I’m delighted today to be helping launch the blog tour for The Bookshop at the Cornish Cove, the fourth book in Kim Nash’s lovely Cornish Cove series, and sharing my publication day review. Published today (28th October) by Boldwood Books, 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).
Driftwood Bay really has become one of my favourite places to spend some time – if only I could visit for real, I’d be booking my AirBnB now. I’ve always really enjoyed Kim’s writing, but she’s excelled herself with this lovely series – the beautifully drawn location, the friendships, the tears and laughter, and a very real romance at the centre of each book with the most perfect chemistry. Her last book, Making Memories at the Cornish Cove – Lydia’s story – might have been my favourite so far, with more mature lead characters, its fresh starts and second chances that were so moving and believable, and the warmth you could feel radiating from its pages (you’ll find my full review again here – and reviews of all Kim’s other books if you enter her name in my search bar). And I couldn’t be more pleased to be back again – I’m dying to visit Nancy’s bookshop…
Dare to dream big…
When Nancy opened her dream bookshop overlooking the golden sands and shimmering waters of Driftwood Bay, she may have taken on a little too much. She might know all about books, but doesn’t know the first thing about business! She did however, want to do something meaningful with the inheritance money she got from her beloved Aunty Theresa.
When Dennis, visiting grandson of one of her dearest friends, offers to help, Nancy knows she can’t say no. Dennis is a high-flying businessman, with a fancy London job and a successful banking portfolio to prove it.
Trouble is, he makes the worst first impression. Nothing short of an insufferable know-it-all, Dennis takes every opportunity to remind her how out of her depth she is.
But Nancy knows her strengths, and just as much as she needs Dennis, he needs her too. There’s plenty she can teach him, and the more she shows off her world of Driftwood Bay, where the pace of life is slower and the morning sunrises are the most beautiful thing you can witness, perhaps they could become more than just business partners?
An utterly gorgeous romantic read set by the beautiful Cornish coast, perfect for fans of Phillipa Ashley and Heidi Swain.
Nancy always dreamed of opening her own bookshop, and a legacy from her Aunt Theresa has finally made it possible. Books are her passion, and she always knew it would involve more than being able to read books and talk to people about them all day – but she never realised it would be such a struggle without a grasp of the business knowledge she so badly needs. The shop is haemorrhaging money, but she’s reluctant to admit it – and she certainly doesn’t plan to tell her mum, who’s always on hand offering her support and is so proud of her achievement. Dennis, staying with his grandmother Vi for a while, is a high-powered business analyst (and, rather pleasingly – to the eye at least – a Ryan Gosling lookalike), but really puts her back up at their first encounter when he’s rudely dismissive of her efforts – though when he offers her the cost-free benefit of his know-how to help her turn the business around, it’s an offer she really can’t afford to refuse.
They really are chalk and cheese – she’s all arty and a bit airy-fairy (but really lovely with it!), he’s entirely focused on the bottom line and turning a profit – so they often clash, but also come to realise there’s more than a spark of attraction between them. And things are going well – lots of fresh ideas, initiatives when the whole community can come together, a real excitement about future possibilities – when Nancy has good reason to question his motives for such selfless support.
Do read this one as a standalone if you want to – it’s a complete story, and one everyone would enjoy – but, if you’ve visited Driftwood Bay before, you’ll enjoy spending time again with the familiar characters who live there. And there’s no greater character than Dennis’ grandmother Vi – potty mouthed at times (and hilarious!), the most supportive person you could possibly have in your corner, but badly torn when things begin to go less smoothly. The author’s books always have a wonderful focus on family. As well as Vi and Dennis – and the difficult back story that slowly emerges – there’s Nancy’s lovely relationship with her brother, having relationship issues of his own, very sensitively handled. And I did love Nancy’s mum, and their relationship, but less frequent visits might have made her life rather easier. And I really enjoyed the strong friendships too, with everyone stepping up to the plate, playing their part and providing their own particular helping hand when it’s most needed.
Nancy’s an open book – heart on her sleeve, easily hurt – while Dennis, slowly becoming rather less buttoned up, is always rather more of an enigma. But the attraction between them is something you can really feel until… oh Dennis! But there’s the most perfect balance between the fun moments and the more emotional ones. The author has a particular sureness of touch – when her characters hurt, I could feel the pain too, but the happy moments filled my heart with joy. And I have to say that I also really loved the whole bookshop setting – a sure-fire winner with any reader when it’s done so well, and I found myself cheering every small win along the way to greater financial security and a hoped-for happy ending.
Yes, I can certainly say that I loved this one – my favourite in the series so far (the bar was already high…!), and I really couldn’t recommend it more. I wish I could have lingered in Driftwood Bay a little longer though, I really didn’t want to leave my friends behind (or those perfect sunsets) – I’ll be very much looking forward to my next visit.
About the author
Kim Nash is the author of uplifting, funny, heartwarming, romantic, feel-good fiction and has wanted to write books since she was a little girl. She works as both Digital Publicity Director for publisher Bookouture. She lives in Staffordshire with her son Ollie and English Setter rescue dog Roni. When she’s not working or writing, Kim can be found walking her dog and reading, as well as running a book club in Staffordshire and organising local and national reader/author events.
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