I am such a huge fan of this series by Debbie Johnson and I was over the moon to be able to read an advanced copy of the latest book. This one, just like the others can be read as a stand alone, but I'd heartily recommend reading the previous books..We get a little catch up with some of the fabulous characters that we have met before, but this story is mainly about Connie. I absolutely loved learning about her life before she ended up at Starshine Cove, a magical place that nobody seems to want to leave I felt I could relate a lot with Connie & lots of aspects of her life and I'm sure lots of ladies of a certain age will too. As with other books by this author, she never shies away from tricky or difficult topics, but always writes with knowledge, depth & warmth. This is a must read in my opinion.

I love the Starshine Cove series - they are easy reads but have fairly serious topics as underlying themes. I would recommend this series to anyone but would suggest that you read the others in order otherwise the back stories of the characters won't make sense.

This one is Connie's story. I have to say the opening of the book is not an inclination of how the rest of the book is. It starts with a car crash and how she meets her love..,. the rest of the book is about how she finds new love... but not in the way that you expect!

Connie is lonely since the passing of her husband in a car crash, but lonely at the same time as having lots of friends, but lonely as her children are leaving the nest and finding their own way.

One of her children is working in the catering industry, and Connie has her and her best friend, Marcy, to help her work in the cafe that she owns and runs.. In the process, she is brought back in touch with her past, Zack, one of her employers that she left behind before the car crash,. This brings back her past, and in the same vein, brings into Connie's life, memories and feelings she had forgotten (or put to bed), and goes into a different direction to what she expects.

This is a lovely read, shows that it's never too late to start afresh, and that home is where your friends and family are.

I was hooked from the first page and had enjoyed the previous three books in the Starshine Cove series. It was everything that I was looking for in the romantic-comedy element that I was looking for and that the characters were written perfectly. Debbie Johnson has a strong writing style and hope there is more in this series.

A series is my favourite way to read books and this one is no different! I love my returns to Starshine Cove and it's madcap residents. This one focuses on Connie who runs the local cafe and a blast from her past. She has been widowed for the past five years and thrown her all into bringing up her children, Is a romance maybe on the cards? This book is uplifting and comedic, a definite recommendation.

4* An enjoyable later in life romance

The dramatic first chapter explains how Connie Llewelyn arrived in Starshine Cove and met her future husband.

Jump forward twenty five years to the present day, Connie is now a widow and her three children have left home. Once a successful Michelin chef, Connie now happily runs the beach cafe in Starshine Cove. With an ironic sense of humour, she doesn't take herself too seriously, offering plenty of light moments in the book.

Connie's comfortable existence is shaken after she meets a man from her hedonistic past when she was a celebrity chef in London. Zack offered her a part in his reality TV show. Verging on a breakdown, Connie runs away, or rather drives away, and ends up crashing her car into a ditch in Dorset.

Effortless reading with a satisfactory end. The seaside village of Starshine Cove sounds an ideal place to live, shame that it's imaginary.

With thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.

Although Starting Over in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson CAN be read as a standalone, reading the previous series books makes for a better read. Characters that are developed in previous books (listed below) make reappearances in this novel. Character development is a strength for Johnson as her characters pulled me into their lives. I felt as though I lived next door to them.

Starting Over in Starshine Cove brings about a second chance between Connie and Zach twenty-five years after last seeing one another. Their lives had gone in separate directions and suddenly brought them back together. Both had lost their spouses, but could they find love a second time around? Or, would they just be good friends?

Releases Feb 19th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Escape to Starshine Cove (2023)
Secrets of Starshine Cove (2023)
Finding Hope in Starshine Cove (2024)

Connie Llewelyn left the hustle and bustle of London to find herself. She ended up in Starshine Cove.. Here she fell in love with Simon started a family runs her café and has never been happier. That is until tragedy hits. She knife only loses Simon. She is suffering from an empty nest. Her children have moved on to their lives and Connie is left with emptiness.
Enter Zack a name from her past life , only his daughter is best friends with Connie’s daughter. Will she be able to have Zach in her life again? Can it be more than friendship? Connie is letting her guard down and it seems the same for Zach until a so called wrench is thrown into the mix. One Connie didn’t see coming. Will she just throw in the towel and go back to her personal slump?
This is a light hearted read with a beautiful background Starshine Cove. Where everyone knows you and is there to help. A love story that started with Connie and her beloved Simon. Yet it could end differently for Connie now if she finally listens to her wise friend Ella and also trust herself to be happy again. To embrace the time she has with the people she loves.
I truly enjoyed the story the character of Connie a strong loving woman. The town sounds like a place I’d want to visit. I’d like to se what the future holds for Connie and her family and friends. So thank you NetGalley and Storm for the ARC. A beautiful story that I hope Ms. Johnson continues. 4

Is there love after loss and menopause?

While many romance novels seem to focus on the thirty-somethings, this one targets those of us that are in a bit more of a prime stage of our life when children are leaving the nest, hormones are attacking us in new ways, and we find ourselves questioning who we are as fifty-something year old person. While reading, I found myself highlighting sections of the book that resonated with me while laughing at the plight of Connie who has been pushed back into the dating pool by her daughter who has set up a dating profile on an app. All while a blast from Connie's past resurfacing and driving her to her dates. The awkwardness of it had me laughing while my heart had me hopeful for Connie to open up to the one person that she was meant to reconnect with.

This was a delightful book about second chances and being willing to risk potential hurt to find love again.

I received a free copy of, Starting Over in Starshine Cove, by Debbie Johnson, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Connie Llewelyn is as dependable as they come, she owns a business in her town, has been alone since her husband died 5 years ago, and her kids are all grown up. Connie needs a change, and this is the perfect time for it. This was a lighthearted read, I enjoyed it.

connie is the heart of starshine cove, everyone's friend. she lost her husband several years ago and a face from the past returns. will she find happiness again?

"Starting Over in Starshine Cove" by Debbie Johnson is a heartwarming and uplifting story set in a beautiful seaside village. It's a must-have for your summer reading list, making it the perfect beach read. The story was unexpectedly emotional, bringing me to tears at times. This book was a wonderfully surprising 5-star read.
A big thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
#StartingOverinStarshineCove #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this visit to Starshine Cove, but not as much as the previous ones; I’m not really sure why, maybe because I love the hustle and bustle of the village and the descriptions that allow me to imagine I’m in far flung Dorset. I really liked the fact that we found out Connie’s background as it’s been hinted at previously and left me wondering. This would make a good standalone book, so don’t worry if you haven’t read the others in the series.

Lovely return to star shine cove. This is a great older romance featuring two widowed characters (which makes a change from horribly divorced) who both have lost the love of their lives. Guilt and other issues ensure the path to love died t run smooth but gives all of us hope for the future. I loved Connie and it was great to get a peek into the past to see what lead her to Starshine Coce in the first place. Loved it.

Loved this installement and visit to sunshine cove. This visit focuses on Connie who is always fixing everyone else’s problems. Connie is a widower who lost her husband years back leaving her to raise their family of three alone. When her daughter flies the nest to go to university she makes a friend and when Connie meets her family she realises that her dad Zach is someone she knows from her past, the attraction she had then is still there. She feels guilty but her friends rally round and convince her love can be found a second time around, but can it she wonders.
Brilliant to catch up with all the residents again and looking forward to another visit soon to the Cove.

This is my first book by this author so I have not read the three others in the series. I am not sure if it would have made a difference. I found this to be a good emotional read that builds hope with the knowledge you never know what is coming. The writing style threw me a bit in the beginning but I got used to it. I was given this ARC through Net galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I've really enjoyed the Starshine Cove series so far. Not sure about this one though.

All the characters from books 1-3 appear, this one is (mostly) set 2 years after book 1.

Connie is a fantastic character and Zack is a figure from her past. There are clues to his secret but it feels like the wrong ending for Connie. Her story is already coming to terms with regret, widowhood, empty nest and loneliness.

I've read many of Debbie Johnson's books and they often include hard topics. This one is no exception - it's well researched (it seems!) and done well, just this time it wasn't what I was looking for.

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

Starting Over in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson is a heartwarming tale of love, loss, and rediscovery set against the enchanting backdrop of a picturesque seaside village. As the fourth installment in the Starshine Cove series, this novel continues to deliver the magical charm, emotional depth, and engaging storytelling that fans have come to adore.

Connie Llewelyn, a former celebrity chef turned local café owner, is at the center of this story. Once a high-flying culinary star, Connie’s life took a dramatic turn when she traded the chaos of London for the tranquility of Starshine Cove after meeting her soulmate, Simon. But life hasn't been easy—now in her fifties and a widow raising three grown children, Connie finds herself grappling with grief, self-doubt, and the daunting prospect of what lies ahead.

The narrative cleverly oscillates between Connie's glamorous and reckless past and her more grounded present, showing how life’s twists and turns have shaped her journey. Johnson beautifully portrays the healing power of Starshine Cove—a haven of natural beauty and close-knit community where second chances seem to bloom.

The arrival of Zack Harris, a charming TV producer from Connie’s past, throws her into an emotional whirlwind. Zack offers not only the possibility of love but also the chance to rediscover herself beyond her roles as a mother, widow, and café owner. Their budding romance is both tender and realistic, filled with moments of humor, hesitation, and heartfelt revelations.

What makes this book shine is its relatability. Connie’s struggles and triumphs are universal, especially for readers navigating life’s uncertainties and reinvention in their later years. Themes of self-worth, aging, and embracing the present resonate deeply, making this more than just a romance—it's a life-affirming exploration of growth and resilience.

Johnson’s vivid descriptions of Starshine Cove make you long to visit its idyllic beaches and cozy cafés. The supporting characters, from Connie’s wise and witty friends to her children, enrich the story, adding layers of warmth and humor.

While there are moments of heartache and tension, the overall tone remains uplifting. The emotional climax is as satisfying as the smell of freshly baked scones in Connie’s café—a reminder that love and joy can find us when we least expect them.

In Starting Over in Starshine Cove, Debbie Johnson offers a touching and hopeful tale that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on the importance of living fully. It’s a story that celebrates the beauty of second chances, the strength of community, and the courage to embrace new beginnings. A must-read for fans of the series and newcomers alike.

Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing a review copy.

This was a simple, fun, easy and quick read. The perfect type of book for your holiday, beach, pool kind of read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I'd read the three other entries in the Starshine Cover series, and had quite enjoyed them. I enjoyed this, just not as much as the others. Yes I smiled, actually laughed out loud several times, but this didn't grab me as emotionally as the previous entries had.

That being said, when Starshine Cove #5 comes out, I'll absolutely read it!

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

Love the Starshine Cove books. Connie runs the cafe and feels a bit lonely since her kids have left home. She can't believe Zack from her past has come to the town.