Astra Sharp likes books and she has great teeth. She was planning to go to University, travel the world and later, much later have kids. But when her mum is diagnosed with MS she returns to the pretty surfing village of Polwenna.
Astra takes it all with aplomb. She starts to run the household, takes care of her siblings, finds a part-time job at a local diner and dates a local musician. She even has a bit of a crush on a surfer. Months turn to years and always Astra tries to make the best of her situation. It’s not until the arrival of her best friend’s sister, Angel, that the easy-going life everyone seems to have in Polwenna will be interrupted.
Angel enchants the men, toys with people’s affections and seemingly does this unconsciously. It’s as if the famous advertising slogan, “Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Beautiful,” was written with her in mind. She captivates the handsome surfer, Luke, Astra’s secret crush and right before Astra’s eyes even her little sister develops a fascination for Angel.
Astra is sure life will return to normal once Angel leaves but her stay becomes longer and more dangerous. Astra believes that only a powerful storm can leave a calm wake behind and thus she waits for the storm.
Joolz Denby, who was shortlisted for the Orange prize for Billie Morgan, has a way with dialogue. There are accents, nuances and downright attitudes that she manages to portray in each of her main characters. I’ve read all of her books and eagerly await her next novel.
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