Not your normal Romance as there was more than a touch of Drama thrown in. Maybe because of that I found this a little hard to keep my full attention, as I wasn't sure what the story wanted to be? Because of that, it (remember, this is just my opinion) didn't end up being either. The constant reference to the main male lead's depression as being his 'grey mist' got on my nerves too. I found him being a successful actor without anyone, bar his wife and one main friend, finding out being unrealistic...I don't think he could be in that profession, be as successful as he is portrayed, and have depression realistic. This isn't a bad book, but I started to skip read which is never a good thing. It is well written and the scenes well described, but because of the reasons above, I can't give it 5 stars.

Oliver and Cara, two very different yet good people. He is married with children, she is widowed with children. A sad story, and creepy at times (crazy stalker woman), and although realistic with human failings, it still was a little unexpected at times to see the progression of some of the story. It did keep my interest throughout though, so I would give it 3.5 stars. Would recommend, although be prepared for sadness among the happiness.

This was an absolutely lovely romantic read! I loved the characters and the story line was such that I was always wishing I could forget about chores, etc. and just sit and read this book. The setting, the Cornish coast in England, was described beautifully and has now been added to my list of places to visit. This is a wonderful beach read, in fact it is a wonderful read anywhere. I saw on the author's website that a sequel is due to be published this year and I am excitedly looking forward to reading it. Very strongly recommend!!

Cara Penhaligon lives in a glorious place, even as her own life doesn’t always reflect that beauty. Widowed and struggling to make a name for herself with her art, Cara is beautifully developed and drawn – not hiding her issues or flaws, but allowing the struggles she’s overcome to build the backstory and show us where she is now. Oliver is a Hollywood star, his world is starting to fray along the edges, so he’s run off to Cornwall to heal, realign his priorities and hopefully, avoid a determined stalker. The third primary character in this story is the setting itself: the beauty and ambience of this special place where sea and land meet: scents, sights, sunsets and picturesque communities that are often more prevalent in minds and hearts than one would come to expect.

While the development of the relationship between Cara and Oliver is cleverly plotted, and the tension from the stalker’s attention, their own struggles with loss, commitment and even the possible, the story is a bit uneven and tends to lose the balance between the elements that would allow the relationship to lead us forward to conclusion. Too many ends left unresolved, a few wrapped too quickly, and I find that this was a story best remembered for the ambience and atmosphere through the descriptions of Cornwall, and not for the characters contained in here.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-9LR /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Sorry never got round to reading the book it expired before i had the chance. which is a pity as i was looking forward to it

Set in Cornwall the romance jumps from the pages and the central character is an artist who just so happens to capture Cornwall like no other. Then there’s the pained actor with his own darkness. Olivier and Cara have their baggage but Cornwall is the place that can provide them a summer to remember. A romance with drama, at times I found the writing a bit heavy, overly descriptive but after a while I got used to it and it is overall well written with characters you can invest in.
I look forward to more from this author and maybe get to ‘visit’ the Cornish cove again!?

DNF - this book was not for me and I have given my reasons for that direct to the publisher

This story is so much more than the holiday romance the title suggests. The cove is a special place, aesthetically beautiful but with a tightly knit community looking out for one another. Not all of the inhabitants were born there, but they all recognise its importance.

Oliver is a famous actor, but like most people, he has both a public and private face. He battles endogenous depression, so at odds with his extrovert persona as an actor. His wife fiercely protects his image and their family but doesn't understand this side of him. Cara is a working artist, whose talent knows no bounds but is restricted by her need to be there for her young family since the untimely death of her young husband.

The storytelling in this book is first class, instantly drawing you into the cove's community, visualising the coastal setting and wanting to know more about the people who live there. The intricate plot reveals Cara and Oliver's stories until serendipity draws them together. Internal conflict is paramount in this story but interspersed with mystery, suspense and romance. The characters are well written and believable, and more than one is a little sinister.

The final chapters are heartrending and poignant and maintain Cara and Oliver's authenticity.

I received a copy of this book from Aria via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

DNF at 20%.

I really struggled to get into this book. Usually I would read until 40% before giving up but after Oliver has a very disturbing encounter with a deranged fan I realized this book wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Blurb :
Oliver Foxley is an acclaimed movie star, global heartthrob and one half of Hollywood's golden couple. But under the glare of the spotlight his 'perfect' life is slowly starting to crumble.
Cara Penhaligon is a struggling young Cornish artist, and widowed mother of two children. Life has been unbearably harsh to Cara, but meeting Oliver might just give her a second chance at the happiness she deserves. As each begins to heal the other, the pieces of Oliver's frustrating jigsaw puzzle effortlessly fall into place. But as the Cornish summer draws to a close, Oliver faces the toughest of choices, and no one emerges quite as they were at the start.

My Thoughts :
The Blurb appealed to me first and foremost and the storyline intrigued me.
From the offset I was gripped and as the story continued, I found it was one of those that I couldnt put down.
We meet Cara Penhaligon, who lives in Cornwall and is an up and coming artist. Sadly losing her husband quiet suddenly, Cara has never really got over it and lives quiet a sheltered life with her children Sky and Bethany.
When handsome movie star Oliver Foxley, comes to Cornwall to star in a play he falls in love with Cornwall and one of its residents.
Oliver has suffered depression from a young age and has so far managed to keep his mental illness away from the prying eyes of the press. Married to Deanna, with 4 children, things arent at all rosey in the marriage and Deanna resents the time that Oliver spends away from the family whille Oliver resents the fact Deanna doesnt really understand or get him.
Throw in stalker Sylvie, who just wont leave Oliver alone, we have one heck of a ride to go on in this story.
The setting of Cornwall is very descriptive in its scenes and beautiful surroundings, being Cornish born and bred myself I liked how we were transported to a little house at the end of a cliff with hidden pathways and golden beaches.
I loved reading about Cara’s life and she is a very likeable down to earth charactor. Aswell as her lovely children and dog Barnaby.
At times I wanted to shake Oliver, as he got himself in situations that could of been avoided.
Didnt take to Deanna, as she played the hard done by one but then again I can see why she was like she was when you have a husband that cheats on you.
Cara also meets Greg, who is visting Cornwall from America with his wife and he seems to take a keen interest in Cara’s artwork and promises to get her work out there as its needs recognition.
I liked that there were other bits going on in the story, Rick’s Cafe, Cara’s mum and dad, Tania, Tas, we got to know a few people in the community.
Kate Ryder, takes on Oliver and Cara’s relationship with empathy and with depth. This is no ordainry boy meets girl story, Kate has taken this to a whole new level.
I was left open mouthed towards the end with a Sylvie scene and even more open mouthed on the last page. Its not what I wanted to happen!. Its not very often I am left agitated but this really got under my skin and not in a bad way. Great twists and turns in this story.
Please tell me there will be a Sequel, as I really want to know what was up with Greg and his wife. And there so much more that needs to be said and done.
Loved this!.

I was really drawn to wanting to review this book by the mention of Fern Britton as a similar author, and the lovely Cornish seaside scene on the cover. The start of the book did not really grab me as much as I had thought, but I persevered and was glad I did.
Oliver, Cara and every character in the book is vastly different and unique and I enjoyed the fact they all had realistic struggles in life. Oliver’s reality with depression despite a job in the spotlight made for a shocking contrast and I felt for him due to his wife’s indifference to his condition. I thought Cara and the children were very well fleshed-out.
Having been to Cornwall a few times throughout my life, I was happy with the attention to detail in the book.
Thanks to Kate Ryder and publisher for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

What a beautiful read. Gorgeous setting, wonderfully created characters and a truly lovely story.

Oliver Foxley is very much a heartthrob actor; talented, good looking, and has four children with the woman he married when they were both young. They lead good, successful lives - but rarely together. The only cloud on his horizon is the 'grey mist' of depression which descends from time to time no matter how much he tries to conquer it.

Cara Penhaligon is a young widow who makes her meagre living as an artist - something for which she has a great talent. She cares for her two young children with the help of her parents and has numerous friends who make sure she isn't forgotten socially. But Cara carries sadness in her soul as is all too obvious to anyone who looks into her eyes.

This novel is skilfully written, and the reader gets to know both these characters and their nearest and dearest long before their paths cross. With the introduction of several others I wasn't overly concerned about the relationship between them as there was plenty going on to keep me interested. This book really makes me want to visit the Cornish coast and find for myself some of the magic alluded to between these pages. It's a breathtaking story, beautifully told and quite mesmerising. Definitely one I recommend, wholeheartedly and without reservation. And I must mention Barnaby - what a fantastic pet!

My thanks to publishers Aria for pre-approving my requests via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.

When I picked up Kate Ryder’s Summer in a Cornish Cove, I was expecting a light-hearted and romantic tale, but I got so much more than that. Searingly emotional, compassionately told and wonderfully uplifting, this is one book you will remember long after the last page is turned.

Life has been unbearably harsh to Cara Penhaligon. The young widow is bringing up two children on her own and trying her hardest to keep the wolf from the door, food on the table and a roof over all of their heads and it is anything but easy. Keeping your family fed and clothed when you are a struggling artist who does not know where the next pay cheque is coming from is not a walk in the park, but Cara cannot afford to wallow in self-pity and she must keep on plugging away hoping that she might catch a break. When she meets gorgeous movie star Oliver Foxley, it looks like Lady Luck has finally smiled down upon Cara. Will the Cornish artist finally find the happiness which she has been desperately searching for all these years?

Oliver Foxley is a man who seems to have the world at his feet. He is good looking, is an acclaimed actor who has won plenty of plaudits and acclaim and has the perfect marriage. But this patina of perfection is a smokescreen concealing an ugly truth. Oliver’s life – much like his marriage – is unravelling. As the chasm between him and his wife continues to grow and grow, Oliver holidays in Cornwall and finds himself enchanted by a little gallery and the paintings of Cara Penhaligon. But pretty soon it is the artist herself and not just her paintings who has him under her spell.

Oliver is a man who has plenty to lose and as Cara begins to heal him, the pieces of his broken life begin to come together. But as the summer months begin to draw to a close, will he have the courage to take a leap of faith and grasp this unexpected chance of happiness? Or will he continue to be condemned to a lifetime of loneliness, sadness and regret?

A wonderfully written book about courage, second chances, hope and healing from the past, Summer in a Cornish Cove is a story that will tug at the heartstrings and touch your soul. Kate Ryder is a terrific writer who writes with style, sensitivity and emotional veracity. She creates characters that jump off the pages and into your heart that are so brilliantly realised that by the end of the book, you almost feel as if you are saying goodbye to old friends.

Summer in a Cornish Cove is one of those books that will stay with you and which you will not want to put down. A captivating tale from a writer with a great future ahead of her, Summer in a Cornish Cove heralds the start of a great career for a writer destined for big things: Kate Ryder.

Review: I would like to thank Aria for asking me to be apart of this blog tour. 

Summer in a Cornish Cove was a fantastic read, it's a pure summer escape! If you are looking for some heat in these cold days of spring then look no further as this is the book for you. Warmth, romance and the Cornish breeze flow from these pages. 

Oliver is a typical example of what you see on the service is perhaps not what is going on behind closed doors. I like how Kate told his story of depression. Her writing is pure talent. I liked the realness that came across in the plot, of two people meeting, falling love but having complications in their lives. The ending was not what I thought it would be but perfect none the less. 

Cara was my favourite character, she is everything I would like to be. A free spirit of Cornwall. Kate has created a beautiful character in Cara. There are some lovely romantic scenes between her and Oliver that I just  loved reading about. 

On finishing this book it was like waking up from a dream.

A great book and another book set in most popular area of cornwall.... id like to see books set elsewhere....
This is my first by this author and i am a little torn to her style or its just this one. Its begins as a bit problematic and all over and unlike other introductions in books. tHERES TROUBLED CHARACTERS, TROUBLED LIVES, SECRETS but come with that is the most stunning area of cornwall, who doesn't love cornwall. Characters appear then disappear, it felt a little disjointed in ways i cannot describe. I just thick the editor wasn't working to her best for this book so i can't give my full marks to this. I didm read it to the end and mostly enjoyed it.
thank you for the book though,

Cara and Oliver both have their problems, Cara is a widow with two young children and her husband was the love of her life and so she is not looking for anyone else...... until she meets Oliver. Oliver has a wife... and a stalker.... he should have it all as he is a heartthrob actor but he has always suffered from depression...... and then he meets Cara. The attraction is instant but the road is always going to be rocky so will it be a happy ending or heartbreak?

I am always a sucker for books about Cornwall as it is my favourite part of the country and this one has a good storyline although I did find it a bit slow to get into and it has some good characters...I especially loved Cara

This book started off kind of boring, as it seemed like it took forever for the author to delve into the story. I almost gave up on it, but after the storyline began, I enjoyed this book.

This is the first book I have read by Kate Ryder but it will not be the last, I was drawn to this book because I love Cornwall so any book set in this beautiful county will always draw me in. Oliver and Cara are strong characters and the the storyline is a little deeper than most romances I normally read but for me that only added to my enjoyment. I certainly will be looking at other books by this author.

Thanks to Aria and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. Absolutely loved it: friendship, romance, family, scary stalker, wonderfully described scenery, a well written story - what more can one ask for? The follow up! Wish I didn’t have to wait for that.

If you wobble a little at the start of this one – the scene-setting, the visit to the gallery, even the visit to the retreat – don’t be put off. That back story is an essential foundation for a heartbreaking love story and an edge-of-your-seat thriller that had me gripped from the moment the focus for action hit Cornwall. This book attempts a lot, and in my view it most definitely succeeds.

Sylvie’s “unhealthy obsession” with Oliver spirals into something rather different (and totally chilling… she’s a piece of work, that Sylvie!), Cara’s beauty and sadness draw you in (she’s a great mother too – with such well-written kids!), and I now totally believe (if I ever didn’t) in love at first sight. This is a great story, with well-drawn and believable characters – even the peripheral ones like Rick from the cafe, and Cara’s mum and her friend.

The author has a deft touch in handling emotion – her characters totally sympathetic and believable, surprisingly and satisfyingly complex – that has you gulping and wiping away a tear on more than one occasion. The setting is so well drawn – ok, I know Cornwall’s a gift for any writer, but couple that with a lead character who’s a talented artist with a bit of an eye for a view and you have opportunities for something rather special. And this story’s just crying out for a sequel… I’ll be here waiting Kate, I loved it!

(Will be shared on Amazon on publication day, and on my blog Being Anne www.beinganne.com as part of the blog tour)