Really struggling with chick lit at the moment, and this unfortunately didn’t change that for me. Only got 20% of the way through before deciding to stop. Just hadn’t grabbed me enough to want to pick up the book and dive in. I have read a few of Donna’s books, so I will try another.

I love me some Donna Ashcroft, great book, easy to follow and what a beautiful cover. I fully lost myself in the pages of this love adventure. Highly recommended and a great escape.

Sommer in Cornwall
Davon träumen viele Menschen, doch Ruby hat sich lange gesträubt ihre Großmutter dort zu besuchen. Zu viele schlechte Erinnerungen sind mit dieser Rückkehr verbunden. Jetzt braucht ihre Nanou jedoch Hilfe und so kehrt Ruby nach langer Zeit wieder nach Indigo Cove zurück. Dort wird sie sofort in die Dorfgemeinschaft aufgenommen und lernt auf dieses Weise den Bierbrauer Gabe kennen. Die gute Chemie zwischen Ruby und Gabe merkt man sofort, auch wenn ihnen zunächst ein paar Steine im Weg liegen. Außerdem gibt es ein paar Geheimnis zu lüften und Kriminalfälle zu lösen. Eigentlich ja nicht so mein Fall, aber in diesem Fall fand ich es aufregend und spannend.

Nachdem ich zwei Weihnachtsgeschichten von Donna Ashcroft hintereinander gelesen hatte, hab ich noch diesen Sommerroman auf meinem SUB gefunden. Und weil ich so schön dabei war, hab ich mich darauf eingelassen. Das war definitiv eine gute Entscheidung. Unterhaltsam, spannend und romantisch. Mir haben die Protagonisten gut gefallen, der Schreibstil war locker zu lesen und die Location in Cornwall ein richtiger Sehnsuchtsort von mir.
Deshalb eine uneingeschränkte Leseempfehlung: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

While the story has its merits, it also has its drawbacks, resulting in a mixed reading experience.

On the positive side, Ashcroft's vivid descriptions of the Cornish landscape are a highlight. Readers are transported to the charming coastal village, where the author's love for the setting shines through. The local community is well-drawn, and the sense of place is palpable.

The characters, while not particularly groundbreaking, are relatable and likable. Ellie's journey of self-discovery is a central theme, and her emotional growth is well depicted. The romantic elements are sweet and heartwarming, providing the expected escapism one seeks in a romance novel.

However, the plot can be somewhat predictable and formulaic, adhering closely to genre conventions. Some readers may find the story lacking in surprises or depth. Additionally, certain subplots feel underdeveloped, leaving potential narrative threads unexplored.

This was my first book by Donna Ashcroft and i thoroughly enjoyed it. I will deffinsntly be reading more by her.

I've read 3 books by this author before an I really like the storylines that Donna creates.

I like that they are easy read with a bit of drama.

There is a theme of romance in this book but I love that there is an underlying difficult issue that is discussed around family and responsibility. This is part of life which makes it really relatable.

I really like the relationships within this story and I thing Gabe sounds so beautiful, inside and out, I was hoping its not him throughout the book (but I'll leave the thing out of my review that I hope he isn't)

I also really like Lila, she is well written, I really like her internal dialog, about difficult decisions, I really relate to this.

The break ins and car damage is so frustrating, I wanted to find out who has been doing it all the way through. I like that there are a couple of open ended things that you really want to found out the conclusion and It was well paced, you don't want to find out as soon as the thing has happened.

This felt like a well rounded book, it seemed a bit of everything but not overdone, I really enjoy reading about different scenarios whether they're fictional or real but in this book they felt real and like I was there experiencing them with the characters. Brillaint book, I look forward to reading more.

I love Donna Ashcroft's books. They are always top drawer escapism and I always learn something new. The setting and community of Indigo Cover is beautiful and inviting and the added mystery interwoven into the story makes it all the more intriguing as Ruby and Gabe navigate the past and all the baggage that comes with it. Highly recommended.

The first book I've read by this author and it was a lovely read, one to curl up and relax, I could have read this in one sitting, if I hadn't had to work or anything.

Accountant Ruby hasn't been back to Indigo Cove for many years, in younger days she love nothing more to be in the Pottery Project studio with her grandma Lila, the passion for pottery run in the family from Lila to Ruby's father and Ruby for herself. Let down by her father, more times and she can care to remember Ruby felt she could no longer stay in Indigo Cove and with that she also lost her love of pottery.

Lila however has a plan, if she could just get Ruby's hands into clay again, she is sure she can reignite the passion. Lila convinces Ruby that she is desperate for help when your assistant goes on holiday, knowing that she would do anything to help after grandma.
Returning to the Cove to help, Ruby meets Gabe who runs a local brewery, whilst there is definitely an attraction on both sides, with little trust in men the relationship is doomed from the start, especially when she meets his twin brother Aaron and is sure he is responsible for badly letting down her best friend a few years before.
A spate of vandalism in the Cove at first seems random, but as time goes on it appears it is targeted at Gabe and the brewery. As Ruby digs deeper, will what she finds out definitely put the end to any chance she has of happiness with Gabe?

I really enjoyed the way the vandalism and the mystery surrounding it brought a different aspect to the usual on-off romance. I will definitely be looking for more books from this author.

The Little Cornish House by Donna Ashcroft was a great book. I really enjoyed it. A great book to lose yourself in, set in a Cornish village, what’s not to love? If you want an easy to read book on friendships, family and romance then this is the book for you.

I loved the coming home story. Ruby's transformation in this book was fun to follow. I did want a more solid ending for Ruby and Gabe. The ending was nice, but quick.

(Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this e-book in exchange for my honest feedback)

I was also given a copy of this audiobook so I have shared here what I said in my other review:

This book centers around Ruby, who comes back to Indigo Cove to stay with her grandmother (Nanou) in her lovely little Cornish House. Ruby lives a predictable and routine life, nothing exciting but it's safe. She comes to town to help out at her Nanou's pottery studio. There she meets quite a few interesting characters, both fellow business owners in the area and students. And Gabe, the handsome and kind man who runs a local brewery with his brother.

Intermixed with a bit of romance is a mystery concerning vandalism and other crimes happening in the area, as well as a side plot of a friend and a paternity mystery. The plots interweave nicely, the descriptions of Indigo Cove are so detailed and it makes me want to visit and eat all the desserts they describe.

I truly enjoyed this book and I would love to read more by this author!

This is a great book about love, loss, and finding yourself through all the chaos that life throws at you. I really enjoyed this book and I'll be reading more of Ashcroft in the future!

Charming and romantic, a wonderful summer read that left me with a feeling of warmth and happiness. Great characters, good backdrop, and the story flowed really well.

There is just something about a Donna Ashcroft book that gets me every time. This one grabbed me from the start. Ruby has moved back to Cornwall for the summer to help her grandmother save her home and business. She expects to spend her days helping out with her pottery school and keeping everything as simple as possible. She does not expect Gabe. Gabe is the local brewery owner with a bit of trouble of his own. There is a mystery to this book as Gabe keeps having trouble with vandals and the town has no idea who is causing all the trouble. As Ruby and Gabe work together to solve the mystery, attraction grows. I enjoyed the romance between these two. While I did feel Ruby could be a bit immature at times, she does grow throughout the book. I love how Ashcroft writes small-town stories that pull the towns people all together. She continues to be one of the best at including characters from several generations all working and living together. If you are looking for a light, cozy romance with a bit of mystery tied in, this book is the perfect fit.

The Little Cornish House by Donna Ashcroft

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Step into stunning Indigo Cove on the beautiful Cornish coast, where you’ll find sunshine, secrets, and a summer that will change everything for Ruby Caldwell.

Thirty-year-old Ruby’s life is safe and predictable: no dramas, no complications, no men. And that’s just the way she likes it – there’s no way she wants to get her heart broken again. But her whole life is turned upside down when her grandmother calls to say she’s in danger of losing her beloved little Cornish house by the sea.

She needs Ruby to come back to Cornwall and save the day…

Returning to Indigo Cove stirs up memories of her family’s past that Ruby would rather forget, but she’s determined to do everything she can to save her grandmother’s home. As the summer hots up so does the pressure on Ruby and she’s in need of a distraction. Although quite literally walking into Gabe Roskilly, the sexy and brooding owner of the local brewery, wasn’t part of her game plan.

A beautiful setting and some lovely characters make for a heart-warming book. I was a little unsure if I would enjoy this book at the beginning, but very quickly I was drawn in and I never looked back. This would make for a lovely beach read.

Rating 4/5

Charming story and while not really a pageturner as the blurbs say, it was a fast read and surely one for summertime. I liked the characters and writing very much; nothing over the top but just an endearing story that makes you feel good.

An enjoyable summer read set in gorgeous surroundings and populated with interesting characters. The story felt a little far-fetched for me at times, but it’s fiction after all and it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story as a whole.
I do feel the title could have been something a little more original, especially as the ‘little Cornish house’ doesn’t particularly feature (other than the full name of the house being shoehorned in a couple of times as if to justify the title), whereas a Cornish pottery studio and brewery do.
On the whole a good summer read which held my interest throughout.

I think I’ve found my new favourite Donna Ashcroft read. This book has it all. Saucy romance, community spirit, family loyalty and even mystery.

I completely identified and sympathised with Ruby from the beginning, especially her feelings about her relationship with her father. I felt like we were completely on the same wavelength when it came to being let down by the one man you should actually be able to rely on.

Aside from that, Ruby is just generally a really loyal, lovely and determined character. I really wanted a happy ending for her, and one that she really deserved. I didn’t want her to settle for anyone who wasn’t able to prove they were deserving of her trust and commitment.

The mystery element to the story was also something that really kept my interest. The vandalism and threatening behaviour became increasingly intense, and it was absolutely vital that the community pulled together to work out who the culprit was. This is a twist you won’t see coming…

Overall, a gorgeous, escapist read, perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Samantha Tonge and Rachel Dove.

A lovely summer read set in Cornwall at a pottery studio. Full of friendship, love and creativity, the perfect heartwarming escape.

When I started to read this book I wasn't so sure that I was going to really like this book, some of the characters in this book are a bit "too much" to my likings but then when I started to enter more deeply into the story it started to be very entertaining and lots of mysterious things are happening which you really want to understand. Also there is a lovely romance building in this story which is always a big plus for me. If you are looking for an entertaining book this one is very good! I am giving it a 4 stars out of 5!!!