Light story about friendship and starting over for the summer. Nicole and Milly have been friends since childhood, but suddenly, when Milly needed Nicole the most, Nicole ghosted her. Milly suffered through a devastating divorce and her best friend wasn’t there to support her. Meanwhile, Nicole has made a big splash as an actor, but she needs a place to escape and hide away while she recovers from her own problems. The two old friends are not ready to fall into each other’s arms, but Milly does all she can to make sure that Nicole is comfortable. It was a very powerful story about family and friendships. Friends and always being there where friends are sometimes closer than family.. The characters were well protrayed and developed and it was a nice story. 3.5 rounded up Thanks to Netgalley the author and publisher for the opportunity.

Sarah Morgan knows how to write a fabulous story that will carry with you for long after you finish. I cherished every page! Wonderfully done!

I can’t do this narrator. I got 2 chapters in and had to stop. I’ll pick this up in print copy from my local library. My American ear found the narrator graying.

When I first read the description of this book I thought it sounded interesting... not usually what I would choose, but I went with it to try something a little different. I was definitely not disappointed! I really enjoyed this listen! The narration was great and kept me listening and interested.
I loved how the characters came together to support each other and made themselves a nice little found family.

𝑶𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆’𝒔 𝑺𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔

𝑺𝒚𝒏𝒐𝒑𝒔𝒊𝒔:
Milly and Nicole have been best friends since childhood, however events in their adult lives have caused them to drift apart.
Nicole, who is now a famous actress, needs a place to hide out for the summer, after a scandal she’s involved in, erupts in the tabloids. She turns to Milly for a place to hide out at her countryside vacation home. Milly isn’t sure if she should help Nicole, because Nicole wasn’t there when she needed her most, when her life was upended by divorce.

𝑴𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
I really enjoyed The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan, and was excited to see she had a new book coming out. I was lucky enough to get this from @htphive via @netgalley in advance.
However, I listened to this one on audio instead of reading it and I did NOT like the narrator. I feel like the voice took away from
The story for me a bit. I found it hard to enjoy the storyline when I was concentrating so hard on what the narrator was saying through her accent. Overall I did enjoy the story and liked how the characters were authentic and flawed. I liked how Milly and Nicole both overcame the challenges in their own lives and addressed the issues in their friendship with honest conversations. Both women showed growth throughout the book everything turned out okay in the end for both women. This is definitely an easy summer beach read!

I think I would have enjoyed this one more if I had read it instead of listened!

⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5, rounding up!

I am a sucker for a BFF story. This story centers around childhood friends with different ambitions in life, who end up both at a point of struggle and needing each other. It is a story of hurt feelings, and the years that have passed possibly being too much to overcome.

I love when a friendship can stand the test of time, regardless of how many years they have been apart. The main characters look out for each other throughout, even at times the other cant see it. It is a story about having that one person that you can trust, who knows you better than you may even know yourself.

The small town summer backdrop adds even more warmth to the story, so I found it a perfect summer type read. Henrietta Meire did a great job brings the small town feel to her voice. The tone fit the story and she differentiated the characters well.

This was a fun romance and I enjoyed it on audiobook. The setting is wonderful, although I wished I was hiking through the Lake District instead of just reading about it! I liked the setup--two lifelong friends reconnect when one needs rescuing--but they haven't spoken for 18 months, so there is some tension. You will spend some time wondering exactly what caused the rift, and I loved the resolution of that part of the story. Overall, it was a cute story that may have had some predictable aspects, but also a few twists I did not anticipate. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook.

Milly and Nicole have been best friends since childhood staying close even when their lives took very different paths. Nicole fulfilled her dream of becoming a famous actor and Milly took over her family’s resort in the Lake District, marrying and having a child. However, when Milly’s husband left her for another woman, Nicole ghosted her, breaking her heart even more.

Now, Nicole is in desperate need of sanctuary, a place to hide out when scandal hits, and she calls Milly. Milly isn’t keen on helping, but she can’t say no.

I was pulled into the story from the first page! Milly was trying to do her best raising her teenage daughter while managing the hurt and betrayal she felt not only by her ex-husband (a real jerk!), but by the abandonment of her best friend. I wouldn’t have been too happy with Nicole either if I were Milly, but I was eager to hear what was behind her behavior.

Nicole was dealing with a lot. She was grateful for the second chance with Milly and her family, the only place she ever felt loved growing up.

Other People’s Summers was such a lovely, compelling story; completely captivating! Sarah Morgan writes flawed, relatable characters that I end up rooting for every time! Her settings are always gorgeous, making me want to visit every place she writes about. There was even a bit of romance for both Milly and Nicole. A definite recommend!

I alternately listened to and read an audio and e-copy. I’ve listened to and enjoyed Henrietta Meire in the past and she performed all voices, male and female beautifully with appropriate emotions. I can recommend either version.

Sarah Morgan delivers another emotionally rich, sun-drenched story in Other People’s Summers. Set against the backdrop of a picturesque town, the novel follows three women whose lives are unexpectedly intertwined by a shared past and a fateful summer. With Morgan’s signature warmth and insight into relationships, the book explores themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the complexities of female friendship. The characters are layered and relatable, the setting is idyllic, and the emotional payoff is satisfying. Perfect for fans of heartfelt women’s fiction with a summery twist.

Sarah Morgan is a beautiful storyteller. In Other People's Summers, she paints a portrait of friendship, forgiveness and second chances. All of the characters felt well fleshed out, and each had their own struggles to overcome. Color me a fan!

3.75/5.0

This is my second Sarah Morgan book & there’s something about her writing that is so easy to digest. This one follows a family as they navigate life together & figure out how to survive. Nicole is a famous celebrity who’s scared and needs somewhere to hide. When she calls her childhood best friend Milly for help, they find themselves in a spiral of trying to figure out their friendship while also figuring out their individual lives.

I really thought both main characters were likable and brought so much to the story. I liked the backstory we got of their younger year friendship and the slow build to finding out why their friendship faltered. They were flawed but able to work thru their issues together which I loved. It was such a strong story of friendship and the love that a friend can give you, while also having familial elements that I adored.

Add in the romance subplots for the two main character and even the mom 🥰 I just really loved it! Such a cute, easy, women’s fiction read.

🎧 the audiobook narrated by Henrietta Meire was well done. While I don’t feel like she was able to distinguish between each character with specific voices, I enjoyed it as a whole. Sometimes I had to listen and question who’s pov we were in, but otherwise I thought it was decent! 4/5🎙️

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the hive, & the author for this advanced listeners copy!

Every summer and holiday season I look forward to reading a new cathartic book from Sarah Morgan. I was a big fan of last year's Summer Swap and her 2023 release The Island Villa. This year's Other People's Summers takes us to the Lake Country in England where we find newly divorced single mom Milly just trying to get through the day, Milly and Nicole used to be best friends, but after Nicole becomes a famous actress and moves to LA things have been different. When Milly's husband walked out on her, Nicole ghosts Milly for no apparent reason. Fast forward 18 months and now Nicole needs help and turns to Milly by showing up on her doorstep.

What I love about Morgan's stories is while they do contain romance, they center the relationships between women. Whether it be mothers and daughter, sisters or friends, Morgan shows us how important the relationship are and how they can transcend other circumstances in life. While Milly allows Nicole to hide out at the resort she runs (passed down from her mother), there is a long way to go before she can trust Nicole again, and a big question about whether she should. Milly is also trying to break some family trauma cycles by handing her divorce better than her mother did her own and protect her daughter as much as she is able. As all of these issues intersect over the summer, Other People's summers is a complex story of healing, moving forward and living in the present.

I listened to this book on audio and enjoyed the reading a great deal. It was easy to listen in the car and follow the different characters. Henrietta Meire does a fabulous job!

If you’re already building a summer reading stack, please add this one to the pile! Sarah Morgan’s latest, OTHER PEOPLE’S SUMMERS is the perfect book to throw in your beach bag this summer. Just look at that beautiful cover—I wanna jump right in! I’ve been reading the author’s books for years now, and love how reliable she’s become. I can count on Morgan for a solid women’s fiction novel each and every single time. In true Sarah Morgan fashion, there’s strong themes of family, friendship, marriage, and romance included.

The vast age range of the characters makes for a fantastic cast. Multiple generations of women are included—from new teen to elderly grandmother—the representation is all there. The bonds and relationships between the women is what truly makes this story sparkle. Their humor and fun banter will bring a smile to your face, and give you all the feels.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
“𝘈 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘥𝘺𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘭𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘚𝘈 𝘛𝘖𝘋𝘈𝘠 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘊𝘭𝘶𝘣 𝘏𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭. 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘖𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦’𝘴 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘶𝘴.”

READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:

- Female friendship
- Mother/daughter relationships
- Second chances
- Fresh starts and personal growth
- Reflections on forgiveness and healing
- Marriage and divorce
- Lakeside resort setting
- Secrets and betrayal
- Insight on parenting teenagers

Please don’t miss out on this warm and heartfelt gem! OTHER PEOPLE’S SUMMERS is out TODAY! 4/5 stars!

Other People’s Summers (Published as The Secret Escape in the UK) by Sarah Morgan

An emotional, uplifting story of friendship, forgiveness, and finding your true self.

Sarah Morgan’s Other People’s Summers is a moving and layered story about two women—Milly and Nicole—whose lifelong friendship is tested by secrets, betrayal, and the shifting seasons of their lives. Told in alternating chapters from both Milly and Nicole’s perspectives, the novel explores the complexities of female friendship, the pain of infidelity and public scrutiny, and the healing power of choosing a life that’s true to yourself.

Milly is reeling from her divorce from Richard, a controlling husband who left her for a younger woman. Nicole, once Milly’s closest friend, is a Hollywood star whose sudden disappearance from Milly’s life is tied to a guilty secret. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that both women are grieving—not just the loss of love and trust, but the identities they had carefully built around others’ expectations.

Morgan shines in her depiction of matriarchal wisdom across generations—Nana Peg and Connie (Milly’s mother) provide both comic relief and heartfelt insight. “We all bring the past into the present whether we are aware of it or not,” Connie reminds us, a line that resonates through each character’s journey.

Nicole’s arc is especially compelling. Once desperate for public approval, she’s forced to confront the hollow promises of fame. Vilified in the tabloids while her ex thrives, she gradually sheds her need for external validation. With quiet strength, Joel—the resort handyman and a gentle voice of reason—encourages her to stop running and start designing a life that reflects who she really is. His advice is simple but profound: “Isn’t it better to live the life you choose rather than a life designed to please other people?”

Both women initially lament the changes life has thrust upon them—Milly longs for the stability of her marriage, and Nicole grieves a relationship she hoped would finally bring her lasting happiness. But through the course of the novel, Morgan gently guides them (and the reader) to the truth: sometimes the losses we fear most create the space we need to discover what truly matters. The story becomes a quiet celebration of change—not as something to resist, but as something to embrace.

The Lake District setting adds charm and serenity to the narrative, grounding the emotional journeys of the characters. Themes of found family and emotional restoration weave through the book, culminating in powerful reconciliations—between Milly and Nicole, fractured dreams, and even ex-spouses. In a moving final gesture, Milly invites Richard to their daughter Zoe’s performance and reminds him, “People change.” That simple line captures the spirit of the book: graceful, hopeful, and quietly wise.

The audiobook, narrated by Henrietta Meire, complements the story’s emotional undercurrents. Her narration brings an edge of tension that mirrors the anxiety felt by both Milly and Nicole, adding depth to their vulnerability and personal growth. Her pacing and emotional tone are well-matched to the story’s heartfelt themes.

Other People’s Summers is a heartwarming, thoughtful novel about resilience, friendship, and the courage to start again. At its heart, it reminds us that we needn’t be afraid of change—it can be the doorway to the life we were meant to live.

Perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, Elin Hilderbrand, or anyone who believes that second chances and summer sunshine go hand in hand.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Another moving, emotional women's fiction/beach read that sees two estranged best friends reunited when disgraced actress Nicole shows up at single mother, Millie's B&B to hide out from the press and reassess what she wants from life. Filled with female friendship, romance and forgiveness, this was good on audio and sure to satisfy Morgan's many fans or anyone who enjoys authors like Susan Mallory or RaeAnne Thayne. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

CW: accidental pregnancy, infidelity

I received an early copy of this audiobook and thought it was a fun, cozy, light hearted read! There’s notes of friendship, romance, parenthood, and some stressors of adulthood mixed in without being too serious. It was great listen and the narrator was great too.

Thank you Net Galley and Harlequin audio for the advanced copy of this audiobook. It is a story about female relationships. It is a cozy read set in the Lake District providing a peaceful setting. The female main characters -best friends in childhood have been separated for a while due to life career and family but when the Nicole needs help she turns to Milly who is there for her no questions asked. The side characters Milly's mom, daughter and grandma, Peg really make the story complete.Henrietta Meire provided the narration for this story and brought the characters to life and made you become deep within the story. It is a solid read with some true looks at relationships and emotions. Look for it this week!

Book Review: Other People’s Summers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Sarah Morgan @sarahmorganwrites
Publisher: Canary Street Press @canarystreetpress
Thank you @netgalley for my ARC.

Other People’s Summers is a heartwarming and deeply emotional story about friendship, forgiveness, and second chances, set against the stunning backdrop of the Lake District.

Milly and Nicole were inseparable in their youth, but fame and distance drove them apart. When Nicole, now a global superstar, finds herself embroiled in scandal, she turns to Milly—the one person she can still trust. However, Milly, fresh from a painful divorce and raising her daughter alone, hasn’t forgotten how Nicole abandoned her when she needed her most. Despite her reservations, she offers Nicole sanctuary, setting the stage for a powerful journey of reconciliation and self-discovery.

The novel beautifully captures the complexities of lifelong friendships—how they can fracture, evolve, and ultimately endure. The tension between Milly and Nicole is palpable, making their slow but meaningful reconnection all the more rewarding. As they navigate past hurts and unspoken truths, both women undergo personal growth, finding strength and clarity in each other’s presence.

The setting is another standout feature, with the Lake District brought to life in vivid detail. The author’s descriptions of the natural beauty—woodlands, mountains, and tranquil waters—add a soothing and restorative element to the story. The sense of community within Milly’s world, from her hilarious and wise grandmother Peg to the charming and dependable Brendan, enriches the narrative, providing warmth and depth beyond the central friendship.

This novel is more than just a story of rekindled friendship—it’s a celebration of resilience, love, and the importance of living in the present. While some twists are predictable, they don’t diminish the emotional impact of the journey. Other People’s Summers is a touching, feel-good read that reminds us of the unbreakable bonds of true friendship. Perfect for fans of stories that explore relationships, healing, and the beauty of finding home in the people we love. Loved the narrators.

OTHER PEOPLE’S SUMMERS puts a lighter spin on some complex topics.

I felt that this book had a lot of sad undertones. Maybe (probably) it’s me, but I struggled to connect with the characters.

I thought the plot was fairly predictable. But still, it’s an enjoyable read for anyone looking for stories of female friendships and finding love after heartbreak.

Henrietta Meire did a fantastic job with the audiobook narration.

*Thanks to Harlequin Audio and The Hive for the free audiobook download!*

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ // cozy, complicated, and quietly emotional

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio and The Hive for an ALC in exchange for an honest review!

Other People’s Summers was exactly what I’ve come to expect—and love—from Sarah Morgan: a heartfelt, friendship-forward story wrapped in a cozy, coastal setting that makes you want to sink into a big chair with a cup of tea and just feel things.

This one hit a little deeper. It explores the messiness of life and the emotional tug-of-war that comes with long, complicated friendships. It’s soft, but also a little bit devastating in places. The kind of story that makes you reflect on the people in your life—and the versions of yourself you’ve been over the years.

I will always recommend Sarah's books to readers who like women's fiction because each one is solid, tender, and filled with the emotional honesty you can always expect from Morgan’s writing. And of course, the audiobook was lovely—gentle, immersive, and easy to get lost in.

Perfect for readers who love friendship stories with depth, nostalgia, and a touch of bittersweet.