One Summer

A very fun short read to read in one sitting. Its a fun romance, I love the writing, especially the awkward POV of the main character Lindy. I recommend this book for anyone who likes fun short romance stories.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions included here are my own.

This is a five-star read that the locals would enjoy. This was my first story by the author and I hope not the last, there were parts that dragged a little and it did go on a little at times, but overall I really enjoyed the story. There were a couple of moments that lost me, like the dressed up rat called Maurice that doesn’t really play much of a part, unless I missed something, as he did pop up in parts that could have been shorter. There were some lovely characters in the story, and some that you naturally wanted to hate, much like a certain mudlarker. Lindy did annoy me at times, she needed a shake at times, but then on the flip side she was adorable, and you really liked her. Calab and his story surprised me, it wasn’t what I expected, but did work into the island story, his Nana Betty was great in my eyes, she made the story better. If you like your story short and to the point then avoid this, however if you like your story meandering and sweet then this will be for you.

An enjoyable, summery read, though perhaps a bit long and quite slow to start, I almost gave up (sorry!) at the 30% mark but hate to do that to an author so I persisted and I’m really glad I did. The author is talented at scene setting and building believable, flawed characters. There was some confusion briefly over who exactly the love interest was, and I would have loved to see more banter and chemistry between them but their romance was cute. Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this,

“If you're not expecting a kiss, it means the chemistry, the body language, is all off. You have to long for that kiss, yearn for it with every fibre of your being, stop to lean against a wall in a dark alleyway and hope the other person will seize the moment and go in for a deep snog with the stars all twinkling above you.”

Funny lighthearted and sweet romcom perfect for the beginning of the summer season. I felt swept away in the chaotic world of a woman left behind by her boyfriend and with a desperate need of a new beginning. Her life is as chaotic as her personality but she is such a sunshine even when she doesn’t know it. I guess the grumpy sunshine trope in this one felt a bit blurred. Especially since it is a neighbour romance starting when you least expect it and with two people with oh, so different personalities. But I had plenty of fun reading about them. Classic romcom without too much of a slow burn, simply a blossoming feeling that seems not real but then it is, and a classic third act break-up. Absolutely nothing to complain about. And I would also like to add that some side characters made me giggle and laugh multiple times so … it’s great !

“I won't cry. I can't afford to break down. Life is just a series of challenges and I have to rise to this one.”

'Before I met you, I was drowning,' he says.
'You gave me a lifejacket. Let me be yours.'

I very much enjoyed this book. The characters felt very original, and interesting, and although it was an enemies to lovers romance, it didn’t felt tiresome or combative as some do. This felt like quite a gentle romance, albeit peppered with expletives so avoid if this will offend you, and there will they won’t they, and the romantic rivals, just added to the mix rather than being too much. My only qualm is that the ending felt a tad unfinished, but otherwise a stellar effort, and I book I can honestly recommend

Lindy lives and works in London. She has a job in publishing but isn’t all that great at it. In fact her boss Scotty has been acting quite rude towards her because she is (in his own words) the problem in this situation. Luckily for Lindy, her great colleague Henry supports her no matter the circumstances.
There's also Max. Who happens to be Lindy’s boyfriend. He’s a mudlarker and digs around in the banks of the Thames. He shows his finds on his YouTube channel. But he also has a job in finance. Unfortunately, Max has been quite the liar. He has been “dating” another woman behind Lindy’s back. The oh so famous Gothic Girl Greta (fellow mudlarker).

Lindy has been going through some rough times. Her job is crap, her (ex-)boyfriend isn’t great. Life is just utter garbage to her.
She moves to the island of Loor in a pinch to take a petsitting job. Taking Max his old cat (Nemo) with her (he had to get rid of the cat cause Greta is deathly allergic to the cat). Where she meets a surfer named Joshua (she and Joshua become peers in the long run). And she meets Caleb. Who makes her regret her decision in the first place cause he's a prick.

Her first encounter with her new home is quite certainly interesting. But I'm not gonna spoil it cause it'll ruin the surprise. But there's Ted. Who sounds like the greatest dog in the universe.

Lindy meets Betty on her first morning. Betty is rather chipper and knows everything and everyone. Caleb happens to be Betty's grandson. And also happens to be Lindy's neighbour.

Lindy actually starts falling for Caleb. After she and him got high on some weed cookies Betty had made, she started to see things in him she couldn't imagine. But her heart is also aching for Joshua… which makes everything just a little complicated.

But it's the ending of this book that will make you question all of your believes about this book. Everything you thought that would happen… well, you were wrong! Greatest plot twist in the history of plot twists!

This book is a perfect summer read for beside the pool or in your garden where you don't have to fully concentrate on the book.

I read this book in record time, mainly because I was stuck in an airplane for 5 hours so obviously, reading happened.

This book is extremely fast paced because of its conversational tone and short chapters , its like you are trapped inside the FMCs mind and have to bare witness to her every waking thought, which sounds annoying but is actually extremely funny and wildly relatable.

This book is by no means serious, in-fact I found it really silly at times and light hearted, it was easy to read and didn’t take much brain power, which is sometimes exactly what I need. Its very character focused, one character specifically and the plot is very much sub to the character, which is not a criticism, it worked for this book.

I felt the last few chapters were a bit rushed, it was clear the two MCs were going to fall in love eventually, but I felt the transition was a bit abrupt.

That being said, I enjoyed the ease of this book, it made me laugh and made my plane journey fly by.

A quick, unserious summer read ☀️

‘Look at you, happy as Larry,’ she says. ‘The island is already working its magic on you.’

Oh the wonderful island of Loor, how I loved you and the residents!

Taylor Cole is another new to me author, which is always a delight! One Summer takes us on a journey of real discovery for adorable Lindy. After a breakup from her long term boyfriend , a job that wasn’t going anywhere, Lindy applies to be a house sitter on the island of Loor (off Cornwall) for a range of animals - and oh what a range of animals 🐍. There she meets the Loor locals, including Caleb, the next door neighbour. Sparks don’t really set off that well, so it’s quite the slow burn of just hanging out with each other. Caleb has a past too, so he is quite a tough nut and quirky character.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It definitely felt like more women’s fiction than romance. It was charming, witty and quite an adventure. The island residents were an absolute hoot, particularly Betty, who is Caleb’s grandmother. This book was pure escapism with some cute animals too, oh Ted 🐶