Can a lighthouse bring light in more than just one aspect?

Synopsis

A perfect new start in Cornwall…

Meredith’s life is at a standstill. She’s stuck in a dead-end job, approaching fifty, and her dating life is a string of disasters. But one evening, while browsing the internet, she sees an ad for a lighthouse, and in a moment of impulsiveness, she makes a ridiculous bid for it.

With the help of local handyman Clem, she sets about renovating. And as they work together, a bond begins to form. But when Meredith finds out that Clem is keeping a secret from her, it changes everything. Will they find a way to build something more meaningful together?

A delightful story about community, friendship and having the courage to start over, perfect for fans of Carole Matthews, Milly Johnson and Lucy Dillon

My review

Even if her life is rather dull, Meredith never does something spontaneous. She’s stuck at her job, she is nearly fifty and het love life is non – existing.
Obviously, surfing the internet with a bottle of wine is never a good idea, especially when Meredith realizes the next morning that she has bought an actual lighthouse in Cornwall.
Even if the locals aren’t welcoming her with open arms, she is determined to turn the lighthouse into a home, despite it needing more fixing up than expected.
With the help of local handyman Clem, she starts to turn the place for the better. And it’s not only the house itself that is starting to make Meredith more at home.
But when Clem’s secret is out, will their bond be already strong enough?  

I have not read all the books this author has written, but what I have read always put a smile on my face. So when I started to read this new story, I was both anxiously curious to see if this one would have the same effect on my mood. 

At first I wasn’t that sure, as our lovely main character Meredith is a bit older than myself and we didn’t have that much in common.
However, me of little faith! It’s not because a character doesn’t have a lot in common that I cannot enjoy getting to know her better! 

I felt sorry for Meredith on several levels. Her job wasn’t the most exciting one, her mother won’t ever win any awards for her parenting.
However, even if Meredith may not have an exhilarating life, she has a best friend that supports her in every way, even if their relationship is one that you need to get used to at the start 😊. 

Not being a big drinker myself (I can hardly digest two glasses of wine, so that you get an idea of my drinking abilities), I was a bit flabbergasted to read that Meredith managed to buy not just a house, but an actual lighthouse after an evening of drinking!
Yet I also admired her as she didn’t pull back, but saw it more as some kind of sign to take that step and start all over again. 

However, what I liked the most about Meredith is her actual behaviour. Yes yes, rather quickly she clashes with a local over a parking spot. But after this episode we see how she keeps on keeping her head high. No matter how obnoxious or even rude people are, she is killing them all with kindness! And that for sure put several smiles on my face, reading how those unkind people didn’t know how to respond! Even at moments where I wouldn’t be able to keep my calm, she keeps on giving the benefit of the doubt, even if she feels that things don’t match up. 

It truly warmed my heart to see how Meredith makes efforts all around, to people she has barely met, just out of the kindness of her heart (even if she claims it’s also for her own benefit).
And reading how she and Clem, despite their initial clashing, slowly and unintentionally are growing closer, was one of the sweetest things!
Seeing the both of them together, at ease with each other, trusting each other gave me many ‘aaaaw’ moments. 

Obviously there has to be some kind of struggle somewhere in this story, and while many things point into a certain direction, I knew immediately, without any doubt that things would turn out to be completely different than the author wants to make us believe for a moment. 

This book for sure was easy and truly enjoyable to read. The author shows us that not only it’s never to start all over again, but also that we can find a place to call home in the weirdest places, even in a lighthouse.
We also see that kindness will get rewarded, and that it will be the thing that will make people like you and allow you into their close community.
And that love doesn’t look at age or at age difference, but at who is right for you. And you can have an inkling at who that is, by seeing the efforts they are ready to put while moving into a lighthouse!