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Borteen Secrets #3
Sunny Days at the Beach
Sometimes families are found, not made . . .
Charming craft shop owner Mandy Vanes enjoys her easygoing party lifestyle. So much so that her wild ways are more often than not the centre of Borteen Bay’s gossiping.
She may be a carefree party girl on the surface, but she hides a big heart. So when abandoned teenager Nick turns to her for help, it’s time to act the adult and finally grow up.
Then things take another turn when gin distillery owner Graham turns up out of the blue with some surprising news . . .
Mandy doesn’t trust him. Nick’s already been through more than a kid his age should and she’ll do anything to keep him safe. But what are Graham’s intentions with Nick?
No matter what their differences are, maybe the three of them have been brought together for a reason . . .
Charming craft shop owner Mandy Vanes enjoys her easygoing party lifestyle. So much so that her wild ways are more often than not the centre of Borteen Bay’s gossiping.
She may be a carefree party girl on the surface, but she hides a big heart. So when abandoned teenager Nick turns to her for help, it’s time to act the adult and finally grow up.
Then things take another turn when gin distillery owner Graham turns up out of the blue with some surprising news . . .
Mandy doesn’t trust him. Nick’s already been through more than a kid his age should and she’ll do anything to keep him safe. But what are Graham’s intentions with Nick?
No matter what their differences are, maybe the three of them have been brought together for a reason . . .
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2023
23 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Morton S. Gray
16 books12 followersMorton lives with her husband, two sons and Lily, the tiny white dog, in Worcestershire, U.K. She has been reading and writing fiction for as long as she can remember, penning her first attempt at a novel aged fourteen, the plot of which closely resembled an Errol Flynn film. As with many authors, life got in the way of writing for many years until she won a short story competition in 2006 and the spark was well and truly reignited.
She studied creative writing with the Open College of the Arts and joined the Romantic Novelists’ New Writers’ Scheme in 2012. After shortlisting in several first chapter competitions, she won The Choc Lit Publishing Search for a Star competition in 2016 with her novel ‘The Girl on the Beach’. She has gone on to publish a further five books with Choc Lit 'The Truth Lies Buried', 'Christmas at Borteen Bay', 'Sunny Days at the Beach', 'Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe' and 'Summer at Lucerne Lodge' She has stories in two charity anthologies 'Cosy Christmas Treats' and 'Sunny Summer Treats' both published by Choc Lit Publishing.
Previous 'incarnations' were in committee services, staff development and training. Morton has a Business Studies degree and is a fully qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Reiki Master. She also has diplomas in Tuina Acupressure Massage and Energy Field Therapy.
She enjoys crafts, history and loves tracing family trees. Having a hunger for learning new things is a bonus for the research behind her books.
She studied creative writing with the Open College of the Arts and joined the Romantic Novelists’ New Writers’ Scheme in 2012. After shortlisting in several first chapter competitions, she won The Choc Lit Publishing Search for a Star competition in 2016 with her novel ‘The Girl on the Beach’. She has gone on to publish a further five books with Choc Lit 'The Truth Lies Buried', 'Christmas at Borteen Bay', 'Sunny Days at the Beach', 'Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe' and 'Summer at Lucerne Lodge' She has stories in two charity anthologies 'Cosy Christmas Treats' and 'Sunny Summer Treats' both published by Choc Lit Publishing.
Previous 'incarnations' were in committee services, staff development and training. Morton has a Business Studies degree and is a fully qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Reiki Master. She also has diplomas in Tuina Acupressure Massage and Energy Field Therapy.
She enjoys crafts, history and loves tracing family trees. Having a hunger for learning new things is a bonus for the research behind her books.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 18, 2020
I absolutely loved this. It's so very easy to read. In fact I was meant to spend the day listening in only to an online training course but I started reading this alongside it. I finished the whole book during the training! I was probably naughtily far too engaged in this rather than the training. I could really engage with Mandy despite not having anything in common with her – I’ve never had to foster a teenage boy or give a child up for adoption. It was very easy though to put myself in her shoes and understand what drives her. I really like multiple POVs in general so that made it even more enjoyable. The adoption was well described, you could feel Mandy's pain and the reasoning's all made sense. I got a great laugh out of her revenge on the missing baby daddy.
I loved the gin making processed described. I have never been to a distillery or learnt to make gin but it’s sparked my curiosity to go find out.
Our hero is Graham. He seems like a nice guy but for me I actually preferred the description of his assistant Wendham. That’s probably personal taste on my part but I did finish the book wanting more of the assistants story. Part 2 maybe????
I loved both of Morton's previous romantic suspense books and am definitely not disappointed with a move to more of a pure romance. Loved it - now can I have Wendhams' story please :)
I loved the gin making processed described. I have never been to a distillery or learnt to make gin but it’s sparked my curiosity to go find out.
Our hero is Graham. He seems like a nice guy but for me I actually preferred the description of his assistant Wendham. That’s probably personal taste on my part but I did finish the book wanting more of the assistants story. Part 2 maybe????
I loved both of Morton's previous romantic suspense books and am definitely not disappointed with a move to more of a pure romance. Loved it - now can I have Wendhams' story please :)
August 18, 2020
It has been a while but we could start packing and visit Borteen once again. Woohoo! 🙂
This story is about new beginnings, second chances, lives being changed for the better but of course some people will never change. They will remain selfish and keep on making the wrong choices. Do they hurt others in the process? Yes, but they just don’t care. Looking out for number one is what matters.
I enjoyed the way Nick and Mandy developed. You really never have to give up hope. Love is a force to be reckoned with. It often comes when you don’t expect it, but never underestimate it’s power.
A lovely book that warmed my heart thoroughly. 4 stars.
Thank you, Morton S. Gray and Choc Lit.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
This story is about new beginnings, second chances, lives being changed for the better but of course some people will never change. They will remain selfish and keep on making the wrong choices. Do they hurt others in the process? Yes, but they just don’t care. Looking out for number one is what matters.
I enjoyed the way Nick and Mandy developed. You really never have to give up hope. Love is a force to be reckoned with. It often comes when you don’t expect it, but never underestimate it’s power.
A lovely book that warmed my heart thoroughly. 4 stars.
Thank you, Morton S. Gray and Choc Lit.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
August 18, 2020
It’s time to head back to Borteen with Mandy’s story in ‘Sunny Days at the Beach‘. If you’ve read any of the stories set in Borteen then you’ll know that this is a lively little coastal town full of mysteries and intriguing people. While I enjoy reading connecting stories in order, you don’t absolutely have to have read the earlier books set here. But we’re going to be running into some very familiar faces so I would gently encourage you to check them out at some point for I’ve enjoyed each one and I believe you would as well. Don’t worry though, anything you’d really need to know from a previous story is mentioned in narrative or dialogue so you would not be the least bit lost.
This time we’ll mostly have three characters’ lives to get a bit more deeply caught up in – Mandy and Nick we already know, the newcomer who adds some mystery is Graham. Nick has an amazing artistic talent that even now, as a teen, he is showing such great promise with his paintings. In many ways, Mandy has sort of taken Nick under her wing and become a friend he can turn to – especially considering his home life. Yet a stranger is about to bring some unsettling news to Nick – and a romantic encounter to Mandy. Once the dust settles, lives are going to be changed… but it’s the journey to that ending that is so well worth the time and emotional engagement to any reader.
I frankly adored Mandy. As the town’s wild child, Mandy has lived a full and interesting life so far, and it’s about to get a bit more so as Graham enters the picture. I think I ran through the entire gambit of emotions in ‘Sunny Days at the Beach‘, for it’s not all light and love there are some deeper threads that had me angry on another’s behalf and concerned for their well-being and their future. Yet there is that love of friendship, of caring for another’s situation, and of course, falling in love yourself. I had a blast back in Borteen, and I suspect you would, too. Go check it out for yourself!
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, ChocLit (Ruby Fiction). That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
This time we’ll mostly have three characters’ lives to get a bit more deeply caught up in – Mandy and Nick we already know, the newcomer who adds some mystery is Graham. Nick has an amazing artistic talent that even now, as a teen, he is showing such great promise with his paintings. In many ways, Mandy has sort of taken Nick under her wing and become a friend he can turn to – especially considering his home life. Yet a stranger is about to bring some unsettling news to Nick – and a romantic encounter to Mandy. Once the dust settles, lives are going to be changed… but it’s the journey to that ending that is so well worth the time and emotional engagement to any reader.
I frankly adored Mandy. As the town’s wild child, Mandy has lived a full and interesting life so far, and it’s about to get a bit more so as Graham enters the picture. I think I ran through the entire gambit of emotions in ‘Sunny Days at the Beach‘, for it’s not all light and love there are some deeper threads that had me angry on another’s behalf and concerned for their well-being and their future. Yet there is that love of friendship, of caring for another’s situation, and of course, falling in love yourself. I had a blast back in Borteen, and I suspect you would, too. Go check it out for yourself!
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, ChocLit (Ruby Fiction). That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
August 18, 2020
Mandy is living the dream - or is she?! Single, partying and running her own craft business is what she always dreamed of! But the mornings after are beginning to take their toll and in this story her life is about to change dramatically and I loved every minute of her journey of discovering what is really important to her and how life can turn upside down overnight!
She has always had a soft spot for Nick, a young local artist who has sold his artwork in her shop, but when he is left alone by his mum who disappears one night, the person he turns to is Mandy who immediately steps into the foster mum role wonderfully. She just wants the best for this young man, and he seems so pleased to have someone finally taking care of him! Add into the mix a stranger who shows up claiming to be his Dad and the story follows them all adapting to these new roles and a new life that could be starting for them.
Seeing Mandy have this change of outlook on life was really fascinating, especially with her past coming back to play a part in her life. It really lets you see her in a different light from her party girl image and gives you a good insight why she did go off the rails over recent years.
I also found it interesting to see things from the viewpoint of Graham, who is faced with becoming a father to a teenager he knew nothing about. Mixed in with new problems with his business, it was fascinating to see him approach life with a new outlook - nothing seems to phase him!
I think this story showed just how quickly your life can change and how you react impacts on those around you. The characters of Mandy and Graham were a delight especially in their mature outlook on the situation - good to have some decent role models around and not ones who want to shirk responsibility!
A really enjoyable read!! Highly recommended!
She has always had a soft spot for Nick, a young local artist who has sold his artwork in her shop, but when he is left alone by his mum who disappears one night, the person he turns to is Mandy who immediately steps into the foster mum role wonderfully. She just wants the best for this young man, and he seems so pleased to have someone finally taking care of him! Add into the mix a stranger who shows up claiming to be his Dad and the story follows them all adapting to these new roles and a new life that could be starting for them.
Seeing Mandy have this change of outlook on life was really fascinating, especially with her past coming back to play a part in her life. It really lets you see her in a different light from her party girl image and gives you a good insight why she did go off the rails over recent years.
I also found it interesting to see things from the viewpoint of Graham, who is faced with becoming a father to a teenager he knew nothing about. Mixed in with new problems with his business, it was fascinating to see him approach life with a new outlook - nothing seems to phase him!
I think this story showed just how quickly your life can change and how you react impacts on those around you. The characters of Mandy and Graham were a delight especially in their mature outlook on the situation - good to have some decent role models around and not ones who want to shirk responsibility!
A really enjoyable read!! Highly recommended!
August 19, 2020
Sunny days at the beach- well the title may give the idea of carefree time doing nothing in particular but for these inhabitants of Borteen Bay there are plenty of challenging responsibilities.
Mandy has it all, on the face of it, but has a secret.
Graham discovers that somebody else has been keeping a secret.
The secrets of gin making are uncovered!
This book has a very engaging feel, although all the characters have things to deal with they are all warm and interesting- except one, and even that character is dealt with kindly by the person they harm.
Have your own sunny day at the beach (at an appropriate distance of course) at Borteen Bay, you will have a great time.
Mandy has it all, on the face of it, but has a secret.
Graham discovers that somebody else has been keeping a secret.
The secrets of gin making are uncovered!
This book has a very engaging feel, although all the characters have things to deal with they are all warm and interesting- except one, and even that character is dealt with kindly by the person they harm.
Have your own sunny day at the beach (at an appropriate distance of course) at Borteen Bay, you will have a great time.
August 18, 2020
I wasn’t sure about this book intitially, with the hint of self harming – not something I need to read about for pleasure, but that turned out to be a minor glitch, and once I got going, I couldn’t stop, read the whole thing in one sitting. I have enjoyed the previous Borteen Bay books, but I have to say that I think I like this one the best – I thoroughly enjoyed the story – Mandy is a most likeable and human heroine. So, what more can I say? Another winner for me, and an easy 5 star rating.
August 18, 2020
One of the best books this year! Party animal Mandy takes in an abandoned teenage boy - that is a massive undertaking for anyone but especially for someone who has never had children. Throw in the discovery of the boy’s previously unknown possible father and you have a wonderful read that is a rollercoaster of emotions - from humour to really deep feelings. I did have to get the tissues out. Highly recommend!
August 18, 2020
This starts off as a standard bad girl makes good romance which I thought would soon bore me but how wrong I was. The story is a real heart string tugger. The characters are all so well portrayed that it is almost like reading a biography! Mandy is yes the archetypal village bad girl who, yes, does make good but what a rollercoaster of a journey she has. Nick and Graham are real people with real shortcomings. A lovely romance I really enjoyed.
July 31, 2020
If you previously visited Borteen in The Girl on the Beach, The Truth Lies Buried and/or Christmas at Borteen Bay (that can be read in any order), you'll recognise some characters in this new story, starting with Mandy, who's the heroine this time. Most of the others are only mentioned or make a brief appearance but there's a second one who has an important role here - Nick, the teenage boy with a talent for painting that appeared in The Girl on the Beach (so I would suggest to read that one first but if you haven't, don't worry, there's nothing in this one that wouldn't be clear to new readers). Mandy sells Nick's art (which makes her the trusted adult he turns to when his mother lets him down) and Graham, gin maker and hero of the romance, may or may not be his father (who had no idea he might have a son)... I found this premise promising, and it didn't disappoint. I also enjoyed finding out what happened to Mandy when she was Nick's current age, and even learning how gin is made (as I don't even drink alcohol, it's not something I would have thought of looking up).
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2020
Full disclosure first, this is actually the first book I have read by Morton Gray, even though I have a couple of her books on my kindle, I just haven’t had the time to read them. All book lovers will know exactly what I mean, there are only so many hours in a day, but I will read them.
This is apart of the Borteen Secrets series, now as I said previously I haven’t read any of Morton Gray’s book before this, so I have missed out on the previous instalments to the series, but to be honest, the story is so well developed and beautifully written that I wouldn’t have thought it was apart of series, it’s very much a stand-alone.
Sunny Days at the Beach is all about starting afresh, learning from mistakes, getting those second chances and finally realising your own self-worth and finding your feet again. I thoroughly enjoyed following Mandy on her journey, hers is a pretty relatable tale of a woman who has more or less everything only to find there is something missing, she is a woman who has never quite grown up and is still living her life as though she is that selfless, free teenager again. Only to find that the late-night drinking and partying, the constant stream of unknown faceless men are now taking its toll on her. She is realising that she can’t really go on as she is unless she has a gallon of concealer and enough dry shampoo to put a hole in the ozone layer. Come on ladies who haven’t woken up to a rats nest for hair and panda eyes? I know, I do most days…LOL!
Mandy, the local craft shop owner is well and truly the ‘wild-child’ of her quaint little village, she is the sort of woman who no-one really takes seriously she is like an adult child, she hasn’t quite grown up yet even though all the signs are there for her to see it really is time she did. Then when young teenager; Nick is in need of a little help, you can instantly see that Mandy really wants to do right by the young artist, she wants to prove that she isn’t just an empty-headed young woman out for a good time and now is the chance to prove that.
I do like Mandy, she is very likeable and relatable, you are either like her or you know someone like her, her journey of self-discovery is so heart-warming, I love how she re-discovers just what is truly important as the story progresses. Her young artist Nick just wants this party girl needs to really put her life into focus and make her grow up that much faster and rather surprisingly she does an excellent job at stepping up and temporarily being his foster mum.
This is such a feel-good, heart-warming story which is all about second chances and proving your worth. I loved the simple message of everyone has the chance to make amends for whatever has happened in their lives, the plot steadily takes the reader on a gentle journey which is all about love and friendship. I thoroughly enjoyed my first trip to Borteen Bay and I am looking forward to returning again very soon.
This is apart of the Borteen Secrets series, now as I said previously I haven’t read any of Morton Gray’s book before this, so I have missed out on the previous instalments to the series, but to be honest, the story is so well developed and beautifully written that I wouldn’t have thought it was apart of series, it’s very much a stand-alone.
Sunny Days at the Beach is all about starting afresh, learning from mistakes, getting those second chances and finally realising your own self-worth and finding your feet again. I thoroughly enjoyed following Mandy on her journey, hers is a pretty relatable tale of a woman who has more or less everything only to find there is something missing, she is a woman who has never quite grown up and is still living her life as though she is that selfless, free teenager again. Only to find that the late-night drinking and partying, the constant stream of unknown faceless men are now taking its toll on her. She is realising that she can’t really go on as she is unless she has a gallon of concealer and enough dry shampoo to put a hole in the ozone layer. Come on ladies who haven’t woken up to a rats nest for hair and panda eyes? I know, I do most days…LOL!
Mandy, the local craft shop owner is well and truly the ‘wild-child’ of her quaint little village, she is the sort of woman who no-one really takes seriously she is like an adult child, she hasn’t quite grown up yet even though all the signs are there for her to see it really is time she did. Then when young teenager; Nick is in need of a little help, you can instantly see that Mandy really wants to do right by the young artist, she wants to prove that she isn’t just an empty-headed young woman out for a good time and now is the chance to prove that.
I do like Mandy, she is very likeable and relatable, you are either like her or you know someone like her, her journey of self-discovery is so heart-warming, I love how she re-discovers just what is truly important as the story progresses. Her young artist Nick just wants this party girl needs to really put her life into focus and make her grow up that much faster and rather surprisingly she does an excellent job at stepping up and temporarily being his foster mum.
This is such a feel-good, heart-warming story which is all about second chances and proving your worth. I loved the simple message of everyone has the chance to make amends for whatever has happened in their lives, the plot steadily takes the reader on a gentle journey which is all about love and friendship. I thoroughly enjoyed my first trip to Borteen Bay and I am looking forward to returning again very soon.
August 25, 2020
Mandy is struggling with yet another hangover..... when will she ever learn.... when she arrives at her craft business to find Nick on her doorstep, the young teen who's work she exhibits. Nick is distraught as his mother has upped and left on his own with no money and so Mandy takes him in..... but what about the man who turns up claiming to be his father although Nick has never heard of him!
Great story with lots of little twists, I love Graham and the way he steps up to the mark with the son he didn't know existed for 15 years and how he and Mandy become friends with Mandy taking a hard look at herself and her lifestyle and deciding its time to grow up. Perfect warm hearted summer read
Great story with lots of little twists, I love Graham and the way he steps up to the mark with the son he didn't know existed for 15 years and how he and Mandy become friends with Mandy taking a hard look at herself and her lifestyle and deciding its time to grow up. Perfect warm hearted summer read
October 13, 2020
I love the Borteen series of books and had been waiting for the next to arrive. Diving in, I soon discovered a story that hooked me in with characters I cared about. Serious situations were handled with care; I cried, I smiled, and I welcomed those all-important feel-good moments. It was great to learn more about Mandy Vanes, a character who has made appearances in previous Borteen novels, and I especially liked Nick – a teenager whose plight drives the plot. It was a great read with plenty of heart. I look forward to the next.
August 24, 2020
This story grabbed me from the beginning and I couldn't put it down. Mandy is such a likeable character it really feels like she is a friend and that I have known her a long time! She is very relatable, funny and just overall a perfect lead character with stories to tell. You can't help but want the best for the characters Mandy, Nick and Graham, even through the twists and turns.
A perfect read for sunny days at the beach (in fact anytime!)
A perfect read for sunny days at the beach (in fact anytime!)
July 25, 2021
Picked up whilst passing 'The Works' and got their 3 for £5 book deal. Randomly picking up 2 books from the same author.
Nice easy read and kept me interested with the main characters and their pasts. It was a fun book that you can relax with and not be too serious.
I will look into reading some of the authors other books in this series and I would like to know more about other characters from Boorteen.
Nice easy read and kept me interested with the main characters and their pasts. It was a fun book that you can relax with and not be too serious.
I will look into reading some of the authors other books in this series and I would like to know more about other characters from Boorteen.
December 15, 2023
I’ve been reading all in this series. It’s a break from the heavy thrillers I usually read. They’ve all been cute with a little bit of mystery. This book, while enjoyable, was a little too sappy for me. But it’s a heart warming romance without too much drama. If you are a romance genre reader, you will probably enjoy this sweet story. If you are a mystery genre looking for a change, then start with the first book in the series. I enjoyed it much better.
August 19, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and not at all predictable. I also liked the way it dealt with sensitive issues and showed how people unknowingly let past trauma define the rest of their lives.
I loved the character of Mandy. She has a “party girl” reputation but manages to come to the rescue of abandoned teenager Nick whose Mum has upped & left.
Highly recommended.
I loved the character of Mandy. She has a “party girl” reputation but manages to come to the rescue of abandoned teenager Nick whose Mum has upped & left.
Highly recommended.
August 21, 2020
I devoured this book in no time. The story line is captivating, encouraging you to turn the page to find out what happens next. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the characters evolution as they grew into their new family roles and was left with a sense of happiness that good things do happen even in the midst of negative situations.
June 12, 2022
Nice and light reading with some surprisingly good and deep points
March 19, 2023
This book grew as I read through as I wasnt hooked at first but then enjoyed towards end though I don't think some things necessarily gelled hence three stars, but don't let that put you off
May 24, 2023
Nice easy read
March 27, 2024
A gripping book that I would recomend to everyone.
June 25, 2025
3.9 q cute, pero la señora del tarot le dijo a Mandy que iba a vivir con sus 2 hijos y me quedaron a deber qué pasó con Paul, su hijo real. Fue eso o no puse atención.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews