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One Summer in Spain

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Twenty-five year old Gemma is still unsure where her life is leading. Her parents are exasperated at the way in which she flits from one thing to another. A chance encounter helping Dulcie, an elderly lady who has had a fall in the street, leads to Gemma becoming housekeeper to Dulcie and her friend, Rupert.

Following a lottery win, Dulcie and Rupert rent a Spanish villa for six months and Gemma goes with them for a working holiday. It’s all one long adventure for the three of them, filled with fun days out, nights in the best restaurants and plenty of laughter.

Dario, the local taxi driver becomes fond of Gemma. Likewise, she thinks a lot of him too, but he harbours a secret.

Jamie, Dulcie’s grandson, pops over to Spain to check on his grandmother. but she’s not his only reason for visiting.

Craig, an old friend of Gemma’s, is also an acquaintance of Dulcie and Rupert. When he visits from England, Gemma’s life becomes a little uncomfortable.

How can ONE SUMMER IN SPAIN change everyone’s life? Will it be for the good, and how do their lives pan out after the six month holiday is over?

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 2020

112 people are currently reading
111 people want to read

About the author

Ian Wilfred

22 books24 followers
Ian Wilfred writes uplifting feel-good fiction set in Greece, Spain, Tenerife and Norfolk.

Ian lives in the UK on the beautiful Norfolk coast with his husband and west highland terrier and is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association.

You can follow Ian on Twitter at @ianwilfred39

If you enjoy Ian’s books, why not join Ian Wilfred’s Readers group on Facebook.

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5 stars
616 (55%)
4 stars
293 (26%)
3 stars
127 (11%)
2 stars
45 (4%)
1 star
34 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Lu.
756 reviews25 followers
August 31, 2020
A lovely trip to Spain in great company

One Summer in Spain by Ian Wilfred is a lovely contemporary romance with incredible characters.

Gemma is 25yo and just dropped out of university. She helped an elderly lady she met by chance and ended up becoming her housekeeper.

Dulcie, the lady, lived with her friend Rupert. They were both in their seventies and were so much fun.

Rupert was my favorite character. He was so lively and charming and with a great sense of fashion. I wish I could see one of his looks in which all his clothing, down to his socks, were in tons of Burgundy.

The friends had recently won the lottery and wanted to enjoy the time they have left in style. They decided to rent a sea-front house in Spain and take an extended vacation.

The scenario was breathtaking and a perfect escape from our current confinement.

The cross-generation relationship between Gemma, Dulcie, and Rupert was so adorable. I love stories that explore what the young can learn from their elders and vice-versa.

The cherry of the cake is the love triangle between Gemma, her highschool friend Craig, and the incredibly handsome local taxi-driver Dario.

One Summer in Spain is a lovely and romantic summer read!



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Reviews Published









Profile Image for Samantha Henthorn.
Author 12 books53 followers
June 28, 2020
Delightful, and just what I needed.
Twenty-five-year-old Gemma can't settle into a job but after a chance meeting with Dulcie she becomes a live-in housekeeper. I loved that this book had two characters called Dulcie and Rupert how adorable. This is a story about friendship and exploration. Dulcie and Rupert have been friends for over 50 years, they have looked out for one another all that time now it is their chance to look after someone else. They all end up moving to Spain for the summer... and more! Before Gemma knows it she has three men in her life. There is champagne, drama (with Dulcie's daughter) and romance. Ian Wilfred has sprinkled magic over this delightful story.
6 reviews
July 26, 2020
Oh dear

Firstly, the concept had definite promise but became quite predictable in the end. However, the dialogue is stilted, old fashioned and very irritating with the over use of the characters names. To be honest I wouldn’t have bothered finishing this book but I was travelling and didn’t have an alternative with me. By the end I had in my hands. Not for me.
Profile Image for Elaine - Splashes Into Books.
3,891 reviews136 followers
August 1, 2020
This is a story in which being kind and caring totally changes lives. When twenty-five year old Gemma helped an elderly lady, Dulcie, who had fallen little did either of them know just how their lives and those of others were about to change! Gemma is somewhat adrift, unable to decide what to do with her life and has just given up on her university course. Trying to help Dulcie leads to Gemma becoming the housekeeper and PA to Dulcie and her friend, Rupert, who have just had a substantial lottery win. When the lucky winners decide to rent a luxurious villa in Spain for six months, they insist Gemma goes with them and so the life changing summer in Spain begins . . . . 

This is a lovely, gentle and very relaxing read. The author paints pictures with his words, bringing the characters and settings to life in the imagination of the reader. Dulcie hopes to help Gemma find romance and there are several different contenders as the story progresses. The lifestyle, community and delicious food are all key elements in this delightful read, I would really love to eat at Elo Pollo and to try that special pizza restaurant, too! Dulcie and Rupert are brilliant characters, Rupert being larger than life in so many ways! The villa is rarely without visitors coming to stay, each adding their own magic to the story. There are journeys, parties, secrets and revelations to keep you guessing but Rupert's birthday party brings everyone together with an added, but much anticipated, surprise at the end!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this delightful story. It is a look at life, making the most of your opportunities and full of love, a feel-good story to put a smile on your face and one I have no hesitation in highly recommending.
Profile Image for Lisa Baillie .
310 reviews14 followers
November 18, 2020
I absolutely adored this book. Right from the first page I just new it was going to be a huge hit. It was lovely. A plot we all wish would play out in our own lives. How lucky is Gemma. But then Rupert and Dulcie are just as lucky to have met Gemma also. Loved hearing of there stay in Spain. One of my favourite places. I was so jealous of there adventures together. I did not want this book to end. It was so well written. Lovely characters. Even Janice managed to redeem herself towards the end. Loved everything about this one. I really hope there is a 2nd book
Profile Image for B.R. Maycock.
Author 7 books69 followers
December 20, 2020
I first came across Ian Wilfred on social media, where he is pretty much one of the loveliest, friendliest people, who shares everything to spread news of people's books. So of course when I saw he had books out himself, they got put on that insurmountable list, the tbr. Fast forward to my ugly reading rut this year, and this was the book that pulled me out, the most easy going, light read, about someone who's not living her best life, but is presented with an opportunity that leads her to sunny Spain. I loved the characters in this, the feel good factor, and just the fun and 'it could be you' element. I smiled throughout, laughed at times and read in isolation during covid. Rating:4.5/5
Profile Image for Gabi.
30 reviews1 follower
March 13, 2021
Romantic Novel

A lovely easy read. Full of life changing stories for all the characters with a simple journey and a fairy tale ending.
Very uplifting , making the reader wish to move to Spain.
1 review
April 2, 2021
A lovely read

Right from the first page. The characters really pulled me in. This has the feel good factor and just fun element. I smiled and laughed out loud reading it. When reading Ian Wilfred books; he seems like a lovely person spreading joy. On to his next one..


Profile Image for Ana Aguerrea Alzualde.
771 reviews6 followers
April 15, 2021
Una novela romántica que no profundiza demasiado en la relación de Gemma y Dario.
Gemma es una persona que duda tanto sobre sus sentimientos románticos, que se me hace poco creíble.
En todo caso, el libro entretiene. Eso sí, sin apasionar.
82 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2021
A great read

I loved this book from start to finish. I couldn't put it down. I loved all the different characters and you felt you were in Spai with them
It was a really feel good romance.
25 reviews
April 8, 2023
Excellent read and full of love

I happen to love all the books written by Ian Wilfred, they are always fun and lovely to read and always have a good ending.Wonderfully well written book and intriguing.
5 reviews
Read
December 20, 2020
Excellent

Excellent very relaxing read from one page to the next
Now to find another book like it I am hopeful
7 reviews
April 25, 2021
Great read. A young lady caring as a housekeeper for two older people. Good feeling book.
44 reviews
April 27, 2021
What a story!

A really good book to read on the beach, in a comfy armchair or just to take your mind off Covid.
Profile Image for Susan Hutchinson.
983 reviews4 followers
June 29, 2021
What a wonderful story! Loved it, one of the best I’ve read in a while! The characters came to life and was everyone’s dream job
31 reviews
June 24, 2022
Charming story of Gemma finding happiness in her life after moving to Spain with Dulcie and Rupert. Really makes me want to move to Spain!
48 reviews
February 1, 2023
light hearted fun and romantic too

Wouldn’t we all like to win the lottery and live an idyllic life in Spain this story is what dreams are made of a perfect life
Profile Image for Steph Lawrence.
515 reviews
May 12, 2024
A really lovely story, I read outside on a sunny weekend.
I wished I was in Spain! 🇪🇸
Profile Image for Alicia.
34 reviews1 follower
June 28, 2025
Absolutely loved the book, it’s a great read. A very lovely story. A very well written book. Loved the love story between Gemma and Dario. Absolutely loved Rupert!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 22 reviews

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