Title: Beyond Summerland        
Author: Jenny Lecoat          
Genre:  Historical fiction
Rating:  3.5 out of 5

The German occupation is over. The Channel Islands, the only captured territory within the British Isles, are finally liberated. But the people of Jersey are left as scarred as the landscape. No longer a “summerland” holiday paradise, the island now boils with tension as locals seek revenge on anyone suspected of collaborating with the enemy during the war.

Nineteen-year-old Jean Parris, still adjusting to this fractious peace, is shocked to learn that Hazel, a teacher who lives over her dad’s shop, may be responsible for her father’s wartime arrest and subsequent death in custody. Hazel denies all accusations but has reasons to conceal what really happened.

As rumors of Hazel’s guilt swell to a fury, Jean discovers new clues that suggest there were other, more sinister factors at play. When Hazel learns of Jean’s own ruinous secret, the women form an unexpected bond that sets them apart from the rest of Jean’s family and the frenzied demands for retribution. But in the end, Jean’s need to know the truth about her father may consume everything she once believed about her home, her family and herself.

I found this to be a depressing read, honestly. All the neighbors turning on each other were horrible. The way Jean’s family treated her, and what mean, ugly people they were was depressing. The secondary characters that I liked didn’t even make it through the novel. The writing was solid, I just found the story itself depressing.

Jenny Lecoat is a bestselling author. Beyond Summerland is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin Trade Publishing in exchange for an honest review.)

Title: Beyond Summerland           Author: Jenny Lecoat          Genre:  Historical fiction Rating:  3.5 out of 5 The German occupation
is over. The Channel Islands, the only captured territory within the British
Isles, are finally liberated. But the people of Jersey are left as scarred as
the landscape. No longer a “summerland” holiday paradise, the island now boils
with tension as locals seek revenge on anyone suspected of collaborating with
the enemy during the war. Nineteen-year-old Jean
Parris, still adjusting to this fractious peace, is shocked to learn that
Hazel, a teacher who lives over her dad’s shop, may be responsible for her
father’s wartime arrest and subsequent death in custody. Hazel denies all
accusations but has reasons to conceal what really happened. As rumors of Hazel’s
guilt swell to a fury, Jean discovers new clues that suggest there were other,
more sinister factors at play. When Hazel learns of Jean’s own ruinous secret,
the women form an unexpected bond that sets them apart from the rest of Jean’s
family and the frenzied demands for retribution. But in the end, Jean’s need to
know the truth about her father may consume everything she once believed about
her home, her family and herself.  I found this to be a
depressing read, honestly. All the neighbors turning on each other were
horrible. The way Jean’s family treated her, and what mean, ugly people they
were was depressing. The secondary characters that I liked didn’t even make it through
the novel. The writing was solid, I just found the story itself depressing. Jenny Lecoat is a
bestselling author. Beyond Summerland is her newest novel. (Galley courtesy of Harlequin
Trade Publishing in exchange for an honest review.)

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