This book was a great read, although I confess I did struggle to begin with as it is set in 2 places and this took a short while to adjust. I found the story line captivating and although written in the first person, was still endearing. The characters were interesting and I didn't loose interest in any of them. The author was very familiar with Karachi, Pakistan, its culture and difficulties which are faced there.
The story is interwoven with intrigue and suspense. Family life, trust, betrayal are all written so well and one is drawn into the feelings the characters feel and display.
Once into the book, I found I was wanting to return and continue reading. I am sorry it took me so long to actually set time apart to read it. A wonderful escapism into an adventure which I enjoyed to the last word. Thank you.

I really struggled with this at the start as it was very slow.
But I was so glad I persevered, with the story really growing and giving a real feel for Pakistan.
It was only spoilt by the to much jumping back and forward in time.

I really enjoyed reading this book, the story kept me completely gripped from start to finish. I have not read anything by this author before, but I will be checking out her other books . This story has believable relationships, knitted together well, with a gripping storyline that kept me held until the end where there was a believable finish . I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and getting involved in the delights of Cornwall and Pakistan.

Gabby is transported from Cornwall to Karachi, when she marries. She falls in love with the country but her past isn't so happy and their are several problems in her life. A emotional story, well told.

This is one of those books that I really did not want to end. The setting of the story, both in Cornwall and Karachi, Pakistan, was really interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of life in Pakistan, even though at times it was hard to acknowledge that life is so difficult and different from any country I have ever visited. The characters are interesting and the plot, one I could not put down. In a nutshell, one of my favourite books this year.

I’m really undecided about this book. So many of the chapters seemed pointless and repetitious. How many times do we need to know she ate her breakfast of fruit in the garden? How many times do we need to know how she got in to the pool? With better editing it would undoubtedly have been a more enjoyable read.

A lovely and fascinating story that keeps you hooked from the beginning to the end. Definitely recommended to those readers who enjoy reading this type of book.

Perfect holiday reading which I enjoyed very much,mainly for the wonderful descriptions of Pakistan, where the author spent a year.This shows in her use of Karachi as one of the settings for this novel,which tells the story of Gabby ,who travels to Pakistan to live with her husband Mike after he accepts a job with a company based there.
When things go wrong with her marriage and she receives shocking news from her sister,Gabby returns to the UK but is drawn back to Pakistan.
The novel shifts settings between Karachi,Cornwall and London .The plot held my attention and I was happy with the conclusion.Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a review which reflects my own opinions.

A lovely twisty tale full of nice surprises. A new and interesting destination to visit in wild pakistan and a lovely love story at the centre. I fully recommend.

This was a stunning read. I loved all of it. From the evocative descriptions of the beauty of Pakistan to the terrifying political and terrorism side. The combination of stories of Gabby following her husband with his new job in Pakistan and the backstory of growing up in Cornwall. A story of a massive secret held by Gabby's sister who was thrown out of the family home in their teens to today as the sisters relive their history. A great, emotional and heartwarming read.

This is the first novel that I have read by this author. I quickly became immersed into the life of Gabriella and those close to her. I felt as though I too was with her, particularly during her time in Pakistan. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read and I shall certainly look out for further novels written by Sara MacDonald.

Gabby’s husband, Mike has spent much of their married life working abroad in the travel industry, but is home in London for a much needed break from work. As guests are about to arrive for his 54th birthday party he takes a telephone call offering him a job in Karachi - an offer that, much to Gabby’s dismay, he cannot resist. Despite the fact that she has her own successful business he sees no reason why she should not join him in Pakistan. Gabby is also worried about her sister, Dominique, who has flown over for the party. When suggesting that the two of them go to Cornwall, their childhood home, for a short break, she is more upset when Dominique refuses to go. Mike soon leaves London, and Gabby joins him for a short break over New Year to see what life in Pakistan could be like. She is welcomed by all the staff at the hotel where Mike is living and makes good friends with several of them but finds that Mike is too busy with work to spend much time with her. She returns home, worrying about the security situation in Karachi and her husband. However, she is persuaded to return to Karachi when she learns that he has been offered a flat in the hotel.. He continues to travel outside Karachi and her suspicions of betrayal mount. An airmail letter from Dominique brings extremely disturbing news and Gabby can’t wait to get home............. A moving novel of love and betrayal that is hard to put down!

This is a captivating read which combines mid-life crises, hidden childhood secrets and complicated relationships with culture shocks and corruption. We stay with Gabby every step of the way as she struggles to adapt to the limitations of life for a European woman in Pakistan whilst trying to understand what is driving her husband. The vivid descriptions of the friends she makes and the poverty she witnesses bring the novel alive and kept me hooked to the last page.

Imagine how it must feel to live in a country that is nearly always depicted negatively? How does it feel to have your country's natural beauty and landscape usurped by the violence of a small percentage of people? This is what Gabriella discovers the majority of the population of Pakistan face when she accompanies her husband Mike to Karachi where he works for Pakistan Atlantic Airways.

Gabriella and her sons have been used to Mike disappearing for months at a time on various jobs abroad, however, she is beginning to feel she and her husband are drifting apart. When Mike suggests she come and stay with him in Pakistan, she jumps at the chance, however, instead of strengthing the relationship, Gabriella feels further away than ever. Constantly left behind in a hotel while Mike attends numerous conferences, Gabriella is virtually housebound; it being too dangerous to venture outside. Not only that, she suspects Mike is having an affair and to top it all off, her half-sister Dominique reveals a devastating secret about their childhood in Cornwall.

In a Kingdom by the Sea by Sara MacDonald is essentially a contemporary love story, exploring the woes of a nearly fifty-year-old coming to the end of a long relationship. With underlying elements of mystery, for instance, what happened to Dominique in the early 1970s and what exactly is Mike up to, the novel also explores the hidden truths of a country stereotyped by violence and terrorism.

Gabriella meets dozens of kind and caring people in Pakistan who have her best interests at heart. These people are not dangerous or violent as the media often leads the western world to believe. Whilst some groups of people are content to cause death and destruction, leaving the cities a minefield to navigate, there are plenty more who wish to live peaceful lives. Gabriella is captivated by the beautiful, enchanting landscapes, unlike anything back home in England.

As the story progresses, Gabriella learns more about the lives of women in Pakistan. They are unable to live as they please, having to bow to the commands of their husbands, parents and brothers instead. The more Gabriella speaks to these women, the more she realises that cooped up in the hotel most of the day, she is in a similar situation, under the thumb of her own husband. So, she stops. Thinks. Is this the life she wants?

In a Kingdom by the Sea is a slightly long-winded but eye-opening story. Not everyone will be able to relate to the lives of Pakistani women, however, their plight will resonate with those who relish freedom. Whilst it is difficult to compare Gabriella's life with the women she meets in Karachi, readers will also be rooting for Gabriella's happy-ever-after.

I love Sara MacDonald’s books so was very excited to have the chance to read this one. I loved it! It is as beautifully written as her other novels and I was hooked from the first page. I enjoyed the two main settings of Cornwall and Karachi - the former a place I have visited many times, the latter a place about which I knew very little. The author brings Pakistan to life with her wonderful descriptions (for example, of colourful clothes, gardens and birds) but she also shows us the dangers of the political situation and we are drawn into Gabby and Mike’s lives there with some very tense scenes. I warmed to Gabby as a main character - she is strong and kind and I so wanted life to work out for her. There are many strong women in this novel and I enjoyed reading about their friendships. The letter that Gabby receives from her sister throws her into turmoil and challenges all she believed about her childhood and it’s in coming to terms with this that Gabby finds her way forward. There is so much to love in this novel. It’s a wonderful read. Five stars!

When Tabby joins her husband in Pakistan she realises her marriage is not what she thought. In amongst this she also learns a longheld secret about her sister, both of which affect her future. I've enjoyed all of this author's books and was delighted to learn she had a new book out.

One of those books you just can’t put down
A real saga with a child hood mystery plus love and betrayal
Set between the rugged coast of Cornwall and dangerous beautiful Pakistan this saga will grip you from the very first page and you just don’t want it to end.

There are some novels that you read and fall into as soon as you turn the pages. This one is set in Cornwall andKarachi and those two locations make for a lovely interweaving story about where we most feel at home.

It’s the story of the modern day expat family in a way; Gabby travels to Pakistan with husband Mike. She takes time to adjust to the new culture, language, colour and heat of the place but it’s very different to what she is used to. In fact Pakistan is still a mix of the old and the new. This is a major feature of the story and one I really enjoyed getting into and discovering. Political life there is hard and changing every day. When she thinks back to her life in London and the rural idyll of Cornwall, it’s even more of a contrast and a wrench than before. Gaby makes a real effort to integrate herself with the locals in every way and it was a real journey of discovery for her on so many levels. The colour of the writing, the scene setting is sublime. Add to that the depiction of a country battered by both its politicians and weather (the 2010 floods are evoked) and you get a real sense of the country and people behind the headlines.

When we experience the flashbacks to Cornwall, you get to discover the gorgeous scenery, the sense of freedom and peace. Gaby’s childhood is revealed and I found the two locations really helped tell the story of the family journey, especially Gaby’s.

It’s Gaby’s journey that drives the novel and you get to see how the role of women, what is expected of them from one country to the next, from one day to the next is explored.

Well-rounded characters and flowing writing make this a novel to sink into and enjoy

This is definitely a 5 star read. This is a beautifully written compelling read about family secrets and love and loss. Every word is thought out in this wonderful story. I wanted to keep reading. The descriptions made it so easy to visualise what was happening. I got totally caught up in Gabby’s world and all the emotions that came with it.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

This was a complimentary copy from netgalley - many thanks

Wow, this was just lush !!!

I knew I was going to love the book just from the cover - and I wasn't disappointed

This was epic !! I've not read any previous books by the author but Sara MacDonald is an absolute MUST READ author

There was everything - wonderful characters - so well written, epic, vivid descriptions - fantastic use of language drawing you into a different world

I just can't praise highly enough

I loved the setting - the author hasn't ignored the political Pakistan and how hard life is on a day to day basis in contrast to the urbanity of London and the idealised Cornwall.

Wonderfully written female characters, drawing you in - I was sad to come to the end but excited by the prospect of finding more of Ms MacDonald's work

A wonderful holiday read with enough important threads to be wonderful for book clubs