I needed something to get my mind off the COVID-19 pandemic, and this book was just the thing. It is a wholesome and moving story about realizing what the most precious thing in life is–a happy and healthy family. It describes the complexity of relationships, the ups and downs in a marriage, and how love cannot be forced but has to blossom naturally.

Clara King, 34 years old, does not walk down the aisle with her boyfriend, but chooses to take up her dream job as manager of the Bluebell Cliff, a boutique hotel, in Dorset.

Three months into the job, circumstances cause her to be put in sole charge of the hotel operations. It should have been easy going, but somebody is out to sabotage the hotel and force it to shut down.

Clara is running out of time as she desperately tries to figure out who has a motive for wanting the Bluebell Cliff to shut down. Her prime suspect is the Manor House Hotel, the nearest competitor.

But a growing friendship with its co-owner, Adam Greenwood, gives rise to conflicting feelings within her. To complicate matters, her grandparents seem to be on the path to divorce after fifty-seven years of marriage.

Clara battles with a myriad of emotions, each threatening to get the better of her. How she resolves each problem and the truths she uncovers in the process form the core of this book. There’s also a cute three-legged dog, Foxy, who doubles up as Clara’s sounding board when she needs to process her feelings.

The writing style is clear, the pace is leisurely, and the descriptions of the Isle of Purbeck are gorgeous. I couldn’t guess the identity of the saboteur because there were so many red herrings along the way.

I just wish the first half of the book was a bit shorter. It takes you time to get invested in the story because the author focuses on establishing Clara’s work ethics and deep familial attachment before plunging into the mystery and the romance.

Rating 4.5/5*

This is a fun read with an intriguing mix of mystery and romance set in the delightful Purbeck cliffs, taking readers on a journey to some places I've visited and others I'd love to (once the lockdown is over!)

Clara King is the manager for the Bluebell Cliff hotel, she's loving the job but hadn't anticipated the owner leaving her in charge whilst she travelled to the other side of the world for a family emergency. That's when the trouble starts. It seems there's a saboteur out to ruin this hotel which strives to make dreams come true. . . . . With her own family dramas and what's happening to put the hotel out of business, Clara is in for a trying time but she's determine to discover who is behind the mischief and put a stop to it. Can she do so before it is too late?

This is a great story with an eclectic mix of brilliantly portrayed characters, most of whom feel like folks you actually know. The plot has plenty of mystery, twists and turns, keeping you guessing till very near the end. There's a slowly developing romance, too, that's heartwarming and adds humour to the story. Overall it is a brilliant story that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and have no hesitation in highly recommending it - a fantastic book to escape into!

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it and finding it a highly entertaining page turner!

Do you know, I’ve decided I might have a bit of a “thing” about books set in or around hotels – I find all the behind-the-scenes stuff absolutely fascinating. And I really loved the Bluebell Cliff Hotel, “here to help you make your dreams come true” – all the interactions between its staff (every one beautifully drawn), the near calamities kept invisible from their guests, the fact that they catered for special interest groups and how that worked (or just sometimes didn’t), the honeymoon suite in the lighthouse (and the way it becomes a focus for one of the “leaks” that drive the sabotage story), even the sweepstake to discover Mr B’s full name (and when revealed, it was everything I wanted it to be). And then there’s the other hotel – only a stone’s throw away – and its owners, the Greenwood brothers, who might just not be too delighted about the Bluebell Cliff’s success, as their own business dwindles.

Clara’s an excellent character as the story’s focus – taking over the reins at short notice, handling a succession of challenging situations that threaten the hotel’s reputation while wrestling with her own life disappointments and all that’s going in within her extended family. Oh, and Foxy the three-legged dog too – but he’s just wonderful…

The family shenanigans are really well done, the dilemmas and the different relationships (and the occasional crisis) really involving. The saboteur story-line is excellent – many red herrings, some obvious suspects, but credible when the real culprit is uncovered.

And then there’s the romance – if I enjoy a hotel setting, I think I might like a “mortal enemies become friends (and more)” storyline even more. This one was excellent – lots of hidden depths and secrets, a nice touch with the emotional content as the relationship gently warmed, and plenty of seemingly insurmountable obstacles to overcome before any chance of a happy ending.

There’s lots of gentle humour too – actually, it was really laugh-out-loud at times for me, although I know such things do rather depend on your personal tastes. And the book’s setting is wonderful – not just the hotel, but its surroundings on the Dorset coast also beautifully drawn.

This book got everything absolutely right for me – an excellent light and heartwarming read, recommended to anyone who might enjoy a well-written escape from life’s current realities.

(Review copied to Amazon UK, but link not yet available)

Romance and a little bit of mystery, what’s not to love ! This was the perfect read to make me smile and distract me into a world of happiness. Such a lovely read, full of cute characters that you root for , beautiful imagery, just great escapism and a wonderfully romantic story.


Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

This has got to be my favourite romance read of the year so far. It's part romance and part mystery, my favourite kind of romcom. It's a perfect mixture of the two and the writing is superb.

Bluebell Cliff is an idyllic seaside resort with gorgeous scenery and fabulous folk living there. It's also home to a beautiful hotel, which claims to make your dreams come true. So far, it's been pretty successful at living up to its motto. That is until Clara King is left in charge of managing the hotel whilst the hotel's owner has to deal with a family emergency in Australia. When it seems like someone is deliberately trying to sabotage the hotel and her personal life, Clara is determined to make the best of everything.

I absolutely adored this book, the characters felt like chums and sucked you into their stories. The mystery element had me guessing until the very end. This is a book you don't want to miss. I devoured this book in one sitting and it's one I'll definitely be recommending my friends to read too!

I would like to spend some days at Bluebell Cliff Hotel.
It's a relaxing, entertaining and heartwarming read and it's perfect for these bleak days.
I loved the lovely setting, the great cast of characters and the engrossing plot.
I can't wait to read the next book by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

A lovely light , happy and enjoyable read. Perfect for the summer and the circumstances we find ourselves in. It was a great story. I liked the main character Clara. Also I love how Della Galton ended the book, perfect . You had no questions in your mind what happened to so 'n'so. excellent.

What a brilliant read, I must say this is the first time i have read anything by this author, the fact it was set on the Jurassic coast pulled me in. I was due to go this Easter but Covid arrived and lockdown became a relaity so i went to Dorset virtually through this book.
It is set on the top of the cliffs over Dorsets coastline which is stunning and hence why i was planning another trip to go back.
WE begin with Clara king who works at the Bluebell hotel thgat offers every service you can imagine. She has to be the manager quite early on as her boss has to take to the other side of the world and look after her mother and Clara looks after the hotel all summer. She goes to their neighbouring hotel to see what their chances are of being strong rivals in any given situtaion and there are some people who are trying their hardest to bring down the hotel, but who could that be? its a little it of mystery of 'whodonit' scenario... I am not telling!!!!
Clara is part of a big loving family and her grandparents are at loggerheads to an adultery moment, will their marrige be disolved, clara doesnt know what to do for the best.
I loved the characters and i warmed to Clara who likes to shop on ebay and care for the three legged mut,t Foxy. The descriptive town is simply breathtaking and if one hasnt been to dorset, then you must!
simply brilliant.

Loved this book and was privileged to get an advanced copy. Good holiday read nothing intense and a happy ever after book

Part women's lit, part mystery; Sunshine Over Bluebell Cliff was a wonderful read!


I enjoyed the scenery of Bluebell Cliff, the whimsical cast of characters and the sublime story of a woman going through trials in all areas of her life.


I was thoroughly impressed with the author's voice as I was immersed in the imagery of the coastal town. The characters were all written well and the ending was especially rewarding.


Della Galton is another must-read for me!

My review will be available at the given link on 4/15/20.

If you love a well-constructed happy ending then this is a treat!
Della Galton is another new author, to me. I was lucky to read an advanced copy and it was a pure delight. Clara King makes for a great heroine and her detective skills in finding the saboteur were second to none!
Adam and Nick Greenwood, of the neighbouring Manor House Hotel, are an unknown quantity with neither being clearly friend or foe, Clara certainly enjoys getting to know the mysterious Adam but, could he be the reason for so many disasters at the Bluebell Cliff?
If you enjoy a light-hearted rom-com then this gets two thumbs up from me!

Loved this book. Great characters, easy read, uplifting, funny, romantic and charming. A really nice story that is the perfect escapist read.

This was a lovely book and I really enjoyed reading it. Very well written and it is to be recommended with 5 stars given. I can assure you that it will be enjoyed by all.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Just what the doctor ordered in these dark times, nice feel good easy read. Liked it

A really good book.
The owner leaves Clara in charge of her new hotel for the summer, as she has to visit her mom.
But, it’s not even been that long that she was left in charge that Clara finds there’s someone out to put Bluebell Cliff hotel out of business. .

Things start going wrong or events that are booked are cancelled. She resolved to find this person before they are successful in their attempts to close the hotel. With the help of staff they try to work out who could be behind all these events occurring one after the other and why they are doing so.

Clara’s also has family issues to deal with following her Grandfather’s affair.

A lovely book and setting.

Sunshine Over Bluebell Cliff by Della Galton is a delightful romantic comedy! " Well, I think it is much better to have gone full out for a dream than never to have tried at all..."
Clara King is the new manager of an exclusive hotel, The Bluebell Cliff. Kate Rawlinson is the owner and invites guests to come and stay where their dreams can come true. Even if the dreams are a bit quirky and include climbing the decommissioned lighthouse to make a proposal. Kate must leave to help with her mother and appoints Clara as the sole manager of the hotel and overseeing all the scheduled functions and events in her absence. Clara is excited about this challenge and also offers to keep Kate's rescue dog, Foxy. All seems to go well until a video of a quirky failed proposal goes awry and appears on YouTube! There is a disparaging caption about the Blue Bell and dreams not coming true for the guests. What else could go wrong? Read the book and it will have you grinning as Clara and staff try to figure out who is sabotaging the success of the hotel. The main characters in the story are endearing and you will be trying to help Clara solve this mystery.
Publication Date April 28, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A really enjoyable read with likeable characters.

Clara is left in charge of Bluebell Cliff Hotel famed for 'where dreams come true', when the owner, Kate, has to fly to Australia to help her mother. Clara enjoys the role and her management style is popular with the staff. But, someone is out to ruin the hotels reputation, will Clara and Kate manage to solve the mystery before they lose not only their good name but their valued customers. Clara is also coping with a family crisis and although relations with their neighbouring hotel has been strained, in the past she finds a good listener in Adam who runs the hotel with his brother Nick

The coastal setting sounds stunning and we enjoy a proposal of marriage, competitions and a wedding at the Bluebell hotel. They don't all go to plan but running alongside the hotels problems is Clara's close knit family rocked by a members marriage in trouble.

I absolutely adored this book. The characters were so real that it sucked you in and made you feel a part of the story. You didn't want it to end!

Really enjoyed this book Carla was a likeable character and wee Foxy i also liked it wasn't heavy on the romance.

Clara King thinks she’s ready to take on the responsibility of running Bluebell Cliff when it’s owner is away. But it soon becomes obvious that someone wants the hotel closed and shuttered. Trying to uncover who’s after the inn and dealing with a family crisis, Clara can either crumble or rise to meet the challenge. The lovely setting and quirky heroine make this an enjoyable, stress relieving read