Sunshine and Secrets at Blackberry Beach

Apple Hill Bay #1

by Holly Martin

From the moment Fern Lucas arrived at its stunning shores, she knew Apple Hill Bay would forever be the place she calls home. Living in her little beach hut with her beloved dog Bones, and her artist business on the verge of taking off, life couldn’t be more perfect. Or so Fern thinks…

When a competition for a mural commission at Blackberry Beach pits her against the gorgeous Fletcher Harrison, sparks fly instantly. Within days their electric chemistry has them tumbling deep into love. Within weeks they can’t imagine a future without each other.

But Fletcher has a secret, a past he can’t escape, a past that he believes means he can’t give Fern the life they’ve dreamed of. And that past is about to catch up with him…

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Summer, Ebooks, Chick Lit

346 pages, Paperback

Published June 11, 2023

About the author

Holly lives in a little white cottage by the sea. She studied media at university which led to a very glitzy career as a hotel receptionist followed by a even more glamorous two years working in a bank. The moment that one of her colleagues received the much coveted carriage clock for fifteen years’ service was the moment when she knew she had to escape. She quit her job and returned to university to train to be a teacher. Three years later, she emerged wide eyed and terrified that she now had responsibility for the development of thirty young minds. She taught for four years and then escaped the classroom to teach history workshops, dressing up as a Viking one day and an Egyptian High Priestess the next. But the long journeys around the UK and many hours sat on the M25 gave her a lot of time to plan out her stories and she now writes full time, doing what she loves.

Holly has been writing for 8 years. She was shortlisted for the New Talent Award at the Festival of Romance. Her short story won the Sunlounger competition and was published in the Sunlounger anthology. She won the Carina Valentine’s competition at the Festival of Romance with her novel The Guestbook. She was shortlisted for Best Romantic Read, Best eBook and Innovation in Romantic Fiction at the Festival of Romance. She is the bestselling author of 26 books selling over a million books worldwide. Holly's books have been translated into French, German, Italian, Dutch, Bulgarian, Estonian, Turkish and Russian.

Follow her on Twitter @HollyMAuthor

Reviews

[Melanie’s reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I read a Holly Martin book it becomes my favourite. I fall in love with her leading lady, her handsome hero and the beautiful settings. This time I also fell in love with a dog called Bones and I’m a cat person!

Fern has a past of feeling unwanted and being moved around until finally finding home and family with her adoptive mum and brothers. She lives in a beach hut and is starting up a business of painting murals. So a local competition could showcase her work and help her reach clientele. There is just one drawback and that’s Fletcher. Not only is he her competitor but it turns out he does a lot for the community and is an all round nice guy.

This book seemed a little deeper and maybe that’s because of the issues highlighted but it gave it a lot of depth and I also learnt something about dogs that I had no idea of. No spoilers but don’t panic the dog is fine.

There was also a little more spice than usual and I for one am not complaining as I would have happily made myself seasick for a tumble with Fletcher on his houseboat. Holly uses just the right amount of old fashioned courtship with plenty of romance, while also showing how important friendship in a relationship is too.

It is the whole ensemble that really makes her books feel comforting like home. That mum who just wants the best but maybe takes things too far, the best friend who wants everyone to have the happy ever after she has and the protective brothers who are torn as he is their mate too. It’s all there wrapped up in a tight knit community that I can’t wait to visit again in future books.

[Life Changer Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dit boek is het eerste deel in de Apple Hill Bay serie. Het verhaal volgt Fern en Fletcher. Fern heeft zich in het verleden ongewenst gevoeld en werd steeds verplaatst totdat ze eindelijk een thuis en familie vond bij haar adoptiemoeder en broers. Ze woont in een strandhuisje en is een bedrijfje begonnen met het schilderen van muurschilderingen. Een lokale wedstijd zou haar werk kunnen promoten en haar helpen klanten te werven. Er is één nadeel: Fletcher.
Vanaf het eerste moment dat deze twee elkaar ontmoeten, is het duidelijk dat ze voor elkaar zijn voorbestemd. De chemie tussen hen is meteen voelbaar.

Dit boek bleek voor mij uiteindelijk ook wel wat diepgaander en misschien komt dat door de belichte onderwerpen, maar het gaf het boek wel veel diepgang. Dat kan ik zeker erg waarderen in een verhaal.

De auteur wist precies een balans te creeren tussen een flinke dosis romantiek en laat tegelijkertijd zien hoe belangrijk vriendschap in een relatie is. Ik ben erg onder de indruk geraakt van de verhaallijn die Holly heeft gecreëerd. Een moeder die gewoon het beste wil, maar misschien soms iets te ver gaat. De beste vriendin die iedereen het gelukt gunt dat zij heeft en de beschermende broers. Het is er allemaal, verpakt in een hechte gemeenschap die ik graag beter wil leren kennen.

Het was een mooi romantisch meeslepend boek. Je zit er gelijk in en je wil maar door blijven lezen. Een heerlijk boek voor de zomerperiode.

Op 16 juli verschijnt het 2e deel in deze serie Apple Hill Bay - Het strandhuis op Strawberry Sands. Ik kan niet wachten om het tweede deel te lezen.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just cannot resist a book by this author! They are always full of sun, sea, fun, lots of romance and some seriously hot sex! This book has all those things and I absolutely loved it! We meet Fern and Fletcher, who live in Apple Hill Bay! They are both artists and first meet when they are up against each other in a mural painting competition in a tunnel leading down to the beach! It's obvious there's an immediate spark between both of them, but they both have secrets and issues which they need to deal with first!

I loved the characters in this book. Fern is lovely and so likeable. Her back story is quite sad, and it's lovely that she is now settled with her adopted family in the Bay. Fletcher is one huge big hunk of a man and, let's be honest, who wouldn't look at him and not feel something for him! He's hiding a secret from his past though and we find that this has an impact on how he feels about Fern. There is though so much flirting, old fashioned romance and pure unadulterated sex that left me asking where I could find a man like Fletcher! There was also lots of fun and heart-warming moments, and I loved Fern's adopted family and her dog, Bones!

The location is perfect and I could picture Apple Hill Bay as I read - it certainly made me want to pack my bags and move there! For the more sensitive amongst us, it does have some sex scenes, so a word of warning if this isn't your thing! Save yourself the trouble of being offended and move onto the next book in your TBR pile. It certainly doesn't bother me, in fact it left me wanting a man like Fletcher to turn up and whisk me away!! I absolutely loved this book and flew through it, not stopping until I got to the end. Is this part of a series? Will we be returning to Apple Hill Bay? I certainly hope so! Wonderful!

[January · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sunshine and Secrets at Blackberry Beach by Holly Martin
Apple Hill Bay #1
345-page Kindle Ebook

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Featuring: UK, Painting Competition, Foster Kid, Adoption, Murals, Carpenter, Friendly Rivals, Volunteering, Bernese Mountain Dog, Sex- Detailed, Trivia, Foxes, Small-Town Drama and Gossip, Diabetes, Author's Bibliography, Author’s Links, Letter From Author

Rating as a movie: R for adult content and language

Songs for the soundtrack: "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran, "I Want It That Way" by Backstreet Boys, "The Lady In Red" by Chris de Burgh, "How Long Will I Love You" by Ellie Goulding

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🖌🪵🏖🍎

My thoughts: 🔖Page 21 of 345 Chapter Two - It's okay, starts a little bland and quickly improves but I'm in the mood for something tangy and not overly sweet, probably Christmas.
🔖147 Chapter Eleven ~ Four Weeks Later - This is like a Netflix Stories App Story, sickeningly sweet and spicy. I don't know if I love it or hate it but I'm definitely going to finish this story, not sure about the series.

Although most of this story was enjoyable I can already tell this is going to be one of those stories I won't remember in a couple of weeks. I think the painting of the tunnel was the most stand-out thing about this novel The sex scenes were repetitive, 3 scenes in a row he took off her knickers and kissed her inner thighs, seriously check out chapters 5, 9, and 12, you'll see. I was hesitant at the start and then I kind of got into the story as a mid-grade romance but by Chapter 14 I was only reading to get it off my docket. The second half of the story was more serious than your average romance, no spoilers in Featuring, but it still felt a bit cheesy because of the instalove, but it was nice to have a story that was sweet and spicy so I wasn't too upset over the repetitiveness.

Recommend to others: This book wasn't for me but it kinda was, so I think a lot of readers who like easy-going stories would fall in love with this series.

Apple Hill Bay
1. Sunshine and Secrets at Blackberry Beach (2023)
2. The Cottage on Strawberry Sands (2024)
3. Christmas Wishes at Cranberry Cove (2024)

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marriage

Oh what a beautiful story. I loved this from the beginning to the end and had a big smile on my face at the end. Fern and Fletcher's story shows how easy it is for things to set in our mines and cause us so much stress and upset. I love the sound of Bones what a great character to have running throughout the story. I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Sheerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5

[Carmen · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 3% - Am I the only one who read this book(I know I barely got through it, but still)? The writing style of it felt like it was targeted for five year olds.

[Stacy Fooce · Rating 2 out of 5]

The insta-love and drama were so cringey to me. I could not stop rolling my eyes…

[Ilse Droste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Als ik van een schrijfster bijna al haar boeken heb, dan zijn het wel die van Holly Martin. Voor @zomerkeuning mocht ik haar nieuwste, Nederlands vertaalde boek lezen!

Het boek wordt verteld vanuit drie perspectieven: Fern, Fletcher en Carrie. De hoofdstukken in het boek zijn lang, maar ze zijn zo geschreven dat ze alsnog wel lekker vlot weglezen.

Ik vind de karakters in dit boek heel goed neergezet. Fern en Fletcher brengen een heerlijke chaos met elkaar mee, en zijn echt ontzettend schattig samen. Fletcher doet zoveel moeite voor Fern en Bones, en wederzijds net zo. Ze passen echt perfect samen. Ik vind het idee achter ReLoved, het bedrijf van Fletcher, ook zo mooi bedacht.

Daarnaast hebben we nog Antonio en Carrie. Ze zijn misschien de ‘’oudjes’’ in dit boek, maar ze zitten samen vol goede/mooie wijsheden. Ik geniet echt van hun ‘’mopper’’momenten samen. En heb ik het al gehad over Bones!? Ik wil ook een Bones! 🐶

Het is verfrissend om eens een opbloeiende liefde per direct vanaf t begin mee te maken. Ook vind ik het erg leuk dat we niet over een, maar 2 opbloeiende liefdes lezen. Het zorgt voor afwisseling in beide verhaallijnen, die stiekem toch ook samen lopen.

Het boek is naar mijn mening wel erg veel rozengeur en maneschijn, en elkaar constant de lucht in prijzen. Zo’n soort verhaal soms ook gewoon lekker om te lezen. Je leest een beetje naar een punt toe, want je weet dat er iets moet gebeuren, waardoor alles veranderd. Maar toen het moment daar aankwam dat "de bommen" vielen, had ik het zo met Fern en Fletcher te doen.

Ik hou van zon kleine community waarin iedereen elkaar kent. Het lijkt mij ergens heerlijk om in z'n plaatsje als Apple Hill Bay te wonen. Daarnaast houd ik van de band tussen Fern en haar familie. Ze laten zien dat ze, zonder het delen van een bloedband, ook een hele liefdevolle familie kunnen zijn ❤️

Het epiloog geeft een prachtig einde aan een weer een heerlijk verhaal. Holly Martin laat met dit boek weer zien dat we maar geen genoeg kunnen krijgen van haar schrijfkunsten! 🤗

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how Holly Martin continually does it, but once again she has hooked me into the most special little story that I felt right at home with from the first few pages. And I especially was hooked on Fern and Fletcher, plus Bones.

From the first couple of pages and their first meeting, I could tell I was reading a special story, asFern and Fletcher had such an immediate connection, it had me wishing that sort of feeling was in fact real.

They have instant chemistry, and their first date is really romantic. They are down to earth people that have both had tricky pasts, which they are trying to overcome, but whether love really does conquer all, remains to be seen.

I also loved their various creative skills, how much they are loved within their small community and I really loved Fletcher and his work at Reloved.

There is just something so special about this authors writing ability. I was drawn into the community, and was rooting for Fern and Fletcher the whole time. Add in Bones who has his own big storyline too, which I suspect will raise awareness of a canine issue that I definitely didn't know existed, some good friends, and some fantastic chemistry and you have an incredibly enjoyable story.

I just adored this book from its gorgeous cover to the end page, it's just everything I want in a romantic story and I can't help but think it would make a great film too.

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Ilse Droste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Als ik van een schrijfster bijna al haar boeken heb, dan zijn het wel die van Holly Martin. Voor @zomerkeuning mocht ik haar nieuwste, Nederlands vertaalde boek lezen!

Het boek wordt verteld vanuit drie perspectieven: Fern, Fletcher en Carrie. De hoofdstukken in het boek zijn lang, maar ze zijn zo geschreven dat ze alsnog wel lekker vlot weglezen.

Ik vind de karakters in dit boek heel goed neergezet. Fern en Fletcher brengen een heerlijke chaos met elkaar mee, en zijn echt ontzettend schattig samen. Fletcher doet zoveel moeite voor Fern en Bones, en wederzijds net zo. Ze passen echt perfect samen. Ik vind het idee achter ReLoved, het bedrijf van Fletcher, ook zo mooi bedacht.

Daarnaast hebben we nog Antonio en Carrie. Ze zijn misschien de ‘’oudjes’’ in dit boek, maar ze zitten samen vol goede/mooie wijsheden. Ik geniet echt van hun ‘’mopper’’momenten samen. En heb ik het al gehad over Bones!? Ik wil ook een Bones! 🐶

Het is verfrissend om eens een opbloeiende liefde per direct vanaf t begin mee te maken. Ook vind ik het erg leuk dat we niet over een, maar 2 opbloeiende liefdes lezen. Het zorgt voor afwisseling in beide verhaallijnen, die stiekem toch ook samen lopen.

Het boek is naar mijn mening wel erg veel rozengeur en maneschijn, en elkaar constant de lucht in prijzen. Zo’n soort verhaal soms ook gewoon lekker om te lezen. Je leest een beetje naar een punt toe, want je weet dat er iets moet gebeuren, waardoor alles veranderd. Maar toen het moment daar aankwam dat "de bommen" vielen, had ik het zo met Fern en Fletcher te doen.

Ik hou van zon kleine community waarin iedereen elkaar kent. Het lijkt mij ergens heerlijk om in z'n plaatsje als Apple Hill Bay te wonen. Daarnaast houd ik van de band tussen Fern en haar familie. Ze laten zien dat ze, zonder het delen van een bloedband, ook een hele liefdevolle familie kunnen zijn ❤️

Het epiloog geeft een prachtig einde aan een weer een heerlijk verhaal. Holly Martin laat met dit boek weer zien dat we maar geen genoeg kunnen krijgen van haar schrijfkunsten! 🤗

[Annelies leest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Op Apple Hill Bay hangt de romantiek standaard in de lucht. Maar wanneer kunstenaar Fern aan een wedstrijd schilderen deelneemt, om haar pas opgestarte bedrijfje wat naambekendheid te geven, stuit ze op Fletcher, haar tegenstander en is het romantische hek pas helemaal van de dam.

De eerste penseelstreken zijn amper op de muur gezet en de vonken springen al over. Ze brengen veel tijd samen door, maar toch blijft Fletcher de boot afhouden. Zijn geheim verleden weerhoudt hem om zijn gevoelens voor Fern de vrije loop te laten, maar wat als Fern nu eens de ware zou zijn?

Holly Martin lezen is zoiets als een glas koele limonade op een hete zomerdag. Fris, fruitig en zo broodnodig.

Ook deze Zonnestralen boven Blackberry Beach wist me weer he-le-maal in te pakken. Ik werd meegesleept in de mooie setting van Apple Hill Bay, want een prachtige gedetailleerde omgeving creëren is echt Holly Martins sterkte. Wederom een sprookjesachtige locatie met een lucht zwaar van de romantiek.

Het mysterie rond Fletcher, één van de twee hoofdpersonages, zorgt voor een zekere spanning in het verhaal. Een subtiele trigger die je nieuwsgierig maakt naar meer. Beide personages zijn om van te houden. Oprecht, warm en fijn om te volgen in hun leven met ups en downs.

Holly Martin is gewoonweg elke keer weer even wegzweven van de realiteit, genieten van warmte, liefde en een luchtig verhaal.

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a fan of Holly Martin’s books for many years now. So it’s always lovely to get my hands on a new one.

This time, we’re in a new location. And it’s a lovely one. A delightful stretch of coastline, with a hotel consisting of lots of beach huts. I just want to live there!

I loved reading this story. I loved the fact that both Fern and Fletcher are artists, though mostly in different mediums. I loved the idea of ReLoved too.

I loved both characters. Fern was appealing, and I loved that she was finally getting to do her dream job. Fletcher was a great character too, he is kind, gentle, and generous. Though I found his inability to listen to Fern and let her make her own decisions about what she wants from life incredibly frustrating. But of course once I knew his whole background, I understood better. I loved Carrie and Antonio too. And, of course, I absolutely adored Bones, Fern’s dog.

Overall, this was a lovely romance, perfect for a summery escape.

I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

[Kelly Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always look forward to a new Holly Martin series as I know that we are going to be introduced to another lovable bunch of characters and a gorgeous new setting. And Sunshine and Secrets at Blackberry Beach did just that.

Fern is an artist who is taking on a local mural competition hoping to win to help get her business up and running. That’s when she meets Fletcher, the guy she is competing against. Sparks fly between the two from the moment they meet. Despite both not being interested in a new relationship things move quickly between them and they can’t imagine a future without the other. That is until Fletcher’s past catches up with him.

The chemistry between Fern and Fletcher was instant and you could feel it coming through the pages. I don’t know how Holly does it, but I fall in love every single time. The romance in this book between them both from them first meeting in the mural competition had me swooning.

You can tell there is something Fletcher is hiding and that is holding him back slightly, so it is almost a relief when this is revealed and to then see how the two characters deal with this in their relationship.

Apply Hill Bay is another beautiful sounding setting, the perfect small town for one of Holly’s books, filled with the beach huts and towpath.

Holly has done it again, she’s stollen my heart, and I can’t wait to read the next instalment in this latest series.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so disappointed with this book. Holly Martin books are usually my go to easy read with such lovely storylines and fab descriptions.

Sadly, I found this one "just ok" and the lack of description of the place etc didn't feel as if I was part of the story. I felt there was a lot of repetition in the story (mainly around Fletcher's intentions and what he had been seen doing at a certain shop) and a lot of this could have been cut out and made the book a shorter story.

The idea of having beach huts as accommodation is a nice idea and I loved how Holly described the artwork but there was no real description about the rest of the hut or where they were in relation to the village/beach.

I have a feeling that this series is going to be similar to the treehouse series and I loved the first one but then got a little bored with the rest as they were much of the same thing.

[Melenareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly's books always take me away to quaint towns full of personality and interesting characters, and I have really enjoyed each one. Sunshine and Secrets at Blackberry Beach is another engaging, entertaining, and sweet read.

Fern and Fletcher meet while each completing their part of a painting for a mural competition. Their connection is immediate and it doesn't take long for feelings to develop. While they fell quickly, I was curious about Fletcher's past and how it would affect them. Holly did a nice job making both Fern and Fletcher relatable, realistic characters and a couple who I really wanted to get an HEA.

The story moved at a good pace with emotion, romance, and some drama to keep things interesting. From the moment I picked up the book I was hooked and I can't wait for more in this series!

Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute love story but I was not expecting a detailed sex scene near the beginning of the book. Let's keep this behind closed doors or post a warning in the Amazon synopsis.

Amazon synopsis:
From the moment Fern Lucas arrived at its stunning shores, she knew Apple Hill Bay would forever be the place she calls home. Living in her little beach hut with her beloved dog Bones, and her artist business on the verge of taking off, life couldn’t be more perfect. Or so Fern thinks…

When a competition for a mural commission at Blackberry Beach pits her against the gorgeous Fletcher Harrison, sparks fly instantly. Within days their electric chemistry has them tumbling deep into love. Within weeks they can’t imagine a future without each other.

But Fletcher has a secret, a past he can’t escape, a past that he believes means he can’t give Fern the life they’ve dreamed of. And that past is about to catch up with him…

[Ruth Haigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fern Lucas has recently started a mural business - designing and painting murals in homes and businesses. So when a competition is announced in her local seaside town to paint a mural in the tunnel to Blackberry beach she thinks this will be an amazing opportunity to show the town her work. Her competitor will paint the other half of the tunnel and the winner will be voted for by the locals. A grand prize of £5,000 will be given to the winner which would be a great cash injection for her new business.
However, when the competitor turns out to be the gorgeous Fletcher Harrison, Fern wonders if she will be able to stick to her man ban!
Lots of funny one liners, well written and believable interactions between friends and family and the classic will they wont they story line. Brilliant summer read which I really enjoyed.

[Kat Mitcheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing read. One of my favourite authors and this never fails to keep me turning pages. Fern lives by Apple Bay alongside her adopted family who are all incredibly protective of her. She's an artist and has begun to set up business for herself drawing murals and is assigned to draw a mural on half a tunnel by the beach, alongside the other artist (carpenter) Fletcher. They want to go to war to win the competition of £5,000 but they get on so well.
Fletcher has never wanted to get into a relationship until he meets Fern but he has some issues he can't let go so will these be broken down or will Fern and Fletcher get ready to make a new relationship.
I loved the setting, how everyone is always so nice.
BEWARE: some people don't like reading about sex scenes and there are a few to read... I don't mind it as it's not too much!
Cannot wait for this year Christmas book,.

[Joanne D'Arcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The newest series of books from Holly Martin starts with this one, the cover brings you sunshine and the words contained within will do pretty much the same.

Fern Lucas is luckily enough to call Apple Hill Bay home and with her great lumbering dog, Bones she has found contentment in her beach hut home. She hasn’t had a very good start in life, but she found Apple Hill Bay and the love of her adopted mother and adopted brothers is all that she wants.

Her drawing and artistic skills find her decorating a tunnel leading to the beach, painting a mural in competition with someone else.

The someone else is Fletcher Harrison, not an artist by trade like Fern, but with artistic skills and handsome that the sparks of something special fly between the two when left to decorate their respective sides in the competition. Fern begins to see her dreams that have always remained dreams, perhaps start to become reality.

That is until Fletcher realises that he cannot be the one to fulfil Fern’s dreams, and a ghost from the past makes itself present.

Can Fletcher and Fern overcome this and find both their dreams can perhaps work together?

Another cracking start to a series of books, that makes me want to take my holiday in Apple Hill Bay and perhaps paint my own future there. Full of romance to scorch even the coldest summer days and you get to enjoy some holiday romance without leaving your home!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe in love at first sight and this book, for me, was a perfect tale of just that! Fern and Fletcher were inseparable from the moment they met, their connection was instant, powerful and adorably sweet. Their happy ever after came fast and by the middle of the book! So I knew that something major was going to happen to unravel their perfect story, but I was not ready for the emotion that Holly's writing drew out of me. I was as heartbroken as Fern!

Their story was beautifully told, so engaging and wonderful, with plenty of sweetness and angst. And some hot heat, too!! Phew! All the side characters were engaging and left me wanting more of their stories as well. Another winner Holly!

[Skye Chrissie · Rating 2 out of 5]

No specific spoilers here, but if you don't wanna know about tropes, don't read this review!





This book is wayy too insta-lovey. I don't even know those characters yet and they don't know each other either, but they fall for each other at first sight...
The plot was such a nice foundation for an enemies-to-lovers story... The insta-love kept giving me the ick and it had seemed so promising before!

Didn't make it past the first kissy bit...

Soooo not worth my time.

I'm sure, if you like the insta-love trope, you're gonna love this book, but I found it a lot too fast. If the characters are already hot for each other at first sight, and think so highly of each other without even knowing the other person, it's just weird. I don't even know these characters properly and I'm expected to believe that they like each other immediately?

Nope. This made me irrationally angry to read... at least it's on Kindle Unlimited and I didn't have to spend any extra money on it...

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love a small town romance then you will love this book. Fern and fletcher are going head to head in a mural pairing competition. They would never believe what the outcome to their chance meeting would be. I absolutely loved this story. I loved fern fletcher and bones the dog so much.
The description of the place and the beach hut hotels was so accurate I can imagine exactly where they were and what it looked like.
I have read many books by this author now and she is definitely an auto buy for me!
I would love to know what happens next in their lives. The ending was perfect and it made me cry with happiness.

[Floriedorie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dit boek was me echt te zoetsappig (en dat zegt wat!). Er werd echt overmatig gebruik gemaakt van bijvoeglijk naamwoorden, waardoor het voor mij een te hoog “rozengeur en maneschijn” gehalte kreeg. De woorden “heerlijk” en “glimlacht” kan ik de komende week even niet meer lezen. Wat ik ook vreemd vond was dat onze hoofdpersoon Fern haar complete liefdesleven (ook alle 18+ details) met haar moeder bespreekt. You do you meid, maar ik vind dat nogal onrealistisch. Leest makkelijk weg, dus een oké boek voor op vakantie. Denk dat deze schrijfster betere boeken heeft geschreven.

[Debbieafranklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fern & fletcher what a story

I have loved reading about fern and fletcher , trying to work out how it will work out. Its such a journey. Its great to get the background info on the characters so you feel you know them so much more. I feel another book could make these two characters so much more. I recommend everyone should read this book.
Holly Martin is such a great writer you get to feel your there too.

[Habit_of_book_reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book

Holly's book were never 5 stars for me and this too hit the mark slightly missing it to my liking. At first it felt like everything was fast forwarded and in the middle up until the 80th percent of the book, it felt the train was screeched halt with some side stories and picked its pace right at the end to give satisfying book.

4.7 on 5

[Esha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like every other HM book I have read, this does not disappoint. I loved the characters (apart from times when they were meddling too much), especially Theo and Orla. I hope they would get their own stories. The story seemed to go fast for the first 200 pages or so and then slowed down a bit. But overall, I enjoyed it. It was a cute and cosy weekend read.

[Alyson Million · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cringeworthy

Lovely characters but omg the ridiculous part when her friends and adoptive mother decided he was going to propose - and that she went along with it - then the aftermath. Completely spoiled what would have been a good story. I have loved Holly Martin’s books but this gave me the ick, big style.

[Sak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately I did not enjoy this story. 2 days and they are telling each other they love each other? Planning to move in together and get married and babies. It’s so predictable now. I used to enjoy them but I feel like they are all very samey now. If Carrie and Antonio had a bigger storyline, that could’ve been good, but again, very predictable. 👎

[Lilliemae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I accidentally ended up reading the second story in this wonderful series before this one so I already knew what happened in the story of Fletcher and Fern but reading their story firsthand and experiencing the ups and downs of their relationship was so wholesome. I'm just about to start reading Órla and Shay's story and I can't wait, I think i might have found a new favourite author!!