A Bittersweet Surprise

A Starlight Cove Novel

By: Cynthia Ellingsen

Narrated by: Kate Rudd

A mysterious, heartwarming tale of small-town intrigue, family secrets, and the possibility of new love from the Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper.

Emma Laurent has always preferred helping others to asking for help. But now, she’s the one in need. Her stepmother is selling her late father’s candy shop, her grandmother’s assisted-living facility has become a financial burden, and the anniversary of her fiancé’s death is quickly approaching.

Rather than face her problems, Emma does what she does best - finds someone else to help by offering a mother and son with nowhere to go somewhere to stay. So when a couple visiting Starlight Cove suddenly offers to pay $20,000 for the old painting that has hung on the candy shop’s wall since Emma was a child, it seems like fate has stepped in to help Emma in return - but the more she thinks about it, the more suspicious the offer seems.

Determined to uncover why the couple is so interested in the painting, Emma begins to investigate, unknowingly wading into a sea of old family secrets. At the same time, a new flirtation has her feeling guilty and confused. As Emma uncovers more about the past, can she find the courage she needs to save the candy shop and give herself permission to open her heart to love again?

©2019 Cynthia Ellingsen (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“A Bittersweet Surprise is one of those gentle, uplifting stories you lose yourself in, and just keep turning pages. A beautifully drawn world of small-town secrets and misunderstandings, art, and chocolate. I loved it.” —Carol Mason, bestselling author of After You Left

“Ellingsen crafts a heartwarming story filled with charming characters, relatable yet original family dynamics, a hint of mystery, and a lovely dash of romance.” —Tracy Brogan, Amazon Charts and USA Today bestselling author

Enchanting with a bit of mystery

Love Cynthia Ellingsen’s Starlight Cove books! Anxiously awaiting a fourth one, hopefully? As a native Michigander, I know of the charm and beauty some of our towns along our Great Lake shores have. I love the characters and the fact that she brings them in from previous books. This is a great summer book to read on the beach or just when you wish you were there!

The is something sweet about this book!

I’ve just finished the Starlight Cove series. Wonderful memorable characters, relatable heroines. I highly recommend this series.

A Sweet Surprise

This is the third book in the Starlight Cove and all three are most superb. 9

Place it took place

I loved all three books. The storyline was great. I loved where they took place.

Delightful

Cynthia Ellingsen gets better with each new book. This was her best yet and I can't wait for the next one.

Fantastic experience to listen to a good book

. My first Audible book. Loved the story and the experience of listening instead of reading. Naration well done.

Not just a summer read.

This charming book is centered around a candy shop that the daughter wants to own and the stepmother wants to sell. She has dreamed about owning the store and works tirelessly. Unfortunately she doesn't have the money. How is she going to get that money? Randomly some out-of-towners ask to buy her painting that her father left her. The way they go about it sends alarm bells off in her head. While trying to figure out more about the painting and if it will save her, she is also helping a mother and son that broke down in the town during a heatwave.

A very charming story. Worth the read.

Kate Rudd is an excellent narrator and gives each character their own rhythm and sound.

Loved it!

I loved the story. You get lost in it. The characters were so well done. They made me happy, sad, and angry. I wish the book was longer.

I love the Starlight Cove series!!!

Another great story about the residents of this quaint town. Cynthia Ellingsen has done a wonderful job of introducing the characters in each book and building a town I can see in my mind.

I adore Kate Rudd's perfornance! This series is one of many great ones I've found by seeking out her work.

Overall this is a great book in a great series and I can only hope the Ellingsen will write more fun mysteries to bring us back to Starlight Cove.

Great Read!

I could not out this down.... I LOVED it! Good people, great town,the American Spirit in Michigan.