I didn't expect the age discrepancy that's rampant in this book, which threw me off my game as soon as that clicked... Then the pace just didn't seem to pick up, which further lost me along the way. It's a good book for someone looking for a slow, quiet read, but this wasn't what I was after so this one didn't click with me, unfortunately

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

Lovely feel good book to read. It was a joy to read. Lovely characters. Great plot. The book was charming. Very well written. I’d definitely recommend this book

This is a really sweet book. It is the story of a man and a community during a special time of year. An elderly man is found wandering in an Irish coastal town called Derrybegs. He has no memory of who he is or where he is. He has arrived during the town’s most important time of year-the film festival. An array of quirky characters get together to help him and to organise the famous festival. This book is a great depictin of small town, bighearted characters. I found it to be a great read and really got swept up in the fun. This is my first book by Fiona O’Brien and I hope it isn’t the last.

With a film festival as the backdrop, this book was a sweet read. Added to that was an old man with a lost memory and an older actress who was grieving, and a businessman with commitment issues, and the people or Derrybeggs had more trouble they bargained for. The book had humor along with the other emotions that make up real life. The writing was easy to read and easily connectable.

Summer has arrived in Derrybeggs and the biggest event of the year, the annual film festival, is less than a month away. But as plans begin to unravel, tensions mount in the sleepy seaside town.
Newcomer Dot joined the festival committee as a way of fitting in and as the first guests arrive to her newly renovated
beachside B&B - TV star Molly Cusack and businessman Ryan Schindler - Dot becomes more determined than ever
that her move be the fresh start she so desperately needs.

Meanwhile heartbroken Merry has returned home to Derrybeggs and is back working at her parents' café. Everyone in town knows that her dream life in Florida tragically fell apart, but Merry is the only one who knows the whole story...

When an intriguing American visitor turns up at The Seashell Café with no memory of who he is or why he is in Derrybeggs, Dot, Merry and the rest of the town's residents must come together to try to help him. But will they manage to do this while also saving the film festival?

Great writing, great characters and a great storyline. Time to clear your schedule for the afternoon you won’t regret it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was the equivalent of bathing in a warm bath of honey while eating chocolate and sipping champagne, good book in hand. Sheer bliss! I want to meet Charlie (Mac) , Dot and Rob and all the other wonderful characters that inhabit this delicious book. American,"Charlie" finds himself in a small Irish town, having lost his memory of who he is or how he got there. He is soon wrapped in a cocoon of love as the townsfolk try to discover his real identity . He may not know who he is but he hasn't lost his ability to charm, counsel and bewitch everyone with whom he comes into contact . Throw in a movie star, an influencer, a delightful b&b hostess, an assortment of quirky, adorable characters, human and animal and you have a tale that will transport and entrance you . I loved it!-and I would love to revisit this gorgeous corner of Ireland very soon. 5,*

This was a lovely, poignant book with a heartwarming story and lovely setting. Some of the secondary characters probably could have been left out as they didn’t add too much to the story but overall a nice read.

I really enjoyed reading this book, the characters were relatable and the friendships really made you want and wish for a community such as this one.

There is a film festival to enjoy, an influencer life not to envy and many other interesting dynamics.

It's all centred around Charlie and their desire to protect and support him, from this, bonds and love is formed, people face their demons and discover that life is for the taking.

I fully recommend this book. Molly, Ryan, Charlie, Merry, Dot and co.

A heartwarming and poignant story, well written and enjoyable.
I liked the characters and the setting, the plot is well developed.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are mine

An elderly kind American man is found wandering in Derrybeggs with no recollection of who he is during the most important period of the year, the one that foreruns the film festival.
The community gets together to help him and also to organize the festival.
This was a nice read, with enjoyable characters, especially Charlie.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a lovely feel good read.
Set in a fictional town in Ireland called Derrybegs, the characters are portrayed quite vividly and I loved each and everyone of them. After an elderly gentleman arrives in the village with no memory of who he is or where he has come from the locals all pull together to try and find any relatives he might have. Also the village is getting ready to host the annual film festival so it’s all action stations.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC for which I would highly recommend if you are looking for a bit of escapism. I will certainly be reading more by this author.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I really enjoyed this book, had a great storyline and great characters and was such a nice feel good read.

The Summer We Were Friends by Fiona O’Brien was an absolutely wonderful read. As soon as I started to read this book I just knew I would love it. A story set in the fictional town of Derrybegs in Ireland. The storyline was really good and the characters and their development through the book was fantastic. A book I highly recommend,.

A wonderful story about the residents of Derrybeggs, a small town in Ireland as they prepare for their annual film festival. As the plans for the festival begin to go awry, an elderly gentleman appears in their midst with no idea of who he is and where he came from. Can they work together to discover who he is while also keeping their plans for the festival on track?

A great book with a good mix of characters which made for an enjoyable and entertaining read.

I received an advance copy of, The Summer We Were Friends, by Fiona O"Brien. This is an ok book, the setting was beautiful, but the characters were ok.

With thanks to netgalley and hatchet books Ireland and fiona O'brien for an early copy in return for an honest opinion.
Having read a few books by this Fantastically outstanding author before I was absolutely delighted to have an early copy and it certainly did not dissapoint, a tale of Charlie with no memory Dot a blow in who has just renovated a house in Derrybegs and it makes for a focal point in this truly intriguing read will life ever get back to normal I have nothing but praise for this magical read and can highly recommend