Nyár, fesztivál, szerelem

by Rachel Burton, Boján Pejkov (Translator)

A Könyvesbolti karácsony szerzőjének új könyve.

Amikor Willow elmenekül a saját esküvőjéről, csak egyetlen helyre mehet: a Wight-szigeti kisvárosba, amelyet egykor otthonának nevezett. De nem csak ő tér vissza, hogy ott töltse a nyarat...

Willow tizenkét évvel ezelőtt hagyta a háta mögött a szigetet, miután a gyerekkori szerelme, Luc összetörte a szívét. Luc azóta sármos zenész lett, a világot járja, telt házas koncerteket ad, de a nyárra hazatér, hogy ő legyen a fő fellépő a sziget éves zenei fesztiválján - és visszanyerje Willow szerelmét.

Ahogy Willow kibogozza a múlt kusza szálait, egy váratlan titokra bukkan, amely a feje tetejére állíthatja addigi világukat, és közben élete legfontosabb kérdésével találja szemben magát: képes-e új esélyt adni a szerelemnek?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Music, Adult, Audiobook

288 pages, Paperback

Published July 3, 2023

About the author

Rachel Burton is the bestselling author of historical timeslip novels and has previously written romantic comedies.

Rachel was born in Cambridge and grew up in a house full of books and records. She has read obsessively since she first realised those black squiggles on the pages that lined her parents’ bookshelves were actually words and it has gone down in family history that any time something interesting happened, she missed it because she had her nose in a book.
After reading for a degree in Classics and another in English Literature she accidentally fell into a career in law but her love of books prevailed as she realised that she wanted to slip into imaginary worlds of her own making. She eventually managed to write her first novel on her lunch breaks.

She is obsessed with old houses and the secrets they keep, with abandoned gardens and locked gates, with family histories and surprising revelations, and with the outcomes of those surprises many generations later.

She lives in Yorkshire with her husband, a variety of cats and far too many books. By writing novels she now has an excuse for her head being forever in the clouds.

Find her on Instagram as @RachelBWriter, subscribe to her newsletter rachelburton.substack.com or website rachelburtonwrites.com

Reviews

[Dash fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆ A thoroughly Entertaining and Enjoyable Read, I couldn't put down!

The Summer Island Festival was a thoroughly enjoyable Read, oh and the cover is gorgeous, it just made me want to go to a festival!

Willow is on the way to her wedding, except for one thing, she's having huge doubts, and not just the so called wedding jitters. She straight up don't wanna get married. So she runs away leaving her ex at the alter.

What she didn’t plan on, was being back in the Isle of Wight and helping out in her Mums eclectic music shop.
Oh and she definitely wasn't expecting the ever so handsome and Brooding Musician Luc, to walk into her Mums shop. They have a long complicated history together. One they never thought they would revisit!

But with Luc back for the annual music festival, can they repair their fractured relationship or will Willow walk away once and for all!

Oh how I loved Luc and Willow, each has secrets to uncover. But that Sparkle between them fizzles in the background, I was eagerly waiting to see what would happen between them.

Rachel is a very talented Author and she took me to my happy place, a summer music festival. The characters were brilliantly written and the setting was simply perfect.
There was drama, banter, Romance, Plenty of secrets and little twists, a thoroughly Entertaining and Compelling read I couldn't put down.

So grab a pint of cider or a cocktail, jam up the 80s music and settle down as your in for a real treat!!



Thank you to Rachel Random Resources and Head of Zeus for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.





You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-
 
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2021/0...

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst the premise of lost loves is not unique, I did like the festival backdrop. Set on the Isle of Wight, the story features a British summer, seaside, ice cream and a togetherness that comes from a musical event. Indeed, I felt a bit wistful that such things have been hard to experience in the last 18 months!

Following Willow as she walks out of an extravagant wedding to nearly-husband Charlie, Willow returns to her family home after such a long absence. Not wanting to discuss her alter woes, Willow hides in her mother’s music shop as the island gets ready for their annual music festival. Pretty soon, Willow is reunited with faces she has deliberately tried to leave in the past. With feelings resurfacing, Willow not only has to get some closure on her nearly-wedding, but also decide how to move forwards. Its a complicated mess of feelings for Willow and you can’t help but understand why she feels she had to return home after all this time.

Shadowing this narrative, we also learn about Willow’s mother, Cathy, who has a story of her own. I found this part of the narrative more interesting because it explores more relationship dynamics. There’s a lot of ambiguity about paternity and family connections but I personally thought they were a bit too predictable. That being said, Cathy’s story of a rebellious teen leads her to have experiences beyond her wildest dreams. Without them, she would not have had Willow and, of course, there would have been no festival to attend to either.

I found this a lovely story to read but a little predictable. Despite the mysteries that are established, I could foresee the plot direction. That being said, the story felt like a warm, summer break and I enjoyed being carted off to the sands of the Isle of Wight. The novel has to conclude with the festival because of the amount of music references appearing throughout the story. It defines the narrative and I found this did make the book a bit more different to similar stories out there.

The cast of characters are all warm and likeable, even down to the roguish Storm! The book celebrates a freedom of youth that we all seem to forget as time ages us and I liked the innocence that Burton alludes to. On the other hand, there is still an undercurrent of sadness as along the way, people become inevitably hurt. However, there is hope for the next generation and I appreciated the tone of optimism that the novel finishes with.

This was a pleasant read and I felt carried away with the music and excitement of the pending festival. I was keen to see Willow mend her broken heart and enjoyed seeing the happy ending. All in all, this is a pleasing story that would make an ideal beach read. Although there are some lengthy chapters, I hardly noticed as I was so keen to see what would happen to Willow on the island.

With thanks to Head of Zeus, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Willow escapes back to her mum's house on the Isle of Wight and needs to keep herself busy.
She finds out that the music festival that her mum helped set up is in danger of being cancelled. She has to do everything she can to help save it. Her first love is also back on the island to sing at the festival.
We hear about Willows mums life as part of a music group and the trials of the music scene.
I loved hearing about the characters and their lives in music. The music shop sounded a lovely place to visit .
Village life, friendships, first love and family secrets are all woven into the story and you can imagine the build up to an event like this one- and the anticipation that it can be saved in time. The cover promises a lovely summer read and I can imagine it being packed in lots of beach bags this year.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willow's home was on Seaview village but she left when she was betrayed by someone who she thought would be her whole life. She finds herself back on the island after she can't go through with her own wedding, just walking away from it and her former life in England.
Life pretty much picks up where it left off on the island and that includes the man from her past, the love of her life. The man who betrayed her. What she doesn't know is why he betrayed her, it wasn't on purpose. Meeting up with him again after all these years it's so easy to fall back into old habits when those loving feelings come to the surface again. In the years that she was gone he became a famous musician but he's also come back to the island to head the annual musical festival and to win her heart back. Will their renewed feelings be enough for them when messy secrets come to light?
A sweet second chance romance.

Pub Date 04 Mar 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Alaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Summer Island Festival was an interesting romcom to jump into. It was never on my radar but happened to work for a couple of challenges. So, I figured it didn't hurt to jump into this. The characters throughout this were entertaining to say the least. Lots of secrets, lies, and drama happened. It definitely kept the pages turning and I ended up liking the book.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I loved this book, bringing together a gorgeous setting on The Isle of Wight, with lost love, music, various secrets to be unravelled and bonds to be formed with friends and family.

I can't decide whose story I loved the most, Willow or Luc's present day stories which we get chapters from both of their points of view, or the chapters detailing Cathy's fascinating past, that still don't quite give away any of the key reveals until the present day characters are ready to finally reveal the truth!

I was hooked on all of them, and loved how everything fitted together. There are loads of secrets to be uncovered, and Willow needs to work out what she is doing next with her life after walking out on her wedding.

I don't think I've ever heard so much about Mandolins and playing them ever, It's one of those musical instruments that I'm aware exists but apart from that never given much more thought to, so think this book has done great things for Mandolin awareness.

I loved the fight to see if the music festival would go ahead, the search to see if they could tempt a big name to headline, and just how that person fits into the personal history of various of the islanders. I loved Willow reconnecting with herself, and her old friends.

I just loved it all to be honest, it was just my sort of book, and its a gentle and engaging read, that afterwards had me googling "Gamble Gold" once I discovered it was real, just to see what all the fuss was about as its a song that plays a huge part in the book. Very thankful it's not as catchy as the song I looked up after reading this authors previous book though!

A really entertaining story that I spent a lovely time reading.

Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Lucy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful cover matches what a truly beautiful read this is.

Willow after walking out on her wedding day finds herself back on the Isle Of Wight licking her wounds and bumps into childhood friend Luc, who also has been away living the life in Nashville.

Picking up where they left off can things ever be the same?

I loved the way this story was told the way the chapters flowed between Willow, Luc and of course Cathy's tale taking you right back to the 80s.

I enjoyed everything about this read the secrets which you was just waiting to be unravelled into a can of worms.

Highly recommended you pick this one up you will not be left disappointed.

A huge ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me.

[Joanne D'Arcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willow walked away from the island where she grew up and spent her formative years, she felt it was holding her back and with so much disruption in he life it seemed the right thing to do at the time.

Now twelve years later Willow is back....because she walked away from her wedding before she had even got down the aisle.

Back at the same time is Luc, who when he left the island twelve years ago has since found fame on an American talent show and is now playing to packed out audiences. But he is back for the festival - not the big famous one - but the one ran my Willow's mum, Cathy.

As Willow and Luc's paths cross again after all this time, the past is raked up and gone over and that might not necessarily be a good thing. When a discovery leads to more questions that answers it seems the people who might have them is Willow and Luc's parents.

As the book takes us back through the decades to a time before Willow and Luc, before the festival, we see how Cathy found herself in the music scene and how her actions changed the course of her life and so it seems those that followed.

Alternating between the present and the past, not just the past of Willow and Luc but also Cathy and her peers we get a book which is just not about escaping. We get a book about secrets and trust and how sometimes it is all best left in the past. But when the past is poked like a sleeping dragon, the fire it then breathes sometimes becomes the only thing to make us stand up to our present and work out what the future really holds for us.

This book is a great way to take a break, to experience the music and the festival vibe without leaving the house or even getting muddy wellies! Its use of multiple narratives to weave a story works so well and it felt like I was listening to an album where each song tells a story but it is all somehow linked together.

A strong piece of women's fiction and well worth a read.

[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Summer Island Festival by Rachel Burton

When Willow walks out on her own wedding, there's only one place she can go: Seaview village, on the island she once called home. But she's not the only islander back for the summer...

Twelve years ago, Willow ran away to the mainland after her childhood sweetheart, Luc, betrayed her. Luc has since become a heartthrob musician, touring sold-out stadiums around the world, but he's finally come home to headline the island's annual music festival – and to win Willow back.

As Willow untangles her messy past, she stumbles on a secret that could destroy the island's fragile community – and her second chance at love... 

Set on the Isle of Wight, this book features a British summer, a seaside and a music festival. Willow has run out of her wedding and returns home to find that the annual music festival is in danger of not going ahead. Can Willow save the festival and fall in love with the Island again?

An enjoyable read with many family secrets that will keep the reader guessing. This is a sweet second chance romance that will appeal to lovers of the genre. Another fantastic book by Rachel Burton!

Rating 4/5

[Julie Booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with the Author's writing last year. Her style and stories transport me into her pages.

In a story of 2 generations told in alternating chapters, we have Willow and Luc in the present. Cathy is Willows mother, and her story is told in flashbacks. There is quite a bit of content happening, but I never felt lost as the story flows. Willow’s story begins on her wedding day, which never completes, and we find her running back to her home on the Island of Wight. She thinks she will be taking some time before getting her life back on track. Her first love, Luc, has turned up for her mother's festival. As the two reconnect, the past starts to come out. Secrets are unraveling like a ball of yarn. Will the festival happen? Can the secrets be survived? Is Willow headed back to London?

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Gerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5 stars

[Jenn Webley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, relaxed, easy-going read. Perfect for a summer read. The story is told through alternating chapters - Willow in the present time, and her Mother Cathy in the 1980s, which I really enjoy.
Willow left her fiancée at the alter and moved back to the Island. She wants to come to terms with the past and make a fresh start. Difficult when old faces reappear and sets her world off it’s axis.

Cathy's chapters look at her life on tour in the 1980s and a secret that she has kept for years.

When secrets come out and old faces return, life for many of the Islanders is about to change forever. Such fun to read, great descriptions and really well written.
A great read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up on the Isle of Wight meant that Willow always dreamed of something different: even with best friends and first love right at home. With folk singing parents and a mother who now makes instruments, she never felt creative or musical enough to stay, and found her life in finance in the ‘big city’ after her parents divorced. Now having avoided all of her past and family for the past years after meeting the man she planned to marry, when she couldn’t go through with the marriage – she ran home. Partly to find herself, partly to regroup before her next foray into her career.

Sulking about never really fit, and with her mother pushing for the smaller festival that has run for 20 years on the island, she needed the help – and Willow was handy and knew everything – a perfect option for her to spend a few weeks sorting things out. It turns out that her ex-fiancé was also having an affair with her bridesmaid – and when returning to her ‘old life’ is patently impossible, perhaps jumping back even further will help.

Enter (or re-enter) her first love Luc. He’s on the island ostensibly to write more music for his next album. He’s really there to try and recapture his ‘old self’ before the panic attacks and writer’s block hit. There’s still a spark with Willow – everyone sees it – but the two are tentative and many secrets are keeping them separate. It takes some time, some revelations and for Willow to understand that her own anger over her parent’s divorce and the questions about Luc leaving without saying a ‘real’ goodbye are going to need to be worked through – before she can heal and move on. And with ALL the secrets finally out in the open – the festival is going on and everyone has a chance for a new normal, even on the tiny island.

Burton combined past issues, current issues, secrets, an undeniable attraction and some serious self-reflections and honesty to come up with a story that both felt plausible and possible. Willow and Luc are wonderful characters, the pacing moved carefully through the two and their issues, their flashbacks and their new moments, and allowed for a satisfying read.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at I am, Indeed

[Natalie Daydream Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

After walking out on her own wedding, Willow has nowhere to go but home; to a small village on the Isle of Wight. It’s here that Willow must face a past as turbulent as the present when an old face from the past turns up. The story is in two parts, the second being the tale of Cathy’s (Willow’s mum) past. Set in the 80s there’s a wonderful, nostalgic feel that’s filled with mystery and over time the jigsaw pieced of past and present slowly fit into place.

What can I say? I absolutely adored this book. Rock star hero, Luc was imperfectly perfect and the other characters were so well drawn. The pacing of the romance was wonderful, not to mention the idyllic setting. This is the type of book you can completely lose yourself in and I devoured it.

[Carol Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this, I flew through it really quickly and got engrossed in the storyline. Characters were great and the writing was excellent. Fab read.

I was sent this book by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally posted on my blog: I Heart Fictional People

INITIAL THOUGHTS

I’m not going to lie. I LOVE this cover, and it is what drew me in immediately. Plus, I was really in the mood for a light, summer read with a little bit of romance.

WHAT I LIKED

Willow. I instantly liked her. Yes, she left her groom-to-be at the alter on their wedding day, but you kind of have to respect her for that. She could’ve just gone through with it and took the easy way out. I think it was very brave. And she seemed so lost in the beginning of this book. I enjoyed following along as she discovers herself again and reflects on the person she has become and where it went wrong. Willow is a very relatable character. I saw myself in her. I think we all lose our way at some point in our lives. It’s when we find our way back that we truly discover who we are, and I absolutely love how this book portrays that.

The mystery. I did not expect so much mystery in the plot. You quickly realize how many secrets are being kept from people. It was fun trying to figure it all out. And I have to say, I was definitely shocked at one point. My jaw literally dropped. Maybe other people saw it coming, but I didn’t. And I love that I didn’t!

The dual timelines. This was such a pleasant surprise! I had no idea there would be dual timelines. I’m not always a fan of these, but this was done so perfectly. You’re already wondering about people’s pasts and how they connect to the present, so when we gradually start learning about Cathy’s (Willow’s mom’s) past, it all starts making sense. I think this was my favorite part of the story. Very well done!

WHAT DIDN’T WORK FOR ME

The connection between Willow and Luc. Don’t get me wrong. Their story is really cute. I love the idea of them reconnecting after so many years. I just didn’t feel it. I wanted to root for them, but at the end, I honestly didn’t mind if they ended up together or not. I think the rest of the story far outweighed the romance in my opinion.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

This was such a great way to start my summer reads. It was not what I expected at all, and I love that it took me by surprise. I wanted a cute, light read, and I am definitely satisfied, but it also had a deep, significant message that we can all learn from. It’s about finding yourself and protecting the people you love, no matter the cost. I love this so much. I do wish that the romance hooked me more, but the rest of the story was perfect. This is the first Rachel Burton book I have read, but it definitely won’t be the last.

*I received an eBook copy of this book from the author via Rachel's Random Resources in exchange for an honest review*

[Gem ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this book is an absolute must! I'm almost worried I won't be able to do it justice enough in this review because, truly, it is an incredible read that kept me hooked page after page because I felt so invested in the stories that unfold.

Truly, this is a book of two plots. The first tale is runaway bride Willow's journey of discovery once she reluctantly returns home to the Isle of Wight; amid a torrent of confusion and disorientation regarding the life she's run away from in London, she also bumps in to her teenage past on the island in the form of Luc, former best friend and now world famous rock star. The second tale is of Cathy, Willow's Mum, and her talent for music that reveals how invested she is in the Festival on the island that she organises every year, but also reminisces her hedonistic past in the 80's folk/rock music scene of groupies, tours and the trappings of fame. Mysteries, secrets and betrayals all reveal themselves as both women have to understand their pasts and fight for what really matters to them, as well as those they love.

I truly loved reading Cathy's memories especially, she's like the Stevie Nicks of the mandolin and through her naive young years you experience so much of the live music scene of that era and witness things almost as if you were backstage alongside the band.

I felt the characters were so well crafted in this story, they felt so real and developed a true feel for each situation: the nostalgia of a first love in Luc, the true friendship of Skye, the regrets and past lives of Luc's and Willow's parents. Every bit was written from a compelling perspective that takes you by the hand and leads you on to the stage.

If you've ever felt the buzz of live music and the addictive pull of reliving adolescent memories then this book will completely resonate with you. Yes, it is a love story and has a romantic theme, but ultimately it's a coming-of-age story of music and mistakes, talent, being true to yourself and the true meaning of home. But don't just take my word for it, get yourself a copy to enjoy!

Thank you to Aria for an ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flipping the pages of Rachel Burton’s newest novel, The Summer Island Festival, you’ll feel like you’ve travelled back in time 30 years and assumed the life of a roadie or groupie! Grab a chocolate croissant, don your latest concert tee and hunker down for a sweet ride.

Just feet from the front door of the church, Willow turns and walks away from her wedding. It’s the happiest day of her life – the day she takes back her old life. She returns to Seaview Village on her island home, the Isle of Wight, for what was to be a two-week self-care and recovery time.

Luc, a heart-throb musician who tours sold-out stadiums around the world, has left his career in Nashville to rediscover his roots and headline the Isle of Wight’s annual music festival. Winning Willow back is first on his list.

Willow and Luc’s paths cross in an attempt to keep the annual festival afloat and in their desperate search to find a missing, presumed dead, rockstar named Storm. Can they pick up where they left off? Will finding a long-forgotten item found hidden in a drawer uproot the families who’ve been linked for over 30 years? Or will it unite the island’s fragile community and provide an opportunity for a second chance at love?

You’ll soak up the island life and immediately become part of the drama. Burton’s writing style is inviting and fast-paced. Chapters alternate between band members and family members over several decades. There’s just enough sweet romance mixed with mystery and intrigue to keep you reading. Burton reveals that the idea came to her whilst watching an episode of Midsomer Murders and has poured her heart into the novel for the past two years – and it���s obvious!

Thank you to Rachel Burton, Aria & Aries, and NetGalley for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date: March 04, 2021

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

After leaving her fiance at the altar, Willow retreats to her childhood home in Seaview on the Isle of Wight. She hasn't really been back since the summer when she was eighteen, the summer when everything changed, but she can't face the idea of returning to the upmarket flat she shared with her fiance. Also back on the island is her childhood sweetheart Luc, who has troubles and secrets of his own, and their parents, who have held family secrets close for far too long...

As the summer progresses, we get a dual POV from Willow and Luc, interspersed with flashbacks to Willow's mum Cathy in the eighties. While initially heavy on the exposition, through the flashbacks we begin to understand just how events decades ago led to the mess right now. There are twists and turns, and a fair bit of cheating (not between the leads), but I can assure you of a happy ending

It's a delight to watch Willow slowly reacquaint herself with who she wants to be, not who her fiance expects her to be, as she realises her life in London isn't all it's cracked up to be. Her self-deprecation is balanced by Luc's admiration of her. Luc's got a secret or two that he's held onto for far too long, but once he gets them into the open, it's not hard to feel sympathy for him, especially as he does good grovel.

There's some beautiful themes of family and honesty against the backdrop of musicians - both on tour (in the flashbacks) and preparing for the titular festival - so what could be quite a heavy read is mellowed into a sweet story about following your own dreams, and how it's okay to reassess those in light of new information or events. We might get Luc's POV, but in the end, this is Willow's story, and it's a lovely one.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys homecoming / second chance romances.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own

[Pam Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set on the Isle of Wight, there is a great sense of place throughout the story. Willow and Luc were brought up on the island and it has had a major influence on their lives. Willow has spent years after University avoiding her background and comes to realise that she has been shaped according to others' wishes. There are plenty of secrets hidden in the past which are slowly uncovered. Some of these stem from their parents' youth in the 1980's when they were heavily involved in the music scene.
I enjoyed the dips into the past which absolutely held the flavour of the times. There are plenty of cameo characters who are all well drawn and with plenty of romance in the background, it feels like a gorgeous Summer read. As Willow and Luc try to come to terms with what they want their futures to be, you are left with a strong sense of family and home, with enduring friendship bonds.
In short: Starting over and moving on.
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice, easygoing summer read. I was drawn to this book by the absolutely gorgeous cover. It was very well written.
The chapters alternate between Willow in the present time, and her Mother Cathy in the 1980s. Willow has moved back home to the Isle of Wight after running away from her Wedding. She is trying to come to terms with her past and make a new start.
Cathy's story is about her time as a Musician on tour in the 1980s and a secret that she has kept for years. It was interesting to read about life on the road, and it was described so vividly that I could imagine what it was like.
As the book progresses the secret is slowly unravelled and I enjoyed trying to guess what the secret was. There were a few twists that I didn't expect. Overall I enjoyed reading this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

[Christine Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book begins with Willow tuning away fom the church where her fiance Charlie was waiting at the altar for her, she just couldn't marry him! She returned to the Isle of White with her mother where she grew up & hadn't been back in 8 years. She bumps into her first love Luc who had just returned to the Island too. So much had happened to them both since they last saw each other 11 years previously, will they share or be selective with their stories. Luc's mum Krystal, Willow's mum, Cathy & her dad Don, had played in a group together. The life they shared in the past was complicated & eventfull.
I enjoyed the music aspect to this book. Rachel Burton draws you in & has made all of their lives so full & you wanting more. I'm sure, that all of the characters could have a book written about each one of them. So much to explore & enjoy.

[Isabelle D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this book because the music theme appealed to me and, even if the story starts with a runaway bride (which I've never really liked), I started enjoying it soon after Willow was back on her childhood island, in her mother's music shop. I liked how the chapters about Willow and her childhood friend Luc (now a professional musician invited to play at the festival) alternate with flashback chapters about Willow's mother, Cathy, who used to be in a band with her husband and Luc's mother. Secrets are revealed at different points and, even if most are rather easy to guess, I enjoyed finding out when and how the characters would hear or figure things out too.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willow is a runaway bride. She left her wedding and headed home to the Isle of Wight to figure out what's next. Thing is, she ran away to London 12 years ago because her love Luc betrayed her and now he's back to headline a music festival put on by her mother Cathy. I wasn't sure that a dual tine line mother daughter story was going to work but it does. Cathy's life before Willow was full of music and life - she was in a band with her husband and Luc's mother- and she's got a secret. Luc didn't realize how much he missed Willow til he sees her. There's some local drama in addition which adds to the story (no spoilers). The characters are good and I liked the setting but best of all, Burton is a terrific storyteller. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Rachel Burton and Aria & Aries for the ARC of The Summer Island Festival. This is my personal review.
The story is told in two intertwining stories by Willow and her mother Cathy.
Willow was getting ready to walk down the aisle for her wedding when she knew in her heart, she could not make that walk. She heads back to her childhood home to rethink her life.
Willow tells her story in the present while Cathy tells it from her life in 1980’s.
Cathy has been running a music festival for many years but this year it may not happen when problems arise with getting the OK to do it.
The story is so perfectly written the words just flow off the pages and you can feel yourself in both worlds.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this. The story was too predictable and none of the characters were likable. Also the abundance of mandolin players and mandolins in bands in this book is just weird. And I say this as someone who used to focus on playing mandolin and banjo. It just felt like the story was trying too hard with the references to mandolins and ukes (not a fan).

Was looking for something cosy and sweet to read but this just wasn’t it.

My copy was provided by NetGalley for review all opinions are my own.

[denise giddens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely read

I used to read so many books when i commuted to work in London but since having my children I'm lucky if i manage to read a text without getting distracted half way through! That was until i ordered The Summer Island Festival! I was halfway through within a few hours and when i was at work kept thinking about how much i want to get home and keep reading! Nowadays It takes a very good book to get me hooked and not get distracted! Well this book has truly done this. I absolutely loved it!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Aria and Aries and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Willow stands at the church threshold on the verge of beginning of her new life as the wife of Charlie. Something stops her though, she just can't but she doesn't know what. She ends up back on the Isle of Wight in her childhood home. Interspersed with Willow's story is the story of her parents and their rise to fame as a folk band.

Loved this book, I could really feel as if I was on the Isle of Wight looking forward to the festival!

[KT · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is nothing like a runaway bride to draw me into a story because it leads to many questions which I need to know the answer to. Once I connected to Willow, I was hooked. I needed to know her story. It was the same with Luc and Cathy. There were many secrets and threads in this summery nostalgic read which kept me turning the page.

The characters all have intriguing backstories to explain their actions but it was Cathy’s past which captivated me most and it was cleverly blended in with Willow’s and Luc’s present. This novel may appear to be a light, romantic read but it has a deeper thread of how people change themselves to fit in, the effects of childhood on adult decisions and mental health issues.

The Isle of Wight seaside location was perfect, as was Cathy’s mandolin workshop. My father-in-law is a luthier and has made mandolins. Rachel Burton captured the unique smell of the workshop with its varnish, stains and woodchips and the magic of this instrument. I was there, and it made me homesick. It was a complete contrast to the darker side of the music industry described in Cathy’s story.

It has all the elements you need for a summer read whether you’re on a sun lounger on a sunny day or curled up watching the rain on a soggy one. It’s pure escapism with the seaside location, the characters to love bundled up with folk music and secrets. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fabulous and just the perfect escapism that i really needed!

This is not just your average fluffy romantic read it really gets right into things like relationships and we really get to see what makes the characters tick.

A great story, characters and setting highly recommend if you’re missing music festivals!