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A review by beate251
Starting Over in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC.
This is book 4 in the popular Starshine Cove series. Usually someone ends up in fictional Starshine Cove accidentally, leaving their unhappy old life behind and becoming an enthusiastic and loved-up member of this unusual and vibrant community with its magical cove. This time this happened in the prologue, with Connie Llewellyn, who was a stressed out London restaurateur, literally being pulled out of a ditch by future husband Simon.
25 years on and three children later, our Connie is a widow with a thriving café and empty nest syndrome. Then daughter Sophie brings friend Marcy along and her father Zack turns out to be someone from her old life that she used to have a crush on.
This is predictable and a short, fast read, but it pulls you in nevertheless. I love the Starshine Cove series and while my menopausal brain couldn't recall all of the community members, we are given enough of a summary to develop a comforting feeling of recognition when talk goes to village GP Ella and her new baby, or the two Bettys. It's just a wonderful, caring posse of people that any community would be proud to have.
Connie's second chances romance with Zack is just lovely, and I am very happy to see main characters who are 55 and 57 years old. There should be more of it! I loved all the food talk and that the young'uns lived in such harmony with their parent folk.
Given the age of the MCs, there is also talk of ailments and health conditions that could put a spanner in the works. However, there is not much dwelling on it. Starshine Cove is a magical, healing place in a picturesque seaside setting, with many friendly, lovable characters that feel like old friends, and is always worth a visit.
While it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the others in order first, because what really makes this book shine is the arc from the first to the fourth (and last?) book that involves absolutely everybody in the community ever mentioned, now giving Connie, who has been present since the start of book one, her time to shine and tell us all to live life to the fullest as none of us can predict the future.
It's a lovely, well-written feel-good story full of warmth and humour that will leave you feeling happy, so the full five stars seem appropriate.
This is book 4 in the popular Starshine Cove series. Usually someone ends up in fictional Starshine Cove accidentally, leaving their unhappy old life behind and becoming an enthusiastic and loved-up member of this unusual and vibrant community with its magical cove. This time this happened in the prologue, with Connie Llewellyn, who was a stressed out London restaurateur, literally being pulled out of a ditch by future husband Simon.
25 years on and three children later, our Connie is a widow with a thriving café and empty nest syndrome. Then daughter Sophie brings friend Marcy along and her father Zack turns out to be someone from her old life that she used to have a crush on.
This is predictable and a short, fast read, but it pulls you in nevertheless. I love the Starshine Cove series and while my menopausal brain couldn't recall all of the community members, we are given enough of a summary to develop a comforting feeling of recognition when talk goes to village GP Ella and her new baby, or the two Bettys. It's just a wonderful, caring posse of people that any community would be proud to have.
Connie's second chances romance with Zack is just lovely, and I am very happy to see main characters who are 55 and 57 years old. There should be more of it! I loved all the food talk and that the young'uns lived in such harmony with their parent folk.
Given the age of the MCs, there is also talk of ailments and health conditions that could put a spanner in the works. However, there is not much dwelling on it. Starshine Cove is a magical, healing place in a picturesque seaside setting, with many friendly, lovable characters that feel like old friends, and is always worth a visit.
While it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the others in order first, because what really makes this book shine is the arc from the first to the fourth (and last?) book that involves absolutely everybody in the community ever mentioned, now giving Connie, who has been present since the start of book one, her time to shine and tell us all to live life to the fullest as none of us can predict the future.
It's a lovely, well-written feel-good story full of warmth and humour that will leave you feeling happy, so the full five stars seem appropriate.
Content Warnings
Minor: Chronic illness, Death, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, and Alcohol