What do you think?
Rate this book
The Sunrise Bay Café
From a USA Today bestselling author comes an emotional, uplifting novel about sisters, second chances...and secrets.
In the small town of Autumn Harbor, Minnesota, Kristen Berquist is facing her forties with humor and hope. But after a heartbreaking loss, she finds herself at a turning point.
Her sister Joanna is living a glamorous life in New York. Her only child is leaving for college in Connecticut. Kristen could stay in her empty nest and run the family business, the Beachwalk Café, all alone…
Or take a bold step that surprises everyone in town.
There’s just one snag in her daring fresh-start an unexpected revelation in their late mother’s will puts Kristen and Joanna on a collision course. And when a handsome newcomer arrives in town, his warm friendship with Kristen soon blossoms into romance.
With their family and future happiness at risk, Kristen and Joanna must open their hearts to forgiveness…and discover the truth about the devastating moment five years ago that shattered their close bond.
“A captivating tale of second chances, The Sunrise Bay Sisters pulls you in with its warm charm and keeps you hooked. Perfect for fans of feel-good fiction who like their beach reads with a dash of intrigue.” –Susan Wiggs, New York Times Bestselling Author
“Heartwarming and hopeful, The Sunrise Bay Sisters is the ultimate feel-good novel. Shelly Martel delivers a delightful beach read filled with colorful characters, sweet romance, and a charming setting. I loved it!” –Julianne MacLean, bestselling author of These Tangled Vines
In the small town of Autumn Harbor, Minnesota, Kristen Berquist is facing her forties with humor and hope. But after a heartbreaking loss, she finds herself at a turning point.
Her sister Joanna is living a glamorous life in New York. Her only child is leaving for college in Connecticut. Kristen could stay in her empty nest and run the family business, the Beachwalk Café, all alone…
Or take a bold step that surprises everyone in town.
There’s just one snag in her daring fresh-start an unexpected revelation in their late mother’s will puts Kristen and Joanna on a collision course. And when a handsome newcomer arrives in town, his warm friendship with Kristen soon blossoms into romance.
With their family and future happiness at risk, Kristen and Joanna must open their hearts to forgiveness…and discover the truth about the devastating moment five years ago that shattered their close bond.
“A captivating tale of second chances, The Sunrise Bay Sisters pulls you in with its warm charm and keeps you hooked. Perfect for fans of feel-good fiction who like their beach reads with a dash of intrigue.” –Susan Wiggs, New York Times Bestselling Author
“Heartwarming and hopeful, The Sunrise Bay Sisters is the ultimate feel-good novel. Shelly Martel delivers a delightful beach read filled with colorful characters, sweet romance, and a charming setting. I loved it!” –Julianne MacLean, bestselling author of These Tangled Vines
350 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 24, 2026
Another new author Shelly Martel. This book was so good. Sometimes we hear things differently than the one that is talking, if we could get the same meaning as the one talking we wouldn't have so much built up hurt inside our hearts.
May 26, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. I literally picked it because of the cover which the one in Goodreads does not match the one that was in Kindle. It is available in Kindle unlimited. I wish my library had carried it because it definitely was a book that I would’ve liked to read those cozy paperbacks have such a nice field to them, but when I looked it up on Amazon was $14 for the paperback and I had never heard of this author or read a book by her so I wasn’t going to pay that
With that said I really liked all of the characters the main character. Kristin was the town sweetheart and I really enjoyed her storyline. The story begins where her mother has passed away and didn’t her well. She has these complicated steps that have to take place between her and her sister for them to get the family business, which is the beachside café and keep their home. What complicates the issue is she and her sister do not get along. Kristin comes up with this idea on how she is going to pass on the family business in the spirit of her mother and the plan kinda gets flushed out by her and her childhood friends who come back to visit her and it seems like everything’s going the way it is planned. But what can I book would that make? So those couple conflicts that arise in some turns some of them were predictable. Some of them were interesting twist I would definitely read more books by this author, and I would definitely recommend that if you’re looking for nice characters, good Small town feel cozy story this is a series for you. I am currently starting the next one which is the sunrise, bay bookshop.
With that said I really liked all of the characters the main character. Kristin was the town sweetheart and I really enjoyed her storyline. The story begins where her mother has passed away and didn’t her well. She has these complicated steps that have to take place between her and her sister for them to get the family business, which is the beachside café and keep their home. What complicates the issue is she and her sister do not get along. Kristin comes up with this idea on how she is going to pass on the family business in the spirit of her mother and the plan kinda gets flushed out by her and her childhood friends who come back to visit her and it seems like everything’s going the way it is planned. But what can I book would that make? So those couple conflicts that arise in some turns some of them were predictable. Some of them were interesting twist I would definitely read more books by this author, and I would definitely recommend that if you’re looking for nice characters, good Small town feel cozy story this is a series for you. I am currently starting the next one which is the sunrise, bay bookshop.
January 18, 2025
Having met the six ‘sisters’ in Book 1, the author moves the time-line forward by 20 years, focusing on Kristen in this book.
Despite an unexpected codicil to her late mom’s will that threatens to derail Kristen’s determination to leave Autumn Harbor and fulfil her youthful travel ambitions, she and friends, Meredith, Holly and Dani, devise a creative plan to ‘sell’ the Berquist family café. Additional doubts about her plans are triggered by the arrival of new resident, Max and the actions of her estranged sister, Jo, a fashion designer in New York.
Ms Martel maintains an engaging story-line with changes in pace and plot that will make readers experience several different emotions from happiness to distress, frustration, anger, and, ultimately to delight as Kristen’s difficulties and uncertainties are resolved.
Despite an unexpected codicil to her late mom’s will that threatens to derail Kristen’s determination to leave Autumn Harbor and fulfil her youthful travel ambitions, she and friends, Meredith, Holly and Dani, devise a creative plan to ‘sell’ the Berquist family café. Additional doubts about her plans are triggered by the arrival of new resident, Max and the actions of her estranged sister, Jo, a fashion designer in New York.
Ms Martel maintains an engaging story-line with changes in pace and plot that will make readers experience several different emotions from happiness to distress, frustration, anger, and, ultimately to delight as Kristen’s difficulties and uncertainties are resolved.
January 19, 2026
This was a fantastic book. Shelly Martel is a great writer and has a knack for storytelling that’s so hard to find nowadays. It was a perfect feel good book with lots of twists and turns and mysteries and sorrow and frustrations and romance and happily ever afters. Her descriptive words paint such precise mental imagery that you feel like you’re right there with the characters. All of the characters (supporting ones included) and the plot lines (big and small) were so well fleshed out that I could not put this book down. Each character showed growth. Cherry on the cake was getting to reminisce about my short time living in Minnesota for law school with all the wonderful Minnesotan and midwestern anecdotes and sayings she sprinkled throughout the book. I really wish they make this one into a movie!! I’d be first in line to see it! ♥️
June 7, 2026
Sweet story
This is a 4.5 for me. I loved this story. The theme of family, forgiveness, and finding purpose in all stages of life were all woven in. It even had a smidge of romance and mystery. I just wish the romance had been a bit more developed and we could have seen it progress. It moved a bit fast for me. But sometimes that happens. I plan to read more from this author. This was well worth the read.
This is a 4.5 for me. I loved this story. The theme of family, forgiveness, and finding purpose in all stages of life were all woven in. It even had a smidge of romance and mystery. I just wish the romance had been a bit more developed and we could have seen it progress. It moved a bit fast for me. But sometimes that happens. I plan to read more from this author. This was well worth the read.
January 2, 2026
Best Friends
Not only a group of best friends, but a sister best friend. Great, likeable characters with sisters Kristen and Joanna taking the lead. Author does great mod of describing the town without going overboard. She draws you into the environment so you want to be a part of everything. Didn't want the story to end so will look forward to next one.
Not only a group of best friends, but a sister best friend. Great, likeable characters with sisters Kristen and Joanna taking the lead. Author does great mod of describing the town without going overboard. She draws you into the environment so you want to be a part of everything. Didn't want the story to end so will look forward to next one.
April 27, 2025
Loved this story
I was so happy that Joanna and Kristen worked out their differences and became best friends again. So happy about Matt and Angelo such gentlmen. Loved it can't wait for next one.
I was so happy that Joanna and Kristen worked out their differences and became best friends again. So happy about Matt and Angelo such gentlmen. Loved it can't wait for next one.
June 16, 2026
This is such a beautiful read. It flowed so nicely and the story is so real and inspiring. I loved that it is a simple clean story that I would let my mother and daughter also read. I cannot wait to read book 2 and more books by this amazing author.
January 21, 2025
I enjoyed it very much, not realizing that it was book 2. Now I have to get book 1 before I can read 3.
January 28, 2025
Just pre-ordered book 3!
January 28, 2025
A sweet, charming story of small-town friendships, family, and second-chance love. A fun beach read! (Or in-front-of-the-fire read!)
January 6, 2026
Very sweet and makes me want to visit Michigan! This book felt like a hug!
February 8, 2026
a must read
I Loved this book! It made me laugh and cry, everything about it was so heartfelt and perfect. I have no idea why it is not all over bookstagram, it needs to be!
I Loved this book! It made me laugh and cry, everything about it was so heartfelt and perfect. I have no idea why it is not all over bookstagram, it needs to be!
February 15, 2026
Good story and I enjoyed this one a lot. Sister dynamics, family estrangement and reconciliation, changes to the mom’s will, empty nesting, small town life/drama, and more. Cute read.
March 20, 2026
I love it!
I love this book and I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the series. It is definitely a page Turner. Five stars all the way!
I love this book and I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the series. It is definitely a page Turner. Five stars all the way!
May 2, 2026
Fun read! Rooted in friendship and sisterhood this is a cute book. I liked the development of the story. I hope the next book is even better!
June 19, 2026
need a feel good book?
Love love loved this book! Fairy tales do come true. Growing pains can happen at any age. Family friends and a community that everyone knows your name.
Love love loved this book! Fairy tales do come true. Growing pains can happen at any age. Family friends and a community that everyone knows your name.
January 11, 2026
The book to read for a feel good feeling on friendship, sisters, and love. This book has it all!
March 19, 2026
Changes in your life as an older adult is always hard, add in family drama and it is even worse. This was a clean, romance about starting over later in life.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews