Prompt: A book that takes place in a beach town

I had quite a few books that could fit into this prompt but in the end I chose The Picture House by the Sea by Holly Hepburn. I love a bit of vintage style and classic cinema so this was a lovely summer read.

What it’s about?

From Goodreads:

The picture house by the sea is the Palace at Polwhipple – a lovely art deco cinema, nestled in front of azure Cornish seas. But it is long past its heyday now, and its only saving grace is Ferrelli’s, the family run ice-cream concession in the foyer, which is widely known as the best ice-cream for miles.
 
So when Ferdie, the owner of Ferelli’s, breaks his leg, his granddaughter Gina drops everything to come and help out. But when she arrives she is dismayed by the state of the cinema, which she remembers fondly from summer holidays when she was little, and she is determined to give it the makeover it deserves. Along with local renovation expert Ben, she sets about reviving the Palace to its former glory. 
But the cinema needs more than a lick of paint. Its very future is under threat from a developer with greed in his eyes. Can Gina save the place before it is too late?

What I think:

This is a lovely escapist summer read.

Gina comes back to Cornwall to help her grandparents run their ice cream parlour and is shocked to find the local cinema in a state of disrepair screening obscure art house films that no one watches.

Before you know it she is helping revive the cinema she loved as a child, making friends with the locals and falling back in love with Polwhipple.

Teaming up with childhood friend, super hot and bloody Ben (where are these men in real life?!), she is soon involve with more long term projects and her return to London and her fiance is looking less likely.

This is pure summer escapism that makes you want to dash down to Cornwall.and eat ice creams on the beach. An easy read with lovely characters.

I really liked the four themed sections, each named after a classic film linked to the events held at the cinema. The writer has loosely linked some of the events and characters in the chapter to the films which is a nice touch. I like Ben and Gina’s meet cute Brief Encounter style at the beginning of the book.

If you want to feel nostalgic with The Picture House by the Sea order from:

Waterstones: click here

Amazon.co.uk: click here