Other People’s Summers by Sarah Morgan

Sarah Morgan’s latest novel, “Other People’s Summers” (published as “A Secret Escape” in the UK), delivers a deeply moving exploration of friendship’s resilience. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of England’s Lake District, this story weaves together themes of loyalty, betrayal, and second chances with Morgan’s signature warmth and insight.

When Hollywood superstar Nicole Raven finds herself at the center of a media scandal involving a married actor, she flees to the one person she trusts: her childhood best friend Milly Beckworth. The only problem? She ghosted Milly during her most difficult time—when Milly’s husband left her for another woman. Despite her hurt, Milly agrees to provide sanctuary in her lakeside boathouse, setting the stage for a complex reconciliation that forces both women to confront painful truths.

Strength in Vulnerability

Morgan excels at creating characters who feel authentic in their imperfections. Milly, still reeling from her divorce, struggles with feelings of inadequacy while trying to maintain stability for her teenage daughter, Zoe. Her journey from hurt and resentment to understanding and forgiveness reflects the messy reality of human emotions.

Nicole’s character could easily have fallen into stereotype—the self-absorbed celebrity—but instead, Morgan crafts a nuanced portrait of a woman who has lost herself in playing roles both on and off screen. Nicole’s admission that “I’ve spent most of my life not being me” resonates powerfully, reminding readers that fame often comes at the cost of authenticity.

The novel particularly shines in its exploration of how childhood experiences shape adult relationships. Nicole’s cold, demanding mother left her constantly seeking validation, while Milly’s father’s abandonment created deep-seated fears of being left behind. These parallel wounds inform their friendship’s dynamics in ways both touching and frustrating.

Lake District Magic

Morgan transforms the Lake District setting into a character in its own right. The serene waters, wooded trails, and mountain vistas provide not just a hiding place for Nicole, but a healing environment for both women:

The surface of the lake was still, the reflection of the trees that surrounded it stretching across the water like a silver ribbon. Behind were the fells that she loved so much, their contours accentuated by the bright morning sunlight.

This natural beauty contrasts effectively with the artificial world Nicole has left behind. As she rediscovers simple pleasures—early morning runs, chocolate after years of deprivation, genuine connections—Morgan deftly illustrates how returning to a simpler life can reveal what truly matters.

Layers of Complexity

What elevates “Other People’s Summers” above standard women’s fiction is its willingness to explore uncomfortable truths. Morgan delves into:

1. The cost of avoidance: Both women avoid difficult conversations, demonstrating how silence can damage even the strongest bonds
2. False appearances: From Nicole’s carefully curated public image to Richard’s performative remorse
3. The ripple effects of betrayal: How one person’s actions impact an entire network of relationships
4. Generational patterns: The way trauma and coping mechanisms pass from parents to children

When the truth finally emerges—that Nicole knew about Richard’s affair before Milly and confronted him—it creates a rift that threatens their newly healing friendship. This revelation is handled with remarkable nuance, showing that even well-intentioned actions can cause harm when communication fails.

A Supporting Cast That Shines

Morgan populates her novel with memorable secondary characters who add depth to the narrative:

• Zoe: Milly’s mature-beyond-her-years daughter, carrying her own secret about her father’s affair
• Nanna Peg: The hilariously forthright grandmother who provides comic relief and unexpected wisdom
• Joel: The carpenter whose simple kindness gives Nicole a glimpse of authentic connection
• Brendan Scott: The bestselling author whose interest in Milly helps her rediscover her own worth

Each brings something essential to the story while avoiding the trap of existing solely to advance the protagonists’ journeys.

A Few Missed Opportunities

While the novel succeeds on many levels, it does occasionally rely on convenient coincidences to advance the plot. The speed with which Nicole and Milly resolve their deep-seated issues after years of estrangement sometimes feels rushed, particularly given the magnitude of Nicole’s betrayal in ghosting Milly during her divorce.

The story also includes romantic subplots for both women that, while sweet, occasionally distract from the more compelling central friendship narrative. The men in their lives—Joel and Brendan—sometimes feel a bit too perfect, lacking the complexity that makes Milly and Nicole so engaging.

Additionally, the scandal that drives Nicole into hiding gets somewhat sidelined as the story progresses. The resolution—having Brendan tell the press they’re scouting film locations—feels a bit too neat, especially given the relentless nature of tabloid journalism that Morgan initially portrays so effectively.

Emotional Intelligence in Every Page

What Morgan does exceptionally well is capture the small moments that define relationships. A simple exchange between Milly and Nicole illustrates this beautifully:

“I love you,” Milly says. “I’ve always loved you. You’re my best friend.”

“Still? Despite everything?”

“Always, no matter what.”

These quiet exchanges carry more emotional weight than any dramatic confrontation could, reflecting Morgan’s understanding of how real friendships function—through consistent small acts of care rather than grand gestures.

Who Will Love This Book?

“Other People’s Summers” will resonate most strongly with readers who:

• Appreciate stories about female friendship that go beyond surface-level “girl power” narratives
• Enjoy character-driven novels where emotional growth takes precedence over plot twists
• Have experienced the difficulty of maintaining long-term friendships through life’s changes
• Are drawn to stories of second chances and new beginnings

Fans of authors like Elin Hilderbrand, Kristin Hannah, and Katherine Center will find much to love in Morgan’s emotionally intelligent storytelling.

A Worthy Addition to Morgan’s Growing Library

For readers familiar with Sarah Morgan’s previous works like “The Book Club Hotel” and “The Summer Swap,” this novel continues her exploration of how relationships evolve through life’s challenges. While maintaining her trademark warmth and optimism, Morgan pushes into slightly more complex emotional territory here, resulting in a story that satisfies while still providing food for thought.

Final Verdict: A Nuanced Celebration of Friendship’s Power

“Other People’s Summers” is ultimately a celebration of friendship’s ability to weather storms and emerge stronger. Unlike many novels that focus exclusively on romantic relationships, Morgan gives the Nicole-Milly bond the depth and attention it deserves. Their journey from estrangement to reconciliation feels earned, with both women growing in self-awareness along the way.

At its heart, this novel reminds us that true friendship involves not just love but forgiveness—the capacity to see past hurt to the person beneath, to recognize that we all make mistakes in our attempts to protect ourselves from pain. It’s a message delivered not through preaching but through the authentic evolution of characters who feel like people we might know and care about.

For a summer read that offers both emotional depth and the warm comfort of connection, “Other People’s Summers” delivers beautifully. Despite minor flaws, it stands as one of Morgan’s most emotionally resonant works to date, celebrating the complex, messy, and ultimately rewarding nature of the relationships that define us.

A heartfelt, insightful exploration of friendship’s enduring power that overcomes a few narrative conveniences to deliver a deeply satisfying reading experience.