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Mapton on Sea: Laughter, Tears and Mayhem at the British Seaside
Stella loves her life in London, far from the foul-mouthed, flame-haired grandmother who raised her. Then Stella gets the dreaded call in the middle of the night; Gina has taken a tumble. Soon Stella finds herself trapped with Gina in the crazy coastal town of Mapton-on-Sea. Can Stella and Gina ever truly reconcile? As the June temperature soars, they, and the residents of Mapton, are in for an hilariously explosive summer. For a sprinkle of romance, mobility scooter gangs, and misbehaving dogs, you’re invited to Mapton-on-Sea.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2017
317 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Sam Maxfield
21 books13 followersSam Maxfield attempted to write her first full-length novel at eleven. She grew up in Canada and England. She moved seven times before she was eight years old and spent much of that time in her own imagination spinning stories. Sam holds a BA in English and History, as well as an MA in Creative Writing. She taught English Literature for twenty years and still runs creative writing workshops.
More than anything Sam loves stories. She devours most genres, fiction and non-fiction.
She is currently finishing the last book in the Mapton-on-Sea trilogy: The Last Resort, Mapton Rising, and Make it Mapton.
Previous novels include the magic-realism Western, West of the Sunset, Victorian detective story The Army of Righteous Deliverance, and Maddie's Magic Christmas, her first book for children. She is a contributor to various magazines and newspapers.
More than anything Sam loves stories. She devours most genres, fiction and non-fiction.
She is currently finishing the last book in the Mapton-on-Sea trilogy: The Last Resort, Mapton Rising, and Make it Mapton.
Previous novels include the magic-realism Western, West of the Sunset, Victorian detective story The Army of Righteous Deliverance, and Maddie's Magic Christmas, her first book for children. She is a contributor to various magazines and newspapers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 9, 2025
If I could, I'd give this book a 3.5.
I came into "Mapton on Sea" expecting a quirky, maybe somewhat touching read. The first half or so delivered that. I actually laughed out loud at times and was pretty delighted with this dilapidated British sea town and its quirky residents and visitors.
I especially loved the subplot with Bing the dog, and I thought Grazja was delightful.
But as the book went on, the romance between Stella, our FMC and Rick, a rugged American cafe owner with a mysterious past (side note: As an American, it was really fun to read a stereotypical, romanticized version of us, something I've rarely, if ever, encountered before) gets more and more of the spotlight. And this made me lose interest. While both characters have their past and have every reason to be just as interesting as the other characters in the book, for some reason they're just not. It's as if you were to turn the camera away from the funny friends in a sitcom and only focus on the straight man (and woman, as it were). It made the story feel lackluster to me, and like a totally different book.
That's my biggest criticism, but I also wasn't a fan of why exactly Gina and Stella had a falling out.
I also felt like we should have heard more about Stella's parents. She was a preteen when they died, and yet there's no thought or memory of them from her in particular, in the entire book. If the novel wasn't so focused on the characters' pasts, I would just have chalked this up to it being intended as a quirky, light read. But since entire chapters are devoted to their histories, it just seemed strange.
There were other little things like this along the way, but it was the bland romance that really did it in for me.
It seems like there are lots of people who love this novel and the series it kicks off, and I can totally understand that, but overall it wasn't for me. Still, I don't regret taking the time to visit Mapton.
I came into "Mapton on Sea" expecting a quirky, maybe somewhat touching read. The first half or so delivered that. I actually laughed out loud at times and was pretty delighted with this dilapidated British sea town and its quirky residents and visitors.
I especially loved the subplot with Bing the dog, and I thought Grazja was delightful.
But as the book went on, the romance between Stella, our FMC and Rick, a rugged American cafe owner with a mysterious past (side note: As an American, it was really fun to read a stereotypical, romanticized version of us, something I've rarely, if ever, encountered before) gets more and more of the spotlight. And this made me lose interest. While both characters have their past and have every reason to be just as interesting as the other characters in the book, for some reason they're just not. It's as if you were to turn the camera away from the funny friends in a sitcom and only focus on the straight man (and woman, as it were). It made the story feel lackluster to me, and like a totally different book.
That's my biggest criticism, but I also wasn't a fan of why exactly Gina and Stella had a falling out.
I also felt like we should have heard more about Stella's parents. She was a preteen when they died, and yet there's no thought or memory of them from her in particular, in the entire book. If the novel wasn't so focused on the characters' pasts, I would just have chalked this up to it being intended as a quirky, light read. But since entire chapters are devoted to their histories, it just seemed strange.
There were other little things like this along the way, but it was the bland romance that really did it in for me.
It seems like there are lots of people who love this novel and the series it kicks off, and I can totally understand that, but overall it wasn't for me. Still, I don't regret taking the time to visit Mapton.
February 20, 2022
A fun story with lots of action, seniors on their pooter scooters racing at night to avoid the law!! and dogs running amuck, and demanding grandmothers needing care. Stella does know what to make of Mapton on Sea with its quirky characters and a certain man who does not seem to fit in this environment, not that she is looking of course... Gina is a force to be reckoned with but she has met her match in the carer who comes to the rescue. A great, heart lifting read with lots of laugh out loud episodes. Great characters and scenarios. Thanks Sam for a very enjoyable romp by the sea.
August 4, 2024
DNF at 20%. Very, very boring.
August 24, 2023
"Sea views and sea air. Bingo every day, company...it don't come better than Mapton."
Mapton is a lazy, somewhat quiet old resort occupied mostly by retirees on scooters. What you don't realize is...these retirees like to race outside the town's limits. And race they do.
But the book is so much more. It's the story about Stella, Gina's granddaughter who comes to Mapton to help while her grandmother, Gina, is recuperating from a fall. Stella is so much more sophisticated than Mapton. She lives in London, as a commissioned artist. Rick is the enormously talented chef who, once had a Michelin Star restaurant in London. Now he owns a diner in Mapton.
This book left me want more. More Stella, more Rick, more Gina, more Grazja, more Bing, even.
Thoroughly enjoyable book that made me smile and chuckle occasionally. Not the laugh out loud kinda book I was expecting, but that's ok. It was a book I could get into. I felt like I lived in Mapton on Sea.
I like this author and will probably follow up with the next book.
Mapton is a lazy, somewhat quiet old resort occupied mostly by retirees on scooters. What you don't realize is...these retirees like to race outside the town's limits. And race they do.
But the book is so much more. It's the story about Stella, Gina's granddaughter who comes to Mapton to help while her grandmother, Gina, is recuperating from a fall. Stella is so much more sophisticated than Mapton. She lives in London, as a commissioned artist. Rick is the enormously talented chef who, once had a Michelin Star restaurant in London. Now he owns a diner in Mapton.
This book left me want more. More Stella, more Rick, more Gina, more Grazja, more Bing, even.
Thoroughly enjoyable book that made me smile and chuckle occasionally. Not the laugh out loud kinda book I was expecting, but that's ok. It was a book I could get into. I felt like I lived in Mapton on Sea.
I like this author and will probably follow up with the next book.
December 3, 2021
I LOVED this book. Chick lit at it's finest. It made me laugh out loud so many times. It is a riot of fun. The characters are just perfect. It is set in the fictional, seaside town of Mapton, Lincolnshire. I live in Lincolnshire and there are many places on our coast that could pass for Mapton. If you want an easy, feel good read that will make you laugh this is it. Plus......there are dogs..... a whole pack of them! What more could you want?
*********************
How does it feel to be trapped in a crazy seaside town with your worst enemy, not to mention a thieving dog and an irresistibly sexy chef?
Meet Stella Distry, a successful London artist living the life she always dreamed of. Then meet the grandmother who raised her. Foul-mouthed, outrageous, orange-haired Gina Pontin. Two women who couldn’t be more different. When Gina has an accident the two of them are forced together in the last place Stella wants to return to. But as the June temperature soars in more ways than one, they, and the residents of Mapton-on-Sea, are in for an explosive summer no one will ever forget.
*********************
How does it feel to be trapped in a crazy seaside town with your worst enemy, not to mention a thieving dog and an irresistibly sexy chef?
Meet Stella Distry, a successful London artist living the life she always dreamed of. Then meet the grandmother who raised her. Foul-mouthed, outrageous, orange-haired Gina Pontin. Two women who couldn’t be more different. When Gina has an accident the two of them are forced together in the last place Stella wants to return to. But as the June temperature soars in more ways than one, they, and the residents of Mapton-on-Sea, are in for an explosive summer no one will ever forget.
September 21, 2022
This is such a good read, even though in parts I found it a little silly. I wasn't too keen on the parts that portray a dog called Bing Crosby and his little gang of local dogs that go round terrorising the neighbourhood. Nor did I much like the elderly gang of pensioners that went round causing mayhem on their mobility scooters. Despite those bits, the rest of the book was an entertaining plot, with interesting characters, who have some quite poignant back stories revealed through the book. There's also some romance involved, and whilst rom-coms aren't really my thing, the couple who get together form an endearing relationship without it being at all slushy.
Stella an up and coming artist who lives in London gets a call that her grandmother Gina has taken a fall and needs some help with her care. Stella hasn't seen her gran for a while, she tries to avoid her whenever possible. Once she's arrived at Mapton on Sea we soon begin to realise why Stella does her best to avoid staying too long around her rather toxic grandmother.
I liked all the characters in this first in a series of books, based in the fictional seaside town of Mapton and will definitely be reading the second in the series at some point. It's funny, fast paced and has some great story lines threaded through. I liked the carer Grazja who has the patience of a saint looking after Gina and even though by the end of the book Gina appears to be on the mend, I hope Grazja perhaps has a story of her own in the next book.
Stella an up and coming artist who lives in London gets a call that her grandmother Gina has taken a fall and needs some help with her care. Stella hasn't seen her gran for a while, she tries to avoid her whenever possible. Once she's arrived at Mapton on Sea we soon begin to realise why Stella does her best to avoid staying too long around her rather toxic grandmother.
I liked all the characters in this first in a series of books, based in the fictional seaside town of Mapton and will definitely be reading the second in the series at some point. It's funny, fast paced and has some great story lines threaded through. I liked the carer Grazja who has the patience of a saint looking after Gina and even though by the end of the book Gina appears to be on the mend, I hope Grazja perhaps has a story of her own in the next book.
September 17, 2023
I don't like taking 'books' on a journey as the light in the car is rubbish, so I read this on the kindle.
I didn't know what to expect, but then again, I wasn't too suprised. The story of Stella and her dysfunctional grandmother Gina was entertaining but sad, and it did hold my attention somewhat. It tackled fractured and fractuous families and mental health reasonably well, but I did feel a tad exasperated that Stella needed a man to complete her. I was, however, happy that the familial relationship was fully developed and reached a satisfying conclusion.
On the flip side, I will say I loved the Bing Crosby storyline. What a criminal mastermind he is!! And I must get my mum into mobility scooter racing - the rumble sounds so much fun!!
I didn't know what to expect, but then again, I wasn't too suprised. The story of Stella and her dysfunctional grandmother Gina was entertaining but sad, and it did hold my attention somewhat. It tackled fractured and fractuous families and mental health reasonably well, but I did feel a tad exasperated that Stella needed a man to complete her. I was, however, happy that the familial relationship was fully developed and reached a satisfying conclusion.
On the flip side, I will say I loved the Bing Crosby storyline. What a criminal mastermind he is!! And I must get my mum into mobility scooter racing - the rumble sounds so much fun!!
July 11, 2021
Great Ride
What a fun book! Not all drama, but enough to keep it interesting. Characters are adorable, descriptions complete. No dead bodies, satisfying story endings, romance and flawed people learning to live their best life, at any age! Laugh out scenes that absolutely would play well on a movie screen. I am ready to head back to seaside and visit with Gina, Stella, Rick and all the mobility scooter riders
What a fun book! Not all drama, but enough to keep it interesting. Characters are adorable, descriptions complete. No dead bodies, satisfying story endings, romance and flawed people learning to live their best life, at any age! Laugh out scenes that absolutely would play well on a movie screen. I am ready to head back to seaside and visit with Gina, Stella, Rick and all the mobility scooter riders
September 10, 2021
Lots of chuckles
This book reminds us that it’s never too late to let go of the past and live right now. The main characters are nursing all the hurts of their lives and it’s blocking them from embracing the now. With the help of some diverse local characters and a crazy Jack Russell terrier, love finds its way. Sam Maxfield has created a zany seaside town full of uniqueness. Visit Mapton on Sea and you just might be back.
This book reminds us that it’s never too late to let go of the past and live right now. The main characters are nursing all the hurts of their lives and it’s blocking them from embracing the now. With the help of some diverse local characters and a crazy Jack Russell terrier, love finds its way. Sam Maxfield has created a zany seaside town full of uniqueness. Visit Mapton on Sea and you just might be back.
November 29, 2022
Enjoyable easy read with likeable characters and different types of stories both from the present and past.
The only thing I wasn't so sure was a couple of the dog chapters, I felt like I was reading a different book in a way like it didn't fit in exactly.
One of the first dog chapters was a bit out there as if it was talking dogs kind of vibe rather than real world.
However some of the chapters though I felt did fit in as they spoke about the dogs but basically just saying the dogs were clever (a bit out there still but 🤷♀️).
I enjoyed the past of the Nan and granddaughter as the main characters, the past of the chef is believable and in a way I felt torn as it was a bit meh but at the same time it was good to have him not be perfect town boy.
The only thing I wasn't so sure was a couple of the dog chapters, I felt like I was reading a different book in a way like it didn't fit in exactly.
One of the first dog chapters was a bit out there as if it was talking dogs kind of vibe rather than real world.
However some of the chapters though I felt did fit in as they spoke about the dogs but basically just saying the dogs were clever (a bit out there still but 🤷♀️).
I enjoyed the past of the Nan and granddaughter as the main characters, the past of the chef is believable and in a way I felt torn as it was a bit meh but at the same time it was good to have him not be perfect town boy.
July 14, 2024
Tears, laughter, surprises,
The authors style is English set in London so took a little getting used too. Totally loved it! The characters are a hoot and I loved Bing the dog and his escapades. You will fall In love with Gina a feisty gal and her granddaughter Stella. The town holds unique quirks that makes you wonder if this place is real. If it is I'd sure like to visit, maybe stay. Looking forward to the authors other books.
The authors style is English set in London so took a little getting used too. Totally loved it! The characters are a hoot and I loved Bing the dog and his escapades. You will fall In love with Gina a feisty gal and her granddaughter Stella. The town holds unique quirks that makes you wonder if this place is real. If it is I'd sure like to visit, maybe stay. Looking forward to the authors other books.
October 25, 2021
Mapton
A delightfully different type of cozy mystery. I was completely enthralled with these crazy characters and can’t wait to read more about their insane antics. What a surprise when I realized who the criminal element was in this small town.
If you enjoy laughing while you read, this is a novel for you.
A delightfully different type of cozy mystery. I was completely enthralled with these crazy characters and can’t wait to read more about their insane antics. What a surprise when I realized who the criminal element was in this small town.
If you enjoy laughing while you read, this is a novel for you.
August 7, 2023
Unexpected, will make you laugh and maybe cry just a little
Content Warning: profanity, including a few “f-bombs” near the end. Closed-door intimacy. References to mental illness.
A thoroughly engaging read. Alternates between deep emotional work and total chaotic hilarity. I love all the many characters!
Content Warning: profanity, including a few “f-bombs” near the end. Closed-door intimacy. References to mental illness.
A thoroughly engaging read. Alternates between deep emotional work and total chaotic hilarity. I love all the many characters!
December 3, 2023
This is the first in the series and such a fun little read about Gina and her granddaughter Stella… a little bit of family drama and romance with a side story of Bing Crosby the Jack Russell based on a typical British seaside resort!
I’m not one for books that are a part of a series but would be interesting to see how this one panned out!
I’m not one for books that are a part of a series but would be interesting to see how this one panned out!
July 6, 2025
This light hearted romance had lots of funny moments and several plots to follow. I found it just too long though and got bored about 2/3 of the way through. There was just too much focus on certain parts of the plot for me, like the dog packs antics. It was fun but I’m not feeling a need to try another in the series, unless maybe a short story.
August 5, 2021
WOW
What a story! Such talent. Such sadness and joy. Raw descriptions that give life to the words where you ‘feel’ not just think about what you are reading.
On to her next book with ‘glee’.
What a story! Such talent. Such sadness and joy. Raw descriptions that give life to the words where you ‘feel’ not just think about what you are reading.
On to her next book with ‘glee’.
January 19, 2023
A really good book
Oh my, what a cracking good read. This book had a bit of everything, sadness, romance, bitchyness and it made me laugh, proper belly laugh. Gina the grandmother made me laugh so much. I can't wait to read the next book.
Oh my, what a cracking good read. This book had a bit of everything, sadness, romance, bitchyness and it made me laugh, proper belly laugh. Gina the grandmother made me laugh so much. I can't wait to read the next book.
April 26, 2023
Fabulous
What a fantastic read as an older person myself I was in their world ! Loved the dogs too I would recommend this to all as a real brighten up your day story, I found it very hard to put down and really loved it
What a fantastic read as an older person myself I was in their world ! Loved the dogs too I would recommend this to all as a real brighten up your day story, I found it very hard to put down and really loved it
July 19, 2023
Dysfunctionally interesting
I enjoyed the dysfunctional characters. Heart breaking first half and heart mending second half with ( blank) ending.. would want to give it away! Enjoyable.
I enjoyed the dysfunctional characters. Heart breaking first half and heart mending second half with ( blank) ending.. would want to give it away! Enjoyable.
October 13, 2024
A Delightful Hoot !
I was not able to set this book down. So entranced with the characters and story. The uncommon character of the grandmother was so intriguing. The lovers so plagued with life's
pItfalls. A satisfying read.
I was not able to set this book down. So entranced with the characters and story. The uncommon character of the grandmother was so intriguing. The lovers so plagued with life's
pItfalls. A satisfying read.
October 19, 2024
Funny and Emotional
This story has characters that come alive on the page. Some who you love, others who you hate. That, along with the “dog” scenes makes the story one to remember
This story has characters that come alive on the page. Some who you love, others who you hate. That, along with the “dog” scenes makes the story one to remember
April 4, 2025
Fun and mayhem at the seaside
I loved this introduction to the seaside town of Mapton on Sea. Full of humour and loveable and quirky characters, with well developed storylines that made me purchase the next book of the series to find out what is going to happen next
I loved this introduction to the seaside town of Mapton on Sea. Full of humour and loveable and quirky characters, with well developed storylines that made me purchase the next book of the series to find out what is going to happen next
July 17, 2021
By the sea
I laughed out loud at Stella and Gina’s antics, especially the jack russell terrier leading the pack of rogue dogs. Mapton may not be the prettiest beach town, but it certainly seems like a nice place to live.
I laughed out loud at Stella and Gina’s antics, especially the jack russell terrier leading the pack of rogue dogs. Mapton may not be the prettiest beach town, but it certainly seems like a nice place to live.
July 16, 2021
Delightful
This story made me laugh out loud. The characters were realistic and perpetually flags, as we all are. Such a sweet story.
This story made me laugh out loud. The characters were realistic and perpetually flags, as we all are. Such a sweet story.
August 4, 2021
Mapton on Sea
This was a marvelous book to read! You wonder what’s going to happen next! You will laugh, and you will cry and laugh some more!
This was a marvelous book to read! You wonder what’s going to happen next! You will laugh, and you will cry and laugh some more!
November 10, 2021
Hysterically Intriguing
You will get lively characters, laughs and pulls at the heartstrings in this book. It is fun, engaging and well written. A seamlessly beautiful tale.
You will get lively characters, laughs and pulls at the heartstrings in this book. It is fun, engaging and well written. A seamlessly beautiful tale.
February 26, 2022
Wonderful
I absolutely loved this book. I was enthralled by all the characters and the village of Mapto on the Sea. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.
I absolutely loved this book. I was enthralled by all the characters and the village of Mapto on the Sea. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.
March 8, 2022
Kind of silly, but a fun read.
June 19, 2022
Hilarious!
Once you get to know the characters you won't be able to put it down. The antics both people and dogs get up to beggars belief, but the storyline is so funny!
Once you get to know the characters you won't be able to put it down. The antics both people and dogs get up to beggars belief, but the storyline is so funny!
July 8, 2022
Madness at Mapton
A rollicking seaside farce of a book! With larger than life characters and dogs and Englishmen this laugh out loud book was so much fun to read. I loved it!
A rollicking seaside farce of a book! With larger than life characters and dogs and Englishmen this laugh out loud book was so much fun to read. I loved it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews