Member Reviews

A lovely book with the most beautiful descriptive scenery, I want to jump into the book and have a holiday on the island. Loved reading about Lily, her adventure sounds amazing. A lovely summer read. A 4.5 star read.

Lily runs a business and doesn’t know how to take a break, her assistant books astray at a remote island after her fainting at work. She’s not happy though, no Wi-Fi, a resort that’s not really finished, but the cooking and talent is good.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

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Another great book by Phillipa Ashley. Love the setting on the Scilly Islands and a perfect summer read.
The story is about Lily who is a driven entrepreneur refusing to acknowledge her need for a break. Sam is an islander seemingly unable to move on from a broken relationship. 'Will they, won't they' scenario.

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Pure escapism set in a beautiful part of the country-the Scilly Isles. Lily’s life revolves around her work so when she arrives on the Isles finds slowing down not in her remit, but things are about to change!

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I visited the Isles of Scilly a few years ago and really loved it but never had the chance to return so this novel was the next best thing. The descriptions of the islands were well written and gave the sense of being there in what is a remote but beautiful part of the country. It’s a great summer read with a good pace and well written characters who I cared about. I have read quite a few books by this author and she never disappoints.
It’s a great holiday read.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Lily Harper is a workaholic and high-achiever with her own company, that promotes hand-made products, and little time for herself and for her family. After passing out in her own office and urged by her personal assistant and her brother-in-law, Lily decides that maybe it’s time to take a break so she books a two-week stay in a resort on the Scilly Islands. Except, where she expected luxury, massages, and time to make the occasional phone and video call for work, she finds a work in progress. The cottage where she will be staying is the only one finished and the only person working at the resort is the grumpy yet handsome owner, Sam Teague. With no phone signal or internet on the island there is no way she is going to survive, yet alone relax, for two weeks. Except, as she spends time drawing the beautiful Cornish landscape and helping Sam decorate the cottages, she finds herself finally relaxing, and Sam may not be as grumpy and unapproachable as she initially thought.

Second Chance Summer is my first Phillipa Ashley novel and what initially attracted me to it is the setting. Cornwall is at the top of my bucket list of places to visit and I love reading about it in novels and the author’s beautiful and detailed descriptions only increased my desire to visit it (and probably stay there forever!). While the setting was my favourite part of the novel, I also really enjoyed the story and the characters. There is romance, of course, but also friendship, family, self-discovery and new beginnings, with also a touch of intrigue thanks to ghost legends and threatening messages. Lily and Sam are two wonderful and well-developed characters, both with past experiences that still torment them. The two weeks they spend together forces not only to face their problems, but also the attraction they feel for each other.

Second Chance Summer is a well-written, heart-warming, and entertaining novel and it introduces me to an author whose past (and future) books I am already planning to read!

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Set on the beautiful Scilly Isles, Second Chance Summer features Lily, who is forced to slow down from her usual workaholic lifestyle. As soon as she arrives on the island, Lily begins to question her old lifestyle, and whether it's the right path for her. But is her new situation right for her either? Especially when dealing with retreat owner Sam, who doesn't have much in the way of bedside manner!

Second Chance Summer is a great Phillipa Ashley read, perfect for transporting you away to the scenic Scilly Isles!

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We met Lily who is a workaholic. She is ordered to take a break from work and who is struggling with grief. She finds herself having to adjust to a slower pace of life. Imagine having to focus on your faults. Beautiful descriptions as always .

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Absolutely loved this book. Lily takes a retreat to Stark on the Scillies...and hates it and the owner of the retreat from the start. Add to that a very sullen Morven and Lily doesn't want to stay any longer than she has to..she can't wait to get back to her business Lily Loves.
A scary moment with a fast incoming tide and a closer encounter with Sam begins to change all that and Lily finds herself falling in love with the island.
Thoroughly enjoyable read., well drawn characters and a warm hearted story line made this a very pleasant escape. Loved it. Highly recommend.

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Have never read anything by this author before and requested it just because it sounded interesting. I wasn’t disappointed. Really enjoyed it, definitely would read more from Phillipa Ashley

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DNF’ed at 20%. I unfortunately couldn’t connect with the characters and didn’t enjoy the writing style. Sam kept being referred to as grumpy, and he never seemed that grumpy? If anything, Lily was the grumpy one and I just didn’t find it enjoyable or engaging.

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Nice easy book to read set in a lovely setting on the Isles of Scilly, Likeable characters, and a great storyline, nice and quick easy holiday romace read. Recommended.

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Lily is having a tough time she is slowly burning out at work after her sister has passed away. Her PA decides to book her a holiday. Sam is juggling a niece and building a retreat. Lilly doesn’t really want a break and is meet with a stormy Isles of Scilly. As someone who has spent a lot of time in Cornwall really enjoying reading book set in Cornwall and the isle of Scilly has been on my bucket list. The descriptions of the islands really bring it to life. You feel a part of the island when reading it. This book was really enjoyable. The book was a slow burn romance . A 4.5 stars. Highly recommend
Thank to Phillipa Ashley , the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

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This is a lighthearted, enjoyable read that would be perfect to read on the beach or around the pool this summer.

The descriptions of Scilly are stunning and Phillipa Ashley definitely is selling a visit to the islands! The character development is also great throughout the book and I loved getting to know Lily and Sam. I enjoyed the ‘will they, won’t they?’ element to the story.

This book was also reflective and made me think about how important a work-life balance is and what the real priorities are in life in order to be happy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the advanced copy of this book.

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I loved this book. I have always wanted to visit the Scilly Isles and this book was just such a joy at a time when I am recovering from an operation. It was a lovely setting for what I can only is a true escapist read. There is sunshine, secrets and a great community spirit, an ideal book for a holiday read. Phillipa's books never disappoint me and I always feel like I know the characters in every story. This was just what I needed at a time when I am unable to travel and life is not how I planned this year. Thank you for a great read and I look forward to the next one.

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Great book - really enjoyed it! Unfortunately, I haven’t been very well over the past few days but that gave me the perfect excuse to not put this down…!! Great location in which to set a story (one that is on my Bucket List and even more so now!), really good characters (I loved them all!) and a fab plot (sounds like an idyllic place to go to completely unwind). Great escapism and would make a really good beach read.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review which is what I have given.

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Yet another fantastic read from Phillipa Ashley. This time on the Isles of Scilly. With stunning descriptions it made me think I was there and after reading this book I now want to visit. A great storyline as usual with wonderful characters in a story I did not want to put down. I was hooked from start to finish. This is a great summer read not to be missed.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review. It was sheer delight.

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This is a new direction for Phillipa Ashley, the Schilles Isles and Stark Island, her fictitious new site for us to want to travel to!!! Theres even a map in the front page so you can get your bearings!!
The story is about two sad and lonely people coming together, Lily and Sam. Lily is sent there by her friends and colleagues after having a minor collapse. Worried for her health, they decide a few weeks in a retreat would be the best thing. No WiFi, so she would be cut off from all communications, only accessible by boat, to the next island…
She’s horrified about lots of things but the big thing is that it’s only a part finished project, and Sam is the only staff!! He has to take her phone to be disconnected from the internet, but as there’s no connection on Stark Island, it’s just a token gesture! They slowly but surely become friends, there’s a ghost or intruder on the island making life a bit difficult, but the big thing is that Lily starts to relax and enjoy where she is!!
This story has so much substance and great characters who really bring the story alive!! I thoroughly enjoyed it as I always do when it comes to Phillipa Ashley!!
Many thanks to Random House Uk for the opportunity to read this arc copy for review consideration via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley, #RandomHouseUk, #Phillipa.AshleyAuthor.

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Lily takes a break from her online business selling craft work by taking g a retreat on a small island in Scilly Is. When she arrive,s she finds that the resort is half finished, the owner,Sam is a bit grumpy and there is no signal.
Throw in a teenage niece, an wise aunt and the beauty of Scilly and after a shaky start, Lily begins to understand the pull of island life.

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Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Stark.

Lily runs her own business and has been working a lot lately.

When she faints at work, she’s given advice to have a break from the business, and to go away somewhere and relax.

Then her PA makes arrangements for her to go to a retreat, where there is no WI-FI or any means to contact the people away from the island of Scilly or any of the things Lily is used to having.

When Lily reaches the retreat, she’s wanting to leave soon too. But something happens to make her stay longer.

I loved the descriptions of the islands and you could relate to some of the characters.

I highly recommend this book.

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Take me to the Isles of Scilly! The author has done such an amazing job of setting this beautiful book here that I would really love to go.
A great book following Lily who is sent on holiday to the Isles of Scilly following a collapse at work. The story follows her as she tries to relax and gets fully involved in island life. Great read

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