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Second Chances at Bamburgh Beach: A sweeping contemporary British novel of tragic secrets, long-held guilt, and a second-chance love story on the windswept Northumberland coast
'An emotionally charged and deeply atmospheric contemporary novel of tragic secrets and second chances from "a powerful and addictive writer."'
She ran from the past. He stayed behind. But their love story wasn’t over.Ten years ago, a storm off the Northumberland coast claimed James’s life—and tore apart the bond between his sister Rosie and his best friend Dan.
Now, Rosie returns home engaged to another man, while Dan faces the pain of seeing the woman he’s always loved marry someone else.
When long-hidden truths begin to surface, Rosie and Dan are forced to confront the night that changed everything—and the love neither of them ever truly let go.
Will courage and forgiveness be enough to save the love that was meant to be, or will a decade of devastating lies tear their world apart forever?
Set against the windswept beauty of Bamburgh’s coast, Second Chances at Bamburgh Beach is a poignant story of love, loss, and the courage it takes to find your way home.
Ideal for readers of atmospheric, emotionally complex British fiction by authors like Abbie Greaves, Sarah Maine and Dani Atkins.
Pre-order your copy now.
Praise for the novels of Isabella 'Fast-paced, character-rich and emotionally charged, this book has it all. A sheer joy to read. You won’t want it to end' – Imogen Clark, million-copy bestselling author of Reluctantly Home
'Blown away by the powerful and addictive writing of Isabella Wiles. This is up there with Colleen Hoover and then some.' – Isabella May, Amazon chart-topping author of the Foodie Romance series
'For anyone who’s ever fallen in love… a beautiful, emotionally charged read. Absolutely loved it.' – Suzy K Quinn, #1 Amazon Kindle bestselling author
She ran from the past. He stayed behind. But their love story wasn’t over.Ten years ago, a storm off the Northumberland coast claimed James’s life—and tore apart the bond between his sister Rosie and his best friend Dan.
Now, Rosie returns home engaged to another man, while Dan faces the pain of seeing the woman he’s always loved marry someone else.
When long-hidden truths begin to surface, Rosie and Dan are forced to confront the night that changed everything—and the love neither of them ever truly let go.
Will courage and forgiveness be enough to save the love that was meant to be, or will a decade of devastating lies tear their world apart forever?
Set against the windswept beauty of Bamburgh’s coast, Second Chances at Bamburgh Beach is a poignant story of love, loss, and the courage it takes to find your way home.
Ideal for readers of atmospheric, emotionally complex British fiction by authors like Abbie Greaves, Sarah Maine and Dani Atkins.
Pre-order your copy now.
Praise for the novels of Isabella 'Fast-paced, character-rich and emotionally charged, this book has it all. A sheer joy to read. You won’t want it to end' – Imogen Clark, million-copy bestselling author of Reluctantly Home
'Blown away by the powerful and addictive writing of Isabella Wiles. This is up there with Colleen Hoover and then some.' – Isabella May, Amazon chart-topping author of the Foodie Romance series
'For anyone who’s ever fallen in love… a beautiful, emotionally charged read. Absolutely loved it.' – Suzy K Quinn, #1 Amazon Kindle bestselling author
422 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2026
About the author
Isabella Wiles
9 books7 followersDescribed as a modern-day Sidney Sheldon or Judith Krantz, Isabella writes epic novels. Stories that span continents and lifetimes.
Her novels are filled with passion and angst as well as heartbreak and hope, but most importantly, strong relatable characters that leave you uplifted. Her style of writing and story themes appeal to readers of Taylor Jenkins Reid, Jojo Moyes, Jodi Picoult, Nicholas Sparks and Colleen Hoover.
She is a self-confessed tea addict, a massive theatre 'loveie' and after a lifetime of travelling the globe she loves nothing more than curling up on the sofa in her 'Writing Room', lighting the fire and thinking about her next plot twist.
Before becoming a fiction writer she had a successful career in sales and marketing and published two international best-sellers in non-fiction. She lives in north-east England with her husband, their two children and one loony Bassett Hound and two equally unhinged goldfish.
Her novels are filled with passion and angst as well as heartbreak and hope, but most importantly, strong relatable characters that leave you uplifted. Her style of writing and story themes appeal to readers of Taylor Jenkins Reid, Jojo Moyes, Jodi Picoult, Nicholas Sparks and Colleen Hoover.
She is a self-confessed tea addict, a massive theatre 'loveie' and after a lifetime of travelling the globe she loves nothing more than curling up on the sofa in her 'Writing Room', lighting the fire and thinking about her next plot twist.
Before becoming a fiction writer she had a successful career in sales and marketing and published two international best-sellers in non-fiction. She lives in north-east England with her husband, their two children and one loony Bassett Hound and two equally unhinged goldfish.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 22, 2026
I was really looking forward to this book but sadly I didn’t enjoy it. It simply wasn’t for me I’m afraid, although clearly others have loved it. I picked this book up because Bamburgh is one of my favourite places and I was hoping for a romantic tale in an idyllic setting. The premise - Rosie returning to marry her new love and meeting up with Dan - her ex and best friend of her bother James who died 10 years ago, seemed engaging.
The unravelling the secret which unbeknownst to Rosie has separated her and Dan was predictable and tortured. James told Dan that he was Rosie’s half brother - they’d committed incest. When Dan finally tells Rosie - she is beyond horrified. This was an unexpected and yucky plot twist which I simply could not engage with. A difficult issue to deal with and not one I want to explore.
The story is too melodramatic and angst ridden with a lot of purple prose.
Additionally, I have never been keen on the miscommunication trope - where a simple conversation would solve the issue which underpins the entire plot.
In this story Dan has been carrying the burden of a secret his dead friend James held as the truth from childhood.
At no point did James ask his mother what the truth was. At no point (until the last chapters) does Dan ask his father for the truth. At no point does Rosie ask her Mum for the truth. Yet it is so evident that James took some vague words and totally misjudged them.
Finally after the truth is revealed and Dan and Rosie can be together, it’s revealed that Dan’s girlfriend Maisie is pregnant. I said it was melodramatic.
I am not fond of present tense so that was another hurdle. I congratulate the author on the work she’s put in but the subject matter and its execution, upset me. Not my cup of tea.
The unravelling the secret which unbeknownst to Rosie has separated her and Dan was predictable and tortured. James told Dan that he was Rosie’s half brother - they’d committed incest. When Dan finally tells Rosie - she is beyond horrified. This was an unexpected and yucky plot twist which I simply could not engage with. A difficult issue to deal with and not one I want to explore.
The story is too melodramatic and angst ridden with a lot of purple prose.
Additionally, I have never been keen on the miscommunication trope - where a simple conversation would solve the issue which underpins the entire plot.
In this story Dan has been carrying the burden of a secret his dead friend James held as the truth from childhood.
At no point did James ask his mother what the truth was. At no point (until the last chapters) does Dan ask his father for the truth. At no point does Rosie ask her Mum for the truth. Yet it is so evident that James took some vague words and totally misjudged them.
Finally after the truth is revealed and Dan and Rosie can be together, it’s revealed that Dan’s girlfriend Maisie is pregnant. I said it was melodramatic.
I am not fond of present tense so that was another hurdle. I congratulate the author on the work she’s put in but the subject matter and its execution, upset me. Not my cup of tea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up
Thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I had to sit with this one for a day before writing my review because it left me feeling so many emotions. It's the kind of story that lingers long after you've turned the final page.
Rosie and Dan's journey is filled with heartbreak, regret, forgiveness, and hope. I found myself feeling sadness, empathy, frustration, and ultimately joy alongside them. I love when a book can take me through such a wide range of emotions, and this one certainly did.
This was my first novel by Isabella Wiles, but it definitely won't be my last. The emotional depth of the characters and the second-chance romance kept me invested from beginning to end. I'm already looking forward to continuing Rosie and Dan's story in the next book.
Thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I had to sit with this one for a day before writing my review because it left me feeling so many emotions. It's the kind of story that lingers long after you've turned the final page.
Rosie and Dan's journey is filled with heartbreak, regret, forgiveness, and hope. I found myself feeling sadness, empathy, frustration, and ultimately joy alongside them. I love when a book can take me through such a wide range of emotions, and this one certainly did.
This was my first novel by Isabella Wiles, but it definitely won't be my last. The emotional depth of the characters and the second-chance romance kept me invested from beginning to end. I'm already looking forward to continuing Rosie and Dan's story in the next book.
July 29, 2026
This is the sort of book that sweeps you into a tempestuous tale of love, deception and heartbreak, with a much deserved happily ever after.
Bamburgh is the backdrop to the story, and what a backdrop it is! A character in its own right, this coastal town and its Sea People are beautifully described in all their tumultuous glory.
The protagonists in this novel are well-etched, believable, flawed, and all too human. One can’t help but root for them despite all evidence pointing to an impossible love that will never find fruition. Rosie, Dan and Maisie are characters you carry in your heart long after the book has ended.
Wiles is an extremely talented writer who knows how to grab a reader and not let go until the tale is finished.
Cannot wait for the next book in the Bamburgh series.
Bamburgh is the backdrop to the story, and what a backdrop it is! A character in its own right, this coastal town and its Sea People are beautifully described in all their tumultuous glory.
The protagonists in this novel are well-etched, believable, flawed, and all too human. One can’t help but root for them despite all evidence pointing to an impossible love that will never find fruition. Rosie, Dan and Maisie are characters you carry in your heart long after the book has ended.
Wiles is an extremely talented writer who knows how to grab a reader and not let go until the tale is finished.
Cannot wait for the next book in the Bamburgh series.
July 23, 2026
I don't want to go way too in-depth and ruin anything, but here's the gist.
Rosie and Dan faced the ultimate tragedy when they were younger that resulted in the loss of Rosie's brother, James. The dynamic between Rosie and Dan changes drastically, they went from playful and close with a budding relationship to having barely spoken for ten years.
The book goes back and forth between when the tragedy happens and current day and you can see how things play out and fall into place as the book goes on. I love books with dual timelines that gives you a glimpse of how the characters have changed.
Rosie is the FMC and Dan is the MMC, but there's a group of supporting characters that play large roles also such as Elliott, Rosie's fiance, and Maisie. Maisie plays a larger role later on.
Even though there isn't a huge portion about Ned, I really like his character and feel like there could be a spin off or novella telling his story.
If you're a fan of second chances, friends/enemies to lovers, brothers best friend and a few other tropes I won't mention because I don't want to let on about anything else, I highly recommend this book 😉
Rosie and Dan faced the ultimate tragedy when they were younger that resulted in the loss of Rosie's brother, James. The dynamic between Rosie and Dan changes drastically, they went from playful and close with a budding relationship to having barely spoken for ten years.
The book goes back and forth between when the tragedy happens and current day and you can see how things play out and fall into place as the book goes on. I love books with dual timelines that gives you a glimpse of how the characters have changed.
Rosie is the FMC and Dan is the MMC, but there's a group of supporting characters that play large roles also such as Elliott, Rosie's fiance, and Maisie. Maisie plays a larger role later on.
Even though there isn't a huge portion about Ned, I really like his character and feel like there could be a spin off or novella telling his story.
If you're a fan of second chances, friends/enemies to lovers, brothers best friend and a few other tropes I won't mention because I don't want to let on about anything else, I highly recommend this book 😉
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews