If you wobble a little at the start of this one – the scene-setting, the visit to the gallery, even the visit to the retreat – don’t be put off. That back story is an essential foundation for a heartbreaking love story and an edge-of-your-seat thriller that had me gripped from the moment the focus for action hit Cornwall. This book attempts a lot, and in my view it most definitely succeeds.

Sylvie’s “unhealthy obsession” with Oliver spirals into something rather different (and totally chilling… she’s a piece of work, that Sylvie!), Cara’s beauty and sadness draw you in (she’s a great mother too – with such well-written kids!), and I now totally believe (if I ever didn’t) in love at first sight. This is a great story, with well-drawn and believable characters – even the peripheral ones like Rick from the cafe, and Cara’s mum and her friend.

The author has a deft touch in handling emotion – her characters totally sympathetic and believable, surprisingly and satisfyingly complex – that has you gulping and wiping away a tear on more than one occasion. The setting is so well drawn – ok, I know Cornwall’s a gift for any writer, but couple that with a lead character who’s a talented artist with a bit of an eye for a view and you have opportunities for something rather special. And this story’s just crying out for a sequel… I’ll be here waiting Kate, I loved it!

(Will be shared on Amazon on publication day, and on my blog Being Anne www.beinganne.com as part of the blog tour)

Oliver Foxley seems to have it all together. He does not. He has been battling severe depression since he was a child. He has had some success holding it together, but it is getting harder. I got the feeling that his wife didn't understand his condition as she seems to just want him to pull it together, which as we all know, doesn't just magically happen with depression.

When he returns to Holy Isle, a retreat run by monks, he encounters a seriously disturbed young fan who turns into a stalker.

Cara, a widow and an artist has already had one great love in her life and is happy enough with what she has. Until she meets Oliver.

I think this is supposed to be a Romance, but the book needs some serious editing and character development. Characters are introduced and seem to be important to the story line and yet we are left hanging as to what happened to them.

Not to mention Oliver seemed a rather spineless man. Sleeping with more than one woman while his wife held down things at home. It was rather disjointed to be honest and I'm still not sure what the point was.

NetGalley/Aria   My information for release is April 01, 2018 but Goodread's says May 1st.

This is a little deeper than many romances - both Oliver and Cara are struggling. You know, however, that things are going to work out, which is really why we all read this sort of novel. The characters are well drawn, the setting one of my favorites, and all in all, it's a good read which probably would have benefited from another edit. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.