The Seaside House

by Sophie Kenna

A shattered family. A long-lost love. And devastating secrets that could tear her life apart. Decades ago, Charlotte suddenly left her home on the sun-kissed island of Marina Cove. She abandoned her family, her friends, and the boy she was supposed to marry. And no one knows why. Now, she has it all. Three wonderful children, a gorgeous husband, and a glamorous life among the Manhattan elite. But not everything is as it seems. And the perfect life she’s made for herself hangs by the thinnest of threads. After a chance discovery rips her world in two, she returns to Marina Cove, broken, only to find the family she deserted on the brink of collapse…and her resentful sister with secrets of her own. And when she comes face to face with the boy she used to love, the past she’s been running from starts to catch up with her…

Genres: Fiction, Ebooks

380 pages, Paperback

Published September 21, 2023

About the author

Sophie Kenna is the author of clean, heartfelt women’s fiction and small-town romance set in gorgeous, sun-kissed coastal settings. She draws from real-life joys and struggles to whisk you away on unforgettable journeys of love, loss, and the hope of second chances. Unexpected twists, surprise revelations, and characters you’ll fall in love with promise to keep the pages turning until the very end.

She met her husband many years ago, when he sat down across from her in study hall one afternoon while she was finishing her Spanish homework. They now live in Pennsylvania with their three children and a furry best friend.

When she’s not writing, you can find her exploring the great outdoors, relaxing with a book and a good cup of coffee, or trying to remember how to converse with other adults after being with her tiny humans all day.

To learn more about new releases, to sign up for her newsletter, or just to say hello, visit her site at sophiekenna.com.

Reviews

[Kimberley O'Reilly · Rating 1 out of 5]

IMO this was an awful book! I can’t believe it’s actually a series! women let their lives fall apart for 26 YEARS because the man of the house left is just ridiculous & then to know you have to continue with the series to find out why he left! The plot was so silly & unbelievable with the so called ‘heroine’ having the most hare brained ideas & plans! Clearly I won’t be continuing with the series! 😂

[Deb F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Good

This is my first book by Sophia Kenna, I was pleasantly surprised it moved right along and I read it practically through in one sitting.

Reading stories about families that for many different reasons have had a family split.. Many years later whether it is for a funeral or just the yearning to go home again, they try to rush putting their family members back together. It never works out quite the way the fairy tale that your mind has been playing over & over throughout the years will really happen in real life. The gap between sisters Charlotte and Ramona was fraught with such deep resentments that it would take real work and learning to trust again to make it work. Ramona didn't know the reason that Charlotte in her rich fancy clothes was returning home for. When Charlotte just appeared as if it hadn't been over twenty years
since she ran away leaving Ramona to pick up the pieces, all Ramona knew was she had gotten along without her sister for too many years, Charlotte couldn't just expect a warm homecoming.

What Charlotte was hiding was of major proportion s and she only new of one place to be able to think it through was back in Marina Cove.

This was a very well put together story. All the characters were written in a way that you could see and feel their emotions. Sophie Kenna has a new follower, I am anxious to get the next story in the series to see where this very interesting story leads me. Why don't you check it out too?? You will be glad you did!

[Angie Baer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I pick up a book on a hunch, just sensing it's going to be something special-and The Seaside House by Sophie Kenna absolutely delivered. From the moment I read the description, 1 had a good feeling, and it did not disappoint. This book is a beautiful example of how you don't need an over-the-top plot to create a truly engaging, emotionally compelling story.

At its heart, this is a story about a woman piecing her life back together after everything seems to fall apart.
It's told in such a grounded, honest way that it feels deeply human and relatable. I especially appreciated that it wasn't a long book, yet it managed to tell such a rich, satisfying story-that's a huge plus for me. Not every good book needs to be hundreds of pages long; sometimes less truly is more.

The characters were likable and real (with a few exceptions that added to the drama), and the seaside setting was absolutely perfect-calming, picturesque, and fitting for the tone of the story. There's something so soothing about the way this book was written, and I found myself completely immersed in it.

What I loved most is that the ending sets things up beautifully for the next book. I already can't wait to read more from Sophie Kenna!

[Juliet Inforzato · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, but felt that it dragged on a lot. There was a lot of exposition and description instead of heavy dialogue, which made the story drag on.

There is so much going on in this book and so many characters, but I liked Charlotte for the most part and came to understand why she did what she did. Ramona was justified and realistic in her reaction, and I was surprised Sylvie wasn't more upset.

I think the plot twists and truth reveals were well suspensed and brought up throughout the book, so that when they came, they packed the punch they should've.

I also like how each character is complex and has their own story and internal conflict and own voice. I don't feel like the characters mix into one at all.

[Teri Easterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte has SO MUCH emotional and family baggage she hauls around for YEARS. People leaving, betrayal, financial difficulties all interwoven in a complex story that does not reveal all until nearly the very end. Sebastian, Charlotte's husband, is a jerk. Charlotte's mother and sister have many issues. In so many ways this is a very sad, angry story. Perseverance, despite poor decisions, brings some joy and hope in the end.

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[Lynn DeSimone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seaside House book 1

Very good story with many twists. It's about a family who own a fantastic home on cove Island. The home is also an inn where people can rent rooms when they come to the cove for a vacation. The family falls apart when the father leaves them with no indication of where he is going. This is the story of how each one handles the loss and lose touch with each other , and the work it takes to try and find each other again.

[Jane · Rating 1 out of 5]

(Spoiler) I wasn’t even two chapters in when I realized the first book in this series is nearly IDENTICAL to Mia Kent’s “Dolphin Bay” series which was published two years earlier. The parallels are too close to not notice- the main female character is cheated on by her rich husband and returns to Maine to fix up a family Inn. Even the best friend character is nearly the same. I stopped reading half way through as I felt like I was reading Mia’s story all over again (and had just finished).

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets

Charlotte had many secrets she thought she had to keep from those people closest to her. There were many twists and turns in this book, but also a lot of going from back to the past and to the present time. I don't usually like a book going back and forth so much like that so it was a bit confusing for me but all in all it was a good book.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this one. Charlotte has not been to her home island in years and has lost connection with her younger sister and Mom. Now all of her kids are grown and she is having issues with her husband so why not go to her hometown and see her family. She remembers the great things about the island until that time when her father left and things changed. Very well done.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters in this book sweat a lot. Several plot twists, but the story did not explore why the father left. It seemed as if he loved his family. Charlotte was very naive. Thought she could just will something into being. Great that she always had ideas, but she never thought them through. I will read the next book in the series because I want to know why the father left.

[Kathleen Abeel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

An enthralling masterpiece woven with breathtaking literary prowess, this narrative transports readers into an immersive realm of profound imagination and emotional depth. The storytelling is so mesmerizing that one eagerly anticipates the next installment with unbridled excitement and anticipation.

[Mary C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!

I would of loved to give this story 5 stars but I feel like it ran on every now and again . I am looking forward to read the second book.
I hope you enjoy reading this book also.
MARY C

[Joanne C. David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book

I lived this book from the beginning to the end in one day & can't wait to read the next book. The characters came alive & the twists & turns are what this a wonderful story.

[Ruth Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this

Wow so much emotion I loved it, I just hate though how people can be to disposable to people they claim to love. Karma will get them eventually. Can't wait for the rest of the series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a good enough book to call for a 5 star but it does show the personality of the women who get together each year to share a vacation and to get up to date with their friends. An easy comfortable read. Great for reading in the evening or when you can't sleep. The women are all different and want different things from their get together.

[Megan Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t let the cover fool you - This is not a feel good summer story. To be fair, the summary doesn’t lead you to believe it is. It is an interesting story and the ending made me want to read the next book in the series

[Joyce Lively · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hallmark movie

It was very predictable. What I would expect if I watched the Hallmark Channel. The characters have no depth. The story line resolves ridiculously simply and happy. But it just may be meant a light fluffy beach book. I have no interest in following the series.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot and premise are great. The problem is I don't like any of the MC's. Also, little things like why does a woman sleep on a wooden floor for months when she is in an inn full of beds? Finished it to see how it ended.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

great beach read

Not the greatest book but I enjoyed this for what it was - an easy, breezy beach read. Exactly what I needed.

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Not a total page turner but kept me interested until the end. An easy, entertaining beach read.

[Connie Alderson]

The Seaside House

This is such a poignant story of a family and how life can spiral out of control due to the actions of one person only to come full circle years later.

[Kathy Landers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fire can bring cleansing….

Excellent story of love, romance and the value of being true to one’s self. Definitely worth reading and be sure to have ahankie handy!

[Diane Braun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked it very much. But need to read the others in the series to find out how the relationships end.

[Diane Thorson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hidden Control

Suddenly depiction on how lives are ruined by spousal control, money, abandonment, affairs, and rich society mores. Cost of saving history.

[Cathy Holle]

Well written. I couldn’t put it down!

[Bri Marone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

Such a wonderful read!!! Looking forward to beginning the 2nd immediately!! Definitely keeping my attention. Thank you for the wow moments.

[Cecelia Crews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Expect the unexpected.

The author but just the right twists that was not ready for the ending. I have to start the next book because I want to know what happens next.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple read , first of the series, ready to start on Book 2.

[Alanna Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

So refreshing to read such a heartfelt clean book. Loved it and look forward to continuing this series 😍

[Geneva Hanes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Enjoyed this book. Looking forward to reading more in this series. Makes you feel like you know each character personally