What do you think?
The Coastal Book Club
Slip away to Magnolia Shore, a cozy beachfront town whose residents will warm your heart and make you want to want to revisit over and over!
Eleanor Bradshaw never thought she’d be starting life over in her mid-forties. But when her husband announces on their anniversary that she’s become too “boring” and “unadventurous” for him and that he wants a divorce, that’s exactly where she finds herself.
Heartbroken and unsure of what comes next, Eleanor makes an impulsive decision. Determined to prove to herself that she’s still capable of change and courage, she buys an old house in a charming seaside town called Magnolia Shore, with plans to renovate it and make it feel like home.
But this particular fresh start turns out to be harder than she expected.
The house is in far worse shape than she realized, and as Eleanor struggles to learn the finer points of home repair, she keeps running into the grumpy hardware store owner, Garrett Wilder. For his part, Garrett insists he has no interest in the intriguing newcomer to town. But if that’s true, why does he keep showing up to help with the trickier projects and finding excuses to stick around?
As Eleanor begins to rebuild her life on her own terms and tentatively acknowledges the butterflies Garrett stirs in her, she also forms unexpected friendships with a group of women in Magnolia Shore. When they decide to start a book club together, the warmth, support, and laughter Eleanor finds among them gives her the confidence to fully embrace this new chapter of her life…
…and to believe that her second act might be even better than the first.
Lose yourself in the soft waves and blue skies of Magnolia Shore, a small fictional town nestled along the Massachusetts coastline. This hopeful and heartfelt women’s fiction story celebrates fresh starts, found family, and the connections that make life richer and more meaningful.
Eleanor Bradshaw never thought she’d be starting life over in her mid-forties. But when her husband announces on their anniversary that she’s become too “boring” and “unadventurous” for him and that he wants a divorce, that’s exactly where she finds herself.
Heartbroken and unsure of what comes next, Eleanor makes an impulsive decision. Determined to prove to herself that she’s still capable of change and courage, she buys an old house in a charming seaside town called Magnolia Shore, with plans to renovate it and make it feel like home.
But this particular fresh start turns out to be harder than she expected.
The house is in far worse shape than she realized, and as Eleanor struggles to learn the finer points of home repair, she keeps running into the grumpy hardware store owner, Garrett Wilder. For his part, Garrett insists he has no interest in the intriguing newcomer to town. But if that’s true, why does he keep showing up to help with the trickier projects and finding excuses to stick around?
As Eleanor begins to rebuild her life on her own terms and tentatively acknowledges the butterflies Garrett stirs in her, she also forms unexpected friendships with a group of women in Magnolia Shore. When they decide to start a book club together, the warmth, support, and laughter Eleanor finds among them gives her the confidence to fully embrace this new chapter of her life…
…and to believe that her second act might be even better than the first.
Lose yourself in the soft waves and blue skies of Magnolia Shore, a small fictional town nestled along the Massachusetts coastline. This hopeful and heartfelt women’s fiction story celebrates fresh starts, found family, and the connections that make life richer and more meaningful.
310 pages, Paperback
Published January 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
July 4, 2026
First in a series
This was a nice book about second chances and growing toward a new future. It starts with Eleanor who was asked for a divorce on the 20th anniversary of her marriage. Eleanor had been a homemaker who took care of her now 18 year son until he was in college, as well as her home and meals for the family. Needless to say, she hasn’t cultivated any skills outside of caring for her family, but she refuses to curl up and be sad.
Eleanor finds a fixer upper near the coast and moves there, but it required a little more fixing up than she realized, eventually finding help with the local curmudgeon of a handyman. Meanwhile, she made lots of new friends all who had their own changes, big and small going on in their lives.
This isn’t really a romance, but it is kind of cozy. Obviously Eleanor starts slow with making friends and possibly more than friends with Garrett the handyman/hardware store owner. And she decides to start a bookstore in an unused part of her home, something the little coastal town needed.
This story left on a less than satisfying note with all sorts of things up in the air with all of the friends in their book club. The writing was OK, but it jumped around to all the different people and I almost care enough to read the second book. That remains to be seen, but this was a nice but not exciting read that I gave three stars for being less than what I expected.
This was a nice book about second chances and growing toward a new future. It starts with Eleanor who was asked for a divorce on the 20th anniversary of her marriage. Eleanor had been a homemaker who took care of her now 18 year son until he was in college, as well as her home and meals for the family. Needless to say, she hasn’t cultivated any skills outside of caring for her family, but she refuses to curl up and be sad.
Eleanor finds a fixer upper near the coast and moves there, but it required a little more fixing up than she realized, eventually finding help with the local curmudgeon of a handyman. Meanwhile, she made lots of new friends all who had their own changes, big and small going on in their lives.
This isn’t really a romance, but it is kind of cozy. Obviously Eleanor starts slow with making friends and possibly more than friends with Garrett the handyman/hardware store owner. And she decides to start a bookstore in an unused part of her home, something the little coastal town needed.
This story left on a less than satisfying note with all sorts of things up in the air with all of the friends in their book club. The writing was OK, but it jumped around to all the different people and I almost care enough to read the second book. That remains to be seen, but this was a nice but not exciting read that I gave three stars for being less than what I expected.
March 6, 2026
there was simultaneously a flurry of things and absolutely nothing happening.
I found 4 errors and the dialogue was very painful
I found 4 errors and the dialogue was very painful
February 13, 2026
The story was good enough, but there were way too many typos. There was even an error wherein a wrong character name was used. That's just inexcusable. I'm glad I got this through KU and didn't pay. I already borrowed the next book in the series, so will read that and see if it's gets better. If not, the author needs to find a new editor and beta readers.
May 11, 2026
New Beginnings
There is a silver lining and a new start if you take the time to look….An uplifting book for sure
There is a silver lining and a new start if you take the time to look….An uplifting book for sure
August 18, 2026
On the evening of their 20th wedding anniversary, Eleanor Bradshaw’s husband told her he wanted a divorce. Shocked, Eleanor leaves Indianapolis and moves to a beach town, Magnolia Shores. The house she bought is much bigger than she thought, and renovations are needed. Eleanor meets several woman who gladly accept her into their group and share their stories. She finds herself really liking her new life. Her skills as a handyman are lacking, but the nearby hardware owner, Garret Wilder, (a grouchy, middle aged man) says he will help her and a hint of romance is suddenly in the air. Quaint read.
July 5, 2026
Cute! Will definitely continue with the series
April 19, 2026
I'll update my rating once I finish. I like the story so far, about 30% in, but I dislike entire chapters written about side characters. I've skipped those. It's annoying and takes me out of the story.
June 11, 2026
Coastal Book Club
I so wanted to love this book and read the entire series and I can definitely see where the series will go. It is that predictable. I feel that there are too many expected stories. Nothing surprising, kind of bland. I can’t understand why grown women keep sticking their tongues out at each other. Elenor is a nice character but she is about as original as white bread. Garret went from being grumpy and quiet to using “adorable “ as a description? There were quite a few misspellings so whoever did the proofreading should not proofread while doing something else. The book was OK and a good way to clear my palette after a heavy read, but I think I will have to be pretty bored to read book 2 because I already know how it will end.
I so wanted to love this book and read the entire series and I can definitely see where the series will go. It is that predictable. I feel that there are too many expected stories. Nothing surprising, kind of bland. I can’t understand why grown women keep sticking their tongues out at each other. Elenor is a nice character but she is about as original as white bread. Garret went from being grumpy and quiet to using “adorable “ as a description? There were quite a few misspellings so whoever did the proofreading should not proofread while doing something else. The book was OK and a good way to clear my palette after a heavy read, but I think I will have to be pretty bored to read book 2 because I already know how it will end.
May 16, 2026
This reminded me of a Gilmore Girls episode- it’s incredibly cheerful and light, but unlike GG, it was a little saccharine towards the end. I was cringing through the exchanges between Eleanor and Garrett, and the overuse of “she was not thinking of him, nope, certainly not, not one bit. She was just doing her hair nice because she wanted to, not because she liked him. She absolutely did not like him” *wink wink*. It was just painfully cheesy in that way- but I did enjoy how wholesome and fluffy it was.
March 31, 2026
I have seen this series on my Kindle's recommended section for some time now, so I decided to try it out. I am currently in the middle of reading the Shatter Me series, and wanted a little break from the plot--a refresher pretty much. I hadn't read a cute contemporary romance in a while, so I thought this would be a good book to read! And it was, I thought it was cute and all. A divorced woman finds love in a small town. ITs a great concept, but there WERE some problems I had with it:
1. It was a smidge(...maybe more than a smidge...) unrealistic! LIke I don't know...if I had JUST gotten divorced I really dont think I would be ready to date THAT quickly... that's just me personally. I know people have different stances on that but like this girl who had been in a TWENTY year marriage doesnt even seem at all phased after her husband divorces her. like girl...? did you even like him in the first place?? AND THEN when her husband admits he's been CHEATING ON HER!!! SHe doesn't even care.... maybe I'm overreacting but idk that is not how I would react to that news.
2. it was SO fast paced. I feel like there was never any of the tension and build up to the romance. okay so maybe this book is TOO realistic in the romance aspect, but when I read cute romance books I NEED(WANT) there to be tension that builds and builds. but it just wasn't there for this book! LIke the only thing that was there that could MAYBE be catorgorized as tension was them denying they liked the other person("THE ONLY REASON IM CALLING HIM TO MY HOUSE IS TO FIX MY SINK... DEFINETELY NOT TO SEE HIM") and okay I'm not trying to hate too much because it was a good book, I did WANT to read it. its just not one of my favs.
I mean other than those aspects it was a cute book. It was closed door and it didn't have anything I didn't support. I wouldn't say I would go on to read the whole series, but it was a good pallette cleanser and there was a good plot. AND I LOVE THAT ELEANOR WAS MAKING A BOOKSTORE IN HER HOUSE!!! that's definitely a dream.... but yea it was good and I'm not hating at all because I enjoyed it and if I hadn't enjoyed it I wouldn't have finished it !!
SO YAH!!! GOODBYE
1. It was a smidge(...maybe more than a smidge...) unrealistic! LIke I don't know...if I had JUST gotten divorced I really dont think I would be ready to date THAT quickly... that's just me personally. I know people have different stances on that but like this girl who had been in a TWENTY year marriage doesnt even seem at all phased after her husband divorces her. like girl...? did you even like him in the first place?? AND THEN when her husband admits he's been CHEATING ON HER!!! SHe doesn't even care.... maybe I'm overreacting but idk that is not how I would react to that news.
2. it was SO fast paced. I feel like there was never any of the tension and build up to the romance. okay so maybe this book is TOO realistic in the romance aspect, but when I read cute romance books I NEED(WANT) there to be tension that builds and builds. but it just wasn't there for this book! LIke the only thing that was there that could MAYBE be catorgorized as tension was them denying they liked the other person("THE ONLY REASON IM CALLING HIM TO MY HOUSE IS TO FIX MY SINK... DEFINETELY NOT TO SEE HIM") and okay I'm not trying to hate too much because it was a good book, I did WANT to read it. its just not one of my favs.
I mean other than those aspects it was a cute book. It was closed door and it didn't have anything I didn't support. I wouldn't say I would go on to read the whole series, but it was a good pallette cleanser and there was a good plot. AND I LOVE THAT ELEANOR WAS MAKING A BOOKSTORE IN HER HOUSE!!! that's definitely a dream.... but yea it was good and I'm not hating at all because I enjoyed it and if I hadn't enjoyed it I wouldn't have finished it !!
SO YAH!!! GOODBYE
February 23, 2026
A great book! It was a little slow to start up and then it caught my attention. Enjoyed the characters, the local and the story. I recommend this book!
Amazon synopsis:
Slip away to Magnolia Shore, a cozy beachfront town whose residents will warm your heart and make you want to want to revisit over and over!
Eleanor Bradshaw never thought she’d be starting life over in her mid-forties. But when her husband announces on their anniversary that she’s become too “boring” and “unadventurous” for him and that he wants a divorce, that’s exactly where she finds herself.
Heartbroken and unsure of what comes next, Eleanor makes an impulsive decision. Determined to prove to herself that she’s still capable of change and courage, she buys an old house in a charming seaside town called Magnolia Shore, with plans to renovate it and make it feel like home.
But this particular fresh start turns out to be harder than she expected.
The house is in far worse shape than she realized, and as Eleanor struggles to learn the finer points of home repair, she keeps running into the grumpy hardware store owner, Garrett Wilder. For his part, Garrett insists he has no interest in the intriguing newcomer to town. But if that’s true, why does he keep showing up to help with the trickier projects and finding excuses to stick around?
As Eleanor begins to rebuild her life on her own terms and tentatively acknowledges the butterflies Garrett stirs in her, she also forms unexpected friendships with a group of women in Magnolia Shore. When they decide to start a book club together, the warmth, support, and laughter Eleanor finds among them gives her the confidence to fully embrace this new chapter of her life…
…and to believe that her second act might be even better than the first.
Amazon synopsis:
Slip away to Magnolia Shore, a cozy beachfront town whose residents will warm your heart and make you want to want to revisit over and over!
Eleanor Bradshaw never thought she’d be starting life over in her mid-forties. But when her husband announces on their anniversary that she’s become too “boring” and “unadventurous” for him and that he wants a divorce, that’s exactly where she finds herself.
Heartbroken and unsure of what comes next, Eleanor makes an impulsive decision. Determined to prove to herself that she’s still capable of change and courage, she buys an old house in a charming seaside town called Magnolia Shore, with plans to renovate it and make it feel like home.
But this particular fresh start turns out to be harder than she expected.
The house is in far worse shape than she realized, and as Eleanor struggles to learn the finer points of home repair, she keeps running into the grumpy hardware store owner, Garrett Wilder. For his part, Garrett insists he has no interest in the intriguing newcomer to town. But if that’s true, why does he keep showing up to help with the trickier projects and finding excuses to stick around?
As Eleanor begins to rebuild her life on her own terms and tentatively acknowledges the butterflies Garrett stirs in her, she also forms unexpected friendships with a group of women in Magnolia Shore. When they decide to start a book club together, the warmth, support, and laughter Eleanor finds among them gives her the confidence to fully embrace this new chapter of her life…
…and to believe that her second act might be even better than the first.
July 17, 2026
This book pulls you in! I love this book!
I read a lot of books on Kindle unlimited and always try to do a review, but I really wanted to make sure to post a review for this book. I love the whole approach for this story. Woman gets dissed by her husband but doesn't wallow and instead turns around and decides to find a new life. She decides what her favorite place would be to live, researches towns that qualify, finds a town and then buys a "fixer-upper" house basically sight unseen and drives cross-country to get there. She ends up finding new friends in that town which are very supportive. The town is small, people are kind, and there's community. I love that each character was well developed and that there was a sticky situation that then got to be resolved in a positive way. I've already downloaded the next book and can't wait to read it. Thank you Fiona for writing such a sweet book. Good job.
I read a lot of books on Kindle unlimited and always try to do a review, but I really wanted to make sure to post a review for this book. I love the whole approach for this story. Woman gets dissed by her husband but doesn't wallow and instead turns around and decides to find a new life. She decides what her favorite place would be to live, researches towns that qualify, finds a town and then buys a "fixer-upper" house basically sight unseen and drives cross-country to get there. She ends up finding new friends in that town which are very supportive. The town is small, people are kind, and there's community. I love that each character was well developed and that there was a sticky situation that then got to be resolved in a positive way. I've already downloaded the next book and can't wait to read it. Thank you Fiona for writing such a sweet book. Good job.
January 30, 2026
Eleanor Bradshaw, blindsided by her husband's wish for a divorce, decides to move to a location near water and start a new life. She buys a home that needs lots of "love" and she tries to fix a lot of the problems herself. She then encounters a grumpy man of few words, hardware store owner Garrett Wilder, who helps her with some of the renovations. She also finds herself as part of a group of female friends, Diana, Cadence, Miriam, and June. Starting a book club also unites the women and we get a glance at all of these ladies. I just loved the book and the differences yet connection between the women and Eleanor. I'm really anxious to get into the rest of the series and learn what happens to each of them. The book simply made me very happy ! It's inspirational to see just what one person can do to remedy her life.
March 25, 2026
When Eleanor Bradshaw finds herself beginning a new chapter in her mid-forties, she embraces the change by relocating to a small seaside town called Magnolia Shore. But restoring her new home proves far more challenging than she anticipated. It's fortunate that she soon encounters Garrett Wilder. He may be grumpy and have his walls up, but he's hard-working and dependable.
As Eleanor settles into her new hometown, she forms close bonds with a group of women who quickly become dear friends. Together, they start a book club that becomes the heart of their connection.
What I loved most about this story is that it’s more than just a romance. It’s an uplifting celebration of both female friendship and new beginnings. It’s through the support and encouragement of her friends that Eleanor finds the courage to make an important decision about her future.
A warm, heartfelt and easy read.
As Eleanor settles into her new hometown, she forms close bonds with a group of women who quickly become dear friends. Together, they start a book club that becomes the heart of their connection.
What I loved most about this story is that it’s more than just a romance. It’s an uplifting celebration of both female friendship and new beginnings. It’s through the support and encouragement of her friends that Eleanor finds the courage to make an important decision about her future.
A warm, heartfelt and easy read.
June 6, 2026
Another Great Book By Fiona Baker
Well; I’m hooked!! Just love this author’s writing!! I’m definitely addicted!!! If you like happy stories with interesting relationships, you will adore this book.
Characters have problems but they always get thru them with the help of good friends!! I want to live where these friends are! I want to live in this town!! I also want to eat all this good food that they’re constantly eating!!
The best part is when you finish this book, you have another one that continues the story on!! Can’t get any better!!
Well; I’m hooked!! Just love this author’s writing!! I’m definitely addicted!!! If you like happy stories with interesting relationships, you will adore this book.
Characters have problems but they always get thru them with the help of good friends!! I want to live where these friends are! I want to live in this town!! I also want to eat all this good food that they’re constantly eating!!
The best part is when you finish this book, you have another one that continues the story on!! Can’t get any better!!
September 23, 2026
Sweet, simple book. But I really had to overlook a lot of errors and weird decisions. Like the timing of the move in the beginning “3 weeks” after her husband of 20 years tells her he wants a divorce, she is packed and moving across the country!? What? And she has friends and is remodeling a big house within another month. Right.
And the typos and errors (wrong name?) drive me crazy. That said the plot is simple and cute, and the characters are likable. It’s a nice easy read - good to relax to before bed. I’ll continue the series for a bit.
And the typos and errors (wrong name?) drive me crazy. That said the plot is simple and cute, and the characters are likable. It’s a nice easy read - good to relax to before bed. I’ll continue the series for a bit.
February 20, 2026
I thought it was very entertaining and I got quite a few laughs from those sweet ladies who welcomed Eleanor into their group. It is definitely a feel-good book and I am looking forward to the next in the series which I just started. The characters are great and also a blessing to see how these ladies join together and help each other to become women who can overcome and succeed. Yes, I really enjoyed this book!
September 22, 2026
Another Nice Novel
This book is a quick, enjoyable read, filled with lovely female characters and . . . interesting male characters. It was interesting how the different women dealt with the end of their marriages and also a little sad. But their resilience and strengths promises a better future. The best part of the story was their bonding, friendships, mutual support for each other. I recommend this book.
This book is a quick, enjoyable read, filled with lovely female characters and . . . interesting male characters. It was interesting how the different women dealt with the end of their marriages and also a little sad. But their resilience and strengths promises a better future. The best part of the story was their bonding, friendships, mutual support for each other. I recommend this book.
October 3, 2026
Handling the break-up of a marriage with the new life that follows is a difficult balancing act, but I feel Fiona did a very good with it. The story introduces us to an interesting collection of ladies who live in a small seaside town, who happily add "one more" when the newly divorced Elenor moves into town. Naturally, there is a handsome bachelor around....and things develop with both friendship and more than friendship as the book progresses. A very satisfying read.
February 7, 2026
The Coastal Book Club
This is a perfect read any time. I enjoyed getting to know a little about the characters lives. I think if I was wanting a fresh new start in would be in Magnolia Shores where everyone is friendly and helpful. I can't wait to read the next books adventure takes me. A clean wholesome romance. Enjoy
This is a perfect read any time. I enjoyed getting to know a little about the characters lives. I think if I was wanting a fresh new start in would be in Magnolia Shores where everyone is friendly and helpful. I can't wait to read the next books adventure takes me. A clean wholesome romance. Enjoy
February 14, 2026
A fantastic start to a new series. After years of marriage, Eleanor is caught off guard at her 20th anniversary dinner, setting her on a path to a fresh life in New England. She buys a fixer-upper, meets new friends, and transforms part of her new home into a bookstore with the help of a local. Memorable characters and a story that resonates in so many ways.
February 17, 2026
A cute story about starting over and finding your niche. Eleanor is expecting a nice dinner to celebrate her 20 wedding anniversary to find her husband wants a divorce. Instead of letting that define her, she moves to an ocean town in New England alone and discovers friends and new beginnings. This has a small town feel with characters who feel real.
February 28, 2026
To start over alone !!
Was a great book, I can't wait to start the next one. I know women can be chatting , but these ones stood behind each other and made the bestest friends and that was awesome. Bookstore idea was great for such a big house. Thanks for sharing your story with us all .
Respectively
Joyce
Was a great book, I can't wait to start the next one. I know women can be chatting , but these ones stood behind each other and made the bestest friends and that was awesome. Bookstore idea was great for such a big house. Thanks for sharing your story with us all .
Respectively
Joyce
March 25, 2026
So engaging!
This is the first book of Fiona Baker's that I have read, and it definitely won't be the last! I loved that the characters weren't "young", they are in their 40's and beyond. I fall into the beyond group, and enjoyed these delightful characters! Magnolia Shore sounds like a wonderful place to live. I can't wait to see what happens next!
This is the first book of Fiona Baker's that I have read, and it definitely won't be the last! I loved that the characters weren't "young", they are in their 40's and beyond. I fall into the beyond group, and enjoyed these delightful characters! Magnolia Shore sounds like a wonderful place to live. I can't wait to see what happens next!
April 1, 2026
Wonderful new series by Fiona Baker. Love the first book:
We open with Eleanor Bradshaw who finds her life at mid-forties needs to start over. Join Eleanor as she moves across the country to Magnolia Shore, meets and becomes friends with four wonderful woman who welcome Eleanor as she begins her new life.
Highly recommend!!!
We open with Eleanor Bradshaw who finds her life at mid-forties needs to start over. Join Eleanor as she moves across the country to Magnolia Shore, meets and becomes friends with four wonderful woman who welcome Eleanor as she begins her new life.
Highly recommend!!!
May 15, 2026
This was a cute little beach read type of book. Rather uplifting. I liked how the author spun a positive vibe on divorce and starting over. The book was filled with typos and errors which was surprising and distracting. I didn’t finish the book cause I got kinda bored with it. I read about 80% of it. It’s a great little read if you don’t want to obsess and commit to a more intricate novel.
May 16, 2026
Mewh
Very disappointing. Spoiler: has the main female character doing maintenance that she has notools or skills to do. Kind of ruined it for me. You don't hang a door by yourself. Don't install a picture window by yourself. Just moved to house and somehow has all the tools, skill, painting supplies and paint with her.
Very disappointing. Spoiler: has the main female character doing maintenance that she has notools or skills to do. Kind of ruined it for me. You don't hang a door by yourself. Don't install a picture window by yourself. Just moved to house and somehow has all the tools, skill, painting supplies and paint with her.
June 9, 2026
I wish Goodreads would let you do 1/2 points. This was a cute and enjoyable quick read. It wasn’t good enough for 3 stars, but 2 stars feels a little harsh. So, here’s my unofficial 2.5⭐️ rating.
The plot was good and the characters were relatable, but the dialogue was so cheesy that it felt forced at times.
Anyway, it was cute but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend.
The plot was good and the characters were relatable, but the dialogue was so cheesy that it felt forced at times.
Anyway, it was cute but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend.
August 6, 2026
I was okay with the predictable premise — woman gets divorced, buys a fixer upper near the beach, makes friends with women who also have personal struggles. Grumpy hardware store owner as love interest. BUT TOO MANY TYPOS AND INCORRECT WORDS (landmine instead of goldmine, knew instead of new). Hire a fricking proofreader!!!
August 21, 2026
Cheesy, fluffy, simplistic. Despite that, I enjoyed it quite a bit. I read it while I was in the middle of a very intense fantasy book, and maybe that's why it worked for me. I needed something mellow that didn't keep me up reading too late. I'll read one more but maybe won't finish the series unless I need this sort of book as a palate cleanser again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews