Escape to Everdene Sands, where the sun is shining - but is the tide about to turn?
Robyn and Jake are planning their dream wedding at the family beach hut in Devon. A picnic by the turquoise waves, endless sparkling rosé and dancing barefoot on the golden sand . . .
But Robyn is more unsettled than excited. She can't stop thinking about the box she was given on her eighteenth birthday, and the secrets it contains. Will opening it reveal the truth about her history - and break the hearts of the people she loves most?
As the big day arrives, can everyone let go of the past and step into a bright new future?
Many thanks to Orion via NetGalley for my copy of A Wedding at the Beach Hut to review and to Sharon for having my review on the blog.
A glorious afternoon was spent sitting outside in the sunshine absolutely devouring this most fabulous of reads A Wedding at the Beach Hut by Veronica Henry. It's been a really long time since I have read a book in one sitting but this book is so hard to leave out of your hands once you start reading. You don't notice the hours passing you by as you become swept away in Robyn's story and before you know it you have reached the end of a fabulous book. Everdene Sands is a fantastic setting and the characters jump off the pages to meet you and embrace you and soon they are sharing their troubles and their lives and literally you just want more and more. I was so sad to reach the end of this wonderful book which was utter perfection from start to finish.
Veronica Henry has the ideal pacing right from the beginning particularly when it came to the introduction of the characters. The reader wasn't bombarded with information re facts or connections making it hard to remember who was who etc and this gentle, relaxed pace really set the tone for the overall book. A Wedding at the Beach Hut is truly a book to lose yourself in as you quickly become oblivious to everything that is going on in the world around you. It's a warm, inviting, relaxing and a big hug of a book with every turn of the page taking you deeper into the lives of the characters. As times are changing for Robyn she makes a life changing decision regarding the truth of her history. The steps she will take will change the course of her life forever but will all those that love her and surround her be happy with her choice or will it prove to be too much and cause heartache and pain?
The book opens with an intriguing letter, a woman is trying to explain what happened and how things aren't black and white in our lives. That the decisions we make in life aren't easy ones to make. There was no right or wrong in what people do and what is right for one person make be wrong for another. This letter really spiked my interest right from the get go. Later when when connections are made I thought how everything truly made sense and it was such a clever way of drawing the reader instantly into the story. We then get to meet Robyn Moss as she goes early one morning to meet her partner Jake at the beach hut owned by his father Rocky. The Shedquarters as it is fondly known has been a focal point for both Robyn and Jake's family for a long time as they meet at the end of each week to catch up and chat about their week over some food and drink.
The beach hut is a place to leave your troubles behind and will forever hold a special place in their hearts and in turn it provides a major focal point for the book. On this occasion as Robyn arrives to go for an early morning swim with Jake, she is harbouring something delightful close to her chest. She is pregnant and their relationship is about to take a major step forward. They are already working on renovating a cattle shed – now fondly known as the Linhay. It belongs to her parents who run Hawksworthy Farm although times aren't great for Sheila and Mick. Robyn and Jake have a business together as garden renovators and landscapers. They are happy and content and despite some anxiety on Robyn's part regarding her pregnancy they feel solid and secure. The icing on the cake is when Jake proposes and so the wedding of the title is born and exciting preparations begin.
But Robyn feels a sense of disquiet is creeping in and it's something that she just can't ignore if she wants to move forward and venture fully into this new and exciting phase in her life. There is an issue which she has been determined to forget about.There is a voice calling out to her which she usually silences but this time she feels that can't ignore it for much longer. It's time to be heard and for her to listen. Yet there is no guarantee that what she wants to do won't lead to distress or heartbreak and it's not just hers that she is factoring in. As Robyn literally open Pandora's box will it bring unrest and unease or will it finally quieten the voice which has been calling to her for so long?
I loved Robyn as a character, she showed all sides to her personality. She was hard-working, kind and caring and you knew that her relationship with Jake was solid, secure and that they were in it for the long term. There was no will they won't they get together at the end, no this wasn't that kind of book and I was thankful for it because I have read hundreds of books like that. Instead the author directed the focus on Robyn reconciling with the past and in the manner in which she did so was just superb. Robyn can't stop thinking about the truth of her background and she knows she is taking a risk but I admired her for taking this risk. It's as if she knew that if she didn't seek answers now she would never do it. This was the pivotal turning point in her life and if she kept silencing the voice that she couldn't truly be happy in her new life with Jake and her baby.
Robyn's journey was an interesting one but I loved that it wasn't the dominant force throughout the book. That in fact it had ebbs and flows like the tide on Everdene Sands. It wasn't all rushed and forced and instead other characters are allowed to share their stores with us. All the little sub plots fed wonderfully and naturally into the overall themes and issues being explored in the book and it all just felt so realistic. Yes there was a mystery element in Robyn uncovering the truth but I felt there wasn't this big search that was aimless and fruitless. Instead the way Veronica Henry weaved the past into the present was exceptional. She literally allowed the story to be told straight out and to flow by itself and in doing this I felt a real empathy with the situation regarding Robyn's background. That aspect of the book was like a story in itself and I was riveted as I turned every page. I loved how it popped up every now and again and just slotted in perfectly to the present day with all the preparations for the wedding. The story behind the truth was exceptionally written and you don't expect to read about something like this if you were to judge this book solely on its gorgeous cover. But I felt everything worked so well and you could just tell how much the author truly enjoyed writing every minute of this brilliant book.
There is an extremely strong set of supporting characters throughout this story and in turn you become deeply invested and engaged with each of them. Robyn's father Mick is grappling with an important decision, the effects of losing his herd several years ago still play heavy on his mind. He is keeping things close to his chest and you know he is doing this because he is really worried that if he jumps the gun and makes the wrong decision that his family won't be best pleased. Robyn's sister Clover was a fun and vibrant character whose outfits brought many a smile to my face. She seemed to bounce into every scene she was featured in but she too is unsure of her future. Will her hard work studying pay off in order to secure the place she so desperately wants at university?
Rocky, Jake's Dad, is stepping outside of his comfort zone and now that his two sons have grown up and fled the nest, is he ready to step into the dating zone? Rocky was a loveable almost bear of a man and you could see that the affects of his traumatic break up still lingered and were inhibiting him moving forward. I can't forget Gwen, such a warm and creative person and a support and strength to Robyn when she needs it the most. She is wise and inventive but she too has been hurt in the past. Will a new arrival allow her to break free from memories that have tainted her for many years?
I really can't recommend A Wedding at the beach Hut enough. It deserves to fly very high in the best seller charts over the coming weeks. Each character is battling with many internal struggles and issues but with the announcement of Robyn and Jake's wedding it's time for everyone to get things out in the open and find resolution and as you journey with them you will love every minute of this magnificent, amazing read.
Thanks so much Emma and Sharon xx
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