This book is by far the best one I’ve read from Jane Costello, and that is no mean feat, since I’ve loved every book I’ve read of Jane’s. It has everything I want from a chick-lit novel. It is funny, romantic with a good dose of emotion thrown in. Summer Nights at the Moonlight Hotel was another stunning book from Jane, where I didn’t dare to put it down, but I didn’t rush it either. I was compelled to take my time and enjoy everything that was happening.  

Set in the lake district, a place I’d never really considered visiting, but Jane’s writing involves the magical feeling that makes me log onto trip advisor and research hotel’s and restaurants, while another tab is open with a google image search for ‘lake district’ so I can see the beauty for myself, at least in the virtual world. It sounds absolutely beautiful, something I don’t always appreciate about my home country. What was also special was the nostalgia factor. Lauren is particularly upset about the hotel’s upcoming renovations because of fond childhood memories, and a special sentimentality. In reading this book, and these moments, I was transported back to memories and places I hold special from my childhood, remembering back to holidays by the beach, especially Weymouth, where my parents still holiday, and I always spend the Saturday they spend there with them.  

Lauren, our lead is funny and relatable. A bit unlucky in love, but things soon change and give her hope, when someone she has admired for a long time, Edwin, starts to seem like he is interested. She isn’t perfect, she holds no hope about the new hotel, determined she won’t like it, and even more determined not to like the new owner, but as I said above she holds the hotel dear to her, so it’s completely understandable that she wouldn’t like change. I absolutely loved her.  

Her two friends, Emily and Cate are bot great friends, even though they have their own stuff going on, though they struggle, they all support each other as best they can throughout it all. I really felt for Cate especially what she goes through must be horrific. You’re there reading what goes on, knowing there’s nothing her friends can do to stop it once it’s happened, and it’s equally upsetting as it gets worse and worse. Add to that Emily also has her issues, and is suffering in almost silence, only really confiding in Lauren, as obviously Cate has a lot on her plate.  

Edwin, oh where do I start? Lauren is clearly head over heels with him, but there is something I could never pin point about him. The best way I could describe it was he was a tiny bit slimy at times (and I do mean tiny, it wasn’t outwardly cringe-worthy), and at the same time he seemed intellectual, but to an almost annoying degree. I much preferred the two main men who join the dance class. Will who is seeing Cate and Joe who Emily likes, so sadly they’re out of bounds, but seemed much more friendly and likeable.  

I can’t say how much I love this book often enough, it is classic Jane Costello with some extra sparkle, creating Jane’s best novel yet.  

Published by: Simon and Schuster
Gratefully received from the Publisher for review  

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Order on: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository