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
Everything is going wrong in Demi’s life. She has been passed over for her dream job and betrayed by her boyfriend. She can no longer turn to her mother, so finds herself on the sleeper train headed for Cornwall to take refuge with her grandfather. Penniless and homeless, Demi does not know which way to turn and is looking for a miracle.
Victoria has everything she wants – her dream home, rich husband and a young lover. Even when her husband unexpectedly dies she is relieved rather than upset as she can now live her life exactly as she pleases.
Both women are in for a shock and, as a result, their lives will never be the same again.
After the terrible Scottish summer we have had I was looking forward to being transported to the sunny shores of Cornwall; however, this was not your typical breezy beach read. Rather than fun in the sun, a shadow had descended over the two central characters. Demi has lost her way in life and the only comfort she has is her ailing Grandfather. However, she has not long arrived when he innocently drops the bombshell that the father she has never met is not dead as she had previously thought; he actually lives down the road.
Then we are introduced to Victoria, who is in a loveless marriage but manages to find solace in young lovers and shopping.
They may be polar opposites, but one tragic incident brings these two women together whether they like it or not.
Both Demi and Victoria were well written characters and showed hidden depths as their story progressed. I was particularly impressed that both were determined not to be reliant on men and any romance that came their way was not top of their agenda!Despite the book title I did not get a real sense of Cornwall as it faded into the background amongst the intense family drama – so much so it really could have been set anywhere. However, maybe I missed the setting as the plot line was all consuming. Maybe if I had read Liz’s other Cornish books then this would have added to the overall picture of this part of the world. In that respect, I am eager to read more from this author so I can discover Cornwall piece by piece.
I picked up Under a Cornish Sky expecting one thing and actually got something completely different. Liz Fenwick has delivered a compelling story, which draws the reader away from the scenic views and into the thick of the drama.
8/10