Member Reviews
thank you netgalley, bookouture and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. Not my usual genre of a read but boy did I enjoy it! The perfect romantic read in the perfect place where you would love to holiday yourself. Definitely wont be my last Holly Martin book. Highly recommend this book and author!
3.5 - "Seize the day!" Stars!
We return to Hope Island for the second book in Holly Martin’s series of the same name.
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Rome Lancaster and Freya Greene figured quite a bit in the first book being best friends, as well as co-workers, it took about two paragraphs of them together in Spring at Blueberry Bay to work out as a reader that they both unwittingly see the other as more than those terms. Although one a little more willingly than the other it has to be said.
He was with his best friend and it couldn’t get more perfect than that.
Rome is your usual man about town, having been burnt by love in the past he tends to keep his interactions with women quick and commitment free. Freya came to the island for similar reasons and literally stumbled into her home and job with him. Both are shy of taking their relationship to the next level, but neither can deny that their feelings are not just of a friendly nature anymore.
"Sex wouldn’t ruin us, it would complete us."
Although another easy read from the author, I didn’t fall in love with Rome and Freya’s story as much as I did Bella and Isaac's in the previous book. The drama is a little heavier in their story, but more due to lack of communication and drawing the wrong conclusions, and although understandable in parts a lot of it just felt over the top and a little immature, for two supposed adults.
That-said I didn’t struggle with the story at all, I just wish the author had pulled the angst back a bit as some of it just felt a little unnecessary. On the plus, the sexy times were emotive and diverse, and there are parts of the story with Rome's father where I was literally crying from laughing so hard.
"Some things can’t be fixed."
If you are looking for an easy summer read, both books in this series are definitely worth a few hours of your time, and cannot wait for Eden and Dougie’s book; Christmas at Mistletoe Cove is definitely eagerly anticipated by this reader.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
First of all i would like to say thank you to netgalIery for letting me reveiw this book.
This is the second book of the series hope island.
This book didn't disappoint loved the characters and the storyline fell in love with Rome really looking forward to when the third of the series is published.i enjoyed the book so much have looked in to going on holiday near the place where this book is set.
Another great book by Holly that I absolutely loved, I so fell in love with Freya and Rome, they made the perfect couple, I absolutely love Holly's style of writing, the location in her stories just makes you really want to be there!!
Holly Martin whisks us back to Hope Island for Summer at Buttercup Beach and, if you read Spring at Blueberry Bay, you'll have already met Rome and Freya: best-friends, co-workers and a couple whose feelings for one another are running slightly deeper than either realises.
"What better way to start a relationship than two years of being friends?"
I love a man who's an unexpected romantic and Rome is most certainly that. This is a man who lost his first love in tragic circumstances and refuses to let himself fall in love again, but when he catches a certain look from Freya, who herself has been badly hurt and has done her best to hide the fact that she has fallen in love again, the game changes.
"...you saved me when I was at my lowest, every day was a struggle but you, you made me smile again."
You can't beat a good dose of wooing in my book and Rome woos with the best of them, yet at the same time he holds back a little down to his fear of history repeating itself. And whilst I liked Freya for her honesty and willingness to put her heart on the line, at the same she frustrated with her assumptions. But you simply can't not root for this couple because they do have a wonderful relationship, and as they venture across the friendship line, the temperature starts to rapidly rise.
"You make it sound like there would be more than one cuddle?"
"I’m hoping there would be multiple cuddles."
Without saying too much, I felt certain aspects were drawn out a little, however that didn't prevent me from devouring this in one sitting. But have to say though as much I adored Rome and Freya, and all the characters on Hope Island, the one who absolutely stole the show for me was Rome's dad, Finn. The man was nothing short of hilarious, quite innocently bringing the laughter with him wherever he went.
"...we had sex in the sea once and the condom just floated off."
Full of heart and heat, Holly Martin once again delivers on the happy-ever-after, and whilst Rome and Freya's journey finding love may have concluded, Eden and Dougie are waiting in the wings. I'm already rather taken by Dougie so can't wait to discover what Christmas at Mistletoe Cove will bring.
After reading Spring at Blueberry Bay I was so excited to see what was going to happen next on the Island. Summer at Buttercup Beach can be read as a stand alone story, but it does follow characters seen in the book before too. The love story between Rome and Freya is the sweetest thing that I've read in a while! I love the Island, the characters and I wish there was another one for me to start straight away. Thank you for the chance to read and review this!
Very hard to put down. This story draws you in and doesn't let go. It also lightens the heart.
Everything you could want from a Holly Martin book, and more. It features an incredibly romantic man and a woman who knows what she wants, but isn't sure whether she will get it. There is plenty of advice from friends of the main characters, and just about everyone, other people on Hope Island, and the reader can see what Freya and Rome are meant to be together...however whether they will realise it before you run out of pages is another thing!
It really didn't take too long for my to start falling for Rome myself, he is gorgeous, unsure of what his feelings really mean but just seems to want to make Freya happy. He has had issues in the past, but is finally ready for something more meaningful than a one night stand.
What I really loved about Rome was his creativity, especially with Stained Glass, which he has taught Freya how to do too. I enjoyed reading about the various projects they were woking on, as well as Rome's inner geek!
I really enjoyed reading about Freya and Rome's friendship too, as well as catching up with Eden and Bella who we first meet in Spring at Blueberry Bay. This book can be read as a standalone as the main focal characters are different. I'm already looking forward to the third book in this series, as I am eager to find out what happens to Eden.
The writing style is like coming home to a good friend, warm and comforting..you know you are going to enjoy it, and it doesn't let you down. This is such a pleasurable story to read with plenty of will they-won't they moments, in addition to some lovely romantic gestures.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Summer at Buttercup Beach is the latest novel from one of my favorite chick lit authors, Holly Martin. Readers will be swept away by this friends to lovers romp and fall head over heels with Buttercup Beach. This is the type of place where we readers can imagine ourselves vacationing in, and possibly even wanting to live. If you have read Spring at Blueberry Bay (one of my favorites of the year) then you may remember Freya and Rome who were secondary characters. Those two are actually the couple that I wanted to see played out in their own book and this is for them! So to say I was excited to read this one would be an understatement. And alas, I wasn't disappointed!
Summer at Buttercup Beach has the perfect amount of romance to make readers swoon. So even if your not a chick lit reader then I would strongly suggest giving this one a try. It has everything that fans of both chick lit and romance would want! Now I am even more excited to see where the author takes us next. I have high hopes for a certain couple... I won't name any names quite yet.
I have read most of this author's work and loved every one, this was no different. She has produced yet another brilliant story which transports us away to Hope Island once more, and into the lives of those who live and work there.
As with the first story in the Hope Island series, I read this in one sitting. I honestly couldn't put it down. Not only do we get to read Rome and Freya's story, we also catch up with all of the characters from the first book. I love that the author allows us to find out how characters like Bella and Isaac are getting on, as well as Eden and Dougie. Hopefully their story will follow soon, hint hint Holly!
This is a well written story which will appeal not only to fans of the author, but also those who want a summer read which isn't all love and kisses. The story has credibility to it due to the fact that the characters don't instantly fall into bed with each other. There are more than a few hurdles in their way, and it is touch and go as to whether they will even get together, never mind have a happy ever after.
Huge thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy.
I really wish I could give this book more than 5 stars because I really loved it. It has definatly become one of my favourite books ever!
As soon as I began reading Summer at Buttercup Beach I found it so easy to read and I was hooked, I just couldnt put it down.
Freya and Rome's story has got to be one of the best romances ive ever read, the way they are together is just so perfect. Theyve so much love and respect for each other its really amazing. They are two characters I won't ever forget.
The thing I love about Hollys books is how she creates these wonderful islands, loveable characters and fantastic stories. I love how they all link up and the characters used are ones we love from previous books in the serious.
I really cant wait for book 3 in this series.
Another truly amazing book from Holly. I'm absolutely loving Hope Island! Christmas needs to hurry up already for book 3 really hoping it's about Eden & Dougie! ❤️
It’s wonderful to have a close friend, but what happens when one of the friends falls in love with the other? If you’re Freya Greene, you keep it hidden. Not easy since she and Rome work together and she lives above their workshop. But Rome has never shown any romantic interest in Freya, so she keeps quiet and tires to keep her distance. Rome has lost his fiancee in an accident and of course, Freya was there to help him pick up the pieces. He’s determined not to risk his heart again, but can Freya’s gentle friendship guide him into wanting something more. This is a sweet, gentle and hopeful story of love and friendship