Love Will Find a Way

Cliffehaven #20

by Ellie Dean

Cliffehaven, December 1946

From a hill above the town of Cliffehaven, a young woman makes a heart-breaking choice that will change the course of her life forever.

Hours later, a baby is found in the Nativity crib of the local church.

Who could have left him there, and why?

The mystery preoccupies everyone in Cliffehaven - not least Peggy Reilly, who has enough to contend with at Beach View Boarding House without this extra secret to unravel.

What's certain is that the whole community will pull together to keep the baby safe - and to support his mother when the truth of her identity is finally discovered...

The latest gripping installment in Ellie Dean's Cliffehaven series, With Promises to Keep, is available to pre-order now!

Genres: Family Saga, Family

409 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 28, 2024

About the author

Ellie Dean lives in Eastbourne, which has been her home for many years and where she raised her three children.

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved this series from the start. We are now in the aftermath of the war and I must admit I enjoyed those books best as it's a period of history I love reading about. I did think at book eighteen that it was coming to an end and it had petered out slightly but once it started off fresh in 1946 telling the story of what happened afterwards it picked up again and this one is a very good read. There's lots happening. Beach View is now a family home again but still bursting with people. It was nice to meet old favourites. Peggy's sister Doris, whom I loathe, makes a brief but significant appearance and I think she's going to be the instigator of her own doom in the future. We learn a little about most of the girls who were billeted with Peggy in the war years and it's always nice to catch up.
There's a mystery regarding an abandoned baby and it's mother. While done very well in keeping the reader guessing, it was very dragged out and towards the end I wanted it to be done! Also, Peggy has always been wonderful at looking out for the girls in her care but at times in this book she came across as a nosy old bag which I was disappointed in as I've loved her throughout the series.
Saying that I still enjoyed it and it's a great addition to the series.

[Jackie Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read

Yet another brilliant book from Ellie Dean. From the very beginning I was hooked. It kept me guessing about who the mother of little Noel was and it was only in the last few pages that I realised I'd been wrong in my guesses.
Well done Ellie, can't wait for the next in the series. March 2025 is a long time to wait..

[avril · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love will find a way

What another brilliant book 8n the Cliffehaven series. Couldn't work out who it was until the very end. Cant wait for the next one.

[Aryn-Marietta Eaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I’m thrilled to spend more time in Clifhaven with all the families characters, the ending was a bit flat. All that build up and setting the stage for an ending that was a little too neat and convenient.

[Ruth Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good audio book

[Pat Langhelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story about abandoned baby 3 girls with secrets will keep you gripped to the end. I didn't guess until the end.

[Sjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deze was even anders dan de anderen, ik had vermoedens, en die bleken waar, maar dat bleek niet enorm uit het verhaal. Blij dat er nog een deel komt, jammer dat het nog een jaar duurt.

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peggy's back to being horrible. But I feel vindicated as other reviewers have at last noticed just how awful she is. I noticed it several books back, she's nosy and a hypocrite and while the previous book was okay, this one it shines through yet agin.
Instead of trying to get people to commit treason by violating the Official Secrets Act, she just expects Danuta to violate a person's personal medical records and frankly anyone's right to privacy. I know mother's worry but your kids are adults they don't have to tell you anything. Even my mom wouldn't push like that and she was the nosiest person ever.
It's Christmas, and a baby is left at a church in Cliffehaven. It has to be a local girl since she knew Bertie goes to the church in the morning, and she knew where to hide before she had the baby. There are three suspects. Gracie who had been seeing a criminal who caused the robbery at the factory, Sandra who had an affair with her married boss, and Cissy who was involved with the brother of one of her London friends. All three women look drawn and ill and have something to hide.
The ending ticked me off. Peggy was absolutely horrible and mean. Nothing she ever did in the previous books was this bad, not the pressure to commit treason, the snarky comments about Rita's dad not writing her enough, pushing Sarah to cheat on her fiancé and the way she treated her sister in law and sister Doris. Even Cissy points out how cruel and hurtful it was.
Also I wish this series would've ended with the war as planned. She's starting to repeat storylines. Ruby's mother Ethel turned around and was a sweet kind hearted wife to Stan and then for the sake of a plot line was back to being evil and criminal again. Now Doris who learned her lesson after her house was bombed and was a decent person is back to her old ways. Also Doris is about the only real character in this book. A baby is abandoned and in this small town everyone is so supportive and worried about the missing mother? In 1946? I've lived in small towns and I'd say most would think like Doris. It smacks of the April story again, a single mother of a half black child who's embraced by the town and thought of as brave. At least Doris is realistic to the time and place she's in and again the book wants me to dislike her and love Peggy and frankly I feel the opposite. Peggy is too perfect and a know it all and find myself rooting for the characters like Doris and Pauline because at least they call her out on her BS.
I felt the worst for Sandra who had an obviously abusive husband and everyone kept pushing her to stay with him throughout the book. Basically everyone was terrible in this book except Danuta, Gracie, Sandra and Cissy. Danuta will always be my favourite character in this series and I hope she will continue remain in the series as she makes it tolerable.

[Julia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Of all the Cliffhaven books, this was my least favorite. I thought Peggy and Gloria forcing the girls into the final conversation was cruel - and including Solly and Rachel (as well as the others) in the conversation a huge invasion of privacy. The whole book seemed to be filled with nosy people trying to pry into what was none of their business. Only Bob handled it gracefully and in a loving way. If I was either one of the women, I would have walked out and been furious. Cissy did address how bad it hurt but it was not enough. Really disappointed given Peggy usually handles things better. I ended up mad and the end of the book instead of my usual warm feelings.

[Barbara Doodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful powerful book in the seried

Wow what a fantastic read - I really admire the writer's mind to come up with such an amazing read!

The full series up to now is just heart stopping and discrimination is no diffrrent.

Thank you Ellie Dean we need a description the series following our friends! Please please please start writing the next one! love I Love to Crochet by Barb on Facebook xxxc

[Trudie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much! It's like reading about family. This was set at christmas and featured all of my favourite characters. At the beginning a baby is left in the crib of a church's nativity display, the mother unknown, as the story unfolds it could be a couple of Cliffehaven residents but you never know. This story was beautifully written and I have to admit that I sobbed my heart out at the ending.

[Mrs Bookworm Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Easter, everyone! What a marvellous read for bank holiday Monday! I read the whole book snuggled up listening to the rain. I am ever so thankful for Ellie Dean and the Cliffehaven gang. This latest instalment didn't disappoint at any point. Ellie Dean makes sure every character is portrayed fantastically, which makes the book come to life better. I hope everyone enjoyed as much as me.

[Julie Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant

Ellie Dean has done It again writing a most brilliant book. It was lovely returning back to Cliffehaven and the residents. I couldn't put this book down I was so engrossed in this story. It was so emotional in parts. It held me in suspense right till the end. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Sheila Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Book.
I have read all the books in this series and it was lovely to catch up with everyone in Cliffhaven again. The characters and the writing are so believable, I feel as if I am there with them. Storyline touches on some delicate issues but they are handled so well.
Can’t wait for the next book. 👏👏👏❤️

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow can’t believe how much I’ve enjoyed reading all the Cliffheaven series
They are so good and have drawn you in from the very first few chapters in book 1 to the final book 20 so far and now have to wait until 2025 for next one
These are a must read even though they need reading in order to
Great stories and an amazing Author

[E.L.Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wartime sagas

Ellie Dean you've done it again I've been Happy, Sad, and delighted all in one go you are such a superb writer and I so love the Cliffehaven saga but alas every good thing has to come to an end but I hope not just yet, the way you write makes me feel I'm right there with them 💙 ❤

[Lyn Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

love will find a way

Oh how are ve loved this series! Getting to know Peggy, Jim all her chicks and everyone. I do hope there are more books in the pipeline. I have shed tears,and laughter over Ron and his antics. Well written,the characters come to life as you read the story lines.well worth reading the series and I have recommended to family and friends

[Rosemarie Swayze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love will find a way - Ellie Dean

What a really great book, I thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn't put it down. It was lovely to catch up with family and discovering what had been going on with them. I would whole heartedly recommend reading the whole Cliffhaven series

[Elaine Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by Ellie

I love the storyline as Ellie writes amazing stories which anyone can relate to. I cannot out the book down once i start reading it.
I recommend the book to everyone i know.
I want to know if there are any more books in the pupeline.

[Marilyn Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I have read all the cliff haven books and they just wonderful, you feel that they are real people, the story telling is superb. I'm going to miss Peggy and her extended family

[Sherryl Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Cliffehaven

I have enjoyed everyone of this series of books. I always look forward to the next one to come out, so I can see what is happening with the Riley family and their friends.

[Mrs M I Mateer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the usual story

I enjoyed being back part of the family again not sure about the detective story. Looking forward to the next book.

[Marg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Excellent in this series. It is very hard to wait a year for the next book

[Jane Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Great book as usual this,series has been so good the characters and the lives have been so interesting can't wait for some more

[Clare Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have now read all 20 books in this series and can’t wait for the next one. Each book I haven’t been able to put down! A brilliant writer

[A Mcgrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have loved all books in this series
This one especially took 2 days to finish it.
Can't wait for the next one
Hopefully soon

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

Oh wow great to be back at Peggy Riley's home to share all the love and all that happened a fabulous read with twists and turns 5 STARS

[Teresa “Teri” · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely as always to visit The Clifhaven Families! I hope this won’t be the last book from @Ellie Dean!

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another fabulous book to read by Ellie Dean. The story had you gripped in suspense until the last chapter.