About
A Cornish Summer Synopsis
Flora's been in love with her husband for twenty years. The trouble is, he's been married to someone else for the past fifteen . . .
Now she's been invited to spend the summer in the shady lanes and sandy coves of Cornwall. It should be blissful. There's just one small snag: she'll be staying with her former mother-in-law, Belinda. And Flora discovers she's not the only one invited when her ex-husband shows up out of the blue, complete with his new wife. So now there are two small snags.
Can Flora spend the summer playing happy families with the woman who stole her husband's heart, and the mother-in-law who might have had a hand in it? Or will stumbling on the family secret change her mind about them all? If you like Fern Britton, Katie Fforde and Sophie Kinsella, you'll love this heartwarming read.
About This Edition
Press Reviews
Catherine Alliott Press Reviews
Classy, wonderfully gossipy and breathless - Red
An addictive cocktail of wit, frivolity and madcap romance - Time Out
Hilarious and full of surprises - Daily Telegraph
A huge treat. Hilarious yet poignant -- Sophie Kinsella Warm, witty and wise - Daily Mail
Her writing is both intelligent and sparkling -- Marian Keyes Compulsively readable - The Times
Praise for Catherine Alliott - -
It's full of Cornish colour and a plot that seems plausible from your deckchair - Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Another blissful read from Catherine Alliott - Hello Magazine
Alliott is always an absolute joy to read - Veronica Henry
A magical mix of wit, warmth and poignancy - Trisha Ashley, bestselling author of The House of Hopes and Dreams
A wonderful story of family and love, secrets and sunshine. Catherine Alliott is on top form with this - Milly Johnson
I've loved Catherine Alliott books since he first one. They're always a delight and this one's no exception. - Carole Matthews
I LOVE it. Catherine's writing is so warm, funny and heartfelt and no matter what's going on in your own world, you can curl up in Catherine's and feel her warmth like summer sun - Cathy Kelly
Oh how I enjoyed this! No one writes about Cornwall like Catherine. Yet another fabulous book, packed with glamour, delicious characters and myriad family complications! -- Jill Mansell Simply a delight: funny, intelligent and at times heart wrenching. It's full of such witty, entertaining characters, and best of all, it transported me away from real life into a Cornish holiday that I didn't want to leave. It's the perfect summer read. - Sophie Kinsella
Author
About Catherine Alliott
Catherine Alliott was our Guest Editor in August 2013 - click here - to see the books that inspired her writing.
Catherine Alliott started her first novel under the desk when she worked as an advertising copywriter. She was duly fired. With time on her hands she persevered with the novels, which happily flourished. In the early days she produced a baby with each book, but after three she stuck to writing as it was less painful. She writes with the nearest pen in exercise books, either in the garden or on a sofa. Home is a rural spot in Hertfordshire which she shares with her family and a menagerie of horses, cows, chickens and dogs, which at the last count totalled 34 beating hearts, including her husband.
Author photo © Neil Cooper
Fellow novelist SOPHIE KING on CATHERINE ALLIOTT
I first met Catherine because my youngest son was at school with her son. Catherine writes her novels in the first person which immediately makes you feel you know the heroine. I love all her books, including the latest The Secret Life of Evie Hamilton : I usually spot other people's twists but I didn't get this one until it jumped up and hit me off the page.
Author photo © Neil Cooper
Below is a Q & A with this author.
Q. If you couldn't be a writer, what would you like to be?
A. A painter – as in artist, not decorator.
Q. When you need to escape from your everyday routine, what do you do?
A. Light the fire, watch daytime TV and eat chocolate.
Q. Who is your style icon?
A. Wasn't aware I had one but very much admire Kristen Scott Thomas's style. So cool.
Q. What is your favourite food?
A. In - macaroni cheese. Out - Dover sole.
Q. What's your favourite movie?
A. Truly Madly Deeply.
Q. What's your idea of hell?
A. Shopping malls.
Q. When did you last cry and why?
A. Two weeks ago, at Badminton Horse Trials, watching a great friend's daughter jump round the cross country course. Amazing. I've known her since she was seven.
Q. What is so your idea of perfect happiness?
A. So corny. All my children plus boyfriends, girlfriends, any other friends and of course my husband, eating around the same table. Or actually, a table somewhere hot, on holiday, abroad, i.e. without me having to cook. Oh - and grandparents too.
Q. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
A. Deplore. Golly. Quite strong. Well I'm not mad about bad manners which come in many guises.
Click here to read the full Q&A
More About Catherine Alliott
