Tides and Tidings

by Ashley McConnell

In this feel-good holiday story set against the backdrop of a charming Southern coastal town, Blythe and Charlie are ready for the perfect weekend getaway. As busy business owners, they are in desperate need of a break from their hectic lives.

Their meticulously planned trip takes an unexpected turn and their well-orchestrated plans go completely off the rails. What starts as a serene escape quickly spirals into a whirlwind night filled with wild adventures, spontaneous decisions, and moments they’ll never remember— but it’s an evening they’ll never forget.

Through the laughter and mishaps, they rediscover what truly matters most: love, spontaneity, and the beauty of embracing the unexpected. Tides and Tidings is perfect for anyone looking for a romantic escape filled with humor and heart.

Genres: Christmas, Holiday

249 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2024

About the author

Meet Ashley — a coastal Floridian who can’t go for a beach walk without plotting her next story. The ocean? Her muse. Random strangers’ conversations? Probably dialogue in her next book.

By day, she keeps marketing campaigns afloat (and on deadline). By night, she trades spreadsheets for storyboards, typing away like her coffee depends on it.

A proud rescue dog mom, Ashley’s life has taken her from the chaos of New York City to the calm of the South—though “calm” is relative when you’ve got two dogs and a husband who always finds sand in the car.

When she’s not writing, she’s collecting seashells, sipping something iced, and pretending her email inbox doesn’t exist.

Reviews

[Sandy (Sandy.Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.25/5

Ashley McConnell does it again with Tides and Tidings! This short-but-sweet novella is a heartwarming continuation of her book Climb the Ladder, which I absolutely adored—and I feel the same way about this one.

Blythe and Charlie’s love story has always been such a tender and wholesome one, and it’s so satisfying to see them continuing to fall deeper in love with each other. McConnell captures the quiet, joyful moments of their relationship in a way that feels both authentic and swoon-worthy.

And of course, Wren is back to steal the show! She’s the most adorable little girl, and every scene she’s in adds an extra layer of warmth and charm to the story.

If you loved Climb the Ladder, this is a must-read. It’s a cozy, feel-good novella that’ll leave you smiling and wishing for more time with these characters.

[Aisha Ghani · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Dive into the holiday season with this warm and cozy novella following Blythe and Charlie on a much needed weekend trip that turns into a night to remember! This book will keep you on edge accompanying the duo through the coastal vibes of the South.

Read this wonderful feel-good book that comes after Climb the Ladder that made me love Blythe and Charlie. Tides and Tidings will have you rooting for the perfect Holiday happiness they deserve!

Anddd, if you are into spice… this book is a TREAT for you!

Thanks Ashley for sharing the ARC with me. I can’t wait until publishing date, November 12th, and I can get a copy for my shelf too!

[Stephanie Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a perfect novella. The amount of love between the characters makes me want to move to a small town and find a grumpy ass man to fall in love with. 😂 The amount of spice in this book, 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵🥵. I love that it continues their story from Climb The Ladder but also that it could be read as a stand-alone. This was definitely a 5⭐️ read! Pre-order it now because you’re not going to want to miss this book! Even if you haven’t read Climb the Ladder yet, which if you haven’t what is wrong with you lol, you’ll still be able to enjoy this book! ❤️❤️ Release date is November 12, 2024!!

Blurb:
In this feel-good holiday novella set against the backdrop of a charming Southern coastal town, Blythe and Charlie are ready for the perfect weekend getaway. As busy business owners, they are in desperate need of a break from their hectic lives.

Their meticulously planned trip takes an unexpected turn and their well-orchestrated plans go completely off the rails. What starts as a serene escape quickly spirals into a whirlwind night filled with wild adventures, spontaneous decisions, and moments they’ll never remember— but it’s an evening they’ll never forget.

Through the laughter and mishaps, they rediscover what truly matters most: love, spontaneity, and the beauty of embracing the unexpected. Tides and Tidings is perfect for anyone looking for a romantic escape filled with humor and heart.

[Kristen Trahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STAR!!! I love their story and I loved reading it. It has great spice but it's still romantic. It is cute, easy to read and quick! You don't want to put it down. Ashley does such a great job of writing this and making us feel their feelings for each other! Charlie and Blythe are goals. I literally got butterflies sometimes reading this! Not to mention, the spice is SO GOOD.

[C.A. Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

What?! Charlie and Blythe are back? Yes, please!!

I absolutely adore Charlie and Blythe, and I was beyond thrilled when Ashley mentioned that she wrote a holiday novella featuring them! It's truly wonderful when you form a connection with characters, and I completely experienced that with them.

A little about the book:

Blythe and Charlie are all set for a much-needed weekend escape. Being business owners can be exhausting, and adding in being parents to Wren, also known as Little Bird, makes this escape a must. But hold on, this isn't your typical relaxing trip. Their plans take an unexpected turn, leading them to an unforgettable night full of spontaneous fun, adventures, plenty of amusing moments—and a bit of spice too. 🌶️

Ashley always excels in her vivid descriptions. Whether it's the setting or the characters, she ensures you feel right there alongside them.

Although this story centers around Charlie and Blythe's crazy getaway, the tender moments between Blythe and Wren are so heartwarming. I love this little family so much!!

Prepare for a delightful journey brimming with laughter, love, and surprising moments.

[Jennifer Hyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely could not wait to continue reading about Charlie and Blythe’s love story. This was the cutest romance with the perfect mix of spice and romance. Any girl would be lucky to have a man like Charlie in their life.

I really hope there is a 3rd book because I am not ready to say goodbye to these characters or their adorable family.

This was such a perfect read and I can’t wait to add it to my bookshelf ❤️

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.

After reading Climb the Ladder, I knew I needed more of Blythe and Charlie. This novella delivered. It had everything I wanted. Charlie and Blythe took an adult only weekend where Charlie had everything planned. From dinner all the way to the biggest surprise of all. Of course, things didn’t work the way he hoped.

I loved being back in this world with these characters. It was so much fun seeing how their lives and story progressed after Climb the Ladder. Add in Christmas and it’s the total package. While there are some spicy scenes, they are marked so you can skip ahead without missing any of the story. I can not recommend both Climb the Ladder and Tides and Tidings enough.

[Michelle Patton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tides and Tidings is a charming follow-up to Ashley McConnell’s debut in the Anchored in Love series, where we first fell for Blythe and Charlie. Six months into living together, Charlie is ready to take the next step and has planned the perfect weekend getaway to propose. But will everything go according to plan—and will Blythe say yes?

This sweet story brings back beloved characters from Climb the Ladder and offers even more reasons to adore the quick-witted, lovable Wren. The spice level is sizzling, yet Ashley thoughtfully marks those open-door chapters so readers can easily skip them without losing key plot points. It’s a warm, romantic read that will make you root for Blythe and Charlie all over again.

[Lena Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember thinking “I need more of their story” when I finished Climb the Ladder and y’all, did Ashley DELIVER just what I needed.

Seeing the next phase of Charlie & Blythe’s relationship and how much Wren has grown was amazing.

Charlie & Blythe’s story is so relatable and I loved seeing it unfold even deeper in Tides & Tidings. These two are characters that will stay with me because they’re just that good. I laughed & cried while reading this second part to their story.

Seeing all of my favorite side characters too was also perfect. I’m selfish in the sense that I want even more of their story but I’m perfectly okay with these two books and what they’ve given us.

[Tiana Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC READ: no spoilers!
Thankful to read this arc! I loved the continuation of Blythe and Charlie! What I liked most is that after I read a book I often want more past the epilogue! I am a fan of sequels that follow the same couple and it’s nice to see things complete and not rushed. I also love when stories add in kids because truly, they are usually have the funniest lines! 😂
Pick this book up this holiday season! Out November 12th! 🎄

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a perfect Holiday read!! Full of laughter, love, and unexpected moments, this is a heartwarming tale of how the best memories are often the ones you never planned.

Charlie and Blythe met and fell in love in the first book, Climb the Ladder. This holiday novella continues their story! You can read this one but highly recommend reading both for such a sweet heartwarming love story.

[Cassandra Voight · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me so much joy! As a married mother of 2, this book is extremely relatable in real life relationships, specifically when it comes to raising children with your partner. When you get to the point of a relationship where you fall into a comfortable coexistence, it can be very challenging to find that balance of comfort and spontaneity. It is also incredibly easy to equate that comfort to the loss of a spark or thinking that life is not exciting enough with your partner.

What this book does an amazing job of is reminding you that the comfortable phase is truly the goal of a relationship. Having two lives blend seamlessly together is what many people dream of having and there is a huge amount of peace to be found in that. A healthy relationship isn't always about the excitement or needing the big things or gestures to feel complete. Simply existing in the comfort is often more than enough.

Thank you so much to Ashley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback!

[Heather Mulvihill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie and Blythe own a coffee shop/ bookstore called The Coastal Cup which has been so successful that they're taking a well deserved break and dropping Wren, his daughter and Marsh, their dog off at his parents house. Wren is the cutest little girl ever.
I laughed out loud and cried too. I loved Charlie, Blythe and Wren. I am anxiously awaiting more…

[Ashley McConnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know it's weird to rate your own book, but this one was such a delight to write. It's just a feel-good story that everyone wants to read. No drama, just good vibes and lots of spicy time.

[Stefanie McMaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going back to Wippowa with Blythe and Charlie and Wren felt like coming home. I am a sucker for a good love story full of the every day moving parts of life. It is a lovely reminder that the “mundane and boring” days are actually built from comfort and trust and it’s a special thing getting to do life with someone you love.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley has created such a beautiful love story between Charlie and Blythe.

This is a continuation from Climb The Ladder, which is a story that will always be one of my favorites, so I was so happy to read more into their relationship.

I was so giddy reading this! It tells an adorable love story between a previous grumpy single Dad with a woman who changed her whole life to find herself.

This story is sweet and so spicy, but if you aren't into spice, you can bypass those chapters. But if you like spice, you will love those chapters ;)

Thank you, Ashley, for an advanced copy, and I can't wait for all the readers to continue reading about Blythe, Charlie, and the adorable Wren!

[kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blythe and Charlie have been so busy with their own businesses and with Charlie's daughter, Wren, that they have finally carved out time for each other. Wren and their dog will be staying with Charlie's parents for the weekend so that Blythe and Charlie can have some time alone as a couple.

Charlie has planned everything and everything is a surprise to Blythe. She doesn't even know where they will be going, but soon learns it will be an hour away from home. While they are on their trip, the two of them can't stop thinking about Wren and even get her a play car that Blythe had when she was younger.

The two have an amazing time together and are super spontaneous, which rarely happens as they have such busy lives. It was nice to see them let loose and have a great time.

What happens on this weekend trip? Will Blythe be able to heal from her traumatic childhood and love even more? What else will Charlie surprise Blythe with on this trip?

This was an absolutely fun read and I loved how there was a hot pepper at the beginning of the chapter to indicate that it was going to be a spicy chapter. You could choose to read it or not and while I am a prude, I did read them and I didn't feel like it took away from the book, which I tend to think some of the really heavy spiced scenes do. This was a great holiday novella to cozy up and read!

[ashlin.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect addition to Climb the Ladder where we get to visit Blythe and Charlie in Wippowa! I loved their journey in Climb the Ladder and this story was so fun to see where they are now. Charlie is trying to plan the perfect weekend away for Blythe because they both deserve a break. He's got some big surprises planned but nothing goes accordingly. They make the most of it and enjoy their time away from his daughter Wren and are both so grateful for the few days away, even if they are excited to get back home to her.

I loved a little peek into how their relationship has progressed and how much Wren and Blythe have grown to love each other. Their banter during their trip was so fun as they were trying to be a vacation version of themselves. I totally related to them just wanting to get back home and relax as they aren't in their early 20s anymore. I really enjoy how Ashley marks each spicy chapter with a pepper and makes them so you aren't missing a part of the story. As someone who is kind of in between on spice in books depending on what I'm reading I really liked that option from her.

This was a quick, fun, holiday read and I definitely recommend reading Climb the Ladder to get the full effect of this story!

Thank you author Ashley McConnell for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Sarah (sarahs_shelves_sc) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to step back into the world of Blythe, Charlie, and Wren (cutest 6 year old ever) for a holiday down South in this sweet and spicy holiday novella.

We first met this duo in Climb the Ladder, which released last year and told us the story of a bookstagram girl who took a trip to Georgia and decided to stay. When we check back in, Charlie and Blythe have settled in to the daily routine of caring for a young child, running their bookstore/coffee shop, and feeling ready for a little one on one time. They take a holiday weekend away and find their relationship growing even stronger as they see each other in a whole new light.

I just adore these characters and loved checking back in with them, and especially loved seeing little Wren a bit more grown up and sweet as ever. The family moments are touching and definitely made me smile.

I loved how McConnell touched on parents needing a little time to themselves now and again, to remember who they are outside of being parents and how their relationship with each other develops over time as well. So incredibly relatable!

This book can be open or closed door, depending on your preference. Ashley marks the spicy chapters with a pepper so that readers can skip that content if they choose to do so, which I thought was a fantastic idea!

[Erica Renfro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently received this book as an ARC. This book basically details the weekend leading up to the main character’s marriage proposal. The book description promised mishaps and a whirlwind night with a wild adventure. That’s a bit of an exaggeration unless eating cheeseburgers and dancing at a bar is “wild” nowadays. At one point, I had the notion of making a drinking game for every time they asked the other person whether they wanted to just go take a nap. As a haggardly adult, my answer would have been yes every time so kudos to Blythe and Charlie for hanging in there the whole night. I would still recommend this book as the ending makes up for any slow middle parts. After this wild weekend trip ends, the meat of the story picks up. The true proposal happens and it’s everything it should have been! The setting is the BEST and will warm your heart and mist your eyes. My favorite part of the book was Blythe’s relationship with Charlie’s young daughter Wren. This is a 2nd book in a series and I would recommend reading the 1st book before this. I did not and I think I would have gotten even more out of the story if I had. There is some spice but it is clearly marked and separated into its own chapters making the book customizable to your own spice levels.

[Trish I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not to be dramatic, but, I LOVE a cozy Christmas novella! But you bring me a cozy Christmas novella with optional spice AND some of my favourite comfort characters from Climb the Ladder?? Ashley McConnell has done it again by bringing us back into the world of Blythe and Charlie in the dreamland town of Wippowa, GA with the perfect little reprieve from reality into this sparkly world. My whole journey through this book, I felt like I never left these characters, this town, and the pure joy and warmth that comes from reading an Ashley McConnell piece. Blythe Whitlock is such an undeniably relatable character for me, a woman in her late 20's, and I absolutely adore her character growth in her new world. And Charlie Hannigan, oh my word, what to say about Charlie Hannigan. You already know I love a Luke Danes archetype, and Charlie is the perfect mix of grumpy lumberjack and sparky love interest. He is the Yin to Blythe's Yang and this novella solidifies every golden strand in their relationship. And little Wren is the tie that holds them together. I finished this book with tears in my eyes, happy tears, and here I sit, eagerly awaiting the time when I can return to this world, these characters.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tides and Tidings is a continuation of Climb the Ladder by Ashley McConnell. When I first read Climb the Ladder, I fell in love with Blythe and Charlie and their adorable grumpy-sunshine romance. Now, we can revisit them and see how their relationship is going.

I was beyond happy to revisit Blythe, Charlie, and little Wren. In desperate need of a break, Blythe and Charlie go away on a nice trip meticulously planned by Charlie that will be filled with an unexpected surprise, that is, if everything goes according to plan. Who knew a little straw wrapper would get me in my feels?!

The story was adorable and had a delicious amount of spice. Ashley ensured that if you are not a fan of spice, you can easily skip the spicy chapters without ruining the storyline or flow of the book. What a great idea!

Thank you to Ashley McConnell for gifting me an eARC of Tides and Tidings. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Hailee Speir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Climb the Ladder, so I was so excited to pick up where Blythe and Charlie left off! It was a really cute book, but there were a few parts that didn’t flow:

‘Charlie packed her bag for the surprise trip so she didn’t know where they were going, and then the next chapter she had packed her bag with like her whole closet. That doesn’t make much sense.

Charlie and Blythe are going to go out clubbing after their dinner reservation and in chapter 23, It says they decided to stay home after their dinner reservation instead of going out, but there was no conversation of that happening. Then they went out anyway.’

I also felt like they were constantly complaining about their life in a roundabout way. The whole book it felt like they were defending their ‘boring’ life of being parents.

[Crystals_littlelibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the honor of reading another @the_shelf_love book! I love being on her arc team!

Tides and Tidings was a sweet and spicy Holiday Beach read. It released November 12th!
I love Blythe and Charlie’s characters and we can’t forget about little Wren. Blythe and Charlie take a mini. vacation for some quality time and to take a break from their busy schedules.

One of my favorite things to read are Novellas following a couple I have previously read about! I enjoy reading about their lives as the relationships grow, or not grow. So, with that said, Tides and Tidings was the perfect recap of Blyth and Charlie’s relationship! I was stoked to read about them again! Definitely check out Climb the Ladder to see how their relationship started!!

[KimMacs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tides and Tidings by Ashley McConnell is a Christmas novella. I didn't realize this was a sequel to Climb the Ladder, and I did not read that first. This was a quick and easy read that, for me, was just ok. Maybe if I had read Climb the Ladder first I would have connected with the characters a little more, but I didn't and since it isn't really advertised as part of a series, other readers may feel the same. There was a bit too much spice vs storyline to this one, and by the end of the book I was kind of over those scenes. There were also many repetitive phrases, thoughts, and overall complaining about how boring their lives are. This is supposed to be a feel good Christmas story, but it just left me feeling meh.

[Tabitha Goulart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley's books never fail me, and Tides and Tidings is no different!

This book was the perfect start to my holiday season. Continuing Charlie and Blythe's love story filled my heart with warmth and made me reminisce on my own love story.

Tides and Tidings picks up around Charlie and Blythe's first Chrismtas together. Their banter shows us how much they've grown as a couple and how well they do everything together, from parenting to how they treat other people.

And this story wouldn't be complete without heart-melting Wren. She is the perfect character for adding in all the big emotions into this story.

Extremely well written and one I'll definitely recommend to all of my friends.

[Kaitlyn Brodell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming continuation of Charlie and Blythe’s story. Perfect for the holiday season… sweet little Wren melts me every time!

I really liked how we got to know more of the characters in this sequel- Charlie’s parents, Blythe’s family history, their friends.

It was also a great touch for the author to include a 🌶️ pepper on the spicy chapters. Readers can skip these if they choose (but, like, why would you? 😏😅) without it effecting the overall read and story flow. Whenever I saw it I knew I needed to buckle up and prepare myself because the spice is always spicing with Charlie and Bee.

Hoping another book is in the works because I’m attached to these characters now.

[Sarah Howk · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s rare to find a sequel as good as the first, and I may be so daring as to say it might even surpass the fantastical first- Climb The Ladder!! It’s even gotten me into the Holly Jolly spirit which is no easy task. The humor, the build up, the spice (seriously stepped up the heat game with this one, wow) and the heartfelt sentimental whimsy is simply perfection. The way these main characters have evolved from book 1 to 1.5 is astoundingly wholesome. Now I’m trying to convince myself not to put up my Christmas tree too early…

[Alexandria Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book you can’t put down- THIS IS IT! I sat down with a cup of tea with the intention of reading just a few chapters and didn’t put it down until I was done a few hours later! This is the perfect book to read as we begin the holiday season. This incredible love story is the perfect combination of heartwarming and spicy🔥It will leave you wanting more! I absolutely loved Climb The Ladder and this sequel was everything I hoped it would be! I have ordered a few of Ashley’s other books and am excited for them to arrive!

[Brianna LeClere · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a one night read. I couldn’t put it down. Who doesn’t love a Hallmark-esque Christmas love story. This would be the perfect cleanser between heavy books because it was just a happy book.

The author made it so the 🌶️ chapters have the symbol and can be skipped so if spice isn’t for you, you can skip those chapters and still enjoy the love story!

Add this to your Christmas read list ASAP!