Cosy, uplifting and full of heart. This book is so much more than a summer romance, I loved how much depth there was to it, so many layers to unravel, with family at the very heart.

Tammy is a sand artist who has lived in Cornwall her whole life. Following the death of her father at sea, she lives with Davey, who is the next best thing to a dad. One day, whilst creating a sand tribute to her Dad, she comes across Ruan, who instantly sparks her interest because he is wearing a suit on the beach 😅 Tammy and Ruan get to know each other and it’s clear there is a connection. Ruan has recently moved to the area with a new job, following the inheritance of a house from a Great Uncle he only ever met once. What neither Tammy nor Ruan know is that that house is going to connect them far deeper than they ever imagined. But will it divide them?

It’s a book full of secrets, past and present, and in the midst of them all, Tammy and Ruan definitely fall casualty. There’s a lot of heartache, particularly on Tammy’s side, as she fears that everyone she loves will eventually abandon her. Her tendency to push people away frustrated me at times but she did recognise this behaviour eventually. I thought Tammy and Ruan were a good match and it was clear that they both really wanted to do the right thing by each other the whole way through. They felt like really genuine and wholesome people with the kindest of intentions.

This was an enjoyable read that made me wish I lived in Cornwall 🥲

Great characters as usual in Phillips Ashley books. An unusual meeting at the beginning of the book sets the scene for a love story with various twists and turns. Ruan was my favourite character, handsome, fit and caring. The plot held my interest as it threw up various secrets which were revealed throughout the book. The ending that I’d hoped for too. Highly recommended for any time of year. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book.

This is a beautifully written book set in a magical sounding Cornish seaside town, which is the backdrop essentially for a love story. Tammy has lived all her life by the sea, sadly losing her father in unexplained circumstances and her mother left home when Tammy was young. Setting herself up as a sand artist she is suspicious of strangers and fails to make a commitment to relationships. Meeting solicitor and kite surfer Ruan at the beach they fall into an easy relationship that almost immediately faces challenges for them both.

A lovely story with characters that you want to hear more about and champion. The descriptions of the area and the house that Ruan is trying to renovate are a delight.

Highly recommended for this who enjoy a modern day story of life, love and struggles to trust.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this story, I thought the beach art sounded absolutely incredible and the dilemma Ruan found himself in thanks to his good fortune and untangling the complicated emotions involved in his inheritance. I thought the characters were interesting and likeable and it was brilliantly written, the perfect summer read.

This book just made me want to go to Cornwall even more than I already did. Everytime I pick up a Phillipa Ashley book I know I am in for a treat. She has a great way of blending romance, friendship and a heartwarming story of community spirit.

The book is set in the idylic town of Porthmellow in Cornwall, the author transports you to the seaside with her writing. Tammy our main MC spends her days creating works of art in the golden Cornish sand, growing up in the town she had a wonderful childhood until everything went wrong, her father becomes bankcrupt and her mother abandons them. Now she bases her designs on the local area. One the day of her fathers anniversary she sees . Ruan a suited and booted solicitor moved to Cornwall for a fresh start. Both have their issues but find themselves drawn together.

I really like this kind of book. To be honest I didn't warm exactly with Tammy or Ruan but I love the characters in the background, especially Polly. I am assumeing there may be more books in the series as it has been left open, and I look forwards to finding out what everyone is up to.

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

Expected publication date: June 5th, 2025

Tammy lives in the Cornish harbour town of Porthmellow where she creates sand designs (eg pictures or 'Will You Marry Me?' scripts) and supplements her earnings by working at the local art gallery for her father's friend Davey.

Her idyllic childhood was marred when her mother left her father and her father gambled away their family home. The final blow was when his body was found washed ashore - was it a tragic accident for a local who became over-confident, or did he take his own life?

Every year on the anniversary of his death, Tammy creates a special design to honour his memory. This year, while she works she notices a man in a business suit watching her. Ruan is a solicitor who has recently moved from Bristol to Cornwall for a better work-life balance and his struck by the beauty and skill of the woman working on the beach.

Romance ensues but Ruan has a secret, which turns out to be much bigger than he imagined, which could break this young couple apart.

This was okay, I found Tammy a bit difficult to believe as a character, she was just so nagtive about everything, and Ruan was just another cut-out Ken doll - no faults at all.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Phillipa Ashley is a must read author for me, and this one didn't disappoint!

Tammy works as a sand artist in the Cornish town of Porthmellow, and when newcomer Ruan crosses her path, her life changes. Can she let him into her life, and come to terms with the secrets of the past?

Easy to read, this is the perfect summer read with wonderful descriptions of Cornwall and its beautiful beaches. I loved Davey and his story, and as usual there was great characterisation and emotive writing from this author.

A lovely piece of escapism set in beautiful Cornwall. Phillipa Ashley sets the scene so well in her books, that you feel like you're there.
I've only given 4 stars as I found one of the two main characters, Tammy, a bit irritating
This is a good holiday read.

Tammy is a sand artist making sand art on beaches and this is where she first bumps into Ruan, there is instant attraction and they start dating however it comes to light that Ruan has inherited the home that Tammy used to live in and throughout the story we find out what happened to stop Tammy living there. When Ruan finds out he struggles to admit to Tammy about his new home which needs a lot of work, hence why he is living in a caravan outside the property. Tammy’s Dad also died a few years ago and Tammy is tormented with what happened to him. Having just decided to trust again has Ruan’s deceit ruined everything for them or was there a good reason for him keeping it to himself? I did enjoy this book however have only given four stars as I could not warm to Tammy’s character, I found her a little self entitled, however despite this it did not distract from the storyline which was very enjoyable. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the advanced copy however opinions are all my own.

✨4 stars✨

This was such a perfect summer read! The Cornish setting was incredibly evocative and the relationship between Tammy and Ruan was really sweet. The character development that the main characters went through really made the book for me and this author’s writing was easy to fly through and engaging.

Couldn’t stand Sean, but that’s typical of most ex boyfriends both fictional and non-fictional 😂.

As a result, I would recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun summery read that’s perfect to read at the beach or the pool.

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I enjoyed One Cornish Summer With You, a perfect, easy to read, summer story, in a beautiful setting.

This book gives everything that a chick-lit book should give - beautiful settings which made me feel I was there, love, misunderstandings and a happy ending. From beginning to end I was captivated. I have read several of this author’s books and will carry on until I have finished.

Firstly, thank you so much for letting me read One Cornish Summer With You.
I always adore Phillipa Ashley book.
We follow Tammy, who makes amazing art designs in the sand which is part of her career, whilst doing a tribute to her late father, she spots ruan enjoying watching from a distance.
I really enjoyed the twists and turns but the feel good feeling you get when finished the story

Requested as a free ARC through NetGalley.

Expected: a mostly fluffy seaside beach read, bracing for miscommunication galore.

Received: an easy to read romance with some miscommunication that proves that the main goal in these times is to get on the housing market.

Tammy is a sand artist working out of Porthmellow and she has a chance encounter with a recently moved down lawyer, Ruan. Tammy has trust and commitment issues following a tumultuous childhood and the tragic death of her father, and Ruan could provide some stability under the guise of just a fun summer romance that she has been desperately craving. Ruan is seeking his own new start in life but he brings with him a secret that could tear them apart.

This was a cute read, very easy to follow, and there is a happy ending as well. The very definition of a beach read. There was miscommunication which is a given in this genre of books, however it was manageable. The conflict which arose was resolved quickly afterwards so it didn't sit for a while. I liked that it was set in Cornwall and the issues with both housing and the tourist trade were very grounded in real life which added a nice depth to the book. Tammy was fairly back and forth throughout the entire book and eventually clawed her way through a bit of character growth that was sorely needed. I would recommend it to friends and family, however I don't think I would read it again. The book was fine, nothing stand-out and nothing negative either.

A delightful summery read from Phillipa. With a lovely Cornish setting, we meet Tammy and Ruan who both have 'history', but with issues along the way. It really is a will they, wont they story. Highly recommend. Thank you for the ARC.

I love a Phillipa Ashley book and this latest read did not disappoint. I also love the Cornish setting so would have chosen to read this even without NetGalley giving me the opportunity. Tammy and Ruan are likeable main characters but the side characters like Davey and Polly are also well written and I really hope we get to read more about them in future. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am annoyed with myself I didn’t save it for a holiday read!

I adored this book , the Cornish setting was well described and I really felt like I was there. I great tale of love, life and family history with. a wonderful coastal, beachy feel.

A perfect bit of escapism that has you dreaming of long summer days in Cornwall. I do feel that the best character in this book was the location; the descriptions were so good that I was able to conjure up vivid images of Cornwall. I really liked the character of Ruan but for some reason found Tammy just a bit irritating. All in all, a good summer read.

This heartwarming story is set in Cornwall, and features Tammy and Ruan, who meet when Ruan is watching Tammy build one of her stunning beach displays.

Tammy is a free spirit, loving creating beautiful sand designs, feeling the sea spray from the coast. Ruan and Tammy are soon attracted with sizzling chemistry fillinf the air.

However, when Tammy discovers Ruan’s secret inherited home Rosewarne, she becomes suspicious. The old house is filled with secrets, which she is devastated to learn.

The story is filled with wonderful characters and spectacular Cornish scenery, although I became a little frustrated with some of Tammy’s decisions, I found this to be a wonderful read, perfect for holidays.

A little slow to start. Didn't love the main character but the setting was beautiful. A great beach read.