Summer's Out at Hope Hall

Having enjoyed the previous book about Hope Hall I was pleased to be offered the opportunity to read this follow up. The Grown ups Lunch Club members were an amusing bunch but the highlight was the stories around the foundation stone and the time capsule. Plus Maggue’s cakes of course.

It’s a nice easy read with interesting characters. What I liked was this was about a village community linked into the hall

I enjoyed catching up with all the people connected with Hope Hall, along with some new ones. It is a nice, gentle reminder of life in a village and how everyone is there for each other.

I really enjoyed the first in this series, at the time I needed a change of genre and it was the perfect escapism book. This is just as good, easy to read, quick paced and likeable characters.

I enjoyed the previous book in this series and was happy to be invited to read the next installment. I enjoyed being immersed in the celebrations of the hall's centenary along with the characters that were familiar from the last book. There are a lot of characters and sometimes I found myself having to re-read bits to remind myself whose story I was in at the particular moment.
It was thoroughly enjoyable, though, and a pleasure to read.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. What a nice easy enjoyable read with great characters and a really good storyline. Just what the doctor ordered for these troubled times.

A light, feel-good book, the second in the series in which we follow the staff and users of a village community hall, albeit a rather upmarket one. The characters are interesting and well portrayed, and we are given glimpses into their lives, their plans and their dilemmas. We meet Kath again, and her distance relationship; Maggie and her low self esteem but amazing baking skills and new characters like the youngsters in the EFL classes and the homeless man lurking in the shadows.

I was drawn in, I really enjoyed the read. My only gripe was that a couple of sections seemed to be repeating or labouring what had been said previously.

I great, easy read, uplifting and fun. I look forward to more in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lion Hudson Ltd for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A welcome return to Hope Hall, catching up with friends old & new. This heartwarming book is peopled with credible characters, and includes a very moving story of the origins of Hope Hall. Lots of variety in the way the Hall is used provides for the introduction of new characters to add interest. This is a really well thought-out series, it has been such a pleasure to revisit the villagers & I am looking forward to further volumes in what I trust will be a lengthy association. Definitely recommended!

Such an easy and enjoyable read, the characters surrounding Hope Hall and the village community are endearing and the novel gives an air of coming together to achieve a worthy cause. I think it is very much a story of now - how pulling together creates a happy outcome. It is just what is needed in these COVID times.

This really was a lovely story, especially in the situation we are on now. It’s truly. Brings out the community spirit in all.

Pam Rhodes explores the strength of community and the importance of faith in her newest novel, “Summer’s Out At Hope Hall.”

Book two of a trilogy, it’s centered around a Victorian church hall where friends and neighbours congregate. The hall was founded in memory of those lost during the two world wars and the staff continue to celebrate the power of hope. There’s never a dull moment with rooms full of seniors, nattering knitters, dance classes, choir practices, and daycare groups. All of its users are working towards something special; Hope Hall Centenary Celebration Day. Kath, the administrator, works hard to make sure there’s something here for everyone and taking on the task of community celebrations proves more difficult than imagined - especially when dealing with personal issues. I think what made this quick, easy read so enjoyable is that the characters are down to earth and are placed in situations that inspire and entertain. We see people reaching out to immigrants, to homeless and to those with a broken heart. It’s so lovely to read about such caring individuals. They are characters we all know and like and that makes the novel appealing.

What a lovely story where a community pulls together and community spirit soars! I can’t help but wonder if Covid will bring this back. Perhaps we’ll see a resurgence where the power of hope is celebrated. You’ll love this motley group of people who focus on what really matters, look out for each other and see what they can achieve through solidarity. I enjoyed reading about the warmth, humour and human touch that I’ve missed since the pandemic began.

Thank you to Pam Rhodes, Lion Hudson Ltd., and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Publishes April 23, 2021

Summer’s Out At Hope Hall by Pam Rhodes is the most delightful Christian contemporary novel about community and care. It is the second book in the Hope Hall series.
Hope Hall always produces a warm, wrap-around welcome for the reader. It is just like a hug in a book and will leave you smiling.
Pam Rhodes has created a marvellous eclectic mix of characters such as you would find in any town. At the heart of the village stands Hope Hall – both literally and at the centre of village life. From babes to seniors, life happens for all in Hope Hall.
Summer’s Out At Hope Hall is a charming, breath of fresh air. As lives open up we share in the laughter and we share in the tears.
People care at Hope Hall. They see needs and those needs are met. Hope truly does live there.
The novel celebrates the old and looks forward to the new. People recognise the sacrifices of others.
As Hope Hall commemorates the fallen from World War I remembering the death of the brave young men, this is contrasted with the atmosphere of light and life and love at Hope Hall. The past, the present and the future stand side by side.
I am absolutely loving this Hope Hall series. I cannot wait until autumn 2022 for the next book.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

This is the second book in the Hope Hall series and it doesn’t disappoint. The Victorian hall is at the heart of the community. Full of love, laughter, tears and community spirit this book embraces caring for others and celebrates what’s gone before, where we are at now and what the future may bring. A cosy and heartwarming read of pure escapism, perfect!

The first book I've read by this author. I didn't realise it was part of a series but not having read the others didn't detract from my enjoyment. It was a nice gentle and easy read, with lots of interesting characters and a real sense of community.

Charming and sweet, this second book in the series fills me with lovely summer thoughts, gentle love and constant hope. This author's work is absolutely wonderful and I am eager to read what she has in store in future. Simply put, this book made me smile!

Village life is often peaceful but not always so. We are privy to interesting characters with their foibles and insecurities navigate life which in the bigger picture is set around Hope Hall. They all face various challenges and sorrows as well as joys as happens in real life. We meet (or welcome back) Kath, Maggie and Sheelagh and their friends and families. As I am in the demographic I love that most characters are in middle age, yet there are others younger and older. These are the women you'd like to be chat over tea with. My personal favourite is down-to-earth Maggie who is an exceptional baker. The cake descriptions are so enticing that I found myself enjoying a piece of pie whilst reading!

This time those in the village are celebrating its centenary and there is a hum of activity as preparations are made. Not everyone gets along with everyone else and there are frictions here and there but each uses their giftedness to help where they can in community spirit. The WWI back story is a nice addition.

Another thing I love about this book is that it is refreshingly clean. Can a book be kind?! The list of characters at the back is useful, too.

My sincere thank you to Lion Hudson Ltd. and NetGalley for the privilege of reading an eARC of this delightful book! I enjoyed it thoroughly.

New adventures await the gang we've met in Springtime at Hope Hall, and I've enjoyed joining them in their quests. We have much more character development in Summer's Out at Hope Hall and from this point of view I almost felt that Springtime at Hope Hall was just a sort of introduction, whit this being the actual novel. The humor is better too and Percy is of course my favourite character. A few new characters and a new love interest, but I don't want to give up too much. If you are after a very enjoyable light read and you like small almost rural communities, you won't go wrong with Summer's Out at Hope Hall.

Many thanks for the opportunity to read this.

I absolutely love the community and love this book brings! It warmed my heart and was such a fun read! It’s an easy yet enjoyable read and definitely recommend this fabulous book! I can almost remember what it was like before COVID! Thank you netgalley for the chance to read this!!

This is a lovely series to let yourself unashamedly enjoy, and forget everything else around you. It is the second book in the trilogy, and from the first page, I felt that I had never left this quaint village. The familiar characters filled the book along with new faces, while others sadly left, one way or another.

The lives of the residents, I can’t bring myself to say story because they feel so real, centres around Hope Hall which were thriving due to so many people of the small village, but hugely with the organisational skills of Kath. Kath had ditched her previous employment and life in the city for country life, a reduced salary and a much happier life.

The chapters follow local people and how Hope Hall has become a lifeline for some, a place of friendship for others and a safe harbour for anyone that needs it. It is coming up to one hundred years since Hope Hall had begun, and the villagers were intent on making it a massive cause for celebration. I loved the stories that tumbled out of the past, and the difference that they made to some of the residents in the present day. It brought a sense of what matters to people, taking chances and not passing an opportunity that may not come again.

I love the older generation of this community, as there is a lot of life and devilment left in this wild bunch! Hope Hall is a place for all the village residents, no matter what age they are. As I live in a small community, the village hall had been the hive of information, friendships and gossip. It felt homely reading about normal life as it was, and hopefully will be again one day. Looking forward to the final book in this series later in the year.

I wish to thank the publisher and Net Galley for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

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

Pam, in this book delves into the strength of community, the importance of faith.

There’s new and exciting things awaiting the gang that we've met in previous bookSpringtime at Hope Hall,

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them again and joining them in their quests.

There was so much much more of character developments in this story. This was just sort of introduction needed .

I loved the humour and Percy was my favourite character. I also liked that there were a few mew characters as well as a a new love interest,

An enjoyable read

Hope Hall is the centre of the community. Administrator Kath manages all the varied activities that go on within its walls. As the hall approaches its centenary excitement builds & ideas for the best way to celebrate abound. The story is full of engaging characters & their stories like Maggie the catering manager who is getting used to being single again. The girl who comes to English class & makes friends with a pop group. The Grown-up Club- who may be grown up in years but Percy is still a kid, & many more.

I loved the first book in this series & this one was every bit as enjoyable. It is an easy gentle read that leaves the reader with a smile on their face. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book- I'm already looking forward to the next one!

Pam Rhodes is a great author and this book the second in the series is just a good as the first one. Community, we need so much more of it that we have these days, I can remember those days and they were great. This novel is full of love, fun and is a great book to lose yourself into it. This is a 5 star novel and I recommend it.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

I enjoyed the community building aspect of the book and the inclusion of economic refugees and homelessness as the themes were strong plot hooks but I feel that a lot of the book was also shoe horning in issues that detract from the story. There was a little too much exposition of established characters that was adequately explained later in plot developments so seemed a little wasted in such a short novel. The romantic elements seem a little bit rushed this time around , leaving me feeling a little bit short changed

I feel this might be a book for older readers as some of the conceptions seem outdated. I am of an age similar to some of the characters and I do not consider divorced women flighty and out to hook a married man, which was a bizarre inner monologue for one! The humour is still very much evident though and I would still recommend this story to fans of cosy literature.

Hope Hall was built in memory of those soldiers killed in the war. They were ready to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the organization. The Hope House provided many supports for people in need. They ran a food bank and a number of other social services for local residents. This is a fun and moving story of the power of hope and the good hearted people in a small town. The employees had researched the individuals that funded and built Hope Hall and had invited their relatives to take part in the celebration. I recommend this book.