I loved reading this one. I just love this kind of books.
4 stars read for me. I love this author snd her writing style.
Thanks to netgally for this arc.

First thought: I enjoyed it! I love books with good messages and this one was: that even on the darkest days there is always light and hope.

Met Ella, her life is falling apart. She feels nothing anymore and just needs to escape her life. Ella has had an exceptionally hard few years working as a doctor during the epidemic in London, suffering a miscarriage and then walking in on her partner of over 10yrs having an affair. She is mentally numb to it all! She packs her suitcase and walks away from her life, she gets in a car with no destination in mind.

To Ella’s luck or dismay her car breaks down miles away from a hidden gem of a community on the English shore called Starshine Cove. She transported to another world that seems to good to be true, where cell phones don’t work, people care about each other and for the first time in a long time she can just rest and tune out the noise of life.

Meet Jack he happened upon Starshine Cove a few years back escaping his own dark past. He is now the local inn/bar owner and when Ella rolls into town he happily takes her in. There is an instant connection between the two that forms a new friendship and maybe eventually the 3Ls: Like, Lust, and Love.

This is a slow burn romance that addresses themes of loss, mental health, self discovery all in a small town setting. It is a classic romance is told in a single perspective and allows you to connect Ella with as she navigates if all. It was a good book!

This was sweet, pleasant read. The pacing felt a bit slow and I almost wasn’t compelled to finish it, but I’m glad I did. I think I would have liked a little more character development, rather than so many details about the overly idyllic Starshine Cove itself. There were several funny lines that I loved. It had the anticipated happy ending, but I just didn’t give me that big “can’t stop smiling” sense of satisfaction. It just wasn’t for me, but I will certainly recommend to friends for whom this would be a better fit.

I was so utterly vested in Ella and Jake. It was absolutely one of my favorites this summer that I have read. I will remember this long after I put it away. This will become one of my books I have to reread every so often. I loved it.
I just reviewed Escape to Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson. #EscapetoStarshineCove #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

I really enjoyed this novel. At first it quite upset me seeing Ella so down and knowing what she had been through but I loved reading about her journey to recovery.

Starshine Cove sounded so idyllic and the community was amazing! But Larry had to be my favourite character. He was just so charming!

Overall a fab read with a heartwarming ending.

Escape to Starshine Cove...

I truly enjoyed Ella's story. I really felt for her. Reaching her breaking point she starts out on an adventure to find herself. Her adventure leaves her stumbling upon a small town. From there she takes on her life as she rediscovers who she is.
You will fall in love with this small town. It has all the charm! You will love the characters.
This story does touch on some sensitive topics. But seeing how Ella over comes them makes the story shine. I will definitely be grabbing more books from Debbie Johnson!
Grab Escape to Starshine Cove and ride along with Ella on her adventure to find herself and maybe true love?

This book was so cute. I slowly got to really like and know the main character Ella. The main love interest was also a great guy and the representation of post partum and women s mental health was great. A solid 4/5.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC for this book. It was a perfect book for summer. It had quirky characters, a small town, and romance.

I enjoyed the charm of Starshine Cove - it gave me Gilmore Girls vibes.
The plot fell short for me. There were some storylines I wanted to see develop more in depth rather than be told in a very surface level and rushed way. I think this series has great potential though, as I wanted to know more about the characters and town.

I've read other books by this author which I've really enjoyed, but even if that hadn't drawn me in the cover of this book certainly would! We meet Ella who, after finding her partner in bed with his PA, packs her bags and leaves. She doesn't know where she's going, but she eventually finds herself in a little village called Starshine Cove where her car breaks down. After finding herself a pet dog in the form of a mysterious stray, she decides to stay in the village for a few days to regather her thoughts.

I loved this book! I really liked Ella's character and could really empathise with her. She'd suffered a lot in her life, and she was obviously suffering with her mental health. She seemed to have lost her way in life and looking at Starshine Cove, what better place to find it again! The village seemed to have a magical feel to it, and the villagers, whilst slightly overbearing, were so likeable! I loved Connie and George, but their storylines certainly brought me to tears! The possible romance comes in the form of Big Daddy Landlord, Jake who seemed like the ideal man, and certainly someone who could help Ella find herself. And, of course I couldn't not mention Larry the dog who was the highlight of the book!

I was hooked into this book from the very first page. I loved the idea of the little cove and could picture it as I read. The images of the cave with all its shiny sea glass and rocks was perfect! There are some trigger points in the book as it does cover instances of miscarriage, cancer, death, mental health and covid. These were all sensitively written throughout, but some of the storylines did have me wiping away the tears. The story was so well written and it flowed along beautifully. Even though it's not necessarily a summer read, you could at times feel the warmth coming out through the pages and I was left with a starshine glow as I read! Wonderful location, lovable characters and a heartwarming read...what more could I ask for! Would recommend!

let me start by saying this is a new author to me and the cover immediately drew me in. I love the description of Starshine Cove and I really want to visit there. The main character was normal and relatable. I was drawn in from the first page and was really looking forward to delving into the book again when I had to leave it.
Can't wait to check out Debbie's other books now I have a taste of her books.

Beautiful scenery and well thought out characters make for a lovely summer read. But this book still manages to cover some harder topics sensitively such as the trauma that those who worked through COVID had to deal with. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it made me smile and shed the odd tear. Always a good sign!

I am so thankful to netgalley & the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my view. I am a huge fan of Debbie Johnson and her style of writing and this book is up there with some of my favourite reads. From the first page to the last, this book had me totally engrossed & wanting more and to learn its part of a series absolutely filled me with joy. I absolutely loved this story & heartily recommend it.

Escape to Starshine Cove is a beautifully crafted story about a woman who reaches her breakpoint long before chaos erupts. In a sense she runs away with no where to go and stumbles upon an almost magical little town with the sweetest beehive community. As days go by she starts to find herself once again, a fresh start, and possibly a new love. I adored reading Escape to Starshine Cove. I felt like I really identified myself with this story. Sometimes it does take that little push and a leap of faith to take you to exactly where you need to go or be… at least for a while. Debbie Johnson left me completely and utterly in love with Starshine Cove. I hope I find my happy place soon. 🥰✨🧚🏻‍♀️💖

Book 1 in Starshine Cove Series

Blurb:
Ella has reached a breaking point. Shattered by her job and her boyfriend’s recent betrayal, she grabs her stuff and flees down the coast. When her car breaks down a few miles short of Cornwall, she’s astonished by where she’s ended up. Not on any map, the tiny seaside village of Starshine Cove is almost too perfect for words. A cobbled lane lined with pretty, thatched cottages slopes towards a pristine white beach… has she finally lost it, or is this place for real?

As days turn into weeks, Ella warms to the quirky little village and the people who live there. Particularly Jake, the broad-shouldered, dark-haired landlord of the Starshine Inn. As they sip cocktails together at sundown, Ella feels they’ve been friends for years… except that her heart does a little flip-flop whenever their eyes meet. Jake also came to Starshine Cove by chance – was he too trying to run away from something?
 
Trigger Warning: Miscarriage, Infidelity.
 
Setting:  Starshine Cove ✨🧚🏻‍♀️

Three and a half stars.

When Ella Farrell finds her boyfriend in bed (at least it was their spare bedroom) with his twenty-year old PA she realises she feels nothing but relief. She packs a few belongings, takes a leave of absence from her job as a locum and takes her boyfriend's car on a trip to rediscover her youth.

Unfortunately, in peak Summer her four partners in crime are either on holiday or have moved away, leaving Ella to drift aimlessly along the south coast of England until her boyfriend's swanky German car breaks down in the middle of nowhere.

Searching for a garage, or at least a phone signal, Ella stumbles across a stray dog and then a village so picturesque that she thinks it must be a hallucination. The kind but eccentric villagers organise for a garage to tow her car, feed her, and give her a room in the local pub/hotel for the night. The village of Starshine Cove has somehow escaped being on any maps, adding to its Brigadoon qualities.

At first Ella is keen to leave Starshine Cove as soon as possible, but when she realises she is choosing sleeping in her car in the car park of a motorway services hotel over a beautiful room in a charming village she sees the error of her ways. But can Ella stop running from herself long enough to find a home?

This is typical Debbie Johnson, small village, quirky characters, beautiful scenery and a charming romance.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I loved reading Ella's story. She was just such a loveable character and I totally fell in love with her and her life.
This story absolutely makes you want to live in Starshine Cove and with the people who live there.
There is clearly chemistry between Ella and Jake when they first meet but it is still so lovely to read how their relationship will develop.
I will definitely read more of this author when I want a light, completely uplifting read. Very refreshing.

A lovely gentle tale.
Well written characters in a beautiful setting.
This is definitely one to be read on a sun lounger.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It managed to tackle important and serious topics such as mental health, impact of Covid, to name just a few, in a very sensitive and relatable way.

The main character, Ella, goes through a journey to find herself again after being a doctor during Covid. I found myself tearing up at certain points and rooting for Ella to find happiness and a sense of belonging in the magical Starshine Cove.

I loved that Starshine Cove is going to be a series and that we got to see a sneaky peek at the next book.

Escape to Starshine Cove is a delightful romantic novel, offering a charming escape with its quaint village setting and heartwarming community. As an occasional reader of the romance genre, I found this book to be a refreshing palate cleanser, a gentle tide amidst the often tumultuous sea of heavier reads.

The protagonist, Ella, is relatable, though at times her reaction to crises felt overly self-centered. Her response to Dan's illness, for example, was self-inflicted pressure, despite the community's reassurances. This aspect of her character could have been handled with more nuance, allowing for growth that goes beyond self-imposed guilt.

On the other hand, the character of Jake added a soothing balm to the narrative with his kindness, patience, and unwavering support for Ella. Their relationship offered sweet moments of connection that effectively underscored the romantic core of the story.

One of the standout elements of the book was the vibrant portrayal of village life. From the cozy cafe with its delectable baked goods to the communal events that bring everyone together, the author deftly paints a picture of a warm and welcoming community. The addition of a dog further enhanced the homey atmosphere of Starshine Cove, striking a chord with my love for animals.

In conclusion, Escape to Starshine Cove is an enjoyable, light-hearted read. While it occasionally dips into moments of frustration due to the protagonist's tendency toward self-involvement, it more than makes up for it with its captivating setting and charming supporting characters. Recommended for anyone seeking a quick and pleasant reading escape.

A beautiful story from an author who never disappoints. It’s good to see Covid/NHS workers/miscarriage/stress issues being addressed, so many people so badly affected over the lockdown years it’ll be a balm to some to see a story being told sympathetically.

It’s an easy read but a difficult book to put down, be prepared to do not much but read for a day or so! Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and author for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review