HOT GIRL SUMMER: 'Glasgow Kiss' author Sophie Gravia releases new novel

For those of us who couldn't get enough of the 'A Glasgow Kiss' trilogy - author Sophie Gravia is launching her new book today.

The Bellshill writer's new standalone novel is titled 'Hot Girl Summer' - a tale of girlhood and relationships.

The mum-of-two and NHS nurse released her first book, A Glasgow Kiss, in 2020 and in subsequent years wrote two more following the adventures of Glasgow girl, Zara Smith.

'Meet Me in Milan' and 'What Happens in Dubai' shared the same success - but now Sophie is releasing a standalone story for fans to sink their teeth into.

Although the novel is set in London - a Glaswegian character goes through a divorce and reconnects with childhood friends who, on appearances, seem to be flying high.

In reality, all three women have struggles and aren't quite where they hoped to be in life.

While Sophie admits romance is her niche, the book explores the love shared between friends and its importance in our lives - along with a bucket load of Glasgow 'patter'.

'It's a dream come true'

Sophie told Clyde 1 News: "I'm so excited, it's been such a long time coming.

"Obviously Hot Girl Summer is a totally new standalone book, the other three books are part of a trilogy, so it's really exciting just to get this one out there.

"It's been insane because I'm a nurse as well, so trying to juggle everything and write a book, it's been a bit crazy.

"I still don't really know how I've managed to do so many books.

"I think when you put your mind to it, it's amazing what you can do when you actually stop watching Netflix and do a wee bit of work at night!"

The run-down

Sophie gave us a run down on what to expect from this book: "Hot Girl Summer is about a Glaswegian girl, she's lived in London since she's been a teenager with her family.

"She was always quite good at school and things like that and she married and she didn't ever have to work or anything, but this book starts and she's just went through a divorce.

"She's went from this lush life in Kensington to being in like a scatter flat in Croydon with her wee girl.

"She attends a high school reunion and she meets up with her two best friends, she kind of gets the idea that they're high flyers and she's a bit nervous about seeing them, but when they start talking she realises that none of them are where they want to be in life.

"They decide to make this pact and meet up and plan a Hot Girl Summer - where they basically start tackling their life, their love life and all the sort of gossip and chaos happens in between."

Women at the forefront

Sophie added: "Romance sort of is my niche but I wanted to do romance as a subplot and focus more on the friendship and the relationship you have with your girlfriends and basically put that at the front of the book.

"It was really, really nice to write about because I've never had a relationship in my life with the same level of support and the love that I've had from my girlfriends.

"I could make the worst decisions in my life - which I have done - and my friends would back me 100 percent.

"The men are in the background and the focus is on the women and the stories.

"I hope readers take away friendship values and how important it is to have that close circle."

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