Summer in Andalucia by Lucy Coleman #Review

 

We are off to Andalucia for Lucy Coleman's latest escapist romance, Summer in Andalucia. It was published on April 1st by Boldwood Books. 

Lainey Summers feels blessed to have her dream job writing for a renowned foodie magazine. And the day she goes to interview chef Rick Oliver at his new restaurant—Aleatory—in London’s popular Piccadilly, is the start of an unexpected journey.

When Rick is offered the opportunity to jet off to a monastery in Andalucía, to film a cookery competition for Spanish TV, Lainey goes too, to cover the story.

Spending a month filming in the stunning Spanish countryside, soaking up the sights, sounds, smells and of course the cuisine, Lainey and Rick start to enjoy each other’s company. But their time together flies by too quickly, and before they know it, Rick and Lainey have to face going their separate ways.

With both their worlds shifting beneath them, the call of Andalucia and the call of happiness grows ever stronger. But with everything at stake, will they be able to take the chance of a happy-ever-after…

Let Lucy Coleman whisk you off on a sun-baked, life-affirming, total escape to beautiful Andalucia. 

 My Thoughts

This is a real escape from lockdown! Lainey is a talented journalist whose path crosses with Rick, a celebrity chef who co-owns the exclusive restaurant, Aleatory, with his fiancee, the volatile Cathy. Despite an obvious spark, Lainey spends most of the book trying to stay in the friend's zone. Rick offers Lainey the chance to cover a cookery competition he is starring in in Andalucia and we escape to the sunshine with them. The setting is beautifully evoked and you are always aware of the fantastic environment, with its colour and scents, as well as the glorious food which is produced. It is one for the senses. 

    I also enjoyed Lainey's own backstory, through her relationship with both her parents which has impacted on her more than she realises. Her life at the magazine is also not secure and her friendships with her colleagues add to your overall view of her. Lainey is career driven at the outset. As the story evolves, she begins to question her ambitions. Friendships and family, following your dreams and a slow burn romance all come together to make a great read.

In short:  A slow burn romance with lovely characterisation and sense of place

About the Author

 Lucy Coleman is a #1 bestselling romance writer, whose recent novels include Snowflakes over Holly Cove. She also writes under the name Linn B. Halton. She won the 2013 UK Festival of Romance: Innovation in Romantic Fiction award and lives in the Welsh Valleys. Lucy’s first title with Boldwood was A Springtime to Remember, published in December 2019.

You can follow Linn/ Lucy here: Facebook   |  Twitter  |  Website

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Book links: Amazon UK 

 

Thanks to Lucy, Boldwood Books and Rachel of  Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

Catch up with the rest of the tour!