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Jewel Island #3
Ice Creams at Emerald Cove
Escape to the Cornish coast this spring with a trip to the beautiful Emerald Cove, where the sea sparkles in the sunshine, the sand glitters like gold, and true love is in the air. From the bestselling author of Sunrise over Sapphire Bay comes this gorgeously romantic and uplifting tale.
Skye Philips and Jesse Hamilton have a complicated relationship. They’ve been neighbours, best friends and even briefly married. But ever since Skye returned to the beautiful shores of Jewel Island to help her sisters Aria and Clover run their family hotel, she doesn’t know where she stands with Jesse.
When they’re together the chemistry between them sizzles, but with Jesse living in Canada and Skye on the Cornish island she calls home, they’ve kept things casual. Till now…
Jesse is coming to Jewel Island for the annual Pudding Parade and Skye knows this is her chance to tell him how she really feels. But putting her heart on the line isn’t easy when it’s been broken in the past. Will Jesse return her love? Or will she lose him for good?
Everything she's ever wanted can be hers if she's willing to take the chance, but is Skye brave enough to risk her heart once again?'
Set sail to the Cornish coast where sunshine, laughter and romance awaits. This stunning love story is guaranteed to steal your heart this summer; it’s the perfect read for fans of Sarah Morgan, Veronica Henry and Jill Mansell.
Skye Philips and Jesse Hamilton have a complicated relationship. They’ve been neighbours, best friends and even briefly married. But ever since Skye returned to the beautiful shores of Jewel Island to help her sisters Aria and Clover run their family hotel, she doesn’t know where she stands with Jesse.
When they’re together the chemistry between them sizzles, but with Jesse living in Canada and Skye on the Cornish island she calls home, they’ve kept things casual. Till now…
Jesse is coming to Jewel Island for the annual Pudding Parade and Skye knows this is her chance to tell him how she really feels. But putting her heart on the line isn’t easy when it’s been broken in the past. Will Jesse return her love? Or will she lose him for good?
Everything she's ever wanted can be hers if she's willing to take the chance, but is Skye brave enough to risk her heart once again?'
Set sail to the Cornish coast where sunshine, laughter and romance awaits. This stunning love story is guaranteed to steal your heart this summer; it’s the perfect read for fans of Sarah Morgan, Veronica Henry and Jill Mansell.
316 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 2021
481 people are currently reading
866 people want to read
About the author
Holly Martin
57 books1,538 followersHolly lives in a little white cottage by the sea. She studied media at university which led to a very glitzy career as a hotel receptionist followed by a even more glamorous two years working in a bank. The moment that one of her colleagues received the much coveted carriage clock for fifteen years’ service was the moment when she knew she had to escape. She quit her job and returned to university to train to be a teacher. Three years later, she emerged wide eyed and terrified that she now had responsibility for the development of thirty young minds. She taught for four years and then escaped the classroom to teach history workshops, dressing up as a Viking one day and an Egyptian High Priestess the next. But the long journeys around the UK and many hours sat on the M25 gave her a lot of time to plan out her stories and she now writes full time, doing what she loves.
Holly has been writing for 8 years. She was shortlisted for the New Talent Award at the Festival of Romance. Her short story won the Sunlounger competition and was published in the Sunlounger anthology. She won the Carina Valentine’s competition at the Festival of Romance with her novel The Guestbook. She was shortlisted for Best Romantic Read, Best eBook and Innovation in Romantic Fiction at the Festival of Romance. She is the bestselling author of 26 books selling over a million books worldwide. Holly's books have been translated into French, German, Italian, Dutch, Bulgarian, Estonian, Turkish and Russian.
Follow her on Twitter @HollyMAuthor
Holly has been writing for 8 years. She was shortlisted for the New Talent Award at the Festival of Romance. Her short story won the Sunlounger competition and was published in the Sunlounger anthology. She won the Carina Valentine’s competition at the Festival of Romance with her novel The Guestbook. She was shortlisted for Best Romantic Read, Best eBook and Innovation in Romantic Fiction at the Festival of Romance. She is the bestselling author of 26 books selling over a million books worldwide. Holly's books have been translated into French, German, Italian, Dutch, Bulgarian, Estonian, Turkish and Russian.
Follow her on Twitter @HollyMAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
July 1, 2023
Skye Phillips and Jesse Hamilton have very bizarre relationship. Over a period of years they have been neighbours, friends and,for a short period, married. Now they have what they refer to as a friends with benefits relationship. But since Skye returned. From Canada to Jewel Island off the coast of Cornwall, even that relationship is severely restricted to a couple of times a year. Skye wants more. She loves Jesse and his twelve year old daughter, Bea. She wants to be a family.
Since she had several miscarriages during her first marriage when she was young to Oliver, she believes this is the only way she will have a child. And she dearly loves Bea, but Jesse doesn’t seem to want what Skye wants. However, he is coming to Jewel Island for the famed Pudding parade. Yes, I did say pudding parade. Will Skye be able to convince him they should be permanently together when he comes to Cornwall for that time? Or will all her dreams turn to dust?
I struggled to understand the relationship between Skye and Jesse. Though I liked Skye and her caring attitude towards her sisters and others in the community, I thought she was a fool to put up with the situation. Jesse quite honestly annoyed me, despite all the excuses made about why he refused to commit. This story went round and round, over the same ground far too long. In some respects I am not sure why I kept reading, as it was obvious from the start what was going to. It just took a long time to get there, so a bit of skimming happened.
A lot about cooking desserts and ice cream flavours and the famed rhubarb which gets made into pies, gin and numerous other dishes. That aspect and the setting were interesting and so were some of the other characters in the community, including elderly novelist Sylvia.
A lot of people will probably love it but for me just an okay read. Could be because I struggled with the premise of the relationship to start with or just didn’t care enough about the characters? But it struck me as long winded..
Since she had several miscarriages during her first marriage when she was young to Oliver, she believes this is the only way she will have a child. And she dearly loves Bea, but Jesse doesn’t seem to want what Skye wants. However, he is coming to Jewel Island for the famed Pudding parade. Yes, I did say pudding parade. Will Skye be able to convince him they should be permanently together when he comes to Cornwall for that time? Or will all her dreams turn to dust?
I struggled to understand the relationship between Skye and Jesse. Though I liked Skye and her caring attitude towards her sisters and others in the community, I thought she was a fool to put up with the situation. Jesse quite honestly annoyed me, despite all the excuses made about why he refused to commit. This story went round and round, over the same ground far too long. In some respects I am not sure why I kept reading, as it was obvious from the start what was going to. It just took a long time to get there, so a bit of skimming happened.
A lot about cooking desserts and ice cream flavours and the famed rhubarb which gets made into pies, gin and numerous other dishes. That aspect and the setting were interesting and so were some of the other characters in the community, including elderly novelist Sylvia.
A lot of people will probably love it but for me just an okay read. Could be because I struggled with the premise of the relationship to start with or just didn’t care enough about the characters? But it struck me as long winded..
March 24, 2021
This is my first book of Holly Martin’s that I’ve read. I was drawn to it by the title and cover.
An absolutely delicious book which had me smiling and in tears - happy ones of course!
I screamed silently in my head at one of the characters many times but they redeemed themselves by the last few pages!
A wonderful book, I look forward to reading more by this author.
An absolutely delicious book which had me smiling and in tears - happy ones of course!
I screamed silently in my head at one of the characters many times but they redeemed themselves by the last few pages!
A wonderful book, I look forward to reading more by this author.
February 21, 2021
In this delightful third book in the Jewel Island series, Skye Philips and Jesse Hamilton try to navigate their on and off romantic relationship. Friends with benefits, long distance at that - her in England and him in Canada, does not make sorting out their feelings for one another very easy. They do have a past that connects them however. They were married for a brief year several years ago. Meanwhile, Jesse has a 12-year-old daughter to consider as he struggles with his feelings for Skye.
Skye did live in Canada for awhile. But now she is home in Emerald Cove with sisters Clover and Aria. They are running their family hotel together and things are going quite well. Over the course of years, Skye and Jesse do spend time together, and things are always hot and heavy between them. However, their lives exist on different continents. How will the two of them deal with the undeniable chemistry that exists between them? What is more is where do their hearts lie?
Jesse and his daughter Bea are headed to Jewel Island for the annual Pudding Parade. Will this finally give the couple a chance to address their feelings and figure out a future where they can be happy together?
This is not a simple romance. Jesse has baggage that is powerful enough to derail any hope for the future. Will Skye be strong enough to break through that with Jesse? Who will confront their heart's truest feelings first? What an emotional story! Every time I thought they found the answers, there was drama to prove the real difficulties facing them. I loved seeing Aria and Clover again. The sisters were wonderful in this book, as was Jesse's daughter Bea. I loved this book! In fact, I was so drawn to it that I could not put it down until I finished it late into the night. This book delivers a beautiful story that offers a gorgeous setting on the Cornish Coast.
Many thanks to Holly Martin for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Skye did live in Canada for awhile. But now she is home in Emerald Cove with sisters Clover and Aria. They are running their family hotel together and things are going quite well. Over the course of years, Skye and Jesse do spend time together, and things are always hot and heavy between them. However, their lives exist on different continents. How will the two of them deal with the undeniable chemistry that exists between them? What is more is where do their hearts lie?
Jesse and his daughter Bea are headed to Jewel Island for the annual Pudding Parade. Will this finally give the couple a chance to address their feelings and figure out a future where they can be happy together?
This is not a simple romance. Jesse has baggage that is powerful enough to derail any hope for the future. Will Skye be strong enough to break through that with Jesse? Who will confront their heart's truest feelings first? What an emotional story! Every time I thought they found the answers, there was drama to prove the real difficulties facing them. I loved seeing Aria and Clover again. The sisters were wonderful in this book, as was Jesse's daughter Bea. I loved this book! In fact, I was so drawn to it that I could not put it down until I finished it late into the night. This book delivers a beautiful story that offers a gorgeous setting on the Cornish Coast.
Many thanks to Holly Martin for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
July 20, 2021
I read these out of order, but I’m really enjoying the series.
January 12, 2021
Before you start reading this, please make sure you are stocked up with sweet treats or ice-cream as this book will make you hungry.
After all this is the book where Cones at the Cove, and dessert masters Skye and Jesse take centre stage, and I was peckish throughout reading this (and I blame this book for my ordering Nandos chocolate cake alongside the chicken while I was reading - it was delicious!).
I was so eager to read this that I started it within 48 hours of it landing on my kindle, and I rarely get to books this fast and well under 24 hours after that I have reached the end. In fact I spent most of the afternoon reading as I was enjoying it so much, and that was after reading a large amount in bed the previous night too!
Like all Holly Martin books it is a joy to read, and was wonderful to be back amongst the Phillips siblings, Skye, Aria and Clover. Fans of Holly Martin will of course remember Aria and Clover from the previous two books, but if you have never read the author before, please be assured this can easily be read as a standalone story, and this the most we have seen of Skye, but also Jesse and Bea.
And even Sylvia who is a hotel regular gets a much larger role in this story, and although I half guessed something, there was even more to her than meets the eye and I think I gasped out lout at a certain point.
My only complaint with this book is too much.... rhubarb!! It is far to key to everything but it's so not to my taste at all, thankfully all the islanders seem to love it and grow it and turn it into a million and one different things!
It's such a gentle and enjoyable reading experience, and I was completely transported to Emerald Cove, where I would love to go and live, and was able to caught back up with life with the siblings. I loved seeing the latest developments with Aria and Clover, and I completely fell in love with Jesse.
Well Jesse and his daughter Bea who is so clever, and some of the conversations she has with the adults are brilliant. Just shows you can't hide anything from children, they pick up on everything!
Just loved loved loved this book so much, it was a real sweet treat of a read!
Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
After all this is the book where Cones at the Cove, and dessert masters Skye and Jesse take centre stage, and I was peckish throughout reading this (and I blame this book for my ordering Nandos chocolate cake alongside the chicken while I was reading - it was delicious!).
I was so eager to read this that I started it within 48 hours of it landing on my kindle, and I rarely get to books this fast and well under 24 hours after that I have reached the end. In fact I spent most of the afternoon reading as I was enjoying it so much, and that was after reading a large amount in bed the previous night too!
Like all Holly Martin books it is a joy to read, and was wonderful to be back amongst the Phillips siblings, Skye, Aria and Clover. Fans of Holly Martin will of course remember Aria and Clover from the previous two books, but if you have never read the author before, please be assured this can easily be read as a standalone story, and this the most we have seen of Skye, but also Jesse and Bea.
And even Sylvia who is a hotel regular gets a much larger role in this story, and although I half guessed something, there was even more to her than meets the eye and I think I gasped out lout at a certain point.
My only complaint with this book is too much.... rhubarb!! It is far to key to everything but it's so not to my taste at all, thankfully all the islanders seem to love it and grow it and turn it into a million and one different things!
It's such a gentle and enjoyable reading experience, and I was completely transported to Emerald Cove, where I would love to go and live, and was able to caught back up with life with the siblings. I loved seeing the latest developments with Aria and Clover, and I completely fell in love with Jesse.
Well Jesse and his daughter Bea who is so clever, and some of the conversations she has with the adults are brilliant. Just shows you can't hide anything from children, they pick up on everything!
Just loved loved loved this book so much, it was a real sweet treat of a read!
Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
July 24, 2023
Tikkeltje voorspelbaar, maar ik heb er weer onwijs van genoten!
May 17, 2021
I liked the idea of this book but wasn’t overly impressed. But saying that I didn’t read the first two books in this series as I didn’t realise there were others. So this is a good stand alone book as I didn’t feel lost, maybe you’d like it more if you were more invested in the characters.
A cute holiday read I guess but a bit slow for me. Probably a good read for 16,17 year olds. Silly character names- Aria, Clover, Skye, Angel. Feels like you’re reading a kids book a bit. Can a book be too wordy? There was a lot of description that just wasn’t needed. I felt myself skipping over paragraphs and not missing anything.
A cute holiday read I guess but a bit slow for me. Probably a good read for 16,17 year olds. Silly character names- Aria, Clover, Skye, Angel. Feels like you’re reading a kids book a bit. Can a book be too wordy? There was a lot of description that just wasn’t needed. I felt myself skipping over paragraphs and not missing anything.
April 27, 2021
Another amazing read from the brilliant Holly Martin. The third in the Jewel Island series told Skye and Jesse's story (FINALLY!) and certainly did not disappoint. I love all the characters and their relationships, I love how close they are so while the story focuses on one pair in particular the others are still heavily involved. It means you don't lose the love you built up for the others previously.
As ever Sylvia was the star of the story - I love her no nonsense, get on with it approach. I had assumed that now we had the story of each of the Sisters that would be it so imagine my surprise when at the end it said the next in the series would be released in June! I cant wait!
As ever Sylvia was the star of the story - I love her no nonsense, get on with it approach. I had assumed that now we had the story of each of the Sisters that would be it so imagine my surprise when at the end it said the next in the series would be released in June! I cant wait!
April 17, 2022
Met 'De zoete verleiding van Emerald Cove' heeft Holly Martin weer een heerlijk meeslepend verhaal met een diepere laag geschreven. Waar ze je namelijk door haar beeldende schrijfstijl aan de ene kant meeneemt naar Jewel Island met zijn prachtige stranden, turquoise zeeën en karakteristieke personages (waar je serieus zo een ticket zou boeken), voel je aan de andere kant ook zo mee met Skye, Jesse en dochter Bea die alle drie zo hun eigen verhaal hebben.
Ik viel voor ze, gunde hen al het geluk en het was dan ook niet gek dat ik dit boek echt binnen korte tijd alweer uit had. Ik moest namelijk weten of dat ook voor hemzelf gold.
Ik viel voor ze, gunde hen al het geluk en het was dan ook niet gek dat ik dit boek echt binnen korte tijd alweer uit had. Ik moest namelijk weten of dat ook voor hemzelf gold.
April 13, 2023
Loved x
December 12, 2020
I was lucky enough to proof read this for Holly so had a sneak peek.
Another lovely, heartwarming book. Can Skye and Jesse move on from their friends with benefits arrangements?
Great to catch up with the other characters on Jewel Island too, I hope we have another trip in the pipeline in this series!
Another lovely, heartwarming book. Can Skye and Jesse move on from their friends with benefits arrangements?
Great to catch up with the other characters on Jewel Island too, I hope we have another trip in the pipeline in this series!
January 17, 2021
This is our third visit to Jewel Island and this time we are spending some time fulfilling all of our ice cream dreams in Cones at the Cove. This is the concept of Skye one of the three sisters we were introduced to back in book one. She has a creative talent for ice cream flavours and toppings and loves to share it with everyone she loves.
The trouble is her love is complicated. Jesse, the man she loves and was briefly married to lives in Canada and has a daughter from a previous marriage. Their friendship comes with benefits whenever they meet up but can Skye give her heart to someone when they cannot fully commit to her?
What is holding them both back?
Skye throws herself into reinvigorating a former Pudding Parade and it is an easy solution to invite Jesse over to help with baking of the famous rhubarb pie which is paraded through the island. The recipe calls for a secret ingredient and amongst all the heartache and souls searching Skye finds herself drawn to the last time that the parade took place and the recipe book of the former owner of Cones at the Cove.
It seems there is a mystery to be solved and that somehow it also involves a regular hotel guest, Sylvia who features in previous stories. Will all of those loose ends and links come to the perfect solution for the pudding parade, Cones at the Cove and Skye?
This is another sizzling tale from Holly Martin, one that will melt you heart as well as your ice cream when you get to those hot moments between some of the main characters. The descriptive language to bring this Cornish cove to life is wonderful and you are transported to blue skies, diamond clear waters and sparkling characters.
The perfect recipe to escape every day life without all the calories. If you want a book (or series of books) to transport you away then look not further than Holly Martin's dazzling tales of the residents of Jewel Island.
The trouble is her love is complicated. Jesse, the man she loves and was briefly married to lives in Canada and has a daughter from a previous marriage. Their friendship comes with benefits whenever they meet up but can Skye give her heart to someone when they cannot fully commit to her?
What is holding them both back?
Skye throws herself into reinvigorating a former Pudding Parade and it is an easy solution to invite Jesse over to help with baking of the famous rhubarb pie which is paraded through the island. The recipe calls for a secret ingredient and amongst all the heartache and souls searching Skye finds herself drawn to the last time that the parade took place and the recipe book of the former owner of Cones at the Cove.
It seems there is a mystery to be solved and that somehow it also involves a regular hotel guest, Sylvia who features in previous stories. Will all of those loose ends and links come to the perfect solution for the pudding parade, Cones at the Cove and Skye?
This is another sizzling tale from Holly Martin, one that will melt you heart as well as your ice cream when you get to those hot moments between some of the main characters. The descriptive language to bring this Cornish cove to life is wonderful and you are transported to blue skies, diamond clear waters and sparkling characters.
The perfect recipe to escape every day life without all the calories. If you want a book (or series of books) to transport you away then look not further than Holly Martin's dazzling tales of the residents of Jewel Island.
October 25, 2025
I listened to this on audiobook.
This is book 3 of 5 to the Jewel Island series. Whenever I pick up a Holly Martin book, I always know that I am in for a treat. Her characters are delightful gems, always well written and just heart warming. The sort of book you can curl up with and forget about your own life worries.
I loved getting to know the characters and discover each of their stories. Book 3 focuses on Skye and Jesse. Obviously I’d met both of them from book 2, but it was nice to get to know them even more though this story and what a lovely story it was. I also loved the mystery element in this story, what is the elusive secret ingredient to the pie.
It was also lovely being reacquainted with the previous characters from book one and two, Aria, Noah, Clover and Angel, getting to see how they are each getting on is always a treat.
Anyway I was sorry for this story to come to an end but at the same time, very glad that I had book 4 to start straight away, so I don’t have to say bye bye to the characters yet.
The narrator Penny Andrews is one of my fave narrators, as she always does a brilliant job, in bringing all of the characters alive, making each one unique in their own way.
This is book 3 of 5 to the Jewel Island series. Whenever I pick up a Holly Martin book, I always know that I am in for a treat. Her characters are delightful gems, always well written and just heart warming. The sort of book you can curl up with and forget about your own life worries.
I loved getting to know the characters and discover each of their stories. Book 3 focuses on Skye and Jesse. Obviously I’d met both of them from book 2, but it was nice to get to know them even more though this story and what a lovely story it was. I also loved the mystery element in this story, what is the elusive secret ingredient to the pie.
It was also lovely being reacquainted with the previous characters from book one and two, Aria, Noah, Clover and Angel, getting to see how they are each getting on is always a treat.
Anyway I was sorry for this story to come to an end but at the same time, very glad that I had book 4 to start straight away, so I don’t have to say bye bye to the characters yet.
The narrator Penny Andrews is one of my fave narrators, as she always does a brilliant job, in bringing all of the characters alive, making each one unique in their own way.
January 11, 2021
A truly enchanting story of love and ice-cream! Skye married young, and holds secrets of her toxic relationship. Divorced a 2nd time from Jesse, the two remain close despite Jesse and his daughter living in Canada and maintain a 'friends with benefits' relationship when they meet. Jesse and Bea arrive at Cones at The Cove, Skye's ice-cream and dessert shop in the grounds of her family's hotel, to help Skye make a success of resurrecting an old island tradition, the Pudding Parade! Their relationship and marriage was one of convenience, but Skye has always loved Jesse and is determined to tell him during his visit. Will he feel the same, and can they both overcome their emotional baggage and start over. A heart warming, lovely read, I struggled to put it down...
February 28, 2021
I love a Holly Martin book and this book is my favourite so far from this series. I loves spending more time with Skye and her world of ice cream and sweet treats.
We have met Bea & Jesse in previous books but this story is focused around them and Skye, we get to read about how their lives have been shaped up until now and see them form new bonds.
Whilst reading this book it made me laugh and I felt the highs and lows of the characters as I continued to read. I am already so excited for the next book as lots of exciting things happened during this story and I want to see what comes next.
A superb 5* that transports you to a magical setting and takes you away from the madness of the world to your own little slice of heaven.
We have met Bea & Jesse in previous books but this story is focused around them and Skye, we get to read about how their lives have been shaped up until now and see them form new bonds.
Whilst reading this book it made me laugh and I felt the highs and lows of the characters as I continued to read. I am already so excited for the next book as lots of exciting things happened during this story and I want to see what comes next.
A superb 5* that transports you to a magical setting and takes you away from the madness of the world to your own little slice of heaven.
March 14, 2021
*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
We are finally back on Jewel Island again, yay!!!
This time the story is focused on Skye. We of course already know her and I was very excited for her story. Things are complicated between her and Jesse and we finally got to into more depth.
Their feelings for each other are obvious, but Jesse is in Canada with his daughter. When Skye decides to organise a Pudding parade, she asks him to come and help and there he is.
I really adored their moments and scenes together, they are a perfect match, but they just don’t tell each other what they are feeling.
I don’t want to go into more detail here, you will just have to read the book. Holly Martin’s style is so vivid and fun, I got hooked immediately. She has a really talent of capturing these special moments and just makes a story so magical.
Of course it’s also always great to catch up with some other familiar characters. They are a wonderful big family on the island and I actually don’t want to leave them.
A gripping storyline, wonderful setting and awesome characters, this book is just amazing!!!
We are finally back on Jewel Island again, yay!!!
This time the story is focused on Skye. We of course already know her and I was very excited for her story. Things are complicated between her and Jesse and we finally got to into more depth.
Their feelings for each other are obvious, but Jesse is in Canada with his daughter. When Skye decides to organise a Pudding parade, she asks him to come and help and there he is.
I really adored their moments and scenes together, they are a perfect match, but they just don’t tell each other what they are feeling.
I don’t want to go into more detail here, you will just have to read the book. Holly Martin’s style is so vivid and fun, I got hooked immediately. She has a really talent of capturing these special moments and just makes a story so magical.
Of course it’s also always great to catch up with some other familiar characters. They are a wonderful big family on the island and I actually don’t want to leave them.
A gripping storyline, wonderful setting and awesome characters, this book is just amazing!!!
March 27, 2021
Escape to the Cornish coast this spring with a trip to the beautiful Emerald Cove, where the sea sparkles in the sunshine, the sand glitters like gold, and true love is in the air. From the bestselling author of Sunrise over Sapphire Bay comes this gorgeously romantic and uplifting tale.
This was a lovely read that transported me to sunnier and warmer climates and helped me imagine I could travel in a time when it’s not possible! This book will make you hungry and eager to try out some of the creations that are so well written about! The characters are warm and loveable and the underlying story is heart-warming and emotional.
This was a lovely read that transported me to sunnier and warmer climates and helped me imagine I could travel in a time when it’s not possible! This book will make you hungry and eager to try out some of the creations that are so well written about! The characters are warm and loveable and the underlying story is heart-warming and emotional.
January 11, 2022
**3.5 stars**
I was listening to the audio book and somehow my audio player decided to play the chapter with all the revelations first, so that was fun 😂
Although these books don’t contain that much surprises to begin with, so it didn’t really matter that much.
It was a cute, fun listen that I enjoyed a lot
I was listening to the audio book and somehow my audio player decided to play the chapter with all the revelations first, so that was fun 😂
Although these books don’t contain that much surprises to begin with, so it didn’t really matter that much.
It was a cute, fun listen that I enjoyed a lot
September 23, 2021
Weer een heerlijk boek in de serie over Jewel Island.
January 11, 2022
Heerlijk boek! In één dag uitgelezen!
March 9, 2021
Review to follow for blog tour
April 15, 2021
Such a cheesy and too melodramatic book, nope 👎
March 31, 2021
This is book #3 of the Jewel Island series. Whilst it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone book. The series follows three sisters, Aria, Clover and Skye, with each book focussing on a different sister. It’s Skye’s turn for this book, and we are taken back to the island where she is organising the annual Pudding Parade. She has called in the help of Jesse Hamilton, her ‘friend with benefits’! Whilst Skye is desperately in love with him, it’s hard to work out how Jesse feels about Skye. It’s obvious there is lots of chemistry between them as the sex scenes are hotter than a summer’s day, but Jesse is struggling to commit to Skye, finding lots of reasons why he shouldn’t stay on the island with her.
I loved returning to Jewel Island, not just because of the beauty of the actual island, but because of the wonderful, lovable characters we meet there! Everyone is back from the previous books, adding their own piece into the storyline alongside Skye and Jesse’s. Skye is a lovely character who has gone through a lot of heartache, and you really want her to have a happy ending. I love her relationship with Jesse’s young daughter Bea, and found listening to their conversations where Bea appears older and wiser very funny! Jesse is a big Canadian hunk of a character who you would struggle NOT to connect with!! He does have some past relationship issues though which he needs to deal with and I spent some of the book figuratively giving him a kick up the backside to sort himself out!
The location as mentioned is beautiful, and I could picture as I read the blue seas and rugged coastline. Skye’s dessert café, ‘Cones at the Cove’ sounds delightful and the descriptions were certainly enough to make my mouth water! I loved the Pudding Parade part of the story, especially the little bit of mystery as to the secret ingredient and the old key! The family dynamics of the characters in these books is heart-warming, with the three sisters (and their respective partners) always being there for each other, and I have to admit to it pulling at my heartstrings how close they are.
This book has an enchanting storyline filled with hope and happiness, love and romance, emotional scenes and a little bit of humour to lift the spirits. How could you not fall in love with these characters, the location and the author’s special way of making you feel you were right there amongst them all. I loved this book, and would struggle to chose my favourite book (and sister!) of the series, as all three books are as captivating as the others. If you’re looking for a bit of escapism from the world at the moment, then look no further!! Love the book, love this series and love this author!
I loved returning to Jewel Island, not just because of the beauty of the actual island, but because of the wonderful, lovable characters we meet there! Everyone is back from the previous books, adding their own piece into the storyline alongside Skye and Jesse’s. Skye is a lovely character who has gone through a lot of heartache, and you really want her to have a happy ending. I love her relationship with Jesse’s young daughter Bea, and found listening to their conversations where Bea appears older and wiser very funny! Jesse is a big Canadian hunk of a character who you would struggle NOT to connect with!! He does have some past relationship issues though which he needs to deal with and I spent some of the book figuratively giving him a kick up the backside to sort himself out!
The location as mentioned is beautiful, and I could picture as I read the blue seas and rugged coastline. Skye’s dessert café, ‘Cones at the Cove’ sounds delightful and the descriptions were certainly enough to make my mouth water! I loved the Pudding Parade part of the story, especially the little bit of mystery as to the secret ingredient and the old key! The family dynamics of the characters in these books is heart-warming, with the three sisters (and their respective partners) always being there for each other, and I have to admit to it pulling at my heartstrings how close they are.
This book has an enchanting storyline filled with hope and happiness, love and romance, emotional scenes and a little bit of humour to lift the spirits. How could you not fall in love with these characters, the location and the author’s special way of making you feel you were right there amongst them all. I loved this book, and would struggle to chose my favourite book (and sister!) of the series, as all three books are as captivating as the others. If you’re looking for a bit of escapism from the world at the moment, then look no further!! Love the book, love this series and love this author!
May 26, 2021
Despite the heroines and the overall writing style not being to my taste - to put it mildly - I read the three books available in this series because there is fuck-all out there to choose from lately.
I probably wouldn't even waste my time reviewing them if I weren't at work and bored, but there you go. And at the risk of repeating myself...actually, I honestly don't care, so scratch that thought.
But as I was saying - again - I just don't get how some writers have a fan base. This writer in particular really, reeeeally needs a course in sentence structure and the proper use of punctuation. She inserts commas where periods should be and puts question marks in strange places. If that didn't make for awkward reading as it was, the dialogue very often tended to be stilted and unnatural. It wasn't at all like 'normal' dialogue between people. I couldn't imagine those conversations at all because folks just don't talk that way.
The heroine of each book was immature, needy and suffering from low self-esteem. And they were sisters, so it was disturbing that not one of them had her shit together.
The plots were thin and the amount of repetition in the heroine's inner dialogue made me think that was the only way to create drama. The angst here was contrived and came about by childish assumptions and manipulative guilt and the biggest annoyance in all three cases was that the hero was always, ALWAYS presented as being wrong.
When you tell someone to leave and they leave, you don't get to be butt-hurt and angry that they listened. It is not romantic to make someone chase you because you're being an arsehole.
Grow the fuck up.
Also, take responsibility for your pathetic self-image and weakness. Nobody can MAKE you feel a certain way or see yourself a certain way unless you give up your own power.
Clearly there are a legion of writers who believe that happiness can only come from others and doesn't begin in oneself.
And it's now the end of shift, so that's me done.
I probably wouldn't even waste my time reviewing them if I weren't at work and bored, but there you go. And at the risk of repeating myself...actually, I honestly don't care, so scratch that thought.
But as I was saying - again - I just don't get how some writers have a fan base. This writer in particular really, reeeeally needs a course in sentence structure and the proper use of punctuation. She inserts commas where periods should be and puts question marks in strange places. If that didn't make for awkward reading as it was, the dialogue very often tended to be stilted and unnatural. It wasn't at all like 'normal' dialogue between people. I couldn't imagine those conversations at all because folks just don't talk that way.
The heroine of each book was immature, needy and suffering from low self-esteem. And they were sisters, so it was disturbing that not one of them had her shit together.
The plots were thin and the amount of repetition in the heroine's inner dialogue made me think that was the only way to create drama. The angst here was contrived and came about by childish assumptions and manipulative guilt and the biggest annoyance in all three cases was that the hero was always, ALWAYS presented as being wrong.
When you tell someone to leave and they leave, you don't get to be butt-hurt and angry that they listened. It is not romantic to make someone chase you because you're being an arsehole.
Grow the fuck up.
Also, take responsibility for your pathetic self-image and weakness. Nobody can MAKE you feel a certain way or see yourself a certain way unless you give up your own power.
Clearly there are a legion of writers who believe that happiness can only come from others and doesn't begin in oneself.
And it's now the end of shift, so that's me done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2022
Each time I read a Holly Martin book I think to myself ‘there must be at least one of her books I don’t enjoy, maybe this is the one’. But every single time I’m proved wrong and every book surpasses the rest.
This is a mesmerising story of hope and love between Skye and Jesse. A long burning love that neither of them exposes to the other and so they exist on the edge of will they/won’t they. While reading this I had a few chuckles, a few gasps and few wide eyed expressions and I can tell you for sure that your experience will be just the same. Pick up Ice Creams at Emerald Cove and you’ll fall in love yourself.
Now who’s up for ice cream?
This is a mesmerising story of hope and love between Skye and Jesse. A long burning love that neither of them exposes to the other and so they exist on the edge of will they/won’t they. While reading this I had a few chuckles, a few gasps and few wide eyed expressions and I can tell you for sure that your experience will be just the same. Pick up Ice Creams at Emerald Cove and you’ll fall in love yourself.
Now who’s up for ice cream?
May 24, 2023
Taarten zijn geen toetjes. Dat bleef ik maar denken bij het lezen van dit weel heel zoete verhaal. Het glazuur dreigt daarbij haast van mijn tanden te springen. Hoe kan een winkel bestaan van alleen ‘toetjes’? Zelfs als dat winkeltje staat op alweer zo’n schilderachtige plek aan het strand van alweer zo’n schattig Engels kustplaatsje?
Het lijkt me duidelijk: hoewel het boek best aardige zomerlectuur is, is het toch niet helemaal mijn smaak.
Het lijkt me duidelijk: hoewel het boek best aardige zomerlectuur is, is het toch niet helemaal mijn smaak.
April 2, 2021
Not quite as advertised
A "heartwarming feel-good romantic comedy "? It wasn't heartwarming, romantic, feel good or a comedy! Might have made a good short story, but there are only so many pages I can read that just keep saying the same thing over and over. I didn't make it to the end, but I bet I can tell you the outcome!
A "heartwarming feel-good romantic comedy "? It wasn't heartwarming, romantic, feel good or a comedy! Might have made a good short story, but there are only so many pages I can read that just keep saying the same thing over and over. I didn't make it to the end, but I bet I can tell you the outcome!
February 25, 2021
This time we are returning to Emerald Cove to find out more about Jesse and Skye, when reading books 1 & 2 I find it so insightful to reach the elements of a novel and actually get to read 3 key angles a kind of behind the scenes. Initially Skye returns home from living in Canada, to help her sisters Clover and Aria run the hotel after her father’s death. In the previous books, very little was shared except there was a weird relationship with Jesse so to know she had a marriage of convenience was a pleasant surprise. During the year they were married, over time they became extremely close friends with benefits and Bea Jesses daughter is surprised albeit aware of the arrangements in order to retain visa documentation that her dad does not wish to continue their relationship after this time. Following Skyes return home, it is not long before Jesse is travelling half way across the world to see her and help with the renovations to her icecream business, which is a secret aspiration to work in catering with his love of cooking.
Throughout their time together their is a instantaneous chemistry and it is not until Skye realises she actually needs more post 2 years after her marriage, Jesse is struggling to commit to a proper relationship and this further worries Skye if he actually has feelings for her. On this visit Jesse is returning to help out with the festival and cooking the monster Rhubarb Pie with Bea.
Skye also is carrying a lot of baggage and it is not until this visit she is starting to open up and they both start to unpack and share all the anxieties of the past and hopes / fears for the future, unbeknown the secret relationship is not actually secret as all their friends and family can clearly see what they are both starting to acknowledge with each other. This is really where the story starts, the book is raw and honest clearly spoken from the heart, finding your soulmate with a perfect connection and perfect sex it can only be written in the cards.
Lots of surprises, romance and Sylvia who is linked in a way you could never imagine, I love that we get to see Clover, Angel, Aria, Noah and their adopted daughter. There is a little too much on the cooking side and would of liked to learn more about the other couples and more time with Skye and Jesse as the story concludes are the only crumbles. Overall a 5 star book and looking forward to another instalment.
Throughout their time together their is a instantaneous chemistry and it is not until Skye realises she actually needs more post 2 years after her marriage, Jesse is struggling to commit to a proper relationship and this further worries Skye if he actually has feelings for her. On this visit Jesse is returning to help out with the festival and cooking the monster Rhubarb Pie with Bea.
Skye also is carrying a lot of baggage and it is not until this visit she is starting to open up and they both start to unpack and share all the anxieties of the past and hopes / fears for the future, unbeknown the secret relationship is not actually secret as all their friends and family can clearly see what they are both starting to acknowledge with each other. This is really where the story starts, the book is raw and honest clearly spoken from the heart, finding your soulmate with a perfect connection and perfect sex it can only be written in the cards.
Lots of surprises, romance and Sylvia who is linked in a way you could never imagine, I love that we get to see Clover, Angel, Aria, Noah and their adopted daughter. There is a little too much on the cooking side and would of liked to learn more about the other couples and more time with Skye and Jesse as the story concludes are the only crumbles. Overall a 5 star book and looking forward to another instalment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 27, 2021Deze recensie is eerder verschenen op Koukleum.nl.
Ik heb de voorgaande delen ‘Het familiehotel van Sapphire Bay‘ en ‘Een gouden gloed over Ruby Falls‘ met veel plezier gelezen, dus ik keek reikhalzend uit naar dit derde deel van deze serie. Ik was ook erg benieuwd naar Emerald Cove, omdat ik ook een echte zoete kauw ben en van gebak maken houdt. Dus er over lezen is ook altijd leuk!
Het boek vertelt deze keer het verhaal van Skye. Zij runt het toetjescafé op Emerald Cove en haar hart ligt nog steeds bij Jesse. Hoewel hij regelmatig vanuit Canada naar Jewel Island komt om bij Skye te zijn, is Skye erg onzeker en twijfelt ze over de gevoelens van Jesse voor haar. Ook wel begrijpelijk door hun gezamenlijk verleden. Echter Jesse twijfelt ook over het gevoel van Skye voor hem. Als lezer weet je meer dan de hoofdpersonen en heb je een helicopterview. Dit zorgt er voor dat ik tijdens het lezen soms zoiets had van kom op, doe er iets aan, maar aan de andere kant begreep ik beide personages heel goed. Dit komt ook vooral door de fijne en duidelijke schrijfstijl van Martin, hierdoor kun je je heel goed in de verschillende personages verplaatsen.
Wat ik ook erg leuk vond is het organiseren van de puddingparade en dat ze vast wilden houden aan de authentieke details van deze parade. Ik zag bepaalde dingen echt voor me en als dat lukt weet ik dat ik echt goed in het verhaal zit.
Het verhaal is luchtig, maar toch weet Martin ook deze keer weer enkele serieuze onderwerpen toe te voegen, waardoor het niet een nietszeggend verhaal wordt, maar een boek die je laat inzien dat bepaalde keuzes niet zo makkelijk te maken zijn als dat soms gedacht wordt. Dit heeft ze echter wel op zo’n manier gedaan dat het verhaal overal luchtig blijft en nergens te zwaar wordt.
Als je een feelgood-serie wilt lezen, die afwisselend is en die nergens te klef wordt, dan kan ik deze serie echt aanraden. Ik heb ook van deze serie weer genoten, net als de vorige serie van haar hand, de 'Happiness'-serie.
Ik heb de voorgaande delen ‘Het familiehotel van Sapphire Bay‘ en ‘Een gouden gloed over Ruby Falls‘ met veel plezier gelezen, dus ik keek reikhalzend uit naar dit derde deel van deze serie. Ik was ook erg benieuwd naar Emerald Cove, omdat ik ook een echte zoete kauw ben en van gebak maken houdt. Dus er over lezen is ook altijd leuk!
Het boek vertelt deze keer het verhaal van Skye. Zij runt het toetjescafé op Emerald Cove en haar hart ligt nog steeds bij Jesse. Hoewel hij regelmatig vanuit Canada naar Jewel Island komt om bij Skye te zijn, is Skye erg onzeker en twijfelt ze over de gevoelens van Jesse voor haar. Ook wel begrijpelijk door hun gezamenlijk verleden. Echter Jesse twijfelt ook over het gevoel van Skye voor hem. Als lezer weet je meer dan de hoofdpersonen en heb je een helicopterview. Dit zorgt er voor dat ik tijdens het lezen soms zoiets had van kom op, doe er iets aan, maar aan de andere kant begreep ik beide personages heel goed. Dit komt ook vooral door de fijne en duidelijke schrijfstijl van Martin, hierdoor kun je je heel goed in de verschillende personages verplaatsen.
Wat ik ook erg leuk vond is het organiseren van de puddingparade en dat ze vast wilden houden aan de authentieke details van deze parade. Ik zag bepaalde dingen echt voor me en als dat lukt weet ik dat ik echt goed in het verhaal zit.
Het verhaal is luchtig, maar toch weet Martin ook deze keer weer enkele serieuze onderwerpen toe te voegen, waardoor het niet een nietszeggend verhaal wordt, maar een boek die je laat inzien dat bepaalde keuzes niet zo makkelijk te maken zijn als dat soms gedacht wordt. Dit heeft ze echter wel op zo’n manier gedaan dat het verhaal overal luchtig blijft en nergens te zwaar wordt.
Als je een feelgood-serie wilt lezen, die afwisselend is en die nergens te klef wordt, dan kan ik deze serie echt aanraden. Ik heb ook van deze serie weer genoten, net als de vorige serie van haar hand, de 'Happiness'-serie.
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