This story of a mysterious woman who washes ashore on a beach in Cornwall during World War II is a blend of adventure, romance, and history. Alice had a back story I never would have expected, but it was an intriguing twist.

The first half of this book dragged a bit for me. It picked up in the middle but by then it felt like the author was scrambling to tell the rest of the story before the last chapter. The romance was a bit predictable, but sweet. The male main character was interesting but seemed a bit underdeveloped.

All in all, this book was not what I expected, but not altogether unpleasant.

The House at Mermaid's Cove by Lindsay Jayne Ashford is an excellent WWII story that is different from any I have ever read. A torpedoed boat survivor washing up on a lonely deserted Cromwall coast in 1943 begins this novel of wartime romance, mystery, and secrets. Jack has cause to be wary of Alice but he is kind anyway. The secrets that both keep are not ones that will divide them but draw them together.

Wonderful character development with the reader seeing Jack through Alice’s eyes. The story flows beautifully so that I was caught up in it, continuing to read without realizing how long that I had been reading. I was drawn to the title but loved the characters, main and supporting. While you get the feel of how the war has impacted lives this is a different from any other that I have read.

The first book I have read by this author but I will be looking for others. The House at Mermaid's Cove by Lindsay Jayne Ashford will stay with you long after you have finished the last page.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Alice was a fabulous and endearing main character. And although romance is not the predominant focus of the story, I really enjoyed the slow-burn romance between Alice and Jack. It was done very well in a way that suited the tone of the story. I also really enjoyed the setting of the book. The story takes place in Mermaid's Cove, a fictional place located on the coast of Cornwall. From the quaint, rural coziness of the village to the salty breezes of the beach, the location was described so beautifully and vividly that I found myself longing for a trip to Cornwall. With regards to the WWII setting, those elements of the story were clearly very well-researched, which I really appreciated. This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys a good historical novel with a sprinkling of slow-burn romance.

It was 1943 when Alice washed ashore, more dead than alive, on a small beach in Cornwall, a beach she came to love which was named Mermaid’s Cove. Alice had been on a ship bound for Ireland from Africa when it was torpedoed by the Germans. Jack Trewella was the man who rescued her, carrying her to a small boathouse nearby. As Alice’s wounds healed, she came to look forward to Jack’s visits and that of his dog. She learned more about where she was, what was happening and what she could do to help.

The Land Girls were helping at Jack’s farm, milking the cows, making butter and once Alice was well, she joined them. But it wasn’t long before Jack had different work for her. The past which she’d told Jack about, but asked him not to mention to anyone, would come in handy in the work that was needed. With danger and courage as partners, Alice and Jack, along with Merle and others, continued to work toward ending the war. Alice’s fear of getting into a boat again was great, but she overcame that fear, knowing what needed to be done. Would they succeed? What would be the outcome for Jack and Alice, for young Ned, Merle and the children?

The House at Mermaid’s Cove by Lindsay Jayne Ashford was a wonderful read. It went in a direction I didn’t expect, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Alice’s character was of strength, humility and surprising courage, while Jack was portrayed perfectly for who and what he was. I have read one other of this author’s work and loved it - The Woman on the Orient Express, and have The Snow Gypsy waiting on my kindle – I'm keen to read more of Ms Ashford's now. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and it was one I just couldn't put down. Alice and Jack's story set in beautiful Cornwall during WWII is a story that just flows through with mystery, intrigue and romance. Alice's story especially is a unique story and nothing like I had ever read so her character in particular stood out.

These two characters find each other and discover more about themselves than they ever knew possible about the direction they thought their lives would take to where they actually end up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the chance to read this ARC. My review is not impacted in any way by the receipt of the ARC.

This a wonderful WWII novel set in Cornwall in the months leading up to the invasion at Normandy. This novel was so many things, I had thought it would be a love story but it was more a story of a woman discovering who she was and what is that she wanted.

It was a very interesting and different premise as the story is told through the eyes of a woman who has been largely removed from the war. Discovering the atrocities and events along with the main character, Alice, was a very interesting perspective. I enjoyed that Alice was not ignorant to war and violence as one may assume from her distance from the war, it made her a very well-rounded character.

This is a beautiful story of self-discovery, family, and all of the ways that we, as humans, can show our love and compassion for one another.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

WWII at this peak ... A shipwreck off the coast of England ... a survivor with a secret past ... a Viscount with links to the French Resistance .... a blossoming love story ...

This book started of really strong for me . aAlice and her past were so intriguing and so unique, I wish we had learned more about her ... the love story started off so slow and beautify, but then was rushed .. and half way through it’s like this became a different book, and I wish it hadn’t .Although the second half was good in its own way, I was really enjoying the quiet, different perspective on the war that the first half presented. And I had a bit of hard time believing how the story developed in the second half.

Overall, still an enjoyable WWII love story .

Book rating :⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫
Cover rating : ⭐️⭐️

This book is set in WWII Cornwall England. We discover Alice on a shore having survived a blast on the ship that she was returning from Africa to Dublin in a mission trip. This tragic event she used to her advantage since she had been a nun and no longer wanted to live in the service. Listening to her stories I wouldn't think anyone would want to live that way. At least in the convent she was in at the time. She was rescued by a man who was walking along the beach. He tended to her injuries and helped her recover. Over the course of a few months she helped out at the estate, then was asked to help with more important work for the war.

The details and plans that were outlined in this work was very daring. In the authors note you read that she interviewed and researched the history all along that area in Cornwall so that there is a lot of factual WWII stories interlaced into it this story as well as a mix of factual places. I really enjoyed Alice's story.

The longing felt in this story in a time of great despair and distress was conflicting. Lives had to go on despite a raging war happening over the channel. Romance and love and children were still happening even with bombs dropping so close by. It all sounds so terrifying.

"My emotions seemed to have come alive the way seeds do when rain comes . Pale stalks of desire sprang up from the desert place where I had buried them."
I adore these kinds of quotes.

What a charming read! Set in Cornwall during WWII, The House at Mermaid's Cove is an excellent read with a fascinating read. I highly recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The House at Mermaid’s Cove struck my interest thanks to both the title and blurb and the vague sense that I had read something from that author before (turns out she’s the same Lindsay Ashford who wrote the Jane Austen murder mystery I loved a few years back!) And this book definitely delivers, being incredibly engrossing, in terms of characters, plot, and setting.

I admittedly have a love-hate relationship with books set in Cornwall, especially further in the past, due to the link with smugglers, but this one was so atmospheric, and I loved reading about the atmosphere of Mermaid’s Cove, especially when I found out about the real locations and associated legends that inspired it.

Jack and Alice are great characters, both hiding secrets about their pasts and trying to do good for others during the war during the present. While I have complex feelings about romantic arcs involving someone who is or was part of a holy order, I like how Alice’s evolving views and crisis of faith were handled, and that this was addressed prior to things progressing from friendship to romance with Jack. And I also appreciated how the hints about Jack’s own past were conveyed as he and Alice grew closer and she helped him reckon with them.

I loved this book and its unique perspective, especially what it adds to the incredibly saturated World WarII historical “subgenre.” I recommend this highly if you you also love historical fiction.

Jack is stunned when his dog finds a young woman washed up on the beach and he quickly brings her home to care for her. It's just before DDAY and Cornwall has to be worried about the Germans. Alice has a secret, one that's not bad, just one she doesn't want to share (so I'm not going to share it either). Jack, who is a Viscount, also has a secret. These two find their way to happiness in a mature way that blends WWII drama, resistance, and old Cornwall tales. I'm a sucker for anyrhing set in Cornwall so this was a must read for me. Yes it's another WWII story but its got a good twist. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good quick read that will keep you turning the pages.

This was my first historical read and won’t be my last. This book was quick and fun but also had its moments of seriousness. I will definitely recommend this to everyone!

What a brave, courageous woman Alice was. It started with her being tossed into perilous seas and finding herself washed up on a Cornish beach. I felt transported along with Alice on her various changes and her relationship with Jack. This book has encouraged me to read ‘The Nun’s Story’ from where Alice’s character was inspired.

This story captured my interest right from the start. Alice, a young woman who washes up onto the shoreline in Cornwall after the boat she was traveling on was bombed by the Germans. She is discovered by a man named Jack, who lives there. At first Jack is concerned she could be a spy, so he doesn’t share very much about his life.

Slowly they get to know one another and Alice learns that Jack is working with the resistance by helping the Allies escape from occupied France. Because of Alice’s ability to speak French, Jack asks her to help them in their work.

Despite the danger, Alice agrees. She encounters a few harrowing situations while working with the resistance, but manages to get herself to safety each time. Throughout all of this, she and Jack grow closer, making for a happy ending to the story.

Readers who enjoy romance and historical fiction, will find this book an engaging read. I found it a bit predictable, but enjoyed it all the same.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read an advance copy and give an honest review.

The sea spit Alice out . When she come to she sees a dog and a man speaking in Latin. There is a number on the back of her neck. Alice had been on a ship when it was attacked. Alice has the number on her neck because she was a nun in Africa. I liked the dialogue and description of events. I liked the work Alice was doing with Jack.

The House at Mermaid Cove is a World War II spy novel with a twist.

One day a woman with shorn hair and in just a torn chemise is found washed up on a Cornish beach. Who is she? Where did she come from? Can she be trusted? During times of war one does not ask another to keep a secret for them but Alice, the woman, asks this of Jack, her rescuer, and in return he asks the same of her.

Recently WWII novels pivot around spies in the thick of occupation or about women on the home front but this one is a little bit of both. It was a quick, enjoyable read that introduced things about certain groups I would never have known. While this story is entirely fictional it is inspired by the life of a real women (I won't say who because that gives away a secret but if you read the Author's note you can find out more). It makes me want to learn more about this woman and others like her.

The House at Mermaid’s Cove is set in Cornwall in the middle of WWII. The main character, Alice, is washed ashore, the survivor of a torpedo attack on the ship that was returning her to Ireland. Alice is a nun who had been a nurse in Africa and was returning to Ireland to renounce her vows, but sees the shipwreck as a way to remake herself. She is rescued by Jack, who turns out to be the Lord of the manor, and soon Alice finds herself working as a Land Girl and settling into life in the village. It’s no surprise that soon sparks fly between these two.

I love historical fiction, especially set in during WWII. This one was unique in that it takes place in Cornwall and focuses on the resistance in France and the support they received from that part of England. I also loved that the war was the just the setting for the story, not THE story like so many novels turn out to be. This is a story of people living life during a war, carrying on with school and village festivals, dances and dress shopping. This is also the story of Alice coming to terms with the decisions she has made in her life and the path that she has chosen and living with those decisions.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction. I can’t wait to read more by this author!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for a digital ARC in exchange for a fair review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars

Well, I don't appear to be doing a very good job at sticking to my "no more WWII era books" but
I cannot resist this author and her books. Inspired by local lore, Lindsay Jayne Ashford takes readers to Cornwall, England where a mysterious woman washes up onshore. A survivor of a ship torpedoed by a German submarine, Alice, is rescued by local man, Jake Trewella. As Alice works on Jake's land in exchange for lodging, she cannot help but realize her growing admiration for her rescuer. Although the feeling does seem mutual, Alice is haunted by the decisions of her past. Will Jake accept her secrets? Will Alice be able to do the same?

I read this story in two sittings and I quite enjoyed it. The writing was engaging, the characters were interesting, but the romance was a bit so-so and predictable. It seemed a bit rushed in the last few chapters as we hurtled towards the end of the novel, but overall it was a satisfactory read.


Goodreads review published 24/07/20
Expected Publication 11/08/20






TheHouseatMermaidsCove #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this book. I do feel like it almost could have been two separate stories. I enjoyed the historical elements of the story, the characters were daring and brave and fun. The mystery and romance add to the story, but it also feels like they could have have their own plot in another book. Overall, they really worked well together. Thank you NetGalley, Lindsay Jayne Ashford, and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

This was a really good book, it had a great plot with interesting characters and what I liked about it was that there wasn't really a supernatural element just the story. Overall this was a really good read.