A Cornish Escape by Jenny Kane was a wonderfully uplifting, cosy and fun-loving story with a cast of chatty, vibrant characters and a setting so delightfully charming it will entice you in a way that you’ll find impossible to ignore. This is the first of Jenny Kane’s books I’ve had the pleasure of reading and I can honestly say I’m already looking forward to more from the author. This story tugged me into its pages and wrapped me up in the wonderful world within, so much so that I really didn’t want to stop reading for having to return to reality, which seemed nowhere near as picturesque and romantic as the Cornish coast. This was a truly joyful getaway which I enjoyed so much, and I’m thrilled to have been given the chance to read it.
In The Cornish Escape by Jenny Kane readers follow Abi as she sets out to find the house she fell in love with all those years ago as a little girl during family holidays to Cornwall. Aptly named ‘Abbey’s House’, since she was young, Abi has always been fascinated by the home, and fantasised often of living out her days there, with the magnificent Cornish coast visible from the bedroom window. When Abi finds herself widowed, and feeling suffocated by her husband’s family from all angles, she decides there’s nothing left to do except leave and try to carve out a new life for herself somewhere far away from her slimy brother-in-law and the false, money-focused women she’d tried so hard to fit in with for the sake of her husband, once upon a time. When deciding where to go, it doesn’t take Abi long to settle on her destination. Cornwall, of course!
I really enjoyed getting to know the characters in A Cornish Escape by Jenny Kane. Abi, our leading lady, was quite the complex character and it was interesting to watch her character develop as the plot progressed and her time spent in Cornwall lengthened. Amid meeting new friends and forming new relationships, I found Abi’s past to be intriguing and I enjoyed learning more of her marriage to Luke. It appeared that Luke had been an over-achiever to say the least, and towards the end of their time together, he’d completely taken control over Abi’s life, altering everything from her friendships to her hobbies. It is mentioned that at the beginning of their relationship, Luke had actually been enjoyable to be around, and so tricked by this charming man, Abi hadn’t seen the worst that was yet to come. Obsessed with keeping up with social circles and encouraging his wife to do the same, Abi is barely the same woman that she was when they first met, and the separation from Luke after he passes away is actually the chance for Abi to try and reclaim her own personality and life. Although she is sure that she loved Luke once, he has taken so much of her away from herself that it’s impossible for Abi to look back on their time together and see anything except coercive control. Jenny Kane writes these parts sensitively and they really allow the reader to see how much of Abi’s life is no longer her own which, I believe, makes the reclaiming of it all the more joyful and satisfying later down the line.
Although Abi’s marriage to Luke carries some serious undertones with it which we discover more of as Abi regularly looks back on their time spent together throughout this story, the later chunk of the novel is actually much more uplifting, happy and enjoyable to read. Jenny Kane writes with a fantastically upbeat rhythm, and her enthusiasm for her characters and their search for happiness and fulfilment shines out of the pages. This book lifted my mood and had me thinking about my own little dream home in Cornwall, the absolute peace and contentment such a thing would bring. The author’s ability to bring the setting to life in such a vibrant and fun way has enticed me into wanting to read more of Jenny Kane’s books for the escapism they bring with them.
Overall, this was a sweet, heart-warming & uplifting story with tons of ambition and courage at its centre. Abi was a character I enjoyed getting to know, and I wanted nothing more than for her dream home to finally belong to her. I felt she deserved it, and the adventure we’re taken on as Abi grows mentally and emotionally was perfectly portrayed. For a sunshine-filled, ambitious and courageous tale, one you’ll want to cosy up with and lose yourself within, A Cornish Escape by Jenny Kane is definitely one to add to your to-read list.
With thanks to the publisher for the review copy of this book, that of which has no reflection on me giving a fair and honest review.
Read on to find out more about A Cornish Escape by Jenny Kane.
Abi’s life is turned upside down when she is widowed before her thirtieth birthday. Determined to find something positive in the upheaval, Abi decides to make a fresh start somewhere new. With fond childhood memories of holidays in a Cornish cottage, could Cornwall be the place to start over?
With all her belongings in the boot of her car but no real plan, a chance meeting in a village pub brings new friends Beth and Max into her life. Max soon helps Abi track down the house of her dreams but things aren’t as simple as Abi hoped.
Can Abi leave her past behind and finally get her happy ending?
(Previously published as Abi’s House).
You can purchase your copy of A Cornish Escape by Jenny Kane here.
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