The Summer We Were Friends: a sparkling summer read about friendship, secrets and new beginnings in a small seaside town

by Fiona O'Brien

'The perfect holiday read' Irish ExaminerSummer has arrived in Derrybeggs and the biggest event of the year, the annual film festival, is less than a month away. But as the days pass, it becomes clear that nothing will go as planned...Dot came to the seaside town for a fresh start and so far her B&B is proving popular. But fitting in isn't quite as easy. Dot thought joining the troubled festival committee would help, but she's really starting to wonder if moving to Derrybeggs was a mistake.Marine biologist Merry spends her days working at her parents' café and trying not to think about the happiness she could have had. Everyone whispers about the tragic accident that destroyed her dream life in Florida. But Merry is the only one who knows the truth.When an intriguing American visitor arrives at the café with no memory of who he is or why he's in Derrybeggs, Dot and Merry set aside their own problems and rally the community to help him find his way home. As the search gets underway and the countdown to the festival begins in earnest, everyone is about to discover what it really means to belong.

396 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2021

Reviews

[Federica · Rating 3 out of 5]

An elderly kind American man is found wandering in Derrybeggs with no recollection of who he is during the most important period of the year, the one that foreruns the film festival.
The community gets together to help him and also to organize the festival.
This was a nice read, with enjoyable characters, especially Charlie.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Cheryl Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. Characters easy to relate too. Set in a tight-knit community in Ireland the storyline just flowed. Hard to put down.

[booksofallkinds · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the publisher.

I've been struggling lately with reading and connecting with characters and settings, but I have to say I did not have this problem with THE SUMMER WE WERE FRIENDS by Fiona O'Brien. Warm and engaging characters and a setting that felt like home are only some of the wonderful things about this story that should be on every reader's summer lists this year.

In the beautiful town of Derrybeggs there is a community that has known heartbreak and tragedy, happiness and laughter, but most of all they know the importance of friendship and kindness (well, most of them, anyway). With the anticipated film festival kicking off their much needed tourist season, everyone in Derrybeggs have their own reasons for wanting it to be a success, but with a new committee who want to do things their way and people butting heads, not everything is going to plan. Add in a charismatic and kind man who has forgotten who he is, an older actress who needs to write her memoirs as she grieves her two closest friends, and a hotshot business man from the US who cannot seem to commit, and things around Derrybeggs are only going to get more complicated.

Fiona O'Brien brings laughter, sadness, and highs and lows of real life together in such a way that makes you connect instantly with the varied characters of this delectable little town, and everything has a wonderful authenticity to it which can often be missing in fiction. There are so many fabulous characters but I have to say that Dot is my favourite - for her strength, her kindness, and her bravery in starting a new life for herself. THE SUMMER WE WERE FRIENDS is exactly what I needed to get me out of my reading slump and I highly recommend this book to everyone.

[MK07 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A relaxing read, although it must be said entirely predictable and fairly unrealistic all in. I thought it conjured up the seaside village setting well and did make me reminisce about how life used to be pre-Covid! A varied, if very stereotypical cast of characters - I actually found it hard to warm to both Merry (the ridiculous name & how it was chosen probably part of that!) and Dot. But the part I probably found most ridiculous was the whole Charlie storyline. I know it’s fiction, but honestly would the man himself not even have thought to go to a police station or hospital initially instead of heading off hitchhiking into the unknown with complete memory loss and all his belongings stolen, as described in the very hurriedly wrapped up ending?? There were so many holes in this part of the book, it’d be impossible to list them all here. Gave three stars because I did actually finish it and I was able to picture the scenes in my mind’s eye, fine if you’re looking for an easy read with no great excitement.

[Colette O'meara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming story about life in a small, sleepy seaside town. Summer has come to Derrybegs and with it the annual film festival which always causes tensions. Recently arrived in the town Dot joins the committee as a way of getting to know people - she has renovated the Old Rectory and has guests in her guest cottages. One of whom is American Businessman Ryan Schindler who is overseeing the redevelopment of the local golf club and who also needs to decide whether or not he wishes to propose to his longterm girlfriend Jodi. Also a guest is Molly an actress and also Charlie who arrives in the town not knowing who he is or how he came to be here. Will the film festival go smoothly, will Ryan propose to Jodi and with the help of the locals will Charlie remember who he is?

[Nila (digitalcreativepages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a film festival as the backdrop, this book was a sweet read. Added to that was an old man with a lost memory and an older actress who was grieving, and a businessman with commitment issues, and the people or Derrybeggs had more trouble they bargained for. The book had humor along with the other emotions that make up real life. The writing was easy to read and easily connectable.

[Rhoda McDonagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book to read. It was like I was living with the characters. Would highly recommend it for a light hearted book that will leave you wanting more.

[Leanne Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book to read

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, actually found it hard to put down.
It is well paced, and moves between characters smoothly. The storyline is great.

[Christine Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by Fiona but will certainly not be my last! couldn't put it down an amazing read, spent most of the night finishing it, couldn't recommend it enough, thank you Fiona O'brien xx

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great summer read! A story with interesting characters and uplifting story line.

[MRS S WELLS · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story , a great book to read and I could visualise the characters

[Mary Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully executed feel good book, well developed, diverse characters, a nice dapple of suspense. I enjoyed escaping into this small village world .

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars / This cute story made me miss Ireland so much! Charming!

[mary kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Highly recommend this book as with all of her others I couldn't put it down. Can't wait for her next one

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice easy read. No surprises, but just a gentle story about nice people.

[caroline kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book and the way it was written. I loved the characters and the storyline. My first Fiona OBrien book but definitely not my last. It would make a wonderful film.

[Hazel Stanton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little homespun and a convenient story line perhaps but still an enjoyable read, with people's good nature and friendship being the underpinning factor

[Valerie O'Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely relaxing read. The characters are engaging and easy to like.

[Noms Haugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summer has arrived in derrybeggs and the biggest event of the year,the annual film festival,is less than a month away.but as the day pass,it becomes clear that nothing will go as planned......

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

NetGalley

Member Review
Cover Image: The Summer We Were Friends
The Summer We Were Friends
by Fiona O'Brien
Pub Date: 6 May 2021
Review by

jeanie m, Reviewer
Last updated on 30 Mar 2021
My Recommendation
With thanks to netgalley and hatchet books Ireland and fiona O'brien for an early copy in return for an honest opinion.
Having read a few books by this Fantastically outstanding author before I was absolutely delighted to have an early copy and it certainly did not dissapoint, a tale of Charlie with no memory Dot a blow in who has just renovated a house in Derrybegs and it makes for a focal point in this truly intriguing read will life ever get back to normal I have nothing but praise for this magical read and can highly recommend
Don't forget! Come back to your Review on the pub date, 6 May 2021, to post to these retailers.

[Lorraine Joad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely feel good read.
Set in a fictional town in Ireland called Derrybegs, the characters are portrayed quite vividly and I loved each and everyone of them. After an elderly gentleman arrives in the village with no memory of who he is or where he has come from the locals all pull together to try and find any relatives he might have. Also the village is getting ready to host the annual film festival so it’s all action stations.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC for which I would highly recommend if you are looking for a bit of escapism. I will certainly be reading more by this author.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming and poignant story, well written and enjoyable.
I liked the characters and the setting, the plot is well developed.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are mine

[Sarah Neeson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely, poignant book with a heartwarming story and lovely setting. Some of the secondary characters probably could have been left out as they didn’t add too much to the story but overall a nice read.