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Other People’s Summers
A famous actress whose life is unraveling flees to an idyllic English lakeside resort and the best friend she ghosted in this poignant and witty story from the USA TODAY bestselling author of The Book Club Hotel.
In school, Milly Beckett and Nicole Raven were as close as sisters. Now, years later, a gulf separates them, and not just because of the different spheres they inhabit. Nicole is a global superstar with the world at her fingertips, but when scandal breaks, she turns to the only person she trusts.
Fresh from a painful divorce and struggling to balance her work and raising her daughter alone, Milly is tempted to refuse her friend’s plea for help. Nicole wasn’t there for her when she needed her most, and that’s hard to forgive. But Nicole is desperate and Milly agrees to give her the sanctuary she needs.
Against a stunning Lake District backdrop, stilted small talk gradually gives way to soul-deep revelations as the two women slowly find their way back to one another. Living with Milly gives Nicole a glimpse of a different path for herself, and Milly starts to see a life beyond her divorce, including the possibility of a new romance. But Nicole can’t stay hidden forever—and neither can the secret she’s been keeping from Milly, a secret that threatens both her future happiness and the fragile bond between them.
Heartwarming and hopeful, Other People’s Summers explores the beauty of friendship, the power of forgiveness, the impact of the choices we make and the many ways in which life can surprise us.
In school, Milly Beckett and Nicole Raven were as close as sisters. Now, years later, a gulf separates them, and not just because of the different spheres they inhabit. Nicole is a global superstar with the world at her fingertips, but when scandal breaks, she turns to the only person she trusts.
Fresh from a painful divorce and struggling to balance her work and raising her daughter alone, Milly is tempted to refuse her friend’s plea for help. Nicole wasn’t there for her when she needed her most, and that’s hard to forgive. But Nicole is desperate and Milly agrees to give her the sanctuary she needs.
Against a stunning Lake District backdrop, stilted small talk gradually gives way to soul-deep revelations as the two women slowly find their way back to one another. Living with Milly gives Nicole a glimpse of a different path for herself, and Milly starts to see a life beyond her divorce, including the possibility of a new romance. But Nicole can’t stay hidden forever—and neither can the secret she’s been keeping from Milly, a secret that threatens both her future happiness and the fragile bond between them.
Heartwarming and hopeful, Other People’s Summers explores the beauty of friendship, the power of forgiveness, the impact of the choices we make and the many ways in which life can surprise us.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2025
384 people are currently reading
16706 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Morgan
683 books7,172 followersAbout Sarah
USA Today and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes romance and contemporary women's fiction and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe. Sarah lives near London, England, and when she isn't reading or writing she loves being outdoors.
Look out for Sarah's latest novel - All Together for Christmas (UK title)/ A Merry Little Lie (US/Canadian title)
Join Sarah on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahM...
Follow Sarah on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SarahMorgan_
Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmorgan...
Website: www.sarahmorgan.com
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
USA Today and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes romance and contemporary women's fiction and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe. Sarah lives near London, England, and when she isn't reading or writing she loves being outdoors.
Look out for Sarah's latest novel - All Together for Christmas (UK title)/ A Merry Little Lie (US/Canadian title)
Join Sarah on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahM...
Follow Sarah on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SarahMorgan_
Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmorgan...
Website: www.sarahmorgan.com
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 325 reviews
September 4, 2025
the setup…
Milly Beckett thought she had it all. She was happily married and mother to a wonderful daughter. She also loved her job helping to run an exclusive resort of lakeside cabins, the family business. Then everything fell apart when her husband left her for another woman and her best friend in life ghosted her. It’s now been years since she’s heard from Natalie, an internationally famous actress, and suddenly she receives an urgent message from her asking for help. Milly is still hurt from being abandoned but agrees to allow her to stay with her while she weathers the storm from a scandal.
the heart of the story…
Milly and Natalie struggle to connect with each other as one is still hurt and the other is consumed with guilt for having caused that pain. Their issues aren’t petty but the stuff of real life as Natalie fears losing her friend forever and Milly is scared to trust again. Add to that a difficult ex-husband with a new (and younger) wife and a teenaged daughter who’s grappling with her own issues and you have a meaty story balanced with some romantic elements and multigenerational characters.
the narration…
Henrietta Meire delivered a lovely performance, finding the right balance between being lighthearted and sobering. I enjoyed her storytelling.
the bottom line…
I was looking for a realistic story involving mature characters that had some depth and this met my expectations. The issues were relevant and the paths to resolution rocky and authentic. The romantic elements may have been idealistic but it was what I needed. This was a timely story of two friends who lost their way and managed to find each other and themselves in that journey.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Milly Beckett thought she had it all. She was happily married and mother to a wonderful daughter. She also loved her job helping to run an exclusive resort of lakeside cabins, the family business. Then everything fell apart when her husband left her for another woman and her best friend in life ghosted her. It’s now been years since she’s heard from Natalie, an internationally famous actress, and suddenly she receives an urgent message from her asking for help. Milly is still hurt from being abandoned but agrees to allow her to stay with her while she weathers the storm from a scandal.
the heart of the story…
Milly and Natalie struggle to connect with each other as one is still hurt and the other is consumed with guilt for having caused that pain. Their issues aren’t petty but the stuff of real life as Natalie fears losing her friend forever and Milly is scared to trust again. Add to that a difficult ex-husband with a new (and younger) wife and a teenaged daughter who’s grappling with her own issues and you have a meaty story balanced with some romantic elements and multigenerational characters.
the narration…
Henrietta Meire delivered a lovely performance, finding the right balance between being lighthearted and sobering. I enjoyed her storytelling.
the bottom line…
I was looking for a realistic story involving mature characters that had some depth and this met my expectations. The issues were relevant and the paths to resolution rocky and authentic. The romantic elements may have been idealistic but it was what I needed. This was a timely story of two friends who lost their way and managed to find each other and themselves in that journey.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
June 1, 2025
"Love provided insulation from the cuts and bruises of life, and so did trust."
July 8, 2025
USA Today Best Selling Author Sarah Morgan is a comfort read for me. “Other People’s Summer” was just that.
It’s a novel about two best friends, their very different lives and how they navigate through some of life’s challenging times and are put to the test to figure out what’s most important. Nicole, a famous movie star and Milly a now single mother are holding grudges, shame, secrets and fear. “Other People’s Summer” tests forgiveness and the power of a lifelong friendship. A page turner filled with family, new love and bravery. You will come to love the Lakeside Resort and wish just a little that you could be there too.
I highly recommend this entertaining read. A contemporary romance with second chances and the impact our decisions can make. It’s hopeful, charming and resilient.
Thank you to Canary Street Press and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
It’s a novel about two best friends, their very different lives and how they navigate through some of life’s challenging times and are put to the test to figure out what’s most important. Nicole, a famous movie star and Milly a now single mother are holding grudges, shame, secrets and fear. “Other People’s Summer” tests forgiveness and the power of a lifelong friendship. A page turner filled with family, new love and bravery. You will come to love the Lakeside Resort and wish just a little that you could be there too.
I highly recommend this entertaining read. A contemporary romance with second chances and the impact our decisions can make. It’s hopeful, charming and resilient.
Thank you to Canary Street Press and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 3, 2025
De beste zomer ooit van Sarah Morgan mocht ik lezen voor de @worldofromancenl Boekenlounge 💕
Nicole is een superster, maar door een gebeurtenis wil ze zich verstoppen. Ze belt haar beste vriendin van vroeger: Milly. Milly wil altijd helpen, ook al hebben ze elkaar 1,5 jaar niet gesproken. In het begin is hun contact koeltjes. Het duurt even voor je als lezer weet wat de reden is.
Je leest het verhaal vanuit meerdere perspectieven, bij dit verhaal was dat echt een must. Iedereen had namelijk geheimen, maar het duurde lang voordat je ze als lezer wist. De personages waren erg goed in van een mug een olifant maken..
De omgeving waar het boek zich afspeelt lijkt me heerlijk: een meer in de bergen, huisjes eromheen. Ideaal om te relaxen en af en toe te hiken.
Ik had meer van het boek verwacht, helaas. Het kabbelde een beetje voort en de grote geheimen vielen dus eigenlijk best mee. Fijn was het natuurlijk wel dat alles goed afliep voor iedereen.
Joel was mijn favoriete personage in dit verhaal 😄
Bedankt @worldofromancenl voor het boek!
Nicole is een superster, maar door een gebeurtenis wil ze zich verstoppen. Ze belt haar beste vriendin van vroeger: Milly. Milly wil altijd helpen, ook al hebben ze elkaar 1,5 jaar niet gesproken. In het begin is hun contact koeltjes. Het duurt even voor je als lezer weet wat de reden is.
Je leest het verhaal vanuit meerdere perspectieven, bij dit verhaal was dat echt een must. Iedereen had namelijk geheimen, maar het duurde lang voordat je ze als lezer wist. De personages waren erg goed in van een mug een olifant maken..
De omgeving waar het boek zich afspeelt lijkt me heerlijk: een meer in de bergen, huisjes eromheen. Ideaal om te relaxen en af en toe te hiken.
Ik had meer van het boek verwacht, helaas. Het kabbelde een beetje voort en de grote geheimen vielen dus eigenlijk best mee. Fijn was het natuurlijk wel dat alles goed afliep voor iedereen.
Joel was mijn favoriete personage in dit verhaal 😄
Bedankt @worldofromancenl voor het boek!
May 6, 2025
If you’re already building a summer reading stack, please add this one to the pile! Sarah Morgan’s latest, OTHER PEOPLE’S SUMMERS is the perfect book to throw in your beach bag this summer. Just look at that beautiful cover—I wanna jump right in! I’ve been reading the author’s books for years now, and love how reliable she’s become. I can count on Morgan for a solid women’s fiction novel each and every single time. In true Sarah Morgan fashion, there’s strong themes of family, friendship, marriage, and romance included.
The vast age range of the characters makes for a fantastic cast. Multiple generations of women are included—from new teen to elderly grandmother—the representation is all there. The bonds and relationships between the women is what truly makes this story sparkle. Their humor and fun banter will bring a smile to your face, and give you all the feels.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
“𝘈 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘥𝘺𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘭𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘚𝘈 𝘛𝘖𝘋𝘈𝘠 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘊𝘭𝘶𝘣 𝘏𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭. 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘖𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦’𝘴 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘶𝘴.”
READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:
- Female friendship
- Mother/daughter relationships
- Second chances
- Fresh starts and personal growth
- Reflections on forgiveness and healing
- Marriage and divorce
- Lakeside resort setting
- Secrets and betrayal
- Insight on parenting teenagers
Please don’t miss out on this warm and heartfelt gem! OTHER PEOPLE’S SUMMERS is out TODAY! 4/5 stars!
The vast age range of the characters makes for a fantastic cast. Multiple generations of women are included—from new teen to elderly grandmother—the representation is all there. The bonds and relationships between the women is what truly makes this story sparkle. Their humor and fun banter will bring a smile to your face, and give you all the feels.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
“𝘈 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘥𝘺𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘭𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘚𝘈 𝘛𝘖𝘋𝘈𝘠 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘊𝘭𝘶𝘣 𝘏𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭. 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘖𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦’𝘴 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘶𝘴.”
READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:
- Female friendship
- Mother/daughter relationships
- Second chances
- Fresh starts and personal growth
- Reflections on forgiveness and healing
- Marriage and divorce
- Lakeside resort setting
- Secrets and betrayal
- Insight on parenting teenagers
Please don’t miss out on this warm and heartfelt gem! OTHER PEOPLE’S SUMMERS is out TODAY! 4/5 stars!
May 23, 2025
4 stars. 🎧
May 31, 2025
Review coming soon.
May 14, 2025
4.5 Stars
Milly and Nicole have been best friends since childhood staying close even when their lives took very different paths. Nicole fulfilled her dream of becoming a famous actor and Milly took over her family’s resort in the Lake District, marrying and having a child. However, when Milly’s husband left her for another woman, Nicole ghosted her, breaking her heart even more.
Now, Nicole is in desperate need of sanctuary, a place to hide out when scandal hits, and she calls Milly. Milly isn’t keen on helping, but she can’t say no.
I was pulled into the story from the first page! Milly was trying to do her best raising her teenage daughter while managing the hurt and betrayal she felt not only by her ex-husband (a real jerk!), but by the abandonment of her best friend. I wouldn’t have been too happy with Nicole either if I were Milly, but I was eager to hear what was behind her behavior.
Nicole was dealing with a lot. She was grateful for the second chance with Milly and her family, the only place she ever felt loved growing up.
Other People’s Summers was such a lovely, compelling story; completely captivating! Sarah Morgan writes flawed, relatable characters that I end up rooting for every time! Her settings are always gorgeous, making me want to visit every place she writes about. There was even a bit of romance for both Milly and Nicole. A definite recommend!
I alternately listened to and read an audio and e-copy. I’ve listened to and enjoyed Henrietta Meire in the past and she performed all voices, male and female beautifully with appropriate emotions. I can recommend either version.
Advanced readers copy and listening copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
Milly and Nicole have been best friends since childhood staying close even when their lives took very different paths. Nicole fulfilled her dream of becoming a famous actor and Milly took over her family’s resort in the Lake District, marrying and having a child. However, when Milly’s husband left her for another woman, Nicole ghosted her, breaking her heart even more.
Now, Nicole is in desperate need of sanctuary, a place to hide out when scandal hits, and she calls Milly. Milly isn’t keen on helping, but she can’t say no.
I was pulled into the story from the first page! Milly was trying to do her best raising her teenage daughter while managing the hurt and betrayal she felt not only by her ex-husband (a real jerk!), but by the abandonment of her best friend. I wouldn’t have been too happy with Nicole either if I were Milly, but I was eager to hear what was behind her behavior.
Nicole was dealing with a lot. She was grateful for the second chance with Milly and her family, the only place she ever felt loved growing up.
Other People’s Summers was such a lovely, compelling story; completely captivating! Sarah Morgan writes flawed, relatable characters that I end up rooting for every time! Her settings are always gorgeous, making me want to visit every place she writes about. There was even a bit of romance for both Milly and Nicole. A definite recommend!
I alternately listened to and read an audio and e-copy. I’ve listened to and enjoyed Henrietta Meire in the past and she performed all voices, male and female beautifully with appropriate emotions. I can recommend either version.
Advanced readers copy and listening copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
August 28, 2025
Super cute coming of age story :) love a good reunited friendship
July 20, 2025
3.95 ☀️❤️🩹
Cute summery read + love the author’s writing! Will be reading the book club hotel when winter comes!!
Cute summery read + love the author’s writing! Will be reading the book club hotel when winter comes!!
May 7, 2025
Nicole and Milly have been friends since childhood, but suddenly, when Milly needed Nicole the most, Nicole ghosted her. Milly suffered through a devastating divorce and her best friend wasn’t there to support her. Meanwhile, Nicole has made a big splash as an actor, but she needs a place to escape and hide away while she recovers from her own problems. The two old friends are not ready to fall into each other’s arms, but Milly does all she can to make sure that Nicole is comfortable. With characters that pop off the page into your heart, this is a fantastic story about friendship, self-discovery and acceptance, and forgiveness. The setting of a small camp in the Lake District is perfect for this moving tale to unfold because as Nicole and Milly bend towards re-establishing friendship, the place they stay calls to them peacefully to make peace with each other and to recall the good times they had there as children. I really liked all of the characters, but Zoe was a favorite, a teen with wisdom and compassion for her mom as she tried to understand the complexities of what a divorce meant to her relationship with her dad. The pace is perfect for this contemporary fiction that explores deep emotional connections, the ones that are lost and new ones that are just beginning.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Read
July 4, 2025Libby audio. Gah. I love Sarah Morgan. But this was a kiss for me. The movie star character was really whiney and big turn off. I felt like there wasn’t much of a plot.
July 20, 2025
Misschien iets minder hartverwarmend dan anders maar wel in anderhalve dag uitgelezen .
Gewoon weer een fijn verhaal over vriendschap en familie met een klein beetje romantiek .
Gewoon weer een fijn verhaal over vriendschap en familie met een klein beetje romantiek .
June 26, 2025
Review time: De Beste Zomer Ooit 🩷🏔️👭
Deze week las ik De Beste Zomer Ooit van @sarahmorganwrites! Wat een heerlijk zomers boek! Bedankt @worldofromancenl en @harpercollins_holland voor het opsturen van dit recensie-exemplaar. 😊
De Beste Zomer Ooit van Sarah Morgan is precies wat je wil lezen op een zonnige dag. Dit warme, meeslepende verhaal draait om twee beste vriendinnen die door een moeilijke periode gaan. Nicole, een beroemde actrice wiens leven op z’n kop staat na een schandaal, gaat op de vlucht. Ze klopt aan bij haar oude vriendin Milly, die ze anderhalf jaar geleden heeft laten vallen, en vraagt om hulp.
Milly twijfelt, maar biedt haar toch onderdak in haar charmante cottage in het prachtige Lake District. Daar, tussen de heuvels en kabbelende meren, proberen de twee vrouwen hun vriendschap te herstellen. Ondertussen ontstaat er een nieuwe romance in Milly’s leven, maar ook komen er geheimen boven tafel die alles kunnen veranderen…
Een verhaal over vergeving, tweede kansen en de kracht van echte vriendschap. Ik gaf dit boek uiteindelijk 3.75 sterren! ⭐ Echt een aanrader voor de zomer!
Deze week las ik De Beste Zomer Ooit van @sarahmorganwrites! Wat een heerlijk zomers boek! Bedankt @worldofromancenl en @harpercollins_holland voor het opsturen van dit recensie-exemplaar. 😊
De Beste Zomer Ooit van Sarah Morgan is precies wat je wil lezen op een zonnige dag. Dit warme, meeslepende verhaal draait om twee beste vriendinnen die door een moeilijke periode gaan. Nicole, een beroemde actrice wiens leven op z’n kop staat na een schandaal, gaat op de vlucht. Ze klopt aan bij haar oude vriendin Milly, die ze anderhalf jaar geleden heeft laten vallen, en vraagt om hulp.
Milly twijfelt, maar biedt haar toch onderdak in haar charmante cottage in het prachtige Lake District. Daar, tussen de heuvels en kabbelende meren, proberen de twee vrouwen hun vriendschap te herstellen. Ondertussen ontstaat er een nieuwe romance in Milly’s leven, maar ook komen er geheimen boven tafel die alles kunnen veranderen…
Een verhaal over vergeving, tweede kansen en de kracht van echte vriendschap. Ik gaf dit boek uiteindelijk 3.75 sterren! ⭐ Echt een aanrader voor de zomer!
June 27, 2025
Other People's Summer by Sarah Morgan is one of those books you can read with a book club of all ages. Sweet and safe, this women's lit examines friendships, family dynamics and forgiveness.
Milly and Nicole were inseparable as teenagers, the best of friends. As early adults their lives took very different turns. Milly, becoming pregnant, married an older man and gained confidence through her husband and mothering. Nicole, with dreams of being a star, headed to the bright lights of a Hollywood lifestyle.
Somewhere along he lines, they lost each other and now, new divorced and out of luck Mily receives a phone call from the celebrity actress she used to call her bestie.
Nicole is struggling too, though we are not sure why, and as the story unfolds and these two find their friendship again, many secrets unfold.
I had the opportunity to listen to a fantastic audio edition of this thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio. It was done well and moved quickly, a great women's lit read for lovers of Jodi Picoult and Jojo Moyes.
Milly and Nicole were inseparable as teenagers, the best of friends. As early adults their lives took very different turns. Milly, becoming pregnant, married an older man and gained confidence through her husband and mothering. Nicole, with dreams of being a star, headed to the bright lights of a Hollywood lifestyle.
Somewhere along he lines, they lost each other and now, new divorced and out of luck Mily receives a phone call from the celebrity actress she used to call her bestie.
Nicole is struggling too, though we are not sure why, and as the story unfolds and these two find their friendship again, many secrets unfold.
I had the opportunity to listen to a fantastic audio edition of this thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio. It was done well and moved quickly, a great women's lit read for lovers of Jodi Picoult and Jojo Moyes.
May 4, 2025
I loved every character in this book. Each character has their own neurotic issues. So, there is someone in this book you can relate to…trust me!
Nicole is a famous movie star. She ghosted her best friend, Milly, when Milly needed her the most. Now Nicole needs Milly to help her, and of course, Milly comes to her rescue….But, their path back to “best friends” is not going to be easy.
I have said this before and I will say it again…I love a book with secrets and this book has quite a few. Nicole is definitely holding out on Milly. But, Milly just can’t quite let her back in. And when the secret comes out, as it always does, look out!
Need a book to just take you away…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
Nicole is a famous movie star. She ghosted her best friend, Milly, when Milly needed her the most. Now Nicole needs Milly to help her, and of course, Milly comes to her rescue….But, their path back to “best friends” is not going to be easy.
I have said this before and I will say it again…I love a book with secrets and this book has quite a few. Nicole is definitely holding out on Milly. But, Milly just can’t quite let her back in. And when the secret comes out, as it always does, look out!
Need a book to just take you away…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
August 18, 2025
This was a sweet and relaxing story! I liked the audiobook narrator and the calm setting, and it felt like a Hallmark movie. Nothing super special but still enjoyable. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of the audiobook!
August 1, 2025
Good summer read.
September 23, 2025
This was a fun summer read with the happy ending to boot!
June 17, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the opportunity to listen early!
Other People’s Summer is a warm, layered story that takes its time getting started but really hits its stride in the middle. Once the characters settle into the charming English lakeside resort setting, the story unfolds with heart, humor, and emotional depth.
Henrietta Meire’s narration really stood out. Her voice fit the tone of the book perfectly, and I appreciated how she subtly shifted her voice for different characters—especially the male ones. It added a nice level of distinction without feeling overdone. Her natural British accent also added an extra layer of authenticity that matched the setting beautifully.
If you’re a fan of small-town settings, family drama, and a summer story that balances feel-good moments with real emotion, this is a great one to listen to.
#OtherPeoplesSummer #NetGalley #AudiobookReview
Other People’s Summer is a warm, layered story that takes its time getting started but really hits its stride in the middle. Once the characters settle into the charming English lakeside resort setting, the story unfolds with heart, humor, and emotional depth.
Henrietta Meire’s narration really stood out. Her voice fit the tone of the book perfectly, and I appreciated how she subtly shifted her voice for different characters—especially the male ones. It added a nice level of distinction without feeling overdone. Her natural British accent also added an extra layer of authenticity that matched the setting beautifully.
If you’re a fan of small-town settings, family drama, and a summer story that balances feel-good moments with real emotion, this is a great one to listen to.
#OtherPeoplesSummer #NetGalley #AudiobookReview
July 7, 2025
I really liked the characters in this book! It's such a cute story about friendship.
September 19, 2025
Sarah Morgan is an author that I never see anyone talking about on booksta and I’m here to tell you that needs to change!! I’ve read three of her books so far and they’ve all been standouts to me
This book focused a lot on the importance of friendship and the bittersweet feelings of being a parent. It felt like a love letter to girlhood & motherhood. Our main characters Milly and Nicole were so layered & complex that they felt so real to me. The side characters of Molly’s daughter Zoe, her mom Connie & Nanna Peggy were the comedic relief this heavy book needed. As someone who’s watched Firefly Lane, this book had similar feels of adversity and overcoming that with the help of friends and family.
This was a great book to read in early September as it takes place on The Lakes in England and was such a beautiful, atmospheric setting
This book focused a lot on the importance of friendship and the bittersweet feelings of being a parent. It felt like a love letter to girlhood & motherhood. Our main characters Milly and Nicole were so layered & complex that they felt so real to me. The side characters of Molly’s daughter Zoe, her mom Connie & Nanna Peggy were the comedic relief this heavy book needed. As someone who’s watched Firefly Lane, this book had similar feels of adversity and overcoming that with the help of friends and family.
This was a great book to read in early September as it takes place on The Lakes in England and was such a beautiful, atmospheric setting
September 7, 2025
Sarah Morgan neemt haar lezers in ‘De beste zomer ooit’ mee naar het idyllische Lake District, waar we kennismaken met Milly die het vakantieresort Forest Nest runt. In het eerste hoofdstuk komen we voldoende info over haar te weten waardoor we nieuwsgierig worden naar de rest van het boek. Milly is een onzekere, jonge vrouw die door haar scheiding zich niet lekker in haar vel voelt. Filmster Nicole was haar beste vriendin, maar Milly kon niet op haar rekenen toen ze scheidde van Richard. Milly en Nicole ontmoeten elkaar na anderhalf jaar opnieuw na een hulpkreet van Nicole. De verhouding tussen de vriendinnen is in het eerste hoofdstuk helder en je voelt dat er nog veel uit te praten is.
Het boek bevat vier vertelperspectieven. We beleven afwisselend het verhaal door de ogen van Milly, Nicole, Milly’s moeder Connie en Milly’s dochter Zoë. Daardoor komen er verschillende generaties aan bod én weet je soms iets eerder dan de andere personages. Toch zijn het vooral Milly en Nicole die het best uitgewerkt zijn. De vrouwen leiden totaal verschillende levens. Je komt veel te weten over hun verleden, maar Morgan heeft ook heel goed geschetst wat hun huidige levenssituatie is. Zo leren we hoe het is om een vakantieresort te runnen en hoe het leven van een filmster eruitziet. Morgan durft echt de mindere kantjes van de filmwereld te benoemen en maakt daardoor van Nicole een erg geloofwaardig personage. In de hoofdstukken van Milly, Nicole en Connie is het duidelijk dat het verleden een grote impact kan hebben op je huidige leven. Nicole heeft bijvoorbeeld geen mooie jeugd gekend en dat tekent haar vandaag nog altijd.
Morgan grijpt in ‘De beste zomer ooit’ echt haar kans om een aantal belangrijke thema’s als vriendschap, scheiding en moederliefde stevig uit te werken. Ze doet dat o.a. aan de hand van uitgebreide, levensechte dialogen die erg natuurlijk aanvoelen omdat ze vaak gesteund worden door alledaagse handelingen. Zwaardere onderwerpen zoals de impact van de scheiding op de mentale gezondheid van Milly, vinden bijvoorbeeld plaats als Milly samen kookt met Nicole. De emoties van de personages worden daardoor extra herkenbaar en als lezer voel je je begrepen. Morgan schuwt namelijk geen taboes of mentale problemen zoals onzekerheid of de drang naar bevestiging in een poging om je echt gelukkig te voelen. Bijgevolg krijgt het boek veel diepgang en ga je nadenken over je eigen leven.
Je krijgt dus via de personages inzichten waar je echt iets aan hebt. Milly en co maken een mooie evolutie door in een omgeving die heel filmisch beschreven is. Je waant je door de vele nauwkeurige omschrijvingen echt in het vakantieresort en kan de berglucht bijna ruiken. Het verteltempo is oké, maar soms dreigt het verhaal toch te kabbelen. Doordat de focus zo hard op de hernieuwde vriendschap van Nicole en Milly ligt, verdwijnen andere interessante verhaallijnen wat naar de achtergrond. Hoe Milly opnieuw verliefd wordt, is minder sterk uitgewerkt. Zo gaat het slechts één hoofdstuk puur over de connectie tussen Milly en haar nieuwe liefde, dat komt een beetje oppervlakkig over. Ook mocht er iets meer aandacht besteed zijn aan de perspectieven van Connie en Zoë. De kijk van verschillende generaties op vriendschap en liefde is net interessant en Morgan laat hier wel wat kansen liggen.
De schrijfstijl voelt ook iets stroever aan dan in Morgans eerder werk en in combinatie met de ietwat lange hoofdstukken zakt je leestempo. Het voordeel daarvan is dat je wat langer kan stilstaan bij de levenswijsheden die Morgan je probeert bij te brengen. Met een vleugje humor door Milly’s oma Peg wordt het verhaal rustig afgerond. Ondanks de gemiste kansen hier en daar sla je dit boek zeker met een voldaan gevoel dicht. Morgan heeft alle kanten van vriendschap belicht en doet daarmee het feelgoodgenre alle eer aan.
Conclusie
4,25 sterren
‘De beste zomer ooit’ is een feelgoodverhaal met veel diepgang en sympathieke personages die elk een herkenbare persoonlijkheid hebben. Je gaat echt nadenken over je eigen leven.
Het boek bevat vier vertelperspectieven. We beleven afwisselend het verhaal door de ogen van Milly, Nicole, Milly’s moeder Connie en Milly’s dochter Zoë. Daardoor komen er verschillende generaties aan bod én weet je soms iets eerder dan de andere personages. Toch zijn het vooral Milly en Nicole die het best uitgewerkt zijn. De vrouwen leiden totaal verschillende levens. Je komt veel te weten over hun verleden, maar Morgan heeft ook heel goed geschetst wat hun huidige levenssituatie is. Zo leren we hoe het is om een vakantieresort te runnen en hoe het leven van een filmster eruitziet. Morgan durft echt de mindere kantjes van de filmwereld te benoemen en maakt daardoor van Nicole een erg geloofwaardig personage. In de hoofdstukken van Milly, Nicole en Connie is het duidelijk dat het verleden een grote impact kan hebben op je huidige leven. Nicole heeft bijvoorbeeld geen mooie jeugd gekend en dat tekent haar vandaag nog altijd.
Morgan grijpt in ‘De beste zomer ooit’ echt haar kans om een aantal belangrijke thema’s als vriendschap, scheiding en moederliefde stevig uit te werken. Ze doet dat o.a. aan de hand van uitgebreide, levensechte dialogen die erg natuurlijk aanvoelen omdat ze vaak gesteund worden door alledaagse handelingen. Zwaardere onderwerpen zoals de impact van de scheiding op de mentale gezondheid van Milly, vinden bijvoorbeeld plaats als Milly samen kookt met Nicole. De emoties van de personages worden daardoor extra herkenbaar en als lezer voel je je begrepen. Morgan schuwt namelijk geen taboes of mentale problemen zoals onzekerheid of de drang naar bevestiging in een poging om je echt gelukkig te voelen. Bijgevolg krijgt het boek veel diepgang en ga je nadenken over je eigen leven.
Je krijgt dus via de personages inzichten waar je echt iets aan hebt. Milly en co maken een mooie evolutie door in een omgeving die heel filmisch beschreven is. Je waant je door de vele nauwkeurige omschrijvingen echt in het vakantieresort en kan de berglucht bijna ruiken. Het verteltempo is oké, maar soms dreigt het verhaal toch te kabbelen. Doordat de focus zo hard op de hernieuwde vriendschap van Nicole en Milly ligt, verdwijnen andere interessante verhaallijnen wat naar de achtergrond. Hoe Milly opnieuw verliefd wordt, is minder sterk uitgewerkt. Zo gaat het slechts één hoofdstuk puur over de connectie tussen Milly en haar nieuwe liefde, dat komt een beetje oppervlakkig over. Ook mocht er iets meer aandacht besteed zijn aan de perspectieven van Connie en Zoë. De kijk van verschillende generaties op vriendschap en liefde is net interessant en Morgan laat hier wel wat kansen liggen.
De schrijfstijl voelt ook iets stroever aan dan in Morgans eerder werk en in combinatie met de ietwat lange hoofdstukken zakt je leestempo. Het voordeel daarvan is dat je wat langer kan stilstaan bij de levenswijsheden die Morgan je probeert bij te brengen. Met een vleugje humor door Milly’s oma Peg wordt het verhaal rustig afgerond. Ondanks de gemiste kansen hier en daar sla je dit boek zeker met een voldaan gevoel dicht. Morgan heeft alle kanten van vriendschap belicht en doet daarmee het feelgoodgenre alle eer aan.
Conclusie
4,25 sterren
‘De beste zomer ooit’ is een feelgoodverhaal met veel diepgang en sympathieke personages die elk een herkenbare persoonlijkheid hebben. Je gaat echt nadenken over je eigen leven.
May 7, 2025
Other People's Summers by Sarah Morgan is a heartfelt and moving women's fiction novel about two women trying to find their way back to their friendship. Perfect for fans of Kristen Hannah, Jojo Moyes, and Elin Hilderbrand.
When Milly and her husband divorce, Milly takes her daughter and moves to the family owned resort that she manages. Having put her focus in her business and being a single mom to her daughter, Milly is trying to rebuild her life. When former best friend Nicole reaches out to Milly for a favor, Milly is surprised. Nicole and Milly were once inseparable but a falling out put an end to the friendship. Even though Milly has tried to reach out to Nicole, it felt like Nicole ghosted her. Now Nicole is caught up in a major scandal as an actress and needs a place to hide out until the fallout dies down. Millie isn't sure what to do but ultimately decides to let Nicole stay in a rental cabin. Now that the two friends are speaking again, can they use this summer as a time to heal past wounds and regrets?
This was such an emotional but comforting read that is great for lounging at the beach or by a pool! The character development is strong and the setting of the Lake District was vivid and rich. With the primary characters, I felt like they were really well written and their flaws and vulnerabilities made them relatable. Overall I really enjoyed this emotional story and would recommend it for fans of found family tropes and heartwarming and uplifting novels!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Morgan, and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Canary Street Press for this ARC!! Publication date is May 6th 2025.
When Milly and her husband divorce, Milly takes her daughter and moves to the family owned resort that she manages. Having put her focus in her business and being a single mom to her daughter, Milly is trying to rebuild her life. When former best friend Nicole reaches out to Milly for a favor, Milly is surprised. Nicole and Milly were once inseparable but a falling out put an end to the friendship. Even though Milly has tried to reach out to Nicole, it felt like Nicole ghosted her. Now Nicole is caught up in a major scandal as an actress and needs a place to hide out until the fallout dies down. Millie isn't sure what to do but ultimately decides to let Nicole stay in a rental cabin. Now that the two friends are speaking again, can they use this summer as a time to heal past wounds and regrets?
This was such an emotional but comforting read that is great for lounging at the beach or by a pool! The character development is strong and the setting of the Lake District was vivid and rich. With the primary characters, I felt like they were really well written and their flaws and vulnerabilities made them relatable. Overall I really enjoyed this emotional story and would recommend it for fans of found family tropes and heartwarming and uplifting novels!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Morgan, and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Canary Street Press for this ARC!! Publication date is May 6th 2025.
May 10, 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley, the hive, & the author for this advanced listeners copy!
This is my second Sarah Morgan book & there’s something about her writing that is so easy to digest. This one follows a family as they navigate life together & figure out how to survive. Nicole is a famous celebrity who’s scared and needs somewhere to hide. When she calls her childhood best friend Milly for help, they find themselves in a spiral of trying to figure out their friendship while also figuring out their individual lives.
I really thought both main characters were likable and brought so much to the story. I liked the backstory we got of their younger year friendship and the slow build to finding out why their friendship faltered. They were flawed but able to work thru their issues together which I loved. It was such a strong story of friendship and the love that a friend can give you, while also having familial elements that I adored.
Add in the romance subplots for the two main character and even the mom 🥰 I just really loved it! Such a cute, easy, women’s fiction read.
🎧 the audiobook narrated by Henrietta Meire was well done. While I don’t feel like she was able to distinguish between each character with specific voices, I enjoyed it as a whole. Sometimes I had to listen and question who’s pov we were in, but otherwise I thought it was decent! 4/5🎙️
This is my second Sarah Morgan book & there’s something about her writing that is so easy to digest. This one follows a family as they navigate life together & figure out how to survive. Nicole is a famous celebrity who’s scared and needs somewhere to hide. When she calls her childhood best friend Milly for help, they find themselves in a spiral of trying to figure out their friendship while also figuring out their individual lives.
I really thought both main characters were likable and brought so much to the story. I liked the backstory we got of their younger year friendship and the slow build to finding out why their friendship faltered. They were flawed but able to work thru their issues together which I loved. It was such a strong story of friendship and the love that a friend can give you, while also having familial elements that I adored.
Add in the romance subplots for the two main character and even the mom 🥰 I just really loved it! Such a cute, easy, women’s fiction read.
🎧 the audiobook narrated by Henrietta Meire was well done. While I don’t feel like she was able to distinguish between each character with specific voices, I enjoyed it as a whole. Sometimes I had to listen and question who’s pov we were in, but otherwise I thought it was decent! 4/5🎙️
May 29, 2025
Milly just went through the worst year and a half of her life.
Her husband cheated and left, she lost her home and she lost her best friend. Don’t worry, the friend isn’t the mistress in this book! But Milly and Nicole haven’t spoken in all that time. Nicole wasn’t there when Milly needed her. But now Nicole needs Milly.
Nicole is an A List actress. She just went through her own rough year and has basically been canceled. She needs rescued and she runs back to Milly and her hometown.
The two friends have a lot of catching up to do and a lot of mistakes to apologize for.
This book is first and foremost about friendship. It also touches on love, on careers, and on children and mothers. But this book is about friendship and I really enjoyed that.
Lovable characters and a beautiful setting.
Her husband cheated and left, she lost her home and she lost her best friend. Don’t worry, the friend isn’t the mistress in this book! But Milly and Nicole haven’t spoken in all that time. Nicole wasn’t there when Milly needed her. But now Nicole needs Milly.
Nicole is an A List actress. She just went through her own rough year and has basically been canceled. She needs rescued and she runs back to Milly and her hometown.
The two friends have a lot of catching up to do and a lot of mistakes to apologize for.
This book is first and foremost about friendship. It also touches on love, on careers, and on children and mothers. But this book is about friendship and I really enjoyed that.
Lovable characters and a beautiful setting.
June 7, 2025
This is such a beautifully written and compelling story that completely captivates the reader from start to finish! Sarah Morgan has a remarkable talent for crafting characters who feel achingly real, with all their flaws and complexities. The way she weaves their struggles and triumphs into the narrative adds depth and authenticity, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journeys. Each page unfolds with rich descriptions and poignant moments that truly resonate, leaving a lasting impression long after the story is over.
☀️
I had a wonderful time reading her last book, The Summer Swap, and I couldn’t be more excited when I saw her new release hit the bookstores!
☀️
If you’re putting together your summer reading list, you’ve got to include this gem! Sarah Morgan’s latest, OTHER PEOPLE'S SUMMERS, is perfect for your beach bag this summer. Just check out that gorgeous cover – it’s practically shouting "summer vibes!" Definitely recommend.
☀️
I had a wonderful time reading her last book, The Summer Swap, and I couldn’t be more excited when I saw her new release hit the bookstores!
☀️
If you’re putting together your summer reading list, you’ve got to include this gem! Sarah Morgan’s latest, OTHER PEOPLE'S SUMMERS, is perfect for your beach bag this summer. Just check out that gorgeous cover – it’s practically shouting "summer vibes!" Definitely recommend.
May 3, 2025
OTHER PEOPLE’S SUMMERS puts a lighter spin on some complex topics.
I felt that this book had a lot of sad undertones. Maybe (probably) it’s me, but I struggled to connect with the characters.
I thought the plot was fairly predictable. But still, it’s an enjoyable read for anyone looking for stories of female friendships and finding love after heartbreak.
Henrietta Meire did a fantastic job with the audiobook narration.
*Thanks to Harlequin Audio and The Hive for the free audiobook download!*
I felt that this book had a lot of sad undertones. Maybe (probably) it’s me, but I struggled to connect with the characters.
I thought the plot was fairly predictable. But still, it’s an enjoyable read for anyone looking for stories of female friendships and finding love after heartbreak.
Henrietta Meire did a fantastic job with the audiobook narration.
*Thanks to Harlequin Audio and The Hive for the free audiobook download!*
May 11, 2025
Sarah has the ability to weave really sweet stories that keep a reader curious and invested. It’s a very interesting concept, friends that have fallen out for a year and a half. I didn’t love Nicole’s choice to do that but Sarah did a good job fleshing this out.
As a side note, the audio was EXCELLENT.
Thank you to Sarah, Canary St Press for the complimentary audiobook in exchange for a complimentary review.
3.75/5.0
As a side note, the audio was EXCELLENT.
Thank you to Sarah, Canary St Press for the complimentary audiobook in exchange for a complimentary review.
3.75/5.0
September 18, 2025
From the author of everyone's favorite wholesome Christmas books comes a novel about the wholesome summers of a Brittany Spears type, a Stephen King type, and four generations of women. What seems like a random grouping of characters works out surprisingly well and I was thoroughly entertained throughout this book. I think my biggest take away from reading this is that I like my summer reads to be a bit spicier than my winter ones.
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