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Friday 1 June 2012

Summer Daydreams by Carole Matthews

Summer Daydreams

What if you had always dreamed of something more ...? Nell McNamara has a happy life: her boyfriend Olly adores her, their four-year-old daughter Petal is the centre of their world and Nell has a steady job in the local chip shop. When the chippy needs a makeover, Nell jumps at the chance to unleash the creativity fizzing inside her. Inspired by what she can achieve - and encouraged by the best friends a girl can have - Nell is determined to try something new. Waving goodbye to the chip shop, she starts up a new business making her own line of must-have handbags, which are soon flying off the shelves! It seems Nell's dreams are finally coming true, but her success doesn't come without a price. Before too long, Nell has to ask herself if it's really possible to have it all ...Full of fun, love and laughter, soak up the sunshine with Summer Daydreams.


I was introduced to Carole Matthews last year through her book, Wrapped up in You, and after reading that I have to say I was hooked and have been looking forward to this new release since then! I was not disappointed and the wait has definitely been worth it.

Handbags - well of course that is a topic that lots of women love to talk and read about and that is one of the themes in this book too. The main character, Nell McNamara (fantastic name!) works in a fish and chip shop and although she loves working there and her work colleague she also loves designing. When the takings in the fish and chip shop start to fall and the owner begins to worry, Nell decides a makeover is needed to and she is the girl with the inspiration! 

The makeover is just what the shop needed and business is soon booming. As a thank you the boss gives Nell a push to sign up for a course, which unfortunately doesn't work out but does give her the confidence to design what she loves most - handbags. The business soon takes off, but at what cost to Nell and her family.

It really is a great read and Carole has written a book that lots of people will love to read because it is based around handbags, but also it is a story that I think lots of people will identify with. Nell has huge decisions to make: should she start a new business; should she be spending so much time on her new business; how does she feel about her business advisor? 


At times I felt sorry for Nell - she was really trying to do the best for her family but at times family life had to take a back seat while she tried to develop her business but at other times I felt myself wanting to shout at her and tell her to open her eyes to what was happening around her.


The book was soon devoured and I was wanting to read more about Nell and her life at the end. As Carole has done before, she has added a short story on her website and is well worth a read, just sign up to her newsletter on her website here.


I really enjoyed the book and found Nell's journey very interesting and seeing all the obstacles she and her family overcame to get her business off the ground. Carole must of done alot of research for this book and I am sure she had great fun researching handbags in general.


Thank you to the publishers, Sphere, for sending me the book to review.

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