Shadows on the Water by Jo Lambert #bookreview @jolambertwriter

The opening chapter of Jo Lambert’s new novel Shadows on the Water ends with the tragic death of Ava Warren’s fiance, Gavin. This had me immediately on her side and so hoping that she would find happiness again. Following Gavin’s death, Ava really immerses herself in her work in holiday letting agency and has no plans to look for love again.

When she meets Alex Penhaligon, it’s an unpromising beginning as they get off on the wrong foot. Certainly Alex misunderstands the situation when Ava brings his drunken brother home one evening and is incredibly rude. I was bristling with the injustice of the situation. However, gradually the two grow closer – until somebody throws a spanner in the works!

Jo Lambert has created a great cast of characters from Ava’s lovely supportive friends, to her colleagues, her family, and local residents. There are more than a few unpleasant characters in the mix though who create a lot of trouble, deliberate misunderstandings and added tension. I enjoyed reading about the ins and outs of the holiday letting agency as I don’t think I’ve read many books set in that industry before. Ava obviously was very good at her job and so professional. I really liked the sound of the project she ends up working on. In more normal times, it’s the kind of place I’d love to go on holiday.

Shadows on the Water is an engaging read with its themes of love and loss, second chances and moving on. This is the first in a planned trilogy and I’m very much looking forward to reading about Ava’s friend Kiera next and hopefully getting a glimpse of what happens from some of the characters in Shadows on the Water.

My thanks to the author for providing an ecopy of the book for review. It is available in ebook and paperback formats and you can order a copy here: Shadows on the Water

From the back of the book

After the tragic death of her fiancé, Ava Warren is slowly rebuilding her life. She has a supportive family, great friends and a job she loves, managing holiday letting company Estuary Escapes in her home town of Kingswater. Another relationship is the last thing she wants or needs. Until one evening she meets Alex Penhaligon.

Alex has just returned home from California where he has been working for the past five years. A case of mistaken identity gets them off to a bad start. But discovering his error, Alex is anxious to make amends and soon persuades Ava that he’s not quite as arrogant as she thinks he is. As their friendship begins to turn into something much deeper, Ava wonders whether she can at last put the past behind her and make a new future with Alex.

But someone is watching. A man who not only thinks Ava should be his but also holds a long term grudge against Alex. And he’s determined to get his own way irrespective of the lengths he has to go to or who gets hurt in the process.

Set on the south coast of Cornwall, Shadows on the Water is a story of family ties, lost love and tangled loyalties.

About the Author

Jo Lambert lives on the eastern edge of the city of Bath. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Authors. Her debut novel was published in 2008. It became the first of a set of linked romantic sagas following the lives of several families in rural West Somerset. These have currently been withdrawn for updating. In 2015 she published Summer Moved On, a contemporary romance set in South Devon. A sequel, Watercolours in the Rain followed in 2017.

In June 2018 Jo signed to Choc Lit for a one novel contract. A Cornish Affair, set in North Cornwall, was published in 2019 under their Ruby Fiction imprint.

Now back as an indie author, her latest novel Shadows on the Water is the first of a three book series. She is currently busy working on the second which will be published next year.

In between writing she tries to find time to read and review. She also has an active blog. Jo loves travel, red wine and any music as long as it has a great melody and lyrics. Oh and she often takes the odd photograph or two…