Looking to escape to a sunny seaside town in Cornwall for a relaxing weekend break? Then look no further, this perfect summer read and Sea Salt candle burning beside you, will whisk you away from reality. 

Set in a gorgeous, fictional quay-side hotel in Cornwall, The Long Weekend by Veronica Henry captures the stories of the owner and several guests, each on their own personal journey as to why they find themselves in this picturesque seaside town. With hidden pasts emerging, stay tuned for a long, hot weekend full of affairs of the heart, lies and several surprises. 

The story is centered around the beautiful boutique hotel called ‘The Townhouse By The Sea’, which is run and owned by Claire and Luca, who are complete opposites from each other. Their relationship is put to the test throughout the weekend with not only the surprise of Claire’s first love unexpectedly checking into the hotel for his bachelor weekend, but also an interesting business proposal presents itself from stakeholders Trevor and Monique, who have a hidden family secret of their own. As the weekend unfolds, Claire confesses her troubles to her colleague Angelica, but is no closer to answering the most important question; should Claire listen to her heart or play it safe and go with what she knows? 

Also checking in to the hotel for the weekend, is Laura and her boyfriend. Eager to find out about the father she has never met, Laura searches for answers in the small Cornish village which hopefully holds the key to her past. Likewise, staying at the hotel for their annual trip away, Colin hastily tries to make amends for his past with his daughter, and her mother, with whom he had an affair he bitterly regrets. Facing a difficult proposition, Colin has to figure out how to do right by himself and his family. 

With twists, turns and intrigue in each interwoven story, there is plenty to love about this book; enhanced by its beautiful setting in a quiet Cornish village. Veronica Henry has perfectly portrayed how love is represented through many stages of life and the difficulties which may occur, with each story neatly nestling around Claire and the hotel. Each character has a quirky page-turning adventure which will keep you gripped with history, love and heartbreak playing a large theme throughout. The luxurious setting helps to balance out the difficulties a few characters administer from their pasts, with their unique surroundings guiding them as their troubles unfold, which was a touching addition to the story. The added bonus of recipes at the end from the delicious meals mentioned during the story was a lovely touch, and some we can’t wait to recreate to remind us of the magical beauty of the seaside. Our favourite recipe would have to be the “Scallops And Black Pudding With Celeriac Purée”; the perfect delicious seaside dish.

Veronica Henry has brilliantly written the perfect summer read, and one we would definitely recommend. Be inspired to delve into a great book with delightful St. Eval fragrances surrounding you, helping to transport you to another place and time. Pair your summertime reading with our Escape to Cornwall Gift Box; helping to bring the delicate scents of Cornwall into your home, from the fresh, floral scents of Bluebell Wood, to the relaxing, delicate aroma of Honeysuckle and the sweet, soft scent of coastal-inspired Sea Mist. Perfect as a relaxing treat. If you can’t visit Cornwall, this is the next best thing!

We hope you enjoyed our book review, and if there are any other books you would like to recommend to us, then please let us know. We wish you a great summer!

#stevalsummerbliss 

#booklovers