Roseland

by Judy Finnigan

Lose yourself in the Cornish countryside with this gorgeous new novel from the Richard and Judy Book Club champion. If you love Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, you'll adore Roseland. __________'Utterly captivating' ADELE PARKS'Amazing, the descriptions of Cornwall were so vivid' Reader Review (5 stars)'There's nothing not to love about this book' SUSAN LEWIS'A captivating read' Reader Review (5 stars)'Evocative, enthralling and full of human insight' CELIA WALDEN'I read it in one day, could not put it down' Reader Review (5 stars)'Gloriously gripping' LIZ FENWICK'This book has Rebecca written all over it' Reader Review (5 stars)'Brimming with secrets, scandal and surprises' MARIANNE CRONIN__________The summers spent at Roseland, the sprawling ancestral home of her best friend, Eloise, were among the happiest of Cathy's life. Tucked away on the Cornish coastline and brimming with history, Roseland seemed to belong to another century.Cathy has barely been back since Eloise's death a decade ago. So she is shocked when Jack, the love of Eloise's life and father of her children, announces that he is getting married, and that the wedding will take place at Roseland. As Cathy and Eloise's family gather at the house for the first time in years, long buried secrets and resentments come to the surface. Nobody likes Jack's new bride, but is she really the imposter everybody claims, or are they merely haunted by memories of Eloise? And how can Cathy look to the future, when the past refuses to let go?Utterly captivating and beautifully told, with echoes of du Maurier's Rebecca, this is the gorgeous new novel from the bestselling book-club champion.__________PRAISE FOR JUDY FINNIGAN'Romantic and rain-lashed. . . a stirring and intriguing read' LOUISE CANDLISH'A haunting, pacy page-turner, with a real ghostly feel - a must read' FABULOUS MAGAZINE'Highly readable, incredibly moving' DOROTHY KOOMSON'A moving meditation of grief, family bonds, motherhood and female friendship' SUNDAY EXPRESS

Genres: Fiction

416 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 9, 2023

Reviews

[Lydia Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*.

Judy Finnigan has created a very enjoyable storyline here with a lot of inter-connected, interesting characters. The setting is lovely and knowing Talland Bay well, it is very accurately described. The book kept drawing me back and I was very invested in finding out more about Rebecca. The last few chapters did get a bit bonkers and for me they let the book down a little.

I was quite taken aback not to find any reference in the author’s notes or acknowledgments to the obvious similarities (ghostly ex-wife, mysterious new wife, gothic mansion on the edge of a Cornish cliff, crazy elderly lady in residence and then of course the fire) in the plot to Daphne du Maurier’s, ‘Rebecca’. As I was reading I assumed it was written as an homage but it seems not. I’m not sure a lesser known author would have got away with that.

[Gill T · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read Eloise a few years ago and was looking forward to this one. It would have been better if I’d read the two books closer together as I couldn’t remember the relationships between all the characters, even though the book does explain them. I found it an ok read…but contrived and predictable.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh dear. I thought this was a pretty weak story line & with so many characters it got a bit confusing in the first half (but possibly this was me at fault for not being enthralled!) I found it a somewhat cliched style or writing with much of the prose over-described with fluffy superfluous detail (to tick the boxes taught at creative writing school). It also felt like the author had jumped on the bandwagon of a winning formula, ie the Cornish family saga. An adequate but not marvellous job

[Barry Lillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word. Fabulous

[ImA · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many characters and overly complicated but did have some elements of a good story.

It was wordy and didn’t need it and towards the end when I couldn’t tolerate it, I was skipping alternative chapters but finding it hadn’t really moved on and I’d not missed anything that required me to go back.

Overall I thought it was disappointing.

[Ellie M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many characters, it sounds like a soup opera right from the start. The characters appear undeveloped and not very likeable. References to too many unrealistic events. Australia, then Dubai? Who wants to move to Dubai?

I could not finish it neither Eloise where Cathy is introduced as such a whiny and unbearable character. Perhaps the author is one time wonder because I really liked “I do not sleep” but the other two books are written as if by a complete different person.

Any great book would focus on one character, make this character likeable and relatable, and build the story with the heroine’s growth, and slow uncovery of the facts that are realistic and believable.

I did not finish it.

[Alison Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

#Roseland #NetGalley I had not read the previous book to this - Eloise - but I found that it was perfectly capable of being read as a standalone. The prologue was a bit flowery and descriptive and I thought I was not going to enjoy it but once it got into the nitty gritty of the drama, the writing was much more how I like my books to read! Beautiful setting of Cornwall and a good family crime/drama with the expected twists and turns- I actually really enjoyed this book once I got into it. Whilst the reading of Eloise wasn't essential, I feel like I want to now read it to discover more about the snippets of history that were told in this one!

[Alison Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

#Roseland #NetGalley I had not read the previous book to this - Eloise - but I found that it was perfectly capable of being read as a standalone. The prologue was a bit flowery and descriptive and I thought I was not going to enjoy it but once it got into the nitty gritty of the drama, the writing was much more how I like my books to read! Beautiful setting of Cornwall and a good family crime/drama with the expected twists and turns- I actually really enjoyed this book once I got into it. Whilst the reading of Eloise wasn't essential, I feel like I want to now read it to discover more about the snippets of history that were told in this one!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall l enjoyed the book. Though l found the amount of characters a little confusing. There were many of them and l found myself having to stop and think about who was who.... and who they belonged to.
This is the third book of Judys l have read, but not the easiest.
As always the setting was perfect though l am not sure todays Cornwall is as idyllic as Judy would have us believe.

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a pleasant enough tale carrying on the story of Eloise's family. Do read Eloise first. There are a few niggly plot holes here and there. The laboured analogy to Du Maurier's Rebecca is makes you feel like Judy is trying to hard.
That aside, the story is good, the characters are relatable and the essence of Cornwall is described well.

[Linn A Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

good family read. I've not read Eloise the first book. this novel has enough information to carry the story forwards. Eloise's daughters Isobel, rose and violet come together as their father is going to marry Rebecca after a whirlwind few weeks. the girls are suspicious of the hurry as is Juliana the grandmother. a captivating story. glad I read it

[Lorraine Joad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just brilliant. I had read Eloise when it was published and thoroughly enjoyed it and reading Roseland was quite amazing. The descriptions of Cornwall were so vivid along with great characters and storyline. I hope Judy will be writing more books as she really can tell a good story.

[Mrs. Christine Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good.

I read it to the end, yet I didn't really say I enjoyed it much. Everyone is different, doesn't mean that I didn't find it that good, that someone else would really find it excellent. I just have my opinion.

[Linda Broadbent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story hooked me from the start, could not put it down. My sleuthing was useless, my theories jumped about the more I read. Cried a lot. Will definitely watch out for Judy's other books but this will be a tough one to follow!

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family saga set in Cornwall, very descriptive of beautiful cornwall. Flows along nicely with the usual secrets and trouble you expect in this type of story. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

[Carol Standish-Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A family saga set in Cornwall. Overall the writing for me was a little too over egged. In places a little slow.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing not to like about this book. It is utterly beautiful and captivating. The setting is perfect as are the wonderful characters.

[Nadia Jamieson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started quite good then dragged on to much lost interest

[Carly Unwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it

[Ruth Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family saga set in Cornwall. Fairly predictable plot but nicely written and kept me turning the pages to see how it ended.

[Andrea]

An excellent read full of interesting twists and turns

[NJHS · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh dear
Feels stolen from Daphne but ridiculously badly told.

[Sara Mcmillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It had a few twists that were confusing but it comes together near the end. And it is a moving love story.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

really enjoyed this book, will try and read the book that came before it

[Sue Hickling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judy Finnigan books were Amazing hope she writes more

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slow read . Beautifully set in Cornwall as expected by Judy Finnegan.

[Sandra Woodcock]

surprised by the plot so good although it's by Judy Finnegan didn't expect it to be so good
a must read

[Saffy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely love family sagas set by the sea so was looking forward to reading Roseland.
Cathy and Eloise were best friends and spent time together, growing up, at Eloise's family home, Roseland. After Eloise's death Cathy returns for the wedding of Jack, the father of Eloise's children.
This is a beautifully atmospheric novel, I loved the Cornwall setting and the author's love for and knowledge of the area really comes across. It's well written and characterised although I did find the family relationships confusing initially. I did find it to be fairly slow paced and was waiting throughout for more to happen. However it's an enjoyable read if you enjoy this genre and it was a perfect novel to read while I was on holiday in Cornwall.
3.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.