One Cornish Summer With You: Book Review

One Cornish Summer With You by Phillipa Ashley is a sweet, sentimental romance set on the idyllic Cornish coast, during one summer between Tammy and Raun.

Synopsis: One Cornish Summer With You

Tammy Day knows Porthmellow’s beaches better than anyone. As a child she roamed its tide pools and lanes believing life by the sea would always be safe and certain. But the illusion shattered when her father’s business collapsed and her mother walked out, leaving Tammy to rebuild her own future—and erect careful emotional guardrails.

Now an adult, Tammy makes a quiet living shaping temporary masterpieces in the sand, capturing the attention of holidaymakers yet keeping them—and deeper attachments—at arm’s length. Home is a flat, the rhythms of the tides provide all the stability she trusts.

Into this carefully controlled life steps Ruan Penwith, a former Bristol solicitor who has traded corporate stress for the slower Cornish pace while handling family legal matters. His kindness, curiosity, and genuine interest in Tammy’s art. What begins as easy conversation over ice cream turns into something that feels disconcertingly real.

But the past Tammy thought she had mapped out is not the full story. When a chance discovery ties Ruan to a long-buried chapter of her family’s downfall, Tammy is forced to question the version of events she has clung to for years—and decide whether she can risk her heart on a man whose secret rewrites her history.

Set against Cornwall’s sun-washed coves and windswept cliffs, One Cornish Summer With You explores themes of trust after betrayal, the healing pull of place, and the courage it takes to let new love transform an old wound.

Review: One Cornish Summer With You

One Cornish Summer With You by Phillipa Ashley is a sweet, sentimental romance set on the idyllic Cornish coast. It tells the story of Tammy, a local sand artist who dreams of turning her passion into a full-time career, and Raun, a solicitor seeking a slower pace of life after inheriting a rundown house.

At its heart, this is a classic romance: boy meets girl, sparks fly, complications arise, a dramatic event threatens their bond—but ultimately, true love prevails. And in this, Phillipa Ashley delivers exactly what fans of the genre crave.

That said, a few elements may feel a bit predictable.

Tammy’s career as a sand artist, while unique, feels seasonally specific—much like a Christmas tree farmer in a festive romance. Charming, but clearly chosen to match the summer setting.

Raun—named after the river that divides Cornwall and Devon (a nice nod to local rivalry)—is a character with both strength and softness. While he doesn’t work out in a conventional sense, his love of kitesurfing adds a rugged, adventurous edge. An injury has sidelined him for now, introducing a touch of vulnerability.

Both leads have more depth than the basic character sketches suggest, but they do lean into familiar romantic archetypes. And while the third-act conflict is signposted very early on, this kind of narrative beat is part of what makes the romance genre so comforting and recognizable.

Conclusion

In the end, what matters is how well the author builds on these genre foundations—and Phillipa Ashley does just that. With warm characters, a picturesque setting, and a tone that’s just the right mix of hopeful and heartfelt, One Cornish Summer With You is a satisfying summer read that ticks all the boxes for fans of contemporary romance.

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