‘The Summer Job’ is  a laugh-out-loud and ultimately heartwarming novel about a good friend's very bad decision and the summer job that stands to ruin or make her life. We’re delighted to welcome its author Lizzie Dent to the Eason blog to share her inspiration behind the writing of one of this summer’s most hotly tipped debuts.

The Summer Job was inspired by my unforgettable time living in Scotland and working in hospitality during my twenties.

My tenacious heroine, Birdy Finch, turns up for a job she’s utterly unqualified for. That job is a wine expert at a luxury Scottish hotel, and the position should have been filled by her best friend, and well-renowned sommelier, Heather. There are a plenty of hilarious missteps including a champagne cork to the eye, a bit with a deer, a romantic scene I don’t want my mother to read, and a lot of lovely emotional moments too – especially when she meets the hotel’s resident, and rather dishy (if you’ll excuse the pun), chef, James.

I wanted to write something that was feel-good and funny, but also explored a main character who is imperfect, relatable and, at times, very badly behaved. A woman who loves her best friend, but who also makes terrible decisions that accidentally hurt the people she loves. A woman that you root for, while probably wanting to shake some sense into. A romantic heroine a lot like me and the women I know.

If you’re looking for food, wine, romantic destinations and a very hot chef then this is the summer read you need!

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Lizzy Dent's book ‘The Summer Job’ is published now, and is available to buy here: