Published by Orion Books
Publication Date: 22nd July 2010
Genre: Womens Fiction, Romantic Comedy
Book Description:
On Everdene Sands, a row of beach huts holds the secrets of the families who own them - secrets of unrequited love, plain old-fashioned lust, childhood dreams and long-forgotten hopes...
'FOR SALE: a rare opportunity to purchase a beach hut on the spectacular Everdene Sands. "The Shack" has been in the family for fifty years, and was the first to be built on this renowned stretch of golden sand...'
Jane Milton doesn't want to sell her beloved beach hut, which has been the heart of so many family holidays and holds so many happy memories. But when her husband dies, leaving her with an overwhelming string of debts, she has no choice but to sell.
THE BEACH HUT follows the stories of the people who own the beach huts, families who come to Everdene each year, people who fall in - or out of - love, remembering their pasts, or trying to forget them...
My Thoughts:
Unfortunately we're not going to get our much needed coastal break this year so I needed a book to replace that sun and sand experience, and whilst 'surfing' my TBR shelves I came across this little gem.
Welcome to Everdene on the north coast of Devon where we are introduced to the residents and/or visitors to a row of beach huts. Each chapter is the story of an individual hut, and the chapter is entitled with the hut name, the first of which is 'The Shack', owned by Jane Milton - but sadly not for much longer as her financial position has changed suddenly and dramatically following her husband's untimely death. We follow her reminiscences of her time at the hut, from excited teen to disillusioned grandmother.
It took me a few chapters to realise what the format of the book was, with plenty of characters to work with. Once I sussed out how it worked though I moved through the families and their circumstances quite easily and enjoyed finding out about their day to day lives and how the week or so at the beach huts was a welcome break for the majority of visitors to the area, offering some much needed down time. Gradually the families come together as they get to know one another over the years of regular visits and it's a rather emotional final party which Jane and her family find themselves hosting as their time at Everdene comes to a close.
This book had me yearning for not only a trip to the coast but also to be in a position to be the proud owner of a hut such as those described at Everdene and the opportunity to be part of such a lovely community. A strong 4 star easy to read, flowing book and just what I needed. Plus I have found there are further books which mean I can continue with my seaside dreaming. What's not to like?
About the Author:
Veronica Henry has worked as a scriptwriter for THE ARCHERS, HEARTBEAT and HOLBY CITY amongst many others, before turning to fiction. She won the 2014 RNA NOVEL OF THE YEAR AWARD for A NIGHT ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS. Veronica lives with her family in a village in north Devon. Find out more at http://www.veronicahenry.co.uk or follow her on Twitter @veronica_henry
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