In Summer of Serenity, Nicola Marsh has written a heartfelt and meaningful story about releasing your past demons and moving on to a better life.
As punishment for his outspoken views on Education, Jy is sent to the seaside town of Acacia Haven to assess whether the small school should remain open.
After her initial apprehension Summer, a teacher at the school finds Jy easy-going and very good-looking.
What harm could a fling do, he is only in Acacia Haven for four weeks?
Rayne’s life has been filled with lies and secrets. Fifteen years after her husband walked out on her and Summer she can’t stop the lies because that would mean facing her past.
Summer of Serenity is a story about small-town closeness and the lack of resources for these communities. Just outside Acacia Haven is the small community of Serenity, not a hippy commune but an intentional community of like-minded people that believe in sustainability.
Through the teenagers of the local school, we see how this community believes in work ethic and learning through helping out around the community rather than attaining a University admission ranking. Work and life balance are fostered in the children of the community and they can still grow up to lead a fulfilling and purposeful life.
Small towns are often portrayed as everyone knowing everyone else’s business and Acacia Haven was no different. However, Nicola Marsh shows us that even in the closest of communities there are still secrets behind closed doors.
I enjoyed the different generational romances, how the different age groups handled situations differently, and the reasons behind why the characters were closed off to love. It all culminated in each of them bottling up their emotions, stopping them from moving forward with their lives.
Nicola Marsh was able to portray the lingering effects of domestic abuse without an abundance of graphic detail.
Summer of Serenity is a heart-warming story with plenty of ups and downs for the characters to negotiate but still leaving the reader guaranteed a happy ending.
Author: Nicola Marsh
ISBN: 9781867225409
Copy courtesy of Harper Collins
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club Members are reading Summer of Serenity by Nicola Marsh. You can read their comments below, or add your own review.
Thank you Beauty & Lace & Harper Collins for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
I love a good rural romance & Nicola Marsh never disappoints. Summer of Serenity is an easy, relaxing read that is fun & lighthearted while still addressing some serious topics such as domestic violence.
I found the characters to be well rounded & interesting & enjoyed the writing style with the playful dialogue between the two main characters – especially when Jy puts his number into Summer’s phone.
A great read that does not disappoint.
Thanks to Beauty and lace and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read Summer of Serenity.
As a fan of Nicola’s writing style I was so excited to see I was picked for this one and wasn’t disappointed reading it. It was a quick read, I read it easily in a few sittings.
Main characters Summer and Jy were relatable and although the story was predictiable, you could feel the characters vibes and attraction for each other which made you want to keep reading to see what was next.
I liked Summers mum a lot, and was so happy she found love after such a horrible relationship with Summers father.
The thing I loved most about this book was that it was situated close to me, mentioning Inverloch and Sale where I am about halfway between both and know both areas very well. It was amazing to actually picture the settings rather than just imagine 🙂
Well done Nicola on another great read
All I can say is wow! What a magnificent, well written book. As others have mentioned there is reference to domestic violence which may be a trigger for some. Personally it was a little bit of a trigger at times for me however it was also Empowering because I could relate to the story.
I absolutely loved the fact the book was set near to where I live as well, this made it even more relateable.
Absolutely loved this book and hope there is a sequel. Thank you Beauty and Lace and Nicola Marsh- congratulations on another brilliant book!
Summer of Serenity
Loved reading this heartfelt romance story set in a small town in the outback.
Summer O’reilly is the main character in the book she is a well loved and admired teacher and loved by her town folk.
Her school in Acacia Haven were the kids are a bit wild and love having fun and tending to there veggie garden instead of focusing on there VCE results which is the lowest in the state.
A teacher of a private school Jy had been appointed by his boss to spend 4 weeks in Acacia Haven and monitor the school and see if it is worth keeping or closing it down.
Of course he doesn’t get a friendly welcome when he arrives especially by Summer and the other teachers . Her mum Rayne O’reilly is also dealing with her own struggles from the past with her violent husband and needs to move on .
Will there be romance between Summer and Jy will her mum get over her violent husbands past .
You’ll have to read the book for yourself to find out what happens it will keep you intrigued until the end .
As I found you can’t just read a few chapters you will want to find out what happens .
Thankyou beauty and lace for the chance to read and review this fantastic book.