Tuesday 6 June 2023

The Book Lovers' Retreat by Heidi Swain




One long summer. One perfect setting. Can fiction inspire real life…?

Sometimes a book grabs you by the heart and grows to mean everything to you. That’s what Hope Falls is to friends Emily, Rachel and Tori. So, when they get the chance to spend a whole summer at the cottage in Lakeside where the film adaptation was located, they know it is going to be the holiday of a lifetime.
Spending six weeks away will give them a chance to re-evaluate their life choices. For Emily to decide which way her career will go – the safe route, or the more risky creative option? And for Rachel to decide whether to move in with her partner Jeremy. Then Tori has to drop out at the last moment, and her space is offered to another Hope Falls afficionado, Alex.
But when Alex turns out not to be who they expected, the holiday takes an unforeseen turn. And as the summer develops, so does their friendship. Could this be where they uncover their future selves, find love in all its forms and where their lives will change course forever…?

Title: The Book Lovers' Retreat

Author: Heidi Swain

Published By: Simon & Schuster UK

Publication Date: 13th April

Links: UK:  Amazon      US:  Amazon

Waterstones

WHSmith


Our Review 

Omg I cannot believe this is Heidi Swain’s 16th book especially as I met her when she’d just had the offer for her first book The Cherry Tree Cafe and those years have flown by. I’ve loved every single one of them so far but this one is by far my favourite and I just had goosebumps when I read the ending as it was so beautiful. 

 As soon as I heard the title of this book I knew I was going to love it and then when Heidi talked about the concept of it I simply adored it. 

The thought of being able to rent out a house that was in a film of a book is just amazing and brilliant and I can just imagine Hallmark wanting to bash Heidi’s front door down with film offers for this book. 

Em and her friends Rachel and Tori have had this holiday booked for years, they are all ardent fans of both the book Hope Falls and the movie based on it so when the time comes they are beyond excited. 

Up until Tori’s Dad puts a stop to their plans by not letting Tori go. 

Em and Rachel have to decide whether to cancel or choose someone from the waiting list of fans to share with them. 

The person they choose is not quite what they were expecting and their carefully arranged plans begin to fall apart. 

They eventually meet Connor, the handsome pub landlord and they all become great friends. 

As they reenact scenes from the book they become aware of their own failings and wishes and even though none of them quite believe in themselves enough they gain strength from the belief that their friends have in them. 

I don’t want to give too much away because spoilers but this book is so uplifting and gorgeous and you will not want to put it down. Em’s creative project is just genius and beautiful and I loved the way her creations helped bring about comfort. 

Watching the friendships withstand hardships and troubles and come out stronger than before was inspiring and watching the love story between two of the characters blossom and grow was gorgeous. 

Uplifting and emotional, a story of friends sticking together through thick and thin with a large helping of love and new beginnings. 

Sincerely

Book Angel x 


About the Author

Heidi Swain is a Sunday Times Top Ten best-selling author who writes feel good fiction with heart for Simon and Schuster. She releases two books a year (early summer and winter) and the stories all have a strong sense of community, family and friendship. She is currently writing books set in three different locations - the Fenland town of Wynbridge, Nightingale Square in Norwich and Wynmouth on the Norfolk coast.

Heidi lives in beautiful south Norfolk. She is passionate about gardening, the countryside, collecting vintage paraphernalia and reading. Her tbr pile is always out of control!

Heidi loves to chat with her readers and you can get in touch via her website heidiswain.co.uk/ or Twitter @Heidi_Swain

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