The first book I've read by this author. I didn't realise it was part of a series but not having read the others didn't detract from my enjoyment. It was a nice gentle and easy read, with lots of interesting characters and a real sense of community.

Charming and sweet, this second book in the series fills me with lovely summer thoughts, gentle love and constant hope. This author's work is absolutely wonderful and I am eager to read what she has in store in future. Simply put, this book made me smile!

Village life is often peaceful but not always so. We are privy to interesting characters with their foibles and insecurities navigate life which in the bigger picture is set around Hope Hall. They all face various challenges and sorrows as well as joys as happens in real life. We meet (or welcome back) Kath, Maggie and Sheelagh and their friends and families. As I am in the demographic I love that most characters are in middle age, yet there are others younger and older. These are the women you'd like to be chat over tea with. My personal favourite is down-to-earth Maggie who is an exceptional baker. The cake descriptions are so enticing that I found myself enjoying a piece of pie whilst reading!

This time those in the village are celebrating its centenary and there is a hum of activity as preparations are made. Not everyone gets along with everyone else and there are frictions here and there but each uses their giftedness to help where they can in community spirit. The WWI back story is a nice addition.

Another thing I love about this book is that it is refreshingly clean. Can a book be kind?! The list of characters at the back is useful, too.

My sincere thank you to Lion Hudson Ltd. and NetGalley for the privilege of reading an eARC of this delightful book! I enjoyed it thoroughly.

This is the second book in the Hope Hall series and it doesn’t disappoint. The Victorian hall is at the heart of the community. Full of love, laughter, tears and community spirit this book embraces caring for others and celebrates what’s gone before, where we are at now and what the future may bring. A cosy and heartwarming read of pure escapism, perfect!

Summer’s Out At Hope Hall by Pam Rhodes is the most delightful Christian contemporary novel about community and care. It is the second book in the Hope Hall series.
Hope Hall always produces a warm, wrap-around welcome for the reader. It is just like a hug in a book and will leave you smiling.
Pam Rhodes has created a marvellous eclectic mix of characters such as you would find in any town. At the heart of the village stands Hope Hall – both literally and at the centre of village life. From babes to seniors, life happens for all in Hope Hall.
Summer’s Out At Hope Hall is a charming, breath of fresh air. As lives open up we share in the laughter and we share in the tears.
People care at Hope Hall. They see needs and those needs are met. Hope truly does live there.
The novel celebrates the old and looks forward to the new. People recognise the sacrifices of others.
As Hope Hall commemorates the fallen from World War I remembering the death of the brave young men, this is contrasted with the atmosphere of light and life and love at Hope Hall. The past, the present and the future stand side by side.
I am absolutely loving this Hope Hall series. I cannot wait until autumn 2022 for the next book.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Pam Rhodes explores the strength of community and the importance of faith in her newest novel, “Summer’s Out At Hope Hall.”

Book two of a trilogy, it’s centered around a Victorian church hall where friends and neighbours congregate. The hall was founded in memory of those lost during the two world wars and the staff continue to celebrate the power of hope. There’s never a dull moment with rooms full of seniors, nattering knitters, dance classes, choir practices, and daycare groups. All of its users are working towards something special; Hope Hall Centenary Celebration Day. Kath, the administrator, works hard to make sure there’s something here for everyone and taking on the task of community celebrations proves more difficult than imagined - especially when dealing with personal issues. I think what made this quick, easy read so enjoyable is that the characters are down to earth and are placed in situations that inspire and entertain. We see people reaching out to immigrants, to homeless and to those with a broken heart. It’s so lovely to read about such caring individuals. They are characters we all know and like and that makes the novel appealing.

What a lovely story where a community pulls together and community spirit soars! I can’t help but wonder if Covid will bring this back. Perhaps we’ll see a resurgence where the power of hope is celebrated. You’ll love this motley group of people who focus on what really matters, look out for each other and see what they can achieve through solidarity. I enjoyed reading about the warmth, humour and human touch that I’ve missed since the pandemic began.

Thank you to Pam Rhodes, Lion Hudson Ltd., and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Publishes April 23, 2021

This really was a lovely story, especially in the situation we are on now. It’s truly. Brings out the community spirit in all.

Such an easy and enjoyable read, the characters surrounding Hope Hall and the village community are endearing and the novel gives an air of coming together to achieve a worthy cause. I think it is very much a story of now - how pulling together creates a happy outcome. It is just what is needed in these COVID times.

A welcome return to Hope Hall, catching up with friends old & new. This heartwarming book is peopled with credible characters, and includes a very moving story of the origins of Hope Hall. Lots of variety in the way the Hall is used provides for the introduction of new characters to add interest. This is a really well thought-out series, it has been such a pleasure to revisit the villagers & I am looking forward to further volumes in what I trust will be a lengthy association. Definitely recommended!

A light, feel-good book, the second in the series in which we follow the staff and users of a village community hall, albeit a rather upmarket one. The characters are interesting and well portrayed, and we are given glimpses into their lives, their plans and their dilemmas. We meet Kath again, and her distance relationship; Maggie and her low self esteem but amazing baking skills and new characters like the youngsters in the EFL classes and the homeless man lurking in the shadows.

I was drawn in, I really enjoyed the read. My only gripe was that a couple of sections seemed to be repeating or labouring what had been said previously.

I great, easy read, uplifting and fun. I look forward to more in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lion Hudson Ltd for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. What a nice easy enjoyable read with great characters and a really good storyline. Just what the doctor ordered for these troubled times.

I enjoyed the previous book in this series and was happy to be invited to read the next installment. I enjoyed being immersed in the celebrations of the hall's centenary along with the characters that were familiar from the last book. There are a lot of characters and sometimes I found myself having to re-read bits to remind myself whose story I was in at the particular moment.
It was thoroughly enjoyable, though, and a pleasure to read.

I really enjoyed the first in this series, at the time I needed a change of genre and it was the perfect escapism book. This is just as good, easy to read, quick paced and likeable characters.

I enjoyed catching up with all the people connected with Hope Hall, along with some new ones. It is a nice, gentle reminder of life in a village and how everyone is there for each other.

Having enjoyed the previous book about Hope Hall I was pleased to be offered the opportunity to read this follow up. The Grown ups Lunch Club members were an amusing bunch but the highlight was the stories around the foundation stone and the time capsule. Plus Maggue’s cakes of course.

It’s a nice easy read with interesting characters. What I liked was this was about a village community linked into the hall

I received an advance copy of, Summer's Out at Hope Hall. I thought this was book had to much going on. I could not get in to it.