Summer on the Little Cornish Isles: The Starfish Studio by Phillipa Ashley
Book #3: The Little Cornish Isles Series
Source: Netgalley
My Rating 3/5 stars

After a single visit, a magical visit, Poppy and her long-time boyfriend, Dan decided life on a small island running a gallery is just the life for them. And so, after three years of plotting and planning and packing, everything is set. Except . . . .

Nearly every resident of the small Isles of Scilly are expecting Poppy and Dan to arrive, bright-eyed and bushy tailed ready to take on the long-neglected Starfish Studio. What the residents get is a bleary-eyed, seasick Poppy who has recently been dumped by her feckless and unfaithful boyfriend. With little left in her, other than determination, Poppy is ready to take on the Starfish Studio and begin rebuilding her shattered life. As her luck runs, Poppy finds the Starfish Studio is no condition to be re-opened anytime soon. Poppy also finds a stunningly handsome man trying to make the best out of a bad situation.

Jake swore he would never set foot on the Isles of Scilly again! After the tragic loss of his fiancé, Jake has kept to his promise by packing his days, weeks, and months with enough travel and work for three men. Unfortunately, his time of running away from the past is over and he must return to the small island he once called home. His grandfather’s Starfish Studio has been rented and in his grandfather’s absence, it’s Jake’s job to get the place in shape for the new renters. Right up until the moment he meets Poppy, Jake is determined to fulfill his commitment and get the hell off the island. Poppy, however, changes everything.

As Poppy and Jake soon figure out, life, and the universe often have plans that aren’t on an individual’s personal agenda. Poppy wants to stand on her own two feet, but the Starfish Studio is a wreck and she needs help. Jake wants to continue ignoring his pain and guilt, but Poppy needs help and he is more than capable of helping her. With more than a bit of wariness, Poppy and Jake begin the arduous task of cleaning up the Starfish Studio and preparing it for a grand re-opening. What the two find is an easy friendship, a lot of unexpected obstacles, some secrets from the past, and an attraction that shouldn’t be denied.

The Bottom Line: I can’t say I jumped for joy over this light summer read, but I did like it. The Starfish Studio is a rather typical recovering from tragedy romance with a woman scorned and a man running from his past. Poppy and Jake are connected by sadness and a desire to help one another which ultimately helps each heal from their respective tragedies. Along the way, friendship and love develop as both begin to reconcile their past and look forward to a bright and happy future. In so many ways, this is a very typical sweet/low heat romance with a few twists and turns thrown in for good measure. The Starfish Studio is the third book in a series and though I haven’t read the first two, I don’t feel like I missed anything or was confused by any of the characters, settings, and/or relationships. I did buy the first two books and will eventually read them, but as I mentioned, I wasn’t jumping for joy over The Starfish Studio, so I don’t think there’s any rush to get caught up.

I loved 'The Little Cornish Isles' series and the covers also make them so inviting. They easily transport you to the Scilly Isles making them a perfect summer read.
Poppy falls in love with the Starfish studio on a visit and later plans to run it with her boyfriend. When he lets her down a matter of weeks before they are due to make the move- she still goes ahead to take over by herself.
She's initially dismayed with the rundown studio, but with the the help of the landlords grandson we can visualise the gallery taking shape and transforming into a welcoming place to visit. Despite setbacks she remains positive and keeps her goal in sight. I loved every page and wish that I could catch the helicopter to take a visit and buy something to remember my 'trip'.
I think a sign of a great book is one that you are sad to leave behind. It's wonderful knowing that this is part of a series, and hopefully we will be catching up with them again soon

Really enjoyed this book. Easy to read, good story, likeable characters, tears of joy & sadness. This is the type of book that is good to read when you want to escape from everyday life for a little while.

I wished id read the other books 1st. But when i requested it i didn't realise it was a series. Lovely feel good read in what sounded like an idylic place to stay. Lovely characters and well written.

When the weather is great outside, but the view from your window or deckchair hasn’t changed in a while, there is simply nothing better than settling back to break open a new book. The thrill is magnified if you get taken away to somewhere idyllic and pretty as you do when Phillippa Ashley whisks you off to the Little Cornish Isles.
With lots of references to the fabulous, flourishing flora of the Isles and the hilarious time spent in the company of the fauna- aka the illustrious Leo the giant ginger cat, I could really picture myself as an observer of this community’s life. I already dream of living by the sea one day – and I love the coastal tide sounds on my white noise app as I read or write – so the delightful descriptions of the sights and countryside depicted a relaxing and welcoming place that straight away set the tone for dreams to come true.
As a person with a creative mentality I loved spending time getting to know the inhabitants of St Piran and the Isles of Scilly. There were so many kindred spirits ready to introduce themselves as I the reader settled myself amongst them as an invisible and anonymous shop assistant at The Starfish Studio. I enjoyed exploring the exhibits of ceramic creations, glassware gifts, jaunty jingly jewellery and passionate paintings that the author placed on show. I particularly enjoyed looking at life through a certain photographer’s lens, and the bird’s eye view I was given of budding relationships was a joy to behold. Like peeking through one of those telescopes set high up on the coastal cliff edge, I couldn’t resist focusing in further on the kaleidoscope hearts of the romantic leads.
From page one I was sucked into this picture-perfect romantic setting. The story unfolded around me like the edges of a beautifully crafted driftwood frame. I could see the sparkling seawater shimmering below and more than once I felt lashed by the salty spray, as the seasons came and went, in the wonderful world of Poppy, Jake, Archie and Fen.
Without realising it the story began to work its magic on me too, releasing some of the weights of life that had attached themselves to me and teaching me again to gratefully embrace the freedoms that are on offer all around me; to stop labouring under labels or stories that we or others put upon ourselves. I realised that I too was “in a new and very different place” and that I had the chance to reach out and enjoy it.

Coffee Cup Conversations and Teapot Talking Points:
If you and I dear reader were sitting down together today, having both read the book, here are a few of the points we could mull over together, as we sip our lattes and look out to sea.

Have you ever visited a seaside gallery?
I have wonderful memories of ducking into galleries whilst in Cornwall. The light mixed with the unique creations that just ooze local charm have fused with the smell of suntan lotion, relaxed loafers and the feeling that you have all the time in the world just to mooch and browse. This feeling affected me so much that I have 2 paintings in my bedroom and one in my bathroom from just such a trip. I remember my husband had to ‘nip’ back there for us when on a later business trip and I just had to stalk one of the shops online to make a purchase of a painting that I just couldn’t get out of my head! Reading about The Starfish Studio took me straight back there.
Have you ever been on a painting retreat?
I am no painter – in fact I have to work hard to find kind things to say about my drawing and painting. But I am very creative, I love colouring and crafting and I have always thought that I would like to go and paint for a holiday. I imagined myself in France or some such place, in the middle of a cornfield, painting outside like Monet! (Yes, I could pull that off...just like Monet!) Then I like to imagine going back to a quaint farmhouse where someone has made me the most delicious picnic. That would be just the ticket! It sounds like a holiday that should definitely go on my Wishlist. I wonder if my husband would come with me?
Could you live in a remote setting?
Years ago, I watched a programme where a group of people, who previously had never met, volunteered to start a community in a remote setting. It was called Castaway and was a reality TV experiment set up by the BBC. The group had to organise their own community and provide for themselves. It was sort of a psychological experiment, a Big Brother type operation but with different age groups and experiences coming together and living together for a whole year. I really enjoyed watching the relationships grow and change – those people had with each other and with the land, life, the universe and everything. I am not sure if I could have committed that long or been that brave – but there are times when I would really like to explore more remote areas. I would also like to visit traditional communities in the Spanish speaking world and use my Spanish there really getting to know people who seem somehow more authentic. These communities seem to be living more in harmony with nature and with themselves – although if memory serves me right, it wasn’t always that way in the case of the TV show.

Poppy and Dan are on a vacation on the Scilly Isles, their last day was a trip to St. Piran’s, where Poppy steps into The Starfish Studio and is instantly enchanted. From touristy-tatt to oil paintings by the talented Archie Pendower and the HUGE marmalade cat, there’s bound to be something to add to her already over packed bags before returning to their lives in the midlands. Surprisingly enough, it’s Dan who suggests they chuck it all in and move to the Scilly Isles, downsize and do something different that ‘means something’ It took three years but the lease for The Starfish Studio was signed, and they were on their way. Until they weren’t. Poppy just handed in her notice and comes home to find Dan in a ‘sharing’ mood – sharing that he’s moving out, not to Cornwall, but in with his boss, the woman he’s been sleeping with.

A devastated Poppy takes the bit in her teeth, everyone is telling her she ‘can’t t manage alone’ and she’s going to prove them wrong – and her adventure begins. Jake Pendower, grandson of the studio’s owner hasn’t been back to St. Piran’s in nearly two years – working as a nature photographer of some renown, he left after a tragedy, and never came back. But, returning to his parent’s home in Cornwall, he discovers his grandfather has taken a fall and broken his hip- and he’s to be the one to prepare the studio for the new tenant. And what a pile of work that is: neglected, cluttered and in desperate need of renovations, his dismay at the sight of the space then finding that Poppy is alone, without the basics, and unsure of just how deep her ‘chin up’ attitude will last. But there’s something about Poppy –her humor, her determination and the lack of fear she displays, even in the face of the short timeline and daunting task ahead of her.

Painting, cleaning, meting artists to bring in the ‘local’ angles, and preparing, days away from the ‘grand reveal’, Leo the cat turns on the taps and the space is flooded: destroying hours of work and potentially jeopardizing the opening. But, as always on the Islands, the locals all pitch in to help with a quid pro quo bartering system: everyone is excited for a new face and new opportunity, and Poppy just fits. But there is the question of Jake, and how long he’ll stay: and if that kiss meant as little to him as he claimed. Because it brought Poppy to all sorts of ideas, even as she is finding out just how capable she really is. There’s no little amount of manipulation though: from Archie’s ever-extending recuperation to Fen’s helping hand and more trips off island in this short time than anyone remembers, everyone sees that Poppy and Jake are good for one another. It’s just going to take a death, a few thousand miles and time apart to show them just what is important.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-9Xi /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Summer on the Little Cornish Isles: The Starfish Studio is the third in the Little Cornish Isles series by Phillipa Ashley and it certainly has been the most wonderful series. Each book is set on a different fictional island that make up the Isles of Scilly and follows a character as they navigate the trials and tribulations that island life brings both on a professional and romantic level. I have loved every minute of my time spent reading of this special place as the author as brought the isles alive so vividly in my mind even though I have never visited before. There are such glorious descriptions of rugged, beautiful landscapes, windswept beaches, coastal areas and small tight knit communities that help bring the story to life and make for a very good read that once you pick up these books they are very hard to put down. Usually for me, I find with a series that some books are stronger than others and there can be a book that didn't grip me as much as the others. Thankfully, that wasn't the case here at all and I would be hard pushed to pick my favourite so enjoyable were they all.

This time our attention turns to the Starfish studio and gallery on the small island of St. Pirans. Poppy and her partner Dan are on holiday when they venture into the studio and immediately Poppy is captivated by this special place. Archie Pendower is the resident artist and owner of the gallery helped out by his friend Fen. Poppy is smitten when she steps through the door as she feels it has a special aura and she always harboured vague dreams of running a gallery of her own. Being a communications manger with a building company couldn't be further from her dreams but on leaving the island she expresses an interest to Dan that one day they will return to the island. Poppy feels the isolation of the islands appeal to her soul and that both herself and Dan are too caught up in the rat race. They are just existing not living and times need to change.

Fast forward three years later and Poppy has fulfilled her wish she is about to arrive on the island to take over the Starfish Studio and see what she can do with it. Unfortunately all has not gone to plan as Dan has strayed and their relationship is in tatters. What else can Poppy do, given that she has quit her job and moved out of her house? She has to go it alone and not turn her back on her dream but will there be more bumps in the road once she discovers the studio has fallen into disrepair and that artists are reluctant to have their wares exhibited in a failing gallery?

Instantly I warmed to Poppy you really couldn't fail to as she was a warm loving character who had experienced such a rough time that all you wanted for her was a happy, positive outcome. On the other hand I wouldn't have blamed her for turning around and boarding the next boat leaving the islands when she saw the state of the gallery and the accommodation in which she was supposed to be living. When you believe you are walking into a situation that is set up for success with a little bit of effort and you arrive and find the complete opposite all you would want to do is run away as fast as you can. But Poppy has guts and determination and she won't see her dreams go down the tubes. Besides she doesn't want to admit to her family that all was not as she had been promised and she wants to prove to them she can do this without the help of Dan. Poppy had courage in spades and plenty of ambition and the work ethic to see the gallery hopefully restored to its former glory.

Archie has left the island to recover from a nasty fall to recuperate with his son and daughter-in-law on the mainland so it is up to his grandson Jake to oversee the handing over of the gallery to Poppy. A few days and then wildlife photographer Jake can once again escape the islands and continue with his work. Even though Jake loved the time he spent with Archie as a child on the islands now all St. Pirans despite its stunning natural beauty and the welcoming residents is a place that Jake wants to stay away from. He is just doing a favour for his granddad. The reader immediately sets to thinking just what happened to Jake that he can barely stand to be on the island? Clearly there are now bad memories associated with his time there. But despite the banter and jibes that flow between himself and Poppy and his urgent need to leave there is clearly a spark there and I desperately wanted that spark to ignite into something much much more. I thought the storyline involving a crate and a letter left to Jake by Archie was just so beautifully done with such a lovely, heart-warming message at its centre. It was one of the most perfect and inspiring aspects of the overall story and it really allowed for great development of Jake's character. It wasn't other people as such forcing Jake to face his fears but past happy memories that needed to be brought back to his attention that would hopefully work their magic. If Jake can find the courage to face the past maybe he won't be so hell bent on fleeing the island as soon as possible.

I enjoyed observing Poppy's journey attempting to get the gallery up and running again. She knew she had no other option but to try and make a go of things and the word failure was not on her radar. There are innumerable setbacks but she dusts herself off time and time again and just keeps plodding on in the hopes that the reopening of the gallery and the big launch party may transform her fortunes. Although local silversmith Minty would hate to see anything good come of the gallery. She was the proverbial baddie with her snide, hurtful comments and definitely a character where Poppy needed to rise above it all and let the words wash over her. I can't forget to mention Leo the cat who took on almost human like qualities and did play a very pivotal role in bringing about the culmination of a certain storyline.

I was delighted to see brief mentions of characters who had previously featured in the series, that these characters I had come to love were not forgotten about and we got an update on what had happened to them once we had finished their stories. Also some new characters were introduced such as Kelly, the island handy woman, and her boyfriend Spike who is the chef at the Moor's Head. Lisa and Ben from the Harbour Kiosk also feature. All the characters epitomise island life and how although at times particularly in off season it can be very isolating everyone always pulls together to help people out and it is all done with sincerity and the wish to see people happy and doing well on the island.

All in all Summer on the Little Cornish Isles was another glorious read from Phillipa Ashley. I sense this may be the last in the series but I would love even just a novella which would extend the stories of all the characters that have featured. That's me being greedy simply because I loved everything and don't want to leave the characters or setting behind. Phillipa has the knack of creating such uplifting, cosy reads with picturesque, idyllic settings with a splash of romance thrown in coupled with warm lovable characters you root for from beginning to end. My visit to the Starfish Studio proved to have all these ingredients in spades and I relished every minute of this captivating, sparkling story that you'll want to read in one sitting.

I am very familiar with the Isles of Scilly, so was looking forward to reading this book. It was an enjoyable and pleasant read, with an easy going storyline about a young woman starting a new chapter in her life by opening a studio on one of the islands. The characters were plausible and the plot believable, but the fact that the author changed the name of some of the islands but not all of them, rather ruined it for me. Well written with a perfect mix of humour and romance, and an ideal summer/holiday read.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

Summer on the little Cornish Isles.
What a brilliant read absolutely loved this book .
My first Phillipa Ashley book and will be reading all of her other books .
The beautiful description of the Isles ,scenery and the starfish studios wishing you were there too.loved all the characters.
Would highly recommend this book .

I really enjoyed this book so much so thst id love to visit the Scilly Isles. Jake and Poppy made great characters though i think the author could have told us more about the daily running of the Starfish Studio what sold etc.

I enjoyed this book, nothing too taxing and it flowed nicely. The characters were interesting and well fleshed out. Perfect as a summer holiday read.

Uplifting, engaging and absolutely irresistible, fall in love with the Scilly Isles and with award-winning author Phillipa Ashley’s enchanting and captivating tale, Summer on the Little Cornish Isles: The Starfish Studio.

Nobody was more surprised than Poppy McGregor when her sensible, practical and rather dull boyfriend Dan convinced her to quit her well paid job and escape from the shackles of the rat race with him to Cornwall to take over The Starfish Studio. Dan had grown weary of spending hours on end at the office fueled by tight deadlines and caffeine and a move to Cornwall for a gentler and far more peaceful life was meant to be the fresh start him and Poppy needed. Spending days providing copy about soil and trying to muster up enthusiasm and energy for the agricultural products the company Poppy worked for was beginning to take its toll on her. Moving to Cornwall would not only allow Poppy to get away from all the hustle and bustle of corporate life, but also provide her with the time needed to indulge in her passion for making jewellery. However, the best laid plans tend to have a habit of going awry as Poppy discovers when Dan announces that he is in love with another woman and that he is not coming with her to Cornwall!

Poppy might be heartbroken, angry and dejected, but she is not going to let Dan’s betrayal defeat her. Determined to make a success of her new life in Cornwall, Poppy packs her bags and heads off to her new beginning. She will not be crushed by this set-back and has great plans for The Starfish Studio, however, on her arrival she quickly realises that she has got her work cut out for her when she sees the state her new business is in. The Starfish Studio looks like a derelict ruin that needs a lot of work – but luckily for her, Jake Pendower, her landlord’s grandson, is ready to lend Poppy a helping hand…

The past couple of years have not been easy on Jake. He had once believed that life was pretty good for him – he was surrounded by his loving family, had a loving fiancee and was on top of the world. Until, a tragic accident had broken his heart and shattered his life forever. The handsome photographer had vowed to leave Cornwall behind for good and had tried to forget about his misery and anguish by travelling all over the world. When his beloved grandfather Archie had a fall and was in need of his help, Jake found himself reluctantly agreeing to sticking around for a couple of weeks. Cornwall might be the last place Jake wants to be, but when he meets Poppy, will he finally come to turns with his broken heart and dare to take a chance on love for a second time?

Poppy and Jake are up against it having to transform the dilapidated Starfish Studio into a breath-taking gallery ready for tourist season. The odds might be stacked against them, but Poppy and Jake will not be deterred. Will a summer on the Little Cornish Isle end up providing Poppy and Jake with a new beginning and a love that will last a lifetime?

A gorgeous summer romance that will pluck at your heartstrings and make you laugh out loud, Summer on the Little Cornish Isles: The Starfish Studio is a glorious, feel-good and irresistible contemporary romance that is simply spellbinding. Tender, touching and captivating, the talented Phillipa Ashley has written an outstanding tale about fresh starts, old wounds, second chances and the healing power of love that I found absolutely impossible to put down.

I thought Poppy was a wonderful heroine who, despite all her setbacks, remained positive and upbeat and Jake was a fabulous brooding hero I absolutely adored.

A stellar contemporary tale that will cheer you up, make you smile and touch your heart, Summer on the Little Cornish isles: The Starfish Studio is another winner by Phillipa Ashley!

Oh what to say about Summer on the Little Cornish Isles...... I am loving this series. I enjoyed the last two books and equally enjoyed this one too. Could not put it down and read it in a day but was sad when it needed I just wanted to carry on reading. Great to go back to The Isle of Scilly and hear about the previous characters a little too. Another great book by Phillipa.

And so ends another magical trilogy from Phillipa Ashley where we have returned to those gorgeous little isles (more commonly known as Scilly Isles) and catch up with some of the locals we have grown to love and know in the first two novels and meet some new characters too.

Poppy and her boyfriend Dan come to Cornwall on holiday, to escape the inner city life they are living they fall in love with place so much, and with the little Starfish Studio Dan makes the decision that they should have what they know behind and take it on and live there all the time.

It sounds like the perfect dream for Poppy, that is until Dan changes his mind about going and also about Poppy being his girlfriend with only days before she goes.

Poppy therefore arrives to lick her wounds, heal and make a success of this little studio. She learns to accept help from the locals - Jake the landlord's grandson is tasked to make sure she settles in well but he is very distracted as well as being ruggedly handsome too!

Poppy does everything she can to get the studio to open to catch at least some of the summer season - despite leaks, territorial cats and obnoxious artists she manages to open and then Dan suddenly reappears.......just when she thought her emotions were more stable.

Like the previous two novels I was immediately transported to these little Isles and could see myself calling in at the Starfish Studio to purchase a piece of unique artwork to remind me of the journey I had taken. Of course I can't, I have been reading a book and that is the skill of the author I was drawn right in. I wanted to know why Jake is distracted by his past, why Leo is flitting from one to another and how can I possible wipe the smug look of Minty's face?

This and all the other prvious novels will take you away to a wonderful place and give you a great story at the same time.

I wait with anticipation to see what Phillipa is going to write next and where she is going to take us.

-swoons- Why am I only starting to read this series now?! I think I have been hiding under a rock or something, because I see no other explanation as to why I haven't read any of the 'Cornish Isles' series! This is book three!! At least I do prove that you don't have to read the books in order and that they can be read perfectly well as a standalone. Hell, I didn't even realise that this was a series until I looked on Amazon!

I absolutely devoured 'Summer on the Little Cornish Isles: The Starfish Studio' in a few hours, how could I not when the story was so enchanting, enticing and beautifully written? The moment Poppy stepped over the threshold into the Starfish Studio, it was like love at first sight. Not only did the beauty of the studio and its contents blow Poppy away, she was rather taken with the artist himself Several years later, Poppy finds herself stepping over the threshold of the studio again to start her new life. Whilst part of Poppy was hoping her new life would begin smoothly, she couldn't have been prepared for what lie waiting for her. Her ex-boyfriend, Dan, might think that she wouldn't be able to cope, but Poppy is made of strong stuff, a lot stronger than what people give her credit for...

Oh my goodness me, I'm just going to lay my cards straight on the table; I love, love, LOVED this book! What a beautiful, beautiful story which seemed to capture my heart and soul from the moment Poppy got off the boat. There was something so magical about her character and, even without knowing too much about her, I just knew that she was going to go up in my estimations the more of the story I read.

As for Jake, oh Jake...he's a bit of a shattered soul bless him, I couldn't help but laugh at his relationship with Leo! I am being vague on purpose as I don't wish to give anything away, but please do trust me when I say that this is a story that needs to be given as much love as it will give its readers.

I was blown away by how free-spirited the story made me feel, hugging me from the inside out with every turn of the page. 'Summer on the Little Cornish Isles: The Starfish Studio' may come across as being Poppy and Jake orientated, but in actual fact that couldn't be further from the truth as the author gives multiple characters their individual times in the spotlight. I really did love that as I was able to find out more about certain characters and how they became who they are today.

As I have already said, I love 'Summer on the Little Cornish Isles: The Starfish Studio', and I would read it all over again in a heartbeat! Such a heartfelt, touching, poignant, and mesmerising novel which will stay in my heart for a very, very long time.

This story was an absolutely gorgeous summer read!

I have enjoyed all of this author's books I have read to date so I was delighted to see that this one was being released- a loved this book from the front cover to the last page - the setting is fabulous, I loved the characters and was completely wrapped up in the story - a total joy to read!!

Five stars from me - very highly recommended - a brilliant story for summer!!

5☆ Utterly Charming

The Starfish Studio is the third book in the series but my first book I have read. I can't believe this fab series has skipped my read list.
It can be read as a standalone but I wish I had read the previous books just to get a better connection with the characters.

The Starfish Studio is a book about new beginnings, Relationships, gorgeous art work and a gorgeous location.

Poppy and Dan both fall in love with The Starfish Studio and the gorgeous quaint artwork.
Not wanting to leave The Isle of Scilly they both decide to buy the Studio.
However things wasn't meant to be as Dan and Poppy split up because he admits to cheating on her.

Poppy is still determined to follow her dream so she continues her journey to take over the gallery. But she's not entirely alone as the very handsome Jake who is the grandson of the previous owner, is sent to help her settle in.

The chemistry between Poppy and Jake is clearly obvious from the minute they brush hands. But can they both just let their guard down or Will it be too late.

This is an utterly charming read, with loveable characters, a gorgeous location, sizzling chemistry, humour and a loveable kitty.
I am definitely looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
A Must Read Summer Sizzler.

The Blurb :
Poppy has always loved Cornwall – the crisp sea air, the welcoming community. So when her boyfriend Dan suggests they leave their office jobs and take over the Starfish Studio on the Isles of Scilly, Poppy doesn’t need asking twice.
But things don’t go to plan when Dan dumps her, weeks before they’re due to move. Determined not to give up, Poppy accepts the help of local photographer Jake, her landlord’s grandson. But Jake is distracted by a loss from his past.
Can they turn the crumbling gallery into a success in time for tourist season? And will a summer on the little Cornish Isles mend just the studio – or Poppy’s heart too?

My Thoughts :
I have so far loved The Little Cornish Isles series so was excited to start reading book 3. Although this can be read as a standalone, I think its better to of read the first two books in order to get a feel for the place and the charactors.
When Poppy and her boyfriend Dan decide to take over the studio on the Scilly Isles, Poppy cant wait for their new adventure. When out of the blue Dan tells Poppy he is leaving her for someone else and their dream to run the studio is over. Poppy then decides to go it alone and goes to see the studio, shocked at how run down and neglected the place is. Poppy gets a saving grace in Jake, he is the the owners grandson who has been sent to meet the new owners. Feeling sorry for Poppy and how the studio is such a mess he helps Poppy tidy it up and get ready for opening.
With both of them having baggage and trying to lay ghosts to rest, will they find each other and get a second chance or has all their new beginnings been exhausted.
I love all the charactors in the story and in the end they feel just like friends. I was rooting for Poppy and Jake as I loved them both.
Phillipa Ashley, once agains puts you right in the middle of the action. Beautiful vivid descriptions of the area will transport you to a different place and leave you wanting more from the Cornish Isles.

Making a big change in her life (on her own after being dumped by her partner), Poppy moves to the Scilly Isles to take over the Starfish Studio. With the help of the former owner's grandson, Jake, she returns the studio to success. This is a great read with likable characters and romance in a beautiful setting.

Poppy is willing to give up everything to follow her boyfriend Dan's dream to take over the little studio in the Scilly Isles so she is devastated when she comes home after giving her notice in to be told by Dan that he is leaving her and giving up on the idea. Determined not to give up she sets off on her own but when she arrives she is horrified by the state of the place.... the estate agent obviously didn't use up to date pictures! The grandson of the owner, Jake, however does all he can to help her....... but can he help mend her broken heart as well!

Another lovely feel good book the third in the series, it is great to be back in the Scilly isles and I loved the characters of Poppy and Jake and although predictable you are rooting for them all through the book. Definitely a great beach read!