If a Hallmark movie was a book with all the warmth but more maturity, this is it. Barber’s endearing narrative style is a comforting hug in its relatability. The story opens with the FMC at the lowest point of her life and escapes to the Isle of Wight. There, she meets an eclectic group of locals. Romance is secondary in this book to self-discovery and healing. So when the romance finally materialized, it felt rushed. Barber touched upon several compelling issues but didn’t go into depth on them, which I think would’ve elevated the story further. I loved the vivid description of the coastal village setting.

Thank you so much for Storm Publishing, Alexandra Barber, and NetGalley for this ARC!

Some places don’t just offer shelter—they offer healing. When Carrie Adams escapes to the quiet charm of the Isle of Wight after her life unravels, all she wants is quiet time alone. But what she finds at Hideaway House is something far deeper. A charming cottage with a thatched roof and inviting turquoise door, the cottage feels almost sentient—like it’s been waiting just for her.

As Carrie begins to settle in, the island slowly wraps her in warmth: from Rita, the kind-hearted neighbor who instantly feels like family, to the gruff but endearing Major, and Guy—the soft-spoken gardener whose gentle presence begins to thaw something inside her. But the house holds its own secrets. Whispers in the walls, a forgotten tea caddy filled with memories, and the lingering traces of a family long gone all pull Carrie into a story from the past—one filled with love, loss, and promises left undone.

This novel beautifully blends cozy atmosphere with poignant emotional depth. The themes of grief, hope, and second chances are tenderly explored, and the slow-burn connection between Carrie and Guy is as heartwarming as it is healing. Both carry wounds, both are guarding truths, but within the walls of Hideaway House, they just might find the courage to begin again.

I absolutely adored this story. Eliza and Isaac’s past is deeply moving, and watching Carrie and Guy slowly open up to one another felt so authentic and earned. If you’re looking for a romantic escape with just the right touch of mystery and emotional depth, The Sanctuary Keepers is your next perfect read. Curl up with a cup of tea and prepare to be transported—I read this in one sitting and didn’t want to leave.

A lovely, lovely summer read. Perfect in every way with heartbreak, new beginnings, romance, friendships and a wonderful community spirit. Hideaway cottage is the perfect place to rediscover yourself and to top it all it has a tantalising secret! This could be the beginning of a wonderful new series.

Book review: Alexandra Barber’s The Sanctuary Keepers. Thank you to Storm Publishing and the author for the gifted copy.

This story completely swept me away. From the moment Carrie Adams arrived at the Isle of Wight, I felt the hush she craved and the ache of everything she left behind. Alexandra Barber’s prose is tender but unflinching, and The Sanctuary Keepers doesn’t shy away from grief, loneliness, or the slow, uneven road to healing. Hideaway House felt like a character in itself, breathing with its own memories, waiting for someone like Carrie to listen. Barber doesn’t force the magic—she lets it unfold in quiet moments: the brush of wind through a doorway, a discovered object, the gentle rhythm of trust returning.

The supporting cast is perfectly drawn. Rita, warm and intuitive, is the kind of woman you wish existed in your own life. The Major’s sorrow is steeped in silence, but he offers unexpected kindness when it counts. And then there’s Guy—so understated, so steady—that I found myself rooting for him without realizing it. Their connection doesn’t spark with fireworks; it grows like ivy—slow, winding, and impossible to ignore.

The real emotional punch comes from the house’s secrets. Barber balances two timelines without ever losing focus, weaving the past into the present in a way that never feels forced. I was just as invested in the family that once lived there as I was in Carrie’s own journey. There’s something quietly devastating about a promise left hanging for decades, and the payoff, when it comes, is worth every aching step.

This book is for anyone who’s ever needed to start over, who knows the weight of sorrow but still hopes for something better. It reminded me that peace doesn’t always arrive with a crash—it sometimes seeps in through the cracks when you’re finally still enough to feel it.