The Summer Everything Changed

by Siân O'Gorman

Is it ever too late to reclaim the life you never lived?

Rosie O'Malley has not drawn breath after tragically losing her mother and then being abandoned by the one man she knew she loved.

Burying her grief and heartbreak, Rosie threw herself into running Sandycove’s Cliff Top hotel determined to make a success of her mother's legacy and keep a roof over her family’s heads. It's now ten years later and this weekend, the hotel throws open its doors to host its very first wedding.

Boston-based Patrick Power touches down at Dublin Airport for his brother's Seán's wedding, having dedicated the last decade to building his thriving Irish restaurant business. A decade earlier, he left behind the love of his life and try as he might, he's never been able to forget her.

Imagine Patrick's shock when he discovers the wedding is being held in Cliff Top, Rosie’s hotel - the girl he let slip away.

As Sandycove shimmers in a heatwave, can Patrick navigate a family wedding as well as his own feelings? And will Rosie realise she’s been living her late mother's life and not her own? Can she forgive Patrick for leaving her or will ambition and responsibility once again stand in the way of love?

355 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 5, 2026

About the author

For Once In My Life...

A Tale of Love, Discovery, and Second Chances...
In the bustling world of Dublin's advertising scene, Kitty O’Sullivan, a copywriter, feels an unexplainable void in her life that she can't quite pinpoint. Her five-year relationship with Dave is stagnant, her creative juices have dried up and she’s even entertaining thoughts of marriage as a cure-all! Something’s missing from her life but she can’t work out exactly what it is…

When Dave decides to take time out from ‘them’, Kitty finds herself momentarily liberated to explore life and have some fun. She and best friend Shazza are corralled into joining a five-aside football team where she meets the intriguing Sweetman brothers, Tom and Rory.

As they sail around the enchanting coast of Dublin, engage in fierce football battles and stumble upon a magical secret drinking den, Kitty falls in love with her new life - and her new self - but is it only temporary until Dave returns?

Will Kitty find the answers to life's mysteries and take charge of her future?

Join Kitty on this journey of love, self-discovery, and the pursuit of a life truly worth living.

Siân is on instagram as sianogorman1. Come and say hello!

Reviews

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

Rosie O'Malley has not drawn breath after tragically losing her mother and then being abandoned by the one man she knew she loved. Burying her grief and heartache, Rosie threw herself into running Sandycove' Cliff Top hotel determined to make a success of her mother's legacy and keep a roof over her family's heads. It's now ten years later and this weekend, the hotel throws open its doors to host it's very first wedding. Boston-based Patrick Power touches down at Dublin airport for his brother Sean's wedding, having dedicated the last decade to building his thriving Irish restaurant business. A decade earlier, he left behind the love of his life, and try as he might, he's never been able to forget her. Imagine Patrick's shock when he discovers the wedding is being held at Cliff Top, Rosie's hotel - the girl he let slip away.

When Patrick and Rosie split up, he moved to America and Rosie threw everything she had into making a success of her late mother's hotel. Rosie decided to start holding weddings at the hotel - the first wedding booked his her ex-Patrick's brother, Sean. Ten years have passed since they last saw each other, and neither of them have moved on. They have a chance at a second romance.

The story starts off slowly and I found that it took me a few chapters before I was fully invested in this book. There is a mix of funny and emotional, but some parts felt bogged down with information overload.Once I got into the story I did enjoy it.

Published 5th March 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #SianOGorman for my ARC of #TheSummerEverythingChanged in exchange for an honest review.

[Jocelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley & Boldwood Books for the ARC!

I'm currently on a Sian O'Gorman book binge after finally reading a late ARC and of course I had to start on this one, despite receiving it only very recently. I see the pattern - it's always a parent who has passed away that is always on the main character's mind and is probably going to affect her future actions.

In this case, Rosie lost her mother who was instrumental in setting up the Cliff Top hotel. She decides to run the hotel in memory of her mother and is perhaps afraid to live a bigger life, experience more in the world, partly because she is thinking she has to be running the hotel to always keep her mother's memory alive. I loved the love story - where Patrick came back after 10 years for his brother's wedding and finally met Rosie again and explained why he left.

The BBQ on the beach set up made me laugh out loud, especially when the smoke and fireballs made the other beach goers scream. I was trying so hard to keep my giggles down in public, it was such a comedic moment - typical of Rosie - trying so hard to do everything herself.

I actually stayed up half the night reading it because I couldn't sleep, but I am glad I did. Happy endings all around (for both Rosie & Patrick & other family members) and I love it!

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet second chance romance

Rosie and Patrick fell in love one summer, but her Aunt Lucinda managed to convince Patrick that he wasn't good enough for Rosie, and he left for America, leaving Rosie heartbroken. Having lost her Mom as well, Rosie threw herself into keeping the hotel going that her Mom loved, it also kept her mind off losing Patrick.

Years later, Rosie is still managing the hotel, improving it as time goes on, a bit here, a bit there. She's hired on a great staff who are helping her keep it running and profitable. All's well, but she feels something is missing from life. Grace, one of the staff, convinces Rosie that they should hold weddings at the hotel, and has a perfect starter test. Sean and Niamh, a nice young couple who got engaged at the hotel. The rest of the story is focused on the wedding weekend and the surprises it brings, the biggest one being that Patrick is the brother of Sean!

This book started a bit slow for me, but then it picked up. It was a clean, sweet, small town in Ireland second chance romance. Sandycove sounds like a lovely seaside town that I'd love to visit. I enjoyed the story and will look for other books by this author.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

[Sara (my_kindle_and_me) · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Reality Check:
I really wanted to love this, but I had to put it down. While the premise of lifelong friends promised a heartfelt summer read, the execution felt more like a marathon of "rambling" rather than a cohesive story.

​Why it didn't work for me:

​Over-Description: The prose is bogged down by minute, unnecessary details. I found myself skimming paragraphs about mundane tasks (like placing pillows) that didn't move the plot or the emotional needle.

​Information Overload: The dialogue is heavily laden with "as you know" style background info. Instead of getting to know the characters through their actions, I felt like I was being lectured on their entire history in every conversation.

​Pacing: By the 30% mark, I still wasn't sure where the central "romance" or hook was. There are simply too many characters introduced too quickly, making it hard to form a connection with any of them.

​Final Thoughts:
If you enjoy very slow-paced, atmospheric Women’s Fiction with a high level of domestic detail, this might be for you. However, for those looking for a snappy romance or a plot-driven story, this was a miss.

[Page Escapes by J · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something quietly magical about stories that remind us how love can grow out of the most familiar places — friendships, routines, summers that feel endless. The Summer Everything Changed is exactly that kind of comfort read.

Sian O’Gorman writes with a warmth that makes the setting feel like a character in itself. The seaside atmosphere, the slow rhythm of summer days, and the nostalgia woven through the story create a gentle backdrop for a friends-to-more romance that feels natural rather than forced.

What I particularly enjoyed was the emotional layering. Beneath the light, summery surface, the story touches on change, second chances, and the way life quietly shifts when we least expect it. The characters feel relatable — imperfect, thoughtful, and trying to figure out what happiness looks like for them.

The pacing is slow and reflective, which worked well for this kind of story. It’s less about dramatic twists and more about the quiet moments that build into something meaningful.

If you enjoy seaside settings, heartfelt friendships, and romances that unfold gradually, this is a lovely escape.

[Joanne Rawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this ARC I received from NetGalley. Rosie and Patrick met when they were both in college and rooming in the same summer house while working at their internships and fell in love. When summer ended Rosie was saying in Ireland to help her father and sister run their family inn while Patrick was headed to Boston to make his own dreams of opening an Irish pub in America come true. 10 years later Patrick is back in Ireland for his brother's wedding.. and is surprised to realize the wedding is behind held at Rosie's inn. The two have done well making their dreams come true but neither has ever really moved on from the heartache of letting one another go. It was such a sweet second chance romance but it is a pretty slow paced story which I both loved and hated. I loved that I really got a sense of all the characters and setting but I also really wanted to get to the point in the story where Rosie and Patrick FINALLY have a heart to heart over their old hurts and how they really feel about their current lives.

[Firetruckmama · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.

“The Summer Everything Changes” is by Sian O’Gorman. This book is a second chances romance that takes place in Ireland at a hotel. The hotel is owned by Rosie, who shares responsibilities with her sister, with a number of staff. Patrick is “the one that got away” who resides in Boston and although he now runs a restaurant there, he sometimes longs to return home to Ireland. When Patrick’s brother decides to get married, the wedding is held at the Rosie’s hotel. I found this book, for me, a very slow moving one. I had problems keeping the characters separated, though once the story got rolling it became easier. I also found the pacing a bit off - this book took a while to get going and while I liked the background story, I felt that the story got bogged down in some of those details. On the positive however is that I did like a number of the side characters. Overall, for me this was an okay read, but I seem to be in the minority on that - which is fine.

[The Lit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m giving this a 4 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC! This was such an unputdownable, happy-ending-guaranteed read.

I’m starting to notice a bit of a pattern in these stories—the main character is always haunted by a parent who has passed away, and those memories heavily influence her choices. But the heart of this book is the romance. I am a sucker for the second chance trope, and seeing Patrick return after a decade for his brother's wedding was everything. Finally getting that explanation for why he left and seeing him reconnect with Rosie was so satisfying.

It wasn't just emotional, though; it was genuinely funny! The beach BBQ setup actually made me laugh out loud. If you're looking for a "happy endings all around" kind of book, this is the one for you.

Want more "Second Chance" romance picks? Slide over to my profile @TheLitWhisperer for the ultimate trope guide!

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Summer Everything Changed by Sian O’Gorman is a beautifully heartfelt story that stayed with me long after I finished it. This is the kind of book that pulls you in with warmth, emotional depth, and characters who feel incredibly real.

I was completely invested in the journey — the way the past and present intertwine gives the story such rich emotional layers. The relationships are tender and touching, and the growth the characters experience feels genuine. I especially loved how the setting and the feel of summer itself almost become characters in their own right, adding sweetness and nostalgia to the whole read.

This book made me laugh, tugged at my heart, and reminded me how powerful connection, healing, and new beginnings can be.

Highly recommended if you love emotional women’s fiction with heart, hope, and a little bit of magic in the everyday moments.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delightful story. It’s pretty clear from the start that Rosie and Patrick are destined for each other, but it’s the solving of all the problems that are between them and happiness that is the nub of the plot. First meeting at 22, Rosie is now 32 and stuck in a pleasant rut of her making. Patrick is successful but not that happy. There is a diverse cast of characters in this book, some kind and some rather unpleasant. I particularly enjoyed the insights from the eight year old twins. Things come to head when Patrick’s brother has his wedding at Rosie’s hotel. There are some entertaining moments where things go awry, but there is a wonderful dollop of Irish congeniality as well. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood books for sharing this author’s work with me.

[MoMo Book Diary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second Sian O’Gorman novel — and I think that makes this one even more special. I went into The Summer Everything Changed already hoping to fall in love all over again… and within just a few pages I knew I was in the safest of hands. That comforting, heartfelt warmth I remembered was right there waiting for me.

There is something about Sian O’Gorman’s writing that feels like exhaling. Her stories don’t just entertain; they wrap around you. From the moment I returned to Sandycove, I felt as though I had stepped into a place filled with heart, history and community. The setting shimmers with warmth, but it’s the emotional depth that truly stays with you. These characters feel real — flawed, loving, burdened, hopeful — and you don’t just read their journey, you feel it.

Rosie’s quiet strength and buried heartache moved me more than I expected. There’s such tenderness in the way her story unfolds — that delicate balance between responsibility and longing, between honouring the past and daring to choose your own future. I felt her hesitation, her guarded hope, her vulnerability. And when those emotional walls begin to shift? Oh, I felt that too.

This is a story about second chances, but it’s also about forgiveness — not just of others, but of yourself. It’s about family, community, shared history, and the ties that pull us back to where we truly belong. The wedding setting adds such a beautiful sense of togetherness and atmosphere — I could almost feel the summer heat, hear the laughter, sense the undercurrents of old memories and unresolved feelings simmering beneath the surface.

And I have to say, once I started reading, I genuinely could not put it down. This is one of those books where you tell yourself “just one more chapter”… and suddenly it’s much later than you planned. The world outside fades. The to-do list waits. Meals are delayed. These are the kinds of stories that deserve - no, require - a comfy chair, a steady supply of tea and a packet of biscuits within easy reach. Consider yourself warned.

There were tears — the lovely, hopeful kind — and by the final pages I felt completely uplifted. Not in a dramatic way, but in that quiet, soul-soothing way that lingers long after you close the book.

Finishing this novel confirmed something for me: I want to read everything Sian O’Gorman writes. In fact, I may have immediately purchased every available title on Kindle just so I know they’re there waiting. Her stories offer the most beautiful break from real life — immersive, emotional, comforting and utterly absorbing. Once you begin, you simply don’t want to leave.

A truly heartfelt, radiant read that left me full of warmth and already longing for my next visit to Sandycove.

[K McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed every Sian O’Gorman book I’ve read, this one absolutely included. She has such a deft way of sketching characters and capturing them and their relationships in an entirely believable way. And sometimes we all just need to escape to a happy ending. In this one, Rosie feels stuck taking care of the family business when she runs into Patrick again, ten years after he changed her life and then left the country. They both have to work through family dynamics and their own patterns and expectations as they try to see if the future might be any different. All of it is marked with humor and a keen understanding of how humans really act. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.

[Barb Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosie, her sister Nessie and dad Teddy are reeling from the death of their mother. Rosie throws herself into managing the hotel that was her mother's dream. When her love Patrick is off to Boston after school, he asks her to come with him, and she refuses because she "can't leave." When he suddenly breaks up with her at the airport, she is devastated and pulls even more into herself. Years later Patrick comes home to Ireland for his brother Sean's wedding which happens to be at the hotel that Rosie runs. Will this be a chance to begin again?
This was a very sweet story of possibilities, second chances and love. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

[Kindle Book Worm By The Sea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosie runs her mums boutique hotel, along with her dad, sister and a great team.
Grace convinces Rosie to host a their first wedding to a couple who got engaged there a year ago.
It’s the hottest Irish summer, everything is going well then Rosie spots Patrick, a guy she had a relationship with 10 years ago and he just upped and left. He just happens to be the grooms brother and has flown in from Boston. Can they find love again, will Rosie’s aunt stop the love, will the wedding go off with out a hitch?
I really enjoyed this book, lots of funny moments, and some unexpected twists.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet but tough story about Rosie and all she's lost while trying to hold onto what she has.
She lost her mother and someone who had her heart. She now runs the families Cliff Top hotel with her dad and sister. She feels like she didn't have a choice ones her mom passed away because her mom loved the hotel so much . Plus she sees memories in every corner.
Then Patrick shows up from Boston for his brother's wedding and all the memories of their young days and what they shared come flooding back.
She has very mixed feeling about Patrick as does he for Rosie. There are of course many experiences over the course of the wedding festivities that bring them together and many other's where they are setup by others to be together. A lot of soul searching by them and conversations leads to a very satisfying end that will make you smile.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosie was madly in love with Patrick but he moved to Boston breaking up with her at the airport.
Rose takes over the family hotel after her mother died making lots of improvement.
Over a decade later she was persuaded to hold her first wedding there.
Patrick arrives at the hotel for his brother's wedding not knowing where it was being held.
Patrick tries to tell Rose why he left her behind and all secrets and feelings are revealed.
A good read.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review

[Denice Langley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect romance for someone like me who doesn't read "mushy". Circumstances separated two people who were in love with love, but not ready for it. For ten years, they dedicated their lives to setting goals and achieving them, no matter the challenge. But in their hearts, they never forgot. A wedding is being held at Sandycove's Hilltop Hotel will bring Rosie face-to-face with the groom's brother, Patrick, the man who disappeared from her life ten years ago. Sian O'Gorman gives us a sigh-worthy experience as these two discover the real challenges.

[Roo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely read about Rosie and Patrick. Rosie is back in Ireland to run the family hotel, but when Patrick shows up for a wedding she is confused. Patrick used to be her roommate and partner many years ago. How will the wedding go and will love blossom? It’s a lovely feel good read with a great plot, great descriptive scenery and brilliant characters that make this story. 4.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed, I cried and I loved every word of this book.
We’re back in Sandycove, this time in the Cliff Top Hotel with Rosie and her family as they host their first wedding.
Little does Rosie know that her first love who she lost to misunderstandings and Boston a decade before, is about to return to her life in the guise of the groom’s brother.
An absolute hug of a book I genuinely didn’t want it to end, but I also couldn’t put it down.

[Janne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐
The Summer Everything Changed by Sian O'Gorman was such a hopeful, comforting read 💜
I loved Rosie’s growth — watching her become more confident and finally take chances felt beautiful and real. And Patrick? Just wonderful, in every way.
The setting and community completely pulled me in, and the emotional growth throughout the story left me feeling happy and uplifted ☀️
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this lovely story 💕

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, The Summer Everything Changed, by Sian O'Gorman, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. A decade ago Rosie O'Malley had a double loss shes running a hotel now. The chapters are told from Rosie and her ex, Patrick's point of view. Overall I thought this was a good read, couple things I did not care for.

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the premise of this storyline…a woman takes over running her late mother’s hotel. It’s a family business, but it has become her whole world. Then, after reuniting with her long lost first love, she questions all of her choices. A story about love, friendships and life meanings.

Thank you Boldwood Books for the gifted copy of this book.

[Diana Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the chance to read The summer everything changed by Sian O'Gorman. I requested this second chance romance because the author has been on my TBR list. While I enjoyed it, I found the story wandered a bit, and I was a bit bored midway through. The saving grace is the wonderful Irish setting. This is a good summer beach read.

[Diane Jewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Summer Everything Changed by Siàn O'Gorman ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rosie has just lost her mother and thought the only way to keep her memory alive, was to run her hotel. When an ex shows back up in town , things shake up.
It's a laugh out loud sweet second hand romance that's sure to keep you reading into the night.

[Christina Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

10 years ago Patrick walked away from Ireland leaving everything behind, including Rosie.
Now he's back for his brothers wedding, it's being held at Rosies hotel.
Is there a way back for them ?
Engaging and sweet.

#NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks #TheSummerEverythingChanged #SianO'Gorman

[Valerie McGurk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light hearted and entertaining story. Perfect for a holiday read or for curling up with on a chilly afternoon.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one. Great & very funny characters. Good storyline.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Sian O' Gorman's novels, and have now reviewed many. The Summer Everything Changed is a realistic book, and just like life itself. It has happy parts, sad parts, hopeful parts and more.

I loved the structure of the book, with the first chapter being "In the beginning" and then "Ten Years Later." Chronicling Rosie's life like this gave a good structure, and had me hooked right away. I went from being happy she met Patrick to totally invested in them very quickly.

The house share experience was realistic.

I agree with Patrick that Boston is a beautiful city (I had the pleasure of visiting it decades ago). However, I didn't expect him to go from being so caring and attentive to so focused on what he wanted so quickly. It seemed nice at first that he asked Rosie to go with him. I wondered if she would or not, and I was waiting with anticipation.

Her roots are firmly in Ireland, though. She's been through a lot with her mother's death. I liked how her sister Nessa and her father Teddy were such a support to her, and how the family was so close-knit.

The hotel is atmospheric, the surroundings are atmospheric. I was happy she decided to work with her sister and father to make the hotel the boutique hotel her mother had dreamed of.

Their commitment is heartwarming.

Grace and Bertie are a great help in the hotel, too.

4 stars.

Thanks to Siân O' Gorman and Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

[Carol Ann Rooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story, really enjoyed. It had a bit of everything. Sad, happy, love, death.