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Darling Island #1
The Coastguard's House Darling Island
Lucie Peachtree is living her (nearly) best life as she prepares to pack up her house to move to the country with her ever-so-handsome, teenage heartthrob boyfriend turned partner, Rob.
Rob, unfortunately, forgets to mention that while Lucie was selling their house, trying to get pregnant and was doing all the things, had secured himself another life, thank-you-very-much. A life complete with a twenty-four-year-old very much pregnant work colleague and not including Lucie in any shape or form.
Dropped into a world Lucie has never known, one night she sets out to a calling from the universe. With a glass of wine, a tub full of bubbly water and rather too many onion bhajis, she sees something on the internet that takes her fancy. Before she has time to think about it too much, she has bought a rather large, rather rundown house on a little island just off the coast.
And so begins Lucie Peachtree’s initiation into all things Darling Island, a place she arrives in with more than a pang of regret.
As she feels her way into Darling’s quaint ways, a very surprising love interest walks slap bang into her life and suddenly living on Darling looks oh-so-much more on the rosier side.
With its gorgeous old blue and white buildings, cosy small-town feel, floating bridges, trundling vintage trams and a plethora of wonderful characters, we are whisked along for the ride as we watch Lucie navigate her way to a new life on the coast in the old Coastguard’s House.
Darling is a quiet seaside town on Darling Island known for its fine architecture and olde-worlde charm. Nestled on the beautiful hazy waters of Darling Estuary, Darling’s sandy beaches and bustling community is a well-kept secret just off the coast.
You know you’ve arrived on Darling when you step off the Pride of Darling floating bridge and take a trip up the main street on the tram.
With its beautiful sea mists, abundant flora and fauna and the sound of the old fog horn in the distance Darling will hold you in her grasp and never let you go.
Darling Island ~ just off the mainland, so very far from care.
Rob, unfortunately, forgets to mention that while Lucie was selling their house, trying to get pregnant and was doing all the things, had secured himself another life, thank-you-very-much. A life complete with a twenty-four-year-old very much pregnant work colleague and not including Lucie in any shape or form.
Dropped into a world Lucie has never known, one night she sets out to a calling from the universe. With a glass of wine, a tub full of bubbly water and rather too many onion bhajis, she sees something on the internet that takes her fancy. Before she has time to think about it too much, she has bought a rather large, rather rundown house on a little island just off the coast.
And so begins Lucie Peachtree’s initiation into all things Darling Island, a place she arrives in with more than a pang of regret.
As she feels her way into Darling’s quaint ways, a very surprising love interest walks slap bang into her life and suddenly living on Darling looks oh-so-much more on the rosier side.
With its gorgeous old blue and white buildings, cosy small-town feel, floating bridges, trundling vintage trams and a plethora of wonderful characters, we are whisked along for the ride as we watch Lucie navigate her way to a new life on the coast in the old Coastguard’s House.
Darling is a quiet seaside town on Darling Island known for its fine architecture and olde-worlde charm. Nestled on the beautiful hazy waters of Darling Estuary, Darling’s sandy beaches and bustling community is a well-kept secret just off the coast.
You know you’ve arrived on Darling when you step off the Pride of Darling floating bridge and take a trip up the main street on the tram.
With its beautiful sea mists, abundant flora and fauna and the sound of the old fog horn in the distance Darling will hold you in her grasp and never let you go.
Darling Island ~ just off the mainland, so very far from care.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2022
588 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 7, 2026
It's chick lit with a very thin romance at the end and another book to continue it. It was a freebie that I read all the way through and will read the next on Ku
May 14, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
September 26, 2022
Loved it but ending caused removing a star
I love this authors chick lit and I have read a lot of the pretty beach series and this one was similar but the ending was rats (no spoilers so i can’t clarify but trust me!) A complete set up for the new series but I don’t want to buy them all, I prefer to read them bit by bit when they are on prime reading or on offer. Call me a skinflint but I love so many authors I can’t always buy them all!
I love this authors chick lit and I have read a lot of the pretty beach series and this one was similar but the ending was rats (no spoilers so i can’t clarify but trust me!) A complete set up for the new series but I don’t want to buy them all, I prefer to read them bit by bit when they are on prime reading or on offer. Call me a skinflint but I love so many authors I can’t always buy them all!
September 2, 2022
I was expecting a good read and another little saga from the pretty beach society but this was a whole new area. I think my feeling dropped off with this book in the first few chapters and by the end of chapter ten I go fed up with the book and skipped to the end. It's good job I got it free on Prime reading because it's not worth buying. I got fed up reading about Darling this and Darling that and the fact she was moping over her ex and not getting pregnant and his new wife did. Get a life! Most of Polly's books the women just have to get in the family way Why! not everyone wants babies and I do feel sorry for those poor unfortunates who cannot have one. It is the one thing in my life I would rather have done with out and that is having kids. I'm 70 and still worry over my two and the blighters still live here. I wont be buying another of this series, give me Pretty Beach anytime.
January 20, 2024
Wasn't what I was expecting just so much more. It follows Lucie after a couple of miscarriages and moving to the country with her childhood sweetheart
While packing boxes she discovered that said Sweetheart will not be moving as he is having a baby with a very much younger someone else. We follow Lucie through her levels of grief then a snap decision to buy a run down house on Darling Island. Then as she empowers herself with the help of a motivation app, sea air and three wise men . To find love that she now realised that she never had.
While packing boxes she discovered that said Sweetheart will not be moving as he is having a baby with a very much younger someone else. We follow Lucie through her levels of grief then a snap decision to buy a run down house on Darling Island. Then as she empowers herself with the help of a motivation app, sea air and three wise men . To find love that she now realised that she never had.
March 26, 2022
Winner Winner Darling Basket Dinner
As always I absolutely loved Polly Bee's latest book. Lucie and George are such great characters along with all the great people on Darling Island.
There are ups and downs, tears and laughter along with great settings and background.
This book offers all its readers a fairy tale, that is realistic, believable and addictive.
I just wanted to read on and on xx
As always I absolutely loved Polly Bee's latest book. Lucie and George are such great characters along with all the great people on Darling Island.
There are ups and downs, tears and laughter along with great settings and background.
This book offers all its readers a fairy tale, that is realistic, believable and addictive.
I just wanted to read on and on xx
April 7, 2022
Perfectly lovely and truly scrumptious!
Wonderful next instalment from Polly Babbington, do not read it you don't want to be addicted to these books, where you will laugh out loud, cry copiously and crave cinnamon buns, sea air and lovely people. If you do like the sound of those, cosy up with snacks, drinks of choice and a nice blanket and enjoy .......
Wonderful next instalment from Polly Babbington, do not read it you don't want to be addicted to these books, where you will laugh out loud, cry copiously and crave cinnamon buns, sea air and lovely people. If you do like the sound of those, cosy up with snacks, drinks of choice and a nice blanket and enjoy .......
June 2, 2023
I love the pretty beach series but they do all follow the same formula, come from a bad experience, arrive at pretty beach, renovate the house, fall on your feet, find a hunky man and live happily ever after. Yes it’s the pipe dream but real life isn’t like this and you know from page 1 what the outcome is going to be
March 26, 2022
Darling Island will change your life!
Everything about Lucia’s life is in free fall but a broken down Coastguard’s House and a motivational app changes all that. I was right there with the highs and lows and loved all the curious ways of Darling Island.
Everything about Lucia’s life is in free fall but a broken down Coastguard’s House and a motivational app changes all that. I was right there with the highs and lows and loved all the curious ways of Darling Island.
April 6, 2022
The Coastguards House Darling Island.
I have enjoyed this, the first book in the Darling Island Series. I think Polly Babbington writes such good books each one linking to another. Can’t wait until the next one lands in my Kindle.
I have enjoyed this, the first book in the Darling Island Series. I think Polly Babbington writes such good books each one linking to another. Can’t wait until the next one lands in my Kindle.
June 5, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It had me chuckling many times. The story is based in the idyllic Cornwall. The main character Lucie captured my heart. The plot is intriguing and draws you in. I found it to be a real page turner and have just obtained the sequel.
September 28, 2022
Sweet
Easy read, lovely story near the sea, about an island we would Ll like to live on!
Liked the heroine, and hope she features in more books, with her other half, who doesn’t like a happy ending!
Read in one go when recovering from Covid and cannot go out!
Easy read, lovely story near the sea, about an island we would Ll like to live on!
Liked the heroine, and hope she features in more books, with her other half, who doesn’t like a happy ending!
Read in one go when recovering from Covid and cannot go out!
March 19, 2023
amazing
The story transports you back to the little seaside town. I read the series the wrong way round but these are still like standalone stories where you get to know each character individually and how they fit into the bigger picture. Excellent author
The story transports you back to the little seaside town. I read the series the wrong way round but these are still like standalone stories where you get to know each character individually and how they fit into the bigger picture. Excellent author
June 3, 2023
simply beautiful
I loved this book from start to finish. I felt like I was there with Lucie willing her on saying her affirmations with her.
She is so relatable and I can’t wait to start the next book.
I loved this book from start to finish. I felt like I was there with Lucie willing her on saying her affirmations with her.
She is so relatable and I can’t wait to start the next book.
August 28, 2023
Excellent.
Once again Polly has kept us enthralled and captivated by a very well written novel. I love these stories that are so full of memorable characters and situations, and, without doubt, happy endings!!
Once again Polly has kept us enthralled and captivated by a very well written novel. I love these stories that are so full of memorable characters and situations, and, without doubt, happy endings!!
October 9, 2023
Started with a failed relationship
A good strong story line about a failed relationship, supportive friends and moving on.
Does rather still before the end is truly resolved, but book two probably concluded the story
A good strong story line about a failed relationship, supportive friends and moving on.
Does rather still before the end is truly resolved, but book two probably concluded the story
April 17, 2024
Sorry but I could not give this book a high rating. I was enjoying the book when I got to page 327 it went straight onto " Before You Go Your rating," so I was unable to finish it. Very disappointed
April 25, 2024
Coastguards house darling island
I have read these books the wrong way round but it didn't matter if was still a great read ,I have become addicted to darling island and highly recommend them great storylines and great characters what's not to love
I have read these books the wrong way round but it didn't matter if was still a great read ,I have become addicted to darling island and highly recommend them great storylines and great characters what's not to love
April 3, 2022
Fantastic read
Absolutely loved this story of Lucie and her adventures from arriving on Darling Island. Looking forward to the next book.
Absolutely loved this story of Lucie and her adventures from arriving on Darling Island. Looking forward to the next book.
April 4, 2022
Coastguards house
I just loved the way polly describes everything in detail it makes you feel like your there i just cant wait for the next instalment to see where it goes
I just loved the way polly describes everything in detail it makes you feel like your there i just cant wait for the next instalment to see where it goes
May 5, 2022
Happy reading
Really enjoyed thus.one can't wait for the follow up and to find out the ending yet another great story from Polly
Really enjoyed thus.one can't wait for the follow up and to find out the ending yet another great story from Polly
May 18, 2022
Yet more great characters
Love the move to a different, but connected, location. Can’t wait for the bakery to open and see how it slots in.
Love the move to a different, but connected, location. Can’t wait for the bakery to open and see how it slots in.
June 3, 2022
Again, loved this book. This is the final series, I'm not looking forward to these wonderful books coming to an end.
September 17, 2022
Brilliant
I loved Lucie Peachtree.s story she so deserves George in her life can't wait for the next book in the series.
I loved Lucie Peachtree.s story she so deserves George in her life can't wait for the next book in the series.
September 18, 2022
review
Really enjoyed the first book in this series. Very descriptive, quirky and easy to read. Will look forward to next in series
Really enjoyed the first book in this series. Very descriptive, quirky and easy to read. Will look forward to next in series
September 22, 2022
Great
The perfect love story. So many great characters. I felt I would love to live there.
Definately one not to miss
The perfect love story. So many great characters. I felt I would love to live there.
Definately one not to miss
October 1, 2022
fun real and uplifting
Loved it. Wanted more. Interesting detail. I want to live there. Idealistic escapism fun, kept me absorbed. Great more please
Loved it. Wanted more. Interesting detail. I want to live there. Idealistic escapism fun, kept me absorbed. Great more please
October 19, 2022
Predictable
October 26, 2022
Was a pleasant read, lost a star as it didnt grab me as much as some books & found the main character was a little repitive.
January 29, 2023
Great feel good story
Easy characters and description of island made it easy to imagine the place.
Ending could have been smoother though .
Easy characters and description of island made it easy to imagine the place.
Ending could have been smoother though .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews