A heartwarming story of friendship, new beginnings, and and second chances that will have you reaching for the tissues!
Lucy Brown has spent years hiding from the world, as far away as she could get from her old life - and her ex-husband - back in London. But when she reluctantly agrees to leave her safe haven to attend her old friend Ella's wedding in Starshine Cove, little does she know what's in store for her down in Dorset...
When a chance airport encounter with a handsome stranger unexpectedly leads to a deeper connection, Lucy finds her trip becoming much more than just a last-minute holiday. But then her dark past comes knocking, just as she always feared it would.
Will the magic of Starshine Cove be enough to heal the hurts that Lucy has carried with her all these years, or has this one-of-a-kind village by the sea finally met its match?
Dear readers, it has been far too long since I last had the absolute pleasure of sinking deep into a Debbie Johnson novel and losing myself in a world much brighter (and less wet!) than my own. I knew that whatever Johnson had in store for me with her latest release Finding Hope in Starshine Cove was going to sprinkle my own world with her much-loved charm and irresistible humour. She is, without doubt, one of those authors who I have come to rely on when it comes to lifting my spirits and making my heart feel a little lighter.
In Finding Hope in Starshine Cove, readers are introduced to Lucy Brown. Single mum, working in a call centre, and very much uninterested in the dating scene, Lucy is doing a grand old job of protecting herself and her heart from any further hurt. It quickly becomes clear to the reader that Lucy is nursing some incredibly deep wounds from her past, wounds that do not go away easily. As the wedding of one of Lucy's oldest friends approaches, Lucy and her daughter pack their bags to go and stay in the delightful seaside town of Starshine Cove, tucked away amid the cliffs and sandy shores of Dorset. It is here that Lucy's story begins to unravel, surrounded by her best friends and beautiful new scenery, and a newly-discovered sense of self that seems to be drawn out by her new surroundings. If only I could have packed my bags and joined Lucy in her travels! I feel as though staying in Starshine Cove would do me the world of good, too.
I think Johnson manages to capture the essence of Lucy's character beautifully within this story. As mentioned above, there are many instances throughout the book where we see Lucy have what can only be described as panic attacks, and it doesn't take long to understand where this trauma stems from. Domestic abuse, covert or otherwise, is so damaging to its victims, mentally and physically, and Lucy portrays the realness of this perfectly. The anxiety, the worrying, the triggers... Johnson writes about it brilliantly, and really shows the reader the emotion and struggle behind Lucy's personality and why she is the way that she is. With the help of brief glimpses into her past, readers are given an insight into what Lucy dealt with at the hands of a horrible man, and how that ricochets through her life in the present day. It only made me love Lucy's character all the more, and I was rooting for her from the get-go. It was clear that Lucy was moving on and had taken the steps to healing herself, but these tiny scars still splintered through into her life, and I felt so much love for her whenever these moments rose to the surface. I think it's a subject many readers will be able to empathise with, because sadly so many of us have been there.
It was magnificent, the way these two parts of Lucy's life collided. The darkness of her past, and the brightness of her future. When she arrives in Starshine Cove, it's almost like a reminder that she loved by many people. As the story progresses, we come to understand that Lucy had lost contact with her closest friends, during what must have the roughest moments of her life. Meeting with them again must have felt incredible for Lucy, and absolutely moved me to tears. Her friends made her feel so loved and wanted, and best of all, reminded her that they never thought she was at fault for the breakdown in communication throughout the years that passed. I can only imagine how much of a weight off her shoulders that must have been for Lucy. I adored the moments between Lucy and her friends as they caught up with one another and rekindled a friendship that seemed unbreakable. It was truly moving and opened up a new source of happiness for Lucy as she eased herself back into her role in their friendship group once more.
The setting of Starshine Cove was just perfect. When it comes to picture-perfect, seaside towns, you can absolutely count me in. I adored everything about this place and found it to be my idea of the ideal getaway. With the sea just down the rocky path, and a handful of characters filling up the tiny cottages and waiting to introduce themselves, it was a place that I just knew was going to help in Lucy's personal healing journey. It provided space and comfort, fresh air and room to think, all of the things she needed. What is there not to love about Starshine Cove?
There is of course the added aspect of Lyssa in this story. A woman of which I absolutely got the wrong end of the stick with, yet by the end of the book, was rooting for her in every way. I LOVED the connection that developed between Lucy and Lyssa. In fact, this for me was probably the most heart-warming part of it all. Two women, both having walked the same treacherous path, coming together against the beast. It was splendidly written and unbelievably satisfying in more ways than one.
All in all, Finding Hope in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson was an absolutely marvellous novel, portraying beautifully the importance of female friendships and how that love can create a surge of courage and strength that is impossible to diminish. A story of bravery, faith, and knowing that with the right people by your side, you are truly capable of taking down your biggest demons. All's it takes a small push from your favourite humans. A true gem of a story, I adored every chapter.
If you'd like to purchase a copy of Finding Hope in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson you can do so here. With thanks to the publisher for the advanced reading copy.
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