Although Starting Over in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson CAN be read as a standalone, reading the previous series books makes for a better read. Characters that are developed in previous books (listed below) make reappearances in this novel. Character development is a strength for Johnson as her characters pulled me into their lives. I felt as though I lived next door to them.

Starting Over in Starshine Cove brings about a second chance between Connie and Zach twenty-five years after last seeing one another. Their lives had gone in separate directions and suddenly brought them back together. Both had lost their spouses, but could they find love a second time around? Or, would they just be good friends?

Releases Feb 19th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Escape to Starshine Cove (2023)
Secrets of Starshine Cove (2023)
Finding Hope in Starshine Cove (2024)

Connie Llewelyn left the hustle and bustle of London to find herself. She ended up in Starshine Cove.. Here she fell in love with Simon started a family runs her café and has never been happier. That is until tragedy hits. She knife only loses Simon. She is suffering from an empty nest. Her children have moved on to their lives and Connie is left with emptiness.
Enter Zack a name from her past life , only his daughter is best friends with Connie’s daughter. Will she be able to have Zach in her life again? Can it be more than friendship? Connie is letting her guard down and it seems the same for Zach until a so called wrench is thrown into the mix. One Connie didn’t see coming. Will she just throw in the towel and go back to her personal slump?
This is a light hearted read with a beautiful background Starshine Cove. Where everyone knows you and is there to help. A love story that started with Connie and her beloved Simon. Yet it could end differently for Connie now if she finally listens to her wise friend Ella and also trust herself to be happy again. To embrace the time she has with the people she loves.
I truly enjoyed the story the character of Connie a strong loving woman. The town sounds like a place I’d want to visit. I’d like to se what the future holds for Connie and her family and friends. So thank you NetGalley and Storm for the ARC. A beautiful story that I hope Ms. Johnson continues. 4

Is there love after loss and menopause?

While many romance novels seem to focus on the thirty-somethings, this one targets those of us that are in a bit more of a prime stage of our life when children are leaving the nest, hormones are attacking us in new ways, and we find ourselves questioning who we are as fifty-something year old person. While reading, I found myself highlighting sections of the book that resonated with me while laughing at the plight of Connie who has been pushed back into the dating pool by her daughter who has set up a dating profile on an app. All while a blast from Connie's past resurfacing and driving her to her dates. The awkwardness of it had me laughing while my heart had me hopeful for Connie to open up to the one person that she was meant to reconnect with.

This was a delightful book about second chances and being willing to risk potential hurt to find love again.

I received a free copy of, Starting Over in Starshine Cove, by Debbie Johnson, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Connie Llewelyn is as dependable as they come, she owns a business in her town, has been alone since her husband died 5 years ago, and her kids are all grown up. Connie needs a change, and this is the perfect time for it. This was a lighthearted read, I enjoyed it.

connie is the heart of starshine cove, everyone's friend. she lost her husband several years ago and a face from the past returns. will she find happiness again?

"Starting Over in Starshine Cove" by Debbie Johnson is a heartwarming and uplifting story set in a beautiful seaside village. It's a must-have for your summer reading list, making it the perfect beach read. The story was unexpectedly emotional, bringing me to tears at times. This book was a wonderfully surprising 5-star read.
A big thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
#StartingOverinStarshineCove #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this visit to Starshine Cove, but not as much as the previous ones; I’m not really sure why, maybe because I love the hustle and bustle of the village and the descriptions that allow me to imagine I’m in far flung Dorset. I really liked the fact that we found out Connie’s background as it’s been hinted at previously and left me wondering. This would make a good standalone book, so don’t worry if you haven’t read the others in the series.

Lovely return to star shine cove. This is a great older romance featuring two widowed characters (which makes a change from horribly divorced) who both have lost the love of their lives. Guilt and other issues ensure the path to love died t run smooth but gives all of us hope for the future. I loved Connie and it was great to get a peek into the past to see what lead her to Starshine Coce in the first place. Loved it.

Loved this installement and visit to sunshine cove. This visit focuses on Connie who is always fixing everyone else’s problems. Connie is a widower who lost her husband years back leaving her to raise their family of three alone. When her daughter flies the nest to go to university she makes a friend and when Connie meets her family she realises that her dad Zach is someone she knows from her past, the attraction she had then is still there. She feels guilty but her friends rally round and convince her love can be found a second time around, but can it she wonders.
Brilliant to catch up with all the residents again and looking forward to another visit soon to the Cove.

This is my first book by this author so I have not read the three others in the series. I am not sure if it would have made a difference. I found this to be a good emotional read that builds hope with the knowledge you never know what is coming. The writing style threw me a bit in the beginning but I got used to it. I was given this ARC through Net galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I've really enjoyed the Starshine Cove series so far. Not sure about this one though.

All the characters from books 1-3 appear, this one is (mostly) set 2 years after book 1.

Connie is a fantastic character and Zack is a figure from her past. There are clues to his secret but it feels like the wrong ending for Connie. Her story is already coming to terms with regret, widowhood, empty nest and loneliness.

I've read many of Debbie Johnson's books and they often include hard topics. This one is no exception - it's well researched (it seems!) and done well, just this time it wasn't what I was looking for.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

Starting Over in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson is a heartwarming tale of love, loss, and rediscovery set against the enchanting backdrop of a picturesque seaside village. As the fourth installment in the Starshine Cove series, this novel continues to deliver the magical charm, emotional depth, and engaging storytelling that fans have come to adore.

Connie Llewelyn, a former celebrity chef turned local café owner, is at the center of this story. Once a high-flying culinary star, Connie’s life took a dramatic turn when she traded the chaos of London for the tranquility of Starshine Cove after meeting her soulmate, Simon. But life hasn't been easy—now in her fifties and a widow raising three grown children, Connie finds herself grappling with grief, self-doubt, and the daunting prospect of what lies ahead.

The narrative cleverly oscillates between Connie's glamorous and reckless past and her more grounded present, showing how life’s twists and turns have shaped her journey. Johnson beautifully portrays the healing power of Starshine Cove—a haven of natural beauty and close-knit community where second chances seem to bloom.

The arrival of Zack Harris, a charming TV producer from Connie’s past, throws her into an emotional whirlwind. Zack offers not only the possibility of love but also the chance to rediscover herself beyond her roles as a mother, widow, and café owner. Their budding romance is both tender and realistic, filled with moments of humor, hesitation, and heartfelt revelations.

What makes this book shine is its relatability. Connie’s struggles and triumphs are universal, especially for readers navigating life’s uncertainties and reinvention in their later years. Themes of self-worth, aging, and embracing the present resonate deeply, making this more than just a romance—it's a life-affirming exploration of growth and resilience.

Johnson’s vivid descriptions of Starshine Cove make you long to visit its idyllic beaches and cozy cafés. The supporting characters, from Connie’s wise and witty friends to her children, enrich the story, adding layers of warmth and humor.

While there are moments of heartache and tension, the overall tone remains uplifting. The emotional climax is as satisfying as the smell of freshly baked scones in Connie’s café—a reminder that love and joy can find us when we least expect them.

In Starting Over in Starshine Cove, Debbie Johnson offers a touching and hopeful tale that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on the importance of living fully. It’s a story that celebrates the beauty of second chances, the strength of community, and the courage to embrace new beginnings. A must-read for fans of the series and newcomers alike.

Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing a review copy.

This was a simple, fun, easy and quick read. The perfect type of book for your holiday, beach, pool kind of read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I'd read the three other entries in the Starshine Cover series, and had quite enjoyed them. I enjoyed this, just not as much as the others. Yes I smiled, actually laughed out loud several times, but this didn't grab me as emotionally as the previous entries had.

That being said, when Starshine Cove #5 comes out, I'll absolutely read it!

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

Love the Starshine Cove books. Connie runs the cafe and feels a bit lonely since her kids have left home. She can't believe Zack from her past has come to the town.

Starting Over in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson is filled with all the wonderful elements we have come to know and love in the previous three books of the series. This fictional place on the Dorset Coast is magical in its ability to heal hearts. We would all like to escape to such a haven from time to time: a place of natural beauty and caring community with intriguing residents. The novel is filled with delightful moments of laughter, wit and winsome humour: refreshing as a rising sea-breeze. Here characters learn to live again, take a deep breath, wander on the beaches and work through their plight. In this special community, like in real life, there is also sadness, loss, fear and grief but passion always runs at its core. Positive and negative experiences litter the pathways but hope is like a neon sign in this emotional landscape. In fact, if you could set up a sign on the road to Starshine Cove, it would say: Enter Here for Second Chances.

Connie runs the local bakery. She was an important chef in the past. She lived a pretty dangerous and reckless existence. A party girl of the highest order. But then life took her on a detour and she ended up at Starshine Cove. We are taken back to her life before to see who she was then and all the issues she had. But on an escape she crashes her car and meets Simon, the man of her dreams, and he ends up becoming her husband and the father of her children. During this time she matures; taking on a whole new dialogue and direction. And for a heavenly season, she reaps all the joy and love imaginable. Until something drastic happens that turns her world upside down. A loss that seems impossible to recover from.

I coasted easily through the first three quarters of the story until the last quarter when it truly gripped my heart hard. Connie, now in her fifties, is faced with an old acquaintance and romantic feelings stir. A part she thought was dead. Just when she begins to set sail with her once locked up emotions, reality hits again. But I cannot say what happens without giving away a plot twist. I will admit, though, the shocking news is a hard pill to swallow—considering all she has been through. But I have to declare Debbie Johnson does an amazing job delivering the verdict and outcome.

If I could shout from the rooftops one major message that runs through the heart of this story, it would be the wise words of Connie’s friend Ella. No one can predict the future or know how much time we will have with those we love. So take every opportunity available now. Live for today. Tomorrow will come soon enough with its unpredictability, heartaches and loss. Get past any fears, hesitation, conflicts or differences. Take advantage of those precious moments that exist in front of you. In Connie’s life, she met the man of her dreams unexpectedly and she was blessed with many happy years, but he was suddenly taken away. Yet as sad as that was, life did not have to end for her—as her father-in-law, kept reminding her. When she allowed herself to live again, another surprise came along, much later in her life. She was presented with a second chance to reopen the door of her heart.

This novel is essentially a love story: full of hope, light and positive vibes and a message that resounds through the ages to live for today. Stop fretting about trivial things. Enjoy what time and love you have been given. There might be a whole new world on the horizon! I enjoyed Starting Over in Starshine Cove and particularly loved the lead up to the ending. Powerful truths swept over my heart like the waves on a shoreline. It reminded me there is starlight even in the dark spaces of life like the glittering caves in Starlight Cove! That we often find beauty and love in some unusual places and sometimes in the arms of those who may come our way. And like Connie, we can start a new chapter in life and move forward. 4 Solid Stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for a review copy.

In the fourth in Debbie Johnson's Starshine Cove series, it's refreshing to focus on Connie, who runs the local café. She has appeared in the first three books in the series, and now this 55-year-old gets her own story.

It starts with a flashback, showing Connie as a flamboyant celebrity chef who is about to seal a deal that will take her to the next level. But her personal life has gotten out of control and she is on the verge of a breakdown. Fast forward to present day, when Connie has become a treasured member of the Starshine Cove community, but she is still mourning the unexpected and untimely death of her husband and soulmate after five years. When her daughter brings home her college roommate for a visit, Connie is startled to meet someone from her long-ago past, and she is shaken out of her complacency with a view of how her life might change once again.

Connie is a lovely character, engaging and mature. She has found her niche cooking great food in a small-town environment and reveling in her friendships. The potential romance is not my favorite in the series, but I did enjoy the characters of Connie's friends and daughter, and the book continues the series' life-affirming, heart-warming tone.

My thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Este año, libros como este fueron mi salvación y me ayudaron a evitar caer en un bloqueo. Los sentí como si estuviera platicando con una amiga después de no verla por un tiempo y ponernos al día.





Connie es una mujer de cincuenta y tantos años que, de repente, se siente sola, ya que sus hijos han crecido y están viviendo sus propias vidas. Cuando murió su esposo, sufrió profundamente, lloró la pérdida y, cinco años después, aún lo extraña. Sin embargo, también desea tener compañía de nuevo, pero no sabe cómo hacerlo sin sentir que lo está traicionando. Lo que no esperaba es que conocer al padre de la mejor amiga de su hija cambiaría todo. Él entiende perfectamente sus sentimientos, ya que también vivió un gran amor y lo perdió. De repente, Connie comienza a sentir mariposas cada vez que pasa tiempo con él. ¿Podrá dar el siguiente paso o se quedará viviendo en el pasado?




Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Having read the other Starshine Cove books I was delighted to get a first read of Starting over in Starshine cove.
Being familiar with Connie who runs the local
Bakery from previous books it was lovely to discover her character more and how she ended up living in the little community. Completely relatable to other mums who are experiencing their children flying the nest and navigating grief and starting over.
Zack coming back into her life made Connie re evaluate her life and what she needed and wanted for herself.
A thoroughly enjoyable read!

So good to be back in Starshine Cove with the most wonderful group of characters. When can I move there is my question!
I love keeping up with this series of books and it feels so real and vivid thanks to this amazing author’s descriptions.
I’m not going to ruin the book for you all but let’s just say that Connie finally gets her happy ever after and she deserves every last second of happiness coming her way.
Off to buy the book for my friends!