The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea

Heaven's Cove #7

by Liz Eeles

‘Dear Diary, I have so much to keep secret. Maybe I am cruel to leave. But I have no choice…’

Thirty-one-year old Clara’s family have called their cosy cottage in the grounds of Brellasham Manor ‘home’ her whole life. And when River, the owner’s son, returns after sixteen years away, at first Clara is wary. They shared their first kiss as teenagers before River moved halfway around the world, and his soulful brown eyes look just the same.

Clara’s first heartache isn’t the only memory overshadowing the manor. More than fifty years ago, Audrey Brellasham lived here as a young bride and filled the house with love, laughter and dancing. Until one night, she walked into the stormy sea and was never seen again.

When Clara finds Audrey’s old leather-bound diary tucked away, she’s certain that deciphering the coded messages inside will reveal the secret truth about this mysterious woman. And as River helps her explore Audrey’s locked attic bedroom, preserved from the night she disappeared and filled with her beautiful ballgowns, they’re soon laughing together and forgetting all the reasons they drifted apart.

But when River’s father announces the manor, and the cottage, will be sold to developers, Clara’s mother is devastated that everything she knows and loves is disappearing. And with the elderly owner clamming up at any mention of the past, it seems Audrey’s story is lost forever.

But if Clara keeps searching, will she be able to save her mother’s home? Or will solving the secrets of the diary tear apart River’s family, and destroy any chance of happiness between them?

This book can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Fiction, Womens Fiction

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2024

About the author

I live on the south coast of England with my family, and write heart-warming, emotional women's fiction and romantic comedies.

When I've notched up my daily word count, I enjoy reading, walking by the sea with friends, singing in a local choir, and watching TV. I love sci-fi programmes and still harbour a childhood crush on Captain Kirk.

Reviews

[L. Soper · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having read #4 in the Heaven's Cove series (The Key to the Last House Before the Sea) and enjoying it, I was enthusiastic about getting an ARC to this Liz Eeles's latest book in the series. That said, my enthusiasm quickly waned.

While I loved the premise (old mansion, mysterious disappearance, closed-off third floor, code breaking, ...), I was very unpleasantly surprised to find myself very quickly nodding off every time I picked this novel up. The dialogue was tedious, the characters were all one dimensional, the story line was far too predictable, and the mystery was hardly very mysterious.

I'm sorry to say that this was not an enjoyable read for me. Based on other reviews, this certainly makes me an outlier! I hope that other readers can find joy in this one, but I am definitely not the target audience.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing this digital ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

[Cindy Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot begin to know what to say about this powerful mystery romance that took me on such a mysterious and satisfying emotional journey, it left me speechless. I will never forget The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea or its brave Audrey, clever Clara, gentle River, duplicitous Bartie, supressed Geoffrey and devoted Julie. This is to date my all-time favourite of a mesmerising series I truly love. Although book seven of Heaven’s Cove can be enjoyed as a stand-alone with no issue, it will most likely inspire readers to check out the first six as they are all compelling reads. Liz Eeles is an exceptional author and for me, she keeps going from strength to strength. Her characters are believable, her plots exciting and her writing extraordinary. Without question, this story stormed into my heart and took up residence!

A fascinating complex mystery centred on the past is at the heart of this novel. A diary comes to light that becomes the bridge to the past. It has been tucked away in Violet’s (Clara’s late grandmother) belongings until Clara discovers it. The owner of this personal journal is Audrey Brellasham. Once Clara finds it, she is overwhelmingly tempted to read its’ contents. What harm can it do, she reasons, since the women is dead? So, her conscience ignores rules of privacy in exchange for thoughts that it could help her better understand what happened to this woman. This in turn, may help Geoffrey, who was deeply affected by his stepmother’s disappearance.

So what really happened to this beautiful woman who by the world’s standards had everything of material value? What made her so unhappy and distraught that she would abandon her own life? She was last seen walking into the ocean fully dressed and believed to have drowned but her body was never recovered. Liz Eeles takes us on a fascinating journey to uncover the truth that will shake the foundations of the Brellasham family. But it will also set them free.

Although Violet has passed on long before the novel begins, the story still carries her presence. We learn a fair bit about her, her job at the manor and also how she was accused of stealing a very valuable diamond necklace but was later acquitted. The false accusation resulted from the fact she was seen leaving Audrey’s room. When in fact, she had been collecting the diary (unknown to others). Her reason was a good one and will make sense in the future. For this woman played an important role in Audrey’s life—at a time when women did not have much support— when they found themselves in difficult marital circumstances. Suffice it to say, the diary becomes an invaluable tool in the investigation of what happened to Audrey. And in uncloaking a major secret well concealed within its pages. A message that will rock Geoffrey and all those around him.

Thirty-one-year-old Clara has grown up on the Brellasham manor premises. She has returned to live in the cottage with her mother after the passing of her father. She has an enquiring mind and a determined spirit: the perfect person to uncover the mystery that has encircled this woman since 1957. Clara is captivated first by the commissioned painting of Audrey. Looking at her face, pose and the items that surround her, Clara notices various oddities on the canvas that gets her thinking about this woman once married to Geoffrey’s father. She discovers that two items Daphne DeMaurier’s novel Rebecca and Palmer’s Grand Dictionary of the English Language will serve as unique clues in unlocking the strange entries in Audrey’s diary. River, son of Geoffrey and her childhood friend, joins her on the exploration and together they make a great team. Along the way, romantic feelings re-germinate amidst the chaos.

The narrative is delivered by Clara, River and Geoffrey thus presenting a well-rounded picture of events and the characters’ thoughts. The old manor setting is gorgeous, too, even if it does need major repairs, as there still is a sense of grandness, elegance and awe-inspiring aura about the place. It is easy to see why Geoffrey wants to keep it in his family. But there are financial challenges we learn about, solutions presented and certain events happen that will expose some less than honourable intentions.

I won’t say anymore but there are many unique threads to this story that give it great depth and poetic beauty. I could not set it down for it drew me in from the first page with its historical mystery, intriguing characters, use of literature and tri-perspectives. I cannot rave enough about this beautiful story that has a most wonderful ending! And just look at the gorgeous cover! The best book yet of this inspiring series. Loved it immensely and highly recommend it with my whole heart. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea is the seventh in the Heaven’s Cove series by Liz Eeles but as with all the books in this series it is easily read as a standalone story. I’ve read each of the books as they are published and I have to say this is the one of the best yet. There was a real sense of mystery throughout the book. The ghosts of the past swirled around Brellasham Manor as the events of the past are determined to rear their heads. Once again the setting of Heaven’s Cove is perfect and idyllic with its charm and small coastal village feel surrounded by countryside and even more so that the manor is situated right next to the sea with it’s own private cove. The cover is stunning and evocative of the themes and plot and as soon as I read that very intriguing prologue I knew I was in for a very good read and the lovely writing style, character and plot development made this all the more enjoyable.

September 1957 and Audrey lives a life of privilege, luxury and wealth but she also has her secrets. With the lights shining from the manor behind her, she walks into the sea leaving her husband Edwin and stepson Geoffrey behind her. But as she does so she realises she had forgotten to destroy her diary which was privy to her innermost thoughts and secrets. But it’s too late now and the repercussions of this night will reverberate for many years to come right down to the present. I instantly wanted to know what brought Audrey to this point and could there have been any other way to freedom for her except for the path that she chose to take?

In the present day we are introduced to Clara whose mother Julie has been housekeeper for Geoffrey at the manor for many years. They live in a cottage in the grounds of the manor, Clara having moved back there when her father fell ill and subsequently died. The manor holds a lot of memories for Clara and she is there now for her mother as she remains emotionally fragile and in need of support. But times are changing at the manor and River, the son of Geoffrey, has been called back from Australia where he has been ever since his mother took him away. Clara knew River very well having grown up together sharing many happy times and experiences but there is a bitterness about her regarding the way that he left and severed all contact. How will she react now that he is back and with his cousin Bartie in tow?

Geoffrey, River’s father, was very much a closed book throughout the story. He was an aristocrat who led a rich and privileged life but he never seemed happy or able to express his feelings. He wasn’t stone cold by any means but there was a strong sense that the events of his past and losing Audrey in the way in which he did meant that he could never move on. These actions affected how he parented and the divide between himself and River is very evident. Geoffrey maintains a stiff upper lip and is never prone to strong emotion and having little in common with River does nothing to get the ball rolling to mend the rift between the two men. To say theirs is not a close father/son relationship would be an understatement and it is as if Geoffrey as remained in the past whilst the world has moved on around him. He is unemotional, unhappy and lonely and one wonders whether too much water has passed under the bridge for him to recover from the state he has found himself in?

Shocking news emerges with the arrival of River back to Heaven’s Cove, 16 years since he last graced the grounds. Geoffrey has plans to sell the manor as he no longer has the funds to maintain the building. Clara and Julie are bereft as not only will they lose their home but all the memories associated with it. River’s cousin Bartie is there to help with the sale of the house and right from the moment when he was introduced I didn’t like him one bit. There was just something about him. He seemed too exuberant considering the rest of the characters were going through a maelstrom of emotions and the weight of the past bore down on them. He was very much a man about town, eager to get the deal done and heedless to the feelings of those who had lived and worked at the manor for so long. He was very much a player and a manipulator and not one word that came from his mouth could be trusted or taken at face value. I just felt that he wasn’t to be believed at all for the fact that he toyed with people, Clara in particular. That he would say what anyone wanted to hear and didn’t care how much Clara loved the house and that it had been very much a part of her since she was born.

Clara was a force of nature and if there was any way to try and stop the sale of the house she would do it, offering suggestions in order to improve revenue. She never let things drop and this is very much evident when she finds a diary in the possessions of her late Gran, Violet, who was once housekeeper at the manor for Audrey and Edwin. Here is where the elements of the past began to make themselves known and I loved the effortless way in which Liz Eeles melded the past and present together. Finding the diary sets Clara on a quest to try and right a wrong but also she is determined to discover what happened to Audrey that fateful night and similar to a question I had after reading the prologue what drove Audrey to walk into the sea?

A series of numbers and a mysterious note set Clara’s mind racing and I felt from this point on she really came into her own. She did become fixated and obsessed with finding out what happened to Audrey but I didn’t find this to be domineering instead it gave her fire in her belly and it also allowed for the barriers to slowly come down between herself and River. After all they had previously had such a strong friendship that surely echoes of this were still buried deep and waiting to be reignited. They are now like virtual strangers but with a common cause uniting them maybe they can find their way back to each other and see where the road takes them?

I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns that developed as Clara and River dug deeper into the past. River shows his vulnerability and the inner turmoil that he is dealing and it mirrors Geoffrey’s psyche also. Settling past traumas, admitting one’s faults and seeking acceptance and resolution all feature strongly as the plot raced towards its conclusion. I became completely lost in everything that was going and I thought Liz excelled herself with her writing. There was a real sense of growth and maturity about it with no filler in ages or chapters or needless information. It all felt tight and compact but in the best of ways. Seven books into a series things could become a little jaded but this wasn’t the case at all and my love for this series was reignited. It’s definitely one to read this summer with the most perfect epilogue that will bring a smile to your face.

[Srivalli (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Publication Date: 08th July 2024

3.8 stars

One Liner: A sweet read

Clara lives with her mother in the cottage on the grounds of Brellasham Manor. It has been her home all her life, with her mother being the housekeeper for the family at the Manor (and so was her grandmother).

River, the owner’s son, returns after fifteen years, still unsure about his relationship with his father and the Manor. He remembers his closeness with Clara, even if she doesn’t seem to want to.

When Clara finds the diary of Audrey Brellasham, the missing, presumed dead wife and stepmother of the owner, she becomes obsessed with the past. Clara wants to know what actually happened. When the owner announces that the estate will be sold to the developers, Clara knows she is running out of time to find the truth.

The story comes in Clara, River, and Geoffrey’s third-person POVs.

My Thoughts:

This is a standalone book that shares the location with other books in the series. Heaven’s Cove is a picturesque village with a sea, cliffs, cute streets, and a small community.

The triple POV works well to add depth to the characters. Surprisingly, I liked River and Geoffrey’s POVs more than Clara’s. While I was a bit frustrated with Geoffrey, I could also empathize with his position.

The pacing is steady and keeps the story moving even when we are yet to find the answers to some questions.

The diary trope is creatively handled here. We don’t get pages and pages of stories. Instead, we get crisp content, which nudges the FMC to find out more. I like how the diary has a vital role but also doesn’t take up too much space.

Now, Clara is 31 years old. I can see her situation with her family. Her mother belongs to the previous generation and follows the ‘rules’ way too much. I like that Clara doesn’t simply put her head down but asserts herself when necessary. However, I don’t particularly like it when the FMC becomes stupid in the case of a man. At least, the realization comes soon enough (or I’d have been even more annoyed at her).

Comparatively, River’s arc and POV feel better. His internal conflict and vulnerability come out very well and make him appear more fleshed out than the FMC. Not something we often see in this genre, but I’ll take it!

There’s no third-act breakup since the couple doesn’t get together until towards the end. Read this as contemporary fiction (men’s and women’s) rather than romance. You will enjoy it more that way.

While there are a couple of triggering topics, they are handled with care. We get just enough details, though you may still want to be a tad careful (domestic violence).

The ending (yes, there is an epilogue) is sweet and heartwarming. It shows things are a work-in-progress just like the characters. I like that it is not too neat but answers all questions satisfactorily.

To summarize, The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea is a heartwarming standalone set in a beautiful location and deals with second chances, moving on from past traumas, and becoming a better version of ourselves.

The author’s note says she working on the next in the series. I’m excited to see what she’ll come up with.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley #TheDiaryAtTheLastHouseBeforeTheSea

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea is the seventh in the Heaven’s Cove series by Liz Eeles but as with all the books in this series it is easily read as a standalone story. Each is set in Heaven's Cove and we do see or hear from recurring characters, but each story is about different characters. This book is basically set in the present, but ghosts from the past frame the story. In September 1957, Audrey, the wife of Edwin Brellasham is unhappy with her life, and one night walks into the cove and is never seen again. Two generations later, Geoffry, Audrey's stepson is struggling to keep the manor afloat is planning on selling it. His son, River, who has lived in Australia since he was sixteen when his mother left his father, comes home to help his father with the decision and plans. Clara and her mother live in a small cottage on the estate, with her mother being the housekeeper and cook. Clara and River has been friends growing up, but when he left, she became angry with him and they lost touch. He and his cousin Bartie have returned to work out a deal for the sale. Bartie is sneaky, a user and gives me the creeps, but Geoffrey and Clara seem to be taken in by him. When Clara finds Audrey's diary, complete with coded messages, she is set on solving the mystery of her death. The more time she and River spend together, their feelings come back to the surface, but Bartie has designs on Clara as well.

I’ve read each of the books and I have to say this is the best one so far. I liked the mystery that was carried throughout the book and how Clara and River began to work together. Geoffrey is a troubled soul, afraid to let anyone see his true feelings, and tortured by the loss of his son. He puts his trust in Bartie, which is definitely misplaced. The ghosts of the past read their heads, and change the direction of this story, for the better in my opinion. Clara is a wonderful character. She returned home when her father became extremely ill and has quite entrenched herself in life at Brellasham Manor. She can be stubborn, but is also smart, intuitive and I love the way she speaks her mind. River is a character that I wanted to throw my arms around. He wanted a relationship with his father, but wasn't sure how to go about it. He was sad, has low self-esteem, and seemed lost. I wanted Clara and River to realize they were perfect for one another. As the mystery is solved and things come to life, I quickly turned pages to see how this one would end. Once again the setting of Heaven’s Cove is perfect and idyllic with its charm and small coastal village feel surrounded by countryside and even more so that the manor is situated right next to the sea with it’s own private cove. I love how the importance of the land and garden were stressed in this book. I was pulled into this story right from the prologue and the plot and writing kept me interested. With interesting characters, a wonderful setting, emotional writing and great characters, this was a great addition to this series and I definitely recommend this enjoyable story.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea by Liz Eeles is a story about family and about redemption. Geoffrey had only been ten when he saw his stepmother walk out into the sea and disappear. He told his father but by the time people got there she was gone. It broke his heart. She had loved him. His father didn’t. He got sent off to school and he father married twice more. Geoffrey grew up to be as cold as his father had been. His wife and his son had left him many years earlier and gone to Australia. Now, he had run out of money and would have to sell the manor and the grounds, his beautiful gardens. Thankfully he had his nephew Barti to handle it all. He could trust Barti, until he couldn’t. Clara was still there. She had come home to help when her father had taken ill and needed her help. Her mother was Geoffrey’s housekeeper, just as her mother had been before her and her grandmother. The distressing news about selling had nearly drowned her, but she kept her head up and moved forward. She was cleaning the attic in her house and had things of her mother’s, things Clara wanted to look at before they were disposed of. In those things Clara made a startling discovery.

Clara, Barti, and Geoffrey’s son River, had been friends as children. Well, River and Clara had been. Barti wasn’t always there but as they all got older Clara developed a crush on Barti. He was a little older than the others and very handsome. He paid her no mind. Now River was back from Australia to see his father. Was there hope for them or were they just friends? She though Barti might be interested in her. Then she figured it out as she figured out lots of other things. It was a well developed mystery, rooted in the past. The characters were good, if not too deep. The story was a happily-ever-after and enjoyable as such. Thanks, Liz Eels for another good story!

I was invited to read The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #LizEeles #TheDiaryAtTheLastHouseBeforeTheSea

[Lghiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The chapters in this book alternate narrators from Clara who returned to Heaven’s Cove to help her mother when her father became sick; to Geoffrey, the Lord of the Manor; to River, Geoffrey’s estranged son. Clara’s mother, Julie Netherway, housekeeper and cook for the manor, still lives in the little house on the manor property where Clara was raised. She is dedicated to caring for Geoffrey and the manor as were all Netherway women who came before her.

Geoffrey was a gruff father, but actually loves his son. His wife left her husband with River when he was a teenager to live in a commune in Australia. It was hard to have a relationship with his father, and he cut ties completely with Clara who had been his friend from childhood.

River is called back to Heaven’s Cove as an adult because his father is in financial straits and Cousin Bartie is convincing him that he needs to sell the manor, the only home Geoffrey has ever known and his family heritage.

This novel has gentle romantic tones, but dives deeply into the characters and their motivations. Most interesting to me is the mystery of why Geoffrey’s beautiful and adored stepmother Audrey had committed suicide when he was just a child. Sadly, he actually saw her walk into the ocean to her death. He has always wondered why he was not good enough.

Clara discovers Audrey’s diary which seems to have coded messages in it. She is fascinated by this woman and the sad tale of her death which so many years later has affected Geoffrey and River in turn.

I highly recommend The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea for its intricate plot and interesting characters. I have read several books in this series and have enjoyed all of them. The author is a very good storyteller.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Caroline|Page~Turners · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clara’s family have lived at the beautiful Brellasham Manor for their entire life. The beautiful and cozy cottage has been the only home they have known. Audrey Brellasham lived at the manor over fifty years ago, making it a home and safe place for her to raise her family. One night she walked into the sea and was never heard from again. So when Clara finds Audrey’s old tattered diary hidden away she reads through it and uncovers a flurry of secrets. River, an old friend of Clara’s, has recently moved back to the area after being gone for sixteen years. He helps Clara rummage through the attic that has been locked since Audrey went missing. When River’s father announces that he is selling the cottage and the manor to developers, Clara is heartbroken and must do everything she possibly can to save her family home.

The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea written by author Liz Eeles is a wonderfully written story full of suspense, family history and romance. This captivating story had me reading well into the night. I was flying through the pages of this unputdownable story. The author once again does an amazing job of transporting the reader from where you are to the beautiful Heaven’s Cove. I felt the coastal breeze on my face and the sand between my toes. This wonderful story played like a movie in my mind’s eye. I loved everything about this book, from the mystery to the romance to the picturesque setting. This is a phenomenal installment to the Heaven’s Cove Series. It can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend reading the entire series.

[Author Insights · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Book Review: The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea by Liz Eeles✨

The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea is an atmospheric, emotional, and beautifully written story that sweeps you straight to the rugged coastline of Heaven’s Cove. Liz Eeles blends mystery, family secrets, and heartfelt character journeys into a page-turner that feels both comforting and deeply immersive.

The novel follows a woman who stumbles upon an old diary in a lonely cliffside house—the last home before the sea crashes below. What begins as curiosity turns into an unraveling of long-buried truths, forgotten histories, and emotional wounds that echo across generations. Eeles captures the wild beauty of the setting so vividly that you can almost hear the waves pounding the rocks and feel the pull of the windswept cliffs.

The blend of present-day discovery and past secrets creates a gripping narrative, while the characters shine with warmth, resilience, and vulnerability. It’s a story about healing, home, and the courage to face the truths we’ve been avoiding.

If you love coastal mysteries, emotional women’s fiction, and stories rich with heritage and heart, this book is an absolute gem.

✨Captivating, heartfelt, and addictive—highly recommended.✨

#bookreview #thediaryatthelasthousebeforethesea #lizeeles #heavenscove #womensfiction coastalmystery bookrecommendation bookstagram readersofinstagram emotionalreads

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book #7 of the Heaven's Cove series. Whilst it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone book. I love this series and couldn't wait to return to Heaven's Cove. In this book we meet Clara. Clara's family have lived and worked at Brellasham Manor for as long as she can remember and her mum is the current housekeeper there. However, when Geoffrey Brellasham, the current owner, announces the Manor house will need to be sold, Clara worries for her family's future. Whilst she tries to find a way to save the house she becomes caught up in a mystery which has surrounded the Brellasham family for many years. Can she use a diary found in her grandmother's belongings to help solve that mystery?

This was a wonderful read!! I've read all the books in this series, and it's always a true delight to the return to the little seaside village of Heaven's Cove. We get to meet a handful of the villagers who we've met in previous books, but the main focus of the story is on Clara and River, the owner of Brellasham Manor's son. Clara is a lovely character and is very easy to relate to. I liked her inquisitiveness in trying to find out what happened to Audrey Brellasham, the lady of the Manor who died many years before. The village, as in previous books, is full of mysteries and secrets and the Manor hasn't escaped being part of all that. I loved the inclusion of the diary, and Clara and River trying to work out how everything links together.

Of course, nothing ever runs smoothly, and the story twists and turns as it moves on. The mystery of everything was well hidden until the author wanted you to know, and I was held in suspense waiting to find out what really happened to Audrey Brellasham. The location of not just the Manor, but Heaven's Cove in general was absolutely beautiful and even on it's wettest and windiest days I'd still love to live there! The storyline was captivating and I was completely hooked into their stories very early in the book. The author is such a wonderful writer and I love reading any of her books! There is a strong theme of family and friends running through this story and I fell in love with it as soon as I started it. Would definitely recommend.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series, the books never disappoint. I have enjoyed each and everyone of them. Heaven's Cove sounds like a beautiful place to live, I can see why so many people find themselves moving there or returning home. The downside is that everyone knows all your secrets. You can't get away with anything living there. (Looking at you Belinda.) This book was a bit different than the other ones in the series. There wasn't much interaction with characters from the previous books. Belinda didn't get to be her usual nosy self. The story mainly focused on Brellasham Manor. Audrey Brellasham's story is dark and sad. It's understandable why she wanted to leave. If Clara would not have found the diary, the truth about Audrey would still be a mystery. Every time Bartie's lips were moving he was lying. He oozed slimeball from the moment he returned back to Brellasham Manor with River. He told everyone whatever they wanted to hear. Bartie's good looks and smooth manner let him get away with a lot. Even Clara was charmed by him. There were so many secrets surrounding the manor. It didn't seem like anyone was ever truly happy while living there.

Definitely recommend the book and the previous ones in the series. Loved the characters, story and writing style. I enjoyed the alternating POV throughout the book. Wouldn't mind reading more about Heaven's Cove or revisiting characters from previous books. Hopefully there's a few more in the series. Look forward to reading more books by the author. Loved the cover.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Novels Alive · Rating 5 out of 5]

For over half a century, the residents of Heaven’s Cove have wondered about the drowning death of Audrey Brellasham, the lady of the manor. Even Clara, the daughter of the manor’s housekeeper, feels drawn to the sadness in Audrey’s portrait.

With The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea, author Liz Eeles delivers the seventh installment in the Heaven’s Cove series. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone.

The draw of a small community is evident as the residents prepare for the annual charity event that marks the only day residents can tour the manor. With the arrival of River, the heir, after being away for over 16 years, change is on the horizon.

However, when Clara finds a diary among her deceased grandmother’s possessions, she expects the contents to focus on a housekeeper’s perspective. It’s not until she opens it that she realizes it is Audrey’s diary and is packed with family secrets.

As old hurts are revealed, a budding relationship starts between River and Clara. Will the family secrets impact the community?

The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea showcases a heartwarming community and sheds light on a family tragedy. ~ Amy for Novels Alive

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the latest book of the Heaven’s Cove series, readers return to Brellasham Manor where Clara has lived her entire life. When her childhood friend and the owner’s son River returns after sixteen years in Australia, Clara is wary of him and knows life cannot return to normal -- they shared a first kiss just before River moved to Australia. Another secret, the disappearance of Audrey Brellasham fifty years ago, haunts the manor until Clara discovers Audrey’s hidden diary full of coded messages at the same time that River’s father (Audrey’s stepson) decides to sell the manor and the cottage where Clara and her mother live. With no one to turn to for help with Audrey’s diary and the impending loss of her mother’s home, Clara must try to solve both problems on her own. With a beautiful location and incredible characters, readers will enjoy returning to Brellasham Manor and the vibrant world that Eeles has created for the Heaven’s Cove series. Clara, River, and Audrey, as well as the other minor characters, are complex and fully developed, and the evolution of Clara and River’s relationship over the course of the novel is particularly interesting to follow as they grow and change as the story unfolds.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy.

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written story involving two families. The housekeeper and her family before her have lived in the cottage on the grounds of the ‘big’ house and though Clarissa does not like the subservient attitude of her mother towards the owners of Brellasham Manor, she does know her mother is not going to change, but Clara resents it all the same.

When Geoffrey announces at a general meeting of all staff that the Manor will be sold, Clara is furious that the loyalty of generations does not count for Geoffrey, who could have told his housekeeper privately to cushion the shock. Geoffrey’s son River has also returned after a long time, along with Bartie the over smart cousin who is in the forefront of pushing the sale.

River and Clara had a romantic history as teenagers but it seems a memory now as all of them try to deal with the sale of their home, and for River a move back to Australia which has been his actual home. Unraveling the duplicity of Bartie, looking at ways of keeping the property in the family and rekindling the relationship between Clara and River form the rest of the story.

Beautiful setting, descriptively portrayed adds to the interest.

[Karyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mystery romance full of family secrets make this book a lovely weekend read. Set against the backdrop of Brellashan Manor situated in Heavens Cove, a lovely little village with sea side cliffs and a small community that thrive on tourism.
The current family resident of Brellashan Manor, Geoffrey, is being forced to sell due to ongoing costs for upkeep of the house and grounds . The housekeeper Julie and her daughter Clara who reside in the cottage on the Manors grounds are distraught they may have to move. Clara’s grandmother Violet had been the previous housekeeper so there are a lot of memories in the cottage.
Geoffrey’s son River returns home from Australia to assist his father in selling the property. River and Clara have a childhood history but can they reignite this friendship.
Clara finds Audrey’s diary that her grandmother Violet had kept and becomes obsessed with the Brellashan family story of Geoffrey’s step mother Audrey who disappeared after wading into the ocean.
Loved the mystery and Clara’s investigation of Audrey’s disappearance.
There is a little bit of romance and a lot of family secrets that will keep you enthralled in this story.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea is my favorite book in this delightful series by Liz Eeles. The beginning has a slow start but once the diary is found, this becomes an emotional faster paced story. I had no idea where this would go or how the prologue would be such a pivot point for all the characters in this book.

Thirty-one-year-old Clara is a force to be reckoned with, which is wonderful for the Brellasham family. Because of her and her family’s long-term connection to the wealthy family and her childhood friendship with River Brellasham a whole community will benefit. I probably have written too much but do not let the slow start hold you back. Keep reading, you will find the place that you will not be able to stop reading until you know the whole story and what the future holds for all.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heaven’s Cove series by Liz Eeles was a wonderful series that I inhaled this week. It was another great find on Kindle Unlimited. The stories all take place in a wonderful place called Heaven’s Cove. A small vacation town where people take care of each other. A small town where there are mysteries to be solved and new people to be met. Each novel can be read independently. Also each story contains a parallel story from the past that directly deals with the modern story. The novels are awesome.

The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea came out this year. It focuses on the Manor in Heaven’s Gate. A huge house that housed the local lord and his family. Clara’s family has been the housekeepers for the family for years. Now with the son and cousin returning to Brellasham Manor to help sell the property Clara and River reconnect kind of.

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 5 out of 5]

I obsoletely loved reading The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea!
I was kept engaged throughout the story.
So much going on!
So many secrets!
The author weaves an intricate tale that was intriguing to follow.
This can be read as a standalone with no problem. Though I do encourage you to read the rest of the books in the series. They are all excellent reads.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am writing this with tears in my eyes. The whole book is wonderful and the engaging but the very end made my heart swell. Anyways, I loved this book! Clara is at loose ends, living with her mum and doing odd jobs online. The boy she was best friends with and his smarmy cousin shows up after years of no contact, leading to all sorts of feelings. The mystery of what happened to Audrey was so beautifully done, it drew me in and wouldn't let go. All in all, this book is vibrant and filled with colorful characters and a depth of emotion that tugged at my heart. Truly wonderful.

[Paula Pugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating and enjoyable story of a family filled with repressed emotions and of the woman who shakes them out of it. As she pursues the reason of a suicide of a woman of the manor years prior, her inquisitiveness and determination moves the foundations of long held and accepted beliefs.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 7 in a series, but the first one I have read. However, for me, it worked perfectly well as a standalone book although I am now planning to go and read the previous 6.

This book had me absolutely captivated from the outset. I just had to keep reading to find out why Audrey walked into the sea one night. It made me laugh, cry and feel every emotion in between.

[histeriker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was a nice story to read and it was quite enjoyable read. I liked that the story wasn’t as predictable as I expected, even though it was a cozy read. The atmosphere and the place were enjoyable and I could imagine it well. The characters were multidimensional and I could follow their story.
It was not the best boo I have ever read, but I enjoyed it.

[Laila Nelke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story unfolding family secrets

I can’t believe it was the seventh book of this amazing series I have been hooked on from the beginning. I absolutely loved it and each one of course. Unearthing secrets and mysteries is just my favourite thing about books and this series is exactly that.

[Sally Coles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely book in this series. Clara is a great main character and I am always a sucker for hidden secrets in old manor houses so a perfect beach read for me. The story can easily be read as a standalone but definitely recommend reading the whole series

[Kaitlyn Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first heavens cove book and i absolutely want to go read the rest ! I loved the style of writing. I loved the mystery and just the story in general was wonderful!

[Sanderella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I've read the whole series so far and have not been disappointed. Waiting for the next one.

[Suzanne Cairns · Rating 5 out of 5]

love happy endings

Anyone who kicks a child in a dark cellar is no good , thankfully that child has a happy ending

[E. H. Hobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

extremely well done

This book grabbed my attention with the first page. I thoroughly enjoyed it and plan to read another of the Heaven's Cove books in the near future.

[Lorene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story

This book was a beautiful story about family, secrets and ultimately love. I usually read spicy vampire stories, but I needed a break and this one called to me. It’s definitely worth reading.

[Morgan Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written book. The fictional story is great and is told in a very nice and skillful way. Really a stand alone book bcs there was not much of Heavens Cove in it.