Really enjoyed this, I think it’s such a lovely series of books. Connie is fabulous, and I love how she took charge at the end! All the characters are great, and I’m curious if we’ll be back at Starshine Cove in the future.

I had not read the previous books in this series, but this didn't matter. This is Connie's story - I think she had appeared in several of the previous novels. Connie runs a cafe in Starshine Cove. Widowed a few years before the story opens, she is at a crossroads - her three teenage children are moving on and she is starting to feel lonely. Then someone from her past, who she had briefly shared a connection, re-enters her life. However, will she be brave enough to start a new friendship? Warm and cosy, I enjoyed this book and would recommend to fans of Bella Osborne and Rachel Bennett.

Thank you to Storm Publishing, NetGalley and author Debbie Johnson for this eARC

Another great addition to the Starshine Cove series.

Starshine Cove has become a bit of a comfort series for me. I love the cozy, small town vibes and characters Johnson has created here. It feels like coming back to old friends whenever a new book comes out.

I loved Connie in the past books and was really happy to learn a bit more about her past, how she got to Starshine Cove and her inner workings & thoughts. Also to see her open up a bit more to her community and of course get her happily ever after.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5/5

"Starting Over in Starshine Cove" is the fourth instalment in Debbie Johnson's Starshine Cove series, a heartwarming novel that centres on Connie Llewelyn, the beloved owner of the local café in the enchanting seaside village of Starshine Cove. After the loss of her husband, Connie has devoted herself to her children and community. Now, as her children leave home, she begins to think about her own future. The unexpected arrival of Zack, a figure from her past, presents Connie with a chance for new beginnings and possibly love.

Set against the charming backdrop of Starshine Cove, this book features vivid descriptions that make you feel as if you are strolling through the picturesque small town. The author has crafted her characters to create a closely knit community that is warm and welcoming. Even the side characters add a lively atmosphere to the story, making it even more enjoyable to read.

This novel is perfect for fans of heartwarming small-town romances, second chances, and uplifting stories about love in later life.

A lovely read, I've enjoyed other books from Debbie Johnson set in Starshine Cove. This novel focuses on Connie, the beating heart of the village who reconnects with an old friend who might be something more following the death of her husband.
It's a little slower paced than the other novels in the series but the characters are likeable and the sub plots of the secondary characters such as the friendship between Connie's daughter and Zach's daughter respectively and Zack's innovative programme ideas being together the story nicely into a great happily ever after. Although this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. Thanks to Net galley for the advanced copy

A lighthearted, super quick read, easily finished in an hour. If you are looking for something light and fluffy, with zero angst, and small-town vibes, give this a go. This book has love, loss, and second chances, all set against the enchanting backdrop of a picturesque seaside village.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

I hate to say it, but I had to DNF this book at 40%. I gave it multiple tries, but I just couldn’t get invested in the story. It felt slow, and honestly, not much seemed to happen. From the very beginning, I had a pretty good idea of how it was all going to end, which took away any sense of excitement or surprise.

That said, I don’t think it’s a bad book—it’s just not for me. I was hoping for that charming small-town energy with lovable, positive characters, but I didn’t really feel it here. If you enjoy slower-paced stories, you might have a better experience, but unfortunately, this one just didn’t hold my attention.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

I love a book by Debbie Johnson andthis was no exception ,it’s a lovely story in a lovely one of love, loss and new beginnings. As always Debbie writes with such warmth and it’s also full and of humour just when you need it, if your looking for an emotional ride where your tears are both dead and happy I definitely recommend Starting Over in Starshine Cove

"Connie Llewelyn is the beating heart of the magical seaside village of Starshine Cove. She runs the local cafe, and is everybody's friend – always on hand with a kind smile, a listening ear and a freshly-baked scone."
But she is a bit lonely
I loved this story, the place is incredible, the people are kind, the relationships are brilliant.
Lovely

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an early release of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book and read it in one day. I loved the story line and all the characters. I felt like I was with them in this book. I would definitely recommend this book.

Starting Over in Starshine Cove is a heartwarming, uplifting story that had me hooked from the start. Connie is such a wonderfully relatable character—kind-hearted, resilient, and ever the supportive friend. Her dedication to her family and community makes her the perfect anchor for the magical seaside village of Starshine Cove, and I found myself invested in her journey from the very first page.

The arrival of Zack, a face from her past, adds a beautiful layer of complexity to the story. Their rekindling relationship is slow-burn and full of sweet, tender moments. As Connie faces the challenge of rediscovering herself after years of putting others first, I couldn’t help but root for her to take the leap and embrace a new chapter of life—one that’s truly hers.

The village itself feels like another character in the book, full of charm and warmth, and the relationships between Connie and the other residents are filled with so much love and authenticity. This book is perfect for anyone looking for a feel-good story about second chances, self-discovery, and the importance of community. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of Connie’s journey and loved how it reminded me of the beauty in embracing change at any age.

I love this series!
**rounded up from 4.5 stars**

A sweet story about life in Starshine Cove in Dorset. Village life is described without being too unrealistic or saccharine about it and characters from previous books also make an appearance. Connie is a widowed mother of 3 young adults and runs the cafe in the village. When she gets to meet her daughters's college friend and her family, it transpires that Zack (the father) and Connie have met before. When the girls come to work in the cafe, Zack also comes along. The plot follows a fairly predictable path, but there are also some serious issues in the book. Faairly typical for this type of book is the non/miscommunication.On the whole though a light, entertaining read.
Thanks to Net Galley fort he ARC

Starting Over in Starshine Cove
by Debbie Johnson

The book started off slowly, and I found it hard to fully immerse myself in the story. It tells a tale of second chances and self-discovery, set against the beautiful backdrop of the seaside village of Starshine Cove. In this charming community, Connie Llewelyn runs the local café and is a friend to everyone.

This is a lovely addition to this series, it sees us finding out about Connie from the Cafe, this is a really well written story and I am sure there is more to come from this character and this Cove, for such a small area, there are plenty of stories.

It is always nice to hear how other characters are coming along and Debbie just writes stories with such ease the reader knows what they are getting ...... a great story with no waffle.

Looking forward to the next chapter.

This was heartwarming and fun, with relatable characters and a witty writing style. I haven't read the other books in the series but I didn't feel like I was lost reading this as a standalone. I enjoyed the pace of the book and how it sprinkled in each of Connie and Zack's past to give us an idea about their characters and how they got to where they are. This books gives proof to second chances and allowing to give them to yourself and is a perfect book for fans of fun contemporary romances. Add this one to your list!

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review was posted (Instagram, Goodreads, bookishlytara blog, Storygraph) on February 22, 2025. An additional post was posted on Instagram on the publication day as well as an Amazon Canada review.

Connie was on the verge of making it big. She had just inked a big deal that would shoot her into stardom. But her youth and her impulsiveness shut her down. Instead she found herself and a fulfilling life in Starshine Cove. Now she is a fairly recent widow with almost grown children. Connie is mostly happy with her life although she dearly misses her beloved husband.

Starshine Cove is a small, idyllic town. The town is almost hidden away from tourists and the residents are happy and fulfilled.

When her daughter and the daughter's best friend decided to do a practical part of their education in Connie's cafe, Connie meets the best friend's father. He's also a man from her past.

The girls decide that Connie needs to start dating again. She's not so sure. She reluctantly tries online dating. Zack eases her back into thinking about another love relationship. And she learns to see the new and wonderful person she has become.

I haven't (yet) read the previous books in this series but I've enjoyed other books by Debbie Johnson.

This was a lovely light-hearted second chance romance. The town sounds like such a lovely place.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Four books into this fabulous series, and we finally get a book dedicated to Starshine Cove stalwart, who has been present in the previous books in a big way, and we now get to learn all about her.

And I was delighted to see it, as I love Connie but I don't think even though it had been mentioned previously, just how much her backstory effected her. And it was good to see it in a lot more detail.

When there is a blast from the past that leads to her Starshine Cove life melding with someone she knew back in the day from London, it's interesting to see just how Connie will cope.

There is a whole lot of great food in this book, leaving me to feel hungry a lot while reading, and it was a warm hug of a book to read.

I enjoyed seeing the tables turned on Connie, as her friends and children attempt to matchmake her, after years of her doing that to them! It's a lovely story about the community in Starshine Cove which is fast becoming a favourite fictional location of mine. I hope there are many more books to come in this series that I am so thoroughly enjoying.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

What a funny, warm, emotional, charming and unforgettable romance. This book has a great, realistic story line full of heart with amazing characters. Beautifully written and a heartwarming, feel good adventure about second chances and later in life love. I loved how the story and the relationship between Connie and Zack unfolded and it was a wonderfully satisfying journey. This was a great story!

Debbie Johnson is a fabulous author and I love her books. This is book four in the Starshine Cove series and it focuses on the life of Connie originally who has a fast-paced life in London and after starting a new life in Starshine Cove has to effectively do it all over again after the death of her husband and her children leaving home.

I loved the reality of how a woman of a certain age feels about her image and body and this was handled very sensitively with the affirming message that not everyone sees her through the same lens. Connie bravely attempts to get back into the dating scene which is for the bold and brave and the story unfolds with some ups and downs for her from there on.

Another great addition to this series with hopefully more to come in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.