late for her to reveal her secrets?

426 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2026

About the author

Lulu was brought up in the Oxfordshire countryside, attended a girls’ school and then went to Oxford University, where she read English Literature. After university, she worked in publishing for several years, before becoming a novelist.

Lulu says of her books: ‘I’ve always adored stories of the rich and reckless at play, everything from The Great Gatsby to the brilliant blockbuster novels of the 80s. It’s fantastic escapism, and I’ve always loved creating my own stories of adventure, romance and luxury. My heroines are often very privileged and blessed with great looks and good health – but that doesn’t mean their lives are simple – far from it. They go through plenty of drama and suffering before everything is finally resolved.

‘Sex, love, beauty and money have always entranced us, and one way or another are the basis for just about every story ever written. There’s plenty of all of that in my novels, along with high fashion, which I love. What’s more, writing about fashion means I can go virtual shopping, dressing my heroines in all the wonderful clothes I adore – the racks of Marchesa ball gowns, the shelves of Louboutins, mountains of Chanel bags and acres of Dior dresses... it’s lots of fun. The stories can also get quite racy at times. It’s all about entertaining and amusing the reader, and enjoying being inside my characters’ glamorous, rarefied existence. ‘I’m always thrilled when someone enjoys reading my book as much I enjoyed writing it.’

Lulu now lives in West Dorset near the Somerset border, with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[Danielle Hughes-Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book. I immersive read it and I’m so glad i did. Lulu Taylor did a fantastic job at narrating this audio. If you love a historical fiction this book is for you.

This book as based in different timelines from either Lottie’s POV (she’s Dinah’s granddaughter) or Dinah’s POV and features betrayal, lies and treason during the beginning stages of WW2.

The Blurb -

Kent, 2002
Lottie Conway has spent her life in the shadow of a scandal that has ripped her family apart. Now expecting her own child, she must untangle the legacy of her family’s tarnished name and uncover what really happened in those pre-war summers. Returning to beautiful Wyke House, Lottie confronts the only person left who knows the truth: her grandmother, Dinah.

Germany, 1932
Dinah Conway and her beloved William are on a blissful honeymoon when they bump into celebrated MP Winston Churchill. Unexpectedly embroiled in the febrile politics of 1930s Munich they find themselves deep in a perilous world of secrets and spying. Then, in the heat of a German summer, a devastating betrayal occurs – one that ends in a secret buried for seventy years . . .

I absolutely loved it and simply couldn’t put it down but definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves this genre. I will most definitely be reading more from this author!!

I received an advanced copy of this book by Pan Macmillon in exchange for an honest review.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good, i love these books she is a fantastic writer.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first thing to say about this book is that it’s definitely not the light summer read you would probably expect from the cover and title. It’s actually a tale of lies, betrayal and treason set during the rise of the Nazis in 1930s Germany. It’s the first Lulu Taylor book I’ve read and I really enjoyed it.

The novel opens with a brief section set in the modern day, introducing us to Lottie Conway, a young woman who has grown up under the shadow of a family scandal – one linked with the actions of two women at the start of the Second World War. The Conway name has become tarnished by association, although the details have always been vague. When a new blockbuster film is made about the incident, Lottie decides it’s time to speak to the one person who knows exactly what happened: her grandmother, Dinah.

Dinah’s story begins in 1931 when her wealthy friend, Marina, invites her to a dinner party. Here she meets Marina’s cousin, William Conway, whom she hasn’t seen since they were children and they quickly fall in love and decide to marry. The marriage isn’t welcomed by everyone – William’s mother refuses to even speak to Dinah, which she assumes is due to her poor background – but the two are blissfully happy and head to Germany on their honeymoon. They’re planning to visit Rosemary, another of William’s cousins, at her school in Munich, but first William wants to visit the site of the Battle of Blenheim. However, they are not the only British tourists in the area that day…Winston Churchill is also visiting the battlefield, having some time on his hands after resigning from the Conservative shadow cabinet.

The Conways’ lives are changed forever by that chance meeting with Churchill, who believes that William, who works for the Foreign Office, can be of use to him in providing information on activity in Germany and the British government’s response to it. But they also make another new acquaintance in Munich who will have an equally big influence on their future fates: Ernst Hanfstaengl, known as Putzi, a close friend of Adolf Hitler, leader of the increasingly powerful Nazi Party.

The Forever Summer is quite a long book but was a faster read than I expected as I was so gripped by it. I loved the way the author obscures the true intentions of the characters from us, leaving us questioning who can and cannot be trusted. A good example of this is Victoria Gauntlett, one of the women who brought shame on the Conway family; it’s never quite clear whether Victoria is spying for Britain, spying for Germany, a double agent or just an innocent young woman. We only see her through Dinah’s eyes and Dinah is hardly an unbiased observer, as she is jealous of Victoria’s close friendship with William. By the time we reach the end of the book, then, there are lots of secrets to be revealed and some surprising twists to look out for along the way.

What I found most interesting, though, was the portrayal of the mood in Munich during the build to the war. When Dinah first visits for her honeymoon in 1932, she can sense a tension in the air even then; there are already men on the streets wearing brown uniforms with the swastika insignia and disturbing rumours of their plans for Jews. When she returns just three years later, the atmosphere has become much more oppressive; there’s a stronger military presence and Nazi flags line the boulevards and hang from shops and houses. I was also fascinated by the depiction of Putzi Hanfstaengl, a real person although I don’t think I’ve come across him in fiction before. Most poignantly of all, the book explores the question of whether another war was inevitable or if anything could have been done differently during that period that may have prevented it.

I’ll have to investigate some of Lulu Taylor’s other books; I had previously dismissed them as probably not being for me, but I’m interested in trying more of them now.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Germany, 1932: On their honeymoon, William and Anna Conway cross paths with Winston Churchill and witness a meeting that almost changed history. Back in London, as the threat of war looms, the young couple is pulled into the perilous world of secrecy, taking great risks for the sake of conscience. The arrival of William's mysterious cousin Victoria Gauntlett brings another threat to their happiness. What is her real aim as she works her way into their lives? And what is her pull to Munich, where William and Anna must return for the sake of young Rosemary, another cousin?

Kent.2001: Lottie Conway has lived with her family's notoriety, knowing that her grandfather, William, was a traitor, and that two women - Victoria and Rosemary - caused a scandal that still fascinates the worls. Sent to New York for the sale of Victoria Gauntlett's paintings, Lottie starts to learn about her family history. Only one person knows the truth about what happened all those years ago, her grandmother, Dinah, now increasingly lost to dementia. But is it too late to reveal her secrets?

This story has a dual timeline - 1932 and 2001. I wasn't keen on any of the characters in this descriptively written story. We get a mix of fact and fiction. There were some famous people included in the story.

Published 30th July 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #PanMacmilian and the author #LuluTaylor for my ARC of #TheForeverSummer in exchange for an honest review.

[MISS RACHEL · Rating 3 out of 5]

NB Spoilers follow…

Split between Lottie in the present day and her grandmother Dinah in the 1930s as Lottie seeks the truth about what happened in those days leading up to WW2.

Dinah has married William, and on honeymoon in Germany they bump into Winston Churchill, thus beginning a chain of events that are woven around real, historical figures and events as well as fictional ones.

As Dinah recounts her memories for Lottie, parts of the mystery start to fall into place…

Spoilers follow:

Reading an ARC means I don’t have any notes from the author and I’d love to know how much of this story is based, however loosely, around facts.

Ernst Hanfstaengl or ‘Putzi’ is a real person, as (obviously) is Churchill. I can’t find evidence of an assassination attempt on Hitler as described in this story.

Discovering we have an unreliable narrator is frustrating and I would have liked a few more loose threads tied up: not least the one about Dinah’s wedding and dress… what was that about?

Also, the ARC ends with a hint of more pages to follow, or possibly a sequel which irks me. I didn’t love this, found some of it quite slow moving, and felt that the cover design and quotes were somewhat misleading in the kind of story they implied. I do not want to read another book to have my questions answered!

All that said, this was gripping enough to finish in a day.

Grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for a free eARC in return for an honest review.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely well written and researched. A historical split-timeline novel set primarily in the pre-war years of the late 1930s.

This is definitely not romantic fiction, and while there is a happy-ever-after of sorts, it isn’t the one you might expect.

I was completely absorbed while reading, but this was quite a harrowing read. There aren’t many truly lovely moments; instead there are the sparkling details of the period, set against the ripples of unrest, both political and personal, and the increasingly fragile state of the main character.

The themes are primarily political unrest and the various forms of espionage operating at the time, alongside an exploration of social status and, ultimately, mental illness.

For its grit, fascinating storyline and setting, I would give this 3.5 stars. I feel I can’t give it more because it unsettled me so much.

I love Lulu Taylor’s books and they often leave their mark, which is part of why they appeal to me. I’ve given five stars to some of her other books that are every bit as dark and harrowing. This one, however, left a different sort of mark: it was the chilling nature of some of the characters and the way my perception of the main characters were so completely overturned that I found it difficult to come away with any warmth or emotional satisfaction that I have found in some of her other novels.

[Angela Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lulu Taylor was a new author to me and somehow this book really didn’t grip me -which seems to go against many other reviews. We can’t all like the same all the time though.

There was a mix of factual characters alongside the fictional ones but sometimes it felt like the apparently fictional ones might have had real counterparts but this wasn’t made clear in the authors notes. Unless these were missing in the copy I read?

This was a dual timeline story - my copy had odd formatting if I’m honest which made following the story hard. Lottie was listening to Dinah’s final version of her life contradicting in someways a previous record that had been written. Which was telling the real story?

This was well researched around WW2 - with mentions of spying, espionage and treachery. But for me so much of the story was contrived and Dinah was written as a thoroughly nasty character who perhaps had mental health issues which had not been recognised. There were parts of the story that I found very confusing.

I found there was a lot of padding in the story which wasn’t needed and made reading very difficult- and I found myself scanning the story - which is not like me at all.

Sadly I do not think this book. was for me.

[ssloves books - Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting historical fiction book where the characters meet real life people in the story. Set in the years before the Second World War we follow Dinah, a young girl who befriends a rich girl. We watch them grow up and Dinah meets a childhood acquaintance William and falls in love and marries him. As newlyweds she has lost her father and his mother does not attend the wedding as William’s family do not think Dinah is a suitable match.

On honeymoon in Germany, they witness the start of influence and power of Hitler and whilst there they visit one of William’s relations Rosemary who is at school there. They also meet Winston Churchill and his wife as well as a loud spoken Nazi supporting German. William works for the foreign office so is keen to make these connections to learn what he can about the intentions of Hitler and how Britain may respond.

As the story moves forward through the 1930s Dinah’s marriage is overshadowed by a girl from the past Victoria. She was a childhood friend of William’s and Dinah feels threatened. Travelling back to Germany with Victoria she uncovers more information and then tragedy strikes and she returns home.

The book is also set in present day as a new generation of the family tries to uncover exactly what happened in the past.

This is a story about secrets and lies, hidden agendas and the past in a time of tension as a Second World War looms on the horizon. I enjoyed the story and the secrets which were uncovered and having real life characters in the story added to the sense of place and time.

[Maggie's Book Collection · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this story was really intriguing, and I did enjoy the storyline; the ending was unexpected as well. Running on two timelines, it is set just before World War 2 and in the present day, it tells the story of Lottie and her Grandmother, whom she adores, Dinah. Dinah has told her story before, and it was made into a book and film, causing a big scandal for the family and ultimately causing a huge split between Dinah and her son, Lottie's Dad. Lottie wants to get to the bottom of the story and find out the truth before it's too late. However, in doing so, she reveals far more than she expected.

I found the story intriguing, and I wanted to know how it would end. However, I found the writing overly descriptive and drawn out, and I found myself skipping ahead just to get on with it. I can't say I particularly liked the characters and found it hard to engage with them. So, although I finished the book and was pleased I found out the outcome, I didn't particularly find it a riveting read.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel interweaves generations of the fictional Conway family against a backdrop of the momentous events happening in Germany and Britain in the early to mid-1930s which presaged World War II. Lottie Conway believes her grandmother, Dinah Conway, might harbour secrets which could shed a different light on the role the Conway family played in the unfolding of those events. Hence, Lottie decides to visit her now infirm grandmother on a mission to uncover the truth.

One simple but compelling question is uppermost in Lottie's mind: Are her infamous deceased ancestors really the villains history portrays them as, or is there another more nuanced explanation for their actions?

The dual timeline, switching between 2001 and the 1930s, kept me interested — although in places its pace dragged somewhat — and the denouement brought all the threads to a neat conclusion. While the storyline intrigued, for me, it lacked a character worthy of emotional investment. Notwithstanding that, the novel proved an entertaining read.

[Northern Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and enjoyed several of Lulu Taylor's books so when I had the opportunity to read an ARC of The Forever Summer I jumped at the choice. And I have to say I wasn't disappointed. This is one of my favourite books of the year so far. It's a dual timeline novel of historical fiction, set in the early 1930s and more present day (2002 and current). Some novels which send us back to a previous time can feel clunky - the current setting not working so well as a vehicle for taking a glimpse into the past. I thought this book travelled between past and present well, engaging me throughout. I particularly liked our glimpse into 1930s society Britain and Hitler era Munich - both of interest to me in any event. It's hard to say much about the story itself without revealing spoilers. I'd simply suggest that if you're a fan of Lulu Taylor already, or of historical fiction set around WW2 it's worth a read.

[Patricia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forever Summer by Lulu Taylor was an intriguing story fabulously written. Based in the mid 1930's during the rise of Hitler it is the story of the effect one woman's jealousy has on world affairs and in particular on one family - the Conway family. The story mixes fact with fiction in a totally believable way and is obviously very well researched. As I was reading I was torn between who I believed was telling the truth and who wasn't, but the ending left me speechless. A great read recommended for anyone who likes an intelligent story that keeps them guessing right until the very end.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I will say that I found the first part to be too slow a pace for me but once Dinah had visited Germany, events moved along at a good pace. Dinah was definitely stepping up in society by marrying William. She did seem a bit obsessed with him and full of self doubt. Dinah did find it difficult for his mother to accept her. The events happening in Germany reflected what is now known about that time. It was interesting that actual real people were involved in the story. As the story unfolded and the truth was revealed about what actually happened, I found it quite chilling to read. How one person could act that way to achieve their own goals. It certainly added a surprise element. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Chrissie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book ,told in two timelines but mainly focused in the 1930's leading up to WW2 .William and Dinah Conway are newly weds and go to Germany for their Honeymoon where they meet Churchill .William has a job in the Foreign Office .In 2001 Lottie Conway decides to visit her Grandmother Dinah and try and find out about her Grandfather William being a traitor and ruining the family name .This story was so clever and different from the usual Grandmother /Granddaughter reminiscences .The characters were excellent and the descriptions of pre-war Germany and finding out the surprising truth was such a brilliant twist .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC .

[Tractor Girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

William has always been told his father was a traitor, although he died before he was born, as he got older and his mother Dinah first gives her story to an author and then in 2002 a film was made, making William disowning his mother.

William's daughter Lottie is determined to find out the truth before it's too late, but Dinah is becoming frail and is suffering from Dementia. Lottie and her husband drive at Wyke House, and Dinah being quite lucid tells nearly the complete story of her life with her husband, his involvement with Churchill, . her visits to Munich and the exhuberant Putzi.

I felt some of the characters quite weak, and didn't enjoy this book as much as I had hoped.

[Anne Whiting]

Wow! What a story!. Dinah was a lonely girl living with her father and then she met Marina, a rich.girl who wanted a playmate. Then Dinah met William and Victoria and the rest of her life and story revolves round everything that happened involving them before the war.

The story takes Dinah and William to Munich where things take a dangerous turn during dangerous times.

A lot of twists in this cleverly written book which are finally unravelled by Lottie, Dinah's granddaughter who adores her..

It was a little bit long but an absolute page turner.

[Emily Culverhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

ADVANCE COPY FROM NETGALLEY FOR AN HONEST REVIEW

Dinah Conway’s granddaughter Lottie wants to know the truth of her family history. She has grown up with one version but suspects that this is not the truth. This novel takes us back to Munich in the early 1930s where Dinah’s story really starts to take shape.

She is very old in the most recent telling of the story and tells her tale in flashback.

It’s a fascinating story with lots of twists and turns featuring Hitler, his cohorts and Churchill and treachery. Definitely worth a read.

[Juliaoak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from one of my favourite authors. This a story about love, trust and betrayal which flits back and forth between the present and the past. Dinah has many secrets from war time, some of which have been published and a film produced as a result. These secrets have caused a rift within the family but which parts are true? This book has it all with drama, romance, forbidden love and friendship that has been tested over the years. It was a page turner for me with a twist that I wasn't expecting. Thanks to Net Galley for the free read.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lulu Taylor certainly knows how to write a compelling story. This book was full of great characters intermingled with some famous names, which made for a very interesting read. But then everything you think you know is turned upside down and it took on a whole new meaning. I know it’s fiction but it definitely makes you think and wonder ‘if only’. Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for letting me read and review this book.

[Fiona Pullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I can't say too much about this book without giving away the plot but this storyline in this book had me so gripped I couldn't put it down!

Although like most Lulu's books it has a dual timeline, it's mainly focused in the 1930's in the lead up to the war. It was moving, unpredictable and one of those books you will think about long after you finish it. A must read.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lottie has gone to stay with her grandmother for the holidays.
She is determined to find out the story of how their family became famous during the Second World War.
A story told in two timelines about war, secrets, families and courage.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for my e-copy in return for an honest review.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an ARC copy through NetGalley

The Conway family is conflicted and the reasons emerge as the story moves forward. This set primarily historically as Naziism is rising in Germany and onto the start of WW2. Who is telling the truth and who is keeping secrets? Is there a traitor in the mix x
A gentle start as a family story but momentum does build to ultimate revelations

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodness. This seemed to be much the same as other books of this type, but then it quite turned things on their head! Well done, author.
The research was obviously good, which I always like. The writing was excellent, and the characters interesting. There were different timelines, but it was easy to keep hold of what was happening.
But... twisty... and great!

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book from Lulu. For awhile I haven't enjoyed her books but, this one really hit the spot. Entertaining and interesting I loved it. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher's for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read half of this book, but I became tired of the constant descriptions of the curtains, clothes, pictures, and other details. While I appreciate background descriptions that enhance the story, this felt excessive.

[Sophie Newlove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took a while to get into but once I did I was hooked. Not my usual book but the story telling was great, from present to past and back