The Club by the Sea

by Taylor Martin

The Club by the Sea tells the captivating story of Clark James, an aspiring jazz singer with a

mysterious residency at the Sea House in Big Sur, California. After returning from WWII, Clark is

determined to chase his dream of stardom, but a fateful contract binds him in ways he never

imagined. Frozen in time at the age of 23, Clark remains tethered to the Sea House as the world

moves on, forcing him to confront the true cost of his pursuit of fame.



Decades later, real estate mogul Neal Smith acquires the long-abandoned Sea House, unaware

of its dark history. When Neal's grandparents visit to see his latest project, his grandmother,

Amelia, steps inside the dilapidated club and reveals a long-buried secret-her passionate love

affair with the famous Clark James.

318 pages, Paperback

Published December 18, 2024

Reviews

[McKenna Durand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!! Taylor Martin does a great job capturing the glamour of a midcentury jazz club, transporting readers to a vibrant and chaotic world. The storyline is unique and compelling, keeping me hooked from start to finish. The characters are well developed and easy to fall in love with. I can’t wait to see what Taylor Martin comes up with next!

[Kelly Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Club by the Sea meets the Eagles’ “Hotel California” in this captivating story. This was an enjoyable read, full of interesting characters and fun twists. I especially loved the vivid imagery Taylor created with his words, making it all come to life. A great debut novel by this author!

[Shelby Adcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Club By The Sea tells the riveting story of a man willing to risk everything for fame. The story not only portrays the horrific price of fame, but the price of loving someone who is so absorbed in their own desires that they're willingly to throw away everything to get what they want. This story will have you reflecting back on your first love and being thankful for the lessons love has taught you in life along the way. If you want to read a captivating story that is shockingly both heart wrenching and heart warming, read this book.

[Jessica Bonner · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a unique, beautiful story! Taylor Martin, what an awesome debut novel…cannot wait to read more from you one day. Proud to say I know you!

I’ve never read anything like it. So many genres blended into one, with a very satisfying conclusion. Definitely recommend!!!!!!

[Heaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Club by the Sea reminded me of a lucid dream you keep trying to go back to sleep to continue on its journey. It had just the right blend of mystery, romance, and fantasy genres with several lasting themes that leave you with food for thought.

I’m so proud of my friend for writing this book and I’m so glad he did because it was such a fun journey to be on. I can’t wait to see what he publishes next!

[Casey Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished The Club by the Sea and I’m not okay!

This book slow burns into a love story you never see coming and once it hits, it hits HARD. Told through past and present timelines, it’s full of suspense, emotion, and jaw-dropping twists I didn’t expect. The characters felt so real, and by the end, I was completely invested (and emotionally wrecked in the best way).

I couldn’t put it down, and now I want more. If you love books that surprise you, break your heart a little, and leave you thinking about them long after the last page… this one’s for you.

[Haley Sweatman · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an excellent debut novel by Taylor Martin! The storyline was so intriguing and kept me think about what was going to happen even when I wasn’t reading the book! I so enjoyed the setting and timeline of the story! Great book!!!!

[Donajo Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I loved the plot twists! Well done!

[Kate Zander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really unique story with lots of twists and turns - a very fun read!

[Kathryn Mclain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this debut novel. Between the well developed characters and the exciting plot twists I was hooked. The amazing imagery left me begging for a movie adaptation by the end. I can’t wait to see what is next to come from this author.