The Wife at the Last House Before the Sea

Heaven's Cove #8

by Liz Eeles

A single tear falls as the elderly lady folds the delicate silk wedding dress and packs it away for the very last time. Memories haunt her of the day she became a wife. She shakes them off – it’s no use holding on to old secrets. But when a newcomer to the village starts asking questions, will she have to finally tell the truth?

Emma breathes a sigh of nervous excitement as she hangs up the beautiful ivory dress. Heartbroken and with her divorce freshly signed, the anonymous donation of a stunning wedding gown is just what Emma needs for her new selling unique clothing from her own vintage shop, tucked away amidst the winding streets of Heaven’s Cove.

Not everyone in the village is welcoming. Handsome Leo runs the bespoke suit shop next door – and his uptight father Robert doesn’t approve of the vintage store’s quirky style. But Emma’s fears that she was wrong to uproot her old life fade the more time she spends with Leo. Because a warm heart lies behind his brooding exterior…

Their new connection is called into question when Robert sees the silk wedding dress. The usually emotionless older man is shocked at the sight of the but refuses to say what’s wrong. Together, Emma and Leo promise to solve the mystery of who the dress belonged to – and why Robert is so shaken. Their questions around Heaven’s Cove lead them to an empty manor house, a wedding that happened years ago, and a family who haven’t been seen around the village since…

But the closer they get to answers, the more pain they could cause Robert. And when a shocking revelation about Leo’s family comes to light, Emma must question everything. Is it time to run from Heaven’s Cove as quickly as she arrived? Or if she finally finds the truth about the wife who wore the wedding dress, could it heal her – and Leo’s – heart for good?

A totally stunning and addictive read about new love, old secrets and a charming village by the sea. Fans of Debbie Macomber, Faith Hogan and Barbara O’Neal will be completely swept away.

Read what everyone’s saying about The Wife at the Last House Before the Sea:

‘A must-read!… I literally could not put it down until I finished… I read it in one day!’ Cindly L Spear, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘LOVED it!… Uplifting… Heart-warming… Perfect.’ Coffeeandpages2021, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I was completely sucked into the story… Perfect… I couldn’t put down my Kindle… Wonderful… I didn’t want to leave when I reached the last page.’ Emthebookworm, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wonderful… A real tear-jerker… Left me sobbing.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Unputdownable.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Perfection.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Amazing… Beautiful.

395 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2025

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

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

3.7 Stars

One Liner: A bit repetitive but nice

Heartbroken and sad after her divorce, forty-six-year-old Emma moves to Heaven’s Cove to make her dream of opening a pre-loved dress store come true. Someone leaves a bag full of lovely clothes outside her new shop, and Emma finds the most stunning wedding gown inside it.

Leo and his father, Robert, own the shop next door, a bespoke suit store. Their grumpiness doesn’t make Emma a fan, nor do they seem to like her. However, Robert is shocked to see the wedding gown but doesn’t want to talk about it. Soon, Emma and Leo try to find the truth. However, learning the truth comes at a price.

The story comes in the third-person POVs of Emma, Leo, and Robert.

My Thoughts:

Though this is the eighth book in the series, it works as a standalone. You will meet some characters from the previous one, mostly Rosie, who owns the Driftwood House, and Maise, the teenage brat.

The book is women’s fiction rather than romance since the focus is on finding the woman who owns the dress and the growth of the FMC’s arc. Initially, there is quite a bit of repetition about the wedding dress, the past, the secret, etc.

As well as repetition in the FMC thinking about her dreams and her ex-husband’s attitude toward them. This is understandable to a point since her divorce is still fresh, and she has pretty much lost the confidence to stand up for herself.

Getting Leo and Robert’s POVs balances the story even if the latter is hard to like. He sounds annoying and snobbish but manages to make an impact. I like that there are no drastic changes in him by the end. Some development feels believable. Though Leo is grumpy when introduced, he shows his true side quickly. He also has a sad past, the poor guy.

The characters seem to act their ages, so despite a bit of tension towards the end, they are mostly decent in handling what life throws at them, albeit after a short tantrum.

To summarize, The Wife at the Last House Before the Sea is a heartwarming story about choices, self-worth, second chances, and family. It is always great to revisit the beautiful Heaven’s Cove and its cliffs (never mind the erratic weather).

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

#NetGalley #TheWifeAtTheLastHouseBeforeTheSea

[Roz Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 8th book in the series. I haven't read the previous books yet, but this was a lovely standalone story.

The story follows Emma, who has moved from London to the Devonshire village of Heaven's Cove. Emma has dreamed of opening a vintage clothes shop and when her husband leaves her for a younger model, she embraces the chance to start afresh. However, she soon realises that not everyone in the village is ready to welcome a newcomer. She finds herself in trouble with her neighbours who run a prestigious gentleman's outfitters. Can she find the sense of peace and happiness that she is searching for?

I loved the story and it pulled me in right away. The book is nicely written and I liked that we got to see different characters pov. The author brought the characters to life. Emma was so likeable and I admired her bravery of starting over in a new place, alone. I really wanted the best for her.

I also liked the village setting and meeting the various characters and finding out hidden secrets along the way! It was a sweet uplifting story and I am definitely going to check out the rest of the series.

Huge thanks to the author, Netgalley and Bookouture for sharing the book with me.

[Cindy Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any book written by Liz Eeles is a must-read for me! So I was thrilled when The eighth instalment of the Heaven’s Cove series appeared. I can say without reservation, I thoroughly enjoyed this magnificent addition. The Wife at the Last House Before the Sea is an enthralling mystery romance that captured me from the intriguing prologue to the last page. Once I started, I literally could not put it down until finished. (I read it in one day and was happy with the outcome but struggling to keep my eyes open!)

I have been trying to put my finger on what is different about this novel from the others. And I think it is the tone with its grittier edge and heightened level of maturity in topic. Mostly due to character Robert who has some serious issues and secrets he has been carrying around a good portion of his adult life. The plot has a number of emotional layers with lots of dramatic twists and turns. There is a great supporting cast of realistic characters that make this story work on so many levels.

Robert’s son, Leo, is a bit grumpy at the start when a mishap happens that disrupts his and his father’s livelihood. But it was easy to warm up to and actually be charmed by him after various encounters with Emma and others. Of course the question in any reader’s mind is: will he become more than a friend to Emma, once they get past their stumbling blocks?

This story contains emotional journeys for a number of its characters. But at the core is a wife, a donated dazzling silk wedding dress and a lost ring that brings the past into question and under scrutiny.

The story is told from three points of view: Emma, Leo and Robert and it was easy to follow as their names headed the chapters. The Prologue, though, is see through Beatrice’s eyes. She has decided to donate her wedding dress to charity: a symbol that it is ‘time to let go of the past…But the past was not so easily left behind…’ Memories come flooding back but she knows she must move forward as everything is changing. So she stuffs this dress and many other pieces into a bag as ‘they belonged to another life.’ This is basically what is happening to a few of the characters. Change is on the horizon and they must deal with the sudden shifts in their lives.

Emma has just come through a difficult divorce. Her ex-husband left her for a younger woman. To her credit, she leaves London and heads to Heaven’s Cove to start a new life and business. In fact, to follow her dream. Fashion is her passion—particularly vintage clothes so she sets up a shop. It is here where she encounters the mysterious dress that has been donated by an anonymous person.

Although Emma is excited with her new adventure, she learns quickly it is harder to fit in with the villagers than expected. Some are less welcoming than others. But she does not give up and is rewarded in due time. One thing that brings them together (particularly Leo and Emma) is the case of the silk wedding dress. They each wonder why its appearance has caused Leo’s father such an unusual reaction. He denies knowing anything, of course, but they don’t believe him and venture out to find clues and solve a mystery that will shock and surprise them. Their journey together is very interesting and how the pieces of the puzzle fall together is quite clever. During this time, Leo and Emma draw closer while they try to unravel the past which includes Robert’s former work and romantic life. Leo discovers some family secrets that will stun him but their unveiling will bring about much change in his father’s life.

The Wife at the Last House Before the Sea is beautifully written. Liz was already a powerful story teller, but I think her skills have hopped up another notch with this one. She delves deeper into the psyche and motives of a character (particularly Robert’s). There are lots of grey areas she explores. And there are more intricate details that drew me deeper into the mind of a man who wanted to rise above his birth station, to be more than his past but that path was not necessarily an honest one. What makes people do things they shouldn’t do? There are many answers to this question and we see great examples in this story. Perceptions shaped by culture and social classes can wreak havoc. Which can damage self-worth. This is explored not only with Robert but also with Emma, who must learn that she is worthy of true love and of pursuing and fulfilling her dreams. Robert learns that growth can only come in facing the past so that a person can succeed in the future. This novel gave me lots to think about and I whole heartedly recommend it! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book #8 in the Heaven's Cove series. Whilst it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone book. I've read each book of the series is just as delightful as the previous one! In this book we meet with Emma who has recently moved to Heaven's Cove following her marriage breakdown. She remembers the lovely little seaside village from her childhood and what better place to seek a fresh start. I loved Emma's character and applauded her bravery at starting somewhere on her own, so far away from everything she knew. The pre-loved vintage clothes shop that Emma opened up sounded wonderful and I could definitely see myself browsing the rails! We also get to meet Leo and his father, Robert. They run the Gentleman's Outfitters shop next door to Emma's and it's clear from the beginning that they don't get on with her!

As with the other books in the series, the storyline grabs you straight away, and before you know it you are caught up in the lives of the different characters. Emma is unsure whether she has done the right thing by moving away and misses her daughter; Leo wants his father's affection and approval, something he has missed throughout his life, and Robert is hiding away a secret from his past. I loved all their individual storylines, but they all also intertwined with each other and came together so well. There was plenty of mystery thanks to a pile of donated clothes and a wedding ring, and there was also a strong theme of family, friendship and community spirit running through the book.

This was such a lovely read! I really enjoyed being back in Heaven's Cove and I loved the relationship that sparked up between Emma and Leo. This book is perfect for reading through those colder evenings and will warm your heart as you do! Would definitely recommend!

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

Emma is heartbroken now that her divorce is final. She is ready for her new adventure to begin, selling vintage clothing from her own shop. She owns her own shop nestled in the beautiful winding streets of Heaven’s Cove.

When Emma meets local, Leo who runs the suit shop next door to her vintage clothes shop, he is a bit unfriendly. Leo’s father Robert, doesn’t like Emma’s shop and that leaves Emma questioning her decision to move to Heaven’s Cove. She feels discouraged and disconnected from the people of her new town.

The Wife at the Last House Before the Sea, authored by Liz Eeles, is a wonderful story of hope, second chances and new love. This is an amazing book that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on. I loved Emma’s story and I felt bad for her when she first arrived in Heaven’s Cove. She found it hard to fit in but she didn’t give up.

I was completely enthralled with this story from the very first page to the last. This is a wonderful addition to this phenomenal series. It can be read as a standalone but my suggestion is read the whole series it is wonderful. I highly recommend this book.

[Maxine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It pulled me in right away, and kept my interest. It’s well written and sweet. I thought each chapter being from the perspective of one of the three main characters was a creative way to tell the story. It flowed well and I was able to learn more about each character in a well organized way, that came together beautifully in the end. Even though this book is the eighth in the series, and I haven’t read any of the previous books, there was no confusion or questions. Very well done.

Thanks NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this book.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a very long time that I have read a book in a day but the eighth book in Liz Eeles’ Heaven’s Cove series, The Wife at the Last House Before the Sea, was the book that changed that. Right from the very beginning I was completely sucked into the story and feel that this is the best book in the series since the earlier books. I felt the plot was brilliantly developed and there wasn’t any filler in chapters or periods where nothing much occurred. The pacing was perfect and going back and forth between the three main characters Emma, Leo and Robert and having chapters from their viewpoint was excellent. It meant I didn’t form overly strong opinions on just one character which would have been wrong. Instead, I felt equally invested in all three and how their stories begin to interconnect, and I couldn’t put down my Kindle as I just wanted to keep reading to see how everything would unfold and hopefully resolve itself. A clever and expertly devised story awaits you between the covers of this wonderful book which I thoroughly enjoyed.

A brief prologue sees a woman packing up a special wedding dress that was exquisitely crafted. It’s time to let go of the past as the dress and other clothes belonged to another life when she’d felt like someone else. We are then introduced to Emma who has been in Heaven’s Cove for three weeks running her vintage shop. She had only ever visited the beautiful coastal village which has a strong community where everyone knows everyone else’s business just once before many years on a family holiday. But now she is embarking on a new stage in her life having left London following her divorce from Carl after she discovered that he had been having an affair. Her daughter Thea is grown up and working in London but Emma stresses over the fact that she won’t be near to her anymore. Emma is not normally spontaneous but the decision to move to Heaven’s Cove was made on a whim and she is filled with fear, apprehension, agitation and a sadness that she won’t make a success of the business and she will have to leave.

As she approaches her shop door, she notices a bag which has been left there. She welcomes donations and even more so when she sees the beautiful wedding dress inside it as the profits of its sale can go to a charity. As she empties the bag a ring falls out with the initials B and R. Did the generous donor of the dress mean to leave the wedding ring there or was it an accident? So sets in motion a chain of events that will see a story from the past come rushing into the present and as Emma journeys to discover the answers she will learn a lot about herself in the process. Emma’s husbands infidelity had smashed her self-esteem but it was brilliant to see her pushing her own emotional issues aside and focusing on the task at hand and in doing so I felt she matured an awful lot and became more willing to push things that needed to be said and done and for once she started putting herself first over the demands of her ex who had curtailed her in so many ways.

An unfortunate incident thanks to Maisie - the young girl that Emma hired to help out in the shop - leaving a plug in the sink with the tap left running means Emma is put in very close contact with Leo and his father Robert who run the gentlemen’s outfitters next door. Their electrics are ruined thanks to Maisie’s carelessness and Emma feels immense guilt and offers Leo a corner of her shop to use whilst repairs are carried out. Leo’s business is a very traditional one where Robert is determined things will remain the same despite the shop haemorrhaging money. Leo is dying to drag it into the 21st century but feels constrained by tradition and the unwillingness of his father to adapt to the changing times and the new needs of his customers. Leo has always been expected to live up to his father’s exacting standards and I could sense that theirs was an uneasy relationship where Robert always wanted the upper hand and they never worked on an even playing field. Leo himself was dealing with trauma and although he got off to a rough start with Emma which I think was influenced by his fathers opinions, I could see that there was a spark between the pair but were they both too emotionally damaged to do anything about it?

One wonders whether Emma starts using the search for the owner of the wedding ring as a displacement activity? To take her mind off the fact that running the shop was giving her its challenges and also that she was far away from family and friends who could give her the emotional and physical support that she craved. But as Leo begins to open up a different more softer side to him emerges and he wanted to know who owned the wedding ring just as much as she did. It’s then that I thought Emma began to come into her own. I became deeply invested in the pair solving the mystery and I could some things beginning to emerge that was giving hints as to what had occurred so many years ago but I wasn’t exactly right when the big reveal came. This was great as I love to be kept in suspense until the last moment possible and I appreciated the twists and turns here.

I thought it was brilliant that Robert was given chapters to share his point of view and to have him as a character so relevant and prominent within the overall storyline. He had a certain aura about him as being the man about town or village in this case. He was a significant businessman, who was on many committees and organisations and therefore an important man in the village. He did have a demeanour initially of being overbearing, pompous, abrasive and being full of his own self importance but the more that was revealed about his character and why he was acting in a certain way the more I felt he became more human and in a small way approachable.

Liz could easily have made him to be the complete and utter baddie of the story who everyone detested and wanted nothing to do with at all but the reader was exposed to a different side of him. That he had a past which thanks to the discovery of the wedding dress had out a strong forbearing on the present. Worlds he had tried to supress were beginning to collide and I adored how Leo and Emma set about solving the mystery and getting to the root cause of things. As did I as a reader. Robert began to expose his more vulnerable side and his brusque exterior didn’t seem to matter anymore but will there be a happy ending or has too much water flown under the bridge?

The Wife at the Last House Before the Sea was a fabulous read with a story and setting that I didn’t want to leave when I reached the last page. The plot was creative and well tackled throughout with a romance that gently simmers, a mystery to be solved and characters that you root for until the very end. I hope Liz has plans to continue writing more books set in Heaven’s Cove as she provided the readers with entertaining stories and long may she to continue to do so.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wife at the Last House Before the Sea by Liz Eeles is a slow-moving romance filled with low key intrigue in a seaside village in Devonshire. Emma has arrived after her divorce, somewhat broken, but determined to start a new life. She has begun by renting a shop and loading it with preloved vintage clothing. She had gotten mail that told her that her divorce was now final and coincidentally, at her shop had found a wedding ring at the bottom of a bag of vintage clothing that someone had dropped off. It was a turning point for her. She took the exquisite wedding dress that had been in the bag and hung it in the corner, waiting for a bride to come and purchase it. Shorty after, the man from the shop next door, Leo, he was called, entered and told her that his shop was flooded and it was coming from her direction and his electricity was out as it was wet. She found the problem and solved it, but the damage remained. Thus began a relationship that went from adversaries to friends to lovers, with a lot of interesting things along the way.

Eeeles always writes these cozy romances, often featuring people who are middle-aged or older, many who have run to Devon to start their lives anew. It works for her and for her readers. The hint of the sea is always a selling point as are the inhabitants of the village. Her characters are sympathetic and wanting more. It is a devastating combination. It’s amazing how much the past can influence the present and that is so obvious in this story as the past slowly unfolds, and hopefully its mistakes are rectified. Using the word cozy implies a happy ending, and so it is in this lovely novel. A very pleasant way to spend a day.

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

[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.)   Was it love at first sight for Leo and Emma while they argued over a tatty old bag left in front of the store?  Probably not, but what was found inside of the bag brought them together and created a mystery for them to solve.  For being on every committee possible and a pillar of the community, Robert was extremely unwelcoming to Emma.  Robert was definitely keeping secrets from everyone and knew who the dress and ring belonged to.  He was so hard to like with his smug attitude.  Maisie would not be my top pick as an employee, especially since her face was always in her phone.  Once Thea arrived in town to see her mom, I knew what the outcome would be.  Carl was not a good husband.  He tries to woo Emma back while still living with his current girlfriend.  My favorite part of the book was the mystery of the dress and the ring and how Robert fit in with it all.  I was surprised with what Leo ended up finding at his dad's house.     

Definitely recommend the book and the previous ones in the series. Loved the characters, story and writing style. 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.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Bookouture.

This is part of the Heaven Cove series. Following her divorce, Emma has relocated to a village in Devon, to open a pre-loved vintage clothing shop. Not everyone is friendly, and a local man has a strange reaction when he sees a wedding dress amongst the donations.

I liked Emma a lot, but there were some other characters, like Leo and Robert, that I found hard to warm to. I wondered whether my feelings about them would change as the story progressed, and if I might understand them a little better. I always enjoy novels in village locations because they feel cosy, and initially the story had a really relaxed cosy vibe. I wasn't too far into the story before I sensed a sort of mystery, possibly a long forgotten secret that someone might be hiding, and that motivated me to keep turning the pages.

This book swept me away, and it turned out to be a heartwarming read, with a few tearjerker moments as well.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

[Bookstagramshaz Sharon Logue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma breathes a sigh of nervous excitement as she hangs up the beautiful ivory dress. Heartbroken and with her divorce freshly signed, the anonymous donation of a stunning wedding gown is just what Emma needs for her new adventure: selling unique clothing from her own vintage shop, tucked away amidst the winding streets of Heaven’s Cove.

Not everyone in the village is welcoming. Handsome Leo runs the bespoke suit shop next door – and his uptight father Robert doesn’t approve of the vintage store’s quirky style. But Emma’s fears that she was wrong to uproot her old life fade the more time she spends with Leo. Because a warm heart lies behind his brooding exterior…

I just adored this book. I haven’t read the previous books in the series BUT it did not takeaways my enjoyment of the book at all. Definitely need to read more from this author !

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[Sarah Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wife at the Last House Before the Sea by Liz Eeles is a wonderful read! I enjoyed every second and found myself racing through to figure out the mystery. I had no idea this was part of a series, but I will definitely be reading the other books in the Heaven's Cove series.

Emma, a recent divorcee, has moved to Heaven's Cove to fulfill her lifelong dream of opening a well-loved vintage clothing shop, and the mysterious anonymous donation of stunning vintage wedding gown is the perfect start to her grand adventure. Next-door shop owner Leo seems to be impolite and brooding, yet his stoic father's reaction to the gown in the window of Emma's shop plunges Emma and Leo into the depths of the mystery of the gown, Robert's reaction, and the wedding of a well-to-do bride from the area whose family hasn't been seen around the village since.

I loved the characters in this story, all with their unique storylines that seemed to all converge at once. The mystery kept me hanging on and made it hard to put the book down because I was as invested in finding out the story of the dress just as much as Emma and Leo were. I did think the book had a slower start, but I think it was necessary to outline the individual characters in the story.

This is a cozy, clean read that is perfect for anyone who enjoys stories with a hint of mystery and a happy ending.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wife at the Last House Before the Sea (Heaven's Cove Book 8) is a outstanding story of new beginnings, old regrets, and the past wanting to step on the heels of the present. Told in three perspectives which are easy to follow this is a great addition to the story. One in which Liz Eeles gives the reader a wonderful character in brave Emma who moves from London to Heaven’s Cove to open a vintage clothing shop. Then there is resistance-to-change Robert and his grown son Leo.

The mystery wedding dress and Robert’s reaction start a puzzle to be solved by Leo and Emma. Lives are changed, relationships formed and love blossoms in the lovely story. Old fans will love The Wife at the Last House Before the Sea and new fans will want to check out the previous books.

[Allegra Findeis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not my usual genre, but I was intrigued by the cover and the description and I have to say that I was not disappointed. I will definitely be going back and reading all the other books in the series as this was a great book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free arc in exchange for my honest feedback

[Sanderella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Love this series!! 🤗🌹

[Nina Denise Brenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this series of books. Bittersweet as life can be. The seascape descriptions and characters brought Heaven's Cove to life and I could imagine myself there.

[margaret vormwald · Rating 5 out of 5]

love!

I have loved every one of the heaven's cove books. Please write more in heaven's cove! Love the characters and want to know more about them.