Honor Sontag has travelled to England from her home in Harrison Drives, Connecticut, USA, to leave everything from her life behind for a few months, to escape and have some time and space to think. Honor's 'old life had fractured and she'd crept out of one of the cracks.' She also aims to find and meet her English birth mother for the very first time, having been raised by her American father and by her Grandparents. She rents a bungalow in Brighton owned by Clarissa Mayfair, and at the very start of the novel, Honor meets Martyn Mayfair in a rather unusual and interesting situation! He immediately becomes her rescuer, and a mutual attraction is sparked.
As the story grows, Honor begins to establish a life in and around Brighton, and gets to know more about Martyn. The two of them find they have a lot in common, not least with regards to their unusual familial backgrounds. But Martyn doesn't want to get involved with anyone who isn't single and available, having been hurt before, and Honor had 'come to England to get away from the storms in her life, not to brew up new ones.' Additionally, in Robina, the owner of the local teashop, Martyn has an ardent admirer who doesn't give up easily. Honor befriends Rufus, Robina's son, and takes his side against some local bullies. Honor tries to help everyone out and seems like someone who really wants to make life better for people, especially those she cares about. But will she be able to find, as the title suggests, love and freedom in her own life?
This enjoyable romantic novel has a beautiful, kind heroine trying to make sense of her life, a very handsome hero with some interesting relations, a jealous would-be lover who is a real hippy but can bake a great cake, a bullied teenage boy who is under appreciated by his mother, and more! There is a lovely sense of place in the novel, the writer really conjures up the seaside setting and the charming little streets and quirky shops, all of which Honor comes to love. 'She felt more at home here, looking out to the ocean, than she had in any other place.' The story really builds towards the end of the novel when there is a surprise visitor and an unexpected twist in the tale. A sweet, modern-day romantic read.
As the story grows, Honor begins to establish a life in and around Brighton, and gets to know more about Martyn. The two of them find they have a lot in common, not least with regards to their unusual familial backgrounds. But Martyn doesn't want to get involved with anyone who isn't single and available, having been hurt before, and Honor had 'come to England to get away from the storms in her life, not to brew up new ones.' Additionally, in Robina, the owner of the local teashop, Martyn has an ardent admirer who doesn't give up easily. Honor befriends Rufus, Robina's son, and takes his side against some local bullies. Honor tries to help everyone out and seems like someone who really wants to make life better for people, especially those she cares about. But will she be able to find, as the title suggests, love and freedom in her own life?
This enjoyable romantic novel has a beautiful, kind heroine trying to make sense of her life, a very handsome hero with some interesting relations, a jealous would-be lover who is a real hippy but can bake a great cake, a bullied teenage boy who is under appreciated by his mother, and more! There is a lovely sense of place in the novel, the writer really conjures up the seaside setting and the charming little streets and quirky shops, all of which Honor comes to love. 'She felt more at home here, looking out to the ocean, than she had in any other place.' The story really builds towards the end of the novel when there is a surprise visitor and an unexpected twist in the tale. A sweet, modern-day romantic read.
4/5
Thank you very much to the publisher for sending me a copy of this novel to read and review.
Published by Choc Lit and available to buy now as a paperback and as an e-book.
You can visit the author's blog here.
You can visit the author's blog here.
Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteYour review made me smile...sounds like the type of book that would lead to many soft smiles!
ReplyDelete♥Melissa
Love Sue's books - they really are chick lit at it's best! Haven't read this one yet though, will have to get onto it! x
ReplyDelete