Georgie Munroe grew up in small-town Cornwall, she loved the Rosevar family saga romance novels of the local author S.E. Artemis which were set in her beautiful cliff-top home Alperton House, which was called Tyller Klos. But the series ended thirty years ago with the last pair of lovers separated by the Atlantic Ocean, the author left her home and never wrote again. Georgie had plans to be a writer but her mother's MS meant she had to leave university after just one term to support her.

Since then Alperton House fell into disrepair, indeed as an adventurous teenager Georgie and her friends explored the half-derelict house and told each other ghost stories in the gloomy rooms.

As an adult Georgie works part-time as a journalist for a local newspaper and also as an assistant to Spence, (drum roll) none other than S.E. Artemis. Alperton House has been bought by a developer and a team have been hard at work transforming it beyond recognition, but Georgie gets a shock when she discovers the architect is none other than her childhood sweetheart Ethan Sparks. Encouraged/forced by both her employers to cover the open day for Alperton House, now renamed Sterenlenn, Georgie is both hopeful and terrified of seeing him after all that went down between them.

I have read and enjoyed previous books by this author so, despite having already requested another contemporary romance set in Cornwall I duly requested this one. Unfortunately, this book didn't really work for me, Georgie and Ethan's romance and break-up were told in flashback (which I have decided annoys me more often than I enjoy it after having two books in succession that use this device) and at the end of it it all seemed like a storm in a tea-cup and the two of them were wetter than a wet weekend in Manchester. Throw in a smart house with a mind of its own which locks Ethan and Georgie in the house and my eyes were rolling so far back I could see the inside of my skull.

Perfect for someone less cynical to read as a beach second-chance romance.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Cressida McLaughlin takes a classic mystery novel 'locked room' trope and applies it to her wonderful, sweeping, slow-burn love story.

Journalist Georgie Monroe is sent to cover the opening of a new high-tech mansion, one she and her best friends and former boyfriend used to trespass in as teenager. To her shock, she discovers that the architect behind the renovation is her ex, Ethan Sparks. And to her horror, she and Ethan end up locked inside the house by house's digital controller, Sparks (who seems eerily reminscient of HAL).

I am a huge sucker for a second-chance love story. What I love is that Georgie is aware its been 13 years since they broke up and became strangers to each other (oh gosh all the flashbacks leading up to their break-up had me very tense), so how could they even make it work in present day? Cressida McLaughlin really knows how to make her character work for their reunion, but in a way that makes their happy ending satisfying and realistic. Her writing also delicately balances being sexy while also being heartfelt. There's also such a warmth to her writing that feels uplifting when you finish.

Georgie and Ethan were just so good together in both past and present that I believed they would get it right this second time around. I love that he named the house Sterenlenn (I wish I lived there) as a homing beacon to try and win back Georgie (oh gosh those letters!).

A quietly sweeping slow-burn second-chance love story that is full of heart.

Thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book follows Georgie Monroe, a journalist living in a quaint Cornish town who has long been enchanted by a beloved local author and the book series that shaped her teenage years. Now working for that very author, Georgie is asked to write a feature on the real-life house that inspired the novels—recently renovated and beautifully restored. But when she discovers who the new owner is, she’s faced with an unexpected reunion that brings back memories she thought were long buried.

Told through alternating past and present timelines, the story slowly reveals the connection between Georgie and Ethan, making their journey feel both romantic and real. Their shared history gives the novel emotional depth, while their present-day interactions add plenty of warmth and charm.

The house itself becomes a standout element in the book—its transformation mirroring the personal growth of the characters. It’s described so vividly, you can almost imagine yourself moving in and soaking up the Cornish air. With its engaging characters, a touch of mystery, and a good dose of humour, A Cornish Love Story is a light, lovely read that fans of cosy romance will no doubt enjoy.

A good romance but I failed to connect with the main characters. I think I normally fall in love with the authors books because of the descriptions of the Cornish landscapes and the gentleness of the way of life; this book was completely differently. This is a good book, just not quite what I was expecting when I started reading it.

A delightful tale of missed opportunities for the central characters Ethan and Georgie. Intriguing dual time line to unfold their story using the medium of letter writing and a house that means so much to the characters

Cressida delivers a delightful tale brimming with warmth, emotional depth, & a touch of serendipity. She excels at crafting characters who feel real & relatable, & Georgie & Ethan are no exception. I was drawn into their journey as they navigate the rekindling of old feelings amidst new revelations.
The writing style is a pure joy – evocative & immersive, it paints a vivid picture of the Cornish setting, making it feel like a character in itself. She masterfully blends moments of genuine romance with touches of humour & touching introspection. The narrative explores themes of second chances, forgiveness, & the power of facing one's past to build a new future.

Ultimately, A Cornish Love Story is a charming, uplifting, & unashamedly romantic read that provides a much-needed escape. It's a testament to Cressida's talent for crafting feel-good fiction that leaves you with a warm glow & a smile on your face.

This book is a must-add to your summer TBR list!

This book is a refreshing change from the author’s previous work. It weaves a captivating tale of romance with the main characters’ backstories and a slightly sinister computer system. The setting is divine, and the house design at the centre of the story is beautifully captured. The author truly paints a picture with words, making this a truly enjoyable read.

Thank you, Netgalley.

I absolutely adore this author! Her writing is chef’s kiss, and this book did not disappoint. The love story between the main characters is so beautiful. I did wonder if Orwell was a bad egg but not much was said about him so I took my own thoughts about him and think he probably was a bit!
Still, the split between ‘then’ and ‘now’ was so good; weirdly the ‘then’ reminded me so much of myself at the same age, and it felt like I was there with the characters.
Please go out and buy this book, you won’t regret it!

I absolutely adored this book and raced through it in 2 days. The story was quite unique and I loved the dual timeline and getting to follow Georgie and Ethan’s story right from the beginning when they were teenagers. The flashback scenes were some of my favourite ones, with the abandoned house setting especially. I loved seeing Georgie’s growth as a character and there was so much real chemistry between her and Ethan that I was really rooting for them from the start. The ending was perfection. To sum up, this was a perfect Summery read that I’ll be recommending to everyone.

Another lovely Cornish book which I thoroughly enjoyed. I love this author's books and always look forward to her next one. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

What a beautiful love story! I just couldn’t put it down. I loved the characters of Ethan and Georgie, and the way their back story was interwoven within the book just added to the appeal. The letters were magical and so emotional, another way of engaging the reader. The setting was wonderful and the big house just amazing! The description and details of the colours and decor were so vivid I felt as if I was really walking around the house myself and seeing all the exquisite views from the windows. Ethan and Georgie’s passion for each other was so well written and emotive and the ending was perfect. Although a small part of me wanted them to live in the house at the end. I can’t recommend this book highly enough. It’s definitely a must have for your reading list. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. It will stay with me for a long time and I just had to read it again to savour the feelings. In my opinion this is Cressida’s best book so far. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book.

This is the first Cressida McLaughlin book I’ve read and I throughly enjoyed it. The setting is gorgeous, the characters very believable anns likeable and the old house made new aspect made it wonderfully atmospheric. I thought this was going to be a really cheesy read but although it’s very much a Cornish Love Story it’s not at all cheesy. I shall be reading more by this author.

Georgie Monroe is a journalist living in a little Cornish town. She has been infatuated with a local author and her series of books since her teenage years, and she now works for her. The house which features in the series in based on a local house, and this has been redeveloped recently. Georgie is asked to write a feature on it (and do a little "spying" for her boss!), but she's shocked to find out who now owns it.

This was a lovely read! The other books I've read by this author have always been filled with lots of love and laughter, and this was no exception. I have to admit though that this didn't catch me as much as her other books but it was still an enjoyable, fun and romantic story! The two main characters, Georgie and Ethan are likeable and I liked their history. Their storylines unravel well and told through alternative chapters, you get to see this from past and present timelines.

The house was a focal point of the story, and after it's renovation it sounded so amazing - if it's still available, I'd love to live in it myself! The book was a warm hearted read with plenty of laughter throughout. I loved the location, the characters were likeable and I would definitely recommend it.

I absolutely loved this little escape to Cornwall. It has everything you want in a book! It had me hooked. So easy to read, with wonderful characters and a beautiful location.

Ah close proximity is one of my most favourite tropes and this delivers it in spades! A small town where everyone knows your business and some family issues make this an ideal holiday read set in the gorgeous Cornwall.

I’m a huge fan of Cornwall, so when I saw A Cornish Love Story, I had to read it. And let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint! From the very first page, I was totally immersed in the Cornish setting—it felt like I was right there with the characters.

The story follows Georgie, a journalist who’s covering an event at a gorgeous house in Cornwall. There, she runs into Ethan, her first love, and they get stuck inside together. As they navigate their past, the book flips between their present-day tension and their history, giving you a better understanding of why they’re the way they are.

I really enjoyed the chemistry between Georgie and Ethan. I wasn’t sure I’d like the locked-room trope, but it worked perfectly here! It’s funny, heartwarming, and I was totally rooting for them to sort things out.

If you’re looking for a quick, feel-good read with a bit of romance and a lot of heart, this book is definitely worth picking up on August 19, 2025!

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A lovely cornish cosy romance. Can you imagine being trapped in a house with your ex overnight? Well Georgie has to experience that and it's exciting to read what happens. Love the way the story goes from past to present.

Georgie has long been infatuated with a series of books set in her little Cornish town and when the reclused author hires her, she jumps at the chance. The authors old house has been bought and redeveloped and it's up to Georgie to go and investigate, but it unearths things and someone from her past...could they be her future?


An easy read, I didn't find this as natural a read as McLaughlin's books usually are to begin with. There felt like too much background being forced upon you initially but after this settled down I found myself swept up into the characters. Beyond the main pair, I wouldn't say anything significantly happens in the story and perhaps that's why it's only a 3/5 for me.

As an avid reader of Cressida Mclaughlin's books, I really enjoyed this one. It made a refreshing change to meet a new character who didn't work in a bookshop, as so many of her recent character's have. I warmed to Georgie and Ethan straight away, and particularly enjoyed the chapters set in 2012. As the story unfolds, we learn more about their lives and what lead to their breakup. The alternating chapters, between past and present, was an excellent way to tell the background of their relationship and the present events. Would Georgie and Ethan get back together, or would history repeat itself? Cressida has surpassed herself by teasing out this ending until the very last page!

What a fabulous read! Whilst stand-alone, it was great to catch up with some old characters in this heartwarming Cornish tale.
When Maisie's schoolgirl crush Colm comes home after 10 years in Australia, having left without saying goodbye, it sets her on edge. A disappointment to get mum, Maisie gave up teaching to run the family iron mongers, and has no desire to ever leave her childhood town. She loves being involved in the town, helping with a charity calendar and organising the summer festival, but has she taken on too much, and as her feelings for Colm grow, can she trust him to stay around long enough to give their relationship a chance?
A truly great read, fabulous setting and great characters, with tears and laughter along the way.