Rachel is ready for the perfect life - to get married, start a family, own a gallery, be successful. And she is ready for this with Jonny. That is until she meets Gabe, an American artist by chance at a party. For the first time, she begins to wonder what if. Over the course of four decades, chance encounters with Gabe have her questioning her life and the path that's meant for her.

I've said this in previous reviews, but love triangles are typically not my jam. I decided to take a shot on this one as the premise really had me hooked. And I thought this book was winning me over the more I read. I was rooting for Rachel. I was falling for Gabe. I was contemplating life, love and relationships. The story brings up many interesting questions and forces the reader to self-reflect.

It's obvious to the reader as we visit Rachel for snippets of time each decade that she may be content, but she's not truly happy. The author dropped hints regarding Jonny's true character as the story progressed which made it increasingly frustrating when Rachel prioritized security over herself. Gabe challenged her, saw her as an equal, loved her, and chose her every time. Every encounter they had was serendipity, but never enough.

I think I would've loved this book if the 2008 encounter ended as Rachel intended. I would've been over the moon. She finally had a breakthrough and was ready to choose herself! When the next section started in 2019 and I realized what happened I was MAD. To make matters worse, Jonny basically became a full on villain (aka the real accident story) before Rachel took any action. Like come on - there were many reasons and clues before the final reveal which felt like it was pulled from a whole other novel. I so wish Rachel would've realized this sooner because it honestly felt like she never would've made the right choice. I get why Rachel longed for stability when we learn about her parents, but the 2019 jump was the final straw for me. Thank goodness my man Gabe played the long game because Rachel took way too long to come to her senses. While the ending made me happy, I couldn't help but feel cheated on the wasted years for Rachel and Gabe.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I had little idea what to expect from this book, but I enjoyed it hugely.

Spanning four seasons and four decades, this story follows Rachel, who we first meet in the '80s when she's in her twenties, about to marry aspiring author Jonny and become stepmother to his little girl. And that's when she first meets Gabe, a handsome American on a short visit to his aunt in their Oxfordshire village, and sparks a connection that will never quite go away, despite the many years between their meetings.

I think this is the first book I've read by Fiona Collins, but she writes very well. I liked Rachel's character a lot, and I also fell a little in love with "quiet American" Gabe.

The relationship between Rachel and her fiancé-later-husband Jonny, who becomes a very successful author of spy novels (though isn't Nikita a boy's name in Russia?) is really well drawn, too. Jonny was a believable if frustrating character. When you've built a life together for many years, is it really possible to walk away?

A story about the seasons and the passage of time, art (I loved Rachel's seasons-themed gallery), love of different kinds and the parts of ourselves that we suppress or allow other people to suppress. A really engaging and evocative read.

What an amazing book about a woman who chooses stability and safety over a crazy passionate true love. Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this book! What a read. Collins' setting, whilst fictional, is totally recognisable and believeable; it was the perfect backdrop to this story!

Rachel and Gabe - star crossed lovers - the attraction is evident from the first moment they meet. The problem is that Rachel is already 'in love' with Jonny, and her back story which is intricately revealed throughout the novel, means that she is not prepared to take a chance on destabilising her life.

I wanted her to take a chance on Gabe, and it was not clear how this book would end. Rachel's life is safe and steady but it is all about Jonny and as the novel drew to a close his true character is revealed and he is far from all that he seems.

Rachel's trip to Marrakesh about halfway through the book is the most evocative, masterful storytelling I have enjoyed in a very long time. I have never visited Marrakesh but I could imagine myself there, so convincing are the descriptions of the streets, bazaars and restaurants. Such a romantic, claustrophobic backdrop for Rachel and Gabe's will-they. won't-they relationship to develop against. The dry humour of an unexpected visitor and the repeat visit to a famous restaurant...

Life is not unkind to Rachel in this book, more unfortunate - her compassion and need to love and be loved for herself shine through. Her relationship as step-mother to Teddy felt real and gritty and far from perfect, but true and genuine at the same time. There is an irony that one of Teddy's last gifts to Rachel is to show her what real love could be.

Wow! I could dive right back in and read it all again straight away!

I wanted so much to love this. I felt as though it had all the right ingredients for me. But it was so slow. And Rachel was so leaden. I found it pretty hard to warm to her and her poor choices. I was just glad when it was all over. I'm sorry.

I begin this review with tears in my eyes having just finished reading it. Maybe I am an old romantic at heart or maybe just that so many things which happened to Rachel remind me of my past as I am a contemporary of the main character. The story is set over four seasons in four decades and yes it is a slow burner but beautifully told that it enwraps you in it all and doesn't let go. The author's description of Marrakesh is so true to life that I was immediately back there with all the heat and the smells and the people. To the reviewer who questioned about living together in 1986 being taboo - yes it was, for many people! The book reminded me, in parts, of "The Bridges of Madison County" which I adore too. So if you want a different love story to read then this is for you.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review..

↠ 2.5 stars (rounded up)

i'm not sure about what to rate this book, but i feel it goes somewhere between 2 and 3 stars. in my rating system 2 stars means mediocre, and 3 stars means mostly decent. so i'll give this one a 2.5, rounded up.

i must confess that i had high expectations for this book, intrigued and optimistic about the premise after reading its synopsis. the concept of reuniting with someone every few years creates a fascinating storyline that immediately captured my attention. turns out, as i read on, the author lost the plot somewhere along the way. for example, the book created a strong sense of empathy in me towards rachel, as we witness her struggles as a child living in a toxic environment with her parents. nevertheless, we never gained a broader insight into her childhood in that noxious household, only a few memories through inner monologue, without even a flashback to her relationship with each parent. thus i was left feeling upset and disappointed.

the romance felt beyond dull and flat. it was like the characters fell in love too easily without really knowing each other well. the author didn't put much effort into making us believe in their love. i mean, an american calls you pretty, and you instantly fall head over heels in love, willing to go through so much, when you barely even know each other's favorite color or middle name? it just seems implausible to be in love with someone without any solid basis for that emotion. it did feel like they were in love at times, but the author made no real effort to make us believe it. gabe would merely say "oh, i love you so much, pretty woman whose face reminds me of the sunshine." however, we never see him giving her flowers or any romantic gestures to give his words any trueness.

i don't intend to be harsh, but it seems like the author attempted to recreate something akin to "before sunrise" and "before sunset," but failed miserably. the before trilogy gives us two hours of two people talking, getting to know each other, falling in love with the details they learn about one another. however, this book offers nothing similar; it feels like an ugly and failed attempt to imitate it.

despite this, the writing sparkles and kept me going until the last page. if it had depended on the characters and my willingness to see their next encounter, i wouldn't have made it to page 100. additionally, the book could have been much shorter, perhaps only 300 pages. there was no need for a four hundred page book that continued to repeat the same events and emotions without any real angst, thrilling events, or plot twists.

[spoiler alert]

rachel never got to have her own children as she so desperately desired, and worse still, we never found out why she couldn't bear a child. we never learned more about her gallery or khalid and gabe's friendship. it all felt superficial, especially with her parents and jonny's accidents, as i saw both of those "twists" coming.

[spoiler ends here]

overall, the characters in this book were forgettable, and so was the story. however, like i've already said, the writing itself is striking, and i would definitely consider reading more of fiona collins' works in the future.

my gratitude to netgalley, the publisher and the author for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review!

Four seasons, four decades, four encounters a with the same man, it sounded like it would be a great read & right up my street, I couldn’t wait to start this however it wasn’t as good as I thought it was going to be unfortunately.

I felt like it just lacked something … each decade with the same outcome, it was a bit of a lull, that being said it picked up over the last half of the book & I did want to know more about Rachel’s husband Johnny & his road to success but all in all apart from Gabe the characters weren’t very deep, there was no real exploration or character building.

It’s quite an easy read but just wasn’t for me I’m afraid,

I’d describe this book as realistic fiction. The author has done a fantastic job of creating imaginary characters and situations that depict the world and society. The characters focus on themes of growing, self-discovery and confronting personal and social problems. The language is clear, concise, and evocative, with descriptions that bring the setting and characters to life. Dialogue is natural and authentic, and the pacing is well-balanced, with enough tension and release to keep the reader engaged.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.

Contented in a loving relationship when a chance encounter sparks something inside. Stay or go and start over? Staying is not the easiest decision and going would rock the safe foundation so essential to well being and sense of self.
At times you want to shout and shake the characters but it will keep you guessing right the way through. There is not just romantic love but love of home, self, family and friends that can tie us to a place.
Enjoy I did

The poignancy in this story made my heart ache and tears were shed, but oh, such a wonderful tale of love and duty and I'm so glad it had the ending that I wanted

I did actually enjoy this book but was somewhat frustrated by the main characters Rachel and Gabe who just seemed trapped and unable to move their relationship forward, especially Rachel. I liked the seasonal theme but was slightly bemused by the depiction of an English village (and it's residents) near Oxford, which seemed slightly unbelievable and I think if the book had been set 2 or 3 decades earlier might have worked even with the progression.

Rachel seemed quite naïve in her life, despite being a successful business woman, she is has a strong sense of duty to her partner Jonny who is subtly controlling and demanding which Rachel, unbelievably, can't see. Each meeting between the two main characters are 10 years apart and more intense each time. A light enough read and I did enjoy it putting aside my frustrations!

I adored this book reading it all in one sitting. I loved the characters of Rachel and Gabe and spent the whole book willing them to get together but understanding the resaons they had to be apart. I was so invested in them and their happiness. Rachel is a wonderful character I was empathetic to her situation and her need for stability and what she thought was security. I enjoyed the way the seasons that Gabe and Rachel meet reflect their age for example meeting in the spring of their youth. It showed the passage of time and their maturity and life experience. I need this book to be made into a movie, I just adored reading it and was sad to finish.

I didn't really know what to expect from this book but I really liked what I got. Well written with a storyline that hooked me in right from the start and well developed characters

Well this isn’t my normal type of read but the premise was interesting so I thought I’d give it a go and boy am I glad I did!
This wasn’t a good read, it was an exquisitely beautiful read. It made me cry, broke my heart and then made it sing with joy. We first meet Rachel, and Rachel meets Gabe, in May 1986 and she’s to meet him again in July 1997, October 2008 and finally in December 2019. The distances between their meetings are long, and their lives change greatly in between each meeting, but they never forgot the electric connection they have.
Rachel is all things to everyone, girlfriend, wife, stepmother, outstanding person in a supporting role, that never quite puts herself first. But she’s happy, she has everything she wished for, isn’t she? doesn’t she?
A great read and I loved how in each time period there was mentions of things that happened in real life in those times which made it all the more relatable too.
Curl up with a glass or wine or a mug of hot chocolate and immerse yourself in Rachel and Gabe, I guarantee you won’t regret it

Spring 1986, Oxford. Rachel has landed on her feet: engaged to handsome author Jonny, soon to be stepmother to his young daughter Teddy, and with a dream to open her own art gallery. It’s everything she wished for during her unsettled childhood. So when she meets candid and carefree American artist Gabe at a party and feels a familiar spark, she knows she needs to resist.

But as her perfect life moves forward, Gabe is never far away, and there’s no denying the lure of the spontaneous, wildly adventurous existence he seems to offer. His is a world of endless possibilities—ones Rachel can’t let herself be tempted by if she’s ever to stay the safe course with Jonny. But how can she focus on the life she thought she wanted when she can’t help imagining the alternative?

One thing’s for certain: Gabe is more than a minor character in Rachel’s life. And as their paths intersect over seasons and decades, each meeting presents Rachel with a choice that could alter everything, and she has to wonder whether the life story she once fought for is the version she’s meant to be living…

A lovely read

Spring, Summer, Autumn, Us was such an emotional rollercoaster. I feel as if a lot of us have been in Rachels shoes at one point or another. Reliving certain times, certain people, and feelings that don't ever go away no matter your current situation. I wanted to scream at Rachel to let go and live the life she wanted that Gabe showed her, but I can also see from a personal standpoint why she clung to the safe and familiarity of Johnny.

*Thank you to Author Fiona Collins, Amazon Publishing UK, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I'm a big fan of Fiona Collins writing and this book didn't disappoint. I was swept along with the story, longing for the HEA, which was perfect when it was delivered. What made this a 4 rather than 5 star read was I struggled to understand why Rachel still remained stead fast in her marriage come the Autumn & Winter sections of the book. However my frustration didn't stop me thoroughly enjoying it.

Marshmallow with many coincidences and implausible central characters

I feel really sorry I requested this, as this has been a classic case of a book and a reader not being suited.
The ‘romance genre’ , which this absolutely is, full stop, is not one I have ever sought out. I read MANY books, which ARE absolutely about the trajectories of love, the romantic encounter, and relationships as a major focus, but they are rather more shelved and sold as ‘Literary Fiction’.

This felt curiously old-fashioned in its female protagonist, not to mention its male one. Beginning in 1986, when Rachel, living in a ‘timeless’ English village is in her mid twenties. The rest of the population, apart from Rachel and her fiancé Jonny and his young daughter from his first marriage, seem to be middle aged or older, stockbroker belt conservative types, slightly shocked (in 1986???) by the fact Rachel and Jonny are living together, not yet married. Rachel has two part time jobs, one as a waitress, one as an ‘assistant’ in the Art Gallery – really a fairly twee gift shop.

Rachel has had some tragic family history, and is remarkably naïve for a mid twenties woman in 1986 England. I would have found the culture she is within a little behind the times 30 years earlier. Her fiancé, Jonny, is yearning for success as a writer of spy thrillers

Into the mix comes the incredibly handsome, but also incredibly deep-thinking, noble and sensitive hero, American Gabe, visiting his ‘eccentric,’ but in fact, far more of the times themselves, aunt Julia

Rachel and Gabe have a totally innocent but intense sense of each other as soul mates based on a couple of fleeting, socially busy encounters.

And various coincidences means this happens again, 3 more times, roughly 10 years apart, each time. There is no contact between them between the 1986 meeting, the extraordinary coincidence of a meeting in North Africa – where neither of them live, in the mid 90’s, and then again, for the 2 further meetings.

There are several other implausible coincidences and I’m afraid I correctly identified every one of them, well ahead of their happening, every bit of shock and surprise. So, predictable for me

There are also dark secrets which the central character knows, and has found out, but the author dangles suspensefully in front of the reader. This feels like a manipulation, and the workings are all too visible.

If, as I read, I am always aware of the author’s technique, disbelief is never suspended

The main problem was the problem of Rachel herself, far too spineless for her time, and equally, we are constantly TOLD about the depths she has stirred in noble Gabe, but it frankly seemed a bit remarkable, Rachel seemed utterly limp, for far far too long.

I quite enjoyed reading this but it was very frustrating as the two main characters meet and fail to develop the relationship, producing a repetitive result each meeting. I’m afraid i found it rather superficial with a predictable outcome.
The routine life of the village was also rather repetitive so while i was engaged hopefully with the two main characters and wanted their relationship to succeed I wanted to skip through as each chapter was too similar.