The Sea Gate is a compelling and atmospheric saga set on the beautiful Cornish coast and is told in dual time frames by two women - Becky in current day and her elderly cousin Olivia's recollections of her life during WWII. This is a story of family secrets and dysfunction, forbidden romance and mystery, featuring a Gothic old house with secrets of its own.
With vivid descriptions, Johnson brings Chynalls, the secluded family home of nonagenarian Olivia Kitto to life. The story is woven with history, intrigue, loss and a diverse cast that is well-drawn (with one exception - a baddie who's a tad cliched). This cast includes a spirited and cantankerous old woman, a parrot with a penchant for profanity, a few nefarious characters readers will love to hate and a young woman trying to find out who she is without the input of those around her. I particularly loved the bond between Becky and Olivia, two outcasts who find strength and family in each other.
The addition of a few heavier issues gives depth to the story and allows readers to see WWII's influence on Cornwall - the restrictions, the arrival of POWs and the ever-present threat of invasion. While this was a captivating read, there were a couple of plot points that were a little too serendipitous and even though I typically I don't enjoy endings that fall neatly into place, I was happily surprised to find this book's conclusion predictable yet totally satisfying.
Prepare to be swept away by this engaging and skillfully written story about family, long-held secrets and the importance of standing up for oneself. A great selection for fans of Kate Morton, look for this book November 17, 2020.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.
My reviews of other books by this author:
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Author: Jane Johnson
Genre: Historical Fiction (WWII)
Type and Source: eBook from NetGalley
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada
First Published: November 17, 2020
Opening Lines: I take the phone away from my ear, end the
call and stand looking at the impression of oil and powder left
on its blank screen, traces of make-up I so rarely wear.
Book Description from GoodReads: A broken family, a house of secrets—an entrancing tale of love and courage set during the Second World War.
After Rebecca’s mother dies, she must sort through her empty flat and come to terms with her loss. As she goes through her mother’s mail, she finds a handwritten envelope. In it is a letter that will change her life forever.
Olivia, her mother’s elderly cousin, needs help to save her beloved home. Rebecca immediately goes to visit Olivia in Cornwall only to find a house full of secrets—treasures in the attic and a mysterious tunnel leading from the cellar to the sea, and Olivia, nowhere to be found.
As it turns out, the old woman is stuck in hospital with no hope of being discharged until her house is made habitable again. Rebecca sets to work restoring the home to its former glory, but as she peels back the layers of paint and grime, she uncovers even more buried secrets—secrets from a time when the Second World War was raging, when Olivia was a young woman, and when both romance and danger lurked around every corner...
A sweeping and utterly spellbinding tale of a young woman’s courage in the face of war and the lengths to which she’ll go to protect those she loves against the most unexpected of enemies.
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