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.

This is a good story of love, loss and opportunities missed. I totally understood that a child of an adulterous parent would not want the same for their children. Multi faceted characters here, hardly anyone is totally good. The infertility is well handled, showing the total heartbreak of looking at other peoples children. I was very invested in the main character.

Such a beautiful story of love, loyalty, family and fate.
Rachel has her life all planned out, but a chance encounter with Gabe threatens to unbalance her normally steady life.
I loved this book.

I was intrigued by and liked the premise of SPRING, SUMMER, AUTUMN, US... a love spanning over 40 years for two people yet never getting to truly be together. However, I must say fell a little flat to me. There were moments that were sad yes, but I didn't quite feel them on a deep level, which is what I look for in an emotional read. So I wasn't particularly invested in Rachel and Gabe. I did appreciate the ending and when Rachel is able to see the true Jonny.

Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the ARC.

This took me about 30% to get into it, but once I did, it was an absolute page turner.

The years between meetings became intriguing to me as I eagerly awaited the gaps of Gabe's life to be filled. The chemistry between Gabe and Rachel just beamed off the page. Loved the build up towards the ending, so tense and surprising.

Addictive reading, relatable characters, like it how it went through the decades. Glorious storytelling.

I just couldn't put this book down. The characters were so clearly defined it made me feel as if I already knew them. We were enveloped in Rachel's world, not always easy for her in the past meaning she clung to any sense of security. But this security was challenged when she met an attractive American and we follow Rachel through the successes in her career and dilemmas in her personal life. This is a story of love, loss, sacrifice and self worth.

A great story..
Rachel grows up in a middle class village in Oxfordshire. She is besotted by Jonniy who is a year older when still in school.
She eventually gets her man and marries. She only wants to make him and his daughter happy until she bumps into Gabe at a seasons party. It is love at first sight but being the loyal wife she sticks with Jonny to hold her family together. Her love for Gabe doesnt progress very far although their feelings never waivers.
I do love a good love story. Is it happy ever after? Read it.

Rachel and Jonny are engaged, saving hard for their wedding. Already living together, Rachel is the breadwinner as Jonny aspires to be a best selling author. One fateful day in Spring 1986 Rachel meets a handsome stranger, Gabe, and for them both nothing is ever the same. Over the decades chance bring them together on random occasions, and their feelings intensify.

I’m not usually a reader of romantic novels but the premise of this one appealed.

An interesting story, if a little predictable, but very slow and far too long. A lot of unnecessary filling, needed to get on with it. I found the character of Rachel frustrating, just wanted her to see what Jonny was really like.

An obvious ending, but took a long time to get there, both in the story and for the reader.

2.5*

Thank you NetGalley.

Not a bad story, written well and the characters are well developed. Thank you for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

I really enjoyed this book, and was tearful at the ending.
Rachel is engaged to marry Jonny when she meets Gabe, and American visiting his Aunt Julia who lives in the village. Gabe is attracted to Rachel and lets her know it, but Rachel is more circumspect. Although she enjoys his company, because of trauma in her past, she is committed to the path of a safe and secure life in the village where she grew up.
Gabe returns to America and their lives move on until they meet again accidentally in Morocco and their feelings are the same, but life still gets in the way. It's a lovely story, focused more on Rachel's life, but very sad that her sense of duty to an inadequate stops her from living her life to the full.
Recommended.

This was a beautiful read. Frustrating in places, a little predictable in others but overall a beautiful story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

Four chance meetings between Rachel and Gabe over four decades and four seasons. They love each other but Rachel is with Jonny and committed to making their relationship work - can there ever be a happy ending?

Oh my.... this will they, won't they story should definitely be a film - the author does an amazing job of describing the four time periods and the characters over the four decades. I became quite cross with Rachel on more than one occasion! Lovely book, very VERY highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Well crafted and written love story with strong characters. Some beautiful turns of phrase. Overall I found it a sad story of lost opportunity. Would certainly look for other novels by this author.

This book brings romance to life within the characters, so much happens in this book which makes every single page worth reading

A lovely story about Rachel, who met Gabe just as she was launching into a new life with Jonny and can't forget him. This is her life over decades and how Gabe is always out there- popping up periodically and then disappearing again. Rachel's live has never been easy but she sticks to it. I liked her, wasn't a fan of Jonny and wondered about Gabe. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

hank you to NetGalley for the arc of this book!
Over four decades and four chance encounters, with the same man, Rachel has to decide whether she should settle with the life she always wanted or fight for the version she’s meant to be living!

I was initially drawn to this book as I thought the concept as whole was something that I would enjoy! As someone who regularly reads the typical romance tropes, I was eager to mix up my style of books!

I did enjoy reading this book as a whole, however, I felt that the plot did drag on a far bit. Being that it wasn’t too large a book, I felt that it took me quite a while to read- Although that could have been because I’m not used to Collins’ style of writing! I also found that it was fairly repetitive and somewhat predictable- I became frustrated with Rachel’s character, I couldn’t understand why it took her so long to finally stand up for herself and get some self respect! That aside - I still liked the concept of Spring Summer Autumn Us but I don’t think I would rush to read it again any time soon! ⭐️⭐️.5

This was very well written and at times emotional story. I don't think it can be classified as a romance more of women's literature with romantic elements. I really connected with Rachel and could understand the decisions she made in her life and how our pasts can shape our futures. The characters in the novel were all well developed and didn't just feel like side characters. My only complaint was it took a little while for me to really get into and feel invested but I never felt like I didn't want to finish the book. This was my first book by Fiona Collins and I would be interested in reading more from her. I want to thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I know this is going to be a story that will stay with me for a long time ❤️ My god, so heartbreaking in so many ways. Now, I’ve finished it I love and appreciate the title and it’s poignancy.

Before Gabe even came into the picture, I did not like Jonny. His gradual descent into an actual villain was hard to read and perfect. Gabe and Rachel’s initial encounter in the spring was just 🥰 So obviously meant to be.

The rest of their meetings were achingly perfect. When I turned the page from 2008 and saw it was 2019, I had to put the book down an take a moment to collect myself. It’s been so long since I’ve had to do that, and only the best books can do it to you ❤️

Urgh I just know I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time. All that wasted time. Painful. But beautifully so. Because the ending was just perfect, really.

Rachel has committed to Jonny, thinking that he is “the one.” She is ready to marry this author and be a stepmom. She also hopes to open her own gallery. Potential complications ensue however when Rachel meets Gabe.

In this book that covers a wide time span, Rachel is placed in situations where she must decide whether to stay with Jonny or go with Gabe, to whom she feels an attraction.

Spend time with Rachel and those around her as she tries to figure out what she wants from life (over and over). It is a situation that readers will relate to in this enjoyable read.

Many thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.