A joyful, sun‑soaked story of friendship, love, and new beginnings, from USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan—perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan, Jill Shalvis, and seaside escapes.
Running a five-star Cornish hotel should have been Evie Hamilton’s dream job. But restoring it to its former glory is going to take a miracle. All Evie has is grit, and a hoard of unruly staff who love to speculate about her love life. She needs back-up, and fast.
Enter Abby Jones. Parachuted in by the hotel’s umbrella company for the summer, Abby thinks Evie could be the best friend she never had. But Abby has her own agenda for being in Cornwall. If her real motives are uncovered, their friendship is going to melt away faster than an ice cream in the summer sun.
Yet Abby’s arrival starts a chain reaction. With the help of a charming chef and a gruff pub owner, they begin to embrace their true selves and the bonds that unite them. But it’s not just the hotel’s five-star reputation that needs rebuilding – Evie and Abby will also have to brave tearing down their lives in order to reshape their futures…
USA Today and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes romance and contemporary women's fiction and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe. Sarah lives near London, England, and when she isn't reading or writing she loves being outdoors.
Look out for Sarah's next novel coming in May - Brave New Summer (UK title)/ Five Star Summer (US/Canadian title)
Five-Star Summer by Sarah Morgan is a delightful summer read that completely transported me to Cornwall. One of my favorite aspects of the book was the setting, the charming village atmosphere and the hotel were described so vividly that I felt fully immersed in the story from beginning to end. It was easy to picture myself there, enjoying the coastal scenery alongside the characters.
I also enjoyed the cast of characters. They were all likable in their own ways, and I appreciated the character growth each of them experienced throughout the novel. Their relationships and personal journeys kept me invested and added emotional depth to the story.
The reason I’m giving this book 4 rather than 5 stars is that I found the plot a little predictable. While that’s not unusual for this genre, I was hoping for a few more surprises or unexpected twists along the way. Even so, the story remained engaging and enjoyable.
I happened to read this during the May heat wave, and it was the perfect choice for warm, sunny days. If you’re looking for a light, uplifting book to take on vacation or enjoy in the garden, I can definitely recommend Five-Star Summer. Overall, it’s a charming and entertaining summer read that captures the feel of the season beautifully.
If you are looking for a light summer read filled with small-town charm, a bit of family drama, and a classic save-the-hotel trope, Five-Star Summer by Sarah Morgan offers a leisurely escape to the beautiful coast of Cornwall. This is a multi-layered story that weaves together themes of second chances, professional growth, and the importance of finding where you truly belong. The seaside setting feels like a true escape, perfect for anyone who loves a warm, emotional story with plenty of heart.
The story follows Evie, the acting general manager of a historic hotel that has seen better days. Evie is incredibly talented and hardworking, but she struggles to get the local community to take her modern suggestions seriously as they still see her as the young girl who grew up in town. When the hotel’s parent company sends a representative named Abby to conduct a corporate audit, the two women form an unexpected bond. Abby is hiding the real reason she is there while she observes the hotel’s operations, but she quickly finds herself falling for the warmth of the small town—a stark contrast to the stiff office politics she left behind in London.
One of the sweetest parts of the book is the relationship between Evie and the new chef, Luka. His food is his love language, and his small gestures—like noticing when Evie is too immersed in work to eat and surprising her with meals—are truly heartwarming. Similarly, Abby’s journey from a robotic, unemotional corporate representative to someone who discovers her own courage is a major highlight. There is a particularly high-stakes scene at the beach where she takes a massive risk to save a child, which really marks her turning point and earns her a lot of respect from the community and her love interest, Tristan.
While the story moves at a more relaxed, slow-burn pace, it provides a nice breath of fresh air for those who enjoy the quiet beauty of a seaside setting. It feels very much like a Hallmark movie where everyone is in each other’s business, but they all care deeply about their local landmark. It’s a story about taking brave risks, both in your career and in your heart, while reconnecting with the people who matter most.
Perfect if you love: ❤️ Small-town romances 🌊 A charming coastal setting 💛 Save-the-hotel and corporate-to-coastal tropes ✨️ Food as a love language 🥰 Found-family friendships
Authors and vibes like: ❤️ Gilmore Girls ✨️ Sarah Adams (specifically the When in Rome series) 🥰 The Lovelight Farms series by B.K. Borison
Thank you to HTP (HarperCollins) and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book for review consideration. I am posting this review voluntarily, and these are my honest opinions.
the setup… Evie Hamilton has the dream job she’s wanted for a long time and should be thrilled. As the acting general manager, temporarily replacing Gerald who is recovering from a heart attack, she’s focused on implementing the changes to bring The Alexandra, Cornwall back to its 5-star status. But the downside of growing up in a small town is that everyone has known her since birth, including the hotel staff, and resist taking her seriously. When Abby Jones shows up from headquarters in Boston to provide much needed assistance. Evie and Abby fit together seamlessly, professionally and personally, and it’s life changing for them both. But Abby is keeping a big secret, one that could threaten their burgeoning friendship and the future of the hotel.
the heart of the story… Evie and Abby are wonderful characters and the Cornwall hotel makes for a delightful setting. The staff are also well crafted, their gossipy and matchmaking shenanigans providing comic relief. But Abby’s secret gives added weight and dimension, lurking in the background all the time. Evie’s relationship with Luca the new head chef is just beginning and Abby’s connection to Tristan, the scowly town pub owner add a nice romantic element.
the narration… Henrietta Meire’s storytelling skills add just the right flavor to this story. Her voice interpretations for Evie and Abby are dead on. I enjoyed her performance.
the bottom line… I always get lost in the worlds Morgan creates, complicated family issues and dynamics involving characters you come to care about and root for. This one is no different and it took me about five minutes to become completely absorbed in this lovely story. Loved everything about my stay at the Alexandra Hotel. 4.5 stars
Evie Hamilton steps in as acting general manager of The Alexandra in Cornwall after the previous manager suffers a heart attack. She basically grew up in the hotel, with her father as concierge, so she’s known the staff since childhood. That history makes it hard for her to enforce change, but without it, the struggling hotel may not survive.
Abby Jones, meanwhile, has worked her way through every role in her mother’s hotel group, yet her colleagues still assume she’s only advanced because she’s the boss’s daughter. When her mother sends her undercover to the Cornwall property to find out why the hotel is underperforming, Abby jumps at the chance. Going incognito means the staff will speak freely, but it also means hiding who she is.
Evie and Abby click almost instantly. Evie is relieved to finally have support from head office, and Abby is surprised by how quickly she feels welcomed and understood. Still, the secret she’s keeping makes her uneasy.
The story unfolds through the perspectives of Evie, Abby, and Abby’s mother, Alexandra, each woman dealing with issues. I loved watching Evie and Abby’s friendship grow as they leaned on each other. Evie needed guidance on managing a staff who still saw her as the concierge’s daughter, and Abby’s fresh approach helped her find her footing. Abby, who’s never had close friends, finds Evie’s warmth and acceptance unexpectedly healing. Alexandra, too, has her own history with the Cornwall hotel and her own reasons for sending Abby there.
Each woman also gets their own romance. A nice addition rounding out the story, but it wasn’t the focus.
Sarah Morgan excels at writing relatable characters facing realistic problems, making me feel and root for every one of them! Everything comes together in a cozy, uplifting way with low drama and plenty of heart.
I alternately read and listened to an audio version and can recommend either. Henrietta Meire’s performance was wonderful! She seamlessly alternated between characters, giving each one a distinct voice and personality.
I voluntarily read/listened to a copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
3.75 After really enjoying A Merry Little Lie, I was excited to dive into Sarah Morgan's latest. This was such a cute, low-stakes story—a perfect summer beach read.
The narrative strikes a great balance between meaningful character development and a sweet romance. It’s a fun, breezy, and joyful escape that I’d highly recommend for anyone looking for a lighthearted vacation read.
Evie Hamilton grew up at The Alexandra, Cornwall and has always dreamed of running it. When Gerald, the general manager has a heart attack, she is given the job of Acting General Manager. She has a lot of changes in mind to help bring the hotel back to a 5 star hotel, but no one seems to listen to her or take her ideas seriously. Meanwhile the owner is concerned about what is happening with the first hotel she ever owned. She decides to send her daughter Abby Jones to work for the summer, undercover, and report back to her. When Abby shows up from headquarters in Boston to provide assistance wherever she is needed, she and Evie hit it off immediately. She listens to her ideas and helps her smooth over issues with staff, getting them to do things they have never wanted to do before. She has a tough time not letting things slip, especially as she becomes friends with many of the employees, and even begins to have feelings for the local pub owner. Will she and Evie be able to maintain their friendship when they find out the truth about her identity. Will Abbie be able to save the hotel, or will her mother decide to sell it after all?
Sarah Morgan is an auto-read author for me, and I enjoyed this story. I loved seeing Evie and Abby become friends and work together to try and rebuild the hotel back to it's former glory. Abby had spent her whole life trying to please her mother and had never developed friendships before, so I wanted her new relationships to work out when they found out who she really was. There are a couple of budding romances as well, as they were fun with a slow burn. Some of the banter had me giggling. I loved the twists at the end and it made me like Abby's mom even more. This was a story of friendship, family, finding what you want out of life, romance and second chances. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Henrietta Meire. She does a good job with the voices, pacing and tone of the story. She made my enjoyment of the story, meeting these characters and spending time in Cornwall, even more delightful.
The audiobook of Five Star Summer by Sarah Morgan is exactly what you want when you’re craving a true escape read, it’s warm, immersive, and effortlessly charming. Set against the dreamy backdrop of a Cornish hotel, the story follows three women—Evie, the determined hotel manager; Alexandra, the enigmatic owner; and Abby, whose arrival stirs up more than just summer energy. It’s a layered, character driven story that weaves together friendship, family dynamics, and romance in a way that feels both comforting and engaging.
The audio narration by Henriette Meire elevates the experience beautifully. She brings a lively, witty tone to the lighter moments while also capturing the emotional depth of each character with care. Her performance adds richness to the relationships and makes the small village setting feel even more vivid and alive. You can practically hear the hum of the hotel and feel the coastal breeze.
This is a five star beach read through and through—heartfelt, uplifting, and filled with just enough drama to keep things interesting without ever feeling heavy. The combination of a gorgeous setting, wonderful characters, and a story centered on growth and connection makes it the perfect poolside or vacation listen. It’s the kind of book that reminds you how lovely it is to get completely lost in a story for a while.
This one revolves around three women. Alexandra, the owner of the hotel in question, as well as others! Evie, the temporary manager for the Alexandra, Cornwall Hotel. She LOVES her job and is very good at it! BUT, she’s lived in the same town her entire life, and everyone at the hotel knows her AND everything about her… so she feels like they do NOT take her seriously, and they do NOT understand that the hotel is having some financial difficulties that she would love to try to FIX… If only the staff might actually listen to her! And her ideas! And, Abby. The temp who’s been sent over by corporate to ‘help out’ for the summer.
They each have their own agendas. They each have something to hide. They each want the hotel to stand firm and be great! And they will do whatever it takes to see this project through!
But, the story is in the details! And that is where this one just SHINES, DAZZLES, EXPLODES, STANDS OUT, and whatever else you can think of to say that it was outstanding!!!!
Beautiful story! Wonderful, caring characters! Small town vibes that carry through in EVERY ASPECT of the story. And, well…. Just… love. Whether it be from parents, community or a partner…. This one just takes the cake!
5 outstanding, bright, beautiful, character-driven stars for me!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
#FiveStarSummer by @SarahMorgan and narrated Beautifully by @HenriettaMeire.
*** This one releases TODAY, so please keep your eyes 👀 open for it on 5/5/26! ***
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @HarlequinAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
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Five-Star Summer is my second book by Sarah Morgan and it did not disappoint. The audiobook narration was perfect and it easily transported me to the beautiful Cornwall setting. I loved the conflict of a hotel in trouble and seeing the effects of small town employees mixed with the corporate end of the business.
Evie and Abby’s friendship was a highlight of the book for me, and their opposite personalities and strong work ethics were a great mix for a women’s fiction read. I also really enjoyed the romances in the story, especially Evie and Luca. Each of the couples went through their own challenges and it played out well and kept me invested in their developing relationships.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭: * Multiple POVs * Small Town * Female Friendships * Multiple Romances * Family Relationships * Work Stress
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 🚫
If you’re looking for a lighthearted romance with lovable characters navigating the challenges of everyday life, work, and love then I would definitely recommend Five-Star Summer.
Five absolutely glittery stars!! A sparkling, feel-good escape full of heart, warmth, and seaside charm—an addictive read I absolutely devoured!!
Five Star Summer is the ultimate feel-good summer escape - like a breath of fresh air and a warm embrace when you need it the most! Think: gorgeous coastal Cornish hotel backdrop, sea views, chaos, and a whole lot of heart. It’s the kind of book that grabs you on page one and doesn’t let go until you’re closing it with a big, happy sigh. In short, it delivers everything I would love in a summer romance: warmth, heart, and characters I genuinely wanted to spend more time with. Only a master storyteller can create such a compelling story that is equal parts charming and emotionally satisfying, with friendship, romance, and personal growth woven together beautifully.
What stood out most to me was the way the novel balances lightness with depth. Evie and Abby are both compelling in their own ways, such fun, real, and messy characters that you’ll feel like you’ve been invited into their world—and their friendship feels authentic, layered, and deeply moving, the kind you’d happily binge -cue YES, I literally completed it in one sitting!! The scene adds so much atmosphere that you can practically feel the sea breeze and hear the bustle of the hotel, making it the perfect summer immersive read. Henrietta Meire’s narration made it even more immersive, and I loved every minute of the experience!
Sarah Morgan combines charm, warmth, and just the right amount of drama to create a book that feels like a breath of fresh air. It’s uplifting, comforting, and the perfect cozy read for anyone who loves heartfelt women’s fiction with a dreamy summer setting. Easy, satisfying, and absolutely five glittery stars. All to say - This is my 3rd book of the author and she is now my auto-buy for a cozy feel good escape!
Thank you to the author, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Harlequin Audio for gifting me this eARC and ALC for an amazing immersive reading experience! As always, this review contains my candid thoughts and opinions.
Five Star Summer is the cozy, heartfelt beach read you didn't know you needed. It follows 2 women throughout a summer of them finding themselves and becoming stronger and more confident in themselves and their place in the world. We get a spotlight of another woman learning to let go as well at the end.
I enjoyed watching Evie become the confident manager and overcome her "everyone knows everyone" town. She learned to bloom outside of the kid everyone watched grow up and gained the towns respect. Abby was able to break away from under her mother to prove she WAS THAT GIRL and had earned every praise and promotion she received, and it wasn't just because mom was the boss.
I also loved that while there was a touch of romance in this book, it really showed friendships and bonds forming. It showed relationships whether they were romantic or platonic weather hard situations and come out on top.
Thank you to HarperCollins and Netgalley for the free audio of Five Star Summer in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A moving mother daughter story of reconnection, personal growth, family secrets and found family all discovered while Abby goes undercover to help save a struggling five star resort on the Cornish coast where she was born but has never seen since. I enjoyed this for the light-hearted women's fiction story it was, there was a fun setting, great female friendship and a bit of romance. Told in alternating POVs that moved between mother, daughter and the hotel's temporary manager. Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Jenny Colgan. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to the author and publisher for this advanced readers copy. I’ve never read any books by this author before but am glad I’ve been introduced to them now. This book was definitely a change in pace from some of my other recent reads. I could really feel the warmth of the story within the first chapter after getting immersed with the characters, settings and writing.
Set in a small seaside village in Cornwall told from 3 women's POV and how their life's intertwine. If you love a summery story, with family drama and a touch of (closed door) romance, this one's for you.
I read this over a super sunny bank holiday, and it was the perfect summer read 🌞
Sarah Morgan has done it again. At this point I’m convinced she physically cannot write a bad book.
What I love most about her writing is how effortlessly she pulls you into the world of the story. The towns feel real, the characters feel like people you actually know, and before you realise it you’re emotionally invested in fictional people’s lives like they’re your neighbours. The way she writes is so vivid and honest that I can picture everything so clearly — the streets, the houses, the little everyday moments between the characters. It’s like watching their lives play out in front of you.
I genuinely think Brave New Summer might be my favourite of hers yet. Whether it was the perspectives of three incredible women, the gorgeous Cornish setting, or just the overall warmth of the story, something about this book completely had me hooked. The town itself felt so charming and cosy that I would happily pack my bags and move there immediately.
By the end I was so attached to Evie, Abby, and Alexander that I’m honestly not ready to leave them behind. I want updates. I want to know what they’re doing next week. I want to be a fly on the wall at their Christmas dinners, their weddings, their future drama — all of it. Basically, Sarah Morgan, if you’re reading this: I NEED MORE.
Also, Sarah Morgan’s chapters are famously quite chunky… but somehow I absolutely sprinted through this book. Every time I said “just one more chapter,” suddenly it was three hours later and I was still reading.
And I have to say, I feel extremely smug and honoured that I got to read this before everyone else. It’s a tough burden to carry, knowing how good this book is while everyone else still has to wait… but someone has to do it.
Five Star Summer by Sarah Morgan is a heartwarming and uplifting story filled with personal growth, family secrets, and meaningful relationships. The novel follows Evie, a beloved figure in her hometown who steps in as the acting general manager of a charming Cornish hotel. As Evie navigates the pressures of running the hotel and balancing long-standing relationships, she slowly discovers her own strength and confidence in ways that are both inspiring and relatable.
Another key character, Abby, arrives at the hotel under very different circumstances. Sent by her demanding mother — the hotel’s owner — Abby is expected to secretly investigate why the business is struggling. Unhappy in her own life and accustomed to working hard to meet expectations, Abby reluctantly takes on the role of “spy.” However, as she spends more time at the hotel and with the people around her, she begins to form unexpected bonds and reevaluate her outlook on life and relationships.
Sarah Morgan beautifully weaves together themes of self-discovery, forgiveness, friendship, and family dynamics. The intricate relationships between the characters make the story engaging and emotional, while the cozy Cornish setting adds warmth and charm. Five Star Summer is ultimately a sweet and comforting read that leaves you feeling hopeful and connected to the characters long after the final page.
Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Audio, for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!
This story follows Evie and Abby. Evie is the general manager of a hotel where Abby grew up, and Abby has now been asked to come in help fix and improve the hotel. From the moment that Abby arrives, she struggles to get people to trust her ideas or take her suggestions seriously. But the more time she spends at the hotel, the more connected she becomes to both the place and the people at the hotel. As Abby starts building a meaningful relationship and falling in love with the town again, she also has to deal with the fear of everyone discovering the real reason she came back there in the first place. Once she starts feeling at home, leaving becomes a lot harder than she expected.
I absolutely loved Evie and Luka together; they were so cute. I especially loved how Luka used food as a way to connect with Evie; those moments felt really sweet and genuine. I do wish that there had been a little more romance between them overall, especially for a romance novel, but I still enjoyed their relationship. I also loved the atmosphere of the hotel and the town. You could really feel how much history and emotion Abby has tied to the hotel, and it made her determination to save it feel believable and heartfelt.
This is definitely a slow-burn romance, so if you love summery romances that take their time, I think you’ll really enjoy this one. My biggest issue was with the audiobook narration. At times, it was hard to keep track of the different storylines and who was speaking, and I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had been physically reading the book while also listening to it.
Overall, this is a cute summer read if you’re looking for one!
This is a cozy romance set at a gorgeous, historical inn in Cornwall, with characters that jumped off the page into my imagination. Evie is the manager of the inn by default since the previous manager got ill and had to step out of the picture. What Evie finds when she takes over is a beautiful place that is hemorrhaging money and she is determined to save it, if she can. Help arrives in the form of a young woman from “headquarters” Abby Jones. Abby can and does work wherever she is needed and becomes Evie’s right arm as well as a friend in whom she confides. Abby’s secret mission there at the inn may derail their friendship, so she has to make sure that Evie doesn’t find out who she really is. There are great family dynamics, a lot of drama, multiple secrets and romance, too in this well-written and compelling story of living through circumstances beyond your control and tackling challenges as they come. There are lessons to be learned here as well as a fantastic story and relatable characters. I received a complimentary copy of this book from HTP Books via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Five Star Summer is a heartwarming story in which we meet Evie and Abby and see how their stories intertwine. Having grown up in a close-knit community where everyone knows what he had for dinner every day, Evie has thought about a change. The fact that her changes in the hotel she works at haven’t really stuck doesn’t help. Abby wants to please her mother, so when she sends her to one of her struggling hotels, she’s kind of relieved. Maybe she can start over somewhere no one knows she’s the boss’s daughter. While working together, Evie and Abby will become friends, but there are things they haven’t said to each other. I really like Sarah Morgan’s books; they are always refreshing, hopeful and heartfelt. This time, we get a story about finding your own place in the world, second chances, and even finding love where you least expect it. I loved the setting, and while sometimes the characters exasperated me for different reasons, they were an interesting bunch, and I deeply enjoyed reading it.
This audiobook was just what I needed, a sweet story about two women both struggling in different ways in their personal and professional lives who are unexpectedly brought together in their jobs and form a friendship and connection that leads them to find the cutest relationships and find more confidence in their jobs than they’ve ever had before! I also loved the pov of Abby’s mom and how everything came together at the end for all three of them! I was trying to figure out the connection the whole time between everyone but I was wrong and loved that I was because it all ended up perfectly! I loved the little seaside England town, all the busy body townspeople and Tristan and Luka for bringing Abby and Evie out of their shells and forcing them to confront their struggles instead of running from them! The audiobook was well done I love the accents! Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin audio for the alc for my review!
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This is really a story about 3 different women. Evie, acting manager at a hotel in a small village where everyone knows everything about her. Abby, who plays by her mother’s stern rules and feels completely alone and out of place at her mother’s company. And finally, Alexander, Abby’s mother and owner of the hotel that Evie is managing.
This book was well written, and while it’s labeled as a romance, it’s really not about the romance. It’s really a story about 3 women trying to find themselves.
I enjoyed the novel. It was great, the characters had a decent depth to them. My only complaint is that while the characters developed, I didn’t feel like setting developed. Great beach/vacay read!
This is a great read that is perfect for a Summer’s day. Evie is acting General manager at a popular hotel but she is struggling to get the respect she deserves from those around her. Abby is the daughter of the owner of the chain of hotels and is asked to spend some time there to see what’s happening. Abby and Evie are very similar and hit it off immediately but Abby feels guilty that she can’t tell her the real reason why she’s there. When Abby becomes close to Tristan she says too much one night and is scared that she has scuppered her chance of friendship with Evie. This is a lovely, light hearted story and is the perfect holiday read. Thanks to HQ for the opportunity to read this book.
If you are looking for a good summer read with lots of well thought out characters and a great plot with a beautiful setting then this may be the book for you.
Set in a beautiful Cornish village, Evie has her dream job as interim manager of the hotel she has grown up in, where he father still works as concierge. When Abbey arrives from the hotel management company to help out the two become immediate friends, despite Abbey having a secret.
Well written and charming characters this is great beach reading at its best.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was an ALC from NetGalley and my biggest miss so far. The MFC was insufferable. I tried really hard to get past the self depreciating and constant Self loathing but I just could not. I had it on audio and I tried to go backwards and pay more attention again and again and it just really wasn’t for me. I had high hopes but this was just not at all interesting to me when I couldn’t get past her.
This is my first book by Sarah Morgan and I really loved it. I had a smile on my face at several points. It was a perfect beach read. Small town vibes, secrets and drama, flirty but not spicy, apparently I love reading about hotels, and all the characters were fun. Also a lot of men telling women to eat, relax, have a glass of wine, this town is crawling with dreamy hotties.
Honestly came very close to giving this book 5 stars. It brought me back to the coziness of The Hotel Nantucket, and i absolutely loved it. It is the perfect beach/pool read and i think everyone should pick it up for their summer book clubs!
I read a Merry Little Lie by Sarah Morgan back in the Christmas season, so decided to to see what she would do with a summer romance. This book centers around three women: Alexandra, a hotel magnate; Abby, her daughter, who works for the company, and Evie, who is filling in as general manager for the chain’s hotel in Cornwall, UK. Five Star Summer had a fun “Undercover Boss” element that I really enjoyed as Abby is sent to the hotel under false pretenses to see how things are running after the general manager had to take time off due to health issues.
This was a triple POV romance with three different love stories, so it’s better for the reader who enjoys several romance plotlines all in one. The downside: none of them go into great detail. The upside: you get to see three happy couples. Five Star Summer also had some family drama, perhaps a little too much for the length of the story. But my favorite part of the book (beside the enchanting Cornwall summer setting) was what the book had to say about women in leadership positions. Evie struggles to be taken seriously by her staff, as they’ve all known her since she was baby. Abby wishes people would see her beyond being a “nepo baby.” And Alexandra, despite her success, has a very complicated backstory.