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blodeuedd's review
3.0
his one was another lovely story, and it had this slow pace that fitted it. It was like you were there in this run-down town where people struggled to go on and there was no hope for the town.
The story is about Harriet, aka Harry who took over her father's boatyard when he died. it's not easy, and the bills are piling up. In waltzes Matthew Corrigan with big plans. He has bought a place nearby and is turning it into a fancy restaurant and now he wants her land to build luxury houses. She is not happy since this is all she has left and Matthew seems to be turning the whole town around to his way of thinking. But she is standing her ground, even when all falls apart around her.
Harry was one tough woman, she works day and night trying to keep the place alive, her only help is George, an old buddy of her dads. This place is everything to her, and later she does seem that Matthew is bringing life to town, but her land, she wants to keep it, and have it to be a seafront for everyone, not just a chosen few. She is stubborn, and underneath it all she is really vulnerable, but I come to understand her.
Matthew is all money and ideas. At times he charms me, at times I growl at him. But he really thinks this is best for all. He has a good heart in the end. And he is also fighting this odd attraction for the angry girl at the shipyard. They have such a hate love thing going on. Hating each other, but at the same time the attraction is there.
There is also the family secret in the book, and without saying anything more. It made sense, and there was finally peace.
There is a varied cast of characters in this book. The young woman who wants something more from life, the guy couple who owns the florists, and of course George, who wants the best for Harry.
It was a warm community and it was lovely to see it start to blossom again. As for romance, oh that was not an easy part, and Stovell really made them work for it, I mean really. But that was great cos like they were, all cat and dog, it had to be hard for them to see each other in a more romantic light.
The place is a character in itself, and in the end I am happy to see it survive, and wish it the best.
Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Lovely and true to the book
Final thoughts: A lovely book about a seaside town, a woman fighting to keep what is hers, and a man slowly loosing his heart.
The story is about Harriet, aka Harry who took over her father's boatyard when he died. it's not easy, and the bills are piling up. In waltzes Matthew Corrigan with big plans. He has bought a place nearby and is turning it into a fancy restaurant and now he wants her land to build luxury houses. She is not happy since this is all she has left and Matthew seems to be turning the whole town around to his way of thinking. But she is standing her ground, even when all falls apart around her.
Harry was one tough woman, she works day and night trying to keep the place alive, her only help is George, an old buddy of her dads. This place is everything to her, and later she does seem that Matthew is bringing life to town, but her land, she wants to keep it, and have it to be a seafront for everyone, not just a chosen few. She is stubborn, and underneath it all she is really vulnerable, but I come to understand her.
Matthew is all money and ideas. At times he charms me, at times I growl at him. But he really thinks this is best for all. He has a good heart in the end. And he is also fighting this odd attraction for the angry girl at the shipyard. They have such a hate love thing going on. Hating each other, but at the same time the attraction is there.
There is also the family secret in the book, and without saying anything more. It made sense, and there was finally peace.
There is a varied cast of characters in this book. The young woman who wants something more from life, the guy couple who owns the florists, and of course George, who wants the best for Harry.
It was a warm community and it was lovely to see it start to blossom again. As for romance, oh that was not an easy part, and Stovell really made them work for it, I mean really. But that was great cos like they were, all cat and dog, it had to be hard for them to see each other in a more romantic light.
The place is a character in itself, and in the end I am happy to see it survive, and wish it the best.
Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Lovely and true to the book
Final thoughts: A lovely book about a seaside town, a woman fighting to keep what is hers, and a man slowly loosing his heart.
bananatricky's review
4.0
A great Kindle freebie about Harry (Harriet), the owner of a boat yard in a stagnating village on the English coast, who is in conflict with Matthew Corrigan a property developer who intends to open a Michelin star (type) restaurant and wants to buy some of her land to develop for new housing.
Whilst arguably the village is full of stock caricatures (the gay florists, the sulky teenager, the over-endowed barmaid etc) the story shows how both Harry and Matthew learn to compromise and appreciate each other's POV.
There's a silly sub-plot about manorial privilege (or something) and a mystery concerning Harry's father which was frankly unnecessary but otherwise I really enjoyed it.
Whilst arguably the village is full of stock caricatures (the gay florists, the sulky teenager, the over-endowed barmaid etc) the story shows how both Harry and Matthew learn to compromise and appreciate each other's POV.
There's a silly sub-plot about manorial privilege (or something) and a mystery concerning Harry's father which was frankly unnecessary but otherwise I really enjoyed it.
katheastman's review
5.0
I loved this book. I don't know about Turning the Tide but it certainly kept me Turning the Page. I had only meant to read a couple of chapters before bed but, each time I tried to put it down, I thought I'd just read the next chapter and then couldn't put it down until I finished reading it at 2am!
This is a captivating story of one young woman's determination and struggle to hang onto the boatyard that she sees as her only link to the past and her dead father. It leads to her clashing with a devilishly appealing property developer, Matthew Corrigan, who wants her boatyard and its land in his future development. As this will breathe new life into the surrounding area, forcing it also to modernise, it's not just Harry Watling, the gutsy tomboy heroine, but others in the nearby town, who have to adjust to the changes Matthew and his development are introducing.
I warmed to Harry immediately (it is so refreshing to have a tomboy heroine), felt the same attraction and repulsion that she feels for Matthew, while also falling for most of the townsfolk, especially the irascible George who is Harry's right hand man and surrogate father-figure and the local florists, who are like brothers to Harry and as brilliant creations as their floral art.
This is the second ChocLit title I've read in as many weeks and, if this and Trade Winds are anything to go by, I can see myself going through their entire selection box.
This is a captivating story of one young woman's determination and struggle to hang onto the boatyard that she sees as her only link to the past and her dead father. It leads to her clashing with a devilishly appealing property developer, Matthew Corrigan, who wants her boatyard and its land in his future development. As this will breathe new life into the surrounding area, forcing it also to modernise, it's not just Harry Watling, the gutsy tomboy heroine, but others in the nearby town, who have to adjust to the changes Matthew and his development are introducing.
I warmed to Harry immediately (it is so refreshing to have a tomboy heroine), felt the same attraction and repulsion that she feels for Matthew, while also falling for most of the townsfolk, especially the irascible George who is Harry's right hand man and surrogate father-figure and the local florists, who are like brothers to Harry and as brilliant creations as their floral art.
This is the second ChocLit title I've read in as many weeks and, if this and Trade Winds are anything to go by, I can see myself going through their entire selection box.
milkamilka's review
4.0
Harriet (Harry Watling has done everything to keep her dear father's boat yard running. The clients are turning away and Harry has to struggle with money. But with help of George, a man who was Harry's father's best friend, she has been able to keep the yard running. Everything changes when Matthew Corrigan, a property developer comes into the picture.
Matthew has bought an old clubhouse next to Harry's boat yard. He is confident that he will be able to persuade Harry Watling to sell him part of the boat yard which he wants to turn into a housing complex for his new restaurant. But Harry Watling turns out to be something really different he expected; firstly, a woman. Secondly, a woman with her own opinions and determination.
Harry cannot stand Matthew. She cannot understand why someone like him arrives to a place like Little Spitmarsh and tries to ruin everything. Even though she feels hatred towards Matthew, at the same time she has to fight with feelings she feels around him. But what she does not know, is that Matthew has weird thoughts about Harry as well, thoughts he never expected to have about a woman like Harry.
When Matthew discovers a secret about the boat yard, he knows that he will be able to destroy the yard and Harry along with it. Harry is ready to fight for her father's inheritance, but can she fight against Matthew? And does Harry know everything about his dear father's past.
Secrets are revealed, confessions are made, and surprises are discovered.
I throughly enjoyed 'Turning the Tide' by Christine Stovell. I must admit that at first, it was really hard for me to get into this book. The plot moves really slowly, and at first, I did not like Harry at all as a character. I just keep thinking why she has to be so stubborn, why she does not take the money and be happy about that? But as the plot revolves, I got to know why Harry acts like she does. She loved her father dearly, and after the death of him, her mother left and she was left alone to cherish her father's memory. When Matthew arrives, she feels that the last reminder of her father is going to be taken away.
Matthew, as a character, is also really interesting. He is rich, handsome and used to life in luxury. But despite all that, he eventually realizes that he is a bit unhappy. His relationship isn't working, and he does not know is the anything he can do to make it work. When he meet Harry, he feels that he is drawn into her; to a woman he would never expected to have feelings for.
'Turning the Tide' by Christine Stovell is a story about secrets from the past, forgiveness, and love. It has interesting characters, beautiful setting and a plot, which paces slowly, but interestingly.
I want to thank Choc Lit publishing for sending me a review copy of this novel.
Matthew has bought an old clubhouse next to Harry's boat yard. He is confident that he will be able to persuade Harry Watling to sell him part of the boat yard which he wants to turn into a housing complex for his new restaurant. But Harry Watling turns out to be something really different he expected; firstly, a woman. Secondly, a woman with her own opinions and determination.
Harry cannot stand Matthew. She cannot understand why someone like him arrives to a place like Little Spitmarsh and tries to ruin everything. Even though she feels hatred towards Matthew, at the same time she has to fight with feelings she feels around him. But what she does not know, is that Matthew has weird thoughts about Harry as well, thoughts he never expected to have about a woman like Harry.
When Matthew discovers a secret about the boat yard, he knows that he will be able to destroy the yard and Harry along with it. Harry is ready to fight for her father's inheritance, but can she fight against Matthew? And does Harry know everything about his dear father's past.
Secrets are revealed, confessions are made, and surprises are discovered.
I throughly enjoyed 'Turning the Tide' by Christine Stovell. I must admit that at first, it was really hard for me to get into this book. The plot moves really slowly, and at first, I did not like Harry at all as a character. I just keep thinking why she has to be so stubborn, why she does not take the money and be happy about that? But as the plot revolves, I got to know why Harry acts like she does. She loved her father dearly, and after the death of him, her mother left and she was left alone to cherish her father's memory. When Matthew arrives, she feels that the last reminder of her father is going to be taken away.
Matthew, as a character, is also really interesting. He is rich, handsome and used to life in luxury. But despite all that, he eventually realizes that he is a bit unhappy. His relationship isn't working, and he does not know is the anything he can do to make it work. When he meet Harry, he feels that he is drawn into her; to a woman he would never expected to have feelings for.
'Turning the Tide' by Christine Stovell is a story about secrets from the past, forgiveness, and love. It has interesting characters, beautiful setting and a plot, which paces slowly, but interestingly.
I want to thank Choc Lit publishing for sending me a review copy of this novel.
donnah's review
3.0
As a first novel by Christine Stovell this book is a great start. I read this as an eBook and on the Nook it has 700 pages. This is the story of Harry Watling and the small slowing dying town of Little Spitmarsh. I liked the character of Harry but at times I found myself wishing Harry would hurry up and get with the program. The residents of Little Spitmarsh are a great group that would be interesting to hear more about. I would definitely read another book by this author. Christine's second book is called Move Over Darling.
leahmichelle_13's review
4.0
For five years Harry Watling has been looking after her father’s legacy, his boat-yard Watlings and is happy trundling along in life in Little Spitmarsh. Until property developer Matthew Corrigan comes calling, wanting to buy Harry’s land so he can build a housing complex to go alongside his new restaurant. Harry is determind to fight Matthew tooth and nail in her bid to keep Little Spitmarsh as it is until she learns Matthew has the means to quite literally force her out. As she tries to save her ailing business and stop Matthew Corrigan, she also has to fight her building feelings for the man who is making her life a misery. Christine Stovell’s debut is a hugely enjoyable read set in the fictional village of Little Spitmarsh. It is beautifully described by Christine and she manages to bring all of her characters to life. Harry, in particular, is a fantastic lead character and the way she sparks off Matthew Corrigan makes for fascinating reading. Throw in some family secrets, and a bit of romance and it’s a fantastic book well worth reading.
**Full review to come at some point**
**Full review to come at some point**
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