Carole Matthews - A Cottage by the Sea

It's not that I've not read. I have. But family stresses means I've either read more articles, magazines and blogs (stress = short attention span as well as shortness of time) or I've read things that link in with my current studies which seem too niche for a general blog about books.

But a series of bank holidays recently have allowed for a little more relaxation and a tackling of the book pile.

I found this book in Oxfam as we were donating a bag of books to them. It's fatal to 'just have a quick look' isn't it? But I have to recommend the joys of a good charity bookshop. Novels for under £3 (that's less than the price of a magazine these days) that once read can be re-donated to do good all over again.

But of this book - need something romantic and light for the beach this summer? Do find space in your bag for this one. That almost sounded derogatory didn't it. This book isn't a trashy airport novel of fluffy characters and predictable plot though. I found this a well thought out book which drew you in from the beginning with believable characters, a good pace of story but not something too taxing or gloomy for a sunny day when you don't want to be struggling to make sense of too many people and their relationship to each other.

I'm tempted to look up more Carole Matthews books on the strength of this one, ready for my real holiday later in the year.