The Cornish Escape was my first book by Lily Graham and, in the best possible way, was completely different from what I thought it would be. I was expecting a light and fluffy beach romance but, while there are in fact two romances, what really captivated me was the mystery. There’s something very haunting about it in places and I loved the authors writing style. It drew me in completely and I found it very difficult to put it down

It has also convinced me that I absolutely must run away to Cornwall.

The Cornish Escape is really two stories in one. The first follows Victoria in the present day as she runs away to a small Cornish village after her husband tells her he’s been having an affair. Trying to figure out where she goes from here and on sabbatical from work she comes across an abandoned cottage hidden away beside the cliffs. She falls in love with it and begins to investigate its history with the help of local lawyer Adam.

What she discovers is the story of Tilly Asprey whose feelings seem to mirror her own in many ways. Flashing back to 1905, we discover what happened to Tilly.

While I enjoyed Victoria’s story in many ways the highlight of this book was Tilly’s story and the mystery surrounding Seafall cottage. I loved the slightly creepy and haunting atmosphere the author created around it and was absolutely fascinated by it. In many ways the story in the present day felt almost secondary although I did like all of the superstitions around the cottage and the quirky characters the author created.

Victoria was definitely a character I could relate to but Tilly was much more captivating to read. I loved her passion, her determination and also her rebelliousness. She fights for what she wants and the people she cares for regardless of their background or social status. Similarly the romance that played out through the diary and letters was for me far more interesting and believable than the one in the current day.

The story is possibly not the most original but it does make for some gripping reading as Victoria gradually uncovers the clues from the past. My main complaint however is that ending. Without giving any spoilers it just left me with too many questions. I know not everything can be wrapped up neatly in every story but I still think this needed another chapter.

Overall, an enjoyable and captivating read that was completely different from the fluffy, light romance I expected. It just needs a better ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC. As always all opinions are my own.

The Cornish Escape is a very well written novel. Great story. I loved the characters and the touch of mystery.

There are not enough words in the world to describe how much I love this book!! I sat down after the kids went to bed and told myself that I would read for an hour, and three hours later I was in the same position, completely engrossed in Victoria and Tilly's world, and I knew I wouldn't sleep until I reached the end.

In this engaging, emotional story we meet Victoria, a successful biographer, as she faces the fact that her marriage is over and travels down to Cornwall to figure out what she wants from her future. While stumbling around the stunning scenery of Tregollan, she accidentally finds a crumbling house hidden in the cliffs and feels a deep connection to it. Impulsively she buys it, regardless of its local reputation as the cursed cottage, and when she finds a coded diary dated in the early 1900's, Victoria is determined to uncover the mystery of Tilly from the past. As the narrative returns to the past, I became really connected to Tilly and Fen, and desperately invested in their story. Even though Victoria and Tilly are separated by time, the house connects these two lost souls as Victoria begins to heal and become brave enough to go after what she wants.

​With new friendships, a houseboat, a sexy neighbour, and a love story from the past, THE CORNISH ESCAPE by Lily Graham is one of the best romances I have read this year. I laughed, I cried, and I loved alongside Victoria and Tilly, and with the stunning backdrop of Cornwall, this story cannot disappoint - an absolute triumph. What are you waiting for???? Go and buy it now!!!

When things in our personal lives don't go to plan, we often feel the need to flee. 'Why run away from your problems?' you might ask, but when your heart has been broken and a life you thought you knew very well was no more, why NOT flee? Change of scenery, time to think; what's so wrong about that? Who are we to judge, we aren't Victoria.

Victoria's marriage had come to an abrupt end, and instead of staying around to deal with pitying looks and bad memories, she takes off to a small village in Cornwall, Tregollan. Victoria has bitten the bullet and started her life anew, but what happens now? Well, it seems as though Victoria is in the mind-set that her life cannot get any worse than it is now so she decides to use that to her advantage by thinking with her heart instead of her head. Yes, yes, I know. I held my head in my hands as well! Such a BOLD move to think with your heart when logistics tell you something completely different, after all, we have all done it, right? -reminds self to not think with my heart for the last piece of cake....-

You know, I have never read a book of Lily Graham's that I didn't enjoy, yet with every new book you begin to wonder how on Earth will the author top the last novel. I'm not going to lie, I did wonder that seeing as I had given Lily's previous novels 5*'s each and I had my fingers crossed for her newest one.

When I began reading the novel I knew straight away that it wasn't going to be like her others. 'The Cornish Escape' had a lot more grit and power attached to it from an independent character point of view, as opposed to an emotional overall storyline. Two rather different storyline examples yet both brilliant.

Yes my friends, Lily Graham has done it yet again. Not only has she created a main character who is sticking her two fingers up at heart ache, heart break...and her husband, Lily has turned that character into a sassy fireball who still wears her heart on her sleeve and isn't afraid to think with it either.

As the storyline unfolds, Victoria unearths an old diary which had been written by a lady called, Tilly. A lady who, (after careful detective work by Victoria and her new friend), has had her own fair share of heart-break. Be warned, you may need a tissue or two (or the whole box). Tilly's story is, wow, beautifully sad. Is that even a thing? I'm sure you know what I mean, I was mesmerised by the whole diary if I'm honest.

Putting Victoria's and Tilly's stories together to create a heart warming, waterfall of emotion, was an absolute genius idea. It was different, poignant and totally relatable. Not every story will have the candy floss vibe to it and if I'm honest, 'The Cornish Escape' did not require any additional bulking out by fluff of the candy floss nature. This storyline has the power behind it to stand tall and fly the flag for real life situations, with REAL emotional values.

Once again I cannot fault a single thing of Lily Graham's novel; she has written an outstanding storyline which may even end up being a heart-broken woman's mantra.

A beautiful novel written from a beautiful heart. Outstanding.

A cosy, heart warming and beautiful read which transports you to a majestic Cornwall, all by the turn of a page. In my eyes, Lily Graham can do no wrong; this is her best book yet (and all hers are fab!).

Thank you Bookouture.

Truly beautiful. Lily Graham hits the jackpot again. I loved this book. I may even have shed a tear or two.

I now have the urge to test out a houseboat which could be interesting.

In all fairness I was really enjoying this book up until the messy ending. What a let down that was! It seemed like the author just got tired of writing the story and gave up.

Until that bit arrived I had found the story intriguing, interesting and entertaining. It was a nice twist on the usual holiday romance or cosy romance novel. The ending just ruined it for me. 3.5 stars

An interesting tale of the past and present. Victoria heads to Cornwall after the break up of her marriage. She stumbles across an old cottage, and ends up buying it. The cottage holds many secrets, including a diary of a young girl who used to live there. A sweet, sad, and heartwarming story of then and now. Adam, the one who sold her the property is also interested in the diary, since it was an ancestor of his. The ghost adds a nice touch too. Highly recommend this story and author. Hard to put this one down.

On reading this I remembered how much I liked Lily Graham’s lovely descriptive writing and the way she brings a bit of magic into her stories. This one is set in two time frames, firstly with Victoria in present day. After the breakdown of her marriage Victoria escapes to Cornwall, where she becomes drawn to Seafall cottage, a ruined old house hidden away in the cliffs. Locals call it Cursed Cottage, due to the things that happened there years ago, and claim that it is haunted. It is there she finds an old diary, and letters written in code which tell a story that begins in 1905, with a little girl named Matilda and her unlikely friendship with a boy and his fox.
This is a story of forbidden love that is full of mystery and secrets which I loved. The whole idea of a hidden cottage that looks ready to topple into the sea was intriguing and full of atmosphere. I loved the characters Tilly and Fen, and it was definitely the story in the past that kept me reading. Again I liked that little touch of the supernatural that gave the novel something special. It is bittersweet story but one I really enjoyed reading.

The Cornish Escape by Lily Graham is a lovely lighthearted read it's a nice bit of mystery thrown in.

After her relationship with her husband ends, biographer Victoria Langley runs away to Cornwall. She ends up in a quiet village and while out walking one day finds a run down cottage nestled in the cliffs. Intrigue gets the better of her and she sets off to explore it finding inside it a diary from 1905 written in code and belonging to Tilly Asprey a member of a family the locals are unwilling to discuss. Victoria, with the help of Adam sets about deciphering the code and uncovering Tilly's story.

The book goes between present day and the past with extracts from Tilly's diary. It's well written and you are drawn into this beautiful story. You were compelled to find out what would happen in both Tilly's and Victoria's love lives.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Lily Graham for the chance to review.

I loved this book a fantastic read that you wont be able to put down had me hooked right from the start.A great read with super characters that you cannot help but love would recommend.

I love Lily Graham's books. This story was no exception. I was quickly drawn in the book and loved the two stories jumping eras between Victoria in the modern day and Tilly in the early 1900's through the stories Victoria was deciphering from an old diary found at Seafall Cottage.
As I had first read about Victoria in A Cornish Christmas so I thought I'd be more drawn to her sections of the story but actually Lily's unique style of writing sucked me back into the historical tales of Tilly written with her special flair that leaves you breathless and wanting more.

Victoria runs away from a failing marriage to Cornwall. As a successful author who has just sold her latest book, she has the where-with-all to purchase a rather rundown cottage she found while out walking. In the process of rehabbing the house she discovers a diary that is written in code, but clever girl that she is she solves the code and a life from a century earlier is reavealed. Told through entires from the diary and present day, the story is absolutely fascinating. I read it in one sitting and so will you.

I loved 'A Cornish Christmas' by this author and this book is even better. So lovely and heartwarming and full of characters you want to be your friends. The descriptions are beautiful and I was transported. A beautiful book to escape with, full of heart. Loved it.

Hands down one of the best books I've read in a long time. This story hooks you immediately, one can not put it down. I even dreamed about the book! Absolutely love it!

This was utterly fantastic, I just could not put it down. It had me gripped from the very start.

I loved the mystery of Seafall Cottage and finding out the real story that belonged to it.

I really enjoyed reading the bits from Tillys diary and going back in time. I think this was done perfectly and not to confusing.

The character of Victoria is very admirable, the way shes had the heartbreak in her life and how she is so strong and moves on with her life and how she takes a risk and buys and saves Seafall Cottage.

I am so gutted this book.

5 Stars!

Four and a half stars.

My anguished howl of "nooooo" as I finished The Cornish Escape, by Lily Graham, was so loud that I had to go and check I hadn't woken my three year old sleeping in the next room.

I simply couldn't help it - it wasn't that I didn't like the ending so much as I wanted the book to carry on and on and on.

The description on the front cover "A beautiful summer romance to warm your heart" really doesn't do it justice because it's so much more than that.

For a start it's two romances, albeit set in different eras, as well as a detective story with a hint of the paranormal all rolled into one.

I'll tell you what else it is; a cleverly written, wonderfully romantic, compelling read, featuring love lost and found, set against a beautiful Cornish backdrop, which really comes to life on the page.

Here’s the blurb:

Victoria Langley’s world crumbles when her husband leaves, but she knows exactly where to go to mend her broken heart. The rugged shores of Cornwall will be her perfect sanctuary.

In the quaint, little village of Tregollan, nestled in the sea cliffs, Victoria is drawn to Seafall Cottage, covered in vines and gracefully falling apart. Inside she finds a diary full of secrets, from 1905.

Victoria is determined to unravel the diary’s mystery, but the residents of Tregollan are tight-lipped about Tilly Asprey, the cottage’s last owner. Just as she reaches a dead end, Victoria meets Adam Waters, the lawyer handling the cottage’s sale. He’s handsome, charming, and has a missing piece of the puzzle.

Tilly’s diary tells a devastating love story that mirrors Victoria’s own. Can Victoria learn from Tilly’s mistakes, and give herself a second chance at love? Or is history doomed to repeat itself?

I was caught from the very first, beautifully written, paragraph of this book and it just carried on getting better. My heart swelled as the love stories developed and then ached when both romances faltered. I was definitely invested - so much so that by the end I was ready to sell up and move to Cornwall.

The characters, past and present, felt like old friends quite soon into the story. Looking back now I can appreciate the plot is incredibly well-planned and probably took a lot of work but while reading it flowed so well, I was carried along as if floating on a summer sea breeze.

There were enough clues to maybe guess how it would end but it still came as a bit of a shock – hence my reaction. I realise now it was the perfect way to finish (no spoilers, promise) but I would have been quite happy with another chapter at the time.

Lily Graham’s first two books have definitely won a place in my TBR pile for the summer.

Format: Kindle.
Price: £1.99.
My rating: Four and a half stars.

Victoria travels to a little village in Cornwall to recover after her husband leaves her. The wild beauty of Cornwall is balm to her broken heart and she’s particularly drawn to tumbledown Seafall Cottage where she finds a diary from the turn of the last century. Eager to find distraction from her broken heart, Victoria sets out to find out what happened to the last owner of the cottage, Tilly Asprey, whom locals seem reluctant to discuss. Victoria is sure she will never find out what happened to Tilly until she meets Adam, the realtor in charge of selling Seafall, and the man who may have the answers Victoria has been searching for. This was a lovely story and made me long for my own little cottage in Cornwall