Member Reviews
This was a fun, if a bit forgettable, book set in Norway. Loved the setting, the characters were predictably lovely, and the plot was everything you know to expect in this sort of book. I enjoyed it but won’t remember it for long. But all in all a good reading experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“Summer Island” by Natalie Normann follows Ninni as she nurses her heartbreak on a small Norwegian island. Meanwhile, Jack discovers that his birth father left him a farm on the same island. The two opposites are on a collision course to fall in love. But before they can be together, Jack must decide if he’s willing to give up city life, and Ninni must decide what she wants her future to look like.
This book was such a cozy romance read. I loved the setting and the overall vibe throughout the whole book! This small island life sounds so good to me, especially how everyone was such a caring community.
Also, the end of the book was very satisfying. Usually the tropes at the end of this book aren’t my favorite, but somehow it just worked for this one!
The only thing that gave me a pause was how stiff Ninni seemed sometimes, but maybe it’s a Norwegian thing? It’s not a culture I have much experience with, so maybe this is something lost in translation for me.
In the end, I gave this book 4 stars! Grab some coffee, cozy up on the couch. This is such a solid fall read!
Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter (Harper Collins UK) for the arc! One more book checked off of my #NetGalleyBacklist!
This book started off really well and was quite funny in places. But I felt towards the end it was quite rushed and the timeline skipped ahead in a random way. But overall great lighthearted read.
"Summer Island" by Natalie Normann is a charming contemporary romance that captures the essence of a small island community and the power of second chances. Normann's vivid descriptions bring the picturesque setting to life, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for the unfolding love story. The characters are endearing, each carrying their own baggage, and the development of the protagonist's journey from heartbreak to healing is handled with sensitivity. While the plot occasionally leans into predictable territory, the novel is saved by its delightful cast and the exploration of themes like forgiveness and the strength found in community bonds. "Summer Island" offers a sweet escape with its feel-good romance, making it a solid choice for readers seeking a heartwarming tale.
3 stars
A fresh take on the trope - and a delightful trip to a small Norwegian Island. Ninni and Jack don't like each other when he arrives but then......It's a good read.
Summer Island was a breathtakingly beautiful novel that had me feeling swept away from my reality to the isolated beauty of Norway. Natalie Normann captures a complex romance and I found myself engrossed in the romance of Jack and Ninni, so invested in them and their story. Jack's search for belonging and his acceptance of his home brings with it an element of emotion I have never experienced before. Overall, a very beautiful novel with a lovely storyline!
A small town romance, escape from the city vibe, with the lovely twist that it is set in a Norwegian island. Very sweet and charming romance, great lighthearted read when that's exactly what you need.
Oh geez this book was a surprise! Sometimes when I choose a book to read and I think it’s going to be one thing–it turns into another. That totally happened with Summer Island.
The thing is, I thought this would be a simple, quick, same ol’, same ol’ read. Nothing new. And while the author didn’t reinvent the wheel with this one–she did manage to keep me glued to the pages of my Kindle for the better part of two days.
An island off the coast of Norway, its quirky inhabitants, and an Englishman who discovers his roots there…
This story was incredibly entertaining and full of heart.
The picture of life on a Norwegian island makes me wish I could visit. And the people and their kindness and generosity is something I would love to experience.
This book featured all that and a sweet love story with some closed-door romance. The ending was so worth the wait! And I cannot wait to find myself back with this author’s amazing storytelling.
Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book. My review will be live, at the link given, on 8/15/22.
This was a lovely, relaxing Summer read. The pace was slower, but in all the right ways, and I enjoyed seeing things develop. The Norway setting was so dreamy and the characters were interesting enough to keep me engaged.
This was a brilliant read and is being featured on my blog for my quick star reviews feature, which I have created on my blog so I can catch up with all the books I have read and therefore review.
See www.chellsandbooks.wordpress.com.
A book set in Norway? count me in, i really do like reading books set in the UK, so excited to learn about another country's culture and ways. the island life makes me super jealous right now as i'm stuck in the midwest with temps in the 30s. ugh.
This is a cute little easy read. I accidentally read the second. In the series before I realised this came before but it didn’t stop me from enjoying it. It’s a classic feel good rom-com that gives you a fuzzy feeling in your tummy. Perfect for a pick me up with the perfect dreamy setting that makes you want to go on an adventure.
An absolutely delightful read. Natalie Normann has made me want to pack my bags for Norway. Loveable characters, a beautiful setting and a wonderful slow burn romance. Highly recommended.
A delightful rom-com set in an exotic location. The characters and setting are equally charming and the storyline intriguing as this story tells itself and becomes an addictive jaunt that you can't put down. An uplifting, beautiful story.
Lovely summer season book to read. Can’t get away ourselves but lovely to read about others . Not your typical destination. Norway! More associated with winter books. Sounded idyllic. Loved the plot. It was well written and flowed well
A cute little summer read! I enjoyed the characters and the setting of Norway. It was refreshing to see a cute love story take part in a place you don’t often see come up in stories!
A cute read and I’d love to see what’s next from this author.
Such a fabulous book, really easy to get into, and uplifting story.
Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this title and discovering more about some of Norwegian traditions and culture. The location of Summer Island is beautiful and almost a character within itself. The development of the relationship between Jack and Ninni is tentative and sensitively written and all the more powerful for it. I'm very glad I've found this author and look forward to curling up with her next offering very soon.
'Summer Island' is one of those books that leaves you with a smile on your face and stays with you after you've finished reading it. Because of COVID, I'd not been able to visit Norway this summer as I'd hoped but the author transported me there through her novel's wonderful sense of place. I was right there with Ninni and Jack, swimming in the cold sea, tasting the food, and experiencing the close community life on the island. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to receive a copy of the book.
Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Honestly, this book was good i loved the location and most of the characters, i didn't get into as much as i thought i would and i kept putting it down which lead to it taking 3 months to finish. The ending felt rushed. I do like the cover design and overall plot it just wasn't what i was in the mood to read it seems.