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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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 .

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.