The Book-Lovers' Retreat by Heidi Swain is an absolute delight, earning a sparkling five stars for being the perfect summer getaway read!

This charming novel follows friends Emily, Rachel, and Tori, who are ecstatic to spend a summer at Lakeside, the cottage where their favourite book, *Hope Falls*, was filmed. It's a dream come true, offering them the chance to reevaluate their life choices and soak in the magic of their beloved story's setting. Emily grapples with her career path, Rachel considers moving in with her partner Jeremy, and when Tori has to drop out, an unexpected guest, Alex, joins the retreat.

What ensues is a delightful mix of surprises, personal growth, and evolving friendships. Swain masterfully captures the essence of summer with her vivid descriptions, making you feel like you're right there with the characters. The addition of Alex adds an intriguing twist, and the group's dynamic shift is both heartwarming and engaging.

The novel beautifully explores themes of self-discovery, love, and the transformative power of fiction. It's a joy to see the characters find their future selves and form deeper connections amidst the idyllic backdrop of Lakeside.

The Book-Lovers' Retreat is a fun, uplifting read that perfectly blends humour, heart, and a dash of romance. It's a must-read for anyone looking to escape into a story that feels like a warm hug. Heidi Swain has crafted a gem that will leave you smiling long after you've turned the last page.

An enjoyable journey that three book reading fans have been looking forward to for many years. They paid their deposit some time ago and were looking forward to seeing all the places featured in their favourite book/film. Fate has a different idea and they end up with far more than they bargained for. Such an enjoyable read.

I loved this book. I have to say I always love her books but this is not part of the normal series. But it was the perfect book for a book lover. I loved all the characters Emily, Rachel and tori and of course Alex who joins them who is not what they are expecting. And as for Jeremy the annoying boyfriend I'm glad he does not appear a huge amount. I would love a second book to see what happens next.

Fabulous read! A departure from the authors other reads, this is a more intense read but the setting and premise is fantastic! The idyllic cottage is amazing with the cosy community vibe alongside the ability to live the life detailed in the characters favourite book. I couldn’t help but wonder which of my favourite books I could choose to live out! A really enjoyable, feel good read!

Highly recommended. Thank you Netgalley

Apologies for the delay in this review, i have been battling ill health.

Great story, lovely setting, enjoyed the charcters and the story very much. I thought it flowed really well and it was a really good read.

This right word for this book is cosy. It's sweet, not bad or mean person. There's a group of friend, some important decision and a changes.
A sweet and compelling story that I thoroughly enjoyed
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I’ve been a fan of Heidi Swain since I discovered The Cherry Tree Cafe, and have eagerly snapped up all her previous offerings. When this; her first stand alone novel was gifted to me I was very excited however it left me feeling a little flat. Now I wasn’t expecting any great thrills or major plot twists. You know what you are getting with Heidi Swain. There is a wholesome, nostalgic, feel good vibe to her books. This time however; I just felt a bit bored, everyone was just too nice and it was just too predictably sweet. Maybe I have just ran my course with this author and need something different. I have given it a three star rating, as I think a lot of people will still like it but it was not for me.

Fans of the novel and film Hope Falls love to book into the cottage used in the film and then recreate some of the pivotal scenes from the film.
Best friends Rachel, Emily and Tori have been on the waiting list for the cottage for years, but this year they are going to stay there for the whole summer. Sometimes the best laid plans have a habit of not turning out as expected.
I really enjoyed this book, filled with life changing decisions, true friendship and of course a touch of romance. I did have a bit of trouble with the character Emily, I know she had some big decisions to make, but she did dilly dally and seemed to purposely get hold of the wrong end of the stick.
A fun book to enjoy especially if you are in the Lake District.

As a keen fan of Heidi’s books I was really looking forward to this, even though it was a standalone novel I still had the same level of anticipation as when I pick up one of her series books. I have to say that I did keep thinking about some of the characters from Wynbridge etc during the book and wondered if they would pop up but this stopped about a third of the way through once I got properly involved in this new setting.

There was quite a focus on a regency novel which formed the basis of the storyline and the cottage that the girls were staying in, it gave me bridgerton vibes (although I’ve never seen/read that so I could be imagining wildly here). The fact of the lake being so close and the little boat was really cute and it definitely sprang of the countryside and being almost in the middle of nowhere. It also reminded me of that scene in PS I Love You where they’re all on the boat….

I did love their little escapes to the local village with everyone’s favourite shop keeper and Connor, the loveliest pub landlord. It just gave the book the sense of community and really made me feel like there could be visits back to the village in the future if the opportunity ever arose.

There was also romance (of course!) but I’m not going to say too much about it as I think you need to work that one out for yourself!

I felt like this was different to Heidi’s previous books but I still enjoyed it, I think we’ve just got a bit spoilt with Gemma and everyone else - although I can’t wait to return for Christmas again!!!

Thank you netgalley & publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book follows three book loving friends who have spent years reading, watching the film and loving a particular book. When the opportunity comes to stay in the house the book is set in for the summer holidays, the girls have to grab it. Will they be able to reinact the scenes in the film for themselves and will everything go to plan as they had hoped? I heartily recommend you read this book to find out.

I really enjoyed this slow burn romance. There were no explicit scenes, and if there was any explicit language, it was very sparse as I can’t remember any, so it’d make a good read for all ages. The story was lovely and it was nice seeing the changes and decisions in each character. My only wish was the author had added an epilogue to show how they’d gotten on with the results of their decisions, as it would’ve made the story more well rounded. That being said I’d still recommend it

Though, the storyline was simple enough; but this book was a love letter to all the book lovers out there and I couldn’t seem to put it down unlesss I was done with it. I was hooked and I very much loved and enjoyed it.

What a wonderful pair of stories Heidi Swain has created. For not only has she written this book, because it is set around the love of a book called Hope Falls that was also a movie, she has had to have at least a pretty good knowledge of this whole other fictional book.

As I started reading I thought I was missing out on never having heard of Hope Falls and thus not really getting some of the references, but then I slowly came to the realisation (after checking google etc..) that it was clearly fictional, and that the author is a genius!

By the end of this I felt I had a pretty good idea about the plot of Hope Falls and how it mirrors what our actual main characters are going through

And it really is a summer retreat for the book lovers, well of this book, and set in a picturesque Lake District setting, it was simply gorgeous.

I loved getting to know Em, Rachel, Alex, and Tori over the course of this book, as well as all the lovely locations. Everyone has things to figure out in their lives, and are using the summer to make big decisions - be it in their personal or professional lives.

I was enchanted by this story and didn't want it to end, it was so incredibly enjoyable. And I would have loved to have spent time with the friends in their cottage for the summer - although some of their activities I would have perhaps been far more keen to pass on.

Utterly lovely how an obsession over a film or book can lead to having a perfectly themed summer holiday. Just fabulous.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

A lovely book. Sorry it took me so long to give feedback. Have been giving it a shout-out on social media.

3.5 stars.

Whilst I enjoyed this book it wasn’t my favourite by this author unfortunately. For some reason it just seemed different and I couldn’t fully relate with the characters or get fully invested in the storyline.

It seemed to repeat a lot about the film and book they’re all obsessed with and at some points it got a little boring. I also found their friendships a little hard to believe because they always seem to be snapping at one another.

It’s such a shame because I love every single one of Heidi’s books, but unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me.

I adored this, the storyline was fantastic and really engaging, the characters were fabulous and I wanted to be friends with them all and the setting was perfect. Super sweet romance and just what I needed.

An easy to read, heart warming story about 3 friends who set off for a stay in the movie location of their favourite book. At the last minute their friend, Tori, is unable to join them so they find a replacement in Alex….who turns out to be not what they expected. Their stay ends up being eventful and also life changing for all of them.

Em, Rachel and Tori are about to take a holiday they have been waiting for for many years. They are going to stay where a film of their favourite book was filmed ‘Hope Falls’ bought them together and they are going to relive the film in this stunning place. So when Tori can’t go at the last minute the girls worry they won’t be able to go so when they find Alex who also wants to stay at Hope Falls Em and Rachelare relieved they’ll still be able to go. Each with their own reason to go can they find the answers in this special place. With a few disasters and surprises they start to find answers to their many questions, a great book from Heidi Swain who writes such likeable characters that you really want their lives to turn out well.

I absolutely loved this book. I am a huge fan of Heidi Swain's books and The Book-Lovers’ Retreat is her first standalone book. The first of many, I hope!

We are taken to the very picturesque Lakeside, on a retreat which takes all the characters on a journey that they will never forget and one which will change their lives and future in a completely different way, that they could never have imagined.

Emily, Tori and Rachel are huge huge fans of the film Hope Falls and have watched the film and read the book so many times. They book a long Summer break to stay in the exact cottage where the film was filmed in Lakeside. This is the absolute perfect holiday for them all where they can relax and take time out in the place where their family film is set!

Sadly, one of the friends has to pull out of the holiday which leaves the other two in a very difficult position because they cannot afford to go on the retreat unless all three go and they are also without any transport.

Due to the popularity of the Hope Falls retreat, they are thrown a lifeline! There is such a long waiting list to stay, that they are put in touch with Alex who would take Tia's place which meant they could then go on the trip they have been waiting to go on. Communication prior to meeting each other was done only by email and text.

The setting is so idyllic! The way Lakeside is described, the rooms in the house, the lake and the nearby pub and village shop - I felt like I was one of the friends, enjoying the retreat! I did laugh when they visited the village shop, and they came back with what they wanted but so much more!

We see so deeply into the lives of Emily, Tori, Rachel and Alex. We are shown their personalities, their vulnerabilities and the complexities of their homelife, their friendships and relationships.

The development of all the characters was incredible - reassessing their lives, their futures and what they really wanted out of life. The friendship that they all had was just wonderful and they all just wanted the best for each other. At times, it was very tough and their best intentions did not always come across as intended, but the love and solid friendships they all have was just so lovely. Friends for life. Making huge decisions, and changes to their lives was not easy, but with each other by their side, they can achieve anything, and have hope for the future.

As well as a wonderful novel, this book will also make you think. It is a very emotional read, with tears and laughter throughout. Loved it!

I really enjoyed The Book Lover's retreat and now I think we all need to go to Lakeside to sit and read and chat about Heidi Swain's wonderful book. I look forward to reading more standalone books by Heidi Swain - such a talented author.

Thank you very much for my advanced copy. This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

I have read every Heidi Swain book so far and I must say this one is most definitely my favourite so far!

This is the perfect story for any book lover as its the story of three friends who decide to spend a whole summer in a cottage where their favourite book has been based. A chance to decide what they want to do with their lives and reevaluate.

I loved most of the characters (not all) but absolutely adored the setting and the gorgeous story that unfolded.

Perfection!