Seashell Summer: Romantic Women's Fiction

Cliffside Point #9

by Ellen Joy

Carol had sent her grieving sister on a trip to Martha's Vineyard to help her move forward. Now, it's Carol who needs the island's magic to heal her own broken heart. Summer is here, but it’s bittersweet for Carol, who’s saddened that her youngest is heading off to college. At least she still has her husband…or so she thought. On the night of her daughter’s graduation, she catches him having an affair with her friend, tearing her heart in two and flipping her life upside down. Unsure what to do, she keeps her summer plans to visit her sister, Evelyn, on Martha’s Vineyard, where her two kids have summer jobs awaiting. When Carol arrives, devastated, matters only become worse when her kids are quick to blame her for their family’s split. Fortunately, she’s come to the right place to heal. Her big sister, a handsome widower, and all the other warm-hearted folks at Cliffside Point help Carol and her kids learn to find happiness when it seems all is lost.

Genres: Romance, Summer Reads

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2023

About the author

Ellen lives in a small town in New England, between the Atlantic Ocean and the White Mountains. She lives with her husband, two sons, and one very spoiled puppy princess.

Ellen writes in the early morning hours before her family wakes up. When she's not writing, you can find her spending time with her family, gardening with her puppy and chickens, or headed to the beach. She loves summer and flip-flops, running on a dirt country road, and a sweet love song.

All of her stories are clean romances where families are close, neighbors are nosy, and the couples are destined for each other.

Join Ellen Joy's newsletter to connect with Ellen and receive updates!

http://www.ellenjoyauthor.com

Reviews

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The penultimate book in this delightful women's romance and friendship book, set on Martha's Vineyard it follows women who have moved there to find a new life.

This book is about Evelyn's sister, Carol. Carol finds out her husband is having an affair with her best friend the day before the family (Carol, Matt - her husband, Brody and Taylor - their children) were due to leave to spend the Summer on Martha's Vineyard. From there, both children were due to start college.

The book follows how Carol deals with the challenges ahead, and how the children cope with the changes.

Chef Dumont - Anthony, America's favourite Chef lives on the island and runs several successful restaurants across America, but the one he started on Martha's Vineyard, with his wife, Gloria (who passed a few years ago) is his favourite. He sees Carol and is convinced Gloria has sent her to him.

Will Carol and Anthony find something between them and be willing to take a chance on love second time around?

I absolutely love this series and will be sad when it ends. The books in this series are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and wider storyline.

I have the final book already downloaded to read, there may be tears at the end....

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed a book with “summer” in the title for a 2023 book challenge - plus I wanted something “light” to read - and this met the criteria. Carol Moore finds herself in Martha’s Vineyard with her two children after confronting her husband’s infidelity and his request for a divorce. She’s lost and bitter and having a hard time. Visiting her sister, Evelyn, she gets the support she needs to start grappling with the change. In the meantime she meets Anthony, an older man, widower and famous chef who has a a restaurant on the island. He’s intrigued and senses Carol’s heart has been broken. The book moves between the children learning of the impending divorce, some of the lives of Anthony’s children, and Carol’s eventual divorce and her return to Anthony - ending in the idyllic setting of Tuscany. A lot was packed into 234 pages as plot was more important than characters. It was a quick, enjoyable read though.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Seashell Summer" by Ellen Joy is the newest addition to her amazing Cliffside Series. I'm once again reminded of this author's ability to write stories that draw out every emotion I could possibly feel, taking me on a rollercoaster from the first page to the last. I started this one after lunch and the next thing I knew - it was almost midnight and my family and every other obligation had been completely forgotten. I just couldn't put it down. The writing is amazing and refreshing with characters that are real...dealing with real-life issues in a way that shows strength, resiliency, and hope. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and I can't recommend it enough. It's a must-have for any book lover's collection.
Happy Reading...enjoy!

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed returning to Martha's Vineyard for this beautiful, touching book about Evelyn's sister, Carol, who is getting divorced after her husband admits to being with her best friend. I found the book to be very realistic.
What I liked the best was how Carol found herself again. She wasn't Matt's wife or Brody and Taylor's mom but a woman who liked herself and was reinventing who Carol was. There were growing pains along the way that added to the story. "Sometimes painful endings are beautiful awakenings." I also liked the significance of the whelk shells in the story, which were known to show strength.
I am so glad Carol met Anthony Dumont, a chef, who had lost his wife Gloria way too soon. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review

[Theresa Feeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t end!

This has been a lovely, learning series-full of romance, sadness, tragedy, growth, laughter, all aspects of life and some extraordinary scenery. Ellen Joy has a wonderful way of looking into her characters’ lives and letting us look over her shoulder and look as well.

I was shocked to find that I shared many of the varied emotions of her characters. Her insight into their life situations helped me to reconcile some of my own issues.

I really do not want the series to end, so I was delighted to see that there will be another edition to the Cliffside series. Of course, I have enjoyed all of Joy’s beautiful books.

[Lita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good story about a woman finding herself and starting over after being married for 25 years. A short time before their 25th anniversary Carol discovers her husband has been having an affair with her best friend. When confronted he tells her he doesn't love her anymore and wants a divorce.

Carol takes their adult kids to Martha's Vineyard as planned to visit her sister Evelyn. She tells everyone that her husband Matt had to stay behind for work. When the truth comes out everything changes.

[Debbie Odachowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW ! Keeps getting better and better!

I love summer reading. Finding this wonderful author,new to me, has been a great find. This series by Ms. Joy has Had me laughing ,crying and wanting to have some characters walk the plank off an old New England whaling ship. All of her characters are so relatable. Some for me life changing. It is so wonderful to see women of older years finding love and happiness after they thought their lives were over. Enjoy!

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carol's marriage is over and she needs to go to her sister's home in Martha's Vineyard to start the healing process. When she meets Chef Anthony he looks at her like she is special, beautiful, a look she hadn't received from her husband in a long time. I enjoyed reading about our friends in Martha's Vineyard, the changes and the new beginnings.

[Dianna Peck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome, wonderful story

I love this series and this book especially. Truly is a story about rising from the ashes of life's pitfalls and finding a new, stronger life and perspective. Highly recommend this series and author

[wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done!

I am now going into my last book of the series. I have never been disappointed in any of her books. I have read every series on my kindle. Keep up the great books, I look forward to anything new I can find.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seashell Summer was a beautiful story to listen to. There were some tough subjects, but handled beautifully.

[Sandra Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book which completes the story of all characters involved. Cliffside Point Series
is excellent.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summer read


This series of books has been enjoyable. I am beginning the last one and will miss the characters I've met.