The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay by Nicola May – Book Review
The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay by Nicola May – Book Review
The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay
Author – Nicola May
Publisher – Nowell Publishing
Pages – 365
Released – 9th April 2018
ISBN-13 – 978-0956832351
Format – ebook, paperback
Reviewer – Stacey
Rating – 4 Stars
I received a free copy of this book
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Rosa Larkin is down on her luck in London, so when she inherits a near-derelict corner shop in a quaint Devon village, her first thought is to sell it for cash and sort out her life. But nothing is straightforward about this legacy. While the identity of her benefactor remains a mystery, he – or she – has left one important legal proviso: that the shop cannot be sold, only passed on to somebody who really deserves it.
Rosa makes up her mind to give it a go: to put everything she has into getting the shop up and running again in the small seaside community of Cockleberry Bay. But can she do it all on her own? And if not, who will help her succeed – and who among the following will work secretly to see her fail?
There is a handsome rugby player, a sexy plumber, a charlatan reporter and a selection of meddling locals. Add in a hit and run incident and the disappearance of a valuable engraved necklace – and what you get is a journey of self-discovery and unpredictable events.
With surprising and heartfelt results, Rosa, accompanied at all times by her little sausage dog Hot, will slowly unravel the shadowy secrets of the inheritance, and also bring her own, long-hidden heritage into the light.
Rosa Larkin has been left a corner shop in Cockleberry Bay, Devon, in the will of an unknown person. She has also been left £2000, and a letter telling her that she cannot sell the shop, she can only pass it on to someone worthy.
It came as a complete shock to Rosa, as she has no family, due to being brought up in foster care, nor know of anyone who cared about her enough to do something like this for her.
Heading from London to Devon, she decides to give it a go at being a shop owner. However, she finds the village of Cockleberry suffocating as all the villagers know one another and like to interfere in other peoples lives.
Will Rosa be able to cope, not only with running a shop but with people being overbearing when she is used to being alone?
I wasn’t too sure what I was going to make of this book at the start. A couple of chapters in and Rosa had complete and utterly got on my nerves. She wasn’t an instantly likeable character, but as I carried on I found that I started warming towards her. Having been brought up in foster care, she learned to put up this wall around her and not let her emotions be on show, only allowing people to see the tough exterior. Over time this wall did come down, and it was nice to see the sweeter side of her.
For me, ‘Hot’, her little Sausage Dog, stole the show. Wherever Rosa went, Hot went too. He was so adorable and I enjoyed him being in nearly every scene.
The book has a lot of depth to it and a vast array of mainly wonderful characters. The setting is gorgeous, right on the beachfront in Devon. Old-fashioned shops, a proper tourist area, with a heart and soul to accommodate everyone.
It was a quick enjoyable read. I do wonder if Nicola May will take us back to Cockleberry Bay in the future?
Reviewed by Stacey
Purchase online from:
Amazon.co.uk – Amazon.com
About the Author
Award winning author Nicola May lives in Ascot in Berkshire with her rescue cat Stanley. Her hobbies include watching films that involve a lot of swooning, crabbing in South Devon, eating flapjacks and enjoying a flutter on the horses.
Inspired by her favourite authors Milly Johnson and Carole Matthews, Nicola writes what she describes as chicklit with a kick.
I was going to say how I thought the cover was cute because of that dog! This looks like a fun read for a beach/summer day.
I love when animals are a part of the story! Great review.
I just read this one and enjoyed it too. I adored little Hot and his antics, Ms. May has a clever sense of humor.
A sausage dog?! Sign. Me. Up! This one sounds like a slow, steady, easy summer read.
This sounds like a great summer read. The dog sounds like it gives the book real character. 🙂
Great review. Just started reading this one today!
Excellent review. Probably not my type of book, but the author looks interesting.
Sounds like such a sweet book- and a dog on the cover? Yes please!
I love this cover and the sounds of the story- and that dog!
I love international giveaways! The book sounds super cute!
*Fingers crossed*
Great review, I absolutely love the pretty cover this book looks and sounds absolutely amazingly cute and fun. I’m glad you enjoy it so much, thank you so much for sharing your awesome post and putting this book on my radar.