Readers with a Downton Abbey shaped hole in their lives will be mesmerized by Merryn Allingham’s evocative, enthralling and emotional wartime saga, The Girl from Summerhayes.

It’s 1914 and the world is on the precipice of great change. Summerhayes House, a seemingly idyllic paradise nestled in the Sussex countryside, is home to a family divided. The Summer family stand to lose everything and it is nineteen-year-old Elizabeth Summer who could save them from ruin – but at far too high a price. By marrying well, the family could keep their home, but Elizabeth cannot help her distress and anguish at having to surrender her freedom and her chance for love. Chafing at the shackles being imposed upon her, there is no escape from the future her family has planned for her – until Elizabeth meets architect Aiden Kellaway who can offer her the one thing a suitable marriage cannot: everlasting love…

With Aiden having shown her that she could have the world, Elizabeth is not about to let this chance at happiness slip through her fingers. But unbeknownst to her, the gathering clouds of war are fast approaching. Summerhayes is not impervious to all the changes happening around her and caught between her family, her love for Aiden and society’s expectations, Elizabeth is going to be forced to make a devastating choice.

Is Elizabeth about to lose everything she holds dear to her heart? Or will her actions have shocking consequences that will destroy her life and that of the people she cares most about?

Merryn Allingham’s The Girl from Summerhayes is an atmospheric and compelling historical saga about love, sacrifice and courage set against a vividly recreated backdrop that cannot fail to delight aficionados of the genre. A heart-breaking page-turner with a brilliantly layered heroine readers will find themselves drawn to, The Girl from Summerhayes is a captivating saga as addictive and entertaining as any TV drama.

Merryn Allingham is known for her delightful Flora Steele cosy crime series set in the 1950s, but having thoroughly enjoyed The Girl from Summerhayes, I do hope that she will make time to write more historical sagas in the future.

I need to start off by saying that I almost DNF’d this book. It took me way too long to finally get into.

Family drama, historical setting, and lush English countryside combine to make for a gripping read. Thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

Jacob Summers, is a self-made man, he is proud of his home, Summerhayes and is creating the most exquisite Italian garden to rival any other garden in the area. Mostly, Jacob wishes to outdo his brother-in-law Henry's adjoining property, as they have a bitter rivalry. Jacob's daughter, Elizabeth is one of the main characters in the book, she is of a marrying age and is being urged to marry, but Elizabeth swears she will marry for love, or not at all. That is until she meets Aiden Kelloway, one of the junior architects on the garden project, she is immediately drawn to him, even though she knows her family would never accept him as a suitable mate. As Elizbateh tries to figure out what to do, she is more and more aware of then accidents that her young brother, William, heir to the family home, seems to be having and Aiden makes her see that her uncle Henry may have something to do with it. Will Elizabeth sacrifice her love and marry the man her uncle has chosen for her or will she flout convention and run off to be woth the man she loves?

This was a good, but slow at times, start to a series that I hope will continue to eveolve into a great series.

I loved this book, it had me turning pages so fast, I just couldn't put it down, I was reading it wholst eating, commuting and even in some lectures - sorry prof. A fantastic read

These books gave me the Downton Abbey vibe that I did not know I was missing. Both are family sagas with long lasting consequences at stake. Book one sets the stage at Summerhayes and lays secrets leading up to WWI, while book two works to solve the mysteries from the first book.

These books are slow paced as they are descriptive. Exactly what you’d expect from a saga. There is a building of the family dynamic and includes the whole family. I liked the fun that William and Oliver had in the first book. Since life is so very different now, I never stop and ponder the struggle of a family to marry off their daughter and the resistance she might have.

Even though they are set 30 years apart, the story continues from the first to the second book. If you love historical fiction and love the journey of the story, these books are for you.

The Girl From Summerhayes by Merryn Allingham is a gentle romance, a gift, really. Elizabeth is the apple of her daddy’s eye, until she stands up to him when he wants her to marry a distant relative of her mother’s. Theirs had not been a happy marriage and Elizabeth vowed only to marry for love, if she married at all. Her father had bought the land they lived on (and her mother) from an impoverished lord who needed the money. He had a great deal of it. He was in trade: a button manufacturer and more. He got his land and built his house on it but he was frozen out of society by his hateful brother-in-law. He was beyond furious. Then one summer, he was finally building his dream garden. It would be the most beautiful garden in all of Sussex. It was already and it wasn’t even finished. It was there that Elizabeth met Aiden, an architect’s apprentice. She was in love, but her father wouldn’t hear of it. Aiden was fired. Then he was kicked out of his lodging. He asked Elizabeth to marry him and go to Canada. She didn’t know what to do.

This was a lovely story with dark undertones. Uncle Henry was a bad man, a man who would do anything to get what he wanted. He never worried about fair play. Allingham wrote him so well: low-key and yet dreadful. All the characters were written well. They all had hidden depths, many of which were only displayed to the reader. The plot was not all that much different than many. A young woman falls for a good, but inappropriate man. It was all the other goings-on which made the story. William, Elizabeth’s younger brother and the heir, was different as well as not healthy. Henry took advantage of that to try to get what he wanted. It was very sad. It was a well-written
story, long on character development and the subtleties of life. I loved every moment of it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Girl From Summerhayes by Bookoutre, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #MerrynAllingham #TheGirlFromSummerhayes

I remember enjoying a previous book by this author, which is why I took an interest in this.

The previous book that I read was a cosy mystery, whereas this was a historical romance.

From the start, I felt the author brought both the characters and the setting vividly to life. I liked the protagonist and was interested in her, and I was also interested in some of the other characters. There was one particular character who held some appeal for me, because he seemed enigmatic.

I felt an emotional connection with the protagonist because it seemed she was a person who knew her own mind and knew what she wanted, despite not being fully understood by those closest to her. I felt an emotional connection with some of the other characters too, so I became quite emotionally involved while I was reading.

I felt the ending was a pleasant one, but it left me wondering what might happen next to the two main characters. I believe there is a sequel to this book, so I intend to read it as soon as possible.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

It is 1914 England and Elizabeth Summer’s father is bound and determined to create a beautiful summer garden at their home in Summerhayes. Elizabeth is 19 years old and her father wants her to marry and to marry well. Elizabeth can’t see herself marrying the man that her father thinks is perfect for her, in part because he is old enough to be her father. More than that Elizabeth is drawn to the architect working on the garden, Aiden Kellaway. Because he is a tradesmen and not of the peerage, any romance between Elizabeth and Aiden is very well doomed.

War is on the horizon in Europe and even with the darkness that is brewing, Elizabeth finds herself more and more drawn to Aiden. Will she choose a future that will make her happy or will she do what is best for her family? Also, what effect will the war have on Aiden and others in this wonderful story?

This first book in the Summerhayes series was very touching, especially when a girl who deserved all the best might’ve been forced to accept something that would make her very unhappy. There is conflict within the family, not with just Elizabeth and her perspective romance, but her father Joshua is dealing with friction when it comes to his brother-in-law Henry. This could possibly have a devastating effect on the beautiful project that Elizabeth’s father has set out for the estate.

Another touching feature to this book is that Elizabeth’s brother William is quite unwell, and his trials are there for the reader as well. More than that, William‘s best friend Oliver is spending the summer with the family and there are things about William that are really moving in the story. This story is a re-release of The Buttonmaker’s Daughter and I am quite pleased that I got the opportunity to read and review this often heartbreaking book. I also read the next book in the series, and it was equally enjoyable, The Secret of Summerhayes.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/OIlHaFIBkNM

The Girl from Summerhayes is my first novel by this author and I hope to be able to read the next in the series, The Secrets of Summerhayes. Elizabeth finds herself being told she has to marry, not to the man she wishes but to someone her family choose for her. Her brother, William, is weakened from his heart condition but buoyed on by his friend, Oliver. How can Elizabeth marry the man she loves when her father forbids it and insists that she has to marry a man of stature, twice her age and a widower - a man chosen by Elizabeth's uncle Henry. Henry is a bitter man, who believes everything should be his!

Elizabeth is a strong character, boosted by hearing stories of the Suffragettes and Mrs Pankhurst. I enjoyed reading The Girl From Summerhayes

I have read this authors thriller series and this is the first historical fiction/mystery I've read from this author.

The story centres around Elizabeth Summer and Aidan as their life changes the class system in and around 1914.

The writing is poetic and descriptive which pulled me in from the start.

I only rated it 4 stars though because the start was a bit slow going but I still enjoyed it alot.

Highly recommend.

The Girl From Summerhayes by Merryn Allingham. This is my first book by her, but it won’t be my last!
Elizabeth Summer lives with her parents and younger brother in a beautiful country estate in England. There is a lot going in this story. Her family doesn’t get along with her uncle who lives next door. Her mom wants her to go away to school but her father wants her to get married to make a good match. She befriends an Irishman, but her father doesn’t want them together.
Strange things start happening to Elizabeth’s family. Her brother William seems to be getting the brunt of the trouble. His friend Oliver is staying with him for the summer. Both boys are outcasts in their school, but found a kindred spirit in each other.
I was drawn in by the complex characters and beautiful scenery. I want to build an Italian Garden in my backyard!
I thought one part of the ending was great, but I felt that there was no closure with her family’s issues. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Girl From Summerhayes' by Merryn Allingham.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Merryn Allingham, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 11th January 2023.

This is the fifth book I have read by this author. It is also the first book in the 'Summerhayes House' series. I have previously read 'The Bookshop Murder', 'Murder At The Pier', 'Murder At Primrose Cottage' and 'Murder At The Priory Hotel' which are all books in Merryn's 'Flora Steele Mystery' series and all of them I highly recommend.

I was originally drawn to this book by its gorgeous eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis for this series stated that this series is 'An unforgettable, totally gripping and heart-wrenching historical family saga. Fans of Tracy Rees, Kate Morton and Elizabeth Jane Howard will be utterly swept away by The Girl from Summerhayes.!' I am a huge fan of Kate Morton so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Merryn and if this is half as good as 'The Bookshop Murder', 'Murder On The Pier', 'Murder At Primrose Cottage' and 'Murder At The Priory Hotel' (all books from Merryn's Flora Steele Mystery Series) it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of 42 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in Sussex, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, UK 🇬🇧. I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times. I have in fact visited and holidayed in Sussex on many occasions including this year and next year again so am looking forward to possibly recognising name places.

This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists is Elizabeth Summer. The benefits of third person perspective are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.

This book was extremely well written and I do believe alot of research went into it as everything linked correctly in with the era it was set in. It is a real bug bear for me when I read a historical novel and the author hasn't done their research and gets basic information mixed up so well done Merryn!! It was very well written and I found the synopsis and the cover fitted the storyline perfectly, The descriptions were great and it really felt as if I was in the storyline along with Elizabeth and her family.

I have previously read Merryn's crime series the 'Flora Steele Mystery' which I absolutely loved so was looking forward to delving into a completely different genre by her. Of you haven't read any of the 'Flora Steele' books I would highly recommend them as they are completely addictive!!! This book is a slow burner but it becomes more and more enjoyable as the storyline continues and ends leaving you wanting more so I'm looking forward to jumping straight into the next book 'The Secrets Of Summerhayes' which is what I will be doing as soon as I have finished this review. The atmosphere and surroundings were captured perfectly and the stunning descriptions left me wandering the grounds of Summerhayes with Elizabeth. The historical aspects were intriguing especially in comparison to how we love our lives today. The book had so much going on thay once I got sucked into it there were several moments I got completely lost in the storyline forgetting I was at home in dreary Wales and not in the beautiful grounds of Summerhayes. It is filled with family, rivalry, history, friendship, war and so much more that it will leave you wanting more.

It is always worrying when starting a new series as you have no idea who the characters are. It is very important for me to bond with not only the lead protagonists but also any characters that may make repeat appearances during the series too.

I became thoroughly invested in the characters who were all strong and realistic and suited the time line. I can't say I actually liked many of them as several were just horrible but there were several that I did like and am looking forward to meeting again and others I was just glad to see the back of. I enjoyed watching the relationships change and develop between the different characters and am looking forward to seeing where they lead to in 'The Secrets of Summerhayes'. The relationships and characters were well developed and complex which made the storyline all the more intriguing. Regardless of whether you love them or hate them each of the characters played their parts perfectly to make the storyline as good as it is.

Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the first two chapter of the next book in Merryn's 'Summerhayes House' series' which is promising to be just as good as this book and is what I am off to read next!

Overall an intriguing and delightful historical tale that leaves you wanting more.

Genres covered in this novel include Historical Fiction, Classic Coming-Of-Age Fiction, Literary Fiction, Literary Sagas, Historical European Fiction amongst others.

I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Tracy Rees, Kate Morton and Elizabeth Jane Howard
366 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle, free on kindle unlimited and £8.99 in paperback (at time of review) on Amazon UK which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 4 /5 (I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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I loved The Girl From Summerhayes by Merryn Allingham from the second I flipped open the cover. I was taken by what seemed to be an immediate connection to the family. The Summer family lives in an enormous estate in the beautiful Sussex countryside. With views of the sea and rolling hills as far as the eye can see, I saw the beauty of the land in my mind’s eye. Elizabeth Summer is just nineteen years old and with the war gearing up in Europe, her beautiful estate is being threatened. She has an enormous decision to make, does she stay true to her family home or to her country? Elizabeth’s father believes that if she marries a well-to-do gentleman, then it would save the estate. Elizabeth is saddened by the thought of what her future holds in marrying someone she doesn’t love. Elizabeth soon meets Aiden Kellaway, a landscape architect hired to work on the beautiful estates gardens. As the world around her begins to change drastically, she is forced to make some life changing decisions that will affect her home, her family and her future.

This story had me flying through the pages and I was reading faster and faster, desperate to get to the end. This story surpassed my expectations and I absolutely loved it. The author, Merryn Allingham, did a fantastic job pulling me into the story and keeping my attention throughout. I enjoyed it very much and I highly recommend it.

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed/ing Merryn Allingham's cosy series featuring Flora Steele and Jack Carrington, I was interested to delve into her historical fiction when the chance came up to read and review THE GIRL FROM SUMMERHAYES, set at the outset to the Great War in 1914. But don't let that backdrop influence your decision to read this absorbing tale because it barely features except in passing as dinner table conversation. This is not wartime fiction with saddened families waving tearful goodbyes to their loved ones going off to war. This is an historical contemporary story of primarily a forbidden romance...amongst other things.

Just the name Summerhayes conjures up delightful imaginings of a beautiful sprawling estate to aristocracy nestled in the Sussex countryside. And this tale of the last halcyon days of summer in 1914 before war is declared in Europe has a war raging somewhat closer to home and its own battles to fight.

Nineteen year old Elizabeth Summer was expected to have been betrothed (if not married) already, having been present at court during the London season. However the two suitors who had taken a shine to her and proposed she had then refused, infuriating her father Joshua Summer. But, strongly influenced by the ideals of the Pankhurst women and the suffragettes, Elizabeth wants more for her life than being tied to a man for the rest of it. Instead she desires to follow her own path and pursue her dreams, indulging in her passion for painting perhaps.

Her father Joshua was not born into money but rather built his way to the top as a buttonmaker. His dream to create beautiful gardens withing a beautiful estate began when he married Alice Fitzroy, thus saving her own family from ruin. Since then Summerhayes has been the thorn in the neighbouring (and now crumbling) Amberley's side, that being the estate of Alice's family which is now run by her spiteful and malicious brother Henry. Alice has not set foot in her old family home since her marriage as her brother and her husband do not get on. Their marriage of convenience produced Elizabeth and her brother William, now 14, but nothing more.

Fearing for the future of Summerhayes, Joshua insists on Elizabeth making a good marriage...that being someone with wealth, distinction and everything that their class requires...so that when the time comes Elizabeth and her husband be on hand to take over the running of the Summerhayes estate. But a chance meeting with Aiden Kellaway, and architect's assistant, working on the temple and gardens on the Summerhayes estate sees Elizabeth envisioning a different future for herself than the one her parents have in mind. But Aiden is Irish (at a time when the Irish were rising up in their quest for independence), a man of trade who works with his hands, and this is not an acceptable match in their eyes.

So they approach Henry Fitzroy and ask for his help in finding a suitable husband for Elizabeth. Little did they know the havoc they unleashed in doing so...

THE GIRL FROM SUMMERHAYES is a delightful tale during a time of change for both women and the aristocracy against the backdrop of unrest in Europe. While it features little and doesn't appear to have much effect on those at Summerhayes, its presence is soon felt once war is declared and with it the promise of change. Women, especially those in aristotic circles, were bound by rules and expectations for their kind particularly when it came to marriage and the uniting of families as though it were a business deal. Elizabeth decreed she would only marry for love, nothing less. But her father scoffs at the idea whilst her mother can only support her husband's decisions, whether she agrees with them or not. In those days, wives submitted to their husbands and the decisions he made were law. We may find that a ludicrous notion today but that's just how things were then. But Elizabeth had different ideas and she pushed against the boundaries that constrained her to duty and loyalty.

The story started off slow but that was soon forgotten as I became immersed within Summerhayes and all its intricacies. The feud that divided the Summers and the Fitzroys which was soon set aside when the families united to find a suitable husband for the wayward Elizabeth, who they believed needed to be brought in to heel; the boyhood friendship between William and Oliver that whispered something more; the problems arising on the estate that alluded to something more nefarious taking place; the sense of duty versus what the heart desires...and more. There was an air of "Downton Abbey" to it without as much focus on the servants as in the former, but the story was comparable to it nonetheless.

The characters are a mixed bunch. Some likeable, some...not so likeable. Hateful even. But they were all well developed in light of the parts they played. The relationships between most were fraught with as much dissension as there was an acceptance to duty. They were indeed a complicated bunch with many complexities which is only natural given the era. Elizabeth pushed against those boundaries in more ways than one, identifying with the suffragette movement giving a voice to the women who have been downtrodden for too long.

There is so much more to THE GIRL FROM SUMMERHAYES that you really need to experience it for yourself. It is a delightful read in another time that sweeps you up in the story and has you completely absorbed. Many hoped the sequel would give them the answers to the questions they felt lingered at the end of the book but I felt it sufficed nicely. It gave an essence of promise, a sense of possibility.

I look forward to reading the sequel "The Secret of Summerhayes" next which takes place some three decades later...and reading about what's become of the family.

I would like to thank #MerrynAllingham, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheGirlFromSummerhayes in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

At times I was tempted to give up as it was all a bit far fetched then in other parts I really enjoyed the book. I wasn't sure that it was necessary to have the worker killed and be found in the pond nor the suggested possible relationship between William and his school friend. The story was strong enough without these.

The book was well written and the author's words helped the reader easily imagine the beauty of the gardens.

I was glad in the end that the main character followed her heart.

Part of a series, this is the first book.

1914 england not an easy place for women. Still sadly very much second class citizens
and it seemed the more money you had, the restructions and controls on women were tighter.
Elizabeth is living at least from the outside an idyllic life. Her father particularly
dotes on her, but on one thing he is adamant. She must make a good marriage, and unlike
her mother who married for money and married into trade, very mucha downer, Elizabeth
must marry into a well established family.

Despite massive animosity between the two neighbouring houses of brother and sister,
Henry is persuaded to step in and find an alliance for his niece. The problem arises
because Elizabeth has set her sights elsewhere.

This was not just a family saga. Emotions of envy and jealousy and even murder and to
a lesser extent vandalism all played a part. The setting of rural England against
the backdrop of a looming World War, the beginning of the end of service to the great
houses and the strengthening of the suffragette movement all added historical interest
and a commentary on society as it was then.

Characterization was spot on. The husbands portrayed both bullies - one using his wealth
the other his background over their subservient wives, children cowering against threats,
the independent spirit amongst younger people both Aiden and Elizabeth being in point were
well portrayed in the story.

This started out a bit slow but I was still intrigued by the setting and family dynamics. I love an old English manor story! It picked up about halfway in. Historical fiction like this really shows the lack of choices women had in the past, and the conflict a strong personality created. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley I was able to read this in exchange for my honest opinion. This book is set in 1914 and was easy to get into almost immediately. I really enjoyed this novel and the fact that it did not really end, so I immediately jumped into the following book.

The story had a slow start for me and I was wondering if I was going to like it. I actually did start getting into the story half way in so I’m glad I continued reading.
But…… I found I couldn’t connect with the characters. They all seemed unlikeable in so many ways.
Overall, a slow moving book but do read on to the end. This is where things start to get resolved and you understand where the author was taking the story.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.