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Saffron Bay #1
Secrets and Second Chances at Saffron Bay
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.
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.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2026
About the author
L.K. Wilde
15 books71 followersAuthor and musician LK Wilde was born in Norwich, but spent her teenage years living on a Northumbrian island. She left the island to study Music, and after a few years of wandering settled in Cornwall, where she raises her two crazy, delightful boys.
Her exquisite debut novel Silver Darlings captures the glory days of the herring industry, when coastal towns were prosperous, and women had independence like never before.
She juggles writing with motherhood, teaching and work as a musician, but still finds time to explore the beautiful countryside of her adoptive home, Cornwall.
Her exquisite debut novel Silver Darlings captures the glory days of the herring industry, when coastal towns were prosperous, and women had independence like never before.
She juggles writing with motherhood, teaching and work as a musician, but still finds time to explore the beautiful countryside of her adoptive home, Cornwall.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
January 31, 2026
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.
Overall I enjoyed the book, however some of the plot twists were easily guessed. Lots of likeable characters, lovely setting, and heartwarming ending.
February 19, 2026
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.
February 21, 2026
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.
May 1, 2026
This was a fun book to read. I love books about a village. Can’t wait to start the second one in the series.
May 14, 2026
An audible book for me.
A lovely easy ready, romance and a bit of a twist.
A lovely easy ready, romance and a bit of a twist.
May 16, 2026
No one is shocked
April 18, 2026
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.
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.
April 21, 2026
To be honest I got a bit bored before 50% was up.
Couldn't quite reconcile the fact that the village resented Alice's Dad despite the fact that apparently most of them knew nothing about what had happened with him.
All the nastier characters turned over a new leaf by the end of the book, wasn't that just spiffy.
BTW your sister is apparently being held against her will by some bloke and you DON'T automatically call the police? Seems legit.
Couldn't quite reconcile the fact that the village resented Alice's Dad despite the fact that apparently most of them knew nothing about what had happened with him.
All the nastier characters turned over a new leaf by the end of the book, wasn't that just spiffy.
BTW your sister is apparently being held against her will by some bloke and you DON'T automatically call the police? Seems legit.
March 2, 2026
I tried some audiobooks in the romance genre before but DNF any. This was the first I could listen to the end and I LOVED IT. It was such a heartwarming story, so cute and sweet, it touched my heart and it was a pleasure to listen to.
The narrator was excellent.
The narrator was excellent.
March 17, 2026
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.
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.
February 17, 2026
so wholesome and sweet
April 30, 2026
Alice and her younger half sister move to Saffron Bay after their mother leaves them to go on an adventure in Asia. With no income, but a ramshackle cottage left to Alice by her father whom she has never met, the girls do the best they can. Alice's father seems to have done something that alienated the whole town. Some of that is aimed at the girls, though they have no idea what he did.
Help comes from Luke, a contractor, who helps with cleaning up the cottage and fixing some of the worst problems.
Help comes from Luke, a contractor, who helps with cleaning up the cottage and fixing some of the worst problems.
February 8, 2026
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 .
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 .
February 24, 2026
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.
May 3, 2026
I listened to this book on Audible as I came across it amongst the books included in my subscription. The book was enjoyable and the plot (including the twists) interesting enough to keep my attention. I liked most of the characters and thought it was well written. I'll likely check out the sequel which is also included on Audible.
February 12, 2026
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.
April 23, 2026
The family you make
Alice moves to Saffron Bay to take possession of a rundown cottage the father she never knew left to her. She makes a home for her teenage sister, makes new friends, and finds her family. This is a feel-good story.
Alice moves to Saffron Bay to take possession of a rundown cottage the father she never knew left to her. She makes a home for her teenage sister, makes new friends, and finds her family. This is a feel-good story.
May 14, 2026
This was a nice and simple piece of literary fiction. I enjoyed the characters and the setting sounds gorgeous, I wouldn't mind visiting Saffron Bay myself! The author built a village which I bought into, and I want to read the second instalment of this series.
February 2, 2026
Such a cute little story! I didn't expect anything from this book, and I really enjoyed.
February 3, 2026
Quick and easy romance
February 4, 2026
2.25 rounded down
it was fine but a bit long with a couple of editorial mistakes.
it was fine but a bit long with a couple of editorial mistakes.
February 13, 2026
Audiobook
February 13, 2026
A lovely story , clean and wholesome as described.
February 24, 2026
The end was my favorite part.
February 28, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
March 1, 2026
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.
March 4, 2026
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.
March 12, 2026
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.
Looking forward to reading the next instalment of things happening in Saffron Bay, the “building of relationship bridges” and, maybe, a couple of weddings.
March 15, 2026
an enjoyable easy listen book. good for a holiday read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews