Amber gazes towards the sparkling turquoise sea from the doorway of Beehive Cottage, clutching an old book in her hands. The yellowing pages tell the tale of another woman who lost everything but found hope and healing here. Will broken-hearted Amber find a second chance at the cottage too?
Devastated when her wedding is called off, Amber escapes to her family's seaside home on a beautiful windswept island. The charming cottage, up a steep lane from the cobbled quay, is falling apart. Grateful for the distraction, Amber throws herself into the renovation with the help of surly red-haired builder Ben. The old building hides many secrets and, behind a cupboard that was sealed decades ago, Amber finds piles of curled documents that send her deep into the past.
As she pours over the smudged ink, Amber is drawn into the wartime world of Georgina, a widow whose life was shattered before she came to the island. It was in this very cottage that Georgina found the courage to start again with her two young children. Inspired by Georgina's bravery, Amber begins to reinvent herself as she works with Ben to bring Beehive Cottage back to life. Together they unravel the secrets of the cottage, finding fragments of history behind its walls. And, even though her heart is still fragile, she finds herself growing close to handsome and thoughtful Ben as they spend hours talking over warming coffees by the ocean.
But when the islanders' protectiveness over Ben because of a past hurt makes her question their relationship, and a devastating fire threatens to destroy Beehive Cottage, will Amber lose Ben and her future on Morwen island? Or, when Amber discovers Georgina's memoir and learns of a wartime romance that blossomed against the odds, will she find the strength to fight for her own love story?
This book can be enjoyed as a standalone.
An absolutely heartbreaking, uplifting and unforgettable read that will whisk you away to a wild island on the British coast. Perfect for anyone who loves Debbie Macomber, Fiona Valpy and Trisha Ashley.
Readers love Rebecca Alexander's Island Cottage series:
'I loved everything about this!... Heartbreaking... I could not stop reading... Beautiful, heart-warming... My new favourite.' @shortbookthyme ¿¿¿¿¿

Rebecca Alexander PhD is an Associate Professor and Chair of Education Studies at DePauw University, Indiana. Her work specializes in education and borders, and segregated schools and communities.