Cover Image: A Home in the Sun

A Home in the Sun

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

Was this review helpful?

Set between Malta and the UK, the character of Judith was in a relationship with Giorgio, not that it was recognised by his friends and family, and it ends in the most terrible way.

As she tries to come to terms with it all she heads back to the UK, into her sister's not so loving house while trying to kick Adam ( her former school crush) out of her house that he currently rents. She wants to get her life back on track but nothing seems to be going right.
A gorgeous story with very likeable characters.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book - Sue creates such a vivid world in her stories and I was enthralled from the very beginning.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Sue and NetGalley for this emotional read, Judith moved to Malta and it’s not all what it seems.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this women's fiction book. I love Sue's books, and I have read a lot of them and enjoyed them.

This story is about a woman called Judith who is living and working in Malta, when her partner ends up in hospital and then his family do not want her to visit him. So, she goes back home to England, although eventually she does get to visit him, but there is not a happy ending for them unfortunately. This is a very emotional book with a lot of family drama and sadness. It was enjoyable nonetheless.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

Was this review helpful?

The plot summery of this book drew me in but unfortunately the writing did not. I thought I was getting a light summery read but in reality it's a family drama that was just so hard for me to relate to or get into at all. The writing style unfortunately doesn't work for me. I know this is just my opinion and this book will have plenty who love it, unfortunately that just isn't me.

⭐️⭐️/5

I received an advanced copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Avon Books UK, NetGalley, and Sue Moorcroft.

Was this review helpful?

I didn’t enjoy this as much as other reads from this author. For me, there was not enough escapism and I did not feel connected to the sunny setting. Indeed, the majority of the story is set in grey Coventry, not sunny Malta and I think this grated on me throughout.

The book opens and closes in Malta where Judith comes to associate the place with loss and tragedy. At first, Malta is blue skies, freedom and relaxation where she rediscovers herself through her relationship with a charming local. Yet, Judith’s circumstances cause her to return home and back in England, things don’t ever seem to go smoothly. I found her interactions with Adam really entertaining but, like Judith, was yearning to return to Malta sooner rather than later.

Despite the grey skies of the story, I thought the narrative to be well-written and the plot development very much what I have come to expect from Moorcroft. I liked watching how Judith alters to her new environment and re-adjusts to the pace of her old life, with plenty of changes around her. Being part of her sister and mother’s life once more was quite saddening as it revealed the distance Judith had accepted with those closest to her. Whilst I could understand why she found her sister maddening, I also wanted to see Judith let down her barriers and accept her for who she is.

The key theme of this book is change. The characters in this book all experience change and are forced to adapt. Some struggle, like Judith’s ex-husband and step-son, whilst others thrive on it. With this change comes a fair amount of emotion and at some points it felt like Judith was moving from one disaster or tragedy to the next. Yet, she comes out a stronger person and these experiences cause Judith to have the courage to face the ultimate test back in Malta at the end of the story.

This is more of a drama than a sunny holiday read. I didn’t like the Maltese setting as much as I would do normally and think I was frustrated that an exotic setting did not dominate the narrative. On the other hand, I liked Judith’s character and was keen to see how she would adapt once she returned back to England.

With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A gorgeous engaging summer read.

Judith moved to Malta following her messy divorce from a brutish builder Tom in England. She is settled into life there when she meets Giorgio. Their relationships is not without obstacles but they are deeply in love. When a terrible accident sends Judith back to England she has to decide where her heart truly lies.

Great well rounded characters and a lovely storyline.

Was this review helpful?

Sadly, I didn't like the book as much as i thought i would. The writing just didn't catch me and the plot wasn't mine :(

Was this review helpful?

This a really interesting and enjoyable read , I love Judith and her story ,thi is a real feel good read and one I thoroughly recommend

Was this review helpful?

So when I saw the title A Home in the Sun, I immediately thought of this TV programs called A Place in the Sun. It reminded me of the idea of escapism, heat and somewhere that is not the UK.

I did not realise that this was Sue's first book, a re-release of her debut book until after I read. And for me that explained some of the 'issues' I had with this book. For me the book felt slightly off-key and not quite in the same tone as some of her other books. And I couldn't understand why. After doing some digging though it all makes sense.

That being said, A  Place in the Sun is not terrible. And for a debut righting is excellent. And one that I really enjoyed diving into and being given the opportunity of diving into life in Malta.

I enjoyed getting to know Judith and watching her grow throughout the book. Judith has to make some difficult decisions, yet she was determined to get through what life had thrown her and to be honest to be able to live her best life.  All she has to decide is where does her heart truly lie - England or Malta?

A Home in the Sun is the perfect armchair escapism for new and old fans.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to NetGalley af Avon Books UK for the review copy!

I absolutely love Sue Moorcrofts book, and "A home in the sun" is exactly what I expected from her. A beautiful, relaxing and fun story. Cute and heartfelt.

The pace of the book is slow, quiet and calm. Despite that, a lot happens in this novel and there are several different little stories along the way. In addition, it is seasoned in the summer, so there is a glow along the lines as well.

The locations are beautifully written. Sue Moorcroft writes in a good language that is easy to read and understand. Moreover, there are just enough details to fully feel like you are a part of the story, but not too many details for it to be boring. A perfect balance.

"A home in the sun" by Sue Moorcroft is one more beautiful book by the incredible author.

Was this review helpful?

Lovely feel good book to read. It was a joy to read. Lovely characters. Great plot. The book was charming. Very well written. I’d definitely recommend this book. Lovely iydillic location to get you in the mood

Was this review helpful?

Oh goodness, this book was hiding in amongst the read books on my kindle and I had completely missed it. I can’t believe that I missed a fabulous book by Sue Moorcroft, so, despite being waaay beyond fashionably late I decided to read & review it as books can ge read any day, time or year. Grovelling apologies to the author & publisher. I can’t even blame it being at the bottom of a physical pile of books.
Anyhoo, back to the book: As always, Sue Moorcroft provides such wonderful descriptions of places that the reader can conjure images in their minds that bring the place into being. In this book it is the island of Malta that we visit (also returning to a town in England) along with main character, Judith. There are a lot of ups & downs for Judith, and I felt sorry for her losing not only her partner but also her life in the place she loved and a lot of money. The storyline felt rather far-fetched at times, but then again it is a work of fiction and a little stretching of the possibilities can be accepted.
A story of a woman overcoming grief & loss and reclaiming her life. Beautiful setting for an enjoyable storyline populated by fully-formed, believable characters. This book is a great read, perfect light reading.

Was this review helpful?

'A Home in the Sun' is a reprint of an earlier Sue Moorcroft book but under a different title. The book is another great read that is easy-going and enjoyable for the summer.

Was this review helpful?

A Home in the Sun is a perfect sunny day read!

I love Sue Moorcroft’s writing style and this one was brilliant and had the expected heartwarming effect but it also gave me a more emotional feel than I have had with her other books.

Kieran and Bethan’s heartbreak is very close to my heart and I felt it was beautifully and sympathetically handled.

I really enjoyed this story and now would love to visit Malta as it sounds wonderful!

Was this review helpful?

This Sue Moorcroft was a little different to the others I've read. It was much more sombre and serious, but the ending was as warm as ever. Definitely make the effort to adjust to the change of mood if you're used to the tone of the more recent books, Judith's story is worth it.

Was this review helpful?

I read this book a while back but completely forgot to leave this feedback September 2021 my apologies

When I read this I was disappointed by it as Sue's books are usually so sweet and loving stories in a wonderful setting with wonderful characters but this one had "othering" by the love interests family to our main protagonist as she is not Maltese and I'm just not here for it. It did add a dimension to the story and added a struggle element against the odds kinds of love but ultimately I was disappointed by it because it was not the easy breezy reading experience I had come to expect from this author.

Once Judith left Malta and came back to the UK to start her life over away from the memories it really did get better. The Maltese family rear up again and its just not it over an item given to Judith by the Aunt and I'm over them, just leave the poor woman alone.

It is a solid 3 stars which is not bad by any means just not what I was expecting.

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely loved this book. It gave me insights into Malta where my father was based during part of WW2 and made me want to visit but Covid didn’t allow that to happen

Was this review helpful?

Not my usual type of book but it was just the thing I needed. Like a balm for the blues. Feel good and uplifting.

Was this review helpful?