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

Perfect Escapism..
The latest feel good, uplifting novel from Jill Mansell does not disappoint. A glorious cast of well drawn and credible characters populate a pacy, warmth filled plot with plenty of surprises along the way in a well imagined setting. Romance is lightly woven through insightful character development and interaction with a keen eye and a smattering of intrigue completes the picture. Perfect escapism.

Jill Mansell always provides her loyal readers with fun, entertaining and engaging reads and this latest story, An Almost Perfect Summer, is no different. It’s packed full of characters and different ongoing storylines. I saw another review comparing it in a way to Love Actually and to be honest that wouldn’t be too far from a good description of it.

Set in a Cotswolds village, the descriptions of which were stunning, the story follows Ella and Nick and although they start out being the main characters, a whole host of other people join them and slowly lots of different storylines merge into one. I will admit to feeling slightly overwhelmed with the number of characters and trying to keep track of who was who and what was going on with them. But around the midway point, I found myself settling more into the pacing and plot of the book. I began to see connections emerging and I enjoyed trying to figure out how things would eventually pan out.

Nella and Nick first bump into each other in the local shop in the small village of Starbourne as Nella is trying to buy a bunch of flowers for her grandfather’s grave. Following an incident with Nella’s car leads Nick coming to her rescue and from that moment on a small spark is ignited but whether it turns into a roaring fire remains to be seen. Nella now lives in Manchester but had lived with her grandfather after her mother had passed away. She knows the residents there well and is very familiar with the area and all its quirks and eccentricities. After all in a small village everyone knows everyone else’s business no matter how much you try to keep things under wraps. Nella is a fixer, she loves solving other problems no matter how big or small and she brings this trait to her job working for nightclub owner Tommy. She keeps him on the straight and narrow but despite how good she is at her job she finds herself let go after Tommy gets into a bit of trouble. I kept thinking why were certain characters mentioned so much or those that I deemed to be lesser characters give airtime a such but I was surprised to discover further on that really every character was relevant and had their own little storyline. Yes, there were a lot of sub/mini plots but I found they all added to the charm of the overall story.

Through one way and another Nella ends back in Starbourne and working for Nick and the rental company he runs. There are several properties in the village which he rents out and Nella is now there as concierge to cater to every whim of the guests. It’s through this that we get to know some of the guests and the locals and come to know how they start to interact with each other. Here is where the specific focus shifted away from Nella and Nick and this was great because it meant the usual format of a book in this genre wasn’t being followed. The regular romance tropes weren’t apparent and it was brilliant that it wasn’t so clear cut as to who was going to end up with who or if indeed anyone at all.

As previously mentioned, a bevy of characters were introduced and all had different problems and personalities. Lizzie is a Hollywood actress who rents a house for several months from Nick. She is exhausted and completely worn out and just needs some time away from the bright lights of Tinseltown to rest and relax and decide her next move. Is she keen to continue on with her movies or is she ready to call time on things? As the months stretch ahead of her with no schedule to stick to will Starbourne offer the solitude she craves or will her kind and caring nature her see get stuck into the heart of things wanting to do good for others whenever she can? After all that’s what she realises she gets a kick out of, helping others because she has the ability to do so. Coming to the village might just be the best decision she has ever made. This compassionate and caring nature that she possesses is highlighted when she gives Cami, the ghost writer for her biography, a place to stay in her hour of need. I won’t go into details re Cami’s situation but I loved her as a character and was desperately hoping she would get the happy ending that she deserved. Well really every character that came into play I knew that I wanted the to end up with someone but finding the right person and reading about the obstacles they must overcome is half the enjoyment of the story.

Maeve is a young girl working at cleaning out the rental homes before going to college in the Autumn. Matthew is her Dad and they are still grieving the loss of the their mother and wife respectively. Again two great additions to the story and I was delighted to see that Maeve wasn’t treated like a baby and actually had a good solid and serious storyline and the way she handles things shows she is far mature than her age would suggest. Hugo and Tristan Peverell are the sons of the local estate owners. Hugo is down to earth and just a lovely all round character where as Tristan is an obnoxious, hideous man who prefers speeding around in his car causing havoc and drinking and partying with his friends. Dane Cruise is a celebrity artist renting another house of Nicks and has his assistant Billy to help. Again with this two I questioned their inclusion but Jill had things plotted out very well and was utilising her characters to great effect. The same could be said for Esme, who works in the local bar, and Jed another nightclub owner connected to Tommy. Why were they there but this was like one giant chess board with constantly shifting pieces and I just had to be patient and all would be revealed over one perfect summer as the title suggest.

Although not my favourite book by Jill Mansell, I mean there are so many to choose from if you’ve been with her from the very beginning and read them all which I have, I did still very much enjoy An Almost Perfect Sumer. It was the perfect antidote to the slew of Christmas books that I had read and a nice way to ease me into my January reading. You’ll get easily wrapped up in the charming and inviting writing. Observing the residents of the Cotswolds village for one summer provided me with a sense of escapism as you become hooked on the secrets and the romance unfolding. Overall a delightful read that everyone will find something to enjoy and take from.

A good solid uplifting, multi-romance, with a few interesting twists and turns but overall felt a bit formulaic.

Nella takes a job in the Cotswalds as a concierge for high-end "bnb" properties and instantly has a connection with her gorgeous boss. Clearly she needs to resist Nick's charms and focus on her job which keeps her very busy due to the crazy demands of all these high-end guests. Including a Hollywood star desperately in need of down time.

The author is clearly skilled and accomplished and can write cute, crazy characters in her sleep. The boxes were all checked but it felt like something was missing. Tick cute and charming characters, tick gorgeous location, tick Hollywood glamour, tick mystery and big reveal, tick forbidden romance, tick multiple sub-plots with similar romantic outcomes. So what is not to love? For me, something was missing to make this novel memorable and special, but I still enjoyed it and its satisfying conclusion.