I have had the distinct pleasure of reading and reviewing a couple of Jenny Hale’s books and I absolutely loved them. It was with some excitement that I picked up ‘One Summer’ and began to read. I absolutely loved ‘One Summer’ but more about that in a bit.
Alice is one of those characters that I took to straight away. She is a single parent to a delightful little boy called Henry and she also owns a black Labrador (fantastic choice of dog as I have two of my own) called Einstein. Life has been tough on her in more ways than one. As soon as she told Henry’s father that she was pregnant, he upped sticks and took off. Her most recent boyfriend was unfaithful to her. I so wanted to jump into the pages of the book to sort those excuses for men out and to give Alice a huge hug but obviously with it being fiction, I can’t. Alice was particularly close to her beloved grandfather but he has sadly passed away. This has affected Alice greatly, as you might expect and she is having a hard time dealing with her grief. Her grandfather has left her his cycle shop and in one sense she wants to keep it as it is because she has so many happy, family memories tied up in the place. At the same time she knows that she needs to move on as she needs to build a future for herself and Henry. Alice has the idea of converting her grandfather’s shop into an ice cream shop and she goes into business with her friend Sasha. The ice cream shop is the start of a new beginning for Alice, Sasha and of course the ever so cute Henry. Things are looking up on the romance front for Alice as well. She has a bit of a mishap and this mishap leads to her meeting the absolutely gorgeous sounding Jack, who just so happens to be a doctor and he is currently working at the local hospital. Will Alice and Sasha’s new venture be a success? Will Alice and Jack get together? Will Alice get the happy ever after ending that she so deserves? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
This is one of those books that does just what it says on the tin. It is billed as being an ‘uplifting, feel good summer romance’ and it is all of those things but it is also so much more. Once I started reading this book I really did feel as though I had been transported to the coast and once I shut my eyes, I could hear the seagulls and smell the sea. I know its fiction but I have a very vivid imagination and if I really enjoy reading a book then I tend to ‘live’ the story. I became seriously addicted to reading this book and the time passed in a blur. I just had to read on to find out more about Alice and Sasha and see whether or not Alice got the happy ending that she so deserved. The author’s writing style is such that she captures the reader from the first word on the first page and before you know what is happening, you are hooked. Her characters are so realistically written that they seem to come alive and not only that but I found myself caring about what happened to them. Finishing ‘One Summer’ left me with a smile on my face and a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart.
To conclude, Jenny Hale has another winner on her hands with ‘One Summer’ and I wholeheartedly recommend this author and her books to other readers, particularly to those who love escapist romance novels. I can’t wait to see what comes next from this fabulous author and here’s hoping that we don’t have too long to wait. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a well deserved 5* out of 5*.

If you are looking for a book to pack in your suitcase this is perfect. A really good, easy summer read. Alice has a son Henry and her relationship has broken down after her partner cheated on her. When her beloved grandfather dies and leaves her his old bike shop Alice relives the memories of the fun she had with her grandfather and how much she loved the shop on the beach. Her best friend Sasha has always supported Alice and together they decide not to sell the bike shop but to make it into an ice cream parlour. We picture the wonderful ice cream colours they paint the shop and can picture the shop on the beach full of people enjoying their delicious ice cream.

After the long drive to the Outer Banks with all their belongings Alice goes into town to buy food and bumps into Jack, a doctor who lives in Chicago but is in town hoping to find a nice place for his father to live. The girls also become friends with one of their neighbours Melly, who is a nurse at the local hospital where Jack is doing some research.

Jenny Hale paints a wonderful picture of the beach, the shop and the characters and although it was very predictable it was easy to get lost in the story. I loved the characters, especially Henry and his dog who weave a wonderful picture of family and friendship throughout the book.. There are a couple of twists in the story and whats not to love in a book about sand, sea, romance and ice cream.

Oh Jenny Hale, why do you do this to me!! The one thing I love most about reading a Jenny Hale novel, is how the author manages to create a story which not only speaks to your mind, it also manages to engulf your heart and soul. 'One Summer' was no exception, in fact, I think this book held onto my soul a lot tighter than Hale's previous novels. I didn't even know that was possible...

Alice and Sasha have had enough of their current situations and feel that the time is right to grab life by the youknowwhats, before they end up regretting a lot more. With Alice's son and a new puppy to focus on, Alice is concerned that her new life decision may end up backfiring before it's even begun. But, like everyone keeps telling the girls, 'you don't know until you try'. Or, as the apple man, Jack, says; 'nothing is ever a bad decision, it just might take you a little longer to turn it into a good decision'.

I could see why Alice's guard was made of concrete, and I could see why she was afraid of letting Jack close to her, but then I could also see the other side of the coin where she could end up regretting pushing him away. Ever since another man broke her heart, Alice is afraid of finding love in case they go and hurt her again - sometimes that is just the chance you have to take and luckily, her best friend, Sasha, is on hand to guide her one summer..

This is another vague review I'm afraid, purely because I feel that you need to experience the true essence of this novel without too much information to begin with. I think that Jenny Hale had that in her mind whilst she was writing the story, as she wasn't quick on divulging her characters secrets to her readers, intent on keeping them in the dark until the very last moment. It worked, oh it really worked. If I had found out what I now know, right at the beginning of the story, I don't think I would have been as captivated by the storyline as I was because honestly, how could anything else trump a beautiful, beautiful secret? Intrigued now are you? Well go and read the book!!

'One Summer' tugged on my heart-strings, melted my ice-cold exterior, and allowed me to see a story blossom right before my very eyes. A truly captivating, touching novel which spoke to my soul the entire way through. Who knew that a story involving an ice-cream parlour, could be the start of something far more sweeter than a mint-chocolate chip cone...

'One Summer' is all it takes to make you forget your troubles for a little while..

Really enjoyed this book, great summer read will look out for more by this author. Really liked the change of the norm for these kind of books where the characters weren’t single 20 something’s but 20 something’s with life experiences it made the story more compelling.

This is the first book I have read by Jenny Hale, although I understand it is actually her tenth book, with a previous four summer reads and five Christmas books published so congratulations on reaching that momentous milestone, Jenny. I was originally drawn to the book by its beautiful, summery cover and the setting of the book in a beach resort on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. (Regular readers of my blog will know I am a sucker for a book set in the USA, particularly the Southern states. I am obsessed with them.)

I raced through the book in an afternoon and have been left with mixed feelings which have caused me to give pause and carefully consider what I was going to write in my review before posting it to ensure I am being fair to the book.

There is a huge amount that I loved in this book. The setting was every bit as rich and beautifully brought to life as I had hoped it would be when I picked it up. From the opening line, “Alice Emerson plopped down in the sand, looking out at the restless ocean as it peeked over the sea oats” I was as much in love with the location as the main character is. The ocean, the beach, the little town, the clapboard houses, the cute restaurants – I could see it all perfectly in my mind’s eye and it acts as a character in the book in its own right which is just as it should be. The author has a beautiful way with language and description and has created a wonderful world in this story.

The characters in the book were well-constructed and fully-rounded and very likeable. The main character, Alice, was easy to warm to and got us on side immediately with her dilemmas. The friendship between Alice and her best friend, Sasha, is genuine and heart-warming and I completely believed it. Jack is perfectly drawn as Alice’s potential love interest but it is her son, Henry, who steals the show in this book. He is a gorgeous, vibrant little boy and the channelling of all of Alice’s concerns through the filter of her doing her best for Henry added an extra dimension of challenge to what might otherwise have been a fairly ordinary will-they, won’t-they summer love story. This took it up an emotional level for me as a mother myself and I loved this aspect of the story. The only character I found slightly disappointing and who could have done with rounding out a little more and given more depth to add interest to her role in the story was Melly. I can’t put my finger on exactly what it was about her that I didn’t take to (was she a bit too nice, a bit of a drip – I’m not sure) but I never warmed to her.

The story was fairly gentle but there was enough emotional conflict to keep me interested and this is potentially a perfect, easy summer read save for a couple of issues that spoilt it a little for me.

Firstly, the timeline just did not work at all. Everything happened way too quickly, even allowing for a belief in love at first sight. Alice goes from vowing off men to being head over heels for a man she has spent about four hours within a couple of days of arriving in the town. He’s meeting her son, she’s meeting his father and feeling a sense of responsibility towards him before she’s known him a week. It didn’t feel true to me, which spoilt my ability to immerse myself in the story. In addition to the love story, there were other things that just didn’t work from a time perspective. Alice has been in town less than 48 hours and she has already collaborated with a local artist to finalise the logo for her ice cream shop and ordered a transfer for the window, about five minutes after she has picked its name. At the beginning of the book, we are told that Alice’s mother died when Alice was sixteen. However, it is later discussed how Alice’s ‘parents’ were supportive of her when she becomes a single mother and also how her mother felt guilt over certain decisions she had made when Alice had Henry, but Henry was born when Alice was nineteen, long after her mother was dead. These kind of details seem minor but are again a distraction from the storyline and a more careful edit was needed.

Secondly, and this may be more an issue of personal preference, the ending was just too saccharine and perfect for my tastes. I expected this book to end in an HEA as would anyone who picks up a book of this nature but this one seemed to have been gift-wrapped, topped with a big bow and had a cherry stuck on the top. If the book had finished at the end of Chapter 29, I would have been happy. I wish I had not read Chapter 30. However, as I said, this may just be my personal taste. The author of this book is American and is writing for a segment of the American market that I am sure would demand Chapter 30 (one of her books has been made into a Hallmark movie) and I think there is a slight difference between what American romance readers expect and what is normal for the UK market. We are much more reserved over here!

These issues aside, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it as a sweet summer holiday read and I would not hesitate to pick up another book by this author. And I still adore that cover, it fits the book perfectly.

I’ve never read Jenny Hale’s books before now but I will definitely be a fan of hers now.

The story begins with 2 best friends Alice and Sasha and Alice’s son Henry starting a new business together in a new beach resort. Alice’s falls in love with a man she meets on her first day and soon secrets start to unravel.

The author Jenny Hale has a way of taking you right to the sea side and her descriptions are vivid and intriguing. I couldn’t wait to learn the secrets within the story and it was a real page turner.

The characters of the book are incredibly likeable and it is easy to fall in love with them.

This is the perfect holiday / feel good read and is definitely worth a 5 star rating.

Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley. I have been a fan of Jenny's books for a long time and I always know summer is on the way when Jenny' summertime book is out.

In this book Jenny takes us to the Outer Banks with best friends Alice and Sasha. Alice's Gramps recently passed and he left her his old bicycle shop. Alice decides to re-open it as an ice cream shop. Alice has recently had her heart broken and is done with men. I really liked Alice. She was a caring, likeable character. Alice was very easy to identify with.

Not long after Alice moves to the Outer Banks she runs in to Jack Murphy. Jack is a hunk. He's also a doctor and he's like the most perfect man. I fell in love with Jack in about 2 seconds.

I loved all the characters in this book. Sasha is a great best friend. She is always full of optimism. I always love kid characters as they bring a different side to things and Henry in this book was no exception. The neighbour Melly was also a great character along with Butch, Jack's Dad.

This book is well written, perfectly paced and will pull on all the emotions. Jenny had a few tears streaming down my face on more than one occasion. Some sad and some happy. 

If you're looking for a beach read then this is perfect. Grab an ice cream and get settled with this for a few hours, I guarantee you will finish with a smile on your face.

I have literally fallen in love with this book, was a truly wonderful heartfelt and entertaining read from start to finish. It was so much more than a romance story, had lots going on and I was pretty much glued to the pages throughout and couldn't turn the pages quick enough.

I loved getting to know all of the characters, to include seeing the connection between Alice, Sasha and Mellie, it's just how friendships should be. It was of course a pleasure getting to know Alice and the handsome Jack, and seeing how their special relationship developed throughout the story and the difficulties they encountered from time to time and ultimately seeing if they get their happy ending or not. Their story really does prove that love isn't always fair nor straightforward.

Oh and I absolutely adored Einstein, loved how he had his own part to play within the story, so unique and a bundle of joy, it left me with the feeling of wanting to be able to cuddle him all the time. Who or what is Einstein you ask, well you'll just have to read the book to find out for yourself.

I also fell in love with the location of the story, Outer Banks, but then I always did have a soft spot for a beach setting. The way in which the author described all the different places, made it all sound so idyllic and picturesque, I just wanted to be there to experience it all myself. My favourite place having to be Seashell island, I could spend hours there exploring and looking for shells. Complete bliss.

So final words, having read a couple of Jenny's books previously, I am happy to report that she is a wonderful author, has such a amazing way with words that just keeps you wanting more and the way she writes her characters and how they develop throughout a book, really makes them come alive.

If you haven't read a Jenny Hale book yet, then all I can say is don't delay any further, as I can highly recommend her books as truly heart-warming, entertaining and delightful reads.

4 Summertime Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A perfect beach read filled with fabulous characters, the sun, the sand, and ice cream 🍦 this was a quick fun read you could read poolside or at the beach in a couple hours... or you could read it on your couch and imagine you are in this beautiful setting of the Outer Banks...

Alice and her BFF Sasha need a fresh start... they have both sworn off men, because the men in their lives have been nothing but heartache... but as they say just as you stop looking, love will walk in (not sure who says this?) when Alice meets Jack there is an instant connection... to be honest I felt as though this was a little quick, but I liked Alice and Jack so much I really wanted happiness for them... but their happiness was challenged by a letter containing a secret... will Alice and Jack get there HEA? you’re going to need to read the book to find out....

Alice was a likable character so down to earth and real... I loved Sasha and her friendship, always a treat when you have a positive female friendship in a book! Jack was also quite the good guy, I could see why Alice would fall for him... The setting also played an important part in this book, it just sounded so beautiful... really brought a sense of summer to life...

Absolutely recommend when you are in the mood for a lovely beach read filled with fabulous characters, a beautiful setting, and love💕

*** thank you so much too Bookouture and Net Galley for my copy of this beautiful book ***

A warm and engaging tale of Alice, her son Henry and her friend Sasha.

Loved the descriptions of the beach and the bike shop’s transformation. Although ultimately this book ended up as I expected it to when certain characters were introduced, it wasn’t boring or predictable. This author writes with warmth and can transport you to wherever the action is taking place

4*, a heartwarming tale

Alice Emerson is devastated after losing her beloved grandfather. At the same time, her relationship comes to a crashing halt. She is due for a change, and so is her lifelong friend Sasha. The two of them decide to leave the city and head to the beaches of the Outer-Banks, hoping for a fresh new start. Not only does Alice need this change, she hopes it will be good for her son Henry. Due to her broken relationship, she is shocked to find herself drawn to Jack Murphy, who is visiting in town with his father. With the little time he has available, they manage to find themselves quite comfortable in each other's company.

Meanwhile, since Alice inherited her grandfather's bike shop, her move gives her the opportunity to create a business for herself. With Sasha's help, she sets out to open an ice cream shop there. Happy as a clam at first, things change when she runs across a letter that ultimately turns her life upside down. Then, the dynamic changes between Alice and Jack.

I love Alice. She is a kind, thoughtful friend, and a wonderful and sensitive mom to Henry. The rest of the characters, Sasha, Jack, Butch and Melly are equally wonderful. One Summer is a sensitive, heartwarming read; a true, feel-good story that had just enough depth to keep me turning the pages.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review.

I just couldn’t get into this book. The main character was too whiny for me. I just couldn’t keep reading. Sorry.

'One Summer' features essential elements, necessary for a holiday read. Romance, loss, starting again, family secrets, friendship and fulfilling a legacy are all expertly woven into the plot. The characters are likeable and realistic.

The relationship between Alice and Sasha is believable, and the secrets revealed, add an extra depth to the story. The coastal setting is vivid, but the pacing is slow. The writing style is easy to read, and Alice and Jack enjoy a gentle romance with a happy ending. It's a pleasant read but overly detailed and lengthy.

I received a copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC. A great book to start off the summer! Satisfying read-I really enjoyed learning about the different characters. A heartwarming book!

This is a good holiday read. It is about new beginnings, family, love and loss. The scenery sounds beautiful and the characters are likeable.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Let's face it- this is a beach book. Alice and Jack have chemistry and all the rest is just details. Some of this is unrealistic (there's a lot involved in opening an ice cream shop) but the basic plot is a classic one. Constructively, this would have benefited from a dispassionate edit to peel away excess detail and repetition. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

(3.5/5) This is the first book I've read by this author. A nice story about love, loss, family, moving on and taking chances. I found it a little slow moving at times, but overall, a good summer beach read. Thank you #netgalley and #bookouture for the eARC.

This really was the ultimate beach book. Light and easy flow and as the story developed I started to worry about how the conflicts and challenges would be resolved . My mind was racing and I started to worry that there was not going to be the happy endings I was craving . Jenny Hale did an incredible job of setting up scenarios and I should have trusted that she had viable solutions in mind. I was so anxious to find out the next developments that I stayed up way too late. Very fresh,very enjoyable. Everything you want in a book of this nature.
#onesummer #netgalley

Easy summer read.
Alice moves to her grandfathers old place by the sea following the breakdown of her relationship. She moves with her son and her best friend to start over, and open an ice cream parlour in the old shop.
When she meets Jack she is drawn to him, but he is only there for a few weeks, so should she risk getting hurt again?

It was a lovely summer read with a lot of descriptions, so it made you feel as if you were there as well.
Some things were maybe a bit to good to be true, but hey, it's a book and not real life and books are made for dreams to come true, aren't they?
If you are somewhere on a beach as well or if you are enjoying the sun elsewhere or maybe you keep the book for reading while there is a storm outside, I am sure you will enjoy it if you like to read about romance, friendship and family with all the ups and downs that they bring.
Thank you, Jenny Hale, Bookouture and Netgalley.