Prekvapivý návrat domov bude skúškou sesterských vzťahov, keď skrytá minulosť vyjde na povrch.
Zneuctená najstaršia sestra Claire Summersová žije v exile ako spoločníčka prísnej pratety v Škótsku. Teta však po čase zomiera a Claire, ktorá túži po zmierení so svojou odcudzenou rodinou, narazí na inzerát, v ktorom niekto hľadá „úctyhodnú partnerku“ do penziónu v Sidmouthe. Je to znamenie? Odpovie naň v nádeji, že neurobí ďalšiu unáhlenú chybu. Keď spozná príťažlivého, tajomného majiteľa, začne premýšľať, čo skrýva a či je dôveryhodnejší než šľachtic, ktorý ju pred rokmi zradil. Claire to k nemu ťahá, no zároveň sa bojí, že ju odmietne, keď zistí, že za jej ušľachtilou fasádou sa skrýva neveľmi úctyhodná minulosť.
Medzitým sa rodina Summersovcov dozvie, že ich prateta zomrela a Claire bez slova zmizla. Sestry sa spoja, aby ju našli, no uzdraví nečakané stretnutie ich staré rany a oživí ich putá... alebo ich odlúčenie ešte prehĺbi?
Vráťte sa na očarujúce pobrežie Devonshiru, kde sestry Summersové prežívajú romantiku, druhé šance a trvalú silu sesterského puta tvárou v tvár nepriazni osudu.
Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her books, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Midwest Book Award, the Minnesota Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award, and been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards and ACFW’s Carol Awards. She blogs at http://www.inspiredbylifeandfiction.com. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.
There was something so special about this book. The story reminds me of Little Women in a way. Julie always writes these great settings, this one being on the coast of Devonshire. I have enjoyed my time with these sisters and with the new Christmas Novella released, I wanted to finish the series before diving into this one. As I write my review for book 3, I have just finished the Christmas Novella, and would highly recommend you finish the trilogy before you pick that one up. My review for it will come very soon! :)
Back to this book though, we get Claire Summers' story, the oldest of the Summers sisters. She has been living in quiet disgrace away from her family, exiled to Scotland with her great-aunt. When her great-aunt passes away, she isn't sure what her next steps are. She answers an advertisement for a "respectable female partner" in a boarding house near Sea View and her great-aunt's maid goes with her on the journey. We see her meet Mr. Hammond, her new partner in the boarding house, who is also very handsome indeed. Claire finds herself fitting right in with Mr. Hammond, his sweet daughter and the house guests when one day, she reunites with her estranged family members....can she and her family find reconciliation?
While you as the reader become frustrated with the sister's mother for her disdain towards Claire, if you think back to the time period this is set in, it's very much as the author's note explains, realistic for the time. I was so glad to see the ending with the faith and family elements come together. Claire and Mr. Hammond were also PERFECTION for me, and him being a single father due to the loss of his late wife, finding love again and the sweet details with his daughter and Claire - it was all just beautifully put together.
We find emotional healing from grief and see God at work in this story. Very heartfelt ending for this family. If you love regency, historical fiction with a bit of romance and family details, pick this up!
Ah, what a treat this was! I think it’s my favorite of the series. Claire is a wonderful character, and I love her journey of redemption. I also love her story with Aunt Mercer—a surprising twist that sets up a plot for a 2025 Christmas novella! I can’t wait! I’ll definitely return to this novel in the future. I could see it being a comfort read.
Claire Summers spent two years in Scotland as her aunt's caretaker. It was a lonely and bleak existence, but she had few options. When her aunt passes away, Claire travels to the English seaside in hopes of reconciling with her family.
Widower William Hammond moves to the English seaside town of Sidmouth with his young daughter in hopes of giving her the life his deceased wife dreamed about.
The slow burning romance and tale of forgiveness was wonderful. Loved the epigraphs that started each chapter.
"The Seaside Homecoming" by Julie Klassen is the third book in the “On Devonshire Shores” series. Julie Klassen has long been a favorite author of mine and I’ve devoured all her books. This series is such a lovely series, and this newest installment did not disappoint. I loved finally getting to meet Claire, the fallen sister, and reading her beautiful story. Claire’s story is that of a prodigal daughter. She made a mistake and had to live in exile with her great-aunt in Scotland. Claire eventually makes her way home to Sidmouth. Will her family accept her back into the fold and break their oath to her dying father? Claire must learn to make her own way as a partner in a boarding house. The proprietor, Mr. Hammond, is a handsome and mysterious man (who has an adorable daughter). Will Claire be able to trust Mr. Hammond? I loved seeing the feelings develop between the two. We also meet characters from other books in the series and see how they are doing. There is one character who still has a romance thread throughout the story that is not tied up at the end of this book. I am so glad there is going to be another installment, because I am dying to know how her love story plays out. “The Seaside Homecoming” is a tender story of family, love, forgiveness, second chances, reconciliation, and faith. I fell in love with new characters and loved how Ms. Klassen wove Indian culture into the story. The side characters are always superb in Ms. Klassen’s books. This whole series is very reminiscent of “Little Women,” and also gives a nod to “Pride and Prejudice.” I would recommend you read the series in order, as each story is a continuation and builds on itself. I highly recommend this series!
Content: I give this book a PG rating. Examples of the content: A woman is a “fallen” woman; someone swears, but the words are not actually written; possibility of abuse; mention that men swim naked at a certain beach; someone is pregnant out of wedlock; mention that someone committed suicide in the past; a man was drunk. TW: mention of abuse; mention of suicide in the past.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
This is the third book in the Devonshire shore series and it’s such a great addition to the set.
This book follows the oldest sister Claire, as she has been cast aside from her family for a decision she made years ago.
I love the English seaside small town setting and the sisterly dynamics in these books! Once again Klassen always adds side characters to shake things up and add every day life situations and conflict.
The romance aspect is subtle, but so endearing, and there were so many little heartfelt moments that really made a big impact in the story! I really enjoyed the simple powerful moments of watching them falling in love.
This is a book about new beginnings, second chances and not passing judgment. I loved that Claire got a new chance to create a fulfilling life for herself and that she didn’t let others impede on her true happiness. There were some frustrations due to the culture of the time period but I understood them despite my modern sensibilities. I also enjoyed the found family and Indian cultural elements.
I believe the author is coming out with a novella for Sarah’s story and I can’t wait to finally close her chapter and see her happy!
Well, Julie Klassen has done it again. Any time I start one of her books, I feel so much peace and calmness. It eases my anxiety. And this book did exactly that within the first few paragraphs.
I mean, of course there was tension. We get to dive into Claire's life, heart, mind. Her thoughts and feelings. Her regrets. My heart absolutely broke for her and the rejection by her mom. And I loved Claire. Isn't she all of us, really? Maybe not with her specific sins, but the way we all feel-and perhaps truly are-rejected and shunned at times?
And I was not sure what to make of Mr. Hammond for the longest time. How trustworthy was he? What about the skeletons in his closet? And what kind of advertisement is that, anyway?
The side characters that we meet and those we come to know better are delightful. Well, maybe not delightful, but they definitely add interesting...tidbits to the story.
Yes, this author has done it again. And once more, I want to stay in Sidmouth just a little bit longer.
~I was given a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.~
***updated February 2025 I (re)read The Seaside Homecoming this month as a buddy read with one of my Patreon members. I enjoyed it even more than the 1st time in 2024.
I've revised and added to my original review:
Klassen is a fave. It's hard to go wrong with a Klassen if you enjoy a slow-paced, completely immersive stroll along with this atmospheric, heartwarming, Regency-era story.
This novel is book three of the series where we finally get to know the "real" story about what has been going on with disgraced, eldest sister of the five Summers sisters. I loved the beginning that took place in Scotland a lot.
I adore the way Klassen adds historical quotes from classic authors or words from advertisements, etc of the era (as foreshadowing of each chapter). SO fun!
While I stayed frustrated with Claire's Mom and her choices (concerning Claire) for the entirety of the book, I enjoyed returning to Sea View to catch up with the characters that felt like old friends in books 1 & 2!
There are several that show up once again! The character list is MUCH shorter in this book.
I enjoyed Claire and was rooting for her all the way until the end. She made huge mistakes but was a picture of grace when so many people treated her so poorly.
The faith in this book is incredible and nearly brought me to tears several times.
I suggest taking your time to enjoy this cozy English seaside drama (as you should do with all Klassen books to soak in all of the goodness), and the diverse list of characters.
Some that will capture your heart and some will make you want to throw something! :)
Highly, highly, highly recommend this series and especially this book!
It's always such a treat to read a book by the author and I'm already looking forward to the Christmas release in this series coming out in September. This is the third of what I believe to be a four-book series. I've enjoyed getting to know the five sisters and their widowed mother. I'd suggest reading the other two books in the series to catch up on the back story, meeting all the sisters and getting to know their personalities. The author's books are wonderful, and her storytelling abilities have evolved over the years making for such compelling stories that I'm sure not to miss. How exciting that the book started out taking place in Scotland. I've really enjoyed the Regency spin she puts on her books. We have romance, forgiveness, strong faith. We have a reunion with the oldest sister and after a troubling past it was so nice to see such strong sisterly bonds are still there as they are there to support her. Great descriptions and as with the other books I could imagine the rugged seaside coast. Looking forward to the other sister's stories soon. Great wrap up of this story as it kept me glued to its pages.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own
I love this author!! Her writing makes me feel I am in England experiencing what the character's lives are going through. And she does it so beautifully. This book features the eldest daughter, Claire who had run away to elope two years ago and was left jilted and then shunned by her parents. I listened to this book and the narrator was fantastic. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.
Story Enjoyment Rating: 9/10 Christian Faith Rating 2.5/3 This is the third book in the "On Devonshire Shores" series, which follows the lives and romances of five sisters, four of whom have established a boarding house in Sidmouth after the death of their father. This book focuses on the fifth sister, Claire (who was previously mentioned in the first two books). She begins this story in Scotland, caring for her aunt. Due to past events and being estranged from her family, Clara finds herself alone after her aunt's death and decides to become a partner in another boarding house in Sidmouth. The book then explores her efforts to rebuild relationships with her family while grappling with her past and getting to know her business partner, Mr Hammond, a widower with a daughter who has recently arrived from abroad. The story is a sweet historical romance with Christian elements, featuring character development, gentle family drama, and the consequences of past actions. It also includes some side characters with their own developing stories. The Seaside Homecoming is sweet, and I particularly enjoyed reading Claire's story and being back in Sidmouth, a location close to where I live. I also enjoyed the Regency period setting, and I’m looking forward to the final Christmas book. The Christian faith content is important to the story and to Claire’s development as a character.
This was a great story of a girl standing up for herself and thinking about her own happiness and getting to know her worth! A thoroughly inspiring read!
Un hogar junto al mar es el tercer libro de la serie En Las costas de Devonshire de Julie Klassen, y finalmente es hora de que Claire Summers se reconcilie con su pasado y nos cuente su historia.
En las novelas anteriores de la serie, mencionaban a una hermana mayor, Claire. No se nos ofrecieron muchos detalles, pero se nos dio a conocer que ella era la hermana mayor "caída en desgracia" que había sido efectivamente expulsada de la familia. Sus cuatro hermanas menores la echaban mucho de menos, y se mencionaba en ocasiones. Ahora, en Un hogar junto al mar, Julie Klassen nos cuenta toda la historia de Claire.
Descubriremos qué condujo específicamente a su destierro y los eventos que se desarrollaron como consecuencia. Los lectores de ficción de la Regencia no se sorprenderán al descubrir que se trató de una fuga fallida a Escocia. Claire no solo se escapó sola con un novio, sino que regresó soltera, sola y esencialmente arruinada. En un esfuerzo por proteger a sus cuatro hermanas menores de la vergüenza por asociación, los padres de Claire la repudiaron como su hija. Ocurren eventos que llevan a Claire de regreso a la ciudad de su familia, pero no es recibida con los brazos abiertos.
Me encanta esta serie. Las vibraciones de pueblo pequeño que esta serie trae a los lectores es algo especial. Toda esta serie ocupa un lugar muy especial en mi corazón. Desde el primer libro, he estado esperando (con impaciencia) la historia de Claire. Me encanta cuando los autores insinúan un personaje que se mostrará en futuros libros, dejándonos con preguntas y mucha anticipación por su historia. La historia de Claire sobre el reencuentro con su familia ha sido una delicia y de momento se ha posicionado. en los mejores para mi todos los que leí de las hermanas hasta ahora.
Me enamoré de los nuevos personajes y me encantó cómo Klassen entretejió la cultura india en la historia. Los personajes secundarios siempre son magníficos en los libros de Julie. Toda esta serie recuerda mucho a "Mujercitas" y también hace un guiño a "Orgullo y prejuicio". Te recomiendo que leas la serie en orden, ya que cada historia es una continuación y se basa en sí misma.
En conclusión, no me queda más que animaros a leer esta y las otras novelas anteriores ya que leer a Julie Klassen es acertar siempre. Un libro que recomiendo si disfrutas de un paseo lento y completamente inmersivo junto con una historia conmovedora de la época de la Regencia.
Book three in what has been one of my favorite series of 2025! I’ve loved all the books, but The Seaside Homecoming is now my favorite because WOW, talk about an emotional ride. I just wanted to hug all these characters and felt so deeply about the situation.
Claire Summers, the outcast daughter, the black sheep of the family who has “fallen from grace” in the eyes of her parents returns to her hometown. She’s longing for acceptance. Her sisters love and embrace her and are so much quicker to forgive than their own mother is, but the emotional struggle that their mom is enduring considering how different things were during the regency period is also understandable. The romance in this book…sigh…it’s just lovely and I’m very particular about my romances! The beautiful representation of redemption and forgiveness in this book is top notch, and your heart is going to feel so happy and full after reading this story.
There was a plot twist at the end which I didn’t see coming and just LOVED. Such a healing journey and I would highly recommend this series to any historical and regency fans out there. If you’re a fan of Little Women I think you’ll also truly adore these books. The bond between these five sisters is beautiful to read and each has such a unique personality. It’s been a joy getting to know everyone in the Summers family. And now, I get to read the companion novella, A Sea View Christmas!
*For more reviews and bookish content, be sure to follow me on Instagram @aliciasbooksanctuary
'...would moving to Sidmouth bring the longed-for reconciliation with her family or widen the divide?'
I've been dying for Claire's story and it did not disappoint. Reading a Julie Klassen book is like stepping into a classic read. They're rich in description, perfect with pacing, the themes are inspiring and the characters feel heartfelt and genuine.
I really cannot say enough good things about this writing, this series in particular. For anyone who has read Little Women or has seen the movie (and thought about reading the book)-this is as close as you will get to that absolute perfection.
I LOVE these sisters, I felt for the mother who made promises she doesn't want to keep-no mother wants to stay away from their child. I felt for Claire. How easy to get caught up in promises at a young age from a man who was not committed. A single father being pulled in so many directions with talents he possesses, the life he wishes to have and prioritizing a child above all else. Someone who has known loss and is searching for his own answers.
All of the lives in this series that intersect have made this series all encompassing. When I say it's a treat to read this book (and series), I really mean that 100%
The Seaside Homecoming is available now and I cannot recommend it enough. Get the entire series-each one will live in your heart forever!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Content/Trigger: an estranged "fallen" daughter, death of loved ones, small mentions and awareness of racism/prejudice, romance-kisses only.
I really enjoyed the story! It made me want to go back and read books 1 & 2 and then read the Christmas novella to get the ending of this family’s story.
A charming addition to the On Devonshire Shores series! I enjoyed getting to know Claire and more of her backstory. The romance is very slow burn, which is typical for a Klassen novel, but to me the main storyline was really Claire's reconciliation with her family, which I thought was beautifully written. I'm looking forward to the Christmas novella and really hoping that Sarah will finally get her happily ever after!
This was a solid third book in this series. I loved the characters and as always, Julie knows how to research and entertain.
The romance and redemption were very tender and sweet. While the conflict was frustrating, historically, it fit. Be prepared to put aside modern ideas because a good number of these characters are living in a time that drastically contradicts how we live today.
In a different book, the religious aspects would have been heavy-handed, but it worked for the plot and characters.
The setting and feel of the book is sweet, easy, cozy, and overall, a wholesome experience.
THOUGHTS: The romance had a couple of great scenes, but many of the other connections were cut off too soon and felt rushed.
The pace of the plot was slow in many parts and needed more momentum.
Some of the characters deserved a better wrap-up of their story in my opinion, but she made it work.
OVERALL: If you liked books 1 and 2 of this series, you'll probably enjoy this one as well. I'd recommend this series to those who love cozy Christian fiction with Little Women vibes.
Julie Klassen is a hit or miss author for me and unfortunately this book dragged on too long. We just never got enough of Claire in the first two books for me to actually care about her story. I was hoping we’d get a conclusion on Sarah’s story which is why I picked it up (thinking as it’s book three, it is the conclusion of the series). However I got about 60% in with no hints that will happen and in fact I learned that there will be a novella featuring Sarah. So I’ll put this one away and wait for the novella.
She misjudged a man and found herself ostracized from her family and alone--with a judgmental great aunt--in Scotland. When said great aunt dies, Claire musters every penny and shred of confidence she has left, to return to England.
While she hopes--somehow--to resurrect the family ties she has lost, she knows she cannot expect help. Instead, she answers an advertisement for a partnership at a seaside boardinghouse purchased by a Mr. Hammond.
Mr. Hammond is a widower, mourning the death of his Indian wife and raising his daughter in a world that will not accept her. If there is one thing Claire understands--especially after her mother cuts her on the street--it is living in a world that doesn't provide acceptance.
I quite enjoyed this book. Found myself soaking up even the smallest details of Ms. Klassen's world-building and greatly appreciating Claire's open--though wounded--heart.
I truly enjoyed this third book in the 'On Devonshire Shores' series. Following the Summers sisters and their family was very satisfying overall. Julie Klassen has a magical pen in which she can create the most interesting and heartfelt historical romance novels. I've now read at least 11 of her books and each one has been incredibly worthwhile reading time.
The only element that frustrated me (which the author speaks about in the afterward of the novel) is the unkind treatment of Claire by her family and by society in general. There were several painful parts that I had trouble getting through because I just hated the injustice of it all. I don't want to spoil the story, so I won't go into the details, but the Regency era was extremely harsh towards women and their conduct (and, of course, extremely liberal towards men and theirs). I almost gave up on this story because I was fuming and so unhappy with it all.
I'm glad I kept reading because the ending was very touching. But, I don't know if I could face those parts a second time with a future reread (we'll see...).
Having The Seaview Christmas book to look forward to in September 2025 is exciting and it will be lovely to visit with the Summer sisters and their families one more time.
I definitely recommend this series, as well as other Julie Klassen books!
The Seaside Homecoming is the third book in the On Devonshire Shores series, and my favorite of the series.
It was sweet, charming, and an absolute delight. I’ve been looking forward to Claire’s story and it was even better than I had expected.
An engaging storyline with a sweet romance, a family drama, an adorable child, and a beautiful seaside setting, made for a wonderful story!
Julie Klassen writes with such elegance and depth. Her characters are so well drawn that they come to life, and I feel such an attachment to them.
My heart ached for Claire, who had been living in exile because of an elopement that never happened when her intended husband abandoned her on their way to Scotland. The way she was treated was heartbreaking, but it felt like a realistic portrayal for this time period.
I love the way things turned out for Claire, and the way this beautiful story ended. I’m so happy there’s another book to come next year!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, the publisher, and Austenprose for an early copy. All opinions are my own.
The Seaside Homecoming is one of those books whose reviews I'm going to craft "backwards." By rights, I shouldn't like it as much as I do. Not only does it make my writer's eye act up, but it has some story issues that jarred me away from the narrative more than once. Yet, The Seaside Homecoming did feel like "coming home" in many ways. It still contains Julie Klassen's voice--authentic Regency, but accessible and interesting to the modern reader. Thus, as with the rest of the Sea View Sisters series, this third installment is tough to pin down. So, on to the review.
The writing style maintains the flaws I've noticed in the other Sea View books. To wit, characters will spend whole sentences or paragraphs getting ready to do something or have a conversation, almost as if they were obeying stage directions in a play. Some of Julie's sentences leave their points at the end (e.g., "Having done X, determining that Y was next, Claire did Z"). And as I have noticed before, characters tend to sum up their thoughts or emotions after the reader has been shown these things in real time. For instance, readers know Claire is struggling with feelings of disgrace and unforgiveness toward herself. But after being shown this, we'll get a sentence like, "Claire had disgraced her family and could not expect Mamma to take her back," or something to that affect.
Additionally, I did have problems with some of the plot threads themselves, for various reasons. One of the biggest was William Hammond's work. It's set up to be a big part of the plot, and an obstacle to his relationship with Claire. Yet once Claire ascertains what William is really up to, which doesn't take all that long, the plot thread basically disappears. So too do characters like Lemaire, Jackson, et. al, although again, they were set up as major players.
The same is somewhat true for the plot thread concerning Mira and Sonali. Julie did markedly better here, in that both Mira and Sonali are interesting characters, and their backstory makes sense for who William is and what his inner struggles are. What bothered me though, was how Julie seemed to vacillate about the role these two would play in the story. As in, one moment, Sonali is understandably bitter toward Claire, and the next, she's treating her like a sister-friend--and the very next moment, she hates her. One moment, Mira is William's beloved daughter, the next minute, he's acting as if he forgot he has a kid. We're supposed to believe Sonali and William, then Sonali and Aarman, have chemistry, but neither pairing takes up enough of the story to be entirely convincing. I did think Sonali's complex feelings about Claire made her more human, and would've liked them more if they were not quite so quick to change. But as it is, the thread jarred me a bit too often.
I don't know--as in, have no clue--where the thread with Sarah and Callum Henshall fits in. That is, I recognize Henshall from the first book, and I do agree he's a good match for Sarah. I think though, that Julie spent so much page time on Claire and William, she ran out of room for another romantic pairing without realizing it. Sarah and Callum need their own book. It seems they'll get one, which is good. However, this does make me question why they were brought up as a couple in The Seaside Homecoming.
Okay, so yeah, that is a lot of kvetching. What do I like? Well, despite the odd plotting choices and the annoying writing style, I still love the environment of Sidmouth and the Summers sisters. I love them as a group, and I especially loved Claire's quest to reestablish a place for herself, while carving out a new one. I loved the way the spiritual thread of forgiveness, from God and from oneself, was wrapped around the emotional theme of family, acceptance or lack thereof from them, and crafting "found family." I also loved the fact that here, "found family" and biological family coexist. I've seen that before, but not often--it's usually one or the other.
Despite the problems with their plot, I also enjoyed Mira and Sonali, and the uniqueness of their places in William's life. They brought interesting, layered twists to the common trope of a widower still working through the loss of a first wife. I also loved the subtle yet important union of Indian and English cultures, and the idea that Mira was being brought up to embrace both, no questions asked. Again, usually in a story like this, characters are presented with an either/or option, so Julie's take refreshed me. She also gets brownie points for revisiting Armaan's history with Jack, and how that helped both men, thus the women in their lives, grow spiritually and emotionally.
Julie also pulled off a great twist near the end. It's not a breath-stealing plot twist, and it comes from someone I already knew was a villain. However, the nature of this person's actions, and the hidden agenda behind them, was a shock in the best way. I didn't necessarily "warm to" the purpose of that agenda; I lean toward thinking it's a bit too underhanded considering what Claire already went through. But for story purposes, it works, and it's also an unexpected way to get at the theme of forgiveness.
Speaking of which, I like how Julie surprised me with that theme. That is, I spent most of the book disliking Mamma Summers, and I was ready to ream her out in this review, historical accuracy or not. If I'm brutally honest, yeah, I still can't agree with her reasons. I'm sorry if that offends anyone's historical sensibilities, but there it is. I will however, give Julie kudos for communicating, forgiveness is much messier than most Christians give it credit for being. Unless you're Jesus Himself--and I am not--it comes with a lot of history, emotions, and baggage. In turn, it takes intense work. I could argue Mamma Summers still didn't do her share of said work, but for what exists here--yeah, I'll give Julie credit for the ending in itself. If nothing else, it made me think, and that's always worth some points.
So overall, The Seaside Homecoming is not at all perfect. For many reasons, it's not Julie Klassen's best. But it does contain her spirit, and it does continue speaking to her love of Regency and her dedication to communicating the truth of God through fiction. For that reason, I feel safe asking you to take the rating under advisement. But if you choose to read it, or the other Sea View books, you'll find plenty to like. It's a bit like sifting through sand to find beautiful shells--they're in there. Just be patient.
Claire was ostracized by her family when she made a foolish choice. When the elderly aunt she has been caring for dies, she decides to return to the same town where her remaining family runs a guest house. She becomes a partner in a rival boarding house. Full of family drama, mysterious happenings, forgiveness and reconciliation, this well written novel follows the Summers family in the aftermath of the death of their father. Romance develops while Claire helps William run the boarding house where he lives with his daughter and her nanny. This many layered story uses chapter heading quotes to hint at the content of the next scene. The book shows prejudices and attitudes of the times and how the characters handled difficult situations. Claire’s sisters and mother showed loyalty in different ways but their faith was always clearly depicted. I am glad there will be yet another book about the sisters of Seaview. *A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House and via NetGalley through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*
It felt so good to be back in Sidmouth at Sea View with the Summers family!
Prodigal daughter Claire unexpectedly returns home from exile in Scotland after the death of her great-aunt to a very chilly welcome. My heart aches for Claire because she felt familiar. Was there forgiveness to be found for so bleak a past, her own family couldn’t welcome her? Indeed, the Cross is the only antidote for the sinner.
I dearly love the Summers sisters. Viola & the Major are forever my favourite, but Claire & William are the sweetest together. And I’m still waiting for Sarah’s well-deserved happy ending!
For all the picturesque views and charming romances, Klassen paints a story of a forgiveness & mistakes, prejudice, and society’s stricter rules for women. It’s heartwarming and stirring all at once!
I love Julie Klassen books! This is a beautiful story of someone who made a mistake and felt unworthy of love and regard. It’s also a story of family, love and forgiveness!
Claire was deceived and abandoned a ruined woman. She can’t go home. Her family has disowned her. Taken in by her ailing great aunt, she serves as a caretaker and companion to her. She’s constantly reminded of her sins and not allowed to receive any communication from her sisters. When her aunt dies, Claire has no place to go. No one to take her in.
She has just enough money to travel from Scotland to England where she’s taken a partnership in a boarding house. This also happens to be in the same town her family is in.
What will their reaction be? Her mother promised her father on his deathbed she would shun Claire and never speak her name. It’s been two years. Does she have any hope of reconciliation? What if her new business partner learns of her past?
I loved the themes of hope and second chances. How God loves us where we are, regardless of our flaws. I highly recommend this book.
This series has been, by far, one of Julie's best efforts as a writer. It's a wonderful story of a family of young women surviving on their own at a time (Regency England) when women were given little respect unless they married. This third in the series gives a clear picture of that world when eldest daughter Claire, disgraced by a greedy nobleman, tries to return to her family circle. While her new business venture as part owner of a guest house is going well and her younger sisters are thrilled to see her, trying to rebuild her relationship with her widowed mother is not so easy. But of course Julie gives us a happy ending (read and see!) and just a hint of what is next in the final entry in the series (coming in the Fall).
What a beautiful story, I loved it! The characters and the setting were a perfect getaway in these cold months. The story of Claire and her sisters was truly moving and I couldn't wait to see what happened. I loved seeing the different sister's stories carry on from their books previously and seeing them all together in this story was great!
*thank you to Bethany House for a complimentary copy of this book to read. All thoughts are my own.
Very sweet historical romance novel, I really enjoyed the read and the Godly components as well. This story touched my heart reading what this girl when through and how it turned out in the end. Made me think how God uses the bad things in our lives for his good! Definitely will be reading more by this author in the future
100% the reading escape I was in the mood for! I enjoyed every bit of this Austen-esque story of seaside life, sisters, romance, redemption, and unexpected endearing characters. I enjoyed it more having read the previous books and expecting the tale of Claire to stir up life in Sidmouth, and she DID. Her romantic finally-ever-after hero is steady and sure, a wonderful match to her determined spirit.