Review | What Happens in Cornwall... by T.A. Williams

Today I’m going to share the book I’ve been talking about for the past week: What Happens in Cornwall… by T. A. Williams! If you missed the excerpt or interview, don’t forget to check those out, enter the giveaway, and then go get yourself a copy of his novel!

What Happens in Cornwall by T.A. Williams

Published: July 20, 2015

Publisher: Carina UK

Genre: Chick-Lit

For a very British summer holiday…

When archaeologist Sam realises her relationship is as dead as the skeletons she’s exhuming, she knows it’s time to make a change. But with bills to pay her options are limited…until a discovery on Rock Island in Cornwall gives her a reason to escape…

Head to the Cornish coast!

In Cornwall, questions are thrown up at every turn: who is the glamorous owner of Rock Island that the paparazzi are so interested in? How has the irresistible, but impossibly arrogant, history professor James Courtney managed to get so far under Sam’s skin? And will it ever stop raining so Sam can lose the cagoule and sip a cool drink in the sun? One thing’s for sure: there’s never been a holiday quite like this one!

Enjoy a summer of surprises and romance with What Happens in Cornwall…, the perfect retreat for fans of Fern Britton.

Book Links: Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

My Review

Samantha Squires is a 30 year-old post grad student at Exeter University that’s been dragging her feet on breaking up with her boyfriend to spare her depressed mother’s feelings. Her passion lies in archaeological studies and she gets a real high from running, which is no surprise from a former almost-Olympian. When her friend Becky offers her a chance for an already paid trip to Cornwall, Samantha jumps at the opportunity to get away from her life for a few days. By a somewhat fortunate accident, Sam meets an extremely important woman who owns a private island during their brief stay in Cornwall. Although the woman wants to maintain her privacy, she ends up helping Sam out in more ways than one.

This was a fun story filled with complex and entertaining characters. Samantha is a contrast of emotions and her personality makes her extremely relatable and charming. Sam’s friend Becky is hilarious and always seems to be on the hunt for a man. Becky keeps the laughs flowing and the drama alive. Dr. James Courtney is new to the university and is a specialist on medieval times. Although he’s very abrupt and seems a bit rude, there’s something about him that draws Sam in. I enjoyed watching the way the different friendships evolved and I was thoroughly entertained the whole way through.

One of the major themes in this novel was the idea of celebrity and wanting to have privacy and a sense of normalcy. The biggest themes were about love and relationships: damaged goods, baggage, dragging on a relationship for the wrong reasons, cheating and ultimately finding the right person that loves you for you, damaged bits and all. Sometimes you just need to open yourself to the possibilities and recognize a good opportunity from the bad. Sometimes things aren’t as they seem and you can’t make assumptions without communicating and knowing the truth rather than just speculating. It is important to learn to let people in and see the real you and sometimes you will find that true love was there all along.

I loved this story! It was entertaining with a little bit of suspense and a charming love story built in. I look forward to reading more by this author as I enjoyed his writing style and perspective and can’t wait to see what else he’s cooked up for us.

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

About the Author – T.A. Williams

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

Firstly, my name isn’t T A. It’s Trevor. I write under the androgynous name T A Williams because 65% of books are read by women. In my first book, “Dirty Minds” one of the (female) characters suggests the imbalance is due to the fact that men spend too much time getting drunk and watching football. I couldn’t possibly comment. Ask my wife…

I’ve written all sorts: thrillers, historical novels, short stories and now I’m enjoying myself hugely writing humour and romance. Romantic comedies are what we all need from time to time. Life isn’t always very fair. It isn’t always a lot of fun, but when it is, we need to embrace it. If my books can put a smile on your face and maybe give your heartstrings a tug, then I know I’ve done my job.

I‘ve lived all over Europe, but now I live in a little village in sleepy Devon, tucked away in south west England. I love the place. That’s why you’ll find leafy lanes and thatched cottages in most of my books. Oh, yes, and a black Labrador.

I’ve been writing since I was 14 and that is half a century ago. However, underneath this bald, wrinkly exterior, there beats the heart of a youngster. My wife is convinced I will never grow up. I hope she’s right.