Cockleberry Bay 1 & 2

by Nicola May

Rosa Larkin is down on her luck in London, so when she inherits a near-derelict corner shop in a quaint Devon village, her first thought is to sell it for cash and sort out her life. But nothing is straightforward about this legacy. While the identity of her benefactor remains a mystery, he - or she - has left one important legal proviso: that the shop cannot be sold, only passed on to somebody who really deserves it.

Rosa makes up her mind to give it a go: to put everything she has into getting the shop up and running again in the small seaside community of Cockleberry Bay. But can she do it all on her own? And if not, who will help her succeed - and who among the following will work secretly to see her fail?

There is a handsome rugby player, a sexy plumber, a charlatan reporter and a selection of meddling locals. Add in a hit and run incident and the disappearance of a valuable engraved necklace – and what you get is a journey of self-discovery and unpredictable events.

With surprising and heartfelt results, Rosa, accompanied at all times by her little sausage dog Hot, will slowly unravel the shadowy secrets of the inheritance, and also bring her own, long-hidden heritage into the light.

514 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 20, 2019

About the author

Hello, I'm Nicola May, author of 18 romantic comedy novels.

I look forward to sharing all my heartfelt and fun books with you.

For further information on me, my books and to read reviews please do go to www.nicolamay.com.

Happy Reading!

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books made my heart happy.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had already read the 1st book in the series and reviewed separately. In short, Rosa is left the corner shop in Cockleberry Bay by an unknown benefactor. This came at exactly the right time as her life was in a downward spiral, in foster care as a child, she had never known a real family, she rented a room with a friend in London and went from job to job. When she received the news of the shop, she and her dog Hot (a sausage dog) got on the train and moved to Cockleberry Bay, however there was a proviso in her inheritance, she couldn't sell thre shop, only pass it onto someone more deserving. The 1st book deals with how she makes the shop a success, and her life slowly comes together, she even meets her Mum and finds out about the previous owner of the shop who left it to her.

The 2nd book takes up where the 1st closes; after getting married, she stays at the shop which is a huge success as a pet shop, she has made many friends in the town and is slowly making a relationship with her Mum. However, with her husband working away during the week, she is lonely, and having a bit too much to drink she makes a mistake which could cost her her marriage. She has some lessons to learn about herself, but can she do that in time to save herself and her marriage?

I read the 2nd book in 1 sitting, I couldn't put it down and am eagerly waiting to read the 3rd and last book in the series. A great series, set in Devon by the sea.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I just need a book that I can pick up at 3am when I can't sleep and read. This series is that! It is nostalgic for me since I am from the UK and reside now in USA and the banter was spot on! It was a cosy read that one didn't have to put too much brain power into (perfect for on a plane, beach, or bathtub!). I am now reading the last one of the series and the characters just never get old. They feel like friends that you'd love to have due to that they are quirky, funny and always have each other's backs. It is like being on vacation from the hum drum of life and problems! Nicola May writes in a way that you can just keep turning the pages. There is always some kind of twist and as not in life, there is always a happy ending and we all need those to hold onto!

[Vikki Coward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im not really a reader but during Covid decided to buy a book. Highly recommend this book of 2. Was so excited to hear that there was a third. I couldn't put it down. Will definitely be purchasing more books by Nicola May.

[Ann S · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book starts out great then the sexual innuendoes get bigger and bigger. Could have been a cute book. But when a main character thinks about sex more than her life, something is wrong. Come on author, give your main characters more brains and depth and less hormones.

[Leetje · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovedddd it!

[Myrtle Hudson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am old fashioned and didn’t like the language used. I don’t like the use of the f word nor other offensive words. Will not follow this author again.