The Postcard by Fern Britton

Secrets. Sisters. The summer that changed everything . . . 

Life in the Cornish village of Pendruggan isn’t always picture perfect. Penny Leighton has never told anyone why she’s estranged from her mother and sister. For years she’s kept her family secrets locked away in her heart, but they’ve been quietly eating away at her. When an unwelcome visitor blows in, Penny is brought face to face with the past. And a postcard, tucked away in a long-hidden case, holds the truth that could change everything. 

Young Ella has come back to the place where she spent a happy childhood with her grandmother. Now she’s here to search for everything missing in her life. Taken under Penny’s broken wing for the summer, the safe haven of Pendruggan feels like the place for a fresh start. Soon, however, Ella starts to wonder if perhaps her real legacy doesn’t lie in the past at all.

I have read all of Fern Britton’s previous books and having just finished her new release The Postcard I can honestly say this is by far my favourite. The book reunites us with Penny Leighton who we met in A Seaside Affair, she is now married to the local vicar Simon Canter and they have a beautiful little girl called Jenna but life isn’t all rosy as Penny is struggling to juggle everything. Being a new mother, keeping the house and her career facing trouble things all become too much add the arrival of her sister Suzie and Penny is facing too many demons and needs to find her way out of the black hole.

This book tackles mental health head on showing not only the emotions and desperation of the sufferer but also the effect it has on those around them too. I felt like this was delivered with great care and emotion and brought awareness about something that so many of us deal with now days. Although the topic made this quite a emotive read it wasn’t a depressive read as the support of friends and the community coming together brought a great light to the storyline and good old Queenie brings that touch of cheeky humour too.

I love that we re-visit characters from past books because that always gives a more familiar and welcoming feel to a book but we also get to meet some much loved new characters such as newbies to the village Kit and Adam who both brought the welcomed testosterone to the village! I also loved Ella too she was such a caring and friendly character who they all came to be able to depend on. The only character who I loathed from the first meeting was Suzie, she had such a scheming and spiteful feel to her character and I was wary of her from the get go.

I still could see us returning to these characters because I still think they have more in store for us so I hope to see Fern Britton bring them back to us. Although we have met Penny before don’t be put off is you haven’t read A Seaside Affair as this can quite easily be read as a stand-alone. This books gets a big thumbs up from me thanks to the engaging characters and relateable storyline which had me engrossed all the way through.

The Postcard is due for release in hardback and e-book on the 2nd June.

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A Good Catch by Fern Britton

Even happy families have their secrets… 

Greer Clovelly seems to have it all, beautiful, chic and slender, she’s used to getting her own way. Greer has been in love with Jesse Behenna since her first day at school and she’s determined that one day, they’ll be married. After all, a marriage between them would join together two dynasties of Cornish fishing families to make one prosperous one.

For her friend, Loveday Carter – plump, freckled and unpretentious – living in the shadow of her friend has become a way of life. She loves Jesse too, but knows that what Greer wants, she usually gets.

Jesse, caught in the middle, faces an agonising choice. Should he follow his heart or bow to his father’s wishes? And what about his best friend Mickey, who worships the ground that Loveday walks on?

 Jesse’s decision will touch them all in ways that they could never foresee, and as the dark clouds start to gather the four friends find themselves weathering a storm – one that has the power to sink them all…

I have read and enjoyed Fern Britton's previous books and have found them light hearted easy reads so I was looking forward to reading her latest read so I was looking forward to reading her latest release A Good Catch whcih I have just finished and I have to say this is easily my favourite book by Fern.

A Good Catch has a completely different feel to her previous books, I found the characters had much more debth to them and the storyline was well thought out and really grabbed my attention.

There are four main characters Greer, Loveday, Mickey and Jesse. They have all been friends since school which is where this book begins we then follow the storyline through their lives growing up together with a complicated love triangle and a hidden secret that could jepodise the long standing friendship.

My opinion of Greer changed continuously through the book, one minute I warmed to her and really felt for her and the next minute I couldn't bare her she was shallow and stuck up. Loveday was such a loveable character whose warmth and vibrant personality shone through the pages, and even though she made a terrible mistake I still loved her, she was my favourite character.

I loved the setting of the book which really came to life thanks to Fern's carefully detailed descriptions, her attention to detail made everything easy to envisage from the gorgeous setting by the sea to the way the characters look and also the details she gave surrounding the fishing business and interior design which are great parts of the characters lives.

There are no hidden twists or turns but that wasn't needed as the storyline was captivating as it was. The book flows at an effortless pace and at no point did my attention waver I was surprised how quick I made my way through this book but to me that is a sign of a great read.

A Good Catch is Fern Britton's best novel it gets a big thumbs up from me.

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A Seaside Affair Review and interview with Fern Britton

Today on the blog I am talking to Fern Britton about her new release A Seaside Affair.

1. I have just finished reading your new book A Seaside Affair and I have to say it is my favourite of yours, what gave you the inspiration for this book? 
 Thank you very much! I suppose with all of my novels something just pops into my head – I try not to think too hard about it. You could say I just wait for the writing angel on my shoulder to give me inspiration! A SEASIDE AFFIAR, is partly inspired by my recent tour with Strictly Come Dancing. So it’s set back in the theatre world, which was lovely for me to write as I trained to be a theatre manager – and the plot revolves around a local theatre that needs saving!

 2. This book features some previous characters of yours ( even my favourite Simple Tony is back!) are your characters based on people you know and do you have a character that you feel you have moulded around yourself?
If anybody’s me, and she isn’t really, it’s Helen Merrifield. Helen is the main character in Hidden Treasures, and she’s also in A Seaside Affair a little bit – she’s not me, but her experiences are a bit like mine.

 3. Have you started working on your next book and can we expect your previous characters to make an appearance again?
There are three more coming in fact, and I’m working on the first of them now. It’s all about fishing families in Cornwall – the fleet, the relationships between the families – I’ve only just started, but I’m very excited about it! I hope you like it too.

 4. We know you from your T.V work but what made you decide to take a change in your career, has writing always been something that you have wanted to do?
The truth is I had written my autobiography, which did amazingly well to my great surprise, and then I thought I’d finished with writing. But HarperCollins came to me and asked if I would consider writing a novel, and assured me they’d be on hand to help me with any problems. New Beginnings was a huge learning curve for me, but I so enjoyed it, and when I couldn’t wait to start my second novel Hidden Treasures. Here I am still writing – and if you keep reading, I’ll carry on!

5. Do you get much time to read yourself? If so what was the last book you read and would you recommend it?
I do read a lot; I love it. If anything I’m even more of a reader since I’ve been writing. I like to steer clear of books that seem like they might be similar to mine as I don’t want to absorb a character or a storyline unconsciously and accidentally reproduce it. Most recently I received a copy of Val McDermid’s reworking of NORTHANGER ABBEY, which is part of HarperCollins’ Austen Project, and I can’t wait to get started on that one.

I Big thank you to Fern Britton for taking the time to talk to us. A Seaside Affair is due for release on the 24th April so remember to pick up your copy.

MY REVIEW

I have read all of Fern Britton’s books, I couldn’t get to grips with New Beginnings but I loved both Hidden Treasures and The Holiday Home so I had been looking forward to this years release. 

When Trevay residents find out that their pavilion is under threat they are determined to come together as a community to try and save their beloved theatre, the last thing they want is a coffee chain store taking over. They lay their hopes on funding money by putting on a remake of the first ever show that was performed in the theatre but will it be enough?

This was such an enjoyable read. I had been in a reading slump and this has brought me out the other side. We have some characters from Hidden Treasures that are back in A Seaside Affair, it was great to see how both Penny and Helen are getting on and having characters that we have already built a relationship gave a welcoming familiar feel to the book. We did get a little glimpse of Simple Tony as well who I loved from Hidden Treasures it is a shame he didn’t feature more in this book. There are also a large amount of new characters some who I loved and some who were put there for us to love to hate such as the big show biz ego loving Ryan and Red.

Jess, Ollie and Brooke struck up a relationship and their friendship felt as though it comes from way back so they all had a good connection.

I did feel as though the outcome of the book was very predictable but this didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the book because it was great to read about the rehearsals as well as the various romance problems and new friendships.

Praise where it is due Fern Britton has managed to bring us another cosy country read that will be perfect for your holiday reading this summer. Full of romance, fame, lies and scandal as well as good old community spirit there is more than enough to keep you entertained.

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The Holiday Home by Fern Britton

Two sisters. One House. The holiday of a lifetime… Set on a Cornish cliff, Atlantic House has been the jewel in the Carew family crown for centuries. Each year, the Carew sisters embark on the yearly summer holiday, but they are as different as vinegar and honey. Prudence, hard-nosed businesswoman married to the meek and mild Francis, is about to get a shock reminder that you should never take anything for granted.

Constance, loving wife to philandering husband Greg, has always been outwitted by her manipulative sibling. Suspecting that Pru wants to get her hands on Atlantic House, Connie won’t take things lying down.

When an old face reappears on the scene, years of simmering resentments reach boiling point. Little do the women know that a long-buried secret is about to bite them all on the bottom. Is this one holiday that will push them all over the edge, or can Constance and Pru leave the past where it belongs?

I have been hot and miss with Fern Britton's books I didn't really like her first one and in fact I didn't manage to finish it. I read her second book Hidden Treasures last year and I thoroughly enjoyed it so I was looking forward to trying her third release The Holiday Home to see if it was going to win me over again.

It’s holiday time and time for sisters Connie and Pru and their families to head to Atlantic House, their family home in Cornwall. The two sisters are like chalk and cheese and have always been at heads with one and other and this seems to be something they can’t grow out of! Can the ladies put the past aside and enjoy the family holiday or will it be a battle all over again?

This book is all about family relationships, rivalry, infidelity and History repeating itself. The rivalry between the two sisters was quite typical for young siblings and when it continued into their adult lives it was pure entertainment. Some things that the girls argue about I can remember having the same argument growing up with my sister so it was great to be able to relate to the characters and the situations.

The setting that Fern Britton creates was fantastic it was easy to visualise the surroundings and Atlantic House, it is quite clear from the authors writing that she has spent a lot of time in Cornwall and is obviously a place close to her heart.

There is a wonderful collection of characters in this book most of whom I warmed to, it was great to have the three generations Abi and Jem brought a young and exciting fresh feel, the parents brought a witty and yet troubled part to the book and of course Grandparents Dorothy and Henry brought a traditional and warm feel but even they had something to hide!

I absolutely loved the character Francis he had such an innocent and delicate nature and I looked forward to his appearance in each chapter. Even the characters who were the villains I still loved as their parts were written well.

There were some unexpected twists and turns in this book which made it a compelling read. My only slight criticism ( and I really am having to hunt for one!) was how the part towards the end involving Greg was only briefly touched upon when it was quite an extreme part, I cant say more than that otherwise I will ruin things for you!

Fern Britton has well and truly won me around. I have never been a fan of celebrity authors but Fern Has changed my opinion and she definitely deserves credit for this wonderfully written and entertaining read. I will be in line awaiting her next release.

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Hidden Treasures by Fern Britton

I read Fern Britton’s New Beginnings last year but I put it down just after half way through as I was finding it a real challenge to carry on as it wasn’t gripping my attention. I decided to give Fern another try and so decided to read Hidden Treasures.

With her children now off hand it is time for Helen to leave her cheating husband and make a new life for herself. Helen is making her new life in a quaint Cornish village of Pendruggan. Before long Helen is making a new set of quirky friends and has also caught the attention of more than one man’s eye!

Thing is romance is not on the top of Helens list as she wants the chance to be free and independent. Helens best friend from London Penny, is soon heading to Penduggan to start shooting a new T.V series which also brings the help of Helen’s ex, who is intent on getting Helen back but will Helen open her heart to any of these men she has caught the attention of?

I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book I am glad I gave Fern Britton another try. The book gets off to a great cosy start and introduces us to some typical quirky country folk who were a joy to read. I really loved Simple Tony and I wish he had featured more in this book but maybe in this case less was more.

If you are looking for romance this is a great read for you with a love triangle turning into a steamy love square! The author really kept us guessing when it came to who Helen would end up with, if anyone, but the big shock for me was a relationship which formed between Helen’s best friend Penny and a certain someone!

I really enjoyed this book and found it very hard to put down. I did find the first half of the book was a lot better than the second half because as soon as the whole television slash fame part began in the book my attention started to waiver but it picked up again towards the end. I hope Fern’s next book will leave out any kind of fame/celebrity content as her writing is much more enjoyable when this is not included.

I will be picking up another of Fern Britton’s books in future as I enjoyed this one even though I was a little hesitant to read another one of the author’s books, but this is a pleasant read one that is worth picking up.

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