I couldn't wait to read this, and I wasn't disappointed!

Another visit to Starshine Cove. More brilliant characters, crazy japes and fresh starts. A brilliant read which is highly recommended.

Yet another wonderful visit to Starshine Cove. These books are so good to read, fantastic romances but with a tough story within them that is beautifully handled that stops them being saccharin sweet. It will have you racing to the end.

So good to be back in Starshine Cove again, for a third visit.
All the usual characters & residents of Startshine Bay feature to some extent in this book; however, it would be very easy to read as a stand alone book as prior knowledge isn’t required.
This time we follow Lucy & her teenage daughter as they visit Starshine Cove for a special wedding. Lucy’s backstory & to some extent her current story is rather heavy, but is handled well & sympathetically. Needless to say the magic of Starshine Cove, the patience & support of friends, old & new, and a dash of romance helps Lucy begin to take steps at starting life afresh.
A touching story set in a wonderful sounding place.

3.7 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming but a bit heavy

Lucy Brown has been in hiding for a decade, thanks to her ex. However, she finally ventures out to meet her best friends and attend a wedding in the small town of Starshine Cove. The trip proved to be a great decision for her and her sixteen-year-old daughter, Rose.
But then, Lucy is stunned to see a man she impulsively flirted with at the airport and gave a fake name. They seem to have a connection, but Lucy is a long way from healing. With the past threatening to spill, Lucy has to decide what she needs from her life.
The story comes in Lucy’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts:
The book works well as a standalone despite the presence of recurring characters. They are the supporting cast and enhance the plotline.
This is a heavier book than it appears to be. It deals with psychological domestic abuse and its after-effects on the victims. Lucy has panic attacks, and there’s another character going through a similar phase. The book is not exactly a light read, though it has many sweet and humorous moments. It can be triggering to some readers.
Now, that’s done, I have to admit that the author writes teenagers very well. Rose is a doll! She is childish but mature, composed but dramatic, stable and reliable, but prone to sulking. In short, she is easy to love and relate to (though I haven’t been a teen for a while). Rose is my favorite character in the book.
Lucy’s narration takes some time to get used to. She is frantic and rambles, the result of living with a controlling spouse. However, we don’t know this at the beginning, and the first chapter has her monologue, which made my eyes glaze. NGL, I was worried about where it would go. Fortunately, there's a reason for it. We can get used to her thought process.
Starshive Cove is a beautiful place, and we are once again transported to an almost magical land with kind and helpful neighbors. This book is set in spring, so the flowers have started to bloom!
Josh is an adorable guy. The adults act like adults and can communicate, so that’s a big plus. Lucy and Rose also have meaningful conversations, which I like.
I knew there would be a third-act breakup, but it doesn’t happen until around 93%, which is too late, IMO. That leads to an HFN ending, which is okay since this is a series, and we’ll meet the characters again. However, I am disappointed that Lucy’s self-healing journey doesn’t come across clearly.
When the FMC calls herself a mess for most of the book in feel-good fiction, I have the right to hope she would realize and openly acknowledge that doesn’t define her. Circumstances forcing her to be stronger is not the same as self-healing, which Lucy needs. I don’t want to say more, as they’ll be spoilers.
The pacing is on the slower side due to the topics handled. Since these are important social aspects and are well-handled (as far as I know), I didn’t mind the slow pace much.

To summarize, Finding Hope in Starshine Cove is a heartwarming story with likable characters and a lovely setting. It has dogs and kids, too, so yay!
Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #FindingHopeInStarshineCove
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Extra:
I’d like to thank the author for handling the henna scene carefully. I appreciate the inclusion of the question about cultural appropriation.

What a magical place this is, and it is the 3rd book in this series. Reading this you will find that you really want to be there. Excellent writing and this book leaves you wanting more and more. 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for this ARC

My Thoughts /

First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and author Debbie Johnson, for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. Publication date is currently set for April 24, 2024.

The first thing I wanted to do when I finished this book was book a one-way ticket to Starshine Cove!

Finding Hope in Starshine Cove is the book #3 in the Starshine Cove series by Debbie Johnson. If you haven't read any of this series before, have no fear, as neither did I and I had no trouble keeping up and I didn't feel like I was missing any back connections.

If there was a 'Feel Good' award, this book would take first prize. Relatively short at 257 pages (which was just the right length IMO) it's packed full of joy and 'feel good' vibes. Full Disclosure: I don't read a whole lot of books in this contemporary/romance genre, so maybe my thoughts might be a little skewed(??) but this was just a very enjoyable book and a really nice respite from heavier reads. Plus, the author dedicated the book to her readers, so, big 'ticks' all round from me.

Single mum, Lucy Brown is at the airport with her teenage daughter, Rose. Both are travelling to Starshine Cove where they are to attend the wedding of her friend, Ella. Lucy and Ella met when the two attended the same university, and together with a couple of other girls became a close-knit group of friends. When Lucy married, she dropped out of contact with her girlfriends, choosing to focus all her attentions on her husband, Robert. Sadly, the marriage ended when Lucy realised that her husband was emotionally coercive and controlling. Sixteen years later and Lucy is still dealing with the fallout of her abusive relationship. But putting her insecurities aside, Lucy is looking forward to reuniting with her friends again and having a wonderful vacation with her daughter.

Once the duo arrives in Starshine Cove, the mood lifts and it's all rainbows and unicorns. Starshine Cove is a place where the unusual happens; a place where magical things seem to occur; it's a place where someone might find a second chance.

Johnson has written a light and colourful story. The combination of wit and humour together with fun scenes and a little light romance hits the spot. The characters, on their face, are a little unbelievable, but when combined with the whole Starshine Cove magical element, suddenly become believable.

Themes of community, hope, and love burst from the pages of this story.

If you read this one, I guarantee you'll be wanting to book yourself a ticket to Starshine Cove too!

#NetGalley #FindingHopeinStarshineCove #DebbieJohnson

Debbie Johnson can always be relied upon for an entertaining, comforting yet at times thought-provoking read. We return to the magical world of Starshine Cove for this one, coming across old friends from previous novels as well as some engaging new characters. Johnson deals well with the controlling relationship that is in the background of this novel, preventing the main character from really moving on with her life. I would have liked to focus a little more on Lyssa's story but perhaps that will come in the future,

This is the third in this series and I have enjoyed them all, I love the familure characters and the stories new ones bring, they are very well written and I would love to visit this Cove,

Lucy Brown likes to play a game of guess the occupation of travellers when sat at airports. When good looking stanger asks if he can sit next to her she makes up an glamorus name and job for herself never thinking she will see him again.
When Lucy travels to starshine cove with her daughter for a friends wedding and a holiday only to bump into the stanger at the airport who is the brother of the brides husband.
They start off on a bad start but eventually become close.

This was my first visit to Starshine Cove. An enjoyable experience for sure. Delightful characters. I do wish for an epilogue. I would expect these characters to be in the next book and would then discover more about their happily ever after. Well written. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

I loved being back in Starshine Cove. It felt like a reunion with old friends and was lovely to meet all of the newcomers.

Lucy Brown is a single mother to 16 year old Rose and lives in a remote area of Ireland. She has a fractious relationship with Rose’s father to say the least and he has left her with a lot of issues.

Lucy and Rose are off to Starshine Cove for Ella’s wedding to Jake. Lucy is travelling on her own to London to pick up Rose who is visiting her father. In the airport she plays a game where she makes up stories in her head about her fellow travellers. As she is doing so, she meets Josh and thinks he must be a male model or something similar. She decides to have a little fun and becomes ‘Amelia’ a confident, high-flyer off to New York (complete opposite of Lucy) and flirts with Josh. She thinks there is no harm as it’s just a bit of harmless fun but little does she know she will encounter him again!

Lucy and Rose are bowled over by the kindness and friendliness of the locals in Starshine Cove and Lucy is delighted, but a bit apprehensive, to meet up with her old friends Ella, Priya and Katie.

They soon settle into life in Starshine Cove and surrounded by so many lovely people soon Lucy learns to relax a little and how to smile again. When Rose’s stepmother (Lyssa) contacts Rose and Lucy for help, they don’t hesitate to do so even though it means opening up old wounds. The villagers rally round too and are soon providing a safe haven for Lyssa and her children.

Finding Hope in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson is a story of mother and daughter dealing with loss, being closed off closed minded and the failure of a marriage. Lucy Brown the mother to Rose a very smart sixteen year old who is dealing with her new step family. You see Lucy took Rose at a young age and left her controlling and isolating doctor husband Robert and fled to Ireland. Robert wasn't physically abusive to Lucy and Rose but verbally abusive to Lucy and her self esteem. Once Lucy had married Robert she was cut off from family and friends and was told to give up her job. She was totally isolated from everyone and everything. Until her friend Ella invites Lucy and Rose to her wedding in Starshine Cove. There things change for Lucy and Rose.

Before getting to Starshine Cove Lucy must get past the humiliation she endured once she found out the gorgeous man she flirted with at the airport was non other than Ella's future brother in law Josh. You see Lucy made up a hole new persona while at the airport because Lucy felt unworthy of a man like Josh because of her life with Robert. How is Lucy going to pull off being herself around all these new people who have welcomed both her and Rose into their loving community with no questions asked. Can she finally get past her life with Robert and open up to having a life and enjoy herself? Can she really fall for someone like Josh, is she deserving of someone like Josh especially if she opens ups and tells everyone who she really is and why she fled to Ireland. That decision isn't made by Lucy. It is made my Robert's new wife. Lyssa leaves Robert and turns to Lucy and Rose for help. With Lucy helping Lyssa her life story comes to light. Will Josh understand? Will the people of Starshine Cove still love and respect Lucy after her story comes to light and Robert shows up in Starshine Cove? Will Lucy be strong enough to help Lyssa and be able to put her past behind her. Will Rose finally understand why her mother is the way she is? Rose is a smart 16 ;year old who tries to help her mother navigate it all. There is no love lost with her and her dad. She must help her mother see the light.

This is book number 3 in the series. Yet I didn't feel like I had to read the other books to become a fan of this little community that opens their arms to people in need. Ms. Johnson writes a story of healing and bringing friends together. The love of a mother and daughter that just seems to grow without strings attached. I loved Lucy's character because I saw the change in her from beginning to end. How strong she became and even though it took time she let someone new into her life. I also loved the bond between mother and daughter. How they both grew up and faced the challenges before them. Rose really figuring out what she want to do with her life, and how she wanted to stay connected with her step siblings.. Growing into a person who was confident and proud. Lucy opening herself up to new things and mostly people. Being accepted by her old friends brought together by a wedding that changed her life for the better. Seeing her daughter grow into the confident young woman, letting Josh in, while becoming a stronger person while helping Lyssa the woman who stole her husband, and gave Lucy back her life.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. I totally enjoyed this beautifully written heart warming story. Would highly recommend it Looking forward to more from Debbie Johnson. 4.5 stars.

Starshine Cove seems like a perfectly magical place. I love this series, meeting old characters and meeting new ones with each tale. This is a book filled with the ups and downs of human life, told in a lovely way, filled with humour and understanding. It’s always good to have a love story built into the tale too. An excellent read.

Starshine Cove is a very special place, you don’t find it, instead it seems to find you when you need it most! Lucy has hidden away for years since splitting up with her controlling ex-husband. She agrees to attend an old friend’s wedding in Starshine Cove and it’s not long until the place starts to work its magic. I always enjoy Debbie Johnson’s books and this is one of the best, I could not put it down!

Review

Finding Hope in Starshine Cove is a cute, fluffy read that has lovely elements of re-establishing friendships, character growth and development, being brave, a little romance and a bit of a laugh. I enjoyed the slang and had to look up a few things but there was also things like ‘mum’ being spelt with a ‘u’ instead of an ‘o’ that I loved as an Aussie! The way the FMC grows and her inner monologue is quite admirable and the strength she has for Rose is true mumma-bear! This is closed-door and does deal with some serious themes such as non-violent domestic violence. It is a ‘happy for now’ and look forward to seeing what happens next in Starshine Cove!

This was a warm and tender story about lost souls who find themselves again, in a somewhat hidden town.

Although predictable, it still made me smile throughout the book. Lucy, Josh & even Lyssa were all great characters that you could root for. Robert was a big meanie and it was fun to root against him.

I would recommend this book if you want a mature romance that lifts your spirits.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Finding Hope in Starshine Cove was so cute and refreshing to read. This book made me feel good from start to finish and I want to read all of the other books in the series as it’s so magical.

This is another book in the Starshine Cove series and I love a series where you can reconnect with characters but this also works just as well as a stand alone book. Once again, the people of starshine core bring their magic to a couple of strangers who 'happen' to be there at the same time. At times it is humorous and fun but there is also a more serious storyline about coercive control.

A delightful romcom - with some serious undertones.

*Note to self - when pretending to be someone else and flirting with a hot guy best to check he isnt going to be in the wedding party you are in town to attend!

Starshine cove is a magical place full of hope and possibility, but its not going to be easy for Lucy, who has some self work to do, and not just reviving her own personality and living through the embarrassment of seeing Josh again!

Recommend this book and will be reading others by this author as I enjoyed the pacing and characters

What another great visit to Starshine Cove. I always leave with a smile and warm fuzzy feeling.

Lucy was very identifiable as a character. She was protecting herself and Rose her daughter, even after she managed to remove herself from the toxic life she had with her ex husband. A safe, familiar, isolated routine helped her cope and survive. Seeing her slowly blossom after arriving at Starshine Cove was almost magical. She finally knew what it was like to be safe and be surrounded by people. To have people who only had her best interests at heart and didn’t define her by her past. It was beautiful, and seeing her daughter be one of those people was amazing. Rose grew up without knowing the true impact her dad on her mum and how she subsequently saw herself and thought about herself, which is a credit to Lucy as she truly suffered in silence and put on a brave face. Rose really helps her mum over come some issues and her step mother and step siblings, she really is a positive person with a big heart.

The whole ‘fake’ story with Josh was really funny and I knew it would come back and bite her, and it did in such a funny way. However, even that showed her that Josh and the people of Starshine Cove were nothing like her ex as they understood and found it funny. There was no negative repercussions only positive support.

From start to finish I loved this book, it was very thought provoking and it gave me comfort that there’s a friendship group for everyone out there, you just have to keep looking.