5* review - Somewhere Beyond the Sea by Miranda Dickinson

Buy HERE From Amazon.co.uk

Seren MacArthur is living a life she never intended. Trying to save the Cornish seaside business her late father built – while grieving for his loss – she has put her own dreams on hold and is struggling. Until she discovers a half-finished seaglass star on her favourite beach during an early morning walk. When she completes the star, she sets into motion a chain of events that will steal her heart and challenge everything she believes.

Jack Dixon is trying to secure a better life for daughter Nessie and himself. Left a widower and homeless when his wife died, he’s just about keeping their heads above water. Finding seaglass stars completed on Gwithian beach is a bright spark that slowly rekindles his hope.

Seren and Jack are searching for their missing pieces. But when they meet in real life, it’s on the opposing sides of a battle. Jack is managing the redevelopment of a local landmark, and Seren is leading the community campaign to save it.

Both have reason to fight – Seren for the cause her father believed in, Jack for his livelihood. But only one can win. With so much at stake, will they ever find what they are really looking for?

What a beautiful story! Seren is grieving for her father. She is trying to keep his legacy alive by trying to resurrect his failing business, or at least just keeping it alive would be good, and trying to head the campaign to save the local parsonage that he fought so vehemently for.

As a keen astronomer he wants to save the parsonage where a parsons wife lived over a century ago, a keen amateur astronomer herself, she discovered a star, but of course all those years ago her work wasn't recognised and a man took credit for it. All Seren and her dad want is for Elinor to get the recognition she deserved or at the very least not to be forgotten. But a local property developer wants to do what he does best, develop things into faceless buildings with no soul.

Jack Dixon, a widower with a small daughter is struggling financially after the premature death of his young wife. He's trying to balance her life, give her some stability and keep a small sense of magic alive in a little girl who has lost so much. They find someone is helping them to build beautiful sea glass stars on the beach, and it becomes a lifeline to both parties - will they ever find each other?

This was one of the most beautiful, inspiring reads. I am a huge fan of Miranda's books, they always conjure up the most beautiful images in my mind and leave me with my own little piece of magic, and this was no different.

It left me craving sea glass jewellery and a holiday at the coast...even though I live at the coast.

It might just have helped me appreciate what is on my doorstep a little bit more though.

A glorious tale of love, friendship and strong family ties that I think I will think about for a long time.

With thanks to Ed_Pr for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

5* review - A Match Made in Devon by Cathy Bramley

Available HERE at Amazon.co.uk

Nina has always dreamed of being a star. Unfortunately her agent thinks she’s more girl-next-door than leading lady and her acting career isn't going quite as planned. Then, after a series of very public blunders and to escape a gathering storm of paparazzi, Nina is forced to flee from London.

Her plan is to lay low with a friend in Devon, in beautiful Brightside Cove. But soon Nina learns that more drama can be found in a small village than on a hectic television set.

And when a gorgeous man (and his adorable dog) catch her eye, it’s not long before London and showbiz start to lose their appeal. Will Nina choose to return to the bright lights or has she met her match in Brightside Cove?

Oh, Nina...she makes a blunder worthy of something I would do. In fact Nina reminded me very, VERY much of myself. She breaks the cardinal law of acting and celeb-dom in general, and feels the need to make a quick getaway from London. Thankfully her brother Archie is on his way to rescue a friend in need in Devon, and she goes with him. Even though she has a slightly cringeworthy history with this friend, Theo, when she tried to snog him and stop his wedding. Things are quite tense initially, understandably. 

She finds that Theo's life has taken a sad turn, and as she gets to know him better she realises they're even sadder than she first thought. His wife has left him, and he needs to win her back. But the only way is to get his cottage rental business off the ground and prove he can do something and get off his backside.

Nina realises there's nothing to go back to London for so chooses to stay and help Theo. Then even when she does have something to go back for things happen around her in Devon that she doesn't want to leave. 

I admit to being unusually late to reading A Match Made in Devon, I'm normally sitting waiting for Cathy's books to land on my Kindle, but life took a turn here and I was finding reading difficult - in fact it was impossible for me to even get into this book. I knew something wasn't right so I left it until I began to feel better in myself and it worked. I started to read this a few days ago and couldn't put it down!

I always say it, but this might be my favourite yet!

I loved all the characters, especially Eliza (the real life mermaid!) and loveable, grumpy Jethro. In fact I think he might be the old, male version of me? 

I love how Cathy ties things up, and the ending was beautiful as always. I was really thankful I waited to read this as I enjoyed it so much!