BooksChatter: ℚ A Summer to Remember

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Victoria Cooke to talk about A Summer to Remember (5 July 2019, HQ Digital, 384 pages), a Romantic Comedy / chicklit.

‘I absolutely loved this.’

‘Yet again from a Victoria Cooke book, I would quite like a sequel.’

‘Well, the first chapter erupted off the page in a short, sharp, burst of emotion. . .’

‘Victoria Cooke has skyrocketed herself into my top 3 favourite contemporary authors.’

|| Synopsis || Teaser: KCR Preview || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

A very warm welcome to Victoria Cooke; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

What was the inspiration for A Summer to Remember?

"My family and I took a trip to Boston and Cape Cod about three years ago and I fell in love with it. It’s so tranquil that I thought it would be a great place to set a novel. It’s the perfect place to be if you need to heal emotionally and so I came up with Sam, a character that needed a whole lot of healing."

Cape Cod

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"I’ve got a business and marketing degree and have owned my own business for about 12 years, so writing about Sam’s career came quite naturally.

I also know a good guy when I see one and had plenty of ideas for Ethan but unfortunately ladies, I haven’t yet met a real-life Ethan though."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for A Summer to Remember - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"I don’t really get much input in cover design as my publisher takes care of it but I think the cover for A Summer to Remember is perfect for the beachy theme of the book."

Why should we read A Summer to Remember and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"I think it’s quite a fun, chicklit but with more depth than you’d expect. More of a grown up version of chicklit if you like, which shows the 20-something heroine ten years on."

Can you tell us something quirky about A Summer to Remember, its story and characters?

"There is a comedy scene in the book where Sam becomes physically seasick whilst kayaking and this really happened to a good author friend of mine, Rachel Burton (but she was on a pedalo). She told me the story once over lunch and I begged her to let me use it."

Who would you recommend A Summer to Remember to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"Anyone who loves a second-chance romance with plenty of highs and lows. Sam is a widow and her loss and grief feature in the book – some readers may find these aspects upsetting."

If you could / wished to turn A Summer to Remember and into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"Emma Stone would be a great Sam and Ryan Gosling would be the perfect Ethan. As for Barney, I could see Kevin James playing him and Neil Patrick Harris playing Harry."


Emma Stone as Sam	Ryan Gosling as Ethan	Kevin James as Barney	Neil Patrick Harris as Harry

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"All of my finished / published novels are romantic comedy / contemporary romance. I have almost finished a dystopian YA that I want to get polished up and out on submission soon.

I read a lot of romcoms but I also like thrillers, YA, horror and some non-fiction."

What is your writing process?

"I like to start as soon as I wake up, before having a shower or getting dressed. I need to write at least a full scene before I get ready. If I don’t do it this way, I’ll spend the whole day in procrastination mode."

What is in store next?

"I’ve just signed another two-book deal with HQ Digital (HarperCollins), which will be for two more stand-alone summer romances (2020 and 2021).

I also want to finish my YA and see if there are any interested parties willing to take it on."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"I have a Poochon dog called Roxy. She is s stubborn little thing but I love her to bits."

Hello Roxy! You are an absolutely gorgeous girl; lots of head-scratches and belly-rubs to you from all of us at BooksChatter!

Victoria, thank you for sharing Roxy with us, and we hope you are having a great release day!