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The Sunrise Coast #2
The Secret of the Summerhouse
How far would you go to uncover a secret from your past?
Only ever look back to see how far you’ve come; those were the words her social worker, Connie, had impressed on the orphaned Lili her whole life. But was it time to revisit her past…?
After breaking up with her partner, Lili is facing an uncertain future. A chance encounter with a curmudgeonly old gentleman who runs an antique store on the Suffolk Coast is about to change the course of Lili’s life. He offers Lili the flat above his shop at a peppercorn rent. But unbeknown to Lili, she reminds him of someone from his past.
Lili isn’t the only new arrival on the windswept Suffolk Coast. Nate is starting over with his young son, returning to stay with his grandfather, Joseph, in his imposing home called The Summerhouse. A blossoming friendship soon develops between Nate and Lili that takes them both by surprise.
Things take an unexpected turn when Lili discovers Joseph hasa Hebrew wedding band, one of a matching pair – the other one Lili has had since childhood. It was her only possession, hanging on a chain around her neck when she was found as a small child wandering alone on a beach in Corfu.
Lili sets out on a journey to Corfu to discover the truth about her past, and starts to unravel a mystery that spans three generations – a mystery that leads her back to Joseph and the secret of the summerhouse.
Only ever look back to see how far you’ve come; those were the words her social worker, Connie, had impressed on the orphaned Lili her whole life. But was it time to revisit her past…?
After breaking up with her partner, Lili is facing an uncertain future. A chance encounter with a curmudgeonly old gentleman who runs an antique store on the Suffolk Coast is about to change the course of Lili’s life. He offers Lili the flat above his shop at a peppercorn rent. But unbeknown to Lili, she reminds him of someone from his past.
Lili isn’t the only new arrival on the windswept Suffolk Coast. Nate is starting over with his young son, returning to stay with his grandfather, Joseph, in his imposing home called The Summerhouse. A blossoming friendship soon develops between Nate and Lili that takes them both by surprise.
Things take an unexpected turn when Lili discovers Joseph hasa Hebrew wedding band, one of a matching pair – the other one Lili has had since childhood. It was her only possession, hanging on a chain around her neck when she was found as a small child wandering alone on a beach in Corfu.
Lili sets out on a journey to Corfu to discover the truth about her past, and starts to unravel a mystery that spans three generations – a mystery that leads her back to Joseph and the secret of the summerhouse.
- GenresChick LitContemporary
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2022
About the author
Elise Darcy
34 books75 followersElise Darcy grew up in North London in the 1970's, the daughter of two baby boomer school teachers. Her love of books began at an early age when trips to Regent's Park always culminated in a visit to Foyles, the legendary independent bookstore in Charing Cross Road. She has fond memories of exploring a veritable Aladdin’s cave of books; a magical place with winding staircases, old creaking lifts, and cosy corners in which to settle down and lose herself in a good book.
After university Elise Darcy worked in London before embarking on her writing career. She now lives in an apartment in a picturesque market town in Suffolk where she writes her novels.
Find out more at www.elisedarcy.com
After university Elise Darcy worked in London before embarking on her writing career. She now lives in an apartment in a picturesque market town in Suffolk where she writes her novels.
Find out more at www.elisedarcy.com
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 1, 2023
Convoluted
The talexwas passable but the story of Lili/Alena so convoluted I gave up trying to work out the family tree.
The least pleasant aspect of the story is the //SPOILER ALERT// the whitewashing of Otto.
He saved two children. Big deal he was complicit in the murder of 6 million others.
The conjecture that his paintings were so good they would be valuable. Yes modern day Nazis still revere their accomplices and there is a huge trade in Nazi memorabilia.
Like book 1 the narrative is all over the place and needs a good editor to make it more readable.
The poor behaviour of most of the characters was a turn off too. Child neglect, lies and theft didn't add to my enjoyment.
The talexwas passable but the story of Lili/Alena so convoluted I gave up trying to work out the family tree.
The least pleasant aspect of the story is the //SPOILER ALERT// the whitewashing of Otto.
He saved two children. Big deal he was complicit in the murder of 6 million others.
The conjecture that his paintings were so good they would be valuable. Yes modern day Nazis still revere their accomplices and there is a huge trade in Nazi memorabilia.
Like book 1 the narrative is all over the place and needs a good editor to make it more readable.
The poor behaviour of most of the characters was a turn off too. Child neglect, lies and theft didn't add to my enjoyment.
October 30, 2022
The 2nd book in this lovely series set in Suffolk, and I couldn't read it fast enough! I was totally invested in the story of Lili, now a woman but as a child was found in Corfu alone. Not knowing who her family were she ends up in Suffolk, and a totally engrossing story emerges.
I really, really enjoyed this book and am so looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time!
I really, really enjoyed this book and am so looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time!
November 19, 2022
Past and present come together
A person needs to know who you are a story to be told sometimes takes awhile for it to happen corfu she goes back and missing memory comes back to find a family not to feel alone a past in the island history very hard to understand but art and a artist make peace find the family she always wanted
A person needs to know who you are a story to be told sometimes takes awhile for it to happen corfu she goes back and missing memory comes back to find a family not to feel alone a past in the island history very hard to understand but art and a artist make peace find the family she always wanted
April 14, 2024
At the beginning I loved the book then it started to get hard work with the family tree that I gave up and skipped some pages. Going to Corfu and knowing what she was wearing was detail I could do without.
June 15, 2022
Fantastic getting to the end of Lili's past
October 2, 2022
Definitely better than the 1st one, but annoying repetition at the start.
October 11, 2022
I couldn't put this book down! Even at 3am when I had work the next day!! So much better than the first one, which I loved as well.
March 23, 2023
Wow
Loved this story all the twists and turns so pleased it had a happy ending ,can't wait to read the next in the series
Loved this story all the twists and turns so pleased it had a happy ending ,can't wait to read the next in the series
August 21, 2023
This was much better than the previous book because our main character finally got some answers. This was a heartwarming, yet also sad book.
February 4, 2025
I’m hooked!
This series keeps me guessing from one page to the next…to the point of staying up past midnight to read what happens next!
This series keeps me guessing from one page to the next…to the point of staying up past midnight to read what happens next!
July 3, 2025
A nice feel good story. About Corfu, World War II, orphans, art, kindness and love. Lili has come a long way with many changes and upheavals,but does she make the right decision?
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews