Esme isn’t a complete nube when it comes to the world of the upper echelon. In fact it’s fair to say her life has been influenced and determined by her mother’s friendship to a member of the gentry and her past of living her best life. Esme and her sister have gotten used to getting the short end of the stick, both in regards to their mother and the way they are treated by her so-called friends. Esme is off to make her own way in life in London and quickly gets sucked into the glam, glitz and exclusivity. Old emotions about belonging and being unwanted surface as she slowly unravels secrets that have been hidden for a long time and for good reason. It was quite interesting how well Constantine invoked the atmosphere of a certain era – not the late 70s it is set in per se, although the clothes and surroundings fit. It has a Golden Twenties feel to it. It has a very distinctive cultural edge combined with a certain economic prosperity. The world of landed gentry and those who inhabit their orbit crash into the world of plain old normality – more like being sucked into the Thunderdome also known as London. In essence it’s a story about coming-of-age and comprehending that family isn’t always made up out of genetic connections, but rather a strong emotional connection. Constantine delivers a story with depth, and yet also keeps it amusing, interesting and fun at the same time. I’d love to see that knack she has for creating a specific atmosphere create the story that is obviously just waiting to be told.

Summer in Mayfair by Susannah Constantine, the sequel to After The Snow, takes the reader back to the scorching days of 1979. Now in her twenties, Esme leaves her unhappy home life behind and heads to London to start a new life. She begins work in her Father’s friends Art gallery and is keen to impress and find friends. Entering a world of artists, parties and colourful characters she tries to leave the past behind and reinvent herself. Of course, she makes mistakes along the way and in her naivety doesn’t spot the dangers waiting in London’s social scene. It’s all part of her journey to find herself. One final family secret will change everything… This novel showed me London, through a young woman’s eyes, the clothes, the stars, the culture. The characters she met were rich and vividly painted. I felt myself getting swept up in Esme’s daily life and her predicament. Towards the end of the novel, eager to find out what would happen, I could not put it down. I felt Esme went through an emotional journey and further development of her relationship with her Mother left scope for a sequel. I thought it was an enjoyable, engrossing summer read.

Summer in Mayfair by Susannah Constantine is set in London in the late 1970s, and follows Esme Munroe as she tries to make a name for herself in the art world. From a wealthy family that has had some troubles, twenty-two-year-old Esme, from the Scottish Highlands enters a world of partying, other artists, and vivid characters as she sets about reinventing herself. But as she makes a new friend, Suki, who helps her out and shows her London's sparkling nightlife, the naïve Esme must learn who she can trust... This novel, the sequel to After the Snow, really delighted me. Told through the eyes of Esme, I was privy to the razzmatazz of London and its culture. Susannah Constantine's great writing meant that I quickly became embroiled in Esme's daily, chaotic life and all of her troubles and quandaries. The variety of characters in this scandalous story were all richly portrayed, and I was all agog to find out what would happen in the end. Having read Summer in Mayfair, I'm now keen to grab a copy of After the Snow. A compelling and satisfying read. I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from HQ via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

This was a nice to escape to the hot sticky summer of 1979 with Esme Munroe and the upper class set of Mayfair. It was an enjoyable easy read, with a good twist at the end. It is full of colourful characters who I enjoyed meeting but at the end I was left wishing that I knew them better. Maybe it was just me, but I found some of the narrative a bit thin, and themes under developed. The ra-ra set and their behaviour annoyed me, but perhaps that was the point. There are however some lovely moments, great descriptions of fashion, and cameos from Elton John and Princess Margaret, giving this book enough hook to make it worth reading. Definitely one for a summer holiday easy read.

Summer 1979: Esme Munroe is twenty two years old and she's finally left the Scottish highlands for London. She working in a prestigious art gallery in Mayfair. She meets Suki who introduces her to the most exclusive clubs and bars in the city. Although Esme is twenty two , she's shes still a bit naive. When she meets Suki she introduces her to a lifestyle she's never known before. The story is brimming with scandal and secrets. This is an atmospheric read. Its beautifully written with a fabulous conclusion. I quite liked this book. I would like to thank NetGalley, HQ and the author Susannah Constantine for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. #SummerInMayfair #NetGalley