Compelling, mysterious and heartbreaking, two women bound together by dark secrets and dangerous loves. 

August 1939, days before the outbreak of World War 2: A group of friends comes together for a last glorious country house weekend at Summerhill, a remote estate on the Cornish coast. Home to the young Hamilton sisters Madeleine and Georgiana, Summerhill promises safety and shelter against the looming threat of war and sixteen-year-old Maddy, still reeling from the traumatic memories of her father’s fatal accident, has been anxiously awaiting her sister’s return from an extended tour of Europe.

Twenty-one year old Georgiana, however, having raised her sister at Summerhill from a young age, has fallen in love with the ‘outside’ world, her glamorous, new friends and, in particular, her new boyfriend Victor Deverill. As the London crowed descends upon the tranquil estate, the once unshakeably close bond between the two sisters begins to show the first cracks, something Madeleine is aware of but powerless to stop. As the country heads into war, Maddy must make some difficult choices and before the weekend is over, a terrible tragedy will have struck, leaving no life unchanged.

Seventy years later, Chloe MacAllister, a young photographer living in Plymouth, is sent to work on a project with Madeleine Hamilton, now a famously reclusive children’s book artist still living at Summerhill. Married to charming and successful Aidan MacAllister, with a baby on the way, Chloe’s seemingly perfect life is the envy of all. But the magic of Summerhill and the unexpected friendship with the older woman draw her into the mystery of what happened there decades before and before too long, Chloe will have to make some difficult choices of her own.

What readers are saying about Summer of Secrets 

 

‘I was completely enthralled from the beginning. Everything, from the setting to the time period to the characters felt totally authentic. I raced through it.’ Kathryn Hughes

 

‘I loved this touching exploration of love and its capacity for consolation and destruction… The characters were vivid and involving and Nikola Scott expertly entwined the two stories, so that both were compelling and satisfying. Beautifully written.’ Judith Lennox

 

‘An atmospheric and gripping read’ My Weekly

 

‘Wonderful characters and a very moving storyline’ Sun

 

Nikola has a real gift for writing sumptuous, atmospheric fiction that has the heady advantage of pulling you into her world immediately, keeping you captivated throughout and making it very difficult for you to want to let go by the end. Curling up with Summer of Secrets was like having a cup of tea with your oldest friend. Beth at Bibliobeth

 

‘This is a novel that you’ll want to read in as few sittings as possible… Highly recommended.’ Jo’s Book Blog

 

‘An absolute joy of a book! Explores the dynamics in families and comes together seamlessly with the past and present day. If you only read one book this year I recommend this one.’ Amazon Reviewer 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

 

‘The perfect summer read.’ Liz Trenow

 

‘An excellent dual timeline story and characters that will capture your heart. Compelling, descriptive, and very emotional, Summer of Secrets is everything you want in a story that blends past and present together.’ Linda at Books of all Kinds

 

‘I adored this wonderfully evocative book… I finished it with a smile on my face even as the tears streamed down my cheeks. Highly, highly recommended.’ Karen at Hair Past a Freckle

 

‘Summer of Secrets is such an intriguing story with a balance of lighter and darker moments. Rich in detail and beautifully told. Five stars from me!’ Rachel at Rae Reads

 

‘A gorgeous book in every way.’ Nicola at Short Book and Scribes

 

‘Nikola’s writing is so evocative and she has this wonderful ability to create powerful storylines steeped in poignancy and emotion, that make her books impossible to put down. Summer of Secrets is another wonderful example, utterly compelling, brilliant writing. Highly Recommended! Hot Brands, Cool Places