⭐️⭐️⭐️ (2.75 rounded up)

This is one of those books that I can appreciate for what it is — sweet, heartfelt, and cozy — even if it didn’t completely click with me personally. Starting Over in Starshine Cove has all the charm of a small-town seaside story, with warm characters, second chances, and plenty of baked goods to go around.

Connie is a lovely protagonist: strong, kind, and easy to root for. The themes of healing and rediscovering yourself after loss were handled gently, and I can see this really resonating with readers who love comforting, feel-good reads.

For me, the pacing felt a little slow, and I didn’t find myself fully engaged with the romance or the emotional beats — but again, that might just be a personal taste thing. If you enjoy quiet, heartwarming stories with a strong community feel, this could definitely be your cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This is a series I have enjoyed from the start. There do not seem to be any characters left to be paired off in the future after this, but I would still pick up another if it came out.

This kind of background can work both ways when it comes to what I thought of a book. I could hold such high expectations that the book has to be great to pass. On the other hand, I might be so settled into the lives of the people in Starshine Cove that I automatically like anything else set in there. Although I feel the latter is not very possible, I thought to mention it early on in this review just to be clear.

I would not recommend starting this series at this point. Although each romance is not dependent on any other’s, the characters have slowly been built into the people they are shown as in this instalment. Connie is an ever- present character from previous books. Her old life before she became the meddling life of Starshine Cove is described in this book.

I found the content to be interesting and also a little realistic ( aside from the magic of the cove, that is a romantic fantasy). It had a different spin than I expected from it and it was a satisfying way to leave the place ( if we are leaving the place, that is).

I would highly recommend this book and series to fans of the genre.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience of this and other books in the series.

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

An another enjoyable instalment in Debbie Johnson's Starshine Cove series. It was good to get to know the slightly elusive Connie better as well as being a ke to check in with other well loved characters.

What a fabulous book! Such a feel good read. Makes me want to live in Starshine Cove. Connie, a former celebrity chef runs the local cafe. Her beloved husband died 5 years ago and she’s been raising their children until they flee the nest for university. She wonders what to do with her own life. Unexpectedly she reconnects with a face from her past. Will meeting Zack give her another chance at love?
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.
Review also on my Goodreads account

Such a fun and uplifting story of recovering from losing the love of your life and second chances. Connie has raise 3children after her husband died in a car accident when they were teens. They planned s lifetime together but fate intervened. Now with all 3 out if the house at university or working, she's experiencing empty nest syndrome. She keeps busy and a involved in her town during the day but nights are lonesome.

When her daughter wants to bring a friend home for a month as part of a course in culinary school, Connie agrees, but Match wants her to meet the family before the visit. To her surprise, Marcy's Dad is a former director she knew. Actually Connie was running away from a meeting with him over twenty years ago when she got in an accident and was rescued by the man she ended up marrying.

They end up reconnecting and renewing a friendship that could lead to more when he disappears. Connie is heartbroken but after discussing the situation with a friend, decides an explanation is needed and heads to London to confront him. A surprise is revealed and how they deal with it makes this a profound story of life, love and resilience. Certainly a book worth reading!

Although I received a free ARC ebook from Net Galley and the publisher, all opinions expressed in my review are my own.

In this fun and charming new romance novel, readers meet Connie Llewelyn, who runs the local cafe in Starshine Cove and always has time to support her friends after losing her husband five years ago. Now raising her children and supporting her family, a face from the past -- Zack -- arrives in Starshine Cove out of nowhere and might just give her a second chance at love if she is brave enough to take that risk and live again. Entertaining, well-written, and charming, readers will love the emotional storyline of this novel as a second-chance romance when not everything went smoothly the first go around. As readers discover the transformation of Connie’s life and her relationship with Zack, they will love this return to Starshine Cove and the magic of happy endings here. Well-written and deeply enjoyable, the novel’s focus on relationships and personal happiness will really draw readers into the story, and the characters’ relationships really pull the story together. Entertaining, emotional, and deeply rewarding, readers of all kinds and fans of the series will love Connie’s growth as an individual and her attempt at a second chance at happiness with Zack in the fun and deeply enjoyable return to Starshine Cove.

A cozy, cute and beautiful second chance take on life. This book has perfect small town, beach vibes! A perfect summer beach read!

🔹 My take: 3.5/5

Starting over in Starshine Cove is the 4th instalment in the Starshine Cove series and is my first Debbie Johnson read. Connie is living her dream life at Starshine. She runs a local cafe, is a good friend, mom, wife, daughter in law and is loved by all. She lost her husband 5 years ago and her kids who are all old now have gone their ways. A chance meeting with Zack thunders down exactly like the blast from the past. Whether Connie is ready to extend her family or content with what she already has is what you can find out after reading this heartwarming book.

First, let’s start with admiring the cover. It is so beautiful and so are the other covers in this series. Watch out. I found the beginning a bit drag but once Zack made the entry, it was easy to skim through. The past of Connie was equally interesting to read. I loved the comfort shared between the characters and the entire feel of Starshine Cove. The length of the book was not stretched so that was a plus point as well. The scenes about Connie holding the annual culinary festival at cafe was super fun and well etched.

I will be picking up other books in this series if I get a chance. This book can be read as a stand-alone.

Thanks to @netgalley and @stormbooks_co for sharing the DRC in exchange for honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was just what I needed as a palate cleanser after some heavier reading.

The story resonated with me as I'm sure it will with others. It was so refreshing to read a romance novel with the main characters being in my age group! I didn't realise this book was part of a series when I requested it as an ARC, but I followed it easily. I loved the author's writing style, loved the heartwarming and funny moments, the sense of community, and the tender way the author approached moving forward and braving a new romance after losing a soul mate. I'm eager to read more in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and the author for a complimentary arc for review. All opinions are my own, and my review is voluntary.

A lovely feelgood read that will warm your heart. This book transports you to a truly magical place.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a quick and easy read. I was excited each time I got to pick it up and seemed to always feel happy when I got to a stopping point. It was a lighthearted book that was a pleasant change from the psychological thriller I was reading before it!

I am yet to read a book by Debbie Johnson that I don't enjoy. This was another lovely book from the Starshine Cove collection and was as usual, thoroughly enjoyable.

The book has the perfect mix of emotions, relatability and love in it and I didn't want it to end.

A lovely easy read. Connie moved from the dizzy heights of London to a sleepy village called Starshine Cove. She has 3 lovely children who are grown up and doing their own thing. Her husband Stephen died in a car accident five years ago.. She meets up with a man from her past and read it to see what happens.

Another brilliant read by this author
This author never disappoints
She writes these magical books which just pull you in
With great characters
And a fantastic story
Thanks Netgalley

Connie Llewelyn is the heart of Starshine Cove, running the local café and always ready with a warm smile, a listening ear, and a freshly baked scone. Since losing her husband, she has focused on raising her children and supporting those around her. But with her kids moving on, she starts to wonder what her own future holds. When a familiar face from her past, Zack, arrives in town, she is faced with a choice, stay in the life she has built or take a chance on something new

This story was heart-warming and engaging, with a witty writing style and relatable characters. It explores second chances, not just in love but in life itself. While there is some angst and miscommunication, it is handled well, making the journey feel realistic and rewarding. The emotional depth of Connie’s story, paired with the beautiful setting of Starshine Cove, made this a book I couldn’t put down!

Debbie Johnson delivers an inspiring and uplifting read about love, resilience, and the courage to embrace new possibilities. If you love contemporary romance with heart and depth, this one is definitely worth picking up!!

Really enjoyed this, I think it’s such a lovely series of books. Connie is fabulous, and I love how she took charge at the end! All the characters are great, and I’m curious if we’ll be back at Starshine Cove in the future.

I had not read the previous books in this series, but this didn't matter. This is Connie's story - I think she had appeared in several of the previous novels. Connie runs a cafe in Starshine Cove. Widowed a few years before the story opens, she is at a crossroads - her three teenage children are moving on and she is starting to feel lonely. Then someone from her past, who she had briefly shared a connection, re-enters her life. However, will she be brave enough to start a new friendship? Warm and cosy, I enjoyed this book and would recommend to fans of Bella Osborne and Rachel Bennett.

Thank you to Storm Publishing, NetGalley and author Debbie Johnson for this eARC

Another great addition to the Starshine Cove series.

Starshine Cove has become a bit of a comfort series for me. I love the cozy, small town vibes and characters Johnson has created here. It feels like coming back to old friends whenever a new book comes out.

I loved Connie in the past books and was really happy to learn a bit more about her past, how she got to Starshine Cove and her inner workings & thoughts. Also to see her open up a bit more to her community and of course get her happily ever after.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5/5

"Starting Over in Starshine Cove" is the fourth instalment in Debbie Johnson's Starshine Cove series, a heartwarming novel that centres on Connie Llewelyn, the beloved owner of the local café in the enchanting seaside village of Starshine Cove. After the loss of her husband, Connie has devoted herself to her children and community. Now, as her children leave home, she begins to think about her own future. The unexpected arrival of Zack, a figure from her past, presents Connie with a chance for new beginnings and possibly love.

Set against the charming backdrop of Starshine Cove, this book features vivid descriptions that make you feel as if you are strolling through the picturesque small town. The author has crafted her characters to create a closely knit community that is warm and welcoming. Even the side characters add a lively atmosphere to the story, making it even more enjoyable to read.

This novel is perfect for fans of heartwarming small-town romances, second chances, and uplifting stories about love in later life.