Actual Rating: 1.5

This had so much potential at the start, and I was really interested in the premise. The idea of the main character, Gemma Whitehall, being a single mother working as the local registrar for couples and yet not being able to grasp a relationship herself…it’s a feeling of being in the middle of everything and yet on the outside looking in, that I’m sure many of us can relate to.

And Sam started off as a very nice character as well, who had a tragic past I wanted to know more about. Gemma moving into Sam’s cottage on his estate also sets up the scene for two characters to be in close proximity at a place that was very intriguing.

By the middle, however, the book started falling flat, and it stayed that way until the end. Essentially, it all felt like I was watching a Hallmark movie, in which the writer was given a batch of tropes, and they just picked five at random to use. Unfortunately, a mash-up of tropes does not make a story.

Instead, we got a bunch of characters going through the motions, and I was really not feeling the relationship between Sam and Gemma, especially when both lacked character development beyond learning to “allow your heart to open up.”

They had really annoying, immature fights, and the third person perspective omniscient writing did Sam no favors because some thoughts just made him seem annoying and misogynistic:

“Why did women always have to spoil things by asking, probing, demanding? Couldn’t they just accept a good thing when they had it?

The writing was also a little weak, which is why I got Hallmark vibes from it — it felt like I was reading a rom-com movie script instead of a book, which can usually go into much more depth.

It might’ve just been my copy as well, but it was full of errors:
‘I had too.’ / ‘I don’t think leprechaun’s control karma.’ / Plugging in her numbers, only two…

Ultimately, I think there could’ve been a lot more to this, and I was so onboard with the beginning. But unfortunately the novel lacks depth and originality — though it might still be a nice read for someone looking to pass the time.

Found it hard to connect with this book and especially the heroine - the actual line 'who wants their best friend to be supermodel thin?' made me cringe and it went pretty downhill for me from there and I could not connect with the character or care and so could not finish this book

Fun fact: the first time I ever went to England, we stayed in Bury St Edmunds. Naturally, any book that takes place in that same town, I would want to read. Especially combined with The Summer of Wishful Thinking and its castles, weddings and some main characters that are just the right side of wacky!


The story
Gemma Whitehall helps people tie the knot as the local registrar, but watching loved-up couples exchange their vows serves only to highlight what’s missing from her own life. Gemma can’t ignore the fact that life – and love – are slipping through her fingers.

Sam Ranworth has spent the best part of a decade building walls around himself after tragedy struck. The last thing he wants is to get tangled up in Gemma’s messy life.

When Gemma rents the ramshackle cottage on Sam’s neglected country estate, neither of them can ignore the spark of attraction. Can they leave the past where it belongs and take a chance on happiness?

The opinion
Sometimes, you just need a book that gives you exactly what you expect. Whether that be feel good, a certain pair being end game, or just the anticipated amount of weddings and castle-dreams? You know what you’re getting into as soon as you read the first page. The Summer of Wishful Thinking manages to score on all of the above.

Gemma is a thoroughly enjoyable, if sometimes a little panicky character who has – let’s be real – been dealt a rather harsh hand. Her job? Gone. Her son’s dad? Dead beat. And her land lord? A bit of a grump, actually. Throughout all of that, though, Eve Edwards manages to steer her main character away from ever venturing over into annoying.

The same is true for the plot actually, which, in spite of its predictibilaty, never becomes bothersome or anything like that. Instead, the reader gets to enjoy a perfect light, fluffy summer read with a bit of a twist and a turn just as you need it. Yes – predictable but with twists – this book can do both!

The rating: 3/5
If you’re in need of a fun read for the summer? If you want a book that won’t tax you too much, but will make you smile at the end – and many a time throughout as well? Then The Summer of Wishful Thinking is the read for you!

-Saar

I do love a feel good book that helps you escape for a couple of hours and this was one of those. Lovely story and characters that took you away from it all

This book is a romcom/chick lit which follows Gemma, a single mum who moves into a cottage in the grounds of a local castle. I figured out quite early on what I thought might happen but it was entertaining to see how and when it got there. It makes it a really good, easy, pleasant read and would be perfect for a holiday or relaxing in the garden.

The best part of this book was the characters. I loved Gemma, her unwavering independence and tenacity particularly in regard to looking after her son - Sam was also a worthy love interest; as a kind but damaged man who had been living life in hibernation mode after a traumatic relationship. Their interactions were not always sunshine and rainbows (which is reflective of real relationships) and seemed to be accurate considering their past experiences, but made this a charming story of second chances and forgiving yourself for the past.
All the supporting characters were strong also, I loved William, Leo, Tim and Diana and I often had emotional moments reading the interactions between these characters. I particularly enjoyed the cross-generational relationship between Leo and William, it was so heartwarming I think I could have also read an entire book following their days together.

With regard to pacing, the first half of the book was a little slow and did take a while to build momentum in terms of events but it did allow for superb character development. The story was a little predictable but I love that with romcom's - it's soothing! I was invested in the events and how the ending and I felt sad it was over.

This novel was like a warm cup of tea for the soul, I will definitely be reading more of Eve Edwards in the future.

This is the first book I have read from Eve Edwards and it will not be the last! This was such a cute story. I adored Gemma and Sam and was rooting for both of them from the beginning. If you are looking for a sweet romance, I definitely recommend The Summer of Wishful Thinking.

I did want to like it but the objectionable teenage son was more thanI could bear. Self entitled little so and so.

A loveable set of characters that it is a pleasure getting to know! The Summer of Wistful Thinking is fantastically written and is as addictive to read as it is heart-warming. A must read for fans of the genre!

Gemma - a teenage single mother who had her son Leo at fifteen with her ex Ray. As she approaches thirty she is still very much single and struggling to make ends meet. Which doesn't help when Ray flits back into her life and taking things from her house whilst she is at work.

Sam - a former Met Police Officer who has plunged all his saves into a castle estate i. Suffolk. Hoping to transform it into a wedding and events venue as well as restore the gardens. Running away from London after his girlfriend Jennifer passed away five years ago.

Join Gemma and Sam as they meet at an Elvis impersonators wedding at the castle which Gemma is one if the registrars. After a phonecall to say that Ray has been up to hid old tricks she decides she needs to move home. Only two properties are within her price range, one of which is a run down cottage on Sam's Estate. First impressions don't go well in both sides but soon they find that maybe there is more to each other than meets the eye.

There's just something about the characters in this book that I found extremely entitled and hard to connect to. It felt like it was trying too hard to build an array of interesting characters but all of them seem to fit the stereotype (eg. techno-loving 14 year old, a gay Elvis wedding, a black friend that says "uh huh" and "honey" a lot). It was super cringy and honestly I didn't like it even though I finished it for review purposes.

I requested this book thinking it was an enemies to lovers book which I love. This was not that. This was more of a cozy English love story that started with a misunderstanding. There were some heavier topics such as suicide, domestic violence etc but they were not huge themes. It was a cute story and I really liked Gemma and Sam. It was perfect for the light reading I'm doing in quarantine.

Gemma has managed her own life, for better or worse, since having her son Leo at age fifteen. Fourteen years on and Leo’s father is still wholly irresponsible, Leo isn’t like “other boys”, and the constant financial struggles mean that replacing what her ex has stolen is near impossible. She’s working all hours, as a Registrar for the council she’s recording births, deaths and performing weddings. And this weekend’s ceremony is a wedding at an estate that has been bought by a “Londoner” who has plans to create a destination wedding venue.

Sam is struggling: the gardens are overrun, the buildings need tons of work, his list is never-ending and money is tight. This wedding, with all the running about and juggling vendors and spaces means that he’s only got the briefest of time to ‘prep’ the officiants (Gemma and her best friend Diana) before the service. He’s less than welcoming, but the estate, despite being decrepit and in need of massive work, delights Gemma, the history buff.



Far from an expected story: Gemma’s worry for her son and about her ex and his bad influences, as well as worry about finances soon mean that Gemma and Leo are Sam’s tenants in a small cottage. The same day that Sam had to gather his father, now suffering with dementia, as his care home closed. We also have Gemma’s struggles with her parents, with her son, Sam’s worries for his father and his own issues of grief and guilt from a past relationship: as well as other struggles with budgets, councils, a threat to Gemma and a relationship that both Sam and Gemma are too afraid to categorize or define. Sometimes, in the midst of all the rehab of the estate, both find some sort of ‘self-building’ plans that are exacerbated by their budding relationship; giving them both that chance at a reformed and reframed happy ever after.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aI4/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I was given an ARC in exchange for this honest review. I really wanted to like the book... Gemma, a mom who had her son at 15 (she was now 29) needed something good in her life after lots of bad luck. Sam, a retired cop whose girlfriend had committed suicide was in need of the same. It could have been a straightforward romance, but it got lost in the details: the dad with dementia, the baby daddy who didn't have a job and had a tendency toward theft, the mob angle (?!?!), and the dead girlfriend's younger sister who decided to move in on Sam. It was all just too much. The ending was a bit ridiculous too and had I not made it all the way to the end, I probably would have set the book down at that point.

This is just the cutest of reads...and not just because of the romance, but instead the budding relationship between characters of different generations.

Gemma is a registrar performing the weddings of many couples each day. She finds herself comparing their loved-up, romantic bliss to her failing relationships, leaving her wondering when things will happen for her. The story opens with Gemma conducting the marriage of Phil and Neil, a couple who have entrusted their friend Sam to organise their after wedding celebration (at the castle he is renovating) with a view to organise and host other ceremonies in the future. Gemma meets Sam and she assumes he is a moody individual because of his behaviour toward her and a colleague, but there’s some deep-rooted issues there.

Struggling financially and trying to fight off an impending redundancy, Gemma looks for a new home for her and her son, Leo. She applies for a tenancy at a cottage, out of town, to escape her low-life ex that got her pregnant at 14 and left her a single mum to their son. She finds out that this cottage belongs to the ‘moody’ Sam she met, but desperate to escape her past, she accepts the tenancy and she can’t help notice the attractive appeal the owner is now giving off.

We see lots of problems and obstacles thrown in Gemma’s way and she battles on to overcome them. Also, Sam has his own demons to tackle and this adds to the unapproachable demeanour that he gives off. That is until Leo, Gemma’s son, intercepts Sam’s father (who is suffering from
dementia) from coming to harm and this softens his harsh exterior, opening him up to a friendship with his new tenants.

The relationship between Leo and William is adorable and one of my favourites. The way their relationship grows is lovely and you can feel the warmth and fondness between them.

A cute read which deals with some complex issues - it’s not just a chick-lit( it has a light drama genre feel to it too, but it’s definitely worth a read, as it gives depth and sub-plots to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book- it started a little slow but the characters became so very lovable during the course of the story. I would definitely recommend it.

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a nice read although not quite as light as the cover and blurb suggest,

It got pretty into it, issues wise, early on which I wasn't expecting.

I loved the main crew though - especially Leo and William.

Overall, not a bad read, just not what I was expecting

This book, set in England, is categorized as romance and there is a little open door romance in it, but it mostly a lighter drama. I loved how the main characters were in their 30's and 40's and had realistic lives and problems. This book didn't stress me out and was lovely. Would be great to read right now if getting into heavier books are a problem you're having. It is nicely written and flowed well and wasn't just the same old book. It was very readable but not without real topics and problems.
Read this for a nice romance/women's fiction.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.

The Summer of Wishful Thinking is a cute and light-hearted read! Perfect escape for a stressful day. Loved Eve Edwards' voice!

Did someone say... character development?! Honestly The Summer of Wishful Thinking was amazing in developing even the background characters to complete people, with their own stories and changed throughout the book. I’ll admit it took me a while to like the writing style and I do think that sometimes minor things were over described, but really that could be my own preference. Overall I really enjoyed the book and it’s nice to have some older main characters than conventional romance.