January 11, 2026 – My Sanctuary

A Fresh Start At The Cornish Country Hospital By Jo Bartlett

When life changes in an instant, how do you find the courage to begin again? ❤️‍🩹

A&E doctor, Eve Bellingham’s life changed forever the night her fiancé Max was the victim of a brutal attack. Now, two years later, she has moved her life to Cornwall and is working at St Piran’s Hospital, helping his family cope as Max struggles with his devastating injuries.

But though Eve’s loyalty has never wavered, the man she loved is gone. Annie – Max’s mother – still clings to the hope that one day everything will return to how it was, but Eve isn’t so sure it ever will. Torn between duty and despair, Eve feels trapped in a life that no longer fits.

Then she meets Felix Grainger, the dedicated occupational therapist helping Max towards independence. With kindness and quiet strength, he awakens feelings Eve thought she’d lost forever.

If you could find one missing thing, what would it be?

As a firefighter, Ava sees the devastation caused when homes are ruined. If she uncovers precious possessions that escaped a blaze unscathed, she returns them to their owner. When Cassie and her son lose everything in a fire, they have nothing and nowhere to go. On impulse, Ava offers them refuge by staying with her.

After three failed rounds of IVF, Ava and her husband are divided on how to start their own family. Needing to find answers about her own adoption and birth family, Ava embarks on a journey to Ireland with Cassie by her side for support.

But not every reunion is a happy one, and the best intentions can have the most heart wrenching results. Can Ava get back what was lost? Or will she learn that sometimes the thing you need most is what you have already found?

About The Author

My Review

The story follows Ava, a firefighter in Bath for twenty years, who faces heartbreak after unsuccessful rounds of IVF with her husband, Steve. Their longing for a family brings difficult questions about adoption—choices that test both their resilience and their marriage. Parallel to this, Ava’s lifelong friendship with Cassie is put under strain when tragedy strikes, reminding readers of the power and necessity of human connection in the face of devastation.

The novel captures both the adrenaline and danger of life on the front line and the quieter, more painful battles fought at home. Treave writes movingly about love, loss, and loyalty, and while the story can be heartbreaking, it also has moments of tenderness and beauty that shine through.

Overall, it is a heartfelt but heavy read, weaving together themes of friendship, infertility, and the courage it takes to carry on when life doesn’t turn out the way you imagined.

My Rating