Member Reviews

Two young ladies who were once friends find themselves back together again in this fabulous book by Caroline Young.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I enjoyed reading this book and found the story quite interesting. It is an easy read, with lovely descriptions of the countryside and weather in Anglesey. It would make a good read for those who enjoy romance and gentle fiction.

Was this review helpful?

Beth and Megan had grown up together in a small village on Anglesey but after an incident she deeply regretted, Beth left to find a place for herself as far away as she could get. When her father dies, she returns home, and knows she has to face her friends, family and the villagers, who are never slow to show what they think of her actions.

This is part of a series but easily a standalone read. It’s about family, regrets, acceptance, and the realisation that nobody’s perfect. We all make mistakes, and that the best way forward is to own up to your mistakes and get on with your life. It’s easy to think that people are talking about you, know what you’ve done and how you’ve behaved. But really most people are just trying to get through their own lives

The characters felt real, as did the problems that came up, the sense of community was good and I liked the use of Welsh with its translations too. There were several storylines, again as there are in real life, and the epilogue rounded things off nicely, while still leaving an opening for another in this series. A really good read, dealing with some dark themes but with a sense of fun too, I loved Ziggy and would be interested in what happens to him next. Recommended.

Was this review helpful?

4⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of Coming Home To The Windmill By The Sea.

Beth and Megan have been friends since they were little girls but now Beth is heading away to college and Megan is staying with the boy she loves to write poetry. Fast forward twenty years and Beth is newly divorced with a son heading to college and Megan is a recluse living in a dilapidated home in their hometown and they have not spoken to each other in many years. But when Beth’s father passes away she returns to her hometown to take care of her mother. She also wants to make amends with Megan for betraying her all those years ago and ruining their friendship. But the longer Beth stays in town the more she wonders if this is where she belongs.

This is the third book in the series and I enjoyed the book. The characters were easy to identify with and the story had my attention from the beginning.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you netgalley and publishers for an advanced copy of this book for my honest opinion. Set on the beautiful island of Anglesey, this book tells the story of two friends, who had once been very close, brought back together after 15 years of no contact. As the story unfolds,we meet each of the women's families, some interesting local community members and more importantly, the reason why the woman lost contact with each other. Love,loss and making amends make this an emotional but also an uplifting story. I particularly liked the Welsh worded aspects within the story especially as I was reading this whilst staying in Wales.

Was this review helpful?

This book had me with goosebumps from the blurb. It's is just the type of book I love to come across. And straight away I was hooked.
It's shows how decisions are met by each of us in such different ways.Depending on how we are in ourselves, what the other communicates and then where our paths lead us. And after Beth decides to leave her young best friend for a busier life the two girls handle this and life very differently. But what also happened was a loss. A loss of a friendship and therefore so much time with so much left unsaid.
It's such a successful writing of emotions. It's hard but delicate and it's breakable but strong. Similar reflecting the characters. Meghans story in particular was so sensitive and touching it did have me a little emotional.
And the parts written about Beth's son was very well done. And shows how even as parents or for thosee we love we don't always get it right. But it's how we tread from realising that. And Beth's effort were brilliant.
Coming home Beth takes a chance to do the work to make things right. I loved finding out if and how this could be done.

Was this review helpful?

What an amazing, heart warming story of two friends. Friendship lost only to be regained. And love, that while it took awhile, was finally found. From the author's description, I would love Anglesey!

Thank to the publisher and NetGallery for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Beth and Megan lived on a small island in Northern Wales. They were the best of friends - until a boy got between them. Beth went on to college and had a great career. When her mother called her back, when Megan's father died, Megan rediscovers what she had left behind. She also begins to learn deeply held secrets - and that some of her secrets were no secret in this tiny town.

Circumstances cause Megan to decide to stay. There, she begins to spread her wings and grow her roots by reconnecting.

This is a great story of rebirth, regenerating a friendship, finding yourself and your family.

It's a wonderful read. Anytime a Welsh term is used, the English translation immediately follows.

Was this review helpful?

A lovely and atmospheric summer read, would be perfect as on location read! Really enjoyed it, kept be interested throughout , good characters.

Was this review helpful?

Beth returns to her childhood home on the island of Anglesey after her father’s unexpected death to care for her mother. Leaving behind her successful London life, she faces her strained relationships with her childhood best friend Megan, and Megan's brother Ioan, with whom she has a complicated past. Amid family struggles and personal challenges, Beth seeks forgiveness and healing while reconnecting with her roots. Set in a beautiful coastal community, this touching, heartfelt story explores themes of friendship, reconciliation, and personal growth, blending trials, triumphs, and the passage of time in a deeply emotional and realistic narrative.

Was this review helpful?

This is an excellent read. It takes in what happens when life hits hard. Megan and Beth were childhood bestie and only really had each other. One silly teenage mistake later and they are mid forties, haven’t spoken since their a level summer and are totally different people. The island they live on has preserved so many parts of what made them friends but also holds harmful secrets which still hurts them as mature women, The abscesses that they are their families have are slowly looked at and the healing of beach life, stormy life and village life takes ahold and starts to heal them both,
There are some lovely quotes from female writes of classic literature, perhaps a few too many peppered through the book, but it is none the poorer for them.

Was this review helpful?

A remarkable story of love, loss, friendship and relationships. Caroline Young truly captures the emotions of her characters along with the wilds and beauty of the setting for the book in Anglesey.
Beth Macintosh hasnt been back to her childhood home in many years, she has a high flying career and a prestigious home and lifestyle shared with her husband, she doesn't to spend time with her family on the Island, her mother and fathers lifestyle and that of her brother are far from Beth's idea of how a family should be. And there's also the secrets left very much in the past.
When Beth's fathers death coincides with unexpected redundancy, she returns home. The tight knit community appear to have not forgot Beth's past either especially how she treated her teenage best friend Megan and how she's left her brother to care for her family without a second thought.
With time for reflection on her life and the alarming reality of her past colliding with her present, Beth starts to try and gain the trust of the villagers and more importantly that of old friendships.
A beautiful and emotional story of second chances and reflection.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This was book three in this series set in Anglesey, Beth left years ago, it has come home after her father has died. Beth’s son follows soon after dropping out of University. Beth crosses paths with friends that she’s not seen since she’s been eighteen.

This book offers a beautiful exploration of friendship, relationships, and the mixed nature of family. With its relatable characters and emotional richness, it is a compelling read that leaves a lasting impression. An emotional 5 star read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

Was this review helpful?

Another feel good story. The ups and downs of life, mistakes made in younger days and finding peace at last. The story is based on life on the island of Angelsey. Lots of community spirit and family interactions, bright ideas and every thing comes right in the end.

Was this review helpful?

The book by Caroling Young is a story of second-chances, loss, and coming home. Berth and Morgan the main Characters overcome what’s going on around them and persevere in order to thrive. Thanks to Caroline and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Was this review helpful?

Best friends, Beth and Megan were childhood friends living on the island of Anglesey in North Wales. It is the last days of their childhood as they sat on the beach discussing their futures. Beth couldn’t wait to leave the island and was off to college and Megan wanted nothing more to stay on the island. As the years passed they soon lost touch. Beth married, but a Megan lived a lonely depressive existence alone, shunning the other inhabitants of the island. This is a story of second chances, first loves and the conflict of that love. Can Beth and Megan begin their friendship again and if they do will the secrets they carry, tear them apart again? A poignant read with wonderful characters who navigate a harsh life of tragedy, secrets and eventually an emotional conclusion. Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing g for an early copy. This review is my personal opinion.

Was this review helpful?

Another excellent book in a great series - a beautiful story I couldn’t put down. Well-written with an incredible cast of characters.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

Beth's father dies unexpectedly, so she returns from her high-powered job in London to the remote, island windmill where she grew up to help out with her mother's care. During her time in London, she lost touch with her childhood best friend, whom she hurt deeply before escaping to the big city. Now that she has returned home, she hopes that her friend will forgive her and that they can find a path forward to a renewed friendship.

This is an easy, enjoyable read about complex, island-dwelling people and the sometimes inhospitable, but beautiful place that they call home. The characters relate to one another in believable ways, and though the story unfolds predictably, it does so in a smooth and flowing way, just like one season into another on the island.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Beth MacIntosh is busy living her successful life in London when she is suddenly called back to her childhood home of Anglesey on the coast of Wales. She left long ago for college and has seldom returned, preferring instead to lead her busy business life even after her divorce from her wealthy, businessman husband, Hugo. Her son, Lewis, is away at Oxford, much to his dismay, and Beth is becoming a bit worried about how he is since he just doesn't fit in there ... or basically anywhere. Beth is having a tough time fitting in back at home as well and is dreading reconnecting with her former closest friend, Megan Williams, after their terrible falling out, and also with Megan's brother, Ioan, with whom she has a complicated past. Can she manage to help her family and find herself again in this small close knit coastal community? Can time, trials, and God's good fortune all play a role in life turning around for all those involved? Take a journey to the beautiful windswept home where Beth grew up in an old windmill and now finds herself again and find out what the present and future holds for all of them in Anglesey.

This book was especially touching and meaningful for me due to a part of Megan's storyline that I know personally all too well. The author wrote this portion so incredibly accurately that I was moved to tears several times.

The characters and storyline were equally wonderful ... very realistic, filled with good, bad, trials, triumphs, longing, heartbreak, and joy. If I could give more stars for this thoughtful, touching, and real, book, I would.

I received a digital arc of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book and very grateful to have been given the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

I loved the opening chapter where we met Beth and Megan initially and found out their background before jumping forward to present day and the crux of the novel.

When we first meet Beth, the London version, she is not the nicest version of herself. She gets a call to have to deal with the death of her father, and consequences following this, and come back to her childhood home at the last minute. She is met with hostility initially by her ex-neighbours and childhood friends.

This is both a family tale and a love story for Beth herself personally and getting to know and fall in love with Anglesey again, dealing with mistakes and gaining forgiveness from friends and family, along with learning family history. Beth has to learn about herself and deal with her, and her family's past, for a new start - for herself, her friends and the village.

Was this review helpful?