I’m really delighted today to be joining the blog tour and sharing my review of the second book in Kim Nash’s Sandpiper Shores series, Life Begins at the Cornish Cottage. Published on 31st October by Boldwood Books, it’s now available for kindle (free via Kindle Unlimited) , in paperback and hardcover, and as an audiobook, via Amazon in the UK and US. And this really is a rather special tour – a collaboration between Tracy at Compulsive Readers, Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources, Anne at Random Things Tours, and Zooloo’s Book Tours, and I’ve spotted some of the most wonderful reviews already. The ecopy I read was my own – preordered and purchased via Amazon.
I shared the lovely cover back in August (you’ll find my post here), and this really was a book I was very much looking forward to. I’ve read and loved every book Kim has ever written – you’ll find all my reviews if you pop her name in my search bar – but I was particularly enchanted by the strong friendships and lovely romances of Driftwood Bay (if you missed her lovely Cornish Cove series, do try to catch up!). But I also really loved my first visit to Jo’s Cornish cottage. The Cornish Cottage by the Sea was totally delightful – engaging, heartwarming, one big cuddle from beginning to end, with plenty of drama, and an emotional story filled with so many unexpected twists and turns (you’ll find my review here). And this time it was Emma’s turn in the spotlight…
When life gives you heartbreak 💔, sometimes it also gives you a second chance… 💕
When Tom Sullivan returns to the quiet village of Sandpiper Shore, Emma can hardly believe her eyes. She hasn’t seen him since they played Romeo and Juliet in their school play – a lifetime ago, before real heartbreak, and long before she ever imagined life as a widow.
The last thing she wants is to relive the past, especially with someone who once made her teenage heart flutter. But when Emma agrees to put on a charity pantomime to raise money for the air ambulance service that helped her late husband, she’s thrown firmly back into Tom’s path.
As rehearsals begin and the local community rallies around her, Emma finds unexpected joy in bringing people together – and a surprising connection with Tom that feels far too real to ignore. Maybe it’s time for Emma to become the leading lady in her own life, not just for the show, but for herself.
Full of warmth, humour and heart, this is a story about letting go and discovering that it’s never too late to take a chance on love.
Getting her life back on an even keel hasn’t been easy for Emma since the sudden death of her husband – but things have been rather easier since she decided on a fresh start in a new home, with the most supportive friends in Jo and Michelle. Their Friday night sessions are a particular balm to the soul – a chance to share their problems, lots of laughter, more than a bit of mutual teasing. The lonely hearts club they started together is helping so many people – but although both her friends are now happily coupled up, Emma’s new beginning hasn’t yet included any thoughts of finding a new partner of her own.
Stumbling across Tom on a night out unsettles her – he rejected her for another when they were involved in a play during their schooldays, and the injustice and betrayal still hurts badly. And when she finds herself roped into producing Sandpiper Shore’s annual pantomime – it’s in aid of the air ambulance team who attended her husband, so she can hardly say no (however uncomfortable it might be…) – Tom, the natural choice for a leading role, unavoidably becomes part of her life again. He’d moved to New Zealand, marrying the girl who caused the problem in their former relationship – after her death, he moved home again, together with his now adult (and very pregnant) daughter, whose fond memories of her mother he doesn’t entirely share.
As they slowly grow closer and the hurt from that early experience begins to ease, his honesty about his marriage gives Emma cause to reflect on her own years with her husband – and the slow realisation that their relationship might not have been as perfect as she remembers, and that makes her more ready to try to move on. But first, there’s the matter of making the pantomime happen – with a cast who don’t always make it easy, and a few unexpected twists and turns that put the night of the performance in jeopardy.
There’s a really lovely balance between the moments of sadness and regret and all the fun and laughter – wonderful characters too, and a portrayal of female friendship and the importance of emotional support that really warmed my heart. In fact, I think I enjoyed those friendships even more than I did the rather lovely (and emotionally quite perfect) slow-burn romance – not without some issues along the way, but very soon mended. But all the supporting characters were simply wonderful, adding extra texture to the story – and providing both amusement and a few major stumbling blocks to the success of the big night. And it’s all set around Christmas, with all the heightened emotions that brings – but all the special moments and festive touches too.
The whole book was an absolute delight – full of warmth, lots of twists and turns to keep the pages turning, tremendously heartwarming and uplifting, with a perfect and sensitive handling of grief and loss, but with plenty of laughs along the way. Fresh starts and second chances make for some of my favourite reading – and I was fully invested in Emma’s sometimes challenging journey to a point where she could find happiness once more. A really gorgeous read – and one I’d highly recommend to others.
About the author
Kim Nash is the bestselling author of uplifting, heartwarming, romantic, feel-good fiction. She has wanted to write books since she was a little girl. Her other dream, is to live in a home that has a view of a golden sandy beach and the sea sparkling in the sunlight. Until that dream comes true, she’ll continue to write second chance romances about women who live or move to the seaside on her behalf. She is published by Boldwood Books.
One of her greatest writing achievements is to be nominated for the Kindle Storyteller Award in 2020, and she was delighted when Claudia Winkleman had read her book and said it was ‘Totally warm and absolutely lovely.’
She lives in Staffordshire with her son Ollie and English Setter rescue dog Roni, is Author Community Director for publisher Bookouture (a division of Hachette UK) and, as an avid reader, started her career in the publishing industry as a book blogger.
When she’s not working or writing, Kim can be found walking her dog at Cannock Chase, reading and binge-watching TV. She’s also quite partial to a spa day, lemon drizzle cake and a gin and tonic (not all at the same time!)
Kim also runs a book club in Staffordshire and organises local and national reader/author events
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