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Summer of Secrets: A riveting and heart-breaking novel about dark secrets and dangerous romances Kindle Edition

by Nikola Scott (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 866 ratings
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The unforgettable novel from Nikola Scott about two women - born decades apart - each faced with the knowledge that a man in their lives is not what he seems... Perfect for readers of Dinah Jefferies and Kate Morton.

AN EBOOK BESTSELLER

'An atmospheric and gripping read' My Weekly

'Wonderful characters and a very moving storyline' Sun

'I was completely enthralled' Kathryn Hughes

'I loved this touching exploration of love and its capacity for consolation and destruction... compelling and satisfying ' Judith Lennox

August 1939

At peaceful Summerhill, orphaned Maddy hides from the world and the rumours of war. Then her adored sister Georgina returns from a long trip with a new friend, the handsome Victor. Maddy fears that Victor is not all he seems, but she has no idea just what kind of danger has come into their lives...

Today

Chloe is newly pregnant. This should be a joyful time, but she is fearful for the future, despite her husband's devotion. When chance takes her to Summerhill, she's drawn into the mystery of what happened there decades before. And the past reaches out to touch her in ways that could change everything...

What readers are saying about Summer of Secrets:

'An absolute joy... If you only read one book this year I recommend this one' 5 Star Amazon Reviewer

'Nikola Scott has a magical way of piecing her stories together and has done her characters proud with the way she has written their journeys. An emotionally charged, harrowing and majestic novel' Kaisha at The Writing Garnet

'Such an intriguing story with a balance of lighter and darker moments. Rich in detail and beautifully told. Five stars from me!' Rachel at Rae Reads

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  1. Print length
    343 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Review
  5. Publication date
    September 6, 2018
  6. File size
    1839 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Nikola Scott: 'A well-written, intriguing read full of family secrets... Brilliant'―Fabulous

An intriguing twisting story with a lush opening and beautifully descriptive writing throughout. I loved it―Dinah Jefferies, author of THE TEA PLANTER'S WIFE

A delightful debut about family and secrets―Prima

A compelling family story... beautifully written... evokes vivid pictures of an English summer in the 1950s―Sheila O'Flanagan

An emotional and involving story―Woman & Home

Beautifully written―Daily Mail

A gripping family mysterytold in lush, evocative prose―Erin Kelly

Compelling, atmospheric and beautifully written...trembles with family secrets. I adored it―Victoria Fox

Delightful...Beautifully written and hugely enjoyable―The People

Absolutely captivating―www.josbookblog.co.uk

Poignant―www.bookphace.blogspot.co.uk

A satisfying tale with characters you wont forget―Sunday Express

An atmospheric and gripping read―My Weekly

Wonderful characters and a very moving storyline―Sun

Had me captivated from page one right through to the end... Moreish, full of emotion, drama and beautifully written. Highly recommended!!―Karen Mace, Books and Me

Nikola Scott has a magical way of piecing her stories together and she has done her characters proud with the way she has written their journeys. An emotionally charged, harrowing and majestic novel―Kaisha, The Writing Garnet

I couldn't tear myself away.... A compelling read. Heartbreaking and emotional, tense and gripping. This was my first book I've read by Nikola but it most definitely won't be the last!―Katie, Katie’s Book Cave

The perfect book to lose yourself in.... I found myself completely absorbed in the lives of the sisters both past and present―Jo, Over the Rainbow Book Blog

I really loved this book... The stories weave together seamlessly and are so cleverly aligned it is a joy to read―Julie, A Little Book Problem

Summer of Secrets is a book about family and friendship, secrets, trust and love. A tense read at times, especially in the last chapters. I thoroughly enjoyed it―Joanne, Portobello Book Blog

Nikola Scott has a real gift for writing sumptuous, atmospheric fiction, pulling you into her world immediately, keeping you captivated throughout and making it very difficult for you to want to let go by the end―Beth, Bibliobeth

Impossible to put down, utterly compelling, brilliant writing. Highly Recommended!―Hot Brands Cool Places

I urge you to go out and buy your copy now. I finished it last night and it's all I can think about since... Emotionally charged, heartbreaking and beautiful―Nicola, Novel Delights Book Blog

About the Author

Born in Germany, Nikola Scott studied English and American literature before moving abroad to work as a fiction editor in New York and London. After over a decade in book publishing, she decided to take the leap into becoming a full-time writer herself. Her debut novel, My Mother's Shadow, was published in 2017 and has been translated into more than ten languages. Nikola lives in Frankfurt with her husband and two sons.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07KFB31DC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Review (September 6, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 6, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1839 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 343 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 866 ratings

About the author

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Nikola Scott

Nikola Scott

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Nikola Scott was born and raised in Germany and studied at university there. Having been obsessed with books from a young age, Nikola moved to New York City to begin her first job in book publishing -- a career in which she could fully indulge her love of fiction. She spent ten years working in publishing in New York and then in London, editing other people's books, before she decided to take the leap into becoming a full-time writer herself. She now lives in Frankfurt with her husband and two sons.

Her novels My Mother's Shadow, Summer of Secrets and The Orchard Girls have all been international bestsellers and were translated widely around the world. Her new novel, The Life I Stole, is out now.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
866 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2023
Verified Purchase
Absolutely loved it! The bonding between siblings and the heartache of losing them. Troubled relationships with domineering men. Also a beautiful friendship is found through the pages of a children's storybook.
2 people found this helpful
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Jane Bartram
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good!
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2023
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Well written, interesting characters - a story of love, loss, heartbreak and life lessons. Touching story of two women who endured loss and tragedy decades apart, only to find and help each other gain courage, strength, success and peaceful resolution.
2 people found this helpful
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Robin Limmeroth
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it so much
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2018
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After my mom and I enjoyed her first book SO much, I had to pre-order the second one and couldn't wait to read it. I took it with me on an eight-hour plane ride and completely ignored the huge selection of on-board entertainment because I just could not put this book down. Her words make you completely forget where you are.
The two women's stories were both so gripping, when it switched from Maddy to Chloe and vice-versa I was excited to find out more about the one woman but hated to leave the other. I gave the book to my mom to read as well, and, not being able to put it down either, she sat on the veranda and read the entire book during the course of a day.
We're both looking forward to another book from this wonderful author!
7 people found this helpful
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Sybil Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2020
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I just finished this book and enjoyed it very much. It was really good and I hated for it to end. I already have My Mother’s Shadow on Kindle to read soon. Love her books💕💕
2 people found this helpful
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Sharon
3.0 out of 5 stars Painful. Difficult to read the reality of psychological cruelty.
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
Title does not fit the book. And I don't understand how some reviewers can say this book is "delightful" or that it is a good "escapist" book. For me, this was gut wrenching and difficult to read as the "gas lighting" by the present-day protagonist's husband was so cruel and yet this controlling behavior is so prevalent in our world. As the author duly notes in her follow-up, at least 1 in 4 women experience psychological as well as other abuse in our lives. The book shares a harsh and painful reality demonstrated by and then experienced by characters in both current times and historical WWII days. The ending may have given hope as those affected did begin to "see through the fog"; and it was "gripping"...but quite painful as well. I felt drained at the end.
5 people found this helpful
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Kierstin
4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Duel Storyline Book
Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2019
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4.5 stars

I really loved everything about this book. It followed Chloe in present day and Maddy in the past whose storylines converged. I wouldn't call it a historical fiction because it barely mentioned the war but it was still a good duel storyline book. I wish the children's book theme was a little more hashed out. It seemed to be not fully developed. I found myself like Chloe's storyline more.
3 people found this helpful
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Nancy Barnard
5.0 out of 5 stars Suspense, history, and danger all in a love story
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2019
Verified Purchase
This book is a wonderful mix of history, love and danger! The characters come to life and I felt I was there in Summerhill with them. My mother’s Secret is also a great read.
2 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars For fans of Kate Morton,
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2019
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I don't know how to even tell you how much you will like this book! I could not put it down!
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Alberta purchase
5.0 out of 5 stars Summer of secrets
Reviewed in Canada on February 27, 2024
Verified Purchase
Great read. Love the way she transitions between the two time lines of the characters. Keeps you turning the pages. I’ve read all her books and thoroughly enjoy her writing style.
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€nigma
5.0 out of 5 stars Liebe in all ihren Facetten - KEIN klischeebehafteter "Frauenroman" 4,5 Sterne
Reviewed in Germany on May 26, 2021
Verified Purchase
Inhalt
Der Roman spielt auf zwei Zeitebenen, 1939 und 2009.
1939 Am Vorabend des Zweiten Weltkriegs wartet die sechzehnjährige Maddy auf dem heimischen Gut Summerhill auf die Rückkehr ihrer älteren Schwester Georgiana von einer längeren Europareise. Maddy hat keine Eltern mehr – ihr Vater ist vor einigen Jahren bei einem Klippensturz ums Leben gekommen – und sie ist emotional sehr von ihrer Schwester abhängig. Mit Missfallen registriert sie, dass Georgiana einige leichtlebige, oberflächliche Freunde mitbringt, darunter Victor, der offenbar Georgianas Liebhaber ist. Victor ist charmant, doch Maddy misstraut ihm schon bald. Ist das Misstrauen gerechtfertigt oder nur Folge ihrer Eifersucht?

2009 Auch Chloe hat ihre Eltern verloren, sie hat aber noch ihren jüngeren Bruder Danny, der an einer unheilbaren degenerativen Muskelerkrankung leidet und für den sie sich verantwortlich fühlt. Chloe hat außerdem einen Ehemann, den Arzt Aidan, doch mit ihrer Ehe steht es nicht zum Besten. Aidan ist manipulativ und kontrollsüchtig, er will Chloe von der Umwelt isolieren und sie nur für sich allein haben. Erst allmählich gesteht Chloe sich ein, dass sie in der erstickenden Umklammerung ihres Mannes nicht mehr leben kann.
Maddy und Chloe treffen zusammen, als Chloe, vor ihrer Heirat eine talentierte Fotografin, gebeten wird, Porträtfotos von Maddy für deren angekündigtes neues Kinderbuch zu machen.

Beurteilung
Der Roman beschäftigt sich mit dem Thema „Liebe“ in verschiedenen Variationen, jedoch völlig ohne sentimentale Liebesgeschichte. Vielmehr geht es zum Einen um die beschützende Liebe älterer gegenüber jüngeren, verletzlichen Geschwistern, zum Anderen um klammernde, einengende Liebe, bei der Einer versucht, die Grenzen zwischen sich und dem Anderen aufzulösen, sodass der Eingeengte förmlich darum kämpfen muss, sich seine eigenständige Persönlichkeit zu erhalten.

Trotz der sieben Jahrzehnte, die zwischen den Geschichten Maddys und Chloes liegen, gibt es deutliche Parallelen bezüglich ihrer Lebenssituationen. Die Perspektiven und Zeitebenen werden in unregelmäßigen Abständen gewechselt, im Handlungsstrang von 1939 tritt Maddy als Ich-Erzählerin auf, die Handlung in der Gegenwart ist als Erzählung in der dritten Person aus Chloes Perspektive gehalten. Der Roman ist von Anfang an in seinem anschaulichen Sprachstil fesselnd, zum Schluss hin wird er mit Cliffhangern an den Kapitelenden geradezu unglaublich spannend wie ein Psychothriller.
In die Persönlichkeiten und Situation der Protagonistinnen kann man sich gut hineinversetzen, die Handlung ist weitestgehend glaubwürdig.

Die Zielgruppe dieses Romans dürfte eher die weibliche Leserschaft sein, es handelt sich jedoch um keinen "typischen Frauenroman" mit klischeehafter Liebesgeschichte!

Fazit
Ein fesselnder Roman, der nicht nur spannende Unterhaltung, sondern durchaus auch Anlass zum Überdenken von Beziehungen bietet!
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John C.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable page-turner. Recommend.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 20, 2019
Verified Purchase
Really enjoyed this book. A total page-turner. Usually when I read books set in two time periods, I find myself preferring one. In this book, I was equally absorbed in both the present-day story and the one set in the past. Would also recommend her other book, My Mother’s Shadow.
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Florence Watts
4.0 out of 5 stars Summer Secrets
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 18, 2020
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I enjoyed the book but not as much as My Mother’s Shadow.
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Emma Rose
5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect, escapist story for your summer holiday reading list!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2019
Verified Purchase
Captivating characters and descriptive prose make for another enchanting tale from Nikola Scott. Her accessible style allows the reader to move between the different time-settings as she weaves mystery and heartache through the story seamlessly. A must-have read on your summer holiday reading list.
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