A lovely sweet story. Gentle and easy. It reflected where the story was set. I enjoyed this one very much. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Starting Over in Starshine Cove is a cute, sentimental read. I loved that it is two middle-aged adults with teenagers. Nothing like teenagers to bring fresh, honest perspectives to aging parents! Connie is a friendly, loveable widow who loves her life in Starshine Cove, even if she does have pangs of loneliness. Zach is a friendly face from another lifetime ago, but the sparks have never died when they get together. All around, this is a just a really sweet story about falling in love again, the challenges around new love later in life, and the joy of friends and kids who want to see their loved ones happy. There are some realistic challenges they have to face and consider what is most important as they take next steps. I thought it was handled sweetly and made my heart swell with the joy of new love.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing this ARC.
This was such an endearing story about two widows refinding love. If you’re looking for a light and cozy read, this could be worth a try.
Even though the main characters were both in their fifties, there were delightful moments and cute emotions.
I would like to have more Connie and Jack’s moments though, either in the past during her « old » life, or her present life in Starshine Cove.
My rating : 3,5 stars.

A heartfelt, feel-good romance set in a charming seaside village! This beautifully written story weaves love, loss, and second chances with warmth and humour. I loved how it alternated between Connie’s younger, wilder days and her more mature self, adding depth and poignancy. A perfect cosy read!

I requested this book from NetGalley on a fluke and I am SO glad I did. I will be honest in saying that so many romances can seem a little too repetitive to me and I pass them over in search of something else. As a reader I love books concerning cozy cafes, bookshops, small towns, etc., especially in the winter months when I need a bit of lifting up. The cover of this book looked promising for this reason but it actually ended up far exceeding my expectations and setting itself apart from other cozy romances. I’m not huge on Kindle reading and for me to reach for it every night SAYS something.

The problem is in explaining to you exactly why I loved it.
A few things might be:
-The majority of love stories I see all over socials are about young 20s/30s who don’t have as much life experience. I loved that this was a book about an older MC who had been married and in love before, who was successful and had a community, but was considering love again in her 50s. I like books that discuss less represented groups.
-the deep sense of loss felt by her and the other MMC in question was a shared connection I haven’t seen much in my reading that I also liked. Seeing how she navigated feelings of guilt, loss and loneliness in a very real sense made the book more compelling.
The community. I really got a feel for the friends and people in her town that supported her, and the writing and characters weren’t cheesy (if that makes sense). I got the impression that these were all unique but well meaning people that were fortunate to live in such a supportive small town.
-I only wish I had the hard copy of this but I will buy one soon! I am so fortunate for the ARC and will now be reading other books by Debbie Johnson.
Highly recommend.

Starting Over in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson is a heartfelt story about love, loss, and second chances set in a charming seaside village. The novel follows Connie Llewelyn, a former celebrity chef who left behind her high-flying London career for a quieter life in Starshine Cove with her soulmate, Simon. Now in her fifties and widowed, Connie runs a café while navigating grief, self-doubt, and the challenge of rediscovering herself.

When Zack Harris, a charismatic TV producer from her past, arrives, Connie is faced with new possibilities—both in love and in redefining her own identity. As she grapples with the pull of her past and the promise of the future, the novel explores themes of resilience, aging, and the power of community. With its rich character development, emotional depth, and vivid setting, this uplifting tale is perfect for anyone who believes in fresh starts and the magic of second chances.

The first Debbie Johnson book I have read and very much enjoyed will definitely not be the last. The genre feel good romance would be my categorisation for this book that tugs at the heart strings in a big way. Great storyline well executed. Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

I feel like maybe I got the wrong manuscript. The opening of the book is nothing like the description. It’s very dark, and not something I want to read. DNF.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Connie Llewelyn is the beating heart of the magical seaside village of Starshine Cove. She runs the local cafe, and is everybody's friend – always on hand with a kind smile, a listening ear and a freshly-baked scone. Since losing her beloved husband five years ago, she's been busy raising her children, supporting her extended family and staying positive. Now, as her kids fly the nest, she finds herself wondering what her own future might look like.

Beautifully written, super cozy feel-good read! I loved how this went back and forth between Connie's younger wilder self and the more mature version of herself. Super sweet read! 5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Be prepared for the magic of Starshine Cove to weave its spell once again. An uplifting, beautifully written story in a gorgeous setting that is guaranteed to take you on an emotional journey. The characters as always are brilliantly brought to life and relatable drawing the reader in and keeping the pages turning. Highly recommend for fans of Patricia Ashley, Lucy Coleman and Heidi Swain.

This is the fourth book in the Starshine Cove series. Honestly, it was so well written and whole, with funny, sad, nostalgic and very sensual moments as well. I loved going back to the story of one of the main and very important supporting character in this series.

Constance Llewelyn, Connie, is a celebrity chef who won a Michelin star at a very young age. The fame and excess of attention almost threw her overboard but at her lowest moment she met the love of her life, Simon, only to lose him later in life in a sudden and unexpected way. Her children and her resilient way to view life and overcome sad moments helped her raised her 3 children and be the supporting friend and family to the rest of the Starshine Cove habitants. What she never expected was to be reunited with a special man from her past when she was getting ready to maybe open herself again to find a companion.

Zack Harris is a tv producer who a long time a go had a great reality show in mind featuring Connie Llewelyn, this young and very attractive chef. Unfortunately, she disappeared leaving him hanging. Now two decades later, he is reunited with her through their daughters. They both will feel the lost sparkle igniting again between them, but life has other surprises for them to face before there is a HEA.

All the books in this series can be read as standalones. I haven’t read all the books yet, but they are all in my wish list already.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This is the fourth book in the Starshine Cove series from Debbie Johnson. Stories in this series are set in the strangely magical Dorset seaside village of Starshine Cove, which draws in visitors who then never want to leave, meaning that the population grows with each successive book. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone.

This story centres on Connie, a character who has lived in Starshine Cove for many years and has featured in these books from the start. Connie is an amazing cook who runs the cafe in the village while raising a family and being on hand to help anybody who needs assistance or even just a listening ear. Having been widowed five years ago, she is now finding life a bit empty as her children are leaving the nest to follow their own paths. However, a surprise encounter with a face from her past in the shape of Zack has her recalling how she arrived in the village all those years ago and wondering if it is too late to consider opening her heart to love once again.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and especially learning more about one of the key inhabitants of the village. I feel as though I have got to know the villagers as I have read each book in turn, and Connie has always struck me as someone I would love to sit down and chat with. Learning about Connie’s past was quite painful at times and, typically of Debbie Johnson’s writing, I experienced both laughter and tears as I read. The wonderful power of community came across once again in this book as it has in previous stories about this village. As well as enjoying Connie’s story, I also liked meeting Zack, a strong personality with a surprising secret. I am hoping that there will be further additions to this amazing series; it is wonderful to have somewhere like Starshine Cove to escape to once in a while.

Like other devoted fans of Johnson’s Starshine Cove series, I waited a long time for Connie’s love story, and I couldn’t be happier. She is the heart and soul of the village and after losing her soulmate five years ago, she deserves to find love again. It’s scary to be vulnerable after loss, but life as an empty-nester can be lonely, even with her close friends and family who provide support, comfort, and great company. So, it is so heartwarming to see how happy her friendship with and blossoming feelings for Zack make her.

As a single 60-something, it’s so encouraging to read a romance between two beautiful, reacquainted friends who find each other after 25 years. Also, reading about Starshine Cove and its delightful inhabitants is a wonderful way to spend a few hours, especially catching up with characters from previous books. There’s a bit of angst, but it doesn’t drag the book down. If you’re a fan of Johnson’s or just love a mature, closed door romance, definitely check this one out. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Storm Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Another wonderful visit to Starshine Cove.
I absolutely love Debbie Johnson’s style of writing, it is like a lovely warm hug that makes you feel so much better.
This time we follow the story of Connie, who has featured in other books in the series, being one of the stalwarts of Starshine Cove. We learn Connie’s backstory, what brought her to Starshine Cove and how her life has changed over the years. However, we also follow the budding romance between her and a blast from the past.
A refreshing book to have main characters of a romance being of mature years, it allowed all the ups & downs of both lives to influence the first steps into a new relationship.
Although this book is part of a series it can be read as a stand alone as knowledge of characters and previous plots is not required to enjoy this book as any salient background information is provided throughout.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and do hope there are more visits to Starshine Cove to come.

This is such a cozy romance. The spice level is low which is a nice break from other romance books I have read recently. It is a simple read but the story is not rushed at all. I wish I could now more about Zach and Connie’s love story after the reconnected in London. I love the descriptions to where you know what the characters are feeling and don’t have to play guessing games. Cannot wait to read more from the author!

Friendship, a wee town of great characters, a bit of personal angst and my only regret is that I need to go back and read the other 3 books in the series. This is my fault though and in no way detracted from the enjoyment of reading this book gave me. I've read a few Debbie J books and this is a reminder to read a few more. Beautiful! My thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the reading copy.

This was my first book of the author and I was left pleasantly pleased. Not having read the earlier installments I did not expect it to enjoy it so much.

For starters, I love everything small town. The nature references, the hamlets and the sense of community always leaves me with a small and this book did the same. The story is as simple as it comes but focusing on older characters was refreshing to read. We get to see Connie's journey from meeting her first love to the growth she made till she meets Zack.

It was enjoyable reading a character that was much more relatable and realistic. The references to food, children and how companionship plays a vital role in one's life was wonderfully written. I would definitely recommend this book. A light read which has its realistic moments.

I thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this E-Arc and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Another fantastic story set in Starshine Cove, this book is a great addition to the series! It’s an easy-to-read, classic romance that feels both captivating and heartwarming. The characters and setting draw you in, making it a truly enjoyable escape. My only disappointment was that the ending felt too short—I wasn’t ready for it to end!

A delightful time was spent with the characters in England. It is always interesting to see the differences between American and British English. A sweet romance. Entertaining adult children. There are some little ones involved in the story too on a smaller scale. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

This is another perfect read in this series. I want to jump into the book and live in beautiful Starshine Cove. This book is centered around Connie the cafe owner, after her husband died she didn’t think she would find love again, but could it be just around the corner. It’s a heartwarming tale about love in later life, friendships and staying positive. A fabulous 5 star read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.