A book based around two funerals was moving however the two subsequent romances really lacked substance I thought. Disappointing following an excellent start. ( )

An enjoyable character-based novel set in a small fictional town in Cornwall, by the sea. There are several main characters, some more likeable than others, and several of them got under my skin.

Well-written, nicely paced with three-dimensional people who interact in believable ways. Different, realistic family relationships, interesting subplots that run alongside each other, and some quite poignant moments too.

This is only the second novel I have read by Veronica Henry, and I'm already looking forward to reading more of her novels; delighted to find she has written so many.

Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2020/09/high-tide-by-veronica-henry.html ( )

How I have gone through my reading life without coming across Veronica Henry is a mystery to me. What a treat this was! From the synopsis, I thought there were going to be too many names and I wouldn't know who was who but after a few chapters I felt like one of the residents!

Despite being such a sad occasion for Kate, it was fascinating to read about her discarding her New York armour and slipping back into her Cornish life. It was really sad when Kate was clearing out the house but there were lovely memories attached to each item that she found, which reminded her of who she is. Her boss in New York was awful, hassling her to come back to work when she should have been allowed peaceful bereavement leave. I kept mentally shouting "turn the phone off" and "tell him to stick his job". I just thought it was a shame that Kate was spending time in Pennfleet without her Mum, making me think that we should make the effort to visit our loved ones and appreciate them while they are here. Perhaps a morbid thought from me, but the book is definitely about life not death.

Vanessa has a funeral for her husband on the same day as Kate's mother's funeral. It was good to see the comparison between the two - one being a celebration of life and the other being an excuse for a party and to see what's been left in the will. I didn't doubt that Vanessa loved her husband but she never really knew what it meant to be happy. Until she met Nathan... Nathan sounded absolutely yummy - rugged and thoughtful - I had to keep reminding myself he wasn't real.

I really enjoyed Sam's story too. I thought he might have been a love interest for Kate at the beginning but he didn't get much page coverage in the first half of the book, so I thought there must be other plans for him. He has a lovely little family and it is clear how much they love and help each other following their own personal heartache.

I felt really bad for enjoying this so much with two funerals going on! I loved every single one of the characters in this book; I was swept away just like Frank Cooper and similarly I hope to return to Pennfleet one day. You'll just have to read the book to find out who Frank Cooper is. Meanwhile, I'm off to the library for more of Veronica Henry's books!

I received this book from the publisher, Orion, in exchange for an honest review. ( )