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

What I wouldn’t give to run away to the Cotswolds right now. There are some amazing characters in this story, some of whom you will absolutely fall for, and some that you will most certainly not. Nella is certainly the character you need in your life, she would have me ship shape and right as everything in no time. Nella made me smile through this story, but she wants the only one. Lizzie surprised me, usually characters like her are just window dressing, but in all honesty, she was sublime, she has some real depth to her and will surprise you by how much you care for her by the end. Young Maeve was another surprise for me, she seemed like such a minor player, just there to clean up the messes, but she comes into her own and shows us what a creative young lady she is.

This book had interlinking stories about love. People who go from enemies to lovers. Humour, drama and romance, this was a fantastic book. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

No matter how bad your mood is, Jill Mansell will always make it better. She always pulls a brilliant story out of a bag, just like that. Yes, the stories are perhaps light - hearted and not too demanding, but there is always depth to them and they're a real joy to read - and it was the same with "An Almost Perfect Summer".
There were many characters in this story but all of them were deeply developed and their backgrounds were perfectly explored. All of them had their own story that I enjoyed whole - heartedly and all of them weave together seamlessly. I was a bit sceptic about some of them, asking myself if it was really necessary to introduce them to this story, but in the end it all really played out so well together.

Sure, some of the book's aspects were predictable and well, when you read a Jill Mansell book you know there is going to be a happy end, but the whole joy is simply reading the book, as the author has such a great way with words, is a funny story - teller and her stories are never the same. Truly lovely, heart - warming read with great moments that I totally enjoyed - just what I expected!

Can this author put a foot wrong? I don’t think so! Nothing quite like reading one of her books, it’s like coming home. I absolutely love the way all the characters all weave through other books and you get to revisit them and see what they’re up to. I absolutely loved reading this book, and would happily read it over and over. Please keep writing more unputdownable books!

Loved loved loved this book! Was such a feel good book with fantastic characters that you just fell in love with! Highly recommend!

Thank you for the opportunity for an early read.

I’ve enjoyed reading Jill’s books for many years and I’m pleased to say that this one is another perfect uplifting read.

Loved the Nella and Nick chemistry. Great characters, a village I want to move to, dogs, secrets, and ghost writers. Loved how the story flowed - it was a much needed ‘hug in a book’.

Another 5 star read from Jill.

Loved it! Every year I look forward to reading a new Jill Mansell book and this one was a joy to read. I can't wait for this to come out and for y'all to lose your minds. if you had doubts about preordering, don't. you're going to want to read this one. I raced through it this weekend. Such a smart author who knows how to write such delightful characters.

Another brilliant book from Jill Mansell which I just didn’t want to end.
The story is set in the Cotswolds and starts when Nella ends up in hospital after a car crash and is helped by handsome Nick. However as the story progresses we are introduced to a lovely group of characters whose lives become entwined.
There is plenty of romance but it also shows the strength of family and friendship in this cosy heartwarming read.
Thanks to Netgalley, Jill Mansell and Headline for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I have read lots of Jill Mansell’s books and loved them all and this was no exception. A great storyline that I couldnt read quick enough. The characters are all likeable and I read the entire book with a smile on my face, it’s just such a wonderful read. Can’t wait for the next book.

I was absolutely thrilled to be approved for this ARC of one of my favourite authors.

Jill Mansell has pulled another fantastic read out the bag!

Set in the beautiful Cotswolds we follow the journey of Nella who has lost her job and Lizzie who is taking time out from LA.

What a wonderful story with a great bunch of characters, one book I'd highly recommend.

This was a brilliant brilliant read. Love it . You follow lots of great characters in a Cotswold village and in Manchester . You have lots of different love elements. Famous people being normal, Wealthy people being terrible, the pregnant part will get you . I am struggling to write a review to do this fabulous book justice without spoiling the plot. You will love it. Read it. Jill Mansell at her best

Every year I look forward to reading a new Jill Mansell book - this was no exception, what a great read!

Nella visiting the Cotswold from her demanding job in Manchester finds herself in an unexpected accident landing in hospital and meeting Nick with his charm despite the off foot meeting over flowers.

Unexpectedly on return to Manchester, Nella loses her job and finds herself back where it all began in the Cotswolds working for Nick taking care of his rentals.

Lizzie, a famous actress finds solitude and a well needed break in Pine Lodge one of Nicks rentals. Nella and Nicks team tend to her needs, we learn that this break is not what Lizzie needed at all and encounters many of the village making new friendships and relationships.
Whilst taking a break, Cami (author) meets regularly with Lizzie to write her autobiography discovering much of her past and forming a new relationship.

The relationship, friendships and bonds created in An Almost Perfect Summer didn’t all set out with the ‘perfect start’
This was such a great read once again by Jill Mansell.

Thank you for NetGalley and Headline Review for an ARC!