Brave New Summer by Sarah Morgan | Book Review

[ad/gifted - I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]

Title & Author: Brave New Summer by Sarah Morgan 

My rating: 5/5

Publisher: HQ

Publication date: 21st May 2026

Blurb:

Evie is the acting general manager of The Alexandra hotel in picturesque Cornwall, but she feels trapped in a life defined by others’ expectations. Just as she contemplates a fresh start, Abby arrives, sent undercover by the hotel’s owner to assess the staff and operations. But Abby is navigating her own struggles and longs to break free from the shadow of her mother.

As the two women forge an unexpected friendship, they confront their fears and the threat of change looming over them. With the help of a charming chef and a gruff pub owner, they begin to embrace their true selves and the bonds that unite them. Will they find the strength to reshape their futures, or will the weight of the past hold them back?

Review:

I loved this book so much and I can't believe it is my first Sarah Morgan book.

Evie is acting general manager of the Alexandra Hotel in Cornwall but after taking over the role, she knows changes have to be made to make the place more profitable. The downside is that growing up in this small town means that all of the staff have known her since she was a baby, they are set in their ways and Evie feels awkward forcing her new ideas and plans upon them.

In Boston, Alexandra Strong, the hotel chain owner decides to send her daughter Abby over undercover to report back on what the day to day runnings are like and how the staff are performing. They have received offers from other companies wanting to buy the hotel and Alexandra usually doesn't let emotions get in the way of business so Abby is confused by her mother adamantly stating that it will not be sold. She and her mother moved from Cornwall to Boston when Abby was four years old but her mother never likes to talk about the past.

The setting for this book was stunning and I loved the close knit community. There is drama, romance, found family and I loved the development between all of the characters but especially Abby and her mother when everything from the past is out in the open.