Author – Liz Fenwick
Publisher – Orion
Release Date – 7th May 2015
Demi desperately needs her luck to change. On the sleeper train down to Cornwall, she can’t help wondering why everything always goes wrong for her.
Having missed out on her dream job, and left with nowhere to stay following her boyfriend’s betrayal, pitching up at her grandfather’s cottage is her only option.
Victoria thinks she’s finally got what she wanted: Boscawen, the gorgeous Cornish estate her family owned for generations should now rightfully be hers, following her husband’s sudden death.
After years of a loveless marriage and many secret affairs of her own, Victoria thinks new widowhood will suit her very well indeed …But both women are in for a surprise.
Surrounded by orchards, gardens and the sea, Boscawen is about to play an unexpected role in both their lives. Can two such different women find a way forward when luck changes both their lives so drastically?
This is the first book by Liz Fenwick that I have read, and I can assure you it won’t be the last.
The story has everything that I like in a book, love, conflict, gripping moments, unpredictability, and the occasional hot man!
The story centres around the two leading ladies, Demi and Victoria, who are thrown together by a sad event that affects them both separately, but unites them, although unity is not what they want at first.
I loved Demi’s character, who I thought was written superbly. The starting of a young woman who seemed quite reserved and shy, you watch her flourish as she has to face the world following the death of her mother.
Throughout the book you witness Demi having panic attacks, with places looking familiar, yet frightening to her. I was intrigued to find out what Demi’s past was hiding from her to cause these reactions, and I wasn’t let down when the answer was revealed.
Victoria (Tori), is a difficult character to like at first. She has been married to Charles for many, many years, even though she admits that she should have divorced him a long time ago. She has had regular affairs, the latest with her toyboy, Adam.
She is self-obsessed and money hungry, and has a fierce nature about her, especially when she learns that she has to share her family home, Boscawen.
I started warming to her the further I read in to the story, as her defensive layers started to disappear, although even through ill health she could still have a razor sharp tongue.
The plot is wonderful. This is the kind of book that you can sit and read for hours getting lost in the beautiful Cornish scenery, which is shown in all it’s glory, as the book is written in seasons.
Its one of those books that when you have finished reading, you just hope that there is going to be a sequel.
My rating:
Five stars
The Cornish House
