This was an enjoyable read that took a while to warm up, but had a lot of heart once it did.

A desperate Birdy Finch heads to Scotland to impersonate her friend and work a summer job as a sommelier despite not knowing anything about wine and the possibility that she'll ruin the only meaningful relationship in her life.

Birdy is full of double-entendre quips, and issues from her shitty childhood.

As much a story of found family as a romance I found this easy to read and wondered how it would end. While I'm not entirely sure that the landing was as well-executed as it could have been it was hard to be mad about it after I'd been charmed by the cast of characters and the setting itself.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Birdy is adrift in her mid twenties. Jobless, directionless, estranged from her parents and fed up with her terrible not-boyfriend-boyfriend, she is emotionally and financially dependant on her best friend Heather. Heather has money, ambition, and a passion for her glittering career as a sommelier, she also has a terrible boyfriend.
When Heather dashes off to spend the summer in Italy with her boyfriend instead of work in a fusty old Scottish hotel ,she leaves Birdie alone in London with no prospect of a job or place to stay. On a whim, and a dare from her terrible boyfriend, Birdie decides to pretend to be Heather and heads to Scotland to take up the job. How hard can it be to sell wine in a stuffy old run down hotel?
But the Loch Dorne Hotel is under renovation, it has a superstar chef and a cellar stocked with hundreds of wines. There is a lot more at stake now, not just Heathers reputation but the livelihood of everyone at the hotel.

This is a very funny book, Birdy is is sharp and witty and there is a lot 'cringe comedy', in the first half at least. It is not a light fluffy read though, there are some real issues fairly well handled. Nor is it really a romance novel with all the cliches and strict structure associated with that. There is a strong romance element for sure, but other relationships are at the core of this book and it does not follow the normal rules.

There are two things that this Author writes very well indeed. The first is Scotland, I will admit to an internal groan when I realised that this book was sent in Scotland, so many of the 'Scottish romance' stereotypes get right up my nose. I am happy to report that there is none of that here, not only does the the writer avoid the that crazy written Scottish accent only ever spoken by romance novelists, but she really gets it just right with the scenery and the weather and the people, and how it feels to be there and look at the mountains and the sea. It comes over very well in the book.
The second is working in hospitality, The long hours, the teamwork, the disappointments, the buzz and the heat. The buzz of the refrigerators and the smell of disinfectant in the quiet kitchen late at night. The problem alcoholics too. It all feels very realistic.

I did struggle with the first half of this book, I find it hard when I don't really like the main character. Although I felt sorry for Birdy she drought her problems on herself, She was foolish, frustrating, short-sighted and very very selfish. I found it hard to believe that anyone would make the decisions she did, and potentially destroy her best friends career, on such slender reasoning. The book really improved in the second half, It became less about the comedy of cringe and more about Birdy's wit and inventiveness and her relationships with those around her. The plot takes off in some unexpected directions.

I enjoyed this book. I found it an entertaining and satisfying read. I will look out for this author in the future.

Thanks to netgalley for an e-copy of this book to review

Many thanks to the author, publishers and Netgalley for a free ARC of this ebook..
This was a lovely lightweight story that was just what I needed in these difficult times. It's all highly improbable, but it's funny and sweet with some really well developed characters. I'll very much look forward to more of this authors work.

I enjoyed this book but it was actually a bit more serious than I was expecting.

I've not read this author before and I would read her books again.

A wonderful feel good text.Funny and lighthearted this time leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside.The book takes you on a journey and is a comedy of errors and that makes takes you through the peaks and troughs of life.Birxy certainly lives life to the full.
A easy and relaxing read which a real female chancer.

The Summer Job by Lizzy Dent

I chose to review this book for NetGalley as I fancied a lightweight, light hearted read in this time of gloom and disease. I was under no illusions that this would be from the "chicklit" stable and easy to read and this proved to be the case.

Initially, I was not convinced by the premise of this book, which was that the main character decided to travel to Scotland to take up a job offer as a sommelier when her best friend decides to run off to Italy with her boyfriend and not follow up on her dream summer job at a boutique hotel in the Highlands. You really have to suspend disbelief as Birdy has no clue about wine and even less experience in fine dining and stumbles through the first few weeks of her new role by relying heavily on other staff, Google and crash course wine guides. I was just not convinced that anyone would get away with this and even less so, not providing a national insurance number, managing to just be paid in cash when she is meant to be a well respected, well trained, relatively well known sommelier.

I cringed my way through Birdy's way of dealing with this situation she found herself in, which seemed to largely rely on her drinking copious amounts and blagging her way through. However, by mid way through I just accepted that this was not intended to be completely believable and to just go with the flow. Once this happened, I quite enjoyed Birdy's gradual learning curve and improvements in both her wine matching skills and her love life as she falls for the main chef and son of one of the managers of the hotel. Using skills she actually does possess she helps organise a successful evening promoting English wine and even learns to cook with help from her beau. As you can imagine the end of the book has a happy ending. Although not that surprising, it is a light, easy read and a reasonable distraction from what is going on in the real world right now.

Well, I started reading this book at 3am in the morning when I couldn't sleep and was still reading at 3pm! I loved this book. This book gives you a warm hug. The characterisation, the plot, the setting, the pace and the writing instantly draws you in. I was so invested in the main character Birdie and her supporting cast of well drawn characters: Irene and James and Bill and Heather. Right from the start, there I was in Scotland in a hotel as if I was there and working there with the characters. I took in the scenery, took myself fishing, to a loch, to a rundown cottage, to a fishing village and to a cosy family home. The descriptions were so cleverly drawn, I could see and taste and smell the surroundings, the food, the newly renovated hotel, but most importantly, I felt the emotions of the characters and I was rooting for them right from the start.

When I finished the book, I was disappointed . I would have happily stayed there and watched the characters making tea and going about their everyday lives.

I believe this is Lizzie Dent's first adult novel and my goodness, I haven't loved something this much for so long. This book is a breath of fresh air. This book will make you laugh, ugly cry and shake your head in despair. It's a story of friendship. It's a love story. It is a lesson about life and how our insecurities and our past can shape our future though our behaviour and past experiences . It's a story about hope and friendship.

At one point, I was reading and cringing at the car crash that was about to happen for the main character Birdie, but loving it at the same time.

Buy this book. Take yourself off to Scotland and enjoy the ride. you won't be disappointed.

I would throughly recommend this book.

Thank you to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for the arc.

This book was brilliant. Such a fun read. It really comforted me, that although this is a work of fiction, it's really ok to not have your life totally sorted by the time you're 30. A really sweet story, filled with strong relatable characters, occasional drama and genuine laugh out loud moments.

A really well written, flowing book, excellent and accurately flowing, believable storyline. I really enjoyed reading this book (although not really my genre) I shall look forward to the next offering, would recommend this book and would be happy to buy for a present.

This is the debut novel by the author.

I did struggle to finish this book and I did struggle with the concept of this book so I am only giving it 3 out of 5, I wish the author all the best with this book

With Thanks to Netgalley & Viking for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review
Sharney Cat Uncat

This has the most boring beginning ever. It’s also all in the present tense which I always find difficult. I read as much as I could tolerate then gave up.. can’t imagine how this came to be published.

This is a fun read, if based on an implausible premise. So suspend disbelief, and just go with it. Follow Birdy Finch’s adventures to a luxury hotel in the Highlands of Scotland, where she attempts to pass herself off as a sommelier, despite having minimal knowledge of wine. There are inevitably fun and games along the way. Birdy is scatty, disorganised but eminently likeable - and real.
It is very well written, the pacing is good, and the characterisation is excellent, all the players are finely drawn, and very believable.
The scenic descriptions are wonderful, evocative of the real Highlands of Scotland, not the schmaltzy tartan and shortbread image as too often portrayed by authors who haven’t actually visited the region.
I loved the interplay between the various very different employees at the hotel, and of course Birdy aka Heather.
The depth of the friendship between Birdy and the real Heather, and the reason for their lifelong commitment to each other was subtly described. Their emotional attachment felt very authentic.
The will they/won’t they budding romance between Birdy and the chef James is deftly handled, keeping the reader guessing.
All in all, a most enjoyable book. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this title.

Thanks to Viking for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

On the surface this seemed like a fluffy rom-com, but deep down this is so much more than that.

At the start I wasn't sure if I was going to like this - just could not get my head around Birdy impersonating her best friend who worked so hard to be an expert sommelier and sort of ruining her reputation? I felt myself getting really anxious for Birdy and all the lies she had to tell and the deeper she got into this job. I understand this was probably meant to be tongue in cheek and witty but I felt myself slowly disliking her as a character.

Some parts I did genuinely laugh out loud, though.

The second half of the book is where I started to like Birdy and could start to finally understand the choices she makes and why, especially when she started to knuckle down and 'find herself.'

LOVED the setting of Scotland, the descriptions of food and the sense of community as well. This was done so brilliantly. Overall, I enjoyed this, but it took a while for me to get into properly.

This was a good, fun read and a nice bit of escapism in these difficult times when we can't easily pop off to Scotland to view the stunning scenery first hand.

A touch predictable in places, but this did not spoil a good story and there was a cast of likeable characters. Tasty sounding chef too!

As well as the story, I also learned more about the work of a sommelier - there is more to it than I first imagined!

I loved this book!
the idea of taking over someone's summer job for a laugh seems a bit crazy but also a bit like a good idea to me and that is exactly what Birdy does!
When her friend Heather decides to go abroad with the man she is mistress to but wants more, Birdy decides (while in her cups) to take on Heathers summer job at a little hotel in the wilds of Scotland- as an award winning sommelier.
There are plenty of cringeworthy moments as Birdy stumbles her way through trying to pull off the role as a wine expert, lots of laugh out load moments and some real tenderness between Birdy and the other hotel workers as various secrets come to light.
Everything you would hope for in a fairly light-hearted romantic comedy!

This was a very amusing and quirky book. I think it would appeal to readers who enjoyed the switch by Beth O'leary . It was a very engaging storyline and the characters were relatable and likeable. Once you start you won't want to put it down until you find out the outcome.
Elizabeth, otherwise known as "Birdy" takes on the persona of her Best friend Heather and takes off for the furthest parts of Scotland to work as a Somelier at a Highlands restaurant. Buddy knows next to nothing about fine wines and her blagging leads to some humorous moments that make you laugh out loud.
She meets James and they become friends with the feelings between them developing over the Summer period. . Everyone believes that she's Heather Jones , wine expert extraordinaire, what happens when they find out she's an imposter? Read it and find out!
I loved this book, it was heartwarming and humorous and definitely made me smile . It's feel good fiction at it's best. I thoroughly recommend if you want to escape from everything for a while, in an idyllic setting. You will be transported to the beautiful Scottish Highlands in the turn of a page! 5 stars

The Summer Job, The hottest new debut of 2021 – WARNING: this is not your typical rom com, Lizzy Dent

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Romance, General Fiction

I've read a few like this and found them great fun, and hey, with Covid dominating our thoughts fun and fluff is much needed.

I really didn't like Birdy at first, she seemed careless, selfish, and ready to possibly drop her best friend in it, to “borrow” the job for which she knows Heather has worked incredibly hard. Sommelier – Heather has spent years working at it, studying, building a steadfast reputation, and yet her supposed best friend is ready to risk her career, risk her losing all that?
Yes., Birdie is in a hole, but thinking she could just step into Heather's shoes was naïve to say the least, selfish in my eyes.

As the story moved on I did come to understand Birdie a little better, and see that she had a good heart, though I still felt she did a horrible thing to Heather.
There were funny moments, serious problems, heartbreaking sadness, and the food.....wow, that was some of the best part, visualising that. One of the best parts, one that showcased Birdie's talents, was the big food/wine event she presided over. That was just perfect.

The romance. I expected more, and TBH its really just a potential romance for the most part of the book. I'm not sure I was wholly convinced either.

Its a fun read if you can get past the issues of betrayal of her friend, and of course risking the whole hotel's renovation that hinges like all businesses, on getting the money in.

Stars: Three, an OK read, made me laugh at times but I was irritated by Birdie's actions too much, with her lack of concern for others.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

When I read the blurb for this book and also saw that it was being compared to The Flat Share, one of my favourite books of 2019, I was completely on board.
And I have to say, for me, The Summer Job was even better than The Flat Share.
Birdy Finch is such a great character and I adored how much personality and authenticity (even though she spends most of the book telling far from the truth) oozed from her.
She is easily one of my favourite female characters of late and I also found myself so invested in the lives of the accompanying characters.
Each of them was so well constructed and you could definitely imagine yourself at Loch Dorn encountering all of the characters.
I really loved the way that Lizzy Dent wrote this. Her writing style was right up my street.
When you start reading this you assume that you know exactly how it will end and it does end in a similar fashion but with enough twists and differences to totally make up for that.
The Summer Job was just such a great read. It was funny, romantic, emotional and perfect escapism.
I definitely can't wait to read more from Lizzy Dent in the future.
And if you enjoy reading the likes of Beth O' Leary and Lindsey Kelk, etc., you should seriously pick up The Summer Job!
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Elizabeth ‘Birdy’ Finch has had a run of temporary jobs and now her flatmate Heather is running off to Italy she needs to find somewhere else to stay. Heather is supposed to spend the summer working in Scotland as a sommelier and Birdy decides to go in her place. She’s trying her best to fumble her way through the job when she begins to develop feelings for the chef. Birdy soon realises she might have gone too far and people might get hurt.
I enjoyed Birdy as a protagonist, she was funny and self-deprecating but also someone who cared deeply for others. It was great to see her grow as a person and come to terms with her family and her past. The staff team at the restaurant were all really interesting and they felt like one dysfunctional family.
This book is pitched as a rom-com for fans of ‘The Flatshare’ and I would agree with this.This feels like the perfect summer beach read. It is light-hearted, fun story with an improbable plot but it also touches on deeper topics such as child neglect and explores what family means. Although she comes off as care-free and confident, Birdy has a really vulnerable side that she learns to deal with. Overall, this was an entertaining, quick read which I would recommend to fans of ‘The Love Square’ and ‘Beach Read’.

This was a fun and surprising romantic comedy describing the free fall the protagonist is experiencing while pretending to be her friend and now knowing anything about the job at hand. The handsome love interest adds a layer of spiciness to this lovely story.