About Books #111: The Summer of Wishful Thinking

Fun fact: the first time I ever went to England, we stayed in Bury St Edmunds. Naturally, any book that takes place in that same town, I would want to read. Especially combined with The Summer of Wishful Thinking and its castles, weddings and some main characters that are just the right side of wacky!

I was offered an ARC by Book Sirens in exchange for a review. All opinions are strictly my own.

The story

Gemma Whitehall helps people tie the knot as the local registrar, but watching loved-up couples exchange their vows serves only to highlight what’s missing from her own life. Gemma can’t ignore the fact that life – and love – are slipping through her fingers.

Sam Ranworth has spent the best part of a decade building walls around himself after tragedy struck. The last thing he wants is to get tangled up in Gemma’s messy life.

When Gemma rents the ramshackle cottage on Sam’s neglected country estate, neither of them can ignore the spark of attraction. Can they leave the past where it belongs and take a chance on happiness?

The opinion

C – characters A – atmosphere W – writing P – plot I – intrigue L – logic E – enjoyment	7 7 6 6 6 5 7
TOTAL SCORE	6,3

Sometimes, you just need a book that gives you exactly what you expect. Whether that be feel good, a certain pair being end game, or just the anticipated amount of weddings and castle-dreams? You know what you’re getting into as soon as you read the first page. The Summer of Wishful Thinking manages to score on all of the above.

Gemma is a thoroughly enjoyable, if sometimes a little panicky character who has – let’s be real – been dealt a rather harsh hand. Her job? Gone. Her son’s dad? Dead beat. And her land lord? A bit of a grump, actually. Throughout all of that, though, Eve Edwards manages to steer her main character away from ever venturing over into annoying.

The same is true for the plot actually, which, in spite of its predictibilaty, never becomes bothersome or anything like that. Instead, the reader gets to enjoy a perfect light, fluffy summer read with a bit of a twist and a turn just as you need it. Yes – predictable but with twists – this book can do both!

The rating: 3/5

If you’re in need of a fun read for the summer? If you want a book that won’t tax you too much, but will make you smile at the end – and many a time throughout as well? Then The Summer of Wishful Thinking is the read for you! (Goodreads)

-Saar