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Beautiful Place by the Sea
Not yet published
Expected 13 Feb 26426 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 13, 2026
5 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Smyth
3 books17 followersDanielle Smyth has dreamed of being a writer since childhood, and seeing that dream realized is the ultimate happy ending. When she’s not writing, Danielle runs a small business. Her favorite days are spent traveling, eating tacos, and reading with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 25, 2026
The banter between Ivy and Oliver is pure magic-there is no other way to describe it! I was immediately drawn into Ogunquit and loved finding out that it is a real place.
The weaving of various storylines was done effortlessly. I was drawn into finding out more about grandma, Ivy’s family, and Oliver. Laurel’s storyline added another small layer, but I truly hope there is a sequel because I’d love to learn more about her.
As a book lover, the setting of a bookstore, along with the sea, was perfection! If you’re looking for a cozy romantic read for February, then look no further. While not spicy, it will give you the romance vibes you’re looking for, while also pulling you into a great story.
The weaving of various storylines was done effortlessly. I was drawn into finding out more about grandma, Ivy’s family, and Oliver. Laurel’s storyline added another small layer, but I truly hope there is a sequel because I’d love to learn more about her.
As a book lover, the setting of a bookstore, along with the sea, was perfection! If you’re looking for a cozy romantic read for February, then look no further. While not spicy, it will give you the romance vibes you’re looking for, while also pulling you into a great story.
January 19, 2026
This was such a cute read. Would be perfect for the beach! Brings in the past to the present and how we can always learn valuable lessons from our grandparents even if they have already left us! Great read!
January 26, 2026
🌊ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5 stars rounded up to 5
Beautiful Place by the Sea by Danielle Smyth
Publication date: February 13, 2026
Beautiful Place by the Sea by Danielle Smyth is a heartfelt, slow-burn coastal romance that feels like a deep breath of salty air. Set in a charming Maine seaside town—complete with a beloved local bookshop, close-knit community, and long-buried family secrets—this story is as comforting as it is emotionally rich.
At its center is Ivy Parker, a school librarian reeling from heartbreak and grief, who retreats to her family’s summer haven in search of healing. What she finds instead is a part-time job at the town bookstore, a trail of inherited stories from the past, and Oliver Clarke—the grumpy, book-loving bookseller she immediately clashes with. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic is filled with witty banter, nautical puns, and a delicious slow burn that makes every shared moment feel earned.
The supporting cast truly shines. Maisie, the warm and mischievous bookstore owner, completely stole my heart with her grandmotherly charm, matchmaking ways, and deep love of stories. She is the kind of character you wish you could step into the pages to hug. The exploration of family history—especially through old diaries and past loves—adds depth and meaning, beautifully connecting the past to the present and reminding us how much we can still learn from those who came before us.
The writing is vivid and atmospheric; I could practically hear the waves crashing outside the bookshop windows. There’s a touch of spice, but it never overshadows the emotional core—this is a story about grief, healing, second chances, and finding the kind of love that feels like coming home.
Cozy, romantic, and quietly powerful, Beautiful Place by the Sea is the perfect beach read for anyone who loves small-town charm, bookish romances, and stories that linger long after the final page. I’m honestly sad it’s over—and already wish I could return to this beautiful place by the sea. 💙📖
Be sure to check out the author’s notes—I loved learning more about this charming seaside town. I don’t want to spoil anything, but Oliver has such a beautiful soul, and you just might get a glimpse of his writing. ❤️ Make sure to add this to your tbr list!
Thank you to the author for my advanced readers copy. All opinions expressed here are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5 stars rounded up to 5
Beautiful Place by the Sea by Danielle Smyth
Publication date: February 13, 2026
Beautiful Place by the Sea by Danielle Smyth is a heartfelt, slow-burn coastal romance that feels like a deep breath of salty air. Set in a charming Maine seaside town—complete with a beloved local bookshop, close-knit community, and long-buried family secrets—this story is as comforting as it is emotionally rich.
At its center is Ivy Parker, a school librarian reeling from heartbreak and grief, who retreats to her family’s summer haven in search of healing. What she finds instead is a part-time job at the town bookstore, a trail of inherited stories from the past, and Oliver Clarke—the grumpy, book-loving bookseller she immediately clashes with. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic is filled with witty banter, nautical puns, and a delicious slow burn that makes every shared moment feel earned.
The supporting cast truly shines. Maisie, the warm and mischievous bookstore owner, completely stole my heart with her grandmotherly charm, matchmaking ways, and deep love of stories. She is the kind of character you wish you could step into the pages to hug. The exploration of family history—especially through old diaries and past loves—adds depth and meaning, beautifully connecting the past to the present and reminding us how much we can still learn from those who came before us.
The writing is vivid and atmospheric; I could practically hear the waves crashing outside the bookshop windows. There’s a touch of spice, but it never overshadows the emotional core—this is a story about grief, healing, second chances, and finding the kind of love that feels like coming home.
Cozy, romantic, and quietly powerful, Beautiful Place by the Sea is the perfect beach read for anyone who loves small-town charm, bookish romances, and stories that linger long after the final page. I’m honestly sad it’s over—and already wish I could return to this beautiful place by the sea. 💙📖
Be sure to check out the author’s notes—I loved learning more about this charming seaside town. I don’t want to spoil anything, but Oliver has such a beautiful soul, and you just might get a glimpse of his writing. ❤️ Make sure to add this to your tbr list!
Thank you to the author for my advanced readers copy. All opinions expressed here are my own.
January 26, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
Ivy is a school librarian who has had a rough year! She lost her grandmother, her parents separated, and her long time boyfriend cheated on her. She really needs to getaway from it all which is why she decides to go to Ogunquit, their annual family summer vacation spot by the sea in Maine with her cousin Laurel.
She gets a job at a local bookshop for the summer where she meets Oliver. Oliver is a writer and poet who takes care of his disabled dad (and basically everyone else)! He is the epitome of showing up for someone you care about! As they work together and get to know each other Ivy starts to wonder if she could stay in Ogunquit.
In addition to a beautiful love story Ivy is also dealing with a huge family secret. She found her grandmothers diary and when she notices pages ripped out and a big gap in the story of her grandparents lives she begins to dig deeper. She uncovers some devastating truths that ultimately help bring healing and show the lengths someone would go for love!
This was such a sweet love story! I adored it! The bookstore and beach setting, along with the family mystery, made it the perfect read! My favorite parts were the banter (top tier), the setting by the sea, the family mystery, all the book references (this one is definitely for book lovers), and OLIVER!!!! He’s perfect.
Ivy is a school librarian who has had a rough year! She lost her grandmother, her parents separated, and her long time boyfriend cheated on her. She really needs to getaway from it all which is why she decides to go to Ogunquit, their annual family summer vacation spot by the sea in Maine with her cousin Laurel.
She gets a job at a local bookshop for the summer where she meets Oliver. Oliver is a writer and poet who takes care of his disabled dad (and basically everyone else)! He is the epitome of showing up for someone you care about! As they work together and get to know each other Ivy starts to wonder if she could stay in Ogunquit.
In addition to a beautiful love story Ivy is also dealing with a huge family secret. She found her grandmothers diary and when she notices pages ripped out and a big gap in the story of her grandparents lives she begins to dig deeper. She uncovers some devastating truths that ultimately help bring healing and show the lengths someone would go for love!
This was such a sweet love story! I adored it! The bookstore and beach setting, along with the family mystery, made it the perfect read! My favorite parts were the banter (top tier), the setting by the sea, the family mystery, all the book references (this one is definitely for book lovers), and OLIVER!!!! He’s perfect.
January 21, 2026
What a sweet beautiful story! Dealing with loss, a breakup and overwhelming grief, Ivy and her cousin go back to their family vacation spot for the summer. While there, Ivy learns about herself, family secrets and even a little about love.
Throughout the story we get to learn more about other characters like Laurel, Maisie and Oliver. Laurel was not my favorite person. She came off as self-centered and a little immature. Maisie is an adorable grandmother character and I loved her. Now Oliver is the most amazing, book-loving, small town hero. He is so kind and gentle with Maisie while also so grumpy with Ivy. Their banter was super relatable and I loved all their nautical puns.
Overall I really enjoyed the story. The writing was so descriptive and I could vividly picture the beach and the bookshop. There was a little spice but it definitely didn’t take away from the story. I highly recommend this book if you are into small town, enemies to lovers books!
Favorite quote:
“Don’t let assumptions of how you’ll feel scare you off from pursuing something that’s written on your heart, Ivy”
Throughout the story we get to learn more about other characters like Laurel, Maisie and Oliver. Laurel was not my favorite person. She came off as self-centered and a little immature. Maisie is an adorable grandmother character and I loved her. Now Oliver is the most amazing, book-loving, small town hero. He is so kind and gentle with Maisie while also so grumpy with Ivy. Their banter was super relatable and I loved all their nautical puns.
Overall I really enjoyed the story. The writing was so descriptive and I could vividly picture the beach and the bookshop. There was a little spice but it definitely didn’t take away from the story. I highly recommend this book if you are into small town, enemies to lovers books!
Favorite quote:
“Don’t let assumptions of how you’ll feel scare you off from pursuing something that’s written on your heart, Ivy”
January 25, 2026
Give 4.5 stars!!
Such a delightful coastal romance! Highly recommend if you enjoy a beach romance with family secrets and healing. This book follows two cousins, Ivy and Laurel, who decide to spend the summer in the town they used to come to vacation at throughout their childhood and into adulthood. Ivy gets a part time job at the book store where she meets Oliver. Through the summer Ivy uncovers secrets about her family and navigates healing and discovering there’s always a way and a solution and “when the universe clears a path for us we owe it to ourselves to follow”.
The writing and plot were well paced to where it kept you engaged. The plot twists were mostly predictable but they made sense and I like when I figure them out. I felt the interlacing of the different storylines ( grandmas and present day) was done very well and you are invested in all of the characters. Little spice but it was well written and made sense with the character development. The banter between Ivy and Oliver was great and had me squealing so many times even if it was chessy at times.
Such a delightful coastal romance! Highly recommend if you enjoy a beach romance with family secrets and healing. This book follows two cousins, Ivy and Laurel, who decide to spend the summer in the town they used to come to vacation at throughout their childhood and into adulthood. Ivy gets a part time job at the book store where she meets Oliver. Through the summer Ivy uncovers secrets about her family and navigates healing and discovering there’s always a way and a solution and “when the universe clears a path for us we owe it to ourselves to follow”.
The writing and plot were well paced to where it kept you engaged. The plot twists were mostly predictable but they made sense and I like when I figure them out. I felt the interlacing of the different storylines ( grandmas and present day) was done very well and you are invested in all of the characters. Little spice but it was well written and made sense with the character development. The banter between Ivy and Oliver was great and had me squealing so many times even if it was chessy at times.
January 24, 2026
ARC Review✨📚
Beautiful Place by the Sea by Danielle Smyth
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Rating: 🔥🔥
Would I Recommend?: Yes 100%
WOW 😍 This book was so cute and charming. I loved the setting of Ogunquit and the coastal charm of the small vacation town. It reminds me of my favorite place to visit in the summer.
Not so Meet cute in a bookstore, what more could you ask for. The banter between Ivy and Oliver is so good and watching them slowly recognize their feels for each other was so sweet. I loved the secondary plot of the grandparents story and the discoveries they Ivy finds along the way.
This book comes out February 13th and I can’t wait for you all to take a trip to Ogunquit with this wonderful book!
Beautiful Place by the Sea by Danielle Smyth
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Rating: 🔥🔥
Would I Recommend?: Yes 100%
WOW 😍 This book was so cute and charming. I loved the setting of Ogunquit and the coastal charm of the small vacation town. It reminds me of my favorite place to visit in the summer.
Not so Meet cute in a bookstore, what more could you ask for. The banter between Ivy and Oliver is so good and watching them slowly recognize their feels for each other was so sweet. I loved the secondary plot of the grandparents story and the discoveries they Ivy finds along the way.
This book comes out February 13th and I can’t wait for you all to take a trip to Ogunquit with this wonderful book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ivy and her cousin head to the coast of Maine. It’s where they spent many happy summers growing up.
This was a really nice story. I love that it takes place in and around a bookstore. Ivy and Oliver were cute together. There’s a few surprises along the way. This was a fast moving emotional story with some heat.
Definitely recommend
This was a really nice story. I love that it takes place in and around a bookstore. Ivy and Oliver were cute together. There’s a few surprises along the way. This was a fast moving emotional story with some heat.
Definitely recommend
January 27, 2026
I loved this. The only thing that would have made reading this book better was if I was actually doing it from the comfort of a spot on the beach instead of winter snow! Danielle’s descriptive writing, though, brings the beach directly to you.
January 21, 2026
Wow, wow, wow! This book is such a perfect romance read for me and I am honestly sad that it’s over. If you’re looking for a cozy, heartwarming, beach read this is your sign to pick up this book!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews