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Port Willow Bay #1
Summer at the Highland Coral Beach
Escape to the Highland Coral Beach – where broken hearts can be healed
Beatrice Halliday needs a break from life. Booking a trip to the Highlands on a whim, Beatrice hopes learning Gaelic in a beautiful Scottish village might help her heal her grief after losing her baby, her husband and her much loved job in a space of months.
But Port Willow Bay isn’t exactly as the website promised. Instead of learning a new language, she’s booked in to learn the ancient skill of willow weaving, her hotel room is Princess and the Pea themed (with a stack of mattresses for her bed!) and worse still, her tutor is Atholl Fergusson, grumpy landlord of the hotel where Beatrice is staying – and she’s the only one doing the course.
But as Beatrice finds herself falling in love with Port Willow Bay and its people, and as she discovers the kind heart beneath Atholl’s stony exterior, can she really leave?
Escape to the beautiful Scottish Highlands with this utterly romantic, feelgood book; one visit to Port Willow Bay and you’ll want to come back!
Fans of Sarah Morgan, Carole Matthews and Holly Martin will be captivated.
Beatrice Halliday needs a break from life. Booking a trip to the Highlands on a whim, Beatrice hopes learning Gaelic in a beautiful Scottish village might help her heal her grief after losing her baby, her husband and her much loved job in a space of months.
But Port Willow Bay isn’t exactly as the website promised. Instead of learning a new language, she’s booked in to learn the ancient skill of willow weaving, her hotel room is Princess and the Pea themed (with a stack of mattresses for her bed!) and worse still, her tutor is Atholl Fergusson, grumpy landlord of the hotel where Beatrice is staying – and she’s the only one doing the course.
But as Beatrice finds herself falling in love with Port Willow Bay and its people, and as she discovers the kind heart beneath Atholl’s stony exterior, can she really leave?
Escape to the beautiful Scottish Highlands with this utterly romantic, feelgood book; one visit to Port Willow Bay and you’ll want to come back!
Fans of Sarah Morgan, Carole Matthews and Holly Martin will be captivated.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 27, 2020
61 people are currently reading
433 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
March 30, 2020
Favorite Quotes:
‘He and his wife didn’t get on, and she moved to the other side of the island once their son was at the high school. And every day he’d ride his bicycle over to visit her, and on Fridays he’d take a posy of flowers to her. They got on like a house on fire once they’d separated. It was quite the love affair, apparently.’ ‘And they never moved back in together?’ ‘And risk spoiling their romance? Goodness, no.’
I have a theory that nice, available Highland blokes who aren’t out grafting twenty-four-seven are like Brigadoon; one rises from the mists every one hundred years.
‘So, it’s manicure, facial, manscaping those brows and taming that chest wig that’s escaping his shirt?’ Beatrice whispered. Cheryl laughed. ‘Eee, I thought it was going to jump out and run up someone’s trouser leg when I first caught sight of that fuzz.’
Scottish tablet… A whole bag of sugar, large can o’ condensed milk, wee scrape o’ vanilla and a splash of whole milk. Then you boil it up until it looks like a raging furnace in the pan… You only know the stuff’s ready when the bubbles have risen to the top o’ the pan, your eyebrows are singed clean awf and you truly fear for your life… I’ve known folk lose fingers making the stuff. Melted, they were!
The girls at the Hub used to show me their dating profiles and the men they were matched to. They were a gruesome crop of middle managers with hairy backs, halitosis and three mobile phones and ten women on the go at once. Half of them have wives!
My Review:
Scotland is the land of my forbearers, so I do loves me a Scottish burr and this tale had lots of thick and juicy ones with an especially tasty one from a sexy redheaded knightly willow weaver. Atholl was divine!
I wasn’t sure if I was going to appreciate the main female character of Bea as at times she had been curt, critical, impatient, arrogant, and outright rude toward her Scottish hosts, and I was disappointed with her annoying and thoughtless behaviors. I didn’t seem to have that problem with the sexy Scotsman, he was a tender heart and a kind soul - and I adored him. The storylines and writing style were engaging, active, insightfully written, well-paced, and often cleverly amusing with unusual activities and misadventures by a cast of quirky and original characters.
I collected several fun new Scottish words to add to my British Isles Word List with ceilidh – a traditional Scottish social gathering usually with dancing, braw – fine, and birling – spinning around like the logs in their Highland games.
‘He and his wife didn’t get on, and she moved to the other side of the island once their son was at the high school. And every day he’d ride his bicycle over to visit her, and on Fridays he’d take a posy of flowers to her. They got on like a house on fire once they’d separated. It was quite the love affair, apparently.’ ‘And they never moved back in together?’ ‘And risk spoiling their romance? Goodness, no.’
I have a theory that nice, available Highland blokes who aren’t out grafting twenty-four-seven are like Brigadoon; one rises from the mists every one hundred years.
‘So, it’s manicure, facial, manscaping those brows and taming that chest wig that’s escaping his shirt?’ Beatrice whispered. Cheryl laughed. ‘Eee, I thought it was going to jump out and run up someone’s trouser leg when I first caught sight of that fuzz.’
Scottish tablet… A whole bag of sugar, large can o’ condensed milk, wee scrape o’ vanilla and a splash of whole milk. Then you boil it up until it looks like a raging furnace in the pan… You only know the stuff’s ready when the bubbles have risen to the top o’ the pan, your eyebrows are singed clean awf and you truly fear for your life… I’ve known folk lose fingers making the stuff. Melted, they were!
The girls at the Hub used to show me their dating profiles and the men they were matched to. They were a gruesome crop of middle managers with hairy backs, halitosis and three mobile phones and ten women on the go at once. Half of them have wives!
My Review:
Scotland is the land of my forbearers, so I do loves me a Scottish burr and this tale had lots of thick and juicy ones with an especially tasty one from a sexy redheaded knightly willow weaver. Atholl was divine!
I wasn’t sure if I was going to appreciate the main female character of Bea as at times she had been curt, critical, impatient, arrogant, and outright rude toward her Scottish hosts, and I was disappointed with her annoying and thoughtless behaviors. I didn’t seem to have that problem with the sexy Scotsman, he was a tender heart and a kind soul - and I adored him. The storylines and writing style were engaging, active, insightfully written, well-paced, and often cleverly amusing with unusual activities and misadventures by a cast of quirky and original characters.
I collected several fun new Scottish words to add to my British Isles Word List with ceilidh – a traditional Scottish social gathering usually with dancing, braw – fine, and birling – spinning around like the logs in their Highland games.
March 28, 2020
Heartfelt, charming, emotional, sweet. Kiley Dunbar brought the Scottish highlands and these quirky characters to life with her vivid storytelling. The book starts off with Beatrice and a stick with two pink lines, then it jumps forward to Beatrice in Port Willow Bay, a small Scottish town. She is less than pleased with her accommodations at the Princess and the Pea. She is staying in the “princess“ room with a bed of mattresses piled one on top of each other and a ladder to the top(Can you imagine?). To top it off instead of learning Gaelic she is now learning to Willow weep and her teacher is the irascible Atholl. As the story unfolds we find out not only has Beatrice left her husband and lost her job, but she also lost her baby. We also see a strong bond form between Beatrice and Atholl(Who is much sweeter than he first appears). Willow weaving, cattle run, turquoise waters, Scottish dancing, riptides, lists, and a dog named echo.
Beatrice was such a relatable character I really felt for her and her many losses. As someone who has gone through two miscarriages I felt Beatrice’s grief was portrayed very authentically. I really like how she and Atholl really brought out the best in each other. I do wish however the story took place over two months rather than a week, it would’ve been a little more realistic (for me anyways). This did not detract from the story, it’s fiction and I went with it. Even though Beatrice took this trip to deal with her grief, the story was really so full of humor and heart. Also the way Kiley Dunbar wrote the dialogue I could hear the Scottish accent. A well told story that made me feel good and want to visit Scotland, although I’m still not sure about those kilts.
This book in emojis 🐶 🗝 🧺 🐮 🌊 💞
*** Big thank you to Hera Books for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
Beatrice was such a relatable character I really felt for her and her many losses. As someone who has gone through two miscarriages I felt Beatrice’s grief was portrayed very authentically. I really like how she and Atholl really brought out the best in each other. I do wish however the story took place over two months rather than a week, it would’ve been a little more realistic (for me anyways). This did not detract from the story, it’s fiction and I went with it. Even though Beatrice took this trip to deal with her grief, the story was really so full of humor and heart. Also the way Kiley Dunbar wrote the dialogue I could hear the Scottish accent. A well told story that made me feel good and want to visit Scotland, although I’m still not sure about those kilts.
This book in emojis 🐶 🗝 🧺 🐮 🌊 💞
*** Big thank you to Hera Books for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
April 2, 2020
5☆ Rustic Charm, Romance, Humour, Emotion and Wit makes this the perfect escapism!
Beatrice was married to Richard for 10years, finally after getting pregnant, Beatrice loses the baby. Unable to cope Richard walks out on their marriage too. Leaving Beatrice alone and grieving.
After a drunken night Beatrice decides a holiday is exactly what she needs. So she books a trip to Scotland on a whim.
Gene Fergusson is the owner of The Princess and the Pea Inn in Scotland, Port Willow,
In walks Beatrice, she has checked in for Nine nights, bed, breakfast, dinner and Gaelic lessons.
But instead she's been booked in for Willow weaving!
After being led to her room eventually she is taken aback by how tiny it Is.
That's when Atholl ( Gene's Brother) offers her the Princess Room for double the money.
She agrees not expecting to see one giant bed made up of mattress's and the only way into it is via a ladder lol (princess and the pea)
Beatrice is determined she is catching the next train home as she can't stand it there.
But will she wake up in a different frame of mind?
After all Port Willow certainly has a rustic charm, and so has the Fergusson brothers.
Particularly Atholl who may just win her over with his dry wit and nimble Willow Weaving.
I absolutely loved this book! It has oodles of charm, character and wit. I have to say I fell in love with Port Willow and the quirky Inn.
The characters were simply a delight, getting to know each one.
All slightly flawed and broken in their own ways, but that just made me love them more.
Oh and a extra special shout out to Echo the adorable and loyal sheep dog 🐶
If I ever got lost and a herd of wild cows came hurtling towards me... I would 100% want Echo by my side! He's a lil hero!
This book has a lil bit of everything, humour, emotion, heartbreak, wit, romance, friendship, family, charm, community spirit, scrumptious food and fun.
I honestly can't praise Summer at the Highland Coral Beach enough.
Dunbar took me to a very special place, surrounded by very special people.
This book is this perfect bit of escapism I was so desperately craving during these awful times.
It is a first book in a new series and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment!
This is also my first encounter with Kiley Dunbar and I'm excited to discover more!
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources & Hera Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/0...
Beatrice was married to Richard for 10years, finally after getting pregnant, Beatrice loses the baby. Unable to cope Richard walks out on their marriage too. Leaving Beatrice alone and grieving.
After a drunken night Beatrice decides a holiday is exactly what she needs. So she books a trip to Scotland on a whim.
Gene Fergusson is the owner of The Princess and the Pea Inn in Scotland, Port Willow,
In walks Beatrice, she has checked in for Nine nights, bed, breakfast, dinner and Gaelic lessons.
But instead she's been booked in for Willow weaving!
After being led to her room eventually she is taken aback by how tiny it Is.
That's when Atholl ( Gene's Brother) offers her the Princess Room for double the money.
She agrees not expecting to see one giant bed made up of mattress's and the only way into it is via a ladder lol (princess and the pea)
Beatrice is determined she is catching the next train home as she can't stand it there.
But will she wake up in a different frame of mind?
After all Port Willow certainly has a rustic charm, and so has the Fergusson brothers.
Particularly Atholl who may just win her over with his dry wit and nimble Willow Weaving.
I absolutely loved this book! It has oodles of charm, character and wit. I have to say I fell in love with Port Willow and the quirky Inn.
The characters were simply a delight, getting to know each one.
All slightly flawed and broken in their own ways, but that just made me love them more.
Oh and a extra special shout out to Echo the adorable and loyal sheep dog 🐶
If I ever got lost and a herd of wild cows came hurtling towards me... I would 100% want Echo by my side! He's a lil hero!
This book has a lil bit of everything, humour, emotion, heartbreak, wit, romance, friendship, family, charm, community spirit, scrumptious food and fun.
I honestly can't praise Summer at the Highland Coral Beach enough.
Dunbar took me to a very special place, surrounded by very special people.
This book is this perfect bit of escapism I was so desperately craving during these awful times.
It is a first book in a new series and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment!
This is also my first encounter with Kiley Dunbar and I'm excited to discover more!
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources & Hera Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/0...
March 1, 2020
I really enjoyed my trip to Port Willow in this really lovely story. It is such a lovely sounding place up in the Scottish Highlands, even has its own Coral Beach, a Princess and the Pea inn, a pair of gruff Scottish brothers who have incredibly thick accents, and then there is Beatrice.
Beatrice is our heroine of this novel, and her opening is memorable, if heartbreaking. And then her first days in Scotland which were booked on a whim don't exactly go according to plan. It is clear she is still hurting from recent events, and she appears to be taking it out on the already grumpy Atholl.
Atholl is actually wonderful as you get to know him, he is rather straight talking but I couldn't help but warm to him. He wants to help his brother but at the same time he is hoping to make a success of his Willow Weaving workshops.
Haven't heard of Willow Weaving? Neither had I until this book, its an old traditional craft, and I learned a fair bit about Willow too from Atholl. Always good to learn something new while reading fiction, and this was interesting - but if you aren't sure about it, honestly the specifics are are very short section of a much bigger story.
Due to the way Atholl and Eugene (his brother) speak, I really could hear the Scottish accent in the back of my mind with every sentence uttered, even if I wasn't sure exactly what some of the local terms meant, there is enough context to get to grips with what feels like a distance cousin to English - can you tell I've not ventured further into Scotland than Glasgow and Edinburgh!!
Easily one of my favourite characters was Echo, he's adorable, and such a loyal companion, always sensing when someone needs his help the most. And I really do think he helped Beatrice quite a lot while she was in Port Willow.
There is a lot jam packed into this book, and I loved every second of this story. I loved seeing how Beatrice, Atholl and Eugene were all able to change over a very short period of time. Another incredibly enjoyable story from an author that I'm loving more and more each book.
Thank you to Hera Books for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Beatrice is our heroine of this novel, and her opening is memorable, if heartbreaking. And then her first days in Scotland which were booked on a whim don't exactly go according to plan. It is clear she is still hurting from recent events, and she appears to be taking it out on the already grumpy Atholl.
Atholl is actually wonderful as you get to know him, he is rather straight talking but I couldn't help but warm to him. He wants to help his brother but at the same time he is hoping to make a success of his Willow Weaving workshops.
Haven't heard of Willow Weaving? Neither had I until this book, its an old traditional craft, and I learned a fair bit about Willow too from Atholl. Always good to learn something new while reading fiction, and this was interesting - but if you aren't sure about it, honestly the specifics are are very short section of a much bigger story.
Due to the way Atholl and Eugene (his brother) speak, I really could hear the Scottish accent in the back of my mind with every sentence uttered, even if I wasn't sure exactly what some of the local terms meant, there is enough context to get to grips with what feels like a distance cousin to English - can you tell I've not ventured further into Scotland than Glasgow and Edinburgh!!
Easily one of my favourite characters was Echo, he's adorable, and such a loyal companion, always sensing when someone needs his help the most. And I really do think he helped Beatrice quite a lot while she was in Port Willow.
There is a lot jam packed into this book, and I loved every second of this story. I loved seeing how Beatrice, Atholl and Eugene were all able to change over a very short period of time. Another incredibly enjoyable story from an author that I'm loving more and more each book.
Thank you to Hera Books for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
March 5, 2020
As someone who has never gotten to travel a lot, I can tell you that there's something about reading books that take place in areas that I'm just dying to visit! And so, when I get to read about one of my 'bucket list countries', I can't help but get really happy. Summer at the Highland Coral Beach is a lovely tale of a woman who needs to reset her life after loss. One of the most horrible losses anyone could ever experience.
Pacing
From page one I felt immersed in this story. I didn't feel the need or desire to skip over anything that was unnecessary or slow. This read was pretty quick for me and I feel like each chapter held important key elements to the narrative. Getting to know Beatrice in the beginning and then her blossoming friendship was done beautifully. Nothing about this story felt rushed even though it felt like it went by so quickly.
Characters
Beatrice was a very heartfelt heroine. She was feisty, brave, and so strong after going through the loss that she experienced. In the beginning, I'll admit, she was a bit rough when she met Atholl... But, I firmly believe that just enriched the story and made it more realistic.
Speaking of Atholl, I LOVED him as a lead character. He was also pretty gruff in the beginning but that was just a cover over his mushy interior. Besides these two characters, there wasn't much fleshing out...
The side characters were wonderful, just a little more one-dimensional. But, instead of taking away from the story, it honestly just made me wish for a sequel featuring some of these lovely side-characters.
Writing
Kiley Dunbar is a wonderful author! She knows how to spin a tale in a way that'll break your heart but make you stay for the happily-ever-after. She writes an intelligent romance that has you rooting for perfectly-imperfect characters that deserve one another. And the town of Port Willow Bay seems to real to me! I honestly hope to read more from her very soon!
Pacing
From page one I felt immersed in this story. I didn't feel the need or desire to skip over anything that was unnecessary or slow. This read was pretty quick for me and I feel like each chapter held important key elements to the narrative. Getting to know Beatrice in the beginning and then her blossoming friendship was done beautifully. Nothing about this story felt rushed even though it felt like it went by so quickly.
Characters
Beatrice was a very heartfelt heroine. She was feisty, brave, and so strong after going through the loss that she experienced. In the beginning, I'll admit, she was a bit rough when she met Atholl... But, I firmly believe that just enriched the story and made it more realistic.
Speaking of Atholl, I LOVED him as a lead character. He was also pretty gruff in the beginning but that was just a cover over his mushy interior. Besides these two characters, there wasn't much fleshing out...
The side characters were wonderful, just a little more one-dimensional. But, instead of taking away from the story, it honestly just made me wish for a sequel featuring some of these lovely side-characters.
Writing
Kiley Dunbar is a wonderful author! She knows how to spin a tale in a way that'll break your heart but make you stay for the happily-ever-after. She writes an intelligent romance that has you rooting for perfectly-imperfect characters that deserve one another. And the town of Port Willow Bay seems to real to me! I honestly hope to read more from her very soon!
April 26, 2020
Oh wow, wow, WOW!!! Kiley Dunbar, your writing is awesome!!!
Beatrice Halliday is desolate and needs to get far away. So far away in fact, she books a 10 day stay at The Princess and Pea Inn, in Port Willow which is up in the Scottish Highlands.
However, when Beatrice arrives, the book-in nearly had Beatrice turning on her heels for home. Gaelic lessons were replaced by Willow-weaving, the Inn wasn't quite what she'd expected and the Fergusson brothers: one dozy and the other grumpy, weren't exactly welcoming.
What Beatrice doesn't know, is that all three of them are harbouring something, and here, as we delve further into the story, the author writes with compassion, particularly with one
subject, and I was compelled to keep on reading and to find out more; where would each character fit in? And what would happen to them? I felt as if I was beside Beatrice the whole time; the author has thought out each element of the story with precision. I could visualise myself there amongst the beautiful scenery; the snow-capped rolling hills. Each scene was enjoyable, even though a few brought my emotions bubbling to the surface and I was so absorbed in what was going on around me.
I felt the joy, the pain, the despair, the regret; I felt every emotion that Beatrice felt, and that was all down to skill on the author's part.
Each character is crafted so perfectly and I took a shine to them all. All, except for Richard. Yes, we deal with our emotions in different ways, we deal with what life throws at us in different ways, but I couldn't take to him and I'm pleased that he only played a small part.
Atholl... One scene had me very, very choked up. The characters really brought the story to life, as did Echo - I loved him! He always looked out for everyone and he sensed how everyone was feeling and when he was needed.
Willow-weaving - I have never tried it, it sounds fascinating and I hope that I am able to have a go at it one day! I really enjoyed hearing about it and also about the delicious delicacies. I am always interested in culture and so this added to my enthusiasm about the book.
Summer at the Highland Coral Beach is full of warmth, hope, love and friendship and I am sad that I have finished the book.
I loved every moment of my time spent with these delightful characters and I hope that everyone who reads this enchanting story, enjoys it just as much as I did.
I can't recommend this book highly enough!
Thank you to hera books via NetGalley and to the author.
This is my honest and unbiased review.
Beatrice Halliday is desolate and needs to get far away. So far away in fact, she books a 10 day stay at The Princess and Pea Inn, in Port Willow which is up in the Scottish Highlands.
However, when Beatrice arrives, the book-in nearly had Beatrice turning on her heels for home. Gaelic lessons were replaced by Willow-weaving, the Inn wasn't quite what she'd expected and the Fergusson brothers: one dozy and the other grumpy, weren't exactly welcoming.
What Beatrice doesn't know, is that all three of them are harbouring something, and here, as we delve further into the story, the author writes with compassion, particularly with one
subject, and I was compelled to keep on reading and to find out more; where would each character fit in? And what would happen to them? I felt as if I was beside Beatrice the whole time; the author has thought out each element of the story with precision. I could visualise myself there amongst the beautiful scenery; the snow-capped rolling hills. Each scene was enjoyable, even though a few brought my emotions bubbling to the surface and I was so absorbed in what was going on around me.
I felt the joy, the pain, the despair, the regret; I felt every emotion that Beatrice felt, and that was all down to skill on the author's part.
Each character is crafted so perfectly and I took a shine to them all. All, except for Richard. Yes, we deal with our emotions in different ways, we deal with what life throws at us in different ways, but I couldn't take to him and I'm pleased that he only played a small part.
Atholl... One scene had me very, very choked up. The characters really brought the story to life, as did Echo - I loved him! He always looked out for everyone and he sensed how everyone was feeling and when he was needed.
Willow-weaving - I have never tried it, it sounds fascinating and I hope that I am able to have a go at it one day! I really enjoyed hearing about it and also about the delicious delicacies. I am always interested in culture and so this added to my enthusiasm about the book.
Summer at the Highland Coral Beach is full of warmth, hope, love and friendship and I am sad that I have finished the book.
I loved every moment of my time spent with these delightful characters and I hope that everyone who reads this enchanting story, enjoys it just as much as I did.
I can't recommend this book highly enough!
Thank you to hera books via NetGalley and to the author.
This is my honest and unbiased review.
April 7, 2020
A delightful read which kept me quite engrossed in the story. The hero pulled at my heartstrings with his tenderness. The author knew how to make me fall in love with the sexy Scotsman.
An emotional read, the author brought the Scottish Highlands alive with the magic of her writing. Her words were precisely chosen to transport me to the beautiful landscapes.
Beatrice was strong, my heart too broke at her losses. The emotions seeped through the lines and into my heart. The author was a great storyteller who kept me completely captivated with humor and romance. A charming read.
An emotional read, the author brought the Scottish Highlands alive with the magic of her writing. Her words were precisely chosen to transport me to the beautiful landscapes.
Beatrice was strong, my heart too broke at her losses. The emotions seeped through the lines and into my heart. The author was a great storyteller who kept me completely captivated with humor and romance. A charming read.
March 27, 2020
This is a roller coaster romance, starting with hope, dashed with disaster, unexpected escape, dramatic encounters and a heartwarming finale that even has another twist! It deals with some difficult issues in a sensitive manner, without making light of the heartbreak they cause.
Beatrice Halliday has had enough. In just a few months she lost her job, her baby and her husband of ten years. Wanting a change, she books a holiday to Port Willow Bay, a beautiful Scottish seaside village where she hopes endeavouring to learn Gaelic will be just the distraction she needs. However, there's been a mistake with her booking and instead she's booked to learn how to willow weave. Not only that but the taciturn landlord and his brother aren't exactly welcoming or sympathetic. She decides to head home but there's no train . . . . Will this be the holiday from hell or prove to be a life-changing experience?
The idyllic setting, brilliant characters and possibilities all add to this lovely story. The sense of community and working together is skilfully interwoven through this story which also includes more than one romance. The Princess and the Pea bedroom sounds like a dream . . . . or should that be a nightmare? There's matchmaking, healing, second chances and new possibilities in this delightful story that I have no hesitation in highly recommending. I'll certainly be looking out for more by this author in future as I've thoroughly enjoyed everything I've read by her.
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.
Beatrice Halliday has had enough. In just a few months she lost her job, her baby and her husband of ten years. Wanting a change, she books a holiday to Port Willow Bay, a beautiful Scottish seaside village where she hopes endeavouring to learn Gaelic will be just the distraction she needs. However, there's been a mistake with her booking and instead she's booked to learn how to willow weave. Not only that but the taciturn landlord and his brother aren't exactly welcoming or sympathetic. She decides to head home but there's no train . . . . Will this be the holiday from hell or prove to be a life-changing experience?
The idyllic setting, brilliant characters and possibilities all add to this lovely story. The sense of community and working together is skilfully interwoven through this story which also includes more than one romance. The Princess and the Pea bedroom sounds like a dream . . . . or should that be a nightmare? There's matchmaking, healing, second chances and new possibilities in this delightful story that I have no hesitation in highly recommending. I'll certainly be looking out for more by this author in future as I've thoroughly enjoyed everything I've read by her.
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.
June 30, 2020
I read this beautiful book by Kiley Dunbar as quickly as possible because I just couldn't put it down. I could practically smell the heather and the salt of the sea because of the brilliant descriptions which Kiley wrote. The characters are so believable that you feel that you're right there with them looking at the view or at someone's facial expression. You can almost hear their Scottish accents too and feel the atmosphere created throughout. There is some sorrow, but the possibility of some wonderful happy endings which you will want to end well when you find out more about the characters. You will be willing them to succeed and live happily ever after. How I wanted to be stood there on the rugged shoreline with them and to wrap them in my arms when they needed it too. I liked this book so much that I have already ordered Kiley's other books. Thank you for a wonderful, beautifully written read Kiley.
March 30, 2020
Beatrice needed a getaway, perhaps not one fueled by three glasses of wine, a nine hour train journey and a Princess and the Pea styled 4 poster bed in the strange little village of Port Willow Bay. But she’s here, and not quite herself: prone to bursting into tears or turning a sharp tongue on anyone’s path she crosses. But she’s here and ‘stuck’ at least until Monday when the trains run again.
Atholl and his brother Eugene run the inn/pub, and Atholl has worked to bring “craft tourism” to the bay in the hopes of increasing tourism and bringing new life to the little town. For years, the population has dwindled, and the regular residents are far more male than female. While Beatrice thought she had enrolled in a Gaelic class, she discovers with the rather questionable help from Gene, that she is, in fact, there to learn willow weaving. Not happy with any of it, she’s determined NOT to stay, and not to get involved.
But this little town and it’s people – both residents and visitors are engaging, adding a bit of quirky to the mix, not to mention her own recognition of stuffing down her history and her words, all compounding her grief. From discovering stories of the residents’ lives and marriages (or dissolution of same) as well as her knack for organizing and bringing people together, a bit of good natured meddling and some growth allow her to open up to Atholl, and get some much needed confidence, acceptance and perhaps even a way to move on from the loss of her child and her marriage. With good humor, plenty of scenery, a bit of confusion and several communications gone awry, the story is a wonderfully told and emotional escapist tale that brings plenty of smiles and happiness to all in the end.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Atholl and his brother Eugene run the inn/pub, and Atholl has worked to bring “craft tourism” to the bay in the hopes of increasing tourism and bringing new life to the little town. For years, the population has dwindled, and the regular residents are far more male than female. While Beatrice thought she had enrolled in a Gaelic class, she discovers with the rather questionable help from Gene, that she is, in fact, there to learn willow weaving. Not happy with any of it, she’s determined NOT to stay, and not to get involved.
But this little town and it’s people – both residents and visitors are engaging, adding a bit of quirky to the mix, not to mention her own recognition of stuffing down her history and her words, all compounding her grief. From discovering stories of the residents’ lives and marriages (or dissolution of same) as well as her knack for organizing and bringing people together, a bit of good natured meddling and some growth allow her to open up to Atholl, and get some much needed confidence, acceptance and perhaps even a way to move on from the loss of her child and her marriage. With good humor, plenty of scenery, a bit of confusion and several communications gone awry, the story is a wonderfully told and emotional escapist tale that brings plenty of smiles and happiness to all in the end.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
March 27, 2020
There’s so much I enjoy about Kiley Dunbar’s lovely writing, but she really does have a particular knack for characterisation: I think a lot of it has to do with the way she develops her main character’s “voice”. The narrative might be third person, but this is very much Beatrice’s story – you share her experience, see things through her eyes, feel for her, hurt with her, feel her frustration and joy, even get annoyed with her at times, but then become entirely invested in hoping she’ll find her happy ending.
I will admit Beatrice didn’t win me over straight away: I thought she maybe wallowed for a little longer than I’d have liked, but that might have been my fault, reading the book in short bursts. But from the moment she found herself in Port Willow Bay, an impulsive decision she initially regretted, the pace really picked up and the the whole story took off: I raced through the rest with a wide smile on my face.
And that smile wasn’t just because of Beatrice herself – the whole supporting cast, however minor their role and involvement, is simply superb. The author very successfully builds an entire community, every individual entirely three-dimensional, with the hotel and its staff and residents as its beating heart.
And then there’s the setting, so vividly imagined and wonderfully described. I see from the author’s letter at the book’s end that Port Willow is a re-imagined version of Plockton in the West Highlands – most definitely one for that bucket list (and perhaps a bit more achievable than Lapland, eh?).
The story itself – although tinged with some serious themes at times – has immense warmth, an essential sunny lightness interrupted only now and then by a few passing clouds. It follows the oft tried and well-tested path of enemies becoming friends (and possibly more), but with real originality in the way the story twists and turns and different individuals become its focus.
And I must mention that although I’m not always a particular fan of attempting to capture people’s speech patterns, it’s done quite perfectly here – it might sound bizarre, but I really found myself reading with a Scottish accent (is that a “thing”, do you think?).
All that, a touch of match-making, the Princess and the Pea bed with its ladder and towering mattresses, an introduction to willow-weaving (quite fascinating), how to revive a field of lavender – and one of the most characterful dogs that you could ever wish to meet. There’s supportive friendship, fresh starts and new beginnings (and not only for Beatrice), and a real and believable romance as the characters discover what might just make them happy. You really can’t ask for much more, can you?
An absolutely gorgeous read, thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommended – and I’m really looking forward to returning to Port Willow Bay…
I will admit Beatrice didn’t win me over straight away: I thought she maybe wallowed for a little longer than I’d have liked, but that might have been my fault, reading the book in short bursts. But from the moment she found herself in Port Willow Bay, an impulsive decision she initially regretted, the pace really picked up and the the whole story took off: I raced through the rest with a wide smile on my face.
And that smile wasn’t just because of Beatrice herself – the whole supporting cast, however minor their role and involvement, is simply superb. The author very successfully builds an entire community, every individual entirely three-dimensional, with the hotel and its staff and residents as its beating heart.
And then there’s the setting, so vividly imagined and wonderfully described. I see from the author’s letter at the book’s end that Port Willow is a re-imagined version of Plockton in the West Highlands – most definitely one for that bucket list (and perhaps a bit more achievable than Lapland, eh?).
The story itself – although tinged with some serious themes at times – has immense warmth, an essential sunny lightness interrupted only now and then by a few passing clouds. It follows the oft tried and well-tested path of enemies becoming friends (and possibly more), but with real originality in the way the story twists and turns and different individuals become its focus.
And I must mention that although I’m not always a particular fan of attempting to capture people’s speech patterns, it’s done quite perfectly here – it might sound bizarre, but I really found myself reading with a Scottish accent (is that a “thing”, do you think?).
All that, a touch of match-making, the Princess and the Pea bed with its ladder and towering mattresses, an introduction to willow-weaving (quite fascinating), how to revive a field of lavender – and one of the most characterful dogs that you could ever wish to meet. There’s supportive friendship, fresh starts and new beginnings (and not only for Beatrice), and a real and believable romance as the characters discover what might just make them happy. You really can’t ask for much more, can you?
An absolutely gorgeous read, thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommended – and I’m really looking forward to returning to Port Willow Bay…
April 21, 2020
This is a book about grieving, about finding peace again, about love and friendship. It takes place in beautiful Scotland. I had a hard time to get into the story at first, but once I was in, I really enjoyed this book! It looks like it's a first part of a serie and I cannot wait to read the second book! I give this book a 4 stars out of 5!
April 1, 2020
At the very end of 2019, an author whose writing I had loved since I was in my teens very sadly passed away. That author was M. C. Beaton and the books beloved by me were the Hamish Macbeth stories. I spent many holidays in the Scottish borders as a child and in the town in which we stayed there was a newsagents, the Scottish version of W H Smiths, where I discovered the first Hamish Macbeth stories. I was in my early teens at the time and I immediately became addicted. As I am very old, this was in the days before Amazon, and I could not find these books in any local bookshops in the UK, so I used to wait eagerly for the summer holidays, saving up my pocket money, so I could rush and buy the next books in the series.
Several years later, the BBC made the Hamish Macbeth books into a delightful TV series, starring the gorgeous Robert Carlyle and set in a remote and dreamy part of the Scottish Highlands, and I was soon addicted to this too and still love it to this day.
Why is this in any way relevant to a review of the latest book by Kiley Dunbar, I hear you ask? Well, that TV series was filmed around the towns of Plockton and the Kyle of Lochalsh in the western Highlands, and this is a place I have been dreaming of ever since I first fell in love with these books and this show but I’ve never made it there, until now. Because Summer at the Highland Coral Beach is set in the fictional Highland village of Port Willow, which Kylie has based on that long-for destination of Plockton and the setting of the book is so gorgeous, so vivid, so…. touchable on the page that I feel like I’ve spent the last two days there, rather than stuck on my sofa at home. The book filled me with the same kind of joy and peace that made me fall in love with the portrayal of life in this small, remote Highland village and its eccentric characters in the M. C. Beaton books from my youth.
Anyone who read my reviews of Kylie’s previous two books will know I have waxed lyrical before about how wonderful her writing is at making a setting, location and a mood come alive on the page. It is a real gift, this ability to imbue the pages of a book with the spirit, the essence of a place so the reader is really there with the characters, in that place, at the time, and she really has it, possibly more than anyone I have read writing in this genre at the moment. If I really want to escape, these are the kind of books I want to pick up.
Setting aside, the characters in this book are just a delight, and I fell in love with the immediately. They are all warm and likeable and relatable from the off, and it doesn’t hurt that the main male protagonist is a hot Scot in a kilt. But it is the character of Beatrice that carries the book and made this particularly special and moving. For starters, the is in her late thirties, which is refreshing and relevant to us middle-aged readers, and she has been through something that is very moving and personal to me, because I have had a similar experience myself. I found the portrayal of Beatrice and her experience and the reaction to it very realistic and affecting, but it is written with love such and sensitivity and gentleness and understanding that, although it caused me to shed some tears and feel that little crack I forever carry in my heart give a shift, I also nodded along and smiled and acknowledged the truth of what was being shown in the story. This is a hard topic to write about, as well as to read, and it is done here with bravery and grace and I applaud the way it is handled. We must not be afraid to talk about these things, because they are the reality of people’s lives and should not be hidden and ignored.
I don’t want you to get the impression that this is a book full of sadness and pain, because it really isn’t. It is joyful and hopeful and truthful, full of warmth and sunshine and love and optimism. I adored all of the characters, the setting, the feeling of community and caring and family that flowed through it from first page to last. It was just what I needed to lift me at what is a dark time for a lot of people, and left me heart-warmed and cheered. Even in the darkest time, there is brightness and hope on the horizon. In fact, to steal a family motto from the book, ‘Dulcis Ex Asperis’. Let’s hope so.
Several years later, the BBC made the Hamish Macbeth books into a delightful TV series, starring the gorgeous Robert Carlyle and set in a remote and dreamy part of the Scottish Highlands, and I was soon addicted to this too and still love it to this day.
Why is this in any way relevant to a review of the latest book by Kiley Dunbar, I hear you ask? Well, that TV series was filmed around the towns of Plockton and the Kyle of Lochalsh in the western Highlands, and this is a place I have been dreaming of ever since I first fell in love with these books and this show but I’ve never made it there, until now. Because Summer at the Highland Coral Beach is set in the fictional Highland village of Port Willow, which Kylie has based on that long-for destination of Plockton and the setting of the book is so gorgeous, so vivid, so…. touchable on the page that I feel like I’ve spent the last two days there, rather than stuck on my sofa at home. The book filled me with the same kind of joy and peace that made me fall in love with the portrayal of life in this small, remote Highland village and its eccentric characters in the M. C. Beaton books from my youth.
Anyone who read my reviews of Kylie’s previous two books will know I have waxed lyrical before about how wonderful her writing is at making a setting, location and a mood come alive on the page. It is a real gift, this ability to imbue the pages of a book with the spirit, the essence of a place so the reader is really there with the characters, in that place, at the time, and she really has it, possibly more than anyone I have read writing in this genre at the moment. If I really want to escape, these are the kind of books I want to pick up.
Setting aside, the characters in this book are just a delight, and I fell in love with the immediately. They are all warm and likeable and relatable from the off, and it doesn’t hurt that the main male protagonist is a hot Scot in a kilt. But it is the character of Beatrice that carries the book and made this particularly special and moving. For starters, the is in her late thirties, which is refreshing and relevant to us middle-aged readers, and she has been through something that is very moving and personal to me, because I have had a similar experience myself. I found the portrayal of Beatrice and her experience and the reaction to it very realistic and affecting, but it is written with love such and sensitivity and gentleness and understanding that, although it caused me to shed some tears and feel that little crack I forever carry in my heart give a shift, I also nodded along and smiled and acknowledged the truth of what was being shown in the story. This is a hard topic to write about, as well as to read, and it is done here with bravery and grace and I applaud the way it is handled. We must not be afraid to talk about these things, because they are the reality of people’s lives and should not be hidden and ignored.
I don’t want you to get the impression that this is a book full of sadness and pain, because it really isn’t. It is joyful and hopeful and truthful, full of warmth and sunshine and love and optimism. I adored all of the characters, the setting, the feeling of community and caring and family that flowed through it from first page to last. It was just what I needed to lift me at what is a dark time for a lot of people, and left me heart-warmed and cheered. Even in the darkest time, there is brightness and hope on the horizon. In fact, to steal a family motto from the book, ‘Dulcis Ex Asperis’. Let’s hope so.
May 29, 2020
4.5*
For the past two of her ten year marriage, Beatrice Halliday has been getting progressively more broody. Now, at last, she has a positive pregnancy test and can’t wait for her husband, Rich, to get home.
Things obviously didn’t go well as we join a broken hearted Beatrice seven months later travelling to the Scottish Highlands. Needing to get away, she’s booked herself into The Princess and the Pea Inn, in the picturesque village of Port Willow, on a whim. First impressions are less than favourable, especially on a drizzly day, and the inn seems badly run. They couldn’t even get her crafting choice right. Her single room was tiny and needed a revamp. Beatrice resolves to leave the following morning…if she doesn’t break something climbing down from the bed in her requested change of room.
I really enjoyed Summer at the Highland Coral Beach. Kiley Dunbar has a flair for bringing her characters to life and giving the reader a really good sense of place. I thought so after reading Christmas at Frozen Falls and this one just confirms my opinion. In a letter at the end of the book Kiley mentions Port Willow is her reimagined version of Plockton in the west of the Highlands. I was meant to be going there this year, it’s a place that really appeals to me. Perhaps next year…
The story centres around Beatrice who is having difficulty coming to terms with recent life changing events, not helped by the fact she’s unable or unwilling to share her burden. Slowly but surely she begins to enjoy the beauty Port Willow has to offer, and getting to know and like the residents and visitors, although there are still obstacles to overcome.
The characters are crafted beautifully—Beatrice, Gene and his younger brother, Atholl, up to and and including the supporting cast. The sub plots involving other characters who have their own stories give Beatrice something else to focus on, and help her to work through her feelings. A good mix of emotions, humour, romance and sensitively addressed personal issues. Look forward to the next instalment.
For the past two of her ten year marriage, Beatrice Halliday has been getting progressively more broody. Now, at last, she has a positive pregnancy test and can’t wait for her husband, Rich, to get home.
Things obviously didn’t go well as we join a broken hearted Beatrice seven months later travelling to the Scottish Highlands. Needing to get away, she’s booked herself into The Princess and the Pea Inn, in the picturesque village of Port Willow, on a whim. First impressions are less than favourable, especially on a drizzly day, and the inn seems badly run. They couldn’t even get her crafting choice right. Her single room was tiny and needed a revamp. Beatrice resolves to leave the following morning…if she doesn’t break something climbing down from the bed in her requested change of room.
I really enjoyed Summer at the Highland Coral Beach. Kiley Dunbar has a flair for bringing her characters to life and giving the reader a really good sense of place. I thought so after reading Christmas at Frozen Falls and this one just confirms my opinion. In a letter at the end of the book Kiley mentions Port Willow is her reimagined version of Plockton in the west of the Highlands. I was meant to be going there this year, it’s a place that really appeals to me. Perhaps next year…
The story centres around Beatrice who is having difficulty coming to terms with recent life changing events, not helped by the fact she’s unable or unwilling to share her burden. Slowly but surely she begins to enjoy the beauty Port Willow has to offer, and getting to know and like the residents and visitors, although there are still obstacles to overcome.
The characters are crafted beautifully—Beatrice, Gene and his younger brother, Atholl, up to and and including the supporting cast. The sub plots involving other characters who have their own stories give Beatrice something else to focus on, and help her to work through her feelings. A good mix of emotions, humour, romance and sensitively addressed personal issues. Look forward to the next instalment.
March 29, 2020
This is a warm and escapist read which transports you to the beautiful Scottish Highlands and in fact, the setting is a major part of the story. Beatrice is a well drrawn character, full of courage who looks to solves problems and is empathetic, looking to bring people together. Trying to come to terms with her tragic past, she can still look outside her troubles and think about the community she meets.
Port Willow Bay is a promising place for a new series and I am sure that there will be plenty of material to be found there for future stories. The relationship between the two brothers is a close one but it never felt contrived and you feel the pull of family ties throughout the story. Coming to terms with loss and living with grief is an important part of the novel but overall, the tone is warm and hopeful You are very much looking to the future, rather than being stuck in the past.
In short: A great start to a new series- a rich community to focus on.
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book
Port Willow Bay is a promising place for a new series and I am sure that there will be plenty of material to be found there for future stories. The relationship between the two brothers is a close one but it never felt contrived and you feel the pull of family ties throughout the story. Coming to terms with loss and living with grief is an important part of the novel but overall, the tone is warm and hopeful You are very much looking to the future, rather than being stuck in the past.
In short: A great start to a new series- a rich community to focus on.
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book
February 29, 2020
What a lovely read this was. Kiley Dunbar’s writing flows naturally and smoothly making all of her imagined characters dance off the page and come to life.
I love a good cosy escapism romance. Beatrice’s reason for needing an escape is surely a sad one but there is a lot of hope and growth in this little story. The town, characters, and setting will all warm your heart. I cannot wait to read more stories set in this lovely Highland setting.
My copy was provided by NetGalley for review all opinions are my own.
I love a good cosy escapism romance. Beatrice’s reason for needing an escape is surely a sad one but there is a lot of hope and growth in this little story. The town, characters, and setting will all warm your heart. I cannot wait to read more stories set in this lovely Highland setting.
My copy was provided by NetGalley for review all opinions are my own.
April 1, 2020
This is a heartwarming, cosy read perfect for when you need transporting away and you're stuck indoors!
Beatrice has decided in a whim to go and stay in a hotel in a small village in the Highlands. She's lost everything important to her in a short space of time. Trying to heal herself and needing an urgent change, she heads to Port Willow Bay with the hope that learning Gaelic will be a suitable distraction from the madness of her life. When she arrives things seem to go from bad to worse with her booking being altered and her accomodation is less than suitable. The two brothers running the establishment are less than sympathetic and she's stuck in Scotland with no train to escape on. This will either be the holiday from hell or the perfect remedy to all of her troubles...
This is a gorgeous story with an equally perfect setting to match. I've never read any books by Kiley Dunbar previously but certainly will be doing again! This is a whirlwind of a story with crafting, cattle, dancing and matchmaking there is truly something for everyone. The only problem is that now I really want to go and visit Scotland and I can't leave my house. Plans for the future now though, thank you for the wonderful escape Kiley Dunbar!
Beatrice has decided in a whim to go and stay in a hotel in a small village in the Highlands. She's lost everything important to her in a short space of time. Trying to heal herself and needing an urgent change, she heads to Port Willow Bay with the hope that learning Gaelic will be a suitable distraction from the madness of her life. When she arrives things seem to go from bad to worse with her booking being altered and her accomodation is less than suitable. The two brothers running the establishment are less than sympathetic and she's stuck in Scotland with no train to escape on. This will either be the holiday from hell or the perfect remedy to all of her troubles...
This is a gorgeous story with an equally perfect setting to match. I've never read any books by Kiley Dunbar previously but certainly will be doing again! This is a whirlwind of a story with crafting, cattle, dancing and matchmaking there is truly something for everyone. The only problem is that now I really want to go and visit Scotland and I can't leave my house. Plans for the future now though, thank you for the wonderful escape Kiley Dunbar!
April 25, 2020
This is a lovely story. Beatrice books a trip to the highland after suffering turmoil. The trip doesn't pan out as she expected- but it's great to hear about the classes she takes. The area is described so beautifully, you really think you are taking a trip to the beach.
A tale of grief, healing with a beautiful setting as a bonus
A tale of grief, healing with a beautiful setting as a bonus
December 30, 2021
A lovely summery romance to read on a winter's rainy night.
It was full of description, not too much sloppiness, a heartbreaking back story which highlights miscarriage and the feelings that were so personal 😢.
I love stories set in Scotland and Skye is now on my bucket list 😍.
It was full of description, not too much sloppiness, a heartbreaking back story which highlights miscarriage and the feelings that were so personal 😢.
I love stories set in Scotland and Skye is now on my bucket list 😍.
March 12, 2020
So so so good
I'll be reviewing this in full shortly but if you love remote Scottish coastal idyllic scenery and extremely hot chemistry in your books then this is a corker! Or "braw" !
I'll be reviewing this in full shortly but if you love remote Scottish coastal idyllic scenery and extremely hot chemistry in your books then this is a corker! Or "braw" !
July 9, 2020
The story was heartwarming and full of hope. A beautiful setting allowed for much needed armchair travel to Scotland. I enjoyed this book and plan to re-read it soon.
September 1, 2022
Well written and enjoyable story. Would be 3.5 if it was an option.
Felt the “Scottish” words sounded a lot harder than highlanders more gentle speech.
Felt the “Scottish” words sounded a lot harder than highlanders more gentle speech.
March 23, 2020
I absolutely adored "Christmas at Frozen Falls" so I had to read "Summer at the Highland Coral Beach" no matter what. While being an interesting story and being beautifully written I didn't enjoy it as much as the author's previous title.
It deals with some serious themes, as loss and recovery, so it not the usual light romantic read. Beatrice was a well developed character but, in my opinion, she spent so much time wallowing in self pity that the story resented a little bit. As much as she was trying to help everyone around her I couldn't understand why she wouldn't let others help her.
The setting was once again gorgeous and the descriptions took you straight to Port Willow and that coral beach of the title. The set of secondary characters, Atholl, Gene, Kitty was a great one, and it was nice reading about how, in spite of all of them being some kind of damaged, they evolved throughout the story. Special mention to Echo, one of my favorite characters in the book :) It was also fun to learn about the scottish traditions.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hera Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
It deals with some serious themes, as loss and recovery, so it not the usual light romantic read. Beatrice was a well developed character but, in my opinion, she spent so much time wallowing in self pity that the story resented a little bit. As much as she was trying to help everyone around her I couldn't understand why she wouldn't let others help her.
The setting was once again gorgeous and the descriptions took you straight to Port Willow and that coral beach of the title. The set of secondary characters, Atholl, Gene, Kitty was a great one, and it was nice reading about how, in spite of all of them being some kind of damaged, they evolved throughout the story. Special mention to Echo, one of my favorite characters in the book :) It was also fun to learn about the scottish traditions.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hera Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2020
I have FINALLY found my first 5 star read of the year!!! I can’t believe it finally happened, I was so scared this year would also suck book-wise, but then Kiley Dunbar came along! I have read a lot of books this year, some of which were ok, some of which were a bit meh, and some of which I have LOVED. And yet, none of them have pulled me in enough to rate them 5 stars (at least not that I can remember!).
When I saw the cover, I instantly knew I would love this book. And I was right (well done, gut feeling!!). It looks so pretty, and it promised a feel-good romance. Well, after reading it I can tell you that it does deliver, but not only that. It’s so, so much more than that. So, I’m more than happy to share this gem with you! Here comes the synopsis – but first, a content warning, which contains a SPOILER! If you do not want to read this you can skip ahead to the review part.
MY REVIEW
In the beginning of the story we meet our heroine and main character Beatrice, or Bea for short. She is unhappy – with her surroundings, with the owner of the inn she’s staying at, with the inn itself – overall, with her whole life. She is grumpy, and angry, and she is sad. And actually, she booked this trip to Scotland on a whim. It was a bad idea. She should return home, and get her life back on track, right? Well, as much as Bea wants that, there is no chance for her to leave Port Willow Bay today, as there are no other trains back out. So she decides to bow to her fate and stay the night.
I love how Bea is introduced and little by little, tiny, precious bits about her life are revealed. She has been through a lot, and she tries to cope with the turns her life has taken somehow. I love how at first, Beatrice thinks that her journey to Scotland was the wrong decision, but it might turn out that it was the best thing that went wrong in her life lately.
HARDSHIPS
Life is never just sunshine and rainbows and fun times – it has ups and downs and everything in between, and sometimes it hits us with full force that can take our breath away. Bea experienced that not long ago, and she’s still trying to cope with the aftermaths. Maybe this is what makes Summer at Highland Coral Bay so special: it is real, raw, and full of emotions. Did it make me cry? Yes, yes it did. And I loved every tear I cried. The best thing though is that things start looking up soon. And they make up for every tear!
The book promises “one visit to Port Willow Bay and you’ll want to come back!” I can tell you that this is true, word for word! 5 big, fat, shiny stars from me!!! I recommend it to everyone who loves to read about the beautiful Scottish scenery, about frienship, love and finding yourself after a hard time. If you want to find out more about this book, check out my full review on my blog https://theartsyreader.com/book-revie...
When I saw the cover, I instantly knew I would love this book. And I was right (well done, gut feeling!!). It looks so pretty, and it promised a feel-good romance. Well, after reading it I can tell you that it does deliver, but not only that. It’s so, so much more than that. So, I’m more than happy to share this gem with you! Here comes the synopsis – but first, a content warning, which contains a SPOILER! If you do not want to read this you can skip ahead to the review part.
MY REVIEW
In the beginning of the story we meet our heroine and main character Beatrice, or Bea for short. She is unhappy – with her surroundings, with the owner of the inn she’s staying at, with the inn itself – overall, with her whole life. She is grumpy, and angry, and she is sad. And actually, she booked this trip to Scotland on a whim. It was a bad idea. She should return home, and get her life back on track, right? Well, as much as Bea wants that, there is no chance for her to leave Port Willow Bay today, as there are no other trains back out. So she decides to bow to her fate and stay the night.
I love how Bea is introduced and little by little, tiny, precious bits about her life are revealed. She has been through a lot, and she tries to cope with the turns her life has taken somehow. I love how at first, Beatrice thinks that her journey to Scotland was the wrong decision, but it might turn out that it was the best thing that went wrong in her life lately.
HARDSHIPS
Life is never just sunshine and rainbows and fun times – it has ups and downs and everything in between, and sometimes it hits us with full force that can take our breath away. Bea experienced that not long ago, and she’s still trying to cope with the aftermaths. Maybe this is what makes Summer at Highland Coral Bay so special: it is real, raw, and full of emotions. Did it make me cry? Yes, yes it did. And I loved every tear I cried. The best thing though is that things start looking up soon. And they make up for every tear!
The book promises “one visit to Port Willow Bay and you’ll want to come back!” I can tell you that this is true, word for word! 5 big, fat, shiny stars from me!!! I recommend it to everyone who loves to read about the beautiful Scottish scenery, about frienship, love and finding yourself after a hard time. If you want to find out more about this book, check out my full review on my blog https://theartsyreader.com/book-revie...
March 19, 2020
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
You can preorder get your copy here:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084P4SJRT
This book will be available on March 27, 2020, hopefully my sanity from being sequestered will also return at that time, if not, you can enjoy a great book while stuck home. What better to do while stuck home, but download a good kindle book and curl up on the couch or in a park socially away from people and enjoy a good book?
I received this book just in time to save me from boredom! This was not my typical light and fluffy read that I normally like. This was intense!
We begin the book with Beatrice getting the results from a pregnancy test, two pink lines meaning she is pregnant! Beatrice has had a long 12 months, she lost her job, her mom from cancer and her 30s. Quite the year, if you ask me. Pregnant after three months of trying when a woman is that age is a miracle! She hadn’t even told her husband, Rich about the pregnancy and she was already ordering a Your Pregnancy; Week by Week book online, along with an overly expensive baby hat and blanket with little clouds and rainbows all over it.
We are then fast forwarded to seven months later to the middle of nowhere. Beatrice has signed up for Gaelic lessons. She was very frustrated, as apparently the online brochure guaranteed a, “warm highland welcome guarantee and a sweet summer escape”. So far, her time in Scotland has been disappointing to say the least. After denying the first room that they try to give Beatrice, she goes for the Princess room. One that is stacked with a tower of mattresses and quilts stacked one on top of the other, hence the name of the Inn. We are then taken on Beatrice’s journey through Scotland. A Scottish adventure was on her mom’s bucket list, one that never was crossed off. Beatrice reminisces about her time with Richard from the time they started dating until the altercation with her father in law. We soon find out the events that have led Beatrice to travel all the way to the Highlands for a getaway all by herself.
This is the first book that I have read by this author, but fully enjoyed this book, despite the sadness and the heaviness of this book.
You can preorder get your copy here:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084P4SJRT
This book will be available on March 27, 2020, hopefully my sanity from being sequestered will also return at that time, if not, you can enjoy a great book while stuck home. What better to do while stuck home, but download a good kindle book and curl up on the couch or in a park socially away from people and enjoy a good book?
I received this book just in time to save me from boredom! This was not my typical light and fluffy read that I normally like. This was intense!
We begin the book with Beatrice getting the results from a pregnancy test, two pink lines meaning she is pregnant! Beatrice has had a long 12 months, she lost her job, her mom from cancer and her 30s. Quite the year, if you ask me. Pregnant after three months of trying when a woman is that age is a miracle! She hadn’t even told her husband, Rich about the pregnancy and she was already ordering a Your Pregnancy; Week by Week book online, along with an overly expensive baby hat and blanket with little clouds and rainbows all over it.
We are then fast forwarded to seven months later to the middle of nowhere. Beatrice has signed up for Gaelic lessons. She was very frustrated, as apparently the online brochure guaranteed a, “warm highland welcome guarantee and a sweet summer escape”. So far, her time in Scotland has been disappointing to say the least. After denying the first room that they try to give Beatrice, she goes for the Princess room. One that is stacked with a tower of mattresses and quilts stacked one on top of the other, hence the name of the Inn. We are then taken on Beatrice’s journey through Scotland. A Scottish adventure was on her mom’s bucket list, one that never was crossed off. Beatrice reminisces about her time with Richard from the time they started dating until the altercation with her father in law. We soon find out the events that have led Beatrice to travel all the way to the Highlands for a getaway all by herself.
This is the first book that I have read by this author, but fully enjoyed this book, despite the sadness and the heaviness of this book.
March 9, 2020
Scotland has been at the top of my travel wishlist for ages, so on the day of the cover reveal for Summer at the Highland Coral Beach, my first thought - before even seeing the cover or reading the synopsis - was ‘you had me at Scotland’. Then I saw the gorgeous cover and I knew I had to read this book. After reading Kiley’s sophomore novel, Christmas at Frozen Falls, I knew she had a knack for transporting the reader to the setting of the book, and Summer at the Highland Coral Beach was no different. I felt like I made the journey with Beatrice to Port Willow Bay with its coral beach, turquoise waters, and the charming Princess and the Pea Inn.
I really liked Beatrice. She’d been dealt a difficult hand between losing her mum, losing her job, a rocky patch in her marriage, finally getting pregnant and then losing the baby, and then her husband leaving her when he couldn’t handle how she was dealing with her grief. Desperately needing an escape, she booked a holiday to the Highlands on a whim. Port Willow Bay was beautiful, but the Princess and the Pea Inn didn’t exactly live up to what its website promised. Beatrice quickly realized her whim wasn’t the smartest idea and she decided to return home, but circumstances kept her in Port Willow, where she began falling in love with the inn, the charming town, and its people...especially one person in particular, a hot Scot named Atholl.
While this book packed an emotional punch with its talk of grief and loss, it was also funny and charming. The characters were wonderfully quirky and the setting was gorgeous (my desire to visit the Highlands has increased exponentially). I enjoyed watching Beatrice’s growth and seeing her figure out you can’t outrun your problems - they go with you wherever you go and stay with you until you confront them head on. She learned how to begin the healing process after loss, and how to move on while still honouring the ones you loved and lost. I also really appreciated that Beatrice was older than your typical romance heroine (just about to turn 40).
Sweet, funny, and emotional, Summer at the Highland Coral Beach was the perfect escape.
*Thank you to the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for review. All thoughts are my own.
I really liked Beatrice. She’d been dealt a difficult hand between losing her mum, losing her job, a rocky patch in her marriage, finally getting pregnant and then losing the baby, and then her husband leaving her when he couldn’t handle how she was dealing with her grief. Desperately needing an escape, she booked a holiday to the Highlands on a whim. Port Willow Bay was beautiful, but the Princess and the Pea Inn didn’t exactly live up to what its website promised. Beatrice quickly realized her whim wasn’t the smartest idea and she decided to return home, but circumstances kept her in Port Willow, where she began falling in love with the inn, the charming town, and its people...especially one person in particular, a hot Scot named Atholl.
While this book packed an emotional punch with its talk of grief and loss, it was also funny and charming. The characters were wonderfully quirky and the setting was gorgeous (my desire to visit the Highlands has increased exponentially). I enjoyed watching Beatrice’s growth and seeing her figure out you can’t outrun your problems - they go with you wherever you go and stay with you until you confront them head on. She learned how to begin the healing process after loss, and how to move on while still honouring the ones you loved and lost. I also really appreciated that Beatrice was older than your typical romance heroine (just about to turn 40).
Sweet, funny, and emotional, Summer at the Highland Coral Beach was the perfect escape.
*Thank you to the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for review. All thoughts are my own.
December 11, 2020
.Thank you to Netgalley for a pre publication copy. In return for an honest #Summeratthehighlandcoralbeach #netgalley
Beatrice Halliday's is running away from the shambles she feels her life is. So she books a holiday, as far away as possible, to the West Highlands to do Gaelic lessons. However when she gets there things do not go to plan. Will she stay and make a change to her future or will she run away yet again?
I was recommended this book by a family member and advised it was a must to read.
Although this book is a romance read. Their are some emotional subjects included such as miscarriage, affairs, IVF, wives running away and near death experiences. However the author has used this to change lives and enable Beatrice, Gene and Atholl to reinvent themselves with the strength they've been looking for. Rather than letting the topics drown them as people.
All the characters had such different personalities allowing them to work so well together each bringing something different to Port Willow Bay. They all had such kind hearts that you wanted each and everyone to get a great ending that they deserved. Allowing them to put the past behind them.
The Scottish setting of Port Willow was just gorgeous and each and every description really allowed you to absorb yourself in the surroundings.
On the other hand it did take at least 25% of the book to get into it. It started off with Beatrice and Atholl being very blunt and difficult to each other. This was needed in the book but instead of little parts of the reasons for this slipping out meaning you could feel for them. You were very much left in the dark behind the reasons for their behaviour. Which started them off looking like horrible people.
Beatrice Halliday's is running away from the shambles she feels her life is. So she books a holiday, as far away as possible, to the West Highlands to do Gaelic lessons. However when she gets there things do not go to plan. Will she stay and make a change to her future or will she run away yet again?
I was recommended this book by a family member and advised it was a must to read.
Although this book is a romance read. Their are some emotional subjects included such as miscarriage, affairs, IVF, wives running away and near death experiences. However the author has used this to change lives and enable Beatrice, Gene and Atholl to reinvent themselves with the strength they've been looking for. Rather than letting the topics drown them as people.
All the characters had such different personalities allowing them to work so well together each bringing something different to Port Willow Bay. They all had such kind hearts that you wanted each and everyone to get a great ending that they deserved. Allowing them to put the past behind them.
The Scottish setting of Port Willow was just gorgeous and each and every description really allowed you to absorb yourself in the surroundings.
On the other hand it did take at least 25% of the book to get into it. It started off with Beatrice and Atholl being very blunt and difficult to each other. This was needed in the book but instead of little parts of the reasons for this slipping out meaning you could feel for them. You were very much left in the dark behind the reasons for their behaviour. Which started them off looking like horrible people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2020
Kiley Dunbar is an author I have heard numerous wonderful things about from other bloggers but until now, had yet to experience for myself. Well, I can finally say I am a convert to Kiley's writing and I immensely enjoyed Beatrice's story in Port Willow.
At the very beginning of the novel we meet Beatrice who has just found out she is pregnant, and over the moon about it. The reader is then transported 7 months down the line where things look very different for Beatrice although it takes a bit further into the plot to discover why. I love that I was kept guessing for a while.
The setting of Highland Coral Beach is a hidden gem. First impressions of Port Willow are pretty unimpressive but the more Beatrice integrates into life there, the more the reader sees the beauty and warmth of the place and the wonderful community who inhabit it. The vivid and cosy description of Port Willow completely sucks you in. As it began to reveal it's splendor to Beatrice, it does the same to the reader, allowing us to join in on the discovery of this place through surprising moments and fresh eyes.
Atholl and Eugene are fabulous characters and as we get to know them better, alongside Beatrice, they make a wonderful trio of friends. It turns our Beatrice isn't the only one who needed some help and guidance. Eugene is the softer and more sensitive of the brothers and Atholl has a stonier and more abrupt manner. I enjoyed seeing the brothers change as much as Beatrice to be honest.
This is a novel about love, friendship, fresh starts and moving forward and it's simply wonderful.
I cannot wait to visit Port Willow again!
At the very beginning of the novel we meet Beatrice who has just found out she is pregnant, and over the moon about it. The reader is then transported 7 months down the line where things look very different for Beatrice although it takes a bit further into the plot to discover why. I love that I was kept guessing for a while.
The setting of Highland Coral Beach is a hidden gem. First impressions of Port Willow are pretty unimpressive but the more Beatrice integrates into life there, the more the reader sees the beauty and warmth of the place and the wonderful community who inhabit it. The vivid and cosy description of Port Willow completely sucks you in. As it began to reveal it's splendor to Beatrice, it does the same to the reader, allowing us to join in on the discovery of this place through surprising moments and fresh eyes.
Atholl and Eugene are fabulous characters and as we get to know them better, alongside Beatrice, they make a wonderful trio of friends. It turns our Beatrice isn't the only one who needed some help and guidance. Eugene is the softer and more sensitive of the brothers and Atholl has a stonier and more abrupt manner. I enjoyed seeing the brothers change as much as Beatrice to be honest.
This is a novel about love, friendship, fresh starts and moving forward and it's simply wonderful.
I cannot wait to visit Port Willow again!
September 8, 2021
As a fan of Kiley Dunbar’s books I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to get round to reading this. Set in the Scottish Highlands in the beautiful sounding Port Willow Bay, this book is perfect escapism.
Beatrice takes a last minute, impulsive trip to the Highlands after booking a crafting holiday the night before. When she arrives in Port Willow Bay she quickly regrets this decision, especially when she finds out she is booked onto the wrong course and the grumpy inn staff. As Beatrice is stuck there over the weekend, unable to get a train home, she soon finds herself staying longer and falling in love with Port Willow Bay and the people she meets there. Perhaps this holiday was exactly what Beatrice needed to overcome the loss of her baby, husband and job.
When we are introduced to the leading character Beatrice she is going through a big ordeal, she is dealing with the grief of losing her baby, which has resulted to the end of her marriage and to top it off she had lost her job months before. She ends up questioning her decision to book this impulsive crafting break up in the Highlands, and more so upon arrival. Over the course of her stay, she makes friends and goes on adventures which help her unravel and deal with her emotions, all whilst falling in love with Port Willow Bay and Atholl.
Atholl works at the inn that Beatrice is staying in that is owned by his brother Gene, and is also the willow weaving instructor, the course that Beatrice is now booked on. Atholl doesn’t leave a very good first impression with Beatrice but she soon discovers that the grumpy man she met on arrival is not who Atholl really is. The relationship that the two build over the book is lovely and makes you smile. He helps her to deal with her emotions, whilst she opens his eyes to the fact that his dreams could be reality.
This book is set in the most gorgeous sounding setting, the characters are lovely and the story makes you smile throughout.
I can’t wait to return to Port Willow Bay very soon with the second book, Matchmaking at Port Willow.
Beatrice takes a last minute, impulsive trip to the Highlands after booking a crafting holiday the night before. When she arrives in Port Willow Bay she quickly regrets this decision, especially when she finds out she is booked onto the wrong course and the grumpy inn staff. As Beatrice is stuck there over the weekend, unable to get a train home, she soon finds herself staying longer and falling in love with Port Willow Bay and the people she meets there. Perhaps this holiday was exactly what Beatrice needed to overcome the loss of her baby, husband and job.
When we are introduced to the leading character Beatrice she is going through a big ordeal, she is dealing with the grief of losing her baby, which has resulted to the end of her marriage and to top it off she had lost her job months before. She ends up questioning her decision to book this impulsive crafting break up in the Highlands, and more so upon arrival. Over the course of her stay, she makes friends and goes on adventures which help her unravel and deal with her emotions, all whilst falling in love with Port Willow Bay and Atholl.
Atholl works at the inn that Beatrice is staying in that is owned by his brother Gene, and is also the willow weaving instructor, the course that Beatrice is now booked on. Atholl doesn’t leave a very good first impression with Beatrice but she soon discovers that the grumpy man she met on arrival is not who Atholl really is. The relationship that the two build over the book is lovely and makes you smile. He helps her to deal with her emotions, whilst she opens his eyes to the fact that his dreams could be reality.
This book is set in the most gorgeous sounding setting, the characters are lovely and the story makes you smile throughout.
I can’t wait to return to Port Willow Bay very soon with the second book, Matchmaking at Port Willow.
March 20, 2020
Kiley Dunbar is an author who I have come to love, having read her first two releases swiftly in 2019.
Summer at the Highland Coral Beach most definitely didn't disappoint my expectations.
A feel-good story, with a touch of sadness, but filled with positivity and hope.
Beatrice finds herself in a rickety old pub hotel in Port Willow, a tiny village in Scotland after the devastation of a miscarriage and separation.
A drunken decision to get away, at first, seems like a great idea, but after arriving, Beatrice has second thoughts.
A place in the back of beyond, with gruff, rude landlords, a tiny room, and to top it, the activity she'd booked, hadn't been.
The story unfolds as Beatrice begins to get to know characters in the village, despite promising herself to leave and go back t the Midlands, and her woeful life back home.
The landlords, brothers Eugene and Atholl reveal softer sides, and yearnings of their own,
Ever the problem solver, Beatrice gets sucked into their lives, and soon finds herself having feelings for someone she hadn't been expecting.
There's matchmaking, romance, a broody Scotsman, laughter, celebration and acceptance.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and look forward to more from this author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Summer at the Highland Coral Beach most definitely didn't disappoint my expectations.
A feel-good story, with a touch of sadness, but filled with positivity and hope.
Beatrice finds herself in a rickety old pub hotel in Port Willow, a tiny village in Scotland after the devastation of a miscarriage and separation.
A drunken decision to get away, at first, seems like a great idea, but after arriving, Beatrice has second thoughts.
A place in the back of beyond, with gruff, rude landlords, a tiny room, and to top it, the activity she'd booked, hadn't been.
The story unfolds as Beatrice begins to get to know characters in the village, despite promising herself to leave and go back t the Midlands, and her woeful life back home.
The landlords, brothers Eugene and Atholl reveal softer sides, and yearnings of their own,
Ever the problem solver, Beatrice gets sucked into their lives, and soon finds herself having feelings for someone she hadn't been expecting.
There's matchmaking, romance, a broody Scotsman, laughter, celebration and acceptance.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and look forward to more from this author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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