*Blog Tour - The Sea Gate by Jane Johnson

Today I'm on the Blog Tour for the fantastic The Sea Gate by Jane Johnson which published on the 4th June. I received an ARC from the publisher to enable me to take part in the Blog Tour. I absolutely loved this book!

After Rebecca’s mother dies, she must sort through her empty flat and come to terms with her loss. As she goes through her mother’s mail, she finds a handwritten envelope. In it is a letter that will change her life forever.

Olivia, her mother’s elderly cousin, needs help to save her beloved home. Rebecca immediately goes to visit Olivia in Cornwall only to find a house full of secrets—treasures in the attic and a mysterious tunnel leading from the cellar to the sea, and Olivia, nowhere to be found.

As it turns out, the old woman is stuck in hospital with no hope of being discharged until her house is made habitable again. Rebecca sets to work restoring the home to its former glory, but as she peels back the layers of paint and grime, she uncovers even more buried secrets—secrets from a time when the Second World War was raging, when Olivia was a young woman, and when both romance and danger lurked around every corner...

A sweeping and utterly spellbinding tale of a young woman’s courage in the face of war and the lengths to which she’ll go to protect those she loves against the most unexpected of enemies.

My thoughts?

Rebecca, finds a letter in her late mother's possessions from Cousin Olivia in Cornwall asking for her help. She decides to go straight to the house Chynalls which she remembers vaguely from family holidays in the past with her twin brother. On arrival she finds that all is not well. Olivia is in hospital and the house needs to be renovated to suit her needs (with an inside bathroom for one!) She visits her in hospital and leaves armed with a "to do" list.

The home help and her husband try to make her change her mind but she's adamant that she's going to help Cousin Olivia no matter what it takes. Her partner Eddie is only interested in his work and her brother wrapped up in his life with his overbearing wife.

The rambling house is filled with exquisite artwork and curios, has an underground tunnel and it's own cove. Rebecca finds something which scares her half to death which she realises she'll have to ask her cousin about. She also meets Gabriel for the first time who really is a character in his own right. It needs a lot of work to bring the house up to scratch so that Social Services will allow Olivia back home. She enlists the help of two brothers who run their business locally much to the disdain of Rosie and the home help's sons who make mischief and try to scare her.

We also meet Olivia during the war years when she is a young girl and her story is compelling. She's had a rich life with her fair share of unhappiness, friendships and ultimately love and heartache. I like how the past and the present are intricately interwoven with mystery, secrets and some surprising moments. I simply adored this book and would highly recommend.