Sam was a likeable character and I quickly found myself feeling emotionally invested in her festival preparations. The other characters were just as likeable, I enjoyed finding out more about their lives. It seemed that the festival was a lifeline for most of them.

With the star chef unable to attend the festival and the replacement not looking like a popular option, I was keen to see where it would all lead and this kept me flipping the pages.

I absolutely love Cornwall so there were many descriptions and moments that made me smile, one scene in particular brought back memories of tiny roads that absolutely did NOT feel like roads! Food was also a big part of the storyline which meant that I felt hungry on multiple occasions whilst reading this book.

I really enjoyed the ups and downs of life in Porthmellow and, even though there were a few troublemakers, the sense of community spirit was heartwarming. The committee get-togethers were a favourite of mine, the combination of personalities was just perfect and made for very entertaining reading!

This was a warm and comforting read, perfect for curling up on the sofa with a cuppa.

This is the first book I’ve read by Phillipa Ashley and it certainly won’t be the last. I really enjoyed this well-written story that has plenty of romance, humour, and twists and turns.

Sam is organising a summer festival in her town of Porthmellow, and a well-known television chef is due to be the star guest. Unfortunately, he has to pull out and his place is taken by another famous chef who grew up locally – Gabe Matthias, the man who broke Sam’s heart. Can they put their differences aside for the sake of the festival?

My only (small) criticism is that it took me a little while to get going because there were lots of characters to follow but, once I’d got to grips with them all, it flowed beautifully.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

A Perfect Cornish Summer, is just that - Perfect. This beautifully written book was a breath of fresh air, exciting and deliciously fun.

It was based in one of the beautiful little Cornish towns, Porthmellow, where Summer is on the way and people are eagerly awaiting the annual food festival.
For Sam Lovell, organising the summer festival in her hometown is one of the highlights of her year and takes her mind off her family problems and lack of love life. However it’s not alway smooth sailing and when she finds out one of the star guests has pulled out only a few weeks before the event, panic sets in. It doesn’t help that some have been negative towards the event on social media,l. So when a London Chef who grew up locally is able to step in at the last minute, everyone except Sam is delighted. Gabe Matthias, gorgeous, famous Chef is on his way, will his return change her quiet coastal life forever?

This romantic, funny and tender novel is perfect for those looking to disappear for a few days, drink up the delights of the gorgeous Cornish coast, it will lift your spirts and leave you fuzzy and warm deep in the pit of your stomach.

5 out of 5 for me. Well done Phillipa, yet another wonderful book.

Ah, Spring is in the air (if you can see if past the snow) and it's time to begin a new Cornish series from Ms Ashley. That alone should say it all.

The Queen of Cornwall (yes, that is a title) introduces us to the coastal village of Porthmellow. If you've been to Cornwall, then you don't need a vivid imagination to know where you'll be set. However, if you've never been to this county, then close your eyes as you read (yes, I know that's impossible, but humour me) and you will soon smell the spray of the sea as it breaks over the harbour wall. The treks up the narrow and winding roads will become familiar and to be enjoyed.

As with her previous Cornish series, Ms Ashley fills her novel with engaging characters in beautifully written and described situations that brought forth a plethora of emotions; admiration, wonder, sadness, and breathlessness as it came to an end.

Multiple story lines run through this book, with everything coming to a head at the end in a whirlwind that was unputdownable for me. However, there are plenty of stories hinted at throughout that I am hopeful will provide the basis for the following novels with, one would hope too, plenty of scope for characters from this first to make their appearances.

To surmise, welcome back to Ms Ashley, you've been away too long.

My thanks to both Avon Books UK and Netgalley for the review copy.

Loved this book. It is set in a small cornish costal village.

Sam runs a local pie and pasty van called stargazey and is the organiser of the local food festival. She has booked a very famous chef to come and do demonstrations but at the last minute he pulls out. Her co chair of the commitee books another famous chef to take his place but what she doesnt realise is that Gabe is Sam's ex and they did not part on good terms, in fact Gabe ruined Sam's life.

Gabe and Sam have to learn to be around each other for the festival, but what Sam doesnt realise is that Gabe has secrets that could change Sams life for the better.

Really nice read. Very much enjoyed it.

A Perfect Cornish Summer had a lot of potential, but only capitalised on about half of it. While offering what could have been a cool subplot of sabotage and a dark side to a cute harbour town, it merely fumbled its way through and let it become as boring as all the other storylines.

It had an excellent start, giving me a bit of background but also engaging me enough to want to keep reading, but didn’t pull me in much more than that. The writing was good, but the dialogue was quite stilted and awkwardly-phrased in the middle to end of the book. I could understand awkward conversation, but it was the phrasing itself that just didn’t sound realistic.

I didn’t love the changing POV - Chloe’s were SO boring, despite what could have been an engaging storyline - and it didn’t really contribute much to the story. Gabe was definitely not a likeable character, even though he was portrayed as one.

The romance did not grab me at all, and I honestly would have enjoyed the book a lot more if they’d become friends again.

Decent read, but not one I’d probably pick up for a second time.

A Perfect Cornish Summer is the perfect summer read. A lovely story set in what sounds like a gorgeous Cornish village. This has everything; romance, misunderstanding, a food festival and tangled relationships. Highly recommended and a great way to bring a little sunshine into your life.

There was just too much going on in this book. It didn't really need to be this long. For all the buildup towards the festival when the festival itself happened it was barely mentioned in the book. I expected some nice sweeping paragraphs about all the lush food and goods at the festival but was let down.

This was just a disappointment to me overall I guess. At first I found it hard to get past the names Samphire and Zennor? But their brother is named... Ryan. So why didn't he get a weird name? Gabe and Sam seemed to be terrible for each other as did Chloe and Drew. Too many side stories like Bryony, Troy and Evie, Chloe's daughter drama, Chloe's weird ex drama, the stuff with Ryan... just too much.

I think this could have been better as a smaller series, not everything crammed into one book. It felt like a chore to finish this and I usually enjoy books by this author.

I got to know about Cornwall through many gorgeous novels set in this land surrounded by sea. But none of them had induced me to visit this place, probably because I am more drawn to historical places than coastal towns. Thanks to Phillipa Ashley, now I might have to add it to my bucket list. I have never seen a novel which has so effortlessly captured the spirit and life of Cornwall within a beautiful and mesmerizing story.
There are so many things I loved about this book, starting from the elegant cover. Sam was in love with Gabe even from their school days, when he was not as good looking or famous as he is now. Their love life faced a set back when Gabe reported Sam's brother to the police. To be honest, I supported Gabe from the beginning but the way Sam behaved is quite understandable. And the way both of them moved on from their relationships and faced their break up is quite admirable too.
But this is not only about Sam and Gabe coming together after years. There is also a subplot involving the new member of their community, Chloe. Behind her happy facade lies a heaviness and sorrow, for which the efficient community of Porthmellow offers the perfect cure.
The author uses multiple narrative voices enhancing our understanding and the dilemma most of the characters undergo.
Altogether an impressive read, that won't disappoint you a bit.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Cornish Cafe series by Phillipa Ashley and I love her style of writing so couldn’t wait to read A Perfect Cornish Summer. An absolute wonderful book. Based in the gorgeous Cornwall harbour of Porthmellow this book is centred on Sam Lovell organising a Summer food festival in her hometown.

The book is full of likeable characters who you can relate to. I loved the storyline, the village life and the warmth of the community within, the twists and turns of events and the mystery surrounding certain parts of the plot.

The book certainly made me smile and laugh and looks at how despite what has happened in the past, you can move forward and overcome challenges in life. A very powerful message within.

A lovely lovely romantic read – it certainly was a Perfect Cornish Summer! I want to go to Porthmellow now and meet the lovely Sam and Gabe! I would love to know what happens next between them and hear all about the Winter Food Fair! I think we all need to book a holiday at Christmas to visit the Fair!

A delightful read – can’t wait to read more by Phillipa Ashley, who is now on my favourite novelist lists!

I enjoyed this visit back to the Cornish Islands. I have read several of this author's books and enjoy her writing style, characters and plots very much. This was wonderful book of a second chance at love, forgiveness, resolving misunderstandings and reuniting family bonds.

Sam is the main organizer of the Porthmellow Festival and devotes so much of her time to it. Her goal of helping her community thrive when she first suggested the festival years ago, has blossomed into more than she could have ever hoped. The festival is now a destination for people all over to come and enjoy the great time.

Due to a situation that develops with the festival, Gabe, who is a native but left the area years ago, comes back to help. Gabe and Sam have a history that ended badly. Maybe with the time that passed and more maturity in both of them, they can have a better future together.

Chloe is fairly new to Porthmellow. Everyone in the village thinks that she is living a perfect life. That is the impression that she portrays to the world. In reality, she is heartbroken. Her daughter has cut her out of her life. She has never met her granddaughter and is worried about both of them. Chloe pushes through her worry with her work. Drew has worries of his own, but finding Chloe has lightened his load. I really adored these two characters finding each other.

Several other plots are included in the book adding to the feel of being in the village and knowing it's inhabitants. This was truly a delightful book that I recommend highly.

I want to thank NetGalley.com and Avon for allowing me to read the ARC.

I’ve not read any oh Phillipas books before, but I like it. If you like a book similar to Cathy Bramley or Carole Matthews then you will not be disappointed! Set in a seaside town in Cornwall, old romance has been rekindled between a former couple who spilt up sue to the brother of the leas character being found to be plotting to steal and her boyfriend reporting him to the police. I’m looking forward to reading more of her books,. Thankyou for the advance read!

I thoroughly enjoyed the book; admittedly it took me a bit to get fully into it but by half way through I was eager to see how everything worked out.

The book made me laugh, and I was smiling as I read through. It’s a feel good, romantic tale of lost love, lost relationships and how the past has to stay there and live in the now. The book explores how you need to move past the actions from long ago and go forwards in anyway you can.

At the centre of all things is the village hosting a food festival, which is a bound to be right up some people’s street.

Some fun, quirky characters. I’m sure everyone will have favourites but they are a fab bunch. A great mix - just like you would have in a village.

Overall a warm, romantic read that fans will love.

Absolutely loved this book, was trying to ration it as I really didn’t want to leave. Loved the characters, perhaps Drew could have had his back story fleshed out more but still really liked his characters portrayal. Have read some of her books before but this one really kept my enthralled right up to the last page.

My review of A Perfect Cornish Summer
Author Phillipa Ashley
By Judith Beavis 23/02/19

I was hooked by this novel from the prologue. it is long but really enjoyable. Eleven years earlier three people named Sam, Drew and Troy sitting out side the Smugglers with a pint. Thinking of their small dying town of Porthmellow they decided to plan a food festival to bring life into the town. Ten years later they are to celebrate the tenth anniversary festival. It has been long hard work but the town has got stronger with tourists and locals attending each year.
The tenth is to be special with top named chefs giving demos and a hundred stalls selling just about everything. The top chef pulls out, then Chloe, an incomer she is an events coordinator rings round and finds Gabe. His family used to run the fish and chip shop years ago. Things happened with Ryan, Sams brother, Gabe got involved, so Gabe left the town, he and Sam, had been an item. Chloe knew nothing of this. Plenty of incidents happen in the lead up to the festival but the committee pulled together to make things work. Gabe was preparing his food when he spots Ryan at the back, he hasn't been seen for many years, it puts him off and cuts himself. Sam goes to help. The festival is a great success, But what happens after, will Sam and Gabe get back together, what happens to Ryan, what will happen to Zennor, Sams sister and her friend Ben, Will Chloe ever get her family back. I wont say, I want you to read this great book to find out for yourselves.

Such a lovely read. A Perfect Cornish Summer had me gripped from the start and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Sam and Gabe’s dilemmas. Hearing about the characters and their lives made me feel I was in the picturesque Cornish Village. A must read for all Phillipa Ashley fans as well as anyone new to her books.

This was a nice light romance that I can see being popular. The cover art drew me in and the book matched what I was hoping for based on the cover. The sense of place was wonderful and I felt like I was in Cornwall in the summer.

Food, Cornwall and relationships, what a perfect recipe for a satisfying story. The characters who inhabit the fictional small seaside town of Porthmellow are well drawn and the tangled web of their
connections is gradually revealed. Actions from the past still have resonances in the present, that are eventually revealed and resolved through the medium of the trials and tribulations of staging a weekend food festival in our unpredictable English summer. Recommended for fans of Judy Astley, Fern Britton or Veronica Henry

amazing light hearted romance read! The pace of this book is not too slow or too fast and the character seemed real and the conflicts doesnt look fake or made up or rushed! I love the community set in the book it seemed to have such nice people and everyone knew each other.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and quickly became engaged with the characters and storyline. Set in a Cornish village the place is brought to life by the high quality writing style of Phillipa Ashley. I found this one hard to put down.

There were plenty of interesting characters to relate to and I loved the mix of people in the book. I really liked Sam and Gabe, I was definitely rooting for them, but all the characters in this story have a definite place in it and to be honest I liked them all. The village is so well described that I felt I knew it and comings and goings made it seem so real, I felt I was wondering the streets.


There were moments that made me smile and even laugh at, a few twists and turns I didn’t see coming too, which all made for a great read. I would highly recommend this one and do hope there is a further instalment about the Winter Solstice Food Fair. Phillipa Ashley is an author whose books I hadn’t read before, but I will be reading her other books now.