What a beautiful story! From the initial meeting between Nella and Nick, to the introduction of many interesting characters, I was hooked and needed to know their stories - I read it in two days!

Set in the Cotswolds, Nella finds herself working for Nick, as a concierge for his exclusive rental properties. Lizzie, a famous British actor living in LA, decides she needs a break, and books one of the properties. From this point on, the cast of characters perfectly interweaves, with beautiful relationships and friendships formed. A truly lovely book.

An absolute heart warming book.

I just love reading Jill Mansells. They are engaging, well written and always leave a warm feeling inside.

A great story, with likeable characters (except one or two) and actual laugh out loud moments

Perfect escapism on a cold winters evening.

Jill Mansell is one of my favourite authors and I know I’m in for an immersive experience when reading her novels. This new book has great lead characters in Nella, Nick and Lizzie but also fantastic supporting characters which makes interaction between them realistic and interesting. Set in a Cotswold village this is a warm, comforting book which was a joy to read. Highly recommended.

A lovely romantic feel-good story from the wonderful Jill Mansell is exactly what I needed this winter season! As always, the storyline comes together with a satisfying conclusion for all characters!

Fabulous as always. I love Jill Mansell's writing style. Maybe some people will think it twee, all the happy endings in thisbook, but that's what I'm looking for. Loved the village life depicted, loved the main couple (and the other couples), loved the thoughtfulness, the way dogs were clearly members of the family, the way ageing women were depicted (kindly). More please, Jill. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was brilliant. Nella was immediately likeable and I wanted to find out more, so was Nick, but then so was Hugh and Maeve and, and, and… no doubt you’ll feel the same- nearly every singly character that enters the story, be they a main character or not, you immediately like and want to read more about them. Even characters like Tommy and Jed and Esme! Lizzie was a great main plot line side avenue and the autobiography. It was just such a clever book with SO much going on and yet told so brilliantly that you don’t get at all confused by who is who. I’m just writing this and reflecting in awe to be honest, at how brilliant the writing and how much I enjoyed this story about the goings on in the beautiful Cotswold village. Would absolutely recommend!

A lovely heartwarming read. When Nick and Nella's relationship is purely platonic when she decides to go and work for him in the cotswolds where he runs a company which lets out luxury accommodation, there are a number of interesting guests including Lizzie an actress from L A who is having a break while writing her memoirs. It's a really good story which holds your interest as there is so much going on some wonderful characters bought to life by this author it's funny,romantic and charming and a perfect setting for the story. I really enjoyed it

Another best seller from Jill Mansell, I have read almost all her books and each and very one is always guaranteed to be a brilliant read. The characters and the storyline were all wonderful as ever, thoroughly enjoyed it

Every time I pick up a Jill Mansell book I know I am in for a good read.
It's like meeting up with an old friend you haven't seen for a while and catching up over a glass of wine. The characters become friends and you feel their emotions as the story unravels in all it's glory.
So many delightful people but you never lose track of who they are and what they mean to the story.

I love reading a Jill Mansell novel in the winter, she writes warm and cosy novels that are a real comfort at this time of year. An Almost Perfect Summer focuses on the lives of Nick, Nella and Lizzie and is set at Nick’s Cotswold retreat. I loved the setting and the characterisation. The main characters are all likeable and I enjoyed getting to know them and the host of secondary characters.
A romantic and comforting novel that I loved. Recommended for fans of the genre.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Had the pleasure of getting an advance copy of this book, and this is the first time I have read anything by Jill Mansell. An Almost Perfect Summer is a delightful read, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and it made me have have butterflies, and even after finishing the book, I found myself wanting to go back to certain chapters to reread certain parts.

I love it how you are initially drawn towards Nella and Nick who you are initially introduced to and think that the majority of the story will be about them, but as the story progresses, you are introduced to Lizzie, Matthew, Hugo, Cami, Maeve, Jed and Esme, all of them wonderful characters in their own right and with their own back story.

Also the characters interaction between each other was fantastic, enjoyable and I loved it that they all looked out for each other when needing help when various circumstance arose. Of course there is the hint of romance as the story unfolds, and it was enjoyable to see how certain characters realise their feelings towards each other, how they eventually declared this to their respective person 🥰

The side stories that also came up throughout, were unexpected, in a good way, and took the story in a slightly different direction, which kept you intrigued as to where it could lead you next.

Most books I read are based in other parts of the World, so it is always nice to read something based in the UK, particularly Manchester and the nearby towns, which I regularly frequent and also the Cotswolds, which is also an area I have visited a number of times over the years.

❤️Slow Burn
❤️Work Colleagues
❤️Multiple Couples
❤️Found Family
❤️Friends to Lovers
❤️Close Proximity
❤️Actress x Regular Guy

Once you begin to read this book, it will take you into your own world and you won't want to put it down.

I was so pleased to be able to review this book for Netgalley. I have read all Jill’s book,She is a fabulous writer and this book did not disappoint. There were lots of great characters and I suppose, in my opinion,the main 2 were Nella and Lizzie who had different lives. Nella was hard working and loved her job helping people. Lizzie was a famous actress who was feeling burnt out. Just a lovely feel good book where everyone mostly gets along. I just loved how everyone fitted into each others lives seemlessly,a few little bumps along the way but that’s to be expected. Nella had a car accident and Nick helped her,couldn’t forget her and she ends up working as a concierge for him. They dance around each others feelings but say nothing. Lizzie rents a large house where Nella works and is there to relax and write her autobiography. She then finds she is getting bored relaxing,she has her eyes set on Nick but he doesn’t seem interested. So lots of other interesting characteristics,you must read the book,you will love it. I didn’t want it to end and it lends itself to a follow up because of all the other characters

A lovely read - a gentle enjoyable rom-com.

Set in the Cotswolds, the story centres around Nella, Nick and Lizzie. Lizzie is taking a break from her LA career in films - burnt out and needing time away. Nella - recently lost her job - is employed as the concierge at the complex Lizzie takes refuge in. Nick runs the company who owns the complex scoring an 8 out of 10 the first time Nella meets him!

There are a host of secondary characters to get a know with several love stories in the middle!

Just a lovely switch off - read in one sitting - very happily.

Mansell is one of my favourite authors and I always love getting stuck into her latest offering in the cold Winter months. This read is a complete joy from start to finish and was filled with laughs and love. The setting, as always, is a tranquil, idyllic setting that I enjoyed immersing myself in. Mansell's characters are likeable, realistic and really bring the plot to life. As always, Mansell weaves the characters together and I enjoyed guessing who would end up connected with each other.
Overall this book was a complete joy to read and I am sad to have finished it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for an advance copy.

Nella meets Nick whilst visiting her grandads grave in the Village of Starbourne, he makes a big impression but she goes back to the Manchester where she works for her good friend and club impresario Tommy. Nick can't forget Nella and also the advice she gave him to get a concierge to support the guests in his luxury holiday homes, shame she won't do it. Lizzie is a big Hollywood actress who is close to burnout. She is browsing the web looking at the idyllic uk villages and decides to book a retreat from the madness. We follow Lizzie as she discovers rural life and makes friends along the way. Another engrossing and enjoyable story from Jill Mansell.

I’ve read many of Jill Mansell’s books over the years and as always this book did not disappoint!

Nella has returned to the village of Starbourne where she spent time with her Grandpa whilst she was growing up. Whilst there she has a car accident and ends up being taken to A&E by Nick, the good looking stranger she had met in the village store. Nella is drawn towards Nick however they live hundreds of miles apart. That is until Nella loses her job in Manchester and Nick offers her a job at a luxury holiday retreat that he runs.

Will Nella and Nick keep things strictly professional whilst she is working there?

This is a great book not only following Nella and Nick’s story but also several other villagers and tourists including Hollywood star Lizzie. As always with a Jill Mansell book this is well written, draws you in from the beginning and leaves you wanting the best for the characters.

Definitely a book I’d recommend and is due to be released on 16th January 2025.

Thank you NetGalley and @headlinebooks for the advanced reader copy.

A n almost perfect summer - definitely perfect reading. Romances in the Cotswolds, full of feel good factors. Loved it. Jill Mansell never fails to please.

I really, really enjoyed this book!

Nella finds herself jobless and unsure of what she's doing when the perfect job in a village that means a lot to her lands on her lap. Meanwhile Lizzie has tired of her life in LA and needs a drastic change.

The characters are great; they're well developed and likeable. There's just the right amount of everyday interspersed with luxury lifestyle that it's a great escapist read. The story flows seamlessly and really envelopes you.

It's an easy read, doesn't matter what time of year you read it and one I'll probably revisit! If you like Mandela's other works, you'll enjoy this.

Jill Mansell is the queen of romance and ensembles you are rooting for all the way through.
Nella and Nick cross paths unexpectedly on a fleeting visit for Nella to the Cotswolds. A few months later, and a change in circumstances, and Nella ends up working for Nick and desperately trying to ignore the growing feelings she has
This was such a feel good story.
Another fantastic story

I have read so many books by this author and love her books but for some reasons this one didn't. Unfortunately I only got a few pages into the story and felt it far fetched and creepy when the guy followed her before she crashed her car and he stayed with her whilst in hospital, but then when they went out for a meal she started to persuade him to give a strange a lift somewhere? Didn't get it sorry