Jenny Lecoat's latest novel is set on the Island of Jersey off the coast of England, known as Summerland to the Nazi forces who invaded it. The story begins in 1945 following the liberation from the Nazis and Jean Parris and her family join the locals at the liberation gathering. The only thing is they don't feel any of the hope the others around them seem to feel. Jean's father was deported early on in the war, and when they receive the news of his death, all implications point to one woman. Hazel Le Tourneur who lives above Jean's father's old shop.

In the end they must join forces to reveal the truth, and buried secrets won't stay secret for long.

While many books have been written set during WWII, Lecoat's novel explores the aftermath of the Nazi invasion of the island of Jersey. A must read for all lovers of historical fiction.

The war has ended and the citizens of Jersey, Channel Islands, are waiting for their loved ones to return.

Some return, but the father of Jean Parris wasn't on the ship of returning soldiers.

A few days later they found out that he had perished in a prison from being arrested for a minor infraction.

Who was responsible for alerting the Germans that her father had a banned radio?

We then meet Hazel who didn't like Jean's father and who Jean is blaming for telling on her father.

But....when the two women meet, and Hazel finds out Jean has a secret, can they make a deal?

They decided Hazel won't tell on Jean if Jean will tell the police that Hazel was not the informant.

Can they trust each other?

The book was a bit confusing because of going from one character to the other without any “notice,” but other than that BEYOND SUMMERLAND is another excellent, well researched read that makes you think that even though the war was over, was it really?

Historical fiction as well as mystery fans will enjoy this book. 4/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I could not get into this one. I kept picking it up and putting it down but I just wasn't drawn into the story and about ¼ of the way in, this one went into my Did Not Finish pile.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This book was nothing short of absolutely beautiful. It hooked me in from start to finish and I couldn’t put it down.