Sitting by the window with views of the shining sea, a white-haired woman seals an envelope with trembling hands and thinks of her grandchildren – two sisters who haven’t spoken for years. Will her final message bring them back together?
Ever since her sister Caitlin left the village of Heaven’s Cove, Isla has cared for their beloved grandmother Jessie in her cosy red-brick cottage by the sea. Now, heartbroken after Jessie’s death, Isla hopes to bond again with her sister. Until Caitlin insists she wants to sell the cottage they spent their childhood in.
But their grandmother, who always had a twinkle in her eye, had other plans. At her will reading the sisters are handed an envelope containing a cryptic riddle in Jessie’s handwriting. Certain their grandmother, who loved puzzles and crosswords, wanted them to solve it together, Isla begs Caitlin for more time.
Then Isla meets tall, brooding Ben in the village, come from America seeking answers about his own family history. One of his ancestors was close to a relative of Jessie’s… did Jessie mean for them to meet?
As Ben and Isla walk together on the wild Devon beaches, they discover a heartbreaking generations-old story of a woman who chose her family over true love. But Isla and Caitlin are no closer to solving their grandmother’s riddle: and when Caitlin finally shares a shocking secret about her life back in London, selling their grandmother’s home seems the only way forward.
Without their grandmother to guide them, will the sisters ever rediscover the meaning of family? Or will Isla be forced to leave Ben, and Heaven’s Cove behind forever?
This book can be enjoyed as a standalone.
An absolutely gripping and addictive page-turner about family secrets and sisterhood. Fans of Barbara O’Neal, Faith Hogan and Debbie Macomber will adore being swept away to the rugged Devon coast.
Buy link: https://geni.us/B0C8BN8PHJsocial
Liz writes heart-warming and uplifting women’s fiction about families and relationships, and romantic comedies full of love and laughs.
She worked as a journalist for years and brought up a family on the south coast of England, all the while writing fiction on the quiet. After being short-listed in a couple of national novel-writing competitions, her dream of being a published author came true when she was signed by Bookouture.
When not writing, Liz likes walking by the sea, catching up with friends and binge-watching box sets. She also loves hearing from readers and can be contacted at www.lizeeles.com, or on
- Website: www.lizeeles.com
- Twitter:@lizeelesauthor
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/lizeelesauthor
- Instagram: @lizeelesauthor
- Newsletter sign up: https://www.bookouture.com/liz-eeles
- One-word review: Captivating
- Emojis: 🫣🤔🥰
- Rating: 4.5🌟s
My thoughts:
Every once in a while, I find a story that I become invested in the characters’ lives so much that I want it to continue forever. The Sisters at the Last House Before the Sea by Liz Eeles is just such a book.
The characters are relatable, though wow, do they make bad choices. The sisters, Isla and Caitlin, sure can pick the worst of the bunch, which is nothing short of tragic. So, to watch them become empowered and realize some things about their lives need to change warmed my heart and made me feel like anything is possible.
I also enjoyed the mystery of their dead grandmother’s riddle, and going on the journey with the sisters as they discovered a past ancestor and eventually solved the riddle is absolutely compelling. I love a good riddle, and one that takes the characters on a journey to solve a mystery from the past is even better. It kept the pace at a consistent medium level, which never felt bogged down.
Now, if I could only follow them and see how their changes panned out! They and their story captivated me enough to honestly want to know.
7 responses to “The Sisters at the Last House Before the Sea by Liz Eeles #blogtour #bookreview #womensfiction”
This sounds like my kind of story. Wonderful review, Tessa💜
It is. Especially with those strong family themes!
I love books like this. I love a good strong female character
I do too!
A cottage by the sea *sigh*. Perfect. I like your line about their bad choices, lol. But I know what you mean about wishing some books would go on forever – I’ve come across a few of those myself, Tessa.
They are just so magical in their own way 💕
This sounds like a great read, Tessa. I love books that I really don’t want to end. Thanks for the review and recommendation. 🙂