“A HOT ITALIAN SUMMER. TWO COUPLES. ONE DARK SECRET THAT COULD RUIN EVERYTHING. . .

Nick and Laura are the hosts: pretending their marriage isn’t on the rocks.

Madison and Bastian are the guests: neither is remotely who they claim to be.

Under the scorching Mediterranean sun, no secret is safe.
No betrayal goes unnoticed.
Two couples. But will either survive the summer . . .”

Hello and welcome to damppebbles. Today I am delighted to share my review of Summer Fever by Kate Riordan. Summer Fever was published by Penguin Michael Joseph on 12th May 2022 and is available in paperback, audio and digital formats. I chose to read a free ARC of Summer Fever but that has in no way influenced my review. My grateful thanks to the team at Penguin Michael Joseph for sending me a proof copy.

I was immediately drawn to this book thanks to that striking cover. Add to that the fact that I’m addicted to summer thrillers at the moment which meant Summer Fever was a ‘must read’ for me. I think despite having a week in sunnier climes earlier this year I’m still yearning for hot, tropical summer days somewhere that isn’t, well, here. Perhaps after losing two years of travel to COVID my need to escape my quiet, dare I say ‘boring’ small town is still very present. Hence my addiction to summer thrillers. Summer Fever transported me to the Marche region of Italy and I loved the time I spent in the author’s world. It was sexy, sultry and chock full of suspense.

Laura and Nick have finally taken the plunge and purchased a villa in the Marche region of Italy leaving behind their troubles, the drudgery of the UK and sticking a plaster firmly over the cracks in their marriage. They plan to open the villa to guests, offering a tailor made service of fine dining, rural living and local tours. When their first guests arrive, a couple from the US called Madison and Bastian, Laura realises that they still have a lot of issues to iron out. Gradually Laura is drawn into Madison’s spontaneous, confident and carefree orbit and the two women become friends. But all is not as it seems. Both couples have secrets. Both couples are hiding something from the other. And it could be the death of them…

I really enjoyed Summer Fever with its beautifully drawn setting, pressing summer heat and intriguing characters. It’s clear to the reader from the outset that there is tension between Laura and Nick. Something has driven a wedge between the couple and as a result Nick has blithely gone along with the idea of moving to Italy, if only to placate Laura. There is an ever present tension between the two of them which I found thoroughly intriguing. I wanted to know what the story was. The reader gets a glimpse into Laura’s past and her time spent at university prior to meeting Nick. These flashbacks expose several of Laura’s character flaws which only made her all the more interesting to me. She’s not a particularly likeable character but because of that, I personally was drawn to her.

The arrival of their American guests ramps the tension up ten-fold. There was a new air to proceedings which pulled me into the story further. The chemistry between Laura and Bastian is undeniable, almost palpable, but with their partners looking on, with nowhere to hide, they must play by the rules. The author handles the suspense incredibly well and I was hooked, unsure how things were going to turn out for these two couples. There are several twists and turns along the way. One of which I was able to spot from fairly early on. Others left me with my jaw on the floor. The ending was completely unexpected, very satisfying and cleverly done.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. Summer Fever is a sophisticated, sexy thriller which I found utterly absorbing and hard to put down. The slow build storyline is beautifully crafted and drew me into the world occupied by Riordan’s fascinating characters. I found the plot both tense and gripping with lots of delicious suspense which I, of course, adore! I could picture Villa Luna Rossa and the area surrounding it with ease and loved how it played such a pivotal role in the story. Shocking but absolutely perfect. All in all this is a superb summer thriller, perfect for reading by the pool or lounging in the garden dreaming of Italy. Recommended.

I chose to read and review a free ARC of Summer Fever. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

Summer Fever by Kate Riordan was published in the UK by Penguin Michael Joseph on 12th May 2022 and is available in paperback, audio and digital formats (please note, the following links are affiliate links which means I receive a small percentage of the purchase price at no extra cost to you): | amazon.co.uk | Waterstones | Foyles | Book Depository | bookshop.org | Goodreads | damppebbles bookshop.org shop |

Kate Riordan is a writer and journalist. She is an avid reader of Daphne du Maurier and Agatha Christie, both of whom have influenced her writing. She lives in the Cotswolds, where she writes full-time.