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Summer Fever
A HOT ITALIAN SUMMER. TWO COUPLES. ONE DARK SECRET THAT COULD RUIN EVERYTHING. . .'The best book I have read this year. Atmospheric, thrilling and completely unputdownable' 5***** Reader Review'Sultry, sexy, immersive' HARRIET TYCE'A compelling and unsettling read with summer written all over it' WOMAN & HOME'The only book you need this summer. Gripping, well-paced and full of thrills' 5***** Reader Review'Tense and atmospheric. A dark, sultry, summer read' JANE FALLONTHE ADDICTIVE NEW NOVEL FROM THE AUTHOR OF RICHARD & JUDY PICK THE HEATWAVE'A sexy summer read with a twist. If you're looking for a summer read to devour by the pool or on the beach, look no further' EVENING STANDARD_________Nick and Laura are the pretending their marriage isn't on the rocks.Madison and Bastian are the neither is remotely who they claim to be.Under the scorching Mediterranean sun, no secret is safe.No betrayal goes unnoticed.Two couples. But will either survive the summer . . ._________'Addictive. I devoured this gripping read' 5***** Reader Review'Sexy and atmospheric - incredibly smart escapism' DAISY BUCHANAN'Intimate, intense and utterly addictive' EMMA STONEX'A sizzler of a story! A great holiday read' 5***** Reader Review'Immaculately written, deeply unsettling. Stunning' 5***** Reader Review'A summer sizzler' 5***** Reader ReviewPraise for Kate'Sultry, atmospheric and unsettling - a book to lose yourself in' ERIN KELLY'The best book I have read this year. Atmospheric, thrilling and completely unputdownable' 5***** Reader Review'Had me absolutely gripped' LOUISE CANDLISH'The only book you need this summer. Gripping, well-paced and full of thrills' 5***** Reader Review
392 pages, Paperback
First published May 12, 2022
69 people are currently reading
822 people want to read
About the author
Kate Riordan
11 books574 followersKate Riordan is a writer and journalist from England. Her first job was as an editorial assistant at the Guardian newspaper, followed by a stint as deputy editor for the lifestyle section of London bible, Time Out magazine.
After becoming a freelancer, she left London behind and moved to the beautiful Cotswolds in order to write her first novel, 'Birdcage Walk'. Her second novel, a haunting dual narrative story set in the 1930s and 1890s will be published by Penguin in January 2015 as 'The Girl in the Photograph'. In February, HarperCollins will publish the same book as 'Fiercombe Manor' in the US and Canada. She is now at work on her third novel, another dual narrative story full of intrigue and secrets, but this time set in the 1870s and 1920s, and about the lives of two very different governesses.
After becoming a freelancer, she left London behind and moved to the beautiful Cotswolds in order to write her first novel, 'Birdcage Walk'. Her second novel, a haunting dual narrative story set in the 1930s and 1890s will be published by Penguin in January 2015 as 'The Girl in the Photograph'. In February, HarperCollins will publish the same book as 'Fiercombe Manor' in the US and Canada. She is now at work on her third novel, another dual narrative story full of intrigue and secrets, but this time set in the 1870s and 1920s, and about the lives of two very different governesses.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
March 25, 2022
4+
This is one of those lull you into a false sense of security reads. It starts off in the gentle shallows and before you know it you’ve been dragged into a dangerous riptide.
Laura and Nick are searching for an Italian property for a fresh start, have they found their dream at Villa Luna Rosa? They work hard renovating it and welcome their first guests, Americans Madison and Bastian. What could possibly go wrong?
First of all, the setting in Italy is fantastic and the author uses all on offer to add to the atmosphere including weather to match stormy moods and a fester to add an element of tantalising danger. You realise pretty quickly that there is a depth of intrigue and deception and much of the “re-awakening“ followed by wild, reckless destructive behaviour is firmly rooted in the past.
The dynamics between the couples is fantastic and there are surface overtones and deeply simmering undertones. You feel the moods, the subtle changes and the building tension especially as you realise all the characters are in deep but in very different ways. There is an impending and disturbing sense of destruction, several areas of danger, it’s sinister, and you get almost surreal vibes making it feel like an on the edge of a precipice read . Someone is going in for the kill, but who? There are several plot twists, some are jaw-droppers at the levels of lies and deceit that can’t just be attributed to summer fever.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one as it has a little bit of everything I like in a mystery/thriller.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Michael Joseph, Penguin for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
This is one of those lull you into a false sense of security reads. It starts off in the gentle shallows and before you know it you’ve been dragged into a dangerous riptide.
Laura and Nick are searching for an Italian property for a fresh start, have they found their dream at Villa Luna Rosa? They work hard renovating it and welcome their first guests, Americans Madison and Bastian. What could possibly go wrong?
First of all, the setting in Italy is fantastic and the author uses all on offer to add to the atmosphere including weather to match stormy moods and a fester to add an element of tantalising danger. You realise pretty quickly that there is a depth of intrigue and deception and much of the “re-awakening“ followed by wild, reckless destructive behaviour is firmly rooted in the past.
The dynamics between the couples is fantastic and there are surface overtones and deeply simmering undertones. You feel the moods, the subtle changes and the building tension especially as you realise all the characters are in deep but in very different ways. There is an impending and disturbing sense of destruction, several areas of danger, it’s sinister, and you get almost surreal vibes making it feel like an on the edge of a precipice read . Someone is going in for the kill, but who? There are several plot twists, some are jaw-droppers at the levels of lies and deceit that can’t just be attributed to summer fever.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one as it has a little bit of everything I like in a mystery/thriller.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Michael Joseph, Penguin for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
August 21, 2022
2.5 Stars, rounded up. This book was well written, but I didn't enjoy the subject matter. I guess sultry, sexual tension thrillers aren't my thing? I loved the gorgeous Italian setting though. I greatly enjoyed the author's previous book, The Heatwave, so I think Summer Fever just wasn't a good fit for me.
April 3, 2022
A completely new author to me so I had little idea what to expect but always open to read different writers. If I am honest this didn’t really work for me, I didn’t really enjoy the characters and the plot failed to pull me in.
With Laura’s marriage in need of a boost, she decides with her husband Nick to host Madison and Bastion at a villa to enjoy a Mediterranean holiday. But far from the tonic their marriage needs the break is full of betrayals and lies.
This wasn’t badly written or anything like that it just failed to capture my interest and I am sure will appeal to others.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Michael Joseph for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
With Laura’s marriage in need of a boost, she decides with her husband Nick to host Madison and Bastion at a villa to enjoy a Mediterranean holiday. But far from the tonic their marriage needs the break is full of betrayals and lies.
This wasn’t badly written or anything like that it just failed to capture my interest and I am sure will appeal to others.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Michael Joseph for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
August 26, 2023
1,5
Reseña completa en el blog Letras, Libros y Más próximamente
“Fiebre de verano” se supone que es un thriller de alto voltaje, pero a mí no me ha parecido un thriller ni una novela de misterio, los personajes tienen secretos o no son lo que aparentan, ya está, se trata de una novela costumbrista sobre el matrimonio y los embrollos en los que se ven envueltos todos ellos. La trama está bastante bien llevada, pero los giros argumentales o los ves venir o son tan poca cosa que pasan sin pena ni gloria, tiene sus pequeñas píncelas intrigantes que pueden mantener tu atención y hasta el final no se descubre todo el pastel, así que por ese lado no está del todo mal. Sin embargo, no ha sido para mí y no lo he disfrutado en ningún momento, con deciros que he tenido que obligarme a terminarlo.
Y es que tiene uno de los clichés que menos me gustan, la infidelidad, que odio con toda mi alma, porque además nunca está bien llevada y me pone de los nervios. Pero es que lo peor es que los personajes son de lo más patético y odiosos, no me ha gustado ninguno, ni su personalidad, ni sus actos, son sosos, malos, altivos y se creen por encima de todo, así que no he conectado con ellos ni con su historia.
Misterio, traiciones y secretos.
Reseña completa en el blog Letras, Libros y Más próximamente
“Fiebre de verano” se supone que es un thriller de alto voltaje, pero a mí no me ha parecido un thriller ni una novela de misterio, los personajes tienen secretos o no son lo que aparentan, ya está, se trata de una novela costumbrista sobre el matrimonio y los embrollos en los que se ven envueltos todos ellos. La trama está bastante bien llevada, pero los giros argumentales o los ves venir o son tan poca cosa que pasan sin pena ni gloria, tiene sus pequeñas píncelas intrigantes que pueden mantener tu atención y hasta el final no se descubre todo el pastel, así que por ese lado no está del todo mal. Sin embargo, no ha sido para mí y no lo he disfrutado en ningún momento, con deciros que he tenido que obligarme a terminarlo.
Y es que tiene uno de los clichés que menos me gustan, la infidelidad, que odio con toda mi alma, porque además nunca está bien llevada y me pone de los nervios. Pero es que lo peor es que los personajes son de lo más patético y odiosos, no me ha gustado ninguno, ni su personalidad, ni sus actos, son sosos, malos, altivos y se creen por encima de todo, así que no he conectado con ellos ni con su historia.
Misterio, traiciones y secretos.
May 24, 2022
Summer Fever was certainly a thrilling read! Kate Riordan's writing style was beautifully descriptive and atmospheric, and I could easily picture the Mediterranean setting at the Villa Luna Rossa in Italy and feel the sultry storms and matching moods. The story unfolded gradually, told using varied timeframes including flashbacks to Laura’s younger days at university. The plotting was pitch-perfect, the level of tension was superior and from the outset, there was a serious sinister vibe as I followed Laura and Nick, and tried to complete the picture.
All in all, a brilliantly taut, clever and dark thriller that touches on sensitive subjects. It was a real page-turner that may well have a place in my best reads for 2022.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Penguin UK - Michael Joseph via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
All in all, a brilliantly taut, clever and dark thriller that touches on sensitive subjects. It was a real page-turner that may well have a place in my best reads for 2022.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Penguin UK - Michael Joseph via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
August 23, 2023
Es entretenida y ágil casi siempre,pero a veces da muchas vueltas en lo mismo. Buena para un rato sin mucha complicación.
May 15, 2022
This was a mystery, thriller and romance all rolled in to one. I read it in one sitting and was gripped from the beginning.
I found the interactions between the couples fascinating, especially as the twists developed!
I kept swapping who I felt more connected to throughout as the storyline continued. There was some true depth to each character.
The writing style was compelling, quick and all the dialogue very believable.
I could imagine being there, in Italy, seeing the story unfold.
I would highly recommend this book, only wish it was longer - I need to know what happens next!
I found the interactions between the couples fascinating, especially as the twists developed!
I kept swapping who I felt more connected to throughout as the storyline continued. There was some true depth to each character.
The writing style was compelling, quick and all the dialogue very believable.
I could imagine being there, in Italy, seeing the story unfold.
I would highly recommend this book, only wish it was longer - I need to know what happens next!
August 22, 2022
(2.5/5) I enjoyed The Heatwave, so was looking forward to reading another summer thriller from Kate Riordan. Unfortunately, I found this book lacklustre, slow and driven by really unlikeable characters. It’s marketed as a thriller/mystery but is very much a domestic fiction - noir at best - which definitely didn’t help it meet my expectations.
Nick and Laura’s marriage is on rocky ground: infertility, some risqué texts with a colleague and a general relationship malaise has left them at a cross roads. They do the obvious thing: plough everything they have into a crumbling old Italian villa, leave London and turn it into a guesthouse. Everything rides on it making money.
The first guests are a dazzling American couple who immediately become too close for comfort.
I struggled with the pacing. I’m the first to admit that I’m not a patient reader but it really took until half way through for anything to actually happen, everything felt like scene setting.
So whilst the writing is good and the Italian setting one of its strongest parts, it’s just a bit boring. The ‘Thing That Happens’ is blindingly obvious and throughout, I kept waiting for twists that never came.
My second problem is that pretty much all the characters, maybe with the exception of Nick - who just seemed highly misguided - are really unlikeable. I’m not sure who we’re meant to be rooting for here and surely there’s got to be someone?!
Maybe it just wasn’t the book for me.
TW: rape
Nick and Laura’s marriage is on rocky ground: infertility, some risqué texts with a colleague and a general relationship malaise has left them at a cross roads. They do the obvious thing: plough everything they have into a crumbling old Italian villa, leave London and turn it into a guesthouse. Everything rides on it making money.
The first guests are a dazzling American couple who immediately become too close for comfort.
I struggled with the pacing. I’m the first to admit that I’m not a patient reader but it really took until half way through for anything to actually happen, everything felt like scene setting.
So whilst the writing is good and the Italian setting one of its strongest parts, it’s just a bit boring. The ‘Thing That Happens’ is blindingly obvious and throughout, I kept waiting for twists that never came.
My second problem is that pretty much all the characters, maybe with the exception of Nick - who just seemed highly misguided - are really unlikeable. I’m not sure who we’re meant to be rooting for here and surely there’s got to be someone?!
Maybe it just wasn’t the book for me.
TW: rape
May 22, 2022
After the heartbreak of infertility takes them to breaking point, Laura and Nick decide to start again in Italy. Luna Rossa promises to be that fresh start and when their first guests arrive it looks like things are finally looking up. But Madison and Bastian aren’t who they claim to be, and all four of them are hiding secrets that threaten to turn this dream into a nightmare.
Sexy, sultry and suspenseful, Summer Fever is an edge-of-your seat thriller full of lust, secrets and betrayal. Kate Riordan is a skilled storyteller who had me transfixed from the first page as she opened with an ominous and foreboding prologue that sets the scene for the rest of the book.
Told in two parts with sporadic flashbacks to the mysterious past love who broke Laura’s heart, I loved how the atmosphere crackled with a deliciously dark tension and overwhelming sense of dread that kept me on tenterhooks. The flashbacks had that sense of haziness that only looking back on our past with rose-tinted glasses can bring and left me apprehensive about what was in store for Laura, who seemed to be hurtling back towards the fire that had already burned her. I wanted to yell at her to stop but knew she would never have listened. There was an air of inevitability that left you feeling powerless to do anything but wait and see just how bad the fallout would be when it came.
The dynamics between each of the four main characters are compelling and I liked how having Laura as our only narrator makes the others a bit of an enigma and you aren’t always sure what to make of them. But one of my favourite things is how she transported me to the sweltering shores of Italy with such realism that I could almost feel the sun beating down on me and see the gorgeous view from Luna Rossa. Italy has always been at the top of my bucket list and I felt like I got a virtual holiday there thanks to this book, albeit one with a lot of turmoil.
Alluring, addictive and sizzling with tension, this is the perfect thriller to read in the sun with a glass of wine in hand.
Sexy, sultry and suspenseful, Summer Fever is an edge-of-your seat thriller full of lust, secrets and betrayal. Kate Riordan is a skilled storyteller who had me transfixed from the first page as she opened with an ominous and foreboding prologue that sets the scene for the rest of the book.
Told in two parts with sporadic flashbacks to the mysterious past love who broke Laura’s heart, I loved how the atmosphere crackled with a deliciously dark tension and overwhelming sense of dread that kept me on tenterhooks. The flashbacks had that sense of haziness that only looking back on our past with rose-tinted glasses can bring and left me apprehensive about what was in store for Laura, who seemed to be hurtling back towards the fire that had already burned her. I wanted to yell at her to stop but knew she would never have listened. There was an air of inevitability that left you feeling powerless to do anything but wait and see just how bad the fallout would be when it came.
The dynamics between each of the four main characters are compelling and I liked how having Laura as our only narrator makes the others a bit of an enigma and you aren’t always sure what to make of them. But one of my favourite things is how she transported me to the sweltering shores of Italy with such realism that I could almost feel the sun beating down on me and see the gorgeous view from Luna Rossa. Italy has always been at the top of my bucket list and I felt like I got a virtual holiday there thanks to this book, albeit one with a lot of turmoil.
Alluring, addictive and sizzling with tension, this is the perfect thriller to read in the sun with a glass of wine in hand.
May 10, 2022
I’m always on the lookout for decent holiday reads at this time of year and this book fits the bill. It’s not going to change your life, but it’s a solid, atmospheric, sexually charged psychological suspense novel set in Le Marche in Italy in sultry summer weather. Think A Place in the Sun gone very badly wrong.
Laura and Nick are struggling to get their marriage back on track after failed IVF and miscarriage, and they decide to buy a crumbling mansion in the Marche region of Italy (known for its stunning scenery and its earthquakes) as a consolation prize. Laura and Nick take in paying guests, couple Madison and Bastian, to help pay the renovation bills. It becomes clear very quickly though that all of them are harbouring secrets and as the days slip by, the wine flows, tensions simmer and the truth begins to surface.
I’m a sucker for a summer suspense novel set in continental Europe and I loved the author’s last book The Heatwave set in the South of France. Summer Fever didn’t hit the same heights but it did hold my attention and I found myself wanting to go back to it at the earliest opportunity. It’s gritty and dark at times (CW ⚠️ rape, sexual coercion, infertility) but compelling and stylishly written. A perfect poolside read if that’s what you’re looking for. 3-3.5/5 ⭐️
*Summer Fever by Kate Riordan will be published this Thursday 12 May. Many thanks to the author, the publisher @michaeljbooks for an ARC via @netgalley. As always, this is an honest review.*
Laura and Nick are struggling to get their marriage back on track after failed IVF and miscarriage, and they decide to buy a crumbling mansion in the Marche region of Italy (known for its stunning scenery and its earthquakes) as a consolation prize. Laura and Nick take in paying guests, couple Madison and Bastian, to help pay the renovation bills. It becomes clear very quickly though that all of them are harbouring secrets and as the days slip by, the wine flows, tensions simmer and the truth begins to surface.
I’m a sucker for a summer suspense novel set in continental Europe and I loved the author’s last book The Heatwave set in the South of France. Summer Fever didn’t hit the same heights but it did hold my attention and I found myself wanting to go back to it at the earliest opportunity. It’s gritty and dark at times (CW ⚠️ rape, sexual coercion, infertility) but compelling and stylishly written. A perfect poolside read if that’s what you’re looking for. 3-3.5/5 ⭐️
*Summer Fever by Kate Riordan will be published this Thursday 12 May. Many thanks to the author, the publisher @michaeljbooks for an ARC via @netgalley. As always, this is an honest review.*
July 23, 2023
Se lee muy fácilmente pero realmente no ocurre nada. Hacia la mitad se desvela algo que no sé si pretende ser una gran revelación pero que ya suponemos desde el principio. A mí parecer la pretendida tensión no está bien llevada.
September 12, 2023
I’ve struggled through this and DNF. The pacing was so slow and while marketed as a mystery / thriller nothing happens. Laura and bastian are ublikeable and the dynamic between guest and host feels unbelievable
June 26, 2023
I’ve come to the conclusion that sultry, sexual tension novels about married people having affairs aren’t really my thing, so take my three stars purely as a personal enjoyment rating. However, as far as atmospheric, armchair travel settings go, you can’t get much better than this old villa in the Italian countryside, which kept me reading till the end and made me feel like handing in my resignation at work, pack my bags and book a flight to Italy.
*blog* *facebook* *instagram*
*blog* *facebook* *instagram*
August 22, 2023
Pretty good and interesting! It felt more like a domestic drama than a thriller though, so maybe I expected something more, more twists and all, but in general a good book!
December 14, 2023
FIRST OF ALL: i have to say i would NEVER recommend this book. the plot twist hardly made any sense anyways and the language just made it really boring to read. i DO like some of the characters but mainly it was only half decent.
August 1, 2024
Summer reading, medium paced. Quite dark and unsettling in places, especially during the later flashback pages. Emotional as relationships are controlling, and broken.
July 25, 2023
Hoy os traigo una novela de intriga que me ha sorprendido mucho, no esperaba que me gustase tanto y ha sido ideal para una lectura rápida y entretenida.
💬La novela trata de un matrimonio inglés que para solucionar sus problemas deciden comprar una villa italiana y reformarla para convertirla en un hostal. Todo parece ir bien hasta que llegan sus primeros clientes: Una pareja americana que pondrá sus vidas patas arriba y lo complicarán todo.💬
✅ He tenido mucho enganche con esta novela porque tiene un misterio y secretos en el día a día que quieres resolver, además de una conexión entre las parejas que te preguntas que está pasando en cada capítulo.
✅ a medida que te acercas al final se van resolviendo los misterios y se va poniendo muy tensa la convivencia hasta explotar y convertirse todo en un caos.
💬 Conclusión: Iba muy a ciegas con esta novela y no sabía si iba a aburrirme pero no ha sido así, además la ambientación de pueblo italiano y la comida italiana ha estado muy presente y ha sido refrescante para las vacaciones, así que, si quieres una novela de misterio rápida y con un toque a Italia, es esta!!!
💬La novela trata de un matrimonio inglés que para solucionar sus problemas deciden comprar una villa italiana y reformarla para convertirla en un hostal. Todo parece ir bien hasta que llegan sus primeros clientes: Una pareja americana que pondrá sus vidas patas arriba y lo complicarán todo.💬
✅ He tenido mucho enganche con esta novela porque tiene un misterio y secretos en el día a día que quieres resolver, además de una conexión entre las parejas que te preguntas que está pasando en cada capítulo.
✅ a medida que te acercas al final se van resolviendo los misterios y se va poniendo muy tensa la convivencia hasta explotar y convertirse todo en un caos.
💬 Conclusión: Iba muy a ciegas con esta novela y no sabía si iba a aburrirme pero no ha sido así, además la ambientación de pueblo italiano y la comida italiana ha estado muy presente y ha sido refrescante para las vacaciones, así que, si quieres una novela de misterio rápida y con un toque a Italia, es esta!!!
August 15, 2022
All of my reviews can be found at https://damppebbles.com/
I was immediately drawn to this book thanks to that striking cover. Add to that the fact that I’m addicted to summer thrillers at the moment which meant Summer Fever was a ‘must read’ for me. I think despite having a week in sunnier climes earlier this year I’m still yearning for hot, tropical summer days somewhere that isn’t, well, here. Perhaps after losing two years of travel to COVID my need to escape my quiet, dare I say ‘boring’ small town is still very present. Hence my addiction to summer thrillers. Summer Fever transported me to the Marche region of Italy and I loved the time I spent in the author’s world. It was sexy, sultry and chock full of suspense.
Laura and Nick have finally taken the plunge and purchased a villa in the Marche region of Italy leaving behind their troubles, the drudgery of the UK and sticking a plaster firmly over the cracks in their marriage. They plan to open the villa to guests, offering a tailor made service of fine dining, rural living and local tours. When their first guests arrive, a couple from the US called Madison and Bastian, Laura realises that they still have a lot of issues to iron out. Gradually Laura is drawn into Madison’s spontaneous, confident and carefree orbit and the two women become friends. But all is not as it seems. Both couples have secrets. Both couples are hiding something from the other. And it could be the death of them…
I really enjoyed Summer Fever with its beautifully drawn setting, pressing summer heat and intriguing characters. It’s clear to the reader from the outset that there is tension between Laura and Nick. Something has driven a wedge between the couple and as a result Nick has blithely gone along with the idea of moving to Italy, if only to placate Laura. There is an ever present tension between the two of them which I found thoroughly intriguing. I wanted to know what the story was. The reader gets a glimpse into Laura’s past and her time spent at university prior to meeting Nick. These flashbacks expose several of Laura’s character flaws which only made her all the more interesting to me. She’s not a particularly likeable character but because of that, I personally was drawn to her.
The arrival of their American guests ramps the tension up ten-fold. There was a new air to proceedings which pulled me into the story further. The chemistry between Laura and Bastian is undeniable, almost palpable, but with their partners looking on, with nowhere to hide, they must play by the rules. The author handles the suspense incredibly well and I was hooked, unsure how things were going to turn out for these two couples. There are several twists and turns along the way. One of which I was able to spot from fairly early on. Others left me with my jaw on the floor. The ending was completely unexpected, very satisfying and cleverly done.
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. Summer Fever is a sophisticated, sexy thriller which I found utterly absorbing and hard to put down. The slow build storyline is beautifully crafted and drew me into the world occupied by Riordan’s fascinating characters. I found the plot both tense and gripping with lots of delicious suspense which I, of course, adore! I could picture Villa Luna Rossa and the area surrounding it with ease and loved how it played such a pivotal role in the story. Shocking but absolutely perfect. All in all this is a superb summer thriller, perfect for reading by the pool or lounging in the garden dreaming of Italy. Recommended.
I was immediately drawn to this book thanks to that striking cover. Add to that the fact that I’m addicted to summer thrillers at the moment which meant Summer Fever was a ‘must read’ for me. I think despite having a week in sunnier climes earlier this year I’m still yearning for hot, tropical summer days somewhere that isn’t, well, here. Perhaps after losing two years of travel to COVID my need to escape my quiet, dare I say ‘boring’ small town is still very present. Hence my addiction to summer thrillers. Summer Fever transported me to the Marche region of Italy and I loved the time I spent in the author’s world. It was sexy, sultry and chock full of suspense.
Laura and Nick have finally taken the plunge and purchased a villa in the Marche region of Italy leaving behind their troubles, the drudgery of the UK and sticking a plaster firmly over the cracks in their marriage. They plan to open the villa to guests, offering a tailor made service of fine dining, rural living and local tours. When their first guests arrive, a couple from the US called Madison and Bastian, Laura realises that they still have a lot of issues to iron out. Gradually Laura is drawn into Madison’s spontaneous, confident and carefree orbit and the two women become friends. But all is not as it seems. Both couples have secrets. Both couples are hiding something from the other. And it could be the death of them…
I really enjoyed Summer Fever with its beautifully drawn setting, pressing summer heat and intriguing characters. It’s clear to the reader from the outset that there is tension between Laura and Nick. Something has driven a wedge between the couple and as a result Nick has blithely gone along with the idea of moving to Italy, if only to placate Laura. There is an ever present tension between the two of them which I found thoroughly intriguing. I wanted to know what the story was. The reader gets a glimpse into Laura’s past and her time spent at university prior to meeting Nick. These flashbacks expose several of Laura’s character flaws which only made her all the more interesting to me. She’s not a particularly likeable character but because of that, I personally was drawn to her.
The arrival of their American guests ramps the tension up ten-fold. There was a new air to proceedings which pulled me into the story further. The chemistry between Laura and Bastian is undeniable, almost palpable, but with their partners looking on, with nowhere to hide, they must play by the rules. The author handles the suspense incredibly well and I was hooked, unsure how things were going to turn out for these two couples. There are several twists and turns along the way. One of which I was able to spot from fairly early on. Others left me with my jaw on the floor. The ending was completely unexpected, very satisfying and cleverly done.
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. Summer Fever is a sophisticated, sexy thriller which I found utterly absorbing and hard to put down. The slow build storyline is beautifully crafted and drew me into the world occupied by Riordan’s fascinating characters. I found the plot both tense and gripping with lots of delicious suspense which I, of course, adore! I could picture Villa Luna Rossa and the area surrounding it with ease and loved how it played such a pivotal role in the story. Shocking but absolutely perfect. All in all this is a superb summer thriller, perfect for reading by the pool or lounging in the garden dreaming of Italy. Recommended.
July 29, 2022
3.5/5
Laura and Nick have emigrated from the UK to Italy, where they have renovated a beautiful villa that they intend to offer as accommodation for guests. They are eagerly awaiting their first paying visitors - a wellness coach/influencer and her film producer husband from L.A.
Laura is still hung up on someone from her past, someone who has recently come back into her life. Nick doesn't know - but she feels like he has some secrets of his own. Will the arrival of this glam young couple throw a spanner in the works? (yes)
There are chapters from the present and from 1999, when Laura first became involved with her mystery man. The '99 chapters are written in second person tense, which I detest, but they're short enough that it didn't really take me out of the story.
This was the perfect summer thriller - it was well written and easy to follow despite the different time periods and tenses. Lou was a standout character for me - I felt that there was a real shift in the narrative when she was introduced, because we were only getting Laura's POV on certain events and people up until that point. Lou told a very different tale.
It's a simmering. blistering, tension-filled novel that would make a great holiday companion.
CW for discussion of miscarriage & sexual assault.
Laura and Nick have emigrated from the UK to Italy, where they have renovated a beautiful villa that they intend to offer as accommodation for guests. They are eagerly awaiting their first paying visitors - a wellness coach/influencer and her film producer husband from L.A.
Laura is still hung up on someone from her past, someone who has recently come back into her life. Nick doesn't know - but she feels like he has some secrets of his own. Will the arrival of this glam young couple throw a spanner in the works? (yes)
There are chapters from the present and from 1999, when Laura first became involved with her mystery man. The '99 chapters are written in second person tense, which I detest, but they're short enough that it didn't really take me out of the story.
This was the perfect summer thriller - it was well written and easy to follow despite the different time periods and tenses. Lou was a standout character for me - I felt that there was a real shift in the narrative when she was introduced, because we were only getting Laura's POV on certain events and people up until that point. Lou told a very different tale.
It's a simmering. blistering, tension-filled novel that would make a great holiday companion.
CW for discussion of miscarriage & sexual assault.
August 3, 2022
This book was such an addictive read! I couldn’t put it down because it was so tense and left you on the edge of your seat. You just want to know what’s going to happen next all the time. I enjoyed the twist that was revealed at the end of part one and I have to say I didn’t actually expect it!!! That was a big OMG moment and from then on I knew something BIGGGGG was going to happen. I found the men in this book left a lot to be desired, although I appreciate that this was very much the point. Nick was quite frankly pathetic and needed to take a serious look a himself. As for Sebastian, he was utterly utterly vile. The worst type of person there is. Thinks he can have anything he wants regardless of the cost to anyone else. I absolutely loved Madison and how much of a ball breaker she was! I loved the female empowerment element of the story, and that both Madison and Laura stood their ground in the end. Their friendship was my favourite part of the story and I think that Laura was very, very lucky that Madison let her off the hook so easily! I’d definitely recommend this book if you want a tense and can’t-put-it-down holiday read!
November 5, 2022
I liked how gripping the story was and how each little scene you got a glimpse of how the marriage is skating on thin ice, then enter in some new people staying over and it becomes worse for both characters peace of mind. What I didn’t like was that I wasn’t hugely sympathetic with or like the main character Laura I found her a bit selfish, spiteful and just a bit childish not thinking about the consequences of her actions, I felt more sympathy or empathy towards Nick than her even when realising he had cheated on her and taken out a loan I still couldn’t find any sympathy for her. I just couldn’t click with this woman and her thoughts are completely alien to what I would think and feel in those circumstances. It’s a good book but found it awkward to get into.
Read
January 24, 2024DNF at 100 pages
April 22, 2024
It sort of felt like she got carried away and forgot she had to end it at some point
July 28, 2024
A fun summer read, with a few twists and turns. Perfect for the beach
June 15, 2023
Thrilling
August 9, 2022
I loved the cover and title of this book and was looking forward to reading it during a heatwave, however I was left disappointed.
The writing is undoubtedly good - it flows with beautiful descriptions and really brings the Italian setting to life. The setting is the perfect backdrop to the story; it’s almost a character itself, especially when combined with the weather and other natural events.
That’s about as much as I enjoyed, however. The characters are quite unlikeable and the plot is very linear without the big twist of the author’s previous book, The Heatwave. I think she was aiming for such a twist again, but it’s so obvious I wondered if I’d got the wrong end of the stick. There’s no mystery, although there is good use of tension - I just thought it was building to something that never materialised.
Apparently the first draft of this book was written in just three months, and I think it shows. I’m sorry to say it didn’t live up to my expectations. Also it annoyingly uses American spelling and I’m not sure why?!
The writing is undoubtedly good - it flows with beautiful descriptions and really brings the Italian setting to life. The setting is the perfect backdrop to the story; it’s almost a character itself, especially when combined with the weather and other natural events.
That’s about as much as I enjoyed, however. The characters are quite unlikeable and the plot is very linear without the big twist of the author’s previous book, The Heatwave. I think she was aiming for such a twist again, but it’s so obvious I wondered if I’d got the wrong end of the stick. There’s no mystery, although there is good use of tension - I just thought it was building to something that never materialised.
Apparently the first draft of this book was written in just three months, and I think it shows. I’m sorry to say it didn’t live up to my expectations. Also it annoyingly uses American spelling and I’m not sure why?!
May 11, 2022
This new novel from Kate Riordan slowly sucks you in. Enticing you in, with tale of Nick and Laura moving to a fresh new start to the scenically set Luna Rossa. Working on their dream and getting the place ready in time for their first set of paying guests. But……… and I should have guessed from reading the fantastically superb (yes I loved it!) The Heatwave, things soon take on a much darker side and the reader is taken into this dark and sinister tale of sexual coercion, infidelity and sexual tensions.
After failed IVF treatments, Laura and Nick decide to fulfil Laura’s dream to sell up and move to Italy. They find the wonderful Luna Rossa, house, pool and beautiful views set in a more remote, lesser known area of Italy called Le Marche. ‘The next Tuscany’.
Their marriage isn’t in a good place but Nick is desperate to make amends. However when guests Bastian and Madison arrive from The States, the atmosphere soon changes. Nick and Laura were unsure of how having strangers in their home would feel. How should they behave? Should they eat with them, or separately? Give them space? On arrival however, Madison seems more than willing to be friends and as the two couples start to get to know one another, the dynamics of the four characters make for a wonderfully delicious read. Full of uncomfortable tensions and secret ‘goings on’. Including flashbacks to Laura’s younger days at university with her best friend Lou and details of a discovery more recently back in London, the pieces that make up Laura and Nick’s relationship start to emerge.
Kate again does a marvellous job at capturing the setting and the heat of a European summer. Her ability to create undertones and overtones within an action or interaction between two people is both captivating and chilling. There are indeed some dark themes in this story and a growing feeling of menace, particularly from Laura’s flashback to her time at Uni and the builders working on the house and grounds, but they are wonderfully overlaid onto the idyllic setting and Italian summer. If you are after something a little dark, sinister and sexy this summer give this summer sizzler of a read a go!
After failed IVF treatments, Laura and Nick decide to fulfil Laura’s dream to sell up and move to Italy. They find the wonderful Luna Rossa, house, pool and beautiful views set in a more remote, lesser known area of Italy called Le Marche. ‘The next Tuscany’.
Their marriage isn’t in a good place but Nick is desperate to make amends. However when guests Bastian and Madison arrive from The States, the atmosphere soon changes. Nick and Laura were unsure of how having strangers in their home would feel. How should they behave? Should they eat with them, or separately? Give them space? On arrival however, Madison seems more than willing to be friends and as the two couples start to get to know one another, the dynamics of the four characters make for a wonderfully delicious read. Full of uncomfortable tensions and secret ‘goings on’. Including flashbacks to Laura’s younger days at university with her best friend Lou and details of a discovery more recently back in London, the pieces that make up Laura and Nick’s relationship start to emerge.
Kate again does a marvellous job at capturing the setting and the heat of a European summer. Her ability to create undertones and overtones within an action or interaction between two people is both captivating and chilling. There are indeed some dark themes in this story and a growing feeling of menace, particularly from Laura’s flashback to her time at Uni and the builders working on the house and grounds, but they are wonderfully overlaid onto the idyllic setting and Italian summer. If you are after something a little dark, sinister and sexy this summer give this summer sizzler of a read a go!
June 13, 2022
This is the story of Nick and Laura who have just done up a gorgeous Italian villa and are awaiting their first gets whilst trying to plaster up the cracks in their marriage. Madison and Bastian are the guests but are they really who they seem to be?
Last year I read Heat Wave by this author and I about love how she really transported me the beautiful French setting whilst also building the suspense of the story so I couldn’t wait to be transported to Italy this year. I was not disappointed at all, if you watched my reel the other day you will know that this book throws off Italian summer vibes.
All of these characters make some rather questionable choices but I loved seeing them unfold and was drawn to keep turning the page.
This is the perfect summer suspense read, it’s full of seduction, scorching summer sun and simmering tension. I also highly recommend reading the storm scene late at night in the pouring rain as I felt completely absorbed and almost jumped when my husband came to bed 🤣
Last year I read Heat Wave by this author and I about love how she really transported me the beautiful French setting whilst also building the suspense of the story so I couldn’t wait to be transported to Italy this year. I was not disappointed at all, if you watched my reel the other day you will know that this book throws off Italian summer vibes.
All of these characters make some rather questionable choices but I loved seeing them unfold and was drawn to keep turning the page.
This is the perfect summer suspense read, it’s full of seduction, scorching summer sun and simmering tension. I also highly recommend reading the storm scene late at night in the pouring rain as I felt completely absorbed and almost jumped when my husband came to bed 🤣
April 17, 2022
BRILLIANT. I read it in one sitting.
May 6, 2024
I loved the Italian setting and the suspense aspect to the story. A couple of the characters annoyed me and the ending seemed a bit abrupt but it was twisty and kept my attention to the end.
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