Violet Spencer was gobsmacked to learn that she had inherited a Victorian pier in a small seaside town in England along with an apartment which belonged to her late grandfather and a grandmother she never knew. Violet leaves her staid parents and almost finance behind to embrace life in the shadow of her quirky, bohemian grandmother whose apartment still has ghosts of the past and colorful mermaids painted on the walls. Violet is immediately attracted to her neighbor, Cal, who like her is an artisan. They decide to turn her pier into an arcade for their businesses, but not everyone in town is happy with the decision since their handiwork is considered by some quite risqué. As Violet reads her grandmother’s diary, it seems her own life is becoming almost a parallel. The fact her grandmother’s story was shrouded in tragedy does not bode well.

Violet has always been a free spirit, non-traditional type of girl; it seems she inherited that from her grandmother, Monica. The past and present appear to be colliding when Violet is confronted with Cal’s complicated relationship status with another woman. Will she make the same mistakes as her grandmother had done or choose a different way to find happiness?

Ms. French is very talented at combing humor, romantic suspense in this case, and clever situations within this tale of two different generations of women seeking love and happiness. The quirky but realistic characters and dramatic seaside setting make for quite an enjoyable summer read.

5 - "You're my favorite new neighbor ever!" Stars!

I always associate opening a new book by Kat French with the similar excitement levels I have when I open up a new box of my preferred chocolates, because I know I am at the beginning of something special, it’s going to be a real treat from start to finish and be filled with a diverse collection of characters for me to get my teeth into.

"I promised myself I wouldn’t be dull when I came here… My life back home is too safe, it suffocates me."

And once again the author didn’t disappoint. And we are welcomed to Swallow Beach, its residents and pier through Violet Spencer, learning of her inheritance from her recently deceased grandfather (the pier and a flat in the local Lido building). Pretty much all of it is new information to Vi as before his death she knew nothing of the life he lived with her grandmother Monica, who died in the late seventies.

Through the entries in her grandmothers Diary, and meeting and getting to know the older generation living in Swallow Beach, Vi gradually pieces together her Grandmothers life, a glamorous and vivacious woman, who was not without her secrets.

She wanted to step out and walk the tightrope without a safety net, ready to be a roaring success or go down spectacularly…

Vi makes the decision to re-open the pier and get it up and running again with the help of the friends and acquaintances she makes along the way, although her choices and decisions of what to do with it are met with some opposition from the Towns Mayoress along the way.

"Whenever we’re together I sort of want all of my clothes to fall off, and that’s a bit of a problem…"

And while all this is going on we have the stop/start romance playing out as well, Calvin Dearheart never thought he would be in the place to want to have a relationship with a woman again, but Vi comes into his life like the proverbial whirlwind, a kaleidoscope of sequins, feathers and quirkiness, and pretty much restarts his heart again.

"You’re enough just as you are… You’re fabulous and worthy and enough… Just as you are."

As expected, the author delivered an emotional, humorous, and well-rounded read. I will admit there were certain secondary characters I personally would have liked to have had more expansion on their own POV’s and story-lines, and for me their inclusions didn’t have the depth that I have found in general Kat’s secondary characters in previous books to have. But that niggle aside I really enjoyed the story that was told.

You can tell a lot of work and polishing goes into the tales that the author tells with her Chick Lit/Contemporary offerings, and that is certainly the case with A Summer Scandal. I look forward to seeing what the author has for her readers next, because it is certain to be another joyful and entertaining tale.

"You’re part of Swallow Beach forever…"

The Queen of summer reads has done it again! It's no secret that I adore Kat French and this book was one of her best! A light, touching storyline, quirky loveable characters and a quaint idillic setting - all the things I've come to know and love about her books! A very well deserved 5 stars!

Violet decides to move to Swallow Beach, because she inherited a pier and an apartment. Nobody has lived there for 40 years, but her grandfather made sure it was well maintained. Violet and the local mayor have different views on the use of the pier and that's not the only aspect she discovers whilst being in Swallow Beach. 

It was my first book by the author and it was amazing, it's well written, there's great pacing, interesting characters and excellent setting. I was hooked from the first page. I definitely recommend this book for all romance readers.

Violet inherits a pier from her grandfather and an apartment. The pier belonged to her grandmother who died when her mother was a child. Violet makes some friends with residents of the other residents, one of these of course being the town hunk.

There are some great quirky characters and a little bit of drama involving old loves and an interfering local busybody.

The path of true love doesn’t run smoothly, but there some sizzling moments ;)

This was a fab read, I enjoyed this so much!

Thank you Avon and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After her grandfather’s death, Violet inherits an apartment & a pier at a seaside town. Never knowing about this town, Violet leaves behind her parents & boyfriend for the summer. She finds the seaside town is exactly what she needs.

I really enjoyed this book. There was more depth to it than I expected. It was a fun summer read.

Violet never expected to inherit a pier (who does?) but she's decided to make the best of it by renovating and changing things up. That isn't the easiest thing initially because, to her surprise, the people in Swallow Beach aren't so happy about it. She's also discovering, slowly (as you will) the story of her grandmother Monica. Cal, the love interest, didn't excite me all that much but he's a good foil for Violet. This is old fashioned chick lit_ perfect for the beach or garden. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Reviewed by Rachel & Sharon Thérèse

A Summer Scandal’s title couldn’t be more fitting for this fabulous summer read that’s going to to keep you glued to the pages. It did us! To say that we found it unputdownable sounds a tad blasé, doesn’t it? The best word to describe this standalone romance that had us on tenterhooks has to be Gripping. French’s story set in a quaint English seaside resort called Swallow Beach we related to with such an ease, it made us smile, swoon and for the joy of a hot summer read, we didn’t want it to end. But what we enjoyed more than anything was the author’s picturesque narrative of a beach town where nudge nudge, an activity or two take place and its Victorian pier which is in bad need of attention. This, and French’s protagonists and her secondary characters alike came alive in our mind’s eyes, keeping our interest flowing without let up.

Violet we fell hard for. She’s an arty, perky and quirky lass whose traits had us laughing out loud. But more important, her insatiable curiosity and energy to find out why secrets had been buried and bring Birdcage Pier back to life showed us that if you really want to do something irrespective of the obstacles, you can. Of course, by throwing in the local’s peculiarities and a drop-dead gorgeous neighbour for good measure, spiced up the read no end. We don’t want to let on too much because you really have to discover what made Violet decide to take on such a huge project for yourselves. But what we can say is it’s by no means all laughs and tomfoolery. The plot has a strong angsty tone, some tough scenarios making us hold our breaths in desperation to see what the next move would be, left us speechless.

“How could they hate a girl with blue hair and candy-stripe nails?”

Thought-provoking moments there are, too. Is Violet moving away from a loving home going to worry her parents, especially her mum who’s afraid her daughter will open up a box mysterious past goings-on? All is cannily entwined to present times and even though we had a teensy-weensy inkling of the outcome, never did we expect such a nail-biting finale. We honestly felt as if we were watching it on the big screen and just something to think about because this folks, would make one hell of a film!

“Your mum really didn’t tell you much at all about this place, did she?”
“Nothing. You were all a big secret as far as I was concerned.”

Observing Violet spread her wings and become her own woman was a delight. Decisions are made with the backing of a motley crew of new friends whose professions are so diverse, you’ll laugh your socks off! The part they all play is an important one that’s never lacking enthusiasm, solutions and encouragement. Some of their comebacks were cracking and we couldn’t help have a special place in our hearts for who would become Violet’s bosom buddy, Keris.

“You heard then.” “You’ve ruffled a few feathers all right.”
“I don’t know how.”

Barty we loved to smitterns. He’s a grandpa we’d love to have as ours and Keris knows she’s lucky to be related to him. A real character and and a half with his stories to tell, he’s also another tenant in the Lido apartment block where Violet resides for the time being. She feels at home in this tight-knit community; however, she does have her doubts that this is the place to settle down for reasons to be revealed. Reasons which are quite shocking and oh boy, did we love the way French had gone all out with a twist we didn’t see coming!

“We are a sordid bunch in the Lido, what with you and your floggers and Keris and her saucy knickers.”

Calvin Dearheart. Honestly, how on earth French came up with a name like his is beyond us! And he is a sweetheart. And he is drop-dead gorgeous with a great sense of humour to boot, so a hold of your knickers ladies, you're in for a ride on Cal’s tide! Nonetheless, he has his problems which will really upset the applecart and get ready for the unexpected...we were floored!

“Right, so now you know who you are, that makes us friends. Now take the flowers, let me help you with your stuff, and then let’s gloriously drunk and tell each other our darkest secrets.”

We can’t recommend A Summer Scandal more. The pace is fast, the banter between all involved is incredibly witty, and just enough drama and heart-warming scenarios make this book an epic one. Truly unputdownable lol, it's our kind of stuff! We award five stars without a blink of an eye! Bravo French for brightening up our summer!

Hunky men, summer scandal, just the story to read on holiday. Opened my mind to different shops. Lovely story developing the pier, let's hope love is not lost.

Kat French is back in a new summer read. This is a light and fun read, especially good for summer holiday reading. I'm new to Kat and really enjoyed this light story.

When Violet moves to Swallow Beach, she inherits a Victorian pier and falls in love immediately with the little arcade on the end.. She wants nothing more than to rejuvenate it and make it grand again – but how?
Calvin comes into her life and she is inspired to turn the lovely arcade into something with a bit of zing.

Great story line and definitely recommend this if you want a light hearted warm and fuzzy read.

A summer without a Kat French book would be like a gin without tonic and I can’t lie, both are essential to my well being.

“Swallow Beach was calling, and she had no choice but to answer.”

This years romantic jaunt introduces us to Violet Spencer whose life is about to change having discovered she’s inherited a Victorian Pier. And with an eclectic bunch of neighbours, including one who happens to be particularly gorgeous all round, along with the discovery of Vi’s Gran’s diary—the woman she is the living image of—history may well be about to repeat itself.

“You’re my favourite new neighbour ever.”

As always, Kat has created a cast of characters who instantly woo you with their charm and are impossible not to fall completely and utterly in love with. And with their individual funny little ways and huge hearts, each has their own story bubbling away. But naturally the real focus lies with Violet, her cheeky plans for the pier whilst piecing together the puzzle of her Gran’s death, and the sparks flying between herself and fellow artisan, Calvin Dearheart *insert swoon here*

“I’m going to strip off now. You should probably go before you’re overcome with unstoppable lust.”

I didn’t want this story to end as A Summer Scandal literally brought everything, and with friendships and new-beginnings, humour and heartache, heroes and villians and a touch of drama, this entire story gives all of your feelings a good work out (and in my case that included my tear ducts).

“Being around you is like lying on a beach in summertime, Violet.”

I think it’s fairly evident how much I loved this so I’ll say no more other than go forth and spend your summer on the Swallow Beach sex-pier because I can’t recommend A Summer Scandal highly enough. The wait for a Kat French book may be that bit longer but is absolutely worth it.

“It was an impossibly romantic story.”

When Violet inherits a flat in the seaside town of Swallow Beach it has been left just as it was when her grandfather left some 40 years previous. That is enough for Violet to be dealing with but she also finds she has inherited the local pier, that her grandfather bought as it was her grandmother's favourite place. 

The pier has not been in use for 40 years and the local mayor wants a compulsory purchase order on it and to bring it back to the way it used to be. 

Violet is inspired for another use for her pier, which will give her space for her workshops where she designs costumes for stage and screen. As well as new friends and neighbours who all have interesting occupations and require space to sell their wares. 

We are not talking sticks of rock and kiss me quick hats but with more adult theme which is going to play right into the hands of the local mayor. 

Whilst this is all going on Violet starts to discover more about her grandparents past and why it is her mother has never been back to Swallow Beach since the day she left and why she will not ever visit again. 

Meeting new neighbour Calvin sets pulses ratings for Violet and readers alike but of course nothing is ever as it seems and Calvin has some secrets of his own which threaten the future of the pier and Violet staying in Swallow Beach permanently. 

Kat French's novels are always a joy to read , perfect escapism with a big dollop of romance and seduction which will keep you hooked.

This was a book where it was easy to escape and envision the characters and the Lido. I loved the sauciness, quirkiness and endearing qualities of the many personalities in this book. This is a great one, if you are seeking a happy, heartwarming end and a streak of scandal throughout. I would have liked more details about the future direction of some of the relationships, though.

I have read many books featuring surprise inheritances, but I do have to say this is the first time I've read one involving an old Victorian pier in a seaside resort.

And the plan that Violet puts into place for this pier is very imaginative, and I loved seeing how this story developed.

So much of this book made me smile, and i loved meeting all the residents of Swallow Beach.

There are even some secrets from the past to be unravelled too.

If you are wanting to spend the summer with a fun story, set in a lesser known tourist resort, and discover just what to do when you inherit a pier, then this is definitely the book for you.

Even as I was reading my next few books after this, I still had Swallow Beach and the pier in my mind, to the extent I thought I was still in this book, which to me is the mark of a very good book!

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

To be left a seaside pier and an apartment in the same town when you didn't even know that they existed.
What will Violet do with them?
A perfect holiday read.

This story made me my heart hurt at times when it comes to the reason that Violet went to Swallow Beach. It was meant to be a new start for her, moving away from a relationship that she realised was not doing her any good at all.

I love Calvin, he’s honest, straightforward and what you see is what you get when it comes to him. I think he’s the perfect ‘opposite’ for Violet. They have a tendency to think differently but when it really matters, they are there for each other.

This story is not an overly emotional story but it does have the right tinge of sadness, and hope that makes the ending of this book more real and heartwarming.

4 stars

Relaxing & laugh-out-loud 4 stars.

I did not quite like this book by Kat French as much as "The Bed and Breakfast on the Beach", but it was still very entertaining and if you are looking for a light beach-read, this may be a great choice.

There were a few things I was dissatisfied with -like the insta-love and a rather abrupt ending with a few loose ends fluttering around- but the positive outweighs the negative issue nevertheless.

If you read the blurb, you won't be in for any big surprises, but this book is not a mystery after all even though it has a bit of a flirt with that genre, but in the end it just reverts back to where it belongs: romance/chick-lit.

I love being by the sea and have a definite soft spot for piers so this book really played to my tastes! Fun summery story that has a lot to say about family love and being true to yourself as well as being a romantic love story.

This was a very enjoyable story that just seemed to flow really easily, it must have done as I read it in a day which never usually happens!

The main character, Violet, inherits Swallow Beach Pier and a top floor apartment a stone's throw from the pier in a seaside village near Bournemouth. She inherits all of this from her grandfather who has recently passed away. She knew her grandparents had lived there at one point, but after her grandmother died falling from the pier her grandfather packed up his life and his daughter (Violet's mum) and moved away never to return. Unbeknownst to the family though, who thought he had sold everything, he had kept it and paid for monthly cleaning on the apartment and regular surveys on the stability of the pier.

Violet was stuck in a relationship with a nice man but not the love of her life, who had just proposed but she had said no, so she decided to take a leap of faith and move to Swallow Beach to assess things and see if she could open the pier again, which had been closed since her grandfather had moved away.

Once there she meets a variety of great characters and resurrects the pier itself, renting it out to 'adult' themed businesses, which of course draws attention and outrage from certain parties - very funny! The apartment is exactly as it had been left so is a real throwback to the 70s from when her grandmother decorated it. Violet then finds her grandmother's diary and starts reading it, finding out secrets along the way about the grandmother she had never met and her life in Swallow Beach.

There was a bit of tension towards the end and a major disaster which had you on the edge of your seat for a short while, and was quite sad, but it was mostly just a very enjoyable, fairly light-hearted read that I really enjoyed.

A fantastic summer read by the brilliant Kat french. This is my second novel and I really love her books.
This makes u want to move and set up a new life by the beach if only we could all do that but this is what it's all about.
Violet was bequeathed a pier and an apartment in the Lido by her grandmother and she goes to see what it's like and to find things out about her grandma. She begins to read her diary from 1978 to give her ideas of what happened just before her fatel death. She meets new friends and when things go to plan a terrible accident happens. Will everyone survive the pier which is doomed....
It's a romance for sure. Summer read definetly and definetly worth reading.