The book is set on a Maltese island, where the main characters, Yorkshire girl Rosa and Cornish guy Zach, who she is seeing on a date that isn't really a date.
Rosa and Marcus have split and she is escaping it all in Malta, except  her mother would really like for her to have a summer romance and is trying to play cupid and has set her up with a date, in this idyllic setting with sun, coastlines and harbour and other gorgeous views. It's almost dreamy and is very easy to slip into and escape the outside world for a bit. We may but not be able to physically go on holiday, but with this book, we certainly can in our imaginations and still return with a positive effect. The book does however carry substance. Sue Moorcroft balances it out divinely.
Zach has secrets from Rosa about not talking to his father and his grandad having dementia, who his nanna cared for.
On the night out readers meet Elsa from Edinburgh and Luccio who Zach met whilst during volunteer work for a youth organisation and has been lured into hanging out with a not so pleasant crowd.
Dory is an interesting character who is a food writer. The mediterranean food sounds delightful. This is a book that could truly make you hungry. Over delicious sounding food and wine, Rosa's mother possibly taints the relaxed atmosphere a little by probing into the date that wasn't a date, or as Rosa will stand firm about in her belief.
It's interesting to read about Marci and Zach's parents and Rosa's parents with connections to the army and with how Dory became famous and has a bestselling Sunday Times book. It's also interesting to read the grittier, not so wonderful parts too with Luccio heading towards trouble and with Dory's publication issues. Elsewhere there are relationship anxieties and a disclosure of a miscarriage. It's all sensitively written and doesn't go too heavily into details. The book never loses that totally relaxing feel.

It's fun seeing the relationships between the characters and seeing them develop, seeing the moving on process and romance develop and the interactions.

Another wonderful read from Sue Moorcroft. What I like about her books is they're romance with substance - i.e. the characters go through real issues, have difficult families, money worries... it's not all straightforward, just like real life. At the same time, reading this book was absorbing, took me away from real life and into the story. I found the setting, story and characters very engaging, frequently found myself smiling and even laughing at their exploits, and was also eagerly turning the digital pages to find out what happened next. In other words - a cracker of a read, and one I would recommend to romance fans.

There are so many reasons that Sue Moorcroft is one of my favourite authors: I really like that slightly gritty contemporary edge she brings to romance writing, her characters invariably have particular strength and definition, and the locations she chooses are always so thoroughly researched and vividly drawn. The location in this book is particularly stunningly recreated – it might be 40 years since I last visited Malta (we spent our family holidays on Gozo, Malta’s little sister, many times in the 70s and 80s), but I really feel like I’ve had the privilege of returning there in the present day, noting the changes but remembering its beauty.

But don’t expect a light and fluffy holiday read, all sunshine and beaches and romance – although it is a really engaging love story, this book is very much set in the real world, and there are quite a few harder edges. There’s the world of “gangs”, young people finding themselves in danger when drawn into the wrong crowd, and that’s quite an edgy story – there’s the perils and consequences of on-line gambling too, and the impact of negative equity traps. And then there are the family dynamics – the main characters’ complex pasts, health problems, relationship issues, building bridges when it seems it might just be impossible.

I really, really liked that additional depth – it enhances rather than takes away from the central relationship story between Rosa and Zach, which is a lovely slow burn of a romance as they learn to accept each others’ faults and gradually pack away the baggage. I will admit that I didn’t entirely take to Rosa at first encounter – I found her a bit self-centred, a little spiky, but those edges soon rubbed off and I found myself totally invested in her hoped-for happy ending. Zach’s a really complex character too – he also has those rough edges at the start, but I really enjoyed the way his character developed.

A word for the older characters in this book too – and I think it must be “hooray”! Dory – the aunt with whom Rosa stays – is beautifully drawn, I enjoyed the focus on her recipes and cooking, her involvement with the world of publishing and showbiz, and particularly her own opportunities for finding personal happiness. Zach’s parents were excellent too – his intractable father, his mother endlessly frustrated by his idea of “care” – and I really liked the way their story unfolded.

Yes, I very much enjoyed this one – for the excellent writing and research (as always), for the complexities of its characters and story line, for its well-drawn setting, and for its credible and moving central romance. Another winner – and very much recommended.

(Review copied to Amazon UK, but link not yet available)

Rosa and Dory Hammond are in Malta for a long Summer vacation and to work on Dory's upcoming cook book. Rosa recently broke up with her long time boyfriend Marcus and is Malta with her mom Dory to assist her with the cook book.
Dory can't see Rosa unhappy and wants Rosa to have a summer romance. Dory introduces Zack and Rosa with hopes that Rosa will be happy and move on. While Zack is a handsome and good young man, he has a past and is a trouble magnet. Neither Rosa nor Zack is looking for a relationship and think they are better off as friends.
As days go by Rosa starts feeling at home in Malta and does not want to go back. Things have gotten to "more than friendship" with Zack, but there is problem brewing back home where she owns a joint property with her ex boyfriend Marcus. Zack too get involved in some trouble and wants to end things with Rosa to avoid getting her hurt.
After a long summer in Malta fate has other plans for them. Though the book was little slow I couldn't keep it aside. It was engaging and effortless. I just reading on. The books is set in Malta and it gave me a such a pleasant vacation feel with the mention of beaches, tourist places and Greek food! Perfect for slow summer read. Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for honest review.

I am a big fan of Sue Moorcroft and i am also a big fan of sunny beachy reads that in this day and age take you on a virtual holiday, i mean i feel like im on a travelling vacation at the moment with my books and Summer on a Sunny Island takes us over to Malta.



Firstly, i was already excited about this book massively after seeing Sue on alot of virtual book events and her discussion and chatter of both her own time in Malta and those of the characters had me eager to delve in and discover the place she holds so warmly in her heart.



Rosa has split from her partner after he gambled most of their money away and it was starting to get too out of hand, and impacting them both. A long summer in Malta with her mum Dora who is attened a reunion whilst working on her new book. Dora not one to see her daughter unhappy suggests a bit of light summer romance and suggests a date with Zach. Well - they are both very clear it is not a date, and surprisngly they have good fun with the pressure of dating taken off them both.





Zach has his own issues to deal with and on top of that seems to be attracting trouble wherever he goes. However as the summer pans out before them, the pair seem to be at their own crossroads and maybe fate has different plans for them.



This book was delightfully warm, funny and endearing. I loved getting to discover Malta - and you could tell the descriptions were authentic, i could feel the warm summer sun on me as i turned the pages with my wine growing warmer just like Rosa.



The narrative flowed evenly over the time we spent with Rosa as she discovered what she really wanted from her life as well as spending time discovering what Malta has to offer including the youth centre which i felt really allowed the reader to embrace the culture and not just visit as a reading tourist.



I loved Rosa as a main character, she was kind with a warm heart and unsure of herself but wanting to do right and support all those around her - including her snivelling ex who did not deserve any of her help she still embraced the negatives. Whilst Zach was as equally grand to read about, at first glance he seems slightly rough around the edges but his heart was so good and nice. He seemed to find trouble in aid of helping authors, but all he ever was doing was trying to support those who needed it. Not that some of his family saw that.



Overall this read was the perfect form of escapism and a great way to take a holiday on a reading book tour like i am. It was light, funny and contains alot of sunshine. What more could you ask for in a book.



I rated this 4/5 and was gifted an e-arc for the blog tour but this has not influenced my review.

Summer on a Sunny Island? I don't think many of us are going to be experiencing that this year. Yes, I know that Britain is an island but you know what I mean. Luckily, you have this book to whisk you off to Malta and spend a few sunny weeks in the company of Rosa and Zach and some of their friends and family. I feel like I've had a personal tour of Malta with an expert guide. Sue Moorcroft's love of the island and her knowledge really shine through and bring the island and its people to life.

Rosa is getting over a break-up from Marcus when her mum suggests she comes to Malta with her as she researches recipes for her new cookery book. Zach meanwhile is spending time of the island renovating a relative's house and trying to stay out of trouble. Not that he's a bad lad - far from it - but trouble just seems to find him! Both have parents who were children of army families who spent some of their childhood in Malta, just like Sue Moorcroft herself.

I found it rather poignant that early in the book Rosa makes herself a playlist of Zumba videos so she can still do some dancing which is one of her passions in life. She enjoys this connection to home but notes that it wasn't the same as being with her friends and I think we can all relate to that right now. And I think we can all empathise with Zach when he unexpectedly has his entirely family living with him in one apartment!

Sue Moorcroft is skilled at creating complex characters and has excelled again with Rosa and Zach. They both are moving on from their old lives, but just when they are settling into a new life and considering new possibilities it seems that their pasts may catch up with them and throw a spanner in the works. That makes it sounds like there was something really terrible they were both trying to leave behind but that's not what I mean. However, their past responsibilities and connections may mean they can't move on, that their options and possibilities may be taken away. These dilemmas make Zach and Rosa seem so much more than just characters but real people with real problems to resolve.

I can't talk about this book without mentioning the food. Rosa's mum Dory is something of a celebrity chef and is in Malta working on recipes for a new book. And oh my goodness did they have my mouth watering! Fresh and vibrant sounding dishes that I could almost imagine tasting! I really feel we almost needed a supplement to the book with some of the recipes included.

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Malta with Rosa and Zach and as always found that Sue Moorcroft has written a thoroughly absorbing and uplifting story with great characters and in such a fabulous setting. Summer on a Sunny Island is the perfect escapist read to have you dreaming of summer holidays and sunny shores when we perhaps can't experience those in real life for a while.

I'm a big fan of Sue's books and as such was really excited to be given the chance to read this on Netgalley.

I absolutely wasn't disappointed. What a wonderful story, in a fantastic setting. Sue conjured up such a picture of Malta that I sometimes felt I was sitting on the terrace with Rosa. The story introduces us to Rosa and her Mum, Dory and Zach and his family. I'm definitely a little bit in love with Zach ❤️

I would wholeheartedly recommend Summer on a Sunny Island. I can't wait for Sue's next book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this sunny book that transported me to Malta, a place I've always wanted to visit, at a time when we can't safely travel anywhere! Rosa and Zach are both at a crossroads in their lives and not looking for romance until it comes looking for them. They have more than enough problems with their challenging families and fallout from past relationships but can't resist the attraction between them. All in all this was a light, uplifting read and I would strongly recommend it as the perfect escapist read.

When it’s still chilly and rainy, and the news is more bad than good – this is the book to perk you up and change your outlook, as well as provide plenty of moments to enjoy. Rosa and her partner Marcus have split up, and her mum is spending a few months on Malta as she works on a new cookbook. Offering Rosa a change of scene, somewhere to live and enlisting her help with the new book, there’s plenty to keep Rosa from getting too down from her split. But with little money, no real idea what she’s hoping to do next and several squabbles over the mortgage on the little house she and Marcus purchased when things were “better”, and she’s truly at a low ebb.

The apartment they are renting is in a building of three – owned by a family that Rosa’s mum Dory knew from childhood – when both families were stationed on Malta during her father’s time in the service. Currently, the family’s apartment is being used by Zach, who is also working on the 3rd apartment as his aunt decides whether to rent it or use it for her own self. Also working in the local youth center, Zach is licking his wounds after one of many set-tos with his father, a bit of trouble with the police, and hating his ‘data collection’ job that pays his bills. When you mix in more of Zach’s family arriving, an adorable but lively four year old, a young Sicilian boy in trouble and plenty of sparks between Rosa and Zach, the story takes off. Add in Dory finding a new ‘interest’ after a reunion of ‘army brats’ in Malta, the return of Rosa’s father after a thirty year absence, and plenty of food and recipes – and the story is easy to follow along even with all the action.

The perfect escape – with highlights of Malta, clever food options, plenty of heat and lots of heart – all add up to a series of second chances and changes for everyone we meet in the story. Sometimes it really is a change of scenery is all it takes to put everything into perspective and allow you the time to just enjoy while things tick over in the background- with a few pushes, pulls and decisions of course. One of the many reasons people flock to Moorcroft’s books is that sense of ‘otherworldliness’ that everyone can relate to: with sunny locations, plenty of resolutions and lots of heart – and this book has it all.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aGK/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I love Sue's books, there's always a romance but it never runs smoothly.
The setting of Malta was sublime, such a fabulous country with friendly people, so I knew that I would enjoy this book.

I wasn't wrong.
The story flowed and you couldn't help liking the main characters.

Definitely recommended.

I found this a little slow to start but once it did I loved it, great escapism while stuck in my back garden pretending I’m in Malta, wonderful descriptions, great characters. I love this relationship struggles but not too much tension or angst, a cute couple you root for and wonderful friendships and supporting characters. A great feel good read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Just the cover ALONE should be enough to make you want to read this book, it is gorgeous! As someone who hasn't left the house other than to go to work and to go grocery shopping for some time, this book was the perfect read.

Rosa goes to Malta with her mother, Dora. Dora has become a bit of celebrity cook and Rosa has just broken up with her long-term boyfriend so it seems like a good time to go to Malta, do lots of cooking and take beautiful pictures for the blog/new cookbook etc. Along the way, Rosa meets Zach and his interesting and somewhat dysfunctional family. Zach is just lovely and I enjoyed the relationship that these two had. I also loved the relationships that these two had with Zach's little niece and the young people in Malta. There was something very real and yet kind about the pair of them.

I love the fact that this book is not some sort of cookie-cutter chick lit book. Yes, there is romance but there is a lot of complex family relationship stuff as well, and for a bit there I wondered if Rosa could find her way through the difficulties that manifested themselves, even with the beautiful setting of Malta (which is somewhere I have never been but I want to go now!).

Lovely book and I shed a few tears at the end, happy tears :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon books. And the author for writing such a great book!

I loved the beautiful setting and being able to escape for a few hours. I could visualise the amazing scenery and feel part of the story.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

This is the story of newly single Rosa who heads to Malta for the summer to assist her food writer mother Dora with research for her latest cook book.
Dora, hating seeing her daughter unhappy, does what mothers do and tries to set her daughter up with Zach a neighbour and old friend of the family via an earlier armed forces connection . Neither of the pair are really ready for romance but sometimes love has its own ideas...

A lovely summer read with a nice mix of characters that I enjoyed getting to know. I liked that both Zach & Rosa each had their own struggles and was really rooting for them through the various twists and turns on the road to happiness

I also enjoyed the vivid descriptions of all the wonderful places in Malta - I would like to visit now to see if reality is anything like the beautiful scenes I’ve visualised.

I found this a very enjoyable summer read that took me to the sunshine for a few days while locked in at home

Many thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

This is a perfect escapist book, entertaining and engrossing.
I loved the setting and learned some new things about Malta, the cast of characters is well thought and some of them are quite complex, the plot flows and kept me entertained.
I can't wait for the next book by Ms Moorcroft.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

This was a really much needed book for me right now. I’m on week 6 of lockdown, work (from home) is busy, and the sun is shining outside. A “summer on a sunny island” is exactly what I needed right now as we can’t go anywhere!

I fell straight into Malta, into the houses and streets, dreaming of little restaurants and sailing boats. The book is pretty good too! Not that much of a rom-com, whilst still being one, there were lots of other things happening in this book as well. I looked forward to picking it up every lunch hour and letting it take me away!!!

My thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for the advance copy and for saving my mental health with a short holiday!

Meeting Zach will not be the panacea for all ills for Rosa.

You know, whenever I pick up a Sue Moorcroft book I know I am going to be transported to whatever setting she has chosen, but in Summer on a Sunny Island I think the author has outdone all her previous novels. The sense of place is astounding. All the senses are evocatively stimulated through fabulous descriptions so that the reader can picture, hear, taste, smell and touch everything just as realistically as the characters. It is no exaggeration to say reading this novel left me ravenous and feeling as if I were in Malta experiencing it with Rosa et al.

I thoroughly enjoyed a slightly darker theme of crime here as Sue Moorcroft affords her readers the opportunity to explore shades of behaviour. I found it fascinating that, rather than simplistic right and wrong, I was able to contemplate morality through character responses to the action. I loved the other themes too. Marriage, mature relationships as well as younger ones, loyalty and trust, employment, emotions and anxiety give a warm rich depth that is so satisfying to read.

And what action there is. Summer on a Sunny Island has smashing pace because there are several surprises I hadn't anticipated. Of course there are satisfactory resolutions that I would expect, but leading to them is a tautly plotted and hugely entertaining narrative.

However, it is character that really drives this story. I tend to prefer books that feature fewer people than Sue Moorcroft includes here, but in this case each person was so vivid and real that I had no problem keeping everyone distinct in my mind. Even secondary characters like Marcus were clear to me, adding enormously to my enjoyment in reading. But of course, it is Rosa and Zach who steal the show. I adored meeting them because, although the path of true love isn't without obstacle, I felt as if they were destined to be together if not necessarily in this book. It was as if somehow they existed beyond the confines of the narrative!

Summer on a Sunny Island is the perfect lockdown read. Sue Moorcroft transports the reader to a different place and captivates them so completely that it's an absolute pleasure to escape for a while. I loved being in Malta!

Given that the UK is currently in Lockdown, Summer on a Sunny Island felt like the perfect reprieve to everything and allowed escapism to happen. It also let me pretend that I was on holiday and escape to sunny Malta.

I have to be honest I struggled when I first started reading as we went straight into the story with what felt like no introduction. It felt hard to keep up and I had to read very fast to catch up. Once I was there though it was plain sailing. For me anyways.

As well as gorgeous Malta scenery there is also lots of family drama, as secrets are revealed, decisions made and futures are forged. Luccio in particular causes the majority of the drama for Zach and Rosa.

Dealing with their own problems and trust issues Zach and Rosa start of rocky but very quickly there is some sizzling chemistry. However, will they let Luccio, their family and even themselves stand in the way of what is obvious to everyone?

One thing that did bug me was the language surrounding the remortgage / issue with the house in the UK.  As someone who deals with conveyancing matters day in and day out, the term 'consent' felt very inappropriate. Although (maybe small spoiler!) I did like the bit where the Solicitor advised her to go to a financial advisor or estate agent. Because that would definitely have been my response!

Summer on a Sunny Island is that feel-good comfort read that you need right now. Sunny and bright, if you are missing that holiday vibe, this is the pick-me up that you might need.

If, during these unprecedented times of lockdown, you want a trip to a stunning, sunny location with plenty of history, lots to do and a gorgeous beach - then this is the perfect novel for you!

When Rosa and her long-term boyfriend part company, her mum is on hand to offer her a summer job on the beautiful island of Malta. Badly needing to put some distance between herself and Marcus, Rosa arrives on the sun-drenched island, looking forward to time to get herself together again. Her mother, however, is quick to introduce Zach in the hope that a new romance is the quickest way of her moving on, but another entanglement is the very last thing on Rosa's mind. In fact, she is determined to avoid love altogether.

This is a wonderful novel, bursting at the seams with the beauty of Malta, the fabulous weather, the history of the island and all told through a well-written, creative story with excellent characters. Touching on romance, family dynamics and so very much more, this is a great read with so much going on! I thought that the author must have done a lot of research for this one, but on reading the acknowledgements I realise that her interest was piqued by her own experiences. Sue Moorcroft does the setting justice - frankly, the tourist board should sell this book! I've been immersed in a truly unforgettable experience and can now understand the attraction of this island and why people return again and again. My only criticism would be that the final chapter seemed a little abrupt and out of place with the pace of the preceding ones. However, I have no hesitation in giving this one the fullest recommendation and 4.5 glowing stars.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

I totally enjoyed this book by Sue Moorcroft. I like the plot and her writing style. Will definitely be checking out other books written by her in the future.