Sarah Morgan’s newest novel, Other People’s Summers (published as A Secret Escape in the UK), delivers a poignant exploration of friendship that reminds us how even the strongest bonds can be tested—and sometimes strengthened—by time and circumstance. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of England’s Lake District, this story delves into the complexities of female friendship, family dynamics, and the courage it takes to forge new beginnings.
Morgan, known for her emotionally resonant women’s fiction like The Book Club Hotel and Beach House Summer, continues her winning streak with this nuanced tale about two childhood friends whose paths have diverged dramatically, only to converge again during moments of personal crisis.
Plot and Characters: When Worlds Collide
The story centers on two women whose lives couldn’t be more different:
- Milly Beckworth is picking up the pieces after her husband Richard’s affair and their subsequent divorce. Running the family’s luxury lakeside resort called Forest Nest while raising her teenage daughter Zoe, Milly struggles with feeling abandoned—not just by her ex-husband, but by her once-closest friend.
- Nicole Raven has become Hollywood royalty, commanding millions per film and living what appears to be a glamorous, perfect life. But when a scandal erupts involving her alleged affair with married actor Justin Fisher, Nicole flees to the one person she trusts—Milly—despite having ghosted her for eighteen months during Milly’s divorce.
The premise sets up a compelling dynamic: When Nicole arrives at Milly’s doorstep in the middle of the night (in disguise, no less), Milly reluctantly takes her in, despite her lingering hurt over Nicole’s absence during her own crisis. What unfolds is a gradual thawing of resentment as both women reveal the secrets they’ve been keeping—from each other and themselves.
Strengths: Authentic Portrayals of Complicated Lives
Morgan excels at creating emotionally authentic characters whose conflicts feel genuine rather than manufactured. Several elements stand out as particularly well-executed:
- The portrait of long-term friendship with its complications, shared history, and unspoken expectations feels remarkably authentic. The women’s relationship evolution from strained politeness to renewed intimacy unfolds naturally.
- The secondary characters shine in their own right. Milly’s practical yet warm mother Connie, her spirited grandmother Nanna Peg (whose murder plots against Richard provide comic relief), and Joel (the resort’s handyman with a mysterious past) add depth and dimension to the narrative.
- The Lake District setting becomes a character itself, with Morgan’s descriptions of the tranquil waters, misty fells, and forest paths offering readers a welcome escape into nature’s beauty. The contrast between Nicole’s high-pressure Hollywood existence and the peaceful rhythms of Forest Nest underscores the story’s themes beautifully.
- The exploration of motherhood through multiple lenses—Milly’s focused dedication to Zoe, Nicole’s anxiety about her unexpected pregnancy, and Connie’s continuing support of her adult daughter—adds emotional resonance that many readers will connect with.
Room for Improvement: Plot Predictability and Character Development
While Other People’s Summers offers an emotionally satisfying read, it isn’t without flaws:
- The narrative occasionally falls into predictable patterns, particularly with the romantic subplots. The connections between Milly and author Brendan Scott and between Nicole and Joel, while sweet, follow familiar trajectories without many surprises.
- Richard’s character occasionally veers into caricature as the selfish ex-husband, though Morgan does eventually grant him more complexity late in the story.
- The resolution of the central friendship conflict, while emotionally satisfying, comes perhaps too easily given the depth of hurt established earlier in the narrative.
- Some readers might find the portrayal of Hollywood life and celebrity culture somewhat simplified, though it serves the story’s purposes effectively.
Emotional Intelligence: The Heart of the Story
What elevates Morgan’s work above standard women’s fiction is her emotional intelligence. She understands that most conflicts aren’t about dramatic betrayals but about human frailty, misunderstandings, and the courage it takes to be vulnerable.
The novel’s most powerful moments come when characters finally say what they’ve been holding back, as when Nicole admits to Milly: “I felt terrible. And every message and email you sent telling me how devastated you were made me feel worse because I was the cause.”
Throughout the story, Morgan skillfully unpacks how our past shapes our responses to present challenges. As Connie wisely observes to Milly: “We all bring the past into the present, whether we are aware of it or not.” This insight helps Milly understand both Nicole’s reaction to a difficult situation and her own tendency to expect abandonment.
Themes That Resonate
Several powerful themes run through Other People’s Summers:
Authenticity vs. Performance
Nicole has spent her life performing—professionally and personally—to gain approval. Her journey involves discovering who she is beneath the roles she plays. “I spend my whole life pretending to be other people. I’m not sure I know how to be just Nicole,” she confesses to Joel.
Parental Influence
The novel examines how parental relationships shape us. Nicole’s cold, demanding mother left her perpetually seeking validation, while Milly’s supportive family provides a contrast. As Nicole observes: “She grew up feeling as if she had to earn affection. She didn’t trust that love could be unconditional because that wasn’t her experience.”
The Courage to Begin Again
Both protagonists face the challenge of reinvention—Milly after divorce and Nicole as she contemplates leaving Hollywood behind. Morgan handles these transitions with nuance and respect for the complexity of change.
Final Thoughts: A Summer Read with Substance
Other People’s Summers is that rare beast—a beach read with emotional depth. While offering the escape and romance that fans of women’s fiction crave, it simultaneously delivers thoughtful reflections on friendship, forgiveness, and finding one’s authentic self.
Morgan has crafted characters who linger in the mind long after the final page. Readers who have experienced the painful drift of once-close friendships will particularly resonate with the central relationship, while anyone who has ever had to start over will find inspiration in both women’s journeys.
For fans of authors like Elin Hilderbrand, Emily Henry, and Jenny Colgan, Other People’s Summers offers the perfect blend of emotional resonance and escapist pleasure. It’s ideal for book clubs, as it provides numerous discussion points about friendship, forgiveness, and life transitions without becoming overly heavy.
At its heart, this novel reminds us that even our most painful experiences can lead to unexpected new beginnings—and that true friendship, while sometimes tested, has the power to weather life’s most challenging storms.
Other People’s Summers earns a solid four stars for its engaging characters, evocative setting, and emotionally intelligent exploration of friendship and fresh starts. While occasionally predictable, the novel’s warmth, wisdom, and wit make it a worthy addition to Morgan’s impressive body of work and a perfect companion for your own summer escape.
- Best for: Readers of women’s fiction who appreciate emotional depth alongside their escapism, fans of friendship-centered narratives, and anyone who has ever had to rebuild after a life-changing event.
Similar Books Worth Exploring
If you enjoy Other People’s Summers, consider these comparable titles:
- The Summer Seekers by Sarah Morgan (another of her novels exploring friendship and second chances)
- The Island Villa by Sarah Morgan (for more of her signature blend of emotional depth and gorgeous settings)
- The Friendship Breakup by Annie Cathryn
- Flying the Nest by Rachael Johns
- The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe
With its compelling characters, beautiful setting, and thoughtful exploration of friendship and forgiveness, Other People’s Summers confirms Sarah Morgan’s place as a master of emotionally resonant women’s fiction. While not without flaws, it offers exactly what readers seek in a summer read: escape, emotional satisfaction, and characters who feel like friends by the story’s end.
