The Summer Job by Lizzy Dent

[Irene Richter]

I borrowed a copy of The Summer Job by Lizzy Dent (2021) on a whim. It had been recommended to me, and I hadn't done as much as glance at the book's blurb before diving right in.

The romance is set in a boutique hotel, the Loch Dorn, on what seems to be the west coast of Scotland, somewhere near Skye. Our protagonist, Birdy Finch, is a spunky, go-getter who finds herself in between jobs and desperately searching for summer accommodations. She decides to impersonate her best friend, Heather, who is an acclaimed sommelier based in London and takes a job at Loch Dorn.

Although it includes a few classic tropes, such as the "I'm not who you think I am" cliché, this light-hearted romance novel was a breath of fresh air for me as a reader. Lizzy Dent's experience in the hospitality industry and her knowledge of the area are evident in her breathtaking portrayals of the Scottish scenery and the relatability of her characters. For me, it was just the right amount of cozy landscapes, exciting romantic encounters, and heartwrenching twists and turns that made this book a 9/10. I highly recommend this fun summer read!