I have read all the books in this series and I think I was quite glad that this appears to be the final one. I have been excited to learn more about the absent American brother, Jago, but I do believe that Ellis has exhausted all she could do with the plot.
Readers meet Jago as he flies to Scilly with his very chatty on-board neighbour, Sylvie. What Jago does not realise is that Sylvie is surprising her cousin, Lowen, with a visit. Lowen, who is one of Jago’s brothers. Through a turn of events, Sylvie spends more time with Jago instead of her cousin, leading to the inevitable feelings developing. (Note: Sylvie is not related to Jago at all!) The development of their relationship is quite slow in this novel as Ellis focuses on why Lowen reacts so negatively to Sylvie’s arrival.
It was this element that left me a bit disappointed in this story. The previous book in the series was all about Lowen so I think I was a bit disgruntled that he had even more air time in the book when I was so keen to learn more about Jago. I thought Ellis could have capitalised on Jago’s character more, instead of showing another side to Lowen’s personality and the reasons for his gruff reaction to Sylvie. It was almost as if Jago is brushed to one side as Sylvie attempts to reconnect with her long-distant cover and reminisce about their childhood.
Characters from the previous books all make a welcome return in this novel. Although this is a stand-alone, you definitely get a feel for all the different couples if you have read the other stories in order. It certainly added to the community feel that Ellis establishes on the island and once again I was pulled into the warmth of the Treneary family. Furthermore, it was lovely to see the matriarch, Mirren, so happy: to have all her boys return to the family home and be reunited after Jago’s lengthy absence. Mirren herself is a delightful character so I do wonder if there is material to add a cheeky mini-story that concludes all the possibilities suggested by the end of this book.
I liked this story but I did not fall in love with it as much as I had hoped. I wanted to see more budding romance between Jago and Sylvie and Jago dominate the narrative more than his brother. Whilst I did not feel resentful towards Lowen and quite liked this sub-plot, I think it meant the main relationship between the two characters faded into the background. I am sorry to see the end of this charming series that has been defined by warm characters and a fantastic setting, but do believe this plot has largely run its course. That being said, I would certainly recommend this series for an easy-going holiday read which will make you feel a part of the Treneary family.
With thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.