Finding Hope in Starshine Cove tells a powerful story of the resilience of women and recovering from emotional trauma. However, Lucy should have attended therapy to work through her issues - that would have been the more empowered thing to do. I do wish this one had been a bit more spicy - it read a bit more like a mum/daughter story than a love story. I would read other books in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC. All views are my own.

I love the characters in this third book in the Starshine Cove series. It focuses on Lucy and Josh, but as it also features Ella and Jake's wedding at the cove allowing us to catch up with the Starshine Cove community. Lucy and Josh's first meeting is fun, and you realise it is the beginning of something rather than the end. Through its characters,the book sensitively explores domestic abuse. The emotional strength of the female characters makes this an uplifting read. An engaging balance of humour, poignancy and romance defines this story. I like the quirky and kind community, the emotional ethos and the hopeful ending.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Finding Hope in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson
A BRAND NEW totally uplifting romance that will make you smile
Book 3 of 3: Starshine Cove
A heartwarming story of friendship, new beginnings, and second chances that will have you reaching for the tissues!
Lucy Brown has spent years hiding from the world, as far away as she could get from her old life – and her ex-husband – back in London. But when she reluctantly agrees to leave her safe haven to attend her old friend Ella’s wedding in Starshine Cove, little does she know what’s in store for her down in Dorset…
When a chance airport encounter with a handsome stranger unexpectedly leads to a deeper connection, Lucy finds her trip becoming much more than just a last-minute holiday. But then her dark past comes knocking, just as she always feared it would. Will the magic of Starshine Cove be enough to heal the hurts that Lucy has carried with her all these years, or has this one-of-a-kind village by the sea finally met its match?
This is Lucy Brown and daughter,Rose's story.
This is Josh's story.
Single mum, Lucy Brown is at the airport with her teenage daughter, Rose. Both are travelling to Starshine Cove where they are to attend the wedding of her friend, Ella.
Lucy is looking forward to reuniting with her friends again and having a good vacation with her daughter.
Lucy's friend Ella is marrying Jake, the man she met at Starshine Cove.
Josh is related to the groom.
Josh is the man Lucy met at the airport!
Finding Hope in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson is 4 star book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Escape to Starshine Cove (Starshine Cove, #1)
Secrets of Starshine Cove (Starshine Cove, #2)
Finding Hope in Starshine Cove (Starshine Cove, #3)

Pure joy in a book. The moment I realized she lied about who she was in the airport, I KNEW this was her man. When he showed up, I couldn’t help but giggle.

Great European book escape that made me miss those cobbled streets and beautiful buildings.

I adored this book and I think you will too. Just be ready to be giddy with joy when she sees him again! 😍

Yet another great book by Debbie continuing the Starshine Cove series. Beautifully written book with lovely, friendly characters and setting. This one ticks all the boxes for me and didn't disappoint.

Finding Hope in Starshine Cove is the third book in the series Starshine Cove. Debbie Johnson has given her readers another book you will like.
Lucy has made the decision to take her daughter and travel to Starshine Cove to attend her friend’s wedding. This trip filled a lot of gaps in her life. She felt that being there was what she needed, friends, so much kindness and lots of love at the right time in her life.
I am so glad I read this book- it felt like a warm loving hug. Being back in Starshine Cove was just what I needed. Debbie Johnson gave me a family feel as I read this book.
Thank you NetGalley, Debbie Johnson and Storm Publishing for the copy of Finding Hope in Starshine Cove. This is my personal review.

This is a real feel good story! I have read the others in the series and find them really well written and so easy to get stuck into. Lucy was such a lovely character you really wanted a happy ending for her! get this in your beach bag for this summer x

Dear readers, it has been far too long since I last had the absolute pleasure of sinking deep into a Debbie Johnson novel and losing myself in a world much brighter (and less wet!) than my own. I knew that whatever Johnson had in store for me with her latest release Finding Hope in Starshine Cove was going to sprinkle my own world with her much-loved charm and irresistible humour. She is, without doubt, one of those authors who I have come to rely on when it comes to lifting my spirits and making my heart feel a little lighter.

In Finding Hope in Starshine Cove, readers are introduced to Lucy Brown. Single mum, working in a call centre, and very much uninterested in the dating scene, Lucy is doing a grand old job of protecting herself and her heart from any further hurt. It quickly becomes clear to the reader that Lucy is nursing some incredibly deep wounds from her past, wounds that do not go away easily. As the wedding of one of Lucy's oldest friends approaches, Lucy and her daughter pack their bags to go and stay in the delightful seaside town of Starshine Cove, tucked away amid the cliffs and sandy shores of Dorset. It is here that Lucy's story begins to unravel, surrounded by her best friends and beautiful new scenery, and a newly-discovered sense of self that seems to be drawn out by her new surroundings. If only I could have packed my bags and joined Lucy in her travels! I feel as though staying in Starshine Cove would do me the world of good, too.

I think Johnson manages to capture the essence of Lucy's character beautifully within this story. As mentioned above, there are many instances throughout the book where we see Lucy have what can only be described as panic attacks, and it doesn't take long to understand where this trauma stems from. Domestic abuse, covert or otherwise, is so damaging to its victims, mentally and physically, and Lucy portrays the realness of this perfectly. The anxiety, the worrying, the triggers... Johnson writes about it brilliantly, and really shows the reader the emotion and struggle behind Lucy's personality and why she is the way that she is. With the help of brief glimpses into her past, readers are given an insight into what Lucy dealt with at the hands of a horrible man, and how that ricochets through her life in the present day. It only made me love Lucy's character all the more, and I was rooting for her from the get-go. It was clear that Lucy was moving on and had taken the steps to healing herself, but these tiny scars still splintered through into her life, and I felt so much love for her whenever these moments rose to the surface. I think it's a subject many readers will be able to empathise with, because sadly so many of us have been there.

It was magnificent, the way these two parts of Lucy's life collided. The darkness of her past, and the brightness of her future. When she arrives in Starshine Cove, it's almost like a reminder that she loved by many people. As the story progresses, we come to understand that Lucy had lost contact with her closest friends, during what must have the roughest moments of her life. Meeting with them again must have felt incredible for Lucy, and absolutely moved me to tears. Her friends made her feel so loved and wanted, and best of all, reminded her that they never thought she was at fault for the breakdown in communication throughout the years that passed. I can only imagine how much of a weight off her shoulders that must have been for Lucy. I adored the moments between Lucy and her friends as they caught up with one another and rekindled a friendship that seemed unbreakable. It was truly moving and opened up a new source of happiness for Lucy as she eased herself back into her role in their friendship group once more.

The setting of Starshine Cove was just perfect. When it comes to picture-perfect, seaside towns, you can absolutely count me in. I adored everything about this place and found it to be my idea of the ideal getaway. With the sea just down the rocky path, and a handful of characters filling up the tiny cottages and waiting to introduce themselves, it was a place that I just knew was going to help in Lucy's personal healing journey. It provided space and comfort, fresh air and room to think, all of the things she needed. What is there not to love about Starshine Cove?

There is of course the added aspect of Lyssa in this story. A woman of which I absolutely got the wrong end of the stick with, yet by the end of the book, was rooting for her in every way. I LOVED the connection that developed between Lucy and Lyssa. In fact, this for me was probably the most heart-warming part of it all. Two women, both having walked the same treacherous path, coming together against the beast. It was splendidly written and unbelievably satisfying in more ways than one.

All in all, Finding Hope in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson was an absolutely marvellous novel, portraying beautifully the importance of female friendships and how that love can create a surge of courage and strength that is impossible to diminish. A story of bravery, faith, and knowing that with the right people by your side, you are truly capable of taking down your biggest demons. All's it takes a small push from your favourite humans. A true gem of a story, I adored every chapter.

This is actually the third book in the Starshine Cove series, I didn't realise this when I requested the book. However, not having read the previous two books it didn't affect my enjoyment of the story at all, but it would have been nice to have some background on the other characters and Sunshine Cove itself. By the time I had finished the book I so wanted to visit Dorset myself and become one of the locals. I also love the colour, it looks so idyllic.

Our main character Lucy Brown is a little bit reclusive and has been dealing with the fall out of an abusive and cohesive relationship she had years previously. She fled from London to Ireland with her daughter Rose to save them both 16 years ago. Her ex husband Robert has remarried and has started another family but she is still suffering with PTSD from the ordeal.

She is invited to Sunshine Cover to celebrate the wedding of her old university friend Ella. She lost touch with a lot of people when she chose to marry Robert and has lost herself and touch with a lot of them. The wedding is a chance to reconnect with her old self. Whilst at the airport waiting to meet her daughter she has a little flirtatious moment with a stranger, she makes up a story to tell him, thinking they will never meet again only to arrive at the wedding and find out he is also a guest and she might have some explaining to do. Sadly, her ex husband Robert is up to his old trick and he confronts Lucy when his wife suddenly leaves him, taking the children. As this leopard certainly hasn't changed his spots. This become flight or fight mode for Lucy, but with her old and new friends behind her she is determined to find herself and get her life back on track.

As always Debbie Johnson manages to deal with some very traumatic and triggering subjects matters in a very delicate way. Making the story while sad and emotional in places, very easy and fun to read.

I really enjoyed this book and might even go back and read the previous books in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author Debbie Johnson for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thought and opinions are my own.

Lucy Brown has isolated herself for years to escape the life she once had with her ex-husband. When her friend Ella decides to get married, Lucy decides that it’s an event she can’t miss and heads to Starshine Cove for the celebration.

While Lucy sits in the airport, she creates stories for all the traveler’s she sees. For a few minutes she decides to create an alter ego for herself and introduces herself to a stranger using a fictional name, occupation, and destination knowing she’ll never see the man again. What are the chances that they’ll ever cross paths again?

Lucy is glad that she was able to escape her controlling marriage and hopes to repair the bonds with her friends that she once had, hoping that they won’t hold her absence against her. While she’s trying to mend the past, the past comes rushing back to her; hopefully she’ll be brave enough to stand up for herself.

This is the second Starshine Cove novel that I’ve read, and I can’t wait to read the next one. It was an easy read and a great story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel. #NetGalley #FindingHopeinStarshineCove

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
After getting divorced from her very controlling husband, Lucy meets up with her old friends when she gets invited to Ella’s wedding. At the airport she meets a handsome stranger, who she makes a connection with. She lies about her name and where she’s traveling to….so when that same handsome stranger shows up at Ella’s wedding weekend, Lucy has some explaining to do. A sweet story of finding yourself, even later in life. I felt like the story was a little slow to get moving, but I loved the small town community feel of Starshine Cove. Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the Advanced Readers’ Copy. #booksbyashleynicole

Thank you to NETGALLEY and Storm Publishing for this ARC read!


Finding Hope in Starshine Cove By Debbie Johnson the third book in the series was fantastic!

Lucy Brown moved to Ireland with her daughter ten years ago after getting out of quite a traumatic relationship, and isolates herself from nearly everyone she knows, slowly losing contact with everyone she knew.

Lucy’s best friend - Ella, invites her to her wedding in Starshine Cove ( Which is the cutest little place!) and in the airport she meets an handsome stranger who she never thinks she’ll see again, so why not have a little fun? Lucy has a fantastic imagination and makes up a complete new identity just for the fun of it after making up stories for everyone in the airport after parting ways thinking she’ll never see him again said handsome stranger turns up in Starshine Cove and is quite confused when he walks into the pub and sees “Amelia,” is in Starshine Cove and not New York City!

Lucy soon reconnects with all of her friends as well as making new friends in Starshine Cove, as well as having a bit of an adventure up north and going to Camp Nicholson ( Which sounds really fun!)

I really enjoyed reading about Lucy and Josh, I felt like 257 pages wasn’t enough I loved their story!

Although there is humour and it is a light hearted story it is quite emotional and Lucy has been through some trauma with her ex which my heart broke for Lucy for some of the things she went through, however it all ends up great for her which I love!

Starshine Cove and its magical caves sounds like the most wonderful place although hard to get to


5/5! I really enjoyed this and hopefully we will return to Starshine Cove soon!

Lucy took her daughter to Ireland to escape from her domineering husband, he also had been having an affair which was the last straw. Going forward 10 years she is travelling via London to pick up her daughter from her ex's for her friend's wedding in Starshine Cove. Arriving there she is welcomed with open arms by her friends and the locals but is surprised to bump into someone she met on the way and maybe had told a little fib to.
Again this book is like being welcomed into a virtual hug, to a place so unlikely to exist in real life but one I dream of moving to. Lucy is suffering from panic attacks, something that I have also experienced, but is gradually recovering in this friendly environment. This doesn't affect the overall feel of the book, which is overwhelmingly positive. If you loved The Comfort Food Cafe series you'll love this, and if you haven't read those I also strongly suggest that you read those as well.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

This was a lovely book of redemption, friendship and lies. It was a tough read at points as it was talking about coercive behaviour and what seemed like pure fear with its consequence, let alone the loss that came along with it, both with family and friendships.

Starshine Cove is a place of love, surprises and redemption, and love that people come through the other side better, despite the challenges that happen within their story.

I can't wait to read the next instalment of this series!

Lucy Brown has been avoiding her past for years, seeking refuge far from her old life and her ex-husband Robert. Reluctantly, she agrees to attend her friend Ella's wedding in Starshine Cove, Dorset. Little does she know, this trip will unravel unexpected connections and stir up long-buried emotions. An encounter with a charming stranger at the airport sparks something deeper, turning Lucy's simple holiday into a journey of self-discovery. But just as she starts to embrace the possibilities of the present, her haunting past resurfaces, threatening to shatter the newfound happiness. As Lucy grapples with her past and present colliding, she wonders if the enchanting aura of Starshine Cove can mend her broken heart or if she's finally met her match in this seaside village.

This book is really sweet, to put it simply. It grabbed my attention from the very beginning, starting off with Lucy pretending to be someone else when talking to a handsome stranger at the airport, thinking she'll never see him again, sort of her alter ego. Lucy initially seems to be doing great considering the trauma she has from her ex-husband. I haven't come across many books that depict both the good and bad sides of narcissism, and how critical it can sometimes be. From the beginning, the characters are well-characterised, with the main character, Lucy, explaining her feelings and thoughts, which is often relatable. I like the small love story that isn't the main focus of this book; it complements it perfectly. I definitely recommend reading this book if you want something light and quick to read. This book is the third in the "Starshine Cove" series, it's the first one I've read from this series, which means it can be read as a standalone, nothing is missing in terms of context. The book drew me in so much that I'll definitely read the rest of the series. I hope there will be more books in this series, Starshine Cove seems like a very sweet and accessible little village.

It was lovely to be transported back to Starshine Cove with Lucy this time. She is a friend of Ella and is there to attend Ella and Jake's wedding when she meets Josh, Jake's brother and best man, who she had previously met and flirted with in the airport on the way. Lucy is a single mother to Rose after an unhappy marriage to a controlling husband. I really enjoyed Lucy's character and the setting for this book and s
eries is fabulous. A big 5 stars from me!
Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the advance copy of this ebook

This is the first book that I've read by Ms. Johnson and I'm glad I found her. Her writing style is as easy to read as it's engaging, it's also so much more than a mere love story! She writes about bullying and relationship difficulties with ease and even when things are difficult to contemplate they also have a hint of humor and hope. Finding Hope in Starshine Cove is undoubtedly a work of fiction but it's one that gives hope to all of those who are battling against unhealthy relationships and that are hoping for better ends.
I thank Ms. Johnson, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

This book is actually book number three in the ‘Starshine Cove’ series but can very easily be read as a stand alone, without any problems at all…..

I have already read quite a few of this authors books before and like her other books this one was perfect too and i thoroughly enjoyed everything about it…

It was a wonderful, heartwarming story with new beginnings and tales of friendship and second chances…

This was quite an emotional read and i found myself facing a whirlwind of feelings along the way….

I loved Starshine Cove and all the people that i have met along the way…..

Nice story

This is the third book in this series, and while I hadn’t read the first two, I didn’t feel too lost. The author does a good job of giving enough background so the reader is up to date on the characters. This is Lucy’s story, but it’s also Lyssa’s story. Both of them faced their pasts and found reasons for hope while in Starshine Cove.

I think anyone who enjoys clean cozy stories set in the UK will like this book. Some romance, but mostly women friendships and support for each other. Quick well-written read.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

It's hilarious, full of love, and full of family drama! Sometimes, it takes you a long time to notice that you are not being treated well. Once you learn that, it may take an eternity for you to forget about the bad things. You may not get over it, but you keep going with a lot of humor. It's a story well told.