Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea: A gripping and emotional page-turner

Liz Eeles

Feb 2021 · Bookouture

About this ebook

From the attic of Driftwood House there are stunning views of the deep green sea and sapphire sky. But Rosie can’t tear her eyes away from the faded photograph in her hands, and the words written on the back that will change everything…

 

Back in the tiny seaside village of Heaven’s Cove after the death of her mother, all Rosie Merchant wants is to hide her tears, rent out her childhood home, and get back to her ‘real’ life, away from the gossiping villagers and wild Devon weather she escaped from years ago.

 

She’s surprised to find a smiling man in hiking boots – local farmer Liam – waiting on the stone doorstep. His kind offer to help clear crumbling, isolated Driftwood House is hard to refuse, and despite Rosie’s determination not to let anyone get close, soon they’re walking and laughing together along the clifftops. As clouds scud across the endless sky and green waves crash against the shore, Rosie is reminded that nowhere is more beautiful than home.

 

Then, up in the attic of Driftwood House, Rosie stumbles across a photo which exposes the heart-stopping truth about how her mother came to live at Driftwood House years ago… and Liam only seems concerned about the implications for his own nearby farm. Did he know this painful secret all along, and should she run from Heaven’s Cove for good? Or will facing up to her devastating family history mean Rosie can finally put down roots in this beautiful place?

 

This book can be enjoyed as a standalone.

 

Get whisked away to the rugged, sweeping Devon coastline in this gripping story about old secrets, learning how to trust, and finding where home is. Fans of Debbie Macomber, Barbara O’Neal and Mary Alice Monroe will adore this gorgeous and uplifting read.

 

Read what everyone’s saying about Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea:

 

‘Wow, wow, wow!!!! I absolutely loved this book!!!... I was captivated… The tears began flowing before I got to the end of the first chapter… my heart literally broke… wonderful… stunning… kept me hooked until the very last word… Loved, loved, loved it!!!’ Stardust Book Reviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘Captivating and heart-warming… A perfect summer read… I was absolutely hooked from page one until 1.30am in the morning when I finished having not been able to put it down.’ Bookworm1986, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Absolutely breathtaking! From the first chapter, I was hooked and loved every moment… truly a beautiful tale… outstanding.’ Cara's Book Boudoir, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘Had me gripped and wanting more… I had to tear myself away from reading to head off to work… absolutely loved this book.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Gorgeous… I was mesmerised… This is a story that keeps you guessing… beautiful… idyllic… fabulous… pure escapism, heart-warming, and left me with a smile on my face.’ Whispering Stories, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Liz Eeles whisked me away… vivid and gorgeous… amazing… exceptional… wonderful… delightful.’ Berit Talks Books

 

‘Put on the kettle for some tea and grab yourself a scone… because you are going to want to binge read Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea… gripping and emotional page-turner!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A wonderfully addictive read… I read this book in a day and would whole-heartedly recommend it.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘This was a gem of a novel!... Beautiful characters in a beautiful story!’ Goodreads reviewer

 

‘A charming, cozy, uplifting book… absolutely loved.’ Goodreads reviewer

Ratings and reviews

This story is pretty well-written, and I enjoyed the characters overall. I was however bothered by the clichéd plot device of using lack of communication and judgmentalness to drive the conflict between protagonists. This writing trope brings about a meanness of character that's hard to feel empathy for. Otherwise, the story is plotted well. I would have preferred a few more romantic scenes.

Coming Home, But is it Really Home? Coming home to bury her mother and finding too many secrets causes Rosie to rethink her life. This is more women's fiction than romance but contains both. We watch as our heroine re-sorts her 29 years of life, her ambitions, and her childhood. This is a very emotional story that goes well beyond the grief of losing a parent. We also get to enjoy the author's very good description of the sea and the moors of Devon. This but is so well written that it just flies past. I didn't want to put it down. I received this ARC book for fr

A wonderfully addictive read. Rosie escaped the Devon weather and the gossiping close knit community as soon as she could. It’s the death of her mother that forced her to return. As she is going through her mother’s things she stumbles across an old photograph that changes everything. As Rosie uncovers a web of secrets and lies Rosie finds friendship and love in unexpected ways. I read this book in a day and would whole heartedly recommend it.