Cover Image: Ella's Ice-Cream Summer

Ella's Ice-Cream Summer

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

(review incomplete)

4 for 4.25. Was going to put 4.5, but I guess I'm just a sucker for romance, and while I don't think a woman necessarily needs a man in her life (if she's straight) for it to be complete, for a good portion of this book I rooted for so and so with so and so, which was why after finishing the book, it became a 4.25. lol

Also published on:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1976389647

Was this review helpful?

This story is so much fun! I want to drive a pink ice-cream van on the beach serving homemade ice-cream with a Pomeranian in designer duds along for the ride! Ella is a fantastic character that you can’t help rooting for. She is experiencing a lot of bad luck all at once with her children taking off to begin their lives when she is let go from her job and learns that her slimeball ex-husband is selling the house out from under her. Her favorite aunt, Sophia, has recently passed away and Ella wants to go to the funeral and learn more about her inheritance. Ella’s mother thinks it’s a terrible idea and has been on the outs with her sister for most of Ella’s life but won’t explain why. Frustrating, isn’t it? Luckily for Sue Watson’s readers, Ella doesn’t give up that easily.

This story made me laugh and cry and I felt immense empathy for Ella as well as irritation at her mother and her cousin for all the secrets that have kept Ella separated from her extended family. It didn’t take me long to figure out what the secrets were and once it came out and Ella finally got answers, I shed a few tears along with her.

The extended cast of supporting characters add a lot of depth and dimension to this story. As annoying as Ella’s mother was, I thought she was quite entertaining with her misunderstanding of the difference between sexting and texting and what Netflix and chill really mean. Ella’s cousin, Gina, was a very interesting character. At the first meeting, the reader is given the impression that Gina is very vain and full of herself but learn it’s a façade that she erects to protect herself. I also liked Ben immensely and hope he will make an appearance in future books as I thought he and Ella had great chemistry.

My Final Verdict: You don’t have to be a fan of ice-cream to enjoy this book, but it sure won’t hurt. The concoctions Ella creates demonstrates she has a special talent for the family ice-cream business. I highly recommend this story to fans of chick-lit, romantic comedies and women’s fiction as well as readers who are looking for something delicious to appease their sweet tooth.

Was this review helpful?

While I really enjoyed Ella's Ice-Cream Summer, I also felt like I have read so many of these books lately that they all begin to blur into one big mess. A lot of contemporary like this isn't original at all meaning I don't really have to pay attention to the story and my attention wanders. These books just don't leave much of a lasting impression on me but I understand why some people love them.

Was this review helpful?

Oh my this was such a delightful and can I say delicious read. Delicious in the sense of all the ice cream flavours in this book, may times I was left drooling. A lovely story and a perfect summer read.

Was this review helpful?

CW: insulting/potentially offensive comments regarding LGBTQIA+ community

As the summer comes to a close, what better way than a book about a sea-side ice cream business, whether a cafe that Ella has fond memories of or the ice cream van she now finds herself in possession of due to an inheritance?

A lot. There is a LOT that could have been better than Ella's Ice Cream Summer.

Billed as a "laugh out loud romantic comedy with extra sprinkles", I felt fairly confident that this would be a lighthearted way to round out the summer. The setting felt right, the scenario had it's complications of course, but that would be sorted...right?

Things started out awkwardly and did not get much better as the book progressed. Ella did not have much to recommend her as someone that I was supposed to sympathize with. As the person through whom I'm getting the story, the reader is supposed to at least like her, but I was more frustrated if not downright annoyed and/or angry with her for a good portion of the book.

There were lots of little things about her personality that grated and they didn't quite seem intentional, such as the way she'd say things to her mum or internal comments she'd make about her children that she'd "correct" a moment later. Paragraphs would flip flop what had been stated only moments earlier and that made it hard to grasp what I was supposed to be thinking or feeling along with Ella.

The romance between Ben and Ella was fine. To be quite frank it was boring, but against the more offensive content of the book, I think fine it about as good a descriptor as I can come up with. There wasn't a whole lot of depth to it, but that tracks because it was more of a summer fling than anything else, which works out to be just right in terms of Ella's "development" from where she was at the beginning vs. the end.

As to "big secret" that tore her family apart, the one that isn't even hinted at in the synopsis (surprising, really, as it's mentioned every other paragraph, felt like)...that was something that grated on my nerves. It was a thread that was harped on quite a lot with no real change as the events of the book went on, just slight variations in Ella mentioning how she'd poke at her mum to get her to relent and finally reveal all, small glimpses of something that might be actual plot development, but ultimately, not much to really satisfy. I actually ended up guessing what it was at 17% and yelled "called it" when Ella discovers the truth in the end.

I can't excuse the author, whatever other choices she might have made in the narrative, for the several instances of remarks made that were against the LGBTQIA+ community, specifically (1) confusing gender and sex, (2) mocking standing up against compulsory heteronormativity, and (3) a careless comment about transsexual radar that felt like the cherry on top of a truly awful cake of a book. None of these comments were necessary to the book, none were called out by other characters, and most felt insulting.

(1) About 19% of the way through the novel. Ella is recounting a dating app mishap of her mum's in which she'd signed up for a service that caters to gay & lesbian clientele. Her mum goes on a few dates before Ella investigates and attempts to persuade her mother to remove the profile (Mum refuses), at which point the children say something about Ella's heteronormative assumptions (which was a fair point) and that gender could be fluid.

While I agree that gender can be fluid, the mistake of exchanging gender for sexuality here isn't forgivable as it was just the start of the book's insensitivity. I am upset no one in the editing process editor thought about what this could mean to readers in the LGBTQIA+. I wish it had been corrected; such an authorial error, not something in which Ella was going to be corrected on or learn something about(which probably would've led to a whole other issue but that's neither here nor there now).

(2) Ella's renovation of her inherited ice cream van, previously christened Reginaldo, leads to a conversation between her and Ben, the love interest of the book. Ben makes a comment about Reginaldo being called that, especially in light of the new paint scheme (pink and white).

‘I think you might need to rethink the name,’ Ben said. ‘He’s pink and white… shouldn’t he have a girl’s name?’

‘You might be right… though my daughter would say we mustn’t gender stereotype with colour.’
Followed by Ella's further response of:

'OMG, stop being so hetero,' I said in a mock lilting teenage voice.


There's a sincere lack of respect for the community in the book already and with this mocking tone it only gets worse. The mocking voice only serves to prove that Ella does not take her daughter's views on the matter seriously and relegates them to silly teenage nonsense.

(3) Almost as if the author couldn't resist adding one last sucker punch of an insult to the narrative, there's a careless comment about one of Lucie's (Ella's daughter) friends, Pang. After Ella's mum making assumptions about Pang's sexuality the whole way, with asides about his being gay based on, as far as I can tell, only Lucie's Instagram photos, Lucie comes home early from her gap year with this:

‘Yes he’s growing breasts and working as a pole dancer now, he wants to come to the UK and work. I said we’d help him… can we, Mum?’ I was a little taken aback, so Mum’s gaydar was almost right, but perhaps her transsexual one needed updating?


I don't understand what Sue Watson was doing with any of this content. Is it really so hard to be respectful?

Ella's Ice Cream Summer was nothing like what I expected and was, in fact, a sore disappointment. I do not think it was worth the time spent reading it and I wouldn't recommend it.

Was this review helpful?

So sweet and gorgeous (just like ice cream!) I really enjoyed this book and will be looking out for others by the same author.

Was this review helpful?

Really nice read.perfect for by the pool side. Great summer read. Enjoyable story and twist good characters

Was this review helpful?

Thank you for allowing me to read and review this book. I am just not interested in this book anymore. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Was this review helpful?

Such a sweet romance! Perfect for a getaway summer love story!

Was this review helpful?

At first, I enjoyed this novel for the light simplicity of the story - the summer draw to cold treats in a seaside town can do nothing but bring a smile to your face. There are complex issues though behind Emma's escape to the sea. She's unsure of her financial position, she has a number of dependents who seem to be entirely her responsibility and she is feeling decidedly without direction. On top of all this she ends up inheriting a dilapidated ice cream van from her aunt and has no clue what to do with it, except that she's keen to honour her aunt's memory.

I didn't really care for her mother at first mostly because I found her decidedly unhelpful. But her reluctance to encourage becomes more palatable when the mystery behind the family feud starts to come out. It takes the entire novel to be fully explained though so try not to be impatient as I was! I wanted things cleared up so that there were no more secrets. The arrival of Ella's cousin adds tension of course and she's very difficult to read (for us and for Ella) but it's obvious that there are things she'd like to share…

I found our love interest Ben super sweet, perfect and delightful despite his own uncertainties. I liked him almost as much as the ice cream descriptions. Honourable mentions go to the dog and the Slimming Club ladies who added to the overall giggles.

I've enjoyed all my Sue Watson reads. She creates generational family dynamics I always relate to. All in all a fabulous read which will have you on your toes and give you faith that families can come back together if they all want it to be so.


Thank you to Bookouture for our review copy. All opinions are our own.

Was this review helpful?

I have been reading Sue Watson's book for the past 3 years or so now and I can say that her books are getting better every time. I really enjoy reading her book "Ella's Ice-Cream Summer - book 1". I can't wait to read the book 2 of this series! Sue Watson's books are always about women who find themselves in a bad time their lives and who decide to do something about it. This time it's no different. It's about a woman who finds herself jobless and who is single and decides to shake up her life when she inherits an ice cream van from her aunt who just died. I loved this book so much, and of course there is a little bit of romance with a hot guy that makes this book even more delightful! Lovely book! I recommend it!

Was this review helpful?

The perfect quick read, contemporary chick lit title for summer. With her life falling around her, Emma is about to give up hope on life, when she finds out that her dear aunt has left her an ice cream van. Filled with lol moments, readers will love this book.

Was this review helpful?

A sweet story that makes the perfect beach book (although I read it on a rainy day and WISHED I was at the beach.). Ella is terrific- she's tough, intrepid, funny, and vulnerable all at one. I loved Delilah; sometimes dog characters don't work but she totally does. Keep your eye on Ben :). The ice cream descriptions will make you head for the freezer. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Try this one if you'd like a light, entertaining grown up second chance novel.

Was this review helpful?

Warning: To be read with lashings of ice-cream. I read this during an Australian winter and I still craved ice-cream.

Ella is feeling despondent about her life. Her teenage children are ready to leave the nest. Her husband has run off with his younger, perkier, richer boss and all her Facebook friends seem to be having endless holidays and perfect lives. Her mother’s social life is busier than hers.

If you can relate to any of this you will love this RomCom with a hint of mystery, lashings of ice-cream and a touch of romance.

Ella runs away, “Just for one summer” she says, to sell home-made ice-cream in a van on the beach of the little seaside town that she loved as a child.

Sweet, funny, romantic and heart-warming.

This story is about running away to a fresh start and finding yourself. But it’s also about bringing families together and working for a common goal.

Follow your dreams no matter how crazy they seem!

Was this review helpful?

This was such an entertaining book - a terrific holiday read or 'I'm going to escape from what I should be doing' read.

Ella has the most interesting family that she has single-handedly been dealing with for many many years. Her two children are grown up and about to take on the world and her mother, well, that's a whole other story. She has just found out that one, her ex husband is about to sell the family home out from under her and two, she may have received an interesting inheritance from her mother's sister who has just passed away.

Taking a chance on a summer of change, Ella packs herself and her son's girlfriend's dog off to Devon to return to a place where she spent many a happy day in childhood; her aunt's ice-cream shop. However, fate has something more interesting in store for Ella when she discovers that her part of the inheritance is not the shop but an old ice-cream van that has seen better days. Fate also throws a little romance Ella's way when she stumbles into a relationship with Ben, the solicitor who is helping her navigate the legalities of her new situation.

This is a great book if only because of the little dog, Delilah, and her extensive wardrobe and Ella's mum, Roberta, who has a unique take on using technology. Everything about this story kept me entertained and involved. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next and I really liked the way the story ended. It was original all the way. I would challenge you to read this book and not have a little giggle here and there. I started it in a coffee shop and must have looked quite peculiar chuckling away to myself. Absolutely a must for any chicklit reading list.

Was this review helpful?

Somehow this was my first Sue Watson experience - how the heck have I not known about this brilliant author before?! It's light-hearted and hilarious - especially Ella's Mum - she made me cry with laughter! A cracking summer read!
This is the first of three in The Ice Cream Cafe series
4.5 stars from me 😊

Was this review helpful?

Such a lovely summer read! Will definitely keep an eye out for this author in the future!

Was this review helpful?

We all know i am a sucker for a sweet book, and could Ella's Ice Cream Summer come along at a better time? Nope, i think not. Life hasn't been too great for Ella - when she loses her job, her children fly the nest for the summer and her home is days away from no longer been hers, it seems the opportunity has come knocking. So, she heads off to the coast with newly acquired pooch in tow.

What she receives on arrival is not what she expected, well not really - she knew what she was getting into but well, a run down ice cream van wasn't going to fix her life was it?

Ella's Ice Cream Summer is a sugary sweet dose of traditional Italian Ice Cream mixed with the sour taste of secrets that could change alot of peoples lives. Sue has once again created a wonderful community that is built around family and tradition, mixed with the challenges of modern day family feuds.

Throw in a sea salt hearted Solicitor who belongs in the water and has a refreshing look on everything and maybe, things might just get better. This was a read that i flew through, had me craving all the ice cream and visiting the coast to feel the sand between my toes and sea salt in my hair. Even on the cold days, Sue has created a place that you still warms the soul.

I really felt attached to Ella, there was just this part of her that made you want to root for her, that felt she deserved more and that she should get the happy ending she deserved. Ella was the soul and heart of this book, but we cant review this without mentioning her mum and the pure laughter she extracted from her as she started to learn the internet, and the meaning of sexting. The legacy Ella's aunt left behind is also something i feel that should be mentioned, and something that was written so beautifully that its hard to remember that its not real.

A wonderfully written dose of sugar sweet for the summer.

Was this review helpful?

Ella’s Ice-Cream Summer by Sue Watson
The Ice-Cream Cafe #1
Publisher : Bookouture

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Bookouture for the ebook ARC of Ella's Ice-Cream Summer by Sue Watson in exchange for an honest review.

Ella (44) is a divorced mother who lives with her 78 year old mother, Roberta and her two teenage children, Lucie,19 and Josh,18.
Ella’s mother has had three friends/family die in a short period of time, including her older sister, Sophia. But they had a falling out years ago and she refuses to talk to Ella about what had happened between the two them, except for one memory which was of the summers that were spent at Sophia’s ice cream cafe in the little village of Devon in Appledore.
They had moved there from Italy with their parents when they were young. Mom loved to talk about their walks on beaches, and the different kinds of ice cream they used to make by hand.
Ella used to spend a couple weeks in the summers until she was 12 years old with her Uncle, Aunt Sophia and cousin, Gina.
Ella went to her Aunt Sophia’s funeral alone and then met with the solicitor, Ben about what her Aunt had left her in the will. She was hoping to be left with the ice cream cafe, but Sophia left it to her daughter, Gina. Ella was left with a van that they used to call Reginaldo.
Lucie and Josh are going away for the summer, and Ella has lost her job, and her ex husband has decided to sell their house.
Ella decides to move to Appledore for the summer to make a business selling out of the van.
Will the Caprioni family be able to open up to each other and resolve their family feud?

I found this book to be a very good read from start to finish. It was filled with romance, comedy and a little bit of mystery and some amazing sounding ice cream flavours! I highly recommend this book and i give it 5 stars. I can’t wait for Sue Watson’s second book of The Ice-Cream Cafe series.

Was this review helpful?

After losing her job and being forced to sell her home by her ex-husband, Ella leaves everything behind for the seaside town of Appledore. Her beloved aunt has died and left her part of the family ice-cream business. Ella is determined to fix up the ice cream van and deliver cold treats all summer.

Along the way she discovers who she really is as well as uncovers family secrets that shock and amaze her, but ultimately lead her to new beginnings.

Ella's relationship with her mother is at once tender and laugh-out-loud funny. It was incredibly easy to picture their interactions.

And while the story is light, I didn't find it completely predictable. Instead, it was a heart-warming look at family relationships and what truly makes a person happy.

There is mild sexual content.

Sue Watson stories are just fun reads. I've had this one waiting around on my Kindle for far too long and it was a perfect, fun read for summer.

Was this review helpful?