Reviews

Sommer in Porthmellow by Phillipa Ashley

thewoollygeek's review against another edition

3.0

Bit mixed on this loved it 80% of the book, but just felt the ending let it down. I didn’t think the way the MC reacted to the news was believable and everything felt resolved far too quickly when it had been in turmoil the rest of the book. I think it could have been 2 separate books and would have been dealt with better

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

ewc's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

meghmac12's review against another edition

2.0

A fluffy and predictable summer read. I got this book on sale and it isn’t my usual type of book, so perhaps that explains why I didn’t enjoy it more. The story was ok, not the worst, but silly and repetitive, and the characters felt very superficial rather than complex.

nocto's review against another edition

3.0

Not my usual fare but I needed something lightweight and I was missing Cornwall and the sea and this delivered. I couldn't stand a diet of books that were all this sweet, but this delivered what I needed and I enjoyed it and I'll look out for the Christmas one in this series when I'm (undoubtedly) stressed at the end of the year. A nice bit of easy but absorbing reading.

bananatricky's review against another edition

4.0

Three and a half stars.

Centred around the Porthmellow 10th annual food festival this story features Sam(phire) Lovell, the festival's organiser. When the celebrity chef they had booked to star at the festival declares bankruptcy Sam's assistant Chloe manages to book Gabe Matthias, former Portmellow resident as a late replacement. Little does she know that Sam and Gabe dated, until the night he shopped her brother to the police and got him sent to prison. 10 years later can Sam ever forgive Gabe?

Sam's assistant Chloe is hiding a secret or two of her own, will ship's captain Drew still like her when he finds out she's not quite who he thought she was?

This is a typical English cosy romance featuring an ensemble cast, elderly locals with 'charming' accents, hunky chefs, awkward villagers, lots of evenings at the pub and quaint village life. I didn't hate it but I also wasn't enthralled by it. I spend so much of time these days complaining about the amount of sex in books that I feel a bit of a fraud complaining about the lack in this one, but I'm pretty sure the first time we see even a proper kiss was at 61% on my Kindle - balance people, balance!

Anyway, if you are looking for a gentle, sweet, non-taxing romance, perfect for the beach then I reckon this will fit the bill.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

hayleysnextpage's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this book by Phillipa Ashley. Set in Cornwall, it follows Sam and her friends/fellow committee members as they prepare for their annual summer food festival. I liked that it was told from multiple points of view - though the focus was on Sam and Gabe's relationship, it also delved into Chloe's family troubles and budding relationship. I couldn't get enough of the back and forth will-they-won't-they between Sam and Gabe. If you like romance novels, pick up A Perfect Cornish Summer immediately.

I received an ARC in exchange for review, but all opinions are my own.

hannahnott's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

cesca's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

rute_cuca's review against another edition

4.0

BOOK REVIEW: A PERFECT CORNISH SUMMER @phillipa.ashleyauthor


I don't know if it was The Perfect summer, but it was definitely the summer of second
chances for all the characters.
Sam and Gabe, Cloe and Drew, Ryan, Hannah...all had a second opportunity..

Super nice summer read, looking forward to more of these.

4,5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

hayleysnextpage's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this book by Phillipa Ashley. Set in Cornwall, it follows Sam and her friends/fellow committee members as they prepare for their annual summer food festival. I liked that it was told from multiple points of view - though the focus was on Sam and Gabe's relationship, it also delved into Chloe's family troubles and budding relationship. I couldn't get enough of the back and forth will-they-won't-they between Sam and Gabe. If you like romance novels, pick up A Perfect Cornish Summer immediately.

I received an ARC in exchange for review, but all opinions are my own.