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Summer at Hollyhock House

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An uplifting romantic comedy from a new voice in women’s fiction! Perfect for fans of Trisha Ashley, Debbie Johnson, Jenny Colgan and Holly Martin. One long summer changed Faith forever… Faith Coombes should have been over the moon when her long-term boyfriend proposed to her. But instead, she broke up with him. Rob was safe, reliable, nice and … boring. Nothing like the only person who had ever broken her heart… Unable to afford the rent on another flat and desperate for a new start, Faith takes the plunge and moves back to the village she grew up in, returning to the house that holds so many memories for her. Hollyhock House, the family home of her best friend Minel, also belongs to the boy who meant so much to her all those years ago… As Faith falls back in love with the sprawling surroundings at Hollyhock she also finds herself falling all over again for the only person who has truly hurt her. Can Faith come to terms with her past? Did she make the wrong decision in breaking up with Rob? Or does her heart really lie at Hollyhock House? Summer at Hollyhock House is a charming romantic comedy full of lost loves, missed opportunities and second chances. This summer read, perfect for the holidays, will have you laughing-out-loud in parts, close to tears in others, and above all, championing Faith as she searches for what is most important to her.

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 2, 2018

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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Cam (Lana Belova).
175 reviews45 followers
Currently reading
March 11, 2024
I've started it a while ago but put aside because of a reading slump. This story seems good...
And the cover is a right one for my current mood, the photo bellow as well :)


Photo by DonFord1
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,625 reviews177 followers
November 25, 2019
This was a delightful escapism from the cold, grey weather. I was transported to the hazy summer days, full of love, laughter and magic. Bussey totally creates a magical setting at Hollyhock house as I found myself falling in love with the place as Faith rediscovers herself.

Undoubtedly, the way in which Bussey describes Hollyhock creates a sense of magic and mystery. The attention to setting and the detail captures the lethargy of long, summer evenings. Faith, the protagonist, cannot escape the charms of the wonderful gardens and I felt like I was outside with her, trying to landscape the area into something even more beautiful. The setting is completely charming and I could picture myself waking up there on a summer morning. Whilst the weather is seemingly perfect, it juxtaposes with Faith’s raging emotions. Throughout the entire story, readers are always guessing: ‘will she? or won’t she?’ and I enjoyed the uncertainty that this created.

Indeed, what is refreshing about Faith is that she is the one who seriously mucked up her relationship with Rik. Readers are transported back to the summer when it all happened between the two characters and the dual timeline of the narrative means that we gradually learn why their relationship is so strained. Usually I find it is the men in the relationship that have made the mistakes; this time it is Faith and her assumptions. Bussey has turned the errors around and I found it enjoyably different to see how Faith overcomes her misjudgements and tries to see if she can rekindle at least something with Rik.

Therefore, for the most of the novel, we see Faith lusting over Rik. It was pleasing to see her rediscover herself after such a shambolic relationship with Rob, her ex-boyfriend. Remembering her love for cycling and the outdoors, readers see her grow over the novel – pretty much what her plants and flowers are doing in the transformed garden.

Part of me wishes that Bussey had made the final climax happen a bit sooner. At the same time, I was pleased with the delay and therefore found the closing even more satisfying. I was a little frustrated that the years were not marked on the chapters as sometimes I was confused at what time period I was reading. However, this certainly did not lessen my enjoyment of the story.

Surprisingly, this is not the beginning of a series! I would love to know what happens next to Faith, Minel, Rik and her friends, but this seems to be a one-off story instead. I guess this allows me to indulge in my imagination a bit more. It’s unusual for me to yearn for a series but this just reflects how much I enjoyed the story.

There is a magical atmosphere at Hollyhock house that the writer transports you to. It was a lovely story and I felt like I was part of the gang. I felt carefree, wild and in love. Escaping the colder climates, this is definitely a story that will cheer you up, make you warm inside, and even inspire you to cultivate your own landscape – both literally and metaphorically…

With thanks to Sapere books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Debbie.
299 reviews16 followers
July 13, 2018
Thank you for Sapere books sending me an advance copy of Summer at Hollyhock House, the following thoughts within this review are entirely my own.

I had been keeping an eye on this book as it had been advertised on Amazon that it was due for release, so was pleasantly surprised to have the chance to read an advanced copy.

Whilst I enjoyed the content and the idyllic setting written within the book, I did find it however very slow in places and wished that it would hurry up and get to the next phase in the story. Having said that looking back on the three nights I read the book over, I certainly remember more of the story than I have others when I have finished them.

The story itself is a perfect summer read and is best to take your time over, the characters are great and the petty jealousies and past histories are brought out in great detail. There is something about the book that makes me think that, there couple possibly be a second book as a follow on, as the characters are interesting and the story is told in such minute detail, it would be nice to follow them on a little further.

As I said I found it rather slow in places, but the characters and settings are written so beautifully, that it does not put me of recommending the book to other readers who like to read similar stores.
Profile Image for Nicola Clough.
879 reviews41 followers
August 6, 2018
I loved the look of the cover to this book and really wanted to read it I hadn't ward of the author at all. It started off very well but then in places I found it slow and did struggle at times but could see the idea behind the story and was full of love, heartbreak and romance and uplifting.
Faith is with her long term boyfriend and when he proposed it should have been a happy time but she realised he isn't the one for her and leaves her. Sadly she can't afford to rent a flat so she moves back to the village she grew up in and holds many memories for her. Hollyhock house is the home of her best friend and the boy meant so much to her all those years ago. Does she fall back in love or does she fall for someone who is the one who hurt her the most does she make the right decision and can she be happy or not.
1,623 reviews7 followers
August 12, 2018
Faith has been existing rather than living with her boyfriend Rob and so when he proposes in front of their friends she is horrified rather than delighted and leaves him and moves back home to her parents' house. She soon meets up with her old friends Minel and Sara and when Minel offers her a job for the summer renovating the garden at Hollyhock House she agrees........ but what if Minel's brother Rik is around can she face him after 9 years!

A great book I loved the story of Faith's and Rik's secret love affair as teenagers and how it all ended because of a misunderstanding and how the feelings and attraction is still there in spite of Rik's girlfriend Lucinda, and GT the dog was a great character!
Profile Image for Donna Maguire.
4,895 reviews120 followers
September 6, 2018
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I love the cover for this book and I was drawn in by the blurb!

This is a delightful story to read and I really enjoyed the time I spent with the characters. The writing style was great and the story flowed really well.

The characters are very well developed and I enjoyed their interaction. The setting was lovely and it sounds like somewhere I wouldn’t mind living myself!

It is 4.5 stars from this one for me rounded up to 5 stars on Goodreads and Amazon – it a really enjoyable story!
Profile Image for Grace J Reviewerlady.
2,135 reviews106 followers
September 3, 2018
We all have memories of young love from our teenage years and this is the tale of Faith and Rik - full of fun, friends, family and with a big helping of feelings.

Faith's friends - and their partners - all pop round on her birthday bearing gifts and good wishes to the home she shares with Rob, her boyfriend of three years; but when he gets down on one knee and presents her with a ring they soon depart when she doesn't rush in with an excited acceptance. Realising the relationship has run it's course, Faith heads back home to her family, childhood friends and the memories of the disastrous relationship she ran away from all those years ago.

This really is a truly lovely read - the characters are varied with each flawed in their own way. As the story proceeds we find out lots about them all, both in the past as well as the present. The inclusion of GT was brilliant- I absolutely adored the puppy's antics and giggled out loud quite often at those! It's a well written and very readable novel and makes the reader yearn for long summer days with hours spent in the fresh air. My only concern is the couple of continuity errors - GT popping up in places where he didn't go, things like that. I can't help noticing little discrepancies and although personally annoying, they don't distract from the story as a whole, which is well worth reading and very enjoyable. This is the author's first fictional novel and I shall certainly be watching for her further work. The enchanting cover really deserves a mention too - just perfect for the contents!

My thanks to Sapere Books both for my copy and for inviting me to participate in this Blog Tour. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
Profile Image for Karen Mace.
2,389 reviews85 followers
August 16, 2018
Tempted to read this by the gorgeous cover, I found this to be a pleasant and comforting read if a little predictable at times.

Faith as a character is an interesting one! She's feeling disillusioned and when her boyfriend proposes, it becomes clear that marriage isn't what she wants! So she heads back home to her parents and connects with her old friends. And that means confronting a past that she clearly hasn't got over!

I loved the gardening element of this book! To return to a house she has such fond memories of to help redesign the garden and re-invigorate it must be a dream and I would have loved more focus on this at times! I did find the storyline going backwards and forwards a little confusing at times and certain sections just felt like they were going nowhere and being repeated.

Going back to the night of the 18th birthday party was an interesting mix to the story and helped show the characters in a different light which helped you get to know them a little.
Profile Image for Patricia Caliskan.
Author 3 books11 followers
August 14, 2018
An Idyllic Romance...
The fragrant setting of Hollyhock House, and instantly likeable troupe of characters, set the backdrop for a nostalgic read, that'll leave you wanting to take a long weekend to romp around the countryside.
When Faith says no to a future with Rob, she retraces childhood steps back to first love, Rik.
This book reminded me of summer pudding. A real treat of a read. Sweet, indulgent, with a cherry-tartness that will leave you wanting more. I'm sensing a sequel...
Profile Image for Jenn.
279 reviews6 followers
August 22, 2018
Thanks to Sapere books for a copy of this book!
I absolutely loved this book. I wanted a fun chick lit romance book to read and it didn’t disappoint. The story of young heartbreak and growing up into adulthood rang true. Faith was a strong character, just wish she could’ve acted on her feelings at the start of her summer ... but I realize that I would’ve done the same thing. I cannot wait to read more from this author. 4.5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Connie Liñares.
74 reviews1 follower
August 27, 2018
Faith is a young girl who seems to be on track, a steady job, a steady relationship, a steady life... Until she realizes that's not what she wants.
After breaking up with her boyfriend, she moves back to her parents house where she reconnects with her old friends, her old hobbies and her old love.

I loved the way she rediscovered herself, but mostly, I loved how she got to discover the people around her.
It's never too late to change paths... and find a new adventure!
Profile Image for Jan L.
1,002 reviews21 followers
August 12, 2018
I was a little confused looking for the “uplifting romantic comedy”. I was slow to get interested because you’re given a lot of characters with little background. Once i understood the characters more, I began to enjoy the plot & empathize with the characters. It was a good book, well-written with great characters that live life a decade later with as much confusion as they had at 17. It’s kind of a coming of age with sorrowful reminiscence of heartaches & dark thoughts of unrequited love but still hoping for better days ahead.
Profile Image for Emma-Nicole Lewis.
Author 5 books44 followers
August 21, 2018
A fabulous read and beautifully written

I bought this on recommendation so it is not my usual genre. But now I am converted! A great story, cleverly written so that you will truly empathise with Faith and the rollercoaster of emotion she feels during her summer at Hollyhock House. The book has depth, beautifully articulated prose and the author the ability to transport you to a wonderful place where you can lose yourself in the characters and their lives as soon as you pick the book up.
Profile Image for Ilana.
1,077 reviews
September 3, 2018
Life hasn't been too exciting lately for Faith. At 26, she has a boyfriend that bores her to tears and a job which is not too demanding either. She dreams of taking some classes for learning gardening, but there is no time or encouragement on behalf of her life partner.

After refusing her boyfriend's proposal, she decides to spend some time in the countryside, at her parents', catching up with her girlfriends. But she has a well-kept secret that no one knows and this secret has a name: Rik, which happens to also be around at the same time, after an absence of almost 9 years.

Slow paced, brought to life by complex characters exchanging elaborate dialogues, Summer at Hollyhock House is a well-written summer or weekend story read, about taking decisions, questioning relationships and falling in love again. Most of the action is going back and forth down on the memory's lane, with Faith recalling the moments that lead to the dramatic break up with Rik and her long heartbreak thereafter.

Although the story follows a frequent scenario - the escape back to the childhood place, after a big disappointment, job vacancy or dramatic, mostly sentimental event taking place in the big city - this story is filled with attractive actions and likeable characters making the story pleasant to the reader. However, it is good writing you are filling with your afternoon at the beach or elsewhere and therefore it is worth reading it. A simple story, with a happy ending and a moderate course of events. No glamour but down-to-earth characters, likeable for their realistic description. After a start which did not promise anything surprising in terms of narrativel, slowly slowly I got into the story and couldn't put it down until it ended. It was mostly due to the writing and the lively dialogue between the characters.

The end is predictable too, but somehow one may need predictable stories which are not too often happening in real non-literary life.

Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Lynn McCrum.
478 reviews11 followers
December 2, 2018
This is my first book by this author - I felt it was a little slow to begin with but picks up pace as you get into it and leaves you all warm and fuzzy inside.

Faith’s boyfriend proposes to her in front of all her friends but rather than be delighted she freezes and then decides that she doesn’t want to settle for someone ‘safe’ she wants adventure!!

She returns home to her childhood home and her friends. It soon becomes clear that something happened in her past which has made her stop taking risks and explains why she almost ended up taking the safe option with Rob.

Moving back she catches up with old friends and spends a great deal of time at Hollyhock House where she spent most of her time age she was a teenager. However, she must face some demons from her past if she is to move forward in life.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review,
1 review
August 7, 2018
I loved this book. It conjured feelings of youthful nostalgia whilst also making me feel glad that teenage and mid-20s angst are a thing of the past. It was escapist whilst also being quite identifiable in terms of the ups and downs of navigating relationships, careers and coming of age in general.
A cracking first novel for the author. I'd like to read future novels from her and perhaps see the humour develop as there were a few laughs within the angst which I feel the author might explore in future novels.
A great summer read!
Profile Image for Nicola.
185 reviews3 followers
October 1, 2018
Following her separation with Rob, Faith returns to the village where she grew up and to her best friends home, Hollyhock House.
Hollyhock holds many memories, secrets from Faiths youth, in fact, this is where her heart is.
The author captures the beauty of Hollyhock, I could picture it and longed to visit. This is a lovely feel-good story, though quite slow I felt in parts, but enjoyable none the less. Faith is strong and feisty, but very vulnerable too, I really liked her.
Profile Image for Janette.
442 reviews
September 29, 2018
A lovely, easy heartwarming book which I really enjoyed. Full of nostalgia which took me back to my own teenage years. Good characterisation and a lovely location which I would love to visit. A story of romance and heartbreak.

A perfect book for a cosy afternoon on the sofa or a holiday read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher foir the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Author 2 books2 followers
February 3, 2020
Beyond their obvious attraction to each other, the past hangs over Rik and Faith as they return to the scene of their teen obsession. Both of them are changed new selves, the risk averse Faith even abandoning her love of gardens. Rik too is with a beautiful Lucinda, unattainable. The weeks they spent on a project is an opportunity to put the past right.

The predictable ending, the long drawn out scenes, I am not a fan of this one, though there are sparks of good writing in between.
Profile Image for Di Paterson.
500 reviews18 followers
December 11, 2020
This is perfect escapism. As a romantic comedy, you know what you're going to get and it doesn't disappoint. I liked the characters, the setting and the storyline. There's romance, some angst, and heartbreak - all in manageable doses - but basically, it's about a bunch of twenty-somethings growing up and adjusting to adulthood. Very easy to read and become immersed in.
1 review
August 29, 2018
💞

Loved the story, characters just brilliant.
There needs to be a sequel The characters come alive from the page into vivid people in my imagination.
Profile Image for Sarah.
69 reviews1 follower
November 4, 2018
A lovely read which I thoroughly enjoyed. Lighthearted and fun, with the perfect amount of wish-fulfilment.
1 review
April 23, 2019
A good summer read

I e noted

I enjoyed the book though it was rather predictable, but it was a good light read ideal to take on holiday


Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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