Cover Image: The Summer Holiday

The Summer Holiday

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Member Reviews

#TheSummerHoliday #NetGalley
Kate and Jeff have made it in life, they own a luxury villa in an idyllic Mediterranean setting, he is a hugely successful lawyer and the two have been in love since they met at uni, Lets ignore the fact that he's a workaholic who never picks up a finger to help, or that Kate feels she has lost the connection they once had. This holiday is going to bring them back together now that their daughter has grown up....
The first night out, Kate sets eyes on Coco Moss, an acquaintance from university who moves in very exclusive circles. Kate has always been in awe of her but plucks up the courage to say hello and invite her over. Coco is reluctant at first but is won over. But when Coco and Jeff see each other for the first time in the villa they both turn white and look like they've seen a ghost- there's obviously something there but will anyone tell Kate?
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me an advance copy.

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"The Summer Holiday" is the newest psychological thriller penned by S E Lynes, and true to the author's reputation, it lives up to expectations. Kate and Jeff find themselves on their annual holiday at their villa in Spain, but this time it's just the two of them since their daughter Lou is away with friends at university. As the years have passed, their marriage has undergone changes, and Kate is determined to salvage what remains during this vacation.

In her favorite cafe one morning, Kate spots Coco Moss, an acquaintance from University who always seemed aloof and composed. On a whim, she invites Coco for drinks. However, the moment Coco steps into the villa and sees Jeff, everything Kate thought she knew about her life is suddenly thrown into turmoil. The exchanged look between Jeff and Coco leaves Kate with no doubt that Jeff is not a stranger, and they clearly share a history.

This exceptional thriller had me captivated from the very first page, and by the time I finished, I felt emotionally drained. It's a book that should not be overlooked, I am a big fan of this author and have now purchased quite a few of her books and can't wait for the next book to be released thanks again for the copy for an exchange of my honest review.

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Incredible! I'm speechless and my head is still spinning. I have no idea the connection between my husband and colleague but they are hiding something.

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I could not put this book down! It is an excellent piece by an amazing author that keeps you guessing the whole time. Definitely worth reading if you enjoy a suspense thriller with an engaging narrative.

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I love this authors books when it comes to fast paced domestic thrillers! This one did not disappoint! I love the summer holiday vibes and ‘isolated setting’ is one of my favourite tropes within thriller books. A perfect read for sitting by the pool.

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Oh, the drama! This book was glued to my hand from the first page until the last. Bursting of secrets and revelations. The writing is compelling and utterly gripping. S. E. Lynes is fast becoming an auto-buy author of me. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc.

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I adore SL Lynes previous books and this one is no different. The writing is fantastic and the plot is full of drama. Such a good thriller read!

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ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the plot of this book and how the author made the main characters older and more mature in their relationships than the typical demographic. I really enjoyed the glimpses into the past and and how even after 20+ years of marriage you never really know who you’re sleeping next to. It’s crazy how fast your world can crumble with one bad decision, and how do you come back from that? I really felt it concluded sufficiently and look forward to reading other books from this author!

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The Summer Holiday is the latest psychological thriller from S E Lynes and as I’ve come to expect from this writer, it does not disappoint. Kate and Jeff are on holiday at their villa in Spain as they do each year, however this time it's just the two of them as their daughter Lou, who is now at uni, is away with friends. As the years have passed their marriage has changed and Kate is trying to salvage what they have during this holiday. One morning whilst sitting in her favourite cafe Kate sees Coco Moss, an acquaintance from University who always seemed so detached and cool and on a whim she invites her for drinks. However from the moment Coco walks into the villa and sees Jeff, everything Kate knew about her life is suddenly thrown in to turmoil. The look between Jeff and Coco in that moment leaves Kate in no doubt that Jeff is no stranger and they obviously have history.
A wonderful thriller that had me engrossed from the first page and left me emotionally drained when I was finished. A book that’s not to be missed.

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I really like this author having read previous books I was excited to read this one. I love how she threw things at you that you didnt see coming. Full of drama , if you like that sort of thing.

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Wow what a story!! So enjoyed this book & had to keep reading when I should have been doing other things!!!

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I always enjoy books by Susie Lynes and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. Kate and Jeff met at university and they have an affluent lifestyle. He is a successful lawyer and a workaholic and leaves Kate on her own a lot as she runs a cake making business. They own a luxury villa in Spain and are spending their first holiday on their own without their daughter. Kate is hoping that they can rekindle their romance but she still seems to be spending a lot of her time alone there. Whilst having a coffee in a local cafe she is amazed to see a familiar face. It is Coco, who she idolised when they were at university together. Kate had tried to be noticed by Coco and her friends but they blanked her completely. Kate invites Coco for drinks at the villa and is amazed when Coco agrees. She didn’t tell Jeff who their guest was going to be but when Coco arrives Kate realises by the look on their faces that they know each other and are also hiding something. Kate, Jeff and Coco tell their own stories of what happened at university and how it changed their lives. This is a story of how lives can be ruined by infatuation, deceit, secrets and lies. A great read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

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Kate and Jeff are spending time at their holiday villa on the Costa Blanca. From the outset you get the impression that Kate and Jeff are not really comfortable with the idea of spending time with each other as Jeff is work obsessed which leaves Kate no option but to wander aimlessly with no real focus. When Kate spots Coco Moss, a familiar face from their college days, she decides to surprise Jeff by arranging a surprise visit from Coco, which, as it turns out, opens up a whole can of worms which would have been so much better if left undisturbed.

This is a really clever psychological thriller which turns the minutiae of a marriage inside out and which opens up the past to vicious scrutiny. It was so meticulously plotted that I really couldn't put the book down without wanting to know a little bit more. It is so cleverly plotted that I can well imagine this translating to a compelling TV drama as not only is it set against the backdrop of a beautifully described Spanish coastal resort but it also has an element of suspense which is present from the very start and the twists and turns don't lose pace, or momentum, until this compellingly, addictive story is told. I’m deliberately being vague about the ins and outs of the plot as this really is a story which is better read with no idea of where the plot is heading, that way you will be just as surprised as I was when the whole thing has played out in really vivid detail.

Absolutely fabulous from start to finish, The Summer Holiday is the ultimate holiday read and just perfect escapism either poolside or relaxing in the garden

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Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kate is in her mid 50’s with a successful husband and plenty of money but she has never been cool like Coco Moss, a girl she went to college with. So when she sees Coco on holiday in Spain, she does everything she can to make friends with her. When Coco comes for dinner and Kate’s husband has a startled reaction, she wonders if something went on between them in college or is still going on.

3.5 stars.

I liked this book and I wanted to know where it was going. Unfortunately I wasn’t as wowed by the revelations at the end as I had hoped to be.

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Overall, the pace is steady, with a good level of suspense and I did want to keep reading. The tangle of twisted relationships and lies were compelling and, although I felt slightly disappointed by the ending, I would still highly recommend this latest book from this author

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I struggled to get through the first even 30% of this book. I was beyond bored and found nothing suspenseful about it.
It is rare I do not finish a book but I just had to stop this one because I was not interested at all and found nothing about it to be like a thriller.
The characters were very unlikable and rather ridiculous. The whole concept was extreme. So Kate invites a woman from school that she randomly spots while on vacation after not seeing her for like twenty years to her house for dinner?? No one does that. So unrealistic. Then she doesn’t catch on more that Coco and Jeff know each other?

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Another fantastic five-star read by SE Lynes. I love this author's writing style and the humour she entwines throughout the story. I was gripped throughout. A brilliant book.

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Another five star novel from SE Lynes - loved the setting and the plot that twists and turns. Five stars.

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I just couldn’t like Kate as a character. I understood her, but that doesn’t mean I liked her.

The little breadcrumbs left throughout the story to lead on the suspense wasn’t enough for me. I felt myself bored and wanting more to keep me interested.

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If it is a book by SE Lynes I don't even read the blurb as I know it will be fantastic and this was another good one! A great domestic thriller. Kate and Jeff have a beautiful holiday home in Spain. Coco, the popular girl from uni is in in town and Kate stalks her until she gets her to her house. A lot of secrets arise and the story is gripping with great twists and turns.

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