The Cornish Cottage by the Sea by Kim Nash (JULY '25)

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

I’ve visited Cornwall several times, and while it was beautiful and full of lovely beaches and homes, I never really felt the urge to go back…until I read this book. 

Jo Jenkins is certainly not enjoying her life to the fullest. After her long-time husband left her for her best friend (who also happens to be his secretary), her daughters are busy with their own lives, and even her mother is finding romance. Good old Barry!

Poor Jo is stuck in a rut until she inherits the cottage in Cornwall that she has always adored, from her ex-husband’s aunt. It seems that inheriting her dream home is precisely what Jo needs at this moment…until she arrives. It has been several years since Jo last saw the cottage, and time has not treated it kindly.

As Jo embarks on the journey of restoring the house to its former beauty, she discovers new friendships and a potential romantic interest. 

What I loved most about this book is that many of us can relate to Jo. While we may not have been left a beautiful house by the sea (though some might have!), Jo feels familiar; her character resonates, and you genuinely wish for her to find happiness. 

The Cornish Cottage by the Sea is like a heartwarming film on a rainy Sunday afternoon, and who doesn’t enjoy those? I will absolutely read more books from the talented Kim Nash.

Blurb: A new start by the sea…For Jo Jenkins, life has always been about putting others first. But with her children grown and her ex-husband as rotten as ever, she knows it’s time to put herself at the heart of the story. So, when she inherits a beautiful beachside cottage in Cornwall, she grabs the chance to start over.The crumbling old cottage needs a little love, but so does Jo. And with the help of her new friends – a kind-hearted jeweller, a no-nonsense businesswoman, and a local Jack of all trades with a past of his own – Jo begins to rebuild more than just bricks and mortar.But tucked away inside the cottage is a secret that could change everything. As the waves roll in and the sea air clears her mind, Jo must decide if she’s ready to let go of the past. Will she finally learn to embrace the life she truly deserves?