Debbie Johnson’s Secrets of Starshine Cove is a heartwarming and enchanting read that beautifully captures the essence of healing and self-discovery. Set in the picturesque coastal village of Starshine Cove, the story follows a woman seeking refuge from her tumultuous past, only to uncover the town's hidden secrets and find unexpected love.

Johnson's writing is rich and immersive, painting a vivid picture of the stunning landscape and the quirky, welcoming characters that inhabit it. The protagonist's journey is relatable, filled with moments of vulnerability and strength as she navigates her emotional landscape.

The pacing is just right, with a blend of lighthearted charm and deeper, more poignant moments that keep readers engaged. Themes of friendship, community, and the importance of confronting one’s past resonate throughout, making it a meaningful and uplifting story.

Overall, Secrets of Starshine Cove is a delightful escape that will appeal to fans of contemporary romance and feel-good fiction. Johnson’s ability to weave together romance and mystery makes this book a perfect choice for those looking for a cozy, heartwarming read.

Secrets of Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson is a heartwarming and utterly captivating novel that offers the perfect escape into a charming, snow-dusted village full of warmth, friendship, and second chances. Cally, a single mother stretched thin between caring for her needy mother and juggling her job as a hairdresser, finds herself at a crossroads when her life in Liverpool is unexpectedly turned upside down. In search of solace and a place to start anew, she heads to the quaint village of Starshine Cove with her son, Sam, and there, everything changes.

Johnson excels at creating a picturesque setting that feels like a cozy, welcoming retreat, and the eccentric, lovable locals of Starshine Cove add both humour and heart to the story. Cally’s journey of rediscovery—both of herself and her future—is beautifully handled, with plenty of emotional depth and touching moments. The relationships she forms in the village, from newfound friendships to heart-stirring romance, make this a novel that will tug at your heartstrings.

As the story unfolds, readers will find themselves swept up in Cally's personal dilemmas, rooting for her as she faces difficult choices about her future. The holiday backdrop, complete with snowstorms and festive cheer, adds a magical touch to the narrative, making it a perfect read for the winter season.

With its mix of relatable struggles, heartfelt moments, and the kind of community you can't help but fall in love with, Secrets of Starshine Cove is an absolute delight from start to finish. Fans of small-town stories, warm holiday reads, and uplifting narratives will find this book a true gem. Johnson has crafted a novel that sparkles with warmth, hope, and the comforting reminder that new beginnings are always possible.

Another great read by Debbie
Taking us back to Starshine Cove
Love this series
All the characters are lovely
And it’s just a lovely book to just get lost in
Thanks NetGalley

What a magical and heartwarming story! What a joy to read! And filled with Christmas spirit and generosity which I loved! And a lovely romance inside this book! I am so happy I read it!!! Perfect Christmas read that can be read all year round! 4 stars out of 4 for me! This is a page turner!

I have read several books by Debbie Johnson, so couldn't wait to dive into this one.
This story focuses on a group of old friends who get back together to celebrate the wedding of Ella and Jake, but the central story follows Lucy - a mother who has left her cheating husband and wants to leave that all behind and start again with her daughter.

a beautiful story of friendship and starting over, definitely one I will be recommending to my followers!

*Thank you to netgalley and Debbie Johnson for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

The characters of Starshine Cove are back. Same old faces but with two new ones - Cally and Sam. Really enjoyed this second book and I think this is turning out to be a fab series. A nice, funny little read. Highly recommend! I’m looking forward to book 3

after reading the first book in this series i was so looking forward to reading this and it didn’t disappoint.
a fun easy read with characters that make you feel like you know them so you become so invested in their lives.
one to lose yourself in

I’ve not read anything by Debbie Johnson before but was drawn in by the beautiful cover. I wasn’t disappointed.
I could imagine being in Starshine Cove with her beautiful description.
A gorgeous story of how four old uni friends get together to celebrate the wedding of Ella and Jake.
Lucy had lost touch with the girls when she married Robert her controlling husband. After Robert cheated on her with lyssa she manages to take her daughter Rose and escape.
Lucy soon realises that her friends are happy to welcome her back into their lives and soon she falls in love with a bit more than Starshine Cove.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this lovely book.

Debbie Johnson is an expert at creating attractive settings and compelling characters. It is a pleasure to return to Starshine Cove, this time with the focus on hairdresser Cally. I look forward to reading more in this series and revisiting the characters introduced already.

Ich weiß ehrlich gesagt nicht, wie ich dieses Buch bewerten soll, da ich es aufgrund relativ kurzer Ausleihdauer (ohne Verlängerung) nicht lesen konnte.

A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable. The plot is one that is engaging and I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.

This is an enjoyable, easy read set in the run-up to Christmas. It is a compelling festive story, which characters that you really connect with. I couldn't put it down! I'd highly recommend it as it has a super, feel-good charm to it.

I do love a good read by Debbie Johnson and this one certainly didn't disappoint. I picked it up and just couldn't put it down. It is a read that I had to give five stars too as it is one of those books that really pulls you in with its small town setting , great characters and friendships made. This is a book that makes you feel good, smile and makes you think of life in a whole new light.

Love Cally and her determination to change the way she lives, to make new friendships and to get over the past. It is fun, at times emotional, very true to life and delightful. How can I not give it the highest score!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I was hooked from the first page. This is the first book I have read by Debbie Johnson, and it certainly won’t be the last, not only was the story line the kind I love, will they,won't they, will she stay or leave (they normally ed up together) but living in Dorset not far from Dorchester and ‘starshine’ cove being able to visualise the places having been many times myself just added to the wonderfully written book, looking forward to reading more in the series

After nearly a lifetime of taking care of her severely depressed, widowed mom and her now 18-year-old son Sam (whose father she divorced when he was 8), 42-year-old Cally’s life is turned upside down by her mother’s decision to marry a man she meets online and move to Scotland. When the salon where she works is flooded and temporarily shut down just before Christmas, Cally decides to take Sam to the last place she remembers being happy before her father died when she was 7, Starshine Cove. As anyone who read Book 1 knows, it’s a magical place by the sea full of handmade, decorative fairies and a group of kind-hearted villagers who are like real fairy godmothers, coming together to support and protect the people they care about, even if they’re only visiting.

In the process of rediscovering her happy place, Cally begins to realize that many of her memories are inaccurate and that the relationship with her mother is based on many false assumptions about her parents’ marriage. However, the pleasure she finds with the villagers who befriend her and the sense of usefulness she feels by making herself available for haircuts combine to create new memories and a greater appreciation for this magical safe haven that shines brighter than ever at Christmas. Add in the budding romance with widower Archie, the maternal care she has for his daughters, and the friendships she’s forming with Ella, Connie and some of the other inhabitants, and it’s no wonder that she begins to think this may be her happy place.

Although Book 1 holds a special place in my heart, this story was also incredibly charming and heartwarming. My only slight criticism is that much of this story is Cally’s inner monologue while I would have preferred more dialogue and a dual POV to get Archie’s perspective. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Storm Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

This was a lovely book and I can't wait to read the next one.

Cally has been living life for other people - caring for her mother, and for her 18 year old son, Sam. When her mother announces that she is moving away, she is put in flux.

Due to a last minute decision, based on Baileys and a happy family memory, and a flood in her workplace, she decides to go on a road trip to the South Coast of England, and drag her grouchy son with her. They set off not really knowing whether the place in her memory exists, or where it is... but they find it as a snow storm starts...

Sam and Cally descend on the local pub, ending up meeting a great deal of the residents of the area. This leads to much adventure, and Cally and Sam going in a very different journey than the one they set out on - building relationships with the locals, rediscovery of treasured memories and relationships, and new dreams and relationships!

I would recommend this book to anyone who needs a cosy read.

This is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone. It felt good to be back at this magical place where visitors can be taken on a
Journey of self discovery and finding inner peace. This instalment concentrated on cally’s story and that of her son Sam and how fishing our more about her past impacts her future.

Gorgeous setting with fabulous characters and relatable storylines this series takes you on a heartwarming and magical journey and makes you want to go and discover the delights of star shine cove for yourself. I am looking forward to the next instalment in the series

Secrets of Starshine Cove is a good fit for readers looking for a heartwarming and uplifting story about a single mother finding friendship, community, and a sense of belonging in a small village during the holiday season.

I put off reading this book for a while because I realized that it was part of a series of books. And I always like to read a series in order. So I was waiting until I went back and read the first book.
But I did take a glimpse at a few reviews that said it could definitely be read as a standalone. So I didn’t want to wait any further, and I read it!

Loved it!

Definitely lived up to my hopes based on the title and the cover.
A Very delightful, whimsical, dreamy, romantic story set in an ideal setting. I wanted to jump into this book!
Definitely will read the rest of the series based on this one.! Well done!

Thankyou to author Debbie Johnson, Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book ahead of publishing date.
Charlene 🌸📚🤗 @lastnownext

Book two in the Starshine Cove series and what a book! Pure escapism.
Cally is mum to teenage Charlie and carer to her mum and when both of them suddenly don’t need her help and work closes (flooded out)
She decides to spend the holidays in Starshine Cove, a place she remembers from her childhood with her beloved dad. She and Charlie arrive and are welcomed into the community. A fun, heartwarming read which I didn’t want to end.
Highly Recommended
Thank you to Netgalley, Storm Publishing and Debbie Johnson for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review