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The Cornish Hideaway
A beautiful village. An artist who’s lost her spark. And a community who help her find it again.
‘Charming and romantic, sweet and sunny. I loved it’ MILLY JOHNSON
'A warm and charm-filled story about community, passion and following your heart, The Cornish Hideaway is a feel-good delight. Its dreamy seaside setting and cast of loveable characters quickly became a world I didn't want to leave. A holiday romance in book form - I adored it!' HOLLY MILLER
‘I absolutely loved the gorgeous seaside setting and the wonderful sense of community!’ HOLLY MARTIN
'A sun-drenched delight, an absolute joy!' HEIDI SWAIN
'A wonderfully charming debut’ JACKIE FRASER
‘A sun-drenched summer in picture-perfect Polcarrow - I didn't want it to end’ HOLLY HEPBURN
All Freya has ever wanted to do is paint. So when she fails her Master’s Degree in Art, on the same day that her boyfriend decides he needs a ‘more serious’ partner, to Freya it feels like the end of the world.
Luckily, she has a saviour in the shape of best friend Lola, who invites her to the sleepy Cornish village of Polcarrow, to work in her café. With nothing keeping her in London, Freya jumps at the chance of a summer by the sea.
Freya needs time to focus on herself. But then dark and mysterious biker Angelo blows into town on a stormy afternoon, with his own artistic dreams and a secretive past, and Freya’s plans of a romance-free summer fly straight out of the window…
Heart-warming, heartfelt and romantic, The Cornish Hideaway is a novel of community, friendship and learning to love again, for fans of Jenny Colgan, Cathy Bramley and Heidi Swain.
‘Charming and romantic, sweet and sunny. I loved it’ MILLY JOHNSON
'A warm and charm-filled story about community, passion and following your heart, The Cornish Hideaway is a feel-good delight. Its dreamy seaside setting and cast of loveable characters quickly became a world I didn't want to leave. A holiday romance in book form - I adored it!' HOLLY MILLER
‘I absolutely loved the gorgeous seaside setting and the wonderful sense of community!’ HOLLY MARTIN
'A sun-drenched delight, an absolute joy!' HEIDI SWAIN
'A wonderfully charming debut’ JACKIE FRASER
‘A sun-drenched summer in picture-perfect Polcarrow - I didn't want it to end’ HOLLY HEPBURN
All Freya has ever wanted to do is paint. So when she fails her Master’s Degree in Art, on the same day that her boyfriend decides he needs a ‘more serious’ partner, to Freya it feels like the end of the world.
Luckily, she has a saviour in the shape of best friend Lola, who invites her to the sleepy Cornish village of Polcarrow, to work in her café. With nothing keeping her in London, Freya jumps at the chance of a summer by the sea.
Freya needs time to focus on herself. But then dark and mysterious biker Angelo blows into town on a stormy afternoon, with his own artistic dreams and a secretive past, and Freya’s plans of a romance-free summer fly straight out of the window…
Heart-warming, heartfelt and romantic, The Cornish Hideaway is a novel of community, friendship and learning to love again, for fans of Jenny Colgan, Cathy Bramley and Heidi Swain.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 22, 2022
11 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Bibby
7 books21 followersAs a lifelong lover of stories, Jennifer Bibby spent her teenage years wowing various teachers with her historical epics before finding her feet exploring the everyday lives of modern women through literature. In addition to being a bibliophile she loves classy cocktails, cake and medieval history. She's happiest by the sea and loves to travel, and firmly believes that dinosaurs improve everything. The Cornish Hideaway is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
April 6, 2022
This gorgeous tale of love and redemption will have you enthralled!
Artists Freya and Angelo find love in the tiny Cornish village of Polcarrow (which I, along with most other readers, would like to visit...). The descriptions of Freya's paintings and of the wonderful mural she helps Angelo create will stick in my mind for a long time, and Lola is simply the best friend EVER.
Well done, for the most fabulous debut novel!
Can't wait to hear more about the characters in a sequel (including Scruff).
Artists Freya and Angelo find love in the tiny Cornish village of Polcarrow (which I, along with most other readers, would like to visit...). The descriptions of Freya's paintings and of the wonderful mural she helps Angelo create will stick in my mind for a long time, and Lola is simply the best friend EVER.
Well done, for the most fabulous debut novel!
Can't wait to hear more about the characters in a sequel (including Scruff).
April 7, 2022
And all of a sudden the book ended! I wasn't ready for that yet...
I loved this book, it has everything you want from a summer read: new beginnings, sunshine, love and a gorgeous cast of characters. You can't help falling in love with Polcarrow and the people in it. I really hope there will be a follow up, because I want to know what happens next with Freya, Angelo, Lola and Tristan, and Alf and Scruff.
I loved this book, it has everything you want from a summer read: new beginnings, sunshine, love and a gorgeous cast of characters. You can't help falling in love with Polcarrow and the people in it. I really hope there will be a follow up, because I want to know what happens next with Freya, Angelo, Lola and Tristan, and Alf and Scruff.
May 3, 2022
This book was full of love in many of its manifestations: the love and support of friends, the love (and concern) of parents and siblings over big decisions, the love of good food, company, dogs and the sea! Oh, and maybe the love of a tall, dark stranger?
I was taken by the lovely descriptions of the seaside and the desire to create, and I really enjoyed the company of the characters. It was an enjoyable, warm read.
To the author: Can we please get a book about Lola? <3
I was taken by the lovely descriptions of the seaside and the desire to create, and I really enjoyed the company of the characters. It was an enjoyable, warm read.
To the author: Can we please get a book about Lola? <3
March 22, 2022
Polcarrow is the Cornish village Freya takes off to after she fails her degree & the very same day her boyfriend Matt calls it a day…her friend Lola owns a cafe in Cornwall & the thought of the summer by the sea to heal her soul is exactly what Freya needs!
The characters in this book are just wonderful - Alf & Tristan the breakfast club…Angelo who another one who has fled the city to take stock of his life. They are all just so real!
A cracking read & I truly hope Jennifer takes us back to Polcarrow as I miss these guys & want another instalment!!
The characters in this book are just wonderful - Alf & Tristan the breakfast club…Angelo who another one who has fled the city to take stock of his life. They are all just so real!
A cracking read & I truly hope Jennifer takes us back to Polcarrow as I miss these guys & want another instalment!!
May 23, 2022
Polcarrow is such a wonderful setting and Freya flees there when she fails her Arts Masters. Her friend invites her to work in her cafe on the beachfront and she gets to know the locals- especially the breakfast club regulars who meet up every day.
Angel0 rocks up on his motorbike- also fleeing from his past. He's very guarded but gets to know and chat to the breakfast crew.
I loved seeing relationships form and past hurts being worked through and brighter futures looking promising.
Angel0 rocks up on his motorbike- also fleeing from his past. He's very guarded but gets to know and chat to the breakfast crew.
I loved seeing relationships form and past hurts being worked through and brighter futures looking promising.
February 8, 2026
Simply delightful. A story of two broken artists finding one another and healing together, helping each other while also nurturing their feelings which evolve into love, something solid and eternal. The found family, the small town cute nosiness, and the sense of anchoring oneself in a community were nicely depicted, along with the more modern and forgotten seaside life. Really enjoyed this!
May 31, 2025
Gorgeous story full of hope, romance and lovely characters.
March 27, 2022
A heartwarming and life affirming book that made me travel to Cornwall and enjoyed a lovely story.
I had fund, smile, rooted for the characters, and was able to escape reality.
Good character and plot development, lovely setting.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I had fund, smile, rooted for the characters, and was able to escape reality.
Good character and plot development, lovely setting.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
June 3, 2023
The Cornish Hideaway is a gorgeous escapist read that will have you packing your bags and heading to Polcarrow. I loved it!
Do visit My Weekly to read more of my review.
Do visit My Weekly to read more of my review.
July 25, 2024
Absolutely loved it!!! Such a beautiful read so heartwarming, heartfelt and romantic.
Wonderful characters set in a beautiful part of the world
Wonderful characters set in a beautiful part of the world
March 30, 2024
I absolutely loved this beautiful book, such a lovely story set in beautiful Cornwall with brilliant engaging characters . Highly recommended
April 4, 2023
The Cornish Hideaway by Jennifer Bibby is a delightful read from start to finish and I enjoyed it immensely. It tells the story of Freya whose ambition in life was to paint. Art and painting mean absolutely everything to her, she feels it’s her calling. So when she fails her masters degree in art her world comes crashing down. Now she has no money and no job and everything she had put into the degree was pointless and all her efforts were in vain. The one thing she does have whom she believes is a true constant is her boyfriend Matt but that element of her life is swept from under her feet just as quickly. She arrives home to his announcement that things are over. He says they have opposing personalities and whist he wants to get ahead in his work as a graphic designer, Freya just drifts along aimlessly pursuing her art thinking things will all fall into place and financial stability will become a reality for her. Frankly, he has had enough of supporting Freya and she needs to get a proper job and take some responsibility for herself.
All this happens within the first chapter or so, so to say life for Freya has imploded would be an understatement and instantly the reader feels pity for her. But as the book develops you can see that everything does happen for a reason and maybe the stars or in this case thanks to her friend Lola, the cards are aligning and the long-term plan for Freya has been set in stone. Yes, there will be many challenges ahead of her but the journey to reach her final destination proved to be an interesting, enjoyable and heart warming read. Freya feels like an epic failure. Her life has collapsed and the thing she loves most in the world- her art, well, she has more or less been told she is not good enough through her failing the degree. But maybe she was trying to conform to a form of art that was not for her? Perhaps her talents and love lay in another aspect of art? It’s clear she needs space and perspective to think about what her next move should be and that comes in the form of one of her best friends Lola. She is like Freya’s saviour as she provides her with a job in her new café in the tiny Cornish village of Polcarrow.
Lola had been like an itinerant travelling here there and everywhere. She is free spirited but has made the decision to settle down and run the café in the seaside village which is far from anywhere. I found Lola to be such a great support to Freya. She gave her a lifeline when she desperately needed one. The descriptions of the village were just beautiful and the jetty and the sea go on to play such a pivotal role in what I would call Freya’s recovery and finding herself again. I could visualise the sea, whitewashed cottages, waves, gulls, harbour and the beach and Lola’s café where some regular characters appear. I loved Alf and his dog Scruff not to mention the handsome vicar Tristan who catches someone’s eye. All of these characters add charm to the story. When Freya arrives in Polcarrow she has lost her spirit and sense of self worth but over time despite being tested she starts to believe in her art and her self once again and that’s all thanks to the friends she makes - one in particular although they too have their own emotional issues and instabilities to deal with.
When Lola reads Freya’s fortune cards they certainly throw up a surprise. They predict a man who is troubled. Yet a true soul connection is there despite the many challenges but there is a chance of love and happiness of she can trust him. For Freya, this sounds like a load of rubbish and really why would she want to be connected with someone who is troubled when she herself is trying to come to terms with what has just occurred in her life? At times you think Freya should just lay low, do her work in the café and engage with the people she meets but apart from that she should just reassess what has happened to her and try and figure out what she really wants to do in life despite how everything has fallen apart around her. Freya is angry with herself that she hadn’t the sense to see that her relationship had been dying for some time but now that she is by the sea she feels safe and secure. The friends she makes over time provide her with an internal calmness and she starts to think maybe she could stay in Polcarrow long term and pick up the brushes once again and see what springs forth from then.
But then the man of the cards arrives and things are changing once again for Freya. But is she too fragile to deal with what’s around the corner or will this person give her the strength she needs to make future decisions? Angelo arrives with the storm and is very elusive in what he gives away about himself. He lets the flat above the café and on the first night drinks himself into oblivion. Freya has a funny feeling she recognises him from somewhere and it soon clicks with her that Angelo once and still could be the biggest thing in the modern art world. He had it all and then he disappeared vanishing into obscurity. It remains one of the art world’s biggest mysteries. No doubt about it Angelo is definitely hiding something and he certainly lives up to his dark and brooding reputation. He can be mean, moody, volatile and snappy but you can see that that’s only because something is eating away at him and he can’t come to terms with it. Perhaps, Polcarrow would allow him to escape everything and he wouldn’t have to think about what is torturing him but the little village and Freya in particular will get under his skin and he won’t be allowed to wallow.
Angelo starts to help Alf restore his old boat for the Fisherman’s Fair and slowly he starts to reveal to Freya what has been troubling him. It’s a sad tale which he weaves but at times I just couldn’t help thinking is it just the troubled tortured artist reputation living up to its hype? Did he overact too much? Was it all in his head or were his fears and anxiety genuine? I felt with Freya everything that had happened to her was genuine but perhaps Angelo given his reputation and success as an artist just put far too much pressure on himself and it resulted in him acting in ways he had never imagined. You definitely feel the connection between the pair and the fortune cards are living up to what they have predicted but things aren’t always smooth sailing. As the mural for the church which was commissioned by Tristan and carried out by Angelo with some help from Freya is revealed at the fair things take an unsettling turn and Freya has to make some tough decisions.
Angelo really needed to drop his guard and show his true self to Freya. You could see from a mile off that they were perfect for each other. They complimented each other and their love of art united them. But Angelo is a very frustrating character and I felt this time and time again, Honestly, I just wanted to give him a big shake and say cop yourself on. I hated what he did in the last quarter or so of the book and he didn’t seem to have any redeeming features at all. Freya felt lost and afraid once again and whether she finds that elusive happiness or not that she has been searching for both in her personal and professional life you need to read this little gem of a book to discover the answers. I really hope Jennifer Bibby decides to write more stories set in Polcarrow because this really was a fabulous read and an impressive debut. You’ll be swept up in Freya’s story and will be sad to leave once you have read the final word.
All this happens within the first chapter or so, so to say life for Freya has imploded would be an understatement and instantly the reader feels pity for her. But as the book develops you can see that everything does happen for a reason and maybe the stars or in this case thanks to her friend Lola, the cards are aligning and the long-term plan for Freya has been set in stone. Yes, there will be many challenges ahead of her but the journey to reach her final destination proved to be an interesting, enjoyable and heart warming read. Freya feels like an epic failure. Her life has collapsed and the thing she loves most in the world- her art, well, she has more or less been told she is not good enough through her failing the degree. But maybe she was trying to conform to a form of art that was not for her? Perhaps her talents and love lay in another aspect of art? It’s clear she needs space and perspective to think about what her next move should be and that comes in the form of one of her best friends Lola. She is like Freya’s saviour as she provides her with a job in her new café in the tiny Cornish village of Polcarrow.
Lola had been like an itinerant travelling here there and everywhere. She is free spirited but has made the decision to settle down and run the café in the seaside village which is far from anywhere. I found Lola to be such a great support to Freya. She gave her a lifeline when she desperately needed one. The descriptions of the village were just beautiful and the jetty and the sea go on to play such a pivotal role in what I would call Freya’s recovery and finding herself again. I could visualise the sea, whitewashed cottages, waves, gulls, harbour and the beach and Lola’s café where some regular characters appear. I loved Alf and his dog Scruff not to mention the handsome vicar Tristan who catches someone’s eye. All of these characters add charm to the story. When Freya arrives in Polcarrow she has lost her spirit and sense of self worth but over time despite being tested she starts to believe in her art and her self once again and that’s all thanks to the friends she makes - one in particular although they too have their own emotional issues and instabilities to deal with.
When Lola reads Freya’s fortune cards they certainly throw up a surprise. They predict a man who is troubled. Yet a true soul connection is there despite the many challenges but there is a chance of love and happiness of she can trust him. For Freya, this sounds like a load of rubbish and really why would she want to be connected with someone who is troubled when she herself is trying to come to terms with what has just occurred in her life? At times you think Freya should just lay low, do her work in the café and engage with the people she meets but apart from that she should just reassess what has happened to her and try and figure out what she really wants to do in life despite how everything has fallen apart around her. Freya is angry with herself that she hadn’t the sense to see that her relationship had been dying for some time but now that she is by the sea she feels safe and secure. The friends she makes over time provide her with an internal calmness and she starts to think maybe she could stay in Polcarrow long term and pick up the brushes once again and see what springs forth from then.
But then the man of the cards arrives and things are changing once again for Freya. But is she too fragile to deal with what’s around the corner or will this person give her the strength she needs to make future decisions? Angelo arrives with the storm and is very elusive in what he gives away about himself. He lets the flat above the café and on the first night drinks himself into oblivion. Freya has a funny feeling she recognises him from somewhere and it soon clicks with her that Angelo once and still could be the biggest thing in the modern art world. He had it all and then he disappeared vanishing into obscurity. It remains one of the art world’s biggest mysteries. No doubt about it Angelo is definitely hiding something and he certainly lives up to his dark and brooding reputation. He can be mean, moody, volatile and snappy but you can see that that’s only because something is eating away at him and he can’t come to terms with it. Perhaps, Polcarrow would allow him to escape everything and he wouldn’t have to think about what is torturing him but the little village and Freya in particular will get under his skin and he won’t be allowed to wallow.
Angelo starts to help Alf restore his old boat for the Fisherman’s Fair and slowly he starts to reveal to Freya what has been troubling him. It’s a sad tale which he weaves but at times I just couldn’t help thinking is it just the troubled tortured artist reputation living up to its hype? Did he overact too much? Was it all in his head or were his fears and anxiety genuine? I felt with Freya everything that had happened to her was genuine but perhaps Angelo given his reputation and success as an artist just put far too much pressure on himself and it resulted in him acting in ways he had never imagined. You definitely feel the connection between the pair and the fortune cards are living up to what they have predicted but things aren’t always smooth sailing. As the mural for the church which was commissioned by Tristan and carried out by Angelo with some help from Freya is revealed at the fair things take an unsettling turn and Freya has to make some tough decisions.
Angelo really needed to drop his guard and show his true self to Freya. You could see from a mile off that they were perfect for each other. They complimented each other and their love of art united them. But Angelo is a very frustrating character and I felt this time and time again, Honestly, I just wanted to give him a big shake and say cop yourself on. I hated what he did in the last quarter or so of the book and he didn’t seem to have any redeeming features at all. Freya felt lost and afraid once again and whether she finds that elusive happiness or not that she has been searching for both in her personal and professional life you need to read this little gem of a book to discover the answers. I really hope Jennifer Bibby decides to write more stories set in Polcarrow because this really was a fabulous read and an impressive debut. You’ll be swept up in Freya’s story and will be sad to leave once you have read the final word.
May 10, 2022
A lovely story about art and being who you are, along with a gorgeous love story between two fascinating characters. Looking forward to more from this author!
April 19, 2022
Cornwall is a popular location for books and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a beautiful place full of pretty little villages, beautiful beaches and dramatic scenery. It’s also a place where community seems to matter a lot. All great ingredients for an engaging story. The Cornish Hideaway has an idyllic looking seaside village location on the front cover and I was looking forward to my visit to Polcarrow.
Oh my goodness my heart went out to Freya at the start of the story. Imagine failing the degree that you’ve set your heart on, after getting a first class undergrad in pretty much the same subject area. The time, the effort, the money, the disappointment, the knock to your confidence and humiliation. And then the same day, her pig of a boyfriend decides that’s the day to split up with her. Poor Freya, no wonder she wanted to find somewhere to hide away. I just wanted to give her a big hug.
The Cornish Hideaway‘s setting in the seaside village of Polcarrow is full of wonderful characters I found impossible not to take to heart. There’s octogenarian Alf, an ex-fisherman who likes his morning visit to the café along with his dog Scruff, dishy vicar Tristan and Freya’s wonderful friend Lola. I even had a soft spot for the nosy WI ladies!
And then there’s brooding mystery man Angelo. When he blows into town on his motorbike he raises a few eyebrows and ruffles a few feathers. He’s got a past he wants to put behind him but something about it won’t let him go. He and Freya are drawn together by their creativity and for a while it looks like their art will be so healing for them both and maybe just bring them together but Angelo still has some issues to face. The way Jennifer Bibby writes about these two makes you really get an understanding of them and made me so long for them to find happiness together. Although there are times when Angelo’s actions need a lot of understanding!
The Cornish Hideaway is a gorgeous uplifting story about friendship, new beginnings, believing in yourself and finding true love when you least expect it. I really hope there will be a sequel as I’d love to read more about the seaside community of Polcarrow and its inhabitants. Lola’s story next maybe?
Oh my goodness my heart went out to Freya at the start of the story. Imagine failing the degree that you’ve set your heart on, after getting a first class undergrad in pretty much the same subject area. The time, the effort, the money, the disappointment, the knock to your confidence and humiliation. And then the same day, her pig of a boyfriend decides that’s the day to split up with her. Poor Freya, no wonder she wanted to find somewhere to hide away. I just wanted to give her a big hug.
The Cornish Hideaway‘s setting in the seaside village of Polcarrow is full of wonderful characters I found impossible not to take to heart. There’s octogenarian Alf, an ex-fisherman who likes his morning visit to the café along with his dog Scruff, dishy vicar Tristan and Freya’s wonderful friend Lola. I even had a soft spot for the nosy WI ladies!
And then there’s brooding mystery man Angelo. When he blows into town on his motorbike he raises a few eyebrows and ruffles a few feathers. He’s got a past he wants to put behind him but something about it won’t let him go. He and Freya are drawn together by their creativity and for a while it looks like their art will be so healing for them both and maybe just bring them together but Angelo still has some issues to face. The way Jennifer Bibby writes about these two makes you really get an understanding of them and made me so long for them to find happiness together. Although there are times when Angelo’s actions need a lot of understanding!
The Cornish Hideaway is a gorgeous uplifting story about friendship, new beginnings, believing in yourself and finding true love when you least expect it. I really hope there will be a sequel as I’d love to read more about the seaside community of Polcarrow and its inhabitants. Lola’s story next maybe?
June 2, 2023
We begin the story by meeting our heroine Freya Harris and discovering she has unexpectedly failed her Master’s Degree in Art. She is twenty-seven years old and lives in London with her boyfriend Matt, though when she gets back and tells him her result, he finishes their relationship. He was horrible anyway, she’s better off without him.
When she posts on Facebook about needing a holiday, her friend Lola invites her to stay with her and help out in her café, so Freya goes down to Cornwall and the quiet village of Polcarrow. Not long after she arrives, Lola reads her cards and predicts a new love for Freya, but will that happen? After all, Freya has only just come out of a long relationship with Matt, which didn’t end well. But then a stranger to the village arrives, a moody long-haired biker called Angelo. Could he be ‘the dark man’ Lola had predicted would enter Freya’s life?
Read the book to find out what happens!!
This book was very easy to get into. I felt sorry for Freya and was rooting for her right from the start. Lola’s a lot of fun too and I enjoyed her vintage style and how her house was done out. (I want to have a nosey at her bookshelf of Hollywood star autobiographies!) I could really picture the gorgeous café too and definitely felt I wanted to go in there for cake and coffee. I love the book cover too and liked comparing it to the description inside.
As you’d expect with these kinds of books, there’s a wonderful community feel to Polcarrow and lots of great characters. I loved Tristan the young vicar and Alf with his sheepdog called Scruff and we’ve all met women like the ladies from the W.I.
Reading about the seaside felt very atmospheric and calming and the whole book was like having my own little holiday in Cornwall, I loved it.
This book is Jennifer Bibby’s debut novel and I will definitely read anything she writes in the future, as this book has everything – a wonderful authentic location, great characters you fall in love with and an interesting story that holds your attention throughout.
When she posts on Facebook about needing a holiday, her friend Lola invites her to stay with her and help out in her café, so Freya goes down to Cornwall and the quiet village of Polcarrow. Not long after she arrives, Lola reads her cards and predicts a new love for Freya, but will that happen? After all, Freya has only just come out of a long relationship with Matt, which didn’t end well. But then a stranger to the village arrives, a moody long-haired biker called Angelo. Could he be ‘the dark man’ Lola had predicted would enter Freya’s life?
Read the book to find out what happens!!
This book was very easy to get into. I felt sorry for Freya and was rooting for her right from the start. Lola’s a lot of fun too and I enjoyed her vintage style and how her house was done out. (I want to have a nosey at her bookshelf of Hollywood star autobiographies!) I could really picture the gorgeous café too and definitely felt I wanted to go in there for cake and coffee. I love the book cover too and liked comparing it to the description inside.
As you’d expect with these kinds of books, there’s a wonderful community feel to Polcarrow and lots of great characters. I loved Tristan the young vicar and Alf with his sheepdog called Scruff and we’ve all met women like the ladies from the W.I.
Reading about the seaside felt very atmospheric and calming and the whole book was like having my own little holiday in Cornwall, I loved it.
This book is Jennifer Bibby’s debut novel and I will definitely read anything she writes in the future, as this book has everything – a wonderful authentic location, great characters you fall in love with and an interesting story that holds your attention throughout.
April 1, 2023
Aspiring artist Freya has just failed her masters’ degree and Matt, her boyfriend of seven years, has decided they should go their separate ways.
Homeless, with no prospect of a job, Freya accepts her friend Lola’s offer to spend the summer working in her café in the Cornish village of Polcarrow.
As she settles in, a stranger arrives in town, roaring in on a motorbike. Angelo is tall, dark, handsome and troubled. Freya recognises him as a once well-known artist who has disappeared off the art scene, but wisely does not probe, instead offering him support in the form of hearty bacon butties, freshly brewed coffee and a listening ear.
As summer progresses, their friendship deepens into something more, but whatever is troubling Angelo makes him wary of commitment. Will Freya be left out in the cold again?
This was an enthralling and emotional read, the pages full of warmth and humour.
I loved the characters – Freya may be down, but she is not out, and she and Lola complement each other perfectly. Angelo is described as a man with “a hint of danger and the need for salvation” and he more than lives up to this promise but he can never fully conceal his softer side, and it’s easy to see why Freya falls for him.
The villagers are a delight – from vicar Tristan (who has an unholy interest in Lola) to WI stalwarts Jan, Cathy and Sue, to old seasalt Alf and his dog Scruff. They form a fun and strong backdrop to the narrative, providing opportunities for the plot to develop.
The pace of the narrative works well – overall, the tone is light and breezy, deepening into thoughtfulness when the plot demands it. Author Jennifer Bibby uses the elements to great effect – for example, the storm which heralds Angelo’s arrival in the village signals the mood of the man who is about to disrupt Freya’s new found peace.
As a romance, this is a really good read, but it is also a lovely exploration of one woman’s quest to find her true place in life after a series of disappointment.
Homeless, with no prospect of a job, Freya accepts her friend Lola’s offer to spend the summer working in her café in the Cornish village of Polcarrow.
As she settles in, a stranger arrives in town, roaring in on a motorbike. Angelo is tall, dark, handsome and troubled. Freya recognises him as a once well-known artist who has disappeared off the art scene, but wisely does not probe, instead offering him support in the form of hearty bacon butties, freshly brewed coffee and a listening ear.
As summer progresses, their friendship deepens into something more, but whatever is troubling Angelo makes him wary of commitment. Will Freya be left out in the cold again?
This was an enthralling and emotional read, the pages full of warmth and humour.
I loved the characters – Freya may be down, but she is not out, and she and Lola complement each other perfectly. Angelo is described as a man with “a hint of danger and the need for salvation” and he more than lives up to this promise but he can never fully conceal his softer side, and it’s easy to see why Freya falls for him.
The villagers are a delight – from vicar Tristan (who has an unholy interest in Lola) to WI stalwarts Jan, Cathy and Sue, to old seasalt Alf and his dog Scruff. They form a fun and strong backdrop to the narrative, providing opportunities for the plot to develop.
The pace of the narrative works well – overall, the tone is light and breezy, deepening into thoughtfulness when the plot demands it. Author Jennifer Bibby uses the elements to great effect – for example, the storm which heralds Angelo’s arrival in the village signals the mood of the man who is about to disrupt Freya’s new found peace.
As a romance, this is a really good read, but it is also a lovely exploration of one woman’s quest to find her true place in life after a series of disappointment.
March 27, 2023
Twenty-seven-year-old Freya dreams of being an artist, passing her degree with flying colours. However, her master’s degree is a different story and after all her hard work she fails. Feeling low and sad she heads home to the comfort of her boyfriend Matt, but Matt isn’t in a comforting mood and adds to Freya’s bad day by dumping her and telling her she has to move out of their shared flat.
Presuming she has to head home to move back in with her parents, she is thrown a lifeline by her friend Lola who offers her a job and somewhere to stay in the Cornish village of Polcarrow. Free spirit Lola has opened up a café and wants Freya to come and help out over the summer. Lola’s tarot reading skills tell Freya that not only should she not give up on her dream but a darkly troubled man will be making his way into her life and she is to trust him.
The Cornish Hideaway is the debut novel by author Jennifer Bibby. Set in the gorgeous fictional town of Polcarrow Cornwall and featuring a fabulous array of characters, this book is just a glorious summery read.
The setting gives you that relaxing feeling and the café a warm invite. Freya is a troubled young woman who has had a few knocks to her confidence lately and Lola and Polcarrow are the perfect pick-me-ups for her. Angelo, the dark man coming into her life is too troubled and they worked well together and bounced off one another.
For me though, Lola stole the show. I simply adored her. Plus, elderly ex-fisherman Alf, who is such a sweetheart, and his dog too. There’s even a dishy vicar, well you can’t leave one of those out in a book set in Cornwall, can you!!
Overall, The Cornish Hideaway is a beautiful story that will touch your heart and leave you feeling happy and uplifted. Once I started I didn’t want to put it down and I hope you feel that way too.
Presuming she has to head home to move back in with her parents, she is thrown a lifeline by her friend Lola who offers her a job and somewhere to stay in the Cornish village of Polcarrow. Free spirit Lola has opened up a café and wants Freya to come and help out over the summer. Lola’s tarot reading skills tell Freya that not only should she not give up on her dream but a darkly troubled man will be making his way into her life and she is to trust him.
The Cornish Hideaway is the debut novel by author Jennifer Bibby. Set in the gorgeous fictional town of Polcarrow Cornwall and featuring a fabulous array of characters, this book is just a glorious summery read.
The setting gives you that relaxing feeling and the café a warm invite. Freya is a troubled young woman who has had a few knocks to her confidence lately and Lola and Polcarrow are the perfect pick-me-ups for her. Angelo, the dark man coming into her life is too troubled and they worked well together and bounced off one another.
For me though, Lola stole the show. I simply adored her. Plus, elderly ex-fisherman Alf, who is such a sweetheart, and his dog too. There’s even a dishy vicar, well you can’t leave one of those out in a book set in Cornwall, can you!!
Overall, The Cornish Hideaway is a beautiful story that will touch your heart and leave you feeling happy and uplifted. Once I started I didn’t want to put it down and I hope you feel that way too.
April 1, 2023
Today I’m giving this book a huge shout out, about Jennifer Bibby’s debut novel as it’s a beautiful story set in Cornwall, with heartache, friendship, and romance.
I found The Cornish Hideaway a relaxing, unputdownable, book.
I felt really sorry for Freya, when she failed her Master of Arts. She had sacrificed everything to be on the course, now she has doesn’t have the degree that she really wanted.
Freya now has no money or no job. and no degree.
Her boyfriend forgot Freya was getting her results on her master’s of Arts. He was too busy playing computer games. He could see how Freya was so upset from a failed result, but he didn’t even console his own girlfriend.
Then Matt spills out he was ending their relationship. Well I thought Freya could do better than Matt.
When Freya doesn’t know what to do she phones a close friend, Lola, who lives in Polcarrow Bay in Cornwall. Lola, is the kind of friend that really cares about Freya, offering her to go to Cornwall and work in her cafe.
I thought good for you Freya, at least she will be able to have a new life in Cornwall, as a single twenty seven year old, and hopefully she will find a young man that will take good care of her. In a storm a young man, Angelo Borelli a biker turn up at the cafe wanting some food and somewhere to stay. Lola offers him a flat above her cafe with also having the idea of matchmaking Freya with biker Angelo. I was quite eager to read on to find out if Freya and Angelo will get together, or is it too soon for her after Matt ending their relationship.
I absolutely loved reading The Cornish Hideaway as it brought back so many memories of when I was a little girl we had our family holiday every year in the Cornwall.
I would have given this book more than 5 stars if I could have!
I found The Cornish Hideaway a relaxing, unputdownable, book.
I felt really sorry for Freya, when she failed her Master of Arts. She had sacrificed everything to be on the course, now she has doesn’t have the degree that she really wanted.
Freya now has no money or no job. and no degree.
Her boyfriend forgot Freya was getting her results on her master’s of Arts. He was too busy playing computer games. He could see how Freya was so upset from a failed result, but he didn’t even console his own girlfriend.
Then Matt spills out he was ending their relationship. Well I thought Freya could do better than Matt.
When Freya doesn’t know what to do she phones a close friend, Lola, who lives in Polcarrow Bay in Cornwall. Lola, is the kind of friend that really cares about Freya, offering her to go to Cornwall and work in her cafe.
I thought good for you Freya, at least she will be able to have a new life in Cornwall, as a single twenty seven year old, and hopefully she will find a young man that will take good care of her. In a storm a young man, Angelo Borelli a biker turn up at the cafe wanting some food and somewhere to stay. Lola offers him a flat above her cafe with also having the idea of matchmaking Freya with biker Angelo. I was quite eager to read on to find out if Freya and Angelo will get together, or is it too soon for her after Matt ending their relationship.
I absolutely loved reading The Cornish Hideaway as it brought back so many memories of when I was a little girl we had our family holiday every year in the Cornwall.
I would have given this book more than 5 stars if I could have!
April 8, 2022
This is a new author to me and was recommended to me and I will be reading more books from her as such a brilliant read and so easy as well and based in Cornwall you can’t go wrong. It’s full of heartbreak and romance and friendship and starting over again and letting the past go. It’s got great characters and the plot is brilliant highly recommend.
Freya has just finished at uni as a mature student but she sadly didn’t pass her art course she did and as she goes back to tell her boyfriend he finishes with her as well and she really doesn’t know what to do. She needs to find something quickly and her friend Lola rings after seeing her post on Facebook and says she is welcome to go and stay with her in Cornwall and she takes it up as she can’t face going home. She heads to Cornwall and starts painting while working in the tea shop as well. Once day a man turns up in the cafe and needs someone where to stay and Lola offers the flat above the cafe and although Freya isn’t looking for romance she soon feels herself falling for Angelo but she tries not to but he’s hiding something as well will they both be able to open up and move forward or not. The village has a festival and Freya and Angelo have been working on an art piece in the church and they don’t want their names attached to it. Suddenly when Freya thinks all is going ok with Angelo he suddenly leaves and she’s heartbroken and really doesn’t no what she wants to do. She does some more paintings and starts to sell them but when she sees him back in Cornwall how will she react and will they be able to sort the problems out and move forward or not.
A perfect easy read.
Freya has just finished at uni as a mature student but she sadly didn’t pass her art course she did and as she goes back to tell her boyfriend he finishes with her as well and she really doesn’t know what to do. She needs to find something quickly and her friend Lola rings after seeing her post on Facebook and says she is welcome to go and stay with her in Cornwall and she takes it up as she can’t face going home. She heads to Cornwall and starts painting while working in the tea shop as well. Once day a man turns up in the cafe and needs someone where to stay and Lola offers the flat above the cafe and although Freya isn’t looking for romance she soon feels herself falling for Angelo but she tries not to but he’s hiding something as well will they both be able to open up and move forward or not. The village has a festival and Freya and Angelo have been working on an art piece in the church and they don’t want their names attached to it. Suddenly when Freya thinks all is going ok with Angelo he suddenly leaves and she’s heartbroken and really doesn’t no what she wants to do. She does some more paintings and starts to sell them but when she sees him back in Cornwall how will she react and will they be able to sort the problems out and move forward or not.
A perfect easy read.
March 26, 2023
Wow! What a truly wonderful read this was. I loved everything about this book. This was such a feel-good read and I found myself totally hooked. I really liked the style of writing. I honestly cannot believe that this is the author’s debut novel, it is just so good.
I really enjoyed reading about Polcarrow. It sounded heavenly, a place to escape to from the everyday busyness. I also loved reading about the café where the locals would gather. Lola’s cakes made my mouth water. I would have given anything to taste them. Yum!
The characters in this book were all so likeable. I cannot think of one that I did not like. It was almost like being with friends, reading about them all. Scruff the dog was just so adorable. There was a great sense of community spirit in Polcarrow.
I followed Freya’s journey with great interest. After failing her master’s degree and then being dumped by her boyfriend all in the same day she needed to get away and think things over. For her, going to Polcarrow was the best thing she could have done. I think she learnt a lot about herself and what she was actually capable of doing. I enjoyed reading about Freya and Angelo. It was interesting and exciting to see how things developed between them.
If you are looking for an uplifting and romantic read, then I highly recommend that you grab yourself a copy of ‘The Cornish Hideaway’. I will be waiting with bated breath for Jennifer Bibby’s next book.
I really enjoyed reading about Polcarrow. It sounded heavenly, a place to escape to from the everyday busyness. I also loved reading about the café where the locals would gather. Lola’s cakes made my mouth water. I would have given anything to taste them. Yum!
The characters in this book were all so likeable. I cannot think of one that I did not like. It was almost like being with friends, reading about them all. Scruff the dog was just so adorable. There was a great sense of community spirit in Polcarrow.
I followed Freya’s journey with great interest. After failing her master’s degree and then being dumped by her boyfriend all in the same day she needed to get away and think things over. For her, going to Polcarrow was the best thing she could have done. I think she learnt a lot about herself and what she was actually capable of doing. I enjoyed reading about Freya and Angelo. It was interesting and exciting to see how things developed between them.
If you are looking for an uplifting and romantic read, then I highly recommend that you grab yourself a copy of ‘The Cornish Hideaway’. I will be waiting with bated breath for Jennifer Bibby’s next book.
March 31, 2023
The Cornish Hideaway is an immersive and beautiful novel of self-discovery and new beginnings set in beautiful Cornwall. The protagonist is twenty-seven years old Freya who, after failing her postgraduate course and being dumped from her long-term boyfriend, all in the same day, decides it is time for a change and to take a break from art and the chaos of London and accepts her friend Lola’s invitation to spend the summer in Cornwall helping her out in her new café.
The story is set in Polcarrow, a small fictional village by the sea and, upon arriving, Freya is warmly welcomed by the residents. But she is not the only newcomer in the village. Arriving on his motorbike, Angelo draws even more attention than Freya. And, exactly like Freya, he is also taking a break from his life to figure out what he wants. The attraction between Freya and Angelo is immediate and strong, but with so much from their past to resolve, first they have to find out if they are ready for love.
I was initially drawn to this novel by the beautiful cover. And then I read the blurb and I knew that I would love it and I wasn’t disappointed. The story is entertaining and charming and the characters captured my heart. Life in Polcarrow is very different from London and soon Freya finds herself refreshed and rested. She is able to focus on her art again, without pressure or fear of being rushed and she immerses herself in the local life. She also has a chance to love, but Angelo has his own demons haunting him and things won’t be easy between them, but I loved how their story developed. In Polcarrow, Freya not only finds love, but also a few new friends. Lola (who she met in London working together in a bar) is fun and sweet, the local vicar, Tristan, is always ready to listen and to offer some advice, and Alf is eighty-year-old star resident, full of stories and unconditional friendship together with his adorable dog, Scruff.
The Cornish Hideaway is one of these stories that keep you engrossed from start to finish and I didn’t want it to end. It is very well-written and with the right doses of romance and friendship and I am already looking forward reading to the author’s next story!
The story is set in Polcarrow, a small fictional village by the sea and, upon arriving, Freya is warmly welcomed by the residents. But she is not the only newcomer in the village. Arriving on his motorbike, Angelo draws even more attention than Freya. And, exactly like Freya, he is also taking a break from his life to figure out what he wants. The attraction between Freya and Angelo is immediate and strong, but with so much from their past to resolve, first they have to find out if they are ready for love.
I was initially drawn to this novel by the beautiful cover. And then I read the blurb and I knew that I would love it and I wasn’t disappointed. The story is entertaining and charming and the characters captured my heart. Life in Polcarrow is very different from London and soon Freya finds herself refreshed and rested. She is able to focus on her art again, without pressure or fear of being rushed and she immerses herself in the local life. She also has a chance to love, but Angelo has his own demons haunting him and things won’t be easy between them, but I loved how their story developed. In Polcarrow, Freya not only finds love, but also a few new friends. Lola (who she met in London working together in a bar) is fun and sweet, the local vicar, Tristan, is always ready to listen and to offer some advice, and Alf is eighty-year-old star resident, full of stories and unconditional friendship together with his adorable dog, Scruff.
The Cornish Hideaway is one of these stories that keep you engrossed from start to finish and I didn’t want it to end. It is very well-written and with the right doses of romance and friendship and I am already looking forward reading to the author’s next story!
March 22, 2022
I'm so pleased I tried out this new author - Jennifer Bibby is right up there with my fav romance authors!
I was originally attracted to the storyline – a struggling artist running off to Cornwall for the summer to re-evaluate her life while she works at her friend’s cafe. What better way to get over a failed degree and the ending of a long term relationship? We all need a saviour in our lives like Freya’s friend Lola who is kind-hearted and an excellent baker!
I flew through the book, reading it in just a few days because I fell in love with Polcarrow and the locals. It seems the perfect place for Freya to make some life affirming decisions that doesn’t include men. That is until Angelo turns up, signalling a change in the suddenly stormy air and hopefully something more for Freya!
Both Freya and Angelo have their troubles, but it’s clear they are the antidote to each other’s problems, if only they can put those troubles behind them.
Some real highlights for me are the painting of the mural at the church and Angelo helping an old fisherman, Alf, restore his fishing boat for the summer fair.
The story of Freya rediscovering her passion for painting and love, gripped me and I was sad to finish reading.
I feel as though Polcarrow could be the setting of many future stories – I certainly hope so.
Thanks to Netgalley for my ARC copy.
I was originally attracted to the storyline – a struggling artist running off to Cornwall for the summer to re-evaluate her life while she works at her friend’s cafe. What better way to get over a failed degree and the ending of a long term relationship? We all need a saviour in our lives like Freya’s friend Lola who is kind-hearted and an excellent baker!
I flew through the book, reading it in just a few days because I fell in love with Polcarrow and the locals. It seems the perfect place for Freya to make some life affirming decisions that doesn’t include men. That is until Angelo turns up, signalling a change in the suddenly stormy air and hopefully something more for Freya!
Both Freya and Angelo have their troubles, but it’s clear they are the antidote to each other’s problems, if only they can put those troubles behind them.
Some real highlights for me are the painting of the mural at the church and Angelo helping an old fisherman, Alf, restore his fishing boat for the summer fair.
The story of Freya rediscovering her passion for painting and love, gripped me and I was sad to finish reading.
I feel as though Polcarrow could be the setting of many future stories – I certainly hope so.
Thanks to Netgalley for my ARC copy.
March 30, 2022
The Cornish Hideaway is Jennifer Bibby’s debut novel, and it is fantastic! I loved this book so much that I putting off finishing the last few chapters because I didn’t want my escape to Polcarrow to end.
Freya needs to escape after finding out she has failed her Master’s Degree and her long-term boyfriend dumps her on the same day. She takes her friend Lola up on her offer and heads to the Cornish village of Polcarrow to help out in her café over the summer. Freya intends to use this time to heal and rediscover herself, but then biker Angelo turns up in the village and grabs Freya’s attention.
There are so many things that I loved about this book; the setting, the story line, writing style, but most of all I think it was the characters. Freya is completely relatable and lovable, whilst Lola is fun and quirky. They make friends with the vicar, Tristan, and village stalwart Alf and his dog Scruff, and there’s the mysterious Angelo. I loved the relationship they built, with Freya, Lola Angelo and Tristan all being newcomers to the village, Alf having lived there his whole life makes them all welcome and helps guide each of them.
Polcarrow sounds idyllic and Jennifer’s writing made me feel like I was walking the coast. I think she also highlights how important it is to find your passion in life, and to embrace it.
This book is perfect escapism and ideal for your summer reading.
Freya needs to escape after finding out she has failed her Master’s Degree and her long-term boyfriend dumps her on the same day. She takes her friend Lola up on her offer and heads to the Cornish village of Polcarrow to help out in her café over the summer. Freya intends to use this time to heal and rediscover herself, but then biker Angelo turns up in the village and grabs Freya’s attention.
There are so many things that I loved about this book; the setting, the story line, writing style, but most of all I think it was the characters. Freya is completely relatable and lovable, whilst Lola is fun and quirky. They make friends with the vicar, Tristan, and village stalwart Alf and his dog Scruff, and there’s the mysterious Angelo. I loved the relationship they built, with Freya, Lola Angelo and Tristan all being newcomers to the village, Alf having lived there his whole life makes them all welcome and helps guide each of them.
Polcarrow sounds idyllic and Jennifer’s writing made me feel like I was walking the coast. I think she also highlights how important it is to find your passion in life, and to embrace it.
This book is perfect escapism and ideal for your summer reading.
April 8, 2023
The Cornish Hideaway is a delightful debut novel fhat will have you dreaming of summer and longing to take a trip to Cornwall.
When Freya, a talented artist, fails her Masters and is dumped by her boyfriend, she escapes to Cornwall to help her friend Lola who runs a café in the seaside town of Polcarrow and give herself time to heal. Enjoying getting to know the locals, things take an unexpected turn when the brooding Angelo turns up outside the café on a motorbike, also escaping from his past. Drawn together by their creative backgrounds, can they both put their past behind them and move forward in order to find the happiness they deserve?
There is so much to enjoy in this book – the storyline, the delightful Cornish setting and first and above all the characters. Besides Freya and Angelo, I loved the slightly quirky Lola – and would love to try her cakes! Regular visitors to the café include the local vicar Tristan, and the delightful octogenarian Alf and his dog Scruff. And I even warmed to the three stalwarts of the village WI!
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Polcarrow and do hope there is another book to come as I look forward to revisiting the residents of this delightful village.
When Freya, a talented artist, fails her Masters and is dumped by her boyfriend, she escapes to Cornwall to help her friend Lola who runs a café in the seaside town of Polcarrow and give herself time to heal. Enjoying getting to know the locals, things take an unexpected turn when the brooding Angelo turns up outside the café on a motorbike, also escaping from his past. Drawn together by their creative backgrounds, can they both put their past behind them and move forward in order to find the happiness they deserve?
There is so much to enjoy in this book – the storyline, the delightful Cornish setting and first and above all the characters. Besides Freya and Angelo, I loved the slightly quirky Lola – and would love to try her cakes! Regular visitors to the café include the local vicar Tristan, and the delightful octogenarian Alf and his dog Scruff. And I even warmed to the three stalwarts of the village WI!
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Polcarrow and do hope there is another book to come as I look forward to revisiting the residents of this delightful village.
April 8, 2023
Freya is having a bit of a tough time. On the day that she finds out that she has failed her Master’s Degree in Art, her boyfriend Matt also dumps her. No degree, no boyfriend and she’ll have to find a new place to live. When her friend Lola contacts her, Freya tells her what’s happened and Lola suggests that Freya go and stay with her in Polcarrow, a village in Cornwall and work in her coffee shop. This will give Freya time to rest and come up with a plan of action. But Freya isn’t the only new person in town because a mysterious biker in the form of fellow artist Angelo also arrives. Will Freya and Angelo find what they are looking for in Polcarrow?
I have decided that one of my biggest downfalls is reading books based in Cornwall because then all I want to do is go to Cornwall. Polcarrow sounded so picturesque, warm with a big sense of community. I felt so sad when I first started to read because it was just one thing after another that was going wrong for Freya. Freya’s plans of taking the art world by storm and becoming engaged to Matt quickly unravel. Having failed her Masters Freya finds that she’s fallen a little out of love with art and it doesn’t help that instead of supporting her Matt suggests that it is more of a hobby than a real profession. When Freya and Angelo meet it’s clearly meant to be because they are very similar and something in their souls recognises something in the other. They both love art but have lost their way. Freya wants to become a famous artist and in contrast Angelo is a famous artist but with that fame comes a lot of pressure not only on him but also on his art. Both characters are running away from something when they decide to go to Polcarrow. For Freya it is the fact that her life isn’t going the way she thought it would go and for Angelo he’s running away from his life and the fame. Freya and Angelo are a positive influence on each other and encourage each other to reconnect with their artistic sides. Angelo sees in Freya what she can’t see in herself; that she is an amazing artist and has potential. As for Freya she encourages Angelo to stop running from his past and who he is.
A story about finding love when you least expect it.
I have decided that one of my biggest downfalls is reading books based in Cornwall because then all I want to do is go to Cornwall. Polcarrow sounded so picturesque, warm with a big sense of community. I felt so sad when I first started to read because it was just one thing after another that was going wrong for Freya. Freya’s plans of taking the art world by storm and becoming engaged to Matt quickly unravel. Having failed her Masters Freya finds that she’s fallen a little out of love with art and it doesn’t help that instead of supporting her Matt suggests that it is more of a hobby than a real profession. When Freya and Angelo meet it’s clearly meant to be because they are very similar and something in their souls recognises something in the other. They both love art but have lost their way. Freya wants to become a famous artist and in contrast Angelo is a famous artist but with that fame comes a lot of pressure not only on him but also on his art. Both characters are running away from something when they decide to go to Polcarrow. For Freya it is the fact that her life isn’t going the way she thought it would go and for Angelo he’s running away from his life and the fame. Freya and Angelo are a positive influence on each other and encourage each other to reconnect with their artistic sides. Angelo sees in Freya what she can’t see in herself; that she is an amazing artist and has potential. As for Freya she encourages Angelo to stop running from his past and who he is.
A story about finding love when you least expect it.
March 22, 2025
The Cornish Hideaway by Jennifer Bibby
Blurb
All Freya has ever wanted to do is paint. So when she fails her Master’s Degree in Art, on the same day that her boyfriend decides he needs a ‘more serious’ partner, to Freya it feels like the end of the world.
Luckily, she has a saviour in the shape of best friend Lola, who invites her to the sleepy Cornish village of Polcarrow, to work in her café. With nothing keeping her in London, Freya jumps at the chance of a summer by the sea.
Freya needs time to focus on herself. But then dark and mysterious biker Angelo blows into town on a stormy afternoon, with his own artistic dreams and a secretive past, and Freya’s plans of a romance-free summer fly straight out of the window…
My Opinion
The Cornish Hideaway is a heart-warming read. Jennifer Bibby has written some great, relatable characters. This was such an enjoyable read, it will make for a great holiday read.
Rating 4/5
Blurb
All Freya has ever wanted to do is paint. So when she fails her Master’s Degree in Art, on the same day that her boyfriend decides he needs a ‘more serious’ partner, to Freya it feels like the end of the world.
Luckily, she has a saviour in the shape of best friend Lola, who invites her to the sleepy Cornish village of Polcarrow, to work in her café. With nothing keeping her in London, Freya jumps at the chance of a summer by the sea.
Freya needs time to focus on herself. But then dark and mysterious biker Angelo blows into town on a stormy afternoon, with his own artistic dreams and a secretive past, and Freya’s plans of a romance-free summer fly straight out of the window…
My Opinion
The Cornish Hideaway is a heart-warming read. Jennifer Bibby has written some great, relatable characters. This was such an enjoyable read, it will make for a great holiday read.
Rating 4/5
April 27, 2022
I adored this book from this amazing new author who I’m sure will go far.
For a start, it’s set in my most favourite place in the world…Cornwall. The book is filled with people & things that are so quintessentially Cornish & I can visualise everything that Jennifer describes throughout.
I fell in love with all of the characters from the beginning. Well, all except for the dastardly Matt of course! I think anyone who has ever been to Cornwall has met a character like Alf & Scruff who are instantly loveable. The fiery & passionate Lola is an amazing character & I really hope there is a tea shop just like hers somewhere!
I really can’t wait to read the next instalment of this gorgeous story & everyone’s adventures!
For a start, it’s set in my most favourite place in the world…Cornwall. The book is filled with people & things that are so quintessentially Cornish & I can visualise everything that Jennifer describes throughout.
I fell in love with all of the characters from the beginning. Well, all except for the dastardly Matt of course! I think anyone who has ever been to Cornwall has met a character like Alf & Scruff who are instantly loveable. The fiery & passionate Lola is an amazing character & I really hope there is a tea shop just like hers somewhere!
I really can’t wait to read the next instalment of this gorgeous story & everyone’s adventures!
March 11, 2022
I absolutely fell in love with Polcarrow. What wonderfully magic place. I loved all the characters, Alf was amazing I really liked how Angelo allowed him to shine. Tristan and Lola are interesting and I hope we get to see them have a happy ending. Freya and Angelina are amazing characters. Both a bit broken and jaded and both trying to run away but also turn themselves around. They support and champion each other perfectly. Having that time apart allowed both of the to realise their own true strength and how to be themselves with out the crutch of the other, but it also allowed them to see that together they are so much more, so much stronger. This was a pure joy to read.
May 26, 2022
A beautifully written book with an uplifting message about following your own inner path. Even if it's a romance novel, it was not too saccharine sweet for my taste and the characters felt relatable like real people. I enjoyed reading about the beautiful landscapes, too - there's nothing like having a wonderful mini holiday in the form of a book! Living in another country, I knew nothing of Cornwall before but it surely sounds like a place worth visiting in real life as well. I highly recommend this book to everyone who wants to read a warm, cosy, comforting story about friendship, love and finding yourself.
March 19, 2023
Freya has just failed her masters in art and broke up with her long term boyfriend all in the same day, so what else could she do but run away to stay with her friend Lola in Cornwall.
When sexy biker artist Angelo turns up in the sleepy town, Freyas plans to stay single and work on herself are sent awry.
I love a book set in a tiny location so this was fab, learning about the area and the local community.
The tension between the main characters was well written, but I did feel like I needed to hear more of Angelos story.
Lola was a great side character and I would love to see her have her own book. Oh and let's not forget Alf and his dog Scruff, I just wanted him to be real.
When sexy biker artist Angelo turns up in the sleepy town, Freyas plans to stay single and work on herself are sent awry.
I love a book set in a tiny location so this was fab, learning about the area and the local community.
The tension between the main characters was well written, but I did feel like I needed to hear more of Angelos story.
Lola was a great side character and I would love to see her have her own book. Oh and let's not forget Alf and his dog Scruff, I just wanted him to be real.
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