The Sea Gate by Jane Johnson is an epic historical fiction that is full of intrigue, secrets and family drama. Its dual timeline and dual narration make for an incredible saga that will whisk you away to the beautiful shores of Cornwall. It is a well-written love story that will surprise and engage fans of the genre.

This story takes place during WWII and present day at the mystical and dilapidated old house, Chynalls, in Cornwall. This house harbours so many mysterious and haunting stories that it really is a character on its own. There is even a resident parrot named Gabriel who adds quite a bit of humour to the very dramatic story with his profane language.

❀ WELL-DEVELOPED AND ENJOYABLE CHARACTERS

Both Becky and Olivia are well-developed characters that are enjoyable to read about. Becky has a very low self-esteem and the trip to Chynalls provides her with the opportunity to grow and become self aware. Her story is so wonderful to watch unfold because she gains so much from her experiences helping her cousin, Olivia. Olivia on the other hand, is a complete riot. She is a stubborn old woman who has really defied societal norms and is quite an inspirational character.

❀ A BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY

At the heart of the novel is a love story that is beautiful and intriguing, yet is doomed by the time period, family secrets, and betrayals. It is a captivating affair that is full of emotion and is heart-wrenching to read. There is even a mysterious element to this love affair that ties the whole novel together.

❀ A MUST-READ

The Sea Gate by Jane Johnson is an epic tale that will captivate and sweep you off of your feet. A must-read story for historical fiction fans. I am looking forward to reading more of the author’s works.

I enjoyed reading this book. It had a good story to it. I liked the variety of characters in it. It is my first book read by this author. I hope to read more books by this author.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon&Schuster Canada for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger Warning: There are some scenes of a sexually violent nature.

Rebecca Young is a young artist that is feeling quite lonely after the recent death of her mother and her narcissistic long-time partner is no help. So when she discovers a letter from a distant relative, Rebecca hops at the chance to get a change of scenery. But elderly cousin, Olivia and her Cornwall home share a number of secrets and curious Rebecca will soon find herself in very deep water. A dual narrative that shifts between the years of WWII and the present, this was an engaging novel from beginning to end.

Although a bit melodramatic in some places, I found The Sea Gate the perfect reading selection to restart my thirst for diving into my TBR-Arc pile. I loved the character of Olivia Kiddo,
as she was feisty at both ages. Jane Johnson illustrates through descriptive language the atmosphere of Cornwall during the war period and the impact of that event on the attitudes of its inhabitants. This story has its share of heroes and villains, but some do fall into a little bit of a caricature. I would certainly recommend the novel to historical fiction fans.

Publication Date 17/11/20
Goodreads review published 01/12/20

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary advance reader copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

When I finish a book, I usually hop right into the next one; when I finished this I didn’t start a new book until the next day, to give myself time to bask in this story. I really loved it, what a wonderful story; this author weaved past and present so well. It was beautifully descriptive, you could almost hear the sea. Every time I read a book that takes place on the Cornish coast I long to visit.

Rebecca has just lost her mother and in the dreaded task of cleaning out her house she finds a letter from cousin Olivia Kitto, a relative she has forgotten existed, thinking her brother to be her only family now. In the letter Olivia asks Rebecca‘s mother to come to her home, Chygnalls and help her get it ready so that she can stay at her home as she ages instead of going into a nursing home. Rebecca decides to honour the letter and go see her cousin, when she gets there she’s not sure she should’ve come, Olivia is in hospital and the house is falling down around her ears and even worse there’s a cranky parrot who yells obscenities.

After Rebecca visits Olivia in the hospital she realizes that this is her chance to do something for not only her cousin but for herself, to not be the frail little thing that everyone believes her to be. As Rebecca gets the house ready, with the help of Reda and his brother, she discovers cousin Olivia‘s history but her own future as well.

The present in the past of the story are both equally engaging, I loved the characters and the storyline was well done. I have read every book that this author has written and I have loved them all but this one might be my favourite.

Thank you Simon & Schuster and Net Galley for this book. I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for a truthful review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When cleaning out her mother’s house after her passing, Rebecca finds a letter from her mother’s elderly cousin, Olivia, asking for help to save her home. Rebecca feeling lost in her life decides to make the journey to see if she can help in place of her mother. The house she finds is full of secrets and stories but is also falling apart, and cousin Olivia is stuck in hospital until it can be repaired. As Rebecca sorts through the house and works towards restoring it she uncovers secrets from Olivia’s past. Set between two timelines one current and one during WW2 this book is a beautiful story of lost love and about finding yourself and your family.

Quality of Writing 10/10

The quality of writing in this book was a ten for me. From the first page to the last, it told not only a beautiful story but in beautiful language. It has me laughing out loud and by the end in tears.

Pace 9/10

This book was paced very well. When switching time periods sometimes I find one period can tend to drag in books and make you want to skip through to the other time period. But this book told a beautiful story in both time periods and the pacing of both worked well together.

Plot Development 9/10
The plot development was also great. I felt the story lines were all really well developed and I didn’t feel like there were gaps or holes in the story.

There is one scene in the book that i didn’t feel worked well and was kind of out of place- but overall the plot was very well done.

Characters 9/10

The characters were also really well developed. There were characters I didn’t like- but they are developed for that purpose.

Enjoyability 9/10

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was paced well to make me want to not put it down, but also didn’t rush the plot and story along. I enjoyed the character development and felt like all the characters added to the story. It took a couple chapters to get into the book, and I definitely enjoyed the last half of the book more then the beginning set up.

Thought Provoking 9/10

I think the author addressed some very important topics in this book but integrated them so well into the story or characters that it felt part of the story.

I especially enjoyed reading about Olivia in her younger years during the wartime and how she really pushed against the expectations of what it was to be a young woman.

Ease of Reading/ Reading Comprehension 9/10
I felt this book was easy to read and understand the story. Sometimes I had to reference back to some of the minor characters to remind me of who they were.

Ending 9/10
The ending of this book was beautiful. I actually teared up during one of the last chapters. The ending didn’t feel forced but instead a natural end.

The Sea Gate is a book about secrets, specifically family secrets. The setting of the Cornwall coast (especially the house by the sea) is beautifully described. The story is told in a non-linear timeline with two primary narrators. Becky is the narrator of the present day timeline. She goes to Cornwall to help an elderly cousin. This timeline is first person present tense. Olivia is the narrator of the WW2 timeline. Olivia is the cousin that Becky is helping. During the war she is a teenager. This timeline is told in 3rd person. The story felt a little slow at the beginning, but picked up after about 1oo pages. There is an unexpected third narrator that appears twice. There is a lot of WW2 fiction out right now and I liked that The Sea Gate focused on an aspect of the war that is not commonly dealt with.

I absolutely adored reading The Sea Gate, by Jane Johnson. It is a very different / unique / original historical fiction .The story will keep you on the edge of your seat right to the end. Thank you #netgalley and @simonandschustercanada for the e-ARC in return for my honest review. I loved everything about #theseagate.

Family Secrets

"'The Sea Gate' is a book about family secrets" says the author at the beginning of the Acknowledgements. I can't think of a better description for the tone of this lovely, haunting novel. I stayed up late last night to finish, was totally riveted. And, what's not to like about such a heartwarming ending. There are already lots of reviews giving more detail of plot and characters, so I merely need to tell you that I really liked this book!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me an e-arc via Netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

If you haven’t heard already, this book is amazing. So many book bloggers and bookstagrammers have been raving about The Sea Gate for good reason. And in my opinion, a 5-Star Book.

This book has everything - Historical Fiction, mystery, forbidden romance, drama, and comic relief by way of a sassy parrot. Yes, you read that correctly, a parrot. Oh. did I mention the mysterious tunnel found in the cellar that leads to the sea? Yes, mysterious indeed.

The Sea Gate. Rebecca’s mother has just passed away. She goes through the dreadful process of going through the possessions. She discovers a letter from her mother’s cousin (Olivia) who is in need of some help. Rebecca, who is at a crossroads in her life, goes off to help Olivia, once there she is no where to be found. But Rebecca decides to stay and restore the old home.

As she peels back the old, we read of Olivia’s life in England during WWII. - the turmoil, heartache, loss, and buried secrets.

A perfect book for those who love HIstorical fiction (like me); to give as a gift during the holiday season, or the perfect for your own enjoyment. Either way, it's definitely a must read.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for this advance copy. This book was absolutely amazing, and I loved everything about it - the writing, the story, the characters…seriously everything.

Johnson is from Cornwall, England and has worked in the book industry for many years, both in publishing and as a writer. She has also published works under the name of Gabriel King and Jude Fisher (writing many companions to "The Lord of the Ring" series under this name). This new release is historical fiction and set in two time periods, World War II England and present day. In the present Becky is going through her mother's things after her recent death and finds letters from an elderly cousin asking for help. Unhappy with her relationship and dreading the results of some medical tests she decides to travel to Cornwall to let the woman know her mom has passed and offer her help instead. There she meets an irascible woman in the hospital with a broken leg and a list of things to renovate at her house in order for social services to allow her to return home. In addition there is a foul mouthed parrot to care for. In alternate chapters we follow Olivia's life from the ages of 16 to 20-years-old during World War II. She finds herself abandoned by her parents and left to care for a 5-year-old child. The story has elements of mystery, romance and of course history. It is a great recommendation for historical fiction readers and fans of authors such as Kate Morton, Kate Quinn, etc.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the chance to read The sea gate by Jane Johnson. I was truly excited to read The sea gate as the author wrote a wonderful book years ago called The tenth gift which I picked up at the library because I loved the cover, and then fell in love with the book! The sea gate was no different. It is about a house of secrets, a tale of love and courage, told in alternating timelines, one set during the Second World War, the other in present day.
After Rebecca’s mother dies, she finds a letter that will change her life forever. Olivia, her mother’s elderly cousin, needs help to save her beloved home. Rebecca immediately goes to visit Olivia in Cornwall only to find a house full of secrets—treasures in the attic and a mysterious tunnel leading from the cellar to the sea, and Olivia is stuck in hospital Rebecca sets to work restoring the home to its former glory, but she uncovers even more buried secrets—secrets from a time when the Second World War was raging, when Olivia was a young woman, and when both romance and danger lurked around every corner...
This just isn't Olivia's story, it's also Becky's story. I love both of these women. You meet Rebecca (Becky), a woman who has been touched by death; her Mother's, but also by her own mortality; as she struggles through her own cancer aftermath. She struggles with what every woman struggles with who has been hit with breast cancer; loving herself. You meet Olivia, both as a cranky old woman, and as bold young woman. Both versions are amazing. The beautiful story while has moments of sadness to it, also has humour not just from Olivia, but from a winged friend Gabriel! For fans of Kate Morton!

4.5 STARS - The Sea Gate is a compelling and atmospheric saga set on the beautiful Cornish coast and is told in dual time frames by two women - Becky in current day and her elderly cousin Olivia's recollections of her life during WWII. This is a story of family secrets and dysfunction, forbidden romance and mystery, featuring a Gothic old house with secrets of its own.

With vivid descriptions, Johnson brings Chynalls, the secluded family home of nonagenarian Olivia Kitto to life. The story is woven with history, intrigue, loss and a diverse cast that is well-drawn (with one exception - a baddie who's a tad cliched). This cast includes a spirited and cantankerous old woman, a parrot with a penchant for profanity, a few nefarious characters readers will love to hate and a young woman trying to find out who she is without the input of those around her. I particularly loved the bond between Becky and Olivia, two outcasts who find strength and family in each other.

The addition of a few heavier issues gives depth to the story and allows readers to see WWII's influence on Cornwall - the restrictions, the arrival of POWs and the ever-present threat of invasion. While this was a captivating read, there were a couple of plot points that were a little too serendipitous and even though I typically I don't enjoy endings that fall neatly into place, I was happily surprised to find this book's conclusion predictable yet totally satisfying.

Prepare to be swept away by this engaging and skillfully written story about family, long-held secrets and the importance of standing up for oneself. A great selection for fans of Kate Morton, look for this book November 17, 2020.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

3.5* -cross posted to goodreads-

I got this ebook from netgalley. Going into it, I didn't think I'd like it. I'm not a huge historical fiction reader. I liked Olivia's part of the story (the past) better than Becky's part (the present). I found more stuff happened in Olivia's parts of the story. To be honest though, I didn't start liking the book until 75% of the way through 😬
I guess it took that long because that's when the whole story gets revealed and everything starts to make sense. I'd be willing to give the author another try because she really wove a fantastic story together.

The Sea Gate by Jane Johnson
Publication Date: November 17, 2020
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Description from NetGalley...
“A broken family, a house of secrets—an entrancing tale of love and courage set during the Second World War.

After Rebecca’s mother dies, she must sort through her empty flat and come to terms with her loss. As she goes through her mother’s mail, she finds a handwritten envelope. In it is a letter that will change her life forever.

Olivia, her mother’s elderly cousin, needs help to save her beloved home. Rebecca immediately goes to visit Olivia in Cornwall only to find a house full of secrets—treasures in the attic and a mysterious tunnel leading from the cellar to the sea, and Olivia, nowhere to be found.

As it turns out, the old woman is stuck in hospital with no hope of being discharged until her house is made habitable again. Rebecca sets to work restoring the home to its former glory, but as she peels back the layers of paint and grime, she uncovers even more buried secrets—secrets from a time when the Second World War was raging, when Olivia was a young woman, and when both romance and danger lurked around every corner...”
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Thank you to @NetGalley @simonschusterca for the digital ARC in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts...
Jane Johnson explained that she started writing this book before she found out that she had her own family skeletons. A half-brother she did not expect contacted her; what a surprise that would have been. The story is told through alternating view points and dual timelines. This is a historical fiction, but there was also mystery intertwined. I enjoyed this book about courageous and determined women. It started slow at the beginning, and Rebecca was irritating. But her character developed well, the story picked and there were a few surprises towards the end. This was a good read, how could it not when it involved strong women, Cornwall, history, skeletons (both literally and figuratively), crotchety old lady, obnoxious parrot and a secret tunnel. It also felt like there were stories within stories, within a story in this book. 🚨Trigger Warning.

What a delight to read!
I simply adore books that flip between time periods and explore the lives of those that have lost their standing in society due to their age, and I especially love them when they show how women are fierce and not to be trifled with. Olivia is a treat and Johnson did a great job developing her back story in vivid detail.

The delight of a British rom-com coupled with a WWII story, an unexplained illness, and a body of unknown origin makes this a great, page-turning read.

The one part that I did find a bit stagnant was the dissolution of Becky's relationship. While it does serve the plot and there are some great twists in there, I did find it to be a forgone conclusion within the first few pages.

Overall, fun, light, and interesting. More substance than a standard rom-com, and enough legitimate surprises to stop it from being formulaic. Worth the read.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster publishers for a copy of "The Sea Gate" in exchange for an honest review.

Rebecca, her brother and his wife are clearing out their mother's flat after she passes. Her brother and sister-in-law are incredibly unlikable characters. They simply want to bin a lifetime of memories and not even give Rebecca a chance to look through everything to see what she might want to keep.

She does manage to get her hands on the mail pile and she finds a letter that leads her to an elderly cousin of their mother's named Olivia. She had reached out begging for help to save her beloved home, not knowing that her cousin was no longer alive.

When Rebecca arrives she finds that Olivia has been transferred to a hospital with no hopes of "release" until her home is cleaned up and made safe to live in again. Once Rebecca starts cleaning she happens upon clues to Olivia's past during WWII.

An amazing story of hidden family secrets, love, hate and war with so many twists and turns. Don’t pick it up if you don’t have time to read as it is extremely hard to put down!

After Becky’s mother dies she opens the door to her mother’s home and is astounded by the amount of mail sitting waiting to be opened. Among it she finds a letter from her mother’s Aunt asking her mother for help. Becky remembers she visited this Aunt once in Cornwall as a child. The letter is not dated, so she doesn’t know how long it had been sitting there.
Becky had had a double mastectomy for cancer and her recent scan had shown possible signs of the cancer returning. Her finance of 10 years had been of little support at the time and she suspected he had several affairs. He was in London preparing for his art show, and had been gone for some time rarely answering her phone calls.

Becky was terrified that her cancer was returning, knew that her relationship was waning and decided she needed to take charge of her life (instead of being a ‘doorstep’). So she began to pack her bags, scrape together all the money she had and take a long bus journey to her Aunt Olivia’s in Cornwall......and there the riveting story begins!

It is a fairly quick read which I highly recommend.

This book takes place in Cornwall with dual timelines, alternating between World War II and the present. I found it fast-paced with very complex characters and interesting storyline. With the author's beautiful descriptions, I felt like I was on the Cornwall coast with them.

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Looking forward to reading more of her books.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #Simon and Schuster Canada for the chance to read an e-ARC for an honest review.

I have conflicting feelings about this book. The dual timeline was well done and I didn’t get too lost when the chapters flipped perspective, but I felt a lot of it just kind of plodded along. The characters felt real and believable, but it wasn’t until into the second half that things really came together and it became harder to put the book down. Rebecca felt a bit weak and flimsy at first, but she definitely became a stronger person as time goes on.

Thank you, first off, to Simon and Schuster Canada for providing me with an advanced copy of The Sea Gate via NetGallery.!This book is due to be published on November 17, 2020.

Brief Synopsis:
After Rebecca's mother passes, she finds a letter written by an old 'batty' cousin, Olivia, who lives in Cornwall, asking her mother to help save her home. Rebecca takes a leap of faith and decides to go out there, however she gets more than she bargained for after meeting the foul-mouthed Olivia, a parrot with a sailor's tongue and uncovering a forbidden romance that took place in the war.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! It has a nice historical fiction/mystery vibe going on with it, which was very intriguing to me.
I really enjoyed the main characters as well. It took me a couple chapters to warm up to Rebecca and feel connected with her but the 90 something year old cousin, Olivia, was a ball of attitude. I loved her and her story! Add in a foul mouthed parrot and a steamy forbidden romance, and this book is a winner!
It was written very well (had to look up a couple British words however haha) and it wasn’t your average World War 2 history novel, as it wasn’t a story that was written with a character on the ‘front lines’, which I found refreshing. The dual narrative between past and present is always something I’m drawn to as well in a historical fiction.
It started a little slow and I almost was wondering where the story was going to go, but after about a quarter of the way in, things started to pick up! There were a couple scenes that maybe didn't need to be in there, but they didn't take away from the story line.

I am giving it 4 stars as I quite enjoyed this novel and am interested in see what some of her past novels were about.