Summer at Orchard House: An utterly compelling and heart-warming summer romance

Ellyn Oaksmith

Jul 2020 · Blue Hills Book 1 · Bookouture

4.5

2 reviews

Ebook

350

Pages

Eligible

About this ebook

“I just couldn't resist how beautiful it is… a beautiful summer romance read which I have absolutely adored… filled with moments to make you laugh out loud… a perfect, light and easy read to devour whilst sat in the sun… so highly deserving of five stars.” Little Miss Book Lover 87 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A heart-warming romance about embracing the unexpected, Summer at Orchard House will make you laugh, make you cry, and remind you that it’s never too late to start again. For fans of Robyn Carr, Carolyn Brown and Debbie Macomber.

Carmen Alvarez is the reliable one. When her vulnerable father’s livelihood is threatened, she’s the person her sisters call. Abandoning her job in Seattle, Carmen races home to the family vineyard her dad built up from nothing to set things straight. But soon she’s fallen back in love with the dusty sage hills, the turquoise blue lake, the fragrant June orchards… Maybe she’s not just home for the summer?

Standing in the way of Carmen’s happiness is one very attractive obstacle: new neighbor Evan Hollister, who’s after her dad’s land. He’s arrogant, entitled and spoiled—everything Carmen hates—and she is all set to have a bit of fun driving him out of town so things can get back to normal. She isn’t ready for their relationship to get complicated…

But Evan is the least of Carmen’s worries. The business is falling apart and it starts to look like Carmen might lose much more than just her pride: employees have quit, the bank keeps calling and everything her father worked so hard for is slipping away. As she is pushed to breaking point, Carmen will learn that her true family are the people who will see her through the worst of times, and that love can be found in the most unlikely of places.

Readers are falling in love with Summer at Orchard House…

“Wine? Romance? Beautifully written romantic tension, high personal stakes, and charming characters on every page? SIGN. ME. UP. This was my first read from Ellyn Oaksmith and I adored every word. I am already dreaming about the sequel. 5 Stars! Highly recommended.” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Woohoo loved this book! I’ve found a new author to love. Her writing was so full of life, so descriptive… so many laugh out loud moments… I can’t wait for Ellyn Oaksmith’s next book!” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“What a great start to a new series… I could feel the warmth on my skin, smell the dusty earth and the sun kissed grapes and wished I had a clear blue lake to dive into too. A lovely heart-warming summer story… I am very curious to find out what will happen next.” B is for Book Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A beautiful, captivating tale… Ellyn Oaksmith captured my heart with the warmth of the story and the love that enveloped the characters… My first book by this author, I was blown away…The story helped me escape my tough day.” Shalini’s Books & Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Wine? Romance? Lough out loud moments? A story with tension, beautiful and well-crafted characters, high stakes and a perfect scenery? I AM IN! ALL THE WAY! This was my first Ellyn Oaksmith read and I am hooked… Summer at Orchard House will make you roll over laughing and it will make you cry as well.” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ratings and reviews

4.5

2 reviews

Gaele Hi

August 3, 2020

Growing up on the family vineyard overlooking Lake Chelan wasn’t easy – but love was never in short supply. But now, with their father showing early stages of Alzheimer’s and the vineyard is in trouble, Carmen Alvarez, the middle sister is the one up to bat. Coming home to ‘make a difference’ to the house and vineyard, despite thinking she knows nothing about the business is a bold move, and she instantly feels the pressure. More so when she reunites with her best friend Stella and discovers just how much things have changed and how much there is to do. Making everything worse, the neighboring land is also a vineyard and owned by a former Microsoft whiz kid with oodles of money to burn – and he wants the family vineyard. Evan has always felt ‘rootless’ and has a few happy childhood memories from vacations spent at Lake Chelan, so instantly he thought buying the vineyard would be a great move. Unaccustomed to the local residents’ views on the “microsofties’ and his flash car, not to mention his inexperience with cultivating vines or wines: he’s in an uphill battle. Sure he can hire the best available workers, and even manage to produce wine, but something is missing and he’s not in a position to make further enemies. Despite what his “business manager” suggests. Evan and Carmen spark off instantly – bickering, attraction and several miscommunications and their own issues keeping them apart. Until push comes to shove and the two are forced into close proximity to survive catastrophe and lives. From emotionally accessible and honest characters to the power of family and friendships and the ties those engender, Oaksmith has started the story of reaching for and achieving the American Dream, and building a legacy based on that dream while keeping hope and love alive. Easy to read, full of highs and lows, the story has moments that will enchant and frustrate in equal measures, just like every family owned and run business out there. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Annette Johnson

July 13, 2020

It’s so nice to find a new series, especially one that starts out so good! Carmen leaves her job in Seattle to go home to save the family winery. Much to her dismay, her neighbor Evan would like nothing more than to buy the winery. I really enjoyed this book, loved the characters and can’t wait to see where this series goes Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the early copy

Rate this ebook

Tell us what you think.

Reading information

Smartphones and tablets

Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.

Laptops and computers

You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.

eReaders and other devices

To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.