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Spring, Summer, Autumn, Us
Four decades. Four seasons. Four chance encounters with the same man. Spring 1986, Oxford. Rachel has landed on her engaged to handsome author Jonny, soon to be stepmother to his young daughter Teddy, and with a dream to open her own art gallery. It’s everything she wished for during her unsettled childhood. So when she meets candid and carefree American artist Gabe at a party and feels a familiar spark, she knows she needs to resist. But as her perfect life moves forward, Gabe is never far away, and there’s no denying the lure of the spontaneous, wildly adventurous existence he seems to offer. His is a world of endless possibilities―ones Rachel can’t let herself be tempted by if she’s ever to stay the safe course with Jonny. But how can she focus on the life she thought she wanted when she can’t help imagining the alternative? One thing’s for Gabe is more than a minor character in Rachel’s life. And as their paths intersect over seasons and decades, each meeting presents Rachel with a choice that could alter everything, and she has to wonder whether the life story she once fought for is the version she’s meant to be living…
408 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2023
346 people are currently reading
6518 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Collins
8 books111 followersFiona Collins grew up in an Essex village & after stints in Hong Kong and London returned to the Essex countryside where she lives with her husband & three children. She has a degree in Film & Literature & has had many former careers including TV presenting in Hong Kong, traffic & weather presenter for BBC local radio & film/TV extra. Fiona writes contemporary women's fiction.
As a reader, I like to read on my Kindle in bed or on the sofa on a weekend afternoon, with a paperback. From Valentine’s Day 2020, I’m setting myself a challenge to read 50 women’s memoirs/autobiographies in one year. I'll be posting my thoughts about them on my website https://fionacollinsauthor.com/
You can follow Fiona on Twitter @FionaJaneBooks or find her on Instagram @fionacollinsauthor
As a reader, I like to read on my Kindle in bed or on the sofa on a weekend afternoon, with a paperback. From Valentine’s Day 2020, I’m setting myself a challenge to read 50 women’s memoirs/autobiographies in one year. I'll be posting my thoughts about them on my website https://fionacollinsauthor.com/
You can follow Fiona on Twitter @FionaJaneBooks or find her on Instagram @fionacollinsauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
January 9, 2023
I LOVED this book. It broke my heart and put it back together, so many times. I just need to say that this book could and should be a movie.
I loved this love story so deeply. It was so incredible to see the universe to work its magic. To keep putting together two people who should be together. Even though Rachel denied it each and every time.
So many others try to do this type of story, but it’s too “hallmark” esk. There’s never any depth to the characters or the relationship in those movies. But, this author did such a remarkable job with both of those things. It never felt forced. It always felt like this is what is supposed to happen. It shows that it’s never too late for love.
I loved this love story so deeply. It was so incredible to see the universe to work its magic. To keep putting together two people who should be together. Even though Rachel denied it each and every time.
So many others try to do this type of story, but it’s too “hallmark” esk. There’s never any depth to the characters or the relationship in those movies. But, this author did such a remarkable job with both of those things. It never felt forced. It always felt like this is what is supposed to happen. It shows that it’s never too late for love.
March 30, 2023
↠ 2.5 stars (rounded up)
i'm not sure about what to rate this book, but i feel it goes somewhere between 2 and 3 stars. in my rating system 2 stars means mediocre, and 3 stars means mostly decent. so i'll give this one a 2.5, rounded up.
i must confess that i had high expectations for this book, intrigued and optimistic about the premise after reading its synopsis. the concept of reuniting with someone every few years creates a fascinating storyline that immediately captured my attention. turns out, as i read on, the author lost the plot somewhere along the way. for example, the book created a strong sense of empathy in me towards rachel, as we witness her struggles as a child living in a toxic environment with her parents. nevertheless, we never gained a broader insight into her childhood in that noxious household, only a few memories through inner monologue, without even a flashback to her relationship with each parent. thus i was left feeling upset and disappointed.
the romance felt beyond dull and flat. it was like the characters fell in love too easily without really knowing each other well. the author didn't put much effort into making us believe in their love. i mean, an american calls you pretty, and you instantly fall head over heels in love, willing to go through so much, when you barely even know each other's favorite color or middle name? it just seems implausible to be in love with someone without any solid basis for that emotion. it did feel like they were in love at times, but the author made no real effort to make us believe it. gabe would merely say "oh, i love you so much, pretty woman whose face reminds me of the sunshine." however, we never see him giving her flowers or any romantic gestures to give his words any trueness.
i don't intend to be harsh, but it seems like the author attempted to recreate something akin to "before sunrise" and "before sunset," but failed miserably. the before trilogy gives us two hours of two people talking, getting to know each other, falling in love with the details they learn about one another. however, this book offers nothing similar; it feels like an ugly and failed attempt to imitate it.
despite this, the writing sparkles and kept me going until the last page. if it had depended on the characters and my willingness to see their next encounter, i wouldn't have made it to page 100. additionally, the book could have been much shorter, perhaps only 300 pages. there was no need for a four hundred page book that continued to repeat the same events and emotions without any real angst, thrilling events, or plot twists.
[spoiler alert]
rachel never got to have her own children as she so desperately desired, and worse still, we never found out why she couldn't bear a child. we never learned more about her gallery or khalid and gabe's friendship. it all felt superficial, especially with her parents and jonny's accidents, as i saw both of those "twists" coming.
[spoiler ends here]
overall, the characters in this book were forgettable, and so was the story. however, like i've already said, the writing itself is striking, and i would definitely consider reading more of fiona collins' works in the future.
my gratitude to netgalley, the publisher and the author for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review!
i'm not sure about what to rate this book, but i feel it goes somewhere between 2 and 3 stars. in my rating system 2 stars means mediocre, and 3 stars means mostly decent. so i'll give this one a 2.5, rounded up.
i must confess that i had high expectations for this book, intrigued and optimistic about the premise after reading its synopsis. the concept of reuniting with someone every few years creates a fascinating storyline that immediately captured my attention. turns out, as i read on, the author lost the plot somewhere along the way. for example, the book created a strong sense of empathy in me towards rachel, as we witness her struggles as a child living in a toxic environment with her parents. nevertheless, we never gained a broader insight into her childhood in that noxious household, only a few memories through inner monologue, without even a flashback to her relationship with each parent. thus i was left feeling upset and disappointed.
the romance felt beyond dull and flat. it was like the characters fell in love too easily without really knowing each other well. the author didn't put much effort into making us believe in their love. i mean, an american calls you pretty, and you instantly fall head over heels in love, willing to go through so much, when you barely even know each other's favorite color or middle name? it just seems implausible to be in love with someone without any solid basis for that emotion. it did feel like they were in love at times, but the author made no real effort to make us believe it. gabe would merely say "oh, i love you so much, pretty woman whose face reminds me of the sunshine." however, we never see him giving her flowers or any romantic gestures to give his words any trueness.
i don't intend to be harsh, but it seems like the author attempted to recreate something akin to "before sunrise" and "before sunset," but failed miserably. the before trilogy gives us two hours of two people talking, getting to know each other, falling in love with the details they learn about one another. however, this book offers nothing similar; it feels like an ugly and failed attempt to imitate it.
despite this, the writing sparkles and kept me going until the last page. if it had depended on the characters and my willingness to see their next encounter, i wouldn't have made it to page 100. additionally, the book could have been much shorter, perhaps only 300 pages. there was no need for a four hundred page book that continued to repeat the same events and emotions without any real angst, thrilling events, or plot twists.
[spoiler alert]
rachel never got to have her own children as she so desperately desired, and worse still, we never found out why she couldn't bear a child. we never learned more about her gallery or khalid and gabe's friendship. it all felt superficial, especially with her parents and jonny's accidents, as i saw both of those "twists" coming.
[spoiler ends here]
overall, the characters in this book were forgettable, and so was the story. however, like i've already said, the writing itself is striking, and i would definitely consider reading more of fiona collins' works in the future.
my gratitude to netgalley, the publisher and the author for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review!
February 17, 2023
I loved this book! Told over the space of several decades the story primarily focusses on Rachel and begins in 1986 when she is planning to make a family with Jonny and his young daughter, Teddy. However, when she meets Gabe, an American artist, she has an instant connection with him. She bumps into him in every decade from that fateful first meeting but due to what happened with her parents’ marriage, she always chooses Jonny.
I was hooked into the story from the very beginning. I liked Rachel’s character but did wish she would just live the life she wanted and deserved. Her and Gabe’s relationship was captivating. He always seemed to turn up when she needed him, yet he constantly served as a reminder of the life she could have had. Rachel’s husband Jonny wasn’t a particularly nice character, and I found myself hoping she would leave him several times throughout their story.
Rachel and Gabe’s relationship for me was mesmerising! Years in between each meeting and yet they both carried on like they’d only seen each other the day before. The chemistry between them kept me turning the pages furiously! It’s not just a love story though, it’s a story of life, making difficult decisions and learning about yourself. Absolutely wonderful! Would recommend!
I was hooked into the story from the very beginning. I liked Rachel’s character but did wish she would just live the life she wanted and deserved. Her and Gabe’s relationship was captivating. He always seemed to turn up when she needed him, yet he constantly served as a reminder of the life she could have had. Rachel’s husband Jonny wasn’t a particularly nice character, and I found myself hoping she would leave him several times throughout their story.
Rachel and Gabe’s relationship for me was mesmerising! Years in between each meeting and yet they both carried on like they’d only seen each other the day before. The chemistry between them kept me turning the pages furiously! It’s not just a love story though, it’s a story of life, making difficult decisions and learning about yourself. Absolutely wonderful! Would recommend!
March 25, 2023
This took me about 30% to get into it, but once I did, it was an absolute page turner.
The years between meetings became intriguing to me as I eagerly awaited the gaps of Gabe's life to be filled. The chemistry between Gabe and Rachel just beamed off the page. Loved the build up towards the ending, so tense and surprising.
Addictive reading, relatable characters, like it how it went through the decades. Glorious storytelling.
The years between meetings became intriguing to me as I eagerly awaited the gaps of Gabe's life to be filled. The chemistry between Gabe and Rachel just beamed off the page. Loved the build up towards the ending, so tense and surprising.
Addictive reading, relatable characters, like it how it went through the decades. Glorious storytelling.
April 16, 2023
This is a love story, but it’s complicated. Very complicated.
A young woman, Rachel, suffers a trauma as a child that causes her to value stability and safety above all as an adult.
Luckily, Jonny is there to provide this for her. She marries him for his steady strength and they create a life together that makes her feel secure and loved.
Rachel and Jonny enjoy socializing with neighbors in their Oxfordshire village. Jonny, a writer who is always just about to make it big, is considered to be a local celebrity and is the life of every party. Rachel supports his artistic life by working part time at both a cafe and an art gallery.
But life happens, and things inevitably begin to change. Outside influences affect their relationship. A chance meeting, an overheard truth, an accident, another lie. An unhealthy friendship, a few drinks too many, a choice, a death. A rebellious teenager, a lost parcel, a longtime secret, an impulsive decision. Rachel finds her precious stability shifting beneath her feet.
The love story in this book is irresistible. I was moved by the strong connection the pair felt and by the way they knew each other and supported each other’s dreams. Their chemistry was swoony.
As the title suggests, the four seasons is a theme of this book. Rachel appreciates each season for its unique qualities. She arranges art in the gallery by seasons. And the story captures the seasons of Rachel’s life.
This is well written but moves perhaps a bit too slowly. It’s still an enjoyable read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️, available now.
My thanks to the author, Fiona Collins, to the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, and to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book.
#SpringSummerAutumnUs #LakeUnionPublishing #netgalley
A young woman, Rachel, suffers a trauma as a child that causes her to value stability and safety above all as an adult.
Luckily, Jonny is there to provide this for her. She marries him for his steady strength and they create a life together that makes her feel secure and loved.
Rachel and Jonny enjoy socializing with neighbors in their Oxfordshire village. Jonny, a writer who is always just about to make it big, is considered to be a local celebrity and is the life of every party. Rachel supports his artistic life by working part time at both a cafe and an art gallery.
But life happens, and things inevitably begin to change. Outside influences affect their relationship. A chance meeting, an overheard truth, an accident, another lie. An unhealthy friendship, a few drinks too many, a choice, a death. A rebellious teenager, a lost parcel, a longtime secret, an impulsive decision. Rachel finds her precious stability shifting beneath her feet.
The love story in this book is irresistible. I was moved by the strong connection the pair felt and by the way they knew each other and supported each other’s dreams. Their chemistry was swoony.
As the title suggests, the four seasons is a theme of this book. Rachel appreciates each season for its unique qualities. She arranges art in the gallery by seasons. And the story captures the seasons of Rachel’s life.
This is well written but moves perhaps a bit too slowly. It’s still an enjoyable read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️, available now.
My thanks to the author, Fiona Collins, to the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, and to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book.
#SpringSummerAutumnUs #LakeUnionPublishing #netgalley
March 27, 2023
Marshmallow with many coincidences and implausible central characters
I feel really sorry I requested this, as this has been a classic case of a book and a reader not being suited.
The ‘romance genre’ , which this absolutely is, full stop, is not one I have ever sought out. I read MANY books, which ARE absolutely about the trajectories of love, the romantic encounter, and relationships as a major focus, but they are rather more shelved and sold as ‘Literary Fiction’.
This felt curiously old-fashioned in its female protagonist, not to mention its male one. Beginning in 1986, when Rachel, living in a ‘timeless’ English village is in her mid twenties. The rest of the population, apart from Rachel and her fiancé Jonny and his young daughter from his first marriage, seem to be middle aged or older, stockbroker belt conservative types, slightly shocked (in 1986???) by the fact Rachel and Jonny are living together, not yet married. Rachel has two part time jobs, one as a waitress, one as an ‘assistant’ in the Art Gallery – really a fairly twee gift shop.
Rachel has had some tragic family history, and is remarkably naïve for a mid twenties woman in 1986 England. I would have found the culture she is within a little behind the times 30 years earlier. Her fiancé, Jonny, is yearning for success as a writer of spy thrillers
Into the mix comes the incredibly handsome, but also incredibly deep-thinking, noble and sensitive hero, American Gabe, visiting his ‘eccentric,’ but in fact, far more of the times themselves, aunt Julia
Rachel and Gabe have a totally innocent but intense sense of each other as soul mates based on a couple of fleeting, socially busy encounters.
And various coincidences means this happens again, 3 more times, roughly 10 years apart, each time. There is no contact between them between the 1986 meeting, the extraordinary coincidence of a meeting in North Africa – where neither of them live, in the mid 90’s, and then again, for the 2 further meetings.
There are several other implausible coincidences and I’m afraid I correctly identified every one of them, well ahead of their happening, every bit of shock and surprise. So, predictable for me
There are also dark secrets which the central character knows, and has found out, but the author dangles suspensefully in front of the reader. This feels like a manipulation, and the workings are all too visible.
If, as I read, I am always aware of the author’s technique, disbelief is never suspended
The main problem was the problem of Rachel herself, far too spineless for her time, and equally, we are constantly TOLD about the depths she has stirred in noble Gabe, but it frankly seemed a bit remarkable, Rachel seemed utterly limp, for far far too long.
I feel really sorry I requested this, as this has been a classic case of a book and a reader not being suited.
The ‘romance genre’ , which this absolutely is, full stop, is not one I have ever sought out. I read MANY books, which ARE absolutely about the trajectories of love, the romantic encounter, and relationships as a major focus, but they are rather more shelved and sold as ‘Literary Fiction’.
This felt curiously old-fashioned in its female protagonist, not to mention its male one. Beginning in 1986, when Rachel, living in a ‘timeless’ English village is in her mid twenties. The rest of the population, apart from Rachel and her fiancé Jonny and his young daughter from his first marriage, seem to be middle aged or older, stockbroker belt conservative types, slightly shocked (in 1986???) by the fact Rachel and Jonny are living together, not yet married. Rachel has two part time jobs, one as a waitress, one as an ‘assistant’ in the Art Gallery – really a fairly twee gift shop.
Rachel has had some tragic family history, and is remarkably naïve for a mid twenties woman in 1986 England. I would have found the culture she is within a little behind the times 30 years earlier. Her fiancé, Jonny, is yearning for success as a writer of spy thrillers
Into the mix comes the incredibly handsome, but also incredibly deep-thinking, noble and sensitive hero, American Gabe, visiting his ‘eccentric,’ but in fact, far more of the times themselves, aunt Julia
Rachel and Gabe have a totally innocent but intense sense of each other as soul mates based on a couple of fleeting, socially busy encounters.
And various coincidences means this happens again, 3 more times, roughly 10 years apart, each time. There is no contact between them between the 1986 meeting, the extraordinary coincidence of a meeting in North Africa – where neither of them live, in the mid 90’s, and then again, for the 2 further meetings.
There are several other implausible coincidences and I’m afraid I correctly identified every one of them, well ahead of their happening, every bit of shock and surprise. So, predictable for me
There are also dark secrets which the central character knows, and has found out, but the author dangles suspensefully in front of the reader. This feels like a manipulation, and the workings are all too visible.
If, as I read, I am always aware of the author’s technique, disbelief is never suspended
The main problem was the problem of Rachel herself, far too spineless for her time, and equally, we are constantly TOLD about the depths she has stirred in noble Gabe, but it frankly seemed a bit remarkable, Rachel seemed utterly limp, for far far too long.
February 14, 2025
Made me weep but so beautiful
June 4, 2023
This story was heartbreakingly beautiful. The writing was incredible - Fiona does an incredible job of setting the scene in such a detailed way that you feel you are there as well. At times, hard to read, this story is a great depiction of how hard it can be to choose what is best for us vs what is right in front of us. Honestly one of the best and most authentic love stories I’ve read, told over four seasons of life. There are a few twists and turns that just break your heart but in the best way.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 4, 2023
I got this ARC from Netgalley so thank you!
I was hoping to love this book, it has the romcom vibe I absolutely adore and the premise sounded good: Rachel seems to have this perfect life with Jonny, who appears lovely and caring even if he's really concentrated on becoming the next big thing in spy thriller literature. They're about to get married and she will become the stepmother of his daughter who she loves. But she keeps finding her path crossed with Gabe, a charming American who is just perfect.
I really loved the writing. It was light and fun to read, even if I would have cut it a bit shorter (400 pages it's just too long for this story). It was mostly what kept me reading until the end, so if you want a romance story through time with beautiful writing this book is absolutely for you. Also, the cover is just so beautiful, I can't think of a better one to represent this story.
Now, I didn't like Rachel at all. She seemed a bit childish and too innocent for a woman in her mid twenties in 80s England. I really wanted to see more of her relationship with her parents, something that clearly marked her personality given the toxic environment they created in her childhood, but we only get some memories and no flashbacks at all.
The coincidences started to become to much even for me. I get that they keep finding each other and that's the plot, but most of the time just seemed implausible and I got annoyed of pretending to be surprised.
I was hoping to love this book, it has the romcom vibe I absolutely adore and the premise sounded good: Rachel seems to have this perfect life with Jonny, who appears lovely and caring even if he's really concentrated on becoming the next big thing in spy thriller literature. They're about to get married and she will become the stepmother of his daughter who she loves. But she keeps finding her path crossed with Gabe, a charming American who is just perfect.
I really loved the writing. It was light and fun to read, even if I would have cut it a bit shorter (400 pages it's just too long for this story). It was mostly what kept me reading until the end, so if you want a romance story through time with beautiful writing this book is absolutely for you. Also, the cover is just so beautiful, I can't think of a better one to represent this story.
Now, I didn't like Rachel at all. She seemed a bit childish and too innocent for a woman in her mid twenties in 80s England. I really wanted to see more of her relationship with her parents, something that clearly marked her personality given the toxic environment they created in her childhood, but we only get some memories and no flashbacks at all.
The coincidences started to become to much even for me. I get that they keep finding each other and that's the plot, but most of the time just seemed implausible and I got annoyed of pretending to be surprised.
June 12, 2023
This story was heartbreakingly beautiful. The writing was incredible - Fiona does an incredible job of setting the scene in such a detailed way that you feel you are there as well. At times, hard to read, this story is a great depiction of how hard it can be to choose what is best for us vs what is right in front of us. Honestly one of the best and most authentic love stories I’ve read, told over four seasons of life. There are a few twists and turns that just break your heart but in the best way.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 27, 2023
I absolutely loved this book! I loved the main character Rachel! I loved the author! I loved the plot! I loved everything!
This book is not the type of book I normally read but I am so pleased that I did. Wonderful!
I liked the way the author carefully developed the plot. I loved the ending!! Rachel is amazing!! Surely the ultimate role-model.
This book is not the type of book I normally read but I am so pleased that I did. Wonderful!
I liked the way the author carefully developed the plot. I loved the ending!! Rachel is amazing!! Surely the ultimate role-model.
June 9, 2023
I can see the attraction of Rachel to Jonny, especially after her childhood. Jonny (an aspiring author) is a “bad boy” known, an eye catcher, well liked at the pubs and by people who recognize him as a celebrity, likes to party, has a disgusting friend, Lee, that Rachel puts up with. Rachel puts up with a lot for Jonny, and puts herself last. She does not see this or realize this until later. Jonny in the meantime…is doing Jonny things. Comes home late, drunk, keeps saying his next book is going to be the winner, stick by me Rachel and do she does. The reader can see where this is going. It takes a long time through the book for her eyes to be opened and secrets revealed. During this course, she meets Grant, an American, who each catches each others eye and while flirtatiously playful, he asks her some hard questions. Their platonic relationship continues for years (she is always the one who backs out and leaves back to go to Jonny pretty much all the time). It’s was painful for me to read each time they would walk away from each other. They are truly attracted to each other however, Rachel always speaks of her love for Jonny and how happy they are together and respectfully, Grant does not push. But, geez, time waits for no one, you know? I was very irritated with her wishy washiness and her having the iconic Jonny on a pedestal and herself underneath it. All because she wanted safety and stability in her life and she was overlooking the fact that being with Jonny was not providing her with the safety and stability she thought.
January 5, 2023
Thank you Netgally, Amazon Publishing UK and Lake Union Publishing for providing a copy of Spring, Summer, Autumn, Us for review.
Over four decades, four chance encounters with the same man cause married Rachel to wonder whether the life story she once fought for is the version she’s supposed to be living.
I was very attracted to the premise of this book. I love the ‘is the grass greener on the other side’ trope. Being Canadian, I love reading about the quaint English countryside, and I thought Collins immersed me in Rachel’s world quickly and vividly. I felt the cover represented the content of the book well. The characterizations of Jonny and Gabe were distinct, and I saw the realism in Rachel being attracted to two very different men. I have read many books set in the art world and Collins brought artworks to life through prose like no other author I’ve read. I enjoyed the first half of the book, hoping Collins would dive deeper into the characterizations and motivations as we went a long to help support her premise. To give us the chance to see what was Rachel’s better decision.
I was sad to see the second half of the book didn’t bring this about. I felt Rachel acted so much on feeling and so little on reason, or examining her past behaviour, that I’m afraid I began to become indifferent to her outcome. By the end I wasn’t rooting for her choice. I think if we’d seen Rachel more critical of Gabe, more probing, I would’ve believed her reversal and been cheering for her. I thought this book was well written, many sections were very enjoyable, but didn’t dive deep enough to provide what I expect from this genre.
Over four decades, four chance encounters with the same man cause married Rachel to wonder whether the life story she once fought for is the version she’s supposed to be living.
I was very attracted to the premise of this book. I love the ‘is the grass greener on the other side’ trope. Being Canadian, I love reading about the quaint English countryside, and I thought Collins immersed me in Rachel’s world quickly and vividly. I felt the cover represented the content of the book well. The characterizations of Jonny and Gabe were distinct, and I saw the realism in Rachel being attracted to two very different men. I have read many books set in the art world and Collins brought artworks to life through prose like no other author I’ve read. I enjoyed the first half of the book, hoping Collins would dive deeper into the characterizations and motivations as we went a long to help support her premise. To give us the chance to see what was Rachel’s better decision.
I was sad to see the second half of the book didn’t bring this about. I felt Rachel acted so much on feeling and so little on reason, or examining her past behaviour, that I’m afraid I began to become indifferent to her outcome. By the end I wasn’t rooting for her choice. I think if we’d seen Rachel more critical of Gabe, more probing, I would’ve believed her reversal and been cheering for her. I thought this book was well written, many sections were very enjoyable, but didn’t dive deep enough to provide what I expect from this genre.
April 3, 2023
This is one of THOSE books; the kind that, when you reach the last page a little bit of you wishes you hadn't read it - so you could have the pleasure all over again!
Rachel has her life all mapped out; engaged to Jonny she will be step-mother to his daughter Teddy and run her own art gallery. Then she meets Gabe - an American artist with a candid manner about him and while there is no denying there is an attraction, Rachel has plans and is committed to her relationship. However, the art world is small -even on a world wide scale - and Gabe and Rachel's paths cross from time to time over the years and the more she sees of him, the less she can forget . . .
Oh, this is a novel with absolutely everything going for it. It's honest, realistic, and absolutely delicious. The setting, the characters, the relationships and all the bits that are going on that we're not aware of just kept me glued to the pages. The tension between Rachel and Gabe is palpable. The writing is incredible, keeping the readers attention and it all moves along at a good pace. I never really had the time to think ahead (as I couldn't bear to stop reading) but if I had thought about what ending I wanted, it would have been the one I got. Perfect, just perfect. This is definitely one I'll read again, when I have had time to forget all the little details which abound. I really cannot recommend this one highly enough and, of course, give it a full house of sparkling stars!
Rachel has her life all mapped out; engaged to Jonny she will be step-mother to his daughter Teddy and run her own art gallery. Then she meets Gabe - an American artist with a candid manner about him and while there is no denying there is an attraction, Rachel has plans and is committed to her relationship. However, the art world is small -even on a world wide scale - and Gabe and Rachel's paths cross from time to time over the years and the more she sees of him, the less she can forget . . .
Oh, this is a novel with absolutely everything going for it. It's honest, realistic, and absolutely delicious. The setting, the characters, the relationships and all the bits that are going on that we're not aware of just kept me glued to the pages. The tension between Rachel and Gabe is palpable. The writing is incredible, keeping the readers attention and it all moves along at a good pace. I never really had the time to think ahead (as I couldn't bear to stop reading) but if I had thought about what ending I wanted, it would have been the one I got. Perfect, just perfect. This is definitely one I'll read again, when I have had time to forget all the little details which abound. I really cannot recommend this one highly enough and, of course, give it a full house of sparkling stars!
March 31, 2023
I had little idea what to expect from this book, but I enjoyed it hugely.
Spanning four seasons and four decades, this story follows Rachel, who we first meet in the '80s when she's in her twenties, about to marry aspiring author Jonny and become stepmother to his little girl. And that's when she first meets Gabe, a handsome American on a short visit to his aunt in their Oxfordshire village, and sparks a connection that will never quite go away, despite the many years between their meetings.
I think this is the first book I've read by Fiona Collins, but she writes very well. I liked Rachel's character a lot, and I think I also fell a little bit in love with "quiet American" Gabe.
The relationship between Rachel and her fiancé-later-husband Jonny, who becomes a very successful author of spy novels (though isn't Nikita a boy's name in Russia?) is really well drawn, too. Jonny was a believable if frustrating character. When you've built a life together for many years, is it really possible to walk away?
A story about the seasons and the passage of time, art (I loved Rachel's seasons-themed gallery), love of different kinds and the parts of ourselves that we suppress or allow other people to suppress. A really engaging and evocative read.
Spanning four seasons and four decades, this story follows Rachel, who we first meet in the '80s when she's in her twenties, about to marry aspiring author Jonny and become stepmother to his little girl. And that's when she first meets Gabe, a handsome American on a short visit to his aunt in their Oxfordshire village, and sparks a connection that will never quite go away, despite the many years between their meetings.
I think this is the first book I've read by Fiona Collins, but she writes very well. I liked Rachel's character a lot, and I think I also fell a little bit in love with "quiet American" Gabe.
The relationship between Rachel and her fiancé-later-husband Jonny, who becomes a very successful author of spy novels (though isn't Nikita a boy's name in Russia?) is really well drawn, too. Jonny was a believable if frustrating character. When you've built a life together for many years, is it really possible to walk away?
A story about the seasons and the passage of time, art (I loved Rachel's seasons-themed gallery), love of different kinds and the parts of ourselves that we suppress or allow other people to suppress. A really engaging and evocative read.
July 6, 2023
I received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I was pleasantly surprised with this book. It's A story of uncertainty in life. In learning to make decisions that are right for you and learning to love yourself enough to do that. The lead character Rachael sacrifices more in here life than she should have to. She does it for all the right reasons and finds out the people she did it for really didn't deserve those sacrifices. For all her loyalty she was betrayed by the person she loved the most and thought loved her. She early on in life has the chance to have a life with two different people. She has to make a decision which way to go. But did she make the right choice? Throughout her life fate brings her back time and time again to the man and the life she didn't choose. After realizing of all the betrayals of all the lies from the life she chose and a 30 year betrayed marriage she made the wrong choice. Now the question is does she give up on that long marriage or stick with it too the end. Or follow fate and find the life and love she should have had in the first place. Very well written and a can't put down book. A must read indeed and highly recommended. I found another good author to start following.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2022
“‘It’s been lovely meeting you, Gabe.’ ‘Likewise.’ He held out his hand to her and the touch of it was a promise of something that couldn’t be promised. An evocation of a life that could never be lived.“
This book leveled me in a way I was not expecting. Spanning decades, it weaves through the life of Rachel, as she settles into her life with Jonny, only wanting stability and safety. But in every decade, she finds herself meeting up with Gabe, an American artist that is everything she wants, yet does not allow herself to have.
Through the years Rachel’s life gets more settled, but Gabe is always there, a reminder of what could have been. The story was both amazingly ordinary, yet heartbreaking. It highlights how much we can never know about the time we have, and that the grass may not be greener on the other side… but then again, there is always the chance it could be.
This is a story about love, the kind of love that does not diminish. The kind of love that maintains as a thread throughout everything, hoping that you can find it again and follow it home.
*I received a copy of the book from NetGalley to read and review.
This book leveled me in a way I was not expecting. Spanning decades, it weaves through the life of Rachel, as she settles into her life with Jonny, only wanting stability and safety. But in every decade, she finds herself meeting up with Gabe, an American artist that is everything she wants, yet does not allow herself to have.
Through the years Rachel’s life gets more settled, but Gabe is always there, a reminder of what could have been. The story was both amazingly ordinary, yet heartbreaking. It highlights how much we can never know about the time we have, and that the grass may not be greener on the other side… but then again, there is always the chance it could be.
This is a story about love, the kind of love that does not diminish. The kind of love that maintains as a thread throughout everything, hoping that you can find it again and follow it home.
*I received a copy of the book from NetGalley to read and review.
March 30, 2023
Four seasons, four decades, four encounters a with the same man, it sounded like it would be a great read & right up my street, I couldn’t wait to start this however it wasn’t as good as I thought it was going to be unfortunately.
I felt like it just lacked something … each decade with the same outcome, it was a bit of a lull, that being said it picked up over the last half of the book & I did want to know more about Rachel’s husband Johnny & his road to success but all in all apart from Gabe the characters weren’t very deep, there was no real exploration or character building.
It’s quite an easy read but just wasn’t for me I’m afraid,
I felt like it just lacked something … each decade with the same outcome, it was a bit of a lull, that being said it picked up over the last half of the book & I did want to know more about Rachel’s husband Johnny & his road to success but all in all apart from Gabe the characters weren’t very deep, there was no real exploration or character building.
It’s quite an easy read but just wasn’t for me I’m afraid,
July 5, 2023
This book became increasingly more frustrating as I read it. It took the main character, Rachel, DECADES to finally have some self respect for herself. She was infuriating! I just wanted to shake her and tell her to leave her horrible, selfish husband and move on with her life. There were also a lot of unnecessary fillers throughout the book which made it longer than it needed to be. I wish it was a little more to the point. 2 out of 5 stars. This book wasn’t for me. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing the e-ARC for an honest review.
April 19, 2023
Didnt do it for me. I found I couldn’t care less about the characters and Rachel was just plain irritating.
April 18, 2023
Spring 1986. Rachel believes she has finally found everything her heart desires, and is looking forward to a long and happy life with her fiancé, aspiring author Jonny, the man who promises the safe and secure life she craves. But her calm assurance that she is on the right path is thrown into disorder when she meets handsome American artist Gabe, and feels a spark between them that she is determined to ignore.
Over time, Rachel doggedly sticks to the path she has mapped out for herself as loving wife, and step-mother to Jonny's trouble daughter Teddy. She takes on the local art gallery and transforms it into a growing enterprise, but somehow her success is always overshadowed by Jonny's burgeoning career.
As the years fly by, bringing trials and tribulations, Rachel and Gabe's lives touch in different seasons, and each time they feel the undeniable pull of an attraction between them. Whenever they meet, Rachel sees the possible other life she could be living, but is the chance of another life worth leaving behind all she has built with Jonny?
I am a massive fan of Collins' previous wonderful book Summer in the City, which is one I frequently recommend far and wide as a story that ticks all those 'in the feels' boxes, so I could not wait to dive into her brand new novel Spring, Summer, Autumn, Us. I was a little apprehensive, since I loved the last book so much, but I really should not have worried because this book is every bit as emotionally rewarding.
Our story begins in the 1986, and is filled with every conceivable spot on popular culture reference that my 80s loving heart could wish for. Against this back drop, Rachel is a young woman with a painful childhood, whose only wish is to be with a man who will offer her a secure future - and she is sure she has found this with the man of her dreams Jonny... but then she meets American visitor Gabe. Gabe is unlike any other man Rachel has met before, and she finds herself opening up to him in a way that surprises her. There is a spark between them that both of them feel, but Rachel is determined to resist his charms and their brief acquaintance ends with many things left unsaid.
Over the next forty years, Rachel's professional success is acknowledged by almost all, but her personal life is not quite as picture perfect as she would like. Fate decrees that Rachel and Gabe meet again, and each time they do they are forced to confront the fact that something magical could happen between them if only they would let it. Each time life intervenes to keep them apart, by accident or design.
This is very much a story about the path not taken, and it is filled with an atmosphere of yearning so thick that you could cut it with a palette knife. Collin's beautifully explores the dilemma Rachel faces in trying to decide where true happiness lies with heart-wrenching poignancy. How do you decide whether it is best to stick with the life you have created, even if it turns out not quite as you expected, or if you should take the plunge into the unknown based on a feeling, however strong? It takes forty years for Rachel to decide, but when she does you know she has finally made the right choice.
Collins touches on lashings of complex themes in this story, focusing on controlling relationships, infidelity and betrayal, and the impact these have on mental health. The way Collins examines how the relationships that surround us in childhood shape our own notions of what makes a healthy romantic partnership is especially striking. I also love the way in which Collins echoes the theme of seasons throughout the story in literal and metaphorical ways.
This is an epic, and somewhat unconventional romance, filled with light and shade, love and destiny. It looks at relationships from many different perspectives, and really makes you think about the myriad little moments that define the directions we take. It is another absolute winner from Fiona Collins, and I loved it from captivating start to sob-fest ending.
Over time, Rachel doggedly sticks to the path she has mapped out for herself as loving wife, and step-mother to Jonny's trouble daughter Teddy. She takes on the local art gallery and transforms it into a growing enterprise, but somehow her success is always overshadowed by Jonny's burgeoning career.
As the years fly by, bringing trials and tribulations, Rachel and Gabe's lives touch in different seasons, and each time they feel the undeniable pull of an attraction between them. Whenever they meet, Rachel sees the possible other life she could be living, but is the chance of another life worth leaving behind all she has built with Jonny?
I am a massive fan of Collins' previous wonderful book Summer in the City, which is one I frequently recommend far and wide as a story that ticks all those 'in the feels' boxes, so I could not wait to dive into her brand new novel Spring, Summer, Autumn, Us. I was a little apprehensive, since I loved the last book so much, but I really should not have worried because this book is every bit as emotionally rewarding.
Our story begins in the 1986, and is filled with every conceivable spot on popular culture reference that my 80s loving heart could wish for. Against this back drop, Rachel is a young woman with a painful childhood, whose only wish is to be with a man who will offer her a secure future - and she is sure she has found this with the man of her dreams Jonny... but then she meets American visitor Gabe. Gabe is unlike any other man Rachel has met before, and she finds herself opening up to him in a way that surprises her. There is a spark between them that both of them feel, but Rachel is determined to resist his charms and their brief acquaintance ends with many things left unsaid.
Over the next forty years, Rachel's professional success is acknowledged by almost all, but her personal life is not quite as picture perfect as she would like. Fate decrees that Rachel and Gabe meet again, and each time they do they are forced to confront the fact that something magical could happen between them if only they would let it. Each time life intervenes to keep them apart, by accident or design.
This is very much a story about the path not taken, and it is filled with an atmosphere of yearning so thick that you could cut it with a palette knife. Collin's beautifully explores the dilemma Rachel faces in trying to decide where true happiness lies with heart-wrenching poignancy. How do you decide whether it is best to stick with the life you have created, even if it turns out not quite as you expected, or if you should take the plunge into the unknown based on a feeling, however strong? It takes forty years for Rachel to decide, but when she does you know she has finally made the right choice.
Collins touches on lashings of complex themes in this story, focusing on controlling relationships, infidelity and betrayal, and the impact these have on mental health. The way Collins examines how the relationships that surround us in childhood shape our own notions of what makes a healthy romantic partnership is especially striking. I also love the way in which Collins echoes the theme of seasons throughout the story in literal and metaphorical ways.
This is an epic, and somewhat unconventional romance, filled with light and shade, love and destiny. It looks at relationships from many different perspectives, and really makes you think about the myriad little moments that define the directions we take. It is another absolute winner from Fiona Collins, and I loved it from captivating start to sob-fest ending.
June 11, 2023
I enjoyed this very much. Rachel is a sensitive soul, the product of a very unhappy marriage which ended in an awful motor accident. After that she lived with her grandparents, and learned what it is like to have a happy life. When she is twenty she moves in with Jonny, a struggling author of Russian spy thrillers. He is divorced, and has a young daughter - Teddy. They live in a village near Oxford, and Rachel works in the local art gallery. They are saving up to have a lavish wedding.
Rachel first meets Gabe at a neighbour’s party, Jonny should be there but hasn’t yet arrived. Gabe is American, related to Julia, who lives in the village. They chat for a while, and there is an instant spark of interest between them; but of course, she has Jonny. Gabe is a struggling artist, who specialises in painting trees. Then Jonny arrives, and her thought about Gabe fade. She is vaguely aware that he is leaving the party. They soon meet again in the village, in the rain, and chat for a while, but she doesn’t tell Jonny about their meeting. A couple of days later she is alone in the gallery, she puts on some music, and sings and dances to it, unaware that Gabe has come in and is watching her. They spend the afternoon together, chatting, learning more about each other. Both are going to a party in a couple of days, then Gabe will be going back to America. They meet, dance and chat at the party, and just as it is time to leave Gabe tells Rachel she is the most beautiful woman he has ever met, and if she is ever free - come and find him. Neither think they will ever meet again.
And so begins the pattern of their lives, every ten years or more they meet unexpectedly, and their feelings for each other grow. Rachel finds out things about Jonny that make him less than the ideal husband people think he is, but Rachel flees away from doing anything about it. Each time they meet she intends to go back to Gabe but events stop that happening.
Then Gabe’s Aunt Julia dies, and he comes back for her funeral. At the same time Rachel finds out a couple of things about Jonny that she absolutely cannot forgive. She has a long talk with now grown up Teddy, who tells her to follow her heart, they will be alright. She doesn’t get to speak to Gabe, he has gone home before she gets free of other guests at the wake. But the timid little mouse, who gives in to everyone is gone, she goes to find her man!
This is a very gentle story, but you can feel the attraction between Gabe and Rachel, you can also see that Jonny is not quite what he seems, a bit too sugar-coated to be true! Well worth reading.
Rachel first meets Gabe at a neighbour’s party, Jonny should be there but hasn’t yet arrived. Gabe is American, related to Julia, who lives in the village. They chat for a while, and there is an instant spark of interest between them; but of course, she has Jonny. Gabe is a struggling artist, who specialises in painting trees. Then Jonny arrives, and her thought about Gabe fade. She is vaguely aware that he is leaving the party. They soon meet again in the village, in the rain, and chat for a while, but she doesn’t tell Jonny about their meeting. A couple of days later she is alone in the gallery, she puts on some music, and sings and dances to it, unaware that Gabe has come in and is watching her. They spend the afternoon together, chatting, learning more about each other. Both are going to a party in a couple of days, then Gabe will be going back to America. They meet, dance and chat at the party, and just as it is time to leave Gabe tells Rachel she is the most beautiful woman he has ever met, and if she is ever free - come and find him. Neither think they will ever meet again.
And so begins the pattern of their lives, every ten years or more they meet unexpectedly, and their feelings for each other grow. Rachel finds out things about Jonny that make him less than the ideal husband people think he is, but Rachel flees away from doing anything about it. Each time they meet she intends to go back to Gabe but events stop that happening.
Then Gabe’s Aunt Julia dies, and he comes back for her funeral. At the same time Rachel finds out a couple of things about Jonny that she absolutely cannot forgive. She has a long talk with now grown up Teddy, who tells her to follow her heart, they will be alright. She doesn’t get to speak to Gabe, he has gone home before she gets free of other guests at the wake. But the timid little mouse, who gives in to everyone is gone, she goes to find her man!
This is a very gentle story, but you can feel the attraction between Gabe and Rachel, you can also see that Jonny is not quite what he seems, a bit too sugar-coated to be true! Well worth reading.
April 1, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Rachel is ready for the perfect life - to get married, start a family, own a gallery, be successful. And she is ready for this with Jonny. That is until she meets Gabe, an American artist by chance at a party. For the first time, she begins to wonder what if. Over the course of four decades, chance encounters with Gabe have her questioning her life and the path that's meant for her.
I've said this in previous reviews, but love triangles are typically not my jam. I decided to take a shot on this one as the premise really had me hooked. And I thought this book was winning me over the more I read. I was rooting for Rachel. I was falling for Gabe. I was contemplating life, love and relationships. The story brings up many interesting questions and forces the reader to self-reflect.
Rachel is ready for the perfect life - to get married, start a family, own a gallery, be successful. And she is ready for this with Jonny. That is until she meets Gabe, an American artist by chance at a party. For the first time, she begins to wonder what if. Over the course of four decades, chance encounters with Gabe have her questioning her life and the path that's meant for her.
I've said this in previous reviews, but love triangles are typically not my jam. I decided to take a shot on this one as the premise really had me hooked. And I thought this book was winning me over the more I read. I was rooting for Rachel. I was falling for Gabe. I was contemplating life, love and relationships. The story brings up many interesting questions and forces the reader to self-reflect.
April 18, 2023
In the prologue Collins gives me a tiny glimpse of Rachel’s disruptive childhood. Fast forward to spring 1986, the year of the Chernobyl disaster. Rachel is living in Oxford and has found her happily ever after, Jonny. True she has what she’s always dreamed of but she also has other dreams for her future like owning her own art gallery. In the midst of her happiness she meets an American Gabe at a party and feels a strange pull at her heart strings. Should she indulge? After all Rachel is content with her near perfect life and it is what she has chosen? But as Gabe and Rachel’s lives cross over the decades she can’t help but ask if she is meant to live it.
A tale of ordinary lives in a typical albeit charming English village. So what kept my attention and the pages turning. Collins exquisite story telling. It kept my heart on tenterhooks. I was totally immersed in the tale desperate to know how it all ended. Though this is mainly Rachel and Gabe’s story, Collins has done a remarkable job of building all the characters in the plot. I got a real feel for who Jonny, Tatiana, the rest of the villagers and their friends were. They were all so real yet flawed and the novel landed straight to my heart. Though not particularly thought provoking it did make me stop and reflect on life. And the pages kept pulling me in.
Rachel’s courage and integrity impressed me. Would Rachel ever give in to the vibe she feels for Gabe? More interestingly, what would persuade Rachel to change her mind, if at all? This is a romantic, moving, engaging, sometimes funny, sometimes infuriating tale. I devoured it in one sitting. It made my heart swell. I fell in love with the characters and grew attached to them.
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Us is beautifully written, emotional, compelling, relatable in so many ways and simply a wonderful novel. I warmed to it instantly and enjoyed every heart twisting single page, until the very end. Thank goodness for the ending, an HEA, in my opinion at least. At last I shouted as happy tears streamed down my face and I was grinning from ear to ear. A sublime uplifting read that I could curl into any time.
A tale of ordinary lives in a typical albeit charming English village. So what kept my attention and the pages turning. Collins exquisite story telling. It kept my heart on tenterhooks. I was totally immersed in the tale desperate to know how it all ended. Though this is mainly Rachel and Gabe’s story, Collins has done a remarkable job of building all the characters in the plot. I got a real feel for who Jonny, Tatiana, the rest of the villagers and their friends were. They were all so real yet flawed and the novel landed straight to my heart. Though not particularly thought provoking it did make me stop and reflect on life. And the pages kept pulling me in.
Rachel’s courage and integrity impressed me. Would Rachel ever give in to the vibe she feels for Gabe? More interestingly, what would persuade Rachel to change her mind, if at all? This is a romantic, moving, engaging, sometimes funny, sometimes infuriating tale. I devoured it in one sitting. It made my heart swell. I fell in love with the characters and grew attached to them.
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Us is beautifully written, emotional, compelling, relatable in so many ways and simply a wonderful novel. I warmed to it instantly and enjoyed every heart twisting single page, until the very end. Thank goodness for the ending, an HEA, in my opinion at least. At last I shouted as happy tears streamed down my face and I was grinning from ear to ear. A sublime uplifting read that I could curl into any time.
November 14, 2023
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Us by Fiona Collins is a captivating novel that tells the story of Rachel, who is engaged to Jonny, a handsome author, and is about to become a stepmother to his young daughter. The story is set in four different seasons and spans four decades, and the plot is centered around four chance encounters with Gabe, an American artist, who is carefree and spontaneous.
Rachel meets Gabe at a party, and despite the spark between them, she resists him as she wants to focus on her life with Jonny and her dream of opening an art gallery. However, Gabe is always present in Rachel's life, tempting her with his adventurous lifestyle. As their paths cross over the years, Rachel is faced with choices that could change everything, and she begins to question whether the life she thought she wanted is the one she truly desires.
The author does an excellent job of weaving together the four seasons and the different periods in Rachel's life. The characters are relatable, and their relationships are complex and realistic. The story is thought-provoking and explores the themes of love, relationships, and the choices we make in life.
Overall, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Us is a beautifully written novel that will keep readers engaged from start to finish. The story is well-paced, and the characters are well-developed. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and thought-provoking read.
Rachel meets Gabe at a party, and despite the spark between them, she resists him as she wants to focus on her life with Jonny and her dream of opening an art gallery. However, Gabe is always present in Rachel's life, tempting her with his adventurous lifestyle. As their paths cross over the years, Rachel is faced with choices that could change everything, and she begins to question whether the life she thought she wanted is the one she truly desires.
The author does an excellent job of weaving together the four seasons and the different periods in Rachel's life. The characters are relatable, and their relationships are complex and realistic. The story is thought-provoking and explores the themes of love, relationships, and the choices we make in life.
Overall, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Us is a beautifully written novel that will keep readers engaged from start to finish. The story is well-paced, and the characters are well-developed. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and thought-provoking read.
March 24, 2024
i hate straight romance.
and i have to start with that because, well, this story is that.
i don’t normally feel bad for straight people in fiction because the thing that stops them from being together doesn’t exist in the form of gender discrimination. it’s so hard for me to feel bad for them! but spring, summer, autumn, us actually changed something in me…
i think it was the longing or the slowburn or the juxtaposition between the two love interests, idk what it was but it worked. the fact that the love between rachel and gabe remained after 30+(?) years only further solidified their romance for me.
of course, i was frustrated with rachel for waiting sooo long, BUT due to her past, her actions made a lot of sense so my frustrations subsided. i think it’s what made her feel so real and raw as opposed to other heroines.
i was rooting for rachel and gabe from the moment they met. and i never do that. immediately upon first introduction i was like F*CK JONNY GO GABE !!! i mean, after the compliment “a face like sunshine” it was a no-brainer…
my only schtick is that although gabe is american, he sounded so british to me. but it can’t be helped because if i had to write a british man, you would never be able to tell 😭
final thoughts! i thought the writing was so beautiful, i found myself highlighting random sentences because of how well they were strung together. i was totally encapsulated in the world fiona collins built
4/5 !
and i have to start with that because, well, this story is that.
i don’t normally feel bad for straight people in fiction because the thing that stops them from being together doesn’t exist in the form of gender discrimination. it’s so hard for me to feel bad for them! but spring, summer, autumn, us actually changed something in me…
i think it was the longing or the slowburn or the juxtaposition between the two love interests, idk what it was but it worked. the fact that the love between rachel and gabe remained after 30+(?) years only further solidified their romance for me.
of course, i was frustrated with rachel for waiting sooo long, BUT due to her past, her actions made a lot of sense so my frustrations subsided. i think it’s what made her feel so real and raw as opposed to other heroines.
i was rooting for rachel and gabe from the moment they met. and i never do that. immediately upon first introduction i was like F*CK JONNY GO GABE !!! i mean, after the compliment “a face like sunshine” it was a no-brainer…
my only schtick is that although gabe is american, he sounded so british to me. but it can’t be helped because if i had to write a british man, you would never be able to tell 😭
final thoughts! i thought the writing was so beautiful, i found myself highlighting random sentences because of how well they were strung together. i was totally encapsulated in the world fiona collins built
4/5 !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2023
I fell deeply in love with this book and know it's one I will read again and again. The writing was sublime, the characters were astounding and I never wanted it to end even as I devoured it late into the night.
Rachel is happy. Engaged to Jonny and stepmum to Teddy, she is living a safe and quiet life. Yes, she may be in the shadow of Jonny, but it's a place where she feels comfortable. Safety and security are what she's craved all her life.
But when she meets Gabe at a party, she knows he is dangerous and will make her question everything. They meet in spring 1986 and their connection is everything but safe.
They won't meet again until summer of 1997, but their feelings haven't changed. They will meet again in Autumn 2008 and Winter 2019.
Throughout each meeting I was longing for Rachel to put herself first and make a life with Gabe. But Rachel chose duty over her great love and this made the story all the more poignant. It reminded me somewhat of The Bridges of Madison County, the same desperate longing but inability to leave a family behind.
As each live their lives, they find themselves drawn back together each time they meet. The suspense in each scene is exquisite torture, and Rachel is such a believable character, I felt for her so much.
There is sadness in this book, but there is also hope and love. And I loved how their story ended. Perfection.
Rachel is happy. Engaged to Jonny and stepmum to Teddy, she is living a safe and quiet life. Yes, she may be in the shadow of Jonny, but it's a place where she feels comfortable. Safety and security are what she's craved all her life.
But when she meets Gabe at a party, she knows he is dangerous and will make her question everything. They meet in spring 1986 and their connection is everything but safe.
They won't meet again until summer of 1997, but their feelings haven't changed. They will meet again in Autumn 2008 and Winter 2019.
Throughout each meeting I was longing for Rachel to put herself first and make a life with Gabe. But Rachel chose duty over her great love and this made the story all the more poignant. It reminded me somewhat of The Bridges of Madison County, the same desperate longing but inability to leave a family behind.
As each live their lives, they find themselves drawn back together each time they meet. The suspense in each scene is exquisite torture, and Rachel is such a believable character, I felt for her so much.
There is sadness in this book, but there is also hope and love. And I loved how their story ended. Perfection.
December 19, 2022
Thank you so much Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley.
I've been in a bit of a book slump, and this was the perfect book to bring me out of it. I woke up early to finish it after starting it last night. This book follows Rachel and Gabe as they have chance encounters once every decade. This book vaguely reminded me of one of my favorite film series, Before Sunrise.
What I appreciated about this book is the struggles that Rachel faced. She is very obviously unhappy in her marriage with Jonny. He's not even a good guy! However, she is devoted to this life and to her stepdaughter. It doesn't feel right to write that this stands in the way of whatever is possible with Gabe. It's not quite that as she is so devoted and this current life of hers is so safe.
I also really liked how this book was all from Rachel's point of view. What we know about Gabe is only what he reveals through his encounters with her. This story is all Rachel's and it was surprisingly a nice change to let it all be hers. While I do feel that we got to know enough about Gabe and that his character is still a strong one (Fiona Collins does such a great job), I think it was important that this be from Rachel's POV.
I've been in a bit of a book slump, and this was the perfect book to bring me out of it. I woke up early to finish it after starting it last night. This book follows Rachel and Gabe as they have chance encounters once every decade. This book vaguely reminded me of one of my favorite film series, Before Sunrise.
What I appreciated about this book is the struggles that Rachel faced. She is very obviously unhappy in her marriage with Jonny. He's not even a good guy! However, she is devoted to this life and to her stepdaughter. It doesn't feel right to write that this stands in the way of whatever is possible with Gabe. It's not quite that as she is so devoted and this current life of hers is so safe.
I also really liked how this book was all from Rachel's point of view. What we know about Gabe is only what he reveals through his encounters with her. This story is all Rachel's and it was surprisingly a nice change to let it all be hers. While I do feel that we got to know enough about Gabe and that his character is still a strong one (Fiona Collins does such a great job), I think it was important that this be from Rachel's POV.
July 2, 2023
A beautifully written tale of happenstance, love and growth over a large part of a couple's life. Except that they aren't a couple. They should be, but doubts and circumstance and some really unlucky timing mean that Rachel and Gabe are destined to be each others 'if only' for many, many years.
This novel reminds us how much we are a product of nurture and our experiences in childhood. And how hard it is to have perspective on your own life, when those around you see it all too clearly. There is no real villain, just people who have their faults, some mightier than others.
Beautifully drawn characters abound, even the smaller supporting cast of village inhabitants, who see each other at every gathering on the social calendar and whose behaviour rarely changes. One of the most satisfying moments in the book comes from Rachel finally telling a neighbour what he needed to hear from all the women he had ever tried to charm, (I use the word charm very loosely here).
Thank you for a delightful and gentle story which prods us to all take chances and see what is out there. And not to ignore that heart-stopping, jaw-dropping, palm sweating connection with another person when it comes along.
This novel reminds us how much we are a product of nurture and our experiences in childhood. And how hard it is to have perspective on your own life, when those around you see it all too clearly. There is no real villain, just people who have their faults, some mightier than others.
Beautifully drawn characters abound, even the smaller supporting cast of village inhabitants, who see each other at every gathering on the social calendar and whose behaviour rarely changes. One of the most satisfying moments in the book comes from Rachel finally telling a neighbour what he needed to hear from all the women he had ever tried to charm, (I use the word charm very loosely here).
Thank you for a delightful and gentle story which prods us to all take chances and see what is out there. And not to ignore that heart-stopping, jaw-dropping, palm sweating connection with another person when it comes along.
October 24, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
YES, yes yes!! This book! 5* read, I loved it, everything I hoped it would be and more. I was fully invested from the synopsis and was thrilled to get an arc. This is a story I will want to reread many times just for that feel good, romance magic feeling.
Rachel has always wished for a certain life for herself ever since her unsettled childhood and she meets her perfect man who she is engaged to, Jonny, and is excited to be a step mum to his daughter Teddy....but then there's Gabe. Gabe who keeps appearing every decade and their paths crossed and she feels so drawn and captivated by him and the chemistry is undeniable but she always takes the safer choice with Jonny, as she believes that is what she needs after her childhood. But as the years go by, with more chance encounters, Rachel starts to wonder whether 'perfect Jonny' is the right man for her and whether she should follow her heart instead and go with Gabe.
I was flipping these pages so furiously, if it had been a physical copy it would probably have caught fire!
YES, yes yes!! This book! 5* read, I loved it, everything I hoped it would be and more. I was fully invested from the synopsis and was thrilled to get an arc. This is a story I will want to reread many times just for that feel good, romance magic feeling.
Rachel has always wished for a certain life for herself ever since her unsettled childhood and she meets her perfect man who she is engaged to, Jonny, and is excited to be a step mum to his daughter Teddy....but then there's Gabe. Gabe who keeps appearing every decade and their paths crossed and she feels so drawn and captivated by him and the chemistry is undeniable but she always takes the safer choice with Jonny, as she believes that is what she needs after her childhood. But as the years go by, with more chance encounters, Rachel starts to wonder whether 'perfect Jonny' is the right man for her and whether she should follow her heart instead and go with Gabe.
I was flipping these pages so furiously, if it had been a physical copy it would probably have caught fire!
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