Secrets and Second-Chances at Saffron Bay: An uplifting, heartwarming story of love and second chances

by LK Wilde

When Alice Loveday inherits a tumble-down seaside cottage from the father she never knew, she leaves behind city life and heads for the picturesque Cornish village of Saffron Bay. But the tight-knit community isn’t as welcoming as she’d hoped, and the Loveday name still carries the shadow of a scandal no one wants to speak of.

Determined to make a fresh start, Alice throws herself into restoring the cottage, and into village life. But the more she learns about her father’s past, the more she realises that some secrets in Saffron Bay run deep. And when she crosses paths with Luke Richards, the kind local builder with a complicated history of his own, Alice must decide whether to guard her heart or risk opening it to love, and the possibility of belonging.

As storms roll across the coast and old wounds are laid bare, Alice discovers that second chances can come from the most unexpected places... and that sometimes, coming home is the bravest thing of all.

Genres: Audiobook

432 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 22, 2026

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐
Overall I enjoyed the book, however some of the plot twists were easily guessed. Lots of likeable characters, lovely setting, and heartwarming ending.

[Hayden Glander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good but everything resolved itself very quickly considering how long it took to find out the truth and learn about all of the grudges.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice genre palette change. I Will always love a Cornwall Seaside setting with Family secrets hidden over decades. Alice the MFC is sort of an enigma to me as she is completely unselfish. I like her a lot but the amount of responsibility with her younger sister she takes on because of her deadbeat Mom Tilly/Matilda is staggering. She is a good one but needs a little bit of at least one selfish bone. Her younger Sister is not terrible and suffering from the Mom’s neglect, teenage angst and a move so understandable. I love the MMC who is a good reliable person who deserves a family and love. There are several protagonists in this one but balanced out with some nice Village folks who do not know everything that caused her Father’s family to be an outcast. I enjoyed the plot and the Bay. I depise the Mom and wish she got some serious retribution.

[Mrs A R Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's the big secret?

A really good book, I was hooked from the start. A great storyline which keeps the reader wondering and wanting to read more to discover why the locals feel as they do about the newcomer. The characters and descriptions are superb , giving enough information for the reader to build up a picture in their head , but not much that they get bored by endless description. The blurb says it's uplifting and heart warming and that description fits it perfectly .

[Ari Imi02 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved listening to this, so cute and emotionally tantalising. The yearning, the inner warmth emitted by the voice actors was exquisite. The clichè plot was overridden by the ease of character development and relatability. This was a great and naturally satisfying experience, especially as a listener. I loved how inspiring Alice was, stepping up to be a wonderfully positive influence on everyone she meets.

[Emma Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

audiobook - listened because it was a freebie on audible. sounded like an easy listen. standard boy meets girl, falls in love but there's also a deep dark secret. it was inoffensive & has some nice moments, the voice actor had a nice voice. it was good for the soul during all the real world rubbish.

[Kav · Rating 4 out of 5]

A closed door romance featuring themes of family dysfunction and found family as well as a classic mean girl trope that kept me on edge. Loved the Cornwall setting and the village full of secrets that cast a shadow over Alice's inheritance. Lots of angst, some funny moments and sweet romance.

[Renier · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 starts rounded up.
This was a very cute book, about a 25year old woman who inherits a cottage. Very "cozy" story in a small town with mystery.
Very predictable like many books in this genre. Was hoping for a bit more funny moments.
All in all still an enjoyable story.

[Sofia Gonçalves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute little story! I didn't expect anything from this book, and I really enjoyed.

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy romance

[Samantha Pomroy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25 rounded down
it was fine but a bit long with a couple of editorial mistakes.

[Hilary Cockshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Lesley Puncher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story , clean and wholesome as described.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

so wholesome and sweet

[Ida Wilcox · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bored

[Krystal McKellips · Rating 2 out of 5]

The end was my favorite part.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. It had some twists and turns I didn’t expect but it was a lovely story about finding yourself and a family you didn’t know you had or cared about you.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a a nice easy read. Clean romance. I didn’t like how it started off slow then just wrapped up quickly at the end. Seemed a little rush.

[Audrey Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT

Looking forward to reading the next instalment of things happening in Saffron Bay, the “building of relationship bridges” and, maybe, a couple of weddings.

[Lindsey Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

an enjoyable easy listen book. good for a holiday read.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good story though a bit confusing. At the end truths about about the leading character who immigrants to Saffron Bay are revealed but it was not very satisfying.