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glykeria's review
hopeful
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
booksandbargains's review
5.0
I Loved this book and I’m ready to run off to Cornwall ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
samira2205's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
portybelle's review against another edition
5.0
Sometimes a book just captures your heart and this one with its mixture of sea, seaglass, stars and sky did just that.
The story is told in short alternating chapters by Seren (which is Welsh for star) and Jack. They are told in first person so you really feel you get to know them. And the thing is, although they are on opposing sides of a local community argument, you can't help but like them both. Jack recently lost his wife, and home, and is bringing up their young daughter Nessie. He is a builder but work has dried up and money is tight. He jumps at the chance to work on big development. He is passionate about building, and wants to work with the landscape, with natural materials and to use local expertise. He feels he can respect and honour the memory of Elinor Carne, a local and largely forgotten astronomer.
Seren on the other hand is continuing her late father's campaign to save the parsonage where Elinor lived, to protect and develop the old remains, bring the name of Elinor back into public knowledge. This is the site that Jack's boss wants to redevelop. She is still grieving the close bond she shared with her father and trying desperately to keep his craft shop business afloat. The author lost her own father when writing this book so it's not surprisingly that the grief Seren feels over the sudden loss of her dad is so touchingly and convincingly portrayed.
Unknown to either of them, despite being in opposition to each other, they also have something in common - seaglass. There is something special about seaglass and I also get that fizz of excitement if I find some on the beach. Jack and his daughter Ness enjoy making stars from seaglass on the beach but one day don't have time to finish one. Seren finds the star the next morning and completes it. Young Ness is convinced it is mermaids finishing the stars! It was lovely to read about how special the stars became for them all. It was something secret away from their everyday cares. This part of the story reminded me a bit of You've Got Mail with neither knowing who the mystery person was. Both Jack and Seren seemed to need someone or something else to complete their lives but effectively being enemies made it difficult for them even to be friends.
There were lots of lovely references to everyday magic in the book and something that Seren's father said to her really touched me: [i] "Magic is everywhere Seren, if you look hard enough for it. Life is extraordinary, if you let it be."[/i] Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a really uplifting book about finding that magic in life, sometimes in the most unexpected places. I had a lump in my throat at the many poignant moments throughout the book and yet it also gladdened my heart. It was a joy to read.
The story is told in short alternating chapters by Seren (which is Welsh for star) and Jack. They are told in first person so you really feel you get to know them. And the thing is, although they are on opposing sides of a local community argument, you can't help but like them both. Jack recently lost his wife, and home, and is bringing up their young daughter Nessie. He is a builder but work has dried up and money is tight. He jumps at the chance to work on big development. He is passionate about building, and wants to work with the landscape, with natural materials and to use local expertise. He feels he can respect and honour the memory of Elinor Carne, a local and largely forgotten astronomer.
Seren on the other hand is continuing her late father's campaign to save the parsonage where Elinor lived, to protect and develop the old remains, bring the name of Elinor back into public knowledge. This is the site that Jack's boss wants to redevelop. She is still grieving the close bond she shared with her father and trying desperately to keep his craft shop business afloat. The author lost her own father when writing this book so it's not surprisingly that the grief Seren feels over the sudden loss of her dad is so touchingly and convincingly portrayed.
Unknown to either of them, despite being in opposition to each other, they also have something in common - seaglass. There is something special about seaglass and I also get that fizz of excitement if I find some on the beach. Jack and his daughter Ness enjoy making stars from seaglass on the beach but one day don't have time to finish one. Seren finds the star the next morning and completes it. Young Ness is convinced it is mermaids finishing the stars! It was lovely to read about how special the stars became for them all. It was something secret away from their everyday cares. This part of the story reminded me a bit of You've Got Mail with neither knowing who the mystery person was. Both Jack and Seren seemed to need someone or something else to complete their lives but effectively being enemies made it difficult for them even to be friends.
There were lots of lovely references to everyday magic in the book and something that Seren's father said to her really touched me: [i] "Magic is everywhere Seren, if you look hard enough for it. Life is extraordinary, if you let it be."[/i] Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a really uplifting book about finding that magic in life, sometimes in the most unexpected places. I had a lump in my throat at the many poignant moments throughout the book and yet it also gladdened my heart. It was a joy to read.
worldofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
❤️❤️❤️
dorisxdw's review against another edition
3.0
now I really want to visit Cornwall and make sea glass stars
always_need_more_books's review
4.0
Set in the beautiful Cornish town of St Ives, Seren MacArthur is grieving for her father whilst trying to save the art gallery business he loved so much. Jack Dixon, a widower with a young daughter Nessie is living in a caravan park, desperately trying to hold things together and keep their heads above water.
Jack and his daughter Nessie, love making shapes out of the seaglass that is washed up on Gwithian beach and one day, Seren finds one uncompleted and decides to finish it off. Making the stars between them gives a little bit of magic and happiness to both Seren and Jack.
As well as trying to keep her father's business going, Seren is leading a community campaign to try and save a local landmark, the home of local female astronomer Elinor Carne. When Jack is employed as a project manager by the man who wants to develop the site Jack and Seren end up on opposing sides of the battle.
This a magical story, set in a beautiful part of the world. Miranda Dickinson is good at creating characters you feel you could be friends with and a story that keeps you wanting more. Really enjoyed this.
Jack and his daughter Nessie, love making shapes out of the seaglass that is washed up on Gwithian beach and one day, Seren finds one uncompleted and decides to finish it off. Making the stars between them gives a little bit of magic and happiness to both Seren and Jack.
As well as trying to keep her father's business going, Seren is leading a community campaign to try and save a local landmark, the home of local female astronomer Elinor Carne. When Jack is employed as a project manager by the man who wants to develop the site Jack and Seren end up on opposing sides of the battle.
This a magical story, set in a beautiful part of the world. Miranda Dickinson is good at creating characters you feel you could be friends with and a story that keeps you wanting more. Really enjoyed this.
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
5.0
Visit the locations in the novel Travel to the locations in St Ives
#Authorsonlocation blog post here: Miranda Richardson takes you to Cornwall
You know those shiny stones you find on the beach, pick them up and see that there’s pieces of glass that the sea has worn away to form smooth jewels.That’s the inspiration behind this book, the stones the author found on a beach, one her husband had made with other things into a heart shape for her…now I love books with backstories like this!
Then when I found out Seren, a character in the book, had a name which translated as “Star” in Welsh…well…
Set against a story of community campaigning, something very special happens in this book. A story familiar to many in local communities where one camp wants to change something and the others want to protect it was interesting but much more so with Jack and Seren at the centre of the book. When two opposing characters come together, sparks fly.
What made this book really special was the idea that you can find everyday magic in the most unexpected of places. It’s an uplifting read and one where you can tell the author has evoked a setting on the page which is so special to her and her family.
St Ives has never been so gorgeous!
A lovely story to relax with in the Cornish sun
justzoe_withbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Miranda Dickinson has quickly become one of my favourite romance authors out there. I've read a few of her other works which I loved but Somewhere Beyond the Sea was amazing. Set in Cornwall not to far from where I actually live I could read the love for the setting of this book & the characters Seren & Jacks lives intertwining the way it did was pure magic. Great read on a sunny day.