The Shape of Your Heart

by Debbie Howells

'When the world says “give up”, hope whispers, “try it one more time”.’

Callie’s always been the least ambitious of her sisters but also the happiest, until fate snaps her fiance before they can say I do.

One year later, she is still putting her life back together, but she might be ready for more. With so much life left to live, she has to find a way to be happy.

Nathan knows not everyone gets a second chance at life and he’s not going to waste his. He’s left the city behind, moved to Cornwall and is starting over. When he meets a beautiful woman at the beach it feels like fate, but her heart belongs to someone else.

Could Callie and Nathan be just what the other needs?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Chick Lit, Womens Fiction

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 7, 2023

About the author

Debbie self-published three women's fiction novels before writing The Bones of You, her first psychological thriller. It was a Sunday Times bestseller and selected for the Richard and Judy book club.
Since, she was written The Beauty of the End, The Death of Her, Her Sister's Lie, the e-book bestseller The Vow, and her latest, The Secret.
Her women's fiction novel, The Life You Left Behind will be published on 23rd February.

Follow her on Facebook at Debbie Howells writer and on Instagram @_debbiehowells.

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving finding love after loss story full of heart and great mental health rep. I loved this friends to lovers British romance and was rooting for the main characters to help one another heal and accept that love is worth taking a chance on. Good on audio too by a new to me author! Recommended for fans of books like The last goodbye.

[Sarah Kingsnorth · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEBBIE HOWELLS: THE SHAPE OF YOUR HEART

On her wedding day, Callie’s life falls apart.

Nathan, has moved to Cornwall for a slower pace of life, after going through his own tough time.

Inexplicably, the two are drawn together. Can they both learn to live again?

I was gripped by this book from page one. The pace is gentle, which is completely appropriate to the story.

Poor Callie, her world is totally destroyed on her wedding day. You can’t help but break a little bit for her. She is a sweet character, who deserves her happily ever after.

Nathan is lovely. He’s a thoroughly decent bloke who also deserves to find happiness.

I loved the sense of family in this book. Both Callie and Nathan have wonderfully supportive people around them.

Cornwall is a stunning setting. Debbie Howells creates enticing images in the readers mind with her beautiful descriptions of the coast and country.

There is a strong nod to the benefits of a simple life in this book. Sunsets, beach walks and gardening. You can almost smell the fresh air.

Callie and Nathan’s journey is an emotional one. There are many highs and lows that will move you.

This story is truly special. My heart felt every word.
A book I won’t forget!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

With thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for a digital arc of this title.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent read but very predictable and a bit saccharine at times. Definitely not a feel good book, quite a bit of sadness and drama.

[☆ jess ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you to boldwood books and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

the shape of your heart follows callie’s journey through grief after losing her fiancée on their wedding day. a while after his passing, callie meets nathan and helps him with his gardening in his new home. nathan has moved to a small cottage to change the ways of his life after a health scare that almost killed him.

this story was so well-written and i found myself to be so emotionally invested. it was perfectly structured and realistically portrayed the effects of grief and the importance of relationships between family and friends.

i will be recommending this book to everyone!

[Khatun Rajan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a really hard time reading this book. A little too saccharine for me. A little too predictable. Not sure if it counts as a full book read as I skipped from chapter 20-39 then read the ending😁🙈

[liana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars//

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Shape of Your Heart follows Callie and Nathan on their journeys navigating self discovery and grief. Callie lost her fiancé the day of her wedding a year before she had met Nathan, and Nathan had a serious health scare which pushed him to finally make a change in his life. He moves to Callie's small town, and following a few coincidences, they meet and Callie decides to help him with his garden. All kinds of feelings arise and Callie has to decide whether she wants to continue wallowing in her grief and sadness or take a few steps forward.

The author's description of the places and nature around the characters was very vivid and honestly just beautiful. I really enjoyed the way she portrayed the sceneries and how passionate Callie was about protecting the environment. She also delved into the subject of grief and how healing is subjective to each person and their situation. The book mainly revolved around that, with the romance being underdeveloped or more of a subplot rather than a focal point in the characters' stories.

I do have to say I could not see the chemistry between the characters. At no point did I feel they were meant to be because the 'coincidences' that lead them to one another were just too predictable and cliché to be believable. I also found the subplots to be a little dull and slow moving. It was pretty repetitive about halfway through, and I just wanted to finish it in all honesty.

All in all, I think the messages in this book were important reminders about how much there is to live for, especially when dealing with grief. If you are looking for an easier read about a relatable character realistically dealing with grief, definitely give this one a shot.

[Michael Gonzales · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Book is a story about grief, finding yourself and new beginnings.

I was Intrigued with the premise of the story. losing someone so early in one life and dealing with the what could of been is hard.
I loved Callie's family, though i wished to see each of them have their own personal scenes with Callie rather than just be in a group some sisters got lost in the shuffle for me.
Nathan the love interest was a great Anchor for Callies grief and confusion.
Tanith was also great being the fiery supportive friend. the cast of characters were different and just normal people dealing with loss in their own way.
Some of the things were predictable but it made sense. especially in Nathan's and Callies story. I loved how Callie figured things out on her own and had adventures of her own because sometimes grief and keep you stick in places emotionally.
overall it was a gentle read with characters you feel like you know.

[hungrybookworm.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

“𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴.”

— 𝖣𝖾𝖻𝖻𝗂𝖾 𝖧𝗈𝗐𝖾𝗅𝗅𝗌 (𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁)

When the loss of a loved one has left you broken, how can you pick yourself back up and carry on with your life?
 
On his way to the church for their wedding, Callie's fiancé, Liam, was killed in a car accident. A year later, she's still struggling with survivor's guilt. Then she runs into Nathan, who just recently relocated from the city to trade his fast-paced life after nearly losing it. He bought a beach house on the Cornish coast & eventually hired Callie to tend to his new garden, both of which were utterly out of character. They were easily drawn to one another. Nathan was very forthcoming and truthful about his feelings. But he is content to hold off until she feels ready to get involved. Callie also finds him attractive and catches a glimpse of Liam in him. However, she's afraid of losing her heart all over again. Having once known true love, she doesn't think she can go through the same pain of losing someone. 
 
Up until this book, I had not read anything by the author. My first impression is that I liked it, and I surely am a glutton for heartaches because, regardless of the fact that it always breaks my heart, I really get drawn into a sad or tragic storyline. Anyhow, this book deals with pain, healing, love, hope and acceptance. And in every step Callie takes towards healing, she makes us understand how difficult grieving is and how each of us experiences it differently. Even though the situation was angsty and slowly developing, it was impossible not to root for Callie to open her heart. And when she finally did, it was satisfying! Although I anticipated the twist, I loved how it added more complexity to the plot.
 
Thanks to the author, NetGalley & Boldwoodbooks for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for a review.
 
The Shape Of Your Heart is available today, 7th of February.
I'm very excited for you all to read this one. Be sure to grab your copy.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5⭐️

[Wendy W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
The Shape of Your by Heart Debbie Howells is a heartwarming story of grief and recovery with a bit of romance. It’s charming, emotional, and a very satisfying book.

Story Recap:
Callie isn’t as ambitious as her sisters but is perfectly content living a simple life in Cornwall, until her fiance is killed in a car accident, on his way to their wedding.

Now a year later, Callie is working to put her life back together, and she still lives in the small Cornish village near her lovely parents.

Nathan got a second chance and he’s not going to waste it. He left his high-pressure high-income job in London and found a home in Cornwall. His new priorities are a less stressful life, and to enjoy the little things. When he meets a beautiful woman on an isolated beach, he feels like he knows her. But, she makes it clear she’s not ready for a new relationship. Or is she?

My Thoughts:
It’s hard not to root for Callie and Nathan in this emotional and heartwarming book. Both characters enjoy a simple life and neither needs much to enjoy life. But, there are some pretty big obstacles for them to overcome. Callie is not quite ready to let go of the love of her life and Nathan is still working to figure out what his new life is about. And yet, they keep running into each other and enjoy each other’s company.

The book has a slower pace, but I didn’t mind as that’s exactly what the characters needed too. I loved the descriptions of the Cornish shore and small village and I felt like I was walking along the sandy beach along with Callie and Nathan. Their love story is one I’ve heard before, but it’s still unique and very special.

Recommendation:
I highly recommend The Shap of Your Heart to anyone who enjoys women's fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows Callie on the rocky journey of grief after she loses her fiancé, Liam just before their wedding. It's blunt in that there are days that Callie doesn't want to get out of bed. Then even though she gradually starts going about her days again, she still isn't "whole."

When Callie meets Nathan, she doesn't realize that he has been through his own year of drama and change. Following a severe illness himself, he's taken on a new attitude with life and is determined to slow down and enjoy it more. He's given up his partying ways and wants to be present and actually live and enjoy his life. Part of that for him is getting to know the sweet widow better. Unfortunately, Callie isn't quite ready to move on into a romantic relationship yet.

As the two maintain their friendship "only" relationship, it's sweet to see how they continue to connect in many ways. It may take time apart for them to both realize exactly what is most important to them and how to best achieve it.

The characters in this book are well-written and easy to connect with. In addition, the side characters are strong and vital to the storyline as well. Another important factor is the impact that the location has on the characters and their story. A big portion of the story revolves around Callie's hope that Nathan will work to preserve the land that he's looking to develop and try to damage it as little as possible. In addition, the beach near where they live is a connection for them both. It's where Callie initially met her fiancé, Liam and also Nathan later on.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written with great pacing. There is not a ton of major action, but there is enough going on that it does work well. I think that the author's choice to alternate between male and female MC narration worked well in this book (I do find that this style is a bit overused in contemporary romance but this one warranted it). I also like that it was a very slow romance which made sense based on the trauma Callie experienced and the grief she was working through. I think it was really neat the ways that the heart was used in both symbolic and literal ways, and in both representations; a bodily organ and a symbol of love. There were definitely a few curve balls I didn't see coming, and a few semi-predictable relationship misunderstandings (ex. catching the guy you like with a hot girl who happens to be his sister...), and some interesting opportunities to reflect on love, relationships, loss and independence. My only minor downside was that there was a good amount of information about Callie's backstory (events 1 year in the past), and not so much for Nathan. I think this was a conscious choice based on the slow reveal of information later in the story, but I think that an equal amount of info could have been given for Nathan's past without giving away any spoilers, and having a similar affect in the reveal. It just might have been helpful in creating two equal main characters. Overall it was a good book and I'd definitely recommend it.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started off as a romantic contemporary story with Callie finding her Mr. Right with Liam. On the day of their wedding though, tragedy strikes, and Callie is left to pick up the pieces. Now one year later, Callie meets newcomer Nathan. There are parts of Nathan that Callie finds comfort in ways he reminds her sometimes of Liam. He makes her feel safe and loved. Nathan had his fair share of tragedy and when he suffered a near miss, he decided to trade his fast-paced life for something slower and ended up in a cozy beach town. When he meets Callie, sparks fly and he hires her to do his garden. He can see Callie is still grieving and willing to wait for her. What happens though when Callie is stuck and finds herself in the part of guilt - she loves Liam and always will but she too deserves to be happy and at times it looks like Nathan can be the "new one" for her. Without giving the main plot away, this book reminded me of Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern and followed a similar storyline. I also love these sorts of reads as it does make you wonder whether memories can be stored in parts of your body and when transplanted develop in the "new recipient". If you are looking for a sweet true love romance and chick lit read, then Debbie Howell's The Shape of Heart is the read for you and fans of Cecelia Ahern and Marian Keyes will enjoy it.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shape Of Your Heart by Debbie Howells is a charming contemporary novel that follows a character on a journey through grief.
Grief is not a linear route, there are ups and downs, good days and bad days. No one person’s journey is the same as anyone else.
The journey through grief can be lonely. We need to let others in.
Grief is closely tied in with guilt. “Is it wrong to imagine being happy again?” We fear that if we laugh, we are being disloyal to our loved one. Our loved ones don’t want us to lock up our heart and live in the past. They want us to just glance at the past in our rearview mirror and then move forwards into the future.
Within the book a character walks the Camino way in Spain. It is a journey of discovery as a life is examined along the way.
All the characters were wonderfully drawn and realistic. They had huge hearts that needed to be treated with love and care.
The heart motif is present throughout – the heart falls in love, the heart is broken, the heart suffers a heart attack, the heart is part of a transplant. Hearts that beat in tune with each other are delightful to see.
I thoroughly loved The Shape Of Your Heart. Mine is now swollen with love.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those stories I'm unlikely to forget,
A moving, emotive one of the best I've read as yet.
A story of tragedy, grief and more
With protagonists and families to adore.

Nathan's had a dramatic health scare
He's determined to make the most now whilst taking care.
He's moved from London to Cornwall to live now
Wanting a slower pace of life somehow.

When fate intervenes preventing Callie being wed
She's unsure what to do, left coping with grief instead.
A year on and she's starting to try
To put her life back together and not to cry.

On the beach is where these two first meet
But Callie's not ready to be happy yet when they first greet.
When fate intervenes and has them meeting again
Dare she let his friendship in or will it result in more pain?

Gardening and nature are key to helping them to heal
But there are twists galore before the huge reveal.
A life journey that's an emotional roller coaster ride
With several family dramas included here beside!

An emotional story of survivors' guilt and grief
Moving on slowly, endeavouring to find relief.
It is also about healing with family support throughout
Where their love and kindness is never in any doubt.

For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

[Spiritedbookishbabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book starts with Callie, she is the least ambitious of her sisters. She is also the youngest. She met Liam while on the beach gathering sea glass and other items to make a sea picture. While walking she sees a tree made of the same items she is looking for, while she is looking at it a voice from behind her and says it’s not finished yet. When she meets Liam she feels like he is the one for her, they want all the same things in life. Liam and Callie are about to be married and move into their cottage and start their lives together.

Callie’s life was changed the day of her wedding when an accident claimed the life of her beloved Liam, Callie is devastated and doesn’t see the point in much of anything anymore. She doesn’t know how she will move on from this terrible tragedy. Exactly one year to the day Callie’s sisters go and stay the weekend with her, she tells them no but deep down Callie knows she needs her family to help her get through this.

I loved this book. The story was so beautiful and heartbreaking. It really makes you think that one day your life is great and the next day things can change for the worse. For Callie she lost the love of her life. Callie needs to live her life like it’s her last, because you never know when your time is up on earth.

[Georgia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I feel about this book.

I would rate it 2.5/5, but, due to goodreads format I have rounded down to 2/5.

I liked a lot of elements of this book and it's plot; as someone navigating grief I have found it helpful to read about it. Perspective can change a lot and I feel like that is something the book has going for it.

The loss of Callie's fiancé hits her hard and towards the halfway point of the book, she starts to talk and behave in a way that makes me recoil. It is only fictional - I understand - and everyone handles grief differently, however, I simply cannot relate to this characters journey. At times it felt rushed and the pacing was inconsistent. The last chapter (41), threw me completely and I personally would have prefered the book without it. I didn't feel like I needed to see a year down the line in this narrative.

I enjoyed Nathan's POV; it was written incredibly well and I found myself speed reading Callie's chapters just to get to his side of the story. I feel the whole book could've been told from his POV and it potentially would've been more enjoyable.

Although I am glad I read this book, I would not be recommending it to a friend. It just didn't give me the "I can't put this down" feeling I crave from my reads.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Boldwood books for an advance read in exchange for this review.

Callie is on the way to her wedding, but Liam hasn't arrived yet. She learns that there has been an accident, and Liam is dead.

Fast forward to a year later, and Callie is fully into her grief. She spends most days either making small sculptures with sea glass that wash away or tending to her garden. While at the beach, she meets Nathan. Nathan has his own story and Callie surprises herself when she starts to develop feelings. However, she's not sure how to move forward based on her feelings of guilt over her own potential happiness.

This story is very slow, which I think is appropriate based on how it can be for people to process a loss and learn how to move forward. There's a twist in the story that I didn't expect, and it sometimes felt a it too coincidental for me. However, I very much liked all the characters and how respectful everyone was when it came to Callie and her grief. For me, the stars of the book were Callie's 3 sisters and her parents. They seemed wonderful and supportive of where Callie was in her life.

4.5 stars

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂
Callie lives in Cornwall and works part time at the local bookstore. Her fiancé Liam was killed in a car accident on the way to their wedding a year ago, and she’s spend the past year in a fog of grief. When she meets a stranger on the beach, he reminds her of Liam. Nathan is also slowing coming to life, taking things easier and changing the parts of himself that need healing. Callie and Nathan keep bumping into each other around town and they eventually bond over the garden that Callie starts maintaining for Nathan.

𝓜𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼
This is the first book of Debbie Howells that I have read. It’s a truly beautiful story that captures the essence of loss and grief, and the guilt of being a survivor.
There is so much honesty about the feelings of moving on, sometimes dealing with anger, knowing that the person who passed away wasn’t always perfect. I really enjoyed Callie’s life philosophy where she consciously takes note of her surroundings and how humans impact spaces. It’s also a story about reaching a point of acceptance and the transient nature of life. ❤️

Read an eARC copy courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher
My rating 4.5/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️💫

[booksofbells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley for the ARC


My thoughts:
- the romance was intentionally very, very, very slow
- healing themes
- more monologue from both Nathan and Callie (glimpses into personality and mind - grasp their attitude and thinking)
- grief takes time, sometimes longer
- grieving makes someone afraid to make bold choices
- family support is crucial during grieving
- Nathan: understanding, patient, reliable, got a second chance in life
- Callie: has a deep trauma from her wedding day, very insecure about things, very wary, her trauma shaped her personality most of the time
- pacing very slow, but meaningful chapters
- like reading a healing book
- despite that, i didnt agree on certain things; Nathan allowing her ex to stay (even just for a little while) inside his house. That's just not a good move imo. In real life, he would be blind-sided again.
- Callie's grieving personality tires me eventually. I get it she was dealing with deep stuff, but her choices to say things were her own, but at least she admitted later at the end that she was being very stupid so yeah.

[Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shape of your heart

This book will take you on an emotional journey. My heart broke for Callie; she was such a sweet soul who didn't deserve what happened to her.

The story is told from the perspectives of the two main characters, Callie and Nathan. It was interesting to hear the story from both of their perspectives. I also liked Callie's family and their close relationship with one another.

When fate intervenes to prevent Callie from marrying,
She's at a loss for what to do and is instead dealing with grief.
A year later, she's trying to put her life on track together and stop crying.

These two first encounter on the beach, but Callie isn't quite prepared to be happy when they first meet.
When destiny intervenes and brings them together again
Dare she accept his friendship, or will it cause her even more pain?

Gardening and nature are important in assisting them to heal.
But there are numerous twists and turns before the big reveal.
An emotional roller-coaster ride of a life journey
Including several family dramas thrown in for good measure!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5 stars.
A melancholic and tender incursion into grief and pain, “The Shape of Your Heart”, by Debbie Howells (Boldwood Books), follows Callie and Nathan as they navigate through new experiences and relationships after loss and tragedy, and experiment second chances at love and life.
I loved that the story is equally hopeful, romantic, and has a dimension of despair and grief.
I also enjoyed watching the work in the garden and how it related to the healing process.
I liked both main characters and how they’re so good together and complement each other. Callie’s outspokenness and Nathan’s more reserved personality are a good match.
Although different they’re both authentic, honest people and both know, because they’ve learned from direct experience, the meaning of Horace’s “seize the day” aphorism.
I liked the loving relationship between the main characters and their families/friends.
Callie’s journey is both a geographical and a spiritual and emotional one.
Nathan’s precarious situation is handled with sobriety.
However, I thought the story was not very clear about Nathan’s issues, which are left a bit vague and underdeveloped; I felt it would benefit in terms of depth having these serious issues a bit more expanded.
An enjoyable read, addressing realistic issues, even if the twist was predictable.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a beautiful novel. The Shape Of Your Heart is the second novel I’ve reviewed by Debbie Howells. I loved the backstory Callie and her sisters have, and their relationship is special. I felt like I was sharing in that.

Callie has endured unimaginable tragedy and her sisters and parents are there for her through thick and thin.

I liked the way Nathan was introduced within the plot and the alternating chapters between Carrie and Nathan’s story were a good way to really get inside the characters. Every chapter is detailed yet well paced and every word of the book is well thought out to create an emotional yet realistic novel about the importance of family, the difficulty moving on after loss and the uncertainty of the future as well as new beginnings.

Thanks to Debbie Howells, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

5 well-deserved stars but needs more stars as it’s a fantastic novel.

[Lyndi (mibookobsession) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Callie's life is going great, she's the happiest she's ever been, but on her wedding day, she loses her fiance. A year later, she's still grieving but determined to find happiness again. Nathan survived a health scare and decides he wants a slower pace in life so he moves into a small cottage in Cornwall. A series of events lead them to each other and Callie decides to help him with his garden. They become friends and then more, helping each other to heal and live again.
This book was focused more on grief and healing than the underlying romance. It's definitely not a happy, feel-good story but it is full of hope and I felt it accurately portrayed the grieving process Callie went through. Although sad, I believed the book was well written with beautiful descriptions of the surrounding area.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a life-affirming story which deals with the aftermath of grief and living with loss in a sensitive and heartwarming way. Through Callie, you follow her devastation at a life changing event and see how, as the year progresses, she processes what has happens and learns to look forwards again.

Nathan has moved to Cornwall after a major health episode and found that he now wants a different, less stressful way of life. As Nathan and Callie’s stories merge, you see the healing power of nature and the purpose caring for nature can bring. There are some important messages in the book about the effect of tourism on Cornwall and how going after maximum profit may not always be right for the community. I enjoyed the glimpses into Callie’s family who all support her so much.

In short: starting over

[Rebecca Jamison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a story where you are fully invested in the characters.

Callie is set to marry love of her life Liam, he gets her, they love the same things and she can't believe how perfectly they fit together.

On the day of their wedding, Liam sadly passes away. Callie has to do life without him now.

She meets Nathan who moves to a cottage in Callie's town. He is going through his own issues which was the reason for his move. As Callie's feelings grow for Nathan, she has to choose to continue wallowing in her grief or move on.

The descriptions in this book are stunning and I love how true to life both Nathan and Callie's feelings are. It accurately portrays what grief is like and shows the importance of relationships, not just romantic, and reinforces that we need to live life to the fullest.

[Jenny McClinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.

This heart-warming and uplifting story is set in the coastal area of Cornwall and follows Callie and Nathan as they both make changes in their lives.

Callie was set to marry the love the love of her life, but when tragedy strikes, she is left devastated. A year later she is still coming to terms with her grief but feels like it is time to learn to move on.

Nathan after having health issues moves to Cornwall. Shortly after arriving he spots Callie and eventually asks for a hand with her gardening expertise.

Will Callie learn to move on? What surprises lie ahead for Callie and Nathan?

This romance story is very heart-warming and uplifting. I love both main characters, as well as the other family members introduced into the storylines. It showed how family can help you through even the hardest times.

I felt for Callie, as I can relate to the situation she was left in with the survivors guilt when wanting to move on. The strength she gains throughout makes the story very uplifting and gives hope.

The area the book is set in sounds beautiful too with the coastal and countryside areas, a perfect setting for this story.

Overall, a heart-warming and uplifting romance where a grieving woman tries to learn to move on and find love in heart once more.

[Vicki (chaptersofvicki) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will take you on a journey of emotions. My heart went out to Callie I loved her she was such a kind soul who didn’t deserve anything she went through.

The story is told in the POV’s of both the main characters Callie and Nathan. It was good to hear the story from both their sides. I also really liked Callie’s family and the close relationship they all had with each other.

Whilst the story was sad at times it was also hopeful and that time along with many other factors can help the healing process.

I have read a few books by this author now and always enjoy them. I look forward to reading more in the future.

Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources and the publisher for having me on the tour and for my gifted ebook.

[N.L. Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Callie’s life changes just before she says ‘I do,’ she struggles to find happiness again. But one year later she meets Nathan at the beach and she may have to leave her past behind to give her heart freely to another.

This is a beautiful and emotional novel exploring themes such as grief and the struggle to rebuild your life again after loss.

This novel is told from the two main characters' points of view, Callie and Nathan, which allows the reader to see both perspectives. This was a great way to tell the narrative and allowed the reader to engage further and feel the raw emotion coming from these characters. I just loved the character of Callie and Howells's writing style. Such a fantastic read.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This highly entertaining romantic read grabbed me from the very early chapters and had me invested in Callie's story. I particularly enjoyed how the characters were all entwined together. (No spoilers here!) Fast-paced and emotionally driven, with a beautiful storyline focusing on loss, love and new beginnings, this could have easily been a 24-hour read.

Howells writing style flows well, and this is my favourite read by her that I have read so far. An absolute delight!

The only reason why this is not a five-star read for me is that I did manage to guess the conclusion, but this is only my personal opinion. The majority of romance reads all end in the same way, don't they - which is likely to be their appeal to readers.

I highly recommend this read to all fans of this genre, and it would make a great read, either in the summer sun or to cosy up with in the colder months.

Thank you, NetGalley, and Boldwood Books, for a gifted copy of this book.