That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel

That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel is a delightful novel with plenty of interesting characters and a captivating plot. I loved that it reads like a play or movie script which fits nicely into the story and the characters. There is drama-par for the course for actors Archie and Fenella- mystery around who Mia’s father is (a long held secret by her mother , Archie and Archie’s long-suffering sister Bernice), tension between Mia and Ross, Mia and her mother, Bernice and Archie and Fenella. All combine for a perfect script that will hold your interest and keep you on your toes.

A beautifully well written story set in a wonderfully described location. Mia is searching for answers, her father unknown and questions to be answered, as her beloved uncle is dying now might be the time to find out her history. Full of emotion this is a rollercoaster of a ride.

Being given an ARC of a book always entails a feeling it’s not entirely for pleasure but also that your services are required somehow. I was so totally enraptured by this story that I literally devoured the pages, forgetting the main reason why I was reading it.
WOW! was all I could say when I came to the end, and I had to sit back, relax and let at least a day pass by before I could even try to put pen to paper and try and describe the emotional turmoil I had been left in.
I am still mesmerized by this utterly fabulous, incredibly well-written. masterfully plotted novel.
I have tried to squeeze it into a genre, or to ‘tag it’, as is the fashion nowadays, thus failing.
The witty, funny exchanges between the characters belong without doubt to an (incredibly well written) comedy play; the setting to a romantic novel, the story is without doubt epic, with a drop of magic, the plot wouldn’t be out of place in a detective story and yet...and yet all these elements rather than clashing, give way to that balanced, captivating ensemble that has become Adrienne Vaughan’s trademark writing style.
One mention for the set of characters: they would perfectly fit in a top theatre play, with their outstanding ironic dialogues that provide much needed relief and a jazz counterpoint to an otherwise dramatic story.
One last mention for the setting, which could be seen as a character in its own right: wild and rough, yet soothing, like a Romantic painting; so incredibly well portrayed: you can smell the iodine in the air, you can feel the salt on your skin.
Be prepared for a wonderful journey.
Thank you to Netgalley, The Paris Press and the author for providing an ARC of the book.

That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel took me a long time to get into, which is surprising because I love books set in the British Isles, especially in Ireland and Scotland. But once I was drawn in I was hooked and couldn't put it down. Mia Flanagan was the daughter of a famous actress and a father she never knew. Secrecy surrounded her conception and when she was ten, she stopped asking. But when the father figure in her life leaves her an estate, she wonders if it was him. Follow her as she tries to pull back the curtain of time to sort out who exactly her father is and why her mother kept it a secret.

Well written with a good plot and a great cast of characters. The author was new to me and I enjoyed her style of writing. Recommend this book.

The story goes thus Archie is dying and wants to meet up with Mia( Fenella's daughter) to Galty House in Ireland. Mia had always wanted to know who her father was. Mia arrives at Galty House along with her mother, Fenella and realizes that there are sub currents surrounding Archie and his decisions.
The author, Adrienne Vaughn, has written the book with a flair and panache which is quite rare. The characters all seem larger than life. There are layers surrounding Archie, his will and inheritance, along with the secrets that he hides in his heart. Dialogues add a different flavor to the story, seemed like something out of a Hollywood screenplay. The author's talent in worldbuilding is evident in the way she has described this part of Ireland.
The emotional build up has its own grip, scenes between Archie and Fenella, scenes between Mia and Ross and their budding romance tug at the heart. There are subplots which seem to be happening till the story builds up to a climax where everything seems to end well. A bit of a different style for me but overall a good book from start to finish

With a cast of wonderfully realised characters, this story transported me to Ireland and Galty House, set in the beautifully described coastal location of Rosshaven. Archie Fitzgerald, legendary actor, is dying, but determined to depart on his own terms. He wants Mia, the daughter of his close friend and fellow actor, Fenella Flanagan, to come home to Galty House for what will be their last summer together.


I love the almost ethereal quality of the cover image which compliments the theme of the book perfectly. Reminders of a past long gone, reminiscences and repercussions play a big part in the story. Whatever happened all those years ago has been a closely guarded secret, long buried and never spoken of. But now things are changing. Fenella is terrified Archie will feel compelled to break his promise and Bernice, Archie’s sister, wants to know what’s going to happen to Galty House when Archie is no longer there. Added to that is the mystery of the small island in the bay, with its atmosphere of secrecy and darkness.

Mia has only ever wanted to know who her father was, and why her mother would never say, but she gave up asking years ago and was content with the people she loves and who love her–her mother, Archie, Bernice and unconventional housekeeper Leela. But now, the desire to know has reasserted itself. When Archie lets her know she will inherit his estate, it makes her wonder if he is her father.

Newcomers to Rosshaven, Ross Power, Chief Executive of the new Harbour Spa Hotel in the village, and his niece, Pearl, quickly become involved with the family, and the stage is set for a very eventful summer of joy, heartbreak, tragedy, romance and surfacing revelations. Secrets are exposed, as is the greed and selfishness of certain people.

Sections from the past are scattered tantalizingly throughout the narrative and, as the small group spend time together, layers are uncovered, feelings laid bare and several threads are woven into the storyline. As with her previous books, Adrienne Vaughan’s knack of creating engaging and compelling characters who completely captivate, in a fabulous setting, is evident. Archie is outwardly theatrical and colourful, wanting to make the most of the time he has left, but understandably frailty shows through. I love Mia, the bond between her and Archie and the developing one with Pearl, another wonderful character.

Written with confidence, delightfully authentic dialogue and style, this was a joy to read.

Excellent! Very well-written, though in a style of run-on thoughts and disjointed memories that took some getting used to. I enjoyed the interesting locale, the interesting professions of the characters, the interesting history of the area, and of course the slightly foggy air of mystery.. The romance was realistic and unassuming, and the threads were all wrapped satisfactorily. Charming!

The book can be categorized as woman’s fiction. It is the story of Mia born out of wedlock. The book returns to an earlier time when Mia ‘ s mother falls in love with an individual whose destiny has been prearranged. Mia ‘s mother befriends individuals who become life time friends and protect her. Archie is one such person who not only is close to Mia’s mother but also Mia. The book whose main setting is on the beautiful east coast of Ireland follows Mia as she finds herself and her roots.

I just love the cover of this book. This was the first Adrienne Vaughan book that I have read and certainly not the last. This story was a break from reading fantasy and Psychological thrillers and definitely worth while. I loved the setting, the people as well as their interaction with each other. I also really enjoyed Adrienne Vaughan's writing style, everything flowed smoothly from one scene to the other. I wonder if maybe there will be a sequel in the future with Mia meeting her father. I would recommend this book to all readers of Woman's fiction.

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

There was something very striking about That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel. Something that I can't find a way to describe. You grow invested in this book and in the character development; the way that Vaughan's prose curls around you. I wasn't sure what to expect from the novel and requested it on a limb, but I'm glad that I did.

Is That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel anything new to literature? Yes, no. There are a lot of common tropes to be spotted in the novel but the way that Vaughan tells the story--splits the narration, ties everything together--is an absolute delight. She hooks you and suddenly, you're lost to the words. In short: she makes tired plotlines new again.

That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel is many things, including passionate and just a little mysterious. Its vivid descriptions and settings make for a great backdrop; seemingly come to life before your eyes. Vaughan also creates an interesting cast of characters that don't just exist for the sake of existing--they are actually developed and intriguing to readers as they get to know them more and more.

Although the novel was mostly good, there were a few things that thankfully didn't destroy things in the long run. Many books fall victim to its weaker points, but there's scarcely a weak point in That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel.

I really, really enjoyed getting to know these characters. In particular, Mia--who's character growth is SERIOUSLY on point.

Vaughan truly created something special with this book and while it wasn't without flaws, it was the perfect addition to my reading list this summer. Not just because of its title. I had a lot of fun with the story and found myself achingly hoping for just one more page by the end. This is the perfect read for your summer days.