Member Reviews
I love this author and this series! I love the magic feeling reading her books of something new. Normally these type of stories have an annoying child or teen… but not this one. Really great read.
Lucy Brown, a divorced single mother of sixteen-year-old Rose, seeks solace in London after escaping her abusive marriage to a gaslighter. Seeking respite, she visits Starshine Cove to attend her best friend Ella’s wedding. However, her reunion with friends whose lives have diverged unexpectedly brings about a poignant reflection on the unforeseen twists and turns that life often takes.
Regrettably, Lucy’s character is highly relatable due to her severe anxiety stemming from an abusive marriage. Her relationship with Rose was heartwarming to witness. Additionally, Lucy’s compassionate nature is evident as she empathizes with her ex’s new wife, who is experiencing the same struggles she once endured, despite her powerlessness to intervene.
This reading material is not for the faint of heart. Gaslighting is a serious issue, as is any form of domestic abuse. As I delved into this book, I gained valuable insights into real-life social media scenarios where gaslighting has had a profound impact on individuals.
This literary work presents a perplexing coincidence for Lucy. She had been drawn to a man she encountered at the airport, even engaging in some flirtatious conversation with him. After all, he was an unfamiliar individual, someone she would never have the opportunity to meet again. However, she is utterly astounded when the two individuals cross paths in Starshine Cove. Reuniting with this stranger, named Josh, exacerbates Lucy’s panic attacks, as she finds it utterly improbable that she would ever be able to trust another man in the same manner.
As an avid enthusiast of reading series, it is uncommon for me to read books out of order. However, due to time constraints, I was unable to read the first two books. Fortunately, this novel flowed exceptionally well as a standalone work, while undoubtedly incorporating recurring characters from the first two books in the series. Having now completed Finding Hope in Starshine Cove I have made it my firm intention to follow subsequent books in this series, as this novel left me with a strong desire for more.
Many thanks to Storm Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
I keep seeing the word lovely to describe this book and I agree. This is my first Debbie Johnson book and I was not disappointed and you will not be either.
What a lovely read and a beautiful story to get stuck into! I was genuinely invested in all the characters and was constantly laughing (and sometimes crying!) along. Perfect for this time of year when you're reminiscing the summer months. Can't wait to read more from Debbie Johnson!
Another lovely book set in Starshine Cove. Great magical heartwarming series that envelopes you as soon as you start reading and transports you there. Perfect beach read
What a lovely, heart warming story!! I always love Debbie Johnson’s book, they are a guaranteed feel good romance.
Highly recommend if you love a cozy romance.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this little series. Whilst I don’t think Starshine Cove’s residents were as prominent in this book, it was still full of personalities. Great storyline, great, people and of course another happy ending. If this is the last in this series then it’s ended just nicely, if not, then I look forward to the next one.
After getting divorced Lucy has spent many years hiding away from the world. When an old friend Ella, invites her to her wedding in Starshine Cove, Dorset she’s not sure how she’s going to cope.
A chance encounter at the airpot with Josh turns into a lot more when he turns up also as a guest at the wedding. Lucy’s dark past is always haunting her though, will she be able to move on?
A lovely read which I thoroughly enjoyed
The 3rd book in the series. I loved the first two books and was definitely not disappointed by this one. The story is full of wonderful characters, those from the first two books and some new characters. It makes you laugh, smile and cry at times. There really are so many lovely people in Starshine Cove and anyone that is lucky enough to end up there is immediately immersed into the community, Everyone there looks out for each other and it seems like there couldn't possibly be a better place to spend a vacation or move to.
Finding Hope in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson is a beautifully crafted, heartwarming story about second chances and finding light in the darkest of times. Set in the enchanting coastal town of Starshine Cove, the novel follows the journey of Lucy, who arrives at the cove for her friends wedding and realises that spending some time there may be just what she needs.
Johnson's talent for creating relatable, complex characters shines through as Lucy begins to rebuild her life with the support of the quirky, kind-hearted locals. The setting is described so vividly that you can almost feel the ocean breeze and see the starry skies.
With its blend of emotion, humour, and hope, Finding Hope in Starshine Cove is a touching and uplifting read that reminds us of the healing power of community and the importance of never giving up on ourselves. A perfect book to curl up with when you need a little inspiration!
This was book 3 of Starshine Cove series and they don’t need to be read in order.
I enjoyed this just as much as the others. Debbie Johnson has this way of creating a magical, special place and manages to combine romance, friendship with sadness and sorrow, without being depressing or predictable.
Another enjoyable read that didn’t disappoint.
I couldn’t wait to read this book, having previously read Secrets of Starshine Cove. All I can say it was all I wanted it to be and more, living near the cove this book is based on makes it even more enjoyable being able to visualise the areas the author talks about. The story it’s self it so well written, an equal mix of romance and fun. Seeing how Lucy develops as a mum, friend and partner is music to my ears having escaped a nasty relationship like her, gives us all hope there is love somewhere for us all. Highly recommend this book. Can’t wait to get my hands on Escape to starshine cove. The perfect holiday read.
Love Debbie's books and loved being back in starshine cove. I only wish it was a real place I loved all the returning characters and the location, as well as the new ones.
I loved being back in Starshine Cove and only wish it was a real place for me to accidentally stumble across, I loved all the returning characters and the location, I want to explore that cave.
The main character Lucy has been through a lot and I loved seeing the villagers welcome her and start her on a journey of healing and believing in herself again.
Read in one sitting. Definitely recommend.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review,
Finding Hope in Starshine Cove is the third in the Starshine Cove series to date. Although there are references to characters from the first two books in this one, you could easily read it out of order or as a standalone.
This book featured Lucy's visit to Starshine Cove for a friend's wedding, even though she is nervous to see old friends it's not long before she feels that she belongs. Despite the pull of this charming village, anxieties and issues from Lucy's past push her away and a potentially budding relationship is at risk off not going anywhere at all and it is all further complicated by the emotional abuse issues from her previous marriage that come to surface in a big way,
Debbie Johnson, as ever, writes a heartwarming read, highlighting sensitive issues and tackling them in a respectful and realistic way. I really enjoyed this book and hope to see more added to the series in the near future. I'm happy to see that she is releasing more books this year too and will be sure to put them all on my 'to read' list.
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.
This was a great book. I loved how the two main characters met. It was so funny and unpredictable. I would definitely recommend this book.
I couldn’t get into the story just as I thought. Not disappointed but need more depth, I think. I can't remember when was the last time when I read a book in which the whole plot was 100% equal to what was written in the blurb and nothing more. There was no surprise there, no resolution to any of the plot threads and the whole story was blatantly predictable and painfully dull.
Lucy Brown and her daughter visit the quaint village of Starshine Cove for her friend Ella’s wedding. Lucy, escaping her troubled past and an abusive ex-husband, unexpectedly meets a charming stranger at the airport, only to bump into him again at the wedding. Juggling her fears and responsibilities, Lucy finds solace and potential for a new life within this supportive community. Follow Lucy’s journey of healing and newfound hope, with this captivating story filled with romance and growth. This is the third installment of the Starshine Cove series.
I really enjoy the author’s series books. When I first started this, I didn’t even realise that this was to be a series. The book focuses on different people coming into the secret sunshine cove than existing people within the community (although they play a significant role in the plot itself).
In this book, we meet a friend of the first lady to wander into this area in the first book. She has had a tough time moving on with life after her divorce and we are to see how things panned out and why.
I was moved by the concept of hope in this book. Friendships forged long ago as well as those in the nascent stages are tested by trying times and our leading characters are real in their struggle to do the best they can. There are emotional moments as well as some surprisingly humorous moments between sedate and serious conversations.
Life in Starshine cove is ordinary in some ways, while being unique and interesting in others. This time around we have a group of friends who address the time between when they first hung out and the older family women they are now. Given that I have reached a point myself where I do not have the time or even content to talk to old friends like I once did, I could empathize with the situation.
I highly recommend this series to fans of happily-ever-afters, especially when they are hard-fought for and worth the effort. The near mystical setting of Starshine Cove is also a draw. I already have another book by the author on my virtual shelf.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience of this and the previous books in the series.