Book Review: An Endless Cornish Summer by Phillipa Ashley

AD* | Rose Vernon is headed to a quiet Cornish village – to find the man who saved her life.

For Rose, every day is a gift. She narrowly survived a life-threatening illness and owes everything to her anonymous donor. Determined to thank him, Rose follows a trail of clues that lead her to the little Cornish fishing village of Falford.

But things become complicated when Rose is drawn into local life, becoming involved in the legendary Falford Regatta and meeting the handsome Morvah brothers – one of whom might just be the man she’s looking for. But which one?

Can Rose find the answer she’s searching for, or will she lose her heart before the summer is over?

Charming and heart-warming, An Endless Cornish Summer is the perfect summer read!

This story follows Rose, a young woman recovering from a life-threatening condition and hoping to get her life back on track. Determined to make the most of her second chance at life, Rose seizes the opportunity to move to Cornwall for a summer position. Of course, the fact that her life-saving donor may or may not be Cornish has nothing to do with her decision...

Rose soon settles into the rhythm of village life, becoming a familiar face around the small town where she's based. Rose's summer becomes much more interesting than she'd planned, with new friends and a sizzling love triangle in store! 

Rose is a brilliant main character. She's likeable, down-to-earth, and I could easily see myself in certain facets of her personality. The rest of the characters are also great, breathing life into the story. From quirky Oriel to the mysterious Morvah brothers, there are plenty of strong characters in this book. There's also a healthy dose of humour at the expense of the universally disliked Nige! 

Myths and legends are another strong theme in the book. Cornwall is known for its folklore, and some of these ancient tales and historical sites are brought to life in the pages of this book. 

An Endless Cornish Summer is a delight and it was over far too soon. It's immersive, well written, and will instantly transport you to the beautiful Cornish coast! 

Aside from the light-hearted nature of this summery story, there is also a more serious side to the book. Rose suffers from a condition called aplastic anaemia which affects the production of blood cells. It is incredibly serious and without treatment, can be fatal. In the story, Rose's life is saved by the donation of stem cells from a stranger - and in reality, it can be a long, worrying waiting game for those hoping to be matched with a compatible donor. 

Although only fictional, Rose's story has inspired me to sign up and join the stem cell register. If you're healthy and aged under 30, you may also be eligible to join. You can find out more and join the register on the Anthony Nolan site. Who knows, one day, you might also save a life! 

Rating: 5 stars

An Endless Cornish Summer is available to buy now. 

If you like the sound of this book, you might also enjoy...

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Will you be reading the book? Let me know in the comments below!