Suddenly That Summer

by Lizzie Byron

Sometimes, you have to go far from home to find your way back. Nora is about to turn twenty-seven and things couldn't be better. She's just told her boss exactly what she thinks of him after being offered her dream job and is looking forward to a summer of old friends and new adventures. But when Nora discovers that there's been a mistake and they've given her dream job to someone else, her future - and summer - suddenly isn't looking so bright. So, when she's given the opportunity to escape to idyllic Cornwall, she doesn't hesitate. It was just supposed to be a distraction while she looks for something else, but could this be the summer that she finds everything she's looking for right there in Cornwall?________________________________________________________________________________________________PRAISE FOR SOMEDAY AT 'A GORGEOUS, COSY READ, RICH IN DELICIOUS WINTERY DETAIL' KATE YOUNG'THE PERFECT FESTIVE STORY. SWEET, BLISSFULLY ROMANTIC AND BURSTING WITH HEART . . . OH MYGOD I LOVED IT' MIRANDA DICKINSON'ADORABLE' ELLA RISBRIDGER'THE LITERARY EQUIVALENT OF A MINCE PIE WARM OUT OF THE OVEN, WITH A DOLLOP OF BRANDY CUSTARD ON THE SIDE' SARRA MANNING, RED MAGAZINE'YOU WILL FALL IN LOVE WITH SHELL SMITH' PRIMA

Genres: Romance, Summer, Fiction, Contemporary

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

Lizzie Byron is a pen-name for award-winning YA author Tanya Byrne. Born in London, she now lives in Brighton with her dog Frida.

Reviews

[Anniek · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a crime how few people seem to know about this book and I'm going to make it my mission to change that.

Lizzie Byron is the adult romance/romcom pen name of YA author Tanya Byrne. I had been meaning to read her Christmas book last Christmas, but didn't get around to it, and then I kind of fell for this cosy cover and NEEDED to pick it up. Needless to say, I'm very excited to finally read the Christmas book this December.

This is a perfect book to me. Not because it's technically a perfect book - those don't exist - but because it spoke to me so much and it made me feel safe and cosy, and I just loved every second of it.

It's about Nora, a 27 year old Black (Guyanese) woman who reaches a tricky point in her career when she thinks she's gotten a new job and finally tells her boss how she feels about him, only to find out she hasn't in fact gotten the new job. Nora works in the art world, and her uncles have a perfect solution for her: organize an art festival in their new hometown in Cornwall while she figures stuff out over the summer. Nora ends up in a tightknit community that readily accepts her, and also falls in love with her neighbour, Sri Lankan-Irish sculptor Sendhil.

I can't tell you which I loved the most in this book: the community aspect or the romance. If I had to choose, I would probably go with the romance, because it's VERY good, but it was also just so lovely seeing Nora be so accepted into a new to her community and to see all these colourful personalities organizing an art festival together and just caring about each other a lot.

I just... have a LOT of feelings about Sendhil though. He's a reclusive artist who moved to Cornwall for the peace and quiet, and who struggles letting people in and telling them how he feels about them. Cue Nora, who ends up surprise-meeting him in the most tumultuous of ways, in a meet cute that had me laugh out loud, it was SO funny. So much adorable domesticity ensues, and then the final part of the book just felt so intense to read, I was rooting for them so much.

I was so invested that I ended up feeling weepy all throughout the final 100 pages or so, even though it's not at all a sad book. I just felt so emotional about it, because I cared about them so much, and I think it takes a lot of skill for an author to accomplish that.

All this to say: it's not too late to put this book on your summer TBR!

[Lizzie Huxley-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Longtime followers will know that one of my fave Christmas books of the last few years was Someday at Christmas by Lizzie Byron, and I am extremely happy to say that her next outing Suddenly that Summer is a perfect read for a sunny afternoon, centring on the art world and beautiful Cornwall. I swooned, I sobbed, and I laughed hard at the art reveal. Magical!

Due to a weirdly vague message about the new job she thought she has got, Nora tells her boss at her current gallery job to get stuffed. Except, it then turns out she also doesn’t have a new job. Luckily, her uncles have a solution — move to Cornwall and revive the art festival.

A tiny cove of brilliant characters, and two very annoying cats wait for her in Pidwell. And Sendhil — quiet Sendhil who tangles up his words and is always looking for the quiet, until Nora of course. I completely fell for Sendhil with his quiet brooding energy and inability to say the thing he means.

Gorgeous, full of heart, the perfect read for this summer! I read most of it in the back garden in the morning sunshine, but it would be the perfect book to read on the beach in Cornwall this summer!

[Caroline O'Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been on my radar for so long, seriously over a year I think. It was just so expensive to get here in New Zealand, so I Decided to ask our local library to get it in. It took ages but so worth the wait and I now of course need to read every other book this author has wrote.

I’m not kidding when I tell you how heartwarming this book is, it wraps you up in a warm hug and you don’t want to put it down. It really sucked me i on the first page and I just didn’t want to put it down.

I really enjoyed her friendship with Luce and with her brother Ben, they were an amazing support system to Nora and had so much fun together. I also loved the strong relationship she had with her mum and dad and let’s not forget her uncle Mark and Jamie.

I really enjoyed the storyline to this book and loved reading about her stay in Cornwall, where of course she meets a man.

I adored the setting, it seemed like the most beautiful little town to live in, but then I’m a sucker for a small town and small town communities.

Great ending, though I was sad it was over.
Definitely recommend this book.

[Amber-Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Libmitch · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate the miscommunication trope with my whole being

[Carla ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a light, cozy, fun, and beautiful read.
When I first saw this book, I was instantly drawn by the cover and the blurb. So happy I finally had the time to read it and I’m not disappointed.

I really enjoyed this book so much, especially the first half. Miscommunication was part of the conflict and I detest miscomm trope but the overall journey I had with this book was so great that I can let that slide.

I love that the romance wasn’t really the center of this book, not until the very end. It was a wonderful story about knowing one’s self and passion, about family and friends, about found family and being together as a community, and also about art. Love it! ❤️

[Samadhee Ismail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora was excited after being offered her dream job but soon she discovers that the dream job was offered to someone else. Suddenly, that summer doesn't look too bright for Nora. So Nora ends up escaping to idyllic Cornwall as soon as she gets that opportunity. Will she find something in Cornwall?

Nora's character is an enjoyable character to read and I really actually enjoyed reading the story. It really felt like you are spending the summer in idyllic Cornwall and feel like you are there. I like the author's style of writing and the author has done a good job of drawing the reader into the story. I do like how Nora and Sendhil, the guy she meets while she was in Cornwall soon become friends and then turn into a relationship. I also like how the author has outline her relationships with her uncles and her life back in London.

So if you like to read a cheesy summer romance then this book is one for you--worth five stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Cornet for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

The MC need to escape and I wanted some good escapism. This was the perfect escapist book as I had fun, rooted for the characters, and enjoyed the setting and the well written story.
The author is a good storyteller and the plot flows.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[rach🧚🏻‍♀️✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

The miscommunication was strong with this one

But this is the perfect summer read!!

[Rona Nimmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suddenly That Summer
by Lizzie Byron

Nora has just turned 27 and is having a meltdown. She is in a dead end job everyone round about her knows where their life is going and she doesn’t have a clue . She thinks she has been offered her perfect job to discover it’s been offered to someone else after she looses it with her boss and leaves her old job. She leaves London for Cornwall to organise an art festival for three months.

I loved this book the author draws you in and has you thinking your there.It’s full of quirky & eccentric characters. Troubled artists and the descriptive scenery has you on the cliff enjoying the view.

An easy read though the last part of the book is rather drawn out it with will they or won’t they regarding the romantic interest.

[Lucy Dunphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful read by Lizzie Byron. I devoured this book, couldn't put it down. It's so full of humour, heart and romance. I adored Nora. Such a sweet, strong, lovely character. Could have done without her complaining she was old at 27 though. Her relationship with her uncles was particularly heartwarming. Oliver and Dodger were the stars of the book for me. Oliver's look of a haunted Victiorian child made me laugh so much. I've a bit of a crush on Sendhil now. Any man who loves cats is okay with me. Suddenly That Summer, is a definite must read this summer.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the opportunity to read this Advance Reader's Copy.

[Irene Mouzouri · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the perfect summer read. The romance between Nora and Sendhill is not like in your face, it's more subtle in the beginning as I believe the story is more about falling and be able to get on your feet and rise again. Towards the end of the book where you get more of an inside of love between Nora and Sendhill just melts your heart...But this book is perfect for anyone needing a little push to rise again.

[Liliana Velasco · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book and loved the ending. In all honesty I felt like 50% of the book was enjoyable but not a “page turner”. Then closer to the end the book got interesting with the love story that was developing. There were a few spicy moments but I was expecting a little more. Overall a great ending to this story.

I’m still new to reading!! So please keep that in mind. But overall it is a cozy read :)

[hooked_on_books23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

6⭐
1🌶️

"I realised that maybe a home isn't a place, you know? Like a physical place. Maybe it's just someone you wanna cook dinner for every night. So, I don't care where we live, as long as I get to cook dinner for you every night, Nora Armstrong."

i am absolutely in love with this small town, cozy romance book. it had everything you could possibly want in a low-key, summery comfort romance. thoroughly obsessed with everything sendil and nora ❤️

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute book, I loved the story line and really liked Nora’s character. I felt the ending was very rushed into their relationship despite knowing they liked each other. The only thing I didn’t like was that I felt there was too many characters mentioned at points and it confused me, but that’s just me.

[Beena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book overall and a cute holiday read if you're looking for something light and easy to read. I look forward to reading more by Lizzie Byron.

Thank you to the publisher for kindly providing me with an ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Milly Percival · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.

I loved Suddenly that Christmas so was looking forward to this. I enjoyed the second half a lot, but the first half dragged a little and I felt like it took me a while to connect with the characters.

[Natalee Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this book. It got great characters, good story line. I just didn't connect to it like I have others. Still i enjoyed reading it. My version of the book only has 324 pages so if your using it to track your progress it may be off slightly

[Aria Harlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wuick, easy and cute read that gave me all the feels. Well written with a good storyline and well developed characters that were relatable. An uplifting and light hearted read

[Katie Marriott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this!

[grace ・❥・ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most perfect summer read, which I could not put down. This book allowed a wave of emotions to rush through me, each more pulsating than the next.

[Kate Pitschka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Loved the main characters, her guncles and the idyllic town

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nora is a great character, Pidwell is such a lovely town. I really enjoyed this book.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an easy read. Didn't want to put it down and now I'm sad it's over.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great, feel good scene. The art world, Cornwall & gay uncles - what more could you want?

[Gem 💗 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Could not put it down from the minute I read the first page.

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Lexie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed Nora's story and I found it relatable and I was really rooting for their relationship. A really lovely summer read.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh it was fine nothing special

[Lærke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so cute. I loved it. Sometimes it was a bit hard for me to start reading. But URGH i loved this book!!!