Please see my blog at jessiecahalin.com
A Summer of Surprises and an Unexpected Affair
Jan Ellis
I will buy a beautiful book of memories from Eleanor’s ‘crumbly bookshop’ and place it in my handbag because I am also ‘addicted to books’.
Imagine a delicious dream of a bookshop, tucked away in a British seaside town, bursting with friends, family and loved ones. Order some tea and warm scones as you listen to Eleanor chat about life, former lovers and romance.
Alternatively, join Eleanor and her sister as they raise a glass ‘to the people we love and the people we don’t know we love because we haven’t met them yet.’
If you haven’t guessed, this is a very satisfying, cosy book about love.
However, it examines the way in which love develops at a more mature age. It makes you reflect on how we are shaped by previous relationships. As I meandered through Eleanor’s life, I was constantly wondering if she would be tempted. Jan Ellis captures the raw infectious fever of the first love and explores this from the mature character’s perspective; this was refreshing and insightful. I listened to the inner voices of the characters and considered their questions, doubts and secrets. Above all, I adored the message that love shapes, moulds and makes the person, but you must open your heart at any time of life. Love has the power to transform us, and Ellis writes:
‘She had gone into the water as a rather staid middle-aged woman and came out feeling invigorated and daring.’
The book explores the landscape of emotions and memories that imprint on our experience. I enjoyed the anticipation, the excitement, the guilt and the realisation of the characters. The book is also fun and the characters are great company. Who doesn’t want a best friend like Erika who can keep you grounded, or a sister like Jenna to help you to consider the options? Perhaps you too could also tolerate a mother who loves life and wants to prompt you to do the same.
I enjoyed this book as it breezed through the events. The author’s style is controlled, succinct and teases the reader into the sequence of events. The characters feel like friends, and the natural dialogue places the reader in the heart of the events. I love the way that Jan Ellis threads nuggets of wisdom and observations into a light-hearted, entertaining read.
If you stay at home then put the kettle on and grab some cake, or get your passport and find a suitable bistro with tempting treats.
Please read this and all my other reviews on My Reading.
On the whole people are very accommodating and let me take photographs of their shops, museums, pubs, gardens, houses etc. For instance, the porters on The Grand Hotel, in Brighton, were happy to let me capture the glamorous setting with my camera. I needed the photographs for 
During my adventures, I have learned to smile at the museum curators and carry on. Unfortunately, I was chastised for photographing Churchill’s writing desk. Though, I was delighted to be informed that Churchills would ‘fight me on the beaches’ if I dared to take photos. Another curator pretended not to see me taking a view of the garden from the window. One antique shop owner looked at me suspiciously when I declared, ‘I need pictures of old spades etc to display as murder weapons.’ I intended to use these in a murder story lark developed, on Facebook, with 
Walking through the Beacons, I decided to write a blog about the inspiring environment. I spied an opportunity to throw a stone in the water to represent a big splash. The splash would represent a thought or an idea. Unfortunately, I was chased away from the lake by the people who were fishing for trout. I did ask if they would like me to ‘sling my hook’ but they weren’t amused.
The most frightening experience occurred when I was taking a photo of a street sign for Muddles Green. That day, I was in a muddle with editing so the sign was perfect. I stood in the middle of the quiet country lane to snap the image. A motorbike almost ploughed into me as it raced around the corner. It was worth it when lots of authors connected with the message.
Blow away the dust on Joshua’s books to reveal a ship. Can you see the ghost ship sailing in the distance and will this bring a bad omen? Dim the lights as the ghost ship gets closer. The characters present a tableau of the Victorian scenes. But what happened to the poor boy who was flogged? Can Eleanor’s investigation save the boy? Why does someone think that Eleanor is ‘going to kill him?’
I am getting carried away with this ‘detective lark’! Jan Ellis is so clever at writing the dialogue that I became completely absorbed and wanted to be amid the drama. Jan Ellis has skilfully woven the clues into the narrative. I envied Eleanor’s knowledge and read the book greedily in one sitting. I visited the bookshop, the fair and the parties so it was only right that I should be able to get involved in the investigation.