The Secret Beach by Veronica Henry BLOG TOUR #TheSecretBeach @veronica_henry @orionbooks @RandomTTours #BookReview

Twenty years.

One secret.

A promise never to tell...

Nikki finally owns the little coastguard cottage of her dreams - and it's a few steps away from the hidden beach that means so much to her.

But when a handwritten note lands on her doorstep, she realises it's only a matter of time before the heartbreaking truth of her past is uncovered.

Twenty years ago, her whole world was turned upside-down when a terrible storm rolled into the small seaside town of Speedwell.

Ever since that night, Nikki has been keeping a secret. One she knows has the potential to destroy the lives of those she loves most.

Because as sure as the tide turns, there are no secrets in a small town...

The Secret Beach by Veronica Henry was published on 29 February 2024 by Orion. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review as part of this #RandomThingsTours Blog Tour 

The Secret Beach is Veronica Henry's twenty-third book (including a collection of short stories and a Quick Reads book), and I am almost certain that I've read them all (I must check, to see if there is one that I've missed!).

This author never ever lets me down, her stories are jam packed with glorious characters, lots of food and exquisitely described locations. This one is set in Cornwall; a place that I've not visited yet, but I can assure you that my search history now contains lots of Cornish links! 

The North family have lived in the small coastal Cornish town of Speedwell for generations. Helen is the head of the family, an older woman who bakes wedding cakes for a living. Helen is stylish and wise, she's heavily involved in the community, especially with the local lifeboat service. Graham, her son runs the family building maintenance firm, his wife is an interior decorator. Jess is the eldest daughter, a nurse who likes a wild time and often causes chaos within the family, and there's Nikki - the main protagonist of the story. Nikki runs a wedding planning service and has just moved into her dream cottage on the cliffs, looking out over her 'secret' beach, she has one son Bill, with her ex Woody. Bill is currently living in Bali

It's twenty years since Helen's husband William, and Jess's husband Rik were drowned whilst manning the Speedwell lifeboat and a memorial event is planned. 

Whilst Nikki is successful and popular, she is anxious and worried. She's been receiving anonymous postcards ... someone knows her secret and she is terrified that her world will crumble if her family, and the community find out what she did all those years ago. 

This is a beautiful story that transports the reader right to the heart of this bustling town where everyone knows everybody. Henry's characterisation is perfect, from exuberant and slightly wild Jess, to her serious, artistic daughter Juno, every one of them are rounded and so realistic. 

As with all of this author's books, there's a love story at it's heart, more than one in this case and cleverly told in the present day, with flashbacks to twenty years ago. The reader is unsure of Nikki's secret at first, but as we hear her voice from years ago it soon becomes clear. Its intriguing and compelling and very moving. 

This is a gorgeous story, based around two summers and featuring a cast of characters to fall in love with. Utterly escapist and totally uplifting. I loved The Secret Beach. Highly recommended.

Veronica Henry has always been involved in storytelling, from her first job typing scripts
for The Archers to being writer-in-residence on the Venice-Simplon Orient Express. 

She was a scriptwriter for many years, working on some of our best-loved dramas including Heartbeat and Holby City. 

She has written over twenty novels, all published by Orion. 

She lives on the North Devon coast where she loves walking on the beach, swimming in the sea or watching the sun set with a killer negroni. 

Find out more at www.veronicahenry.co.uk or follow her on social media @veronica_henry.