I really enjoyed The Cornish Cottage by the Sea—it's the kind of cosy, uplifting read that’s perfect for a beach getaway or a quiet weekend. I instantly connected with Jo and rooted for her journey of rediscovery after years of losing herself in motherhood and a stifling marriage. Her bond with the cottage and her growing friendship with Seamus felt authentic and heartwarming. While the plot did feel a bit tangled at times, the emotional moments and charming coastal setting more than made up for it. A heartfelt, feel-good start to a promising new series.

Thank you to Netgalley, Bookotoure and the Author Kim Nash for allowing me to read this before publication

Jo gets the chance to start over when someone she was once close to leaves her a Cornish cottage by the sea in her will, provided she lives in it. The cottage is not how she remembered it, but neither is her life as she is now an empty-nester and divorcee. Determined to live on her terms, Jo makes new friends, does things her way and puts herself first. All this takes time, and her new house finds its former glory as she grows stronger. There is romance, new friends and secrets to uncover too. I like the uplifting quality of this story and the likeable protagonist in whom you invest. All of them are relatable and enrich the story. The setting adds authenticity and depth, and the emotional tone makes it a heartwarming and occasionally poignant tale.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

There’s something quite special about starting a new series; new characters and locations to discover, which certainly brings plenty of joy and expectation. As we meet Jo Jenkins, it’s impossible not to be drawn to her and feel a genuine empathy for her new situation. Her ex is a piece of work and seems to have no redeeming features other than providing her with children. It was about time for something good to happen to her, and discovering the bequest of a seaside cottage is just the start.
As usual, Kim maintains a tight grip on the story and reserves the big reveal for maximum impact, and wow, it absolutely hit the mark. I suspected what was coming, but could not have guessed the detail or impact of the twists and turns ahead. Jo is bruised by her life experiences, but she’s happy to battle on and make lovely new friends along the way.
The Synopsis describes the jeweller, the businesswoman, and the Jack of all trades, but it doesn’t extend into any greater detail, and I can happily support that. There is greater joy to be discovered by diving in and learning how these characters work together and why Jo has been singled out for such a generous bequest when she wasn’t a relative, other than by marriage. Cue an appearance from her erstwhile husband.
There is a gorgeous romance that burns relatively slowly, moving at a steady pace and resulting in a perfect ending. I encourage you to buy or borrow a copy if you want to know more.
As the first in a new series, this book packs a terrific punch, and I can highly recommend it. So grab your sunny gear and head for the Cornish Coast.

How has it taken me this long to read another Kim Nash novel! I’ve been missing out on so much as this was a fabulous five star read. I instantly fell in loved with Jo and Seamus and the plot had my heart captivated from the start. The novel explores love, friendship and new beginnings and I can highly recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to review.

I liked watching Jo make new friends and stretch herself. I did not like her family members (except her mother). The timeline was a mess, and things were just tossed in and supposed to make sense. Still, I cared about Jo and wanted to see her happy.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kim Nash for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Cornish Cottage by the Sea coming out May 10, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really love romance stories and English settings by the sea, so I was excited to check this book out. It wasn’t quite what I was thinking. I prefer really cozy romances. So this was a little messier and like reallife. I wasn’t as into the story as I thought I would be. I would definitely check out other books by this author.

I loved this! As I read further into the book I found I couldn’t put it down, I needed to see Jo succeed, to realise that Seamus was perfect for her, and to see her finally triumph over her ex husband.

Jo was a very relatable character, loosing your identity being a full time mother is real, and when your children grow and fly the best it’s hard to remember who you were before, in Jo’s case you add in an ex husband who belittled her and kept crushing her spirit and you have to fight even harder for what you want- and that’s after you figure out what that is!

Jo’s connection to the cottage was something that she had from the very first visit, and like her, the cottage needed some TLC. It was very apt that she finances the project by literally selling anything of value her husband ever gave her. The new friends she meets along the way help her to rediscover herself and realise what a healthy friendship is like: supportive and caring.

The added twists to the story were cleverly woven in and were so moving, I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but believe me once you start reading you won’t be able to stop, and when you read the last page you’ll wish there was just one more.

This would make an excellent summer holiday read, preferably in a cottage by the Cornish coast.

This was a charming read in many ways, with lovely descriptions of the coastal setting and some heartfelt moments. However, I found the plot a bit all over the place at times—it felt like it was trying to juggle too many threads, which made it hard to stay fully engaged with the story or the characters. That said, there were still plenty of warm, uplifting moments that fans of cosy romances might enjoy.

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

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

I thoroughly enjoyed this, the first book in a new series set in Cornwall.

Jo’s life has mostly been looking after her children and husband and taking care of their home. But, when her children leave to start their own lives and her husband leaves her for someone else, Jo doesn’t know what she should do now.

This story takes us to Sandpiper Shore in Cornwall , Golden sandy beaches, the most amazing views, the sound of the ocean and the sun on your face (I wish I was there right now).

Then Jo is notified that she has been left a cottage in Sandpiper Shore. She decides to move there and start her life afresh.

I loved the setting, characters and the friendships formed by Jo and her friends.

I highly recommend this book.

I'd wanted to read a book by Kim Nash for some time now, so I jumped at the chance to join the Blog Tour for her latest book. The setting was absolutely gorgeous of course since it's set in Cornwall, but even more so because the cottage is right on the beach which would be a dream come true for me.

Jo has recently had her life turned upside down by her Husband having an affair with her best friend, but strangely this presents her with an amazing opportunity. As a Housewife and Mother she's always put others first, but now she has nobody to please but herself and I loved that she embraced her newfound freedom.

The flirty banter with Seamus was hilarious; the pair of them got on like a house on fire and I was itching for them to finally get together! I loved Jo as a character as she was incredibly quick-witted and had an amazing sense of humour. She just needed to have more confidence in herself as understandably it's taken a sharp nosedive recently.

This book was so much more than a Romance novel for me as it also explored themes of friendship, starting over and community. I loved that by putting herself out there Jo is able to find new friendships with two women that she wouldn't have otherwise met and the three of them give each other a much needed confidence boost.

All in all this was an uplifting read full of joy and humour. It showed that change doesn't always have to be scary, and you can build yourself a new life and friendships if you're willing to be brave and put yourself out there. We could all learn a lot from Jo Jenkins I think.

Jo Jenkins is recently divorced and mum to two grown up daughters who have busy lives of their own, so she's feeling rather lost and without purpose now she's got nobody to look after, then she receives a phone call from a solicitor about her ex husband's Aunty June who has recently passed away bequeathing Jo the cottage in Sandpiper Shore, Cornwall in her will. Jo used to love visiting June and often dreamed of owning this beautiful cottage one day, so she's shocked to discover it's now hers, on the proviso that she moves into it and, without further delay and some wise words from her lovely mum as to why she needs to grab life with both hands and enjoy it, she decides to do just that. The cottage, unfortunately, isn't how she remembers it and needs rather a lot of work to bring it back to life so, with the help of the lovely Seamus who lives nearby and her two new friends Michelle and Emma the dream begins to become a reality, but not without some pitfalls along the way and a long buried secret that will change everything.

The Cornish Cottage by the Sea is the latest romantic fiction by this author and it was like wrapping myself in a favourite cardigan. From the picturesque depths of Cornwall, with it's beautiful beaches and rolling countryside Nash brings us a story of hope and happiness, a tale of new beginnings and budding friendships which Jo could cherish for life. As mothers, we all put our children's needs before our own, so much so that when they fly the nest we are left floundering, with no sense of which direction to take next and feeling quite useless and, for Jo this was worse because she had no one to continue her journey with, until she moved to Cornwall where Seamus, Emma and Michelle showed her there was still so much to look forward to. This is a beautifully heartwarming and, at times, emotional tale centred around the importance of friendship and second chances and I loved everything about it.

I'd like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

Enjoyed reading this one. Jo's escape to a little Cornish village is an interesting challenge and ends up bringing her much more than new friendship.

She seems quite personable and I'm not sure I'd have been able to have settled as quickly as she does. The cottage itself sounds amazing and I'd love a project like hers. Her friends Michelle and Emma sound great and their Friday evening plans sound fun.

Jo's ex sounds infuriating and I was hoping he'd get some sort of comeuppance however the story is more about empowering Jo and following her journey. I did find it sad that her daughters had little interest in their mother and seemed to put more stock into their relationship with their dad despite the pig that he is. Can't choose your family and there are lots of positives for Jo in this.

The story ends in such a way that a sequel could follow. I feel like there's more to Jo and her friends that we could follow.

The Cornish Cottage by the Sea was a heartwarming and charming read with a fast pace that kept me engaged. I really liked Jo and her straightforward, supportive mother, and I admired Jo’s positivity, even when I wished she’d be more confrontational. Her witty banter with Seamus added to the enjoyment. The book delivered on romance, drama, community spirit, and unexpected twists. I appreciated the themes of fresh starts and taking chances. Overall, it was a delightful and uplifting story.

Thank you to NetGalley & Boldwood Books for the ARC!

Omg this book was fantastic . I literally couldn't put it down. Absolutely loved Jo Jenkins such a great character and Seamus was adorable. Loved the dynamic between the 3 ladies. Sandpiper shore sounds fab. I want an aunt to leave me a wonderful house by the sea. Can't wait to read the next one.

Oh by gosh, Kim has done it again. I absolutely adore Kim's writing. Her stories are uplifting and wonderfully entertaining. Also I had an amazing surprise when I read the acknowledgements and saw my name and it made me tear up.

From start to finish it was full of emotion, romance and humour.

I absolutely love Jo's character. She's had a really rough time at the beginning of the book but will things improved (well that's for you find out when you read it?).

There were parts in this book where I wanted to scream at certain characters but then other parts where I punch the air in celebration. I loved this book so much.

I was so happy to receive this book as I have read some of Kim’s books before and I enjoy her style of writing. The book centres around Jo,who is in her 50’s,recently divorced and with 2 grown up children. She doesn’t know what to do with herself,nobody needs her anymore. She still has her mother n nearby but even she is busy with a new man. Jo has just inherited a cottage by the sea,strangely left to her by her ex husbands aunt which she doesn’t understand. Jo always loved visiting her during their married life. She meets Bill on her first visit and he sends his son Seamus round to see if he can help her with sorting the house out. Seamus is lovely and Jo really likes him and he helps her with restoring the house.She makes friends with Emma who works in the local jewellers(when she takes all her jewellery she got from her husband)she wants the money to help with restoring the house, Emma is a widow and is lonely too. She also meets Michelle who is down for business but they hit it off straight away and Michelle wants to move to the are as she is lonely and can work from anywhere. Jo’s daughters flit in and out of the story along with her ex husband who left Jo for her best friend. Jo’s Mum,who we find out adopted Jo when she was a baby,and Jo are very close. You must read the book and see what happens to all the characters. It’s a great read,I didn’t want it to end. I hope there are more books.

I just finished The Cornish Cottage by the Sea and honestly, I feel like I’ve been on my own healing retreat to Cornwall. This book wrapped around me like a warm blanket on a breezy coastal morning. Jo Jenkins is a character I rooted for from page one—real, vulnerable, and quietly brave in a way that crept up on me.

After a lifetime of putting everyone else first, watching Jo step into her own story was so moving. Her decision to pack up and head to the windswept Cornish coast felt like something out of a dream, and the cottage—oh, the cottage! Crumbling, yes, but rich with possibility and charm. Just like Jo.

What really touched me was the way this book handles second chances and later-in-life transformations. It’s not about flashy reinvention—it’s about quiet strength, new friendships (I adored the jeweller and the fiercely loyal businesswoman), and learning to let go of what doesn’t serve you anymore. The local handyman with his mysterious past added just the right touch of intrigue—and heart. Their connection felt authentic and earned, not rushed.

And then there’s the secret hidden in the cottage, which added an emotional twist I didn’t see coming but fit the story beautifully. By the end, I was misty-eyed—not just because of the ending, but because it reminded me that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.

This book is like sea glass: soft, beautiful, and shaped by time. I’ll be recommending it to every friend who needs a dose of hope and a reminder that it's okay to choose yourself.

Jo is on a real downer; her ex-husband, who ran off with her best friend, still seems to have an impact on her life. Together they had two daughters who are now grown up and have successful careers of their own. Jo feels lonely, she has no one to look after, and even her Mother is enjoying herself with her "friend". But things are about to change for Jo, but can she change and accept the challenge ahead of her?

Jo has hit the menopause, her life has changed since her daughters have flown the nest, and it seems everyone around her has someone apart from her. A phone call from a solicitor comes as a bolt from the blue. Her Aunt June, by marriage, has died and left the cottage in Cornwall to Jo, rather than to Michael (the ex-husband). There is a stipulation... Jo has to move to Cornwall and live in the cottage.

Jo hadn't visited the cottage for a while, and it had changed over the years as the upkeep became too much for June. But with determination, she wants to make a go of this, something she can get her teeth into. She is not going to be able to do all of the work; luckily, there is a local builder who can help. Seamus can give her a quote, advice and suggestions about the things she should do. He is also easy on the eye, and there is a certain amount of flirting between the two.

This is a wonderful story that I adored, I had only planned on reading a couple of chapters before going to bed... 60% later!!! The story is one that really appealed to me, a mix of the children growing up and moving on, life moving on, and all the time it seems like Jo is the only what that has stayed stationary. She had gone from being so-and-so's Mum or Wife to being by herself. Not realising how she was going to do, what she liked or what she wanted to do. It seems that June and fate had other plans for her, as did the author.

The author has created a wonderful tale of finding friendship and of trusting in yourself, wrapped it up into Jo and also some of the other characters. There are dilemmas, tests of character and a certain amount of biting one's tongue, this is balanced out with quick, witty one-liners usually of the slightly suggestable type, fun and laughter from other characters and unexpectedly a shock discovery now that one was emotional!

The author has created a loving cast of characters who have the making of forming special friendships and bonds, building trust and having each others backs. This is a wonderful heart-warming story and one that I absolutely adored. I would definitely recommend it.

I loved this feel good book, it was very relatable to my own just now so was I stay hooked. Read it in one sitting. Jo is a divorcee and has put her children and others first, when she gets left a house in a Cornwall in a will, she’s determined to make the best of it. She has little money, but will make the old cottage work. It’s a beautifully written book that leaves you wanting more. It shows the positives after all the negativity in her life. A lovely 5 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

Jo Jenkins has a chance to start over. That is exactly what she does, a brand new start in a cottage by the sea. But to start over and settle in Jo must first get the cottage brought up to date.
I love this authors works, her books are always heart-warming and manage to bring a smile to your face. I love that there is always a message within the stories. Kim's books have a way of making you think about things and encourage you that if you want it, go get it, if you want to do it, go do it. You can do anything you put your mind to.
I also find these books are my comfort books, I love a good crime thriller, police procedural or gangland grit lit read, yet I know when I pick one of Kim's books up that it's going to make me smile, They are like a big pair of arms wrapping around you and leaving you feeling better about yourself. Encouraging you to go and seize the day.

The characters were fabtastic, I can see Jo and her friends Emma and Michelle going far, I see them having such fun together but also getting up to mischief. There really was some good characters in this book and I want to say more about each of them, but that would give too much of the story away. These characters are realistic and could be any one of us, any one of our friends.
Get yourself settled and dive in, this is a book you will not regret reading.

I really can not wait for more.