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Cliffehaven #10

Sweet Memories of You

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‘I’m not working on a factory floor or digging for victory, but in my own small way I do what I can for those I love.’

It’s 1943 and Peggy Reilly is at her best when the troubles of war come knocking at the door of Beach View Boarding House – especially when it concerns her younger sister, Doreen.
Doreen is divorced from Eddie, but his letters have taken on a more threatening tone of late. When Doreen barely survives a traumatic disaster whilst on leave in London, she returns home to Peggy and Cliffehaven in the hope that the love and comfort she will find there can help her recover.
However, Eddie continues to be an unsettling reminder of her past - and Doreen’s life is about to change dramatically.

A fabulous, heart-warming Second World War novel in Ellie Dean's bestselling Cliffehaven series (previously called the Beach View Boarding House series).

357 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2016

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About the author

Ellie Dean

32 books137 followers
Ellie Dean lives in Eastbourne, which has been her home for many years and where she raised her three children.

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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Teresa.
755 reviews214 followers
December 6, 2016
I love the books about Beach View Boarding House. There are some fabulous characters in the book. Peggy Riley is a big hearted loving woman but cross her and you'll see a different side to her. The boarding house is a haven for people who have lost homes through the bombing, for people coming to work in the town and for family who come and go but are always sure of their welcome.
Ron, Peggy's father-in-law and his scruffy dog Harvey are my favourites in these stories. Ron is always up to some scheme or other ably assisted by Harvey but he has a heart of gold and looks out for Peggy at all times. His own romantic entanglements are comic at times.
This book lacked a little for me compared to some of the others. The blurb says that Eddie, Doreen's husband causes trouble and won't give up. Yet he's mentioned one or twice at the start and then comes into it for a couple of pages at the end. Thought this was a tad misleading. The stories of the boarders weren't as interesting as usual.
However, it's still a good read and if you're following the series you will read it to keep up with all the antics.
Profile Image for Julie.
2,655 reviews42 followers
March 10, 2016
Warm-hearted, compelling and absolutely impossible to resist, Sweet Memories of You continues Ellie Dean‘s spellbinding series about the indomitable Peggy Reilly and the inhabitants of Beach View Boarding House!

In 1943, the Second World War is still raging on and the world is still in turmoil, but the feisty and resilient Peggy Reilly refuses to let the enemy get the better of her. Having opened up her home, Beach View Boarding House, to waifs and strays, Peggy has become like a surrogate mother to all the people who have walked through her door. Kind, caring and generous to a fault, Peggy has never been one to let life’s troubles overwhelm her. Although she’s had her fair share of drama and heartache, she is always willing to lend a helping hand and a sympathetic shoulder to all those who need her and when her sister Doreen turns up on her doorstep desperate in need of shelter and support, Peggy opens up her home and her heart to her sibling. But little does Peggy realise that this act of kindness is going to propel her straight into the path of danger!

Poor Doreen has had a rough couple of years. Her marriage to Eddie had ended in divorce and she had almost ended up seriously injured in a traumatic accident. Doreen has come back to Beach View Boarding House to rest, recuperate and recover from her horrible ordeal. However, trouble seems to be following Doreen around. Her ex husband Eddie’s letters start to get more and more threatening, leaving both Doreen and Peggy feeling distinctly uneasy and frightened of what Eddie might do next. Scared about what her husband is capable of, Doreen wonders whether she will ever be able to shake off the shackles of her past and start afresh or whether she will always be haunted by old memories which cannot be so easily forgotten…

When Doreen’s life changes dramatically, she begins to question whether she will ever find happiness again or whether she is doomed to spend the rest of her life tormented by anguish and regret.

Settling down with a cup of tea and a new novel by Ellie Dean is one of life’s pleasures! Full of warmth, heart, grit, emotion and plenty of dramatic twists and turns that keep you eagerly turning the pages late into the night, Sweet Memories of You is a fantastic addition to Ellie Dean’s mesmerizing saga about Peggy Reilly and the Beach View Boarding House inhabitants.

Sweet Memories of You is an outstanding Second World War saga about the ties that bind, the courage to live again and the healing power of family, friendship and love that will tug at your heartstrings, make you smile and shed a tear or two. Peggy Reilly is a fantastic character whom you’d love to have in your life: gutsy, generous and always willing to help anyone, she’s the sort of woman you’d love to have in your corner in any situation. Doreen was also a wonderful character and her inspiring, compelling and intriguing story is sure to touch your heart and strike a chord with readers everywhere!

A first class tale from a writer who gets better with every book she writes, Sweet Memories of You is another triumph for Ellie Dean!
330 reviews14 followers
February 9, 2016
l love these books! I have read all of the Beach View Boarding House series and have enjoyed every one. Reading this book is like visiting old friends and catching up on their news.
This story focuses on Doreen, Peggy' s younger sister, who we have heard very little about in previous books. The writing is of a very high standard, and the research and use of historical facts is brilliant.
Can't wait for the next "episode".
13 reviews
July 2, 2018
Too costly but great reading

I have loved reading this series of books. However, it is a very pricey entertainment, with each book costing approximately $9.00. I cannot imagine why an author this good has to set the price so high! As a result, once I finish the series and spent way too much, I will lay this author aside as she is much too expensive.
Profile Image for Marg.
314 reviews
January 31, 2016
Another awesome story in this series. It has very interesting to learn about WW2 and the different people their jobs and how they coped
Profile Image for Steven Báthory.
824 reviews14 followers
April 22, 2023
A l’aide de ces deux précédents volets, Tamara McKinley et sa série La Pension du bord de mer est parvenue à me faire apprécier ses touchantes intrigues se déroulant durant la Seconde Guerre Mondiale. Pourtant et bien que je ne dois pas un adepte de cette sombre période, l’auteure réussit une nouvelle fois le paris de me faire vivre de tendres émotions malgré la dureté de ce nouveau chapitre.

En effet bien que toujours aussi riche historiquement parlant, cette nouvelle lecture m’a semblé bien davantage pesante tant le sujet de la guerre et les conséquences de ce conflit sont bien plus présents qu’à l’accoutumée. Le quotidien de nos pensionnaires se veut ainsi loin de tout repos et j’ai fortement apprécié traverser les nombreuses épreuves dépeintes en leur touchante compagnie. Avec réalisme et émotion, Tamara McKinley délivre un récit authentique et poignant dans lequel amour et guerre se mêle à merveille. Mes sentiments n’ont cessé d’alterner entre douceur, tristesse et mélancolie. Ainsi, j’ai été sensible à ce savoureux panel d’émotions venu m’assaillir tout le long de cette lecture. Il faut dire que je commence à être familier avec l’univers et ses protagonistes. C’est pourquoi et malgré l’importante galerie de personnages dévoilée, je me suis plongé avec facilité dans les nouvelles aventures de cette dernière et ce grâce a l’arrivée d’un nouveau personnage des plus attachant et touchant.

En effet, ce nouveau volet permet de mettre en lumière un personnage féminin au passé trouble et à la construction éloquente et pertinente, Peggy, la sœur de Doreen. Dès le premier instant, j’ai de suite été intrigué et saisi par la profondeur et la complexité de ce personnage dont la sombre et touchante histoire m’a plus que captivé et diverti. De plus, son apparition permet à Tamara McKinley d’aborder de forts sujets tout en lui permettant de mettre en avant la place de la femme au sein d’une société en plein conflit. Mieux encore, l’auteure fait graviter autour de cette dernière arrivée bon nombre de protagonistes précédemment rencontrés et que j’ai apprécié retrouver quelques instants. Les sentiments humains qui composent cette tendre bande de survivants se dévoilent toujours aussi bienveillants et débordent de bonté, permettant une tendre solidarité et une douce ambiance, savoureusement mis en lumière par la douceur de la plume de l’auteure.

Ainsi et bien que la guerre gronde davantage dans ce dernier volume, Tamara McKinley offre une intrigue toujours aussi passionnante et touchante et ce, grâce à l’arrivé d’un nouveau personnage féminin des plus touchant et attachant. Malgré la dureté de la période établie et des sujets évoqués, m’ayant offert de vives émotions, j’apprécie toujours autant me plonger dans la tendre et mélancolique ambiance de ce bienveillant univers.

Cette lecture a été réalisée à l’occasion de mon partenariat avec les Editions de L’Archipel.
Profile Image for Leigh.
1,182 reviews
March 1, 2020
I normally enjoy the Beach View series, but this book bothered me. Peggy came across as judgemental self righteous and a hypocrite, Doreen was selfish and kinda dumb and I rolled my eyes several times during this book. First off with a week of leave instead of moving heaven and earth to see her beloved children she decides to spend it with her lover because he wants her to himself. He even says that they could've gone to see the children. I get you're in love but it's been years since you've seen your children and yet you get on your high horse when you ex husband points that out. He might be a horrible man, but he has a point. Peggy yells at Rita's father for not writing for years and having fun at parties instead but thinks it's wonderful her sister chooses her lover over a day or two with children she hasn't seen in years. She also pissed me off for nagging Ron because he refused to read Jim's letter to her. He wrote that to his dad not you if there was anything relevant he would tell you. Mind your damn business woman! You aren't expected to read your love letters to Ron are you? Usually I like Peggy but both she and her younger sister were pains. Ron was a bright spot as was Harvey the hijacking of the award ceremony was hilarious. I loved Ivy and her spunk. She got injured quite a few times over the course of this book but happily came out alive and well. Doris is well Doris but as even Ron pointed out Peggy was acting a lot like her at times. I learned more interesting tidbits about the war, like the Bethnal Green tube station disaster which I had to look up read more about. Even when the worst happens to Doreen I just couldn't like her or feel bad for her and get past the fact that it was her choice to be there in the first place. I'm having bad luck lately with books and I only hope things improve next time.
Profile Image for Carole.
18 reviews
March 14, 2020
Another excellent book

I continue to be enthralled by the stories told of the different characters featured in this series who are all connected in some way to Beach View Boarding House. Although this book holds rather sad events there is so much more to learn. The storyline is also fuelling my interest in what life was like during the war years. I’m looking forward to the next book. Well done Ellie.
337 reviews2 followers
May 6, 2022
Heerlijk, zoals alle boeken in deze serie, Zorgen,warmte, liefde en Ron die altijd onverwacht, hilarisch, heldhaftig uit de hoek komt. 🤣❤️
13 reviews1 follower
December 30, 2022
Cliffehaven Series

Have enjoyed the series some of the books twice over.
Laugh at Ron & Harvey antics.
Would love a friend like Peggy
1 review
August 23, 2025
Cliffhaven Series

I have now read 10 out of 21 of the Cliffhaven Books and have thoroughly enjoyed everyone. I cannot wait to read all the others.
Profile Image for Julie.
2,655 reviews42 followers
March 12, 2016
Warm-hearted, compelling and absolutely impossible to resist, Sweet Memories of You continues Ellie Dean‘s spellbinding series about the indomitable Peggy Reilly and the inhabitants of Beach View Boarding House!

In 1943, the Second World War is still raging on and the world is still in turmoil, but the feisty and resilient Peggy Reilly refuses to let the enemy get the better of her. Having opened up her home, Beach View Boarding House, to waifs and strays, Peggy has become like a surrogate mother to all the people who have walked through her door. Kind, caring and generous to a fault, Peggy has never been one to let life’s troubles overwhelm her. Although she’s had her fair share of drama and heartache, she is always willing to lend a helping hand and a sympathetic shoulder to all those who need her and when her sister Doreen turns up on her doorstep desperate in need of shelter and support, Peggy opens up her home and her heart to her sibling. But little does Peggy realise that this act of kindness is going to propel her straight into the path of danger!

Poor Doreen has had a rough couple of years. Her marriage to Eddie had ended in divorce and she had almost ended up seriously injured in a traumatic accident. Doreen has come back to Beach View Boarding House to rest, recuperate and recover from her horrible ordeal. However, trouble seems to be following Doreen around. Her ex husband Eddie’s letters start to get more and more threatening, leaving both Doreen and Peggy feeling distinctly uneasy and frightened of what Eddie might do next. Scared about what her husband is capable of, Doreen wonders whether she will ever be able to shake off the shackles of her past and start afresh or whether she will always be haunted by old memories which cannot be so easily forgotten…

When Doreen’s life changes dramatically, she begins to question whether she will ever find happiness again or whether she is doomed to spend the rest of her life tormented by anguish and regret.

Settling down with a cup of tea and a new novel by Ellie Dean is one of life’s pleasures! Full of warmth, heart, grit, emotion and plenty of dramatic twists and turns that keep you eagerly turning the pages late into the night, Sweet Memories of You is a fantastic addition to Ellie Dean’s mesmerizing saga about Peggy Reilly and the Beach View Boarding House inhabitants.

Sweet Memories of You is an outstanding Second World War saga about the ties that bind, the courage to live again and the healing power of family, friendship and love that will tug at your heartstrings, make you smile and shed a tear or two. Peggy Reilly is a fantastic character whom you’d love to have in your life: gutsy, generous and always willing to help anyone, she’s the sort of woman you’d love to have in your corner in any situation. Doreen was also a wonderful character and her inspiring, compelling and intriguing story is sure to touch your heart and strike a chord with readers everywhere!

A first class tale from a writer who gets better with every book she writes, Sweet Memories of You is another triumph for Ellie Dean!
Profile Image for Leboudoirdulivre.
348 reviews12 followers
April 14, 2023
J’ai toujours aussi hâte de découvrir la suite des aventures de Peggy et ses locataires de la Pension du Bord de Mer. Rare sont les lectures dont j’attends le tome suivant avec impatience surtout qu’on en est au dixième et qu’on ne s’en lasse toujours pas.

Un énorme merci à Mylène et à NetGalley pour me permettre de découvrir cette série en avance.

Londres, février 1943.

Doreen Grey, divorcée et mère de deux enfants en poste au ministère de la Défense culpabilise de sa relation avec Archie et compte bien profiter de son rendez-vous amoureux sans se douter de la terrible épreuve qui l’attend.

A Cliffehaven, Peggy pense aux autres comme à son habitude et plus particulièrement à sa soeur Doreen. Heureusement, ses locataires redonnent de la vie à la pension du Bord de Mer malgré l’éloignement des êtres chers.

Ivy Tucker n’en peut plus de vivre chez Doris qui l’utilise comme sa domestique alors qu’elle s’éreinte à l’usine de munitions. La nouvelle locataire de Doris va être la goutte de trop.

Entre le départ de l’une de ses pensionnaires, le secret de Ron, la guerre en Asie, l’absence d’un père, l’inquiétude permanente pour ceux partis au front, un nouveau compagnon de jeux pour Daisy, un malentendu…

Une remise de médaille mémorable, une promesse, un amour perdu, les bêtises de Ron et de son chien Harvey, un chantage odieux, un bombardement lourd de conséquences, un sauvetage présage d’un amour naissant, Peggy et les amours de ses pensionnaires…

Encore une fois, Peggy et les locataires de la pension du Bord de Mer ne seront pas de trop pour apaiser les tensions naissantes et résoudre les problèmes quels qu’ils soient.

Les drames et les joies s’enchaînent dans les tourments de la guerre qui font rage !

Beaucoup de sujets du quotidien des civils durant la Seconde Guerre mondiale sont abordés comme les bombardements causants des désastres rendant des familles endeuillées ou qui ont tout perdu, le chômage, le rationnement, le marché noir et un sujet passé sous silence le « Bethnal Green Tube » qui a fait 173 victimes.

Ce 10ème tome amène les lecteurs au coeur de la guerre avec un réalisme saisissant, on entre dans une période sombre qui met tout le monde à l’épreuve de l’absence des êtres chers, du deuil, des catastrophes… Le courage, l’abnégation et l’entraide de la population n’auront jamais été aussi importants.

Un 10ème tome dans lequel beaucoup d’épreuves et de drames attendent les pensionnaires de la pension du Bord de Mer mais où le bonheur ainsi qu’un cadeau inattendu sont au bout du chemin.

Un 10ème tome émotionnellement intense !

L’amour n’a jamais été aussi beau et mis à l’épreuve que durant les guerres !

Profile Image for Shreedevi Gurumurty.
1,018 reviews8 followers
December 8, 2021
In London 1943, Doreen Grey, the youngest sister of Doris Williams and Peggy Reilly, is having the time of her life with her beloved Archie Blake and she has a fulfilling job as a secretary for prominent science personnel at the MOD, so the true nature of her employment has to be kept secret. Doreen is divorced from her unreliable husband, Eddie, and their two young daughters, Evelyn and Joyce have been safely evacuated to Wales. But when Doreen barely survives a traumatic disaster whilst on leave in London, she tries to set aside her grief by focusing on her work, but traumatic memories keep haunting her everywhere she goes. To make matters worse, her ex husband's letters which she has avoided answering, have taken on a more threatening tone of late, as he plans to swindle Doreen of her respectability and beloved daughters. Meanwhile in Cliffehaven, Peggy Reilly is at her best when the troubles of war come knocking at the door of Beach View Boardinghouse, especially when it concerns her sister, Doreen. Doreen returns home to Cliffehaven in the hope that the love and comfort she will find there can help her recover. However, Eddie continues to be an unsettling reminder of her past-and Doreen's life is about to change dramatically.The Bethnal Green Tube Disaster occurred on 3rd March 1943. It was the UK's largest single loss of civilian life during WWII. More than 170 people fleeing from an air raid were crushed to death when the entrance to the east London station became blocked. The people involved in the disaster, were told to never speak of what had happened that night as the British government, fearful of damaging public morale, attempted a cover up.The Ministry of Defence (MOD or MoD) is the British government department responsible for implementing the defence policy set by Her Majesty's Government, and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces.Winston Churchill,on forming his government in 1940,created the office of Minister of Defence to exercise ministerial control over the Chiefs of Staff Committee and to co-ordinate defence matters.
Profile Image for Jess Swann.
Author 13 books22 followers
May 2, 2023
Un nouveau tome qui nous présente le personnage de Doreen la troisième des soeurs... Pour ce tome on suit en parallèle la vie de la pension, entre les secrets de Ron ( et de Jim) et Peggy qui se démène pour aider tout le monde et répandre le bonheur autour d'elle. On vit parfaitement le drame de Doreen et on comprend sa sensation d'étouffement dans la scène de Londres.. Heureusement, on peut compter sur Peggy pour voler à son aide. En parallèle, la vie de la troisième soeur, la méchante Doris s'écroule (et je reconnais de mon côté plaindre beaucoup Doris qui me semble la plus perdue des filles). On retrouve également les familiers de la pension avec la petite nouvelle Ivy et son idylle naissante ainsi que Reine (un ajout bienvenu à la tribu, je suis fan ) . Le tout rythmé par les attaques aériennes au centre des intrigues de ce tome.

Ce que j'aime : l'ajout de Reine ( il y a intérêt à ce qu'il ne lui arrive rien dans le prochain tome), la générosité de Peggy, le penchant de plus en plus prononcé de Mrs Finch pour le sherry et Doreen.

Ce que j'aime moins : Ivy ne m'a guère intéressée, j'ai trouvé que son histoire ressemblait un peu trop à celle des précédentes pensionnaires ( dans le sens romantique) et je n'accroche pas à son caractère

Pour résumer

Un tome plus sombre que les précédents qui nous permet de rencontrer la soeur de Peggy et Doris

Ma note

8/10
Profile Image for Gail Amendt.
806 reviews31 followers
December 16, 2017
When I need a light and easy read, I often turn to this delightful series. This is the tenth book, so the characters feel like old friends, and it is quite possibly the best of the series thus far. We finally get to meet main character Peggy's younger sister Doreen, of whom we have heard many times but never met. Through Doreen, we learn of the real life Bethnal Green Tube Tragedy, which was hushed up by the government at the time it occurred as it was feared Hitler would exploit it for propaganda purposes. This book also expands on the character of Ivy, who was a minor character in the previous book, and through her we get a glimpse into the lives the brave young women who faced danger working in munitions factories. It explores some fairly distressing subject matter, but is lightened by some very comedic moments involving the other characters. Over the course of the previous nine books, many characters have passed through the Beach View Boarding House, and the author cleverly updates us on many of them through casual conversations scattered through the novel. Just when I thought this series was starting to become repetitive and cliched, the author came out with this gem, and I am very excited that I have the next installment waiting for me.
8 reviews1 follower
February 15, 2016
Yet another masterpiece from Ellie

Couldn't wait to read the latest instalment and I was not disappointed. You really feel part of the family and its as if you know the characters personally. I couldn't put the book down and sadly all too soon it was finished. I really think these books should be made into a tv series. Yet again Ellie has fulfilled everything in this book taking us into the lives of the characters. It was a sad story but these things happened during the war. You can feel the emotions through the pages. I can't wait for the next book, and never want them to end. Ellis is a fantastic author and I would recommend her to anyone. Another masterpiece. Congratulations Ellie x
Profile Image for Sheila Knight.
77 reviews
February 22, 2016
Good Read

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I have read all the previous books in the series and each one is brilliant. I Love the characters and feel that I am there with them they are so real, which is down to the excellent writing. The main storyline in this one is a bit sad but very sympathetically written, and the continuing storyline of all the other characters lives gives a good insight of how it was to live in this period of our history. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Diane.
951 reviews16 followers
March 18, 2016
Yet more adventures of Peggy and Co. In this book we meet Peggy's younger sister Doreen who has been mentioned in other books. It is a sad story, but Ellie tells the stories of the war so well, including the Bethnal Green tragedy which was kept quiet at the time. Every time I read one of the beach view series it always leaves me waiting for more. Well done Ellie on yet another great book.
7 reviews1 follower
February 2, 2016
A great read

A brilliant read another thrilling book in the Beach View Boarding House series could not put it down and read into the early hours, can not wait for the next instalment
Profile Image for Sally Cunliffe.
57 reviews6 followers
August 4, 2016
I have enjoyed all the Ellie Deab books I have read, true they are a bit "sameish" but I like them and I want to meet the characters and visit the places in the book which is always a sign it is a good read
Profile Image for Heather Copping.
673 reviews12 followers
October 3, 2016
Another great book by Ellie Dean, this one tells the story of Peggy's sister Doreen, I have read all of this series and enjoyed each one and now starting on number eleven Shelter from the Storm.
Profile Image for Meg.
49 reviews5 followers
July 29, 2017
I'm glad this one was a library book as it turns out I'd already read it!
Profile Image for Fi.
697 reviews
April 29, 2020
Really love this series, I'll be so sad when I've read them all!
Profile Image for Yvonne Nelson.
1,286 reviews2 followers
August 1, 2020
if you like stories set in WW2 this is a great story for you
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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