A Secret Cornish Summer
by Phillipa Ashley
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Pub Date Jun 22 2023 | Archive Date Jul 04 2023
Avon Books UK | Avon
Description
‘Gloriously uplifting and unashamedly warm-hearted’ – Bestselling author FAITH HOGAN
‘A lovely, summery read full of secrets and hope’ – Bestselling author JO THOMAS
An unforgettable tale of romance, humour and heart set against the stunning backdrop of the Cornish coast, from the Sunday Times bestseller.
When Eden steps out of her beautiful coastal cottage to find a Speedo-wearing, suntanned stranger doing yoga in next door’s garden, she is immediately on her guard. Since her ex-husband betrayed her in the worst possible ways, she has kept her distance from all men, taking refuge in her start-up coffee business.
But as she gets to know Levan, Eden begins to wonder if he might be different – until she discovers he’s not quite what he seems. And when a long-buried family secret surfaces, her faith in those she loves most is shaken to the core.
As the secrets spill out, relationships old and new will be tested like never before. Can Eden learn to trust again, and move past all the secrets of this Cornish summer?
A heart-warming read full of sun, sea, friendship and romance perfect for fans of SARAH MORGAN and TRISHA ASHLEY.
Authors love A Secret Cornish Summer:‘Gloriously uplifting and unashamedly warm-hearted!’ – Faith Hogan
‘A lovely, summery read full of secrets and hope… the perfect place to draw a line in the sand for new beginnings’ – Jo Thomas
‘Combines romance, humour and intrigue so well … a blissful story, full of sunshine, secrets and Phillipa’s trademark romance’ – Cressida McLaughlin
‘Sunshine, secrets and a stunning setting make this the perfect summer read!’ – Heidi Swain
Readers love Phillipa Ashley’s books!‘Perfect summer read, true escapism… The perfect location full of Cornish charm!… An entrancing read that I didn’t want to end!… Absolutely loved it!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Absolutely wonderful. The perfect escape to Cornwall… I enjoyed it so much I really didn’t want it to end’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘The perfect summer holiday read… like a pleasant cool breeze on a scorching summer day’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Set in gorgeous Cornwall, this is a lovely summer read with characters you will like and a setting to savour’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Available Editions
EDITION | Ebook |
ISBN | 9780008494360 |
PRICE | £3.99 (GBP) |
PAGES | 400 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.
A fabulous unputdownable book,
I loved characters, the three women from different generations, who’ve been there for each other through the good times and bad.
The neighbour that moves next door wasn’t too bad either, but he had his own issues.
A beautiful story of love, trust and friendship.
I highly recommend this book.
I loved this book, it was a great form of escapism. Phillipa always delivers with her descriptive writing for the setting for her books. I felt like I could totally imagine the coastal setting. A lovely story which tackled some difficult issues along the way. A story of 3 strong women with a hunky next door neighbour.
Definitely a book to read on holiday or just wanting to escape to Cornwall.
Look forward to the next book
Perfect summer reading!! Another knock out from Phillipa Ashley!! Warm hearted, feel good, fun times down in Cornwall!! Loved it!!
Eden has had to restart her life back home in Cornwall, setting up a coffee and coffee shop business when a new neighbour moves in next door. Levan is starting his new life in Cornwall when will his secrets come to light! Eden’s Nan Iris has a big birthday looming, celebrations ahoy!
Full of family, friends and long held secrets. This is great summer escapism, with feel good sensitively written storylines. Great characters and an absolute joy to read! The perfect holiday read for beach or home! This is the very essence of summer reading!! Loved being down at the end of Cornwall, this book came with a freshness I wasn’t expecting!
Thank you NetGalley and Avon books for the early read!! Totally loved it!!
I always enjoy reading Phillipa's books but this one really stood out for me. The lovely family that Eden has and meeting Levan and welcoming him in was superb. As always, this was well written with wonderful characters that flowed from the page but the unique setting of the lighthouse made it for me and I wish I could visit, magnificent!
First things first ... have plenty of coffee available when reading this book! You can actually smell the lovely wonderful aroma of all the different coffee blends when reading!
A Secret Cornish Summer is a fascinating read, with a magnificent storyline, full of interesting extensive details. You can tell the book has been thoroughly researched. I am fascinated by lighthouses and this book gave a beautifully romantic story along with some wonderfully interesting themes including the lighthouse workers and the secret service. I learnt so much reading this book, along with enjoying a really lovely story with superb characters.
The book is set in beautiful Cornwall where friendships develop and some of the characters are brought alive by those they meet. Friendships are enhanced and with everyone’s help and encouragement they make such a difference to the life of so many of the characters. Helping them to move forward, leaving parts of their past behind to create and achieve a new bright and happy future.
The characterisation is so in-depth, and the family connections, so solid - despite the secrets held deeply within. I loved the generational storyline revolving around Iris, Sally and Eden. I felt like I was a character in the book. I would love to stay at one of the lighthouse cottages and visit the Coffee Roastery!
This is a perfect escapism read, but so much more. Full of friendship, family, romance, lighthouses and secrets. A brilliant read which I highly recommend! A big five stars!
Another winner for Phillipa.
Three generations of women, Iris, Sally, and Eden.
This is mainly about Eden, who has had a rough time from her ex.
Returning to Cornwall to live with her mum Sally, Eden sets up her own coffee business.
Meanwhile, Levan moves into the cottage next door. A sexy hunk who soon falls for Eden, but he has his own secrets.
Absolutely loved the setting, especially the secret hideaway.
Not so keen on the coffee, I'm a tea girl!
This is a perfect summer read and will definitely be a hit.
Highly recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Perfect summer read from Phillipa Ashley. A book that I just couldn’t put down.
Eden and her grandmother discover she has a new neighbour Levan. Eden is very cautious, her ex-husband betrayed her so she doesn’t trust people easily.
As she gets to know Levan more she begins to think that he could be different until she finds out he isn’t what he seems either.
Secrets start coming out, who can she trust?
I really enjoyed this book. The location was beautiful and I really enjoyed the descriptions and details. The stories about the lighthouse keepers were interesting and something I’d never really thought about before, or indeed given much thought about and I found their experiences really interesting to learn about. Learning about how to roast coffee beans was fascinating and I swear I could smell the coffee whilst reading.
The back story of Levan was quite a twist and not what I had expected. I liked how he tried to do the right thing with Eden and also I really enjoyed his friendship with Iris, and her little story twist even more.
It was beautifully written anecdote wonderful friendships and family relationships were depicted and I could totally understand why Levan wanted to be part of that loving family and community.
One of the many things that I enjoy about Phillipa Ashley’s writing is the volume of research that she packs into each book. This was no different and I am delighted to say that I learned about coffee roasting, lighthouse keeping, and surveillance by the intelligence services.
Our main protagonist is Eden. She lives with her mother in a former lighthouse cottage since losing everything at the hands of her ex-husband. Duped out of her money, her home, and her future, she has no desire to feel attracted to another man for a long time. Eden is a third generation in a long line of lighthouse keepers, but now that everything is automated, she’s free to run her coffee business. With the support of her mother and her grandmother, she’s slowly rebuilding her confidence and learning to trust again.
Levan makes a memorable appearance, as he indulges in a headstand, in his neighbouring garden, while wearing a pair of bright orange speedos. Despite her self-imposed moratorium from men, Eden can’t help feeling a zing of attraction as she spots his toned body. Eden and Levan begin a gentle friendship that begins to help restore her faith in men. Of course, as with all Phillipa’s books, there are some wonderful characters, and they add depth to the story. I loved Eden’s best friend, Morwenna, but her Granny was a hoot.
At the heart of this story are three closely guarded secrets. Eden hates talking about what happened in her marriage, Levan won’t reveal why he is estranged from his parents, and who is the handsome man in the faded photograph that Eden discovers amongst her Granny’s things.
As the characters follow a well-developed story arc, it’s impossible not to be drawn into their lives. The setting and characterisations are perfect, and I was able to relax in the knowledge that I was in expert hands.
Phillipa Ashley has once again created an immersive book that captured my imagination from the earliest pages. I predict another best seller sticker coming her way.
A really lovely summer read from the wonderful Philippa Ashley.
The book has a lovely Cornish setting and the the was of fresh starts, family secrets and hopeful futures are always welcome in a summer book.
Enjoy!
If I could give this book 10 starts I would absolutely loved it from the first page. The characters were likeable such a close family , lovely story enough to keep you turning the pages to find out what happens
From the corn series, of romance books.
The lighthouse cottage container.
Grand mother iris, Sally the mother, and the Edan who has just split up with her ex.
Wondered how the house
Iris and Edan are sat in kitchen thinking about the Yarrows, 'it's not as if we've ever been their actual neighbours. I think I've seen any of them here for a couple of years'
New meighbour mysterious Levan, they discus this man.
Edan tells us about her past. Simon writes to her, he says he is ill, is this a joke?
Simon got out of prison,
Eden walks in 'it was a glorious May day' living here was a sanctuary.
Levan tells us a bit more about his job he working on but really he works for IT. security sevices but we are told new secrets to come out.
Showing off her coffee business and buying from ethically the best bean, woman led charity's.
We are introduced introduced to Morwenna, Edan's best friend, she's been away for a couple of weeks so missed her talks about Simon and Levan, she is a photographer.
We learn more about Levan life:
Dion met Levon in the army but 'they were very much civilians now, although their experience in the military had cast a shadow over both their lives'.
Talking about the work of the light house keeper. The state it was a hard stressful job and how glad they were when in 1998 all light houses became altomated.
Eden could be a chance of getting a big new contact selling coffee to rent out cottages in area, 'coffee business has really taken off'.
Leven career as an officer in the army was over as he wes 'dismissed with disgracre from the army and jailed for two years'.
Sally's and Eden organisation Iris's 90 birthday celebrations. .
Morwenna can restore photographs 📸 from Iris's past.
Dinner date with Leven in his cottage, did not want to full for this man.
'Had some fairy godmother sent him to live next door specifically for her?' Eden wonders!
Had she seen Simon outside the window? Eden tells the true story about her ex boyfriend, of his double life. Pain and shock Sumon had put her in but how she'd had gone through it all now.
Levan is a 'cyber security expert using using a seafront shelter as a'ecurity location' on phone to Dion.
Turmoil of his memories. I wish I had chosen a 'different parth in life he tells Iris.
'Worrying that Simon was watching her.
'Would be a lot of work to organise a do for me Iris comes out to say, regarding her coming age.party and wishing it would love just a small do surrounded by just her closes loved one
Which is just what they have organised for her.
Who was the mystery man in her grandmother's photo's.
Winnable 'these are totally amazing' Eden shows her the photos. There is a mysterious blonde man in photos who looks like Levan. Should they show her grandmother before her big day?
Edan is updating her business website, says morwenenna bluntly tells Eden and leaven agrees to help.
Eden had ordered new aprons for business and the photos look great when they arrive
However Simon turns up at the business
The long true story about Levan comes out.Eden calls out 'what on earth are you talking about? You're scaring me' She pulled herself free of him.
His name is Harry Bancroft and he joined the army, it was a famly tradition...that organisation can't be tarnished'. But I went after the major but I was dismissed in disgrace and sentenced to three year years. 'This is beyond shocking...I don't know what to say to you. How did you end up here?
She felt completely drained with shock 😲.
Iris fell and sprained her wrist and get diagnosed with an UTI. Her grandmother then asked to see Levan. And that is the end of great novel!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me a complementary digital copy of this ebook in exchange for a full frank and honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.
After her life in London ends in disaster, Eden moves back to Cornwall to live with the mother Sally in the lighthouse cottage she grew up in. When she and her grandmother Iris meet their new next door neighbour Levan, Iris can't help but feel attracted to him.
However, being burned badly in the past she keeps her distance. And it seems Levan is hiding some things of his own.
I absolutely loved this book. Phillipa Ashley has a way of describing settings that makes me put Cornwall on my travel bucket list. The characters in this book are so easy to connect with and so loveable, except for Eden's ex of course :)
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for my eARC in return for my honest review.
Phillipa Ashely has that magical touch to transport you to beautiful settings.
I loved the characters, 3 generations of strong women and a hot next door neighbour.
This setting was beautiful and I am absolutely fascinated by lighthouses.
Phillipa's descriptions really bring the book to life and make you feel like you are there.
Highly recommended
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