Coming Home to Cariad Cove

Cariad Cove Village #1

by Darcie Boleyn

Can a running club help heal a broken heart?
Following the death of her husband, Ffion moves back to her family hotel in Wales seeking home comfort. In the village of Cariad Cove, she reconnects with her family, and starts to find hope as she takes up running and meets Joe…

For Joe, the second his dog crashes into the beautiful woman on the beach, it’s love at first sight. But recognising a hurting soul, he offers Ffion his friendship and soon the two are organising a charity run for the local animal sanctuary.

Now Ffion is feeling things she never thought she would again. Is it too soon to move on? Can she open her heart to love again? She’s planning on running… but will it be away from Joe or towards him?

Genres: Audiobook, Contemporary, Fiction, Romance

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 10, 2022

About the author

Darcie Boleyn has a huge heart and is a real softy. She never fails to cry at books and movies, whether the ending is happy or not. Darcie is in possession of an overactive imagination that often keeps her awake at night. Her childhood dream was to become a Jedi but she hasn’t yet found suitable transport to take her to a galaxy far, far away. She also has reservations about how she’d look in a gold bikini, as she rather enjoys red wine, cheese and loves anything with ginger or cherries in it – especially chocolate. Darcie fell in love in New York, got married in the snow, rescues uncoordinated greyhounds and can usually be found reading or typing away on her laptop.

Reviews

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another amazing read Darcie gets me every time with her books full of emotion and heartbreak but happiness as well and plenty about finding yourself again and finding romance and plenty about families. It's heartwarming and gas great characters.
Ffion moved away from Cariad cove to marry her husband and she's had some lovely years with him but when he passes and she feels she can't stay in Scotland as his family have never lived her so she heads home to find herself again. She realises her sister is having problems as well with her marriage and she tries to help her out and they decide to run together and while they run they meet Joe and she has feelings straight away but doesn't feel she can after the heartbreak she's had. She works at her parents hotel and spends time running with her sister and she starts spending more time with Joe as well and they start getting close but can she mend her heart and be happy or is it going to be to much for her.
Perfect book to escape with.

[Fiona MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a warm, snuggly hug by a log fire with a hot chocolate.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely, uplifting romance. Gentle, sweet and full of realistically lovable characters. I really enjoyed it

[Eve Copeland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy listening. (Listened through audible).

Nice story and you want Joe and Fi to get together. An emotive twist at the end!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another five star read from Darcie Boleyn. I love her books. There are always such likeable characters and the settings are wonderful. The story of Ffion is both emotional and uplifting. I feel sad that my journey to Cariad Cove and my engagement with Ffion and her family has ended. Super read.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Sammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked some aspects of this book in terms of dealing with grief and moving on, but it mostly felt like an advertisement for couch to 5k!

[Sarah Kingsnorth · Rating 5 out of 5]

COMING HOME TO CARIAD COVE by DARCIE BOLEYN.

After the tragic loss of her husband, Ffion heads home to Cariad Cove.
Feeling utterly broken she seeks solace in her family and the comforting surroundings of home.
A walk on the beach ends with Ffion being hurled to the ground by a friendly dog, but it’s the sight of it’s owner, Joe , that really stops Ffion in her tracks.
Handsome Joe is a PE teacher and keen runner.
As Ffion and her sister Mari embark on the couch to 5k program their paths often cross with Joe and a tentative friendship is formed.
Little by little Ffion begins to piece her life back together, but will a gift from beyond the grave set Ffion free or lock her heart forever?

Ffion is a likeable character. Her heartbreak is very raw. Her journey through the book is emotional and touching.
Joe is an absolute sweetheart. Patient, kind, handsome and loves animals… where can I find one like him in the real world???

This is Ffion and Joe’s story, but the other characters fill the book with warmth, love and a rich sense of family.

Add in some adorable animals, running, cocktails, more running and what you get is a wonderfully sweet and charming love story.
This gentle tale will truly melt your heart and inspire you to reach for your goals.

Being set on the Gower Peninsula, near Swansea in Wales, does of course make this book extra special and if Wales wasn’t for you before reading this book, by the end, you may well have changed your mind.

A charmingly heartwarming five stars from me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Released on 10/2/22
Paperback and Ebook.

With grateful thanks to #Netgalley and #Canelo for a digital arc of #ComingHomeToCariadCove by #DarcieBoleyn.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming Home to Cariad Cove by Darcie Boleyn is a story about coming to grips with the death of a husband and falling in love again, which overlapped somewhat. Ffion had been married to Graeme for eleven years. They had gone to college together and fallen in love there and had had a good life. When Graeme started getting headaches they wrote it off as stress or something so that by the time he say a doctor, it was pretty much too late. His parents were pretty conservative and hadn't really wanted her as a daughter-in-law, but when they arrived at her home several months after Graeme's death, they got her to a doctor, starting working on the books, and generally tried to right the ship. She had stayed in Scotland for over a year, but then sold up and returned home to Wales; it was where her parents and her sister were. At first it was really no better, but after a while there were more good days than bad; she started getting involved with other people. That made all the difference.

This was not a flashy book. It was gentle and homey. Joe, a local school teacher and runner that she saw running on the beach, helped her and her sister, Mari, start a training program. He took her and Mari and Mari's kids to the animal shelter where he volunteered. It was a very subtle and when she discovered she was in love, she went for it. It was a good story; it took time. It probably mirrors the journeys of many widows and others who have lost loved ones. It was clean and wholesome and a winner.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Coming Home to Cariad Cove by Canelo, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions were mine. #netgalley #canelo #darcieboleyn #cominghometocariadcove

[Linda Lassman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a nice read and I did like the story and the characters. It just didn't hold my attention like some books do.

I think there were two reasons that the story didn't grab me--and neither is the fault of the story or the author. The first is that running is an important facet of the book, both in its importance to the characters and in the story itself, and running is not something I have ever wanted to do (I tried it once and it didn't spark any joy in me at all). The second (and this will sound a bit weird) was that reading the book made me feel physically cold--and this is because of the brilliant way Boleyn described the weather and the sea, the climate of the village, and of the Welsh seaside.

If you're a jogger/runner and if you love refreshing weather at the seaside, I think you'll really like this book.

[Anne Cotton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second book by Darcie Boleyn and, having loved the first one, I had high hopes for this one. It didn’t quite live up to them unfortunately. It was a nice read, pleasant, good to soothe you to sleep at bedtime… but it could have done with more (any?!) character development, excitement, intrigue, suspense, etc. And just as a final point, it was a bit of a let down, in the final scene when the 2 characters finally get together, after you’ve waited the whole book for them to do so, their “romantic” final scene basically involves them rushing home to go to bed together! Not really very romantic or realistic. I would have preferred them to sit and cuddle and look out to see or something, dreaming of a future together.

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Which better audiobook to choose when you’re off on a little getaway to Wales and want to add a bit of extra flavour to your holiday? This one was perfect. I loved the Welsh feel, the accents, the vibes, the Welsh vibes. Perfect accompaniment to my holiday.

I also loved the characters and Ffion was a great character to follow. She’s overcoming a lot of hurt and heartbreak and to see her heal as time went on, developing new relationships, habits and a life back with her family and those she loves. Her husband was a big part of her life before he died, can she ever rediscover who she is without him? It was such a heartwarming read.

Greatly narrated too and I enjoyed listening to this on the train as the Welsh mountains and lakes were flying past!

[Erin Leader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming Home to Cariad Cove by Darcie Boleyn

The cute watercolor cover is what drew me to this book but the author´s writing is what made me devour it in one sitting. The story gave me warm fuzzy feelings. The main and side characters were likelable and felt like real people you might meet. I love the setting in Wales and the focus on friendship and family, while Ffion navigated the loss of her husband. The heartbreak was very honest and raw but also touching and inspriring.

Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for the ARC in return for my honest review

[Dave Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story by Darcie

I have been looking forward to this new release and was not dissapointed.
Darcie has a gift in her writing, where you get caught up in the story wanting more and finding it difficult to put down.
Her stories are Heart warming and great to read and I thoroughly enjoy reading them.
Her main characters in this particular story I loved, these being Ffion, her sister and Joe.
If you are looking for a great read, Heart warming and uplifting- this is certainly for you.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this story of moving on ( or in this case, moving back to Ffion;s childhood home) and starting over. There are some serious issues in the background but the settings and characters are a great mix. It takes time for Ffion to be able to contemplate starting over after a tragedy but by the end of the book you are invested in her story. Joe is a likeable character who seems solid and dependable. You see his character through his actions towards others and his care for animals. A great book to take on holiday.
hanks to netgalley for a copy of the book

[Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this on audiobook.

This was a lovely story, well written, emotional and heartfelt in places. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing them interact with each other. I was very jealous of the close relationship that the two sisters had, but it was lovely to see. I truly felt for the main character of Ffion, all that she had been through and the loss of a loved one, which is never easy.

This is in fact book 1 of a 2 book series but from what I can see they can be read as standalone.

The narrator was great, she told the story well and it ran smoothly.

[claire stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darcie at her best

I loved this book from start to finish, the different genuine struggles people go through and then come out the other side stronger, the description of Wales had me falling in love with it all over again, plus a loving supportive family can always help you overcome anything, the messages are subtle but so heartfelt, already anticipating the next book in the series xx

[Sally Coles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Darcie Boleyn books and this one is no exception. The story of Ffion trying to get over the death of her husband and meeting Joe who makes her come alive again makes this a lovely heartwarming story that I couldn't put down. As always great characters and a book that leaves you with a lovely warm feeling perfect for curling up in front of the fire with

[Bekah's Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect book that goes into depth regarding family, love and moving on. The characters were great and their friendship was one everyone wishes they had. I love the Welsh setting to the book, the descriptions were fantastic and I could picture myself there.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read about past lives healing, new friends and relationships in a wonderful setting. Ffion is in Cariad Cove after losing her husband. A chance meeting with Joe after his dog sends her flying into the sea helps her move on.
I loved the vividly drawn setting and getting to know the characters.

[Sarah Tummey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some books about Wales, you can tell aren't written by someone who's heard Welsh people talk, but I liked how realistic this one was. I could imagine the characters and places. There was just enough description to put you in the moment with them. It was very true-to-life, without the drama you find in some romances, and I think I'd also like to read the next book in this series.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a digital arc of this from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first read by this author but it won't be my last. I really liked the characters and loved ffion's back story - the conflicting feelings she has all the way through the book are very believable. Nice short story with a neatly tied up ending.

[Rachel Stansel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story about love, family and moving on. I enjoyed this quick read. The characters are good and the focus on friendship touching.

Full disclosure- I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved every page of this. The characters were so lovable and the story was perfect - I could read hundreds of books with the exact same plot line and and not complain. It’s also a really easy read - it’s not a really long book, and it was easy for me to get completely sucked in and suddenly have read loads. 100% would recommend.

[Layla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't get into this it's part of a series I think. May try again at a later date..

[Katey Lovell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about living with grief, full of hope and possibility - and set in beautiful Wales.

[Cece · Rating 2 out of 5]

Repetitive, dull and I struggled to finish it & being honest I skipped from chapter 8 to the epilogue!!

[Hilary Cockshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Anca]

https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...#