The Summer We Ran Away by Jenny Oliver Book Review

It's that time of year where we would be thinking about our holidays, sitting by the pool and enjoying a good book. Unfortunately for us, there will be no going away this Summer but I'm lucky to have a garden that I enjoy relaxing in with a good book in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. And as if by magic I have the perfect novel to recommend for such purposes.....

The Summer We Ran Away is the latest novel from Jenny Oliver

In Cedar Road, everyone is preparing for Lexi’s ‘White Hot’ summer party. For one night, parking squabbles and petitions are put aside as neighbours sip Prosecco under the fairy lights and gather by the hot tub to marvel at Lexi’s effortlessly glamorous life with Hot Hamish.

For Julia, it’s a chance to coax husband Charlie out of his potting shed and into a shirt so they can have a welcome break from the hellish house renovation they’ve been wrestling with. And it’s a chance for Julia to pretend – just for a night – that her life is as perfect as Lexi’s.

But when, during the party, one of Julia’s WhatsApp messages falls into the wrong hands and reveals her most intimate thoughts, things reach boiling point…

    

And when all the neighbours know exactly what you’re thinking, there’s only one thing to do.

Run away.

It's going to be a summer Julia will never forget...

Julia to those on the outside looking in has a good life. Married, living on a picturesque street but we all know that was is presented on the outside isn't always as it seems.

In a generation of social media and the feelings of having to live up to certain expectations presented to us in the form of Instagram pictures etc. Julia is a woman who scrolls through those posts with feelings of jealousy and a fear of not being good enough.

When a set of Whatsapp messages that were meant to be private (talking about dreaming about intimate relations with a neighbours, Lexi Warrington's husband), are shared to a very much public Whatsapp group, this ultimately changes the course of Julia's life forever.

Making a spare of the moment decision to journey to France with her quirky next door neighbour Amber, Julia finds herself on quite the adventure, giving her a new perspective on the life she is currently living. From her husband Charlie, to the house they are desperately trying to renovate.

No more pretending!

This is a novel filled with an entertaining bunch of characters and a hilarious storyline that any person reading will relate to in some shape of form.

Plenty of humour and wit, what I really enjoyed was the imperfection of the whole cast.

They all had their flaws and they were portrayed in a way that had me looking at myself too. I think we are all guilty of getting lost in other people's lives and feeling as though our own life is quite good enough, not living up to the expectations of others.

I know I am.

This story is less hearts and flowers and more mishaps and mayhem.

Perfect escapism for a summer's day.

Packed with humour, this is is the sort of light hearted read you need when you're relaxing in your garden with a glass of wine in hand ( I know I did).

I found myself smiling throughout and laughing constantly.

Gave me food for thought too about my own circumstances and relationship.

Reminds us to not take things for granted and that whilst you might think you want what others have, all isn't what it seems and actually you may be far better off with your lot.

Thoroughly enjoyed. I honestly can't believe I hadn't read any books from this author before, something that I will be rectifying ASAP.

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