This book was good, at times it irritates me as the main character annoyed me for being so deceitful with people. But, apart from that I enjoyed the book . My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Well wasn’t this just the most delightful book! #TheSummerJob follows Birdy Finch, who has never been able to settle at anything in life. Have you ever imagined running away from your life? Well Birdy didn't just imagine it. She did it. Which might've been an error. And the life she's run into? Her best friend, Heather's. The only problem is, she hasn't told Heather. Actually there are a few other problems... Can Birdy carry off a summer at a luxury Scottish hotel pretending to be her best friend (who incidentally is a world-class wine expert)? And can she stop herself from falling for the first man she's ever actually liked (but who thinks she's someone else)?

I adored this book. It reminded me a lot of Sophie Kinsella’s The Undomestive Goddess, which is one of my favourite rom coms ever. We have a series of hilarious mishaps, a case of mistaken identity, lots of talk about delicious sounding food and wine and all set in a Scottish castle. What more could you ask for?? The writing is engaging and witty, and Birdy’s journey from self-doubt to confidence will give you all the warm and fuzzies. It was exactly the easy, heartwarming read that I needed right now, and I loved every page!

Highly recommend this one if you’re a fan of romcoms!

Elizabeth (Birdie) Finch has no where to go for the summer, her best friend Heather, who’s flat she is living in (rent free) is spending the time in Italy and is letting her flat out. Heather, a talented and experienced sommelier is not taking a job in a restaurant in Scotland in order to go to Italy, so, Birdie (who know nothing about wine, other than she enjoys drinking it) decides to take Heathers place. How hard can it be? It’ll be fine, she says, it’ll be fun, she says, it’ll be a laugh. What could possibly go wrong? Quite a bit as it happens.

There was quite a bit to like in The Summer Job, the writing came alive when the scenery was described or James’ foodie bits but the only character I really warmed to was Heather. In fact I found myself wishing I was reading her story rather than Birdie’s. To be honest I have filed The Summer Job in the category of ‘just not my cup of tea’.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Flew through this I enjoyed it so much. Birdy is a really likeable lead and very relatable given her very real concern for the damage she might be causing - I felt a great deal of empathy towards her. It was always going to end badly, but the twist at end was unpredictable and gave the whole story a new layer.

Birdy’ or real name Elizabeth Finch is at the crossroads of her life. She has never had a job for long and the rest of her life is in utterly bonkers. The only things positive is being friends with her best friend Heather who has it all. She is a trained Sommelier. So, when Heather asks Elizabeth to ring up a hotel ,where she should be working over the summer to tell her she is not coming. Heather decides to go to Italy with her boyfriend gives Birdy the idea to take the job in her place and pretend to be Heather even though she doesn’t know the difference from a Chardoney to a Merlot. The job is only supposed to be in a small-town hotel in Scotland. But when she gets there the hotel is different as can be. The good side is there is a devishly good looking chef that can help her on her way.
The Summer job is a fun read that I really enjoyed and will be great in summertime when you are relaxing in the sun or just want to escape. It had a great storyline and characters, Listening to Birdy when she first started working as Sommelier and her reaction to the customers and how she managed her day trying to learn the different wines and her relationship was quite funny. The descriptions of Loch Dorn in Scotland sounded beautiful.. This is a great read who wants a bit of a giggle and a good romance too. 5 stars from me.

Birdy Finch has a run of dead end jobs behind her and no idea about what to do next. When she hears that her best friend is giving up a summer job in a hotel to travel with her boyfriend instead, she realises she has no where else to go. One evening after a few too many, she decides to impersonate her best friend and take the summer job. After all how hard can it be to be a sommelier? Birdy can totally fake it til she makes it and it’s only one summer right?

I really enjoyed this light hearted and funny book. .
Birdy is a likeable character and I enjoyed the transformation she makes within the story from a ditzy, selfish woman to a someone who learns to work hard, be respectful and think of the world beyond herself.
There are some really funny moments when she tries to impersonate a sommelier. Best of all though are the other staff of the hotel and how they are a family of sorts and how Birdy gets a sense of belonging as she becomes one of the team.

Of course, Birdy’s deception can’t last forever. The chapters where she gets found out and the ending felt a little rushed and glossed over but that didn’t stop my overall enjoyment of the book.

I’d recommend this book those readers looking for a feel good, funny and light hearted read.

Thank you to Netgalley, Lizzy Dent and Penguin for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

‘The Summer Job’ is a delightful debut and it made me wish for the summer, adventures, and being allowed to travel to places like Scotland. But even if just the book, Lizzy Dent’s debut was a lovely few hours of escapism. It was nice to disconnect and escape from reality, even for a little while.

Birdy is supposed to call and ‘cancel’ the summer job that her friend, Heather, was meant to work over the summer. Instead, Heather escapes London with her almost-boyfriend-who-has-a-girlfriend for holidays, and leaves Birdy to deal with the rest. Only that Birdy doesn’t call the job. She’s broke, with no place to live, and how hard can it be to work in hospitality in some remote place in Scotland? Way harder than expected, when she realises that the place has been modernised – and it’s nothing like on their website – and actually requires Heather’s sommelier knowledge.

While I didn’t necessarily feel connected to any of the characters in ‘The Summer Job’ and I wasn’t overly invested in the developing romance between Birdy and James, having worked in the hospitality industry previously, I liked the overall dynamic and the team’s struggles over the summer. It wasn’t a book I will think of for a long, but it was a perfect few hours of uplifting escapism, so I will definitely recommend reading it.

Brilliant! And good on Birdy - this was a warm, witty read with great characters, a great plot and a great ending! Thoroughly enjoyed this escapist read and would recommend.

When Birdy Finch's best friend Heather decides to skip out on her upcoming job to go to Italy with her boyfriend, Birdy offers to step in and explain the situation. Somehow things don't quite go to plan though, and Birdy ends up taking Heather's place as sommelier at a Scottish hotel - how hard can it be?

I was looking forward to this as a bit of a comfort read - something light and quick.  It definitely ticked those last 2 boxes, although I'm not sure comfort read is the right term for it.  It was an enjoyable read but it missed the mark in places for me.

The plotline is good, although it's a trope that has been seen many times before the setting is different and kept it fresh.  I particularly liked the fact that romance or a relationship breakdown isn't Birdy's reason for running away.

Birdy is an interesting protagonist.  In the early parts of the book I was struggling to like her.  She seemed like a character who is prone to making bad decisions, and generally just a bit if a catastrophe, and to be honest I'm a bit over those sorts of characters.  She also doesn't ever really stop and consider the consequences of her actions, particularly on the people around her.  As we get to know her better we see the grit underneath, and also find out more about her past, which does make her more likeable, but still a mixed bag.  Even right at the end of the book I couldn't decide whether I liked her or not.

I think the main thing I struggled with was that I felt the balance wasn't quite right between the light-hearted rom com and the deeper issues.  It was almost too light-hearted, although that sounds silly to say when that's what I was looking for.  One thing that I thought Lizzie Dent did incredibly well was to highlight the issue of gaslighting, particularly coming from a situation I hadn't previously considered.  That could well be down to my own naiviety, but it was something that made me pause.

There's a lot to like in this one, and ultimately it fit the bill for something light and quick.  I'd definitely read another book by Lizzie Dent.

Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin General UK and Viking for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger warnings: gaslighting, alcoholism

There was a lot to love about this but there were some irritating parts. I really didn't warm to the lead character, which made it difficult to sympathise with some of her plight. The writing was heart warming and I loved the descriptiveness of the scenery. I enjoyed the storytelling on the whole, and the other characters were fabulous.

Elizabeth ‘Birdy’ Finch and best friend Heather are more like sisters, having been by each other’s side from an early age, seeking sanctuary and comfort together away from their own troubled family lives. Whereas Heather has already found her calling as a well respected sommelier, Birdy is still searching for hers and it’s proving elusive. Following a procession of dead end jobs all ending in disaster what will be her next move? Her love life is looking equally pitiful, demeaning herself by continuing to entertain chancer Tim, prolonging their casual hook up status. It’s fair to say life isn’t looking too rosy for our protagonist especially when Heather decides to ditch her summer job at ramshackle hotel Loch Dorn, Scotland, in favour of chasing two timing boyfriend Cristian to the sunnier climes of Italy leaving Birdy potentially homeless. Ever resourceful and with her back against the wall Birdy hatches a most audacious plan, unbeknownst to Heather, to ‘borrow’ her identity for longer than the one evening necessary to gain entry into a wine awards ceremony, an event at which employees of Loch Dorn are also present. Pretending to be Heather, Birdy takes up the summer job on offer, hoping and praying nobody will be any the wiser. What could possibly go wrong??

You’ve got to admire gutsy Birdy for even imagining she can pull a stunt like this off without being exposed as a fake within the first five minutes and/or tarnishing her best friend’s reputation. She’s got chutzpah by the gallon. I nicknamed her Birdy the blagger and aside from the location she’s the saving grace of this lighthearted, easy to digest romcom. However despite her false bravado Birdy doesn’t bargain for the fact Loch Dorn is far from ramshackle, undergoing a renovation designed to enhance its reputation as a fine dining establishment worthy of its two Michelin stars. Neither does she anticipate finding herself swooning over the soufflés in the presence of handsome chef James, a sight for sore eyes after all the swotting she has to undertake in order to impress the likes of bosses Irene and Russell, without blowing her cover. With her heart all a flutter all Birdy has ever wanted is to belong and to be loved and surprisingly,as the summer lengthens she finds she’s experiencing both these feelings for the first time ever, albeit as someone in disguise. As friendships develop and love blossoms will the real Birdy Finch please step forward. Expect champagne corks to (literally!) fly as Birdy’s harebrained scheme takes flight, in a storyline encompassing themes of family,community, romantic and platonic love, what it means to belong and the importance of realising your true worth.

Reading The Summer Job you feel as if you can bounce your way out of lockdown as this novel is guaranteed to put a spring in your step and fill your heart with sunshine. Thanks to the heavenly setting and with the echoes of the sexy Scottish accent ringing in my ears this romcom is a life affirming feel good slice of escapist fiction. Combining visions of a picturesque landscape, delicious food, fine wine and whiskey, a delectable and all round decent guy in the shape of chef James and a top notch blagger protagonist with a gigantic heart what’s not to love? The supporting cast of characters, a mixed bag of waifs and strays, add that all important element of friendship and a sense of family, united in their quest to showcase the hotel to its best advantage, a place they are all so proud and fond of. Aside from the waste of space Tim and the pretentious Russell all these characters help Birdy believe she’s a decent human being deserving of love. Regardless of her less than honest start to life on the west coast of Scotland maybe she’s finally found a place to call home. Perhaps not quite as funny as I’d been expecting, there are enough comical moments to put a smile on your face and hope in your heart and a belief that being true to herself is all that’s required in Birdy’s pursuit of happiness, love and a sense of belonging. This unforgettable summer job proves to be transformative in so many ways, giving our cheeky fraudulent sommelier a chance to spread her wings and fly. The moral of this enjoyable romcom? Just be you and value yourself because in the words of that famous shampoo ad you’re worth it! My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.

What a fun, light-hearted romp! Imagine if Bridget Jones tried to be a sommelier for the summer at a high-end hotel in Scotland. The mishaps and duplicity are funny yet Birdy is an endearing character and I was rooting for her. The setting was the clincher for me. I just want to find a job with fun colleagues at a nice hotel with accommodation included. This would make a great beach read when summer arrives.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

This was an adorable, funny, light hearted read. It was the perfect antidote to the dark thriller I was reading alongside!
It had a great plot, I wasn't ever bored and I looked forward to listening to the audiobook whenever I had the chance. There were some very serious themes too, which were a little unexpected but it added great depth to the story
The characters were likeable and I really got behind them as the book progressed.
The narrator was excellent, her Scottish and French accents were faultless and I look forward to listening to more of her work.
Thoroughly enjoyable audiobook!

The premise of taking on someone else identity for a job may sound fun but I feel that this book is aimed at a different market to myself. A young twenty something leaving London to work in a remote Scottish hotel as a sommelier. No knowledge of wines and pretending to be her best friend.
A younger market than myself will find this funny and romantic but I personally could not suspend reality enough for it to work for me.
Well written and enjoyable characters but not for me unfortunately.

The Summer Job - Lizzy Dent

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review thanks to Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business and Netgalley.

Have you ever imagined running away from your life?

Well Birdy Finch didn't just imagine it. She did it. Which might've been an error. And the life she's run into? Her best friend, Heather's.

The only problem is, she hasn't told Heather. Actually there are a few other problems...

The basis of this book is a lie, told with good intentions. Birdy gets off to a shaky start but will she manage to get a handle on things?

This debut novel is complete with disasters, success and there is even time for a little romance. It is a very entertaining read with very likeable characters. There are even twists to keep the reader interested.

Rating 4/5

A fantastic debut novel!

Release Date - 15th April 2021

The Summer Job by Lizzy Dent felt a bit slow and light as I started it. The bad language definitely put me off but I’m so glad I persevered. A good storyline, if a little far-fetched to pretend to be a wine expert when you know zero about wine. The characters were very fully developed and their personalities really shine through (despite the prolific use of the ‘f’ word throughout- a pet peeve of mine to be fair!)
I loved the connectedness of the narrative (and that bit certainly didn’t feel forced or unbelievable). The insights into secrets, upbringing, family background and friendship were very well handled in an engaging but informed way. Overall I really enjoyed the book, far far more than I was feeling in the first chapter or two. A great rom-com with a few life messages peppered throughout. I even learned a little bit about cooking and also about wine! Three stars (which I’d push to three and a half)

Birdy takes a summer job in a Scottish hotel to be her best friend heather. Though it was risky she wanted to give it a go. During the stay there she started to eye James a chef at the hotel and being who she was was keeping her to blurt out the truth.

This was a cute and beautiful read! I really enjoyed the romance and how well the story was set out!
Thank you for the arc Net gallery!

This is fun and light hearted, an easy read perfect for flicking through in the summer. It wasn’t my favourite read, but enjoyable for what it is.

It took me a while to get into this, but when I did, I enjoyed it. It’s a bit of a slow burner really., but really worth it. A light read to enjoy on the beach or cuddled up at home on a rainy Sunday.

This was amazing. I loved every page. A perfect book of friendship, new beginnings, lost ways and finding where ‘home’ is. I couldn’t of asked for anything else in a book. ( maybe a 2nd book? Lol ). Birdy was a wonderful character who just didn’t know where she wanted to be in life and nothing ever seemed to go to plan, whereas her best friend, heather, seemed to have life sorted. I could definitely see this as a series on tv! Fabulous. Highly recommended