To keep on believing

Synopsis

People say that it’s hard not to fall in love living on the sunny island of Jersey, but for Bea Philips, still reeling from a divorce and the loss of her beloved godmother, she’s not sure she can find the time. While her soon-to-be-ex-husband is trying to take away the home she grew up in, surly but attractive builder Luke is doing it up. Her old flame Tom has just turned up as her new manager at the office, and she has no idea what the mysterious Jersey Kiss is that her godmother has bequeathed to her…

Is life going to give Bea a break, so she can keep her dream home, and maybe fall in love?

New Beginnings by the Sunflower Cliffs is the first in a gorgeous, romantic series set on the breathtaking island of Jersey. Perfect for fans of Jessica Redland and Phillipa Ashley.

My review

While on the island of Jersey it’s always sunny, Bea’s life for sure doesn’t feel light a ray of sunlight… Not only is she still grieving over the loss of her beloved godmother, also her marriage ended on bad terms. And her soon – to – be – ex – husband is making sure that he gets a piece of Bea’s home too, even if he in fact he doesn’t really need to.
Bea’s home is in dire need of renovations, making Bea meet attractive builder Luke. But with her old flame, and new manager at her office, Tom warning her for Luke, she doesn’t know what to do… And what about the mystery of the Jersey Kiss that her godmother left to Bea in her will? Will Bea ever find out what the Jersey Kiss in fact is? And will there perhaps be a real kiss in store for Bea too?

Having read several books of this author, with the setting of the island of Jersey, I was very much looking forward to return to this wonderful place, even if it’s the start of a complete new series.

At the start of this book, and to be honest, a great part of the book too, I truly felt sorry for Bea. The loss of her godmother affected her great time, and it was easy to understand why, as after losing her mother, her godmother was there for her in so many different ways, from when Bea was a young girl, to the adult she has become now.
But it was also sweet to see how that love and help was being reciprocated, as when needed, Bea didn’t hesitate to look after her godmother just like her godmother looked after her all those years ago.
So can you truly be shocked by how deep the love was between the both of them? And can you be really surprised that losing that one fixture is Bea’s life was so devastating for her?

And feeling sorry for Bea concerning her failed marriage is perhaps not the right feeling, as her ex for sure is a piece of art…

But while Bea raised many feelings of sadness over me, she also gave me hopeful and happy feelings. Because she is surrounded by the best kind of friends, and even a great (half)sister – if the sister doesn’t keep listening to her mother that is…
And while at moments Bea is acting a bit meek, we see also how she stands her ground and the lengths she takes to protects what or who she cares about.

This story was a romantic one, yes. But it was mainly about picking yourself up after a bad time. It was also about (mis)trust and (dis)honesty, and in a way also gut feelings.
Because we see some new and old people arriving in Bea’s life and we see her seeing the reality: that some people misuse our trust and that there are others that we trust for some inexplicable reason and signs of warnings against it.

I have to admit, I had my own gut feeling telling me who to trust and who not. And I was glad to proven right! J
But somehow it also saddened me, as it showed that people can go far to save themselves, not caring who they hurt meanwhile…

There are several sad and also infuriating things happening in this book. But that doesn’t take away how much I enjoyed reading this book, and how inspiring I found this book. Because no matter what happens to Bea, she never gives up hope, or just gives up period. She is determined to find a solution that will solve her problems.
Also, no matter how afraid she is of getting burned again by love, with the right person she is ready to take the plunge.

And that is what matters, do not give up, in life or love. Because it may take a while, but all’s well that ends well. Just don’t give up!