Book Review: One Lucky Summer by Jenny Oliver

AD* | The best-kept secrets are waiting to be found...

With an air of faded splendour, Willoughby Hall was an idyllic childhood home to Ruben de Lacy. Gazing at it now, decades later, the memories are flooding back, and not all of them are welcome...

In a tumbledown cottage in Willoughby’s grounds, Dolly and Olive King lived with their eccentric explorer father. One of the last things he did was to lay a treasure hunt before he died, but when events took an unexpected turn, Dolly and Olive left Willoughby for good, never to complete it.

But when Ruben uncovers a secret message, hidden for decades, he knows he needs Olive and Dolly’s help. Can the three of them solve the treasure hunt, and will piecing together the clues help them understand what happened to their families that summer, all those years ago?

Sweet and fun, One Lucky Summer is the perfect summer read! 

The main characters are Ruben de Lacy, newly lord of the manor, and chalk-and-cheese sisters Olive and Dotty. The three are childhood friends suddenly drawn back together again at Ruben's home as they explore the grounds in search of clues from a long-forgotten treasure hunt. 

The story is told in two halves - firstly following Ruben and Olive, and secondly following Dotty and Fox. It's clear from the start that both couples should end up together, but through the emotional highs and lows of revisiting their past, will they be able to forge futures together?

This is a highly enjoyable read. It's well-paced, unputdownable, and excellently written. From the diverse array of characters to the rich descriptions of the setting, there's plenty to keep you engaged and turning page after page. I was just sad to see it end so soon! There's so much potential in these vivid characters and I would love to see a sequel or spin-off revisiting Ruben, Olive, Dotty, Fox, eccentric Aunt Marge, or young Zadie.

Packed full of nostalgia and lighthearted fun, One Lucky Summer is a real treat.

Rating: 4 stars

One Lucky Summer is available to buy now. 

If you like the sound of this book, you might also enjoy...

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Will you be reading the book? Let me know in the comments below!