A Sea Change

by Veronica Henry

At Everdene, setting for THE BEACH HUT, two people meet, both with secrets to hide . . .Written specially for the World Book Day Quick Reads promotionJenna is known as The Ice Cream Girl. She doesn't mind the name one bit. After all, it's a happy name, and there are far worse jobs than selling ice creams on Everdene beach. Craig spends as much time as he can at the beach hut in Everdene he rents with a few of his mates. As a policeman, it is a restful change from his daily life, and he's surfing mad. One weekend he's down there on his own when he notices a girl on the beach. He's young, free and single and she catches his eye.But on this particular summer weekend, both Jenna and Craig's lives are about to change . . .

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, Short Stories, Contemporary, Womens Fiction, Ebooks

97 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Veronica Henry was a television script writer before turning her hand to fiction. She has published sixteen novels which she describes as realistic escapism - her setting are gorgeous, but her characters have problems and dilemmas everyone can identify with.

Reviews

[Iva · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really light nice beach read or a read for people that wish to be at the beach but can't. A longer review coming ASAP.

Ovu knjigicu idealnu za ponijeti na odmor, putovanje ili ležaljku u vrt, čitala sam na engleskom jeziku jer nisam znala da je objavljena i kod nas također, zaljubila sam se u predivnu ljetnu naslovnicu. Englesko izdanje kupila sam preko BookDepository-a. BookDepository preporučam svima koji čitaju na engleskom jer je poštarina besplatna, knjige brzo stignu, a dobiti poštu iz Londona poseban je osjećaj. U hrvatskome prijevodu knjiga se zove Krivo je more, a objavio ju je Mozaik Knjiga, isto tako ima prekrasnu, slatku, ljetnu naslovnicu i iskreno nije mi je jasno kako mi je promaknula.
Priča nas vodi u Everdene mali, turistički grad uz more (jako je lijepo opisan, vidjet ćete ga pred očima čim počnete čitati). Jenna je svima poznata kao The Ice Cream Girl i to joj ime ni malo ne smeta, uostalom ima puno gorih poslova od prodavanja sladoleda uz more. Jednog vrućeg ljetnog dana sve se mijenja i Jenna je suočena s najtežom odlukom u svome životu. Craig provodi svaki slobodan trenutak u bungalovu koji je unajmio u Everdene -u s još nekoliko prijatelja s posla. To je savršen odmor od njegovog stresnog posla, a on obožava i surfati. Jednog vikenda primjetiti će djevojku na plaži - iz svih pogrešnih razloga. Za Jennu i Craiga to je slučajan susret koji bi im mogao promijeniti živote zauvijek!
Zanima Vas što je bilo dalje? Uzmite i čitajte super je. Kada su me pozvali na vikend uz more odmah sam znala koja će mi knjiga biti savršena suputnica za čitanje po putu. Najbolji dio knjige mi je glazba koja ima jako važnu ulogu u životu glavnog ženskog lika Jenne gotovo toliko da je dignuta na razinu sporednog lika, posebno pjesma Beautiful - Christina Aguilera, stoga ako volite kratke, ali slatke, ljetne knjige od srca preporučam A Sea Change istinska je uživancija.

[Shelley Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars
A Sea Change is a heartfelt, moving short story by Veronica Henry chronicling a key part of Jenna’s life, a character from the Beach Hut series. It’s sweet, thought-provoking, easy-to-read, and has depth despite its shorter length.

This short story is impactful, and even more so when you have a history with Jenna from the previous Beach Hut novel. I love the setting, the lovely writing, and poignant, but hopeful message.

[Erica⭐ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenna works in an Ice Cream Kiosk in Tawcombe and loves her job. She’s known to people as the ice cream girl. On this particular day her boss decides to sack her as he said that the kiosk wasn’t making enough money to keep her on and he couldn’t pay her the wages that he owes her. She was devastated as she was relying on that money to pay her landlord as all her money that she had for the rent had been stolen out of her flat when her landlords building get burgled and all the flats were broke into.

Craig was a policeman who’d been framed by someone he’d arrested that wasn’t happy and he’d got his friends to set him up. His girlfriend’s business had been struggling, then out of the blue an offer of a job aboard had come her way so she took it. Craig decided he wanted to cheer himself up so he took himself off to the beach hut that he shared with some of his colleagues on the beach at Everdene.

Both Jenna and Craig had a chance meeting where they both bought their drinks, but little did they know how their lives were about to change.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by Veronica Henry and it certainly won't be my last. I was hooked by the first page and found it an easy going read, it was in easy to understand language and easy to follow the story. I felt sorry for Jenna and the situation she found herself in and found Craig to be very charming. I will definitely be reading more from this author, in fact I have her latest the long weekend on my shelf. The only downfall of this book was that it was too short.

[Toast · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the dead of night, my hand fell upon this tiny little book. 90 pages of not a lot, just enough to let your eyes roam over and help you back to sleep. Its a simple tale of a girl who life has kicked sand in the face of big time, she has to make money fast, only to be spotted by an off-duty Police man with a beach hut and surfing obession. But good will provail, in the most unlikily way. Not the stuff of nightmares afterall. But a bit too sugary sweet for me.
Toast
PS Please remember everyone - I read books. I don't have a kindle.

[Trelawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as her full length novels. At ninety pages the story felt like it was rushing towards the conclusion and therefore came across as contrived. I'll definitely keep reading her books but this was not one of her best.

[Lucy · Rating 2 out of 5]

As with most quick read books, I feel every scrap of the story is rushed. 'A woman steals and feels the consequences,' its hardly anything to shout about. And, rather disappointing, predictable, etc.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this. I just had to read it again.

[Nati · Rating 3 out of 5]

It really goes to such common places... it's quite predictable.
I know that much of the romance literature is predictable; I'm used to it, but this one falls into almost all of the stereotypes.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 100 paged adult novel was the perfect read for me. I love romance novels and this one was a book that I was able to enjoy and that I would also be able to finish before the end of the school year! The way Jenna and Craig meet was described so well, and that was when I was really hooked. This book was about two people who go to a place called Everdene beach for the summer, she works as an ice cream lady, and he is a police men. Things happen and they cross paths and have to face their problems together.

I love the way Veronica Henry described everything, the way she described the setting was amazing! I felt almost as if I was there with them through everything. The way she talked about them individually and how they are after they meet really makes me think about how meeting someone and having a certain relationship with that person can really change you. She was also very good at explaining what Jenna felt going through all of this.

I would recommend this book to teens and adults. Its a great novel to read and it can be finished pretty quick. So, if you really have to read an amazing and quick book, this would be the one to read. Also, this book teaches me a lot about future experiences that I might have, and how I should handle them, which would be perfect for so many teens. Overall, I am so happy I finished my Independent Reading class with this book.

[رضوان علوي · Rating 2 out of 5]

don't wanna be too critical here, i mean, it's small book with a short story, but...
the idea wasn't very clever, just a romance that the reader can figure out without finishing to read it.
it's like watching a bad romantic Hollywood movie with an expected ending.
felt like the writer was trying to fill as much pages as she could.
i give two stars for the easy and clear vocabulary, the simple imagery and metaphors, and the length of the book (90p) that could have been 70 pages, but i'm thankful it didn't get any longer.

[Shahrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite quick reads (so far), written by an author who is new to me. Good little page turning story with quite a bit of emotion and drama. I really cared about Jenna and what would happen to her. The way everything fell together at the end was slightly rushed and a bit too easy. Overall I did enjoy myself and would like to read more from this author.

[Jayne Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another quick read.. Ended abruptly but I guess that's what quick reads are all about, haha.. It would be nice to know what's in store for Craig & Jenna..

[Tracey Honeyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

not usually my kind of book however I enjoyed this quick read. The plot was good, girl in trouble nowhere else to turn, meets boy on holiday. Romance at its best.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I would give this a 3.5 rating but have decided my rating will be rounded up on goodreads as we can't give .5 ratings!
Great easy, fast read which only took me an hour to finish.

[Orlaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun! Too bad it's so short...

[Plum-crazy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read which ends just the way you expect it to. "Nice" just about sums it up :o)

[Carrie Ann Booth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't get me wrong this is your standard chick lit. But for a quick read so well written even with a couple of twists. Nice easy read for on holiday!!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great short read, ideal for a day by the beach.
The story was great and you felt for the main characters Craig and Jenna, understanding both of their plights

[Asma Siddiqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://youtu.be/0v8Q0zEQEng

[Between The Pages (Gemma M) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So recently my concentration has gone. But I've been gifted a lot of quick reads by lovely people and these are helping me brilliantly with continuing to read. However, I do feel like I'm cheating by reading these as they're only 90/100 pages long and take an hour. But it still counts right? They're all beautiful short stories perfect for low level concentration and a bit of escape.
I loved this book. A new author to me and a newish genre back to chick lit which I havent read in a long time. It was lovely to escape to this sea side town. An easy read. Relaxing. The story focuses on two main characters Jenna and Craig both needing to escape and change from their normal lives.
Jenna bless her heart ends up at rock bottom but she soon finds herself climbing back to the top with a happy ending. Craig is having a week away from being a police officer but also needs to decided if he wants to continue that career. They both end up bumping into each other and then it goes from there with a happy, uplifting ending.
The perfect short read. Highly recommend. A well deserved four stars from me.

[Bibliotekstanten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Har Anpassade på besök i veckan och behövde läsa in mig på några nya (relativt) LL-böcker. En av de lite tjockare från Vilja, Möte vid havet, tyckte jag riktigt bra om.

Jenna är ung vuxen och har lämnat sin alkoholiserade mamma och hennes skitiga hem för att klara sig själv. Hon hyr ett skabbigt rum och jobbar på dagarna med att sälja glass i en kuststad i England. I bokens börjar meddelar hennes spelande chef att hon inte bara får sparken, han kan inte heller betala ut någon lön.

I en annan del av England ifrågasätter Craig sina livsval. Han är polis men efter en incident funderar han om det verkligen är rätt karriär. Nu har han några dagar ledigt och har bestämt sig för att åka till kusten. Där stöter han ihop med en söt tjej och när han tittar efter henne upptäcker han något oväntat och obehagligt.

Möte vid havet är så klart lätt att läsa och handlingen är inte särskilt komplicerad eller svår att förutse. Tycket ändå den hade något. Kanske för att det inte blev en kärlekshistoria. I alla fall inte så länge vi läsare är med. Tror jag kommer att kunna sälja in den!

[Наташа Алексовска · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ени работи како продавачка на сладоледи во киоск Ледени соништа. Таа ќе побегне од својот дом, пред се од нејзина пијана мајка во надеж за подобра иднина за самата себеси. Но, дали секогаш ќе испадне по нашата замисла? – Нормално дека не. Еден ден Ени ќе добие отказ од работа од нејзин шеф Тери. Тогаш Ени ќе се најде на работ на егзистенција.

Колку Ени ќе успее во нејзини планови да собере пари за кирија во изнајмена соба во којашто живее? Што кога во нејзина кражба на плажа во Еверден ќе ја фати на дело полицаец Крег? Иако, ниту негова приказна не ќе биде наивна. Дали тука на повидок ќе биде нивна љубов којашто ќе се скрие зад тој немил настан? - На човек треба да му се случат и лоши работи за да излезе нешто убаво од нив. Не секогаш лоши работи завршуваат со лош крај. Понекогаш знаат да бидат и со среќен крај за нас луѓето. Токму затоа, во секоја лоша работа да погледнеме и од убавата страна со позитивно мислење.

[K.J. Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for a bit more romance, but the story was sweet with a happy ending. Jenna is skint, about to be made homeless, and doesn't want to go back to living with her alcoholic mother. Out of desperation, she goes to the beach to steal enough money to pay her rent. Craig is a police officer on his holidays at said beach. He catches Jenna in the act and has a heart to heart with her.

It felt a little unbelievable, even though the situations Jenna faced are very real in everyday life. There was also a lot of unnecessary description: a long list of the ice cream flavours she sold, and everything in Craig's grocery shop.

I wonder if there is/ will be a sequel to this short, as the situation between Craig and Jenna is left open for readers to assume the outcome.

[Matthew · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could have been a short story. Went on way too long to be a novella. It's about a policeman who goes to the beach trying to escape a troubling incident and a young woman who resorts to cheap crimes on the beach to make ends meet. They meet. The end. It could have had a little more depth, but the cool thing about this book is that I bought it for one pound at a library in Rye, England because I was looking for a quick read. The author, Veronica Henry, has written a whole bunch of books that take place at this beachfront town. Too slim for my taste in novellas but might check out her other novels about the same area. This was too much tell and not enough show.

[mrsljgibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read any of Veronica Henry’s books before and thought this would be a good place to start. I love these Quick Reads books for trying out new authors.
The story takes place on Everdene Beach, amongst a row of quirky vintage beach huts!!
Jenna comes from a nearby town and is known locally as The Ice Cream Girl.
Craig is a policeman from Birmingham who is staying in one of the beach huts for a weeks holiday.
What should have been one of the worst days of her life, slowly unfolds to be much better than she could ever have expected.
Two people making some life changing decisions.....

[Ken Finlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jenna is known in the seaside town of Everdene as the 'Ice Cream Girl' becauses she's always happy and serenades her customer.
But the recession has caused a drop in tourism and her boss can't afford to keep her on. To make matters worse he stiffs her on two weeks wages.
She can't afford to pay her rent and resorts to desperate measures …
Meanwhile, down on the beach, Craig, a policeman, is taking a break in a beach hut. His girlfriend has left for pastures new and he's unhappy in his work.
When he sees Jenna he notices something very odd ….
It's a nice little moral tale.
3 Stars.

[NoirBlogger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Veronica Henry's books. They are my go to books after I have read my fill of crime and need a break. Well written and carefully drawn characters the stories are always engaging. This one is a quick read - a short book and I would say that I think Ms Henry is much better with more pages to develop the characters and the storyline. I enjoyed it but she has done much better. Still a fave author

[Sarah Goodfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story, a bit short though, it finished too soon to get going. Jenna is down on her luck and finds herself in a desperate situation. Craig is taking a break from his job as a policeman and finds himself dissolutioned with his job and questions whether he wants to still do it.
He bumps into jenna in everdene in a coffee shop and later catches her stealing but decides to find out why she did it.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel belongs to the list of books in the Quick Reads initiative set up in the UK. It was an easy, enjoyable read to wile away some time in the sun. Although there was nothing startling, it was sweet and I liked both Jenna and Craig. A Sea Change introduced me to Veronica Henry and I will be on the look out for more of her books.