The Cherry Tree Summer

by Kate Glanville

Twenty-five years ago, Martha Morgan lost everything. Once a member of a prestigious bands, she now lives in solitude in the heart of the Dordogne, surrounded by an ancient cherry orchard.

Attempting to piece her life back together, Martha decides to rent her idyllic French farmhouse Le Couvent des Cerises to holidaymakers for the summer, hiring the mysterious Ben to help reconstruct the dishevelled B&B.

But when a vicious storm makes its way across the village, tensions begin to rise. Martha, Ben and the guests are forced to pull together and they're about to find out that they have more in common than they realise - but it might mean jeopardising the secret of Martha's past

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2021

About the author

Kate Glanville was born in West Africa to Irish parents. Kate now lives in the small town of Llandeilo on the edge on The Brecon Beacons National Park with her three children, two cats and two dogs . She graduated with a degree in fashion design at Central St. Martins and worked in the textile industry before becoming a ceramic artist. Kate's tableware designs have been sold in shops and galleries all over the world including Liberty, Conran Shop, Fortnum & Masons and Fired Earth. Among her many customers Kate has produced ceramics for The Prince of Wales, Madonna, Roger Daltry and Robbie Williams. Despite a successful career as a visual artist Kate has been writing stories since the age of eight. A Perfect Home (published in 2012 by Penguin US under the name Kitty Glanville)and Heartstones are her first two novels, both published by Accent Press in the UK and in Germany and Norway. Stargazing was published by Accent in the UK in 2016 and also in Germany. Kate’s fourth novel, The Cherry Tree Summer, was published in May 2021 by Headline and The Peacock House will be published in September 2021.

Reviews

[Zee Monodee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I initially thought this story was going to be pedantic and drag along. How glad to be proven wrong! There's so much happening, there's never a dull moment throughout. I couldn't wait to get back to this to find out what was going to happen next, what was going to be revealed.
The author knows how to build tension and anticipation, dropping little hints and unanswered questions along the pages making you want to find out the answer, which then keeps you reading. No one in this huge cast of characters was spared this. Another thing was the huge cast of characters, but nowhere did I get lost in who's who and what their storyline was (which is hard to achieve with so many people on the page.) The setting was also really well done and never overboard.
Only reason this isn't a full five stars is the author is also a proponent of bait & switch - a chapter will end with a huge cliffhanger...but the next chapter doesn't pick up from there, and it's only down the page/s that the main character, Martha, will recall what happened. I wouldn't mind if this had happened once or twice, but it got increasingly repetitive the closer the book got to the end, so that was a bit off-putting.

[Georgina Abbotts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book twenty five years ago Martha lost everything.Martja now lives in France surrounded by a cherry orchard she keeps getting letters from the bank.she decideds to rent her house out but when the guests arrive they seem to have not told Martha about the extra guests Martha also over hears them in conversations complaining about the place .I loved how they all came together and got along with one and another and continue to visit each other I loved seeing the cherry orchard in my head and village.i will have a look at what other books kate has

[Victoria Wilks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The description for this book certainly had me intrigued, but I never could have anticipated how much I would LOVE this book!.

The story takes place in a crumbling convent building in the Dordogne, this is where we first meet Martha. This is the place she now calls home, following a rather difficult patch in her life, where everything seemed to fall apart for her. Martha was once a singer songwriter in a well known band, and her fall from grace has left her feeling rather downhearted.

This is how she finds herself turning this run down convent in to her home. It is perfect really, because it is secluded – away from prying eyes, and it is also surrounded by a breath-taking Cherry Orchard.

As Martha begins trying to piece her life back together, with the hope of reconnecting with her Son, she realises she has little choice but to rent out her beautiful home to holiday makers. The first group that book their holiday there are far from ideal, and certainly make themselves known for all the wrong reasons. However, their stay ends up changing things more than Martha could have ever anticipated.

The Cherry Tree Summer is one of those stories that you can lose yourself in completely. The setting is brought to life by the author, allowing you to picture yourself walking through the orchard and taking in all of the sights and smells surrounding Martha’s home. There is a cast of colourful, totally unique characters that all play a part in the effortless way this story flows from beginning to end. Of course, not all of these characters are ones that you find yourself rooting for, but that is what makes the story all the more authentic.

A beautifully written book that really captures your heart. I loved everything about this book, and will be eagerly awaiting future releases by Kate Glanville.

[Colette Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, it was just perfect for the last of my summer book reads before heading back to school. Simple escapism at its best. Martha Morgan was an icon in the eighties and now lives as a recluse in an old converted convent. She decides to let the property out as a holiday rental. What follows is week full of chaos.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to immerse themselves in stories of lost romance, second chances.

[Colette Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, it was just perfect for the last of my summer book reads before heading back to school. Simple escapism at its best. Martha Morgan was an icon in the eighties and now lives as a recluse in an old converted convent. She decides to let the property out as a holiday rental. What follows is week full of chaos.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to immerse themselves in stories of lost romance, second chances.

[Michi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anfangs ein bisschen schwer zu lesen, aber dann wurde es immer interessanter und hat sich prima weggelesen.

[JB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting & heartwarming!
Another beautifully crafted and satisfying story by this author. The characters are so vivid and I was welling up near the end. Brilliant writing!

[Sheila Rush · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good holiday read.

[MJ Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was there in France with the family

A very enjoyable read. Great characters and location. Some good twists and kept me up late in evening .
Thank you.