A quick, light summer read. Not very complex, some of the characters were very one-dimensional, and all the plots were easily sussed out but a fun read nonetheless.

Members of a family travel to their family 'beach hut' in Devon for their annual escape from the rat race. Their respite is complicated with various tricky relationships, secrecy, angst, and marital tests.

Liv runs a thriving business with her husband Matt. They are the parents of five year old twins. When a co-worker injures himself, Matt must stay back in Truro to man the fort while Liv and the children travel to her father-in-law's summer cottage in south Devon. Baz, her father-in-law, welcomes them warmly, but it turns out that he is hiding something from his family AND he is about to embark on a May-December romance...

With a delicious seaside setting and mostly likeable characters (with the exception of the deviously manipulative Catriona and the odious Annabelle), this fun women's fiction will keep the reader entertained, though not thoroughly invested.

The entire story takes place during a seven day period, so we don't really get an 'in-depth' portrayal of any one character. It is truly an ensemble piece about people making the decisions that can alter the course of their lives.

"Seven Days In Summer" is an easy read suited for those wanting a relaxing summer novel. It didn't 'wow' me, but remains a worthwhile choice for readers looking for a summer read with an engaging setting and characters. A good choice for fans of Erica James and Rosamunde Pilcher.

3.5 stars rounded up for NetGalley

This is my first Marcia Willett book, but I don't think it'll be my last. I liked that the characters were "normal" and while perhaps some of their lives had the drama turned up for effect, I really liked this book.

This was a great summer read! I enjoy this author. Her storytelling ability keeps me reading her every book!!! This book really takes you on a beautiful ride. The authors description makes you really feel like you are on the coast on vacation. The story is filled with wonderful characters and there are quite a few.

Fell in love with this book as soon as i seen the cover and read the description. Was so glad it didnt disappoint me when I read the book.

Liv and Matt are a couple like all others working hard, looking after their children, and not spending enough time together as a couple. Lucky for them there father in law owns an amazing Beach house. Follow them on there week at the beach hut. Matt can't go at the last minute due to staffing problems at work and Liv and the children head off with Matt's father.

It was a great read. I really enjoyed it from the beginning to end. It was an easy read and perfect for this time of year. Sounded like a beautiful setting, wish ed i had been there. Lots of other characters added in to the mix. Did get a bit mixed up in the beginning with all the names but soon caught up. Highly recommend this book. Its a defo need to read this summer

The characters felt so real. This book has a lovely English setting. Summer in Cornwall is just the best!

One of the biggest difficulties in writing a novel with a lot of characters stems from finding exactly how much focus each of them needs. With an ensemble, it’s hard not to let one character pull focus and dominate the action. Yet author Marcia Willett never seems to have this problem. Instead, in Seven Days in Summer, much like in many of her other books, she’s managed multiple points of view that gently push this novel of family, friends, and secrets along.

And secrets they have. As this ragtag group makes their annual trek to the beach, each individual either suspects something about the other or they’re genuinely hiding something. Patriarch and widower of the Beach Hut, Baz, struggles with his past and the possibility of new love. His daughter-in-law, Liv, leaves her husband, Matt, at home and packs their twins off for some fun in the sand. But just why is Matt staying behind? Then there’s Sofia, who stumbles into love while searching for a new start.

Yet, it seems everyone has something going on, but that showcases Willett’s remarkable ability as a writer: she both layers up stories with complications while also stripping them back to their basics. All of these characters are fully realized as they mingle with each other, and they almost feel like a group I’d run into on holiday. Here comes Baz; there goes Liv. As the action jumps between characters, they briefly flit through the story, dispensing their problems while helping the others. Yet it never becomes overwhelming. Rather, there’s a calmness that runs through the pages. It’s holiday—surely everything will work itself out! It’s a remarkable balancing act, but Willett manages.

A hint of drama, a dash of humor, and a collection of fascinating people. Not a bad way to spend seven days in summer at all.

I can always count on Marcia Willett for a heartwarming, feel good story, and that’s just what Seven Days in Summer delivered here!

I absolutely loved my time with this book and this incredible group of realistic and relatable characters. There are quite a few to keep track of but it sure didn’t detract from my enjoyment because I enjoyed getting to know and spend time with each of them. I loved this sense of family and friendship wound throughout. And for having a slower place, I felt that this story played out just right. Something that I believe the gorgeous setting had a hand in, because oh how lovely it was on the British seashore! I wasn’t ready to part with this place or these characters by the end in this wonderful story of finding peace in your life.

This was a summery, cozy read overflowing with heart and honesty that I believe a vast type of reader will enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the gifted e-copy.

I loved the beautiful cover of this book and the setting. I didn't find it easy to keep track of all the characters, so that put a damper on my enjoyment of the book. That being said, by the time the confusion ended i found the book a little predictable.

this book was easy to read from the start and is a mixture of families old and young with stories to tell of which all are different but very enjoyable and they all had a good time at the get togethers while they were there relaxing

2.5 stars - Various people descend on a house near the sea in Devon for their annual shindig. They all have some sort of secret and are holding something or other back. At one time I’d always make a beeline for one of Marcia’s books but these days I can no longer tell if I’ve read it before or not as they’ve become a bit “samey” and dated. As always though, a glorious setting. The characters not so great. A cosy holiday read!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC In exchange for an honest review. I do love a Marcia Willet book. Once again, Marsha Willett is the consummate hostess introducing Me too a whole new group of friends. We all meet on the beach and of course there’s troubles in paradise. Some of my new friends I like, some of them I don’t—but I always love the story. I I feel good when the story goes well for my friends and I love it when some of them get the comeuppance they are due. What fun to observe this new group of friends from a distance. I am always left in a calm, satisfied mood after one of her books and this one was no different. Easy reading.

4.5★s

Seven Days In Summer is a novel by British author, Marcia Willett. Liv is pleased to be travelling to South Devon with her father-in-law, Baz and the twins for a summer break at his Beach Hut. She and Matt have had a busy year at their bar/restaurant in Truro and she feels a little guilty that a staff accident has prevented Matt from joining them. Hopefully he can sort out staff and join them later.

The annual gathering of old friends that Baz hosts on the Saturday night is a long-held tradition, much anticipated. Generous food and drink, and lots of catching up is the order of the day. Among those present, there are undeclared loves, some of which are patently obvious to anyone who watches, while others are more closely guarded and only seen by the most observant; this year, a new guest sparks a case of love at first sight, and it’s reciprocal! But not everyone will be happy about it.

Meanwhile, back in Truro, a resentful someone from Liv’s past arrives with revenge in mind: the destruction of a family would be the desired result, and Matt is the target, but will he twig to the sneaky tactics employed? From the tone of texts and calls, Liv senses something amiss, but can only hope things will be OK. They have been under a lot of pressure, and she’s feeling restless about their business, feeling it’s time to move to something new.

Willett’s story features a beautiful setting and a cast of characters that most readers will warm to, save the really nasty one and the sadly tiresome one. There’s a little intrigue around the past that’s plaguing Baz, and the ending is a realistic one: not everyone gets a happily-ever-after, but there’s promise for many. A heart-warming read that will delight fans of Maeve Binchy and Rosamund Pilcher.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and St Martin’s Press.

Everyone needs a Beach Hut in their life, plus summer life in Cornwall--the setting is just lovely in this story. The characters play out all their roles as you might think, the pace if fairly slow, like the lazy days of summer.

Set in an idyllic beach house named the Beach Hut this story tells of a week in the summer with a group of old friends. I enjoyed the story but did not understand why someone would allow a character like Cat into their lives and then continue communication with her? She's vindictive and spiteful yet she is still included. Also the character of Anabelle was off-putting. I would have hoped there was an epilogue to show where the characters were in a year as the book did a great job introducing us to these great characters but then it felt unfinished at the end.

EXCERPT: Baz looks serious and her heart thumps anxiously.

'But everything's okay, isn't it?' she asks him.

He has that odd look he was wearing yesterday at the Beach Hut and she reaches for her hand. He holds her hand tightly, but he still looks thoughtful.

Nothing has changed,' he says. 'Not the way I feel about you, anyway. It's just those ghosts I mentioned yesterday. I've been thinking about them and I think I should try to exorcise them. I thought it would be better to wait until I'm back in Bristol, but now I think it's only fair that I should tell you before you go.'

She feels quite frightened now.

'What, here? Now?'

ABOUT THIS BOOK: Busy mum of twins Liv is looking forward to summer at the Beach Hut in Devon, even if she feels that she and Matt left things on a strange note. She’s sure it’s just that he’s too busy at work to join them on holiday, not that he wants time alone…

Baz loves having his family to stay by the sea, but when an unexpected guest arrives, he finds himself torn between the past and the future…

Still reeling from a break-up, all Sofia wants is a quiet seaside summer – until she meets Baz and her plans are turned upside down. She knows she’s rushing into things, but could this summer at the Beach Hut be the start of something new?

And back home, Matt might be missing Liv and his young family, but when an old friend appears he finds himself distracted... What does she know about his family’s past that she’s not letting on?

As summer tensions rise, the holiday at The Beach Hut begins to take an unexpected turn…

MY THOUGHTS: Seven Days in Summer is an utterly delightful read, which is what I expect of Marcia Willett. If, like me, you are a long time reader of this author, you will recognize some old friends from previous books. If you are a new reader of this author, you will enjoy a pleasant interlude, complete with a few bumpy patches, with a wonderful family and their friends. You needn't worry about not knowing the back stories because, although her books have followed a group of families over several decades, each book is written as a complete stand alone.

Willett's characters are remarkably ordinary, just like you, me, and our friends. They are not rich, nor famous. They live ordinary lives, fall in, and out, of love, experience times of wild certainty, and bouts of insecurity. They are vivid and appealing, well most of them are.

Baz is visited by ghosts from his past, ones that he needs to make peace with if his life is to change. And Liv is becoming restless with living in Truro, missing the moors, beaches and surfing of her childhood. She believes that it is time for her and Matt to move on, but Matt is not convinced. Liv has the feeling, while they are apart, that there is more than just miles separating them.

Seven Days in Summer contains a little mystery, a romance and an unrequited attraction, some dodgy artwork, an epiphany or two, and a vacuum cleaner named Henry.

Written with great warmth and honesty, this is a lovely read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.2

#SevenDaysinSummer #NetGalley

'Men love their women, women love their children, children love their animals.'

'It's odd that all parents want their children to be happy although we only have to look around to see how unlikely a proposition that might be.'

Old sins cast long shadows.

THE AUTHOR: Born in Somerset, in the west country of England, on the day the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Marcia Willett was the youngest of five girls. Her family was unconventional and musical, but Marcia chose to train as a ballet dancer. Unfortunately her body did not develop with the classical proportions demanded by the Royal Ballet, so she studied to be a ballet teacher. Her first husband was a naval officer in the submarine service, with whom she had a son, Charles, now married and training to be a clergyman. Her second husband, Rodney, himself a writer and broadcaster, encouraged Marcia to write novels. She has published many novels in England; A Week in Winter was the first to be published in the United States.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Thomas Dunne Books, St Martin's Press via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Seven Days in Summer by Marcia Willett for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

( received complimentary e-book in exchange for review )

Enjoyable casual read providing and escape for today's reality. Was easy to become involved in the storyline. The writing style remained solid all the way thru. All characters were relatable. Would like to read more by this author.

Liv is spending two weeks at Bazs beach house. She has twins Freddie and Flora. I liked the characters. Cute cozy read

This was a real feel good novel with loads of different characters and plenty of sunshine and sea. Some characters fell into place easily others took a little time but it all came together very well . I enjoyed this and Marcia Willett is a great author and I have always enjoyed her books. 5 stars for this.

As always, Willett delivers her trademark characters in difficult circumstances, twists and turns that made me blink, as well as a setting, language, and pace that made me feel like I was there at the seaside, cocooned in warmth and sunshine. This story delivered particular pleasure coming as it did during a global shutdown when I felt transported to a different place, a different group of individuals each trying their best with dilemmas, secrets, and surprises. A fast, dependable, easy beach read -- an ultimate escape! My appreciation to the writer, the publisher, and NetGalley for an advance reviewer copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.