Summer of Love – Katie Fforde

On a much lighter note than yesterday’s post, I’ve read Katie Fforde’s latest offering. I’ve been a big fan since reading The Rose Revived years ago. However, I’ve been disappointed with the last few novels. This one, to my mind at least, marks a return to form. Not quite as good as the early novels, but better than the recent ones.

Katie Fforde writes romance novels – the plot revolves around the romance. In this one, as in some previous novels, there are two romances happening; a young couple  and shall we say a more mature couple?

Here’s the blurb …

Sian Bishop has only ever experienced one moment of recklessness – a moment that resulted in her beloved son Rory. It’s not that she doesn’t love the outcome of that wild night, but since then she has always taken the safer route. So when dependable, devoted Richard suggests a move to the beautiful English countryside, she leaves the hustle and bustle of the city behind, and she throws herself into the picture-postcard cottage garden, her furniture restoration business, and a new life in the country. Her good intentions are torpedoed on a glorious summer’s evening with the arrival of Gus Berresford. One-time explorer and full-time heartbreaker, Gus is ridiculously exciting, wonderfully glamorous and a completely inappropriate love interest for a single mum. But Gus and Sian have met before…Sian has no use for a fling, she simply mustn’t fall in love with the most unlikely suitor ever to cross her path – even if he has now crossed her path twice. But who knows what can happen in a summer of love…

I loved the rural setting and the sense of community Fforde creates (I want to live in one of her villages – I’m sure the light is always golden and it never rains!). This is an escapist read – it’s light, enteratining and doesn’t take too long to finish.

I have to admit I did find the situation that Sian finds herself in (in relation to Gus) very contrived, but you have to get the plot moving somehow!  And if this all seems a bit negative I assure you that I will be reading the next Katie Fforde novel.

Here are some other reviews  …

http://chicklitreviews.com/2011/03/16/book-review-summer-of-love-by-katie-fforde/

http://sbroadhurstreviews.blogspot.com/2011/01/summer-of-love-by-katie-fforde.html