Summer Secrets

The Cottage on Lily Pond Lane #2 

by Emily Harvale

Goodreads

Amazon US / UK  

 

#LilyPondLane

Escape to the seaside village of Little Pondale with Part Two of this heart-warming and romantic, four-part serial.

Mia Ward was amazed to inherit her great-aunt Matilda’s thatched cottage in the tiny seaside village of Little Pondale – especially as Mia didn’t know she had a great-aunt Matilda. She was even more astonished to discover she’d only inherit the place if she lives there for a year.

Now Mia and her friends, Ella and Garrick are embracing village life. Garrick’s also embracing someone in The Frog and Lily, so Mia turns her attention to one or two of her sexy, single neighbors. But great-aunt Matilda remains an enigma and Mia’s still determined to discover who she was.

When Mia’s mum, Lori arrives, she’s eager to see what the summer has to offer. There’s the Kite Festival, the Fête, the Frog Hill Run, but what really appeals to Lori, much to Mia’s horror, is the Midsummer Night’s naked bathing in the pond at Frog’s Hollow.

As sweltering days surrender to sultry nights, love is definitely in the air. And when an incident means Mia has to face her greatest fear, help arrives from a surprising source. But one thing is clear… someone is trying to make sure Mia doesn’t stay in Little Pondale…

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I know this is mean but after spending all morning with her I’m beginning to wonder if Hector didn’t throw himself into the path of that car and his death had nothing at all to do with the curse of Frog’s Hollow.

 

They had tried to get Garrick to join them but he said his singing voice sounded like a rhino being strangled in a mud hole and whilst Mia had no clue as to what sound that would make, it probably wasn’t pleasant, so they’d left him in the pub.

 

Wait and see if he asks you out. Or go to his bakery and ask to see his buns.

 

“Well, all I can say is if only I were a few years younger, Alexia Bywater would have serious competition, deary. I was a pretty young thing you know and my body was curvier than hers. Flexible too. I could wrap my legs around my neck, you know, dear. Probably still could if it weren’t for a touch of arthritis.” A rather unpleasant vision of Hettie with her legs wrapped around Garrick’s neck popped into Mia’s head as Garrick choked on his coffee and Ella made a curious sound, almost like a clucking chicken.

 

He smiled tenderly and Mia was sure a bone in her ribcage must have broken because something had just pierced her heart.

 

My Review:

 

I am continuing to groove on this light and fun new series with the second installment ushering in more mysterious elements to the storyline. Mia appears to have stirred up some animus within the quaint little village as ominous tidings began arriving on her doorstep, an activity that is in addition to the residents’ favorite pastimes of gossiping and betting on how long she will last. Mia seems to have become as fickle as a fourteen-year-old middle schooler, although in her defense, there does seem to be a surfeit of handsome single men in one place. The plot lines are thickening as the characters already have been well established, and the humor advances with the arrival of Mia’s feisty mother. Love is in the air but warnings from a fortune-teller may have muddled things a bit. I learned two new phrases to boast about with one to add to my Brit list and the other appearing to be more universal, but I was unfamiliar with the delightful term of “bingo wings” which is an extra fun label for underarm flab… although I lovingly call mine kimono arms. My Brit vocabulary list now includes the addition of “Jack the Lad,” which Mr. Google informed me was “a brash, cocky young man.” I do love learning new terminology.

AND COMING SOON –

 Part 3 – Autumn Leaves!

 

Author Bio –

Having lived and worked in London for several years, Emily returned to her hometown of Hastings where she now spends her days writing… and chatting on social media. Emily is a Member of the SoA, a PAN member of the RWA and a Pro Member of ALLi. She’s an Amazon bestseller and a Kindle All Star. Emily loves writing and her stories are sure to bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart.

Emily says, “I write about friendship, family and falling in love. I believe in happing endings.” When she isn’t writing, she can be found enjoying the stunning East Sussex coast and countryside, or in a wine bar with friends, discussing life, love and the latest TV shows. Chocolate cake is often eaten. She dislikes housework almost as much as she dislikes anchovies – and will do anything to avoid both.

Social Media Links – https://www.facebook.com/emilyharvalewriter

https://www.twitter.com/emilyharvale

https://www.instagram.com/emilyharvale