The romance in this novel is not only in the plotline or between the characters but for me it was in the fabulous setting. A crumbling estate on the dramatic coast of Ireland, what’s not to love.
Mia is a dresser on film sets (I thoroughly enjoyed the attention given to the detail of her work) and is the favourite of an aging film star, Archie Fitz, who has been great friends with Mia’s mother, Fenella, another film star, for many years. Sadly, Archie is dying and as friends and family gather around him at Galty House, once known as The Seahorse Hotel, the dynamics in the relationships come to light along with the truth as secrets from the past are at long last revealed.
Adrienne Vaughan’s characterisations are very good. Mia was terrific and I particularly liked Archie, I’d loved to have known him he was such fun. I was curiously drawn to the green-eyed cat that arrived towards the end of the book too but shall say no more on that.
There was a lot that happened in the storyline, which I won’t go over, and Mia faced betrayal along with her grief at losing Archie. I was pleased the estate went where it should have done and with the plans eventually made for it. As for the romance, well that was nicely done. Realistic and not slushy, just the way I like it!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review of my latest novel, Georgia! Thrilled you liked my characters, and yes who wouldn’t love an Archie in their lives. And as for that green-eyed cat???
You’re welcome, Adrienne. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am hoping to plan my first trip to Ireland for later this year. 😀
Oh, you’ll have a fabulous time, Georgia! And when the sun isn’t shining, the warmth of the welcome will make up for it! X
A lovely review for a great book! I think it’s Adrienne’s best so far. I agree with you on the characters and the setting. I hope there will be more!
So do I! This story could certainly carry on, couldn’t it! Thanks for stopping by and commenting 😀
It was a pleasure 🙂
Thank you, Isabella. It just so happens that my next novel is also set in Rosshaven and you’ll meet a brand new, equally eccentric family with a whole heap of scandal they’re desperate to keep secret! X
Yessssss! A reader’s dream xx
Lovely review! Like you, Georgia, I’m a great fan of Adrienne’s settings – always magical. Great mix of characters here too, weaving in and out of time, myth and mystery. A smashing read.
Thanks, June. I shall certainly look forward to picking up another of Adrienne’s books and indulging in a bit more Ireland.
Appreciate you stopping by June, thanks. With your big, bustling Irish family, I’m always delighted when my stories ring true for you!
Great review. It’s on my kindle waiting to be read!
I do hope you enjoy it when you get to it, Luccia.
Hoping you’ll enjoy it too, Luccia. You’ll be pleased to see I’ve kept up the tradition of opening with a poem! X
A tantalising review for ‘That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel.’ I hope it encourages new readers to give this novel a try. I really enjoyed it for all the reasons Georgia listed: setting, characters, plot and mystery.
Thanks for commenting, Lizzie. I hope it encourages new readers too!
Thanks Lizzie, wonderful reviews like this always help to inspire writers like us to carry on, don’t they? Thanks goodness for wonderful bloggers like Georgia. X
Fabulous review, Georgia. I also loved Adrienne’s novel. Her settings and characters are so vivid and memorable. Xx
Thanks, Janet. I so want to go to Ireland now 😀 Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Hi Jan, it’s great when we writers receive reviews which make us realise we’ve done what we set out to do, create a world our readers can believe in. You’re rather good at it yourself! X
Thank you Georgia.
You’re welcome, Rosie.