"The Picture House by the Sea" is Holly Hepburn's second full - length novel that I had a pleasure to read - because after reading and enjoying "A Year at the Star and Sixpence" I just knew I have to read the new one, no matter what. There is such a lovely feel - good vibe to this beautiful cover, don't you think, it makes you want to go and visit the place pictured there, and the synopsis sounds so inviting - well, the story promises ice - creams and cinema, so nothing can go wrong there, right? What I personally loved in this book was the fact that the book didn't feel like being previously published in parts - mostly, when the novel is first published in instalment, when you read it as a full - length there are many repetitions, which is understandable but often just bothers me. This time however it didn't feel like that, and that's a real brownie point.
The next thing that I really liked was the fact that each of the four parts of the story introduces us to a new old movie and even though I'm not a great cinema fan even I have heard (and seen!) those films, so I could really get into the atmosphere and I understood all the references or nicknames. Also, next to the films there is also a new ice - cream flavour and a cocktail being introduced and oh my words, guys...! They sounded so innovative, so different, so intriguing and so, so good! I would do lots to try them all, really.
Holly Hepburn has created brilliant, warm characters that you love or love to hate. Gina was lovely, she was full of passion and determination and she never gave up, even when life was getting in the way. Was there a thing she couldn't do or organise? I don't think so - impossible was nothing for our Gina, but in all this she came across as down - to - earth, normal young woman. I adored her ideas and how quickly she always got the feeling of what is needed to help. Ben is Gina's friend from the times she was coming to her grandparents for holidays and now they catch up. Ben ... *swoon*. Helpful, honest, with an unusual hobby of stream trains but at least it was something different and not so obvious. And of course all the background characters - full of good vibes, personalities and I just felt good in their company.
It was light, a little predictable read - but it didn't spoil the reading this time because I was too caught up in the story for it to bother me. There were moments that I had a feeling the narration is going too far with descriptions or concentrating on things that are not so significant to the story but altogether the pace of the story was quick, there were many things happening, there were plenty of events and it kept me hooked to the pages. The writing was rich, vivid and colourful - you could really see why this art deco cinema used to be a local landmark and why Gina was so desperate to bring its brilliant days back - and the author brought all the ice - creams flavours to life and also the descriptions of the Picture House were detailed but full of charm and atmosphere.
Altogether, "The Picture House by the Sea" is really a lovely, warm and inviting story that has it all: vivid, living, bubbly characters, battles to fight, gorgeous setting, some romance and troubles. It's about being determined, about not giving up, about friendship old and new and family bonds, and I truly enjoyed it. A perfect summer read, full of charm and vintage dresses and I can only highly recommend it to you all, guys!
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.