Cover Image: A Home in the Sun

A Home in the Sun

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Member Reviews

Fans of this author wont be disappointed by her latest book. The book is engaging and the characters are warm and relatable. The use of language Sue uses when talking about the waves crashing against walls/rocks, if you close your eyes you can imagine being stood in the sea. The story also spends time in England as the main character has to travel back to England after a tragic accident.. its a story of heartbreak and love and one which a thoroughly enjoyed.

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After a tragic accident leaves Judith feeling she no longer belongs in Malta she moves back home to England. Initially moving into her sister’s spare room Judith has to ask her tenant to move out of her home so she can move back in. Carefully nursing her broken heart Judith tries to put her life back together but with a grumpy ex-husband, a confused twenty something stepson and an ex-tenant who becomes her boss it might be harder than even she expected.
Moving between Malta and London this is a story of love, loss and healing. With relatable characters and a good story line it's a great summer read.

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This is Sue's first book which has been given a make over and spruce up. If I did not know that I wouldn't have known any different. True to form, we are taken overseas to Malta where we meet Judith. But after losing her partner, she loses her home too and returns to England. Another Lovely book

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With grateful thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review. I have read other books by this author and this story did not disappoint. I love Malta and Sue really captured the essence of this beautiful island. I loved this story which took us through Judith’s journey of love and heartbreak, beautifully and sympathetically written. It is an excellent book and I would highly recommend.

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With grateful thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review have read other books by this author was delighted to read this early really was an excellent book and ca highly recommend.

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Another warm and engaging read from Sue Moorcroft. The characters she writes about are always so engaging and relatable and I loved how we got to know Judith through the different stages of her grief. Sliema sounded perfect and the descriptions of Malta were so vivid and beautiful it made me long to visit again for myself.

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Fans of Sue Moorcroft will not be disappointed. Once again Sue has managed to give us a superb read. It’s set between Malta and England. Whilst in Sliema in Malta, you can hear the crashing of the waves on the rocks and smell the salt from the sea as we follow Judith on her journey. After a marriage breakdown Judith leaves England to settle in Malta, working alongside her uncle in Real Estate. Love soon comes her way. Unfortunately, this is short lived and she decides the only thing to do is return to England. After winding up her affairs she is off. However, she has to stay with her sister and brother-in-law to start with, which is not satisfactory. This is quite a traumatic read in places but Sue has managed to give her readers a wonderful emphatic view of family dramas. I did shed some tears, I laughed and also shouted at Judith on many occasions. The characterisation was wonderful throughout and so believable. Thank you Sue for yet another brilliant book in which to escape into.

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An easy, enjoyable read. Judith encounters a number of personal challenges with the people in her life, which involves emotive decision making. I struggled to completely connect with her and found many other characters too stereotypical, making the plot predictable.

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Thank you to the author, Avon Books UK and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is an emotional read, with ups and downs, grief and joy, and ultimately a happy end. I enjoyed the setting in Malta, and the exposure to the culture and language through an expat's eyes, while the setting in Britain was also very true to life. My only quibble is that it was a bit long-winded in parts, with a lot of description which more than anything impeded the flow of the story.

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A Home in the Sun was a beautiful easy book to read. It’s set between Malta and England.
When tragedy hits Judith’s life in Malta she runs back to the safety of England and her sister and her failing marriage. Judith is reunited with Adam a man she had had a crush on in school. This is the story of Judith moving on with her life but can she leave Malta and her past behind?
I loved the characters in this story and her descriptions of Malta and her life in the sun.
Quite new to Sue Moorcroft but becoming quite a fan.
Thank you to Avon And NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

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Thank you to Netgalley, Avon, and Sue Moorcroft for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a great story! I loved traveling between Malta and England, and also loved the contrast of the two places of residence (very symbolic!)

While it was a slow start for me, I quickly found myself engulfed in the happenings in Judith’s life. We experience her grief, her grieving process, her relationships with those around her, and the ones she created as a result in her change of circumstance.

I love that this story shows that light can come from the dark and you just never know where the road will take you! A great summer read, and another great one from Sue!!!!

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This book is a little more emotional and not as lighthearted as some of Sue Moorcroft's books. This book I discovered was originally published in 2005, and the style of writing has changed a bit since then. It is very well written though and I really enjoyed reading it.
The setting of the book moves from Malta and the U.K. I think that Malta is underrepresented in fiction and it makes a nice change from other more popular European countries.
I liked the character of Judith, I wanted her to have a happy ending. She had gone through so much. This book definitely has some darker themes. There is plenty of romance, humour and heartwarming moments too though which make this book a fantastic read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

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Actual rating 3.5 ⭐️

Life as we all know is complicated and in Sue Moorcroft’s Home In The Sun our leading lady, has more than a few crosses to bear. However when we first meet Judith under sunny blue skies on the shores of Sliema, Malta, life is definitely on the upward turn. Following her divorce from husband Tom, Malta is where she’s made her new home, working for her uncle Richard selling properties. She catches the eye of Giorgio Zammitt, owner of Sliema Z bus tour company and within a short space of time romance blossoms. But theirs is far from a straightforward relationship, tainted by the need for secrecy and discretion, a partnership frowned upon by his family. But it is amazing what any of us will forsake in the name of love and Judith is no exception. She accepts these constraints with dignity, the couple living the best life they possibly can under the circumstances until tragedy strikes and Judith is forced to make the excruciatingly painful decision to pack up her life in Malta and return home to the dismal grey skies of Brinham. Once more she faces the challenging prospect of starting life all over again.

Having always fancied Malta as a holiday destination I’ve still yet to experience its charms. Sue Moorcroft does a fantastic job of navigating her readers around this delightful setting, bringing the sights, sounds, smells of this small island and its culture vividly to life. At a time when I feel disinclined to travel, visiting someplace in your imagination is the next best thing! That’s what’s so wonderful about losing yourself inside the pages of a book, you can literally travel anywhere, no passport required and it’s far more healthy on your bank balance and the climate! I felt quite privileged having my own personal tour guide even if before too long she whisks Judith away from this Mediterranean idyll to begin another new chapter back in England. And what an eventful chapter it is!

This being only the third book I’ve read by this author, I’m gradually getting accustomed to her style of writing which I think holds particular appeal for the more mature reader, especially on this occasion. Erring on the realistic side of love, life and relationships many of the challenges our protagonist faces are familiar. As an older woman myself I like the fact that someone middle aged is given a spot in the limelight and another opportunity to find her happy ever after. Obviously it helps that Judith is a character who’s fairly easy to like even if I found her frustrating at times!

There are some big themes at the heart of this novel from dealing with grief and loss to learning how to let go. Sue Moorcroft tackles these subjects with tenderness and compassion whilst proving no hill is too steep to climb on the rocky road to recovery. Yes there is an awful lot of sadness and heartache present in Judith’s life which did leave me feeling reflective and rather blue at times but I agree ultimately this is a heartwarming, hopeful and occasionally humorous read. Just wait and see! Judith is a woman carrying around plenty of emotional baggage but she deals with life’s struggles with a pragmatism that is admirable, not easy when your heart is still yearning for a life that is forever lost to you. Back in England she has to contend with a difficult ex still hovering in the background, her bossy not altogether easy to get along with older sister Molly who’s experiencing a crisis of her own as well as an ageing mother living in a care home who’s becoming increasingly more demanding. Don’t even mention the inclement weather! Ex stepson Kieran whom she loves as if he’s her own flesh and blood is one of the few bright spots on a dark horizon but even he’s about to drag Judith on an emotional rollercoaster ride which will really tug at the heartstrings. Wearing her guilt over past events in Malta like a noose around her neck you wonder how well Judith will acclimatise to life back home or whether the temptation to scurry back to Malta is too strong. Thank goodness then for the relatively easy, uncomplicated (to start with!) friendship that Judith’s tenant Adam Leblond offers her whilst she’s temporarily down on her luck. Their burgeoning friendship is by far my favourite element of the storyline. Adam is such a lovely warm-hearted generous spirited character and the reason I so very nearly gave this novel 4⭐️. His name might be more suited to a pop star than a photographer but he wins my approval hands down. I admit to becoming a teensy bit smitten with Mr Leblond!

I’m not entirely sure what stopped me from giving this novel a higher rating. Sometimes the writing is over descriptive; I don’t believe I need to know a character’s attire nor the particular shade of a pillow for example! Plus I felt some situations are given greater significance than they merit but that’s me being super critical! Really there are so many positives about a Home In The Sun with a welcome slice of sunshine in the Maltese scenes for those missing their summer holidays abroad and a good mix of the sweet, charming characters together with the more gruff, hostile and awkward ones. The seriousness of some of the predicaments Judith finds herself in are offset by a small dose of humour which will make you chuckle and certain scenes make you feel a bit gooey inside! Lessons are learned about forgiveness and the grieving process and the ability to keep moving forward as well as the importance of forging a new life even if it’s not the one we were expecting. Judith gives us hope that happiness is only ever waiting around the corner if you’re willing to be brave and embrace the future. Finally she learns that love and romance can creep up behind you when you least expect it!

Overall this is a lovely summer read. Out of the three novels I’ve read by this author, this is my favourite.

My thanks as always to the publisher Avon and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

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A Home in the Sun by Sue Moorcroft
Pub Date 19 August 2021
Home is where the heart is…but what if your heart is broken?
When Judith loses her partner, she loses her life in Malta too – including the beautiful view from her sun-warmed balcony of the sparkling blue waters of Sliema Creek.
Back in England, Judith finds a spare room in her sister's house where she grew up – but with it comes a whole host of family dramas. Nursing a broken heart, Judith knows she must find happiness again – and rebuild her life on her own terms.
Could an island in the sun be the answer she is looking for?
This enjoyable rom-com is set between Malta and England; it is exceptionally well written. You can visualise Malta's sights, sounds, and smells, which are exquisitely described, bringing Malta alive in your imagination.
It is a fabulous, emotional read covering complex relationships; it also contains humour and passion between its wonderful, believable characters.
The writing style is slightly different from Sue's later works as this is a re-release of one of her earlier titles, but what Sue's books always provide you with is an escape from everyday life and a good entertaining read, and this one is no different.
I recommend this book to all lovers of romantic fiction.
I want to thanks Netgalley, Avon Books UK, Avon and author Sue Moorcroft for a pre-publication copy to review.

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Ah, another enjoyable summer romance! This is the first Sue Moorcroft novel that I've read ( I know, I'm really late urgh) and I'm so impressed with the author's writing style! ❤ Many thanks to Avon Books UK for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4/5 ⭐

A Home in the Sun follows Judith's life as she returns to England from Malta after losing her partner of many years. She finds love again in the most unexpected of places, and what a beautiful ride it was to me, as a reader. This is a heartbreaking yet uplifting story, with many entertaining moments along the way. Basically, A Home in the Sun was a package of everything I love in a book - a resilient female lead, a realistic storyline, and a well-written theme of self-discovery.

It took me a while to become fully invested in the storyline, but as the story went on, I started enjoying Judith's story. The author's description of Malta was so vivid, I could picture everything perfectly - which was such a BONUS! I have been relying on fictional trips to different scenic destinations since the pandemic makes me stay at home all day - so getting the chance to glimpse into life in Malta was very much needed. Judith's family issues were full of drama, which added a lot of light-hearted moments and I really appreciated that.

Judith and Adam's blooming romance to me had a very unique touch, mainly because she had her heart broken twice in tragic ways, so seeing her find a new version of herself help made me feel so, so happy. Her character development was definitely the highlight of reading A Home In The Sun. 🥰 If you're looking for a book with a touching portrayal of the "second chance in life and love" theme, I highly recommend picking this book up!

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What a charming book this is. Infinitely readable, a perfect “beach read”, best read on a sun lounger in the sun, with a cocktail or wine at hand.

Judith is a forty something recently divorced woman who has made her home in Malta., far away from the drab surroundings of England. A chance meeting with Georgio, a handsome, charming Maltese man, completely changes her life and future. When disaster strikes, Judith is left with difficult decisions to make, and a choice between love lost and love waiting.
Set in Malta and England, this novel will make you long for the sights, sounds, and smells of Malta, which are beautifully described, bringing Malta alive to me.
To say that reading this book became addictive is a huge understatement.

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I was sent a widget from Hera to review this book and I was very excited because I hadn't read it, even though it's a re-edition of the author's first novel. I love Sue Moorcroft's writing style and the way her story and characters develop, especially female ones, which are always strong, resolute and driven. This book was no exception, highly recommended!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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A search for closure. A good summer romance.
Judith has settled in Malta until her lover Georgio dies then she returns to the UK after a confrontation with his family.
Luke has been renting Judith`s home in the UK so she has to evict him before moving in herself, that isn`t as easy as it seems when they both have problems that intermingle and Judith has to decide on returning to Malta to search for closure or stay with Luke and continue onto another chapter of her life.

Love the description of Malta makes you feel as if you are there, was so looking forward to Luke and Judith ending up together.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Posted on Goodreads

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Another lovely easy summer read. Super, believable characters and beautifully described locations. Plenty to keep your interest.

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The road to eternal love and happiness is long and troubled, but when Judith met Giorgio in Malta she thought it was a love to last. Unfortunately Judith retunes to Britain alone and tries to piece her life together again. Meeting up with friends and family again she is quickly drawn back into family squabbles.
This is quite a turbulent story with many downs before the ups, although it is littered with humour which lightens the mood. It was very easy to become immersed in the story as Sue writes about very believable characters and the reader becomes invested in their future.
Heart breaking at times but this is another hit from Sue Moorcroft.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/41766894

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