An absolutely delightful summer read. By Heidi Swain. I love all of Heidi's books and this one is no exception. I always look forward to them coming out. So was eagerly awaiting this one.

We all know that feeling when you love reading and you find a book that completely captures your heart, changes your world and becomes a comfort blanket to you. Well what would you do if you could go and visit that place where the book was written and set. Wouldn't that just be amazing!!

Well that is just what is happened to Emily and Rachel. Who set out on an epic adventure to spend six whole weeks in the cottage where the film adaptation was located. They were planning to go with their friend Tori but then her dad basically grounds a fully grown up woman and she is no longer able to go. It's touch and go if they will be able to afford it. But the place is a bucket list item and everything is weighing on them being able to go and spend time in this cottage. With the cottage being a must do for so many people there is a waiting list so they are able to enlist someone from the list to take toris place. However they are shocked when they discover that Alex is a man and not a woman And things are thrown into a little bit of turmoil. But things always have a way of working out in the end and what was once thought of as a problem could be the best thing to ever happen.

I couldn't put this book down. What a wonderful premise for a story. The Lakeside retreat sounded idyllic. I loved the characters Lori, Emily and Rachel. It was quite a surprise when Alex arrived at the cottage to share for the 6 weeks break. They were all followers of the film/book Hope Falls. I loved how the characters secrets slowly unfolded and how they resolved them. This was a wonderfully heartwarming read full of surprises, love and secrets.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for approving me for an ARC of this book.

I am a huge Heidi Swain fan and was so excited to hear of a stand alone title from this amazing Author.

Three friends minus one make their way to Hope Falls a film and book location to stay for six weeks, staying with them is a total stranger but a huge fan.

What a great, fab, delightful read this was I could really picture myself at these fab locations and sitting along at the lake.

I really loved this and really looking foward to more stand alone from Heidi in the future.

It took me ages to warm to Emily’s character as she went from being a sulky child to an insecure person with moments of being nice , however that doesn’t distract from what was an enjoyable escapism for as long as it took me to read it, the scenes and imagery that Heidi Swain painted with her words were beautiful and in some ways imagining the places made me want to visit even though they are fictional. A delightful and warm hearted read.

Oh, what a beauty of a book!
A tale of three friends off on a much dreamed-of holiday to the cottage where their favourite book and movie was set and filmed.
Only things are never that simple.
With one dropping out, one in a controlling relationship, and one not knowing where her life is leading, this trip takes on a different meaning.
As I read it, I kept thinking of Mama Mia and how three old friends take a holiday to reminisce about their youth and a similar vacation.
I know these ladies are younger, but Em, Rachel and Tori go on a real personal journey as they navigate this trip of a lifetime. And meeting Alex and Connor along the way makes for an even more interesting ride.
I loved the characters, the setting, and the concept. Heck, I want to go on a holiday like this, too!
I flew through this book, and almost wish I hadn't read it so fast!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC.

I’ve loved Heidi Swain’s previous books however this was brilliantly different in that it’s in a new location with totally new characters and such an original storyline. Em, Rachel and Tori and friends who share a love of a book and are on the cusp of going on their long planned holiday to stay at the cottage where the film version of the book was recorded when one of them finds themself unable to go so Alex, a last minute replacement, is found by the cottage owner to take her place. All of the characters had things they wanted to work through such as personal or relationship issues and career dilemmas and they were well covered, for me though the most remarkable thing about this was that you could totally believe the book was real and they were revisiting the film sites it’s that well written. I’ve loved this fresh approach from Heidi Swain and it made a brilliant change.

This is a brilliant story. Three close friends going to stay in a film location they all loved . One of them had to drop out and a stranger joined them who was not what they expected. You had secrets, career changes, creepy controlling boyfriends, A brilliant pub landlord and a very good shop keeper. . It was a great read and you loved all the characters .

I’m giving this first stand alone book by Heidi Swain a standing ovation!
Such an interesting story with fascinating characters, who all have emotional or complex backstories that are shared in an intriguing way.
I loved the concept of experiencing a favourite book by living in the house where the movie adaptation was set ( I love watching movies that have been adapted from books) and I really wanted to visit the places so beautifully described in the Lake District. Some of the scenes captured my imagination of how it would be to stay there and the exciting experience of living out scenes from a favourite and well loved book.
Fantastic characters, who you could easily imagine being friends with, it was riveting to see them embrace their opportunities to find themselves and make important decisions about their futures. And it was lovely to see special connections being made too.
Such a gorgeous book that was incredibly entertaining and uplifting to read. A fantastic retreat for Heidi’s book loving fans!

I absolutely adored The Book-Lovers Retreat by Heidi Swain. Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for my early arc.

As soon as I knew this book was on NetGalley I downloaded and started reading straight away. I was so excited by the title, blurb and gorgeous cover, despite that fact that Heidi is also one of my go to authors I would still pick up this book. This is by far Heidi's best book to date and I don't say that lightly, as all her books are brilliant to read!

We all have that one book that we love unconditionally, read again and again and again! Watch the film when is produced over and over again! Well this is that book for me. Not only is the plot actually about that but The Book-Lovers Retreat is going to me my go to re-read!

I adore the main characters Em, Rachel, Tori and of course handsome Alex. They all have backstories that bring them together and that are similar to the characters from their favourite story Hope Falls. The Lake District setting for this book is beautiful and I could picture myself in the cosy cottage, walking through the charming village or sitting down by the lake. My favourite scene has to be the moonlight trip onto the lake.

The Book-Lovers Retreat is by far my favourite book of the year and my paperback, when I get my hands on one, will become my dog eared favourite re-read.