Recommendations based on "A Summer at Sea"

Is living the life you’ve wished for really a dream come true?Lucy Young is twenty-six and tired. Tired of fetching coffees for senior TV producers, sick of going on disastrous dates, and done with living in a damp flat with roommates who never buy toilet paper. After another disappointing date, Lucy stumbles upon a wishing machine. Pushing a coin into the slot, Lucy closes her eyes and wishes with all her might: Please, let me skip to the good part of my life.When she wakes the next morning to a handsome man, a ring on her finger, a high-powered job, and two storybook-perfect children, Lucy can’t believe this is real—especially when she looks in the mirror, and staring back is her own fortysomething face. Has she really skipped ahead like she’s always wanted, or has she simply forgotten a huge chunk of her life? As Lucy begins to embrace new relationships and the perks of maturity, she’ll have to ask herself: Can she go back to her previous life, and if so, can she stand to leave the good part behind?

THE BESTSELLING NOVEL FROM THE MULTI-MILLION-COPY-SELLING AUTHORFor three friends, one summer will change everything . . .Grace has been best friends with Ella and Flick forever. The late-night chats, shared heartaches and good times have created a bond that has stood the test of time.When Ella invites them to stay for a week in her cottage in South Wales, Grace jumps at the chance to see her old friends. She also hopes that the change of scenery will help her reconnect with her distant husband.Then Flick arrives; loveable, bubbly, incorrigible Flick, accompanied by the handsome and charming Noah.And all at once they realise this is going to be one week which will change all their lives forever...A Cottage by the Sea is the bestselling reader favourite by Carole Matthews, filled with breath-taking romance, heart-warming friendships, and a whole lot of laughter. Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Cathy Bramley and Sarah Morgan.YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS LOVE CAROLE MATTHEWS:'A life-affirming story full of joy and hope' CATHY BRAMLEY'A sun-filled, fun-filled wonderful escapist adventure' MILLY JOHNSON'A wonderful setting where dark clouds part to reveal a happy ending' KATIE FFORDE'An irresistibly warm-hearted story' TRISHA ASHLEY'Warm, witty and hopeful - I was charmed' SARAH MORGAN'The queen of funny, feel-good fiction' MIKE GAYLEA COTTAGE BY THE SEA was a Sunday Times bestseller on 31st March 2013

‘A superb writer…the Irish Jojo Moyes’ Irish ExaminerThe simple fact of the matter is that Iris loves life. Maybe she’s forgotten that. Sometimes that happens, doesn’t it? To the best of us?All I have to do is remind her of that one simple fact.When Iris Armstrong goes missing, her best friend Terry, wife, mother and all-round worrier, is convinced something bad has happened.And when she finds her glamorous, feisty friend, she’s right: Iris is setting out on a journey that she plans to make her last.The only way for Terry to stop Iris is to join her, on a road trip that will take her, Iris and Terry’s confused father Eugene onto a ferry, across the Irish sea and into an adventure that will change all of their lives.Somehow what should be the worst six days of Terry’s life turn into the best.

"The Plumberry School of Comfort Food was originally published as a four-part serial. This is the complete story in one package. Verity Bloom hasn't been interested in cooking anything more complicated than the perfect fish finger sandwich, ever since she lost her best friend and baking companion two years ago. But an opportunity to help a friend lands her right back in the heart of the kitchen. The Plumberry School of Comfort Food is due to open in a few weeks' time and needs the kind of great ideas that only Verity could cook up. And with new friendships bubbling and a sprinkling of romance in the mix, Verity finally begins to feel like she's home. But when tragedy strikes at the very heart of the cookery school, can Verity find the magic ingredient for Plumberry while still writing her own recipe for happiness? A heartwarming and romantic story certain to make you smile - perfect for fans of Carole Matthews, Trisha Ashley and Katie Fforde. Your favourite authors have loved reading bestselling Cathy Bramley- 'Delightfully warm with plenty of twists and turns' Trisha Ashley 'Engaging characters and a sweeping romance. This is delightful!' Katie Fforde 'Full of joy and fun' Milly Johnson"

No. 1 bestselling author Jill Mansell writes with sensitivity and optimism about love, loss and new beginnings in TO THE MOON AND BACK. Not to be missed by readers of Jojo Moyes and Veronica Henry. When Ellie Kendall tragically loses her husband she feels her life is over. But eventually she's ready for a new start - at work, that is. She doesn't need a new man when she has a certain secret visitor to keep her company... Moving to North London, Ellie meets neighbour Roo who has a secret of her own. Can the girls sort out their lives? Guilt is a powerful emotion, but a lot can happen in a year in Primrose Hill... What readers are saying about To The Moon and Back: 'There's pretty much everything you could want in this book... love, heartbreak, laughter, hope and a great cast of characters' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'A feel-good slice of British humour wonderfully coloured by Mansell's tender romance about moving on and finding love after heartbreak' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'The characters are very well rounded, endearing, and realistic and their sense of humour is simply put, hilarious. I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good, light, fun and romantic read' Amazon reviewer, 5 stars

This summer, escape to the Seaside Cottages in the Scottish isles with this delightful mother-daughter story about second chances in love, life, and home renovations, by New York Times bestselling author Jenny Colgan. EVERYONE IS SEARCHING FOR THEIR PERFECT HOUSE. BUT HOME IS REALLY WHERE THE HEART IS... Janey Carter has a lot to be grateful for--a home by the sea in the Scottish isles, a job that she loves, two kids who have successfully launched, and a network of kind and supportive friends. But since her husband left, her confidence has taken a nosedive. And then, out of the blue, her thirty-year-old daughter Essie announces she's moving back home. Janey loves Essie dearly, but she was never the easiest to live with, and Janie has been enjoying the empty nest life. Yes, Essie Carter has just lost her job, can't afford her rent in Edinburgh, and her boyfriend isn't ready to commit. She hates to admit defeat and isn't wild about moving back to the remote island community where she was raised. But maybe the sea air will clear her head? No sooner is Essie back under her mother's roof than an unusual opportunity pops up: the shabby and unloved Seaside Cottages next door come up for sale. Janey has some experience renovating the island's famous stone fisherman's cottages, Essie needs something to do, and they could both use a little Air B&B income to warm their pockets. Mother and daughter slowly bond over the shared challenge, which delivers some much-needed revelations for Essie, and offers Janey a surprise second chance at love as well. "If I could live in a Jenny Colgan novel, I'd be happy forever." -- bestselling author Jill Mansell

‘A true page-turner’ Chat Monthly ‘Emotional, humorous and heartening, Julie Shackman knows how to bring the feel-good factor to fiction’ Woman’s Weekly Escape to the Scottish Highlands with a brand new spring romance from bestselling author, Julie Shackman Determined to overcome a family tragedy, Elle Cassidy decides to reopen her late mother’s ailing newsagent as a stationery shop in the quiet Scottish town of Fir Haven. But when the arrogant yet handsome crime writer Dexter Grayling almost runs over Elle in his beast of a sports car, the town is thrown into a tailspin – especially when Dexter claims that local resident Linda Carlucci has put a curse on him and he is no longer able to write. Can Elle put aside her dislike for the self-absorbed writer and help Dexter uncover what is really going on with the Carlucci family? And in the process will Elle realise that there’s a lot more to her beloved Fir Haven than she first thought... ‘This delightful romance is a perfect slice of escapism nestled in the Scottish Highlands’ Woman’s Own For fans of Donna Ashcroft, Jane Linfoot and Rachael Lucas. Readers have escaped to the country, will you be next? ‘A lovely sweet romance... impossible to put down’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Very enjoyable read with interesting characters and a beautiful setting’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Julie Shackman knows how to tell a great story... interesting twists [and] the characters steal your heart’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A nice next to the fireplace read with a glass of wine’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I absolutely loved the storyline... thoroughly recommend’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Loved every page’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Set in a lovely Scottish village... it had the perfect ending’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A story about forgiveness, healing and not judging others... you will fall in love with Fir Haven and its characters and this story will touch your heart in unexpected ways’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A heart-warming and funny romance with fab characters’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A great read. Highly recommend’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Quirky storyline and the characters made it all better’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Intriguing... an easy and warm read’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐

From New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins comes a funny and surprising new novel about losing it all—and getting back more than you ever expected.   Lillie Silva knew life as an empty nester would be hard after her only child left for college, but when her husband abruptly dumps her for another woman just as her son leaves, her world comes crashing down. Besides the fact that this announcement is a complete surprise (to say the least), what shocks Lillie most is that she isn’t heartbroken. She’s furious.   Lillie has loved her life on Cape Cod, but as a mother, wife, and nurse-midwife, she’s used to caring for other people . . . not taking care of herself. Now, alone for the first time in her life, she finds herself going a little rogue. Is it over the top to crash her ex-husband’s wedding dressed like the angel of death? Sure! Should she release a skunk into his perfect new home? Probably not! But it beats staying home and moping.   She finds an unexpected ally in her glamorous sister, with whom she’s had a tense relationship all these years. And an unexpected babysitter in, of all people, Ben Hallowell, the driver in a car accident that nearly killed Lillie twenty years ago. And then there’s Ophelia, her ex-husband’s oddly lost niece, who could really use a friend.   It’s the end of Lillie’s life as she knew it. But sometimes the perfect next chapter surprises you . . . out of the clear blue sky.

‘A little gem. 5*’ Samantha Tonge, bestselling author of The New Beginnings Coffee Club You’re never too old to try something new! When octogenarian Olive Turner is persuaded by her son to move into a retirement home, she congratulates herself on finding the secret to an easy life: no washing up, cooking or cleaning. But Olive isn’t one for mindless bingo with her fellow residents, and before the first day is over she's already hatching a plan to escape back to her beloved beach hut and indulge in her secret passion for a very good gin & tonic. Before long Olive’s secret is out and turning into something wonderful and new. Only a select few are invited, but word spreads quickly about the weekly meetings of The Gin Shack Club. Soon everybody on the beach wants to become a gin connoisseur and join Olive on her journey to never being forced to grow older than you feel. A journey of friendship, defiance and a quest for the perfect G&T. Readers LOVE The Gin Shack on the Beach! ‘Wow, what a lovely story! The book captured me from the start...This book was a breath of fresh air!... This is a book that I won’t forget in a hurry, genuinely one that everyone should read. Highly recommended.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars ‘I absolutely loved it! This is a 5 star book all the way and I’m only sorry that it ended.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars ‘This book is a hoot and I spent a glorious Saturday immersed between the pages and absolutely loved every moment of it. Fantastic.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars ‘I adored absolutely everything about this book!... Fantastic and utterly fun.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars ‘Brilliantly written, and a story of not growing old gracefully.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars ‘Perfect summer reading, or for anytime really when you want a feel-good and uplifting read.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars

Don’t miss the entire Bluebell Castle series in one volume! ‘Yet another amazing series by Sarah Bennett.’ Amazon reviewer When Lucie flees the bright lights of London for the quiet Bluebell Castle estate, she’s shocked to discover that the heir, Arthur, is the most handsome man she’s ever laid eyes on! But is the past she’s running from about to catch up with her? Time’s running out for Iggy to restore the wild gardens of Camland Castle, so she ropes in hotshot gardener Will to help. Very soon, sparks are flying among the bluebells – but can this summer fling go the distance? After her life is turned upside down, Jessica is only too happy to accept an invite to stay at Bluebell Castle from blast-from-the-past Tristan. With holiday magic in the air, can Tristan convince Jess to give love one more chance, just in time for Christmas? Readers love Sarah Bennett: “Summer At Lavender Bay by Sarah Bennett is a deliciously warm, welcoming, fun contemporary read and just perfect for a summer's day.” “Absolutely loved this book it has a great story line and the characters feel like great friends who you laugh with and cry with and really care about.” “Such a joy to read – I cannot recommend this book enough!” “Sarah Bennett always keeps me entertained from the very first page” “Five stars from me!” “This is a brilliant five star modern fiction story.”