The Shell Seekers Rosamunde Pilcher

This novel follows three generations of Keelings from London to Cornwall in the years from WWII to the present. Penelope 's three children are grown with different levels of independence: high powered Olivia, Nancy who dreamed of a life out of a Barbara Carland or Georgette Heyer novel and Noel who goes from weekend place to weekend place to meet "useful" people who can help him live the life he should be living. The locations and descriptions are fabulous - another Rosamunde Pilcher novel to get lost in!