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A New Beginning #1
Bookstore on the Bay: A Sweet, Later-in-Life, Small Town Romance
Fans of Pamela Kelley and Robyn Carr will love this later-in-life, small-town romance.
She’s 65 years old and ready to embrace the adventure of a lifetime!
When Isabel receives an invitation to a reunion from her childhood friends in Sapphire Bay, she hesitates. It's been a long time since they've been together in the small lakeside town where they met as teenagers. Now 65 years old and recently widowed, she's yearning for a fresh start. Deciding this could be the change she needs, Isabel tells her friends she'll be there.
After she arrives, she discovers the town's bookstore is up for sale and at risk of closing. With encouragement from her friends and Frank, a retired lawyer with a mysterious past, Isabel takes a leap of faith and purchases the store.
As Isabel and Frank grow closer, she discovers he's harboring dangerous secrets. When shadows from Frank's past catch up with him, Isabel finds herself caught in the crossfire, forcing them both to make impossible choices.
Bookstore on the Bay is the first book in Leeanna's A New Beginning series and can easily be read as a standalone. All of Leeanna’s series are linked. If you find a character you like, they could be in another novel!
Praise for Leeanna Morgan's
"A heartwarming read that left me feeling happy and hopeful. The perfect escape from everyday life."
"This story was a breath of fresh air. The plot was engaging, and I felt like I was part of the community."
Other Novels by Leeanna
The Cottages on Anchor
The Flower Cottage (Jackie and Richard)
The Starlight Café (Andrea and David)
The Cozy Quilt Shop (Shona and Greg)
A Stitch in Time (Laura and Joseph)
Love on Anchor
The Magic of Summer (Daniella and Harrison)
The Magic of Sunshine (Harper and Owen)
The Magic of Rainbows (Eden and Steve)
The Magic of Christmas (Chloe and Liam)
A New
Bookstore on the Bay (Isabel and Frank)
Paws of Hope on the Bay (Lynda and Matt)
Cafe on the Bay (Kathleen and Patrick)
Cottage on the Bay (Susan and Paul)
She’s 65 years old and ready to embrace the adventure of a lifetime!
When Isabel receives an invitation to a reunion from her childhood friends in Sapphire Bay, she hesitates. It's been a long time since they've been together in the small lakeside town where they met as teenagers. Now 65 years old and recently widowed, she's yearning for a fresh start. Deciding this could be the change she needs, Isabel tells her friends she'll be there.
After she arrives, she discovers the town's bookstore is up for sale and at risk of closing. With encouragement from her friends and Frank, a retired lawyer with a mysterious past, Isabel takes a leap of faith and purchases the store.
As Isabel and Frank grow closer, she discovers he's harboring dangerous secrets. When shadows from Frank's past catch up with him, Isabel finds herself caught in the crossfire, forcing them both to make impossible choices.
Bookstore on the Bay is the first book in Leeanna's A New Beginning series and can easily be read as a standalone. All of Leeanna’s series are linked. If you find a character you like, they could be in another novel!
Praise for Leeanna Morgan's
"A heartwarming read that left me feeling happy and hopeful. The perfect escape from everyday life."
"This story was a breath of fresh air. The plot was engaging, and I felt like I was part of the community."
Other Novels by Leeanna
The Cottages on Anchor
The Flower Cottage (Jackie and Richard)
The Starlight Café (Andrea and David)
The Cozy Quilt Shop (Shona and Greg)
A Stitch in Time (Laura and Joseph)
Love on Anchor
The Magic of Summer (Daniella and Harrison)
The Magic of Sunshine (Harper and Owen)
The Magic of Rainbows (Eden and Steve)
The Magic of Christmas (Chloe and Liam)
A New
Bookstore on the Bay (Isabel and Frank)
Paws of Hope on the Bay (Lynda and Matt)
Cafe on the Bay (Kathleen and Patrick)
Cottage on the Bay (Susan and Paul)
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 30, 2025
388 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
About the author
Leeanna Morgan
64 books508 followersLeeanna Morgan is a USA Today bestselling author. She lives in New Zealand surrounded by green hills on one side and the ocean on the other. She enjoys going for long walks, especially if she can convince her husband and two children to go with her!
Leeanna writes contemporary romances set in Montana. Her books contain all of the things that are important to her; good friends, family, a strong sense of community, and a happy ending.
Leeanna writes contemporary romances set in Montana. Her books contain all of the things that are important to her; good friends, family, a strong sense of community, and a happy ending.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 29, 2025
Inspiring
The whole story involves you in how they feel about things. Really enjoyed the friendship bonds and commitment they all had to each other. The whole story was exciting as they step into new challenges and opportunities, supporting and assisting each other. A truly lovely holiday-type read. Leaves you feeling good.
The whole story involves you in how they feel about things. Really enjoyed the friendship bonds and commitment they all had to each other. The whole story was exciting as they step into new challenges and opportunities, supporting and assisting each other. A truly lovely holiday-type read. Leaves you feeling good.
January 27, 2026
What It’s About
The Bookstore on the Bay follows Isabela as she returns to her picturesque hometown after the death of her partner. She’s at a crossroads — ready to reconnect with old friends, rediscover herself, and maybe open the door to a new chapter. Along the way she meets Frank, a widower with a complicated past who is raising his grandson Tommy after the loss of Tommy’s parents. The story blends grief, healing, friendship, and small‑town charm.
Review
This is a sweet, easy‑to‑read story that fits comfortably within the familiar “returning home after heartbreak” genre. There are countless books with a similar setup — a scenic small town, old friends, emotional recovery, and the possibility of new love — and this one follows that pattern closely.
The setting is lovely, the community warm, and the tone very feel‑good. Isabela’s journey back home after losing her partner is gentle and predictable, but still pleasant to follow. Frank’s storyline adds a bit of mystery, though nothing too heavy, and Tommy brings a soft emotional touch.
For me, the biggest challenge was connecting with the characters. They felt a little too sweet, a little too easy, and not quite in my age group or emotional world. But that’s also part of the charm of this genre — it’s meant to be comforting rather than confronting, soothing rather than complex.
The writing flows well, the pacing is smooth, and it’s the kind of book you can slip into without effort. It may not be original, but it’s undeniably a perfect escape read: warm, gentle, and ideal for when you want something uncomplicated and uplifting.
My Rating
- Plot – 3 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable but very familiar; follows a well‑worn path.
- Character Development – 3 out of 5 stars
Sweet and pleasant, though a bit too light and hard to fully connect with.
- Themes & Message – 3.5 out of 5 stars
Healing, friendship, community, and second chances — all handled with warmth.
- Writing Style – 4 out of 5 stars
Smooth, easy to read, and nicely paced.
- Enjoyment – 4 out of 5 stars
Comforting and escapist, even if predictable.
- Overall –3.5 out of 5 stars
A warm, feel‑good story that doesn’t break new ground but delivers exactly what this genre promises: comfort, sweetness, and a gentle escape.
Recommended For
Readers who enjoy small‑town romances, healing‑after‑loss stories, and light, uplifting fiction with a strong sense of place and community.
The Bookstore on the Bay follows Isabela as she returns to her picturesque hometown after the death of her partner. She’s at a crossroads — ready to reconnect with old friends, rediscover herself, and maybe open the door to a new chapter. Along the way she meets Frank, a widower with a complicated past who is raising his grandson Tommy after the loss of Tommy’s parents. The story blends grief, healing, friendship, and small‑town charm.
Review
This is a sweet, easy‑to‑read story that fits comfortably within the familiar “returning home after heartbreak” genre. There are countless books with a similar setup — a scenic small town, old friends, emotional recovery, and the possibility of new love — and this one follows that pattern closely.
The setting is lovely, the community warm, and the tone very feel‑good. Isabela’s journey back home after losing her partner is gentle and predictable, but still pleasant to follow. Frank’s storyline adds a bit of mystery, though nothing too heavy, and Tommy brings a soft emotional touch.
For me, the biggest challenge was connecting with the characters. They felt a little too sweet, a little too easy, and not quite in my age group or emotional world. But that’s also part of the charm of this genre — it’s meant to be comforting rather than confronting, soothing rather than complex.
The writing flows well, the pacing is smooth, and it’s the kind of book you can slip into without effort. It may not be original, but it’s undeniably a perfect escape read: warm, gentle, and ideal for when you want something uncomplicated and uplifting.
My Rating
- Plot – 3 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable but very familiar; follows a well‑worn path.
- Character Development – 3 out of 5 stars
Sweet and pleasant, though a bit too light and hard to fully connect with.
- Themes & Message – 3.5 out of 5 stars
Healing, friendship, community, and second chances — all handled with warmth.
- Writing Style – 4 out of 5 stars
Smooth, easy to read, and nicely paced.
- Enjoyment – 4 out of 5 stars
Comforting and escapist, even if predictable.
- Overall –3.5 out of 5 stars
A warm, feel‑good story that doesn’t break new ground but delivers exactly what this genre promises: comfort, sweetness, and a gentle escape.
Recommended For
Readers who enjoy small‑town romances, healing‑after‑loss stories, and light, uplifting fiction with a strong sense of place and community.
March 30, 2025
Life has many chapters for us to live...
...but exposing corporate corruption can reduce the number of chapters your life has and Frank is more than aware that you have to grab every moment of happiness that is available.
I really like both Isabel and Frank, they both had great marriages, loved their spouses but are now windowed and navigating the next chapter of their life alone ...which was never the plan. They have both accepted the cards life has dealt to them gracefully, they may be wary and not looking for another romance, but they are also aware of just how rare it is to get that instant connection. They are both good, honest and loving people, which makes it very easy to like them. But what seals the deal is how they are with Tommy, Frank didn't hesitate to step up and take his grandson in and Isabel is just so good with him. They make a lost and insecure little boy happy and secure again... it's beautiful.
I also enjoyed Isabel's friendship with the girls and I look forward to seeing more of them as the series continues. A great addition to the Sapphire Bay World and a lovely start to this series.
...but exposing corporate corruption can reduce the number of chapters your life has and Frank is more than aware that you have to grab every moment of happiness that is available.
I really like both Isabel and Frank, they both had great marriages, loved their spouses but are now windowed and navigating the next chapter of their life alone ...which was never the plan. They have both accepted the cards life has dealt to them gracefully, they may be wary and not looking for another romance, but they are also aware of just how rare it is to get that instant connection. They are both good, honest and loving people, which makes it very easy to like them. But what seals the deal is how they are with Tommy, Frank didn't hesitate to step up and take his grandson in and Isabel is just so good with him. They make a lost and insecure little boy happy and secure again... it's beautiful.
I also enjoyed Isabel's friendship with the girls and I look forward to seeing more of them as the series continues. A great addition to the Sapphire Bay World and a lovely start to this series.
January 13, 2026
sweet small town romance with a bit of cozy mystery on the side
3.5 stars, 0.5 spice, mild spoilers-Frank moved to Sapphire Bay looking a safe place to rebuild his life with his grandson Tommy after family tragedy and threats from his former employer. Isabelle visited for a reunion with her oldest childhood friends. Desperate for a change she decides to buy the local bookstore that she and her friends loved as a child.
The writing style is a bit simplistic. Even the high stakes scenes are rather low tension. Their feelings grow throughout the story, but it also feels very instalove. I’m not sure this pairing would work without Tommy. He’s honestly the most interesting character. If you are looking for a clean, small town romance featuring retirement age protagonists, this might be a good read for you.
3.5 stars, 0.5 spice, mild spoilers-Frank moved to Sapphire Bay looking a safe place to rebuild his life with his grandson Tommy after family tragedy and threats from his former employer. Isabelle visited for a reunion with her oldest childhood friends. Desperate for a change she decides to buy the local bookstore that she and her friends loved as a child.
The writing style is a bit simplistic. Even the high stakes scenes are rather low tension. Their feelings grow throughout the story, but it also feels very instalove. I’m not sure this pairing would work without Tommy. He’s honestly the most interesting character. If you are looking for a clean, small town romance featuring retirement age protagonists, this might be a good read for you.
January 4, 2026
Sweet and simple story that I enjoyed. A reviewer didn't care that the grandson was perfect, I didn't even think of that when reading. Obviously, I found him enchanting!
I was surprised how it wasn't just a story of people in their 60's finding love again, but there is suspense, drama, violence that I was expecting. I liked how the H (and author) didn't go down the rabbit hole in keeping things to himself.
This is a clean story with interesting main and secondary characters. Is it to perfect how things play out, maybe, but every now and then that is what I want in a story.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, nice set up for the next story, HEA, romantic and clean. I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase. (ljb)
I was surprised how it wasn't just a story of people in their 60's finding love again, but there is suspense, drama, violence that I was expecting. I liked how the H (and author) didn't go down the rabbit hole in keeping things to himself.
This is a clean story with interesting main and secondary characters. Is it to perfect how things play out, maybe, but every now and then that is what I want in a story.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, nice set up for the next story, HEA, romantic and clean. I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase. (ljb)
January 2, 2026
When recently widowed Isabel joins her three oldest and dearest friends for an extended stay in the small lakeside town where they first met fifty years ago, little does she expect that she will end up staying there, purchasing a bookstore that's at risk of closing, and falling in love with a lawyer who retired there with his grandson, and who has a secret in his past that is catching up to him.
December 30, 2025
Mature romance with suspense
I liked the 4 women who had met at camp as teenagers. Their friendship was warm and supportive. Frank and his grandson were so real I felt like I knew them. I was rooting for Frank as he did the right things and disgusted with the bad guys as Tommy called them.
I liked the 4 women who had met at camp as teenagers. Their friendship was warm and supportive. Frank and his grandson were so real I felt like I knew them. I was rooting for Frank as he did the right things and disgusted with the bad guys as Tommy called them.
January 4, 2026
One bothersome detail: the child Tommy has NO contact with other children and does not seem to miss them. There are no other children in the book. This child also has no character flaws, no instances of disobedience or rebellion. He never has to be reprimanded. This is unnatural. The whole story is very saccharine despite the effort to introduce a gritty, suspenseful sub-plot.
April 3, 2025
New series of love
Leeanna has done it again, and continued her steak of successful romance novels! Being 69 years old, it was refreshing to read about people in my generation starting over. I loved this book as much as her previous novels! Keep them coming, please!!
Leeanna has done it again, and continued her steak of successful romance novels! Being 69 years old, it was refreshing to read about people in my generation starting over. I loved this book as much as her previous novels! Keep them coming, please!!
May 24, 2025
Top-Notch!
Loved reading this book. The story poses what can happen later in life and how the best things maybe in the future. Bring a cup of whatever and have a tissue nearby. You may need it.
Loved reading this book. The story poses what can happen later in life and how the best things maybe in the future. Bring a cup of whatever and have a tissue nearby. You may need it.
January 2, 2026
fresh starts
Beginning a new chapter in life and making friends and starting over in a new area and meeting new people. Trust and faith in doing what’s right even tho it comes with danger and uncertainty.
Beginning a new chapter in life and making friends and starting over in a new area and meeting new people. Trust and faith in doing what’s right even tho it comes with danger and uncertainty.
January 3, 2026
Second love
I don't usually like or read mysteries, but this one caught my attention because of the age of the characters. It was interesting to read about new romance later in life. You will enjoy this story, especially if you're a book lover.
I don't usually like or read mysteries, but this one caught my attention because of the age of the characters. It was interesting to read about new romance later in life. You will enjoy this story, especially if you're a book lover.
January 5, 2026
Bookstore on the bay
An enjoyable story with suspense that kept me guessing. A fun vibrant 8 year old boy that kept me smiling with his comments. And some sweet and swoony romance for a later in life couple.
An enjoyable story with suspense that kept me guessing. A fun vibrant 8 year old boy that kept me smiling with his comments. And some sweet and swoony romance for a later in life couple.
January 6, 2026
A new bookstore grand opening.
Leanne wrote a great book about how 2 people move to Bay Street to start over. They found how you can find love after your spouse has passed away,. Great read.
Leanne wrote a great book about how 2 people move to Bay Street to start over. They found how you can find love after your spouse has passed away,. Great read.
January 7, 2026
Lessons Morgan has woven an inspirational story about a reunion of four women who have stayed connected for over fifty years. One of these women entered a relationship with a widower with a grandson, whose lives became complicated because of a dangerous court case. What an exciting book!
January 12, 2026
Best book!
I've read several of Leeanna Morgan's books and I feel that this book has made me want to keep reading until I got to the end more than any other!
The characters are so vivid and the story kept my attention to the very end!
Love this book!❤️
I've read several of Leeanna Morgan's books and I feel that this book has made me want to keep reading until I got to the end more than any other!
The characters are so vivid and the story kept my attention to the very end!
Love this book!❤️
January 19, 2026
Cute, Heart warming story
I loved the descriptions of the characters. Details about the town & shops were realistic...I could almost see them.. A little bit of mystery / excitement was perfect.
I could hardly put this story down... it really captured my attention.
Thank you!
I loved the descriptions of the characters. Details about the town & shops were realistic...I could almost see them.. A little bit of mystery / excitement was perfect.
I could hardly put this story down... it really captured my attention.
Thank you!
January 20, 2026
I really enjoyed reading this book about Isabel, Frank and Tommy. I read it mostly in the evenings to relax. It was very well written and kept me always wanting to read more. I definitely will be reading Book 2.
January 31, 2026
Sweet story of a woman in her mid 60s wanting to reinvent her life after her husband passes away.
For anyone in that age range, this is a story of love, friendship, and the fact that you can fulfill dreams and things that you have envisioned later in life
For anyone in that age range, this is a story of love, friendship, and the fact that you can fulfill dreams and things that you have envisioned later in life
February 1, 2026
3.5* Book was an easy read however the premise of the book was about Isabel buying a bookstore yet pretty much the entire 2nd half was about Frank and his court case etc. Feel like the bookstore storyline was very weak was just glossed over for the over the top FBI plot.
February 21, 2026
I really enjoyed reading about bookstore owner and Frank and how their relationship evolved through the book. Four friends father together each in retirement age and deciding where they want to rebuild their lives in times of change. Looking forward to next book in series
April 12, 2025
As always, Leanna writes a great story, and I can't wait for next book in the series. These characters were so believable and likable.
December 31, 2025
Poignantly hopeful story of gentle yet powerful friendship, care and concern, love and affection among admirably resilient individuals who are there for each other!
January 2, 2026
kept me reading on and on…
The book has wonderful characters and a very interesting plot, I just couldn’t stop reading! I look forward to reading more of the series.
The book has wonderful characters and a very interesting plot, I just couldn’t stop reading! I look forward to reading more of the series.
January 3, 2026
OK…. Widow moves back to the town where she went to summer camp as a teen. Buys a bookstore. Meets a widower and his grandson.
Characters are not very deep or compelling.
Characters are not very deep or compelling.
January 4, 2026
Excellent book
I really enjoyed this story and the wonderful characters. Very well written and realistic in the characters’ thoughts and actions.
I really enjoyed this story and the wonderful characters. Very well written and realistic in the characters’ thoughts and actions.
January 15, 2026
An enjoyable easy read. I think Leeanna Morgan excels with this type of book. I always enjoy her.
January 24, 2026
Very good story.
Read
January 29, 2026like stories of older women
January 31, 2026
A liked this book alot, liked how the story progressed, looking forward to reading more in this series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews