The Book- Lovers Retreat by Heidi Swain

Sometimes a book grabs you by the heart and grows to mean everything to you. That’s what Hope Falls is to friends Emily, Rachel and Tori. So, when they get the chance to spend a whole summer at the cottage in Lakeside where the film adaptation was located, they know it is going to be the holiday of a lifetime.
Spending six weeks away will give them a chance to re-evaluate their life choices. For Emily to decide which way her career will go – the safe route, or the more risky creative option? And for Rachel to decide whether to move in with her partner Jeremy. Then Tori has to drop out at the last moment, and her space is offered to another Hope Falls afficionado, Alex. 

But when Alex turns out not to be who they expected, the holiday takes an unforeseen turn. And as the summer develops, so does their friendship. Could this be where they uncover their future selves, find love in all its forms and where their lives will change course forever…?

 

When you have loved an authors books for years but hear the words new Stand-Alone novels there is that part of you that is excited and another part of you that is apprehensive and this was how I felt when Heidi Swain announced her new novel The Book Lovers Retreat.

When long standing firm friends Emily, Rachel and Tori book their dream vacation to stay at the cottage where their favourite book to film adaption was set the excitement is immense especially for Em who is counting on the holiday to giver her the headspace to decide on her path in life. But when Tori announces she can no longer come the holiday is hanging by a thread until another super fan takes her place but will the experience still be as good as anticipated now they are to spend a month with a stranger.

Book worms have all read a book I am sure where they would love to be able to step into the pages and experience for themselves so this really helps us to relate to the excitement each of the girls have for their trip. Heidi Swain always creates such inviting settings in her novels and Lakeside is no exception with its cosy cottage, tranquil lakes and traditional country pub.

We always expect a gushing romance with Heidi’s books and there is one bubbling away in this storyline and it really warmed my heart because both parties were such selfless loveable characters who were perfect for each other.

As ever Heidi has developed likeable characters who’s personalities develop as the book moves along and we warm to them all because they are lifelike with flaws and issues that don’t make them perfect. Tori was a live wire with a big personality and even though she was only in the book for brief periods her presence was not forgotten. Rachel was a little more reserved and Emily and Alex took more of a central role and they have their own struggles and issues they are facing but both of them put other peoples feelings ahead of their own.

I need not have worried about this being a standalone because Heidi Swain has such a skilled writing style that always manages to sweep you into the storyline in the first chapter and keep you engrossed with friendship, community, heart break and romance surrounding characters who really get under your skin.

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