Sweet Beginnings

Candle Beach #1

by Nicole Ellis

Welcome to Candle Beach, where falling in love is easy...almost.

Join the women of Candle Beach as they navigate life, relationships and their dreams for the future.

A surprise inheritance. An even more surprising chance for love.

Dahlia Winters lives a free-spirited, carefree life…until she inherits a deteriorating small town bookstore and reluctantly moves to Candle Beach. The sooner she can get out from under the bookstore and its mounting debts, the better. Until then, she plans to rekindle old friendships and sketch the beautiful coastal scenery.

What she doesn't factor into her plan is her enigmatic and handsome new neighbor...

When Garrett Callahan first lays eyes on Dahlia, he’s instantly smitten, and that’s precisely why he must stay as far away from her as possible. No matter how hard he tries to resist, life and circumstance keep throwing them together. But when he learns of her financial troubles, he can’t help but want to lend her a hand, and eventually, his heart – if she’ll have it.

How can her friends convince her to stay in Candle Beach and fight for the bookstore's survival? Will the flighty girl with big city sensibilities scare Garrett away or will she open his eyes to the possibility of happily-ever-after despite their differences?

The Candle Beach Sweet Romance series novels are "clean and sweet" contemporary romances that can be read as standalone novels and have happily-ever-after endings with no cliffhangers.

Book 1: Sweet Beginnings -- Dahlia's story
Book 2: Sweet Success -- Gretchen's story
Book 3: Sweet Promises -- Maggie's story
Book 4: Coming soon

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Womens Fiction

270 pages, ebook

First published November 5, 2017

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the premise, but there was a lot of hasty hot and cold by both main characters. I also don’t believe the resolution at the end—Garrett’s just going to forget all his misgivings because she was almost in danger? Too quick, too easy... There was more about what the characters didn’t like about each other than what they did like about each other which made it hard to root for them to get together.

[Joan]

Thin plot and the ending was rushed. There was no real tension to the story and all I was waiting for was for Agnes to get her well deserved comeuppance but I was disappointed. Too many under developed characters and the romance had no real emotion.

[Jill Paschal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just “meh”

I enjoy reading chic-lit every now and then, but this one was just “meh”! As far as the story, it was too far fetched and didn’t seem very cohesive. Couldn’t tell if Dahlia and Garret liked one another or not; especially since he kept comparing her to his ex! And Dahlia, my gosh, could she have been anymore of a flakey stereotype?! Zero character dimensions!

[Rita · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. It had a great premise but the execution let me down. The characters were barely tolerable and far from likeable. There was no trust and poor communication between the protagonists and at the end they claim to love each other. I didn’t find that remotely believable. As for the whole Agnes plot, give me a break!! Completely hateful.

[Coco.V]

💝FREE on Amazon today (5/2/2018)!💝

[Siouxsie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of the book is fun and some of the characters are interesting. However, the pace was all over the place with lots of slow parts and a crazy, rushed ending. It felt like the author got tired of writing the book. The romance was not believable. Do they even like each other?

[Daniela Bernaldo · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was NOT what the synopsis hinted at; the main character was waaaaay too undecisive; the plot kept changing and the love story was kind of dull.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this really sweet and clean romance, with a bit of mystery thrown in and a large cast of small town characters ranging from crotchety to friendliness personified. Circumstances force Maggie, the heroine, to develop into a really responsible and integral resident and business owner in Candle Bay, Washington State, after a very shaky start. I liked the arc of her journey from a visiting, detached heiress to the town bookstore, to a dedicated businesswoman. Her gal pals are very supportive and Garrett, her neighbor with a bit of a delightful secret life, is a great romantic interest character. Some mysterious threats and vandalism added a bit of excitement and tension. The only things missing from this quaint, small coastal town setting, were pets!! Well-written and just the right length too!👍

I received a complimentary advance copy of this book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Paulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice start to a new series. Three summer friends are reunited when Dahlia inherits a bookstore from her aunt. Dahlia spent many summers in Candle Beach, but owning the bookstore and returning to Candle Beach was not in her life plan. But she really didn’t have a life plan, so she agreed to the terms of the will. After all it was only for a year. Friendships are rekindled and Dahlia has some ups and downs with the bookstore. No spoilers here, if you want to read a sweet romance, a little mystery and the draw of a beach town, you will enjoy this one.

[Lauren Hull · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful!

This was a terrible read. Too much detail in places, not enough in other places. You can’t get into the characters because she jumps round a lot. The love story is terrible. No real build up. You get introduced and then all of a sudden they are kissing with no real build up to that moment. I would not recommend. Boring and not done well.

[Kim F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Sweet and amazing read. I was blown away with the story, I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong characters. I want to read from this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Shelly Celli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn into this book from the very beginning. The story flows perfectly and there are so many different issues the characters have to fight. This is a definite must read. I'm voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book.

[pam moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Book

I really enjoyed getting to know the people of Candle Beach. Dahlia inherits a bookstore from her aunt. Hesitant at first to embrace the new venture, she realizes it was what she has wanted all along.

[Sue Stinnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Be Read

Sometimes you need to be challenged in order to reach your full potential and find what you were meant to do. Very good book that has both romance and suspense.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dahlia Winters great-aunt Ruth passed leaving Dahlia the majority of her assets, including her house and the To Be Read Bookstore in Candle Beach, Washington.

But the will comes with a few stipulations: first Dahlia must keep the bookstore running for twelve months at which it must be profitable at the end of that year. If however, she chooses to sell the house or bookstore before the end of twelve full months, she’s entitled to only fifty percent of the profits.

Second, her aunt Ruth’s friend, Agnes Barnes is to be the executor of the will. This means she can grant Dahlia her share of the inheritance if Dahlia keeps to the terms in the will.

Dahlia works at a travel agency and has dreamed of traveling around the world; backpacking through Europe and maybe some parts of Asia. She doesn’t see herself running her bookstore. Besides To Be Read was her Aunt Ruth’s dream not hers.

Meanwhile, Garrett Callahan moved to town a few months ago and is renting the cottage close to Aunt Ruth’s house. Rumor has it he’s a writer
One day Dahlia has a run-in with Garrett who informs her he’s been tending her Aunt’s garden.

After trying without success to find a manager to run the bookstore, Dahlia calls the lawyer managing her aunt’s estate to inform him that she’s decided to sell the bookstore as well as her aunt’s house. But the lawyer informs her that the offer to sell the bookstore has been revoked.

Left with no other option Dahlia then quits her job in Seattle and moves to Candle Beach.

Agnes has been a thorn in her side since Dahlia started running the bookstore; she’d show up once a week to inspect the store. The will also stipulates that if Dahlia fails to turn a profit at the end of the year, Agnes stands to inherit.

Now Dahlia has to find a way to make the bookstore profitable without Agnes thwarting her efforts at every turn.

Meanwhile, someone has been vandalizing Dahlia’s new friend Wendy’s truck and her market booth. Probably someone from her past.

A very interesting read. I’m invested in the characters and setting. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. Highly recommend this contemporary holiday
romance.

[Judy Churchill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average.

[Geneva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written, love the nosy ladies. Typical small town

[Kimberly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this but there were so many problems with it. Dahlia is all over the place and wishy-washy that within the the same few pages, her thoughts and immature emotions were back and forth like a hormonal teenager. There was insta-love for no apparent reason the reader could see, no actions to back up thw reason for the "love" during the book and miscommunications enough to add more pages to the story that drove me to swear frequently. Not sure why Garrett remotely liked Dahlia as she fell through with 2 outings for the same reason he broke off engagement to fiancee. The Agnes story line reasoning had me tossing in the towel and just wanting to finish the book at that point. Nothing gets resolved emotionally but they get a HEA wrapped up in a pretty bow that you know wont last as, if there was a next page, Dahlia would be butt-hurt over some issue AGAIN. The immaturity of the main character and my inability to really like anyone just made it not work for me at all.

[Mayda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dahlia inherits her aunt's bookshop and home, but every move she makes, at least those that need funds from her aunt's estate, is thwarted by the person her aunt chose as trustee of the estate. Every time Dahlia requests money to make improvements, Agnes tells her no. Agnes was her aunt's best friend, and had always treated Dahlia kindly, until now. But if Dahlia fails at the bookshop, Agnes inherits it. This romance has some mystery to it, and some tense moments, but mostly, it is a gentle tale of someone trying to make a new beginning and of falling in love. The characters are interesting, as is the plot. All in all, it's quite a lovely story.

[Lady M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

the sweet in the title is for clean. No sex or swearing. I didn't mind it per say, I think it would have helped the reader grasp about how serious Delia and Garrett were. Not that I need graphic, but maybe a certain moment wouldn't have shocked me so much head they at least alluded to something more. Anyway, as for the overall of the book, it had a nice steady flow. Not rushed in the least. It really gave a mental picture of the people in the place itself. Although Dahlia had her very immature moments, I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more from candle Beach

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a sucker for any books whose setting is in the Pacific Northwest. At first I really enjoyed this book, but towards the end I didn't care if Dahlia and Garret even ended up together. In fact I kinda felt like they would be better off apart. The story line was easily predictable and the over use of the word perused kinda got on my nerves. Normally I don't notice things like that but for whatever reason it felt like that word was used a lot in this book. With that being said the book itself was well written and the second book in the series may be better.

[Myra Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Descriptive well written clean romance

Nicole Ellis is a new author for me and I truly enjoyed Sweet Beginnings. Dahlia needs a new start and finds Candle Beach where her aunt has left her home and book store to her. Garrett needs to learn to trust again. I liked the town's characters and even the feel of the setting. I even loved the heroines name, Dahlia. This was a clean read and it worked for this series quite well. If you enjoy a quick clean romance then this book is an excellent choice.

[Dorothy Beer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Beginnings

Ennoyed reading this story. Wendy wasn't prepared to inherit her great Aunt's home and book store in a small town. Garrett faight his,attraction to her because of his mother and previous girl friend werr both undependable. Agnes her Great Aunts friend was constantly doing her best to interfere with her plans. Lots of upd and downs, but an interesting tale. V I gave it 5 stars

[Carol Jarrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book very much!

This is my first book by this author. I enjoyed reading this book very much! I like her writing style. I'm not very good writing reviews. I do know what I like and I loved this book. I hope you'll read the book and enjoy it as much as I did. I couldn't it down and read it all at one time!

[Elizabeth Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed

Anew series to me and I really enjoyed it! A long beginning ( I guess I was impatient) and for the two to get together but I kept hoping it would happen! Looking forward to the other storyline the series!!!

[Carol Gil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

I was proud of Dahlia. She really changed her life and accepted the changes. I got disappointed sometime with how easy she gives up. But I am glad that her and Garrett worked thru their issues.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. The main character got on my nerves! She was so indecisive I wanted to scream.
I've read better romance books but it was a quick read and somewhat entertaining.
I was going to read the entire series but I've changed my mind. Too many books that I'm
sure will be much better.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice story of a single woman who inherits a failing bookstore, and a man who has baggage from a prior relationship. The two of them are good together – most of the time. All kinds of problems surface with the store and with the relationship. I really liked the story and hope it give it a try!

[Marcia Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was frustrated by the words she used that weren't correct, like "anyways". I expect that, if the author makes that mistake, they would have an editor who would correct it. I don't want to read any other book by this author.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

To be left a home and a book store in a small town that you use to visit your great aunt every summer is a shock. But deciding to make a go of it.