Well this was definitely a WOW kind of book, I was hooked from start to finish, it was beautifully written, wonderful characters. I just could not put this book now, some parts of the story even bought a tear to my eye, which is always a sign for me of just how well written a book can be when that happens.

It was a truly magnificent, emotional, heartfelt, heart breaking story from start to finish. I was completely captivated and engrossed throughout, really enjoyed getting to know all of the characters and to discovering their stories.

Loved how there was a dual timeline element throughout the story to, that of Lizzie/Eddie in the past where it all began and the Romy/Flora and Lizzie in the present. It was beautifully done and it all came together perfectly come the end.

A stunning, atmospheric novel. The characters are masterfully drawn.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a well written story. I enjoyed it very much You learn about 3 different woman at different places in their life. It is very interesting how these woman are so different yet they find they are tied together. Life can be hard and the choices others make can have lasting effects. But the truth can sometimes heal broken people. Thank you to netgalley for complementary copy.

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

I have read this author's previous book, The Butterfly Garden and loved it so much, so when I saw that she had a new book I jumped at the opportunity to read it. This was a wonderful book of love, loss and family, the bonds that bind us together. It was partly in a lovely lush locale and I could almost feel the sun on my skin imagining being on the beach and snorkeling the waters.

Romy has been away from home for along time, she did not leave on the best of terms, but when she gets a bad diagnosis and is told she will need a kidney transplant, home is th only place she wants to be. Romy knows there is no that will be a match because she has no blood relatives that she knows about. She believes that her fathers Ted and Joseph had her by way of surrogate and Ted who is her biological father is dead. Joseph welcomes her back with open arms and as they try to mend ther fractured relationship, he knows there is something wrong with her. When Romy finally falls ill and ends up in hospital, Joseph is forced to finally tell her her true parentage and deliver the shocking news that not only does he know where her mother lives but that she has a sister.. While Romy is reeling with the news, Joseph flies half way across the world to meet with Flora and rock her world with the news of a sister but to then ask her to test to see if she is a match to Romy for the kidney.

The story is told in three parts, Romy in current day, Flora in current day and Flora's mother, Lizzie in the past. I enjoyed the way the story was revealed. I will definitely read more books bythis author.

Romy receives a terrible diagnosis and heads back home to the dad she hasn't seen in 14 years. Flora's already strained relationship with her mother is pushed to breaking point when she is forced to care for her after a fall. Lizzie and Edward begin a friendship but will it lead to love...?
The Sapphire Cove is an emotional novel with three separate strands which gradually combine. I have previously reviewed The Butterfly Garden by author Sophie Anderson.
Three women dealing with big issues. Seemingly unconnected but links begin to appear over the course of the book until the plot threads are fully interwoven. The three women are all easy to like as they deal with their unique situations. All of them have sadness in their past which they need to address.
It took me a little while to appreciate that Lizzie's storyline was in the past (Blockbuster video!) and then my brain started to understand the connections between the women and my eyes began to gobble up the pages.
Love, forgiveness and the need to be true to yourself are all important themes in the book. Mental health issues are dealt with although not referred to directly. The emotion is heart wrenching as choices are made and lived with, but the feeling of lost opportunities remains dominant. There are several points where the dilemmas faced by the characters makes us as readers wonder how we would have handled their situation.
The Sapphire Cove was an engaging and emotional story about love, loss and second chances.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Sapphire Cove' by Sophie Anderson.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Sophie Anderson, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 18th February 2022.

This is the second book I have read by this author. I have also read her debut novel 'The Butterfly Garden' which I highly recommend!!

I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching and gorgeous cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. I am also a HUGE fan of Sophie Anderson after falling in love with her 'The Butterfly Garden'. If this is half as good as that was it is sure to be a page turner!! The synopsis stated that 'Fans of Jodi Picoult, Lucinda Riley and Jojo Moyes will never forget The Sapphire Cove'. I am a huge fan of JoJo Moyes and Jodi Picoult so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of a prologue, 28 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based The Philippines 🇵🇭 and Dorset, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. I have actually visited and holidayed in Dorset on many occasions so it will be intriguing to see if I do actually recognise any places mentioned.

This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Roma, Flora and Lizzie. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.

'Sapphire Cove' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Sophie discusses/includes attempted/suicide, hospitals and depression.


Wow!!! What an absolutely devastatingly gorgeous heartbreaking stunning book!!! An absolutely HUGE congratulations Sophie on one of the best debut novels I've ever read. You should be mega proud of yourself!!!!

A beautifully written book whose descriptions are vivid and gorgeous and highlights the beauty of the Philippines and Dorset perfectly. The synopsis, title and cover work perfectly with the storyline.

The storyline itself is unique and just absolutely gorgeous. I loved that we got to visit not only the Phillipines but also Dorset and Sophie has done both places justice. I was devastated by the end as it genuinely felt that I had come to the end of one of the most beautiful holidays I've ever had. The storyline is filled with love, loss, family, secrets, friendship, beauty, sadness, happiness and so much more!! It is a true rollercoaster of emotions!!! I was not expecting the twists at all and this is unlike any holiday fiction or romance I've ever read. This did not end like I expected and I LOVE the fact that this book was not predictable. It is so easy to fall into the web of predictability so a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Sophie who did not do this!!! I LOVED that I didn't guess the ending which is getting harder and harder the more books I read. Sophie covers the topics of depression, alcoholism, attempted/suicide/ HIV/kidney failure and sexuality perfectly. Although this book is not set in the past it is a sad fact that homosexuality is still a "taboo" subject especially in certain areas and that even now people frown upon it. Congratulations Sophie you did a fantastic job working with all of these subjects and all in one gorgeous storyline. I am a believer in the fact that all the topics mentioned above should be written about more as there are so many people out there struggling with their sexuality or with depression or alcoholism and they could just be picking up a book life this and it changes their lives for the better. There was so much going on in this book covered by 3 different protagonists that it just kept me constantly sucked into the pages and intrigued throughout. The story lines are all woven together beautifully and by the end everything is explained with no loose ends which is one of my pet hates.

This would make an absolutely stunning movie which I would love to watch ♥

It is set over/includes multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture

I was completely invested in the characters. I loved all their unique and eclectic personalities. I really enjoyed watching Romy grow and develop as well as mature as a person throughout the book. It was intriguing watching her relationship with Flora, start and develop throughout the storyline. It wasn't just Romy and Flora's relationships I enjoyed watching develop but also her relationship with Angel, Joseph and others but I won't mention who as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. Lizzie absolutely intrigued me and I loved getting to know her although I had mixed feelings for both her and Edward which changed throughout the book. I loved meeting Flora and really felt for her on so many occasions especially when she found out certain things. I thought she was such a. strong, independent woman along with being a fantastic role model and amazing mum. A beautiful mix of characters that all worked perfectly together to make this gorgeous page turner. These are characters who will stay with me for a long time.

If you are going to read this book then you need to clear your diaries as once it sucks you in then your not coming out until the very last page. Absolutely unputdownable!!!


Another congratulations to Sophie on this stunning debut novel. I for one would love to visit the Philippines and Dorset all these amazing characters again and see where their lives lead!! This would make a stunning series and I'm sure I'm not the only person who wants this. If not a series then I still cannot wait to read your next gem of a novel!!! This is exactly why you are on my favourite authors list!! I most definitely will be recommending this to everyone and anyone.


Overall an absolutely stunning unputdownable unique story that will whisk you to the beautiful Dorset and Philippines.

Genres covered in this book include Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Romance and Gay Fiction amongst others.


I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of JoJo Moyes,. Nicholas Sparks, Jodi Picoult and anyone looking for an absolutely stunning getaway


385 pages.

This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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The story of three women, Romy, Flora and Lizzie, who at first seem completely unconnected but as you read on you find the link and the lies told to both Flora and Romy throughout their lives start to unravel. A lovely book that draws you in from the first pages and especially as part of it was set in an area of the Philippines that I love and could so easily visualise

I loved this book from the first page to the last. It had me captivated all the way through. I felt my eyes welling up at times which actually added to the enjoyment. A wonderful book. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Lies and secrets play a huge role in the disconnected relationship between Flora and her ailing mother. Their relationship has never been ideal and even with her mother's failing health, Flora is left to feel inadequate. As a distraction, Flora begins to organize her mother's things. In the process, she discovers a photo that she never saw before.

Quite naturally, she approaches her mother about the picture, but finds that the distance between them grows even more. There is something about the photo that Flora's mother is not telling her. But Flora does not give up. In fact, she begins to unravel a story that pertains to her mother's past and soon discovers that she has a sister.

Different perspectives and different stories slowly begin to connect. As Flora strives to find answers, traveling many miles to meet her sister, the tension grows exponentially, giving evidence as to why the lies and secrets in this story existed. As the setting changed, the drama continued. Even so, there was a message of love and hope with this disconnected family. This utterly compelling read was one that kept me riveted and brought unlikely characters together in a heartwarming fashion. Sophie Anderson's sophomore book was quite engrossing, leaving me eager to read more from her in the future.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I was drawn in by the cover for The Sapphire Cove, it’s intriguing and you just know that there are secrets hidden! The author similar to her first book is very descriptive of her book settings. You really do think you are there! In the case of The Sapphire Cove, you are in the Philippines for part of the book. This is the perfect read for a cold windy day as you will be drawn into the clear blue sea and golden sands.

It’s a captivating story of the marvellous Flora who has to deal with a shocking secret. Jammed packed with secrets, betrayal, heartbreak, guilt and tinged with sadness. It’s truly a story you won’t want to put down. After reading two amazing books from Sophie Anderson I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next!

The sapphire Cove by Sophie Anderson.
Flora has fled from her broken marriage to take care of her sick mother, in an isolated farmhouse with ice on its windows. She is shaken by her mother’s pale worn face and is determined to make her feel safe and looked after. But as she draws heavy curtains and lights fires, she makes a shocking discovery. Hidden at the bottom of a drawer lies a crumpled photo of a smiling baby girl she doesn’t recognise. A photo her mother refuses to talk about…
This was a good read with some good characters. I did like Flora. 4*.

This is the second book that I have read by Sophie Anderson. The 1st being The Butterfly Garden which I quite enjoyed, so I was happy to see this new book, and the cover is absolutely gorgeous.

The Sapphire Cove is a mystery of family secrets, love and forgiveness. Flora while taking care of her sick mother stumbles across a picture of a smiing baby and familiy secrets that have been kept from her. Who is the baby and how does this affect her life moving forward? This was a wonderful book full of family drama, but love and rendemption as well. The descriptions of places and people really drew me in and this is a perfect book to relax with on a cold afternoon.

Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to read and review this book..

I have to admit that I hadn’t heard of this author before but I was drawn to the book by the beautiful cover. I always feel a little nervous when reading a new author , what if I don’t like the book. Well I needn’t have worried, The Sapphire Cove is an absolutely brilliant read full of emotion and deep secrets. From the first chapter I was completely absorbed in the story. This author has written a book that had me struggling to put down it is that good. A massive 5⭐️ read from me.

Sophie Anderson is a new to me author with The Sapphire Cove. A wonderful descriptive story of separation, difficult circumstances, and disappointments but hope in spite of it all. At least for some of the characters. Full of subplots and characters who do not seem connected at first. You will read on to see how all the characters’ lives intertwine at some point in the story. You know that they will it is just a mystery to be solved as you read long.

It is quite the dramatic tale that leaves you thinking what if. What if different decisions had been made? What if sisters had not be separated? It is a thinking kind of story that stays with you long after you finish reading it.

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

Romy’s diagnosis frightened her, and she knew there was a likelihood she’d never recover. For the first time in fourteen years, she phoned Joseph and when Romy asked could she come home, Joseph’s response was immediate. Romy’s reunion with Joseph was bittersweet, but gradually they made up for lost time, all the while realizing what was in the future.

Flora had left her husband, Jake and two small children, Toby and Olive, to care for her mother who had fallen and broken her leg. She had never been an easy person to like, in fact Flora had been frightened of her, so their argument wasn’t unexpected. And leaving her wasn’t hard to do. But when she discovered she had a sister on the opposite side of the world, and that her sister was dying, she wasn’t sure what to do. Doing what she was determined to do, then contacting her sister was a poignant time in her life. Jumping on a plane to the other side of the world was a nerve-wracking experience for Flora – but would it help?

The Sapphire Cove by Sophie Anderson is a hard one to review. I found myself so confused for the first half of the book – three women with no apparent connection to one another. Just a name at the beginning of the chapter so I knew who was narrating. But I would just start to know one character and it jumped to another. I put the book down a few times before persevering – and I’m glad I did. The ending was perfect, and my rating is for the last 30% of the book. I love the cover and would love to visit..

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

What a moving read this proved to be,
As three young women share their history.
To begin they seem a disparate three,
Leaving you wondering what their connection can be.

There's a tragic diagnosis that returns one home,
Where relationships broke down, leaving them alone.
But now's time for healing old wounds if they can
And, moving forward, formulating a new plan.

Dysfunctional family relations between the other two
Leave you wondering just what they'll do!
But hidden secrets, mystery and history, too
Will prove life changing when it is revealed what is true.

There's tragedy and mistakes, trauma and grief,
And the beautiful Sapphire Cove with its coral reef.
With heartbreak and hope, served in careful measures
The ending of this story will deliver much pleasure.

For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
It is an enthralling read and this is my honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

A book which I found hard to put down, the descriptions of Sapphire Cove made me want to be there.

It’s a beautifully written story. This was such an emotional, beautiful story. There differences between both the lives of Romu and Flora, and the lives they lead kept me wanting to read and learn more about them. ,

There’s some secrets revealed, and hard decisions to be made along the way.

Highly recommend this book.

This is an exceptional book, I enjoyed it so much, I did not want it to finish. The writing is beautiful, the descriptions of places sublime. No words are wasted, no long paragraphs padding out the narrative.
The characterisation of each player is so fully rounded, I felt I knew them all, with all their uncertainties and self- doubt. Each one was likeable and dislikable in equal measure, as most of we humans are.
The different POVs was unusual, but added an extra dimension to the book. I became completely immersed in the complex story of this complicated family, and loved it when it all came together to form a whole. It was all gradually revealed, being peeled back like onion skins. Such clever storytelling, and perfect pacing meant that the narrative never flagged.
The last paragraph before the epilogue had me holding my breath, the prose was so beautiful.
The story has so much humanity; from joy to heartbreak, and every emotion in between.
I have already bought another title from this author, her work is so impressive.
My thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this title. I might never have found her otherwise.

The Sapphire Cove by Sophie Anderson

Published: February 18, 2022
Bookouture
Pages: 385
Genre: Coming of Age Fiction
KKECReads Rating:
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Sophie Anderson is an author of contemporary women's fiction. She writes emotional stories about families and their secrets, friendship, forgiveness, and personal growth. Sophie lives in East Sussex with her husband, four children, and several animals. When she is not writing or ferrying her children around the countryside, she enjoys traveling, delicious food, yoga, playing the piano, walking in the South Downs, binging on box sets, and curling up with a good book!

“And the anger that coursed around her body gave way to a little spark of hope.”

Romy has been a free spirit for her e tote life, and she goes where the wind takes her. Flora has spent her life just trying to be happy and feel enough. Lizzie has lived a life filled with secrets and losses that she can share with anyone until fate intervenes.

I enjoyed this book, and how the story was told. It was clever how the alternating storylines were told and how things came together.

The characters were all so deep and beautifully developed. You got the sense that you knew them, and shared in their feelings.

This was such a tragically beautiful story about family, love, forgiveness, second chances, and embracing life. The themes were deep, heavy, but brutally real.

I loved the descriptions of the scenery. They were so vivid and detailed that I felt like I was there. And I loved the contrast between the two main places. Humid heat and bitter cold.

This was a beautifully raw, emotional novel that will make you angry, make you sad, and ultimately make you cry- in the best ways.

Family isn’t always biological, sometimes it’s by choice.

To begin with I was slightly confused by the first part of the book, there were 3 different narrators and I had no idea what was happening, but once I'd realised that one part was timeslip I was totally engrossed in the storyline. I don't want to give the storyline away so will only say that the book centres on 3 women, and family secrets and dramas. We are in rural England and the sunny shores of the Philippines. The setting of which sounds idyllic. Another great book from Sophie. Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this advanced copy, I am under no obligation to leave my review