Five-Star Summer

This was a very easy read, but it wasn't a romance, per se -- more of a coming-into-herself/friendship story set in a beautiful Cornish seaside community.

There is a bit of mystery as to how Evie and Abby are connected and I enjoyed the multiple POVs of Evie, Abby and Abby's mother, Alexandra which added depth and backstory. But despite its sweet intentions, the story just didn't have enough to it.

The plot was too simplistic, with a lot of page time devoted to Evie's inner monologue/spiral into self-doubt as she overcomplicates a potential sweet romance. A 'doormat' character is my very least favourite kind of character and actually makes me uncomfortable so it was hard to watch Evie be the proverbial doormat by the coworkers she's meant to manage as the interim general manager of a posh seaside hotel. Abby's undercover role and her familial baggage spice things up a bit but it was her growing friendship with Evie that was a highlight of this book.

This was a quick read with a gorgeous Cornish setting. My favourite part was its focus on friendship, found family and second chances. It's got tidbits of romance and sweet familial relationships making it a good pick if you're looking for a light, easy-breezy vacation read.

My Rating: 2.75 stars

Author: Sarah Morgan

Genre: Romance

Type and Source: trade paperback, public library

Publisher: MIRA

First Published: May 5, 2026

Read: July 1-4, 2026

Book Description from GoodReads: A joyful, sun‑soaked story of friendship, love, and new beginnings, from USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan—perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan, Jill Shalvis, and seaside escapes.

Running a five-star Cornish hotel should have been Evie Hamilton’s dream job. But restoring it to its former glory is going to take a miracle. All Evie has is grit, and a hoard of unruly staff who love to speculate about her love life. She needs back-up, and fast.

Enter Abby Jones. Parachuted in by the hotel’s umbrella company for the summer, Abby thinks Evie could be the best friend she never had. But Abby has her own agenda for being in Cornwall. If her real motives are uncovered, their friendship is going to melt away faster than an ice cream in the summer sun.

Yet Abby’s arrival starts a chain reaction. With the help of a charming chef and a gruff pub owner, they begin to embrace their true selves and the bonds that unite them. But it’s not just the hotel’s five-star reputation that needs rebuilding – Evie and Abby will also have to brave tearing down their lives in order to reshape their futures…