Review: Indian Summer

Title: Indian Summer

Author: Marcia Willett

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books

Published: 27th of June 2017

How I got this book: I got this as an arc from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

My rating: 3 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Some memories can be forgotten… Others won’t ever go away. From internationally adore author Marcia Willett comes the magnificent new novel, Indian Summer.

For renowned actor Sir Mungo, his quite home village in Devon provides the perfect retreat. Close by are his brother and his wife, and the rural location makes his home the ideal getaway for his old friends in London.

Among those is Kit, who comes to stay for the summer, bringing with her a letter from her first and only love, Jake, and a heart in turmoil. Years have passed since they last saw each other, and now he has written to Kit asking to meet again.

As  the summer unfolds, secrets are uncovered that will shatter the sleepy community, and even tear a family apart. But those involved soon realize that the only way to move forward might be to confront the past…

My thoughts:

When the publisher first contacted me about this book, I wasn’t sure I would like it. I am glad that I gave it a chance, as  it ended up being an enjoyable read, though not something I’d normally pick up.

We follow a handful of characters, and their stories all intertwine at some point during the novel. Because there are so many characters, it took me quite a while to really get into the story, and to start caring about the characters. However, I did get there eventually, and when I did, I was able to really enjoy the book.

I would say that this book is definitely more character-driven, than plot-driven. I don’t have a preference either way, so I didn’t really mind, but it is something to keep in mind if you have a preference for plot-driven books. The setting is a small village in England, where the characters find themselves for a lot of different reasons. There really isn’t much action during the book, only a few things here and there. 

The first half is mostly getting to know the different characters. It’s not boring, not exactly, but it’s not a page-turner either. It is totally worth getting through it in the end, though. Most of the characters are extremely likable, and none of them are perfect. They all have flaws, which is how it’s supposed to be. 

This is a great book to read during the summer, especially outside during a sunny day, when you can really relax and get into a book. It’s heartwarming, and you are able to connect with the characters, despite the fact that there are a number of them. This is a good read for when you want a light-hearted book that’s easy to read, that has just a little bit of action.

If you’re a big fan of YA, this probably won’t be the perfect book for you. However, if you’re in the mood for something new, I would suggest picking it up. This is not a book for everyone, but if it sounds like something you might enjoy, you should give it a chance.

Buy this book?

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