Really enjoyable read. Good characters and a Good story. Well worth a read. Think others will enjoy.

A nice easy read. Lovely characters and a nice storyl . I look forward to reading more from this author

An enjoyable a sweet story of two people who need each other and find each other out in the middle of Butterfly Cove. Mia, recently widowed, has decided to renovate an old inn into a B&B. Daniel needs a break from his runaway life, and escapes the city life. When an older woman drops him off at Mia's he is taken a little back. Not really ready for visitors, she does allow him to stay as long as he helps out. Both have many issues to overcome, so the romance is slow and steady. Many times that is best, instead of greeting and jumping into bed right away. Liked this one, and found it hard to put down. Highly recommend.

Heartwarming romance, brilliant characters and a love story that is hard to put down!! Great story, recommend to all fans of this genre.

This book is a little bit hard to rate for me. I generally liked this book but still there were quite a few things which bothered me.

The story itself is enjoyable and I really liked the small town atmosphere. On the one hand it was really cosy and I liked the slow development, especially the love story, on the other hand I found some parts of the story rather dragging and there wasn't much progress.
But there also was too much story pressed into this book, as it wasn't very long, and some parts weren't really important for the story. The bits about Mias family weren't really interesting for me.

As I enjoyed the slow development of the love story in the beginning, it went way too fast in the end. The characters were likable and I think Mia and Daniel fit very well together.

The writing style was enjoyable to read and I am looking forward to the other books in this series.

I was instantly drawn initally to Sunrise at Butterfly Cove for the gorgeous cover is host - I mean just look at it, it screams peace and quiet and fabulous scenery - and the book didn't fault in that department either.

What I loved about this debut from Sarah Bennett was a brilliant and detailed prologue. We were immediately given some back story to both Daniel and Mia, our main characters to the story, and learnt that Daniel had lost both his parents, his Father passing just before Daniel made a name for himself as a world class photographer and his career launching. Whilst Mia is faced opening the front door to police officers informing her that her beloved husband Jamie had been killed in a road accident on his way home.

We move on then to the bulk of the book and Daniel has decided he needs to get away. His celebrity lifestyle of drink, drugs and a long stream of women - the latest being Giselle - has taken its toll on Fitz - his celeb name - and if he doesn't make the break now, he fears his life will spiral out of the little control he has left. So swiftly packing a bag, he jumps on a train and heads to the West Country.

Daniel has no plan, no direction, but fate is forced upon him when his train reaches the end of the line and he is brought to from his daydream by a kind stranger. Madeline, or Mads as she is known, takes Daniel under her wing, explaining that there is nowhere left to go on the train and that she can give him a lift to a place she knows that he can stay.

I just want to say at this point that I adored Mads and her husband Richard. We learn throughout the story that they were unable to have their own family and have pretty much taken Mia under their wing, supporting her in her grief but they have enough love for Daniel too plus other characters we meet a long the way. Mads is a meddling old bag but with the kindest of hearts whilst Richard just goes with the flow but adores his wife - honestly, these two could have a book of their own written!

Mia has purchased Butterfly House as an escape from the home and life she made with Jamie, but the building is run down and in dyer need of some TLC. Mia is far from impressed with Mads dumping Daniel on her doorstep but agrees to give him a week to sort himself out and in return for his board she gives him a list of chores to help get the house in shape.

Two broken hearts, both characters having their share of emotional outburst should be a recipe for disaster but this only draws them closer and a week turns to two, that in turn moving on to a month.
Daniel quickly realises his feelings for Mia but allows her to guide the time on this new relationship.

When Daniel offers Mia a propersition of converting the barn into studios and work spaces as an artists retreat, she agrees - allowing him in to her life for the first time as permanent fixture.

Although Sunrise at Butterfly Cove is ultimately a love story, it is warm and romantic and has equal parts of humour and drama.
We are introduced to Mia's difficult childhood and her sister Kiki plays an important role within one of the sub plots. Things between them, their youngest sister Nee, and their parents are very strained to say the least.
Likewise, Aaron (Daniels best friend) and his younger brother Luke also play important sub roles and altogether Sarah has created a delightful group of characters that you can't help but lose yourself to within their stories.

This was an enjoyable and well written story, and I loved hearing all about the plans for the house, it almost becoming another character, growing and coming alive throughout the book. It’s clear that both the hero and the heroine need to heal – and the other is going to help them do that, and discover who they are again. I also loved the slightly interfering but adorable neighbours!

However, towards the last third, I did feel that there were a few too many characters becoming quite main players which for me detracted a little from the hero and heroine’s story. I realise that this is a series and these characters will go on to feature in the sequels but I just felt that it took away from the absolute involvement I’d initially had with the main characters.

All in all, I enjoyed the book but wish the focus had been kept on the main characters and their story a little more.
4*

This book came highly reccomended to me by the lovely Rebecca Pugh, and she was perfect in saying this is what i needed to read. We meet Mia who has had the worst year, and now is her time to turn it around and start again, so what better way than pouring all her energy and feelings into renovating a guesthouse in Butterfly Cove. With plenty of time set aside to fix it up before guests - the challenge doesnt seem all to daunting.

When Daniel Fitzwilliam arrives though, all her plans are changed, and suddenly he needs somewhere to stay for the week. Did i not mention that Daniel also happens to be swoonworthy and is stirring something inside Mia? As the pair begin to settle into a day to day routine together working on the guesthouse, a week soon flies by...and its not only Mia that wonders if he could perhaps stay?

This was a perfect, it was sweet, heart warming and heart wrenching in equal measures. It had me craving cups of builders tea with bacon sandwhiches. Mia was a girl after my own heart, and everything about her character was just the sort of person you would want in your life. I loved my visit to Butterfly Cove, and it came just at the right time for me.

I'm so happy Sarah Bennett got in touch with me about reading her new story, 'Sunrise at Butterfly Cove.' It was such a lovely read. I think the calmness and serenity that is epitomized at Butterfly cove, actually bounced of the pages onto me, because while I read it I just felt a sense of peace and quiet. It was a story that had a lot of heart and captured my full attention, as though someone was telling me their life story and I was merely there to listen and offer comfort and love.


It's been two years since tragedy struck Mia Sutherland and she's determined bit by bit to get back out into the real world instead of hiding away in her little sanctuary of Butterfly Cove. To help her do that she needs to start restoring Butterfly house so that she can open it for guests in the Summer. She's got a lot of work to do but luckily has two wonderful friends to help her. Richard and Madeline have helped her in more ways than one since she moved to Butterfly Cove, they've adopted her as their own and she would be lost without their support and kindness. So when Madeline, leaves a random stranger in need of a place to stay on her doorstep one day, Mia can't stay mad for long. Mia's not sure if she's ready to have anyone else live under her roof just yet but she's too kind to just turn Daniel away. Plus she is all too familiar with the anxiety, fear and loneliness in his eyes, so she decides to give him one week, under the condition he helps with the renovations that need to be done. Daniel is more than happy to help and can't believe how kind this beautiful strange is being. He had to get away from London for his own sake and he could have ended up anywhere, there must have been a reason he ended up in Butterfly Cove.




I enjoyed this story, it felt like I was riding a little wave of serenity and that I had to treat it with love and tender care. Mia's story broke my heart. Every action or conversation she had, I could just feel her sadness. It didn't make the story miserable or Mia a depressing character, Sarah just did a great job at writing this character that was consumed by a grief that she was struggling to let go of. To connect her grief to that of Daniel's own story made for a beautiful read. The way the two characters connected and understood each other was just heartwarming. I loved that they had a mutual understanding from the very beginning and that they were honest and open with their friendship. Mia was so sweet and caring and Daniel was so protective and patient. Their interactions were extremely warm and loving and I wanted to see them both find peace and happiness.




Butterfly Cove itself sounded like a wonderful place to visit. Every room Mia decorated, I could picture in my head. I would love to come back to her beach themed room, after a stroll along the beach, and relax by the window while reading a good book. Ooh and I can't forget indulging in Mia's delicious home cooking. The kitchen at Butterfly houses sounds like the best place to be. Mia's stews, soups and scones had my mouth watering. Yep, you can book me in for the summer! :)

A perfect read from an author that for me can do no wrong

Romance of a widower starting a new life. A stranger shows up and helps her with her carpentry work and opens her heart.

I'm so happy Sarah Bennett got in touch with me about reading her new story, 'Sunrise at Butterfly Cove.' It was such a lovely read. I think the calmness and serenity that is epitomized at Butterfly cove, actually bounced of the pages onto me, because while I read it I just felt a sense of peace and quiet. It was a story that had a lot of heart and captured my full attention, as though someone was telling me their life story and I was merely there to listen and offer comfort and love.

It's been two years since tragedy struck Mia Sutherland and she's determined bit by bit to get back out into the real world instead of hiding away in her little sanctuary of Butterfly Cove. To help her do that she needs to start restoring Butterfly house so that she can open it for guests in the Summer. She's got a lot of work to do but luckily has two wonderful friends to help her. Richard and Madeline have helped her in more ways than one since she moved to Butterfly Cove, they've adopted her as their own and she would be lost without their support and kindness. So when Madeline, leaves a random stranger in need of a place to stay on her doorstep one day, Mia can't stay mad for long. Mia's not sure if she's ready to have anyone else live under her roof just yet but she's too kind to just turn Daniel away. Plus she is all too familiar with the anxiety, fear and loneliness in his eyes, so she decides to give him one week, under the condition he helps with the renovations that need to be done. Daniel is more than happy to help and can't believe how kind this beautiful strange is being. He had to get away from London for his own sake and he could have ended up anywhere, there must have been a reason he ended up in Butterfly Cove.

I enjoyed this story, it felt like I was riding a little wave of serenity and that I had to treat it with love and tender care. Mia's story broke my heart. Every action or conversation she had, I could just feel her sadness. It didn't make the story miserable or Mia a depressing character, Sarah just did a great job at writing this character that was consumed by a grief that she was struggling to let go of. To connect her grief to that of Daniel's own story made for a beautiful read. The way the two characters connected and understood each other was just heartwarming. I loved that they had a mutual understanding from the very beginning and that they were honest and open with their friendship. Mia was so sweet and caring and Daniel was so protective and patient. Their interactions were extremely warm and loving and I wanted to see them both find peace and happiness.

Butterfly Cove itself sounded like a wonderful place to visit. Every room Mia decorated, I could picture in my head. I would love to come back to her beach themed room, after a stroll along the beach, and relax by the window while reading a good book. Ooh and I can't forget indulging in Mia's delicious home cooking. The kitchen at Butterfly houses sounds like the best place to be. Mia's stews, soups and scones had my mouth watering. Yep, you can book me in for the summer! :)

Attracted by the cover and nothing more really, I picked this book up. Not knowing what I was going to get, after having read some rather weaker women's fiction I was a bit wary with this choice.

Within the first couple of pages, all doubts were thrown away as I settled into this wonderful novel. Right from the beginning you are swept up into Mia's life.

Mia is heartbroken, her future was taken away from her when her husband died. She has not moved on in any way apart from doing one thing, buying a run down guest house by the sea and singlehandedly renovating it. Whilst not quite estranged from her family they have taken other paths and routes through life and Mia has now distanced herself from them all.

The only family she has is Madeline and Richard, local residents at Butterfly Cove who have taken her under their wing and been helping with the house.

That is until Madeline stumbles upon Daniel Fitzwilliam, newly arrived from London and looking for a place to stay. Madeline just knows the prefect guesthouse for him.

Trouble is the guesthouse is not finished and Mia is not looking for any guests yet.

Daniel is running from something and seems hurt by the actions and decisions he has made.

A friendship begins to develop and they both recognise something in each other and slowly a healing process takes place.

As relationships heal, move forward so does the renovations on the guest house and it becomes very much a feature of both Mia and Daniel. The future is held within the walls, decorations, colours and the photographs.

Whilst you could say it was inevitable what was going to happen, I think the story has a lot more depth to it and a lot of raw emotion and love is contained in the short amount of pages than can be found wanting in some much longer novels. It is this which kept me reading, kept me awake to see the guest house develop, to see Mia grow stronger, to see Daniel forget his past and for everything to come together. All the characters are fully developed and this is what makes it a real strong story.

And the best bit of the novel - this is in fact the first in a trilogy. Which means I can go back and visit Butterfly Cove.

I love this entire plot! Mia hides away at a beach house, renovating gradually as a way to deal with deep-seated grief. Famous artist Daniel happens along and avails himself of the quiet retreat. They learn to put one foot in front of the other, slowly at first, and then together like a dance. Sarah Bennett writes a lovely waltz, with other couples swirling around, supporting Mia and Daniel individually and as a couple.

Of course a few figurative storms hit- and Bennett uses the cast of secondary characters as both the cause and the solution.

The only misstep was some awkward writing at the beginning, and the descriptions of the budding relationship between Mia and Daniel. I didn’t think Mia would have felt comfortable enough with a stranger to sit on his lap, for example. But once you get past the awkward stages, it’s all good. From there on out, Mia and Daniel are like two old souls who know just what the other needs. Their friends are just as intuitive, serving as loving, merciful family when biological relatives don’t come through.

I really can’t wait for book two. These characters are terrific — and I need to see the transformation of the barn!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1919775021

https://randombookmuses.com/2017/02/08/review-sunrise-at-butterfly-cove-by-sarah-bennett/

When Mia's husband Jamie is killed in a car crash she is complete devastated - he was the love of her life and she can't seem to move on after him. After a time she decides to buy a house on the coast at Butterfly Cove to turn it into a guesthouse....but buying it sight unseen was not her best move as it is extremely dilapidated and needs an amazing amount of work

Daniel is a professional photographer but he has got in with the wrong crowd - the celebrity status has gone to his head and he ends up drinking and taking drugs until he suddenly realises that he has reached rock bottom and needs to get away before having a total breakdown and so he just gets on a train to the West Country with no idea where he is going

When Mia's best friend Madeleine finds the lost man at the station she takes him to Mia's guesthouse - Mia is horrified the place hasn't got a room ready yet and she doesn't want anyone in her space. At first she tells him he has to leave and find somewhere else but then she recognises a fellow sufferer and gives him a week to stay......but can he outstay that welcome!

A real feel good book - I love the way the relationship between Mia and Daniel progresses with little steps at a time both realising the fragility of each others emotions. I can't wait for the next book to be released

I loved this book, Miia and Daniel were likable characters and i look forward to reading the other books in the series.

what a fabulous story. I fell in love with it from the beginning. Great supporting cast and storyline. I can't wait for more. Bennett is a wonderful author. Yeah!

A very sweet second chance romance that will see Mia and Daniel overcome their pain to find one another. This is nicely written and a fast read- it's too short!! I enjoyed the descriptions of the cove and the guesthouse and can't wait to read more about this couple. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC - I'm now keeping an eye out for Bennett.

Mia moves to Butterfly cove to renovate the old guesthouse. She needs a fresh start after tragic events that happened in the past. The house needs a lot of work, but she is determined to make it work no matter what. Daniel is a photographer whose recent decisions in his life leave him feeling uncomfortable and he decides to hop on a train and just go away for a while. Without any destination in mind he gets off at the end of the line. When he gets off he realizes he doesn’t have a place to stay, but luckily the same older woman he briefly met on the train comes to his rescue. The older woman Madeline is friends with Mia and despite the fact that the guesthouse is not ready, she drops Daniel off right there. Mia is not really liking the thought of Daniel staying, but eventually agrees to let him stay for a week. Daniel helps Mia with renovations and together they help each other to heal the wounds from the past. Can the two of them find happiness in all the chaos that surrounds them?

It was a good start to the series. There’s more to the story than two broken people finding love in each other. I very much like Mia and Daniel as well as Madeline and her husband, they are all very kind and of course they live in such a lovely place that has a wonderful name and a backstory to it. I am looking forward to return to the Butterfly Cove in the next book.

This really was a treasure of a read. It is set by the sea, has a guest house undergoing renovation, a troubled photographer looking to regain his creativity and a blossoming friendship that is trying to overcome the past.

Mia bought a guesthouse after losing her husband and has lovely neighbours who have taken her under their wing. I loved all the characters- you really warm to them and feel like you've known them forever. Madeleine inteferes when she meets Daniel on the train from London. She drops him off at Mia's even though the guesthouse is months from completion.

They both recognise the hurt behind the eyes of the other and when she agrees to let him stay for a week we are treated to a wonderful friendship developing and trying to guess whether they can finally give their past a chance to recover and give new love a chance.

I loved the guesthouse emerging and the wonderful pieces of furniture they are unearthing in the barn ready to create themed rooms.

I can't wait for the next book in the series and think I have found a new author to watch out for.