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Heaven's Cove #1
Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea
From the attic of Driftwood House there are stunning views of the deep green sea and sapphire sky. But Rosie can’t tear her eyes away from the faded photograph in her hands, and the words written on the back that will change everything…
Back in the tiny seaside village of Heaven’s Cove after the death of her mother, all Rosie Merchant wants is to hide her tears, rent out her childhood home, and get back to her ‘real’ life, away from the gossiping villagers and wild Devon weather she escaped from years ago.
She’s surprised to find a smiling man in hiking boots – local farmer Liam – waiting on the stone doorstep. His kind offer to help clear crumbling, isolated Driftwood House is hard to refuse, and despite Rosie’s determination not to let anyone get close, soon they’re walking and laughing together along the clifftops. As clouds scud across the endless sky and green waves crash against the shore, Rosie is reminded that nowhere is more beautiful than home.
Then, up in the attic of Driftwood House, Rosie stumbles across a photo which exposes the heart-stopping truth about how her mother came to live at Driftwood House years ago… and Liam only seems concerned about the implications for his own nearby farm. Did he know this painful secret all along, and should she run from Heaven’s Cove for good? Or will facing up to her devastating family history mean Rosie can finally put down roots in this beautiful place?
Back in the tiny seaside village of Heaven’s Cove after the death of her mother, all Rosie Merchant wants is to hide her tears, rent out her childhood home, and get back to her ‘real’ life, away from the gossiping villagers and wild Devon weather she escaped from years ago.
She’s surprised to find a smiling man in hiking boots – local farmer Liam – waiting on the stone doorstep. His kind offer to help clear crumbling, isolated Driftwood House is hard to refuse, and despite Rosie’s determination not to let anyone get close, soon they’re walking and laughing together along the clifftops. As clouds scud across the endless sky and green waves crash against the shore, Rosie is reminded that nowhere is more beautiful than home.
Then, up in the attic of Driftwood House, Rosie stumbles across a photo which exposes the heart-stopping truth about how her mother came to live at Driftwood House years ago… and Liam only seems concerned about the implications for his own nearby farm. Did he know this painful secret all along, and should she run from Heaven’s Cove for good? Or will facing up to her devastating family history mean Rosie can finally put down roots in this beautiful place?
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2021
6510 people are currently reading
2365 people want to read
About the author
Liz Eeles
17 books169 followersI 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 325 reviews
November 25, 2022
Rosie Merchant returned to the little seaside village of Heaven's Cove from Spain where she was living life to its fullest, working two jobs, enjoying boyfriend Matt's company. But her mother had died unexpectedly and Rosie needed to clear out Driftwood House, the only home she'd known with her parents, rent it out and get back to her life in Málaga. The views from Driftwood House, especially the attic, were breathtaking and Rosie was sad both at the loss of her mother, and knowing she wouldn't live in Driftwood House again.
When Rosie heard the news that Driftwood House hadn't even belonged to her mother, she was shattered. How had she not known this? Why had her mother never told her? And as she started to clear out her mother's belongings, she realised her mother had hid more than one secret. Rosie was determined to uncover her mother's past. With help from Liam - old school friend, and nearby farmer - Driftwood House began to smile again. But was it worth the effort? Rosie wasn't sure what to do...
Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea is #1 in the Heaven's Cove series by Liz Eeles and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Beautiful scenery, the clifftops around Driftwood House meant they could see across the ocean for miles. Great characters and great writing - I have no trouble recommending this novel and start to the series.
When Rosie heard the news that Driftwood House hadn't even belonged to her mother, she was shattered. How had she not known this? Why had her mother never told her? And as she started to clear out her mother's belongings, she realised her mother had hid more than one secret. Rosie was determined to uncover her mother's past. With help from Liam - old school friend, and nearby farmer - Driftwood House began to smile again. But was it worth the effort? Rosie wasn't sure what to do...
Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea is #1 in the Heaven's Cove series by Liz Eeles and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Beautiful scenery, the clifftops around Driftwood House meant they could see across the ocean for miles. Great characters and great writing - I have no trouble recommending this novel and start to the series.
February 22, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
In Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea, we meet Rosie who has returned from her home abroad to the seaside village of Heaven’s Cove in Devon after the sudden death of her mum. Whilst her homecoming hasn’t been pleasant it just got a little worse when it turns out her mother didn’t own the home she has lived in for most of her life and the owner wants the house back to knock it down and build a hotel on the land.
Rosie takes a punt on trying to get them to change their mind by convincing them that the house would be perfect for a guest house instead. She is a little shocked and relieved when they give her four weeks to do the house up and convince them it will work. However, Rosie needs some help, welcome local farmer Liam who agrees to help but renovating an old house comes at a cost, especially when Rosie discovers secrets that have been long buried of her mothers.
I adore Liz Eeles books so when I heard she had a new book releasing I jumped at the chance to grab an early copy and dove straight in. What I find makes her books stand out is that they always contain amazing characters that feel realistic, gorgeous settings that you can visualise perfectly, and plots that are effortless to read.
I was mesmerised by the drama and rushed through the book, wanting to know would Rosie be able to transform the house into a workable guest house, what implications did the secrets hold, and would there be some chemistry between Rosie and Liam who have known each other since they were kids but never particularly liked one another?
This is a story that keeps you guessing whilst has you relaxing in what sounds like a beautiful part of the world, especially Rosie’s old home, Driftwood House, which gave views of the land and sea and made me want to stay there as it sounded so idyllic.
Another fabulous book from Liz Eeles which is pure escapism, heart-warming, and left me with a smile on my face. I can’t wait to return to Heaven’s Cove in the future.
In Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea, we meet Rosie who has returned from her home abroad to the seaside village of Heaven’s Cove in Devon after the sudden death of her mum. Whilst her homecoming hasn’t been pleasant it just got a little worse when it turns out her mother didn’t own the home she has lived in for most of her life and the owner wants the house back to knock it down and build a hotel on the land.
Rosie takes a punt on trying to get them to change their mind by convincing them that the house would be perfect for a guest house instead. She is a little shocked and relieved when they give her four weeks to do the house up and convince them it will work. However, Rosie needs some help, welcome local farmer Liam who agrees to help but renovating an old house comes at a cost, especially when Rosie discovers secrets that have been long buried of her mothers.
I adore Liz Eeles books so when I heard she had a new book releasing I jumped at the chance to grab an early copy and dove straight in. What I find makes her books stand out is that they always contain amazing characters that feel realistic, gorgeous settings that you can visualise perfectly, and plots that are effortless to read.
I was mesmerised by the drama and rushed through the book, wanting to know would Rosie be able to transform the house into a workable guest house, what implications did the secrets hold, and would there be some chemistry between Rosie and Liam who have known each other since they were kids but never particularly liked one another?
This is a story that keeps you guessing whilst has you relaxing in what sounds like a beautiful part of the world, especially Rosie’s old home, Driftwood House, which gave views of the land and sea and made me want to stay there as it sounded so idyllic.
Another fabulous book from Liz Eeles which is pure escapism, heart-warming, and left me with a smile on my face. I can’t wait to return to Heaven’s Cove in the future.
February 24, 2021
Sunshine and secrets. Liz Eeles whisked me away to small town Devin with her vivid and gorgeous storytelling. Rosie returns home from Spain after her mom passes away. Less than pleased to be back in the village where she grew up Rosie is determined to make this a quick turnaround. That is until she is informed that she needs to get her moms belongings out of the house stat. Reeling from the fact that her family home doesn’t belong to her family Rosie stumbles across even more secrets with bigger implications. What follows is an engaging story filled with family secrets, a gorgeous setting and a sprinkling of romance.
First of all there was such an amazing sense of place in this book. The setting usually is the last thing I focus on in a story but the descriptive writing painted such a stunning picture. The exceptional writing also brought the characters to life. I really liked Rosie and wanted the romance between Liam and her to work out. The secondary characters were wonderful and added so much color to the story. Looking forward to what Liz has in store for her next book in this delightful series.
*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
First of all there was such an amazing sense of place in this book. The setting usually is the last thing I focus on in a story but the descriptive writing painted such a stunning picture. The exceptional writing also brought the characters to life. I really liked Rosie and wanted the romance between Liam and her to work out. The secondary characters were wonderful and added so much color to the story. Looking forward to what Liz has in store for her next book in this delightful series.
*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
November 14, 2022
Bonus star for the audio!
A sweet story with a very familiar premise, but I really enjoyed how easy a listen this was.
Rosie is off to her small town home after the death of her mother. Naturally, this story involves: small town gossip, an inconsiderate boyfriend, a cute boy from the past, a nasty girl who wants the boy, an enigmatic old rich dude, a secret, and of course the overwhelming idea that this small town that our protagonist was once so desperate to escape is actually not so bad after all.
Like I said - a familiar premise.
If you've read one of these stories, you've read them all, which actually made it quite a pleasant listening experience. If you've read any of my reviews for audio books you'll know I am easily distracted, so it was kind of nice to not have to pay too much attention.
The narrator here is the real win, because she's so chill to listen to. She does such an excellent job of portraying these characters without going too hard on accents or voice changes. Even though the story was super basic, the narrator kept me invested the whole time.
A sweet, small town story with delightful characters and superb narration. Strong enough that I'll probably move on to the next in the series.
A sweet story with a very familiar premise, but I really enjoyed how easy a listen this was.
Rosie is off to her small town home after the death of her mother. Naturally, this story involves: small town gossip, an inconsiderate boyfriend, a cute boy from the past, a nasty girl who wants the boy, an enigmatic old rich dude, a secret, and of course the overwhelming idea that this small town that our protagonist was once so desperate to escape is actually not so bad after all.
Like I said - a familiar premise.
If you've read one of these stories, you've read them all, which actually made it quite a pleasant listening experience. If you've read any of my reviews for audio books you'll know I am easily distracted, so it was kind of nice to not have to pay too much attention.
The narrator here is the real win, because she's so chill to listen to. She does such an excellent job of portraying these characters without going too hard on accents or voice changes. Even though the story was super basic, the narrator kept me invested the whole time.
A sweet, small town story with delightful characters and superb narration. Strong enough that I'll probably move on to the next in the series.
March 2, 2021
Having read two books from Liz Eeles' Cozy Kettle series, I was super excited when I saw she had written Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea, the first novel in her Heaven's Cove series.
Rosie Merchant is desperate to return to her life in Spain. She came back to her childhood home in the seaside village of Heaven's Cove, Devon to sort out her dead mother's affairs. The family home, Driftwood House is to be rented out, but first it needs clearing, as well as a lick of paint and a few repairs. When the handsome boot-clad farmer Liam Satterley of Meadowsweet Farm offers his assistance Rosie willingly accepts and remembers what a lovely place her home is. But then she finds a photograph that reveals how her mother came to be living at Driftwood House...
As Rosie starts to look through her mum's accumulation of photos and documents, the pull to remain in the last house before the sea becomes stronger. Liz Eeles' characterisation in this novel is as strong as in her previous ones. Rosie was sweet and very determined in her desperation to hang on to Driftwood House. Lovely Liam was considerate, though he had a few ulterior motives to consider. The plethora of secondary characters were certainly a mixed bag, including the Eppings, gossipy Belinda, catty Katrina, and friendly Nessa. The author captured the typical village lifestyle perfectly and I loved the beautiful descriptions of the seaside locale. Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea is a lovely story eliciting plenty of smiles, titters and sadness.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Rosie Merchant is desperate to return to her life in Spain. She came back to her childhood home in the seaside village of Heaven's Cove, Devon to sort out her dead mother's affairs. The family home, Driftwood House is to be rented out, but first it needs clearing, as well as a lick of paint and a few repairs. When the handsome boot-clad farmer Liam Satterley of Meadowsweet Farm offers his assistance Rosie willingly accepts and remembers what a lovely place her home is. But then she finds a photograph that reveals how her mother came to be living at Driftwood House...
As Rosie starts to look through her mum's accumulation of photos and documents, the pull to remain in the last house before the sea becomes stronger. Liz Eeles' characterisation in this novel is as strong as in her previous ones. Rosie was sweet and very determined in her desperation to hang on to Driftwood House. Lovely Liam was considerate, though he had a few ulterior motives to consider. The plethora of secondary characters were certainly a mixed bag, including the Eppings, gossipy Belinda, catty Katrina, and friendly Nessa. The author captured the typical village lifestyle perfectly and I loved the beautiful descriptions of the seaside locale. Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea is a lovely story eliciting plenty of smiles, titters and sadness.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
September 16, 2022
4 stars - English Ebook
Quote: ‘Devon in the rain, or wall-to-wall sunshine in southern Spain. It’s a hard choice, Billy,’ said Liam, feeling water dribble from his collar down his neck. But Billy was gambolling ahead and no longer listening.-
Quote: There’s no point in shelling out on a fancy car, Rosie. It’ll only get wrecked by the potholes or the salt spray when a storm’s blowing in. Rosie spotted the rusty car when she reached the end of the track. It was parked on the grass at an odd angle, as though the driver had leaped out, keen to get on with her day. That was Mum all over, always full of ideas -
Quote: ‘You’re letting your heart rule your head, and you know that’s never a good idea,’ snapped Cecilia, but Charles held Rosie’s gaze. ‘You have exactly four weeks to change our minds, Ms Merchant.’-
Quote: She brushed her hand across the cushions where her mum would sit, curled up with her feet underneath her, watching American shoot ’em up detective shows. They were her favourite, even though she was the least confrontational or aggressive person ever.-
Quote: That would have been quite a chat over her mum’s favourite caramel lattes at Driftwood House. You know the man you’ve called Dad for almost thirty years, Rosie? The man who left us, the man whose death you mourned? As it happens, he wasn’t your real dad at all.-
Quote: Cold, unfeeling Charles Epping and her warm vibrant mother. That was hard enough to get her head around but the next notion almost blew her mind. If he was Saffy’s long-lost lover, could he also be her father?-
A lovely novel. It's romantic and ofcourse their are problems along the way. But they resolve in the end.
But Heaven’s Cove was lighting up like a beacon. White light from the shopfronts of stores now closed, the colourful fairy lights outside The Smugglers Haunt, and there, on the edge of the village, a golden glow from Meadowsweet Farmhouse. She was home.
Quote: ‘Devon in the rain, or wall-to-wall sunshine in southern Spain. It’s a hard choice, Billy,’ said Liam, feeling water dribble from his collar down his neck. But Billy was gambolling ahead and no longer listening.-
Quote: There’s no point in shelling out on a fancy car, Rosie. It’ll only get wrecked by the potholes or the salt spray when a storm’s blowing in. Rosie spotted the rusty car when she reached the end of the track. It was parked on the grass at an odd angle, as though the driver had leaped out, keen to get on with her day. That was Mum all over, always full of ideas -
Quote: ‘You’re letting your heart rule your head, and you know that’s never a good idea,’ snapped Cecilia, but Charles held Rosie’s gaze. ‘You have exactly four weeks to change our minds, Ms Merchant.’-
Quote: She brushed her hand across the cushions where her mum would sit, curled up with her feet underneath her, watching American shoot ’em up detective shows. They were her favourite, even though she was the least confrontational or aggressive person ever.-
Quote: That would have been quite a chat over her mum’s favourite caramel lattes at Driftwood House. You know the man you’ve called Dad for almost thirty years, Rosie? The man who left us, the man whose death you mourned? As it happens, he wasn’t your real dad at all.-
Quote: Cold, unfeeling Charles Epping and her warm vibrant mother. That was hard enough to get her head around but the next notion almost blew her mind. If he was Saffy’s long-lost lover, could he also be her father?-
A lovely novel. It's romantic and ofcourse their are problems along the way. But they resolve in the end.
But Heaven’s Cove was lighting up like a beacon. White light from the shopfronts of stores now closed, the colourful fairy lights outside The Smugglers Haunt, and there, on the edge of the village, a golden glow from Meadowsweet Farmhouse. She was home.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2021
4.5 stars
A definite page-turner. I could not put it down. It is also definitely more substantial than an average chick-lit read. I loved the story, the MCs, and the motley crew of the secondary characters. I am looking forward to the next installment.
Oh, and I do want to visit Devon.
A definite page-turner. I could not put it down. It is also definitely more substantial than an average chick-lit read. I loved the story, the MCs, and the motley crew of the secondary characters. I am looking forward to the next installment.
Oh, and I do want to visit Devon.
May 12, 2021
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Secrets At The Last House Before The Sea' by Liz Eeles.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 18th February 2021
This is the first book I have read by this author. It is also the first book in her 'Driftwood House' series.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. I was also looking for something a bit more lighthearted to my typical crime genre and this looked perfect. It also stated in the synopsis that fans of Debbie Macomber will adore this book. I am a fan of Debbie's books so am looking forward to see if it loves up to this. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue, 32 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Devon, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. I have actually visited Devon on several occasions so am looking forward to seeing if I recognise anywhere mentioned in the book.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Rosie and Liam. The benefits of third person perspective are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out on anything.
An absolutely beautifully written book whose vivid descriptions completely arrested my attention. The cover and synopsis suited the storyline perfectly.
The storyline itself is captivating and heart warming. A perfect summer read filled with mystery, romance, deceit and is perfect for anyone looking for an escape. I was absolutely hooked from page one until 1.30am in the morning when I finished having not being able to put it down. I must admit I wasn't completely shocked when a certain mystery was revealed but there were a few other parts that quite surprised me. The overall atmosphere worked perfectly with the storyline and I felt myself surrounded by the sea and sounds of Devon and most definitely wanting to go back. The plot was very realistic making it all very easy to picture.
The characters were vivid, strong and realistic and I loved the community surrounding the area. The author captured a typical village lifestyle perfectly. I loved getting to know Rosie and Liam along with Nessa and many of the other lovely characters. As with reality you can't get along with everyone and I could not stand Katrina!!! It was great watching how all the characters developed and bonded throughout the book and I think some of them will stay with me for a long time. It's always great seeing strong female leads in books and Rosie was definitely kick a#%e!! Herself and Liam had both been through several tragedies, Rosie especially yet she would not lay down or bend to the will of others. I am hoping to read more about how they get on in what truly promises to be an epic series!!
Overall a heart warming, charming page turning perfect start to what promises to be an epic series!!!
Genres covered in this novel include Women's Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Debbie Macomer, Summer and beach reads and anyone looking for a relaxing heart warming read.
332 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#SecretsAtTheLastHouseBeforeTheSea #Bookouture #LizEeles #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@LizEeles @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
Review for 'Secrets At The Last House Before The Sea' by Liz Eeles.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 18th February 2021
This is the first book I have read by this author. It is also the first book in her 'Driftwood House' series.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. I was also looking for something a bit more lighthearted to my typical crime genre and this looked perfect. It also stated in the synopsis that fans of Debbie Macomber will adore this book. I am a fan of Debbie's books so am looking forward to see if it loves up to this. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue, 32 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Devon, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. I have actually visited Devon on several occasions so am looking forward to seeing if I recognise anywhere mentioned in the book.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Rosie and Liam. The benefits of third person perspective are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out on anything.
An absolutely beautifully written book whose vivid descriptions completely arrested my attention. The cover and synopsis suited the storyline perfectly.
The storyline itself is captivating and heart warming. A perfect summer read filled with mystery, romance, deceit and is perfect for anyone looking for an escape. I was absolutely hooked from page one until 1.30am in the morning when I finished having not being able to put it down. I must admit I wasn't completely shocked when a certain mystery was revealed but there were a few other parts that quite surprised me. The overall atmosphere worked perfectly with the storyline and I felt myself surrounded by the sea and sounds of Devon and most definitely wanting to go back. The plot was very realistic making it all very easy to picture.
The characters were vivid, strong and realistic and I loved the community surrounding the area. The author captured a typical village lifestyle perfectly. I loved getting to know Rosie and Liam along with Nessa and many of the other lovely characters. As with reality you can't get along with everyone and I could not stand Katrina!!! It was great watching how all the characters developed and bonded throughout the book and I think some of them will stay with me for a long time. It's always great seeing strong female leads in books and Rosie was definitely kick a#%e!! Herself and Liam had both been through several tragedies, Rosie especially yet she would not lay down or bend to the will of others. I am hoping to read more about how they get on in what truly promises to be an epic series!!
Overall a heart warming, charming page turning perfect start to what promises to be an epic series!!!
Genres covered in this novel include Women's Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Debbie Macomer, Summer and beach reads and anyone looking for a relaxing heart warming read.
332 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#SecretsAtTheLastHouseBeforeTheSea #Bookouture #LizEeles #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@LizEeles @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
January 27, 2021
Put on the kettle for some tea and grab yourself a scone with jam and a generous dollop of Devonshire cream because you are going to want to binge read ‘Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea’ by Liz Eeles!
I’ve never read any of Liz’s books before, but the absolutely amazing cover art caught my attention as did the knowledge that this was a first in a new series – Driftwood House Series. Once I’d read the first few pages, I knew I’d found a great read. What a lovely mixture of mystery and clean romance all wrapped up in an endearing story featuring a quaint village on the Devon coast and its close-knit community! It’s refreshing to read a clean novel; the plot rises to the forefront rather than being bogged down with unnecessary foul language and steamy lust. After turning over the last page, I’m now eagerly awaiting the sequel as I’d love to spend more time in the tiny seaside village of Heaven’s Cove.
It all begins when Rosie Merchant makes a trip back home for her mother’s funeral. She’s got the daunting task of sorting out her mother’s belongings and closing up the cottage. It doesn’t take long before the call of the Devon coast and the childhood memories call to her and cause her to question her decision. Perhaps she can have her cake and eat it too; fix up the cottage for rent and use it as a source of income while maintaining to live in Spain. Once in the attic, she discovers a locked box containing her mother’s most precious memories. As she seeks to understand the assortment of photos and documents, the pull to remain in the last house before the sea becomes stronger. Armed with determination, Rosie sets out to uncover secrets. What she hadn’t planned on was learning more about herself in the process of fighting for Driftwood House.
The cast of characters is fantastic; you’ll find a sarcastic gossiper, a nosey shop keeper, an old curmudgeon and his cold and indifferent wife, a lonely soul with a broken heart, and a couple struggling to keep a farm going while dealing with health issues. Liz writes so that you feel you belong in the village and this has the advantage of pulling you into the story and become invested in village life. The realistic and believable multidimensional characters showcase the well-paced plot. You’ll love the strong female protagonist and her message to readers. This stellar novel is to be published February 18th and I strongly encourage you to pick it up and visit Heaven’s Cove for yourself!
Liz Eeles’s second book in the series, and her ninth novel, also set in Heaven’s Cove and in the height of summer, features many of the favourite characters and I’m confident it will be a gripping and emotional page-turner!
“Sometimes secrets can take on a life of their own until there’s no way out.” – Midwife Morag
Thank you to Liz Eeles, Bookouture, and NetGalley for the spectacular advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I’ve never read any of Liz’s books before, but the absolutely amazing cover art caught my attention as did the knowledge that this was a first in a new series – Driftwood House Series. Once I’d read the first few pages, I knew I’d found a great read. What a lovely mixture of mystery and clean romance all wrapped up in an endearing story featuring a quaint village on the Devon coast and its close-knit community! It’s refreshing to read a clean novel; the plot rises to the forefront rather than being bogged down with unnecessary foul language and steamy lust. After turning over the last page, I’m now eagerly awaiting the sequel as I’d love to spend more time in the tiny seaside village of Heaven’s Cove.
It all begins when Rosie Merchant makes a trip back home for her mother’s funeral. She’s got the daunting task of sorting out her mother’s belongings and closing up the cottage. It doesn’t take long before the call of the Devon coast and the childhood memories call to her and cause her to question her decision. Perhaps she can have her cake and eat it too; fix up the cottage for rent and use it as a source of income while maintaining to live in Spain. Once in the attic, she discovers a locked box containing her mother’s most precious memories. As she seeks to understand the assortment of photos and documents, the pull to remain in the last house before the sea becomes stronger. Armed with determination, Rosie sets out to uncover secrets. What she hadn’t planned on was learning more about herself in the process of fighting for Driftwood House.
The cast of characters is fantastic; you’ll find a sarcastic gossiper, a nosey shop keeper, an old curmudgeon and his cold and indifferent wife, a lonely soul with a broken heart, and a couple struggling to keep a farm going while dealing with health issues. Liz writes so that you feel you belong in the village and this has the advantage of pulling you into the story and become invested in village life. The realistic and believable multidimensional characters showcase the well-paced plot. You’ll love the strong female protagonist and her message to readers. This stellar novel is to be published February 18th and I strongly encourage you to pick it up and visit Heaven’s Cove for yourself!
Liz Eeles’s second book in the series, and her ninth novel, also set in Heaven’s Cove and in the height of summer, features many of the favourite characters and I’m confident it will be a gripping and emotional page-turner!
“Sometimes secrets can take on a life of their own until there’s no way out.” – Midwife Morag
Thank you to Liz Eeles, Bookouture, and NetGalley for the spectacular advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
February 19, 2021
I enjoyed this first book in the Heaven's Cove series. In this book we meet Rosie, who has returned to Heaven's cover after the death of her mother. She couldn't wait to leave when she was younger, but after ten years of gallivanting around the world, there is something in Heaven's Cove that brings her peace and a warm feeling. There are also secrets awaiting her, secrets that will change her life. She had returned home to the place she had grown up. Even though she planned to return to Spain, finding out that her mother did not own Driftwood House was devastating and then being told that it would be demolished to make way for a boutique hotel, she went a bit off the rails, showing up at the reclusive owners house to plead the case for turning it into a guest house instead. This buys her one month in Heaven's Cove.
Rose was a very sympathetic character, with a lot to deal with. I enjoyed the relationships that she revived, especially the one with Nessa. Everyone seemed to like her, except for Katrina, and were willing to help her where they could. Watching her relationships grow, especially the one with Liam had me rooting for her to stay in Heaven's Cove and scrap her jobs and boyfriend in Spain. She just seemed to belong there. The setting and its descriptions are vivid and had me feeling the wind off the sea and the mist rolling in. The characters were well developed and relatable, with the small village feel and that one busybody, quirky character that I always love. This was a story that had me smiling one minute, laughing another and feeling sad as well. There is a bit of a mystery, but the story is one of relationships, finding where you belong and who you belong with and new beginnings. I will watch for more stories about life in Heaven's Cove. I was gifted a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
Rose was a very sympathetic character, with a lot to deal with. I enjoyed the relationships that she revived, especially the one with Nessa. Everyone seemed to like her, except for Katrina, and were willing to help her where they could. Watching her relationships grow, especially the one with Liam had me rooting for her to stay in Heaven's Cove and scrap her jobs and boyfriend in Spain. She just seemed to belong there. The setting and its descriptions are vivid and had me feeling the wind off the sea and the mist rolling in. The characters were well developed and relatable, with the small village feel and that one busybody, quirky character that I always love. This was a story that had me smiling one minute, laughing another and feeling sad as well. There is a bit of a mystery, but the story is one of relationships, finding where you belong and who you belong with and new beginnings. I will watch for more stories about life in Heaven's Cove. I was gifted a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
February 25, 2023
With a stunning setting, empathetic characters, and a myriad of secrets, this warm-hearted romance novel ticked all the boxes. I mean, with a place called Heaven's Cove, how could it not?
The ramshackle old Driftwood House high on the hill overlooking the scenic Devon coast was a host to the secrets that shrouded Rosie's life. She hasn't returned to her home is some time and has been living and working in Spain. Now, sadly, her mother Sofia has passed away at a very early age due to a stroke. Rosie returns to Driftwood House to sort her Mum's affairs. She discovers secret after secret and more than one unwelcome surprise. She begins to wonder... did she know her mother at all??? The tiny village and its gossiping residents welcome Rosie back into the fold and local farmer Liam helps her out sprucing up the old house.
Themes of betrayal, bereavement, duplicity, and family secrets permeate the story.
As with many a romance novel, this one was fairly predictable. However... the journey to the predictable ending was an entertaining and enjoyable one.
This book was the first in a series of four titles set in the charming Heaven's Cove, Devon. I intend to read them all!
The ramshackle old Driftwood House high on the hill overlooking the scenic Devon coast was a host to the secrets that shrouded Rosie's life. She hasn't returned to her home is some time and has been living and working in Spain. Now, sadly, her mother Sofia has passed away at a very early age due to a stroke. Rosie returns to Driftwood House to sort her Mum's affairs. She discovers secret after secret and more than one unwelcome surprise. She begins to wonder... did she know her mother at all??? The tiny village and its gossiping residents welcome Rosie back into the fold and local farmer Liam helps her out sprucing up the old house.
Themes of betrayal, bereavement, duplicity, and family secrets permeate the story.
As with many a romance novel, this one was fairly predictable. However... the journey to the predictable ending was an entertaining and enjoyable one.
This book was the first in a series of four titles set in the charming Heaven's Cove, Devon. I intend to read them all!
April 24, 2021
I love, love, love Liz Eeles and this is yet another fabulous addition to her books. A beautifully romantic book, one that will create happiness and sunshine for you. Completely adorable characters that you root for and lovely writing, perfect escapism
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
September 5, 2023
Soppy and obvious.
August 31, 2024
2.75-3⭐️ (i feel so bad)
April 12, 2021
4 Stars
There’s nothing like the view of the sea and the sky from the window of your childhood home. And the occasional mist that surrounds the house and isolates you from the rest of the world can be peaceful, stifling, or terrifying.
Rosie Merchant feels all of these and much more as she stands in the empty Driftwood House, located in the small seaside village, Heaven’s Cove. Her mother passed away when Rosie was in Spain, enjoying her life and work.
She gets back home to the village she couldn’t wait to escape from. What else could she do? But her plan of packing her mother’s possessions and catching the next possible flight crumbles when she receives a notice.
Confused between listening to her mind and her heart, Rosie finds it hard to come to terms with her mother’s death. One decision leads to another, and secrets start to trip her in the most unexpected ways. Was her life even real? What other secrets did her mother hide? How would it change Rosie's future?
Include a handful of villagers- Nessa, a single mother who fast becomes Rosie’s friend again, Liam, the school’s heartthrob, who is now a farmer with sad eyes and troubles of his own, Belinda, the lady who knows everything and can gossip from day to night, Katrina, who manages to inspire strong feelings without even trying, and a few others; the book is a mix of people we come to like and people we’d love to hate.
The setting and its descriptions are the highlights of the book. As a fan of settings, this pleases me to no end.
Luckily, the characters, too, were well developed to add more weight to the story. There is a good mix of show and tell, which set a steady pace for the narrative to create interest and hook the readers’ attention.
The story is neither too heavy nor too light. It has moments of smiles, chuckles, and sadness. Of course, we can guess the secrets, but then, this isn’t a thriller. The author keeps us invested in the characters, and we find ourselves wishing for something good to happen.
Yes, there is some romance as well. I found it quite nice to see how it develops over time rather than take us by surprise at how fast it seems to have proceeded. The story has a happy ending, and that made me very happy.
Overall, this is a warm and bittersweet book with wonderful locations and easy-to-understand characters.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
P.S: I’ve come to expect more from the books by this publisher. The covers are fantastic and make me want to read them all.
#SecretsattheLastHouseBeforetheSea #NetGalley
There’s nothing like the view of the sea and the sky from the window of your childhood home. And the occasional mist that surrounds the house and isolates you from the rest of the world can be peaceful, stifling, or terrifying.
Rosie Merchant feels all of these and much more as she stands in the empty Driftwood House, located in the small seaside village, Heaven’s Cove. Her mother passed away when Rosie was in Spain, enjoying her life and work.
She gets back home to the village she couldn’t wait to escape from. What else could she do? But her plan of packing her mother’s possessions and catching the next possible flight crumbles when she receives a notice.
Confused between listening to her mind and her heart, Rosie finds it hard to come to terms with her mother’s death. One decision leads to another, and secrets start to trip her in the most unexpected ways. Was her life even real? What other secrets did her mother hide? How would it change Rosie's future?
Include a handful of villagers- Nessa, a single mother who fast becomes Rosie’s friend again, Liam, the school’s heartthrob, who is now a farmer with sad eyes and troubles of his own, Belinda, the lady who knows everything and can gossip from day to night, Katrina, who manages to inspire strong feelings without even trying, and a few others; the book is a mix of people we come to like and people we’d love to hate.
The setting and its descriptions are the highlights of the book. As a fan of settings, this pleases me to no end.
Luckily, the characters, too, were well developed to add more weight to the story. There is a good mix of show and tell, which set a steady pace for the narrative to create interest and hook the readers’ attention.
The story is neither too heavy nor too light. It has moments of smiles, chuckles, and sadness. Of course, we can guess the secrets, but then, this isn’t a thriller. The author keeps us invested in the characters, and we find ourselves wishing for something good to happen.
Yes, there is some romance as well. I found it quite nice to see how it develops over time rather than take us by surprise at how fast it seems to have proceeded. The story has a happy ending, and that made me very happy.
Overall, this is a warm and bittersweet book with wonderful locations and easy-to-understand characters.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
P.S: I’ve come to expect more from the books by this publisher. The covers are fantastic and make me want to read them all.
#SecretsattheLastHouseBeforetheSea #NetGalley
August 3, 2021
Cosy and enjoyable enough, with a lovely setting, but also quite boring and predictable. The characters were likeable but one-dimensional. We've got:
- Rosie: the main character who was unpopular at school but has obviously grown up to be attractive for the main love interest
- Liam: the hunky farmer love-interest. He's always been a bit of a player until his heart was broken by his wife-to-be on their wedding day a year ago. Will he ever love again? (Spoiler: yes)
- Matt: the uncaring, sleazy boyfriend our main character has been with for a few months, who we're led to dislike from the start. Will Rosie ever realise she deserves better? (Spoiler: yes)
- Carmen: the sexy Spanish coworker who sleazy Matt is 'mentoring'. Could there possibly be more to their relationship? (Spoiler: yes)
- Belinda: the town gossip
- Nessa: the kooky friend
- Katrina: the hot, mean one who will tempt the main love interest away. Will Liam perhaps end up with her instead of Rosie? (Spoiler: no, of course he won't)
- Charles and Cecilia Epping: the haughty, rich landowners who care nothing for Heaven's Cove and its inhabitants. Probably the most interesting people in the book.
- John: Who?
It's clear from the second Liam is mentioned that he's going to end up with Rosie. It's also clear from the second Matt is mentioned that Rosie is going to break up with him later in the book. It's obvious throughout that Rosie isn't going to go back to Spain, and that Driftwood House will eventually be saved. I get that it's a feel-good book but come on, at least keep us guessing a little bit! The identity of J was, at least, someone that I didn't consider.
The dialogue felt a bit clunky at times too. Sometimes, it felt as though the author was talking rather than the characters. Nobody in their 20s-early 30s is using the phrase 'good grief'.
From this review, you might wonder why I even gave it 3 stars but in all honesty, I did love the setting and developed a fondness for the characters.
- Rosie: the main character who was unpopular at school but has obviously grown up to be attractive for the main love interest
- Liam: the hunky farmer love-interest. He's always been a bit of a player until his heart was broken by his wife-to-be on their wedding day a year ago. Will he ever love again? (Spoiler: yes)
- Matt: the uncaring, sleazy boyfriend our main character has been with for a few months, who we're led to dislike from the start. Will Rosie ever realise she deserves better? (Spoiler: yes)
- Carmen: the sexy Spanish coworker who sleazy Matt is 'mentoring'. Could there possibly be more to their relationship? (Spoiler: yes)
- Belinda: the town gossip
- Nessa: the kooky friend
- Katrina: the hot, mean one who will tempt the main love interest away. Will Liam perhaps end up with her instead of Rosie? (Spoiler: no, of course he won't)
- Charles and Cecilia Epping: the haughty, rich landowners who care nothing for Heaven's Cove and its inhabitants. Probably the most interesting people in the book.
- John: Who?
It's clear from the second Liam is mentioned that he's going to end up with Rosie. It's also clear from the second Matt is mentioned that Rosie is going to break up with him later in the book. It's obvious throughout that Rosie isn't going to go back to Spain, and that Driftwood House will eventually be saved. I get that it's a feel-good book but come on, at least keep us guessing a little bit! The identity of J was, at least, someone that I didn't consider.
The dialogue felt a bit clunky at times too. Sometimes, it felt as though the author was talking rather than the characters. Nobody in their 20s-early 30s is using the phrase 'good grief'.
From this review, you might wonder why I even gave it 3 stars but in all honesty, I did love the setting and developed a fondness for the characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2021
I was initially drawn to the book by the promise of visiting the last house before the sea which is so beautifully captured in this colourful cover that I was quickly immersed in Rosie's story as she tries to make sense of what has happened at Driftwood House during her late mother's life there. Having to deal with the aftermath of her mother's untimely death, Rosie also has to try and come to terms not just with her grief but also her guilt at being away from Devon for such a long time. When she discovers that the place she calls home is under threat, Rosie knows that she must do all she can to keep Driftwood House safe.
This is a lovely, heartwarming story which tugs away at the heartstrings for not only is Driftwood House so beautifully captured that you quickly start to care about what happens to it, but also Rosie is such a lovely character, and is so filled with doubts and indecision, that I wanted to put my arms around her to give her a hug. The people who live in Heaven's Cove are a great bunch of characters, there's the village gossip who knows everyone's business, the village flirt who has her beady eye firmly fixed on the village's eligible bachelor, and the lovely friend who remembers Rosie from school and who offers support in a practical way. However, it is in Rosie's burgeoning relationship with local farmer, Liam, where the heart and soul of the story lies and their friendship is filled with warmth, wit and the occasional angst ridden moment.
Beautifully written, Secrets at the Last House before the Sea is a lovely, heartwarming story about finding love, coping with loss and uncovering family secrets. As this is the first book in a proposed series about Heaven's Cove I am sure that these lovely characters will have more to say in future stories.
This is a lovely, heartwarming story which tugs away at the heartstrings for not only is Driftwood House so beautifully captured that you quickly start to care about what happens to it, but also Rosie is such a lovely character, and is so filled with doubts and indecision, that I wanted to put my arms around her to give her a hug. The people who live in Heaven's Cove are a great bunch of characters, there's the village gossip who knows everyone's business, the village flirt who has her beady eye firmly fixed on the village's eligible bachelor, and the lovely friend who remembers Rosie from school and who offers support in a practical way. However, it is in Rosie's burgeoning relationship with local farmer, Liam, where the heart and soul of the story lies and their friendship is filled with warmth, wit and the occasional angst ridden moment.
Beautifully written, Secrets at the Last House before the Sea is a lovely, heartwarming story about finding love, coping with loss and uncovering family secrets. As this is the first book in a proposed series about Heaven's Cove I am sure that these lovely characters will have more to say in future stories.
March 1, 2021
Rosie escaped from Heaven's Cove after high school, desperate to escape the gloomy Devon weather and the popular high school crowd that she never seemed to fit into. But when she returns to her hometown after her mother's sudden death, the gossip mill starts up again and she is filled with guilt for not visiting more often and not being there for her mother in her last days. All she wants is to pack up her mother's belongings, find a renter for the house, and return to her normal life with her boyfriend Matt in Spain. Her neighbor, Liam, runs his family farm and was one of the popular boys in high school that ignored her. He decides to help her remodel the house and move out her mother's things, and they become friends, with even a spark of attraction here and there. When her current boyfriend comes to visit with ulterior motives and secrets of his own, she realizes how perfect Liam is. Should she return to her former life in Spain or risk a better future tied to her past.
The beautiful setting of the countryside and the house by the sea with beautiful views had me wanting to visit. I was rooting for Rosie to get the house in shape to become a lovely B&B which she would of course stay and run. The family mystery was a surprise to me and I really thought her father would step up and be more loving in the end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
The beautiful setting of the countryside and the house by the sea with beautiful views had me wanting to visit. I was rooting for Rosie to get the house in shape to become a lovely B&B which she would of course stay and run. The family mystery was a surprise to me and I really thought her father would step up and be more loving in the end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
April 6, 2021
Rosie had always felt suffocated by the small village she grew up in and also by its nosey (and not quite nice) inhabitants. That's why she's living in Spain when suddenly her mother dies and she has to go back to take care of the house and the funeral.
She is anxious to settle her mother’s affairs and return to her life in Spain and to her boyfriend, but a series of secrets held by her mother for a very long time start to unfurl and Rosie has to come to term with them. In the meantime her view of village and villagers swift to a more positive one and she starts to appreciate and really feeling the place as her own home.
This is a very enjoyable book, a good uplifting, heartwarming story. Very well written indeed. My first one by this author, and I'll certainly have a look to other ones.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
She is anxious to settle her mother’s affairs and return to her life in Spain and to her boyfriend, but a series of secrets held by her mother for a very long time start to unfurl and Rosie has to come to term with them. In the meantime her view of village and villagers swift to a more positive one and she starts to appreciate and really feeling the place as her own home.
This is a very enjoyable book, a good uplifting, heartwarming story. Very well written indeed. My first one by this author, and I'll certainly have a look to other ones.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2021
I should have read the author's description of her writing: "I live on the south coast of England with my family, and write heart-warming, emotional women's fiction and romantic comedies." And that is exactly what I got out of this book. A silly soap opera style, romantically oriented novel suited perhaps for a day at the beach or in front of a fireplace during a winter cold snap. Expect nothing from this missive and you'll be content. I particularly took issue with the repetitive suggestions that people change dramatically over time and become entirely different kinds of people when they were assholes to begin with. People are exactly what they seem to be because the learning curve for behavior is over rather quickly. We just choose not to pay attention. Poor messaging altogether for the younger women who will relish this cutesy little romance. Bleah!
March 7, 2021
Liz Eeles is back after what feels like ages since her last book. Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea is set in the Devon village of Heavens Cove. Liz really excels at creating brilliant settings for her books that leap off the page and you invite you in. Reading this book on a cold and dreary winter’s day I felt transported away to a small village where everybody knows everyone and in turn no one’s business or personal life is private. That’s what happens when you live in a small coastal village. Sometimes that can be a good thing more often than not it’s not the best situation to find yourself in if you have things going on that you think are best kept private.
Our main character Rosie Merchant has returned to the village after living abroad for many years. The reason for Rosie’s visit is not a happy one as her mother Sofia has passed away after suffering a stroke. From the outset we can see that Rosie is burdened by grief and loss but there is also something else eating away at her., that being guilt. Guilt that she never came home to visit her mother more often and the fact that she always seemed to be running away from Heaven’s Cove leaving people to form a bad impression of her. Nothing changes in the village, it’s the same old thing year after year in a never ending cycle and she thought she had escaped this. But on her return for the funeral and to deal with her mother’s house and belongings, old memories are stirred for Rosie.
The sense of claustrophobia the village stirs in her is still there and she tries her best to avoid people. Some in particular who perhaps didn’t give her the best of times growing up. But as we learn more about Rosie, maybe she chose to be the was growing up and perhaps liked the impression she gave off. That she wanted to stay that way and by leaving she could find a new sense of self yet she knew the cottage and her mother would always be there to return to permanently if she so wished. But now Sofia is gone and the future is uncertain She may not have chosen this point in time or this reason for her return but it’s clear a life changing experience is about to happen for her. Is she ready to embrace it or will the return call of Spain and her boyfriend Matt prove to strong? Especially as fleeing has always been her way of operating.
Rosie’s mother lived high above the clifftops in Driftwood House. It’s isolated and a bit ramshackle but yet the surrounding landscape and the views of the sea are good for the heart and mind. Liz creates such a vivid picture of the area with the moor and countryside and the house becoming like characters themselves. Rosie feels fragile and lost and the house is a source of comfort and security for her. So when a letter arrives from a solicitor on behalf of local landowner Charles Epping detailing that the house was not actually her mother’s and that the house will revert back to him. Well Rosie’s already tender state suffers even more? Yes, she mentions endless times how Heaven’s Cove has made her feel in the past and that she felt like she was a nerd and a loner and that was one of the primary reasons for her escaping. Yet when something you know is solid and staid in your life like her mother and Driftwood House well when it’s gone any opinions and feelings you previously had can alter and that’s natural.
The rug has been pulled out from under her and even more so upon discovering a box in the attic that will further change her perspective and have her questioning everything in her life. What she discovers I won’t go in to but it sets Rosie on a quest to make sure the house is not pulled down to make way for a hotel. I guessed fairly on what was going on with the mystery at the centre of the book. But that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of this story at all. Instead when the reveal came and connections were made I had rather a smug sense of satisfaction that I had guessed correctly. Still I was intrigued to discover the reason behind why certain things had happened. The way in which Rosie unravelled the secrets and joined the dots together came at a slow and steady pace.
Secrets retain their power until out in the open and I was keen to see how she would cope with what emerged. She has so many personal questions that need answering and as there are so many secrets and complications that surround her they threaten to overwhelm her. Not to mention she wants to save Driftwood House and sets about sprucing it up a bit in the hopes that Charles Epping will change his mind. But you wonder why is she going about this if she is so insistent on returning to her life in Spain? Could there be something or perhaps someone in Heaven’s Cove that might make her change her mind?
Of course there had to be some romance in this book. Yes, it’s not the main focus but it is an important strand none the less. This book didn’t need to be all about will they won’t they. The story surrounding the house and Rosie’s confronting her past, present and future was more than enough to sustain the entire plot. But still some romance although light in nature was welcome too. Liam Slatterley farms the land near Dirftwood House. He too has land that belongs to Charles Epping and the threat that he will lose that is always there in the back of his mind. Keeping things afloat is not easy. Growing up Liam was known as a jack the lad, an over-sexed man who more or less went through a lot of women and threw them to the curb when not needed.
Rosie still holds this memory of Liam but he has changed as he too has been deeply affected by a recent event in his past. The shoe is on the other foot now for him and he can see the way he acted beforehand was not right and his own heart has now been smashed to pieces. He wears an air of sadness about him. The burden of the farm and his personal life in tatters weighs heavily on him. He feels lonely and humiliated and once some people have formed opinions of you in the village they are very difficult to shake off. Through helping Rosie with some redecorating they get to know each other and discover maybe it’s better to get to know the real person instead of listening to rumours or becoming too entrenched in other people’s opinions. It was inevitable what was going to happen with this strand of the story as happens in most books in this genre still it was enjoyable to read about it.
I really enjoyed Secrets at the Last House Before the sea and feel it’s the best book that Liz Eeles has written since her Salt Bay series which I absolutely adored. There is a nice bit of mystery, some romance, stunning scenery, a wide variety of characters and a lot of soul searching for our main characters. Really there is plenty here to keep you turning the pages but also there were lots of people that featured briefly that I would love to get to know in much more depth. So I was delighted to discover at the end that there will be a return visit to Heaven’s Cove which I hope will be sooner rather than later.
Our main character Rosie Merchant has returned to the village after living abroad for many years. The reason for Rosie’s visit is not a happy one as her mother Sofia has passed away after suffering a stroke. From the outset we can see that Rosie is burdened by grief and loss but there is also something else eating away at her., that being guilt. Guilt that she never came home to visit her mother more often and the fact that she always seemed to be running away from Heaven’s Cove leaving people to form a bad impression of her. Nothing changes in the village, it’s the same old thing year after year in a never ending cycle and she thought she had escaped this. But on her return for the funeral and to deal with her mother’s house and belongings, old memories are stirred for Rosie.
The sense of claustrophobia the village stirs in her is still there and she tries her best to avoid people. Some in particular who perhaps didn’t give her the best of times growing up. But as we learn more about Rosie, maybe she chose to be the was growing up and perhaps liked the impression she gave off. That she wanted to stay that way and by leaving she could find a new sense of self yet she knew the cottage and her mother would always be there to return to permanently if she so wished. But now Sofia is gone and the future is uncertain She may not have chosen this point in time or this reason for her return but it’s clear a life changing experience is about to happen for her. Is she ready to embrace it or will the return call of Spain and her boyfriend Matt prove to strong? Especially as fleeing has always been her way of operating.
Rosie’s mother lived high above the clifftops in Driftwood House. It’s isolated and a bit ramshackle but yet the surrounding landscape and the views of the sea are good for the heart and mind. Liz creates such a vivid picture of the area with the moor and countryside and the house becoming like characters themselves. Rosie feels fragile and lost and the house is a source of comfort and security for her. So when a letter arrives from a solicitor on behalf of local landowner Charles Epping detailing that the house was not actually her mother’s and that the house will revert back to him. Well Rosie’s already tender state suffers even more? Yes, she mentions endless times how Heaven’s Cove has made her feel in the past and that she felt like she was a nerd and a loner and that was one of the primary reasons for her escaping. Yet when something you know is solid and staid in your life like her mother and Driftwood House well when it’s gone any opinions and feelings you previously had can alter and that’s natural.
The rug has been pulled out from under her and even more so upon discovering a box in the attic that will further change her perspective and have her questioning everything in her life. What she discovers I won’t go in to but it sets Rosie on a quest to make sure the house is not pulled down to make way for a hotel. I guessed fairly on what was going on with the mystery at the centre of the book. But that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of this story at all. Instead when the reveal came and connections were made I had rather a smug sense of satisfaction that I had guessed correctly. Still I was intrigued to discover the reason behind why certain things had happened. The way in which Rosie unravelled the secrets and joined the dots together came at a slow and steady pace.
Secrets retain their power until out in the open and I was keen to see how she would cope with what emerged. She has so many personal questions that need answering and as there are so many secrets and complications that surround her they threaten to overwhelm her. Not to mention she wants to save Driftwood House and sets about sprucing it up a bit in the hopes that Charles Epping will change his mind. But you wonder why is she going about this if she is so insistent on returning to her life in Spain? Could there be something or perhaps someone in Heaven’s Cove that might make her change her mind?
Of course there had to be some romance in this book. Yes, it’s not the main focus but it is an important strand none the less. This book didn’t need to be all about will they won’t they. The story surrounding the house and Rosie’s confronting her past, present and future was more than enough to sustain the entire plot. But still some romance although light in nature was welcome too. Liam Slatterley farms the land near Dirftwood House. He too has land that belongs to Charles Epping and the threat that he will lose that is always there in the back of his mind. Keeping things afloat is not easy. Growing up Liam was known as a jack the lad, an over-sexed man who more or less went through a lot of women and threw them to the curb when not needed.
Rosie still holds this memory of Liam but he has changed as he too has been deeply affected by a recent event in his past. The shoe is on the other foot now for him and he can see the way he acted beforehand was not right and his own heart has now been smashed to pieces. He wears an air of sadness about him. The burden of the farm and his personal life in tatters weighs heavily on him. He feels lonely and humiliated and once some people have formed opinions of you in the village they are very difficult to shake off. Through helping Rosie with some redecorating they get to know each other and discover maybe it’s better to get to know the real person instead of listening to rumours or becoming too entrenched in other people’s opinions. It was inevitable what was going to happen with this strand of the story as happens in most books in this genre still it was enjoyable to read about it.
I really enjoyed Secrets at the Last House Before the sea and feel it’s the best book that Liz Eeles has written since her Salt Bay series which I absolutely adored. There is a nice bit of mystery, some romance, stunning scenery, a wide variety of characters and a lot of soul searching for our main characters. Really there is plenty here to keep you turning the pages but also there were lots of people that featured briefly that I would love to get to know in much more depth. So I was delighted to discover at the end that there will be a return visit to Heaven’s Cove which I hope will be sooner rather than later.
September 28, 2022
((((I got this book in a one day promotion in anticipation of our power being out due to Hurricane Fiona hitting the province. The power was only out a short time, but I devoured this book in only a couple of days.))))
I love women's fiction, and this book is the perfect example of it. It has a mystery, a woman's journey to discovering her past, and a lot more, including a sweet romance. I had part of the mystery figured out before the big reveal but it was still a great read, and it was interesting to see the characters realize just what happened 30 years ago.
Five stars, highly recommended. I hope to read the rest of the books in the series at some point!
I love women's fiction, and this book is the perfect example of it. It has a mystery, a woman's journey to discovering her past, and a lot more, including a sweet romance. I had part of the mystery figured out before the big reveal but it was still a great read, and it was interesting to see the characters realize just what happened 30 years ago.
Five stars, highly recommended. I hope to read the rest of the books in the series at some point!
March 7, 2021
I loved every minute of this book. It’s full of intrigue, secrets, romance and atmosphere, as well as wonderfully engaging characters. I got really fond of them in a short space of time. (Except the ones you love to hate, of course. I relished them too, in the proper way!) Although the heroine, Rosie, is dealing with a maelstrom of emotions when she returns to her childhood home, the story is uplifting and inspiring. Unwelcome change leads to new beginnings, a renewal of things previously lost, and a realisation of what’s truly important. The perfect escapist read for these challenging times.
September 24, 2022
This is a beautiful well told story, it makes you feel like you are in Devon with them, the way it describes the views and the sea.
Rosie had been living in Spain but when her mother suddenly died, she had to return to the UK to sort out her funeral and the house, but then all the mysteries started to unfold, the secrets that her mother had kept from her, and with the help of Liam and her other friends she finally unravelled them all, and her heart.
Rosie had been living in Spain but when her mother suddenly died, she had to return to the UK to sort out her funeral and the house, but then all the mysteries started to unfold, the secrets that her mother had kept from her, and with the help of Liam and her other friends she finally unravelled them all, and her heart.
September 16, 2022
A pleasant read and the perfect antidote to the heavier books I’ve read over the past weeks. It a standard romance and fairly predictable, but beautifully executed. The sense of place was brilliant, and I really wish Driftwood House was real so I could stay there.
October 17, 2021
Eminently readable when sad. I love Rosie.
May 18, 2022
Lovely story and a nice easy listen on audible - perfect on the drive home from work after a stressful day. Well drawn characters (including the odd villain) and a good story. What’s not to like ?
September 29, 2022
Secret at the Last House Before the Sea
Loved this book. The characters are enchanting. Really looking forward to reading the whole series. Highly recommend this book. It was a joy to read.
Loved this book. The characters are enchanting. Really looking forward to reading the whole series. Highly recommend this book. It was a joy to read.
August 26, 2023
First book by this author ! Wonderful story and can’t wait to read next one
October 12, 2022
Feel good
A real light hearted warming story with a few storylines running to keep you interested. Set in a small village but by no means a quaint old story. I would want Rosie to be my best friend! I will be reading the next in the series.
A real light hearted warming story with a few storylines running to keep you interested. Set in a small village but by no means a quaint old story. I would want Rosie to be my best friend! I will be reading the next in the series.
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