After the passing of her mother, Rosie returns to the old family home to begin clearing out the array of belongings that have been stashed away throughout the years, but whilst doing so, Rosie comes across a photograph that will throw her life into a spin. Alongside crossing paths with Liam - the farmer next door, Rosie finds herself questioning her life in Spain and wonders whether Devon has more to offer....

Well written with delightful characters and a gripping plot, this is an enjoyable read from start to finish.

*Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in return for my honest review.

With a stunning setting, empathetic characters, and a myriad of secrets, this warm-hearted romance novel ticked all the boxes. I mean, with a place called Heaven’s Cove, how could it not?

The ramshackle old Driftwood House high on the hill overlooking the scenic Devon coast was a host to the secrets that shrouded Rosie’s life. She hasn’t returned to her home is some time and has been living and working in Spain. Now, sadly, her mother Sofia has passed away at a very early age due to a stroke. Rosie returns to Driftwood House to sort her Mum’s affairs. She discovers secret after secret and more than one unwelcome surprise. She begins to wonder… did she know her mother at all??? The tiny village and its gossiping residents welcome Rosie back into the fold and local farmer Liam helps her out sprucing up the old house.

Themes of betrayal, bereavement, duplicity, and family secrets permeate the story.

As with many a romance novel, this one was fairly predictable. However… the journey to the predictable ending was an entertaining and enjoyable one.

This book was the first in a series of four titles set in the charming Heaven’s Cove, Devon. I intend to read them all!

I’ve read quite a few books by Liz and I have to say that she’s a lovely writer. This is book one and a great start to a new series of stories. There was lots going on, plenty of characters and just the right amount of drama for this type of book. Looking forward to book 2!

Wow, this story was so completely amazing. I absolutely loved it. I felt like I had been transported to the shores of Heaven’s Cove. What a beautiful place to be. I highly recommend this book, don’t pass this one up.

Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea

by Liz Eeles

Called home from her life in sunny Spain by her mother’s sudden death, Rosie returns to the chilly English coast and Driftwood House, her family home. Rosie never felt like she fit in when she was in high school where the popular kids called her Weirdo Rosie Merchant.

In Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea, we learn that some of her former classmates have matured and some remain bullies. Liam, the high school lothario was dumped at the altar. Belinda is the local center of information, i.e. the town gossip. Nessa, formerly called Loch Nessa Monster, was rarely seen during her high school years because her mum was terminally ill. Nessa is the survivor of a bad marriage with a little girl and is employed at a hardware store. The little town is full of characters who all want to know of Rosie’s travels and when she will be leaving again.

Most of the plot centers around secrets her mother had kept from her. It seems she didn’t know her mother as well as she thought she did. There were many life changing repercussions from these secrets. To delve into the plot further would disclose too many spoilers.

Rosie is a hard-working, determined, likable character. She changes and grows in the story. Liam is a reluctant love interest. What would be the point? Rosie will be retuning to Andalusia, her two jobs, and her boyfriend as soon as she sorts out her mother’s affairs.

Of course, the author has other plans for Rosie. I think you’ll enjoy watching the story unfold. There are several major plot and character surprises. Even the antagonists experience turn arounds that will have readers smiling happily at a very satisfactory conclusion.

I would like to extend my thanks to NetGalley and to Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.


Rating: 4/5

Category: Women’s Fiction

Notes: #1 in the Heaven’s Cove Series

Publication: February 18, 2021—Bookouture

Memorable Lines:

Tea, the British answer to everything from disappointment to grief to crashing guilt.

…it would be good to feel…something. Something positive, rather than the sadness, humiliation, anger and anxiety that had become the four horsemen of his personal apocalypse.

The village was still shrouded but higher up, on the cliffs, the fog had been burned away by the sun, and Driftwood House was now an island in a sea of mist that swirled far below her.

Another lovely book by this author set in beautiful Devon. Rosie was a very likeable main character as were the supporting cast, a great mix of family saga, romance and mystery made this a perfect beach read

Blown away! Perfect summer's read. Full of character and emotion. . .

Rosie returns to the family home on the death of her mother. As she is clearing out the attic she fins a photograph that will change her life. She wants to leave Devon and rent out the house as quickly as possible but then she meets neighboring farmer Liam. He is going to make some repairs on the home and before long they are caught up in the mystery of the photo and its implications. As the story progresses, Rosie has doubts about her life in Spain and her future in Devon. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Loved this beautiful book. Slow to start, the story captured my heart as the pages turned when Rosie wanted to protect the memories of the Driftwood House, her family home, and managed to convince the owners that it could work well as a guest house.

Secrets in the attic brought home certain truths about her mother’s life. Melodies of love too bound her to this quaint town. Would she stay forever?

Reading a book by author Liz Eeles after a long time, I was most eager to dig into the secrets left behind. I liked the gentleness of the story admixed with the mystery in the plot. Love interest Liam was a beautiful support, and I found myself attracted to his character more than once.

Descriptions of the place made me feel as if it were the most idyllic corner on earth, where, gossip abounded, but love flowed well in times of duress. Rosie took her own sweet pages to thaw my heart, but I could understand her prickly nature hiding her grief. I am the same.

Secrets hidden brought out the drama in the writing, the setting of the story triggered my imagination, and romance painted a smile on my face. Overall, the combination of the author’s magic in all parts of the book made this a sweet read.

A literary oasis of peace in moments of chaos that the world has transformed into.

There a lot to like in this book: the characters, the setting and the plot that mixes family saga, some mystery and romance.
I thoroughly enjoyed it as it's engrossing and entertaining.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I thought that this was a very clever book. I enjoyed that it was a mix of family drama/family secrets, small town romance, and a hint of mystery. It all worked together for an enjoyable read. In a way, this was also a coming-of-age story, because I think that Rosie truly found herself over the course of the plot. I also liked the way the author explored small-town living. Between the long memories, the short-sightedness, the assumptions, and the gossip, she really captured how the group dynamics of small-town residents work. It was all realistic. For a detailed review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC of the book.

Liz Eeles' Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea is a fantastic read.

Everything about this story is gripping. I love the mystery involved and all the emotions invoked.
I appreciate that the house is a character in itself. I always love a home that brings out all the feels. In addition, the town is fully brought to life, with the reader fully able to feel they are there. Being based in the UK is another bonus.

This is a perfect read when you're in the mood for small town nostalgia mixed with romance and suspense.

The twists and turns are entertaining and kept me gripped.

Overall, I love this book and am delighted to have discovered Liz Eeles.

I love, love, love Liz Eeles and this is yet another fabulous addition to her books. A beautifully romantic book, one that will create happiness and sunshine for you. Completely adorable characters that you root for and lovely writing, perfect escapism

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

this is a great book to read from start to finish story line is so lovely apart from belinda and matt who you want to be rid of but we all have these people in our lives at sometime a good read

A gripping story which once I started reading I didn't want to put down. A story with fantastic charters and set in a great location. I look forward to reading more.

Secrets at the Last House is a very well written book. I enjoyed the plot and character dynamics as well as the setting. I highly recommend this book.

Very nice book!!!! I loved it! It really makes you want to turn the pages and see what will happen! This book is full of family secrets and a bit of romance! At first I wasn't sure I was going to like it and I even thought that the first chapters were a bit boring but then it started to get really good and the more you dive into the book the better it becomes! I am very happy to have read this one!!!

Rose Merchant returns to the small village she grew up in because her Mother has passed away. Rose finds out her childhood home is going to be torn down. She gets help from an unexpected friend Liam to restore the home.
A sweet romance that just made you feel good about the world.

This is the first book I've read of Liz and I absolutely loved it! Such a heart warming story and so romantic. Made me forget everyday life and want to visit Devon. Got totally wrapped up in the characters lifes and didn't want it to end. Just the kind of easy, warming read needed in these times. Highly recommend

Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea by Liz Eeles is a heart-warming story of a woman who has returned to her childhood home because her mother has died. She sees her mother's cottage that she assumed would always be there because her mother was. She didn't really want it. She had no need for it. She had a life in Spain, with the man she loved. She hadn't returned to see her mother often recently but she had Skyped and her mother had visited her. Now that was in the past. Then she got the notice that the cottage wasn't really her mother's, and so not really hers. They had plans for the site, plans that did not include the cottage. It was to be razed. To build a resort. The Eppings owned half of the town and yet never appeared there. She would have to find them; convince them.

Plenty happened in this book and not all of it could have been foretold. Rosie was a strong character; she was bold. She knew what was right and was willing to fight for it. As with every person that has even had to clean out a dead person's belongings, she found things that had no explanation. She had to know. Liam, her down the trail neighbor, was right there with her, helping, encouraging. He had his own problems but he never failed to be there to help Rosie. He boyfriend arrived from Spain. Turns out he wasn't lots of help. The village supported her. This was a lovely generational love story. Her mother had been her own woman and had her secrets. Rosie grew up a lot when she lost her mother. Things changed for her...for the better. This was a wonderful book, full of unexpected turns and revelations. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea. All opinions and thoughts are my own. #netgalley #secretsofthelasthousebeforethesea