It Happened One Summer [Paperback]

Nell is the book's leading lady, and I liked her very much. She is a single parent raising her daughter alone, yet Williams portrays this in a happy and positive way, which is nice to see when often single parents stories are often tinged with sadness and show mums struggling to raise their children alone, I was pleased that there was the chance to read a positive story like this. Nell is good at her job, but when she is suddenly made redundant she realises she has to go home to Cornwall and look after her sick mother. Nell isn't at all close to her mother, and this continues throughout the book, something a lot of women will be able to relate to I'm sure, and I feel Williams did this relationship justice.

In fact, I feel the family relationships throughout the book are well represented and I enjoyed reading them all. The relationship between Nell and her sister Heather was especially interesting to read, spoilt by the fact the younger sister is now engaged to Nell's ex boyfriend but the awkwardness of having to publically get along is still there. The arrival of Ethan, their brother added another element, especially with the addition of his wife Janet, who is desperate to get Tredower, Valerie's house after her death. The Stockdale family aren't overly close, yet through Williams' writing, you can feel the bond between them and I really enjoyed reading about it.

There is also another story running alongside the main one involving a character called April. We don't know much about her but her story is uncovered slowly as the book progresses and I didn't see the twist coming whatsoever which is fantastic - usually, I spot these things coming a mile off but I really didn't in this case so I think Williams did a good job in keeping this plot twist a secret from readers. I also have to compliment Williams on her approach towards Valerie's illness and the families reactions to the developments that happen throughout the book, it was very emotional at times but I think this was well done and a joy to read throughout.

Overall, I think this is Polly Williams' best book to date, and I would highly recommend it to anyone. It made a great read because there are so many layers to this book, from Nell's parenthood, the relationship with her mother and new friendship with cafe owner Michael to Heather's relationship with Jeremy, and then Valerie's illness - there really is something in there to capture every readers attention, and it certainly made for very enjoyable reading. The writing style is fantastic, very easy to read and I found myself ploughing through the pages very quickly as I couldn't put it down. Highly enjoyable, and a perfect beach read for the summer.

This is the second Polly Williams book that I have read and I enjoyed both of them. 'It Happened One Summer' tells the story of Nell, a single woman in her late thirties who reluctantly agrees to swap her life in London for a move to Cornwell to look after her ill mother for the summer. From there we get to meet Nell's brother and sister and their families while Nell is forced to face the demons she had previously done her best to avoid.

From very early on in the story I felt that there was a sense of sadness in Nell's life which is carried on throughout the length of the book. I also felt that there was a great sense of mystery with this mainly stemming from the character of April, a mystery woman who arrives in Cornwell. There is also a revelation in the book which I didn't guess until just a few pages before it was revealed - which I really liked as I don't like stories where it is clear from very early on what the secret is.

There is a great mix of characters introduced in the story, most of which have their flaws which helped to make them very believable and some of which are not very likeable at all while others are more likeable.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book and would defintely recommend it.

I was in the mood for something light, fun and summery and this just fitted the bill!

Nell is a career-minded single mum living in London with a pristine appartment, an enviable wardrobe, friends she loves and a daughter she adores (the result of a one-night-stand 5 years ago). What could possibly happen to turn her cosy life upside down? Well, for starters her sister has announced that she's getting married to Jeremy, the once love of Nell's life who started dating her sister only days after the split up (nice!), then she gets made redundant from her glamorous journalism job and the cherry on top is that her mother has had a stroke and needs one of her 3 children to up-sticks and move to her big house in Cornwall where there is nothing to do and not a Prada shoe in sight to look after her. Naturally Nell puts her foot down. It will not be her! Several weeks later, Nell and daughter Cass roll up to Cornwall, miserable and teetering in wholly inpracticle designer wedges.....

This book was just what I needed. Nothing too heavy, somewhat predictable - there's bound to be a man who appears unsuitable but just may be fall-in-love material, right? Right. Now throw in a new-found respect for the elements, freedom, happy children, and a little mystery in the shape of stranger in town who is carrying a huge secret and there you just about have it.

Verdict: A great book for curling up and chilling out with. Likable characters, lovely setting, little mystery (albeit not difficult to solve early on), hunky surfer-dude, family traumas that have a way of working themselves out and a satisfactory ending (i.e. leaves you smiling and happy you've read it).