Melissa rushes back to Heritage Cove when Barney, the man who’s been like a father figure to her since she was a little girl, ends up in hospital. After an absence of five years, her return isn’t going to be easy, especially when she bumps into Harvey, the love of her life and the man she’s never been able to forget.
For reasons he couldn't explain at the time, Harvey changed his mind about going with Melissa to start afresh as they'd planned, and life moved on for the both of them. But with Melissa back in the village and determined to stick around to help Barney, they can't avoid each other forever. Melissa knows she let so many people down by staying away for so long, but she and Harvey blame each other for what happened and neither of them is willing to admit to being in the wrong.
When Barney insists on cancelling the Wedding Dress Ball, the charity fundraiser he holds every year in the stunning barn on his property, Melissa and Harvey realise they’re going to have to pull together. Otherwise the man they once knew might be gone forever. And when they unearth a secret Barney has never shared with anyone, they go in search of answers to not only ensure the ball runs this summer, but to bring back the Barney they know and love.
Back in the cove after all this time, Melissa gets to see the life she left behind and it’s time to deal with what it was that drove her away in the first place.
Beneath the summer sunshine in Heritage Cove, the sea sparkles, the heat rises and new love, reconciliations and the answers to an old love story could bring changes for everyone.
It's
always fun to jump feet first into a new series. so get ready to meet
the residents of Heritage Cove!
Melissa cancels her plans
at the last minute to return to Heritage Cove, a place she hasn't
visited since leaving five years ago when her ex, Harvey backed out
of their plan to move away and build a new life together. She's back
because Barney, her surrogate father figure is in hospital and she
needs to be there for him. Not surprisingly, she runs into Harvey and
they agree to put aside their differences to work together, to avoid
cancelling this year's annual summer Wedding Dress Ball; a charity
event and a worthy cause. It's also an opportunity for Melissa to
reconnect with those she left behind in Heritage Cove and to reassess
and decide
what's important in her life.
Ms
Rolfe is a new to me author and she's written a lovely introduction
to the townsfolk of Heritage Cove in what promises to be a wonderful
series. Her descriptions allowed me to visualise the coastal backdrop
and the lovely people who live there. The beginning is slow, but be
patient because as the main storyline builds, the pace picks up. The
main characters of interest are Melissa and Harvey, but Barney and
Harvey's dog, Winnie deserve honorary mentions too.
The
theme of the novel is facing up to facts to let go of the past, all
the while questioning the future. This is about second chances,
forgiveness and hope.
I have some mixed feelings towards
the end… I'm not going to spoil anything, and don't worry, there's
a happy ending. However, one aspect made me sad even though it was
for the best of reasons. Curious? If so, pick up a copy as soon as
possible to discover why!
***arc generously received
courtesy of the publisher***
Location is a big part of the adventure in Helen's books and she enjoys setting stories in different cities and countries where she thinks her readers might like to escape to.
Helen J Rolfe also writes for Orion Books under the name Helen Rolfe.
Born and raised in the UK, Helen graduated from University with a business degree and began working in I.T. This job took her over to Australia and it was there that she finally turned to what she loved and studied writing and journalism. She spent a while freelancing for women's health and fitness magazines, volunteered with the PR department of a children's hospital where she wrote articles and media releases, and eventually began writing fiction in 2011. And now, she thinks she may just have found her dream job.
Helen currently lives in Hertfordshire, UK, with her husband and their children.
