The Cornish Hideaway | Jennifer Bibby
Escape to the glorious Cornish seaside village of Polcarrow where the relationships can be every bit as stormy as the skies and sea!
I loved my visit and found Polcarrow every bit as entrancing as the people who inhabit it. Jennifer Bibby has a lovely eye for detail that creates glorious settings in a natural and skilful manner. She places the reader right in the scene, so that reading the story is like having a holiday on the Cornish coast.
I loved the sense of nosey community. Newcomers to Polcarrow have to earn their place in the village with the hierarchical locals.
A perfect hero, a flawed heroine
Angelo is the perfect romantic hero. Tall, dark and handsome with a balance of brooding enigma and open sunniness that made me fall in love with him every bit as much as Freya does.
The more I read about him, the more tense I became wondering whether I would get the happy ending for him that I was expecting and longing for. You’ll need to read The Cornish Hideaway to discover that outcome for yourself!
I thought Freya was a wonderful character. The narrative opens with a torrid time for her, but deviates from the norm of a scorned but perfect heroine. Freya realises she may have contributed to her own downfall and that she does have flaws.
This makes her feel warm and real so that the reader really cares about what happens to her. Her development over the course of the novel is completely satisfying.
Finding joy in a freshly baked scone
While the narrative is gentle, entertaining and enveloping, Jennifer Bibby explores some deeper themes that get to the heart of who we are as people. Freya needs to understand that she isn’t merely defined by what others think of her or expect from her.
Angelo discovers that he must face his insecurities and demons. Meanwhile the wise, supportive Lola illustrates that life doesn’t need to be fast-paced and relentless to be successful.
We really can find joy in smaller things like a freshly baked scone or a walk on the beach. In fact, these themes make the reader feel relaxed and uplifted. Reading The Cornish Hideaway feels like taking a wonderful, much-needed break from life’s tribulations.
The Cornish Hideaway is a perfect summer read, suffused with warmth, community and a sense of homecoming and healing. I thought it was just lovely.
