Thank you to the publisher and to netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Oh this story - the setting, the location.... it's just beautiful. Rosie ends up here after such a devastating divorce and well.... she has to face her past. The secrets that have been kept forever, the amazing journal and basically a treasure hut - it was all so beautifully written and just - there is so much strength and beauty that is possible when it comes to starting over.

I loved the characters, the development and growth they showed over time. The connections deepening and strengthening and so much courage was shown...

Truly such a beautiful story of redemption.

This book was absolutely delightful! It was so easy to pick up and just dive right in. It’s a real feel-good read that leaves you with a sense of satisfaction. The characters are interesting and well-developed, and the setting is simply stunning. You can totally read this book on its own, but if you’ve read any of the previous books, you might recognise some of the characters. But don’t worry, if you haven’t read them, you won’t miss a thing! I finished this book in just 24 hours and I can’t wait to read more from the author.

Thank you Netgalley

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a great book. I enjoyed it so much that it's on my list of books that I plan to read again!

Really good book which I will recommend to others.

Thanks for the opportunity to read & review it.

I loved the small town setting and relationships between characters! Absolutely lovely to read on a summers day with a cuppa whilst dreaming of visiting Aaran!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 /5

This heartwarming novel about three middle-aged friends, each carrying a lifetime of secrets, absolutely captured my heart from the very beginning. The story begins with Rosie arriving on the island, seeking healing after a painful divorce, and reuniting with her lifelong friend Isobel. Their peaceful summer is soon stirred by Bella, Isobel’s daughter, who is searching for her father. Her discovery of a long-hidden diary unravels a tangle of family secrets.

The characters are so well developed by the author, who skilfully brings out their emotional depth to make the story even more expressive and touching. The romantic threads woven through the narrative add charm and keep the reader fully engaged. The charming Scottish Highlands provide a mesmerizing backdrop, making you feel as though you’re living among the characters.

If you enjoy heartfelt stories about friendship, second chances, and family secrets set in a cozy small-town atmosphere, this book is a perfect choice.

What a lovely and easy to read book about friendships, love, forgiveness and secrets with that small town feeling. I love reading books like this as they are so easy to read yet they are a bit of fun and are always in such great locations. The characters all had their quirks and all three women (Rosie, Isobel and Bella) are all in this lovely location to heal, forgive and even start again.

Wonderful writing, a heart-warming read and I always look forward to seeing what Ellie Henderson will write next.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

not read an ellie henderson book before but I enjoyed this book very cosy and cute read the characters were enjoyable

This was a really heart warming book! The story made me feel all of the feels and I loved the focus on family relationships and dynamics.

A Summer Of Secrets On Arran by Ellie Henderson was a beautifully written book and it is the 5th book in the Scottish Romances series and the 1st one I have read!!! A Summer of Secrets is about about three women who are close a mother Isobel, her daughter Bella and a close friend Rosie. and they all have secrets it is a sweet cozy but interesting read.

"Rosie," seeking solace on the quiet Isle of Arran after a heartbreaking divorce, hopes to rediscover herself in its peaceful surroundings. But as she settles into the old cottage that was once her family’s retreat, she begins to question if she’s truly left her past behind.

"Isobel," her lifelong friend, arrives to support Rosie. But what begins as a simple visit soon becomes complicated. Beneath her warmth and laughter,
Isobel holds secrets of her own — secrets that threaten to change everything for both her and Rosie.

"Bella," Isobel's daughter, has always wondered about her father, but her mother refuses to talk about him. When Bella stumbles upon a hidden diary, a shocking revelation sends her to Arran in search of answers. Instead, she finds herself torn between the love she’s always known and the possibility of a new and unexpected romance.

Now all 3 women have to confront their pasts, and they will all learn that sometimes the truth can lead to the most surprising new beginnings for all of them, even a second chance at love, when they least expect it. But, they have to talk and share all their secrets to get where they need to get to.

This book is a great summer read or a day off read. I loved all the characters. The story was great and a great read.

I absolutely love, love, loved this book — it was such an easy, enjoyable, and captivating read from the very first page. Ellie Henderson has a gift for creating characters that walk right off the page and settle themselves into your heart. Rosie, Isobel, and Bella felt so real to me — like friends I’d known for years — and I found myself completely wrapped up in their stories.

The plot unfolds beautifully, with threads of the past and present weaving together until all the pieces click into place. There are moments that made my heart race, moments that brought a lump to my throat, and moments that made me smile as these three remarkable women came to terms with their own truths. The emotion felt genuine throughout, making it so easy to connect with every character and every scene.

I especially loved how well-developed the backstories were — I came away hoping I’d be able to revisit this world and learn more about their lives beyond this book. The way the secrets came to light felt natural and earned, and the ending was hopeful and heartwarming, reminding me just how powerful second chances and new beginnings can be.

I was so hooked that as soon as I finished, I went and bought this book and the four previous titles in the Scottish Romance Series. They’re now sitting on my Kindle, and I can’t wait to get started. If you’re looking for an evocative, emotional read that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page, I can’t recommend this one enough!

A Summer of Secrets on Arran is the fifth title in the Scotland Romances series. I, sadly, have not yet read the earlier books in this series, but I will definitely go back to the very beginning.

A Summer of Secrets on Arran by Ellie Henderson is a tale of family, friends who are like family, secrets, and unexpected life changes. While there are a couple of romantic beginnings (or revisited) happening, completely swoon-worthy in fact, it was the connections that really set this story apart for me. I loved watching the connections between the characters waver, find steadying ground, and find that love of a lifetime, unexpected as it might have been.

If you love a well-written, emotional, engaging, and just plain fun romance that is packed full of all the feels you could possibly want, then A Summer of Secrets on Arran by Ellie Henderson is a perfect fit for you.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

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

Rosie is living in the cottage that her parents lived in, on Arran. When her relationship ends, she decides to stay there and make it her home. Her friend Isobel, is coming to visit and they’ve known each other for years.

When Isobel’s daughter reads a diary she tracks down Luke, thinking he’s her father. They travel to Arran and when they meet Rosie and Isobel, it’s not the outcome Bella had hoped for.

Luke is a singer and he knows Rosie from when they met years ago.

Ben arrives afterwards and he and Bella begin to get on well together.

Then another friend of Rosie’s and Isobel’s arrives and suddenly the identity of Bella’s dad is cleared and the reasons for the secret revealed.

I recommend this book.

🌸 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 🌸
𝟑,𝟓 ⭐

This is a story about three women — a mother, her daughter, and a close friend — each carrying hidden pain and long-kept secrets. After a painful divorce, one of them returns to a peaceful island 🏝️ hoping to heal, joined by her supportive but secretive friend. Meanwhile, the daughter discovers an old diary 📖 that leads her to the island, searching for answers about her father. As they confront the past, they find unexpected truths, second chances, and the quiet strength of starting over. 🌿

⚠️ Content Warnings

• Divorce & emotional trauma
• Secrets about parentage
• Family conflict
• Cheating (emotional)
• Grief & past regrets

💫 Tropes

💔 Second chance romance
💞 Friends to lovers
📖 Hidden diary / old secret
🏝️ Small town / summer escape
👩‍👧‍👧 Three generations of women
🔍 Search for identity / lost parent
💬 Best friends with buried secrets
🌅 Self-discovery in a quiet place


This was a gentle and easy-to-read story, filled with family drama and emotional depth. I really enjoyed the cozy and peaceful atmosphere of Arran — it honestly made me wish I could escape to a place like that myself. 🌺

I loved Rosie’s character; her strength and courage after her husband’s betrayal were inspiring. Watching her reconnect with someone from her past — someone who truly shares her interests — was so heartwarming. 💖

Bella's story broke my heart. 💔 Her desperate search to know who her father is felt raw and real, and I couldn’t help but feel for her every step of the way. I also found her connection with Ben sweet and touching — I just wish there had been a few more scenes to develop their relationship further. 🥺

Overall, this was a lovely emotional journey — perfect for readers who enjoy stories about family secrets, second chances, and healing. 🌼

Bella's found something she thinks will help her find out the identity of her father and she's arrived on Aran to confront her mother Isobel. Rosie was planning to spend a quiet summer healing a bit from her divorce. She was looking forward to spending time with her friend Isobel but she was not prepared for the drama Bella's bringing. This is a tale of old secrets and friendship. There's also a bit of romance. There's also Aran. I love a story set on Aran. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's an easy enjoyable read.

A book takes you to another place, and this place was darling!!!! I could not put it down. The characters were precious. I loved every page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this ARC.

This is Scottish Romances Book 5 and while I have only read one other book in the series I'm confident this can be read as a standalone.

The Isle of Arran is popular - first Rosie travels there after her divorce to stay in her parents' old cottage, then her friend Isobel arrives to keep her company. The kids, Isobel's daughter Bella and Rosie's son Ben aren't far behind. Bella is looking for her biological Dad, but gets some facts wrong, which causes her to bring singer Luke along who has old ties to Rosie.

This is a sweet, clean, inoffensive, fluffy summer read about friendship and second chances. Good if you want to switch your brain off with a quick, light-hearted, feel-good book in which the romances are slow burn and nothing much happens, just a summer by the sea.

3.5 stars

At the center of the story are Rosie, Isobel, and Bella—three women, each navigating a turning point in their lives. Rosie arrives on Arran after a painful divorce, hoping the island—and her family’s old cottage—can offer the peace she’s been craving. Isobel, her lifelong friend, joins her, but brings with her long-held secrets that slowly begin to surface. And Bella, Isobel’s daughter, driven by a desire to uncover the truth about her father, finds more than just answers when she follows a hidden trail that leads her to Arran—and possibly to love. Each woman’s journey feels personal and layered, exploring themes like identity, loyalty, and the long shadows cast by the past. The relationships—especially between Rosie and Isobel—are lovingly crafted, showing how friendship can both withstand and be tested by time and truth.

Though there are romantic threads in the story, this novel is primarily about personal rediscovery. The love stories are subtle and tender, complementing the characters’ emotional growth rather than dominating it. The inclusion of mature characters navigating romance later in life adds depth and a welcome layer of realism.

What makes the story even more special is its setting. The Isle of Arran is almost a character in its own right—evocative, peaceful, and quietly transformative. Henderson brings the island to life with vivid descriptions, making it an ideal backdrop for a story rooted in reflection and renewal.

One of the key plot points—Bella’s discovery of a hidden diary—adds a bit of mystery and momentum to the narrative, though some readers might find it slightly far-fetched. Still, it serves its purpose, unlocking long-buried truths and setting the characters on their respective paths to healing.

This is a tender, multi-generational story about healing, forgiveness, and the unbreakable bonds between women. Rich in atmosphere and heart, this novel is the perfect summer escape—ideal for fans of women’s fiction that blends emotional depth with a hopeful tone. This is a beautifully written, emotionally satisfying novel about starting over, finding closure, and the courage it takes to face the truth.

Ellie Henderson is a beautiful writer. i cannot give enough justice to just how wonderful her writing is. her writing style, the stories she tells are just big warm hugs of joy. i could happily read them over and over and to be honest she cant publish fast enough for how much i want to read her work!
this one is once again a perfect addition to what im sure must be a proud shelf of her work. i hope she has them on display for all to see, because they are just brilliant. from the cover, and all the way through the book you are just overjoyed to keep coming back to read it. and you feel a little book loss when it ends.
i enjoyed getting to know every aspect of Rosie,Isobel and Bella's stories. non overshadowed the other and you both learnt of them as a group but also there own stories in equal beautiful measure.
i felt the complications that could arise from a certain story and unexpected guest and found how things played out totally relatable but also real. it didn't feel like it was either glossed over or softly done. this felt like we were seeing real woman, real friendships and real love play out. with of course some wonderful Arran and Henderson charm. the deep friendship vibes that are given off the pages are such a brilliant thing to read about. i felt like it truly did touch the heart of what friendship is and means. there are layers to each character and i felt they were each given the detail and time they deserved and i never felt confused or like i didn't know what or how was being spoken about.
can someone please now allow me my own trip to Arran. a guest, or to be adopted into the community by someone? anyone?
this was such a warming and cosy read. loved it. and a great addition to this series but can easily be read as a standalone. i do advice you go and read the others though, you wont regret choosing to do so.

Back again to the island of Arran for another visit.
Rosie loves living on the island in the cottage once belonging to her parents but when unexpectedly life throws her a curveball her future seems unsure. Her friend Isobel and her daughter Bella come to stay but they to have their own secrets.
With friends old and new this addition to the Arran family is as usual fantastic.