Day: February 22, 2021

I thought that this was a very clever book. I enjoyed that it was a mix of family drama/family secrets, small town romance, and a hint of mystery. It all worked together for an enjoyable read.

Although I could not relate to Rosie’s desire to get away from her hometown, I could relate to her love of Spain. I’ve only been once (to Valencia), but there was certainly something enchanting about being there.

I could see how she wouldn’t want to return to the English coast after sunny Malaga.

But I also appreciated how she felt a sense of honor to her mother to try to do something as her legacy (at least that’s how I took it).

In a way, this was also a coming-of-age story, because I think that Rosie truly found herself over the course of the plot. The townspeople’s memories of her illustrate that she was always a bit odd (as was her mother), and she seemed to take that as “different,” using it as an impetus to leave and explore.

But ultimately, she was tenacious, recognizing the strengths she didn’t realize she had.

I also liked the way the author explored small-town living. Between the long memories, the short-sightedness, the assumptions, and the gossip, she really captured how the group dynamics of small-town residents work.

At the same time, through Rosie’s persistence, she was also able to illustrate how people’s minds can be changed. I actually had fun watching the come-uppance of a few characters and the expansion of others.

As to the family secrets, they’re good ones, and they are dealt with completely and realistically. I especially liked how they snowballed and influenced other people and events.

And the small-town romance? Well, of course it’s never smooth, but this one is worth the ride as Rosie and Liam dance around each other, often influenced by the pressures of small-town expectations (whether that manifests as assumptions or misunderstandings).

I keep using “realistic” but that is what I liked most about the book. I felt like could be dropped down in the middle of the town and feel comfortable with the area and people.

I love it when an author can do that…especially these days. Transport me now.

Author Bio:

Liz began her writing career as a journalist and press officer before deciding that she’d rather have the freedom of making things up as a novelist. 

Being short-listed in the Corvus ‘Love at First Write’ competition and the Novelicious search for a new women’s fiction star gave Liz the push she needed to keep putting pen to paper …. and ‘Annie’s Holiday by the Sea’ (her first published novel) is the result. 

Liz lives on the South Coast with her family and, when she’s not writing, likes to spend time walking by the sea, and trying to meditate. Her ambition is to be serene one day …. she’s still got a long way to go.