This was my first historical read and won’t be my last. This book was quick and fun but also had its moments of seriousness. I will definitely recommend this to everyone!

What a brave, courageous woman Alice was. It started with her being tossed into perilous seas and finding herself washed up on a Cornish beach. I felt transported along with Alice on her various changes and her relationship with Jack. This book has encouraged me to read ‘The Nun’s Story’ from where Alice’s character was inspired.

This was such a wonderful book.  It was a quick and easy read, but it packed a punch too.  After a boating accident, Alice washes up on a cove in Cornwall.  She now has a choice to make share her real identity or make a new life for herself as someone new.

This book is takes place right before D-Day and it focuses around Alice's new life and the friendships that she makes as well as a love interest.  It also tackled the hard issues that were going on during the war and the work of the Resistance.  

One of my favorite parts were the author's notes and hearing about her inspirations for the book.  Some of the characters were based on real people and the area of Cornwall played an important role in WWII.  I learned so much and would love to visit some of these places in the future.

This story captured my interest right from the start.  Alice, a young woman who washes up onto the shoreline in Cornwall after the boat she was traveling on was bombed by the Germans.  She is discovered by a man named Jack, who lives there.   At first Jack is  concerned she could be a spy, so he doesn’t share very much about his life.

Slowly they get to know one another and Alice learns that Jack is working with the resistance by helping the Allies escape from occupied France.  Because of Alice’s ability to speak French, Jack asks her to help them in their work.

Despite the danger, Alice agrees.  She encounters a few harrowing situations while working with the resistance, but manages to get herself to safety each time.  Throughout all of this, she and Jack grow closer, making for a happy ending to the story.

Readers who enjoy romance and historical fiction, will find this book an engaging read.  I found it a bit predictable, but enjoyed it all the same.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read an advance copy and give an honest review.

Absolutely loved it! Great storyline! 

I love how those two are meant to be together when little Ned called her mommy..so cute! Really enjoyed it very much...

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy....

The sea spit Alice out . When she come to she sees a dog and a man speaking in Latin. There is a number on the back of her neck. Alice had been on a ship when it was attacked. Alice has the number on her neck because she was a nun in Africa. I liked the dialogue and description of events. I liked the work Alice was doing with Jack.

The House at Mermaid Cove is a World War II spy novel with a twist. 

One day a woman with shorn hair and in just a torn chemise is found washed up on a Cornish beach. Who is she? Where did she come from? Can she be trusted? During times of war one does not ask another to keep a secret for them but Alice, the woman, asks this of Jack, her rescuer, and in return he asks the same of her.

Recently WWII novels pivot around spies in the thick of occupation or about women on the home front but this one is a little bit of both. It was a quick, enjoyable read that introduced things about certain groups I would never have known. While this story is entirely fictional it is inspired by the life of a real women (I won't say who because that gives away a secret but if you read the Author's note you can find out more). It makes me want to learn more about this woman and others like her.

The House at Mermaid’s Cove is set in Cornwall in the middle of WWII. The main character, Alice, is washed ashore, the survivor of a torpedo attack on the ship that was returning her to Ireland. Alice is a nun who had been a nurse in Africa and was returning to Ireland to renounce her vows, but sees the shipwreck as a way to remake herself. She is rescued by Jack, who turns out to be the Lord of the manor, and soon Alice finds herself working as a Land Girl and settling into life in the village. It’s no surprise that soon sparks fly between these two. 

I love historical fiction, especially set in during WWII. This one was unique in that it takes place in Cornwall and focuses on the resistance in France and the support they received from that part of England. I also loved that the war was the just the setting for the story, not THE story like so many novels turn out to be. This is a story of people living life during a war, carrying on with school and village festivals, dances and dress shopping. This is also the story of Alice coming to terms with the decisions she has made in her life and the path that she has chosen and living with those decisions. 

I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction. I can’t wait to read more by this author!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for a digital ARC in exchange for a fair review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars

Well, I don't appear to be doing a very good job at sticking to my "no more WWII era books" but
I cannot resist this author and her books. Inspired by local lore, Lindsay Jayne Ashford takes readers to Cornwall, England where a mysterious woman washes up onshore. A survivor of a ship torpedoed by a German submarine, Alice, is rescued by local man, Jake Trewella. As Alice works on Jake's land in exchange for lodging, she cannot help but realize her growing admiration for her rescuer. Although the feeling does seem mutual, Alice is haunted by the decisions of her past. Will Jake accept her secrets? Will Alice be able to do the same?

I read this story in two sittings and I quite enjoyed it. The writing was engaging, the characters were interesting, but the romance was a bit so-so and predictable. It seemed a bit rushed in the last few chapters as we hurtled towards the end of the novel, but overall it was a satisfactory read.


Goodreads review published 24/07/20
Expected Publication 11/08/20






TheHouseatMermaidsCove #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this book. I do feel like it almost could have been two separate stories. I enjoyed the historical elements of the story, the characters were daring and brave and fun. The mystery and romance add to the story, but it also feels like they could have have their own plot in another book.  Overall, they really worked well together. Thank you NetGalley, Lindsay Jayne Ashford, and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

This was a really good book, it had a great plot with interesting characters and what I liked about it was that there wasn't really a supernatural element just the story. Overall this was a really good read.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, the author, and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions in this review are my own.

With a backdrop of WWII England, a woman washes up in Mermaid's Cove and is found by the man who owns the house. She must decide whether to return to her old life or start a new one.

I thought this book was going to be more predictable. When Alice is discovered on the beach, she has a shaved head and her clothing has a number stitched into it. My initial predictions were incorrect and I like the novel more because it wasn't what I was expecting.

However, the ending felt a little rushed. It seemed like time passed too quickly in the final chapters, which didn't fit with the slower pace of the beginning of the novel. Since I was enjoying this book, I would have been willing to read another 50 or so pages to slow down the action.

Overall, I really enjoyed The House at Mermaid’s Cove by Lindsay Jayne Ashford! I highly recommend it to readers who like historical fiction with mystery and suspense!

I'll be upfront and say that in my mind I actually had this idea that this book had something to do with a mermaid. A story where a mermaid is discovered. So when the book opens with a woman washing onto shore I thought for sure she was a mermaid and got her "legs". ( Maybe I watch too many Disney movies!) So I have to say In my head I actually was thinking this is why Alice was so secretive and hiding the truth from Jack. As I read the story I had this is the back of my mind and when it never unfolded I was confused and let down. Again this is 100% no fault to the author or even the book itself, but it may have changed the way I viewed the book. When I was done and looked back on the story I did enjoy it and loved the love story element.  Beautifully written and flowed nicely, but it doesn't include mermaids! lol

The House at Mermaid's Cove is a fast-paced Historical Fiction with a bit of romance sprinkled into it. We start off when Alice is washed ashore and found by the intriguing Viscount Jack Trewella. It is a miracle that Alice has survived and she wants to start her life fresh without her past making an appearance. Jack doesn't really know what to make of her but offers her a place to stay in exchange of her helping around the farm until she figures out what she wants. Both characters were mysterious and I enjoyed getting to know them better the further I got into the story.

I have read a couple of books set during World War II, but I found this book to have an original plot and showed a different side with the focus on the French Resistance. I enjoyed all the side-characters and the development of the plot, however, I wanted the book to be longer. I was really getting into the story and before I knew it, it was over already. The story felt like it touched the surface of both the war, Resistance, friendships, and romance. The author didn't really go into depth with any of it, which unfortunately left me unsatisfied at the end. I wanted more background information on both main characters, and I wanted to see more growth in their relationship. I also was very intrigued by the operations of the Resistance, but I felt like we only got a quick peek into it. I do have to say that I enjoyed the writing style of the author, and I found it very easy to read. So I am planning on reading this author's other books.

A love story set in WW2, this will be a wonderful addition to our library collection as our patrons love historical fiction.

I must admit I ummed and ahed (hummed and ha’ed?) about requesting this one. It sounded a bit “twee” – the mysterious Viscount Jack Trewella….the shadow of war, lost love, and haunting memories… – I also feared that the eponymous mermaid might make an appearance but I decided to give it a go. I’m so glad I did! I loved it!

I’ve enjoyed many novels about WW2, about different women facing dangers in different ways, and very few have been as involving as this one. It was believable and, instead of making it all high drama,the author somehow downplayed the drama, making it all matter of fact, while also keeping it as a vital part of the story.

I found both Jack and Alice to be sympathetic characters, and all of Alice’s motivations were eminently believable. Her religious faith was underlined, but the point wasn’t forced; her doubts and questions were natural, and credible. Jack too was a believable character. The only jarring note slightly was the part set in Geurnsey (I don’t want to say more) which didn’t quite ring true; but I’m willing to overlook this point.

Some reviewers complain that Alice’s experiences in the Congo were glossed over, or that the book was too short, not giving enough detail. I never felt this – the time in the Congo was mentioned  (I felt!) in enough detail to sketch out Alice’s reactions…and the book was about her after this time, not during it. Yes, it was important to understand where she had come from and how this shaped her reactions and life afterwards, but I think I might have got a bit frustrated if there had  been too many flashbacks incorporated in the story. I didn’t feel it was too short, and I felt the ending, and why Alice did not continue her wartime work elegantly explained. I have read another book where the heroine just stopped doing what she was doing (trying to avoid spoilers!) with no real explanation.

Although it was noted to be an uncorrected edition, there were no grammatical or layout errors (Thank you!) The language used by the author was not overly flowery, while at the same time didn’t feel too sparse. The descriptions of the Cornish beach, the African landscapes, the wooded valleys were all well put together.

This is the first time I’ve given a NetGalley book five stars! But I feel it deserved them.

There seems to be a lot of World War II fiction being published lately. The House at Mermaid's Cove carves its own place among these books with a main character who is a former nun turned spy and a cast of supporting characters with interesting backgrounds.

Alice is a nun who struggled to fit in with convent life in Africa. Sent back to Ireland, her ship is attacked by German boats and she washes up on the shores of Cornwall. Naturally, the first man to find her is the lord of the manor, Jack Trewalla. While hiding her own secret, Alice discovers the secrets of the others in the community. There is Jack of course, who helps with intelligence missions by ferrying people and supplies across the English Channel. There is Merle, a mother from Guernsey, who assists with the radio. There is also young Ned, who is in desperate want of a mother.

Overall, The House at Mermaid's Cove was an enjoyable story. I would definitely recommend it if you are interested in World War II fiction.

I enjoyed this book, it was a nice story of a rescue, a romance and a daring wartime escapade.
Great characters that were believable and a lovely location of a Cornish cove.  Add a handsome landowner into the mix and you have got a few hours of enjoyable reading ahead of you.

This was my first book by Lindsay Jayne Ashford and it reminded me of all the reasons historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. I was really glad that the story used World War II as part of the setting but didn't make it the entire story. All of the characters not just the main characters were fully formed. The setting was beautiful and it added to the story. The story is first person from Alice's point of view and since she was a positive person the story was lighter that a lot of WWII stories I've read. I appreciated that the story took it seriously but didn't get bogged down in how horrible things were. 

Jack Trewella finds Alice washed up on the beach after her boat is shot down by the Germans and he gives her a place to stay. They slowly get to know each other through him visiting her at the boat house and bringing her food and clothing.  Alice transforms as she leaves behind her past as a nun. I really liked her struggle with what she wanted to leave behind from her years as a nun and what was still important to her. 

I loved the story and character growth. I am looking forward to reading other novels from the author. I will be recommending this novel to everyone who enjoys historical romance.

I requested The House at Mermaid's Cove without really knowing what it was about. I remember thinking it sounded good and the cover looked nice, so I just went with it. It ended up really surprising me in a very positive way. A WW2 story like I'd never read before.

The main character of the book is an ex-nun named Alice who sees the perfect opportunity of fleeing the religious life when the ship she is on is bombarded and she washes ashore in Cornwall. Being offered a place to live and work at first, and later getting the opportunity to work for the resistance because of her perfect French. While living in Cornwall she meets and gets to know her host, Lord Jack Trewalla, and both their life stories are revealed as they fall in love over time.

Especially the part about the resistance that operates between Cornwall and France was a new bit of history for me. I'd never before read any WW2 story that focuses on this part of the war before, so I was dleighted to learn something new. Both the life stories of Alice and Jack were also very interesting, and I was eager to learn what brought them to the place they are now.

A beautiful take on WW2 history that managed to hold my attention throughout. I would definitely recommend this book this fans of historical fiction.