Member Reviews

After reading the first book in this series I said I’d have no qualms in visiting Penmenna again in the future and I’m glad I headed back for Sylvia and Alex’s story.

“...having a best friend again was pretty special. Even though that best friend was the most gorgeous and most off-limits man she had ever met.”

With the romance almost playing second fiddle to the characters friendship The Cornish Village School - Second Chances follows a similar path to its predecessor so didn’t hold any particular surprises, but if a sweet, welcoming story of friendship and finding your place is what you’re after then this is that.

3.5 stars.

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Having already read the first of the books in this series, I was a little disappointed that it was the same format as the first book…. Man meets woman, they are attracted to each other but try not to become close, that fails and they end up together. It meant that the plot was too obvious for me from the beginning, but as a stand alone book, it works well and it was still enjoyable to read.
A lighthearted story with likeable characters. As I am Cornish, I enjoyed the addition of some Cornish dialect…..'ansum!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

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This one hit all my sweet spots- starting with the Cornwall setting! Heads up that there is some dialect here which you might want to sound out but it's no impediment to enjoying the book. Sophie, Sam, Alex, and Ellie are all looking for a new beginning, each for their own reasons. Of course things don't always go easily for the adults (or the kids, really). There are some great characters in addition- such as Sophie's uncle Tom. While a little predictable (but don't we need that sometimes?), it's nicely written. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

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A young mother is working on her mother's farm trying to raise her 4 year old son, Sam and recover from the death of her mother. In the summer, the two divide accomplishing chores during the mornings and spending afternoons at the beach near the Celtic Sea. On this particular afternoon she meets up with a gentleman and his 5 year old daughter, Eli. Thus begins the story of friendship, family, and the start of a new school year at the Cornish Village School. The title, Second Chances gives us a clue as to outcomes of the main characters, family and friends. I enjoyed it but I did struggle with paying attention to all of the conversations, past histories and current updates. As the story continued I kept up with most of the Cornish conversations. The dialect was tough to convert at times, although I must admit I enjoyed it.
It is a pleasant read to carry on from the first of the series in the Cornish Village Series but was able to go with the flow of the novel despite not picking up Kitty Wilson's first in the series.

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I love this series!!! Such fun, funny, sweet books :c)

My review has been posted to my blog & Goodreads.

Review has also been tweeted as usual.

Thank you! :c)

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This is a first for me by this author but won't be the last.
I didn't realise this was the second instalment in the series and will be reading the first as well as future stories.

Sylvia the ex ballerina and single mum is in trouble. She's juggling her ballet classes in the next village whilst preparing her shy son Sam for his first day at Penmanna Village school... at the same time as trying to leave the family farm she shares with her cantankerous Uncle Tom. Life is anything but easy... but can she turn things around?

Alex the TV Journalist is seeking a calmer environment for his newly adopted daughter Ellie. Best friend Chase persuades him to start laying roots in the quiet Penmenna village, so he swaps his reporting in war zones for the school PTA.

Ellie and Sam become instant best friends, but with the fireworks igniting between Sylvie and Alex, can they keep things strictly platonic for the sake of the children?

It's a heart-warming, real and yet funny story of two strangers coming together whilst learning about themselves and moving forward in their lives and anyone who's fallen in love will recognise Sylvia's feelings.

Looking forward to the next instalment.

Thank-You Netgalley for my ARC.

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I couldn't wait for this follow on book to come out as so enjoyed the first one and it didn't let me down at all was simply brilliant I was hooked straight away I loved it so much. The characters are brilliant and you really think you are there with them gets you so captivated and you just want to keep reading to find out what happens next. It's heartwarming, romantic and learning about yourself and moving forward with what is right for you and to be happy with yourself. Set it a beautiful Cornwall village and around the village school.
Sylvie lives with her son Sam on her family farm but her mother has passed away and her son is about to start school. She goes down to the beech one day to their usual spot which is always quiet but she finds a man their with his daughter and they start chatting and he says he is going back to London tomorrow so she's pleased she won't see him again. Sam starts school and who should be there but the man she met on the beech Alex with his daughter Ellue who is starting school to she can't believe it as she thought she wouldn't have to see him again. The children build and really special bond and love being together and it means that both Alex and Slyvie spend time together but she finds him attractive but she's not saying anything as she wants to stay single. Marion at school who is the governor says she will get Alex married off as she wants him to stay in the village as he's a famous journalist but will she succeed or not. She wants him away from Slyvie but she doesn't realise she's a professional ballerina. She sets him up on a date as he's to frightened to no he's happy just him and his daughter. Sylvie suggests having Ellie for him but he's not sure as he's adopted her from a war zone and she's lost her parents and still has night terrors and he wants to be there for her. Slyvie wants to move out of the farm and get a job now Sam has started school and things fall into place very quickly with both as Rosie the head offers her a job doing PE at the school and also says she will see if she can rent the school hall out to her on a sat so she can start ballet lessons and she can't believe it's fallen in to place so well. She then gets a house as Rosie and her boyfriend move in together so a house is free she can't thank Alex enough for his help. Marion learns about Slyvie being a ballerina and soon wants her to marry Alex but she makes it so clear that she only sees Alex as a very good friend and that's all but she can tell the truth and Alex is upset as he wants more to. Both are putting children first and the children want them to be together to and they all plot a plan as Alex really realises he wants more and can he change her mind at all. Sam has an acident when they are putting there plan together and gets rushed to hospital and Slyvie rushes to hospital as so worried about sam as he's her world can they get the plan back on track or not and can they get together and be happy or can they just not move forward from the past.
A enchanting read with excellent plot and worth far more than five stars.

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I read the first book in this series and was happy to get this one.
It was good to meet the old characters as well as some new.
This book's heartwarming, makes you feel good, entertaining and it's really enjoyable.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this ARC

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After reading the first novel by the same name really looked forward to reading this one and wasn't disappointed with a mix of old and new characters this was a charming novel very easy reading and especially liked the community spirit with the school onse again at the heart of the story excellent read

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This is a really delightful book, laugh out loud and full of autumn. It was lovely to read it at the right time of year, just when the market is full of turkey and tinsel that only the Christmas-obsessed are truly ready for.

Kitty Wilson tells this heart warming story of two single parents of reception class children so well. It's not sugary or schmaltzy but real and funny and I think anyone who's ever fallen in love - or in lust - will recognise Sylvia's feelings.

The Cornish Village School is a brilliant concept and I can see Penmenna becoming as real to readers of romantic fiction as Heidi Swain's Wynbridge. The recurring characters are beautifully drawn - warts and all - and I can't wait to find out what happens next in their lives.

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The story of Sylvie and Alex.

A fairly easy read, but quite emotional in places especially when you think about Ellie's past.

Although this is the second book in the series, I don't think it matters if you haven't read the first.

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