Author: Debbie Johnson
Series: Starshine Cove #3
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Genre: Romance; Women’s Fiction
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 250
Date of Publication: April 24, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
DESCRIPTION:
Lucy Brown has spent years hiding from the world, as far away as she could get from her old life – and her ex-husband – back in London. But when she reluctantly agrees to leave her safe haven to attend her old friend Ella’s wedding in Starshine Cove, little does she know what’s in store for her down in Dorset…
When a chance airport encounter with a handsome stranger unexpectedly leads to a deeper connection, Lucy finds her trip becoming much more than just a last-minute holiday. But then her dark past comes knocking, just as she always feared it would. Will the magic of Starshine Cove be enough to heal the hurts that Lucy has carried with her all these years, or has this one-of-a-kind village by the sea finally met its match?
MY THOUGHTS:
Lucy Brown, a divorced single mother of sixteen-year-old Rose, seeks solace in London after escaping her abusive marriage to a gaslighter. Seeking respite, she visits Starshine Cove to attend her best friend Ella’s wedding. However, her reunion with friends whose lives have diverged unexpectedly brings about a poignant reflection on the unforeseen twists and turns that life often takes.
Regrettably, Lucy’s character is highly relatable due to her severe anxiety stemming from an abusive marriage. Her relationship with Rose was heartwarming to witness. Additionally, Lucy’s compassionate nature is evident as she empathizes with her ex’s new wife, who is experiencing the same struggles she once endured, despite her powerlessness to intervene.
This reading material is not for the faint of heart. Gaslighting is a serious issue, as is any form of domestic abuse. As I delved into this book, I gained valuable insights into real-life social media scenarios where gaslighting has had a profound impact on individuals.
This literary work presents a perplexing coincidence for Lucy. She had been drawn to a man she encountered at the airport, even engaging in some flirtatious conversation with him. After all, he was an unfamiliar individual, someone she would never have the opportunity to meet again. However, she is utterly astounded when the two individuals cross paths in Starshine Cove. Reuniting with this stranger, named Josh, exacerbates Lucy’s panic attacks, as she finds it utterly improbable that she would ever be able to trust another man in the same manner.
As an avid enthusiast of reading series, it is uncommon for me to read books out of order. However, due to time constraints, I was unable to read the first two books. Fortunately, this novel flowed exceptionally well as a standalone work, while undoubtedly incorporating recurring characters from the first two books in the series. Having now completed Finding Hope in Starshine Cove I have made it my firm intention to follow subsequent books in this series, as this novel left me with a strong desire for more.
Many thanks to Storm Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
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