The summer job is a lighthearted tale. Birdy masquerades as her friend Heather and replaces Heather in a summer position at a revamped Scottish hotel. The only problem is Heather is a well-renowned wine connoisseur and Birdy knows nothing about wine.

Dodging bullets left right and centre, Birdy avoids scrape after scrape and even manages to negotiate a summer romance.

The Summer job had me laughing out loud at certain chapters and its perfect escapism.

A lighthearted rom com, perfect for the beach.

Birdy is a lost soul, trying to find her place in life and going to extreme lengths to do so. You can’t help but pity her and eventually root for her.

I wasn’t enthralled with this book at the beginning but it really grew on me and I didn’t want to put it down. Romance isn’t usually my genre of choice but this debut is definitely worth a read.

Thank you to NetGalley / Penguin / Viking for the advance copy.

I received an ARC of this book via Penguin and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Description

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…

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)?

My thoughts

Before I even read the first page of The Summer Job, I knew it’d be a book for me. From the fun cover, to the early comparisons to The Flatshare I was hooked. Luckily, when I started reading, I realised it lived up to the pre-empted high.

The book follows Elizabeth “Birdy” Finch, a woman who doesn’t have her life figured out. She’s in a (not very fulfilling) relationship with Tim, doesn’t have many people she can’t rely on and is about ready to leave her life behind….which she does. Except, the twist? She’s taken her best friend’s job (and her identity) to spend a summer in Scotland. Wild, right?

Birdy was hopeless, unsure and didn’t really think much through as the book rolled on. Saying that, she was a relatable, funny and likeable character on the whole – when I wasn’t cringing over something she’d done, I was laughing with her, or feeling sorry for her. I think Dent did a brilliant job of crafting a main character that you root for, even though she did make some stupid decisions, she’s only human like the rest of us! Not only this, Birdy has substance and a story behind her – which led to sensitive broaching of important topics like alcoholism and neglect.

I think, having spent months cooped up indoors (with the promise of further afield getaways getting less likely by the day!), everyone’s desperate for escape which Dent definitely provides in The Summer Job.

I’ve been to Scotland before (though I think I spent a good portion of that time dodging rain, watching Braveheart and drinking!) and Dent brilliantly captures not only the weather but the lush sprawling landscapes, what the locals you run into might be like and this beauty that you just don’t get in big cities.

Another thing which I thought was brilliant about this book was the characters. I loved Birdy straight away, there was something Fleabag-esque about her but with a sensitive edge I think a lot of us will relate to. Then there were the other characters, from her annoying boyfriend Tim, to her loyal best friend Heather, to the charming chef James and all her other co-workers. I think Dent did a brilliant job of creating characters that were instantly likeable and familiar, though I wish Heather’s character was more developed – I kind of felt like the other characters were given more energy and time and I wish Heather, who was important to Birdy and her development throughout the story, got the same.

The Summer Job would’ve been brilliant for sunbed-lounging, cocktail-sipping holidays but – considering there isn’t much of that happening in 2020, for a lot of us – we’ll have to make do with reading this by a warm fire with plenty of snacks. It’s a cosy, sweet read with humour, heart and a serious side at times. I really didn’t feel ready to let the characters go when the book ended but I know that, whatever Dent’s next project will be, I’m ready for that.

"As I walk back to the cottage, I wonder about the Skype interview with Heather. Did they have one? They couldn't have, or Bill would have known straight away. In fact didn't he already comment that I didn't look like my cat picture?"

Imagine a case of mistaken identity / fraud - I'm still not sure which, the result of a drunken greeting at an award ceremony where you're pretending to be your best friend for a fun night out. This is how Birdy's dilemma starts, her best friend Heather has gone to Italy in pursuit of a man and left her with a name badge to attend a wine awards ceremony - harmless you'd think!

A few pages in, I thought 'this would make a really good film'. It's light=hearted chicklit, sweet but not too saccharine, and the characters are all really likeable which make it a perfect, quick read. Birdy will have you shaking your head in frustration at times but you do feel for her. With Heather having gone abroad to pursue a relationship, she is completely unanchored when we meet her (with literally no-where to stay), and she is subconsciously looking for an adventure and change in her life, deciding to just roll with the punches on a whim. She certainly snowballs into an unexpected situation!

I thought the themes were balanced really well, and there's more depth to the story, as both Heather and Birdy are at a bit of a loss, both in dire relationships and missing something in their lives, their strong sisterhood is what they seem to have relied upon to carry them through from childhood. There are also some bigger themes like alcoholism, and childhood neglect which give the characters in the book a bit more depth.

One of the things I loved about this book was it's portrayal of Scotland and its community feeling and people. It'll make you want to pack up city life and move there immediately! These are all people just trying to find themselves, their passion, and pride in who they are and what they do. The combination of this, and the setting of a failing hotel restaurant in Skye, and the mammoth task of faking it to make it as a sommelier make for a different, funny and engaging read.

"Maybe I don't even need a calling,' I say. 'Maybe I just need to be me for a while.''

Thank you to Penguin General UK and Netgalley for my ARC.

An enjoyable, light summer read. Nothing challenging or new here, but it is fun and warming - just what is needed for a holiday.

As a holiday read, I quite enjoyed this. It was light, bright and frequently funny. My biggest issue with it though was the deceit that made the defining plot point - Birdy's posing as BFF Heather by taking her role as sommelier. I found that regularly made for mortifying reading, when Birdy gets herself into all sorts of problems and dramas. Whilst a comfortably predictable story, it had moments that made me mortified and uneasy.

A book full of fun, frivolity and frolics. A light hearted, easy to read book that offers pure escapism! The characters are likeable and funny and the plot was easy to follow.

This is a great holiday book, or one for when some escapism is needed!
The plot follows Birdy embark on a holiday which turns into getting a job in a hotel in Scotland while pretending to be her best friend. It has the hallmarks of a classic chick lit book - plans gone awry, romance in an idylicc setting.

Not the most challenging book to read but it's not meant to be!

Well I just finished flying through the arc of The Summer Job and it was a total dream, the perfect escapism. I love a book where the main character doesn't necessarily need a man to complete her but instead just needs a purpose or (and I hate this phrase) to find herself, and boy, does Birdy find purpose (and also a man, but that's by the by!). I fell in love with the characters at the hotel, from motherly Irene, to enthusiastic Roxy and from rugged Brett to poor old Bill. And then there's James, swoon!! This was such an uplifting, fun book to read, would definitely recommend.

This is a fun book, very easy to read, and very entertaining. I didn't particularly warm to the main character, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It would make a great holiday book.

This may be my perfect summer read. The premise: when Birdy's best friend, Heather, decides to jet off to Spain rather than taking her new job as Sommelier at the Loch Dorn and leaves Birdy in charge of letting the hotel know, Birdy instead decides to try her luck at what she assumes will be an easy few weeks' work. Obviously, not everything goes to plan, as it quickly becomes clear that the hotel is a lot fancier than assumed, and Birdy knows absolutely nothing about wine.
The setting is a bit part of why I love this book so much- I wish I could relate more to romcoms set in the perfect tropical paradise but I much prefer this chilly Scottish scene with its cottages and lakes. The Loch Dorn also offers an array of interesting characters; elegant Irene, gorgeous chef James, and Bill, each with their own secrets to hide. The plot has a lot more depth than one can usually expect with a romcom; I didn't predict a lot of the twists that were to come at the end of the book.
It balances this idyllic setting and humourous plot with the constant suspense that Birdy will be caught out. At times, I don't find Birdy very likeable- she has her own issues and I'm glad the book didn't end with her falling in love and magically solving every problem. I'm also glad that there are real consequences to Birdy's actions; I was concerned that it would end with her being found out but being instantly forgiven by all, but I was happy with the ending. Overall, I really would recommend this book to anyone- even people who usually dislike the romance genre. It definitely wasn't what I was expecting, but it was better.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for allowing me early access to this book!

This was so much fun.

The Summer Job is the story of Birdie Finch who steals her best friend's identity and summer job! Birdie is so wonderful, relatable, and funny. I fell into her world easily and got as swept away with Scotland as Birdie did.

There're heartfelt feelings throughout this lovely book, done compassionately but with wit too. I loved the hotel, and could just picture its refurb and how well that went down with the locals! Brilliant side characters, the wonderful Bill, and the irritating Russell.

Swoon-worthy Scottish men too. What more could you ask for?

Thanks to Penguin and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. I have pre-ordered my copy already.

I really enjoyed this book and think it is a fantastic debut! It was funny and heartwarming with plenty of laugh out loud moments. The premise is a little unbelievable (especially with everything online these days) but that was made up with the lovely characters. I would recommend this book to my friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading this so much that it was finished during one day....I was so happy to find a new author that I went directly to Amazon to buy ( I almost NEVER pay for books!) all her other novels. Imagine my surprise when I find out this is a debut novel, it doesn’t read like a debut novel and I read a lot. The characters are cleverly written and completely believable, they even feel like people I know, which is why I was so invested in their lives that I wanted to continue and find out where they go and what happens next. Even if this isn’t eventually a series I want to read more from such an accomplished storyteller, so many thanks to Lizzie for writing this and Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to have a copy in exchange for an honest review. I had a total escape today from the weather, covid and Brexit.

So what is this about:

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...

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)?

What to say about this?! I really enjoyed this book. I just loved Birdy, she is such a good character. This book is foody's dream.
And James how cute is he?!
I must say that this book gave my a little anxiety. I was expecting other shoe to drop the whole book. That is way only 4 stars. This book gave my nerves a work out. Lol.

Birdy is a ypung woman who hasn't yet got her act together so when her sommelier friend Heather goes to Italy leaving a Scottish hotel without a wine waiter, Birdy steps in. After all how difficult could it be? She looks at the website and sees a run down hotel with a pretty small wine list and decides to have a go. Trouble is, she has no qualifications and little idea of wine. And the hotel is clearly on the up with an ambitious chef and a massive wine list.

This is an ok read. I didn't warm to the character of Birdy. I've read too many similar stories where a young woman gets herself into a pickle and i certainly didn't find it 'laugh out loud'. It's redeemed slightly by a sympathetic take on alcoholism and an attempt to explain Birdy's behaviour by attachment issues. This latter though was sketched over and clumsily done.

I also wasn't convinced by the setting. The west coast of Scotland in summer and no references to midges? Come on!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

A sweet read. I wondered how Birdie managed to get herself in such a pickle, and I enjoyed reading about her adventures in a remote hotel in Scotland where she is working as a sommelier, even though she isn’t....... I came to like Birdie and understood her reasons for getting in such a web of deceit towards her best friend, employer and her colleagues. The book is about self discovery, friendships, love, secrets and what can be achieved through hard work. An enjoyable debut novel and I’ll definitely be looking out for Lizzy Dent’s next book. One for the suitcase, if we’re ever allowed to go on holiday again!

What Birdy thinks will just be a fun trip turns in to something more as she pretends to be her best friend Heather to get a live-in job in a posh hotel in Scotland. she soon realises that she risks letting a lot of people down, not just Heather, but James who she meets and works with in Scotland. Will she be able to dig herself out of the hole she created?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a book that makes me pretend that I could be on holiday. Will definitely re-read it. Loved it.

I enjoyed this story and I flew through it. It made me feel as if I was in the Highlands, which is a great release during these covid times. The character of Birdy is complex but compelling in this chick-lit, which I thought was refreshing.