Evie has married into a very well-to-do family, who own a beautiful old house by the river. When her husband Tommy died, he left the house to Evie instead of to his eldest son, Charlie. Charlie’s wife is horrified by this break with family tradition, but Evie knows that there is a secret reason for her late husband’s decision. Meanwhile, Charlie meets a woman by chance at the annual summer regatta and they immediately fall in love. Each wrestles with their conscience, and there is a serious risk that Evie’s family will fall apart.

I didn't care for most of the characters except Ben, the cousin who lived in the Merchant's House. There were at least ten characters in the story that were given their own third person voice. I think at least two of them (the little girl Maisie and her mum) were unnecessary. Several relationships were awkwardly contrived. After the eighth bar the key changes to C major, and remains there for the rest of the piece; the time is predominantly 6 Evie loved the house. The bright, sunny rooms looking across the river. The terraced gardens with fruit trees growing against the high stone walls. The scent of lavender at the end of a hot day.

Summer outdoor 'al fresco' dining in the Windsor area

This story is unique in that it follows the lives of several characters during a short period of time. As the reader we are given a window into the lives of these heartwarming eclectic characters. We discover how they are all connected and watch as their lives are forever changed inside a week.

Ditch the hustle and bustle of the capital for our Summer by the River, where bliss is just a deep breath away. Starting on 1 June 2023 lose yourself in new experiences, reconnect with old friends and feed your curiosity or your appetite.Access-restricted-item true Addeddate 2020-06-03 01:01:38 Boxid IA1813403 Camera Sony Alpha-A6300 (Control) Collection_set printdisabled External-identifier When the weather gets 'hot, hot, hot' we have some great places to stay with indoor and outdoor swimming pools! Overall I was disappointed by this book. I don't actually recall if I've read this author before, but I certainly won't be looking for any of her other books. Running until 1 September, this year’s festival is bringing riverside retreat vibes to the banks of the Thames over three locations – The Scoop, Hay's Galleria and The Pier.

Be inspired by all that the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has to offer. There’s so much more to us than meets the eye and by reading our themed itinerary ideas– including Family Fun and the Great Outdoors – you may decide to plan more than just a day visit!

Summer special offers

I have to admit that it took me a little while to get into this novel. I have read a few books this year which narrate the story from two or three viewpoints. This novel weaves together a number of different storylines, and it took me a while to get them all straight in my head. The secret that Evie uncovers is explained in a long and involved discussion between two characters. I was actually quite happy when the second character ran through it all again to get it straight in his own head – I felt just the same! Read more about our range of short break ideas including weekend breaks, culture breaks, romantic breaks, spa breaks and shopping breaks and start planning your visit. We’ll overlook the less-than-imaginative name, because Summer by the River is in fact the largest free arts and entertainment festival in the capital. It’s all about the #summervibes as they bring the fun to a half-mile stretch of river frontage. So, what can you expect from nearly 100 days of entertainment? What’s on at Summer By The River?