I’m really delighted today to be joining the publication day celebrations for New Dreams at Polkerran Point, the first in a new series – The Little Cornish Cove – from the lovely Cass Grafton. Published today (21st September) by Canelo, it’s now available both for kindle and in paperback. My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support.
Now, you might already know that this beautiful book was previously published – back in February 2020 – as The Cottage in the Cornish Cove. I loved it so much, and was really looking forward to a series to follow – but at that time, it just didn’t happen. So I was absolutely thrilled when I heard it was getting a new lease of life – it was far, far too good to just disappear – with a lovely new cover and a publisher who’s committed (as, of course, is the author!) to bringing us the rest of the series.
Let’s take a closer look…
A surprise inheritance will open the doors to her future, and also the past…
When Aunt Meg leaves her cottage to Anna Redding in her will, Anna immediately packs up and heads to Polkerran, the Cornish fishing village where she was so happy as a child.
With ambitions to turn the cottage into a B&B, a job working for the enigmatic historian, Oliver Seymour, and the return of her childhood crush, Alex Tremayne, it seems the stars have all aligned for Anna.
But Aunt Meg left behind a mystery for her to solve, and a shock discovery reveals she may be living a dream that isn’t really hers to hold. Can Anna rescue the new life she’s made for herself? Who in Polkerran can she really count on in her time of need?
A charming and cosy romance for fans of Trisha Ashley, Cressida McLaughlin and Suzanne Snow.
I’ve already told you how much I loved it – so I’d like to share again the review I wrote back in 2020…
It’s not that often that I take to Twitter when I finish reading to tell the author (and everyone else!) what a perfect afternoon I’ve had, enjoying their book so very much. But this book was just so thoroughly gorgeous, and so well written – with tremendous warmth, lovely touches of gentle humour, quite wonderful characters, a setting I really enjoyed, a few perfectly handled emotional moments, and such a lovely romance at its centre.
Anna is one of those heroines that immediately wins your heart, with her memories of the happier moments of her childhood and youth, those lovely holidays in Polkerran with her beloved Aunt Meg. Despite the challenges of doing so, Meg’s legacy gives her the opportunity to return, to make a home in the place she always loved. And then there are those memories of Alex, the unattainable boy of her dreams – might he still be around, and now they’re both adults, might there be a chance he’ll notice her at last? Anna is so thoroughly lovely, almost (but not quite) too nice, quite overcome when her dreams do start to come true – and I really felt for her when things didn’t entirely follow the path she’d hoped they might.
The book’s romance comes from elsewhere entirely – unexpected maybe, but entirely convincing, and everything I wanted it to be. And no, I’m saying no more, I’ve stepped close enough to the spoilers already – but I think you’ll love it too.
I loved the setting of this book – I think I could now find my way around Polkerran in a blindfold, it’s so vividly described with its twin headlands and the colourful cottages clinging to its slopes. And I loved its people – Daniel who does the jobs around the house, Ray down the End, Brian up the Top, Tommy the Boat, Colin the Cod, Charlie the Crab (and the reason he got his name!), and so many more. The circle of friends who call round for coffee and cake are simply wonderful, a recurring Greek chorus commenting on the action – and Mrs L’s malapropisms add so much to the humour (in fact, I’m still laughing when I think about the “philanderer”!).
There’s more than enough depth to the story to keep you interested, alongside the developing romance – the possibility that the inheritance isn’t quite as straightforward as it seems, a few people (ok, one in particular) behaving badly, some big secrets uncovered. The whole story is quite deliciously revealed, gently and slowly – and there’s a nice bit of anguish at times, moments when it seems all is lost. And there’s that lovely recurring theme – a bit of a mystery – around following the shells. Do you know, I could go on for ever, picking out different things I loved about this book – if you love the same books that I do, you’re in for a real treat!
I must just mention the dialogue – Anna’s exchanges with her enigmatic boss Oliver are simply perfect, the moments of silence as effective as Anna’s need to fill them. And I really must mention the animals too – Douglas the dog, Thumper, but also the great little character that is Heathcliff…
I just loved this book – and ok, I know you can probably tell. It just fills your heart with joy, with a perfect balance of tears and laughter – and I’m SO delighted it’s the first in a planned series. Highly, highly recommended – just don’t plan on doing anything else on the day you choose to read it!
Told you I loved it, didn’t I! And not long to wait for the next in the series – Book 2, Escape to Polkerran Point will be published on 22nd February, and is already available for preorder for kindle and in paperback. This is a series I’m SO looking forward to…
About the author
Cass began her writing life in Regency England, enlisted Jane Austen’s help to time-travel between then and the present day and is now happily ensconced in 21st century Cornwall.
Well, in her imagination and soul; her heart and physical presence reside in northern England with her ever-patient husband and Tig and Tag, their cute but exceptionally demanding moggies.
A bit of a nomad, Cass has called three countries home, as well as six different English counties, but her aspiration is to one day reunite with her beloved West Country.
In the meantime, she writes feel-good contemporary romances set in Cornwall and, in doing so, manages to live there vicariously through her characters and settings.
Amazon author page | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Cass’ blog | Tabby Cow blog
Your review touched my heart back in 2020, Anne, and I’m so very grateful yo you for reposting it! I hope you enjoy the next book too! 🥰