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.
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