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Conwenna Cove #1
Summer at Conwenna Cove
In a gorgeous Cornish village, two brokenhearted people fall head over heels. But can the magic of Conwenna Cove heal the hurt of the past? A feel-good summer romance perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Phillipa Ashley and Jenny Hale.
Eve has a glittering career, a loving husband and a future. But a terrible twist of fate means she loses it all, and with nowhere left to turn she flees to her Aunt Mary’s home in Cornwall. The last thing on her mind is romance � until she meets Jack.
Jack has seen the worst things people can do to each other and realised he is better off alone. He settles in Conwenna Cove, and saves his affections for the rescue dogs he cares for. But when Eve arrives in the village he can’t deny his attraction to her.
Eve and Jack are both scared to trust, but when they come together it’s impossible for either to ignore their feelings. Can they put their fear aside and learn to love again?
Summer at Conwenna Cove is an emotional and heart-warming holiday read about being brave enough to take a chance on love.
Eve has a glittering career, a loving husband and a future. But a terrible twist of fate means she loses it all, and with nowhere left to turn she flees to her Aunt Mary’s home in Cornwall. The last thing on her mind is romance � until she meets Jack.
Jack has seen the worst things people can do to each other and realised he is better off alone. He settles in Conwenna Cove, and saves his affections for the rescue dogs he cares for. But when Eve arrives in the village he can’t deny his attraction to her.
Eve and Jack are both scared to trust, but when they come together it’s impossible for either to ignore their feelings. Can they put their fear aside and learn to love again?
Summer at Conwenna Cove is an emotional and heart-warming holiday read about being brave enough to take a chance on love.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2017
266 people are currently reading
680 people want to read
About the author
Darcie Boleyn
21Ìýbooks194ÌýfollowersDarcie 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 â€� 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
May 31, 2017
5� Heart warming read and feel good read.
This is my first book i have read by Darcie and it certainly won't be my last.
Summer at Conwenna Cove is a beautifully heart warming, feel good read.
A big plus for me is the story features beautiful dogs. Always a winner for me as I'm a huge lover of dogs and animals.
My Sister volunteered in a Greyhound Rescue Centre and it bought back so many beautiful memories and some painful ones too. I am a strong supporter of the amazing work rescue centres do.
When Eve is taken ill during a meeting with a very bad Anxiety attack. Caused by the high stress of her head teaching job, She is at her witts end and just needs to get away.
Eve never takes time off but she just can't face going back just yet.
With no where to go, She decides to embark on a journey to see her Aunt Mary who lives in the beautiful Conwenna Cove, Cornwall. Where Eve spent many a childhood holiday.
During Eve's stay she meets Jack.
He is Mary's neighbour and doesn't warm to Eve straight away.
Both Eve and Jack are scarred by their past and find it hard to lower the wall they have both built up.
Jack for me was a gem, he's caring nature towards the rescue dogs and Mary really shone through. Which is why I found him so endearing. Not to mention the mental scars he has from he's time at war. Makes him even more vulnerable.
Watching Eve and Jack together was like watching a flower blossom through spring. It was beautiful to see their friendship/ relationship grow.
Conwenna Cove is just what Eve needed and to see her learn to relax and embrace life again was like a breath of fresh air. So heart warming.
I loved this book a delightful read. It was beautifully written, full of Emotion, endearing characters, Relationships, the charm of Conwenna Cove is a real gem, a story of letting go and learning to love life, yourself, and letting others in and New Beginnings.
Highly recommend, the perfectÌý Summer Read.
Perfect read for lovers of Chick Lit, Romance, Cornwall Summer reads, Women's Literature, feel good reads andÌý Animal Lovers.
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review via Netgalley.
This is my first book i have read by Darcie and it certainly won't be my last.
Summer at Conwenna Cove is a beautifully heart warming, feel good read.
A big plus for me is the story features beautiful dogs. Always a winner for me as I'm a huge lover of dogs and animals.
My Sister volunteered in a Greyhound Rescue Centre and it bought back so many beautiful memories and some painful ones too. I am a strong supporter of the amazing work rescue centres do.
When Eve is taken ill during a meeting with a very bad Anxiety attack. Caused by the high stress of her head teaching job, She is at her witts end and just needs to get away.
Eve never takes time off but she just can't face going back just yet.
With no where to go, She decides to embark on a journey to see her Aunt Mary who lives in the beautiful Conwenna Cove, Cornwall. Where Eve spent many a childhood holiday.
During Eve's stay she meets Jack.
He is Mary's neighbour and doesn't warm to Eve straight away.
Both Eve and Jack are scarred by their past and find it hard to lower the wall they have both built up.
Jack for me was a gem, he's caring nature towards the rescue dogs and Mary really shone through. Which is why I found him so endearing. Not to mention the mental scars he has from he's time at war. Makes him even more vulnerable.
Watching Eve and Jack together was like watching a flower blossom through spring. It was beautiful to see their friendship/ relationship grow.
Conwenna Cove is just what Eve needed and to see her learn to relax and embrace life again was like a breath of fresh air. So heart warming.
I loved this book a delightful read. It was beautifully written, full of Emotion, endearing characters, Relationships, the charm of Conwenna Cove is a real gem, a story of letting go and learning to love life, yourself, and letting others in and New Beginnings.
Highly recommend, the perfectÌý Summer Read.
Perfect read for lovers of Chick Lit, Romance, Cornwall Summer reads, Women's Literature, feel good reads andÌý Animal Lovers.
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review via Netgalley.
May 17, 2017
The mental stress of coping in a high pressure job is sometimes only shows when someone's body demonstrates by rebelling. In this story, being a highly successful headteacher has come at a very high cost, working long hours, having no life/work balance and ultimately costing Eve both her unborn offspring. her marriage and her health. When severe migraines start, she's forced to take sick leave and, rather than rattle around in her lonely, large, marital home she decides to flee to her Aunt Mary's home in Cornwall. She has happy memories of summers spent there and returning there helps Eve start to reevaluate her life, her choices and the options now open to her.....
Jack has served his country and seen some atrocities that stay with him as much as the injuries he's suffered during his service. He is making a more peaceful life for himself including doing jobs for his landlady, Eve's Aunt Mary, and working at the local greyhound rescue centre. He's protective of the old lady and can't initially understand why Eve hasn't visited her in years. . . .
The author's characters, their actions, reactions and experiences explore different aspects of this in a way that makes it easy for the readers to empathise with them and really made me hope no one ever actually needs to go through it all! As Eve and Jack slowly learn to trust each other and share their past, it is so heart breaking at times, but there's always that glimmer of hope shining through the darkness, with love lighting the way to happier times if only they'll learn to rely on each other.
This is one of the most emotional stories I've read. The author certainly knows about the problems which can be associated with teaching, especially the pressures and stress which can easily intrude on people's lives both at and away from school. Taking stock of your life, making life changing decisions is never easy but sometimes is essential to help someone work to live rather than live to work. Getting that balance is crucial to mental health and happiness.
This isn't the usual light-hearted, fun read from this highly talented author but it is a very moving story and one that is well worth reading. As someone who has taken early retirement from teaching, I found it poignant at time and I can easily identify people I know who might easily have suffered in a similar way to Eve. I hope that anyone in highly stressful jobs who reads this emotive story finds it cathartic and it enables them, too, to determine what is really important in their lives and to move on to live a loving, happier and hopefully less stressful life. We all need somewhere like Conwenna Cove and the people there! No, this isn't romantic comedy, but it is a thoroughly engaging read, a journey from despair, inspirational and very moving romance - I loved it and highly recommend it! I hope there will be more stories set in this location and community in future - and can't wait to read them if there are!
Jack has served his country and seen some atrocities that stay with him as much as the injuries he's suffered during his service. He is making a more peaceful life for himself including doing jobs for his landlady, Eve's Aunt Mary, and working at the local greyhound rescue centre. He's protective of the old lady and can't initially understand why Eve hasn't visited her in years. . . .
The author's characters, their actions, reactions and experiences explore different aspects of this in a way that makes it easy for the readers to empathise with them and really made me hope no one ever actually needs to go through it all! As Eve and Jack slowly learn to trust each other and share their past, it is so heart breaking at times, but there's always that glimmer of hope shining through the darkness, with love lighting the way to happier times if only they'll learn to rely on each other.
This is one of the most emotional stories I've read. The author certainly knows about the problems which can be associated with teaching, especially the pressures and stress which can easily intrude on people's lives both at and away from school. Taking stock of your life, making life changing decisions is never easy but sometimes is essential to help someone work to live rather than live to work. Getting that balance is crucial to mental health and happiness.
This isn't the usual light-hearted, fun read from this highly talented author but it is a very moving story and one that is well worth reading. As someone who has taken early retirement from teaching, I found it poignant at time and I can easily identify people I know who might easily have suffered in a similar way to Eve. I hope that anyone in highly stressful jobs who reads this emotive story finds it cathartic and it enables them, too, to determine what is really important in their lives and to move on to live a loving, happier and hopefully less stressful life. We all need somewhere like Conwenna Cove and the people there! No, this isn't romantic comedy, but it is a thoroughly engaging read, a journey from despair, inspirational and very moving romance - I loved it and highly recommend it! I hope there will be more stories set in this location and community in future - and can't wait to read them if there are!
May 7, 2018
I don't read romances often, and I'm pretty sure I picked this one up because there was a dog rescue mentioned in the description! I also love beach settings. I don't regret it, as I needed a lighter story right now. One word of warning: if you're perhaps on a diet, you might get a lot of cravings reading this one. I'm not on a diet but I can't eat anything I want right now, and I certainly suffered from all of the lovely descriptions of delicious food. Cakes, scones, oh my! The setting is beautiful and easy to imagine, you can almost feel the light breeze coming from the water and delicious smells coming from Aunt Mary's kitchen. I still can't say that I'm the biggest fan of romance, and there were a lot of corny moments and some dialogue that induced some eye-rolling, but it's a cute story. This would be a perfect book to take with you on vacation or simply a nice day at a beach. It's a nice quick read with short chapters and it's easy to get through.
Eve has a fantastic career, but rattles around in an empty house meant for a family after separating from her husband. She's been through a lot of stress lately, which happens to manifest in an intense migraine and panic attack... in an important meeting in front of her co-workers. Embarrassed after getting sick in from of them, she finally decides she needs a break from her busy life... but a staycation isn't what she needs at all. She needs to get out of that house with all of the memories it holds, and ones that she hoped to make there. Luckily, she has an aunt in Conwenna Cove. Despite them not communicating often for the past several years, Aunt Mary welcomes her back with open arms. Fresh air and good cooking is just what she needs... but she didn't count on her aunt having a handsome tenant. Jack is initially wary of her, having gotten quite attached to Mary and worrying that Eve will simply end up leaving her behind again. It's not long before they're drawn to each other, just like Eve is drawn to the greyhound rescue (and one particular dog) where he works and helps to rehabilitate the creatures. She initially planned on a short vacation, but she's going have a hard time pulling herself away, and she has a lot of healing to do.
Eve has a fantastic career, but rattles around in an empty house meant for a family after separating from her husband. She's been through a lot of stress lately, which happens to manifest in an intense migraine and panic attack... in an important meeting in front of her co-workers. Embarrassed after getting sick in from of them, she finally decides she needs a break from her busy life... but a staycation isn't what she needs at all. She needs to get out of that house with all of the memories it holds, and ones that she hoped to make there. Luckily, she has an aunt in Conwenna Cove. Despite them not communicating often for the past several years, Aunt Mary welcomes her back with open arms. Fresh air and good cooking is just what she needs... but she didn't count on her aunt having a handsome tenant. Jack is initially wary of her, having gotten quite attached to Mary and worrying that Eve will simply end up leaving her behind again. It's not long before they're drawn to each other, just like Eve is drawn to the greyhound rescue (and one particular dog) where he works and helps to rehabilitate the creatures. She initially planned on a short vacation, but she's going have a hard time pulling herself away, and she has a lot of healing to do.
May 26, 2017
When Eve has a serious anxiety attack whilst chairing a meeting at her school, the head teacher is mortified. She decides to take the advice of her friend, and have a well earned break.
Life has been hard for Eve. Her husband upped and left, she hasn’t been eating, nor sleeping properly, and she has lost her spark for life. The one place that she knows she can get away from it all is at her Aunt Mary’s home, in Cornwall.
However, not everyone is pleased to see her. Jack, who lives in the cottage next door, treats Mary like a mother figure and cares a lot about her. He feels that Eve has let her down badly by ignoring her calls, and now she turns up at her front door wanting to stay. What kind of woman would do that to her Aunt?
As time passes can Eve and Jack learn to get along?, especially when they are both carrying so much baggage from their past. It’s time to move on for the both of them.
It has been many years since I have stepped foot in Cornwall, by Ms. Boleyn’s descriptions of such a beautiful part of the UK had me visually standing in the heart of this scenic county.
All three main characters are incredibly authentic, and their individual personalities shone of the pages. Eve is quite a stubborn woman, one who has tried to deal with her issues by throwing herself into her job, and working all the hours she can. She’s never known how to relax, and take it easy, but if she is to get back to her old self, she needs to learn to.
Jack is an ex soldier, and is suffering with an old injury. He works at a shelter for dogs, preferring the company of animals to women, and doesn’t want to ever get romantically involved with a woman again.
Mary is such a lovable, ageing woman whose positive attitude to life will make your heart warm. She is one of life’s optimists and can see, and know you better than yourself. She is a fabulous character, and one that I was sad to say goodbye to. She also had the most beautiful home.
This is one of those books that at times hits you right in the heart. It is written in a style that hold you captivated to the pages, and drags you into Conwenna Cove and the delights it has to offer, especially cake!!
At times it will have you feeling pity for both Eve and Jack. The raw emotions that both of them show will tug at your heart strings. There are also moments that will have you thinking about your own life.
A perfect book that no matter the weather will always have you basking in the sunshine!
Reviewed by Stacey on
Life has been hard for Eve. Her husband upped and left, she hasn’t been eating, nor sleeping properly, and she has lost her spark for life. The one place that she knows she can get away from it all is at her Aunt Mary’s home, in Cornwall.
However, not everyone is pleased to see her. Jack, who lives in the cottage next door, treats Mary like a mother figure and cares a lot about her. He feels that Eve has let her down badly by ignoring her calls, and now she turns up at her front door wanting to stay. What kind of woman would do that to her Aunt?
As time passes can Eve and Jack learn to get along?, especially when they are both carrying so much baggage from their past. It’s time to move on for the both of them.
It has been many years since I have stepped foot in Cornwall, by Ms. Boleyn’s descriptions of such a beautiful part of the UK had me visually standing in the heart of this scenic county.
All three main characters are incredibly authentic, and their individual personalities shone of the pages. Eve is quite a stubborn woman, one who has tried to deal with her issues by throwing herself into her job, and working all the hours she can. She’s never known how to relax, and take it easy, but if she is to get back to her old self, she needs to learn to.
Jack is an ex soldier, and is suffering with an old injury. He works at a shelter for dogs, preferring the company of animals to women, and doesn’t want to ever get romantically involved with a woman again.
Mary is such a lovable, ageing woman whose positive attitude to life will make your heart warm. She is one of life’s optimists and can see, and know you better than yourself. She is a fabulous character, and one that I was sad to say goodbye to. She also had the most beautiful home.
This is one of those books that at times hits you right in the heart. It is written in a style that hold you captivated to the pages, and drags you into Conwenna Cove and the delights it has to offer, especially cake!!
At times it will have you feeling pity for both Eve and Jack. The raw emotions that both of them show will tug at your heart strings. There are also moments that will have you thinking about your own life.
A perfect book that no matter the weather will always have you basking in the sunshine!
Reviewed by Stacey on
September 22, 2017
When Eve falls ill during the meeting and ends up in the hospital for a check up, she doesn’t have a choice and has to slow down, she can’t continue overworking and burying all her problems inside without giving herself time to rest and heal. Eve’s parents live in Italy, so her only other choice is to go visit her aunt Mary at Cornwall. Eve has been so busy with work and life that she hasn’t seen her aunt in a while, but she welcomes her with open arms. She has only fond memories of the summers she spent in Cornwall. During her stay Eve meets Jack, who is Mary’s neighbor and helps her in the garden or where ever she needs help, he also helps out at a greyhound rescue center. Eve and Jack are both brokenhearted and in time they’ll help each other heal the wounds from the past.
I really enjoyed reading this well written story that has a great characters, stunning setting and delightful story. I loved how Eve and Jack found their way to each other as well as aunt Mary, who is the loveliest lady ever. All in all it was a brilliant book and I’d definitely recommend it.
I really enjoyed reading this well written story that has a great characters, stunning setting and delightful story. I loved how Eve and Jack found their way to each other as well as aunt Mary, who is the loveliest lady ever. All in all it was a brilliant book and I’d definitely recommend it.
May 21, 2017
I’m a keen fan of Darcie’s books so I was looking forward to this one tremendously. Also the fact it’s set in Cornwall is extremely relevant due to me moving there imminently. There is a deluge of books set in Cornwall at the moment or maybe they are just hitting my personal radar. Which means they have to contain a special ingredient to stand out from the rest.
Well, Summer in Conwenna Cove has that ingredient in spades. The location, the characters and for a soppy soul like me the dogs! It should carry a warning .. Greyhound scenes will pull your heartstrings.
Eve is a high-flying career driven head teacher whose job has taken a huge toll on her health and marriage. Suffering an emotional loss contributes to her breakdown at work. Never being close to her parents Eve wonders who to turn to for support. Her Aunt Mary springs to mind, pleasant memories of childhood holidays lure Eve back to Mary and Conwenna Cove.
Needing to recuperate and obtain a slower pace of life and regain confidence it is an idyllic place to retreat. Aunt Mary has two cottages side by side and Jack is the tenant in one .. Jack is a big bear of a man but also seems to be carrying a huge weight on his shoulders.
Can Eve and Jack find a way to help each other ? This is such a beautiful story, Eve is likeable, Mary is the type of Aunt anyone would long for, wise and kind. Jack was my star of the show, as more of his layers are revealed he becomes more desirable. Handsome, fit, ex-Marine (fans oneself) and a heart of gold what more could a girl want in a book boyfriend!
Spend the summer with this crowd, join in with the fair, eat marvellous ice-creams and bathe in the cove .. Darcie has such a gentle approach to story telling that is like a warm caress. There is romance which is so sweetly portrayed. My utmost favourite parts involved the dogs, Jack and Eve volunteer at the greyhound rescue sanctuary .. the brilliant work they do is highlighted throughout with such devotion. If it was possible for me to re-home one I would.
A perfect book for the summer, if it’s on your ‘to read� list bump it up to the top because this is Darcie at her best.
My thanks to her, Canelo, Netgalley and Faye for my copy which I reviewed voluntarily.
Well, Summer in Conwenna Cove has that ingredient in spades. The location, the characters and for a soppy soul like me the dogs! It should carry a warning .. Greyhound scenes will pull your heartstrings.
Eve is a high-flying career driven head teacher whose job has taken a huge toll on her health and marriage. Suffering an emotional loss contributes to her breakdown at work. Never being close to her parents Eve wonders who to turn to for support. Her Aunt Mary springs to mind, pleasant memories of childhood holidays lure Eve back to Mary and Conwenna Cove.
Needing to recuperate and obtain a slower pace of life and regain confidence it is an idyllic place to retreat. Aunt Mary has two cottages side by side and Jack is the tenant in one .. Jack is a big bear of a man but also seems to be carrying a huge weight on his shoulders.
Can Eve and Jack find a way to help each other ? This is such a beautiful story, Eve is likeable, Mary is the type of Aunt anyone would long for, wise and kind. Jack was my star of the show, as more of his layers are revealed he becomes more desirable. Handsome, fit, ex-Marine (fans oneself) and a heart of gold what more could a girl want in a book boyfriend!
Spend the summer with this crowd, join in with the fair, eat marvellous ice-creams and bathe in the cove .. Darcie has such a gentle approach to story telling that is like a warm caress. There is romance which is so sweetly portrayed. My utmost favourite parts involved the dogs, Jack and Eve volunteer at the greyhound rescue sanctuary .. the brilliant work they do is highlighted throughout with such devotion. If it was possible for me to re-home one I would.
A perfect book for the summer, if it’s on your ‘to read� list bump it up to the top because this is Darcie at her best.
My thanks to her, Canelo, Netgalley and Faye for my copy which I reviewed voluntarily.
May 15, 2017
The book started off well for me, and I was enjoying it. Then it became predictable and like a lot of summer reads. It all went downhill from there and it was more of a chore to read which is a pity as i had been so looking forward to this book
May 22, 2017
Humorous, engaging and picturesque!
This is a captivating, lighthearted story that reminds us that we should work to live and not live to work and sometimes we should stop and smell the roses.
The prose is refined and vividly descriptive. The setting is the idyllic Cornwall with its sandy beaches and rugged coast. And the main characters including the stressed, workaholic Eve; the reluctant, gentle Jack; and the adorable, sweet Gabe are wounded, vulnerable, lonely and in desperate need of some unconditional love.
This is, ultimately, a story about life, love, loss, family, heartbreak, healing, self discovery and happiness and overall it is a wonderful story with a delightful cast of characters, majestic scenery, a touch of greyhound rescue awareness and last but definitely not least scrumptious, comforting treats, including my favourite the mouth-watering lemon drizzle cake. This truly is a warm, charming read from start to finish and perfect for a summer day.
Thank you to Canelo and Darcie Boleyn for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at
This is a captivating, lighthearted story that reminds us that we should work to live and not live to work and sometimes we should stop and smell the roses.
The prose is refined and vividly descriptive. The setting is the idyllic Cornwall with its sandy beaches and rugged coast. And the main characters including the stressed, workaholic Eve; the reluctant, gentle Jack; and the adorable, sweet Gabe are wounded, vulnerable, lonely and in desperate need of some unconditional love.
This is, ultimately, a story about life, love, loss, family, heartbreak, healing, self discovery and happiness and overall it is a wonderful story with a delightful cast of characters, majestic scenery, a touch of greyhound rescue awareness and last but definitely not least scrumptious, comforting treats, including my favourite the mouth-watering lemon drizzle cake. This truly is a warm, charming read from start to finish and perfect for a summer day.
Thank you to Canelo and Darcie Boleyn for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at
October 3, 2017
From the first pages of this book I was drawn in, and by the time the action moved to Conwenna Cove, I was hooked.
I loved the descriptions of Conwenna Cove, and more importantly of Mary and Jack. For Eve has retreated to her Aunt Mary's house, after things get on top of her at work. What she wasn't counting on was that Mary now has a tennant, Jack, and that he would be an ex-marine with a soft side to him
He is working in a greyhound rescue centre, and I fell in love with Gabe, and I wasn't the only one. Gabe is a greyhound who needs to learn to trust, a bit like the humans in this story.
This was a great story of learning to love and trust again, to follow your instincts, and of a summer in a Cornish seaside location.
This is easily Darcie Boleyn's best book so far, I can't put my finger on exactly why I loved it so much, but perhaps its because there were things in all the main characters that I could relate to easily. I loved Mary, and even she has a love interest on the horizon, while Jack had many hidden depths, while Eve was coming to terms with many things in her life, once she gets past denial.
I loved seeing how Jack and Eve's story would pan out, whether they would get together or whether Eve would go back to Bristol permanently. There are some funny scenes too including one involving mayonnaise and one where Jack doesn't realise his own strength wile knocking on a door.
I really enjoyed this book, and am already looking forward to reading the Christmas edition of Conwenna Cove!
Thank you to Canelo and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily
I loved the descriptions of Conwenna Cove, and more importantly of Mary and Jack. For Eve has retreated to her Aunt Mary's house, after things get on top of her at work. What she wasn't counting on was that Mary now has a tennant, Jack, and that he would be an ex-marine with a soft side to him
He is working in a greyhound rescue centre, and I fell in love with Gabe, and I wasn't the only one. Gabe is a greyhound who needs to learn to trust, a bit like the humans in this story.
This was a great story of learning to love and trust again, to follow your instincts, and of a summer in a Cornish seaside location.
This is easily Darcie Boleyn's best book so far, I can't put my finger on exactly why I loved it so much, but perhaps its because there were things in all the main characters that I could relate to easily. I loved Mary, and even she has a love interest on the horizon, while Jack had many hidden depths, while Eve was coming to terms with many things in her life, once she gets past denial.
I loved seeing how Jack and Eve's story would pan out, whether they would get together or whether Eve would go back to Bristol permanently. There are some funny scenes too including one involving mayonnaise and one where Jack doesn't realise his own strength wile knocking on a door.
I really enjoyed this book, and am already looking forward to reading the Christmas edition of Conwenna Cove!
Thank you to Canelo and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily
April 27, 2017
Summer at Conwenna Cove is absolutely beautiful. From the very first page I was drawn in and hooked. One minute I was reading the first chapter next I was halfway through the book.
The main character in the book is Eve, from the first chapter we see her going through a bit of drama and end up at hospital. She needs a break to get away after the terrible tragedy she suffered (which we never really find out until the end what happened to poor Eve). She has no one but her dear Aunt Mary who lives in Cornwall, only thing is that she hasnt spoke to her in so long.
Once she gets to her aunts its like a huge weight is lifted for Eve and she rebuilds her relationship with her aunt. She also meets her aunts neighbouring tenant Jack.
In only a few days we see Eve grow stronger and become a different woman which is fantastic as shes been through so much.
I absolutely adored this warm romance. So easy and enjoyable to read.
The main character in the book is Eve, from the first chapter we see her going through a bit of drama and end up at hospital. She needs a break to get away after the terrible tragedy she suffered (which we never really find out until the end what happened to poor Eve). She has no one but her dear Aunt Mary who lives in Cornwall, only thing is that she hasnt spoke to her in so long.
Once she gets to her aunts its like a huge weight is lifted for Eve and she rebuilds her relationship with her aunt. She also meets her aunts neighbouring tenant Jack.
In only a few days we see Eve grow stronger and become a different woman which is fantastic as shes been through so much.
I absolutely adored this warm romance. So easy and enjoyable to read.
April 7, 2019
Summer at Conwenna Cover deals with stress caused by high pressure jobs and life, greyhound rescue, veterans and how they put their lives back together when returning from combat zones and finding love and acceptance.
Eve is a highly successful headteacher, whose mind and body are rebelling. Success came at a height price for her, culminating in the loss of her unborn children and crumbling of her marriage. When she starts having severe migraines, her doctor tells her she needs to take time off before she has a heart attack. Rather than stay home alone during her forced time off, she heads off to Cornwall, where she spent summers with her Aunt Mary. She has happy memories from that time, as well as realizing that she has not seen her aunt in a long time. Feeling a bit guilty, but also wanting to go somewhere she can reevaluate her life and make choices about her future, she heads off to Conwenna Cove.
Jack is a veteran who has served his country, seen some atrocities and suffered serious injuries. When his wife leaves him after his return, he is not sure what he wants out of life. He heads off to Cornwall to figure out what he wants. He is making a new life for himself living in a small cottage that he is renting from Eve's Aunt Mary. He helps her out with odd jobs, works at the local greyhound rescue centre and does something in the shed on his property. He's very protective Aunt Mary and can't understand why Eve hasn't visited her in years. He is not impressed with her and is determined to let her know it.
Of course this is a romance, so we know that Eve and Jack are going to get together, but the journey there was very enjoyable. As Eve and Jack slowly learn to trust each other and share their past, it is quite emotional. They both have a lot of baggage, but that glimmer of hope is there. This is a quick story, so it seems like instalove, but there is a lot that happens before they decide they want to be together. This is an emotional story as the things the main characters have been through are sad and realistic.
This is a very moving story and one that is well worth reading. I hope that anyone in highly stressful jobs who reads this emotive story finds it cathartic and it enables them to determine what is really important in their lives and make the move to change things. I have read many books by Darcie Boleyn and this isn't a romantic comedy like she often pens, but it is a very enjoyable story. I am glad that I went back and read this one. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an emotional romance, or those who are living a stressful life and are thinking about making a change. The setting, of course, is delightful.
Eve is a highly successful headteacher, whose mind and body are rebelling. Success came at a height price for her, culminating in the loss of her unborn children and crumbling of her marriage. When she starts having severe migraines, her doctor tells her she needs to take time off before she has a heart attack. Rather than stay home alone during her forced time off, she heads off to Cornwall, where she spent summers with her Aunt Mary. She has happy memories from that time, as well as realizing that she has not seen her aunt in a long time. Feeling a bit guilty, but also wanting to go somewhere she can reevaluate her life and make choices about her future, she heads off to Conwenna Cove.
Jack is a veteran who has served his country, seen some atrocities and suffered serious injuries. When his wife leaves him after his return, he is not sure what he wants out of life. He heads off to Cornwall to figure out what he wants. He is making a new life for himself living in a small cottage that he is renting from Eve's Aunt Mary. He helps her out with odd jobs, works at the local greyhound rescue centre and does something in the shed on his property. He's very protective Aunt Mary and can't understand why Eve hasn't visited her in years. He is not impressed with her and is determined to let her know it.
Of course this is a romance, so we know that Eve and Jack are going to get together, but the journey there was very enjoyable. As Eve and Jack slowly learn to trust each other and share their past, it is quite emotional. They both have a lot of baggage, but that glimmer of hope is there. This is a quick story, so it seems like instalove, but there is a lot that happens before they decide they want to be together. This is an emotional story as the things the main characters have been through are sad and realistic.
This is a very moving story and one that is well worth reading. I hope that anyone in highly stressful jobs who reads this emotive story finds it cathartic and it enables them to determine what is really important in their lives and make the move to change things. I have read many books by Darcie Boleyn and this isn't a romantic comedy like she often pens, but it is a very enjoyable story. I am glad that I went back and read this one. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an emotional romance, or those who are living a stressful life and are thinking about making a change. The setting, of course, is delightful.
May 23, 2017
What an absolutely perfect cover for Darcie Boleyns newest book! It just makes me want to jump straight into that beach scene and run along along the sand, with that leggy greyhound racing alongside me towards that beautiful blue sea. It promises treats galore waiting for the reader between its pages and, oh my goodness, does it deliver!
It’s no secret that I absolutely adore this authors books but I was rather concerned when I saw that this new one was set in Cornwall! Much as I adore Cornwall and have spent many happy holidays there with my family, there have been A LOT of books set there recently! So I’m so pleased to be able to say that this book was like a beautifully fresh breath of Cornish air for me as it transported the reader into the relaxing summer sunshine of Conwenna Cove.
I fell in love with Eve and Jack as soon as I met them and then as the book progressed, I fell in love again-this time with Mary and a whole kennel full of rescue dogs! Seeing Eve gradually become stress free and happy as she falls in love, first with her aunts village and then with Jack and Gabe, was enchanting to watch. And as she learnt to let go of her feelings and open her heart up to the Cornish magic, we are also given an insight to the heartbreak that lead to Eve’s emotional shutdown. It’s a tale of second chances and this theme is repeated throughout various threads of the storyline to heartwarming effect.
Summer at Conwenna Cove was as sweet and satisfying as a cream tea. It was such a feel good romance that it came as a bit of a shock to me that I ended up sobbing for the last 15% of the book!! I mean, how the hell does Darcie Boleyn do it?? My feelings were all over the place as unexpected plot twists, combined with my own personal triggers, came together to create an emotional maelstrom�..And I loved every minute of it! A perfect summer romance that will stay with you long after the tourists have packed up and gone home. Another winner for the fabulous Darcie Boleyn!
It’s no secret that I absolutely adore this authors books but I was rather concerned when I saw that this new one was set in Cornwall! Much as I adore Cornwall and have spent many happy holidays there with my family, there have been A LOT of books set there recently! So I’m so pleased to be able to say that this book was like a beautifully fresh breath of Cornish air for me as it transported the reader into the relaxing summer sunshine of Conwenna Cove.
I fell in love with Eve and Jack as soon as I met them and then as the book progressed, I fell in love again-this time with Mary and a whole kennel full of rescue dogs! Seeing Eve gradually become stress free and happy as she falls in love, first with her aunts village and then with Jack and Gabe, was enchanting to watch. And as she learnt to let go of her feelings and open her heart up to the Cornish magic, we are also given an insight to the heartbreak that lead to Eve’s emotional shutdown. It’s a tale of second chances and this theme is repeated throughout various threads of the storyline to heartwarming effect.
Summer at Conwenna Cove was as sweet and satisfying as a cream tea. It was such a feel good romance that it came as a bit of a shock to me that I ended up sobbing for the last 15% of the book!! I mean, how the hell does Darcie Boleyn do it?? My feelings were all over the place as unexpected plot twists, combined with my own personal triggers, came together to create an emotional maelstrom�..And I loved every minute of it! A perfect summer romance that will stay with you long after the tourists have packed up and gone home. Another winner for the fabulous Darcie Boleyn!
June 6, 2022
Cheesy romance story, i knew how it was going to end straight away, imma ghogobni hafna
April 26, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley, publishers and Darcie Boleyn for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance reader copy of this book.
You can find my review on both Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ and Amazon. On and on Amazon under k.e.whittard from publication date
Oh I so wish to go and visit the beautiful Conwenna Cove it sounds completely idyllic and beautiful. A place where you can while away some times and your problems just melt away.
This is a wonderfully romantic read that had me swept away with the story from the very first page until the very last. It made me smile and laugh and made me forget the time.
This book is perfect for chicklit and romance fans and Is a wondeful read. I highly recommend it.
I have been a fan of Dacie's writing style for som time now and I simply love her books. This one is no exception. I loved it.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance reader copy of this book.
You can find my review on both Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ and Amazon. On and on Amazon under k.e.whittard from publication date
Oh I so wish to go and visit the beautiful Conwenna Cove it sounds completely idyllic and beautiful. A place where you can while away some times and your problems just melt away.
This is a wonderfully romantic read that had me swept away with the story from the very first page until the very last. It made me smile and laugh and made me forget the time.
This book is perfect for chicklit and romance fans and Is a wondeful read. I highly recommend it.
I have been a fan of Dacie's writing style for som time now and I simply love her books. This one is no exception. I loved it.
November 8, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging, romantic, feel good book.
The story is set in Cornwall, the perfect location.
I couldn’t wait to turn the pages and find out what happens to Eve and Jack.
Looking forward very much to reading Christmas at Conwenna Cove.
The story is set in Cornwall, the perfect location.
I couldn’t wait to turn the pages and find out what happens to Eve and Jack.
Looking forward very much to reading Christmas at Conwenna Cove.
March 24, 2019
I was looking forward to this as it was set in Cornwall. I was disappointed though. There was no coming to life of the scenery or characters. It was just a he said, she said kind of book, with lots of cliches and cheesiness.
April 23, 2018
mucho fluff!!
May 20, 2017
All reviews can be found on my blog at
Every time Darcie Boleyn brings out a brand new book I seem to turn into an excited puppy, unable to sit still and pining with impatience. Seriously, I'm not even kidding. Oh, and by 'pining' I mean DM'ing the author asking when her next book is coming out, over and over again. I'm nice like that, SOOOO not annoying.
Anyway. Cornwall. Again. Deep down I really didn't want to groan about the setting as Darcie Boleyn is one of my favourite authors, but the groan just shot out before I could stop it. Now, I don't have anything against Cornwall as it sounds so beautiful, it's just there are loads of books which are set in Cornwall, most of them being published recently!
I kept an open mind and as I ploughed into the storyline and got to know the characters, my 'issue' with the setting went completely out the window. Eve has hit rock bottom. No longer is she the confident, carefree, optimistic individual she once was; instead she is a woman who has reached her breaking point. All I wanted to do was give Eve a big hug and obviously I couldn't. I felt so, so sorry for her as a character as her circumstances were quite heart wrenching to read about. Seeing as Eve needed a change of scenery, my mind was so occupied with the way that she was feeling I didn't seem to mind where she went, as long as she took the time she needed to recuperate.
It was from that moment that the storyline itself took precedence over the setting. The setting was an eye-catching addition instead of being the star of the show. For me, that is more important. I wanted to be able to connect with the storyline and its characters BEFORE I was able to gaze at the scenery; it's no use if the setting of a book overpowers the true essence of the story and the characters. Hats off to Darcie Boleyn for writing such a powerful storyline that was able to showcase its own beauty.
Alongside Eve as a main character, is a man called Jack. A man who prefers his own company after being 'stabbed' in the back but people he thought he could trust. We've all been there, eh? I didn't know what to make of his character at first as it took a while for his guard to come down, so his inner personality was always hidden away. It was as though he was always putting on a front. As time went on, his 'guard' kept doing squats by coming down, then going back up again, which meant that my opinion of Jack kept changing.
For me, the absolute stars of the show were the dogs in the rescue centre. Well, one in particular but I don't want to say too much as I might give snippets away. I am not ashamed to say that where those dogs were concerned, 'teary' became my middle name. Wow.
'Summer at Conwenna Cove' sure does pack a punch in terms of intensity and depth. I was amazed at how full of information the book was, there was just so much to sink my teeth into!
I really have no idea how Darcie Boleyn does it, but she does. Every. Single. Time. I cannot fault this book at all, not even for the setting! I loved the diversity of the characters, the intense situations, the deep and meaningful conversations and the heart-warming moments with the dogs. Most importantly, I loved how the author brought all of the different situations and emotions together to create this mesmerising, huggable, rollercoaster ride of a novel; all without losing any momentum.
'Summer at Conwenna Cove' is a book to be read, cherished and understood. A book to be your hug when you're on your own. A book to give you that confidence to be able to admit when you need to re-group. A book to give you the kick up the backside to ensure that your own well-being is put before anyone else's. Not just A BOOK, it's THIS BOOK.
Out-flipping-standing.
Thank you Canelo.
Every time Darcie Boleyn brings out a brand new book I seem to turn into an excited puppy, unable to sit still and pining with impatience. Seriously, I'm not even kidding. Oh, and by 'pining' I mean DM'ing the author asking when her next book is coming out, over and over again. I'm nice like that, SOOOO not annoying.
Anyway. Cornwall. Again. Deep down I really didn't want to groan about the setting as Darcie Boleyn is one of my favourite authors, but the groan just shot out before I could stop it. Now, I don't have anything against Cornwall as it sounds so beautiful, it's just there are loads of books which are set in Cornwall, most of them being published recently!
I kept an open mind and as I ploughed into the storyline and got to know the characters, my 'issue' with the setting went completely out the window. Eve has hit rock bottom. No longer is she the confident, carefree, optimistic individual she once was; instead she is a woman who has reached her breaking point. All I wanted to do was give Eve a big hug and obviously I couldn't. I felt so, so sorry for her as a character as her circumstances were quite heart wrenching to read about. Seeing as Eve needed a change of scenery, my mind was so occupied with the way that she was feeling I didn't seem to mind where she went, as long as she took the time she needed to recuperate.
It was from that moment that the storyline itself took precedence over the setting. The setting was an eye-catching addition instead of being the star of the show. For me, that is more important. I wanted to be able to connect with the storyline and its characters BEFORE I was able to gaze at the scenery; it's no use if the setting of a book overpowers the true essence of the story and the characters. Hats off to Darcie Boleyn for writing such a powerful storyline that was able to showcase its own beauty.
Alongside Eve as a main character, is a man called Jack. A man who prefers his own company after being 'stabbed' in the back but people he thought he could trust. We've all been there, eh? I didn't know what to make of his character at first as it took a while for his guard to come down, so his inner personality was always hidden away. It was as though he was always putting on a front. As time went on, his 'guard' kept doing squats by coming down, then going back up again, which meant that my opinion of Jack kept changing.
For me, the absolute stars of the show were the dogs in the rescue centre. Well, one in particular but I don't want to say too much as I might give snippets away. I am not ashamed to say that where those dogs were concerned, 'teary' became my middle name. Wow.
'Summer at Conwenna Cove' sure does pack a punch in terms of intensity and depth. I was amazed at how full of information the book was, there was just so much to sink my teeth into!
I really have no idea how Darcie Boleyn does it, but she does. Every. Single. Time. I cannot fault this book at all, not even for the setting! I loved the diversity of the characters, the intense situations, the deep and meaningful conversations and the heart-warming moments with the dogs. Most importantly, I loved how the author brought all of the different situations and emotions together to create this mesmerising, huggable, rollercoaster ride of a novel; all without losing any momentum.
'Summer at Conwenna Cove' is a book to be read, cherished and understood. A book to be your hug when you're on your own. A book to give you that confidence to be able to admit when you need to re-group. A book to give you the kick up the backside to ensure that your own well-being is put before anyone else's. Not just A BOOK, it's THIS BOOK.
Out-flipping-standing.
Thank you Canelo.
May 16, 2021
The story had the potential to be lovely especially with the setting being Cornwall. My main issue with it is that the underlying message seems to be that the main character cannot be happy or able to manage a successful career without having a breakdown. What she needs is a man, marriage, children, and to learn how to cook. I struggle to accept stories where what is inherent is that women should return to traditional roles and avoid professional careers - even though they were capable of them. The other key problem was the writing style - far too much description. For example, when putting on a wash, we are given details of what type of washing liquid and that it was put in the drum, along with details of where the softener goes. Similarly several pages it seemed were spent describing how to bake a cake. I admire authors for their ambition and commitment but do feel that this book could have benefited from further editing (despite the author thanking the copy/editors for their work). Not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2020
Reviewed for
I’m fairly certain that Darcie Boleyn is a British author, and as such, I might not have discovered this lovely story if not for a British book blogger who was kind enough to feature one of my own books a while back. I’d been following her ever since, and when I read her post about Summer at Conwenna Cove, it sounded like the kind of book I would enjoy, so I immediately put it on my TBR list. This is the story of Eve, an over-achieving workaholic who has always been driven, but she’s been working even harder ever since experiencing a miscarriage followed by the dissolution of her marriage. Finally her body rebels in a spectacular way with a near-complete physical and mental breakdown that leads her to reevaluate her life. In order to sort out her issues, she takes leave from her job and heads to the little seaside village of Conwenna Cove in Cornwall to visit a beloved aunt. There she begins to find peace and also meets her aunt’s neighbor and tenant, Jack, who stirs her interests in a more romantic direction. Unsure if she should be getting involved with someone new in her current state, she tries to keep their relationship as just friends. But it becomes harder and harder for her to resist this handsome man’s charms, especially when she finds out that he works at the Greyhound rescue and loves animals. However, she still has to decide whether she can leave behind her old life and the job she loves to start fresh.
Eve is a very driven woman who loves her career as a head teacher. But after losing her pregnancy and her marriage crumbling as a result, she’s been pushing herself even harder in an effort to forget. However, it all catches up to her one day when she suddenly develops a migraine, has a panic attack, vomits and passes out, all while in a meeting with her coworkers. It’s a humiliating experience for a woman who’s always tried to be strong, but after a trip to the hospital, the health crisis scares her enough that she realizes she needs to take a break for a while. Unfortunately she’s an only child who’s never been close to her parents who now live in Italy, and the only other relative she has is her Aunt Mary. Eve has fond memories of spending summers at her aunt’s house as child, but lately she’s been neglecting her aunt because of her crazy busy life. Feeling guilty about it and unsure whether Mary will still welcome her, she reluctantly rings her up and finds that Mary is thrilled to have her come for a visit. Eve heads for Conwenna Cove and in that quiet, unhurried environment, she gradually starts to unwind, but she still has a great deal of soul searching to accomplish. While trying to figure things out, she meets Jack and forms an easy friendship with her aunt’s tenant that she’d like to turn into something more. But demons from her past haunt her, along with all the decisions she has to make, leaving her reluctant to pursue a deeper relationship. Eve is a very relatable character who’s been living life in the fast lane, and just simply needs to slow down. She’s a good person who has lost a lot and hasn’t really given herself time to grieve and find closure, but the magic of Conwenna Cove helps her to find peace so that she can move on with the love of good man.
Jack is a former British marine and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. In the midst of doing some soul-searching of his own, he ended up in Conwenna Cove where he met Mary, who rented him her extra cottage. Having no family of his own, she became a surrogate mom to him, and in return, he’s pretty protective of her. That’s why when he hears that Eve is coming for a visit, he’s not very friendly to her at first, because he’s seen how she’s neglected her aunt. His bad feelings toward her don’t last long, though, once he realizes what a kind person she actually is despite her not coming around for a long time. He’s also quite attracted to her, but she comes with a lot of baggage. However, after being wounded in the war and having his wife leave him, Jack has some issues of his own that makes it easier for him to relate. He’s very patient with Eve, even though he’s afraid that if he allows himself to care, she might go home to Bristol and never come back. Despite his military background, Jack is much more of a beta hero, who’s never pushy or possessive. He’s very kind, sweet, and sensitive toward both Eve and Mary. I absolutely loved his artistic side and that he loves animals and works with the Greyhounds at the rescue. He’s just an all-around great guy that any woman would be lucky to have.
There are some memorable secondary characters in this book as well. Even though she never had children of her own, Mary is a wonderful motherly figure to both Eve and Jack. I thought it was sweet that she got a romance of her own with Edward, a local fisherman. It shows that romance isn’t just for the young, but also the young at heart. I love a well-written animal character, and there are several in this book. Mary has two cats and two rescue Greyhounds that Jack and Eve often take on walks. But it was Gabe, a Greyhound at the shelter who takes a shine to Eve, that really captured my heart. He was just too cute and made me want a Greyhound of my own.:-) There are also a number of villagers in more minor supporting roles, two of whom get books of their own. One is Oli, the veterinarian, who is widowed with a couple of kids. He becomes the hero of Book #2, Christmas at Conwenna Cove. Then Nate, a surfer who works at a local diner, becomes the hero of the third book, Forever at Conwenna Cove.
In my opinion, Summer at Conwenna Cove is a cross between contemporary romance and women’s fiction. A large part of the story is about Eve figuring out her life and what she wants to do moving forward, which leans into the women’s fiction genre. However, the romance between her and Jack is prominent enough that I have no trouble categorizing it as contemporary romance, too. That said, though, the romance is definitely a slow-burning one that takes its time developing, starting as a strong friendship before turning into something more, but I still felt that all-important emotional connection between Jack and Eve. They fit together well, and their relationship is a pretty sweet one. They share a bit of flirting and innuendo, but there’s only one fade-to-black love scene at the very end with limited details. Although the book deals with some emotional topics, there are several humorous moments to lighten things up as well. I think that fans of small-town romances, such as Robyn Carr’s Thunder Point series, will really enjoy this one. Darcie Boleyn did an excellent job of bringing the village of Conwenna Cove to life in a way that makes me want to visit this charming seaside locale if only it actually existed. There were also a few elements of the story that reminded me a bit of one of my own books, which was a treat as well. My only small complaints are that the story could be a little slow-paced at times, and I thought the characterizations could have gone a bit deeper. Otherwise, though, this was a lovely read. I’m quite happy to have discovered this new-to-me author and series, and I very much look forward to reading Oli’s and Nate’s books soon and checking out Ms. Bolyen’s other works.
I’m fairly certain that Darcie Boleyn is a British author, and as such, I might not have discovered this lovely story if not for a British book blogger who was kind enough to feature one of my own books a while back. I’d been following her ever since, and when I read her post about Summer at Conwenna Cove, it sounded like the kind of book I would enjoy, so I immediately put it on my TBR list. This is the story of Eve, an over-achieving workaholic who has always been driven, but she’s been working even harder ever since experiencing a miscarriage followed by the dissolution of her marriage. Finally her body rebels in a spectacular way with a near-complete physical and mental breakdown that leads her to reevaluate her life. In order to sort out her issues, she takes leave from her job and heads to the little seaside village of Conwenna Cove in Cornwall to visit a beloved aunt. There she begins to find peace and also meets her aunt’s neighbor and tenant, Jack, who stirs her interests in a more romantic direction. Unsure if she should be getting involved with someone new in her current state, she tries to keep their relationship as just friends. But it becomes harder and harder for her to resist this handsome man’s charms, especially when she finds out that he works at the Greyhound rescue and loves animals. However, she still has to decide whether she can leave behind her old life and the job she loves to start fresh.
Eve is a very driven woman who loves her career as a head teacher. But after losing her pregnancy and her marriage crumbling as a result, she’s been pushing herself even harder in an effort to forget. However, it all catches up to her one day when she suddenly develops a migraine, has a panic attack, vomits and passes out, all while in a meeting with her coworkers. It’s a humiliating experience for a woman who’s always tried to be strong, but after a trip to the hospital, the health crisis scares her enough that she realizes she needs to take a break for a while. Unfortunately she’s an only child who’s never been close to her parents who now live in Italy, and the only other relative she has is her Aunt Mary. Eve has fond memories of spending summers at her aunt’s house as child, but lately she’s been neglecting her aunt because of her crazy busy life. Feeling guilty about it and unsure whether Mary will still welcome her, she reluctantly rings her up and finds that Mary is thrilled to have her come for a visit. Eve heads for Conwenna Cove and in that quiet, unhurried environment, she gradually starts to unwind, but she still has a great deal of soul searching to accomplish. While trying to figure things out, she meets Jack and forms an easy friendship with her aunt’s tenant that she’d like to turn into something more. But demons from her past haunt her, along with all the decisions she has to make, leaving her reluctant to pursue a deeper relationship. Eve is a very relatable character who’s been living life in the fast lane, and just simply needs to slow down. She’s a good person who has lost a lot and hasn’t really given herself time to grieve and find closure, but the magic of Conwenna Cove helps her to find peace so that she can move on with the love of good man.
Jack is a former British marine and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. In the midst of doing some soul-searching of his own, he ended up in Conwenna Cove where he met Mary, who rented him her extra cottage. Having no family of his own, she became a surrogate mom to him, and in return, he’s pretty protective of her. That’s why when he hears that Eve is coming for a visit, he’s not very friendly to her at first, because he’s seen how she’s neglected her aunt. His bad feelings toward her don’t last long, though, once he realizes what a kind person she actually is despite her not coming around for a long time. He’s also quite attracted to her, but she comes with a lot of baggage. However, after being wounded in the war and having his wife leave him, Jack has some issues of his own that makes it easier for him to relate. He’s very patient with Eve, even though he’s afraid that if he allows himself to care, she might go home to Bristol and never come back. Despite his military background, Jack is much more of a beta hero, who’s never pushy or possessive. He’s very kind, sweet, and sensitive toward both Eve and Mary. I absolutely loved his artistic side and that he loves animals and works with the Greyhounds at the rescue. He’s just an all-around great guy that any woman would be lucky to have.
There are some memorable secondary characters in this book as well. Even though she never had children of her own, Mary is a wonderful motherly figure to both Eve and Jack. I thought it was sweet that she got a romance of her own with Edward, a local fisherman. It shows that romance isn’t just for the young, but also the young at heart. I love a well-written animal character, and there are several in this book. Mary has two cats and two rescue Greyhounds that Jack and Eve often take on walks. But it was Gabe, a Greyhound at the shelter who takes a shine to Eve, that really captured my heart. He was just too cute and made me want a Greyhound of my own.:-) There are also a number of villagers in more minor supporting roles, two of whom get books of their own. One is Oli, the veterinarian, who is widowed with a couple of kids. He becomes the hero of Book #2, Christmas at Conwenna Cove. Then Nate, a surfer who works at a local diner, becomes the hero of the third book, Forever at Conwenna Cove.
In my opinion, Summer at Conwenna Cove is a cross between contemporary romance and women’s fiction. A large part of the story is about Eve figuring out her life and what she wants to do moving forward, which leans into the women’s fiction genre. However, the romance between her and Jack is prominent enough that I have no trouble categorizing it as contemporary romance, too. That said, though, the romance is definitely a slow-burning one that takes its time developing, starting as a strong friendship before turning into something more, but I still felt that all-important emotional connection between Jack and Eve. They fit together well, and their relationship is a pretty sweet one. They share a bit of flirting and innuendo, but there’s only one fade-to-black love scene at the very end with limited details. Although the book deals with some emotional topics, there are several humorous moments to lighten things up as well. I think that fans of small-town romances, such as Robyn Carr’s Thunder Point series, will really enjoy this one. Darcie Boleyn did an excellent job of bringing the village of Conwenna Cove to life in a way that makes me want to visit this charming seaside locale if only it actually existed. There were also a few elements of the story that reminded me a bit of one of my own books, which was a treat as well. My only small complaints are that the story could be a little slow-paced at times, and I thought the characterizations could have gone a bit deeper. Otherwise, though, this was a lovely read. I’m quite happy to have discovered this new-to-me author and series, and I very much look forward to reading Oli’s and Nate’s books soon and checking out Ms. Bolyen’s other works.
October 4, 2017
I don't recall reading any books by Darcie Boleyn previously, but I'm pretty pleased I picked this one up. I do love a good chick lit, and this one certainly didn't disappoint. Although sometimes I get frustrated at the predictability of the storylines of such books, Boleyn's writing is so good that I was quickly able to look past that. When you can pick out the 'happy ending' within a couple of pages it's frustrating to say the least, but the way Boleyn writes I was able to grow to love the characters and feel really invested in their story. I enjoyed this book so much that I'm straight onto reading another of Boleyn's books, Christmas at Conwenna Cave. Highly recommended!
(Thanks NetGalley for this copy).
(Thanks NetGalley for this copy).
October 7, 2018
I listened to this on audio book, it was a lovely lightheartened story. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Conwenna Cove, getting to know all the characters and the dogs.
I felt for Eve at times, what with all that had happened to her, and the responsibilities she had in life, and then due to one incident, having to make a decision whether to change things on her life or not.
The story was told well and the setting sounded so picturesque.
I felt for Eve at times, what with all that had happened to her, and the responsibilities she had in life, and then due to one incident, having to make a decision whether to change things on her life or not.
The story was told well and the setting sounded so picturesque.
August 25, 2024
franchement gros coup de cœur, il est super facile à lire l’histoire se met très rapidement en place. même si on peut se douter de comment va se dérouler le livre il reste très bien écrit. très bonne vibe très heart warming 🥹
la romance c’est le petit plus de l’histoire mais la relation entre Ève et sa tante Mary j’ai pas les mots. même après beaucoup d’années séparées elles sont un peu les safe place l’une de l’autre
la romance c’est le petit plus de l’histoire mais la relation entre Ève et sa tante Mary j’ai pas les mots. même après beaucoup d’années séparées elles sont un peu les safe place l’une de l’autre
August 3, 2024
Incredibly heartwarming
A story of loss, love and new beginnings. The main characters were lovely, relatable and real. The story was captivating, reminding me that sometimes we need to take a break and slow down to fully enjoy life. The story is written well and features beautiful greyhounds. Highly recommend
A story of loss, love and new beginnings. The main characters were lovely, relatable and real. The story was captivating, reminding me that sometimes we need to take a break and slow down to fully enjoy life. The story is written well and features beautiful greyhounds. Highly recommend
July 27, 2024
This book was an easy read . A heartwarming romance set in Cornwall . I really did warm to the characters in this book . It was the first book I’d read by Darcie Boleyn and I will definitely read her other two books in the Conwenna Cove series .
January 21, 2018
Loved this book, hoping for more to be set in Cowenna cove
July 29, 2023
2,75 stars; i really liked the beginning but towards the end it was too predictable. Maybe because it is a summer read and a lot of summer reads have endings like that. Overall a cute book!
July 30, 2023
heartwarming slay
April 7, 2024
A gentle story full of hope
August 22, 2019
Lovely summer read
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