The Beach Hut Next Door

I was beyond excited when I found out Veronica Henry was releasing a second book based on the little seaside town of Everdene and the inhabitants of the beach huts along along the stretch of coast. In the first book Henry wove together lots of individual stories which evoked a real sense of community and seaside atmosphere and although all the stories stood separately she tied them all back together and left me wanting more.

In this second book about life in the Beach Huts we don't, unfortunately revisit any of the original characters from the first book, instead we are introduced to new stories. Again they span all generations and walks of life, Elodie who at seventy is buying a home in Everdene but for whom the house holds memories of her childhood. We are taken back with her to the days of her youth and follow her story to date and it is, to this we keep returning alongside Henry's other characters. We have Jeanne a young unemployed entrepreneur trying to start her own business, two fisherman brothers coping with their fathers death, an ex - convict arriving to take up residence as an artist, a London high flyer finding a new life after leaving her job and a divorced couple trying to find a way to move on whilst still co-owning their hut.

Again this book just evoked such wonderful feelings of life in the sleepy seaside town, each time I see a beach hut now it makes me think of these books and I long to stay in one, like a recluse claiming some me time alongside the beach and the elements. Henry doesn't link the characters as closely as she did in the first book, their stories link but perhaps not so closely as previously. This didn't detract from the enjoyment of the story and each one draws you in and makes them feel fulfilling. Each is given enough focus to tell their tale and to allow you as a reader to become emotionally invested in their wellbeing.

This for me was one of the must have books this summer, it was perfectly timed as a release and I love that for people who haven't managed to book a foreign break but have managed a break in the UK seaside this might just be the book to take with you. Henry continues to deliver amazing books full of heart and emotion and she has again proved faultless.