Copyright © 2021 Karen King
The right of Karen King to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Apart from any use permitted under UK copyright law, this publication may only be reproduced, stored, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, with prior permission in writing of the publishers or, in the case of reprographic production, in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency.
First published in 2021 by Headline Accent
An imprint of HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP
First published as an Ebook in 2021 by Headline Accent
An imprint of HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP
All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Cataloguing in Publication Data is available from the British Library
Cover images © Victoria Yanushkevskaya, Bariskina, Volushka & GoodStudio, all Shutterstock
eISBN: 978 1 4722 7872 2
HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP
An Hachette UK Company
Carmelite House
50 Victoria Embankment
London EC4Y 0DZ
www.headline.co.uk
www.hachette.co.uk
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
About Karen King
Praise for Karen King
Also by Karen King
About the Book
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
About the Author
Karen King is a bestselling author of fiction for both adults and children and has also written numerous short stories for women’s magazines. The Cornish Hotel by the Sea was an international bestseller, reaching the top one hundred in the Kindle charts in both the UK and Australia.
Karen is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Society of Authors and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. She lives in Spain with her husband Dave and their two cats, Tizzy and Marmaduke.
www.karenking.net
@karen_king
Readers love Karen King:
‘A great romance story by a superb author, I loved the main character from the start’ 5* Amazon review
‘Such a lovely summer book that I just couldn’t put down! Absolutely loved the character of Ellie and I was desperate to see how everything would work out’ 5* Amazon review
‘The story takes you to wonderful scenes of pebbled beaches, rock pools, narrow streets and all the glory of summer. It’s a great holiday read and even you if aren’t on holiday it gives you a feel of that freedom and relaxation. You can’t help falling in love with the main characters and following their every move with suspense. I loved this book and read it in a couple of days because once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down! Highly recommended!’ 5* Amazon review
‘Most enjoyable read. Always interesting. Very believable characters. I can thoroughly recommend it. What could be a better summer read than one set in beautiful Cornwall’ 5* Amazon review
‘This was a truly delightful book to read. Just light-hearted feel good’ 5* Amazon review
By Karen King
Romance titles
I do? – or do I?
The Millionaire Plan
Never Say Forever
The Cornish Hotel by the Sea
The Bridesmaid’s Dilemma
Snowy Nights at the Lonely Hearts Hotel
The Year of Starting Over
Single All the Way
One Summer in Cornwall
Thriller titles
The Stranger in My Bed
About the Book
Escape to Cornwall this summer . . .
When Hattie is made redundant and evicted from her flat in one horrible week, she needs time to rethink. Her Uncle Albert left her and her father each half of Fisherman’s Rest, his home in the Cornish town of Port Medden, so this seems the perfect place to escape to until she can figure things out.
As Hattie stays in the cottage, clearing it out, tidying it up and getting it ready to sell, she starts to find her feet in Port Medden and making a new home here begins to feel right. If only her dad didn’t need a quick sale and things weren’t complicated by her unwelcoming neighbour Marcus . . .
For my friends Annie and Richard whose parrot, Tipsy, is the
inspiration for Buddy the parrot in this book. Xx
Acknowledgements
Firstly I’d like to thank the publishing team at Headline for allowing me to revisit Port Medden, the Cornish town where my bestselling romance, The Cornish Hotel by the Sea, is set. I really enjoyed meeting Ellie, Reece, Sue and Mandy again, bringing Marcus out of the kitchen and introducing new characters to my readers. Writing about Cornwall always brings back happy memories of the summer holidays spent there when my children were young, and the years I lived there. It will always remain one of my favourite places.
I’d especially like to thank my fabulous editor Katie Sunley, copy editor Eloise Wood and proof-reader Kay Gale for their expertise and support. Thanks also to talented artist Emily Cordelle for designing both this beautiful cover, and the gorgeous new cover for The Cornish Hotel by the Sea.
I am indebted to the bloggers and authors who support me by hosting me on their blogs, reviewing my books and sharing my posts. Particular thanks to the members of the Romantic Novelists’ Association who are always willing to share their writing experience and advice. Also thanks to Rob Tysall of Tysall’s Photography for answering my questions on photography – any mistakes are my own. And of course, my thanks to the readers who buy my books, allowing me to live the dream of being an author. Thank you all so much.
Finally, last but not least, everlasting thanks to my lovely Dave, the wind beneath my wings, and my family and friends who all encourage me and support me so much. I love you all. x
Chapter One
‘Bloody hell! Who is it?’
Hattie Rowland froze at the voice, her finger poised on the light switch that she had been about to flick on. Someone was already in the cottage! Who could it be? A squatter? A burglar? For a moment she panicked, her breathing quick and shallow
