Last year I read and enjoyed Rebecca’s debut novel ‘Return To Bluebell Hill’ and just over seven months later we are blessed with another one. The cover is absolutely stunning, as are most of Carina’s titles. The gentle gradient of the sky with the two sisters walking on the pretty sand. Pretty and even though the colours are subtle, it really stands out.
The writing is so descriptive you can picture everything from the interior of Dolly’s Diner to the pier and seafront of Sunset Bay. It’s all set up for you so you can mentally pack up your own bags and move there into a quaint little cottage, preferably with a sea view. There is something quintessentially British about summer holidays in your childhood, spent by the seaside and with this book you get that by the bucket (and spade) load.
The books chapters alternate between sisters, which is something I have a bit of a penchant for. I love knowing everyone’s viewpoints and what better way than to hear from everyone involved?!
Mia is the younger sister and I think it shows at times. There were a couple of instances when I felt Mia was a bit selfish and immature, at least less so than her sister. This isn’t to say I didn’t like her. Mia is lovely overall. Sharp, funny and friendly to everyone she meets. In some ways she is softer than her sister Laurie, but in other ways stronger.
Laurie has a lot to deal with, the cracks are already showing as she is unhappy with her job, planning her escape, despite the knowledge that it will annoy her mother, then things go from bad to worse, and she flees to the only place she can think of. I really felt for her and while originally I expected Laurie to be quite harsh, she wasn’t at all was as every bit as likeable as her sister.
It has the great sense of friendship between the diner staff, especially the handsome chefs and I would have loved to get to know the locals outside of the diner staff a bit more, especially Debbie, the B&B owner, since Laurie seems to get close to her.
When reading the synopsis, I expected some more drama than there was, but some books just don’t need it. What’s wrong with a story that is just simply charming and puts a smile on your face? That’s exactly what this is.
Published by:Carina
Gratefully received from the Publisher for review
