Review: Wish Upon A Cornish Moon by Amanda James

(from Goodreads)

‘I can see you don’t believe me, girl, but I’m telling you that there’s magic in the moon and that big sea out there.’ Grandma Mary cleared her throat and winked. ‘Dreams come true for them as take those old tales to heart.’ 1938
One midnight in June, 15-year-old Lamorna Williams throws a message in a bottle into the Atlantic at Magic Cove, hoping to meet her one true love – and someone writes back. 1997
On the other side of the world, Lamorna tells her story to her 16-year-old great nephew Ethan inspiring him to do the same. But this time, his message isn’t found for over twenty years… Present day
Single mum, Merrin Pascoe, is told of the legend of Magic Cove. In a moment of madness, Merrin wishes on the moon, and next day she finds a bottle in the sea. Will the cove cast its spell once again… Readers love

Every now and again, a novel surprises me and this one certainly did. It's a pure delight from beginning to end.

The narrative begins with Grandmother Mary and her experience with the local folktale. She shares the details with her granddaughters, Lamorna and Morwenna, telling them how their dreams can come true...if they believe... It's simply to write a message in a bottle and follow the ritual on the Full Moon in June, down at Capel Porth Cove aka Magic Cove. Both young women choose to believe when the time was right for them and succeeded in finding their true love. Therefore, both are eager for the younger generation to embrace the tradition and for them to believe it can work for them too.

I liked how the author manages to weaver the past with the present, as we are introduced to Merrin and Ethan. Both have a tentative connection to the two sisters and how fate has brought them together. Just like those before them, they also have to have hope and faith and a belief that life will allow them to be together. Just like Lamorna and Morwenna, life throws up challenges for the pair to navigate and in the spirit of a happy ending, all turns out well!

Ms. James has written an enchanting story spanning several generations. Set again a mainly Cornish backdrop, we learn about a charming folk tale about how local young women can find a sweetheart if they just believe...

***arc generously received courtesy of One More Chapter via NetGalley***

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