A Saltwater Christmas

by Laurie Beach

Christmas is a time of miracles–but is it magical enough to change a person’s mind?

Allie Westley’s Christmas will be a bit different this year. She’s taken a big step to move away from Nashville to Goose Island, South Carolina, to pursue her dream of becoming a wine enologist, and she’s not tripping over this chance to make a break from her family, either. She’ll spend December 25 doing her own thing. Although the beach might be cold, it is the perfect place for new traditions.

But she was also counting on her new roommate, Sam Clare, to be a sister she never had. Instead, Sam is an ex-military man now working as a paramedic. Even his dog, Buttercup, is part wolf. Yet he turns out to be the most understanding person in her new world, despite the fact that she’s declared him her enemy.

As the season’s activities bring them together, Allie uncovers several details her new circle of friends weren’t forthcoming about. But will the secret Sam’s keeping break her heart or mend what she didn’t realize was broken?

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Contemporary, Chick Lit

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2025

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, given to me by Tule Publishing via BookFunnel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An amazing slow burn story with a grieving, conflicted heroine and a delicious hero, who reveals himself gradually, “A Saltwater Christmas”, by Laurie Beach, is a combination of romance, love, grief, humor and the very basic, genuine human affection.
I loved the writing style and being always so in Allie’s troubled, confusing point of view. Her backstory and personality make her a complex heroine, dealing with personal and family issues and loss.
Sam is such a wonderful hero. Only later do we realize the extent of his military experience and wounds. He’s also hot and has a sweet and smart dog, Cuppie.
I also loved the initial animosity and resistance from Allie and how both leads and the supporting characters show selflessness, fondness, love in so many ways.
Some scenes made me laugh and others were full of sweet and tender feelings. A great read!

[Stace · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure what this is supposed to be, but I kinda hate Allie and when you don’t like the “heroine” it makes the book pretty pointless. I’m rating it only because I made it to 47% which I think means I got far enough into it to be able to rate. By 47% she doesn’t know if she wants to hate or love her unexpectedly male roommate Sam (or his dog Buttercup/Cuppie..I legit hate the nickname “Cuppie” and I kept thinking it was a different dog). She’s also made a drunken pass at her coworker Joey who she also doesn’t know if she wants to love based on his resemblance to her ex. I was also confused by her job. I don’t know much of anything about wine or wine making…but I do understand there is science behind the growing…but why would what seems to be a small winery need 2 people doing exactly the same job? Not that we see her or Joey doing anything besides sitting behind a desk working on computers and never seem to be in the lab that’s attached to the office…what’s the lab for? What are they testing for? Are they experimenting with different grapes? Maybe that comes later in the book but considering she hasn’t even chosen the guy she wants I don’t know if there would be time to get into her actual job.

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Saltwater Christmas ~ The Southern Isles #1 by Laurie Beach

Blurb:
Christmas is a time of miracles–but is it magical enough to change a person’s mind?

A lovely start to a new series from Laurie, A Saltwater Christmas is Allie Westley’s story, Allie moved to Goose Island, South Carolina, leaving her family in Nashville to fulfil her dream of becoming a wine enologist.
Sam Clare an ex-military man now a paramedic, is Allie's new roommate, though, at first Allie believed Sam to be a girl.

A beautifully written romance with wonderful characters that you fall in love with from the start.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Entertaining, Happily Ever After, Inspirational, Romantic, and Wonderful characters

[Renee Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Saltwater Christmas is the perfect book to warm your heart and put you in the Christmas spirit. Allie Westley has moved to Goose Island, South Carolina to start a new job and to start a new tradition. After her father lost his battle with cancer 3 year before, she has felt alone. Sam Clare and his dog Buttercup are ex-military and now work with search and rescue and Sam is a paramedic. Allie isn’t happy when she finds out that Sam, her new roommate is a man. She wants to dislike him, he he has a way about him . I love the characters in this book, and I love the friendships that develop and how family starts to mean so much more. But there is a secret that can break all the trust. This book was so easy and full of caring, trusting, and making the right choices!

[Shelagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Saltwater Christmas is set on Goose Island, South Carolina and has a strong community theme running through it. Oenologist Allie Westley is clearly soffering from OCD when the story opens and to be honest, she irritated me with her aggressive attitude to her new housemate Sam Clare. He’s gorgeous, by the way, and over the top friendly, considerate and just plain charming. His patience with her was over and above. Thankfully Allie did redeem herself as their story progressed and I came to like her as she integrated into the community. I loved the secondary characters, particularly Fred and the story made for entertaining reading.

[DeeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Saltwater Christmas by Laura Beach
This is Allie Wesley's story in a good start to Laura's new series .
Allie wants to be a wine ecologist so she leaves her family in Nashville and moves to Goose Island, South Carolina.
Allie is quite surprised when she finds out that her roommate is a man instead of a girl. Sam Clare ex-military, now a paramedic and extremely hunky. He has a way of putting up with all of Allie's OCD issues.
This was a fun story that made me laugh and tear up. And best of all it has a wonderful dog in it.
This is a story that I highly recommend. Cuddle up and settle in because you won't wanna put it down.

[Jayne Wheatley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking pen on this one I loved all the characters other than Allie.
Allie and Sam are roommates tho Allie thought Sam was female until he arrived and was a huge ex military man with part wolf search and rescue dog.
Allie was so hot and cold it was very frustrating, she definitely needed therapy as she was a combination of meen and nasty then happy and kind, she was grieving the loss of her dad but 3 yrs later it seemed overboard.
It didn’t take much to set her off even when Sam was being thoughtful she was awful to him, then she had a moment of realisation and all was happy. It just wasn’t for me.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Saltwater Christmas by Laurie Beach
Allie has a new job as an enologist in the lab at the winery. She also has a new roommate, Sam. She asked for a female and got Same a male. She likes the things he does for her. He is ex military along with this trained dog. She doesn't do holidays and he has decorated everywhere. Like how the others at work treat her, as if she's one of them. Big huge community effort.
Love ending with the child rescued by unlikely things and family connection.
Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion.

[SOMDReigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Allie has just moved to Goose Island and is determined not to celebrate Christmas. She is hurt over the loss of her father and a recent break up. Her new roommate is not who she was expecting, as he’s a male not a female. Sam is very patient and handles Allie’s moods perfectly. I really did not enjoy Allie’s character and the way she acted with Sam which took away my enjoyment of the story. Others may enjoy though, so worth a read.
*Originally reviewed as part of the Southern Christmas Anthology (October 29, 2024)

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet slow burn romance. Allie is new to Goose Island and is looking for a roommate,but what she gets is not what she wanted. Sam, ex military now paramedic moves in along with his dog, Buttercup, who looks like a wolf. Allie sets limits right away but soon finds out the good intentions that Sam has. He has so much patience with Allie. So what starts as enemies turns into so much more.

Allie has no desire to celebrate Christmas but Sam might change her mind. This is the perfect afternoon read.

[Rita · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book gave me whiplash with the constant emotional swings Allie was going through. One minute she’s pleasant and the next she’s angrily snapping at someone. I realize she’s going through some things but it’s kind of exhausting to read. I also hate love triangles and I didn’t appreciate the combination of interactions between Allie, Joey and Sam. It was kind of awkward and painful. I liked the parts where the characters were working together to find lost people and help their neighbours but the rest couldn’t make up for it.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. There’s literally everything about a book to love, a sweet love story, pain, hope, healing, a good laugh, some Christmas spirit, a bit of suspense and a really awesome dog. Seriously read this book. I laughed, I teared up, I held my breath in a more tense moment and fell for absolutely all of the characters in this little island. I am incredibly sad it’s done and now I have to wait for the next book in the series.

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Saltwater Christmas is book 1 in the Southern Isles series by Laurie Beach a new to me author 4.5 stars

Allie moves to Goose Neck to restart her life after a bad breakup, the loss of her father and finding her roommate Sam is a male. What happens next in this Christmas story is moving past the pain, secrets, angst, quick read with sweet romance.

I voluntarily read a copy of this book from Tule Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sherri Babb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allie and Sam's story is an entertaining read. Allie thinks her new roommate is going to be a girl but she turns out to be a he who has an adorable dog. Allie and Sam are perfect for each other. Their story will make you laugh, and at times it might even make you cry. I loved absolutely everything about it. I am looking forward to reading more by this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

While reading this I had to keep in mind that everyone grieves differently. Allie finds it easier to be unhappy and angry even going so far as to not wanting to celebrate Christmas. When she moves to Goose Island for a fresh start, even that goes astray, as her roommate Sam is a male (and she's not happy about it). I loved sweet, ex- military Sam and his dog Buttercup. In fact, his character was what saved the story for me. Allie was quite frankly, grieving or not, not a nice person. The conclusion was heart lifting and beautifully tied up this novella. Looking forward to reading more in this series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Bev H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Allie definitely had emotional issues that needed to be addressed instead of taking them out on her unsuspecting roommate. Fortunately, Sam was very understanding until he sprang the big reveal about his former commanding officer - I could understand Allie’s meltdown over that point. Overall, the plot was fine, I enjoyed the community and its quirky inhabitants, but the constant repetitive drama of Allie’s anxiety was tiresome.

[Paula Pugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allie Westley is shocked to find her new roommate, Sam Clare, is a man and not the anticipated woman. Sweet romance for Christmas romance lovers.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Isha Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humor and heartache lay the groundwork for something special. Allie and Sam are an unexpected delight. Beach allows emotions to take center stage with a ton of surprises along the way. A Saltwater Christmas is irresistible.

[Denise Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

A SALTWATER CHRISTMAS is a wonderful trip to the Lowcountry, new beginnings, and an unexpected roommate. The Christmas season finds its way into their hearts, but is there a chance for more as they overcome differences?

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is full of love, grief, laughter and starting over with complex characters who will make you not want to stop reading until the end.

[Laura Capps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas romance

This was a quick read but oh so good! Just what was need during the holidays! Heart warming and leaves me wanting more

[Lauren Eagleson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cutie feel good book. Also loved the depiction of PTSD, anxiety, and OCD.

[Debbie Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet feel good story.

[Lindy Dierks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The heroine, Allie, heads to South Caroline, but is in for a surprise when her roommate is not quite who she thinks. Allie was a bit of a tough character to like at first. Sam, her roommate, was kind and very patient with her. She did eventually redeem herself. This story was well written with good conflict. It was sweet and enjoyable. Huge thanks to Tule Publishing for allowing me to read and review this story.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Saltwater Christmas by Laurie Beach. This romance is set in Goose Island, South Carolina. It features Allie Westley. She has gotten her first job using her degree in enology at a local vineyard. Allie has left her home in Nashville and moved into an apartment she plans to share. She was shocked to see her roommate Sam was a guy. He has a large dog and initially they didn’t hit it off well. Sam Clare is former military and is a paramedic. We are introduced to their neighbors Dottie, Jessa and Tulip. In addition, Allie works with Jessa and Joey, who acts as if he’s interested in her. Allie and Sam spend time together, working out their issues and she senses attraction between them. She becomes confused as she doesn’t know what to think about Joey or Sam.

Allie lost her dad to cancer a few years earlier and she has told everyone she doesn’t want to celebrate Christmas. Sam tries to encourage her by fixing meals for them to share and talking about their pasts. As Allie starts to move past her pain, she discovers the others have kept secrets. She isn’t sure what she wants to do. There’s angst, suspense and sweet romance.

The book is well written and is a fabulous story. I loved the characters and the town the author created. I am looking forward to reading the next books in the series. The suspense and angst make for page turners. I highly recommend this book.

I was fortunate to receive this ARC from Tule Publishing in exchange for my honest review.