Kennedy Kerr Books

"Lila had a favourite rock to sit on towards the back of the cove, where she often ate her breakfast, gazing out at the tumbling Cornish sea. As the sun rose that morning, Lila wished with all her heart that the grey-green waves could wash away her old life. That Magpie Cove would help her move on, and to forget... When aspiring pastry chef Lila Bridges flees her life in the city after a heartbreaking tragedy, she finds herself working behind the counter at Magpie Cove's most beloved local establishment - Serafina's Cafe. The sweet, buttery aroma of freshly baked chocolate croissants, the cheerful gossip of the regulars and the elderly owner Serafina's feisty humour are a much-needed balm to Lila's broken heart. For the first time since it happened, Lila is beginning to laugh again... But when Serafina unexpectedly passes away, the future of the cafe looks bleak. Nathan Da Costa, Serafina's estranged son, inherits, and returns to Magpie Cove determined to inject some big-city glamour into the place. To Lila, it seems impossible that dour, money-obsessed Nathan could be related to dear Serafina. He may have his mother's mop of curly dark hair and deep brown eyes, but he has none of her warmth or heart. Lila needs this job and the sense of peace the town has brought her, so she's determined to make it work with Nathan as her new boss. But her resolution is tested when the secret Lila has been keeping about what brought her to the cove begins to unravel, just as she discovers an unexpected, sweeter side to Nathan. Will trusting Nathan Da Costa with her long-held secret be Lila's new beginning in Magpie Cove, or her emotional undoing?"--Provided by publisher

Set against the serene backdrop of the Cornish sea, the story follows Connie as she grapples with emotions stirred by a poignant handwritten note. The early morning light symbolizes hope and reflection, while the salty ocean air serves as a reminder of cleansing and renewal. As she confronts her feelings, the narrative explores themes of grief, healing, and the connection between nature and personal transformation.

When Mara Hughes inherits her late mother's tumbledown beach house overlooking the bright, sandy sweep of Magpie Cove, it couldn't have come at a worse time. With her marriage on the rocks and her husband threatening to take the family home, the beach house - with all the bittersweet memories it holds - might be the thing that finally sends Mara's world crashing down around her. She tells herself she'll only spend a few days there: sell it and move on to rebuilding her life. When Mara arrives, the house is in a worse state than she feared - but she loves it anyway. With all its history it feels like the last link to her late mother and, determined to do whatever it takes to keep it in the family, Mara strikes a deal with local handyman - and town heartthrob - Brian Oakley to save the crumbling cottage from ruin. But when a box of unopened old letters arrives on her new doorstep - a bequest from her mother's will - Mara's resolve to save the beach house will be tested to the limit. Because Mara's mother's perfect childhood in Magpie Cove was forever spoiled by one haunting day in July, and the letters contain a secret about her family that Mara can scarcely believe to be true