Cover Image: A Summer Love Affair

A Summer Love Affair

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

A Summer Love Affair has way more emotion than I could have anticipated which makes it even that more special to me! This is the first book I've read from the author and I'll be purchasing the first book in the series immediately because I'm officially hooked! It only took one book!

Was this review helpful?

Petra Quirk has always felt that something in her life is missing. When she returns to Eliot’s corner for the summer she discovers her mothers diary which will change her life forever. Her mother Elizabeth confesses that she had an affair and got pregnant. Her dad is Chris who was her dads best friend. Elizabeth tells her that they were in love but ended the relationship. Petra searched for him and contacts him. They meet and decide that they want to build a relationship. Will Elizabeth and Chris rekindle the romance they once had?


Thanks Holly Chamberland and Kensington Publishing for the book

Was this review helpful?

A Summer Love Affair by Holly Chamberlin is a great read for any time of the year. Who we fall in love with does not automatically lead to the person that we marry, especially in Elizabeth Quirk’s case, the main character in this book who the story revolves around. Mother daughter relationships are complicated in this novel and second chances abound for a lot of the characters in this story. Difficult decisions have to be made and many secrets are revealed. I couldn’t put this book down and like Holly Chamberlin’s other novels it was a pleasure to read and I look forward to her next novel. Bravo Holly and thank you for a wonderful read.👏📚Also a big thank you to NetGalley for sending me an arc E-copy of this great book.👍🤗🇨🇦🥰📚

Was this review helpful?

Holly Chamberlin has crafted a delightful beach read about a family’s resilience when faced with a life altering secret. Though the book was slow in parts, all in all it was an enjoyable read.

Was this review helpful?

The quaint seaside town of Eliot’s Corner, Maine is the setting for an emotional story of one woman’s search for who she really was which led her to uncover a secret diary and a long-forgotten wedding dress. Petra Quirk returned home for the summer to see her family, relax and reevaluate her life. I admired her love of vintage collectibles and her online store where she sells her treasures. It wasn't as exciting as it used to be, and Petra hoped time at the beach would help her decide which path to take next. Petra was tempted to read her mother’s diary, but she decided it wasn’t any of her business, but she would soon find out it had everything to do with her.

While Petra was dwelling on her role in life, her mom Elizabeth was saddened by the loss of her job which only made her wistful for her younger self. She had a secret that had been hidden for years and she felt now was the time to come clean about her summer love affair. Elizabeth’s wistfulness was triggered by memories of her past; her wedding gown, her diary and a song that she shared with someone special. Her mind was filled with questions she didn’t have answers for. Can you ever really leave the past behind? What if it comes back and gives you a second chance at love? Should you throw caution to the wind and wrap your heart around the man you never forgot? Elizabeth loves her daughters fiercely, but she also has room in her heart to love Chris (not that she ever stopped loving him). There were many things that reminded her of Chris and the summer of 1991, and she remembered them as if it was yesterday. The melody of a song, late nights sharing hopes and dreams and the gentle touch of a truly remarkable man. Divulging her secret would change all of their lives, but especially Petra’s.

There were so many aspects of this book that I loved! The beautiful coast of Maine, the drama between Petra and her sisters and Elizabeth’s second chance at love. The author definitely invites the reader into the story, and I felt that I too, was lounging at the beach, having lunch with Petra and sitting on the couch with the sisters as Elizabeth found the strength to share her story of that special summer. Even though her news upset them, in the end, it brought them closer together and everyone got their happy ending.

Was this review helpful?

This is my first book by Holly Chamberlin and I enjoyed it. Set in beautiful Maine, Elizabeth who was married to Hugh but now is a widow. She had a “fling” with his best friend Chris many years ago and no one knows. Elizabeth has 3 grown daughters and one of them, Petra comes to stay with her for a summer. While Petra is visiting, she finds her mom’s old diary. What secrets lie within the diary? Does Petra read her moms old diary or does she even tell her mom she found it? What do they find out if anything? I enjoyed all the characters in this book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

engaging, and emotionally satisfying. In her latest novel set in the charming seaside town of Eliot's Corner, the revelation of her mother's secret affair will turn one woman's world upside down--and bring new possibilities.
I loved that the setting of the book is in maine. It truly gives the book character. Love all the characters in the book.

Was this review helpful?

With Netgalley I try to pick books I am certain I will really like so I can always provide good ratings. Holly Chamberlin has always been an author whose books I enjoy so I chose to request A Summer Love Affair. This book, however, wasn’t up to Chamberlin’s usual pleasure reading that I have come to expect.
What I did really enjoy was how the author made the reader understand the side of a person’s story when they have done something that society or themselves have deemed wrong. The honest perspective of a woman who had done the wrong deed. Chamberlain also allowed the reader to see the importance of having choices in life versus just being put into a situation or pressured into a situation.
However, the book to me was very predictable and repetitive.
Thank you @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for the opportunity to provide an honest review on an author who I really do enjoy reading.

Was this review helpful?

A family with three grown daughters reside in a small Maine town. All three are quite different and their Mother recently has been forced into retirement and is figuring out how to spend her summer with her youngest, Pedra coming home.
A lovely story of lost love and forgiveness.
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Petra Quirk always had a feeling as if something was missing from her life. When she returns to her childhood home and finds her mother’s diary, everything falls into place. Decades ago Petra’s mother, Elizabeth, had an affair with her husband’s best friend, Chris. So Petra learns that Chris is actually her biological father. Her mother kept this a secret. Now Petra is determined to learn the full story.

This was an interesting story from expert author, Holly Chamberlin. The writing in this book was superb and I will likely look into this author’s back catalogue in the future. This is book 2 of the “Eliot’s Corner, Maine” series which I read as a standalone.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I love Holly Chamberlin's writing and this book does not disappoint. Such a touching read! Make sure you add this to your TBR pile immediately!

Was this review helpful?

Such a good book, I think people are gonna really love this one. Keep me wanting more the whole way through. Thank you!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley for A Summer Love Affair by Holly Chamberlain. This was a very pleasant, fast summer read with a happy ending. As much as I liked the story, I failed to like any of the characters. Each sister had their hang ups, which is fine, but I found them to be chronic complainers with little respect for their mother. It had a happy ending!

Was this review helpful?

This was my first time reading Holly Chamberlin. I’m happy to say I really enjoyed this book. I really liked reading about the characters in this book and the mother-daughter relationships explored throughout the story. This was very well written with an interesting plot. I felt that the characters were well developed and likable. This book would be perfect to read poolside, or at the beach. Thank you to both the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

This is a good book. The two main characters are Elizabeth and Chris. Chris is Elizabeth’s husband best friend. Elizabeth and Chris have an affair for a few months. Elizabeth gets pregnant but doesn’t tell Chris. Thirty years later after Elizabeth’s husband dies she tells her daughters about Chris and about he is her youngest daughter father. There is lots of problems but turn unto good things. Elizabeth and Chris still love another.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers for a ARC to review. I would rate it 3.5 stars but rounded it up to 4 stars. I liked the idea of the book but to me it dragged a bit at times and was a bit slow. It was a nice easy read, and at times I enjoyed it.

Was this review helpful?

A well written summer book set in Maine about the relationship between a mother and her daughters. If you like Elon Hildebrand, you’re sure to enjoy this one.

Was this review helpful?

There is a quote better to loved and lost than have loved at all. Elizabeth thought she lost her great love with Chris but in regaining it, she remembers what a soul mate and love that makes you a better person truly can be. Yes, Hugh was a great father to their three daughters but it was not the same type of connection. I enjoyed seeing the growth of Cam, Jess and Petra as they seized what they wanted and what no longer served them. Family and sisterhood is not taken lightly but without telling the truth of both triumph and their sadness, the bond cannot grow stronger. This book evolved into something great.

Was this review helpful?

A beautifully written summer book set in Maine. Holly's books never seem to disappoint. Her characters and storylines suck you in and you stay up all night just to finish. This one was about a widowed mother revealing a big secret to her 3 daughters. As the book uncovers you can't help but to smile. What a great happy ending. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and will recommend.

Was this review helpful?

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review -
I have loved every book Holly Chamberlin has written. You can feel the emotions, desires, etc throughout the book.
After her father's death Petra moves back home. She begins rummaging in her mothers attic and discovers her wedding dress and her diary. Unknown to her three children Elizabeth fell in love with her husband's best friend and Petra was the product of the affair. Although she loved him she did not want to break up her family. Petra meets her father and finds out how much they have in common. As the relationship progresses Elizabeth and Chris's beautiful relationship is renewed. Grab this book for a heartwarming read!

Was this review helpful?