It is always great to not just find an author but an author who writes series of books featured in one pace. You can go back and visit the characters that become friends and see how they are all getting on.

We first met Eliza in the first of the Lavender Bay series when she was about to go away and not be back to visit her friends Libby and Beth for a while.

Faced with her future at the airport - Eliza makes a life changing decision and heads back to Lavender Bay to stay with her parents in the local pub.

Wanting to find something for herself and establish her self-worth she decides to pursue her dream of making organic soaps and wonders whether the local lavender farm will be able to help.

However her first meeting with Jack, the farmer is not exactly friendly but there is something about him that sparks her interest. And surprisingly Jack starts to think about something other than collecting the lavender crop and being responsible for Noah, his nephew.

The course of true love never does run smooth and there are a few bumps along the way, especially when Noah gets injured and Eliza's husband turns up.

Yet again Sarah Bennett delivers a story which has you falling in love not just with the gorgeous Jack but the setting as well. I wanted to walk along the promenade at the bay as well as delight in the smell of the lavender that I am convinced was seeping off the pages.

Whilst of course this is a romance, there were some reality moments to keep you in check. The behaviour of Eliza's husband made me wanted to scream - a mere minor character can get under your skin, that's how good the writing was for me. Then the subject of death and the ripple effect it has on everyone left behind, made my heart-break as time inevitably moves on.

I look forward to the third book in this trilogy when I can of course catch up with Eliza and Jack, Beth and Sam but also get to the bottom of Libby and the supposed irritation of Owen which was scattered through this book in a real taster of things to come. I hope I have guessed right.

A great read whether it is Summer or Winter.

You are in for a treat with 'Summer at Lavender Bay'! It may be book two in the 'Lavender Bay' series, but it can easily be read as a standalone no problem. Of course, you know what I am going to say - I would highly recommend reading the first book as well. 

Eliza is at the heart of this book as she finds herself picking up the pieces to a life she thought was certain, when she realises that her heart was no longer where she thought it was. (Metaphorically speaking, obviously...!!) Personally, I am surprised Eliza didn't come to her senses soon enough. I mean, what on Earth! Everything about her situation made my blood boil not because of what she had done, but because of her husband. Well, she could have told him to do one way before then, but hindsight is a truly wonderful thing! At least she came back fighting!

If you have read the first book in the series, 'Spring at Lavender Bay', you'll see some old friends popping up as Eliza's story progresses. Don't fret if you haven't though, Sarah Bennett has written these books so that everyone can enjoy them in any way that they see fit.

For me, Eliza was such a breath of fresh and, seeing as she lived in the bay, it didn't take her very long to slot back into life at home. Not only does Eliza manage to get back up again, she also finds herself making a new friend. He's rather furry though, I wonder if she noticed ;).

What I love most about Sarah Bennett's novels is how enchanting and magnetic they always seem to be. I don't ever pick up one of this authors novels and go, 'nahhhh, she didn't write it from the heart', because it is very clear that she does, and that is what I find really endearing. Yes, Sarah Bennett may give her characters emotional hurdles to jump over, and yes, she may have a theme running throughout her novel that could make tears fall from your eyes without realising it. But you know what? I love it because it shows that the author is real and relatable, allowing her readers to truly connect with characters like Eliza, or like Jack, a man whose situation made a lump form in my throat quicker than you can say 'give me the cake'.

Never mind fairytale princesses such as Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty, give me Eliza any day of the week. 'Summer at Lavender Bay' is a fairytale after my own heart. A book which not only tells a story, it creates a vision. A vision where the imagery of the beautiful words written, come to life making Sarah Bennett's characters to become more than just fiction. 

I absolutely adored every single page of this book, and my only disappointment is that it was in no way long enough. I have said this once before, but I am more than happy to say it again; Sarah Bennett has the literary talent of a literary angel, making my life just that bit happier every time I read one of her books. Is 'Summer at Lavender Bay' her best book yet? Honestly? Yes it is, and I know I say that about every book that she writes, but she just keeps getting better and better with every new book. Just look at Eliza - she may have started out being low like Cinderella, but it didn't take her too long to find her special shoe (or in Eliza's case, special oil) to allow her to fly her wings like she was meant to have done all along.

Flipping brilliant without a doubt.

I have been looking forward to re-visiting Lavender Bay ever since I finished reading the first book in the series and I wasn't disappointed at all. It was so lovely to catch up with both the characters and the setting in yet another wonderful story!

The opening had me rooting for Eliza and I couldn't wait to see her story play out along with hoping she got her happy ever after. I loved the fact that she began to realise her dreams and make them a reality. Along with seeing her character come to life with a wonderful new found confidence in herself. When Eliza meets Jack you instantly see the sparks between the pair but life is never straight forward and easy. I adored this pair and enjoyed all of their interactions. Jack has an air of sadness about him that made me instantly care about his character. Then add in friendships that will not only make you smile but want to eat pizza too!

I started reading one evening and didn't want to leave this story for a moment. I think I say this every time I read a book by Sarah Bennett but she really does have the ability to create such a warm and emotional story. One that will instantly wrap you up all snug, until the very last page. Wonderfully warm and inviting there are friendships, new beginnings and romance in the air at Lavender Bay all waiting to be discovered. I hate to wish time away but I can't wait to read Libby's story.

A captivating summer treat!

Five stars from me!

With thanks to HQ and Netgalley for my copy.

Loved this book, the second in the series. I can't wait for next one!

Eliza is back home with her parents after she ends her marriage. Unsure what to do next in life she starts to consider making soap using local ingredients, which is how she ends up meeting Jack on his lavender farm. He seems to lead a pretty self-contained life, not wanting help from anyone as, after the death of his brother, he brings up his nephew on the farm. So they both have baggage but they can't ignore the attraction betwwen them. Some mis-understandings and drama along the way, but you really hope they manage to work things out.

Summer at Lavender Bay is a sweet contemporary romance that deals with a woman coming from a 10 year unsatisfying marriage and falling into a totally unexpected relationship with a single dad. I liked Eliza Barnes she took way too long to split from her jerk of a husband and he took way too long to realize he lost. I wish the author had included more of that conversation. I love Eliza’s support group and look forward to reading Libby and Owens story there are sure to be some fireworks there. If you like your contemporary with a bit of British flair you will be sure to love Summer at Lavender Bay.

Summer At Lavender Bay by Sarah Bennett is a deliciously warm, welcoming, fun contemporary read and just perfect for a summer's day.
There are some wonderful descriptions that make the book come alive for the reader. We 'feel' welcomed in the pub, on the farm and at the beach. We 'feel' included in the story.
Community is important as everybody looks out for everybody else. "One of the perks of growing up in a small town... everyone kind of adopts each other." Small town living definitely has big advantages.
The cold, clinical atmosphere of Heathrow contrasts sharply with the huge welcome in an English pub. The world seems to move from a harsh blueness to a warm glow, making everyone feel better.
Self sustaining farming and local crafts are another important part of the novel. Locally sourced goods help to reduce the carbon footprint.
Family is important. Family pulls together. "We come as a package deal."
A breakdown of a marriage is always sad. If we are not careful, we will find that life has a habit of pulling us apart. "A slow slide of conflicting work schedules."
There is the theme of loss. Death is just so final. It is traumatic for all but especially for small children. There is the theme of taking care of the fatherless.
It is never too late to have a second chance. Sometimes fear immobilises us but we need to push fear aside and begin to live again.
Summer At Lavender Bay was such a wonderful read. It will warm your heart and leave you smiling.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

I was really looking forward to this second book in the series and this story was brilliant from the first page so much better than I expected. You are hooked from the first page and you want to keep going to see what happens. It's full of heartbreak, romance and finding what is best for you and doing what you are truly happy with. You want to laugh at times as well just simply fantastic and can't recommend you to read it enough as so good.
Eliza is married to the person of her dreams and they are about to move to Abu Dhabi with his job they get to the airport and she asks him a question and things start to change and she turns and says to him she isn't happy and she's not going with him and moving back to lavender bay. Once she returns to lavender bay she learns she wasn't happy in her marriage at all and she starts learning to be happy and starts making luxury bath products and wants to use local ingredients. She goes to the local lavender farm and when she sees Jack the owner her heart skips a beat which has never happened before. He's got baggage and can they work through that to be happy together or when her husband comes back can she learn what has made her happy and stay with that or just go back to her ex. Lots of decisions to make and can she make the right ones.
Worth far more than the five stars I have given this book.