Review | Summer Fever

by Kate Riordan

Published : 12th May 2022

Publisher : PenguinRandomHouse

Format : Kindle, Audio, Hardback, Paperback

Genre : Thriller/Contemporary

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* All words highlighted in Grey are affiliate links to either purchase from a range of sellers or links to the authors sites. Where ever possible I will try and provide different versions of the book on all purchase sites.

Synopsis

Two couples. One sweltering Italian villa . . .

Nick and Laura are the hosts:

pretending their marriage isn't on the rocks.

Madison and Bastian are the guests:

neither is remotely who they claim to be.

Under the scorching Mediterranean sun

no secret is safe.

No betrayal goes unnoticed.

Two couples. But will either survive the summer . . .

My Review

This is the second book that I have read by this author. The first (The Heatwave) was an absolutely gripping and twisty read so when I saw that she had written another my expectations were already set very high.

The story opens up with Nick and Laura making their way along the winding country lanes in Italy looking for a villa that is taking forever to find. Both have chosen to start a new life away from London running an Italian getaway in a traditional beautiful villa. It’s run down and takes a lot of work but when they get their first booking, an American couple, they both sigh with relief at the prospect of some income.

It’s very clear early on that Laura and Nick need a fresh start, attempts to start a family haven’t been successful and Pressures caused other rifts to crack between the two. It’s clear Laura is struggling and her mind keeps drifting back to an ex from university who still plays in her mind. He is the opposite to Nick, who is kind caring and considerate but at this point in the book you don’t know why but you are drop teased to believe he wasn’t the nicest.

When the American couple arrive things heat up even more, there is familiarity between Laura and Bastian and Madison plays the part of happy wife but there again is an underlying current you are left trying to decider.

The tension is paramount throughout this book, I was totally hooked, there is an intimate tone that is sexy and immersive that is layered with secrets and deceit, it builds slowly at a great pace all the way through and explodes at the end in an epic finale!

Why I Loved It

I loved the way the author shows us the Italian setting where this story is set, she doesn’t just tell us about the views, olive trees and crumbling villa but actually shows us with her words so it is all very vivid in your mind as you read.

I loved the characters, loved even more the Italian back drop and couldn’t have been happy with the way it ended. Just like her first this book is a brilliant summer read that will leave you gripped till the last page.

Thank you @penguinrandomhouse for this fantastic read ✨

Q. Where would you go to start a new life?