A lovely book that is absolutely perfect for the upcoming summer! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

What a very enjoyable book this was to read. Nothing complicated at all - just a great storyline and characters you readily got into and watch where the storyline took them. An ideal book for the summer holidays or for the winter with a glass of wine!

What a feel-good, wonderful read this was. Set on the beauty that is the Scilly islands, we meet Lily - an overworked city gal who has missed out on so much because she believes she has to do it all, Sam - a hunky islander who wants more, but doesn't know how to get there, and some lovely side characters such as Richie - the PA whos worth his weight in gold, Morven - the grumpy niece, Elspeth - the helpful aunt, and Etienne - the supportive brother in law. All of the characters are created lovingly, and I could see Etienne starring in his own story. Let's go to French Polynesia!
The storyline is fast and fun, there's no dull moments, and the story just floats seamlessly.
It's a lovely read, I could picture being sat by a pool with a cocktail and this book.

This was another fantastic read by Phillipa Ashley. I've read a few of her Christmas books before but this was my first summer one and it wont be my last as it was such a great story, well told!
This story of Lily and Sam is one of letting go of the past, forgiving yourself and discovering what is most important to ourselves for our life to make us truly happy. This had such an interesting arc to the tale with other characters around our main pair and their wants and needs filtering in that even though I knew where I hoped this book would lead our main characters it was still a very interesting journey for them. Seeing them face how they had been living and going after what they want once they figure out what that was made for a really easy to read book that is perfect to throw in your case and take on holiday with you, maybe even to the Scilly Isles!
I guess the main thing with this book is that having turned the last page, I have a happy heart and a yearning to visit those Scilly Isles for myself!

Philippa Ashley provides her trademark pleasant escapism

Close to a burnout, successful online-shopowner Lily reluctantly travels to a small retreat in the remote Scilly Isles. At first, she can‘t wait to get back to work and misses her hectic lifestyle, but soon she falls in love with the island, its people and especially her grumpy host Sam…Likeable protagonists, beautiful landscape and an engaging plot make this an unputdownable and pleasant read.

Lily’s on-line business has been tremendously successful – she’s become a bit of a celebrity in a number of ways (one, involving a reality show, particularly unfortunate), and the interest of a supermarket chain might just move things into a different league. But how about her personal life? That’s something she’s rather neglected – especially her relationship with her young nieces, so important to her after the tragic loss of her sister. And when everything starts to catch up with her and she collapses at her desk, her PA convinces her that she really needs to take a break. And that’s how – after a difficult journey, and not experiencing the warmest welcome – she finds herself on the Isles of Scilly, the first and only guest at a new retreat on one of the smaller islands.

Her host is Sam – a man not without his own challenges, including caring for the difficult teen abandoned by his brother when he left for a new life in America, all while coping with his own broken heart. But he’s determined to make the retreat a success – just one completed cottage for now, and he could perhaps have hoped for a less difficult and demanding first guest than Lily. At first the sparks fly between them, but that “incident” mentioned in the synopsis (particularly dramatic, and so well written – my heart was in my mouth…) rather changes their relationship – and the media interest that follows becomes distinctly uncomfortable, but gives Lily the opportunity to see herself as others see her and re-evaluate what’s important to her.

The characters and their development are really excellent. Lily, hard-edged and driven at the start, softens at the edges and becomes nicely drawn in by the community who enjoy having a celebrity in their midst – and I’d never have expected to find her sharing the cooking and with a paintbrush in her hand, helping Sam complete the renovations. And as for Sam, he’s just gorgeous – not at all the grumpy individual he first appears to be, just keen to get things right and get through his difficult situation. The developing relationship between them was all I wanted it to be – very real, and with the most perfect of emotional touches.

The supporting characters are perfectly drawn too – the teenage niece whose bad behaviour had the most valid of reasons (and so well handled), Sam’s aunt with her warmth and caring, and I had a particularly soft spot for for Lily’s distinctly familiar and recognisable PA who certainly stepped up to the plate when it was most needed. And then there’s the setting, almost another character in the story – quite perfectly drawn, its beauty and remoteness wonderfully captured, somewhere I’ve never been but now firmly on my “must visit” list.

This really was the most perfect summer read – a romance I really enjoyed, the perfect setting, individuals who really won my heart, and a story that both engaged me throughout and warmed my heart. I loved it – you really must add it to your summer reading list.

(Review also copied to Amazon UK, but link not yet available)

Wow, Philippa Ashley has certainly written a marvellous novel. In my eyes, this is by far her best. Never have I wanted to go and visit a destination as Philippas descriptive writing of an idyllic island has made me desperate to visit. Even when the weather is bad, she has made it sound beautiful.

Lily Harper runs her own company. After the devastating death of her sister, she just works and stops seeing friends and family. That us until she is forced, by her loyal employee, to take a holiday, after passing out. He books her into a retreat on the beautiful Scilly Isles. After arriving in terrible weather, she insists she wants to go home. Thank goodness she changes her mind.

Lily had a life changing disaster and makes her realise that she needs to delegate her workload.

The characterisation was marvellous. Totally believable. There is humour also some captivating moments. I didn’t want to finish it.

This is an exceptional novel to take on holiday or read it at home. You will not want to put it down until you have finished reading it.

Thank you Philippa Ashley for being such an amazing author,. I cannot wait for your Christmas novel.

I’ve never been to the Scilly Isles but this book did paint a lovely picture and make me want to go. Lily and Sam are great characters and each of them brings something to the other one that they don’t realise they need. Well written with a story that holds your attention. I loved it.

I have read a lot of Phillipa Ashley's books and really enjoyed this one. I liked this one being set on the Isles of Scilly and that Lily arrived at the Retreat to discover it not finished and she could not contact her office due to lack of phone signal. I look forward to reading more.

🩵💛𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥💛🩵
𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑺𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒚 𝑷𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒂 𝑨𝒔𝒉𝒍𝒆𝒚

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡-𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐬, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬.

𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐦 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭.

𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞, 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.

𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐦, 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞?

Perfect escapism! I thoroughly loved my trip, amongst the pages, to the idyllic Stark on the Isles of Scilly. I found Lily to be very relatable, I have been guilty of burying myself in work too and I found myself routing for her whilst she learns to prioritse the more important things in life, from the beginning.

I read this gloriously heart-warming book whilst away on a much needed solo trip myself, and it made the perfect companion with the stunning setting, endearing characters and unexpected secrets.

Second Chance Summer is a charming, well-written, entertaining, romance full of heart and sunshine. Ideal for a summer read or at any time of year when you feel the need for a blissful escape.

Thank you @randomthingstours and @Centurybooksuk for having me on the tour and gifting me this gorgeous proof copy. Please do check out the other posts 🥰

This is the perfect holiday read! We head to the Scilly Isles with Lily Harper who has begrudgingly agreed to go on a retreat after being told to have a break from her own business before she burns herself out. She isn't keen to go and can't wait to get back to work, especially when she meets the owner of the retreat, Sam and they both get off on the wrong foot. The retreat on the Isle of Stark isn't quite finished, but the location certainly makes up for all her doubts about taking time off.

I loved this book, it has everything you need for a light-hearted, heart-warming romantic read! Lily initially isn't a very likeable character. She's very head-strong and has a bit of a reputation for speaking her mind. However as the story moves on, I began to like her more and more. Sam is a different story!! He's a little grumpy but oh so gorgeous with it!! They both have their issues though, and whilst they don't necessarily see eye to eye to begin with, I love how their friendship blossoms!

The storyline is lovely and moves along at a lovely pace. The location certainly adds that bit of extra sparkle to it and as I read I could imagine the different islands in the area in my view whilst I sat eating and drinking the local produce (it will make you hungry!). There are a couple of little mini storylines for some of the other characters and they fitted in so well with the main theme.

This was such a wonderful, easy to read book and perfect for these summer months! I loved the location, the characters and even the added extra of a craft fair!! What isn't there to like out of all that?! This was the perfect piece of escapism and I was hooked by the end of the first chapter. Fabulous!! Now, where can I book the helicopter!!

Lily is burnt-out, an expression we hear a lot today. She is forced to take some time out, and finds herself as the soft launch guest at a remote retreat on a island just of the Isles of Scilly.

This will be as far as Lily has been from civilisation ever, and she immediately after the horrendous journey and realisation that she is cut off that she should get back to what she sees as reality. But she meets Sam, the owner of the resort and the person who is there to look after her. Something changes in both of them and Lily finds herself, back to where she has always wanted to be, without the corporate shadow permanently hanging over her.

The Isles of Scilly have a magical effect on Lily and draw her out of the corporate rat race and give her time to breathe, to focus on what is important. And if nothing else the book reminds us all that we probably need to do that too.

An excellent read from this author as always, and I felt completely transported away.

The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review it if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to re-read and review if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for a copy of this book.

Great summer read, set in the Scilly Isles (where I've never been either physically or through a book!). Always enjoy a Phillipa Ashley book and this one was no exception.

This was absolutely glorious. The characters were lovely, and so relatable! I loved the story, the romance, and mysticism of Stark. It flowed really beautifully. Lily was a great character to follow and I loved the sound of her business.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

The perfect romance to read down by the pool or on the beach
The descriptions of Scilly are just like a tourist guide, so want to go there on holiday
Loved getting to know the characters Lily and Sam
It’s a lighthearted read but also very reflective - making you think about work-life balance and what is important
Thanks @phillipa,ashleyauthor @penguinbooksuk & @netgalley for the perfect summer read

Another lovely book from Phillipa Ashley and this one is about Lily who is forced to take it slow and so goes off to a retreat on scilly isles. She soon realises there is no wifi and that the owner of the retreat is a very grumpy Sam. As Lily decides to leave she is involved in an incident that changes her perspective on everything so she give it a chance.

Such a gorgeous story and setting It was just pure summery escapism!

Second Chance Summer by Phillipa Ashley

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Random Things Tours and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

From the moment Lily Harper arrives at a remote retreat on the breath-taking Scilly Isles, she is itching to get back to civilisation - and her thriving business. Slowing down simply isn't in her vocabulary, and so she quickly clashes with the gorgeous but dour Sam who runs the retreat. Just as Lily is about to give up and leave, disaster strikes, and she is involved in an incident that changes her perspective on everything. Lily is no longer sure she wants to return to the life she thought she loved. But will she have the courage to give the retreat, and Sam, a second chance?

My Opinion

Phillipa Ashley is a must read author for me - in fact I have just added all of the audiobooks my library have available to my reading list.

There are some fantastic descriptions of the Scilly Isles making it feel like you have joined Lily on her retreat. I read this book in one sitting as it was just so easy to get lost in. Overall I thought that Second Chance Summer was well-written and I can see it being a great holiday read for the summer.

I was drawn in by the cover but stayed for the adventure.

Rating 4/5

A lovely summer read. The beautiful descriptions make you want to visit the island yourself! Lily was a relatable and fun character. I related to her being a workaholic and struggling to stop.

If you take anything from this book, it’s how to slow down and appreciate life.

Another brilliant book from Phillipa Ashley, set on the Scilly Isles, pure escapism at its best. Lily is a workaholic with her own business, extremely driven and unable to take a break. After collapsing at her office and urged on by her assistant, she decides to that it’s time to take a break and books a holiday at a “resort” on the Scilly Isles. Expecting luxury, she arrives to find it’s a work in progress and the only person at the resort is the owner Sam! And the only finished cottage is the one she is staying in ! There is no phone signal or Wi-Fi on the island
How will she survive?
A great storyline, beautifully described location and interesting characters, what’s not to like !
Highly Recommended
Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Random House Uk, and Phillipa Ashley for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review