This wasn't my usual kind of book, it was more chick lit or holiday read than I would usually choose but I found it hard to put down in a will they wont they kind of way. Some of the story lines and the premise behind it I found a little unbelievable and the ending felt as though it was awaiting a sequel but on a rainy lockdown 2 weekend it provided a perfect level of escapism and easy enjoyment and I would definitely recommend it to friends who like these kind of books.

If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh, but also reflect, this is the book for you.

Have you ever thought about starting over somewhere new, a second chance? Birdy not only thought about it, she acted on it and took Heather's sommelier summer job in Scotland, as Heather had decided to decline it and go to Italy instead with her 'boyfriend'. Surely this is a recipe for disaster, as Birdy doesn't know anything about wines?!!

A really fun read, but at the same time will address topics such as alcoholism, trust in friendship and finding one's path.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin/ Viking for my digital ARC in exchange of a honest review.

I loved this book! An unusual storyline set in beautiful scenery - I want to stay in that hotel.
I was cringing in anticipation of Birdy’s next mishap. Brilliant

While the premise is charming, the setting beautiful, I found myself wishing for more at the beginning. The latter half of the book, however, when Birdy really takes it upon herself to step up, saves me and this book. The writing really steps into its own, and the plot really breathes.

Tim is unlikeable, but I love that he is. It shows the progression of Birdy from settling to actually going for what she wants. Which is nice, and made the book more enjoyable as we really saw a true arc of a character.

The writer balances light and airy, with serious tones. The alcoholism is dealt with cautiously with care, and I found a credit to the author for exploring those themes.

I think the book had scenes which did nothing to the plot, particularly at the beginning, and had a effect on my enjoyment and my rating. However, it’s a fun holiday read, and didn’t enter “too-serious” waters it couldn’t get out of.

I rated this 3 out of 5.

I’m so grateful for NetGalley and Penguin for allowing me the chance to read.

This book was OK. Not great but readable. There is nothing wrong with the books but I just didn't find it that gripping.

Birdy flits through life by the seat of her pants; never fully committing to a relationship, never sticking with a job and never taking anything too seriously. The only anchor in her life is her best friend Heather, who has uncharacteristically decided to turn down a job and head off to Italy with her boyfriend. This leaves Birdy in a jam; she has nowhere to live over the Summer, no job and no money. She decides to impersonate Heather and take up her role as a sommelier at a remote Scottish hotel. She knows nothing about wine, has no clothes for the Scottish weather but it can't be that hard, can it?

This light-hearted and somewhat comical start belies the emotional core at the heart of this book. It's a story about love, loyalty, friendship, family and trust. It made me laugh, cringe in embarrassment, cry and ultimately filled me with hope. Birdy is a great character, and although her attitude that 'it's easier to ask for forgiveness than seek permission' at the start infuriated me, as I learned more about her I just wanted to give her a big hug and some words of encouragement.

I really loved this book and would like to thank the publishers and Net Galley for the advance copy in return for an honest review.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I really enjoy this authors books and this was no exception, fantastic storyline, great characters. Loved it.

A delightful summer jaunt of a read! Birdy has a new job for the summer months, only it isn't hers, but surely assuming her friend's identity won't cause any problems? A laugh-out-loud debut novel.

What an enjoyable read! Great for fans of Sophie Kinsella.

I really warmed to the characters and can't wait to see what Lizzy Dent writes next.

Birdy Finch has been stumbling through life and ignoring the glaring emotional holes for years now. Her best friend, successful sommelier Heather Jones, has enabled her behaviour in exchange for Birdy's fierce protectiveness and love. It looks decidedly like this is how things will continue when Heather uncharacteristically skips out on a job, and Birdy, very characteristically, decides to seize an opportunity for some free lodgings. All she has to do is pretend to be Heather, and a world class expert in wines - easy right?

What Birdy doesn't expect to find is a family, a community and a burgeoning sense of self that she thought was beyond her.

Effortlessly readable and exhilaratingly optimistic without ever tipping over into Twee (a distinct possibility when writers verge into the West of Scotland, and a real bugbear for those of us who live here!) This was a lovely Rom-com about a woman finding herself and a sense of peace while a low level con spirals out of her control.

A great entertaining read. Chic lit or summer read, but fun and interesting setting in a refurbished hotel in Scotland. With great characters well described, I really felt like I got a good read on each person. Little bit of romance, family secrets and best friends surviving missteps and lies. The Scottish countryside was also brought into the story, highlighting the open beauty of the highlands.

I loved absolutely everything about this book, the characters, Scotland, the wine, the love interest, the friendships and family ties. A joy to read from beginning to end.

What a great story. A brilliant read. Birdy was an amazing complicated fun character. I just loved how she tried to blag her way through the season at the hotel.. She and Heather had a great friendship and all they both wanted was a family. It was good to read a book that ended neatly and you did not want more

This book was so funny. I couldn’t help laughing out loud. It’s so cleverly written, your just waiting for her to be found out, but hoping she doesn’t. There is something for everyone in this story- humour, romance suspense and a bit of heartache.

The Summer Job is a very entertaining read. The group of characters bring the book to life and make it very funny! The potential romance and idyllic environment of the Scottish hotel just hit me with a rain day read! Loved this book!!

This is a delightful, very well written and very funny book about relationships, truth and lies, finding your place in life. Lovely well described characters, great story, both happy and sad. An overall well deserved 5 stars.

I started this book thinking I would struggle to get in to it and ended up being unable to put it down. What a brilliantly written book covering love, friendship and happiness. Birdy is such a likeable character and her friendship with Heather is so special. The inclusion of the relationship with James is a lovely touch because it doesn’t take over the book, leaving the main focus on the friendship whilst actually not having a huge amount of dialogue between the women. You are rooting for Birdy from the beginning from start to finish! Will definitely be recommending this.

I applied to read this book through Netgalley, and would like to thank them and the publishers for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When I initially saw it, I thought it would be a fun, slapstick read, as the premise is about the central character 'Birdy' who blags her way into a sommelier role for the summer at a high end hotel, when her friend Heather, a fully trained sommelier decides not to take the job.

This book was so much more than that though. At the start of the book I didn't think much of Birdie and her choices, she came across as vacuous, lazy and selfish, as she made the wrong choices to suit her own circumstances. However as the book progresses and she starts to realise the consequences of her decision and the impact it could have on her friend, we start to see the 'real' Birdie. I warmed to her character throughout and was rooting for her to have the 'happy ever after' that I felt she deserved.

As the book progresses, we learn of Birdie's childhood and how this could have impacted on the choices she has made throughout her life. We also meet a host of characters, each loveable in their own way, from James the hot chef, Bill the barman and Irene, the grandmotherly boss.

All in all, it was an enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend it. I did feel that the supportive characters were a lovely bunch, and very forgiving! Warning: contains references to alcoholism.

I really struggled with this one. Didn't like the premise that a novice could just walk into a sommelier job by mistake without being found out. The characters were an unlikeable bunch and I thought the use of the words
f**king and c**t inappropriate in a light romantic novel. Couldn't finish it.

This book gets better and better as it progresses. What starts off as a rather whimsical idea, turns into a gripping and moving insight into quite complex issues. The relationships Birdy has with everyone around her are profound and she tangles such a complicated web of lies, while discovering her true self.

This is a fun romance but it is so much more. Fall in love with Scotland and wine and lose yourself in this wonderful book.

Loved it.