Wanted to like this, but it felt like being dropped into a world I should be familiar with among people I should already know (thus didn't feel it eased a new reader in well). And then on the whole, things were happening but it didn't feel like a plot with ups and downs, more like a day-to-day-running, which is not my cup of tea, sadly. There are readers this will definitely appeal to because of that, but it wasn't for me

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

This has been on my NetGalley shelf for over a year, and I still haven’t picked it up. I've tried, but it just isn't for me (right now). I hope other people enjoy it more than I did.

It was such a great book. Hope Hall is an amazing place with great characters and it makes you feel warm and cozy like being in your most favorite place. It’s a very fast paced read that has the ability to take you right in and not let you go until you are finished.


4 out of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author/publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. I cute women's fiction novel that I highly recommend.

Lovely feel good book to read. It was a joy to read. Lovely characters. Great plot. The book was charming. Very well written. I’d definitely recommend this book

Picks up seamlessly where Springtime at Hope Hall left off, this is the second in the series, and follows the preparations for Hope Hall's Centenary. There's nice touch of mystery in terms of the scruffy stranger who likes to keep a distance, and the one who turns up to watch his son William in the Sea Cadets, and we learn more about each of the characters, in particular Kath, Maggie and Sheelagh.
Pam is a master at small town characterisation and it shows here. Everyone will recognise someone!
These are super easy relaxed reading novels. Fun and enjoyable escapism to a world never impacted by Covid19!

This is an absolutely delightful series, a world you can just open the pages to and just escape reality. This the second book in a trilogy, and although can be read as a stand-alone I think, you will be better reading the first in the series before this as it just makes everything and everyone so much more familiar and welcoming. The story and also characters lives revolve around Hope Hall, and I adore that and the fact it focuses so much on community, I particularly love and enjoy the older members of the community. I am so looking forward to the next book and highly recommend this series to anyone who loves great characters and a heartwarming read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

A brilliant book....
I have now read the others as well in this series and they are all excellent but this is my favourite one

Summers out at Hope Hall by Pam Rhodes

The second in the series set around Hope Hall and the community it serves from the group run there and the lives it touches in turn. It focuses on the century of the building of Hope Hall after the first world war to bring hope to the local community at the end of ‘The Great War’ and such great losses of the sons and husbands.

I found the book a slightly slower burn than the first which drew you in immediately but after a few pages you were there! It was like return home after a time away and returning home to the warmth of family and old friends.

The characters and there underlying stories had sadness and humour. It touched on many issues faced today beautifully and kindly.

Love this series next book is a must! An easy read that draws you in and just puts its arms around you. 4.5/5

Thank you to Netgalley for a pre publication copy. In return for an honest review! #summersoutathopehall #netgalley

Hope Hall was built in 1920 in memory of those effected by the war. Since then it has been home to the villages laughs, cries, grief and love. Through its many clubs, lunches and groups which use the hall to benefit the community. Follow the hall, it's employees and members as they go through the throngs of life during the build up too the centenary events.

This is book two in the series and I knew after reading the first book that I must follow the series.

Once opening the book it is a page turner. You are brought into the village as a resident. You feel just like your meeting old friends in the hall. Joining in each of the clubs on offer. Whilst you feel the characters emotions as they live their life through the ups, downs and turmoil that life throws them. They are all friendly and "mother" characters who have all had or have very different lives and sometimes existances. They all have the common ground of Hope Hall which brings them together as a community. Whilst supporting their individual growth. Sometimes from the rock bottom of society.

This book is a great easy read with nothing too surprising! There are some twists along the way but you never feel that you are missing anything from the story line allowing you to follow it through until the end with confidence that Hope Hall will welcome and support everyone.

I loved the stories each character could tell and particularly the historical nature of it towards the end. You read this book for character growth, history and warmth. Not for any huge surprises, changes or redherrings.

Although their are some emotional subjects included in this book such as divorce, parent death, single parent hood, cancer, death at war and loosing the love of your life. I do not feel this takes away from the cosy feel of the book and I feel actually gives each character a third dimension to get your teeth into. Making it a very relatistic and heartfelt read. With a beautiful historical nature which brings a very holistic centenary approach.

I cannot wait to read the last book in the series.

There are some editing changes I feel should be made but because this is a pre publication copy I'm sure they will be done. Eg formatting particularly when changing character abruptly

Hope Hall was built in memory of those soldiers killed in the war. They were ready to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the organization. The Hope House provided many supports for people in need. They ran a food bank and a number of other social services for local residents. This is a fun and moving story of the power of hope and the good hearted people in a small town. The employees had researched the individuals that funded and built Hope Hall and had invited their relatives to take part in the celebration. I recommend this book.

I enjoyed the community building aspect of the book and the inclusion of economic refugees and homelessness as the themes were strong plot hooks but I feel that a lot of the book was also shoe horning in issues that detract from the story. There was a little too much exposition of established characters that was adequately explained later in plot developments so seemed a little wasted in such a short novel. The romantic elements seem a little bit rushed this time around , leaving me feeling a little bit short changed

I feel this might be a book for older readers as some of the conceptions seem outdated. I am of an age similar to some of the characters and I do not consider divorced women flighty and out to hook a married man, which was a bizarre inner monologue for one! The humour is still very much evident though and I would still recommend this story to fans of cosy literature.

I honestly felt like I was dropped into a world that I was supposed to be familiar with but wasn't. I tried to persevere through it but after making it over a third of the way and struggling to continue, I gave up. I could not get invested in either the character or the plot.

Pam Rhodes is a great author and this book the second in the series is just a good as the first one. Community, we need so much more of it that we have these days, I can remember those days and they were great. This novel is full of love, fun and is a great book to lose yourself into it. This is a 5 star novel and I recommend it.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

Hope Hall is the centre of the community. Administrator Kath manages all the varied activities that go on within its walls. As the hall approaches its centenary excitement builds & ideas for the best way to celebrate abound. The story is full of engaging characters & their stories like Maggie the catering manager who is getting used to being single again. The girl who comes to English class & makes friends with a pop group. The Grown-up Club- who may be grown up in years but Percy is still a kid, & many more.

I loved the first book in this series & this one was every bit as enjoyable. It is an easy gentle read that leaves the reader with a smile on their face. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book- I'm already looking forward to the next one!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Pam, in this book delves into the strength of community, the importance of faith.

There’s new and exciting things awaiting the gang that we've met in previous bookSpringtime at Hope Hall,

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them again and joining them in their quests.

There was so much much more of character developments in this story. This was just sort of introduction needed .

I loved the humour and Percy was my favourite character. I also liked that there were a few mew characters as well as a a new love interest,

An enjoyable read

This is a lovely series to let yourself unashamedly enjoy, and forget everything else around you. It is the second book in the trilogy, and from the first page, I felt that I had never left this quaint village. The familiar characters filled the book along with new faces, while others sadly left, one way or another.

The lives of the residents, I can’t bring myself to say story because they feel so real, centres around Hope Hall which were thriving due to so many people of the small village, but hugely with the organisational skills of Kath. Kath had ditched her previous employment and life in the city for country life, a reduced salary and a much happier life.

The chapters follow local people and how Hope Hall has become a lifeline for some, a place of friendship for others and a safe harbour for anyone that needs it. It is coming up to one hundred years since Hope Hall had begun, and the villagers were intent on making it a massive cause for celebration. I loved the stories that tumbled out of the past, and the difference that they made to some of the residents in the present day. It brought a sense of what matters to people, taking chances and not passing an opportunity that may not come again.

I love the older generation of this community, as there is a lot of life and devilment left in this wild bunch! Hope Hall is a place for all the village residents, no matter what age they are. As I live in a small community, the village hall had been the hive of information, friendships and gossip. It felt homely reading about normal life as it was, and hopefully will be again one day. Looking forward to the final book in this series later in the year.

I wish to thank the publisher and Net Galley for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

I absolutely love the community and love this book brings! It warmed my heart and was such a fun read! It’s an easy yet enjoyable read and definitely recommend this fabulous book! I can almost remember what it was like before COVID! Thank you netgalley for the chance to read this!!

New adventures await the gang we've met in Springtime at Hope Hall, and I've enjoyed joining them in their quests. We have much more character development in Summer's Out at Hope Hall and from this point of view I almost felt that Springtime at Hope Hall was just a sort of introduction, whit this being the actual novel. The humor is better too and Percy is of course my favourite character. A few new characters and a new love interest, but I don't want to give up too much. If you are after a very enjoyable light read and you like small almost rural communities, you won't go wrong with Summer's Out at Hope Hall.

Many thanks for the opportunity to read this.