Swimming Pool Summer- Rebecca Farnworth

Swimming Pool Summer is definitely a holiday read.  I've been enjoying reading it outside in the recent heatwave, not by a pool, but sprawled on a blanket in the garden and lounging in a shaded spot of the local park.  Even the cover is alluring- a sky-blue pool that is just crying out to be dipped into.

Set on an idyllic Greek island, Swimming Pool Summer is the story of Frankie, Leila and Tor.  These thirty-something friends each have a secret that they can't share- Tor, who thought she was infertile, is pregnant, strong-minded Frankie is in love with her friend Patrick and workaholic Leila is trying to forget the one night stand that could ruin her marriage and tear her family apart. 

I found the plot believable and the characters were very human- they weren't all perfect size 8s, happy and carefree with no misdemeanours.  I particularly liked the portrayal of Frankie as hard-nosed and judgmental, until later in the book when her behaviour is justified through a revelation.  Each chapter of Swimming Pool Summer examines the friends in turn, which makes for a pacy, page-turning read and allows the characters to develop throughout.

I wasn't overly keen on the ending, I'm not generally a huge fan of books that do a 'one/five/ten year(s) on' summary.  Overall, however, I was thoroughly entertained by the fun, frolics and frivolity of Swimming Pool Summer.  I think fans of Jane Green and Marian Keyes might enjoy this story of friendship and romance.

Swimming Pool Summer is out now, published by Arrow.

8/10

With thanks to Arrow Books for providing me with a review copy of Swimming Pool Summer.
You can find out more about Rebecca Farnworth here.