Three Summers

by Karen Swan

If you love Lucinda Riley and Santa Montefiore, don't miss this sweeping and escapist new summer romance - preorder now!

'Transported me to Italy . . . very evocative' Fern Britton, the Sunday Times bestselling author

Tricase Porto, Puglia, Italy

1957: The summer of innocence
Amongst the lemon trees, Rafaella Parisi impatiently waits for the summer visitors to arrive in her small fishing village on the coast of Puglia. She may be dating Fon Gianelli, but there is one person she longs to Cosimo - son of the wealthy Franchetti family.

1958: The summer everything changed
After a devastating accident at the lavish Franchetti villa, Rafa makes a vow that changes the course of all their futures…

1961: The summer they met again…
And when Rafa and Cosi’s lives collide, Rafa must decide if she’s willing to risk the life she has built for the future she might have had…

Readers LOVE Karen Swan
'I utterly consumed this book as quickly as it consumed me!'
'It’s been a long time since I so thoroughly enjoyed a novel with the turn of every page'
'A fabulous book, almost impossible to put down'
'Reading this novel was a joy!'

Genres: Summer

Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 26, 2026

About the author

Karen Swan began her career in fashion journalism before giving it all up to raise her three children and a puppy, and to pursue her ambition of becoming a writer. She lives in the forest in Sussex, writing her books in a treehouse overlooking the Downs. Her books include Christmas at Tiffany's, Summer at Tiffany's, The Perfect Present, Christmas in the Snow, The Summer Without You, The Paris Secret, and Christmas Under the Stars.

Reviews

[Lydia Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.

I really enjoy Karen Swan’s writing and have loved many of her Christmas books. I hadn’t yet read any of her historical fiction so was pleased to receive an ARC of Three Summers (thank you Net Galley). I have to say that I did really struggle with the first half of this book. I had to re-read the first few chapters a couple of times to try and make all the characters & their relationships stick in my head- there are just so many names to get your brain around. I couldn’t work out which brother belonged to which sister/girlfriend or even who was getting married and who all the older ladies were. At about 40% it did even out & I began to enjoy it. The format of spacing the story over three eventful summers really works and adds to the drama. Cosimo & Raffaella’s journey is a very romantic one, with vibes of a shakespearian romance beset by hurdles and issues. The kidnap plot line and & Dante’s darker presence from his underworld was a good contrast & it was easy to feel a lot of sympathy for Fon. The momentum built really well over the last few chapters and I loved the ending with all lose ends tied. The second half of the book definitely made up for the first ….and the setting is sublime!

Thank you Net galley for the ARC

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never read a book by this author before and I was pleasantly surprised by it.
The Italian setting was enjoyable and put across very well. The characters interested me too, and their interactions were skilfully portrayed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy to review.

[Natasha Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this was an ok read though the first half was very slow, it didn’t feel like a Karen Swan book and I was glad when I finished it.

[Jayne Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a brilliant mix of characters and relationships! A tale of corruption and love spun along the Italian coastline; beautifully written.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read many of Karen's books, and they transport you to some gorgeous places. This one is no exception.
We spent over half the book in the summer of 1957 in Puglia, Italy, where Raga and Gina live. Idyllic summers spent with friends who visit every summer. Fede, Cosimo, and Romola.
Something happened between Cosi and Rafa, and this summer, everything changes. Two brothers Dante and Fon are brought into the mix, and there is danger.
A tragedy takes place on the evening of Rafa's sisters wedding that changes the friendships.
The summer of 1958 is one chapter, and then we move on to the summer of 1961.
Gina and Rafa are now married, and this is where it really gets interesting.
I totally loved the dynamics of the characters. There was real depth. Some more likeable than others. I felt the story was very believable, and the location was beautiful.
The only thing I had a problem with, which for me lost a star, was the two scenes of animal cruelty, which I skipped past. Personally, I didn't think it added anything to the main story. I know in Karen's trilogy there was animal cruelty in that one, too, which stopped me from reading the following two in the series.
Getting past that. Overall, this was very good. I thought the ending was satisfying for all the main characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House uk, Transworld publishers/ Bantam, for the invitation to read this in return for an honest review.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Random House and Netgalley for the advanced copy for review!

I’m really digging the historical romances Karen Swan’s been writing - her Wild Isle historical mystery/ romance series was a favourite of mine. I’ve been looking out for her next winter book release but was pleasantly surprised when she announced Three Summers as her next novel.

We’re treated to a sun-soaked coastal Italian setting. Rafa is our beautiful main lead, and like other young women in her village, is thinking about her future. Her options are: Fon, a safe pragmatic choice from her village, or Cosi, the rich family’s son who is also her childhood best friend. Like all of Karen Swan’s novels, there’s a healthy dose of intrigue, dashing figures, sinister plots, and sweeping romance.

I particularly enjoyed these themes:
❤️ friends to lovers
💫 coming of age
💕 female friendships & sisterhood
💛 found family

Our cast of supporting characters are also thoroughly fleshed out - Rafa’s best friend Gina always has her back, and the brothers of both male leads are excellent foils for them.

I couldn’t put down Three Summers once I started it, and it left me thinking long after I’d finished it. I appreciated the research that must have gone into the settings and characters!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating this 5 out of 5 stars for a deeply entertaining summer read!

[Agi · Rating 4 out of 5]

With "Three Summers" we stay in the past, as it's Karen Swan's another try at historical fiction. And what can I say - as usually, brilliantly researched, with details we would probably never know if she hadn't digged them out somehow and brought them to life. The setting is beautiful and I was easily transported to Tricase, with the vivid and evocative descriptions of the gorgeous summers. The characters are brilliantly written and all the complexities of their relationships are there, captured and explored. There is a great dose of romance, mystery, intrigue.

As much as it was a good, solid read Karen Swan's Wild Isle historical series was simply extraordinary. "Three Summers", a brilliant read, but didn't deliver as well as the three historical stories. The end here felt rushed and a bit convenient, and as much as I really liked it, having the feeling that the characters deserved, what has happened to them, it still left me a little insatiable. Nevertheless, I really couldn't put this book down, was desperate to know what's going to happen - it's this kind of book that you're reading keeping your breath, because you have a feeling that something really bad will happen - it kept me sucked and the story grew on me. It's multi - layered and with great depth, exploring so many levels of relationships, class differences, revenge.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three Summers is a gorgeously written, emotionally rich story that sweeps you away to the lemon-scented coast of Puglia, Italy. Karen Swan masterfully captures the essence of three pivotal summers—1957, 1958, and 1961—through the eyes of Rafaella Parisi, a young woman whose life is shaped by love, loss, and the weight of choices made in youth.

The setting is beautifully evocative, with Swan’s prose painting vivid scenes of sun-drenched villas, seaside villages, and the quiet ache of longing. Rafaella is a compelling protagonist—spirited, vulnerable, and deeply relatable. Her connection with Cosimo Franchetti, the son of a wealthy family, is tender and complex, unfolding across years with a bittersweet intensity.

This isn’t just a romance—it’s a story about identity, class, and the courage to chase a life that feels truly yours. The emotional depth is balanced with a sense of nostalgia and hope, making it a perfect read for fans of Lucinda Riley and Santa Montefiore.

Three Summers is escapist fiction at its finest—elegant, heartfelt, and quietly powerful. A perfect companion for a lazy afternoon or a reflective evening.

With thanks to Karen Swan, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Olga Freer · Rating 2 out of 5]

About 15 years ago, I read one of Karen Swan’s Christmas novels, and I enjoyed it a lot. I wonder whether, if I read it now, I would find it basic chick lit, or whether “Three Summers”, her latest offering, is simply a far cry from what she used to write.

One thought followed me throughout the book - boring. Boring, boring, boring. It’s just… nothing really happens, and then the major event (no spoilers here) is dispatched in a few pages, after which the dullness resumes. Yes, the pace does pick up towards the end, but by then my overall impression of the novel was already set.

I’m sorry, but “Three Summers” is a dull offering, overcrowded with characters (it takes time to remember who is who), and the main ones are quite one-dimensional. The central love story is also rather blah.

Last but not least, the book clearly needed a more thorough editorial pass. “Turino” - what language is this? The plural of bella is not bellas in Italian. And sprinkling in the occasional si and ciao doesn’t really create the Italian atmosphere I was hoping for.

I don’t understand the book’s high rating. Almost gave a one star review to balance the rating.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

[julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of us know this author from the captivating Christmas books she writes. Then we had the Wild Isle series of three books, set on the remote Scottish island of St Kilda, which I loved. Therefore, I was thrilled to have a review copy of ‘Three Summers’ set in Italy. This author’s skill is setting the scene- we are transported to the hot dry days of summer with a beautiful blue skies and a sparkling sea, and the characters, their likes, dislikes, appearances, relationships etc. This scene and character setting takes place in the first few chapters, but if readers can persist, they will be entranced with this well written multi layered story. It’s a hefty read to become engrossed in, and a perfect holiday read. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to review another of Karen Swan’s books.

[Ann Pearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a person who regularly gives five stars to a book, but this book thoroughly deserves them. From the very beginning I was hooked and wanted to keep on reading to find out what happened next. If life hadn't intervened, I would have read it from start to finish in one go.

Set in Italy and the summers of 1957, '58 and '61, the book centres on three main characters, Rafaella Parisi, Cosimo Franchetti and Fon Gianelli and is told from their three different perspectives. It is a book covering so many human conditions: love, hate, revenge, acceptance, tragedy, loss, friendship, lust, power, fear. The finale took me by surprise; there had to be a resolution but I couldn't see how that would be achieved. Karen Swan succeeded admirably and the epilogue brought the whole book to a satisfactory conclusion.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley. #ThreeSummers #NetGalley.

The scene setting and descriptions of Italy during the late 1950s and early 1960s was beautiful. I was transported there. The descriptions of festivals and traditions were language rich and added to the depth and feel of the setting.
The characterisation developed well throughout the book and was interesting. The hint of mystery about the source of Dante’s income and how that developed was good.
I liked how it was broken into the three summers and how these families were all intertwined along with some historical events like the polio outbreak.
I didn’t give 5 stars because it felt a little slow in the third summer to begin with but by the conclusion I understood the need for that part.

I would definitely recommend this book.

[Cory Beyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and @RandomHouseUK for this ARC. 1957: Rafaella Parisi is waiting patiently for her best friends to arrive from Rome to their small village on the coast of Italy. After an unexpected kiss from Cosimo left her hurt with no answers, she is nervous to see him. 1958: Though "Rafa" is dating Fon now, her heart is still with Cosimo. When tragedy strikes this summer, it changes the course of all their lives. 1961: After 3 years of many changes, Rafa and Cosimo's paths cross again. Do they have what it takes to give everything to be together? This book was good but full of drama, violence and misunderstandings. If you like Karen Swan, I wouldn't miss it. #ThreeSummers #KarenSwan #RandomHouseUK #UKReleaseFeb2026

[Eibhlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a big fan of Karen Swan's Christmas novels for many years so I was delighted to get the opportunity to read this book from netgalley. In Three Summers there is a strong romantic element but it has a darker edge the christmas novels do not have which I enjoyed. I loved the suspense and excitement especially in the second half of the book. The central characters were well developed although I found it hard to follow in the beginning. Karen's descriptions of the Italian countryside were fantastic and I really enjoyed reading this book. Fans of historic fiction or romance would love this novel.

[Lynne James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having never read a Karen Swann novel before, I
I came at this with no prior knowledge of her style, so it is interesting to read, from other reviews, that this quite a departure from her usual style.
I was engrossed in the story of Rafaella and Cosimo, a pair of undoubtedly star crossed lovers; and Fon and, the aptly named, Dante with their shady, dangerous underworld dealings.
The fishing village in Puglia, the novel's setting, is vividly described, as is the heat of the three Summers themselves.
A very enjoyable tale, well told.
Thank you Random House and NetGalley for my earc of this throughly engrossing book.

[Mrs Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rafaella and Gina had grown up in Tricase Porto and every summer the Duke's family came to spend 6 weeks there. The 2 girls would spend time with the Duke's family especially Cosimo and Romola but at the end of last summer something had happened between Cosimo and Rafaella.
Rafaella is now going out with Fon Gianelli (Dante's younger brother) and Cosimo invites a young movie star to his parents annual party. Will things ever be the same again.
A rollercoaster of emotions spread over 3 summers, a gripping novel.

[Michelle Wileman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to read a wonderful love story, you’ll love this. If, however you want a love story with an intriguing darkness, a touch of evil doings and a surprise ending, this will thrill you!

I don’t know how Karen Swan manages to write such evocative stories, full of human failings, a sense of history and truly capturing the environment of its setting. It’s a great story with a beautiful ending full of emotion, a fabulous 5* read

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a slow book to get going, lots of complicated character interactions and descriptions at the start, making it tricky to keep in your head who is who. However, as the story progressed, the excitement builds, just after half way through the book, the pace increases and a lot of the plot develops. Overall I enjoyed this book, but did find it lengthy and at times complicated to keep a track of

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a story I had expected it to be. Starting out gentle and inoffensive, it became complicated and violent at times, full of passion, disappointment, love and anger. Difficult family relationships, small town romance, colliding with crime and lies. Full, rounded characters who you will come to love, hate or be amused with.
A well written tale, full of joy, tinged with sadness and anger, finished off with a dusting of hope.

[afra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll share it with my followers again and help promote it when the publish date gets closer. Even though it didn’t appeal me, I did enjoy the writing style and the author’s narrative voice.
This is an ARC review. I appreciate receiving this copy from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.

[Avril Mcauley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy Karen Swans books and this one was a bit different, it was definitely a bit of a slow burn for me.
It was set in Italy and I felt there was a lot of characters who had very similar names which made it hard to follow. Once I had grasped the Characters I started to enjoy it,
It had a lovely setting and was based on friendship and loyalty.
Definitely worth reading.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely captivating! I couldn’t put it down for a single moment. It’s a thrilling tale filled with drama and intrigue, and it transports you straight to the beautiful streets of Italy. The characters are both menacing and charming, which adds to the overall excitement of the story. It’s a must-read for anyone who loves a good yarn!

Thank you Netgalley

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had a very gentle start but certainly went up up few notches in storyline and tension to a wonderfully crafted climax
Subterfuge, love, greed , family secrets all abound in the wonderful setting of Puglia

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent a copy of Three Summers by Karen Swan to read and review by NetGalley. I enjoyed this novel which is very much character led. There are great descriptions of the Italian coast and it really makes you want to visit the small fishing village in which it is set. I did find it a bit repetitive at times and I’m afraid I did find myself getting a little distracted and bored towards the end. That said it is a good story and a worthwhile beach read.

[Maggie's Book Collection · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is another departure from Karen Swan's usual type of story, as was her Wild Isles series. Set in Puglia, Italy, over three summers in 1957, 1958 and 1961, it tells the story of a group of friends from two very different backgrounds. The events of those three summers shape their lives with devastating consequences.

I liked the setting and the characters in this story, and although it took me a while to be drawn into their world, once I was, I was hooked. Rafa has two girl friends who are as close as sisters. When rivalries for Rafa's love come to the fore, tragedy strikes, and nothing is ever the same.

Despite a slow start, I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of love, rivalry, revenge and lives changed. The characters were well written and believable. If you are looking for a story with a gripping ending, then this one is worth a read.

[Julie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical fiction set in Italy was a slow burn for me. Lots of characters with family connections that I had to get my head around. I found my flow after a third of the way and thoroughly enjoyed the story. Friendships and romance features strongly along with a touch of tragedy and lawlessness.
My thanks to publishers and Net Galley for the ARC of this book.

[Laura Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen Swan is an author I'd always choose to pick up - loved her Wild Isles series and her other stand alone novels as well!

Three Summers is set along the romantic Italian coast in Puglia and the first summer sets into motion the beginning of the love story between Cosimo and Rafaella. The other characters in the drama - Rafaella and Cosimo's family and friends - are great characters and the vivid writing helps establish the storyline straight away.

I enjoyed the friends to almost lovers to enemies aspect of the novel and the insights into families of organised crime and the priesthood were really interesting. Karen Swan also deepens the issues of same-sex love and the pressures of marrying into an aristocratic family.
The scenery and the complications of the plot are well written and I enjoyed the book. If there was one criticism it was that the ending felt a little rushed but other than that a really good historical romance novel!

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three Summers by Karen Swan ☀️

Is a beautifully written escapist read set on the sun-drenched coast of 1950s Italy where the most captivating story unfolds.

Rafaella lives in a small fishing village on the coast of Puglia. Every summer the wealthy Franchetti family come to stay for six weeks; the highlight of Rafaella's year as she's reunited with her two best friends, Romola and Cosimo Franchetti.

However, this summer is different. Rafaella is dating local boy Fon and is working long hours - both issues putting strain on her friendship with the summer visitors. And now older, the once innocent relationship between Rafaella and Cosimo has morphed into something more, creating a summer of stolen looks and hidden desires...

By this point I was so absorbed in the story and wondering how the love triangle would play out. Then a tragic accident happens, that turned the whole storyline in a completely different direction and immersed me even further than I thought possible!

The summer we experience then, a few years later, is so much darker and more sinister that I found myself picking up the pace and devouring the chapters at record speed.

I don't want to give any details away suffice to say this book was an emotional roller coaster 🥹 It swept me away in a sea of sacrifices, secrets and desire, and I loved it!

This was such an easy five stars to give and a fantastic historical novel that I highly recommend 🌟

Thank you @bantambooksuk and @swannywrites for giving me the opportunity to read this incredible book ahead of it's release in February 2026 🫶🏻✨️