The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay by Nicola May @nicolamay1

Book Description:

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.

My Thoughts:

For Rosa, dreams really can come true. To be left a shop in an idyllic village, especially when you are down on your luck. It couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.

What I enjoyed most about this book is that it isn’t all hearts and flowers. Rosa and the other characters are highly realistic and even though fiction, that there are some not so nice people wherever you go. We also have a very modern day take on relationships. I thought it was all a refreshing change. I like that we meet Rosa, a woman in her mid twenties, who isn’t adverse to having relations with people she has just met. We are in the twentieth century folks!

There is a little bit of everything in this story, crime, mystery, romance, friendships. It all makes for a highly enjoyable read. Even though I have just recently lost my own dog, I loved the parts to do with Hot, the sausage dog, and whilst I thought I might find it upsetting, I embraced the wonderful relationship between Hot and Rosa. There is just a wonderful bond and the author got it spot on.

The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay was a wonderful read to escape into. It’s hard not to get caught up in a story set in such an idyllic place, although the downside to small villages is how nosy everyone is and news travels fast! What’s even better is discovering that this is the first book in a series set there and that I don’t have to say goodbye to the characters just yet. A light hearted, feel good read that will leave you with a lovely warm feeling.