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The Summerstoke Trilogy #1
A Tangled Summer
In the West Country village of Summerstoke, the family at Marsh Farm are too preoccupied with living their lives to notice the farm sliding into ruin.
Charlie Tucker, dreaming of victory in a motocross race and flirting with the local barmaid, is unaware of the danger the farm is in; while little sister Alison, busy with her A levels, is determined to dispense with her virginity before the end of the summer and falls for the enigmatic biker, Al. Their brother Stephen is hopelessly in love with the star of the local Am-Dram society, while mother Jenny dreams of escaping to Weston-Super-Mare in the arms of the local vet.
Fed up with watching her family squander their birthright, septuagenarian grandmother Elsie - the only Tucker with a lover - issues an ultimatum: either her grandsons find brides by the end of the year, or they lose their share of the farm. And that's only half the problem...
Up on the hill in Summerstoke House, the land-grabbing, unscrupulous, Hugh and Veronica -call-me-Vee Lester watch the demise of Marsh Farm with undisguised pleasure. If they can get the Tuckers turfed off the land, their dreams of owning a bigger stud farm will become a reality; and if they can help hasten the demise of Marsh Farm with a few schemes of their own...
And at Summerstoke Manor, in the heart of the village, live the three elderly Miss Merfields and their ancient nanny with nothing better to do than pull strings and watch.
Charlie Tucker, dreaming of victory in a motocross race and flirting with the local barmaid, is unaware of the danger the farm is in; while little sister Alison, busy with her A levels, is determined to dispense with her virginity before the end of the summer and falls for the enigmatic biker, Al. Their brother Stephen is hopelessly in love with the star of the local Am-Dram society, while mother Jenny dreams of escaping to Weston-Super-Mare in the arms of the local vet.
Fed up with watching her family squander their birthright, septuagenarian grandmother Elsie - the only Tucker with a lover - issues an ultimatum: either her grandsons find brides by the end of the year, or they lose their share of the farm. And that's only half the problem...
Up on the hill in Summerstoke House, the land-grabbing, unscrupulous, Hugh and Veronica -call-me-Vee Lester watch the demise of Marsh Farm with undisguised pleasure. If they can get the Tuckers turfed off the land, their dreams of owning a bigger stud farm will become a reality; and if they can help hasten the demise of Marsh Farm with a few schemes of their own...
And at Summerstoke Manor, in the heart of the village, live the three elderly Miss Merfields and their ancient nanny with nothing better to do than pull strings and watch.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 9, 2020
I finished reading this a wee while ago and forgot to post a review ... smack hand. I thought it a perfect holiday/beach/lockdown read. The nuances of village life - the rivalries, the gossip, the support in need, the values - are ably captured and funny in parts. The in-house feuds between siblings and grandparent are altogether too real. The challenges of fighting to keep your home when others are setting you up to fail are also altogether too real.
But integrity and loyalty win out - and I can't help wishing that they were also altogether too real in these changed days.
A little more editing/proofreading wouldn't have gone amiss - but then I would say that, wouldn't I, given my job?
But integrity and loyalty win out - and I can't help wishing that they were also altogether too real in these changed days.
A little more editing/proofreading wouldn't have gone amiss - but then I would say that, wouldn't I, given my job?
May 19, 2020
Wtf have I just read
October 20, 2019
As I read this I thought it was a like a cross between Cold Comfort Farm and The Darling Buds of May, but not nearly as well written, charming or witty. In fact just over half way through the author likens Marsh Farm to Bate’s novel. The only decent character is Stephen: I didn’t like Alison at all, and the sex scenes are laughable they’re so badly written. Will be giving this author a miss in future.
November 2, 2019
A very enjoyable read
I did not expect to enjoy this book so much!
It is such and interesting read, filled with lively characters. I was gutted it came to an end.
I did not expect to enjoy this book so much!
It is such and interesting read, filled with lively characters. I was gutted it came to an end.
January 6, 2024
Three stars — it was an ok read but nothing to rave about. The storyline itself was interesting, but I just wasn’t a fan of the writing. There were a few errors that really irritated me (using of instead of off etc), punctuation errors (missing full stops, missing speech marks etc) that should’ve been picked up by the editor. There were also 2 occasions that I counted in which the wrong character’s name was used. I just felt like the writing was very clunky in places and I’ll be honest none of the characters were very likable. An ok read to pass time, but I wouldn’t recommend anybody to go out of their way to read this.
August 6, 2025
I enjoyed this read but what a mega tale of characters. It's hard to know who the main characters are, so don't expect the traditional way of composure.
This is a rare peek into the lives of a family who live on a farm, showing us how each one of them branches out in their everyday lives. It's not a book about farming, per se, it's about survival of the farm. There are funny moments and sad ones too. I do feel the book could have done without a couple of the characters, who didn't particularly add to the tale. All in all, I relished each page, wondering where all their woes would lead them. I was not to be disappointed.
This is a rare peek into the lives of a family who live on a farm, showing us how each one of them branches out in their everyday lives. It's not a book about farming, per se, it's about survival of the farm. There are funny moments and sad ones too. I do feel the book could have done without a couple of the characters, who didn't particularly add to the tale. All in all, I relished each page, wondering where all their woes would lead them. I was not to be disappointed.
October 26, 2020
Talk About Dysfunctional
I absolutely loved this book. If you are a fan of Jilly Cooper you will love this!
Jenny is a harassed mum who can't cook, Stephen is a pushover, Charlie thinks he is the cats whiskers and Alison wants to lose her virginity. Add Elsie the matriarchal grandmother, a run down farm and a dodgy would be purchased and you have the ideal batter for a good book.
You will love and get annoyed with the characters.
I would like to have seen more of the character Stephen.
Well done Caroline Kington x
I absolutely loved this book. If you are a fan of Jilly Cooper you will love this!
Jenny is a harassed mum who can't cook, Stephen is a pushover, Charlie thinks he is the cats whiskers and Alison wants to lose her virginity. Add Elsie the matriarchal grandmother, a run down farm and a dodgy would be purchased and you have the ideal batter for a good book.
You will love and get annoyed with the characters.
I would like to have seen more of the character Stephen.
Well done Caroline Kington x
April 23, 2020
Light hearted and a page turner
I really enjoyed A Tangled Summer. It quickly became a guilty pleasure. The characters were fantastic and relatable. Each had their own mini story going on within the main and I'm left wanting to know more about the Tuckers and their friend Simon. So good to read a book that leaves you feeling happy and wanting more in the end.
I really enjoyed A Tangled Summer. It quickly became a guilty pleasure. The characters were fantastic and relatable. Each had their own mini story going on within the main and I'm left wanting to know more about the Tuckers and their friend Simon. So good to read a book that leaves you feeling happy and wanting more in the end.
May 3, 2020
Fun read, family becomes essential
Thoroughly enjoyed reading although a little slow to start. Tells of rich in wealth versus the rich in family loyalty and how despite being pulled in differing directions ultimately money means nothing.
Gran/Elsie is the voice the family fear but respect, when she says they do!
Thoroughly enjoyed reading although a little slow to start. Tells of rich in wealth versus the rich in family loyalty and how despite being pulled in differing directions ultimately money means nothing.
Gran/Elsie is the voice the family fear but respect, when she says they do!
May 27, 2019
It was an ok read. For some reason, it seemed to go on forever, no matter how long I sat reading it, I didn't seem to be getting through the pages!
I'll be writing a review on my blog https://www.shelllouise.co.uk
I'll be writing a review on my blog https://www.shelllouise.co.uk
April 12, 2020
I mean, I never want to give bad reviews which is why I’ve given it 3 stars..... but it just really isn’t my cup of tea. A bit boring? I’m sure it will appeal to a lot of people, but I’m just not one of them.
September 6, 2020
Great read
I really enjoyed reading this book. I found myself getting really attached to the characters and the story that they were telling. I've since downloaded the other 2books from the trilogy.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I found myself getting really attached to the characters and the story that they were telling. I've since downloaded the other 2books from the trilogy.
November 18, 2019
Lovely
I really enjoyed this book,I think it was a very good story, with colourful characters and a story that ticked along nicely. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
I really enjoyed this book,I think it was a very good story, with colourful characters and a story that ticked along nicely. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
December 17, 2019
Tangle
I enjoyed reading this book. The story was good a and I will read the next books. Hopefully they will be just as gripping.
I enjoyed reading this book. The story was good a and I will read the next books. Hopefully they will be just as gripping.
January 9, 2020
Totally hooked
From the start I was drawn in and totally hooked, found it hard to put down and didn't want the story to end.
From the start I was drawn in and totally hooked, found it hard to put down and didn't want the story to end.
January 21, 2020
A tangled summer
This was a real entertaining book full of ingress and intrigue the story line can't wait for another good story
This was a real entertaining book full of ingress and intrigue the story line can't wait for another good story
February 5, 2020
Lovely Happy Ending
Loved the way the family liked each other especially gran.
Story was not compromised any where and went with a flow.
Loved the way the family liked each other especially gran.
Story was not compromised any where and went with a flow.
February 18, 2020
Great story
Can't wait to read the next one to see how it all ends up getting exciting as it comes to the last one
Can't wait to read the next one to see how it all ends up getting exciting as it comes to the last one
February 25, 2020
Uplifting, and easy reading
I wasn't sure at the start, but I'm so glad I kept on reading. A heart warming story, and tied together wonderfully at the end. 💘 the Tuckers
I wasn't sure at the start, but I'm so glad I kept on reading. A heart warming story, and tied together wonderfully at the end. 💘 the Tuckers
March 21, 2020
A book that grows on you, thoroughly enjoyed it!
April 5, 2020
Very enjoyable
A colourful village tale full of character and vision, with plot twists and turns a plenty
A definite page turner
A colourful village tale full of character and vision, with plot twists and turns a plenty
A definite page turner
July 25, 2020
A Rambling Tale
Not a bad storyline, but it was slow and tortured in parts. The characters were colorful and entertaining yet it took forever to get to the point.
Not a bad storyline, but it was slow and tortured in parts. The characters were colorful and entertaining yet it took forever to get to the point.
September 17, 2020
Good read
Good read and a few unexpected twists and turns. Ideal for a long journey or holiday as you can easily pick it up and then leave it for a few days
Good read and a few unexpected twists and turns. Ideal for a long journey or holiday as you can easily pick it up and then leave it for a few days
October 5, 2020
A lighthearted read with a cheerful motley crew of characters
December 13, 2020
Good verses evil
Easy read, great character's. Insight to the struggles of farming life and the need to progress and of course lots of romance.
Easy read, great character's. Insight to the struggles of farming life and the need to progress and of course lots of romance.
June 15, 2021
Nice easy read. Ideal for beach.
May 29, 2022
A good read
Absolutely a good read slow at first but soon got me gripped, I was drawn into the !life of the family.
Absolutely a good read slow at first but soon got me gripped, I was drawn into the !life of the family.
March 15, 2023
an ok read
This was an ok book. For some strange reason the pages in my kindle were all messed up. It started on pages 107 and ended on page 5350.
This was an ok book. For some strange reason the pages in my kindle were all messed up. It started on pages 107 and ended on page 5350.
August 19, 2024
Perfect Summer read
December 14, 2024
2/5⭐️
23 days it took me to read this shorter book.
It was slow, it was a bit confusing as there were so many stories to follow. Some were good, but just dragged out for too long.
23 days it took me to read this shorter book.
It was slow, it was a bit confusing as there were so many stories to follow. Some were good, but just dragged out for too long.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews