BOOK REVIEW: ONE SUMMER’S NIGHT BY KILEY DUNBAR

I’d first just like to say a massive congratulations to Kiley, on her debut release ‘One Summer’s Night’. This book is all kinds of wonderful and a very refreshing read where you are able to learn and have fun all at the same time.

Kelsey Anderson finds herself in a bit of a career rut when her former career is run down to the ground and forced to shut. With her passion for photography still going strong during a time where people are able to easily take photos themselves through their phones, she fears that she may need to step in to a whole new route of job opportunities. When she applies and is accepted for the dream job of becoming a tour guide in Stratford-Upon-Avon, a place which reminded her of her hero and allowed her to fall in love with Shakespeare – she takes a leap of faith and says goodbye to her family and her relationship to find herself again.

I thoroughly enjoyed and adored ‘One Summer’s Night, with it’s refreshing story-line and light-hearted star-crossed lovers romance. Kiley’s lead heroine, Kelsey, is such a likeable and loveable character who was very inspirational when pursuing her dreams and growing an independent life for herself. She also has great relationships with her family – although some of that came from heartbreak – and is very warm and accepting of the people they are.

I really loved the way Kiley incorporated Shakespeare in to the story-line, as it was really fun to see what Shakespeare quotes Kiley was going to use at the start of every chapter, and it was also a learning experience when Kelsey and the other tour guides were on the job, sharing all kinds of wonderful facts about the famous poet that I never knew before. All of the characters you meet during Kelsey’s story are such a delight to read about, with their similar passions also to Shakespeare and the theatre, that it also made me feel incredibly passionate about learning more.

I have never been to Stratford-Upon-Avon, however, the way Kiley describes it throughout the book makes me want to up and start my life fresh over there just like Kelsey! She brought the whole town to life through the pages of the book and Kelsey’s love for the place made me fall in love with it too. With the weather being pretty miserable at the time of reading, I really appreciated the Summer vibes throughout, keeping my spirits high and the anticipation for Summer exuding with excitement.

Kiley’s style of writing is so approachable and enjoyable in every single way possible. The story that she has put on to these pages are magical and some of her very own memories – which makes this book even more personal and special to hold. The love triangle between Kelsey, Will and Jonathan was most certainly an adventure of it’s own, with both gentlemen being ridiculously charming and suitable for Kelsey. Although one is much suited than the other…

I’m so happy that I came across Kiley and ‘One Summer’s Night’, as not only did I get to enjoy her debut novel, but I also got the opportunity to talk with a little more in depth on what it was like to create OSN and she even gives us not one, but TWO sneaky peaks at her next upcoming project! Stay tuned for my interview with Kiley coming this Saturday (March 30th) and in the meantime, make sure you go and purchase the wonderful ‘One Summer’s Night’, now available on e-book and audiobook.

Shelby x