Absolutely loved this book, brilliant storytelling with lots of subjects covered, grief, community, mental health issues. Discussed in a brilliant way, woven in the story beautifully. So glad there is a second book in the pipeline already. Thank you netgalley for the advance copy

This was a very Hallmark-y read! I didn't get attached to any of the characters in a good or bad way. A very cute and easy read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I jumped at the chance to read an advanced copy of this - I absolutely loved the Comfort Food Cafe series by Debbie Johnson.

Escape to Starshine Cove is another fantastic read - and the start of a new series.

Ella is a GP who walks in on her partner with another woman. She walks out of her house, drives out of London and escapes her life. Her car breaks down on the edge of magical Starshine Cove - where the people seem too good to be true and she's offered a new start and a new romance with the local pub owner. Is she ready for a new life?

There are content warnings - miscarriage, cancer, hospitals, death, anxiety. But the topics are written so well and handled with care - you get engrossed in the story and lives of Ella and the people in Starshine Cove.

I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series.

Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.

Deserves more than 5*

If I could give this a higher rating than 5, I would.

Starshine Cove is Shangri-La, a beautiful hidden coastal location, where the sun seems to shine most days and the village is inhabited by friendly welcoming people. As Ella said, she's found her Happy Place.

This is a modern day fairy tale of betrayal, making a new life while struggling with past insecurities. Skilfully written, and not to be missed.

Escapist reading, I couldn't put it down.

I skipped through this feel-good book. A great beach read which would be equally good curled up with a cup of tea! Really enjoyable and I recommend! Thank you.

Ella, a woman in her late 30's, has had it. As a doctor at the drop in clinic, she works down to the bone in dreary, dirty London. Now, she's walked in on her boyfriend of several years cheating on her - in her house that hasn't felt like home in years. Cue a self-discovery road trip that ultimately leads her to the beauty of Starshine Cove.

Based on other reviews, I imagined a cozy story akin to a Hallmark movie. The place seemed magical and its people kind and welcoming, but the plot unfolded a bit awkwardly for me. The angst-y "Should I Go or Should I Stay?" bit happened several more times than it felt to be naturally developing from such a cozy tale.

Deflated Ella decides not to go to work and insteads heads back home. Here, she finds her boyfriend of 13 years in bed with another woman, and Ella realises that her relationship has come to an end. She packs a few belongings and leaves her home behind her.

Her car breaks down while on her way to Cornwall. Looking for help, Ella stumbles across an abandoned dog and the magical-looking Starshine Cove. She finds the most welcoming community, though Ella is in turmoil whether to leave or stay.

Debbie Johnson is yet another new-to me-author, and this book won't be the last one I will be reading from this author.

This was such an uplifting story, yet takling serious subjects like burnout. I was drawn quickly into and was looking forward to how the story would unfold. I adore the characters of the Starshine Cove community, and Debbie Johnson described the scenery so beautiful.

A perfect summer romance! Plus, there will be another book added to this series.

Puplication Date 19.07.2023

Thank you @stormbooks_co, @netgalley, and Debbie Johnson for the opportunity to read this advanced copy of the book

Escape to Starshine Cove, this book is a feel good summer romance, a perfect beach read. easily digestible and with wonderfully endearing characters throughout. this book is an amazing choice for a low stakes holiday read, a story of a burnt out nurse fleeing her regular life and finding solace in a quaint seaside town - with beautiful descriptions, you lift your head from the pages expecting to really be there.
I'd reccomned this to anyone looking for a meet cute, found family style book :)

Ella discovers her boyfriend cheating on her and decided it's time they split up. They had been drifting apart since the loss of there baby during the pandemic, and now it's time they split.
Ella leaves on a journey were she doesn't no were she's going only for her car to break down were there's no phone signal .And by chance finds herself at starshine cove.

This is a feel good book in a beautiful setting. This was just what I needed to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It had me rooting for the characters (although Larry was my favourite) and the hope that everyone would have their happy ending.

I absolutely loved this. I’ve never read anything by this author before and I’m delighted to discover her and find she’s written loads of books.

This was such an engaging story with fabulous characters especially the h/H Ella and Jake. Simply magic.

Debbie Johnson is an author who never fails me. I am a diehard and lifelong fan of her Comfort Food Cafe series and regularly find myself going back to them in want of much needed cosy Cornwall comfort and sunshine. So when Escape to Starshine Cove popped up on my radar, it was a no brainier. Ah, I loved it! A whole new series? Sign me up!

I want to go and play Mystery Cricket at Starshine cove, be welcomed into the bosom of Connie at the Cove Cafe and be enveloped into the cosy community life of the village. It’s written so vividly that you feel that you could almost be there! And the addition of the charming little Larry the Weresheep totally had my heart and soul so I think I was a goner for this book the moment I started the first page.

The book was a wonderful escape and escaping with Ella to this charming place and getting to know it through her eyes was lovely. I quickly grew to love her character and couldn’t wait to see her story unfold. A doctor, running from events in her life and seems to follow fate to Starshine cove. Could she find more than she bargained for?

A cosier and more heartwarming tale could not be found! I loved it and think it will become another addition to my ‘want to constantly reread’ shelf. And to hear that there are more to come makes me incredibly happy and I can’t wait for more.

I loved the Comfort Food Cafe series so it’s great to read the start of a new Debbie Johnson series, it has all the warmth of Comfort Food Cafe but it’s still very fresh and new with a wonderful mix of characters, great backstories and a magical location. The main character in this is doctor Ella who is feeling burnt out and lost from both recent events and those over the last few years but upon stumbling across Starshine Cove she makes an unexpected friend and finds a welcoming community she could be part of if she’s willing to start letting people in. This was a really uplifting story but with some strength to it to especially the very relevant issue of the impact of covid on nhs staff. This is a brilliant start to what likes a magical series. 9/10

This has been billed as the next best series after the Comfort Food Cafe amd having read this first instalment it's difficult to disagree! Lovable characters, funny and heart warming moments, I'm already looking forward to the next part of the series!

Debbie Johnson is by far one of my favorites! I'm so happy she has a new book out and it's going to be part of a series! I find her books to be the most beautiful descriptive and uniquely written of any books I've ever read. I'm behind excited to acquire this for our location and share it with our readers. I will be providing a detailed review of this specific title, but just wanted to get the word out there how much I adore her books!