This book was all full of family lies and secrets that they were all dealing with at the same time. I really enjoyed parts of this book however the multiple points of view took me out of the story a lot and left me a little confused at times. I loved the descriptions and the way that the author described not only locations but also what was going on with her characters. Sophie Andrews really has a way with words and is able to really pull her readers into her world. The only thing I didn't like was I found the plot to be a little bit slower moving than what I'm used to, but the characters were enough to keep me invested in the story. Not my favourite read but I'm glad that I was able to read it and I will definitely give this author another shot.

I have to say this isn't the type of story that I tend to read or that I tend to enjoy so it took me a while to get into it, I stopped a couple of times. I am glad however that I went back and decided to continue to read it. The book was a good book and even though it wasn't one of my ok I will admit one of my yummy smut books (and I won't apologize), because I won't deny I love them, I did enjoy it was a beautiful and told in three different points of view. We have stories from Flora, and Lizzie and Romy and their story and how it all comes together, so get out of your comfort zone and give it a chance, you might surprise yourself, I did.

I’ll admit, this book took a while to grab my attention. However, when it did, I binge-read the last half. I think I struggled not knowing there were three storylines and a time slip. I felt that the author had inserted a chapter from a different book until I realized that I needed to keep reading to find out how these storylines dovetailed.

This story features rebellious characters, their family dynamics, and their struggle to spread their wings. They say hindsight is 20-20 and these girls discover the truth behind it. It’s a heartfelt and emotional story about families, their secrets, chances not taken, personal growth, and forgiveness. The vivid descriptions of the Philippines were spectacular.

I was gifted this advance copy by Sophie Anderson, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Sophie Anderson always has a way to completely engross you in her books. This was the second one I have read by her, and I loved it.

Such depth with the characters as the family history presents itself in her writing. I found myself connecting the with the characters, and wanting to know more and more.

Beautifully written . Loved this moving and heartfelt story. Lots of family secrets.
A wonderful story of friendship, secrets and families.
I enjoyed it so much.

This was such an emotional, beautiful story. The description of the Sapphire Cove was captivating, I wanted to go there, and the contrast between Romy and Flora’s life really drew me in. Secrets, heartbreak and tough decisions made this a compelling story which I didn’t want to put down.

This book starts off with three storylines. It took me a few chapters to figure out who was who and what was going on. There’s a few surprises in this book too. I enjoyed the book.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

Wow, what a fantastic book to start 2022 with!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an early copy.

The book tells some of the lives of Romy who grew up in the Philippines with her two Dads, Flora married in Dorset and Lizzie in Oxfordshire.

A powerful novel about families and decisions made during trying times of their life.

A really enjoyable read .

This is a novel fraught with secrets and tension. A mother and daughter bicker, a husband and wife are unhappy, and a sick woman needs help. It took me awhile to compartmentalize all the characters and figure out who was with whom. The story is a compelling one, replete with tradition, contradiction, lies, and secrets. It kept my interest. I liked the location of Sapphire Cove the best. I also liked how the conflicts were resolved, moving forward, always.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I will definitely be reading more as I really enjoyed this book.

Written in three points of view, Romy, Flora and Lizzie. It takes time for the story to unfold but it all comes together about halfway through as the author weaves together a complex story.

It is a well written, enjoyable book about family, love, loss and secrets, with delightful characters and is an all round entertaining read.

Highly recommend!

You know what made this book just the best? The fact that even though I probably read what the book was about when I first saw this author had a new book out, it was some time before I actually got around to reading it, at which point I just dived in. I hadn’t read the publishers blurb before starting and had completely forgotten what the book was about. For this book, I think that’s the best way to experience it, without knowing anything at all about the plot.

So my experience of reading this was 3 sets of characters who seemed to bear no relationship at all with any of the others in the book. It was like reading different stories and I was so intrigued to find out how they would later connect with each other. I also didn’t realise that there was some time-slip in the story too. Occasionally that made for being a little confused, but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment. You read these different story threads, each a story in themselves with their own little sub-plot and it wasn’t until I was more than half way through the book that all these strands start to come together. I loved it, so absorbing and a real page turner.

Parts of the book are set on an island in the Philippines where Romy grew up with her parents Ted and Joseph. The descriptions here were so evocative. The sun, the clear blue waters of the ocean and spending days out on boats and diving. It sounded idyllic. It’s a wonderful story of lost opportunities, of the far reaching consequences of living without honesty, of not being true to oneself, of family disagreements, guilt and overwhelming sadness. I was very sad to reach the end of what was a stunning story and I can’t wait to see what this author writes next and where it will be set.

This was such a beautifully heartwrenching and at times heartbreaking story that i was captivated by the whole way through. It was a quick and easy read that just swept me up along with it and i disappeared within the pages for a few hours. i loved it

A beautiful story of love, loss and a family torn apart. This book had a lot going on In the beginning, I stood with it and I was glad I did.
Two sisters separated and raised differently, all grown up and may need each other more than they know.

Beautifully written descriptions which are a character all their own. I look forward to more by this author !

A heartbreaking and emotional read about love, letting go and a family torn apart in the saddest of circumstances. Let this story take you away for a few hours of reading bliss.
The story flowed effortlessly from chapter to chapter with a wonderfully descriptive vocabulary, bringing the reader into each character’s personality and surrounding imagery in such a colourful way.