This was a fascinating book about friendships and relationships and the effects that secrets can have on both.

At first I didn't enjoy this book and stopped reading within the first 30% of the book. But recently I came back to it and I'm glad I did! I'll seek out more from this author.

Loved this. I fell completely in love with the house. The mix of characters was unique and I loved orla even though she was in name only. A great summer read with a great setting

A story of a group of friends who thought they had the perfect friendships but a series of events questions their relationships. A great read.

I really enjoyed this book and would read more from this author. May have been first but won't he the last.

I love Erica James' book's. They are pure escapisms. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I have since bought a copy for my Mum to enjoy.

I really tried to finish this book, but i just couldn't. Initially I put it down when it didn't grab me, and then I thought I'd go back to it as it was still on my mind, but I couldn't invest in the story.

I didn't care for any of the characters, and for that I am very sorry.

Apologies.

An excellent tale of friendships, love, relationships and taking risks! Take three old friends - Alistair, Simon and Danny - plus their wives and children. Set them in Norfolk in a cottage and wait for the tales to unfold following the death of one of the wives. There’s multiple stories here and multiple layers which was initially confusing (which daughter belonged to which parents) and the introduction of Valentina brought some hilarity tinged with sadness.

A great book, thoroughly enjoyable 4*

There is always something wonderful about settling down to read an Erica James novel. The characters are always so well written that even from the beginning you feel like you’ve known them forever. Swallowtail summer is set on the Norfolk Broads which is where Alastair Lucas has a home right on the water called Linston End, a thatched house left to him thirty years before by his great Aunt Cora. Linston End had been the place he spent most of his holidays whilst growing up. His aunt had taught him to sail and her love of nature , particularly, bird watching. Over the years it had become the holiday home for Alastair and his wife Orla, then their permanent home once Alastair retired. Keeping up the tradition Alastair had also had his two closest friends, Simon and Danny and their wives and children join them each summer, passing on his love of sailing and the wonders of the wildlife found along the Broads. After being away trying to recover from the loss of his wife, Alastair invites the whole crowd down for the first weekend after he returns. He informs them all he’s got something important to tell them. Danny and Frankie have a daughter ,Jenna who’s grown up with Rachel and Callum , Simon and Sorrell’s children, together they have spent many a summer together at Linston End, As they all gather on Friday evening to enjoy their first break together of the summer no one is really sure just what Alastair has to say, surely it’s not to say he’s found a new love, so soon?
Once again Erica James has written a beautiful family saga full of intrigue and romance, laughter and tears. A wonderfully calming read whilst the world copes with a pandemic of life changing proportions.

It's not Summer without another Erica James book to read...cold drink in hand, sitting in the garden or on the beach. Love the characters, the setting and so much more about this book!

Sorry for the late review. As usual this book did not disappoint.

I didn't feel that it was one of her best books but enjoyable all the same.

Thanks Netgalley.

Friendships are rocked by a new addition. Easy to read and characters are relatable with families intertwined by past events. A book that proves friendships can last a lifetime and survive turbulent events.

A light, easy summer read. There were plenty of unforeseen twists and turns before the end though some of the characters lacked depth.

I really struggled to get into Swallowtail Summer and although I tried to persevere I only managed a few chapters before I gave up on it. I was bored and felt the story line was very slow to take off so I lost interest. Sorry not for me.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for this book. This was my first time reading an Erica James novel and I very much enjoyed it. I was seeking a fairly light "escapist" type of book and whilst it did live up to this on many levels, I also liked the fact that it covered some deeper subject areas such as marital and relationship difficulties, bereavement and so on. This was an engrossing and wonderful book.

Lower end of a 4 this one for me - wish we could give half marks as I'd probably have gone 3.5!

I did enjoy it, and have enjoyed every one of the many Erica James that I have read, but this wasn't my favourite and many parts of it felt a tiny bit too contrived and convenient for me.

Rather a lot of characters which made me feel we didn't get the chance to get to know any of them fully.

Thank you very much to Netgalley for a review copy.

Linston End was left to Alistair, it is a house on the Norfolk Broads and is a place where he and his friends have met up every year. Alistair, Simon and Danny have always been friends, well more brothers than friends. They have all married and some have children. Summer holidays are taken at the house with the families coming together.

This summer is different, this summer Alistair is bringing someone new and his friends are nervous and worried. The newcomer is Valentina, she is the new lady in his life and a chance at a new start with changes ahead tension is ever-present during the summer holiday.

The author has done a wonderful job are creating a stunning setting for Swallowtail Summer, the house sounds like such an idyllic place for old friends and their families to come together. A chance to catch-up and reminisce about old times. But with the arrival of Valentina things are different. There is an air of mistrust at her arrival. The author mentions, partway through the story, that some things from the past have been swept under the carpet, they have been things that others may have been aware of but not voiced. With the added tension of Valentina nerves are a little frayed. Comments are made and past events alluded to, and gradually the ticking timebomb ignites.

This is a story that is quite captivating as I do like a story with a past, with secrets and with a touch of the dramatic, and this story does have those. It also has the dynamics of family and friends who are close, but apparently not quite as close as they like to think as they have all held something back.

There is quite a lot of intrigue throughout and as to have a fresh start you do have to deal with the past first, it means admitting your part in the events before moving on. I like the way this had all been laid out and then gradually pulled together for quite an ending.

A very enjoyable read that will appeal to readers of a slower-paced story about family, friends, secrets, the past and the future. It is one I would recommend.

Who wouldn't love this book!? The characters make you feel you are part of their lives, you experience their highs and lows just as you would in your own lives with the hope that the ending would turn out well for them, after all a fairy tale always does doesn't it? Set on the wonderful Norfolk Broads this is a fabulous book, humorous, poignant and a true reflection of modern life. A great read - highly recommended.

Swallowtail Summer is another book by Erica James, a perfect read for those long summer days or for relaxing on the beach

This is another fabulous Erica James book which offers the perfect escape to the countryside, summer read!