
Member Reviews

Best Summer Ever By Heidi Swain
Published By Simon & Schuster
Publication Date 24th April 2025
Blurb
Summer is in full swing when Daisy drives back into Wynmouth in her almost-clapped-out car, having left both her most recent job and the man her parents thought she was going to marry. Coming home could be just what she needs to move her life on.
At Wynbrook Manor, things are in disarray. Owner Algy isn’t getting any younger, and Daisy’s mum Janet, housekeeper at the manor, spends her days running around after him, while Daisy’s dad Robin, the gardener, has been let down by the person he had lined up to take care of the new cut-flower garden.
As Daisy tries to find her place at Wynbrook and in the village, she’s drawn to summer visitor Josh. But when he turns out to be not the person he appears to be, will the spark between them fizzle out? And with it, the chances of this turning into the best summer ever?
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I was lucky enough to be given an ARC copy of this book & once again, Heidi has delivered a delightful, feel-good read with "Best Summer Ever."
Heidi excels at creating vivid & inviting settings, & Wynmouth is no exception. The descriptions of Wynbrook Manor & the surrounding coastal scenery truly transport you to a picturesque summer location. This allows the reader to really feel like they are there within the pages of the book which is filled with a warm, summery atmosphere that's perfect for relaxing & unwinding.
Daisy's journey of self-discovery is relatable & engaging. She's a character that many readers will connect with as she navigates life changes & finds her place.
The supporting characters, particularly those at Wynbrook Manor, add depth & charm & the story contains a nice amount of intrigue, which keeps the reader engaged.
"Best Summer Ever" lives up to its title, offering a lighthearted & uplifting reading experience.
It's a perfect choice for fans of contemporary romance & feel-good fiction.
Heidi Swain's writing style is easy to enjoy, making this a great book for a relaxing summer read, providing a very nice escape from everyday life & leaves you with a smile!
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Set in Wynmouth Norfolk, Dairy returns home to her parents... her relationship with Jonathan is over (after catching him in the office with one of the new members of staff), her job was hopeless so she walked out on both!
Daisy stops off at the Pub and is hired as a barmaid for the summer, she meets up with Josh an American who is staying at the cottage next door.
This book uncovers many secrets, broken family relationships, unknown love between friends and unrealised dreams.
A great book and easy summer read.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster UK and Netgalley for an ERC.

Heidi Swain is a go to summer author for me and this latest trip to Wynmouth did not disappoint.
We follow Daisy who has come back to Wynmouth and her parent house after leaving both her job and her boyfriend.
I enjoyed meeting new characters and seeing them interact with those we have met in earlier books.
A perfect easy summer read.

A glorious summer read, that is the perfect country escape! Characters that feel like friends, and are ready to wrap you in a warm hug, whenever you pick up the book and continue reading. It makes you want to visit Wynbrook manor and pick cut flowers and your own fruit to enjoy! A perfect read this summer!

Heidi Swain’s A Summer to Remember is a heartwarming and charming escape to the idyllic coastal village of Wynmouth. With her trademark warmth and evocative storytelling, Swain invites readers to bask in the joys of summer, surrounded by flowers, fresh beginnings, and the promise of romance.
The story centers on Daisy, who returns to Wynmouth after leaving both her latest job and a relationship that never quite fit. Back at home, she finds Wynbrook Manor in a state of disarray. Her parents, who work as the housekeeper and gardener at the manor, are stretched thin. Daisy steps in to help, particularly with the newly established cut-flower garden, where her love for nature and growing things begins to bloom alongside her confidence.
Daisy’s journey of self-discovery is beautifully woven into the fabric of village life, with vibrant and memorable characters at every turn. Her budding romance with Josh brings both a spark of excitement and a hint of mystery, as not everything about him is as it seems. Swain masterfully balances this intrigue with the warmth and coziness of small-town dynamics, where secrets unfold gently amidst summer picnics and garden blooms.
What sets A Summer to Remember apart is its ability to make you feel as though you’ve been transported into the story. The manor and its gardens are described so vividly that you can almost smell the flowers and hear the hum of bees. The novel touches on themes of family, forgiveness, and finding one's path, making it not only an uplifting read but also one with a lovely depth.
For anyone looking to lose themselves in a feel-good romance with a picturesque backdrop, this book is a perfect pick. With its blend of sunny days, second chances, and sweet surprises, A Summer to Remember is as refreshing and delightful as a seaside breeze.

I have read all of Heidi Swains previous novels and I'm sad to say that I may have run my course with this author, as the last few I havent enjoyed as much as the earlier ones. This one I pretty much knew from page two what was going to happen and whilst you dont expect shocks from Swain it was all a bit too predicatable. I also found that I really didnt like some of the characters. Daisy the main character was a very immature 28 year old, her parents were interfering and her best friend Penny was a closet mean girl! I liked the setting of Wymouth and all the garden references were very picturesque. All in all this is a nice story but I think I have read this many times over from Swain now.

Heidi Swain's "Best Summer Ever" promised a sun-drenched escape, and while I'm a devoted fan of her cozy Christmas tales, this summer offering fell a little flat. The familiar warmth and charm were present, but the story lacked the spark that usually captivates me. While the setting was idyllic and the characters likeable enough, the plot felt predictable and the emotional depth I've come to expect was missing. Ultimately, it didn't quite deliver the same level of enjoyment as her festive novels.

A lovely addition to the Wynmouth series, I enjoyed getting to spend a summer at the estate and meeting a new lot of characters whilst also being reunited with familiar faces.
Overall I'd give this book 3.75 stars. It's a great beach read, and I loved my time back in this world. I'd definitely recommend this book to fans of Heidi Swain's other series, and for those who love Jill Mansell or Lucy Diamond.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the e-arc, in exchange for an honest review.

Another great read from Heidi Swain.
Daisy returns home to Wynmouth after a failed relationship and another failed job - she just can't settle. Her parents are very disappointed, but Daisy throws herself into village life. When she meets American backpacker Josh, she realises a summer fling may be just what she needs. Will Daisy and Josh have the best summer ever?
I really loved the characters of Algy and Penny, and seeing Luna progress was so sweet! I will admit that I struggled to warm to Daisy's parents - although their attitudes were explained, I couldn't relate to their treatment of their daughter.
A fabulous summer must-read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the characters particularly Daisy, Josh and Algy. Their back stories were extremely interesting and it was good to follow their background stories before they met to the time their paths crossed. I very supportive and loving family and friends in Wynmouth. The manor sounded like a wonderful place to both live and work especially if you love gardening. A real page turner.

Another lovely read from Heidi Swain. When Daisy realises her relationship with Laurence is over she has no option but to go back to her parents in Wynmouth where she immediately runs into a stranger named Josh but he isn't who she thinks he is as he is hiding his real reason fir being there, Her parents work at Wynbrook manor but things are not going well as owner Algy is getting older and it needs more care and attention but with her love of gardening which she has never been encouraged to use can she help get it back to its former glory days and where does zzJosh fit into all this. Full of warmth and charm and lovely characters you immediately warm to its a beautiful read.

Thank you for my earc. Unfortunately I didn’t finish this book because I couldn’t get on with the writing style. Every sentence felt twice as long as it needed to be and it left me frustrated

If you're looking for a feel good, light summer read, then you won't go wrong with a Heidi Swain story, and Best Summer Ever is a great choice.
Daisy is back home after a breakup with her cheating partner. She's looking forward to a chance to reset her batteries, but not looking forward to the grilling she'll get from her parents, having lost yet another job, and now the boyfriend they thought was the bees knees.
Before even getting home, she encounters Josh, a rather hot American tourist, several times in increasingly embarrassing situations as she reaches the Norfolk village of Wynmouth, near her childhood home.
What follows is a series of events that eventually brings Daisy back to the job she always dreamed of, but was advised against, as well as a summer fling that may be so much more.
Wynbrook Manor, the only home Daisy has ever known, is wonderfully picturesque. Its owner, Algy, is a wonderful character. He is Daisy's surrogate grandfather, who only wants the best for her and hides his own grief.
Daisy has a wonderful cast of side characters of her childhood friends, too, who help to carry the story along, as well as a little drama of their own to add a little more flavour.
There are (not so) little secrets that all come together to a very satisfying ending,
And I cannot forget little Luna the cat who has her own starring role!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for an ARC.

I love, love, love Heidi Swain’s books. They are feel good stories set in idyllic locations; I was absolutely dreaming of summer in the north Norfolk coast. The characters are so well written with just a touch of jeopardy that has you rooting for them the whole time. I loved the addition of the cut flower garden as there isn’t anything else that represents a British summer better.

Another fantastic book by Heidi Swain.
The protagonist in this story is likeably unlikable - she starts off very selfish and not considering the feelings of her friends and family, putting herself first. The story is set in Wynbridge - first seen in The Secret Seaside Escape - and, as ever with Heidi's books, we get cameos from previous, much loved characters.
I loved all of the characters in this book, and loved how Heidi tied up all the loose ends. Fantastic book - can't wait for the next one.

As the title suggests this is a real feel good summer read. Set on the Norfolk coast this light hearted romance features a couple of villains as well as family secrets, dreams come true, and some delightful characters, and not forgetting a charming little black cat.
Perfect reading either for grey days or summer holidays

I am very much a fan of this author and have read and own all her books so, when the opportunity arose to read an advanced copy of her latest book - Best Summer Ever , how could I resist. This is probably one of my favourite Heidi Swain books to date because as well as the main story, which revolves around Daisy, there are lots of little sub stories too- a possible romance between her best friends Nick and Penny, the search for the stray kitten (Luna) , Penny's summer adventure etc. I won't say much more because I do not want to give away too much.
This is the second time that a book has been set in Wynmouth village and I truly hope it will not be the last I did guess one of the surprises but, Heidi had expertly left a trail of clues. However, there were still lots of other twists which made this an absolute page turner and I literally read it in two days.
I loved the setting of Wynmouth manor and the beautiful descriptions of the flower gardens. The characters felt very rounded with both flaws and humour and the fact that Daisy is still struggling with some of her life choices at 28 is honest and real.
Please Heidi write a sequel to this one as I really want to know how the agreed new plans impact the manor, the village and these wonderful new characters you have introduced your readers to.

Great book. Ended it wanting more! I love this author’s writing style and this book doesn’t disappoint. I have no negative comments at all! Highly recommended

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for this ARC.
Daisy, 28, is returning to her hometown of Wynmouth, Norfolk after having left her materialistic boyfriend Laurence. Her parents live and work on the Wynbrook Manor Estate for owner Algy who has always been somewhat of a grandfather to Daisy.
Daisy takes a job in the pub working for Sam from the previous book The Secret Seaside Escape while she mulls over what she really wants to do. Her parents aren't too happy about her turning up without Laurence, and they don't like it at first when she falls in insta-love with Josh, an American tourist. But is Josh all he seems?
I liked the community that always help each other out, with Sam, Tess, Nick and Penny always on hand. Daisy starts out as a petulant child and is treated as thus by her exasperated parents, but they have no right to interfere in her relationship with Laurence. Algy and Josh are lovely but could be less secretive.
This is a good description of a warm summer with a lot of swimming and outdoor eating, picking fruit and tending flowers. All this doesn't distract from the fact though that this is a fairly formulaic and predictable story - cosy but forgettable. It's feel-good, clean and light-hearted - regular readers of Heidi Swain will appreciate knowing exactly what they are going to get.
3.5 stars

I read Heidi Swain’s latest novel over 2 days as it’ is very difficult to put down this charming book.
When Daisy returns home for the Summer after leaving her cheating boyfriend, little does she know what is in store for her.. Throw in gardens, friends, the beach and a handsome stranger and she will have the best summer ever.
Romance, escapism, community and friendship make Heidi Swain’s books such a pleasure to read and Best Summer ever is no exception.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.