My enormous thanks to Amanda James for arranging to have a copy of her latest book, Wish Upon a Cornish Moon, sent to me in return for an honest review. It’s my pleasure to share that review today.

I cannot believe how long it is since I stayed in here with Amanda to celebrate her book The Cornish Retribution and even longer since I interviewed her about Summer in Tintagel here.

Wish Upon a Cornish Moon was published by Harper Collins imprint One More Chapter on 11th May 2023 and is available for purchase through the links here.

Wish Upon a Cornish Moon

‘I can see you don’t believe me, girl, but I’m telling you that there’s magic in the moon and that big sea out there.’

1938
One midnight in June, 15-year-old Lamorna Williams throws a message in a bottle into the Atlantic at Magic Cove, hoping to meet her one true love – and someone writes back.

1997
On the other side of the world, Lamorna tells her story to her 16-year-old great nephew Ethan inspiring him to do the same. But this time, his message isn’t found for over twenty years…

Present day
Single mum, Merrin Pascoe, is told of the legend of Magic Cove. In a moment of madness, Merrin wishes on the moon, and next day she finds a bottle in the sea. Will the cove cast its spell once again…

My Review of Wish Upon a Cornish Moon

Magic Cove has secrets to share.

What a lovely, escapist read Wish Upon a Cornish Moon is. Initially I had to make a conscious effort willingly to suspend my disbelief and to accept the coincidences and slightly supernatural aspects of the story, but it wasn’t long before I was completely absorbed. I thought the sweeping multi-generational story was exactly the kind of narrative we need in today’s negative world because it made me feel positive and open to possibilities that perhaps previously I would have dismissed. 

The plot of Wish Upon a Cornish Moon is just lovely. There’s very much a feeling that true love is fraught with challenge and that when obstacles are overcome it is all the sweeter. I thought the concept of coup de foudre was brilliantly handled because Amanda James dealt with it realistically so that the relationships here feel genuine and believable. I also thought that, although the story revolves very much around Lamorna and Merrin, there’s a really good balance from the male perspective too through Harry and Ethan.

I especially enjoyed meeting Merrin and Morwen, but what works so well is how minor characters are distinct and credible so that Jodie and Faye, for example, feel like people you might meet in ordinary life. These are the kinds of characters you think about when you’re not actually reading the book because they have vitality and life beyond the page.

Underpinning the magic and romance of Wish Upon a Cornish Moon are themes that add gravitas to the story too. Obviously love, romance and relationships feature, but so do family, jealousy, betrayal, hurt, feminism, parenthood, society, loneliness and poverty, all creating a rich and rewarding tapestry to read about and adding texture to the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed Wish Upon a Cornish Moon and found it emotional and magical. So, as I write this review it’s June and if anyone wants me later, they might just find me on the beach at midnight… but you need to read Wish Upon a Cornish Moon for yourself to discover why –  and I really recommend you do! 

About Amanda James

Amanda James has written since she was a child, and as an eight-year-old, she asked her parents for a typewriter for Christmas. She never imagined her words would ever be published. Then in 2010, after many twists and turns, the dream of becoming a writer came true when she had her first short story published. She left teaching in 2013 to pursue her dream full-time.

Originally from Sheffield, Amanda now lives in Cornwall and is inspired every day by the wild and beautiful coastline near her home. She has many suspense novels set there, but her last few books have been uplifting in nature with a twist of magic. She loves writing feel-good reads and has decided the world needs more joy in it right now, and her plan is to write many more novels in that genre.  Amanda can usually be found playing on the beach with her family, or walking the cliff paths planning her next book.

For more about Amanda, follow her on Twitter @amandajames61 and find her on Facebook and Instagram.