A gentle romance against a solid background of WW2 and the ways that the Cornish helped the French Resistance. Our heroine, Alice, washes ashore after the ship she was travelling on was torpedoed. She's rescued by Jack, who turns out to be the local laird (ok it's Cornwall not Scotland, but he's a Viscount and his family have "run" the area for centuries). Both of them have a past from which they are trying to escape or come to terms with (oh dear, hanging preposition). She's a nun, trained in nursing, being sent home from Africa to her Irish convent as being unsuitable for the job - nun, not nursing. She's trying to decide whether she has any calling at all and questioning her religion. He gave up the women he loved for family and tradition. As they gradually come together they begin to come to terms with their pasts. The background story, based on solid fact, is interesting and better than many WW2 stories. It gives a strong feeling for the perils and tragedies of the time without the usual rose-tinted spectacles. I loved the Land Girls and their antics - I remember the girls who came and helped on our farm, so true to life. The end was rather abrupt and I felt that there were quite a few loose ends although the main couple were clearly tied up. A good read that kept you captivated. Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

It's nice to read a WWII story that hasn't already been told. Alice, en route from Africa to Ireland is washed ashore after her ship was torpedoed off the coast of England. A kindly local man finds her and cares for her, uncertain about who she is, her numbered chemise and shorn locks are a mystery to him.

Alice is grateful for the help she's receiving, but she too is reticent. Not having had much experience with men, she hardly knows how to respond to his acts of kindness.

Both of these characters have something in common, a past that neither could come to terms with. A charming and refreshing story about how everyone has the power to heal another and that courage can come in many forms, both gentle and bold.

Both the title and cover initially drew my attention to 'The House at Mermaid's Cover'. Absolutely enjoyed! Loved all the characters, especially Alice and Jack. The ending was just how i wanted it to end. I also enjoyed reading how the story came about and shall look forward visiting the National Trust Gardens when i next visit Cornwall. Recommended.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review, which i have voluntarily given.

A young woman washes up on the shores of Cornwall, England, found by a young man who comes upon her on the beach. The year is 1943. For Alice McBride, this is the beginning of a new life, far different from that of a nun where she was at an Order in Africa. For Viscount Jack Trewella it was quite a surprise to find her there. Each have their secrets and as they unfold we find ourselves with a book that is quite enjoyable. Far different from other WWII historical fiction I have read before. Different in a good way! My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a surprising book. First time I read this author and I was captivated from the beginning.

It's set in WWII, just before D-Day, in Cornwall and France. Alice washes ashore after the ship she was traveling in is sunk. Jack's dog finds her on the beach and he takes her to the boathouse until she can walk (her feet were injured).

Despite the circumstances, Jack and Alice build a tentative friendship. He's not sure of her at first, but he keeps providing clothes and food for her and when she gets better, he brings her to work at farmhouse. She then discovers he's actually a viscount.

I really liked Jack and Alice. They're both brave and doing all they can to help others around them. Although the story is told from Alice's first person POV, we come to know Jack through her eyes and those of others in the story.

I also enjoyed the secondary characters and their stories.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

This book was so good! The characters were so well rounded, you felt like you actually knew them! The plot was so good you didn't want the book to end!

Excellent plot,loved the main characters, the setting was very vivid, made the reader feel that they were there.
Good plot,historical in places.Definitively recommend this book to family and friends.

Unfortunately I couldn't connect to the characters and found the story boring and slow paced. I think the story needed a stronger magical quality so that the mermaid aspects were more mysterious. To me, the description of the book sounded like a magical realism story but it just didn't appeal to me. The main character being a former nun was a turn off for me as well which also made it hard for me to enjoy this book.

The House at Mermaid’s Cove by Lindsay Jayne Ashford is a historical fiction novel taking place during the latter years of WWII (starting in April 1943) mainly in Cornwall, and also takes place on the mainland as well. Resident Viscount Jack Trewalla and Alice, a survivor of a boat wreck destroyed by the Germans and washed ashore along the Cornish coast, become introduced during a time of uncertainty and war. Alice has secrets and Jack doesn’t have any clue. He thinks she could be a spy or even a POW. Alice uses the catastrophic occurrence of barely surviving to create a new life for herself. She and Jack end up becoming romantically involved, and the secrets come out, and complications and harrowing adventures occur.

I won’t say any more as it will ruin the surprises within the plot. I can only say that I enjoyed Alice and Jack as separate characters as well as their chemistry together. I enjoyed the location, landscapes, plot, and I loved the ending.

A great read. 5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

Alice is the survivor of a ship torpedoed by a German submarine in 1943. She’s found on a beach in Cornwall by Viscount Jack Trewalla, who isn’t sure whether she’s a spy or a POW. Alice sees a chance to start a new life, leaving her past buried at sea, and she takes Jack into her confidence, asking him to keep her shocking secret. This story of World War II bravery and sacrifice is coupled with the old Cornish legends about mermaids to great effect. A lovely story about a time and place where life seemed no less fraught with danger, but still somehow filled with bravery and integrity