Swallowtail Summer (by Erica James)

(Amazon UK link)

I’ve been rereading my books by Erica James, and thoroughly enjoying them - most of them, anyway - over again. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to reread ‘Swallowtail summer’, since I first read it only five years ago. But I’d given it five stars on GoodReads and LibraryThing, and I had entirely forgotten what it was about. So I decided I would reread it after all.

The main focus is a spacious, comfortable holiday home called Linston End, on the Norfolk Broads. It’s owned by Alastair, who must be in his fifties. We quickly learn that his wife Olga died about six months earlier, and that he’s been travelling. He’s now made a decision about his future, and has returned, concerned only about the effect that his news will have on his closest friends.

The second chapter introduces Simon and Sorrel. Simon has been Alastair’s close friend for many years, but Sorrel resents their friendship, although she knows it’s important to her husband. Sorrel appears to have obsessive tendencies; she likes her kitchen to be spotless, and insists that her cutlery is all arranged perfectly. They have a daughter called Rachel and a son called Callum, both in their early twenties. 

Then we meet Frankie and Danny, who were probably my favourite characters in the book. Frankie is a peacemaker; she’s gentle, and caring, and happy to go along with everyone else. Danny adores her; he had a difficult childhood until he was adopted by a loving family, and finds it hard, even now, to believe in permanence. They have just one daughter, Jenna. 

Jenna and Rachel are very close friends, but very different. Rachel is adventurous and passionate; she keeps falling in love, and being devastated when the relationship doesn’t last. Jenna is more cautious, and much more level-headed. Callum works with boats near Alastair’s home, and the two have become quite friendly. 

So the scene is set for a character-based story, which takes place over the course of a few months. Alex brings his friends together at his home, knowing it will be different without Olga. Then he introduces some other people, and tempers begin to fray…

There are a lot of characters, but the author is gifted at creating three-dimensional people who all feel real, and distinct. So after the first chapters, I had no problem remembering who was who. And it’s essentially a character-based novel, including bringing to light some issues in the past that have been covered up. There are outings, and meals and walks, with just enough description to set the scene, without being excessive.

I liked this book so much!  I really felt for Janna, trying to keep the peace, and also ward off the attentions of someone whom she has always considered a friend. I very much liked Blake, too; a young man who comes to stay with his mother in a nearby mill. There’s a slightly weird coincidence there, but it didn’t bother me particularly.

There’s a good balance of emotion in the book, with some quite stressful chapters in between the mostly peaceful ones, even if new things are coming to light. Most of the characters are likeable with quirks and faults that make them all the more real; the unpleasant ones seem to have few, if any redeeming features. 

I’m not sure if I remembered, subconsciously, what was coming towards the end, or whether the author’s skilled pre-shadowing was meant to let me know. Either way, although there’s a shocking episode, it wasn’t entirely unexpected. And I’m not really sure how else the book could have ended. It makes for a somewhat bittersweet conclusion, but I thought it worked very well.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed rereading ‘Swallowtail summer’, and would recommend it to anyone who likes thoughtful character-based women’s fiction. 

Review copyright 2025 Sue's Book Reviews