Good story. Great characters. Got a little bored in the middle but picked up as it went on. Easy to read

Great romantic fiction as I’d expect from this author. Loved the concept, the characters and the setting.

i know when i pick up a book by this author im going to love it, and this did not disappoint!
i couldn’t put it down and i fell in love with the characters and their lives.
it’s a boy meet girl story well actually for more than one couple and the story line will have you hooked!
A cosy fun read to lose yourself in

I really enjoyed getting to know Nella and Nick and all the others in this wonderful story. The setting was beautifully described and the characters will well written. An enjoyable read.

Jill has long been one of my favourite authors. I love her characters who always read like real people and not someone born out of a story. I read this one and finished it but I didn't feel it was as good as the others. I think for me it was quite a few different characters with each having a different relationship. There are usually a couple of main characters who you can get invested in but I think perhaps it was too many people and back stories.

Been reading this ladies books for years
And they never get boring
This one is another great read
With plenty of twists and turns
Thanks NetGalley

A will-they-won’t-they romance with a cast of village oddballs
—
There’s no secret that I love fish-out-of-water village comedies (Northern Exposure, I’m looking at you), and here is one that should tick all the boxes. But there’s just something that I can’t quite put my finger on…

Every romance trope is in here: a city-based working woman returns to the rural idyllic of her youth, only to almost literally fall over the first eligible bachelor and an Aladdin’s cave of obstacles between them. Throw in underworld club owners, miracle babies and an honest-to-goodness Hollywood movie star complete with the sweetest ghostwriter, as well as influencers, fraudsters and artists, and you have an overstuffed froth of a romantic country novel, like Miss Read on steroids.

But there’s a fly in the ointment. A little too much of the plot turns on coincidence (a novel that the star wants to get in front of Hollywood bigwigs happens to be written by another character, even though the physical copy of the novel was in Thailand, not the Cotswolds; the inciting incident was the act of someone we never ever meet and is only discussed at the point where it’s revealed; the miracle baby occurs because a character happens to watch a British game show on American television) when a little more plotting would have made it flow better.

And the other thing: these kinds of books usually come out as summer reads and then winter warmers. How this one got onto the list as a winter book that barely spends any time in the season and then focuses solely on summer for the rest when it was released mid-January, I’ll never know.

A confused four stars.

I've read Jill's books for years and this book did not disapoint (I'd be very surprised if it did). Great characters based in a great place, romance thrown in, you can't really beat it. If you want a guaranteed feel good book Jill Mansell books are the best all rounder. I really enjoyed this one in particular, I couldn't put it down! A great 5* read! Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for an early copy to enjoy.

First page read and hooked in! Nella has a rather unfortunate time of things. She is in the Cotswolds and lands herself in hospital, where she meets Nick. Things look up, he's quite the caring type as he ensures she makes it safely back to Manchester, but she receives the bad news that she's lost her job. Things then look up when Nick takes real interest and gives her a concierge job within his luxury holiday home complex.
Nella's life is a bit like the game unfortunately/fortunately playing out in someone's life and it's written brilliantly. She's easy to be captivated by and want something fabulous to happen for her.

Lizzie is another main character in the plot who crosses paths with Nick. She's sworn off men and is needing somewhere to write a book. She's an intriguing character.
A few others enter the scene who it's also fascinating to find out how their lives develop. There's so much to discover.

An Almost A Perfect Summer is full of friendship, romance and intrigue that captivates until the end. 

An Almost A Perfect Summer is beautifully written with each page drawing you in deeper into the zen of reading.

Nella finds herself out of work and looking for something else, takes herself to the Cotswolds to a set of luxury holiday houses where she is the concierge for this high end complex set in the village of Starbourne. Ironically a place she knows well.

What is even more ironic is that her new boss happens to be the man that after an accident ended up taking her to A & E. Who knew their paths were going to cross again.

As sparks fly between the two of them, whilst they deal with a Hollywood actress, gangsters, ghost writers, the lord of the manor and a village full of quirky residents and passionate locals it seems that for Nick and Nella things are going to be far from perfect!

If it is a Jill Mansell novel you know it is going to be perfect, full of wit, warmth and wonderful characters to admire, adore and antagonise the reader. Add in the wonderful premise and the backdrop of the Cotswolds then it is a perfect escapist read.

Yet another stunning book from Jill, with twists and turns that keeps you continually reading the book to the end. Thank you for the ARC.

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

I always love a Jill Mansell book, she never disappoints. This is no exception with a fabulous cast of characters to get to know.

Thoroughly enjoyed this.

Jill Mansell is one of my favourite writers and her books never disappoint me!

This book begins with us meeting Nella and Nick whose paths cross briefly in a farm shop in the Cotswolds. However, fast forward a few miles up the road and they cross again when Nick becomes Nella’s knight in shining armour after a car accident and even though they don’t know each other he accompanies her to the hospital and stays with her until she feels better before then making sure she gets home safely to Manchester.

Not long after this, Nella finds herself without a job and again Nick comes to the rescue offering Nella a fantastic opportunity working with/for him at his luxurious retreat in the Cotswolds but can Nella do so without falling for Nick?

Lizzie is a famous actress originally from the UK but now living in LA. She is totally exhausted and in need of a break so escapes to the Cotswolds for a much needed vacation. There are quickly sets her sights on Nick but will her feelings be reciprocated?

A thoroughly enjoyable read with loads of other characters for you to meet along the way, all of whom are brought to life by the magic of Jill Mansell.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Book Review: The Cotswold Summer by Jill Mansell

Jill Mansell delivers yet another heartwarming, delightful read in The Cotswold Summer, a perfect blend of romance, humor, and a touch of wisdom that will make readers laugh, swoon, and ultimately feel uplifted. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Cotswolds, this novel follows Nella, a woman trying to navigate the complexities of her feelings while dealing with the twists and turns life throws at her.

Nella's story begins when she meets Nick in an unexpected way — in A&E, of all places. He's funny, charming, and attractive, yet they live hundreds of miles apart. When she loses her job, Nella stumbles across a fantastic opportunity at a Cotswolds holiday retreat — but the catch is that Nick is the boss. Suddenly, the man who makes her laugh and lights up her days is the one she can't risk falling for. But can she keep her feelings in check when the stakes are so high?

As the story progresses, Mansell weaves in another interesting layer with Lizzie, a Hollywood star who is hiding away from the limelight. Lizzie’s journey to find peace and maybe even a romance of her own adds depth to the story, and the chemistry between the characters keeps the pages turning. When Lizzie becomes entangled with both Nick and the reclusive local, Matthew, things get complicated — especially when a secret is revealed that has the potential to change everything.

Mansell’s trademark style shines through with her fully fleshed-out, lovable characters, and the setting of the Cotswolds feels like an idyllic dream that adds just the right amount of charm. The romance is sweet, but it’s the friendships that really steal the show — creating a heartwarming dynamic that readers will easily fall in love with. The plot moves at a perfect pace, balancing humor, tension, and emotion with ease.

For fans of feel-good reads with plenty of heart, The Cotswold Summer is another gem in Jill Mansell’s collection. It's the kind of novel that wraps you in warmth and joy, leaving you with a smile on your face and a full heart.

Rating: 5/5 A delightful, feel-good summer read filled with love, laughter, and a touch of magic. Mansell once again proves why she is the queen of uplifting fiction.

A new Jill Mansell book is always a treat! I looked forward to this book and wasn't disappointed! Brilliant characters, a good storyline and of course very well written. More please!

Another enjoyable book from Jill Mansell, well written characters you can really relate to. Light hearted easy read. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

Jill Mansell pulls it out the bag again!

This time we’re off to the Cotswolds, and the picturesque village of Starbourne. Where most of the residents are friendly and welcoming (and then there’s Tristan).

This story of love, friendship and community is told from various viewpoints and I’d be hard pushed to tell you who was my favourite, as they all brought their own unique personalities to the table.

I thoroughly enjoyed following all their individual experiences and watching their characters grow and develop against the beautiful backdrop of this quaint English village.

Would recommend if you’re looking to be whisked away for a few hours.

I loved this book! As ever a host of kind and lovely characters who make you forget about orange clowns and oligarchs taking over America, and remember that there are some good people in this world!

This story in the main is featured in the Cotswolds, where Nella goes to work for drop dead handsome Nick, running exclusive holiday lets. At the same time, Lizzie, an A list Hollywood superstar, is staying whilst she re-evaluates her life and puts together her biography.

Loved, loved , loved it. the good guys all get their man (or woman), and those who are not so nice always get their come-uppance.

Brilliant descriptions, brilliant characterisation. Another one knocked out of the park from Jill!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, i was hooked from the start, the characters were so well written i wanted to be in their group, I loved where it was set, I really want to visit, cant wait for the next book jill writes

An almost perfect summer is such a feel good, big hearted read that restores your faith in humanity full of kindness, love and compassion.
Human nature can be such a fickle thing but human acts of kindness, generosity and altruism can have such profound life changing effects for both the recipient and the giver, this is so well illustrated in this read,giving the reader a real feel good feeling!
Set in a picturesque Cotswold village full of wonderful characters, a great sense of community and a recently built development of luxury homes for hire, we meet an eclectic mix of characters as they spend a summer together, a summer of forgiveness, realisations, friendship, kindness and romance, a perfect t read for the summer
Thank you NetGalley for this early read