Fun and flirty, The Summer Job is the perfect summer holiday read!

This is a lighthearted rom-com, focusing on Birdy, a woman who is down on her luck and struggling to find her calling in life. When a chance opportunity arises for Birdy to impersonate her best friend Heather and bag herself a job at a remote Scottish hotel and restaurant, she jumps in headfirst and soon finds herself in too deep. With Heather's professional reputation, Birdy's fledgeling relationship, and the future of the entire hotel hanging in the balance, can Birdy manage to turn things around and pull off the impossible?

Birdy is a funny and likeable - if rather misguided - character. She is fresh and unapologetically herself, which is ironic considering that she is pretending to be someone else! Running from a troubled childhood and trying her best to make something of her life, Birdy is relatable and charmingly flawed.

The other staff working in the hotel and restaurant make for an eclectic mix, yet each adds to the story in his or her own way. From motherly Irene to eager Roxy, each character adds a richness to the plot and makes for a thoroughly enjoyable read.

As the story progresses and Birdy becomes deeper and deeper entrenched in her case of mistaken identity, things start to feel a little on edge. It's easy to feel empathetic towards Birdy for the situation she has found herself in, yet the plot does start to get a little far-fetched at times. The latter part of the book felt quite rushed and there is a big plot twist at the end. However, this is a fun read for the most part if you are prepared to not take it too seriously!

The Summer Job is funny, quirky and sure to put a smile on your face!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin General UK for providing me with an e-ARC of The Summer Job to review. All opinions are my own.

Our main character, who has absolutely no knowledge about wine, takes up a job as a sommelier in a Scottish luxury hotel, pretending to be her best friend – an actual professional sommelier. Birdy has to navigate this job as it turns out to not be what she expected and has to hope to god she doesn’t get caught, while also falling in love.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I definitely enjoyed reading it. It was fun to read, with a cast of great side characters and a beautiful scenic setting, and I even liked the romance too. However, the whole thing seemed a bit too far-fetched to me. In what world would someone knowingly commit identity fraud in such a high-end job without being A- found out, and B - disciplined after? The story ends with a time jump of a few months later and everything is just fine? No consequences? Not even that jackass of a Head Chef/Owner pressed charges for identity fraud. That definitely tore me out of the story and I honestly didn’t find the ending enjoyable because of it.

Everything else I liked though -
- The writing was great
- Beautiful setting and Scottish scenery (Is it just me or are more and more stories being set in Scotland these days?)
- The side characters had a lot of depth,
- and there is surprisingly a lot of emotional weight to characters’ actions.

And Lizzy Dent definitely knows how to write a character you’re supposed to hate. I’m looking at you, Tim.

Overall, it was a good book and I definitely recommend you pick it up if this is your kind of thing.

I received this eBook on @netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is quite possibly one of the funniest books I have read in a while!! After reading the synopsis, and starting the book, I was anxious that it would all go wrong and not be a fun and lighthearted read, but thankfully I had nothing to worry about! Apparently I sniggered constantly while reading it 🤭

I loved the concept of the book, although yes I said it was hilarious, it was such a multi-faceted read (which you will need to read to find out).

The ending was completely different to how I expected but I loved it. My best friend also gets called Bird / Birdy so I instantly took a liking to Elizabeth.

I would love to continue Heather and Birdy’s adventure and know what happened next. I fell they could get in all sorts of mischief.

Definitely recommend this book. Fans of Marian Keys and Beth O’Leary will love this also!

This was a lovely light hearted book. It was a lovely read, betting to know the character, and about her life growing and getting better for her. A nice happy place book.

This was such a fun, lightheaded and enjoyable read. Contemporary and relatable in so many ways, yet managed to cover some serious topics in a way that prevented it becoming too heavy, without trivialising it. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to all my friends.

TW:
Alcoholism, adultery, parent death, gaslighting, theft

This was well written but I really could not get past the central premise. I found it unforgivable of the main character to steal her friend's identity and it became increasingly unbelievable that she would betray this friend (whom she professes to care about) for so long.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sin rating: ❌

Heather is off venturing in Rome with her terrible new beau and her cash-stranded BFF Elizabeth uses her identity to pick up a job in Scotland on her behalf as a sommelier. Except Elizabeth knows nothing about wine and Heather isn’t always available for a quick phone call. Lies generate more lies and Elizabeth ends up in a sticky web she struggles to get out of intact.

I really enjoyed the story! It was a sweet and fluffy story, very different from the usual rom com and terribly gripping. It was very easy to feel involved in the story and at one point I was so scared about what was going to happen that I stopped reading!

Elizabeth’s character really elevates the read: she’s funny, clumsy, charismatic and between the lines of this comedy, the author also addresses deeper topics: alcoholism, child neglect, abusive relationships...

My only regret? Some of the lies! Much of the drama could have been easily avoided if Elizabeth spoke to Heather, I’m sure she would have been fine about her friend taking her identity for a job since it’s something they used to do a lot.

Overall, a very good surprise, perfect for summer!!

The Summer Job delivered on some of the aspects I adore in books – a Scottish setting, great characters and couple chemistry, all with the added extra of wine. The main character, Birdy (Elizabeth) was something of a mess, but she was an endearing mess that you couldn’t help but like.

The story was wrapped around the concept of lies and those lies getting deeper and complex, until it’s too much. That complexity was wonderfully offset by Birdy’s bright and hopeful nature, James the chef and a cast of characters in the gorgeous Loch Doon hotel.

Having spent a lot of time in the highlands, I have to say Lizzy Dent conjured a setting that really worked, I could envisage the Loch, the wildness and the people so well. I want to go and stay there, taste the wine and maybe nibble the chef… I mean his food!

I so enjoyed the context of the life of a sommelier, it’s not something I’ve seen in contemporary fiction and I was pretty consumed by the idea. This story built on lies took the inevitable down turn and it was pretty hard to observe the crash but I continued to love and believe in Birdy.

The Summer Job was a refreshing, funny and wonderful read that will transport you to the highlands and immerse you in great characters. I think it’s the perfect read for summer and I can’t wait for others to read this.

Thank you to Viking Books for the early review copy.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I loved it. Romantic, laugh out loud story. I would say a great summer read but it’s a great anytime read!

I know it’s the middle of winter but I was so delighted to receive this from the publisher I went ahead with it! I’m so glad I did because it’s a great read that gives you all the feels. Our character Birdy is kind of struggling with life a bit. She has problematic parents and is really quite alone except for a great BFF. I don’t want to give much away as I went into this blind and I think that’s why I grew to love these characters and the quirky Loch Dorn hotel so much. A really talented writer of this genre. Would love to read more!

Review also sent to Amazon, Facebook, goodreads, Instagram.

Birdy’ or real name Elizabeth Finch is at the crossroads of her life. She has never held a job for long and the rest of her life is in utter chaos. The only things positive is being friends with her best friend Heather who has it all. She has loving parent an inheritance and she is a trained Sommelier. So, when Heather asks her to ring up a hotel where is working over the summer to tell her she is not coming. As Heather decides to go to Italy with her boyfriend. Birdy decides to take the job in her place and pretend to be Heather even though she doesn’t know the difference from a Pinot grigio 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 dashing good looking chef that can help her on her way.
The Summer job is an emotional, but 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 an engaging storyline and characters, especially Birdy when she first started working as Sommelier and her reaction to the customers and how she juggled her day trying to learn the different wines and her relationship with Heather. It was quite funny. The descriptions of Loch Dorn in Scotland sounded beautiful and motivated me to see if there was a place but its fictional. This is a great read who wants a bit of a laugh and a good romance too. 5 stars from me.

Hilariously heart-warming is how'd I'd describe The Summer Job

When Birdy's friend Heather decides to go to Italy with her (not so brilliant) boyfriend Cristian, Birdy accidentally o purpose takes on the job role of sommelier that her friend was about to start.

The trouble with that - a) she's not Heather b) she is definitely not a sommelier

But Birdy is a woman with spunk and determination so carries on regardless.

What happens after that is like an episode in a soap opera. Drama, romance and everything in-between, the fear of being caught. I could just imagine the beats of the end of Eastenders playing at certain moments.

This is an uplifting novel filled with wit and emotion, written in a way that lifts your heart as you read.

One to look forward to in 2021

This is one of the most heartwarming books I’ve read this year. It just made me feel super happy! It has funny moments, it has romance, it has friendships, it is just an all round enjoyable experience and was a nice lighthearted read in these crazy times!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great summer read! Birdy pretends to be Heather so Heather can go off to Italy in search of true love. What could go wrong? A sommelier position in Scotland and a woman who knows nothing about wine..... :)

You will laugh out loud reading this book, and even though you shouldn't, you will root for Birdy to succeed, because she will grab your heart!

The Summer Job

I’d like to thank Penguin UK and Netgalley for my advanced readers copy

Summary:

Birdy Finch might have bitten off more than she can chew. When she turns up at a hotel in the Scottish countryside pretending to be her best friend Heather (who has no clue and who is also a world class sommelier), what Birdy thought would be a summer job bartending at a Scottish B&B, turns out to be a placement at one of the classiest boutique hotels - one that’s headed up by a Michelin star chef.

Can Birdy save the day, and her decades old friendship?

What I Liked:

The Summer Job has all the elements of that perfect summer / holiday read – a clueless, lost protagonist who’s landed in a sticky situation, a handsome love interest, and the lead up to the finale when things come to a head. It’s a breezy read, with perfect pace and an easy narration style.

What especially worked for me was the location and the beautiful description of the stunning Scottish countryside. Having been to Scotland myself, and with Edinburgh being one of my most favourite cities in the entire world (not exaggerating!!), reading this book felt like taking a virtual long drive through the heavenly Scottish highlands!

Also, the plot is mainly set in a hotel, and Lizzy Dent knows her food and wine – it’s like she’s on home ground talking about salmon done 3 ways and which wines are best paired with which – trust me, I was positively drooling 

What could have been better:

I had a bit of trouble understanding and empathising with Birdy – she’s had a troubled past and it shows in her behaviour constantly, but at times it felt like she was knowingly taking advantage of her closest friend, one who has been nothing but kind and supportive of her always. That behaviour also extended to her work colleagues, who were almost like a virtual support bubble for Birdy.

Final Words:

One of the books releasing in 2021 that I am most excited for, and one which I will be constantly recommending to everyone next year!

Birdy’s best friend Heather has turned down a job as a sommelier in a Scottish hotel, for her true love in Italy. Birdy decides to pretend to be Heather and go to Scotland in her place, she knows very little about wine .. how hard can it be!!!

The hotel which she expected to be run down, is a luxury 2 star Michelin paradise with a very extensive wine list.

I found myself laughing out loud at Birdy’s antics as she tries to fool everyone that she is a sommelier. There are lighthearted moments but it also deals with friendship, love and trust in a beautifully written way.

I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read.. Birdy is a quirky, likeable character.. She pretends to be her friend, Heather, who is an esteemed sommelier. and takes her summer position at a Scottish hotel in her place. I was rooting for Birdy to succeed. After a rocky start, she works hard to learn about wine and becomes a valued member of the hotel team. Love blossoms between Birdy and James, the chef,, but she can't get too involved while she is pretending to be someone wlse. As well as Birdy's story, I became invested in the success or failure of the hotel.

The book was engaging from beginning to end and I look forward to reading more by this author;.

LOVED IT! A great story about a "ramshackle family hotel.....trying so desperately to be grander and more magnificent than it was....filled with imperfect people, all muddling along together with their ridiculous flaws and gigantic hearts". But, it was totally main character, Elizabeth Finch or Birdy to her friends, that made this for me. She's a wonderfully boisterous, attention-seeking, risk-taking, sarcastic gobshite or a thirty-one year old girl "lacking in credentials and experience".

But, mostly she's hilarious as this quote shows where Birdy is about to finally get it on with James: "I stink. I haven't had a shower and I'm still wearing yesterday's knickers. Oh, and in this light, I'd better warn you, there will be some disappointments." Or "Sorry, James, I'm a total mess. I'd like to say it gets better than this, but it really doesn't." She's also totally relatable. I could particularly relate to this one: "No one in history has moaned about bosses as much as me....Almost every boss I've ever had has fallen short in every conceivable way." Its written in the first person with plenty of random musings about anything and everything.

Well written an funny, I couldn’t put it down.

Not my usual sort of book but it really grabbed my attention.

The concept is fresh and and makes for an interesting read.

I enjoyed this book and it made me smile a lot. Two friends, one going places and the other staying stagnant but almost happily so. A job comes up for Heather at, what she thought was a rather run down hotel in Scotland – she is a sommelier. Boy meets girl and she decides to spend the summer with him and ask her friend Birdy is ring the hotel and make an excuse about not turning up. Birdy with nothing else to do decided to take on the role of Heather and go to the hotel with no wine knowledge whatsoever. Birdy manages to keep up the pretence but with a lot of hard work and fibs. She suddenly realises that she has found her calling and is very happy getting to know the staff of the hotel. Then Heather comes back from Italy early and then the truth comes out. At first Heather is crazy mad but she forgives Birdy and life runs smoothly especially as there is a man involved for Birdy. A lovely story with a lovely ending