Synopsis

Amber, Lachlan and Raffaele met as teenagers in the Cornish seaside home of kind-hearted foster parents. Years on, the bond between them is unbreakable

But Amber has a secret. She’s in love with Lachlan. She can’t tell him, because that would never work – he’s definitely not the settling-down type. Surely it’s better to keep him as a friend than to risk losing him for good?

Raffaele has his own dilemma. He had the dream girlfriend in Vee, until it all went horribly wrong . . . and he still can’t understand why. Is Vee hiding something from him?

Now their widowed foster dad Teddy has found new love. Younger, charming and beautiful, Olga seems perfect. But is she? Or will she break Teddy’s fragile heart?

Against a backdrop of sparkling seas and sunny skies, the unexpected is always just around the corner. Welcome to Lanrock!

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Review

This is a cross between women’s fiction and romance, but of course, that sounds like they might be the same thing but they are not.

This book primarily follows three friends that met while in a foster home tended by Teddy and May. There are several other characters and couples that bring their own dynamics to the book that make it overall a delightful read and add some depth and variety to the novel.

Teddy and (the late) May brought many children into their home and loved them as if they were their own no matter how long they stayed. That love and affection are what pushed those closest to Teddy to question the new woman in his life whom he met on a cruise. Does she really love him or is she a gold digger? It could go either way based on what we see, but I have to admit Olga is one of a kind. She definitely shakes up everyone’s lives but for the better.

Amber, Lachlan, and Raffaele formed a tight bond that still existed many years later. They supported each other through their ups and downs and while they each found their footing in their respective careers – stained glass, chef, and stylist. I appreciated the hard work that they endured for their crafts and that they do not take any of it for granted. They are also there for each other during their various relationships especially Raffaele’s relationship with Vee which has gone off the rails but for reasons you may not suspect.

I think the one character that was possibly overshadowed by others is Benjie. He is shy and very much an introvert and I think many would be able to relate to his character. However, with the help of a few of the other characters, he comes out of his shell by the end of the book. It just took him a little more time than some but he really blossoms by the end and I loved seeing him grow.

I can’t go without mentioning Moose, an energetic dog that causes a few incidents in the book. But lovable all the same.

Overall, we give this book 4 paws up. It was a relaxing read in a picturesque setting. Plenty of family dynamics to keep the story interesting.

About the Author

With over ten million copies sold, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Mansell writes irresistible, funny, poignant, and romantic tales for women in the tradition of Marian Keyes, Sophie Kinsella, and Jojo Moyes. She lives with her partner and their children in Bristol, England.

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