Publication
Avon, c2018.
Series
Status
Available
Description
Poppy has always loved Cornwall - the crisp sea air, the welcoming community. So when her boyfriend Dan suggests they leave their office jobs and take over the Starfish Studio on the Isles of Scilly, she doesn't need asking twice. But things don't go to plan when Dan dumps her, weeks before they're due to move. To make matters worse, the studio has fallen into disrepair, and artists are reluctant to have their work exhibited there. Determined not to give up, Poppy accepts the help of local photographer Jake, her landlord's grandson. But Jake is distracted by a loss from his past. Can Poppy turn the crumbling gallery into a success in time for the tourist season? And will a summer on the little Cornish Isles mend just the studio - or Poppy's heart too?… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member arthistorychick
Summer on the Little Cornish Isles: The Starfish Studio by Phillipa Ashley
Book #3: The Little Cornish Isles Series
Source: Netgalley
My Rating 3/5 stars
After a single visit, a magical visit, Poppy and her long-time boyfriend, Dan decided life on a small island running a gallery is just the life for
Nearly every resident of the small Isles of Scilly are expecting Poppy and Dan to arrive, bright-eyed and bushy tailed ready to take on the long-neglected Starfish Studio. What the residents get is a bleary-eyed, seasick Poppy who has recently been dumped by her feckless and unfaithful boyfriend. With little left in her, other than determination, Poppy is ready to take on the Starfish Studio and begin rebuilding her shattered life. As her luck runs, Poppy finds the Starfish Studio is no condition to be re-opened anytime soon. Poppy also finds a stunningly handsome man trying to make the best out of a bad situation.
Jake swore he would never set foot on the Isles of Scilly again! After the tragic loss of his fiancé, Jake has kept to his promise by packing his days, weeks, and months with enough travel and work for three men. Unfortunately, his time of running away from the past is over and he must return to the small island he once called home. His grandfather’s Starfish Studio has been rented and in his grandfather’s absence, it’s Jake’s job to get the place in shape for the new renters. Right up until the moment he meets Poppy, Jake is determined to fulfill his commitment and get the hell off the island. Poppy, however, changes everything.
As Poppy and Jake soon figure out, life, and the universe often have plans that aren’t on an individual’s personal agenda. Poppy wants to stand on her own two feet, but the Starfish Studio is a wreck and she needs help. Jake wants to continue ignoring his pain and guilt, but Poppy needs help and he is more than capable of helping her. With more than a bit of wariness, Poppy and Jake begin the arduous task of cleaning up the Starfish Studio and preparing it for a grand re-opening. What the two find is an easy friendship, a lot of unexpected obstacles, some secrets from the past, and an attraction that shouldn’t be denied.
The Bottom Line: I can’t say I jumped for joy over this light summer read, but I did like it. The Starfish Studio is a rather typical recovering from tragedy romance with a woman scorned and a man running from his past. Poppy and Jake are connected by sadness and a desire to help one another which ultimately helps each heal from their respective tragedies. Along the way, friendship and love develop as both begin to reconcile their past and look forward to a bright and happy future. In so many ways, this is a very typical sweet/low heat romance with a few twists and turns thrown in for good measure. The Starfish Studio is the third book in a series and though I haven’t read the first two, I don’t feel like I missed anything or was confused by any of the characters, settings, and/or relationships. I did buy the first two books and will eventually read them, but as I mentioned, I wasn’t jumping for joy over The Starfish Studio, so I don’t think there’s any rush to get caught up.
Book #3: The Little Cornish Isles Series
Source: Netgalley
My Rating 3/5 stars
After a single visit, a magical visit, Poppy and her long-time boyfriend, Dan decided life on a small island running a gallery is just the life for
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them. And so, after three years of plotting and planning and packing, everything is set. Except . . . .Nearly every resident of the small Isles of Scilly are expecting Poppy and Dan to arrive, bright-eyed and bushy tailed ready to take on the long-neglected Starfish Studio. What the residents get is a bleary-eyed, seasick Poppy who has recently been dumped by her feckless and unfaithful boyfriend. With little left in her, other than determination, Poppy is ready to take on the Starfish Studio and begin rebuilding her shattered life. As her luck runs, Poppy finds the Starfish Studio is no condition to be re-opened anytime soon. Poppy also finds a stunningly handsome man trying to make the best out of a bad situation.
Jake swore he would never set foot on the Isles of Scilly again! After the tragic loss of his fiancé, Jake has kept to his promise by packing his days, weeks, and months with enough travel and work for three men. Unfortunately, his time of running away from the past is over and he must return to the small island he once called home. His grandfather’s Starfish Studio has been rented and in his grandfather’s absence, it’s Jake’s job to get the place in shape for the new renters. Right up until the moment he meets Poppy, Jake is determined to fulfill his commitment and get the hell off the island. Poppy, however, changes everything.
As Poppy and Jake soon figure out, life, and the universe often have plans that aren’t on an individual’s personal agenda. Poppy wants to stand on her own two feet, but the Starfish Studio is a wreck and she needs help. Jake wants to continue ignoring his pain and guilt, but Poppy needs help and he is more than capable of helping her. With more than a bit of wariness, Poppy and Jake begin the arduous task of cleaning up the Starfish Studio and preparing it for a grand re-opening. What the two find is an easy friendship, a lot of unexpected obstacles, some secrets from the past, and an attraction that shouldn’t be denied.
The Bottom Line: I can’t say I jumped for joy over this light summer read, but I did like it. The Starfish Studio is a rather typical recovering from tragedy romance with a woman scorned and a man running from his past. Poppy and Jake are connected by sadness and a desire to help one another which ultimately helps each heal from their respective tragedies. Along the way, friendship and love develop as both begin to reconcile their past and look forward to a bright and happy future. In so many ways, this is a very typical sweet/low heat romance with a few twists and turns thrown in for good measure. The Starfish Studio is the third book in a series and though I haven’t read the first two, I don’t feel like I missed anything or was confused by any of the characters, settings, and/or relationships. I did buy the first two books and will eventually read them, but as I mentioned, I wasn’t jumping for joy over The Starfish Studio, so I don’t think there’s any rush to get caught up.
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LibraryThing member Circlestonesbooks
“It was such a lovely name; so evocative and catchy. Who could possibly resist popping into a place called ‘The Starfish Studio’?” (Quotation pos. 68)
Content
The moment Poppy McGregor sees the gallery “The Starfish Studio” for the first time during a holiday week with her boyfriend Dan
Theme and genre
A romantic story about art, family, loss, love and new beginnings
Characters
The characters are well drawn and likeable, and who would not love Leo, the headstrong cat.
Plot and writing
The story is settled on the Isles of Scilly, although St. Piran’s and most of the local places exist only in the author’s imagination, and the storyline is told chronologically. The plot of the novel is an entertaining mixture between funny and thought provoking. The language is enjoyable to read.
Conclusion
A funny, romantic feel-good story, a perfect read to bring summer in your thoughts.
Content
The moment Poppy McGregor sees the gallery “The Starfish Studio” for the first time during a holiday week with her boyfriend Dan
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at the Isles of Scilly; she immediately falls in love because it reminds her of her dreams to one day run a gallery. Now, three years later, Poppy and Dan are taking on the almost closed Starfish Studio on St. Piran´s, just the now it I is only Polly moving to the small island, because Dan has left her just one week ago and is now going to live with Eve. Poppy still is determined to re-open The Starfish Studio, making it successful again. The owner’s grandson, the charismatic, famous nature photographer Jake Pendower, soon is a reliable friend, but he has lost his fiancée four years ago and still mourning and Poppy is sure there never could be more, or could there?Theme and genre
A romantic story about art, family, loss, love and new beginnings
Characters
The characters are well drawn and likeable, and who would not love Leo, the headstrong cat.
Plot and writing
The story is settled on the Isles of Scilly, although St. Piran’s and most of the local places exist only in the author’s imagination, and the storyline is told chronologically. The plot of the novel is an entertaining mixture between funny and thought provoking. The language is enjoyable to read.
Conclusion
A funny, romantic feel-good story, a perfect read to bring summer in your thoughts.
Show Less
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
9780008253417