When ever I have read one of Ali McNamara's novels based In St Felix I feel transported into this friendly cornish town that feels like home and this book was no exception. The characters from previous books pop up and make an appearance and this adds to the charm.
This book instantly made me feel apart of the misfit mermaids and I desperately needed to know what was going to happen next. The magic, myths and friendship reeled me in and wouldn’t let me leave, so much so that I managed to devour the book in less than 24hrs (which is quite a record for me at the moment. ) The range of emotions throughout gives you a bit of everything. I even shed a tear at Robs sad ending but feel that everything was rounded off and no questions where left unanswered. It’s such a lovely heart warming, easy to read that works perfectly as a stand-alone book.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this fantastic book.

Every time I read a book by Ali McNamara I know I am in for a lovely cosy read. She is one of those writers where I just know I can curl up with the book and usually read it in one sitting. This is the 5th instalment of the St Felix series, this is the second I have read in the series but it can easily be read as a standalone as I have found.

This books takes us back to the beautiful St Felix in Cornwall, in A Secret Cornish Wish we are introduced to Frankie and her five friends. The book follows them over around a 30 year period throughout their lives from being teenagers to ladies in their 50's. This is a book about love, friendship and being there for each other even when our lives navigate a different course. Every time I read one of her books it makes me long to be in Cornwall, I can hear the gulls chirping in my head whilst I read. The perfect book to curl up with.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sphere for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was one of the first books in a very long time I sat down and read within a day!
Ali McNamara has such wonderful writing style, and brings the world within the book to life for us readers with such detail its incredible.
Fantastic characters and a gorgeous story!

A magical seaside tail, which had me gripped from the start.
Frankie and her friends are at school on the 1980s, and form a group The Mermaid Misfits to perform on the end of year talent show. When newcomer Rob joins at the last minute, their lives change.
One night they all make a wish, while putting a barrel back into the sea, believing it could be mermaids treasure. Will their wishes come true?
A story from the 80s to the modern day, it covers the lives of main character Frankie, along with Mandy, Suzie, Clare, Eddie and Rob.
There are many ups and downs along the way, with tears and laughter, along with tragedy, but through it all they remain friends.

I read this book in one sitting and absolutely loved it. Set in St Felix, where a few of her other books are set, we meet six teenage friends preparing to perform at the school dance. We meet up with them again over the years when they get together in St Felix for one reason or another. I loved the six friends who, although all different in their own way, are joined by their friendship which always brings them back together. The setting by the mystical Cornish coast and the wonderful story of love and friendship make this a really enjoyable easy read.

As a fan of Ali McNamara's, I had high hopes for this book and it didn't disappoint.

Another story set in beautiful Cornwall, written so well that I can almost imagine being there. I didn't feel that I had to read the other books set in St Felix, but some people may think otherwise.

I really liked how the story looked back and forth to showcase the character's lives and Frankie was super likeable!

It was a positive, feel good book, ideal for holiday reading. Thank you!

A great read
With great characters
A book about friendship
A lovely book to get lost in
It will have you hooked from the first to the last
Thanks NetGalley

Given I just autobuy and know I want to read anything with Ali McNamara's name on it, I hadn't realised until I opened this one that we ere back in the rather magical setting of St. Felix.

And as a long time fan of these St Felix books I knew instantly that there would be some inexplicable occurrences.

What I didn't realise until I read this was that mermaids are 100% real and that I'm a complete believer in them and their wish giving properties.

We join Frankie and her group of misfit mermaids at key points over their lives from being teens, all the way through until they turn 50

All told from Frankie's view point we get to know all the stories of her friendship group, And I loved getting to know all of her friends,

And discovering whether their wishes really will come true or not.

There is excellent character development and the magic of the setting is weaved in perfectly

And I loved references to some of Ali's other characters, always good to see they haven't been forgotten.

An absolute joy to read from start to finish, this may have you crying, it will certainly have you smiling and it might even turn you into a believer.

Thank you Sphere and Netgalley for this book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

From the very first page of The Summer of St Felix, I felt like I was stepping into a sun-drenched Cornish paradise. Ali McNamara’s latest novel swept me away to the beautiful beaches of St Felix, where Frankie and her close-knit group of friends embark on a journey that promises to be as transformative as it is heartwarming.

The story begins with a nostalgic moment from their childhood, when Frankie and her friends stumble upon a mysterious box and the legend of the St Felix mermaid. This whimsical folklore sets the stage for their wishes and dreams, igniting a bond that seems unbreakable. As I read, I found myself reminiscing about my own childhood friendships, and I was instantly drawn into their world.

Over the decades, McNamara beautifully captures the ups and downs of life—weddings, funerals, and everything in between. Each reunion felt like a breath of fresh air, yet I could sense the undercurrents of lost loves and buried secrets threatening to disrupt their harmony. The emotional depth of the characters was palpable, and I found myself rooting for them to overcome their challenges and reconnect in a meaningful way.

The setting of St Felix is like a character in itself, filled with vibrant descriptions that made me feel the warmth of the sun and the sand between my toes. McNamara’s writing is effortlessly engaging, and her blend of humor and heart had me laughing and tearing up in equal measure.

As the story unfolds, the question of whether their wishes will truly be fulfilled kept me on the edge of my seat. The exploration of friendship, loyalty, and the impact of choices resonated deeply with me. By the time I reached the final pages, I felt as if I had not only witnessed their journey but had also grown alongside them.

The Summer of St Felix is the perfect summer read—uplifting, enchanting, and infused with a sense of magic that lingers long after you turn the last page. Ali McNamara has crafted a story that reminds us of the importance of friendship and the beauty of second chances. I closed the book with a smile, already wishing for another visit to St Felix. If you're looking for a delightful escape

Wow, what a read, this book was fantastic from start to finish. I just couldn’t put it down. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen to the characters, boom a twist. Kept me guessing right through to the tears I shed at the end. A brilliant read, will be looking out for more books by Ali McNamara, as this is the first I have read.

As a fan of Ali's books, I was really excited to read this new book! It is another St. Felix story but it works equally as well as a standalone story. This one flows Frankie, and her friends, from their teenage years in the 1980s to adulthood in the present day. I particularly enjoyed that their reunions made mention of other changes in social history from watching Neighbours after school, video rent shops, MSN chats, and more. It is a really feel-good summer romance and a testament to true friendships. It did however feel more of a young adult book!

Whisked away to Cornwall again and bac to a place I have visited before with this author, St Felix. Although perhaps slightly different to previous novels, this one features a group of friends, reunited after a number of years back in St Felix. Paths have crossed at weddings, funerals, school reunions and the like and friendships have evolved and changed. They are drawn back to the place where mermaids could grant you a wish. When you are young the world is your oyster and all dreams can be made into reality. Perhaps though for this group of people, they might need to wait a bit longer for it all to come true.

A book that reminded me of my youth, plenty of references you will get and the strength of friendship over the years that can sustain you in the darker times. Of course the magical element is without a doubt an author classic and it just gives you that little bit of extra hop and belief.

Perfect Summer Read

A very heartfelt read. Plenty of emotion running through a story that slowly builds over a period of years to the conclusion. Really enjoyable and very difficult to put down book. Great to be back in St Felix, easily readable as a standalone but lovely to start piecing together the history of the town and where previous stories fit.

Thank you Netgalley

I’m literally always waiting for next story to take place in St Felix to see what magic is in store. This one didn’t disappoint. It had me on a roller coaster of emotions and the ending wasn’t exactly as I’d expected. I loved how characters from previous stories were brought back into it and as a massive Bon Jovi fan since I was a teenager and being a similar age to Ali I loved all the references to Bon Jovi and other age related items. Albeit they made me feel my age. Just another amazing and magical story that I loved and will miss reading. Until the next story so I can revisit St Felix

I adored this book. Not the usual style but still a wonderful read. I enjoyed how the book followed the lives of friends from teenage years to modern day. The characters are a similar age to me so I find myself reminiscing about my life at the same time. The love how the story still had a bit of magic that you expect from Ali’s books that make them even more special. The setting of St felix is always great to return to also.

It wouldn’t be summer without a book from Ali McNamara. I read most of this book over what looks like it might be the one day of summer we’ll see in Edinburgh! This year, Ali McNamara has taken us back to the familiar setting of St Felix where several of her other books have been set.

A Secret Cornish Wish follows the lives and loves of six school friends over the course of around thirty years though focussing mainly on Frankie’s point of view. One evening Frankie and her friends find a mysterious barrel washed up on the beach at St Felix. Cornwall is known for myths and legends about mermaids and pirates and one of the legends says if you return a mermaid’s treasure to the sea, she will make your wish come true. The friends decide to all make a wish and of course to keep their wishes secret.

I really enjoyed the way that we meet up with the friends at various significant points in their lives and find out how life has been treating them. They catch up at weddings, funerals and significant birthdays. Life has taken them to various parts of the world and their lives are all quite different. The author shows while that life doesn’t always work out the way that we hope it will, often things work out for the best.

Of course, friendship is at the heart of this book and I so enjoyed reading about this group of friends and how important their friendship was to them all. Like many friends, especially friends from schooldays, as they grow older and their life experiences differ, they don’t always meet up very often. In fact, sometimes it’s only these significant events that bring them together and it can be years between their seeing each other. It was so lovely to read that no matter what was happening in their lives, their friendship remained strong and they were always there for each other.

Being of a similar age to the group of friends, the book was a bit of a trip down memory lane with references to music and bands from the 80s and 90s, the beginning of the internet, people keeping in touch through Friends Reunited (remember that before Facebook?) and the evolution of mobile phones!

A Secret Cornish Wish is a lovely, escapist read for summer. With themes of friendship, family, secrets, love and with just a little of Ali McNamara’s trademark sprinkling of magic, it’s a charming story in a beautiful setting.

Ali McNamara doesn’t disappoint once again. We are transported back to beautiful St Felix in Cornwall. Following Frankie and a group of friends from school . Friends being reunited throughout the decades. A perfect summer read.

Gorgeous, ethereal l, majestic and captivating. This book was so lovely and the ending gave me all the feels. Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

The book starts off in 1989 featuring a group of fifteen year old school children. They are planning their entry for the school concert and talent show, naming themselves the misfit mermaids. Set in the seaside Cornish town of St. Felix
Frankie being the main character telling the story, but including herself there are six in their friendship group consisting of four girls and two boys.
The book moves forward in time with the characters meeting around every five or ten years, and where they are in life at that moment.

I always enjoy reading books from this author, and did enjoy this book also, although I found the writing style a bit different this time as it covered some more sensitive issues. The challenges and triumphs that encompass life, both good and bad.
Little sparkles of enchantment which I like in her books.
There are some sad moments and I did shed a few tears.
This can be read as a standalone book, though characters from previous books may make a cameo appearance.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

A Secret Cornish Wish by Ali McNamara, a NetGalley review. Frankie lives in St Felix in Cornwall with her five friends. It wouldn’t be Cornwall without its myths and legends and the five friends discover the story of the St Felix Mermaid. As the story unfolds so does the lives of these five friends. I love @alimcnamara and never been disappointed, her books are always a good read and are always great summer reads. Within just a few pages I was already giggling away to myself, as she writes about being back in 1989, mentioning things like neighbours and new kids on the block! However I’ll be honest after that I started to wonder if this book was going to be as good as I thought, I was fixating on the little things that I couldn’t connect with, like this belief that there was a real mermaid that keeps appearing; and although I liked the the details of times gone by at points I felt these details distracted from the real story or for me they did. However I kept reading and wow I couldn’t put it down and I would go as far to say that this is @alimcnamara best book. As a reader I laughed out loud and on the next page I was reaching for the tissues. You think you know which way this story of friendship is going but in reality you have no idea, the author keeps you guessing. I loved that the book was set over many year from 1989 until autumn 2024 and because of this you really see this friendship group grow and become almost like family through the good and bad times. The group of friends all have all different personalities, they feel familiar and real and with that it’s brings real emotion as you feel you really know these people, like you are part of the group. It’s undoubtedly a feel good read, ideal for the summer easy read with a sprinkling of so much more. I came to like the Mermaid tale interlaced into the story but equally I don’t think it’s a necessary part of the story, as maybe the lives the five friends are living are just the way it was meant to be but having said that it does add that extra Cornishness to it and I really liked that. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me and I will be recommending to everyone. This book is out tomorrow 📚📚📚📚