Sadly, I couldn’t get into this book. This may seem odd, but there was just too much descriptive text. I got about 2 chapters in but there was too much for even the smallest things. I know there has to be description when you’re setting a scene, or introducing characters, but this felt a little too overboard.

Thank you to Netgalley for a pre publication copy. In return for an honest review #summeronasunnyisland #netgalley

Rosa is on a leave of absence from work for the summer to allow her to go to Malta and help her mum research recipes for her new Mediterranean cookbook whilst going to a service family reunion. Rosa's mum chooses to rent an apartment from the Bentley family who she knows from her early life. All is going well until Rosa meets Zach Bentley. Will Rosa stay in Malta or will she get more than she bargained for?

I am always recommended Sue's books and have listened to her speak about this book when she did a virtual author event. I loved the idea of growing up somewhere warm and visiting it again as an adult.

Although this book is a light hearted romantic read. Their are some emotional subjects included such as gambling, addiction, lies, illness and crime amongst others. However the author doesn't allow the book to get too heavy but uses it to just give some dimension to each individual characters strengths and weaknesses. Whilst showing that people change and although may not leave their past behind they use it positively in their future.

I found the book to have a slow start with not much happening other than us exploring Malta. Most of what happened in the book came in the last third and felt rushed at times because so much was fitted into such a short time.

Furthermore I did find that the author 'named dropped' a lot of Maltese places. Which is lovely to get to know the area to start with but soon detracts from the flow of the writing when you get about 3 or 4 place names per page at times.

I found this book hard to rate. What was given to the reader was solid and the book built a beautiful story and I loved the descriptions. However there remained parts, in the two thirds particularly, where the reader is left wanting things to move forward faster than they were. Therefore I feel this book is a 3.5 Stars out of 5. As opposed to a solid amount stars.

An engaging novel set in Malta
A wonderful setting with delightful characters
An easy to read uplifting book

This was a case of perfect book at the perfect time. When I can't travel in person, it was absolutely wonderful to be able to travel in the pages of Sue's wonderful book instead. A brilliant story as you'd expect from Sue Moorcroft, but the description in this book is something else and the sense of place is outstanding. I've never been to Malta but I want to now! I swear I could feel the sun, smell the sea and taste the wonderful creations Rosa and her mother create together. I absolutely loved it. A wonderful book to get lost in.

A perfect novel for the beach & a great read. When Rosa has had enough of Marcus’s gambling habit she takes advantage of her Mum’s offer of a stay in Malta where she can help with recording her mother’s recipes as she compiles a new book. Put into the mic handsome Zachary who Dora is pushing towards her daughter and the fact that Zachary attracts trouble then the story gallops along. The sunshine of the island and Zach’s extended family add to the mix not forgetting some ominous e-mails! A great read.

This was just the book I needed on a sunny day by the pool. I loved this trip to Malta with Rosa Hammond and her mother Dora. After Rosa and her partner Marcus split up, Dora sees it as the perfect time to get her daughter away. They rent the bottom floor of a home belonging to the mother of a man she went to school with. On the top floor, his son Zach, daughter and granddaughter are staying and renovating the building. Dora thinks that Zach might just be the "summer romance" that Rosa needs.

I really enjoyed this story. There is a lot going on in this story, it is not just a vacation and romance. There are family issues in both families. I will say that this story does not put fathers in a good light at all. Zach is also volunteering at at a youth centre and trying to help a young man who has been caught up in a criminal ring, which is also a large part of this story. Marcus keeps popping in and out of the story as well and I have to say, what a deadbeat and user. I loved the characters of Rosa, Dora, Zach and little Paige. I love when kids are part of a story, especially when they are so cute. There is some angst in this story, things do not go smoothly for the characters, but it does have a Happily Ever After. I loved the descriptions of the area and the activities. Boy, would I love to go snorkeling on the coast. A delightful summer story, especially with travel restricted right now. I loved my visit to this Sunny Island.

I really wanted to like Summer on a Sunny Island by Sue Mooncroft, but it ended up falling a little short.

I found there were too many characters introduced way to early, and I kept getting them mixed up throughout the book. This made it extremely hard to be invested in the characters. I also found the story slow. I had to read it over a period of time in small chunks because of this.

What I did like about the story was how well I could picture Malta. I was there about a year and a half ago, and the descriptions brought back so many memories. I loved how much of the island I got to revisit in this story. I also loved all the food descriptions.

I received an eARC from Avon Books UK through NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.

What better book to read on the sunny island of Malta, than a book set in Malta, in the summer!

And I think I enjoyed it even more as a result of now having a bit of base knowledge about Malta, which made everything in the book seem really authentic.

I loved getting to know Rosa and her cookbook writer mother Dory. Thanks to Dory there is plenty of food in this book which is sure to make your taste buds tingle.

We also have Zach, who has had issues in the past, which have made him into the man he is today, which is ultimately kind hearted and determined to help an underdog.

He has a large family and I think we get to know his family dynamics rather well and I was finding I cared about all those characters too.

The main people I enjoyed really disliking is Rosa's ex-Marcus, and her father Glenn, but especially Marcus - who I really can't see why Rosa ever fell for him.

With an island to explore, Paceville clubs to be seen in, interesting attempts at explaining pronunciation, and a great deal of sun - this is a wonderfully sunny read from one of my favourite authors.

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

A fantastic read from Sue Moorcroft who is rapidly becoming a favourite author of mine. If life hadn’t got in the way I would have finished this in one sitting. Highly recommend. Lots of personable characters in a lovely setting.

I always enjoy Sue Moorcroft's writing and reading this book on a colder English summer's day had me instantly transported back to my last trip to Malta a few years ago.

A lovely heartwarming story with lots of relatable characters.

My only niggle was the overly descriptive elements of the book, such as when Electra turns up and they go in the car, I felt it wasn't necessary for her sister to have shown her where to hire car seats... I've taken that as implied that they would have made it safe for the kids

Not a story that really involved me. Lots of characters, none of which particularly starred. Rosa and Zach developed quite well as a storyline but unfortunately not for me.

Malta is such a fabulous setting for this brilliant story. Rosa and Zach are great characters with plenty of depth and you can't help root for them and hope life will just get out the way and give them the chance they deserve. I couldn't put it down and Sue Moorcroft writes so beautifully about the island she loves that it's hard not to feel the sun on your skin and hear the waves in the background. A perfect distraction to dive into in these challenging times.

The story makes me want to go to Malta! . I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. It was a quick read on a nice summer day.

Fabulous summer read, I want to visit Malta after reading this!

Rosa split with her partner, mum Dory suggests the summer in Malta to heal and distract Rosa.
Rosa meets the very attractive Zach, hoping for romance to blossom, will they find happiness?
Fabulous family twists and some issues for Zach to deal with while confronting his past.
If I was Rosa I would not want to leave!

Loved this book. I was there on the island enjoying the sun and scenery. Great characters and a great story line. A good holiday read.

I know I am VERY late to the party as this is the first book I’ve read by Sue Moorcroft but it certainly won’t be the last!
Rosa is a very likeable character who has recently split up with long term partner, Marcus. Her mother, Dory, convinces her to join her in Malta for the summer to get away from it all and to contemplate her future. It will be part holiday, part working freelance for her mother who is a chef and food writer. She is in Malta to research for a new recipe collection. Rosa helps with the social media side of things and they have some good fun together as well as enjoying some fabulous food along the way. They have a lovely relationship and I enjoyed this aspect of the story.
Dory is determined for Rosa to have some fun too and wastes no time in steering her in Zach’s direction.
Zach is another very likeable character who seems quite self-assured initially, but we soon learn of his insecurities.
The chemistry between Zach and Rosa is quickly evident and it isn’t long before they become involved romantically. However, nothing is ever straight forward (as is often the case in real life). Rosa is faced with financial issues due to Marcus’ gambling. Zach is involved with helping a teenager get out of the potentially dangerous situation he’s got himself into as well as helping to offer support to his sisters and mother who are dealing with their own problems. His father also turns up and throws a spanner in the works. It seems like an impossible situation, but thankfully true love will always find a way!
I absolutely LOVED the setting of this book. Malta sounds amazing. It isn’t somewhere I’ve ever been, but it’s described so beautifully throughout this book I could almost imagine myself there. I could quite happily lounge on a sunny balcony with a book and chilled glass of wine. Especially considering as I write this on an August evening which is dull, wet and blowing a gale here in Staffordshire!
I loved the family relationships in this book. Very real people with real and relatable lives.
I loved Paige and her ‘Shnorkelling’!
I loved the characters’ willingness to take the risk on a happier, more fulfilled, life especially when opportunities are presented to them which are much too good to turn down. Not everyone has that luxury. We have to grab every opportunity for happiness in this life, but it’s often easier to stick with what we know. Change is scary after all!
Above all else I loved the romance! Who doesn’t love a happy ending!??
A lovely, uplifting story with its fair share of drama. I very much recommend!

A gorgeous Summer read that will have you desperate for a holiday! Wonderful characters, a stunning setting and an enjoyable read overall.

I really struggled to enjoy this story and found that I just couldn't finish it. I'm not sure why - it has strong characters and what seems to be a good storyline. It just didn't appeal to me once I'd started it.

This is a fabulous, sunny ready with lots of great characters and romance. Set in Malta, I was swept away in the descriptions and atmosphere. The story was easy to follow, enjoyable to read and the kind of book you need to have on your summer holiday - or whilst in lockdown and you're trying to recreate a summer holiday in your own garden!

SUMMER ON A SUNNY ISLAND - SUE MOORCROFT

After a breakup Rosa’s mum asks her to come to Malta with her for a research trip for her latest cookbook. While there her mum puts on her matchmaking hat and introduces her to Zach, however Rosa insists she is in Malta to help her Mum, not to fall in love. Or is she?….
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This was a lovely quick read, especially nice to be reading about a summer romance when it is cold and wintery outside.
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