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.

This is a lovely enjoyable read. I was totally invested in the characters and loved reading about the blooming relationships. Nella meets Nick when she has a car accident and he helps her. He offers her a job as his assistant in a holiday village in the Cotswolds. We meet an array of characters, Lizzie the actress , Matthew the widow , Cami the ghost writer to name a few. I loved the relationships and stories each one had to offer and it was fun to guess who was going to end up with who. What I like most about this book and what is typical of Jill Mansells books is the brilliant characterisation and the warmth of the story . It was a joy to read and made me smile and such a perfect ending. It’s a story of friendship, family , relationships and love.

This was filled with amazing characters that I absolutely loved. even the 'bad' characters redeemed themselves and turned into such likeable characters. A perfect summer read

I've not had a chance to read one of Jill Mansell's latest books (despite being a huge fan a long, long time ago) so An Almost Perfect Summer was a treat to dive into. I was a bit wary of a summer read in January but it didn't give holiday or summery vibes at all, despite being set in the Cotswolds and the characters working at a holiday letting company! Not one to binge read, this would make the perfect book to take on holiday and sit by the pool with. Comforting, familiar and perfect for fans of Carmen Reid, Veronica Henry, and Chrissie Manby.

I love a Jill Mansell novel and this one is a winner!
The story is based in the fictional village of Starbourne, where Nella is employed as a concierge for some high-end holiday homes. The plot follows the guests, workers and villagers as their lives converge, sparks fly and they fall in love. This is a feel-good read, as you watch the characters overcome barriers and allow themselves to grasp happiness. I really enjoyed the setting and the well written characters - who feel like they could be friends.
A thoroughly enjoyable story, I wanted it all to work out!

I’s been a while since I’ve read a Jill Mansell book, but this one reminded me of what a great author she is. The plot features an array of characters all living in an idyllic community, but the focus is on the developing relationships between Nick and Nellie, who we meet first, as well as Lizzie and Matt. It’s a wonderfully relaxing and engrossing read and by the end I felt very connected to all the characters. I’m so pleased to have rediscovered Jill’s books and will now be digging out my old copies of earlier books for a reread!

Locking horns over the last bunch of roses in the farm shop might not have been the best introduction, even if Nick’s looks made Nella’s heart flutter – but he soon proves he’s one of the good guys when she finds herself in need of help while taking those flowers to her grandfather’s grave. But she’s only in the Cotswolds village of Starbourne – her former home – for a short visit, returning North to her job as right hand woman to an entrepreneur who treats and pays her well. But when he leaves her in the lurch and she finds herself less than happy working at a hotel, she remembers that Nick was trying to fill a similar role at his luxury holiday development – and, as luck would have it, the person he’d found to fill it had just left under something of a cloud. They’re a couple who are meant to be together (and, seeing things from both their viewpoints, they both know it) – but that would only make their working relationship difficult.

The other main character is Lizzie, a Hollywood star who desperately needs to escape the spotlight for a while – but having rented one of Nick’s luxury holiday retreats, finds it difficult both to relax and to fill her time. With Nella’s support, she grasps the opportunities to forge friendships in the village – although there is one resident she thinks will never warm to her – and writing her autobiography with a ghost writer fills the gaps in her days. Her attraction to Nick might cause some problems though – and just as Bella was starting to think that they should maybe give things a try.

But this book is very much an ensemble piece, with a number of unfolding storylines – all beautifully intertwined – and a collection of wonderfully drawn characters who entirely won my heart. Some of their stories were emotional, others’ experiences were rage inducing, others were extremely funny – and there’s a strong thread of humour throughout – but I became entirely caught up in their lives, and honestly loved every moment. There are a few surprises too – while some people are just as awful as you expect them to be, there are times when it’s good to be reminded that you really shouldn’t judge people by appearances. Every single storyline has an entirely satisfying ending – quite a feat, but something the author always does so very well. And alongside all the various dramas, new starts and secrets uncovered, there’s plenty of romance too – perfectly handled, and all I wanted it to be.

It really was such an enjoyable read – an escape from life’s realities, immersive and effortless to read, and so very uplifting with its moments of joy and many friendships. I really think this might be her best book yet – I really loved it.

I love Jill Mansell books and this is no different. So fast paced, loads of likeable characters and even some not so nice but redeemable qualities.
The storylines are stitched together seamlessly and I honestly cannot fault anything at all. These are perfect cozy reads in the winter and perfect beach reads in the summer. I can easily devour one of these in a couple of hours without realising.
All these characters have very different backgrounds and it’s so interesting seeing how the come together so well. 10/10
🌟🌟🌟🌟

Release Date - 16th January 2025

Review: I can’t believe another year has passed and it’s time to read Jill Mansell’s latest book again. It is always a highlight to look forward to in the time after the Christmas celebrations are over. This new book is set in the Cotswolds, a lovely part of England, and features a development of luxury holiday homes that sound absolutely fabulous.

Among the many characters in this story, two women take centre stage. The first is Nella, who we meet as she is visiting the village of Starbourne, where she spent her childhood living with her grandfather. Following a nasty accident, she meets Nick, owner of luxury holiday accommodation in the village, who is looking for a concierge to run the complex. Although being attracted to Nick and eminently qualified for the job, Nella decides that she is happy in her current position and the two part company. However, when her situation unexpectedly changes, she later takes on the concierge job and moves back to the village. The other central female character is Lizzie, an English actress currently living in Los Angeles. When her latest film is completed, she decides to take a few months off and books into one of Nick’s houses in Starbourne while writing her autobiography. As Lizzie is settling into the village, she encounters a few of the locals, one of whom is widower Matthew. Unfortunately, their relationship starts off badly, but all that changes when a secret gets out and an unbelievable coincidence is revealed.

Oh my goodness what a lot happened in this book and what an amazing cast of interesting, well-developed characters. There was romance, drama, friendships renewed and new friendships formed galore; certainly never a dull moment for the protagonists or the reader. I loved the idea of the luxury development where there was someone on call to source any requirements, and in such a lovely country setting. As you can probably tell, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and do not hesitate to recommend it. This feel-good story can’t fail to dispel any post-Christmas blues.

I have been reading Jill Mansell books since she started writing and she has never put a foot wrong. If anything she gets better with every book. The characters especially Nella and Nick are so likeable the setting of the holiday homes make me want to visit and I was very interested that she has stayed somewhere similar. Just a fantastic read that I finished in one sitting will recommend to everyone

Another fabulous story from Jill
Beautiful characters each with their own story. Love seeing all the personalities and how their lives cross over. Just a joy to read

When Nella loses her job unexpectedly, she is immediately offered another one back in the Cotswalds village she grew up in. It's a great opportunity, the only catch being that her would be boss Nick is one of the most attractive men Nella has ever met. Whilst Nella battles her attraction to Nick, Lizzie, a Hollywood actress looking for a quiet escape, is finding herself drawn to the local residents. Maybe escape isn't what she was looking for after all.

I've not read anything by Jill Mansell before, but this book caught my eye on NetGalley and seemed like it would be a great feel good escapism sort of read. It did not let me down.

I was drawn in to the characters of the book immediately. Nella is warm and instantly likeable, and I loved that she doesn't fall in to the stereotypes that you often see in romance novels. She is incredibly capable, happy with her life and not desperately looking for a relationship.
The supporting characters are also very endearing (barring a couple that aren't meant to be), and again most of them don't hit those stereotype boxes. There's too many to mention them all individually, but as a collective they are the glue that holds this book together.

In terms of the plot, I was pleasantly surprised. I had some idea of how things would go, and expected the book to follow through a lot of the usual tropes that we see with romance novels. It didn't though, and whilst my thoughts on how things would end up weren't far wrong, the journey to get there wasn't at all what I had expected. It's a lighthearted plot, with a lot of feel good moments. Whilst the story does touch on a couple of deeper topics, they are mentioned in passing and so don't impact the tone of the novel. Finally whilst this is clearly a romance novel, it feels like the story focuses more on what is going on in the characters' lives with the romance bubbling away in the background, which is just how I like it.

I enjoyed reading this. It was a perfect book to be reading whilst easing back in to the normal routine after the Christmas period, and I found it refreshing to read a book in this genre that didn't feel like it was following a familiar format.
I'll definitely be looking into Mansell's back catalogue.

Thanks to NetGalley and Headline for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of this one and I was delighted as I love this author’s work. I thought summer vibes in the middle of January would hit the spot and whilst it was a lovely book I may have missed the summer element slightly. I loved Nella and the other characters once I got to know them, there are quite a few so it took a little while to work out who was who but it had a real heartwarming effect the way they all came together. Set in what sounds like a stunning location in the Cotswolds it definitely makes you want to be fully involved in everything these characters get up to.

Jill Mansell can always be relied on to produce a book that is more than just a straightforward romance. There are so many peripheral characters in this book and their stories are even more interesting than those of Nick and Nella. I particularly loved the story around Lizzie and bad tempered Matt, a man who seems to disapprove of everything she does. This book actually has several stories going on and I loved the way they all interacted. Definitely what I have come to expect from this great author.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

A lovely, easy to read, feel good story with a cast of (mostly) likeable characters.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

The most fantastic read! Nothing almost about it, this is perfect escapism! The writing and characterisation makes you want to be in Starbourne, to know the characters and be part of their lives. This book is so difficult to put down and so easy to loose yourself in. Romantic writing at its best. Amazing!

Thank you Netgalley

I absolutely loved An Almost Perfect Summer. There was no settling in period, the characters grabbed me from the first page and I didn’t want to put it down.

Nella is buying flowers for her Grandpa’s grave when she bumps into Nick, who is also reaching for the same bunch of orange roses, the last one in the shop. The next time she sees him, he’s sitting in her car telling her not to move after a car accident. Nella lives miles away and when she heads home, she puts Nick from her mind. But when she loses her job, Nick offers her a new position at his luxury retreat in the Cotswolds and Nella finds herself dealing with demanding celebrities, parties and millionaires, all whilst living in the cottage next door to him.

The book has a big cast of characters with an actress, a nightclub owner, a cleaner saving to study physics, a social media influencer, a ghost writer and a cute dog. I loved the connections between them and the unexpected histories that brought a wonderful depth to the story.

With plenty of characters to fall in love with, an idyllic setting and a lovely village feel, An Almost Perfect Summer had me hooked. If you’re looking for a feel good romance with lots of characters to fall in love with, I definitely recommend it.

An Almost Perfect Summer is classic Jill Mansell and I absolutely loved it. There's heroines, heroes, scoundrels and celebrities galore plus plenty of will-they-won't-they! Nella is facing a turning point in her life when her boss abruptly flees the country and leaves her out of a job. In steps Nick, the handsome property entrepreneur who lives in Nella's childhood village and offers her a job. There's also Lizzie, a Hollywood actress in need of some rest and relaxation, and Cami, who is Lizzie's heavily pregnant ghostwriter.

Along the way, there are trials and tribulations for all three ladies as well as some whopping secrets uncovered. It all makes for a brilliant read, which is the perfect escape from the winter blues.