Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

The house on rockaway beach

This is a lovely story, which looks into the relationship of two sisters, both different from each other, as well as the problems they have in getting along.

Their fathers influence on them impacted in their own lives. Celia lives up to overstated expectations, whereas Sophie is a free thinker and living her own life. They unite at their grandmothers house, and realise that they still don’t like each other, the issues they have come out in the open and everything changes.

I recommend this book.

I love beach reads! They have a draw for me that is like no other. I was quite hopeful for this one but the arguing between the two sisters was such a distraction. It made me quite anxious actually. This premise of this book is usually what I love but this one just fell short.

Family secrets, lies and estrangement loom large in this novel told by sisters Celia and Sophie. Their mother and grandmother had issues and the two of them do as well. In fact they've hardly spoken in recent years but now they've inherited their grandmother's beach house and have to sort it out. It's easy to tell that these two really do love on another despite their obvious differences. Celia, a physician, has lived a conventional life in many ways and she wants to sell Sophie has lived larger and would like to keep the house. But, as always, things aren't that simple. Yes it's a bit trope-y and yes these two argue a lot but it's a well told story that will resonate. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Books about unhappy families are always going to have some arguments but the bickering between the sisters was a bit much for me. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

A very, very lovely novel exploring the relationship of two very different sisters and of their difficulties in getting along. The effects their father had on each of them bore out in their lifestyles and traits. Celia is the by the arrow one living up to exaggerated expectations. Sophie is a free spirit living her own life. They come together at their grandmother’s house to dispose of it and find their mutual dislike still flourishes. The undercurrents of their aggravations bubble to the surface and change the course of everything.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book promised so much. It had some family drama in it, secrets and a little bit of romance. However I thought that it fell a little short for me as I didn't really feel myself getting into it completely. Sorry

The preview made it sound much better than it was. Not my favorite book lately. The characters are awkward and not fleshed out completely - they seem flat, and didn't make me interested in the story. Gigi seemed like she had depth but the rest were blah. The storyline has potential - two estranged sisters inheriting their grandmother's house and meet after years apart to decide what to do with it. But then there is the ongoing bickering, Cici's character seems really shallow and annoying. Just wasn't what I thought it would be.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a digital, temporary ARC in return for my review.

Oh my goodness…..the two sisters in the story sure do argue and bicker!!! The first few pages were just a bit too much for me. As I read on, things settled down a bit between them.
So the story is about two sisters who have not seen nor talked to each other for years. When their grandmother dies and leaves her house to them, they must come together to decide what to do with the house. As they begin cleaning out the house, a family secret is revealed to them.
With one sister wanting to keep the house and the other wants to sell it….friction and bad feelings arise.
A nice book to relax with on a beach or by the pool.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A good read. This book looks at family issues and a secret which has been kept for generations. The characters are human with good and bad points and the story evolves gently towards a romance, resolutions and a happy ending.

Estranged sisters, family secrets and unexpected inheritances ~ perfect ingredients for a great story.

For those of us who have a less than stellar relationship with a sibling, this story will resonate to the point where we’ll be thinking of similar familial situations and nodding our heads. The author has captured the essence of the awkwardness between two very different siblings. It isn’t until readers get well into the book that they see the big picture. It was good for me to step back, have a coffee and think about the big picture in my own relationship with my sister. I’d like to think it gave me a little more understanding. There’s always a reason for a behaviour!

The past refuses to be buried and Piping Plover House is holding some secrets. Author Emma Burstall explores family relationships, the faces we front to protect us from hurt, and the secrets we keep. She reminds us that appearances can be deceiving.

One only has to Google ‘Piping Plover’ to see why the author chose this name for the house!

I was gifted this advance copy by Aria & Aries and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Having read this authors other books I was delighted to get an early copy.
The premise of the book was good but not really executed, the bickering between the two sisters was really not needed it such large amounts its an okay read but left disssapointed.

This is the perfect summer read. A coastal setting, a old beach house and two sisters at odds. I loved the picturesque setting , the two sisters who are opposites and the theme of family bonds. A very enjoyable read I highly recommend.

Thank you to the publicher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own.

The idea behind this book was great but the story itself, fell flat early and failed to redeem itself. You may want to borrow it from the library but I would not spend money on it.

What to say about this book... It's rare to read a book where you dislike the majority of the characters. Very few of them had any redeeming qualities. I know we're all flawed individuals, but wow...

The writing was okay and there were moments that I liked, but they were few and far between... On the whole, I found the characters disappointing and few of them took volition over their own life. And many of the reconciliations seemed too easy.

I also found it especially grating when the American characters used what would typically be considered British phrases instead of saying things the way an American normally would. I don't know if it was an error on the editor's part or trying too hard on the character's part. But it just didn't work.

Regardless, I would like to thank Emma Burstall, Aria & Aries, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

Sisters Celia and Sophie couldn't be more different. Celia is disciplined, regimented, and scheduled. Sophie is a free spirit. The two sisters have been estranged, and must come together after their grandmother dies, and leaves her house to them.

They hadn't seen their grandmother for years, since they were children, and their mother had a falling out with her parents.

Celia wants to sell, Sophie wants to keep the house. While they are cleaning out the house, a shocking family secret come to light. Can the two sisters find their way back to each other, and possibly overcome years of bad feelings and resentments?

Following their grandmother’s death, Celia and Sophie discover that they have inherited her beloved home, ‘Piping Plover House’. Though they are sisters they have nothing in common. Celia is a doctor, with a husband and two grown sons living in a beautiful house. Her feet are firmly on the ground, and she likes to give the impression that everything in her world is wonderful. Whilst Sophie is a single parent of one grown daughter, both of whom have very little money and seem to be a little flighty.

Piping Plover House is on Rockaway Beach, New York and has seen better days. The sisters travel there with the intention of clearing the house and putting it up for sale. On arriving, the house brings back lots of memories of spending many fun-filled childhood summers there, on the beach and playing with the local children, but the visits suddenly stopped. Sophie’s memories are much fonder than Celia’s and she decides she would love to keep the house, whilst Celia just wants to rid her hands of it.
A poorly disclosed family secret leads to the gap widening between the sisters, leaving Sophie’s world upturned and requiring her to revaluate her life.

Emma’s books drag you so far into the story that you can picture everything in your mind’s eye. I loved reading this book and thoroughly enjoyed the plot. It’s a warm and cosy read whether you are snuggled in the armchair or lazing on the garden. Yet another enjoyable book to add to Emma’s already amazing catalogue!

Oh, I so wanted to love this book. The idea of family secrets, sibling rivalry and summer romance shouted to me. But sadly it never reached its potential. The story feels thin, with no depth to the characters or the history. The plot actually moves along really quickly and confrontations and reconciliations feel unrealistic. The characters are plentiful but lacking in purpose, in particular the Terrell character; his swift exit was as confusing as his presence in the first place.

I’m gutted not to have found more in this book. But you can’t love them all.

Sisters Sophie and Celia have been estranged for years. Celia’s life is strictly regimented whereas Sophie has a more carefree attitude to life. So when their grandmother dies and leaves them her old house on Rockaway Beach, New York, they both have different opinions on what they should do with it. As they fight and disagree about what should happen to the house, one of them will reveal an age-old secret which will have a devastating effect on the other.

A great tale of family secrets and sibling rivalry which was easy and entertaining to read.

This book was nothing short of awesome. It was witty, fun, and romantic and it kept me hooked from the very beginning.

As soon as I started reading this book I just knew I was going to love it. When a book hits you with that feeling after just the first few pages it’s a wonderful feeling. Everything about this book was excellent.