Summer Daydreams

I've read and liked most of Carole Matthews' books, but this is probably one of my least favorite, as I've found the characters horribly annoying. As the book starts out, the main characters are about 30 and unmarried parents (in the beginning, Nell says she married young, but then refers to her partner as her boyfriend - clearly an editorial mistake) with jobs and a lifestyle more suited to teenagers. Nell makes a success out of renovating the chip shop she works in and it's suddenly decided she should go to art school. When that doesn't work out, she decides to become a handbag designer.Nell is self-centered and makes big decisions that affect all of them without consulting with her partner, Olly. Olly seems to have no ambition beyond not wanting to die young from the stress of working too hard. Don't get me started on their child. Just the name of Petal made me cringe - how precious. If that's not bad enough, she's horribly indulged, won't sleep in her own bed but with her parents, they allow her to interrupt and give attitude without any punishment.I found myself so irritated by the book that halfway through, I started to skim read and was relieved to be done at the end. Incidentally, I have no clue where the title fits into the plot line. So if you're expecting a nice relaxing beach read about a summer vacation or dreams of one, prepare yourself instead to get jangled by the storyline.

I own a few of Carole Matthew's books, but I have not finished one of them. I can't ever seem to really get transformed into the worlds that she creates. I am so glad that I took a chance on this book. It was an absolute gem. It reminded me a lot of Jill Mansell and Katie Fforde. This was a fun book and for anyone who loves a good tale about someone creating a great life for themselves this book is for you.The main character who is a waitress at a local cafe, bites the bullet with the help of her coworkers and starts art school. After a not so great beginning,she decides to try her hand at designing handbags, it's her one true passion in life. There are a lot of uphill battles that she endures, but it's a lovely story about someone taking something she loves and risking everything to do what she loves.If you love Katie Fforde and Jill Mansell you will love this book.

I love Carole Matthews and all of her books. But this book had me slightly annoyed. Nell was selfish, Olly a pushover and Petal was too old to be acting like a baby. Don't even get me started on Jenny. Asides from plot issues, I had problems with the pacing of the novel as well as inconsistent references.It seems like the author forgot if they were engaged or married in the beginning of the book and Olly was referred to as boyfriend and husband before the wedding even happened.I was also really really upset at the description of Miami. I currently live in Miami and I didn't appreciate the ghetto hood that the writer created to describe all of Miami asides from South Beach. It was terribly ignorant. This was a cute read but not my favorite.

Just awful, boring complaining characters. No effort went into writing this book and it shows. Sorry I spent .99 cents (minus shipping).

Loved this book! Good wins over evil and the small business goes BIG! Add the heroine, Nell and great handbags and you have success! This is such a refreshing change from the usual female foibles and trysts. I have a family member who has lived a life much like this one! This book is fun and has a satisfying dénouement. Enjoy!

I did enjoy this book and the characters Carole Matthews created. The characters were quite likeable although a little frustrating at times with some of the choices they made. However, I did not like the pacing of the story. A number of times I found myself surprised to turn the page and find that it was several weeks later without really expecting the story to have jumped the way it did. Even though it is not exactly a short book, I thought some chapters were a little too short and choppy and might have been developed a little more. As mentioned by a another reviewer, I was also annoyed with the way Nell and Olly allowed Petal to interrupt them all the time.Overall, a pleasant and light read. I will probably try the chocolate lovers series and see if it works more for me.

Love this English writer. I grew up in Hitchin but now live in Texas where this story was set and could relate. Carole Matthews is a quick read but heartfelt. Love her books. Always hate coming to the end of her stories.

I've read a few of Carole Matthews' books now and have enjoyed them all, including this one. If you like contemporary fiction then you are sure to enjoy this story.