It is always a joy to sit down with a new Sarah Morgan book, she is easily one of my favourite authors and can do no wrong in my eyes.

And this was another completely fabulous standalone novel, set on Cape Cod and featuring multiple generations of the same family.

I absolutely loved all the various storylines running through this book, there is elements of mystery and intrigue, in addition to romance, family bonding and secrets being discovered.

Once I got to grips with who was who, I absolutely adored this book, and the friendship that develops between Cecelia and Lily is lovely to see.

This was a fabulous poolside read and I loved every word of it.

Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily

I love Sarah’s books. They are always full of laughter, love and feel good vibes. This is a summery treat!

The Summer Swap by Sarah Morgan

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and HQ and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Cecilia Lapthorne always vowed she’d never go back to Dune Cottage. So no one is more surprised than Cecilia to find herself escaping her own seventieth birthday party to return to the remote but beautiful cottage on Cape Cod—a place filled with memories. Some are good—especially memories of the early days with her husband, volatile artist Cameron, before his fame eclipsed their marriage. But then there are the memories she has revealed to no one. Especially not her daughter, Kristen, who hero-worshipped her father.

For aspiring artist Lily, Dune Cottage has been a refuge, albeit an illicit one. After dropping out of medical school, she’s cleaning houses on the Cape to get by, guilt-ridden for disappointing her parents. Unoccupied for years, the cottage seemed the perfect place to hide away and lick her wounds—until Cecilia unexpectedly arrives. Despite an awkward beginning, Lily accepts Cecilia’s invitation to stay on as her guest, and a flicker of kinship ignites.

Then Cecilia’s grandson, Todd—and Lily’s unrequited crush—shows up, sending a shock wave through their unlikely friendship. Will it inspire Lily to find the courage to live the life she wants? Can Cecilia finally let go of the past to find a new future? Because as surely as the tide erases past footprints, this summer is offering both Cecilia and Lily the chance to swap old dreams for new…

My Opinion

I always enjoy reading a Sarah Morgan book and this was no exception. With three characters to follow there is a lot to keep the reader entertained. I read this book in one sitting, it was such an easy read. The Summer Swap was a great book about second chances.

Rating 4/5

Another super summer smash from Sarah Morgan! I enjoyed this book as I have all her others. Lily and Celia are such good characters, heartwarming and emotional.

A nice, easy read, about friendship, romance and life. I enjoyed it!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for review.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Always look forward to a Sarah Morgan novel!

Cecilia 75th birthday celebrations were not what she wanted so she runs away to her beach house she hasn’t been to in years, where she meets Lily who has been staying in her unoccupied cottage and they form an unlikely friendship, until Cecilia’s grandson, Todd (also Lily’s unrequited crush) arrives on the scene.

Set in a beautiful house on the beach, family secrets are uncovered and the past catches up with them and they come to terms with it and learn to start living again.

An emotional rollercoaster with a HEA!

What can you say about Sarah Morgan’s books? As always this was beautifully written and easy to read. I completed this book in one sitting!

A slightly more serious story than I’m used to from Sarah Morgan but no less beautiful, well put together as always with characters who draw you in and are so relatable , I did feel it was missing a bit of humour than normal, but I still loved it

I always love Sarah’s stories!! A story of friendship and love. It was honestly a joy to read.

Perfect to take on your summer vacation.

The Summer Swap by Sarah Morgan is a delightful contemporary novel and just perfect for a summer read. It is a fun, light-hearted read that is juxta-posed with some serious themes.
The are two major themes – one of those is grief. Grief looks different for different people. No two grief journeys are the same. Each person must work through their own journey at their own pace. “You can’t rush a grieving person… and fix it. The best you can do is be there for them.” We walk our grief path alone and appreciate our loved ones supporting us by simply being there.
The path of grief is not linear. There are bumps in the road and hills and valleys. “Grief is a slippery beast… just when you think you’re doing okay, it trips you up.” One day life will feel better.
We see a life lived in the shadow of a husband. Following his death, a widow must “discover who she was without Cameron.” Now is the time to go on a journey of re-discovery but “she didn’t have to pretend she was fine.” It is a learning curve, learning to live again.
In the other lead character, we see the second major theme – that of making your own life choices and not choosing a path to simply please your parents. “You can’t live your life for your parents… You have to make your own choices.” Parental pressure has been huge. “You can’t live your life trying to please your parents.” The parent’s idea of success is linked to financial reward. For their daughter, success is pursuing a passion and realizing a dream. “What they felt was right and what she felt was right were two different things.”
Though separated by forty plus years, we witness a link between the two lead females. They have much in common, from living to please others to running away to find themselves.
The reader and the characters are treated to fresh air, sun, sea and sand in Cape Cod. There is freedom to be had in beautiful isolation.
All the characters are wonderfully warm and welcoming. Their interactions are a pure delight. The reader feels at home in their company.
The Summer Swap is a book that will make you smile and feel good.
I want to leave you with my favourite quote:
”A friendship isn’t measured by time, it’s measured by depth of feeling.”
I received a free copy. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

When Cecilia’s 75th birthday celebrations take an unexpected turn she runs away to Dune Cottage on the Cape, where she finds struggling artist Lily who has been camping out in the seemingly abandoned seaside house.

This was a nice easy bit of escapism, told from the perspectives of three different generations, all with their own struggles and secrets.
Would make an ideal poolside read if you’re looking for a sweet romance, although the characters were well written it didn’t feel like a great deal really happened and I must say I was a bit confused by the title?

I'm soooo disappointed as this book just didn't do it fof me - and I usually love a Sarah Morgan book! I didn't like any of the characters much and really wasn't invested in the storyline - the ending also seemed to be far too neatly wrapped up? Not for me this time!

I absolutely love all books by Sarah Morgan and The Summer Swap was just as fantastic. Read in one sitting I devoured it. This book follows the story of three very different women who although at different stages of their lives all have something in common. Looking forward to Sarah’s next book as I know I will love it too.

A lovely book about finding your place in the world and how being yourself is the secret to a happy life. Well told with plenty of scenes that are relatable to different age groups.

I always enjoy Sarah Morgan’s novels, and I did enjoy this one, I just found it to be very far fetched compared with her other novels. A nice easy holiday read though, a safe bet and one I would recommend as a light read.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Another great read from Sarah.

Things take a turn when Cecilia finds herself escaping her 75th birthday party and escaping to Cape Cod a place she swore she would never return to. When she arrives she discovers Lily the cleaner is staying in the cottage that Cecilia is escapes to. They become unexpected friends.

Can Cecilia let go of the past and find a new future?

Can Lily find the courage to live as she wants to?

This was a simple, fun, easy and quick read. The perfect type of book for your holiday, beach, pool kind of read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.

Another amazing read from Sarah Morgan. Im a massive fan of her books and this one was definitely one of my favourites. a really unique storyline and such loveable characters

Sarah Morgan never fails to deliver, whether it be a nice, cosy read by the fire in winter or a read on the beach in the summer. This time we take a trip to the sea, where Lily is taking the time to find the real her. Unbeknown to Lily, she is cleaning her close friend's grandmothers cottage. Left with nowhere to live she sleeps in the empty cottage and seeks comfort in her art. The two women come face to face, and find a comfort in each other as they both deal with the difficulties in their life that has led them to the crossroads they are at. A story of family dramas, secrets and searching for that happiness with a touch of love. Can Lily find what she is looking for?

A fabulous summer book about a family whose different members are facing major changes in their life and having to make some big decisions.
I really enjoyed this book and absolutely devoured it.
A perfect book to enjoy this summer.