Sunrise by the Sea: A Little Beach Street Bakery Novel

Prolific Scottish author Jenny Colgan spent time during the pandemic writing a most engaging and heartfelt tale. One need not have read any of her other Beach Street novels, which are set on the remote island of Mount Polbearne near the English county of Cornwall, to feel a part of the island community. Many of her characters have appeared in prior novels; however, their storylines do not dominate Sunrise by the Sea.

Marisa Rosso, the focus of the tale, is an introvert who has suffered a great loss. Her beloved grandfather Carlo, who lived in Italy, passed away suddenly months ago, but Marisa continues to wallow in grief as she withdraws from everyday life. This prompts a serious intervention by her landlord. He offers Marisa an isolated cottage on Mount Polbearne, where she can hopefully recuperate.

It takes an entire village of well-written characters to break through the wall that Marisa has built to protect herself from grief and depression. Sunrise by the Sea offers Ms. Cogan’s readers a full spectrum of emotions. This reviewer laughed out loud and cried real tears reading about Marisa’s escape from her own fears. This is highly recommended for readers from teenagers to grandparents.