A glorious read from one of my favourite authors, Erica James. Although this novel was a slight departure from her usual romance genre, her stories are always very substantial reads and Swallowtail Summer was no exception. Set in the picturesque Norfolk Broads, this was a story of friendships and loyalties and it had the usual depth that I have come to associate with her superb writing. The tale fired my imagination as I knew that it would and there was certainly never a dull or boring moment. The characters were all well drawn and most were very relatable and likeable, though a few were not, however, they all had a valuable contribution to make to the story.
Swallowtail Summer had it all, from families, friendship and romance to jealousy, tragedy and secrets. Highly recommended and well worth five stars!

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Orion Publishing Group via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Erica James' forensic examination of relationships, romantic, grief ridden and complex reveal human frailty in all its shapes and colours. Norfolk, its broads and calmness provide a perfect background to the trials and tribulations of a group of friends, their families and a newcomer. The story becomes a page turner as disasters strike home and events unfurl tightly bound groups of characters. And that is the joy of Erica James' novels - you believe in the people she creates.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were wonderful and the affect Alastair's news has on his friends relationships made for good reading. Linston End in the Norfolk Broads sounds like a wonderful place to visit. Wonderful read.

A wow book based on families, friends and interlopers. I love Erica’s books and this didn’t disappoint. Following different characters of different ages and their links to a riverside cottage by the Norfolk Broads was interesting and the author didn’t always take you were I thought she might which kept me guessing till the end. An easy to read book with manageable chapters although I always wanted to read beyond what I had time for!! Thanks Erica and thanks NetGallery. Highly recommend this.

I thought this book was going to be a bit slow to begin with, but I was wrong!! So many individuals, that are connected by friendship, marriage, & family relationship, with a few outsiders thrown in, but perfectly! Characters that drove you round the bend, especially with their total disregard to others! Unexpected happenings, that were completely unexpected!! Had me completely hooked! Great story!!

I’m sorry but I found this book a little disappointing from such a popular author. It just felt like one long bickering fest. Bickering between friends, bickering between husbands and wives, bickering between old and new lovers, bickering between old and new acquaintances. I’m afraid I didn’t really take a liking to any of the characters either, so I struggled to feel any emotion for any of them. Throw in a couple of deaths, a near drowning and some badly depicted Russians amongst all of the bickering and there wasn’t much that was joyful about this book. I love the cover but the story doesn't really live up to the glorious summer story that it promises, sorry.

Erica James is one of those authors who never disappoints. I have read a few of her books in the past and they never fail to disappoint.

Swallowtail Summer is no different.

A twisting tale of friendship, and how closeness can become too close: how the links of a friendship chain can become knotted and difficult to smooth over again.

There were a lot of characters to get to grips with, but essentially each point of view was necessary to forward the story.

Three best friends; Alastair, Danny and Simon: having lived most of their lives with each other by their side, and the beautiful Norfolk Linston End property as the backdrop to many of their memories.

Three women; Orla, Frankie and Sorrel, brought together as the spouses of three very close friends.

Three children: Jenna, Rachel and Callum, firm friends because of their parents.

What happens when one of this trio of triumvirates dies suddenly?

Everyone's lives are changed irrevocably.

Solid relationships begin to unravel.

Secrets start to creep out of the woodwork.

And a new character arrives on the horizon, hoping to fill the gap left by death... or maybe wanting to tear the whole gang apart...

I enjoyed this book. It kept me guessing. When I am whispering to myself about a character, willing he or she to do something or disappear, I am sure that is a sign of a good book!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

Having read many of Erica James's novels, this was another enjoyable read. . The author has the knack of drawing the reader in to the lives of her characters and as the plot progresses they become more complex with secrets and revelations. The ending took me by surprise!
I did feel that the last section of the book following the night time cruise out onto the broad could have been spaced out a bit more. The last few chapters gave me the impression of being hurried, but having said that I did enjoy the book and will continue to rate Erica James as one of my favourite authors.

This began as an enjoyable read, but started to become rather repetitive and extremely verbose. The characters were well drawn.

I really enjoyed this book. I adored the story line and loved the main characters. I read this book in one sitting and would highly recommend this book.

A very enjoyable book it is set in the broads and centres around 3 old friends who spend every summer at the house of Alastair. Orla Alistairs wife has recently died and he has met someone new while travelling. The story is about a summer gathering and how one new person entering a group can change the dynamic so dramatically. If you like what used to be termed as aga sagas this is the book for you. Perfect for fans of Joanna Trollope and Mary Wesley.

Erica James doesn't disappoint with this perfect summer read. We escape to Linston End which at first glance appears idyllic. But as secrets and lies are exposed we learn that nothing is quite as it seems. Tragedy, betrayal, love, friendship. Erica James allows us to delve deeper into the lives of all the character's in this gorgeous story and identify with the hopes and fears they all carry. Swallowtail Summer is the perfect beach read.

I love Erica’s books and particularly enjoy getting to know characters and watching their interactions. Swallowtail summer have me all of that but (sorry) it just was a little too “light” with coincidences and heroics A little too neatly far fetched and frustrating with poor judgements. I liked it but unfortunately didn’t love it.

I went into this thinking it would be an entirely different type of story. But despite that initial surprise, it was an enjoyable read — not something I’d usually pick up. However I did find myself eager to get to the end, and started skimming a little towards the 25% mark.

What a book! I was expecting this to be a light read but it actually had more depth and darkness and reality than I thought. All whilst set in the idyllic Norfolk broads. I really enjoyed this and was absorbed into the story and the characters. Thanks for a great read

Really enjoyed this book, full of great characters with all the foibles and imperfections that most of us possess. The setting is beautifully described, I could picture it perfectly; quintessentially English picture postcard perfection. A wonderful read whether it be a summers day or a rainy weekend. Highly recommended.

This is a book about families and relationships which change dramatically when Alistair loses his wife Orla. The dynamic between the group changes when friends who Alistair has known many years realise that he intends to marry someone new and is selling Linston End - his beautiful old home where friends have enjoyed meeting over the years.

The book explores how old friends perceive Alistair’s new relationship with Valentina, an exotic, sophisticated Russian woman he met on holiday, and the challenges this brings. His relationship with Orla had been difficult, full of highs and lows. Secrets have been withheld between certain characters, how Orla tragically died, Alistair’s previous relationship with Sorrel, who eventually married Simon.

The story moves at a steady pace, the author describing the beautiful Norfolk broads and timeless idyllic settings. The characters are well drawn and mainly likeable, their interaction and occasional humour skillfully written. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and its unexpected ending, and would recommend highly.

Amazing yet complex characters & relationships. This is the perfect summer read I loved it would recommend it to anyone.

I have read and enjoyed this author's titles before but found I disliked nearly all the main characters and didn't care if their precious house was destroyed.

Swallowtail Summer by Erica James. This book isnt one I would usually pick but I decided to go for a different genre and boy an I glad I did.

The book is great from the start. It follows the summer of Alastair and his friends and their families just after his wife has died. Full of intrigue, love, laughter, sorrow, gulity secrets and lies. There are a lot of characters but it was easy to follow their story arcs.

This would be a super read on the beach or chilling out on the patio. My first Erica James book and definately not my last.

Thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing for the ARC of this book. (My review is my own opinion)

Will Reivew on Amazon once the book is out.