Synopsis
Bringing the spirit of Christmas to a summer’s day …
Summer by name and summer by nature – that’s how people describe Evelyn’s happy, outgoing daughter. Even if her favourite time of year is actually Christmas!
But Summer has gone through more than any eight-year-old ever should, and that’s part of the reason Evelyn is leaving everything behind to return to her childhood home in the village of Broclington; just her, Summer and Summer’s best friend – a Shiba Inu dog called Tilly. Unsurprisingly, Evelyn is hesitant to let anyone else in, although local vet Jake Macpearson seems intent on winning her trust.
When Evelyn receives the news that every mother dreads, it’s Jake who comes to the rescue. With the help of the Broclington community, could he be the man to bring festive magic to August, and make all of Evelyn and Summer’s Christmases come at once?
Available as an eBook & audiobook on all platforms. Paperback available from Amazon.
Ella Cook
Ella is one of those people who is addicted to the written word. She’s been obsessed with books since before she could walk. She decided to become a writer as soon as she realised that stringing letters together in the right order could actually be a career.
She grew up in the outskirts of London, where fairies lived at the bottom of her Grandma’s garden, so it isn’t surprising that she still looks for magic in every day life – and often finds it.
When she’s not living in a fantasy world of her own creation, she writes bids and develops programmes for children’s services, and lives in rural Warwickshire (where there are probably more fairies). She shares her house with two small parrots, one of whom likes to critique her writing from his favourite spot on her shoulder, and her husband who is ever loving and understanding and makes her gallons of tea in magical cups that can keep drinks warm for whole chapters.
Ella writes for both Choc Lit & Ruby Fiction.
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This is a very hard review to write without giving too much away. It is a great book which kept me reading far longer of an evening than I intended! You will feel Evelyn’s story on so many levels. A recently single mum who moves back to live with her mother in the village she grew up in, she rapidly becomes part of the community, as does her daughter Summer. The story goes from there,laughter, tears and romance. A real immersive story which leaves you with a lovely warm feeling.
Summer’s Christmas was a really lovely rollercoaster of emotion that had me smiling in places and crying in others. I was totally wrapped up in Evelyn and Summer’s stories. And Jake was such a great hero, I fell in love as soon as we met him and couldn’t put this book down. Thank you Ella for another great story.
Evelyn moves in with her Mum, back to Broclington where she grew up, with her 8 year old Daughter Summer and their dog Tilly following the break up of her marriage. Summer however has been through so much at a tender age having had neuroblastoma (a type of cancer) but is in remission.
Evelyn and Summer first meet Jake, the local vet, when Tilly is tied up outside the grocery store and there is an instant chemistry between Evelyn and Jake and after developing a friendship after a while they start a relationship. Then tragedy strikes and Summer’s cancer returns but this time it is deemed inoperable and Evelyn has to face the fact that she will lose her precious Daughter. But Jake adores Summer and ensures that she knows she is just as important in his life but Evelyn feels that she just needs to concentrate on Summer 100% and does not have time to have a relationship.
Summer is an adorable, intuitive, strong and happy child who is very rarely without her loyal dog Tilly be her side, Tilly who adores Summer and will snuggle up with her to make her feel better.
Jake however is not prepared to give up the fight to save Summer and does his own research finding a Doctor in Boston who is prepared to help Summer and the treatment has a very high success rate, there’s only one problem the cost. Can the community pull together and raise the funds needed to help Summer and even if they do would it be successful?
This book took me through a rollercoaster of emotions, laughter and tears but is a story of strength and hope and relationships (and a loyal Shibu Inu), a fantastic read that I would strongly recommend.
This seemed like a pleasant interlude, with the story unfolding nicely as we went along – right until it all burst into flames, and I not only cried but sobbed and had to put it down for a few minutes to get myself together! Just like a Disney film, there had to be a sad bit (Bambi’s mother dies!) I think this illustrates how involved I became in the story, and I did have to read it all in one sitting, so that was another late night/early morning. Thank goodness it ended well and my reading wasn’t in vain. If you enjoy an emotional ride – then this is one for you, enjoy!