This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Reviewed by Susan Lobban
When Zoe Hall got married she was more than happy to put her own dreams on hold so that her husband could make his mark in the acting world. Now that she has seen Ed for the self-absorbed cheater he really is, however, Zoe has returned to her Irish home and is determined to be known as more than someone’s ex wife.
Terence Ross is her best friend’s father but he is also a famous actor who is about to star in a new play. The role of his love interest is yet to be cast and he instantly thinks of Zoe – this may be just the break she needs. His theatre director has other ideas and has a famous TV actress in mind, but he will at least give Zoe an audition.
Zoe is ready for her time in the spotlight, but others in the sidelines threaten to overshadow her triumphant return.
A Summer Breeze follows a number of characters who are all linked in one way or another with aspiring actress Zoe. The book begins by showing us how Zoe started out with big dreams of becoming an actress. Once she met future husband, Ed, these dreams were diluted by his own until one day Zoe is stuck and jobless in a town where she knows no-one. Ed, on the other hand, seems to know people too well and Zoe finds out she has wasted her life on someone who does not consider her one bit!
This book felt like three books in one, I really enjoyed the first half as each character was introduced and was looking forward to seeing how the story would progress. However, more and more side stories were then introduced and these eclipsed Zoe’s. For instance, I did feel that Cecelia’s storyline was not really needed but instead could have formed a whole book on its own. I do enjoy interlinking stories but only if they really benefit the main story – I did not feel this was always the case.
After completing the book I am also at a loss as to why it’s called A Summer Breeze as I did not get a real sense of summer while reading. That being said if you are tempted to bypass this book as it is now nearing Christmas then fear not as it could be read anytime you wish to lose yourself in someone else’s drama. On the whole I did enjoy this book, but I was just a bit disappointed over the way Zoe’s story, which was the most interesting, was lost in amongst everyone’s elses problems.