Magnificent Obsessions

Summer Of Secrets by Nikola Scott is a marvellous historical and contemporary novel about the power of love to motivate actions. Set in present day and the summer of 1939, as the world was on the brink of war.. Lives mirror world events on the brink of change.

Parallel lives today and in 1939 hold the reader’s attention. We see the powerful force of love at work. Siblings share bonds that it is impossible for anyone else to understand.

Love is a strange emotion. At its best it is pure and good. At its worst it is twisted and controlling. It is all consuming.

There are difficult to read scenes concerning domestic abuse. Abuse takes many forms including mental anguish and domination. You can be abused in a mansion just as easily as in a hovel. Abuse is never the victims fault.

Lives connect down the years through a love of fiction and the arts.

Set around Plymouth, the reader is treated to some idyllic scenes. 1939 was a time of great turmoil and unrest as people looked to see what Herr Hitler was up to but there was also a bohemian spirit as people sough distraction. A sense of community pervaded the novel.

I really loved Summer Of Secrets and just could not put it down. A fabulous dual timeline that unites. Just wonderful.

I received this book for free from Net Galley. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON