Proof that you can have too much of a good thing (3.5 stars) 

I've said it before, and I see no reason to change my mind now. Jane Corry is a master at writing a character-driven novel. And if the character in question is one to which I can relate, then the book may turn out to be something special. The Lies We Tell, and especially I Looked Away were wonderful, memorable reads for me.

The trouble with this, however - and I know I've said this before too - is that it's impossible even for Jane Corry to create a character to whom every single reader in the world can relate in this way. But when that relationship doesn't form - as was the case for me in Blood Sisters and also in her last book, We All Have Our Secrets, the books end up lacking something. 

However, because I know just how good her books can be, I start each new one - perhaps more so than with any other author - with an almost nervous sense of anticipation. Will she, won't she nail it for me with this one?

Well, in her latest book, Coming To Find You, she gives herself two chances. Because we have dual timeline stories that both take place in the same house in an English seaside village. In the present day, Nancy is fleeing to the house that used to belong to her grandmother to try and escape the unwanted media attention following a family tragedy. Alongside Nancy's story, we are introduced to Elizabeth and her life during the Second World War.

And with Elizabeth ... slam dunk. I loved her. What an amazing woman she was. Intelligent and strong, yet kind and compassionate, she finds inspiration in the events going on around her to step out from the shadow of her domineering husband and do what is right for others as well as herself - even if it's not what she's being told she should be doing. I could almost feel myself alongside her, cheering her on and keeping everything crossed for her at every step of the way. It helps also that the true historical events, insofar as they relate to Elizabeth's story are perfectly described, being made to sound as frightening and unnerving as they no doubt were without seeming sensationalised. 

I didn't like Nancy quite as much - in comparison to Elizabeth, she seemed a little too self-centred - but I loved her storyline. It's one that offers mystery, fear and intrigue. I found myself easily able to share her feelings of longing for a peaceful life, mixed with trepidation that everyone she meets will recognise her and already formed their own opinion.

By about half-distance I was thoroughly engrossed in the book, convinced it was going to be a five-star read, and I couldn't wait to see how the two storylines came together. But then ... there's a problem.

Think of your two favourite dishes that you'd like to have for an evening meal. For me, in case you were wondering, that would be a lamb jaipuri from my favourite nearby Indian restaurant, and the home-made lasagne served in my local pub. On their own, either one is more than enough to leave me feeling thorougly satisfied. However, if I was given both of them to eat at the same time, there's just no way I could do justice to them both before my stomach threatened to explode.

And that, really, is the issue with Coming To Find You. The second half of a 320-page book just isn't enough to conclude both storylines and bring them together successfully. As a result, it all started to feel rushed and fragmented, to the point where it seemed to begin to unravel. I'm having to omit details for fear of spoilers, but an event that could have been used to fill a substantial part of the book on its own is dealt with in just a couple of chapters, a character that I'd been longing to read more about ends up being swept aside and ultimately, the convergence between the two narratives that I was enjoying so much seems to rely on a big coincidence - because there just hasn't been the time to introduce or explain it well. One revelation towards the end felt almost amusingly improbable whilst I wondered if a second was necessary at all.

It's such a shame, because I so wanted to love the second half of the book as much as I did the first. I think I could still have loved it if either one of the two storylines had been given prominence over the other. But as it is, I'm afraid my conclusion is simple and succinct. Sometimes, less is more. 

My thanks to the author, Netgalley and Penguin Books for the digital ARC of this book, which was published on 22nd June 2023, along with my apologies for not having reviewed it sooner.

Two / three timelines merge in a range of coincidences, but I found the main character annoyingly naive and weak. The WWII narrative is far superior to the present day timeline and the novel seems to slow at the end

I’ve said this before and I stand by it, Jane Corry doesn’t just write a book, she tells a story. A powerful and compelling story that will take you on a thrilling but at times emotional journey. I would love to carry on reading about the characters in this book, I didn’t want it to end!

Nancy needs to escape after her stepbrother is sent to prison for the murder of their parents. She decides to go and stay at Tall Chimneys, a house in Sidmouth that belonged to her Grandmother and that she has now inherited from her Mother. Nancy is hoping to start afresh where nobody knows her or her secrets, but things have a way of catching up with you!

Tall Chimneys has a history all of its own and we also follow Elizabeth in this story, who owned the house during World War II. Elizabeth and Nancy have a lot in common and I took to them both so well, I know they will both stay with me for a long time to come.

Initially, I was concerned that part of this book was historical fiction. It’s not a genre I’d normally read, but I thoroughly enjoyed this side of the book, not only did it work extremely well alongside the part of the story set in the present day, but it was incredibly interesting and fascinating too.

This story is much slower-paced than I’m used to and took me a while longer to read than some other faster-paced books, but I really enjoyed taking my time with it. I don’t feel it’s a story you’d want to rush, the characters deserved my time and that’s what I gave them.

This book may come under the thriller/mystery genre but it’s so much more than that. I feel Jane writes in a genre all of her own. I find I connect with her books and characters in such a special way. Jane is a truly talented author.

Thank you so much to Jane Corry, Penguin Books and NetGalley for my copy of this book.

What a beautiful story despite the tragedy’s it portrays over the years. We begin with Nancy the farmhouse slaughter daughter who has suffered immensely growing up in a blended family but holidayed in the most beautiful home Tall Chimneys. 
To Elizabeth during the Second World War who is stuck in a loveless marriage and wants to be helpful and give back to her community only to get herself into all sorts of mischief and danger. 
The story shows how strong women can be regardless of their age and how women will help each other till their death beds. So well written and a joy to read. These characters will stay with me forever.

I absolutely loved this book, it was typical strong Jane Corry. Addictive story and good characters, i really enjoyed it

Coming To Find You by Jane Corry was a beautifully written book with parts of the story thats set in WWII & the other parts in the current day. this book had a wonderful story line that will draw you in from the beginning till the end, it was a great page turner that will have you up to to the early hours of the morning; I found this book very hard to put down once I started to read it. Plus, you will need tissues and lots of them! it is an emotional journey.

I highly recommend Coming To Find You by Jane Corry and a great holiday read.
I loved it.

Big Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business for my copy.

I loved this book, especially the parts set in WW2. At first I was unsure what I was reading when it went from present day but it worked and the two stories ran together seamlessly. 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

I enjoyed reading this book especially the duel timeline aspect (actually, three timelines if you count "the night of the murder").  Events which took place in the second world war were mirrored in the present day by descendants of the original owners of "Tall Chimneys", a big house in the Devon seaside town of Sidmouth.

I found one aspect a little puzzling - Nancy's reaction to an incident involving her creepy step-father, which seemed to cause a life-long trauma. It just seemed a bit overplayed and I thought more had happened than was eventually described. Also, I felt Nancy's mother's character (Violet) did not tie in well with the descriptions of her as a little girl. From a strong-willed and intelligent child she became a rather wimpy and needy adult. I'd have liked to know what caused that transformation. Also, there were several instances where 'jumps' in time occurred. They were not confusing but were a little disconcerting in their brevity.  

The end of the book felt somewhat contrived - the author was clearly tying up loose ends, but the two timelines did 'converge' with the aid of a few unlikely co-incidences in the form of an unexpected visitor, a find of some historical documents and a journal.

I did like the book but thought the WW2 era story was considerably superior to the modern day tale.

A great read that flowed seamlessly between past and present, the switching between the timelines really brings the story together and works brilliantly. 

Jane Corry is an author I will always recommend and this is no exception, this is a beautifully written story full of drama and atmosphere with subtle twists thrown in and well written relatable likable characters you will feel an instant connection to.

This is the first book that I have read by this author so I was a little unsure of what to expect. However I really enjoyed the storyline and characters. It was intriguing and kept me engaged

I enjoyed reading this book and the different timelines and found the one set in WW2 interesting.  A good summer read.

A novel that’s full of suspense. All the characters have hidden agendas and it’s hard to know who to believe, perfect for any thriller fan

I really enjoyed the short chapters in this book.  The only thing I that disappointed me was   the rushed ending

I have enjoyed this book as I have the other books by this author but this one was all promise but it seemed to slow down and get a bit plodding. Overall a fair read. #ComingToFindYou #NetGalley

I’ve always enjoyed Jane Corry’s books, and I think this book is one of her best.
Really enjoyed jumping from the war to present day aspect, and as always Jane keeps you guessing right till the end 

Fantastic!
Thank you for this copy

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a book !!! I seriously couldn’t put this book down. It had everything and more,  the two stories that linked absolutely perfectly with the same dark theme running throughout that was balanced from start to end, I didn’t finish the book wanting to know more of one story or the other it all tied up in a way which left me full filled. 

Elizabeth’s story caught the history geek in me that now needs to find out more about the secret cells in Britain during the war while Nancy’s a real life vibe to it - yes she moved away to a family home but her whole personality made her relatable to normal people, how she felt and reacted to situations was how a normal would act not a complete fuss or over exaggerated reaction which I think is why I loved the book so much. 

The choices and actions Elizabeth made towards towards her husband, son, PGs and even the German soldier gave a true sense again of what women in that time period would have done, felt and challenge. 

I honestly don’t no what to write because I love it all, it’s gripping, interesting, historical and modern, a good pace with some fast pace twists and turns, a love story with a twist, murder and shows human nature and reaction at its best. 

A physical copy is being ordered ( along with the other books from the author ) and it will sit of my permanent bookshelf as I already want to read it again !!!

The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to re-read and review if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

This was a 3.5 for me. I really enjoyed the first half of the book, finding the various timelines engaging and used to keep the tension. Unfortunately at some point it just slowed right down until the pace just ground to a halt.  It’s such a shame because with some pruning it could have been much better.  The ending fell a bit flat for me , too.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I never repeat the blurb. It took a long time for me to read this book, mainly as I am never a fan of 'back and forth' through time - I prefer a linear narrative. However the plot was interesting as was some of the historical detail about Devon.

A good solid thriller with a few twists and well written characters.
The house was the perfect setting, cosy at times and the plot itself was well paced and exciting with true-to-life scenarios and u expected offerings. 
I will read more by this author.