Portobello Book Blog

You can see from the beautiful front cover of this book that Sandybridge looks an idyllic place to stay. Yet the main character of the book, Grace, has spent much of her life trying to escape the quiet town, studying at Edinburgh Uni, living and working in both New York and London. However, she is back again with her little girl, staying with her mum and wondering how her life is going to work out. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but having read and really enjoyed The Little Flower Shop by the Sea from the same author last year, I was pleased to have the chance to read her latest release. Like that book, there is a little hint of magic in this one too.

I enjoyed the format of this book with the present day storyline interspersed with sections from different times in Grace’s life. Throughout the book she is given advice, often about her love-life, by Remy. Remy’s advice isn’t very specific, just guidance really, and Grace often misinterprets the advice. Remy is rather an unusual character, always proved right in the end, but I won’t say more than that! The reader can tell what Remy means but Grace just doesn’t always quite get it. We get to follow Grace’s relationships with the men in her life: first love Danny, a bit of a ladies’ man but a good guy really, Charlie her best friend since her teenage years and her husband Simon. I particularly enjoyed the parts of the book set in the 80s as they brought back memories of my own teenage years.

This was a charming and really enjoyable story, full of romance, showing that help and advice can come in the most unexpected form – a perfect summer read.

Thanks to the publishers, Sphere, for the review copy via NetGalley. Letters from Lighthouse Cottage is published today in paperback and as an e-book and you can order a copy here: Letters from Lighthouse Cottage

From the back of the book

The sun is shining in the quiet little seaside town of Sandybridge

Sandybridge is the perfect English seaside town: home to gift shops, tea rooms and a fabulous fish and chip shop. And it’s home to Grace – although right now, she’s not too happy about it.

Grace grew up in Sandybridge, helping her parents sort junk from vintage treasures, but she always longed to escape to a bigger world. And she made it, travelling the world for her job, falling in love and starting a family. So why is she back in the tiny seaside town she’d long left behind, hanging out with Charlie, the boy who became her best friend when they were teenagers?

It turns out that travelling the world may not have been exactly what Grace needed to do. Perhaps everything she wanted has always been at home – after all, they do say that’s where the heart is…