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The Beach Hotel #3
Dark Days at the Beach Hotel
Can she save the hotel... and her reputation?
Helen Bygrove is managing the hotel, now that her husband has been conscripted. Against all expectations, Helen and her team are doing marvellously, despite the shortages brought by war. Even the exacting Lady Blackmore agrees. But then the calm is shattered when poison pen letters are sent to prominent townsfolk and Helen finds herself the target of a police investigation. Is someone trying to ruin Helen, and the Beach Hotel? And can she rely on the handsome but taciturn Inspector Toshack to help her? When her husband, Douglas, is invalided out of the war he is determined to take back control of the hotel and things go from bad to worse.
How can she ever escape his bullying? Is she a fool to hope that she may have a second chance at love?A captivating, emotional and uplifting saga set in World War One - fans of Elaine Everest and Ginny Bell will love this!
Readers are loving the Beach Hotel
‘Brilliant storyline, brilliant book. Couldn’t put it down. Family saga at its best’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘I loved this enchanting read…could not put it down…’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘Well, what a start to a new series! There are many secrets to be uncovered…I loved this book.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘Charming…this book felt like an escape…The story was heartwarming’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘I thoroughly enjoyed this book…I’m glad there is more to come from the Beach Hotel.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
Helen Bygrove is managing the hotel, now that her husband has been conscripted. Against all expectations, Helen and her team are doing marvellously, despite the shortages brought by war. Even the exacting Lady Blackmore agrees. But then the calm is shattered when poison pen letters are sent to prominent townsfolk and Helen finds herself the target of a police investigation. Is someone trying to ruin Helen, and the Beach Hotel? And can she rely on the handsome but taciturn Inspector Toshack to help her? When her husband, Douglas, is invalided out of the war he is determined to take back control of the hotel and things go from bad to worse.
How can she ever escape his bullying? Is she a fool to hope that she may have a second chance at love?A captivating, emotional and uplifting saga set in World War One - fans of Elaine Everest and Ginny Bell will love this!
Readers are loving the Beach Hotel
‘Brilliant storyline, brilliant book. Couldn’t put it down. Family saga at its best’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘I loved this enchanting read…could not put it down…’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘Well, what a start to a new series! There are many secrets to be uncovered…I loved this book.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘Charming…this book felt like an escape…The story was heartwarming’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
‘I thoroughly enjoyed this book…I’m glad there is more to come from the Beach Hotel.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
348 pages, Paperback
Published February 15, 2024
21 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Francesca Capaldi
18 books27 followersSeveral years ago, Francesca Capaldi pursued a childhood dream and joined a creative writing class. Lots of published short stories, a serial, and three pocket novels later, she’s now explored her mother’s ancestral history for a novel set in a Welsh colliery village.
A history graduate and former teacher, she hails from the Sussex coast but now lives in Kent with her family and a cat called Lando Calrissian.
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A history graduate and former teacher, she hails from the Sussex coast but now lives in Kent with her family and a cat called Lando Calrissian.
Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrancescaCap...
Blog: www.writemindswriteplace.wordpress.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/FCapaldiBurgess
Instagram:francesca.capaldi.burgess
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 24, 2024
Helen Bygrove is the manageress of the Beach Hotel while her husband is away serving during the First World War. She doesn’t seem to mind him being gone - he is horrible to her & quite verbally abusive, which wasn’t always the case. Mysterious letters begin to go around town defaming people & the new town inspector, Toshack, is investigating to figure out who did it & what is going on.
I don’t think I realized this was part of a series, but I think you can read it without reading the prior books. It was a good mystery/whodunit story! You could really see the trials of the time that women faced with their roles & within society. There was so much loyalty, friendship, & love displayed throughout, it was truly heartfelt.
I don’t think I realized this was part of a series, but I think you can read it without reading the prior books. It was a good mystery/whodunit story! You could really see the trials of the time that women faced with their roles & within society. There was so much loyalty, friendship, & love displayed throughout, it was truly heartfelt.
dnf
January 7, 2024I am sorry to say I dnfed this book. Just because the story did not keep me interested. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion
August 27, 2025
OMG, I couldn't put this book down. In fact, the whole series has captured me !
February 17, 2024
Can she save her hotel...and her reputation...?
It's 1916 and war has been raging across the channel in Europe for two years. For Helen Bygrove, she has had a war of her own to battle. Six years ago, five years married and idealistic, Helen and her husband Douglas purchased the Beach Hotel with Helen's inheritance from her mother...wisely invested on the advice of her own mother. However, Douglas had one stipulation - that his name be solely on the deeds as the owner and manager and Helen, in her naivete, agreed. Although women were now allowed to own property Douglas was a little old fashioned like that...or so she thought.
Fast forward six years and the years have not been plain sailing. Douglas has single-handedly undermined everything Helen suggested in their joint venture of running the hotel, isolated her and the children and bullied her at every opportunity. Where was the man she had fallen in love with?
In the first two books we met the bullish Douglas Bygrove and laughed him off as incompetent and useless, always racing off to "important meetings" or the golf club whilst Helen stayed behind to manage the hotel in his absence. Any positive feedback on the hotel, Douglas preened and took credit whilst any bad decisions or publicity he thrust the blame firmly in his wife's direction. we rarely saw much of him and when we did he was issuing orders whilst preening to those he considered to be important.
In this book, however, we see a little more into Douglas' behaviour and it soon proves to be no laughing matter. Although I admit to inwardly chuckling when the tribunal laughed him out of court when he tried to be exempt from service due to his important position as hotel proprietor and manager. Thus he was conscripted much to his annoyance and obvious frustration. However, in his absence Beach Hotel could be run smoothly under the deft hands of Helen Bygrove and her hugely competent staff...regardless of whatever notion Douglas tried to portray.
But it seems someone else isn't happy with Helen's smooth running of the establishment either as libelous letters begin to pop up around Littlehampton, slandering many person with unfounded allegations whilst some may have bordered the truth. At any rate, the missives were insulting and seemed to originate from the Beach Hotel. Helen couldn't believe that any of her staff would do anything so underhand. But the new Detective Inspector, who appeared abrasive as first impressions go, requested handwriting samples from all the staff for the process of elimination. And then Miss Isabella Harvey, who has often shown an inappropriate interest in Douglas, arrives at the hotel with accusations directed at Helen as the writer of the abusive letters.
Soon, trade at the hotel begins to dwindle as news about Helen's possible involvement spreads and bookings are cancelled, leaving Miss Harvey crowing triumphantly.
And then Helen gets even more bad news. Douglas has been injured in France and will be returning home where he will surely stake his claim once again...undoing all of Helen's hard work. But can she save the hotel and her reputation before it's too late?
It was wonderful to be back in the company at the Beach Hotel once again with all the wonderful friendly staff and regulars who we've come to regard as a kind of family. I admit to Douglas frustrating me on more than one occasion in previous books but in his one he takes the biscuit! I cannot tell you more of my thoughts without giving anything away. But rest assured you will be entertained from start to finish and even come to like the new Inspector Sam Tobrash (I think I spelt his name correctly).
Whilst it is the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone as each story surrounds one of the characters on its own. First was Edie's then Lili's and this time it was Helen. And I was thrilled to discover that Helen would have her story told because there was most definitely one lurking there dying to be told.
I have enjoyed all three books but this one did have a different feel to it. Helen not only has to face running the hotel in her incompetent husband's absence (in the knowledge that he will one day come back to stake his claim once again) but she has not one two hugely upsetting and dramatic turns of events that threaten her happiness and her livelihood. I would have liked to see a little more before it ended but it ended on a promise which was a nice touch.
Another fantastic read and addition to this delightful series. I look forward to meeting up with everyone again in the next book.
I would like to thank #FrancescaCapaldi, #Netgalley, #HeraBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #DarkDaysAtTheBeachHotel in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
It's 1916 and war has been raging across the channel in Europe for two years. For Helen Bygrove, she has had a war of her own to battle. Six years ago, five years married and idealistic, Helen and her husband Douglas purchased the Beach Hotel with Helen's inheritance from her mother...wisely invested on the advice of her own mother. However, Douglas had one stipulation - that his name be solely on the deeds as the owner and manager and Helen, in her naivete, agreed. Although women were now allowed to own property Douglas was a little old fashioned like that...or so she thought.
Fast forward six years and the years have not been plain sailing. Douglas has single-handedly undermined everything Helen suggested in their joint venture of running the hotel, isolated her and the children and bullied her at every opportunity. Where was the man she had fallen in love with?
In the first two books we met the bullish Douglas Bygrove and laughed him off as incompetent and useless, always racing off to "important meetings" or the golf club whilst Helen stayed behind to manage the hotel in his absence. Any positive feedback on the hotel, Douglas preened and took credit whilst any bad decisions or publicity he thrust the blame firmly in his wife's direction. we rarely saw much of him and when we did he was issuing orders whilst preening to those he considered to be important.
In this book, however, we see a little more into Douglas' behaviour and it soon proves to be no laughing matter. Although I admit to inwardly chuckling when the tribunal laughed him out of court when he tried to be exempt from service due to his important position as hotel proprietor and manager. Thus he was conscripted much to his annoyance and obvious frustration. However, in his absence Beach Hotel could be run smoothly under the deft hands of Helen Bygrove and her hugely competent staff...regardless of whatever notion Douglas tried to portray.
But it seems someone else isn't happy with Helen's smooth running of the establishment either as libelous letters begin to pop up around Littlehampton, slandering many person with unfounded allegations whilst some may have bordered the truth. At any rate, the missives were insulting and seemed to originate from the Beach Hotel. Helen couldn't believe that any of her staff would do anything so underhand. But the new Detective Inspector, who appeared abrasive as first impressions go, requested handwriting samples from all the staff for the process of elimination. And then Miss Isabella Harvey, who has often shown an inappropriate interest in Douglas, arrives at the hotel with accusations directed at Helen as the writer of the abusive letters.
Soon, trade at the hotel begins to dwindle as news about Helen's possible involvement spreads and bookings are cancelled, leaving Miss Harvey crowing triumphantly.
And then Helen gets even more bad news. Douglas has been injured in France and will be returning home where he will surely stake his claim once again...undoing all of Helen's hard work. But can she save the hotel and her reputation before it's too late?
It was wonderful to be back in the company at the Beach Hotel once again with all the wonderful friendly staff and regulars who we've come to regard as a kind of family. I admit to Douglas frustrating me on more than one occasion in previous books but in his one he takes the biscuit! I cannot tell you more of my thoughts without giving anything away. But rest assured you will be entertained from start to finish and even come to like the new Inspector Sam Tobrash (I think I spelt his name correctly).
Whilst it is the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone as each story surrounds one of the characters on its own. First was Edie's then Lili's and this time it was Helen. And I was thrilled to discover that Helen would have her story told because there was most definitely one lurking there dying to be told.
I have enjoyed all three books but this one did have a different feel to it. Helen not only has to face running the hotel in her incompetent husband's absence (in the knowledge that he will one day come back to stake his claim once again) but she has not one two hugely upsetting and dramatic turns of events that threaten her happiness and her livelihood. I would have liked to see a little more before it ended but it ended on a promise which was a nice touch.
Another fantastic read and addition to this delightful series. I look forward to meeting up with everyone again in the next book.
I would like to thank #FrancescaCapaldi, #Netgalley, #HeraBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #DarkDaysAtTheBeachHotel in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
March 24, 2024
While I did enjoy this book to a certain extent, I cannot in good conscience rate it any higher than 2 starts, the reasons for which I will explain in due course.
First of all, however, I must discuss the positive aspects of this book, to which it had many! The story is fast paced with its selection of plot lines, and for this I was grateful. Instead of focussing upon one plot line which could become tiresome, I felt that having smaller problems to be solved throughout the book was an effective way of keeping the story moving. Furthermore, the story was imaginative and felt quite grounded within its chosen time period, which made for an engaging reading experience. Overall, I do not regret reading this book as it was a welcome break from my own daily problems and provided a nice escape!
Yet this book did have a selection of issues which I cannot overlook if I am to write an honest review! In the nicest possible way, I felt that the writing itself was somewhat lacking and brought me out of the story at points. While I could see what the author was trying to do, the sentence structures were at times confusing. Perhaps my main issue was with the dialogue included in this book. To inform the audience of any plot points they may have missed (eg: in previous book which I admit I have not read), the dialogue made sure to summarise these points, yet unfortunately it was done in a way that felt clunky and left me disagreeing that such a structure would ever be used in real life conversation.
Furthermore, the insistence that if Helen were to actually have killed/hurt her husband it would have been sinful and unforgivable I believe to be rather problematic. This viewpoint is in complete disregard of those people who have hurt their abusers in self defence, and thus I was put off by this old-fashioned stance upon abuse. While I am not condoning murder and I understand that this book is set in 1916/17 which accounts for the vastly different stance upon women’s rights, I still believe that this story based upon a sensitive topic could have been handled differently and in a way that acknowledges those readers who may experience with domestic abuse.
Overall, while I enjoyed the reading experience, I can also unfortunately acknowledge the downfalls present within this book.
First of all, however, I must discuss the positive aspects of this book, to which it had many! The story is fast paced with its selection of plot lines, and for this I was grateful. Instead of focussing upon one plot line which could become tiresome, I felt that having smaller problems to be solved throughout the book was an effective way of keeping the story moving. Furthermore, the story was imaginative and felt quite grounded within its chosen time period, which made for an engaging reading experience. Overall, I do not regret reading this book as it was a welcome break from my own daily problems and provided a nice escape!
Yet this book did have a selection of issues which I cannot overlook if I am to write an honest review! In the nicest possible way, I felt that the writing itself was somewhat lacking and brought me out of the story at points. While I could see what the author was trying to do, the sentence structures were at times confusing. Perhaps my main issue was with the dialogue included in this book. To inform the audience of any plot points they may have missed (eg: in previous book which I admit I have not read), the dialogue made sure to summarise these points, yet unfortunately it was done in a way that felt clunky and left me disagreeing that such a structure would ever be used in real life conversation.
Furthermore, the insistence that if Helen were to actually have killed/hurt her husband it would have been sinful and unforgivable I believe to be rather problematic. This viewpoint is in complete disregard of those people who have hurt their abusers in self defence, and thus I was put off by this old-fashioned stance upon abuse. While I am not condoning murder and I understand that this book is set in 1916/17 which accounts for the vastly different stance upon women’s rights, I still believe that this story based upon a sensitive topic could have been handled differently and in a way that acknowledges those readers who may experience with domestic abuse.
Overall, while I enjoyed the reading experience, I can also unfortunately acknowledge the downfalls present within this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2024
Francesca Capaldi’s Dark Days at the Beach Hotel is a top-notch saga set during the First World War that draws readers in from the beginning and will them glued to its pages until the very last word.
With her husband having been conscripted, the responsibility of looking after the hotel had fallen squarely on Helen Bygrove’s shoulders. Despite the plethora of challenges and the sometimes overwhelming odds standing in her way, Helen has risen to the task ahead and is doing an excellent job – even the exacting and exasperating Lady Blackmore has no complaints. However, Helen soon realises that she cannot rest on her laurels just yet as shocking events are about to take place that could cost her everything she has worked for.
Poison pen letters have started to be sent to prominent people in town and Helen soon finds herself the target of a police investigation. Just who is trying to ruin Helen and her business? With taciturn Inspector Toshack leading the investigation, Helen isn’t sure if she will emerge unscathed – until she realises that there is far more to the police officer than meets the eye…
With her husband invalidated out of the army and determined to take back control, can Helen ever escape his bullying? Will she ever be the mistress of her own fate? Or is she foolish to even hope for happiness when she is trapped in an unhappy marriage?
Francesca Capaldi’s Dark Days at the Beach Hotel is an involving, engrossing and immersive wartime saga that I thoroughly enjoyed. I was quickly caught up in Helen’s story and grew to care for her and the other characters that people this novel.
Francesca Capaldi deftly blends emotion, tension, intrigue and mystery in this wonderful saga perfect for Rosie Clarke fans.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
With her husband having been conscripted, the responsibility of looking after the hotel had fallen squarely on Helen Bygrove’s shoulders. Despite the plethora of challenges and the sometimes overwhelming odds standing in her way, Helen has risen to the task ahead and is doing an excellent job – even the exacting and exasperating Lady Blackmore has no complaints. However, Helen soon realises that she cannot rest on her laurels just yet as shocking events are about to take place that could cost her everything she has worked for.
Poison pen letters have started to be sent to prominent people in town and Helen soon finds herself the target of a police investigation. Just who is trying to ruin Helen and her business? With taciturn Inspector Toshack leading the investigation, Helen isn’t sure if she will emerge unscathed – until she realises that there is far more to the police officer than meets the eye…
With her husband invalidated out of the army and determined to take back control, can Helen ever escape his bullying? Will she ever be the mistress of her own fate? Or is she foolish to even hope for happiness when she is trapped in an unhappy marriage?
Francesca Capaldi’s Dark Days at the Beach Hotel is an involving, engrossing and immersive wartime saga that I thoroughly enjoyed. I was quickly caught up in Helen’s story and grew to care for her and the other characters that people this novel.
Francesca Capaldi deftly blends emotion, tension, intrigue and mystery in this wonderful saga perfect for Rosie Clarke fans.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 28, 2024
January 28, 2024
After Helen Bygrove’s husband is conscripted during WWI, Helen must manage the infamous Beach Hotel. Against all odds, Helen builds a team of friendships with her staff as she painstakingly runs the hotel in a quaint seaside setting. By all accounts she appears to be doing an excellent job of managing the day-to-day responsibilities, even with wartime rationing and shortages. But as jealousies mount and word reaches her husband of her successes, a series of mysterious letters threaten the hotel and Helen’s stellar reputation as a Lady and entrepreneur. When Helen finds herself the target of a police investigation, a jealous woman, and an abusive husband, Helen meets a local Inspector, with a desire to get at the truth behind these mysterious incidents involving Helen. Via well-rounded characters and beautiful descriptive settings, the author frames a clean little beachside mystery in a captivating lighthearted romantic-leaning saga which had me turning the pages well into the night. In all honesty, the author had my interest in the title and cover art. I loved the plot twists and turns, the beautiful colorful settings, and well-researched attitudes toward women of the era, which made the book a fascinating caper of love, mystery, and changes for women inherent in the hysterical period. I thoroughly enjoyed this lighthearted mystery/sweetheart story and can’t wait to read more of Francesca Capaldi’s carefree tales. A five-star, well-written beach caper. A page turner from beginning to end. I received a copy from Net Galley.
After Helen Bygrove’s husband is conscripted during WWI, Helen must manage the infamous Beach Hotel. Against all odds, Helen builds a team of friendships with her staff as she painstakingly runs the hotel in a quaint seaside setting. By all accounts she appears to be doing an excellent job of managing the day-to-day responsibilities, even with wartime rationing and shortages. But as jealousies mount and word reaches her husband of her successes, a series of mysterious letters threaten the hotel and Helen’s stellar reputation as a Lady and entrepreneur. When Helen finds herself the target of a police investigation, a jealous woman, and an abusive husband, Helen meets a local Inspector, with a desire to get at the truth behind these mysterious incidents involving Helen. Via well-rounded characters and beautiful descriptive settings, the author frames a clean little beachside mystery in a captivating lighthearted romantic-leaning saga which had me turning the pages well into the night. In all honesty, the author had my interest in the title and cover art. I loved the plot twists and turns, the beautiful colorful settings, and well-researched attitudes toward women of the era, which made the book a fascinating caper of love, mystery, and changes for women inherent in the hysterical period. I thoroughly enjoyed this lighthearted mystery/sweetheart story and can’t wait to read more of Francesca Capaldi’s carefree tales. A five-star, well-written beach caper. A page turner from beginning to end. I received a copy from Net Galley.
February 16, 2024
The third book in the series but I read it as standalone and thoroughly enjoyed it. Having started the series with the third book it makes me curious to read the others as this one was so enjoyable.
Helen and her husband, Douglas, own a hotel and while he is away completing training before heading off to war Helen comes under suspicion for sending poison pen letters.
Helen with the support of her staff at the hotel and a budding friendship with the new Inspector makes this an endearing read. When the culprit is revealed everyone breathes a sigh of relief but this calm in the storm is shortlived with the news that helen's husband has been injured and that he is returning home.
Douglas is a nasty pievece of work and no one is thrilled at seeing his bossy, arrogant and bad tempered person return to bully Helen and the staff.
When threats turn to murder Helen must rely on Inspector Toshack to find the killer or killers and lear her name once and for all.
This was a clever and twisty mystery set during the war years. There is a lovely family feel in the hotel between Helen and her staff but it only takes one person to spoil things. I could imagine the hotel very well and the people who frequented it. The story is fast paced and I found myself reading it in a short amount of time as I wanted to find out what happened next with Helen. I enjoyed her friendship with Inspector Toshack and I have hopes for them for the future.
A smart, engaging, historical mystery.
Helen and her husband, Douglas, own a hotel and while he is away completing training before heading off to war Helen comes under suspicion for sending poison pen letters.
Helen with the support of her staff at the hotel and a budding friendship with the new Inspector makes this an endearing read. When the culprit is revealed everyone breathes a sigh of relief but this calm in the storm is shortlived with the news that helen's husband has been injured and that he is returning home.
Douglas is a nasty pievece of work and no one is thrilled at seeing his bossy, arrogant and bad tempered person return to bully Helen and the staff.
When threats turn to murder Helen must rely on Inspector Toshack to find the killer or killers and lear her name once and for all.
This was a clever and twisty mystery set during the war years. There is a lovely family feel in the hotel between Helen and her staff but it only takes one person to spoil things. I could imagine the hotel very well and the people who frequented it. The story is fast paced and I found myself reading it in a short amount of time as I wanted to find out what happened next with Helen. I enjoyed her friendship with Inspector Toshack and I have hopes for them for the future.
A smart, engaging, historical mystery.
February 9, 2024
Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion
I had read the other books in the series and looked forward to this one. Moreso because it was based on Helen whose husband Douglas had made sure that he owned the hotel despite it not being his money that financed it
I had disliked Douglas in the previous books and he did little to redeem himself - he was so well written I actually spoke out loud while reading the book with my derision
This is a well written book - full of friendship amongst the staff while Helen is having a completely horrendous time.
There was a hint of more to come perhaps for her but there could also be more for other characters - equally I can see that this episode would wrap up the series.
I did find the end slightly rushed but again there could be an opening for more about the despicable Arundel policeman.
I really enjoyed this and was slightly sad when I turned the page and it had finished.
I shall look out by more books by this author
I had read the other books in the series and looked forward to this one. Moreso because it was based on Helen whose husband Douglas had made sure that he owned the hotel despite it not being his money that financed it
I had disliked Douglas in the previous books and he did little to redeem himself - he was so well written I actually spoke out loud while reading the book with my derision
This is a well written book - full of friendship amongst the staff while Helen is having a completely horrendous time.
There was a hint of more to come perhaps for her but there could also be more for other characters - equally I can see that this episode would wrap up the series.
I did find the end slightly rushed but again there could be an opening for more about the despicable Arundel policeman.
I really enjoyed this and was slightly sad when I turned the page and it had finished.
I shall look out by more books by this author
February 20, 2024
I chose this book as I remembered reading a previous book in The Beach Hotel series, and I enjoyed it.
When I first started reading, I had the feeling that I was missing something. I believe this is the third book in the series, and I read the first book some time ago, but don't recall reading the second. I enjoyed the first book, but found I didn't remember much of it, and I had a feeling that this book featured a different protagonist, but I wasn't totally sure. In hindsight, I wish I could have read the first book again, and the second.
I still enjoyed this though. I felt as though I was getting to know the beach hotel all over again, and found myself warming to it. The characters had personalities that stood out to me, and I found it a comforting, nostalgic kind of book to read. I think books like this are a good choice for when you're looking for a book to relax with. I do like the way this author writes, so I would be interested in reading more of her books.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.
When I first started reading, I had the feeling that I was missing something. I believe this is the third book in the series, and I read the first book some time ago, but don't recall reading the second. I enjoyed the first book, but found I didn't remember much of it, and I had a feeling that this book featured a different protagonist, but I wasn't totally sure. In hindsight, I wish I could have read the first book again, and the second.
I still enjoyed this though. I felt as though I was getting to know the beach hotel all over again, and found myself warming to it. The characters had personalities that stood out to me, and I found it a comforting, nostalgic kind of book to read. I think books like this are a good choice for when you're looking for a book to relax with. I do like the way this author writes, so I would be interested in reading more of her books.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.
January 16, 2025
What can I say just brilliant
How well it shows that when most men that work in posh hotel had to leave to join the war and women just took over their jobs and made great success at it
And Helen who ran the hotel even though her husband didn’t agree and degraded her at every chance and when he was sent to fight the hotel became a great success even in difficult times and with food shortages it improved even more
Then things changed for Helen and the staff when her husband got injured and came back to run it he made her feel useless and lied and lied about her making out she was a bully when it was the other way round
And then he was murdered and through other evil things happening to her she was arrested twice and the last time for the murder but luckily the police sergeant came to her defence and got both culprits for each arrest and he was falling for her and she had the same feeling they came together and she felt that for once she was truly loved
Can’t wait to read the next book in this series and can’t wait for the other to come out later this year in2025
How well it shows that when most men that work in posh hotel had to leave to join the war and women just took over their jobs and made great success at it
And Helen who ran the hotel even though her husband didn’t agree and degraded her at every chance and when he was sent to fight the hotel became a great success even in difficult times and with food shortages it improved even more
Then things changed for Helen and the staff when her husband got injured and came back to run it he made her feel useless and lied and lied about her making out she was a bully when it was the other way round
And then he was murdered and through other evil things happening to her she was arrested twice and the last time for the murder but luckily the police sergeant came to her defence and got both culprits for each arrest and he was falling for her and she had the same feeling they came together and she felt that for once she was truly loved
Can’t wait to read the next book in this series and can’t wait for the other to come out later this year in2025
January 15, 2024
I have enjoyed all three books in this series but this one was the best! I think that is because it is Helen's story and Helen is the very heart of the hotel. The days certainly are dark as the title proclaims. Not only is the country at war but Helen has to face two hugely upsetting and dramatic events that threaten her happiness, her future, and her liberty. Not wanting to include spoilers, I can say no more! A story of vindictiveness, injustice and bullying of the worst kind, but with the hint of romance and better days to come. There are some of the nastiest 'baddies' I have encountered in a novel for a long time. I wanted to boo and hiss panto-style every time they walked onto the page. But some wonderfully supportive and loyal characters too. I really enjoyed it.
February 14, 2024
Helen is managing the hotel while her husband is away fighting in the war. Mysterious written letters have a detective looking at the hotel staff. I loved the descriptions of the hotel as I could easily picture it in my mind and I particularly enjoyed reading about the children as I myself felt like a child on vacation. The characters are endearing particularly Helen who I think is a caring and kind boss who respects and includes her staff in the decision making. The mystery letters had me guessing until the very end and I feel that this story is my favourite of the series because of Helen who I liked and came to admire. It's a emotional, charming and mystery story wrapped in a unforgettable novel!
February 17, 2024
An amazing novel
I have loved all of Francesca's novels. They just get better and better if that is possible. My marking and the ironing have been totally sidelined so I could get to the end of this story which I started two days ago. She has such a clever way of telling a gripping tale, creating believable characters in whom you are invested and setting them firmly in the historical period to which they belong but without ever forgetting the importance of the story. Can't wait for the next one!
I have loved all of Francesca's novels. They just get better and better if that is possible. My marking and the ironing have been totally sidelined so I could get to the end of this story which I started two days ago. She has such a clever way of telling a gripping tale, creating believable characters in whom you are invested and setting them firmly in the historical period to which they belong but without ever forgetting the importance of the story. Can't wait for the next one!
February 20, 2024
Excellent
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, I have read all three of this series, I wish there were a further update ......perhaps?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, I have read all three of this series, I wish there were a further update ......perhaps?
March 23, 2024
Don't let the cover fool you. This is a great book full of mystery and historical content. A good read with unique circumstances.
April 15, 2025
absolutely love this series. Can't wait to start reading the next one.x
January 19, 2026
Brillant!
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