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robinlovesreading's review
4.0
As Ashley Moon prepares for a dream holiday with her daughter in the French Riviera, she never would have expected the shock of her life. When Ashley was eighteen, she was on holiday and had a whirlwind romance that, nine months later, left her with her beautiful daughter Molly. It is now seventeen years later and the last man she ever expected to see again at the villa next door is none other than Molly's father, Haydon.
Meanwhile, Ashley's daughter Molly and Haydon's daughter Ella become fast friends during the getaway week. This brings Ashley and Haydon together quite regularly, and, although they clearly remember their shared past, Haydon has no idea that Molly is his daughter, and Ashley struggles to find a way to let him know the truth.
Although I was eager for Ashley to tell Haydon the truth, the Summer Getaway is certainly a heartwarming story that had me smiling. Second-chance romances are one of my favorite type to read and this one did not disappoint. The story does an excellent job of focusing well on the relationships between Ashley and Molly as well as Haydon and Ella. I also enjoyed the other characters in this book. The story was very engaging, making this a quick and delightful read and offered a satisfying conclusion. I look forward to reading more of Tilly Tennant in the future.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Date of publication: July 11, 2018
Meanwhile, Ashley's daughter Molly and Haydon's daughter Ella become fast friends during the getaway week. This brings Ashley and Haydon together quite regularly, and, although they clearly remember their shared past, Haydon has no idea that Molly is his daughter, and Ashley struggles to find a way to let him know the truth.
Although I was eager for Ashley to tell Haydon the truth, the Summer Getaway is certainly a heartwarming story that had me smiling. Second-chance romances are one of my favorite type to read and this one did not disappoint. The story does an excellent job of focusing well on the relationships between Ashley and Molly as well as Haydon and Ella. I also enjoyed the other characters in this book. The story was very engaging, making this a quick and delightful read and offered a satisfying conclusion. I look forward to reading more of Tilly Tennant in the future.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Date of publication: July 11, 2018
seadaz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
emmacr2024's review
3.0
The Summer Getaway as mentioned in the title of Tilly Tennant's new book proves to be anything other than relaxing and calming for our main female character Ashley Moon. She certainly gets a lot more than she bargained for when she first accepts the offer from her step father of a week away in France to cerebrate his aunt's one hundredth birthday. The cover suggests this story may well be another one of those fun, girly, holiday, romance reads that are to be found on bookshelves in shops at this time of year but that's not the case and there is a far more pressing issue at hand. What happens if on your first foreign holiday you leave with a lot more than you arrived with and your life is changed forever?
If she had known all that was in store would she have taken up the opportunity? The Summer Getaway is told from two perspectives that of Ashley and that of Haydon and that's one thing that was good about this book. Rarely do we get to hear from the male viewpoint so here it was a refreshing change and to be honest it was vitally needed otherwise the story would have become very one sided.
Each chapter moves between Ashley and Haydon and it soon becomes apparent that the stars are aligning after a 16 year gap for things to finally come out in the open. The truth needs to be told given the situation the characters find themselves in. But can Ashley finally built the courage to pour out her deepest secret? For Ashley that one drunken night spent with Haydon in Ibiza resulted in the focus of her life, her daughter Molly. The only problem is that was the only time she met Haydon as the number he gave her to hopefully contact him was incorrect. Ashley has done her best to raise Molly single handedly accepting when really needed the help of her mother Sue and stepdad Maurice. She feels under constant pressure to give Molly everything although the funds needed for her entrance into a prestigious music school just aren't there.
Ashley for me throughout the entire book was a very stubborn character, for the most part she wanted to do things her own way and that's the same when she unexpectedly meets Haydon once again. From the outset, given they all only had a week away, she should have told Haydon about Molly and not allowed in my opinion such a tangled mess to develop. Others may criticise her mother for always nagging her and constantly putting pressure on her and berating her for so many missed opportunities to tell Haydon the truth, I didn't feel like this at all. I thought Sue was right to keep getting on at her daughter and I don't think she was looking at it from the financial point of view rather looking upon it as a chance for Molly to connect with the father she never knew. Plus I don't think it was fair to on Haydon to be in such close proximity to his daughter not knowing they were related. Ashley proved to be a frustrating character and for once I think I liked the male character far more. Even Maurice was preferable to some of the female characters. He was warm, wise, kind and loving and not in a seedy way. I think he had genuine affection for Ashley and Molly and wanted the best possible outcome for them in order to guarantee happiness in the future.
Haydon is divorced from his wife Janine who is now moving on with Kevin. When the father of one of his music students asks would he like to stay in his villa in France he jumps at the chance to take away his daughter Ella viewing it as an opportunity to further strengthen their bond given the changes that are on the horizon with Janine and Kevin. Coincidentally the villa they are staying in is right next to the home of Violette - Maurice's aunt. So sooner rather than later it was obvious Ashley and Haydon would meet once again. I'm glad their meeting wasn't delayed or drawn out but what was, was Ashley building up the courage to tell Haydon the truth. This formed the basis of the story with the author providing so many opportunities for Ashley to blurt out the truth only for things to get in the way. It got to the point where I myself wanted to be a character in the book so I could stride in and say excuse me there is something Ashley needs to tell you. At this stage to be honest it became a bit repetitive, just when you think Ashley is on the brink of finally getting things out there something trivial occurs and she bottles it. I wanted to shake her and almost give her a slap to bring her back to reality to just get on with things. Given the connection between the pair had been re-established fate was saying the time was now.
On the other hand one could say how could Haydon not have noticed the obvious and joined the dots regarding ages etc? But I think he was so caught up in keeping Ella happy and as he was worried about his future with her that his clarity was clouded. The little sub plot with stall holder Audrey was perhaps the weakest element of the book, it didn't need to be here at all and was very implausible that someone could really develop feelings for someone having met them for a few minutes and knowing they were going to be around for a week. I know it was put in place as a distraction for Haydon and for him to wrestle with his feelings once he saw Ashley again but the book would have been fine without its inclusion.
As the week progresses there were plenty of tense situations when the truth was just there ready to pop out but the author held off and as we reached the celebration of Violette's birthday that's when things kicked off. These were the best scenes of the book and given so much time had been given to the setting up of the entire plot I wanted more of the birthday to feature. I thought the first half of the book was too long and dragged out and I would have preferred more focus on all that came in the end allowing for perhaps a little bit more of a fall out and allowing each character to really express how they felt about the situation. It all just happened to quick as I do think acceptance and understanding takes time.
Overall The Summer Getaway was a nice, easy read that had such beautiful descriptions of its setting that did make you feel as if you were there on holiday observing all the trials and tribulations and between Ashley and Haydon. The reader does know very much from the beginning what the outcome be and it was enjoyable to journey with them as they reach that point of disclosure and deal with the resulting fallout in order to move on in the future. This wasn't my favourite read from Tilly Tennant but it is ideal if you have a few hours to sit and enjoy the sun as this book will keep you entertained.
If she had known all that was in store would she have taken up the opportunity? The Summer Getaway is told from two perspectives that of Ashley and that of Haydon and that's one thing that was good about this book. Rarely do we get to hear from the male viewpoint so here it was a refreshing change and to be honest it was vitally needed otherwise the story would have become very one sided.
Each chapter moves between Ashley and Haydon and it soon becomes apparent that the stars are aligning after a 16 year gap for things to finally come out in the open. The truth needs to be told given the situation the characters find themselves in. But can Ashley finally built the courage to pour out her deepest secret? For Ashley that one drunken night spent with Haydon in Ibiza resulted in the focus of her life, her daughter Molly. The only problem is that was the only time she met Haydon as the number he gave her to hopefully contact him was incorrect. Ashley has done her best to raise Molly single handedly accepting when really needed the help of her mother Sue and stepdad Maurice. She feels under constant pressure to give Molly everything although the funds needed for her entrance into a prestigious music school just aren't there.
Ashley for me throughout the entire book was a very stubborn character, for the most part she wanted to do things her own way and that's the same when she unexpectedly meets Haydon once again. From the outset, given they all only had a week away, she should have told Haydon about Molly and not allowed in my opinion such a tangled mess to develop. Others may criticise her mother for always nagging her and constantly putting pressure on her and berating her for so many missed opportunities to tell Haydon the truth, I didn't feel like this at all. I thought Sue was right to keep getting on at her daughter and I don't think she was looking at it from the financial point of view rather looking upon it as a chance for Molly to connect with the father she never knew. Plus I don't think it was fair to on Haydon to be in such close proximity to his daughter not knowing they were related. Ashley proved to be a frustrating character and for once I think I liked the male character far more. Even Maurice was preferable to some of the female characters. He was warm, wise, kind and loving and not in a seedy way. I think he had genuine affection for Ashley and Molly and wanted the best possible outcome for them in order to guarantee happiness in the future.
Haydon is divorced from his wife Janine who is now moving on with Kevin. When the father of one of his music students asks would he like to stay in his villa in France he jumps at the chance to take away his daughter Ella viewing it as an opportunity to further strengthen their bond given the changes that are on the horizon with Janine and Kevin. Coincidentally the villa they are staying in is right next to the home of Violette - Maurice's aunt. So sooner rather than later it was obvious Ashley and Haydon would meet once again. I'm glad their meeting wasn't delayed or drawn out but what was, was Ashley building up the courage to tell Haydon the truth. This formed the basis of the story with the author providing so many opportunities for Ashley to blurt out the truth only for things to get in the way. It got to the point where I myself wanted to be a character in the book so I could stride in and say excuse me there is something Ashley needs to tell you. At this stage to be honest it became a bit repetitive, just when you think Ashley is on the brink of finally getting things out there something trivial occurs and she bottles it. I wanted to shake her and almost give her a slap to bring her back to reality to just get on with things. Given the connection between the pair had been re-established fate was saying the time was now.
On the other hand one could say how could Haydon not have noticed the obvious and joined the dots regarding ages etc? But I think he was so caught up in keeping Ella happy and as he was worried about his future with her that his clarity was clouded. The little sub plot with stall holder Audrey was perhaps the weakest element of the book, it didn't need to be here at all and was very implausible that someone could really develop feelings for someone having met them for a few minutes and knowing they were going to be around for a week. I know it was put in place as a distraction for Haydon and for him to wrestle with his feelings once he saw Ashley again but the book would have been fine without its inclusion.
As the week progresses there were plenty of tense situations when the truth was just there ready to pop out but the author held off and as we reached the celebration of Violette's birthday that's when things kicked off. These were the best scenes of the book and given so much time had been given to the setting up of the entire plot I wanted more of the birthday to feature. I thought the first half of the book was too long and dragged out and I would have preferred more focus on all that came in the end allowing for perhaps a little bit more of a fall out and allowing each character to really express how they felt about the situation. It all just happened to quick as I do think acceptance and understanding takes time.
Overall The Summer Getaway was a nice, easy read that had such beautiful descriptions of its setting that did make you feel as if you were there on holiday observing all the trials and tribulations and between Ashley and Haydon. The reader does know very much from the beginning what the outcome be and it was enjoyable to journey with them as they reach that point of disclosure and deal with the resulting fallout in order to move on in the future. This wasn't my favourite read from Tilly Tennant but it is ideal if you have a few hours to sit and enjoy the sun as this book will keep you entertained.
emmascr's review
4.0
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book. I am a huge fan of Tilly's writing so I knew I would read this book before I even read the blurb.
Ashley was an easy character to like. She has worked hard to bring up her daughter and loves her dearly. She is a fierce mamma bear and would do anything to protect her. I can see why she was struggling so much with the decision to tell Hayden the truth. For her whole life it had just been Molly and her mum, bringing a third person into the mix was always going to change things but she needed to know it was a good change and not a bad one.
I fell hard and fast for Hayden. There was something about him that I was instantly drawn to. Then the way he was with his daughter just solidified that. He clearly just wants to be a good dad and do right by her.
I've always loved Tilly's writing. This book had so many laugh out loud moments. I spent a lot of time giggling on my sofa with this book.
Tilly does a wonderful job describing the French Riviera and it made me want to jump in the car and drive there right now. it sounded beautiful and I could honestly do with a week in the sun right now.
Ashley was an easy character to like. She has worked hard to bring up her daughter and loves her dearly. She is a fierce mamma bear and would do anything to protect her. I can see why she was struggling so much with the decision to tell Hayden the truth. For her whole life it had just been Molly and her mum, bringing a third person into the mix was always going to change things but she needed to know it was a good change and not a bad one.
I fell hard and fast for Hayden. There was something about him that I was instantly drawn to. Then the way he was with his daughter just solidified that. He clearly just wants to be a good dad and do right by her.
I've always loved Tilly's writing. This book had so many laugh out loud moments. I spent a lot of time giggling on my sofa with this book.
Tilly does a wonderful job describing the French Riviera and it made me want to jump in the car and drive there right now. it sounded beautiful and I could honestly do with a week in the sun right now.
btpbookclub's review
5.0
Eeee. Where do I start? A gorgeous cover, the perfect holiday read or if you are like me in the garden on a perfect sunny day! This is the first book I have read by Tilly and boy have I found a gem of an author.
I loved every second of this. Parts had me laughing, parts had me saying oh dear and oops. Brilliant. I found it an easy read and a story which can easily be devoured. The story is told through Ashley and Haydon’s lives alongside both their daughters, but they have had something between them. A shared secret. What will the outcome be?
A well deserved five stars. Highly recommend. An author I must read more of. A story that highlights how important family can be.
I loved every second of this. Parts had me laughing, parts had me saying oh dear and oops. Brilliant. I found it an easy read and a story which can easily be devoured. The story is told through Ashley and Haydon’s lives alongside both their daughters, but they have had something between them. A shared secret. What will the outcome be?
A well deserved five stars. Highly recommend. An author I must read more of. A story that highlights how important family can be.
kirstyreviewsbooks's review
4.0
The Summer Getaway by Tilly Tennant
Ashley Moon got much more than a suntan on her first ever foreign holiday; one whirlwind romance and nine months later she had a daughter, Molly.
Too heart-broken and proud to ever contact the father, Ashley made a decision to go it alone and raise her daughter herself. Fifteen hard and lonely years later, she finally has the chance to take Molly on her first ever holiday; a gorgeous, all-expenses paid trip to the charming French resort of St Raphael.
It is the perfect setting for a week of quality time together; they plan to cycle through the sun-drenched vineyards, lounge by the glistening pool and practice their French on friendly locals. And just when Ashley thought things couldn’t get any better, comes the news of a handsome new occupant to the villa next door.
A second chance romance set in Southern France - this book will quickly whisk you away on a summer holiday without you even needing to pack a bag. A sweet love story, in a charming setting with welcoming characters. One of the things I enjoyed about this book is that Tilly hasn't tried to make any of the characters perfect - they all have their flaws.
Rating 4/5
Ashley Moon got much more than a suntan on her first ever foreign holiday; one whirlwind romance and nine months later she had a daughter, Molly.
Too heart-broken and proud to ever contact the father, Ashley made a decision to go it alone and raise her daughter herself. Fifteen hard and lonely years later, she finally has the chance to take Molly on her first ever holiday; a gorgeous, all-expenses paid trip to the charming French resort of St Raphael.
It is the perfect setting for a week of quality time together; they plan to cycle through the sun-drenched vineyards, lounge by the glistening pool and practice their French on friendly locals. And just when Ashley thought things couldn’t get any better, comes the news of a handsome new occupant to the villa next door.
A second chance romance set in Southern France - this book will quickly whisk you away on a summer holiday without you even needing to pack a bag. A sweet love story, in a charming setting with welcoming characters. One of the things I enjoyed about this book is that Tilly hasn't tried to make any of the characters perfect - they all have their flaws.
Rating 4/5
zooloo1983's review
4.0
Every once in a while, you obviously need to cleanse your palate of dark, gloomy, disturbing stories and read a nice little romance. That’s what this is. This is a sort of book you can read curled up on your chair in the sunshine, with a glass of wine, or at the poolside and get lost in the story of Ashley and Haydon. I’ve never read anything by Tilly before so this was quite an experience for me and I did enjoy this story.
I will admit, Ashley did get my nerves a little bit with her whining, and she was a little bit repetitious about her situation. Yet, that didn’t detract from me the story and the whole when will Ashley tell her secret!! I mean, we know the secret. We know the secret from pretty much the beginning. However, no one else knows this. We all know about Haydon being Molly’s dad. No secrets in the blurb and the rest of the time we are just watching Ashley and Haydon. Love never runs smoothly. No, I mean, it would be boring if it did.
I mean, I was sitting there listening to the audiobook and I can’t remember it must be about 30% in and we meet Haydon and then we meet Haydon’s daughter Ellie and I was just like how the hell is the rest of this book going to go? Not gonna lie. I guessed quite a lot of it. I kind of guessed how it was going to pan out and some of the threats to their relationship but it still didn’t take away anything from the book.
I thought the narrator was fab. I would love to go to the place they went to in the South of France that sounded absolutely beautiful. I just enjoyed the story. I enjoyed the story of Ashley and Haydon learning about how they got to where they were today. I was cheering when they first met I must admit as soon as I knew Haydon was booking a holiday with his daughter. I was cheering because I just knew that they were going to Ashely and that got me through a particularly low point I was going through that week with my knee. It was just it filled me with joy.
As I’ve always said in stories like this, it doesn’t matter if you know the end, the middle or the beginning. It doesn’t matter if you know the reveal. It’s all about the way the author writes the story. It’s the characters that make it believable and what makes you care. I say top points here to Tilly. She’s done all that, I cared about Ashley, I cared about Haydon. I cared about Molly and Ellie and how it would all work out.
I really wanted to make sure that everyone had the happy ending they deserved, did they get it or not? Well, you’re gonna have to read the book.
I will admit, Ashley did get my nerves a little bit with her whining, and she was a little bit repetitious about her situation. Yet, that didn’t detract from me the story and the whole when will Ashley tell her secret!! I mean, we know the secret. We know the secret from pretty much the beginning. However, no one else knows this. We all know about Haydon being Molly’s dad. No secrets in the blurb and the rest of the time we are just watching Ashley and Haydon. Love never runs smoothly. No, I mean, it would be boring if it did.
I mean, I was sitting there listening to the audiobook and I can’t remember it must be about 30% in and we meet Haydon and then we meet Haydon’s daughter Ellie and I was just like how the hell is the rest of this book going to go? Not gonna lie. I guessed quite a lot of it. I kind of guessed how it was going to pan out and some of the threats to their relationship but it still didn’t take away anything from the book.
I thought the narrator was fab. I would love to go to the place they went to in the South of France that sounded absolutely beautiful. I just enjoyed the story. I enjoyed the story of Ashley and Haydon learning about how they got to where they were today. I was cheering when they first met I must admit as soon as I knew Haydon was booking a holiday with his daughter. I was cheering because I just knew that they were going to Ashely and that got me through a particularly low point I was going through that week with my knee. It was just it filled me with joy.
As I’ve always said in stories like this, it doesn’t matter if you know the end, the middle or the beginning. It doesn’t matter if you know the reveal. It’s all about the way the author writes the story. It’s the characters that make it believable and what makes you care. I say top points here to Tilly. She’s done all that, I cared about Ashley, I cared about Haydon. I cared about Molly and Ellie and how it would all work out.
I really wanted to make sure that everyone had the happy ending they deserved, did they get it or not? Well, you’re gonna have to read the book.
bookwormnici's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jen_baroness_mom's review
4.0
Summer vacation in the south of France, 100-year birthday party, and lost love.
The Summer Getaway by Tilly Tennant is a wonderfully written second chance summer romance. I have to say that I enjoyed this book. It has been a while since I have read an actual romance novel.
The setting
The setting is beautiful. Ms. Tennant’s descriptions transported me to the south of France. Villa Marguerite sounds like a heavenly place. I adore the thought of the beautiful gardens, even slightly overgrown and so natural. The subtle lived in and not entirely perfect upkeep make the villa more realistic and easy to picture.
Saint-Raphaël is such an excellent location, right on the coast with the sun and so many things to do. The characters went body surfing, rented a boat, checked out the marketplace, some of the yummy smelling cafes and enjoyed wine and great food.
The Characters
Ashley our female lead is frugal, independent, beautiful and a good mom. I could relate to her. She wants what is best for her daughter, but she also has this realistic side. Ashely doesn’t want to be indebted to anyone. That way she doesn’t have to listen to their stipulations for the loan.
Haydon our male lead. He seems lost and like he is looking for something or someone. Haydon is reliable and a good father. He is struggling with the loss of his family and way of life. However, Haydon tries to understand his daughter Ella, and he also seems to have faith or hope.
Sue is Ashley’s mother, and she is my least favorite character. I understand that she wants to protect her daughter but seriously Ashley needs to tell her to shut up and her own business.
My favorite character is Maurice. Maurice is married to Sue (no one is perfect), but he has no children, and he treats Ashley and Molly like his daughter and granddaughter. He seems to understand when someone needs quiet or to talk. Maurice reminds me of Luminaire from Beauty and the Beast. He makes me smile.
4 Stars for The Summer Getaway by Tilly Tennant
My rating for The Summer Getaway by Tilly Tennant is four stars. I got a good vibe from the book, and I love reading a book with a happy ending. Now, I will be reading more of Tilly Tennant’s books. I have already pre-ordered her holiday book, The Christmas Wish: A heartwarming Christmas romance.
This Guest Review is for Baroness' Book Trove. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book on your site.
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove