September 3, 2026 – My Sanctuary

The Twilight Garden By Emma Davies

A secret garden. A moonlit reunion. And a chance to start again…?

Perched on a hilltop in the Cornish countryside, with the sea sparkling in the distance, lies a garden, once forgotten but recently rediscovered. As the sun sets over its gently crumbling walls every evening, two figures appear and quietly tend the soil at dusk. This is a place that heals the soul.

Gemma is here to find the version of herself she lost long ago. What she hasn’t expected to find is someone who understands her heartbreak all too well.

Leo is also trying to rebuild his life. He knows how to fix things around him with nails and a hammer. But if he tries to mend Gemma’s heart as he mends the garden, could he heal himself too?

Working side by side to uncover long-forgotten flowers in the garden, Gemma wonders if she’s planting the seeds for a whole new future for herself too.

But then one evening, it’s clear somebody else has been to the garden. Someone intending to destroy what they’re creating. Someone who needs to be stopped….

Can Gemma and Leo save the tumbledown, magical place that has saved them? Or will they lose the twilight garden forever?

Head Over Skis By Sophie Davies

One ex, one ski-instructor and one holiday that’s about to go off-piste…

The trip finally made it out of the group chat! Lottie and her friends have been planning – and saving – for their ski trip for ages and everything is going to be perfect. Until it isn’t.

After her boyfriend, Adam, cheats on her, Lottie can’t think of anything worse than being stuck on the slopes with him. The night before the trip Lottie decides to do something crazy to distract herself from thinking about Adam. A hot hook-up with someone she’ll never have to see again seems like just the solution.

Except her one-night stand turns out to be her ski instructor, Rory. Adam is oblivious, Rory is interested, and Lottie is left asking not only if she should forgive Adam, but what is love, actually?

It’s been a life-changing year since Maddie moved to the picturesque, historic fishing village of Menemsha on Martha’s Vineyard, where her late mother was born. Maddie has rediscovered her grandmother as well as her own Indigenous roots as half Wampanoag, along with the tribe’s rich history and traditions. She’s also found an unexpected second chance at love with restauranteur Rex Winsted. And then she spots a vacant shop right on the harbor . . .

Maddie boldly decides to end her days as a college journalism professor and open a bookshop that will also serve teas her grandmother makes from island herbs. Maddie’s son, Rafe, a college senior, plans to craft baskets in the ancient Wampanoag way, sell them at the store, and donate the profits to benefit Wampanoag kids. For Maddie, it’s all too good to be true . . . until the threats begin.

Not wanting to spoil the dream, Maddie tells no one. But an unexpected incident makes the situation worse, and just as the shop is about to open, revelations from the past erupt. And another surprise ahead could radically impact not only Maddie’s future, but Rex’s, too. Facing a decision she never saw coming, Maddie learns that even peaceful waters must weather storms . . .

About The Author

My Review

This book is about a woman returning to Martha’s Vineyard to reconnect with family, heritage, and the possibility of a fresh start. In this book, Maddie moves to Menemsha after her divorce to care for her beloved grandmother and rediscover her Wampanoag roots. As she settles in, she finds romance with restaurateur Rex Winsted, considers opening a cozy seaside bookshop, and begins receiving mysterious notes hinting that not everyone wants her to stay.

The strongest elements of the novel lie in its rich sense of place and heartfelt family relationships. The glimpses into Wampanoag heritage add meaningful cultural depth, and the intergenerational bonds between Maddie, her grandmother, father, and son create warmth and emotional grounding. The coastal setting feels welcoming and atmospheric, making the story easy to sink into.

While the mystery unfolds gently rather than urgently, it adds a thread of intrigue that complements the romance and personal growth. The bookshop storyline may not dominate the plot, but it contributes to the theme of rebuilding and new beginnings.

Overall, this is a cozy, character-driven read filled with heart, healing, and second chances.

Coastal Small-Town Romance

Second Chance at Life

Bookshop Dreams

Family & Heritage Reconnection

My Rating