I’m delighted today to be joining the blog tour for Kim Nash’s first book with Boldwood, Hopeful Hearts at the Cornish Cove, and sharing my review. Published on 30th March, it’s now available as an e-book (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance e-copy (provided via netgalley).
At Christmas, I spotted a familiar face on the Zoom photos of Boldwood’s Christmas party – and when the news broke that they’d be publishing her next book, she might just have heard the cheer while walking Roni down on Cannock Chase. This is a lady with one of the biggest hearts I know, so hard-working too, and she deserves every moment of her success – and she’s a rather fantastic writer too. In her pre-Boldwood years, I shared reviews of both Amazing Grace (one of my 2019 Books of the Year) and Escape to Giddywell Grange – you can read both reviews again together here. The perfect summer read followed, Sunshine and Second Chances – along with an appearance on my 2020 Books of the Year list (you’ll find my review of that one here). And then there was Muddleford – first Moonlight Over Muddleford Cove, everything I look for in a light and summery read, but with plenty of emotional depth to satisfy too (you can read my full review again here) and then Snowflakes Over Muddleford Cove which was every bit as blooming gorgeous (review here). And this time? Well, we’ll be meeting Meredith – she’s off to a new life in Cornwall…
A perfect new start in Cornwall…
Meredith’s life is at a standstill. She’s stuck in a dead-end job, approaching fifty, and her dating life is a string of disasters. But one evening, while browsing the internet, she sees an ad for a lighthouse, and in a moment of impulsiveness, she makes a ridiculous bid for it.
With the help of local handyman Clem, she sets about renovating. And as they work together, a bond begins to form. But when Meredith finds out that Clem is keeping a secret from her, it changes everything. Will they find a way to build something more meaningful together?
A delightful story about community, friendship and having the courage to start over, perfect for fans of Carole Matthews, Milly Johnson and Lucy Dillon.
What a totally gorgeous read – and a book hug I really needed after a bit of a stressy week, an escape to the seaside at lovely Driftwood Bay, enveloped by the warmth of Meredith’s new friendships, loving the chemistry between her and wonderful handyman Clem, caught up in the work needed at her new home, and hoping for the happiest of endings. Read in one sitting – and I really adored it.
But things don’t start well – a few glasses of wine too many, and Meredith finds that she’s bought a lighthouse she hasn’t even seen. The estate agent promised it was part renovated, but arriving with her furniture – which the removers can’t even get in through the door – it looks nothing like the pictures he shared and needs a tremendous amount more work. Gemma from the bakery comes to the rescue with tea and cake, and her sister Lucy provides a bed for a few nights at her B&B – and an introduction to handyman Clem, easy on the eye and good with his hands, but who she had already had an unfortunate run-in with when doing a food shop when she first arrived. But he is just the person she needs, full of ideas, hard working, building furniture to fit the lighthouse’s curved walls – and slowly turning the lighthouse into the home she hoped it could be. And it turns out he’s fun to have around too – laughs aplenty, and (although she’s really not looking for love) the real possibility that their easy friendship might turn into something more.
And on the friendship side, her life is also rather brightened by the elderly Vi and her over-exuberant labrador Gladys – with the threat hanging over her of needing to rehome her dog and move into care, she’s delighted when Meredith offers to take on the daily walks. And Vi and Meredith prove good for each other too – Vi takes the place of the grandmother Meredith loved and lost, providing emotional support and copious cups of tea, while Meredith makes it her mission to help her with her mobility so she can enjoy the village’s social life again. The schedule of work on the lighthouse is rather driven by the imminent arrival of Meredith’s mother for a visit – one she rather dreads, always a difficult relationship, and one that has damaged her confidence for most of her life.
Enough – I’m telling you the whole story, and I really mustn’t. The author really does have such a wonderful touch with relationships – the friendships she makes from her arrival, the continuing support of her long-standing friend Gabby, and her relationship with the lovely Clem really warm the cockles of your heart, and it’s lovely to watch Meredith becoming stronger and more self sufficient as her confidence and sense of belonging grows. But not everyone is welcoming – her visits to the village shop and the hostility of its owner become a regular challenge, and it turns out that there may be a few secrets standing in the way of her happy ending. And that visit from her mother? All done with the perfect emotional touch, the many issues involved really sensitively handled.
The whole story is quite simply told – that sounds almost rude, but all I mean is that the story is told only from Meredith’s perspective, and in her distinctive first person voice, and it works just perfectly. As a reader, you experience the surprises and occasional setbacks along with her, entirely in her corner, your affection for her steadily growing. And what started as a bit of a mistake might just turn out to be the best decision she ever made – as she sits on the lighthouse’s balcony and looks out across the waves (the descriptions are superb, and the author really brings the whole setting to life), you’ll have a tear in your eye too at the real possibility of a happy future.
This was such a lovely read, filled with characters I really took to my heart – and I’ll really look forward to enjoying many more visits to Driftwood Bay. Highly recommended by me!
About the author
Kim Nash is the author of uplifting, funny, heartwarming, romantic, feel-good fiction. She lives in Staffordshire with son Ollie and English Setter rescue dog Roni, is Digital Publicity Director for publisher Bookouture (division of Hachette UK), and is a book blogger at www.kimthebookworm.co.uk.
When she’s not working or writing, Kim can be found walking her dog at Cannock Chase, reading, writing and binge-watching box sets on the TV.
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