It's been a long time since that book and I was delighted to find that Thomas had published her second novel; The Family Retreat. Anyone who spots something suspicious can always report it to our Customer Service team so that our fraud team can investigate. There is also the local farmer Pete and his wife Joyce and their eighteen year old son Loe who has learning difficulties. In the adjoining cottage is Penny and her father Phillip. I liked the development between all the characters they felt real and gave a good insight into where they all were mentally in their lives. Having said that I didn't necessarily like all the characters, but then not all characters need to be likeable and at times it felt like there were too many stories all trying to be told in the one story to do any of them real justice, it could easily have been split into two books. I loved the descriptions of the surroundings, making the coast and the dancing ledge almost a character in its own right and of the characters I felt I could really picture the story as it unfolded and it kept me intrigued to see what would happen next and if my suspicions were correct.

Bev Thomas was a clinical psychologist in the NHS and continues to serve as a mental health consultant and I felt that she approached the novel’s themes her with sensitivity while still penning an engaging suspense drama. So, although I didn't really like the characters, the plot was good once it finally got going. It ended up being an okay read.This idyllic Dorset cottage might just be the perfect escape. But when the neighbour hints at a dire predicament, Jess puts the idea of sun-kissed, sandy bliss on hold. Like a door nudged ajar, the lure of solving someone’s problems invites her in. Jess isn’t convinced though their kids are thrilled and the combination of the Dorset sea air and the idyllic cottage works their magic and Jess starts to relax into the holiday vibes. She even makes friends with Helen, another woman who is holidaying there with her husband and kids. Lovely fellow readers. It was the first book that I've read that for 12% or more I didn't know what's the name of the main character. Sure, it is mentioned in the synopsis, but I've read it a long time ago and I forgot. It was only then that it was mentioned, and then I've caught her name perhaps three times more. In the whole book. Nobody directed her with her name. Why? Were they all really so damaged, so deep into their own thoughts and problems?

First, I admit that I really disliked the first 50% of this book (which made it a long haul). It moved very slowly, and it seemed so predictable, but not all of it was.Overall, the plot is good but I would have enjoyed it more with a more in the moment proactive approach from Jess. I really enjoyed this book, it had a lot of tense moments in it and I couldn’t read it in a day as it wasn’t what I would call a relaxing read! The characters were all very different and I loved how the scenery of Dorsey made for some great moments. I would have liked Jess to have been more in holiday mode than getting involved in the village as fast as she did but that’s a minor hiccup on my part. Yes. In fact, yoga retreats are often best taken alone. When you travel solo, you can focus fully on yourself and reconnect with your heart’s desire. You will also meet like-minded people if you’re on a group retreat. You might come away with a gang of new friends.