Summer in the Orchard by Fay Keenan
About the book
Sophie Henderson loves her job at Carter’s Cider in the picturesque Somerset village of Little Somerby, but with summer dawning before yet another picking and pressing season, and her boss David showing no signs of wanting to hang up his cider jug, perhaps it is time to move on.
She’s all set to hand in her notice when Alex Fraser, an intern from Vancouver, comes to Little Somerby to learn everything he can about the cider business. With Sophie as his mentor, attraction between them starts to grow alongside the apples.
For Alex, however, being in Little Somerby is about more than cider, and as the summer grows warmer, and his relationship with Sophie blossoms, can he find the courage to tell her the truth before it’s too late?
My review
To use but a few words.....I simply adored this book. It was warm and inviting and the perfect way to start the new year. Summer in the Orchard is book three in the Little Somerby series, but I do feel that it reads well as a stand alone story as I never once felt like I was missing any vital information or left on the back foot at any point along the way. The plot is wild and wonderful and full of drama and excitement. I won't go into any detail as it would only spoil your own reading experience but I was on the edge of my seat as the story slowly unfurled, eager to find out more.
Little Somerby is an idyllic chocolate box village and the perfect backdrop for this gorgeous story to play out on. I simply adored discovering all the secrets to cider making and the descriptions of delicious apples, which were enough to make your mouth water in delight. I certainly learned a thing or two I can tell you that. Each and every character stepped up and played their parts to perfection to help create the charming and quaint life in rural England we have come to know and love. I adored Sophie as a character in all her confident, yet fragile, charm. I felt she carried the story line well and kept my attention throughout. Her relationship with the gorgeous Canadian intern, Alex Fraser, sizzled off the pages with such chemistry and passion. But like all the best love affairs it is never plain sailing and drama threatens to throw love off its true course. But for me the stand out character in this story is Lilly. I loved her independent, can do attitude, that shows that age is just a number and her overactive imagination that comes part and parcel with her status as a romantic novelist. She certainly was a shinning star in the story.
If you're looking for a warm and cosy read to snuggle up with on the cold and dreary nights in January then look no further than Summer in the Orchard. It will lift your spirits, make you smile and have you reaching for the fruit bowl with all the glorious descriptions of delectable English apples.
About the author.
Fay Keenan was born in Surrey and raised in Hampshire, before finally settling back in the West Country. When Fay is not chasing her children around or writing, she teaches English at a local secondary school. She lives with her husband of fourteen years, two daughters, a cat, two chickens and a Weimaraner called Bertie in a village in Somerset, which may or may not have provided the inspiration for Little Somerby.
Follow Fay:
Twitter: @faykeenan
Facebook: @faykeenanauthor
Facebook: @faykeenanauthor
