This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Reviewed by Susan Lobban
When May Starling spots a ‘crew wanted’ ad she sees it as the perfect chance to get away from the demands of her everyday life. Leaving her high flying job and controlling ex far behind, she is now standing tentatively at a remote train station waiting for Cecil Blythe to pick her up and start her adventure on the high seas.
However the Mr Blythe that turns up is Bill, Cecil’s nephew, and he is not happy. His uncle is in the hospital due to ill health and he believes May is to blame. After all, what on earth is a young woman doing communicating with an elderly man online? He finds it hard to believe May’s true intentions are simply to escape the rat race.
Neither planned for this but they must now forge ahead and work together to crew Cecil’s boat to Little Spitmarsh. Being together in such close quarters is either going to bring them closer together or drive them even further apart. However, life is as unexpected as the sea, so brace yourself!
Follow a Star is the second in the series of novels set in Little Spitmarsh. I have not read the first book but this did not hinder my reading – it’s perfectly enjoyable on its own. Poor May is simply looking for a new start in life when she is harangued by a strange man whilst waiting for her new ‘skipper’ at an unknown train station. Unfortunately, this unfriendly man is actually there to collect her as Cecil, the man with whom she has arranged everything, is very ill in hospital. As the saying goes: “the best laid plans”, which means these two opposites are thrown together as unexpected crew members.
I found May to be a likeable fish out of water who is determined to make the most of things and change Bill’s opinion of her for the better. I enjoyed the way we got both points of view throughout the novel as it really added to the story, especially as men and women often see things in very different ways!Follow a Star is an enjoyable read due to the characters, but the storyline did not float my boat. However if you wonder what life on a boat would be like then this is for you, because the author manages to make you feel as though you are actually there!
7/10