Author: Jane Johnson
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers Australia
Year of Release: 2020
Genre: Modern & Contemporary Fiction, General Fiction
Release Date: 2nd September 2020
Rating 
Synopsis
Following the death of her mother, Becky begins the sad task of sorting through her empty flat. Starting with the letters piling up on the doormat, she finds an envelope post-marked from Cornwall. In it is a letter that will change her life forever. A desperate plea from her mother’s elderly cousin, Olivia, to help save her beloved home. Becky arrives at Chynalls to find the beautiful old house crumbling into the ground, and Olivia stuck in the hospital with no hope of being discharged until her home is made habitable. Though daunted by the enormity of the task, Becky sets to work. But as she peels back the layers of paint, plaster, and grime, she uncovers secrets buried for more than seventy years. Secrets from a time when Olivia was young, the Second World War was raging, and danger and romance lurked around every corner… The Sea Gate is a sweeping, spellbinding novel about the lives of two very different women, and the secrets that bind them together.
Review
After the recent loss of her mother Rebecca Young is given the task of sorting through the pile of her mother’s unchecked pile of mail, where she finds a letter from a women named Olivia kitto. Becky discovers that her late mother’s elderly cousin is in need of help to save her treasured home. Becky decides to answer the call and head to Cornwall.
Upon arriving in Cornwall Becky can see why there was a call from help the house falling to the ground, Becky sets out to help her elderly cousin repair the house and has hopes of forgetting what could be awaiting Becky back home in London.
Although the house is in disarray Rebecca finds she won’t be alone during her time at Chynalls, she’ll find company by way of an African Parrot who goes by the name of Gabriel and the two soon strike up a strong bond. This element of the story was a highlight for me as I’m a lover of Parrots.
The use of dual perspectives is always a plus for me when it comes to writing style, I believe it keeps a reader invested in this story. Thanks to Olivia’s lack of a filter when it comes what she thinks, I will say I enjoyed the Olivia Kitto time period and events more so then Becky although. I found Becky to be likeable but I found it hard to connect or form a strong bond to her.
The Sea Gate has an original plot line twists and turns, I enjoyed uncovering. the characters used to tell the story were three dimensional. Author Jane Johnson has done a spectacular job in making sure not all characters were enjoyable in their personalities and actions, I think this made for a good end of winter read.
Anyone who enjoys a character based story and light Historical Fiction with twists and turns, be sure to keep an out for The Sea Gate.
With thanks to Harper Collins Publishers and Author Jane Johnson for sending a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.