Member Reviews

This was so delightful and sweet I couldn’t put it down! I loved all the point of views from every side. Everyone had their own story to tell and I loved how it all wove together. Read the entire thing in one day. 😍

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Three women. Three generations. Three stories.

Sarah Morgan's "The Summer Swap" weaves together the stories of Cecilia Lapthorne, her daughter Kirstin, and Lily, a young struggling artist who has been staying in Cecilia's unoccupied Dune Cottage, This book beautifully weaves together the stories of the three women, their lives, and their loves.

On her 75th birthday, Cecilia finds herself at a birthday party she doesn't want and flees the celebration for the long unoccupied Dune Cottage. Young artist, Lily, has been staying at the cottage, assuming the long-absent owners wouldn't notice. Cecilia's arrival marks the start of an unlikely friendship between the two. Cecilia's daughter, Kirstin, has had a rocky relationship with her mother and is struggling with not only her marriage bur the grief over the recent death of her father. Morgan expertly tales the stories of the three women as they work to find themselves and their own happiness. This read sucked me in from cover to cover.

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Any book set on the Cape is bound to be good. This did not disappoint. I loved seeing the unexpected friendship between Cecelia and Lily throughout the book.

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I love a good cape cod summer novel, and this one didn’t disappoint! It was a quick and enjoyable beach read, and I will be picking up Sarah Morgan’s Christmas novel next for sure!

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My first read by this author was a holiday read this past winter, and I just loved her writing! The way she builds a story, the setting, the depth of the characters and plot makes you feel so invested. Her books are always so warm and cozy, with stories that are good for the soul. This was the perfect read by the pool!

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There is just something about a novel featuring multi-generation family saga that pulls me in and keeps me engaged.
Told in third person points-of-views from Cecelia (grandmother), Kristen (daughter) and Lily (friend of Kristen’s son). It connects themes of grief, potential infidelity reconnections, and present and future romance, along with spats and reconciliation that goes hand in hand with a tight knit family. What an amazing, illustrative cover-it gives a peek into part of the plot line involving paintings and artwork. This was my first book by the author and I am looking forward to reading more from her! If you like Elin Hildebrand, Mary Kay Andrew’s or Kristin Higgins, I think you will like this author too.

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I generally enjoy Sarah Morgan and was excited to get an arc for this one. It was a very quick and pleasant read. I dint find fault with the characters or storyline but did think it was just sort of a 'meh' for me. It was a no muss no fuss beach read. Low drama, some intrigue.

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3.5 rounded up to 4. Sarah Morgan is very good at telling a story with multiple narrators who are each experiencing the same events but from their own points of view. I very much enjoyed Cecilia finding her footing as a single woman in her 70s after the death of her husband, and Lily finding a way to live as the artist she is instead of the doctor that her parents wanted her to be; I was much less interested in Kristen and her struggling marriage, though I did like how she and her mother, Cecilia, worked on their relationship to become closer.

As with all of Sarah's books, the supporting characters are a little too perfect and everything ties up quickly and ideally, but this was a sweet, quick read that is just right for the summer.

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"The Summer Swap" introduces us to Cecilia Lapthorne, the recent widow of famous artist Cameron Lapthorne. Cecilia has been keeping secrets from her family, who all think that she and her husband had a wonderful relationship. But really, it was far from idyllic, and she is grateful to finally be figuring out what she wants out of life. But when her daughter, Kristen, puts her in an awkward position, she runs away to face ghosts from the past that no one else even knows about.

As she works to sort through the challenges of the past, she starts to see ways to remake her life that ultimately bring her closer to her family and opens new opportunities for the next phase of her life.

I really enjoyed the characters and storyline of this book. And the setting is one I'd love to visit in real life.

Thank you to Sarah Morgan, Harlequin, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

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Family drama in multiple points of view, set in the dreamy Cape Cod? Sounds like the recipe for the perfect summer read if you ask me, and the perfect summer read The Summer Swap was. I really loved the development of these women over the course of the book. It was heartwarming to watch them face unique challenges and I enjoyed seeing them grow. It is a must add read to your summer list!

Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press, and NetGalley for this digital ARC.

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The Summer Swap was such a cozy summer read! I absolutely loved the setting, and reading this book on the beach helped the story come alive and allowed me to escape into their world. This book brought out a lot of raw emotion in me while reading and I was able to really connect with the characters. There was grief, family drama, self-discovery, and second chances, and although there was a lot going on, it was executed perfectly.

I loved that we were given 3 POV's from the main characters. It allowed me to connect with each of them and get a deeper perspective of their feelings and internal struggles. I strongly related to Lily's character, having been in a similar situation taking two years off from college and dealing with the disappointment from my family. Having that personal connection to her character allowed me to feel her feelings as I read.

This book did a great job of showcasing women supporting women! I think that having each of our FMC's being different ages at different stages in life was a great choice. This was my first book by Sarah Morgan, and I look forward to reading more of her work!

Thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC!

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4.5 Stars The Summer Swap is the story of three different women who are interconnected dealing with family, marriage, and healing, as well as finding romance. Lily Thomas is an aspiring artist, who had dropped out of medical school when she realized she didn't want the pressure and that she enjoyed her art history course. At that time not only were her parents upset, but her best friend, Hannah Buckingham was so upset, that their argument ended a friendship since they were young. She is squatting in a cottage that she is the caretaker for, not knowing that it belongs to Hannah's grandmother, Cecelia Lapthorne. Cecelia thought her artist husband had sold the cottage years ago. When he dies, she finds out that he never did, and although she never wanted to return to Dune Cottage, she is hiding out from her family, who are having a party for her birthday and to memorialize her husband. She wants not part of it and escapes to the cottage. The third woman is Cecelia's daughter and Hannah's mother. Kristen Buckingham. She loves her husband, surgeon Theo, but he doesn't seem to love her, at least their family and marriage isn't as important as his job. As this story unfolds, we see these three women deal with their grief, hurts, failed love, family and decide how to move forward.

I really enjoy Sarah Morgan's women's fiction, and this was another enjoyable story. Seeing three women that have ties to one another, although not close ones, deal with three completely different problems, was interesting. I liked all the women, and their growth in their relationships, as well as making decisions about what they wanted was relatable. I like books where women support one another and that was evident in this story. There is some romance, but that is not the main story, it is as a result of their growth and problem solving. The ancillary relationships that are also sorted as a result of these women and their choices was also a pleasant surprise. Secrets often have to come out to solve problems and forgive yourself and others, and that worked well in this book. The theme of family, was also present. With three generations of one family, problems they encounter and secrets they keep from one another, there is bound to be problems and some reconciliation needed. I also have to say that I really liked Todd. Although he allowed himself to be taken in by a not very nice woman, he seemed to have a level head on his shoulders and was very accepting of his grandmother's choices and reasons for them. I enjoyed this book, but some of the situations were a bit too easy to solve and formulaic to make it a 5 star read, but it is close. Overall, this was an easy to read story, with problems that three women eventually sort out, and an uplifting and hopeful ending. Exactly what I love about Sarah Morgan's books.

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I loved the characters in this story and the way their lives/stories meshed together. Set in a Cape Cod beach town city, the writing makes you feel like you are there by the beach. Its a romance at the beach with family drama sprinkled throughout. really heartwarming summer read.

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The Summer Swap follows Celia, Kristen, and Lily as each woman faces life changes, heartache, and loss. All three of these women are connected, but you get to learn each woman’s story, and I feel like this format worked really well for this story. I especially loved Celia and her story, and she is responsible for my favorite line from the book: “Better to waste a few years than a whole life. And is anything really a waste? We learn as much from what goes wrong as we do from what goes right.”

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press, and NetGalley for this digital ARC.

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I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. This was my favorite book by author Sarah Morgan. I loved the characters, the setting, and the intertwining stories. I didn't want it to end.

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The Summer Swap by Sarah Morgan was everything I wanted and MORE! From a lovely Cape Cod beach town setting, to fully developed, rich characters, to the amazing plot lines that intertwined. I highly recommend this beach read for anyone looking for an escape this summer. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the free advanced readers copy. All opinions are my own!

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I absolutely ADORED this book! It had everything that I could ask for in a book. The characters were well developed and I found myself staying up way past my bedtime to sneak a few more chapters in. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this amazing book! I will definitely be sharing it with all of my fellow book lovers!

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Such a good summer read! Heartwarming! Sarah Morgan is quickly becoming a favorite! Will definitely recommend.

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Sarah Morgan's "The Summer Swap" is a delightful and heartwarming tale of unexpected connections, personal growth, and the transformative power of stepping outside one's comfort zone. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the French countryside, the novel follows the lives of two women, Rosie and Sarah, who impulsively decide to swap homes for the summer.

Rosie Ellis, a workaholic Londoner, finds herself in the quaint village of Moulin des Roches, seeking solace from a recent heartbreak and hoping to reconnect with her creative side. Meanwhile, Sarah Smith, a single mother and aspiring artist, steps into Rosie's sleek London apartment, eager to explore new opportunities and provide her daughter with a summer to remember.

Morgan's writing is evocative and immersive, capturing the essence of both settings with vivid detail and charm. The French village comes alive through its bustling markets, fragrant bakeries, and close-knit community, providing a picturesque contrast to the bustling streets of London.

Central to the novel are its compelling characters and their journeys of self-discovery. Rosie and Sarah are intricately drawn protagonists, each grappling with personal challenges and insecurities while navigating the unfamiliar terrain of their temporary homes. Their friendship blossoms organically as they support and inspire each other to embrace new experiences and confront their fears.

"The Summer Swap" excels in its exploration of themes such as friendship, second chances, and the importance of taking risks to pursue happiness. Morgan skillfully intertwines moments of humor, romance, and introspection, creating a narrative that is as uplifting as it is poignant.

While the novel embraces its feel-good elements, it also delves into deeper emotional layers, addressing themes of loss, healing, and the resilience of the human spirit. The relationships between Rosie, Sarah, and the vibrant supporting cast—including love interests and local villagers—add depth and authenticity to the story, illustrating the profound impact of connection and community.

In conclusion, "The Summer Swap" is a charming and beautifully crafted novel that transports readers to idyllic locales while exploring themes of self-discovery and the power of friendship. Sarah Morgan's skillful storytelling and heartfelt prose make this book a perfect choice for anyone seeking a heartwarming escape into the joys of summer and the possibilities of new beginnings.

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The Summer Swap by Sarah Morgan was a wonderful summer read. Great characterizations and plot points. This author is quickly becoming one of my go to authors.

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