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Lobster Bay #1
Saving Sandcastles
A breezy feel-good beach read about trust and friendship set in a quaint seaside town on the coast of Maine.
Claire Turner finally has everything she wants. A successful business, a small bungalow near the beach, and the camaraderie of her two best friends. She’s successful and independent—something she would never have thought possible before her husband’s midlife crisis and their subsequent divorce.
When a rival business opens across the street, Claire worries that she could lose everything she’s worked for. Her entire sense of self-worth is tied up in her bakery and café, Sandcastles, and she suddenly finds herself taking desperate measures to make sure she doesn’t lose business to the newcomer. Is Claire overreacting? Her friends think it’s possible, but will they be able to talk her off the ledge before she does something drastic?
Her friends are dealing with their own problems. Jane’s beloved mother, Addie, has dementia, and it’s getting worse. Jane has her hands full trying to run the family inn and keep Addie safe. When Addie wanders away from the inn, Jane faces the hardest decision of her life.
And then there’s Maxi. On the surface it appears as if she has an idyllic marriage, but does she really? Now that she and James are empty nesters, things aren’t the same, and Maxi worries that James may not be interested in staying married. But Maxi has dreams of her own, dreams that she had to set aside while she was caring for her husband and children. Now that she has an empty nest, will she be able to find the courage to turn those dreams into reality?
This is Book 1 in the Lobster Bay series—a heartwarming journey of friendship, love, and loss set in a quaint beach town with a touch of romance in every story. Join the group of friends as they help each other overcome their obstacles and discover that every cloud really does have a silver lining.
Claire Turner finally has everything she wants. A successful business, a small bungalow near the beach, and the camaraderie of her two best friends. She’s successful and independent—something she would never have thought possible before her husband’s midlife crisis and their subsequent divorce.
When a rival business opens across the street, Claire worries that she could lose everything she’s worked for. Her entire sense of self-worth is tied up in her bakery and café, Sandcastles, and she suddenly finds herself taking desperate measures to make sure she doesn’t lose business to the newcomer. Is Claire overreacting? Her friends think it’s possible, but will they be able to talk her off the ledge before she does something drastic?
Her friends are dealing with their own problems. Jane’s beloved mother, Addie, has dementia, and it’s getting worse. Jane has her hands full trying to run the family inn and keep Addie safe. When Addie wanders away from the inn, Jane faces the hardest decision of her life.
And then there’s Maxi. On the surface it appears as if she has an idyllic marriage, but does she really? Now that she and James are empty nesters, things aren’t the same, and Maxi worries that James may not be interested in staying married. But Maxi has dreams of her own, dreams that she had to set aside while she was caring for her husband and children. Now that she has an empty nest, will she be able to find the courage to turn those dreams into reality?
This is Book 1 in the Lobster Bay series—a heartwarming journey of friendship, love, and loss set in a quaint beach town with a touch of romance in every story. Join the group of friends as they help each other overcome their obstacles and discover that every cloud really does have a silver lining.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 2, 2020
11643 people are currently reading
6750 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 486 reviews
October 9, 2020
4 Stars
This is such a heart warming story about 3 friends and each book in the series will concentrate on each one. This first one is Claire's story and the problems she faces with her bakery. Broken pipes and a new store opening that sets her anxiety levels high. But there might just be something familiar about that hunky owner!
This is such a heart warming story about 3 friends and each book in the series will concentrate on each one. This first one is Claire's story and the problems she faces with her bakery. Broken pipes and a new store opening that sets her anxiety levels high. But there might just be something familiar about that hunky owner!
June 21, 2022
The main character, Claire, was shallow & self-absorbed. I couldn’t get past her personal issues and hangups about the new store. I enjoyed other aspects of the story but I couldn’t stand the way she came off as suspicious and whiny all the time!! Her attitude got old, especially when everyone else could see the truth & tried to tell/help her. I almost couldn’t finish it and I never do that. But because I liked the other characters, I’ll give the next book in the series a chance.
April 7, 2020
A heartwarming story that will melt your heart. A story of being able to trust again, second chances and believing in yourself. First time reading this author. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
December 30, 2019
This is the first book in the Lobster Bay series, featuring three longtime best friends, Clair, Maxie and Jane. Claire runs Sandcastlrs, the only bakery in town, until another one moves in across the street. She is afraid it will take away from her business. This book is warm and loving, but also a little sad. Once I started reading it I couldn’t put the book down. The characters are well written and I believe nothing could break the bonds between the three women. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
I voluntarily reviewed an an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
March 31, 2022
Claire's attitude got old
Claire came across to me as whiny. Maybe it was due to her divorce, but everyone around her could see that the bread bakery was not going to put her pastry bakery out of business. Her friends could also see that Rob was a caring man, but Claire saw everything he did as suspicious. The whole thing got old and I was glad the book wasn't longer.
Claire came across to me as whiny. Maybe it was due to her divorce, but everyone around her could see that the bread bakery was not going to put her pastry bakery out of business. Her friends could also see that Rob was a caring man, but Claire saw everything he did as suspicious. The whole thing got old and I was glad the book wasn't longer.
December 22, 2019
A sweet romance with likeable, believable characters... Ms.Summers clearly writes her characters with real not perfect lives. I found this book hard to put down! I can't wait for the second book in this series to be available.
January 15, 2020
Happy Release Day to Meredith Summers for her book Saving Sandcastles (Lobster Bay Book One)! We were provided an advanced blogger copy of this book in exchange for our honest opinions.
Come check us out at: https://coffeefortwobookreview.wordpr...
Title: Saving Sandcastles (Lobster Bay Book 1)
Authors: Meredith Summers
Retailers: Amazon
Date of Publication: January 2, 2020
Length: 184 pages
Genre: Women’s Divorce, Friendship Fiction, Single Women Fiction
Audience: Adult
Sensitivities: N/A
Other books within the series: Changing Tides (Lobster Bay Book 2);
Making Waves (Lobster Bay Book 3)
Disclaimer: There may be some “spoilers” in our detailed banter below:
Hello readers!
Today we will be reviewing Saving Sandcastles (Lobster Bay Book 1) by author Meredeith Summers.
Please see above for more details on the book.
This story is centered around a group of friends, each struggling in their own way and still there to support one another. Love, friendship, and struggle are the themes centered around this book with a main character who owns a bakery in a small town in seaside Maine. She has to find a way to adapt with the times to keep her business thriving amongst competition. Meanwhile, her friend Jane is struggling with her mother’s dementia and Maxi needs to face life as an empty nester with her husband, who is she without needing to take care of her children? How will each of these women face the challenges in their lives and how will they help support one another?
The main group of friends include Claire, Jane or Maxi, who do you most closely resemble and why?
Bridgette– I think I resemble the character of Claire over the other characters. Much like myself, Claire is a complete nutbag and a bit of a control freak. She was so worried about losing her store and determined not to have to count on others to fix her problems. I would certainly be the type of person determined my new neighbor was competition who was out to get me and push them away as quickly as possible. She poured so much of herself into Sandcastles and wasn’t going down without a fight.
Amy– I would have to say Jane. My mother was diagnosed with dementia in her 50’s and it was difficult at times to manage. It’s hard watching someone who raised you and took care of you slowly lose pieces of themselves. Jane was strong and handled the stress of caring for a loved one with grace.
Claire– This is a tough decision for such a well-rounded and youthful individual like myself. Ahem. However, I would say I found myself paralleling similar characteristics to that of Maxi. She was the quiet one but held her own among her friends. There were several external factors affecting her internal struggle to chase her dreams which is something we all grapple with from time to time. Ultimately, her dependence on friends and her craft were what resonated with me the most.
Who is the intended reader for this book and why do you think they will enjoy reading it?
Bridgette– This book is set in the lives of three women in a small coastal town in Maine who are approaching fifty years of age. This book is sweet, succinct, and sure to keep readers hooked. I would say the average audience for this book will be women middle aged, around the age of the characters, who can relate to the struggles each of these women is facing. However, I am a 31 year old woman and I loved this book. There are so many ways a variety of readers can relate to the story and characters, not to mention, simply escaping to coastal Maine through the power of reading.
Amy– I think anyone looking for a quick read. This book is filled with friends helping friends and finding out sometimes it’s okay to ask others for help. It brings readers a little joy seeing all the happiness friendship brings people.
Claire– As mentioned, this book would prove most receptive to an older female audience. Women experiencing similar plights to the trio will find this novel offers them quite a companionship. Empty nesting, starting fresh, and learning to let go are central to the plot of Saving Sandcastles and the plot of life; a plot that offers fresh perspectives and relevance.
If you had to change one thing about the storyline in this book, what would you change?
Bridgette– If I had to change one thing, I would have given more time to each of the women in the story. The main focus was obviously ‘Saving Sandcastles’ yet I wanted to find out so much more about Jane and Maxi. As a reader, you are given enough to get you hooked and needing to find out what will happen in these ladies lives. However, it seems we will find out more in the next book, Changing Tides (Lobster Bay Book Two). Oh the agony of having to wait! Here’s the thing, book two is surely to focus on Jane who is running the bed-and-breakfast Tides, but I want to know what is to happen in Maxi’s life!
Amy– I think I would have added a little bit more meat. I enjoyed the story being short, but I really love my meat in stories! I would have focused a bit more on the relationship between Claire and Rob.
Claire– In a world where everyone is picking up the pace, books are my caveat to slow things down. While I don’t enjoy stories that take decades to come to fruition, I appreciate the time it takes to cook up some drama. That being said, I would have liked to see more from each of the characters in this novel. I know there are more books to come but a little more depth than the shallow side of a pool would have added to the overall dynamics.
How did reading this book affect your outlook on your own life and what was your biggest takeaway from the story?
Bridgette– This book really is a lesson in “what can you do for others?”. I loved how the characters all had so many things going on in their lives but at any given time they were willing to check on others to find out how they could lend a hand. Of course, there are some supporting characters who would likely not lift a finger to help anyone which is how they earned their status as a supporting and not the main characters. I think this book has helped me to feel a bit lighter and find out how I can help someone else to ease their burden. Such as, helping my sister move from Maine this spring and taking a detour to the coast in search of a quaint bakery.
Amy– You never know where life is going to take us, but we always have our friends to lean on. Life is so full of go, go, go and sometimes we need to take a moment to appreciate the people we have in our corner. I don’t think life is possible without our core people. This book was very sweet and I enjoyed the friendship between these women.
Claire– One of the most profound concepts I have ever committed to memory came from a priest at my church and it went something like, “when your house is burning down, paint your neighbor’s fence.” What better way can you relieve your suffering than by lifting others? This must have been Ron’s mantra in the duration of this novel because he was so selfless and refrained from coming off as pretentious. I am sure if we could all take a smidgen of this compassion, the world would change overnight. It is reassuring to know there are still authors out there who are capable of communicating this wholesome message in relatable ways.
This book is quite different than our typical picks of the past, having stepped out of our comfort zone for book reviewing, why might you want to read more books like this one?
Bridgette– As a reader, I really like to feel something when I read a book. I want to get lost in the story while feeling deep internal struggle trying to figure out how everyone can have their happy ending. This book may not be exactly like those we have reviewed to date based on character age and innocence of the overall story; however, it ranks above average for me as a book I truly recommend our readers pick up for a light read.
Amy– As I said in the last question, I really enjoyed the friendship between these women. I loved how they all supported each other and worked to help each others goals. I could enjoy more books like this one.
Claire– I can only hope that old age brings the kind of friendship, strength, and wisdom presented in this novel. While Saving Sandcastles was a slight deviation from the typical storylines we review, the author expertly crafted a tale that appeals to several psychographic molds.
Naturally, I really enjoyed the setting for this story. I live in Maine most of the year so I may have a slight bias but the descriptions of the small coastal town with its charming downtown area, ocean front, and seasonal crowds made me want to visit the fictional residence to purchase my own sandcastle cake.
Overall, how well was this book written? Did it keep your attention throughout with the storyline?
Bridgette– At 184 pages, the story had to keep moving with each page. There were times when it felt to me like it could have slowed down and expanded more on some of the character development and plot buildup. However, the writing was excellent and Meredith Summers truly knows how to write with accuracy and a wonderful flow in her stories. The length will be an attractive factor for some readers considering this book, as they will not feel like they are committing to a lengthy novel. Plus, we all get to look forward to future books with even more detail on the characters of Lobster Bay.
Amy– I think it was really easy to read, short, and sweet. It kept my attention the whole time and I didn’t struggle to follow the book at all.
Claire– This book was just an older version of a John Green novel and I was all about it. It had a heavy focus on love and friendship, but placed a broader emphasis on life’s various changes. This life is anything but stagnant and when you can find a story that goes so far as to immerse the reader in the emotions and perspectives of fabricated characters, it is bound to hold your attention. The descriptions of the setting grabbed my attention and my interest was held by the various points of view.
Will you read more books by Meredith Summers and are you curious to check out her other crime fiction under her pen name of L.A. Dobbs ?
Bridgette– I will absolutely read the rest of this series when the books are released. I have also read the descriptions of her Sam Mason Book Series and would absolutely be interested in adding it to my reading list. I love crime novels and this series looks to have plenty of great reviews alongside a very alluring plot summary.
Amy– I would definitely read more books by Meredith! She did a great job on Saving Sandcastles and I would love to read more of her books!
Claire– Nevermind the fact that her pen name is one of the coolest sounding titles. It sounds like someone who wrote the screenplay for Lethal Weapon so, of course, I am interested in her crime fiction. Sweet and authentic writer Meredith Summers by day and street prowling crime solver L.A. Dobbs by night.
Thanks for reading. Comment below if you have read Saving Sandcastles (Lobster Bay Book 1) by author Meredith Summers or if you are going to put it on your TBR!
Disclosure: We are in no way affiliated with the author and are not being compensated for this review.
Amy & Bridgette & Claire
Amy’s Rating: 4
Bridgette’s Rating: 4
Claire’s Rating: 4
Come check us out at: https://coffeefortwobookreview.wordpr...
Title: Saving Sandcastles (Lobster Bay Book 1)
Authors: Meredith Summers
Retailers: Amazon
Date of Publication: January 2, 2020
Length: 184 pages
Genre: Women’s Divorce, Friendship Fiction, Single Women Fiction
Audience: Adult
Sensitivities: N/A
Other books within the series: Changing Tides (Lobster Bay Book 2);
Making Waves (Lobster Bay Book 3)
Disclaimer: There may be some “spoilers” in our detailed banter below:
Hello readers!
Today we will be reviewing Saving Sandcastles (Lobster Bay Book 1) by author Meredeith Summers.
Please see above for more details on the book.
This story is centered around a group of friends, each struggling in their own way and still there to support one another. Love, friendship, and struggle are the themes centered around this book with a main character who owns a bakery in a small town in seaside Maine. She has to find a way to adapt with the times to keep her business thriving amongst competition. Meanwhile, her friend Jane is struggling with her mother’s dementia and Maxi needs to face life as an empty nester with her husband, who is she without needing to take care of her children? How will each of these women face the challenges in their lives and how will they help support one another?
The main group of friends include Claire, Jane or Maxi, who do you most closely resemble and why?
Bridgette– I think I resemble the character of Claire over the other characters. Much like myself, Claire is a complete nutbag and a bit of a control freak. She was so worried about losing her store and determined not to have to count on others to fix her problems. I would certainly be the type of person determined my new neighbor was competition who was out to get me and push them away as quickly as possible. She poured so much of herself into Sandcastles and wasn’t going down without a fight.
Amy– I would have to say Jane. My mother was diagnosed with dementia in her 50’s and it was difficult at times to manage. It’s hard watching someone who raised you and took care of you slowly lose pieces of themselves. Jane was strong and handled the stress of caring for a loved one with grace.
Claire– This is a tough decision for such a well-rounded and youthful individual like myself. Ahem. However, I would say I found myself paralleling similar characteristics to that of Maxi. She was the quiet one but held her own among her friends. There were several external factors affecting her internal struggle to chase her dreams which is something we all grapple with from time to time. Ultimately, her dependence on friends and her craft were what resonated with me the most.
Who is the intended reader for this book and why do you think they will enjoy reading it?
Bridgette– This book is set in the lives of three women in a small coastal town in Maine who are approaching fifty years of age. This book is sweet, succinct, and sure to keep readers hooked. I would say the average audience for this book will be women middle aged, around the age of the characters, who can relate to the struggles each of these women is facing. However, I am a 31 year old woman and I loved this book. There are so many ways a variety of readers can relate to the story and characters, not to mention, simply escaping to coastal Maine through the power of reading.
Amy– I think anyone looking for a quick read. This book is filled with friends helping friends and finding out sometimes it’s okay to ask others for help. It brings readers a little joy seeing all the happiness friendship brings people.
Claire– As mentioned, this book would prove most receptive to an older female audience. Women experiencing similar plights to the trio will find this novel offers them quite a companionship. Empty nesting, starting fresh, and learning to let go are central to the plot of Saving Sandcastles and the plot of life; a plot that offers fresh perspectives and relevance.
If you had to change one thing about the storyline in this book, what would you change?
Bridgette– If I had to change one thing, I would have given more time to each of the women in the story. The main focus was obviously ‘Saving Sandcastles’ yet I wanted to find out so much more about Jane and Maxi. As a reader, you are given enough to get you hooked and needing to find out what will happen in these ladies lives. However, it seems we will find out more in the next book, Changing Tides (Lobster Bay Book Two). Oh the agony of having to wait! Here’s the thing, book two is surely to focus on Jane who is running the bed-and-breakfast Tides, but I want to know what is to happen in Maxi’s life!
Amy– I think I would have added a little bit more meat. I enjoyed the story being short, but I really love my meat in stories! I would have focused a bit more on the relationship between Claire and Rob.
Claire– In a world where everyone is picking up the pace, books are my caveat to slow things down. While I don’t enjoy stories that take decades to come to fruition, I appreciate the time it takes to cook up some drama. That being said, I would have liked to see more from each of the characters in this novel. I know there are more books to come but a little more depth than the shallow side of a pool would have added to the overall dynamics.
How did reading this book affect your outlook on your own life and what was your biggest takeaway from the story?
Bridgette– This book really is a lesson in “what can you do for others?”. I loved how the characters all had so many things going on in their lives but at any given time they were willing to check on others to find out how they could lend a hand. Of course, there are some supporting characters who would likely not lift a finger to help anyone which is how they earned their status as a supporting and not the main characters. I think this book has helped me to feel a bit lighter and find out how I can help someone else to ease their burden. Such as, helping my sister move from Maine this spring and taking a detour to the coast in search of a quaint bakery.
Amy– You never know where life is going to take us, but we always have our friends to lean on. Life is so full of go, go, go and sometimes we need to take a moment to appreciate the people we have in our corner. I don’t think life is possible without our core people. This book was very sweet and I enjoyed the friendship between these women.
Claire– One of the most profound concepts I have ever committed to memory came from a priest at my church and it went something like, “when your house is burning down, paint your neighbor’s fence.” What better way can you relieve your suffering than by lifting others? This must have been Ron’s mantra in the duration of this novel because he was so selfless and refrained from coming off as pretentious. I am sure if we could all take a smidgen of this compassion, the world would change overnight. It is reassuring to know there are still authors out there who are capable of communicating this wholesome message in relatable ways.
This book is quite different than our typical picks of the past, having stepped out of our comfort zone for book reviewing, why might you want to read more books like this one?
Bridgette– As a reader, I really like to feel something when I read a book. I want to get lost in the story while feeling deep internal struggle trying to figure out how everyone can have their happy ending. This book may not be exactly like those we have reviewed to date based on character age and innocence of the overall story; however, it ranks above average for me as a book I truly recommend our readers pick up for a light read.
Amy– As I said in the last question, I really enjoyed the friendship between these women. I loved how they all supported each other and worked to help each others goals. I could enjoy more books like this one.
Claire– I can only hope that old age brings the kind of friendship, strength, and wisdom presented in this novel. While Saving Sandcastles was a slight deviation from the typical storylines we review, the author expertly crafted a tale that appeals to several psychographic molds.
Naturally, I really enjoyed the setting for this story. I live in Maine most of the year so I may have a slight bias but the descriptions of the small coastal town with its charming downtown area, ocean front, and seasonal crowds made me want to visit the fictional residence to purchase my own sandcastle cake.
Overall, how well was this book written? Did it keep your attention throughout with the storyline?
Bridgette– At 184 pages, the story had to keep moving with each page. There were times when it felt to me like it could have slowed down and expanded more on some of the character development and plot buildup. However, the writing was excellent and Meredith Summers truly knows how to write with accuracy and a wonderful flow in her stories. The length will be an attractive factor for some readers considering this book, as they will not feel like they are committing to a lengthy novel. Plus, we all get to look forward to future books with even more detail on the characters of Lobster Bay.
Amy– I think it was really easy to read, short, and sweet. It kept my attention the whole time and I didn’t struggle to follow the book at all.
Claire– This book was just an older version of a John Green novel and I was all about it. It had a heavy focus on love and friendship, but placed a broader emphasis on life’s various changes. This life is anything but stagnant and when you can find a story that goes so far as to immerse the reader in the emotions and perspectives of fabricated characters, it is bound to hold your attention. The descriptions of the setting grabbed my attention and my interest was held by the various points of view.
Will you read more books by Meredith Summers and are you curious to check out her other crime fiction under her pen name of L.A. Dobbs ?
Bridgette– I will absolutely read the rest of this series when the books are released. I have also read the descriptions of her Sam Mason Book Series and would absolutely be interested in adding it to my reading list. I love crime novels and this series looks to have plenty of great reviews alongside a very alluring plot summary.
Amy– I would definitely read more books by Meredith! She did a great job on Saving Sandcastles and I would love to read more of her books!
Claire– Nevermind the fact that her pen name is one of the coolest sounding titles. It sounds like someone who wrote the screenplay for Lethal Weapon so, of course, I am interested in her crime fiction. Sweet and authentic writer Meredith Summers by day and street prowling crime solver L.A. Dobbs by night.
Thanks for reading. Comment below if you have read Saving Sandcastles (Lobster Bay Book 1) by author Meredith Summers or if you are going to put it on your TBR!
Disclosure: We are in no way affiliated with the author and are not being compensated for this review.
Amy & Bridgette & Claire
Amy’s Rating: 4
Bridgette’s Rating: 4
Claire’s Rating: 4
July 18, 2022
Bakery Wars
This was a fun read. Cute story with characters that seemed real. The ending was predictable, but I would have been disappointed otherwise.
This was a fun read. Cute story with characters that seemed real. The ending was predictable, but I would have been disappointed otherwise.
November 7, 2023
A quick, light read with the main conflict centered around Claire and her beachside bakery. I enjoyed this as a simple read (what I was wanting) that featured the ups and downs of the personal lives of three friends in Lobster Bay. The conflicts were quite simple, and things wrapped up predictably, but I enjoyed it as a cozy little read. 3.5 stars.
April 27, 2022
Sex and the City but make it small-town!
Absolutely loved the three ladies, they all brought something interesting to the story. Although I kinda wish they kept the connection between the two bakers more of a plot twist rather than reveal at the beginning! Would have given the book more suspense.
I love small-town stories that feel like they are straight out of a hallmark movie. This would make a excellent adaptation like Sweet Magnolias or Virgin River.
Just plain comfort wrapped in a beautiful book.
Absolutely loved the three ladies, they all brought something interesting to the story. Although I kinda wish they kept the connection between the two bakers more of a plot twist rather than reveal at the beginning! Would have given the book more suspense.
I love small-town stories that feel like they are straight out of a hallmark movie. This would make a excellent adaptation like Sweet Magnolias or Virgin River.
Just plain comfort wrapped in a beautiful book.
August 9, 2020
The first book in the Lobster Bay series. Claire Turner is a bakery owner that has her share of problems. New to town Rob (the first boy that she kissed years ago in Lobster Bay) opens a bread store across the street from her bakery. She thinks he is going to put her out of business, so she is very careful she doesn’t want to lose everything she has worked for. She has everything tied up in the bakery. The pipes in the bathroom of the bakery start to leak and eventually the shop needs to be closed for repairs. Right at this time, her bakery and Barker’s Bread store (Rob Barker’s store) are having a sale and he has offered for her to set up a table in his store, but she refuses because she still thinks he’s up to something but actually trying to help her. He has been in love with her since they were young and had that kiss..they end up working together and selling each other’s products. They end up dating and sharing a kiss under the same tree where they shared their first kiss..a great love story I highly recommend it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2022
Easy to read book and the first one in a series. I thought this was a new author for me but then found I have read other books by her, just under a different name (Leighann Dobbs) and have enjoyed them. This had some predictability but the story moved quickly and kept my interest. Sandcastles is a bakery in a small town but has issues due to the old building. But the bigger issue is the new bread bakery that is opening right across the street. The conflict and resolution are what drive this story.
August 19, 2022
" She took a bite of the chocolate croissant. The dark chocolate filling was decadent enough to soothe her worries"
I loved that book..
A beautiful bakery/Cafe with tall planters loaded with lush leaves and colorful flowers by the sea, where you can find delicious muffins and chocolate croissants.
Three best girlfriends try to manage what life brings to them
And a kiss under the night summer sky with the full moon rising over the ocean.
I think all the above describe the best summer one can have..
I loved that book..
A beautiful bakery/Cafe with tall planters loaded with lush leaves and colorful flowers by the sea, where you can find delicious muffins and chocolate croissants.
Three best girlfriends try to manage what life brings to them
And a kiss under the night summer sky with the full moon rising over the ocean.
I think all the above describe the best summer one can have..
August 14, 2020
A Good Summer Read!
Claire, Jane as Macey are best friends and each deal with their own struggles. Claire is divorced and is just recently making a successful go at owning her own pastry bakery.
A large bread bakery franchise moves in across the street from her thus causing Claire a lot of stress in case he crowds her out of business. Little does she know the owner is her first sweet kiss love that she never quite forgot. Robert remembers her too.
Can Claire solve her competition issues long enough to rekindle an old flame?
Claire, Jane as Macey are best friends and each deal with their own struggles. Claire is divorced and is just recently making a successful go at owning her own pastry bakery.
A large bread bakery franchise moves in across the street from her thus causing Claire a lot of stress in case he crowds her out of business. Little does she know the owner is her first sweet kiss love that she never quite forgot. Robert remembers her too.
Can Claire solve her competition issues long enough to rekindle an old flame?
August 5, 2020
This takes place in Maine. The story involves bakeries, bread, cupcakes, dementia, romance, loss, and family. The story is told by several characters, and I enjoyed getting their perspectives on what was going on. The main character got on my nerves a few times. She should have done a few things differently. The baking and food, along with the setting, were my favorite parts of the story.
December 19, 2022
This is a nice light romance about a seaside town and friends, with businesses, competition, problems and the issue of coping with a relative's dementia.
I enjoyed the story.
This is an unbiased review.
I enjoyed the story.
This is an unbiased review.
June 29, 2023
Wonderful!
My family & I loved vacationing in Maine! We stayed in the Ogunquit area several times over the years. This book describes the area perfectly. Could imagine myself there even though I’m unable to vacation right now. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
My family & I loved vacationing in Maine! We stayed in the Ogunquit area several times over the years. This book describes the area perfectly. Could imagine myself there even though I’m unable to vacation right now. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
March 25, 2025
It’s sweet, it’s wonderful, it warms the heart. Honestly it is what Hallmark movies used to be for the world. I loved. Will I think about it for the rest of my life? No. But is it the warm hug I needed right now? Absolutely.
September 20, 2025
Read all 9 books in this series about a small town on Maine coast. Charming stories, captures the spirit of small town, engaging characters despite predictable plots . Easy enjoyable read if not best writing
June 9, 2022
Perfect beach read!
August 30, 2025
I enjoyed this easy-listening and feel-good book while getting things done. I'll be continuing the series.
October 29, 2025
If you like Hallmark movies, this book is for you. Simple, predictable but somewhat enjoyable. However, if I had to read one more thing about damn cupcakes, my head was going to explode.
June 12, 2021
I want to first say that this book is definety romantic fluff. That being said, it was enjoyable enough for me to finish. What I liked most from this story was the friendship of the characters. They all seemed to deeply care for their friends and provided support for each other.
June 26, 2021
Amazing new writer for me
I have found a new writer. Her books are going to take me far above anything I could imagine. These books are enjoyable to read and an easy time to just relax and get carried away.
I have found a new writer. Her books are going to take me far above anything I could imagine. These books are enjoyable to read and an easy time to just relax and get carried away.
April 9, 2022
Very refreshing!
Tells the story of three friends Claire Turner, Jane, and Maxi. Claire runs a bakery, Sandcastles 🥯 in the sleepy beach town of Lobster Bay. The town is a popular destination for both residents and tourists. She’d decided to open her bakery after her divorce. She’s also famous for her sandcastle cakes 🏰 🎂
Every two weeks, Claire and her friends get together at her bakery. Maxi’s husband, James is the president of the Lobster Bay Bank and Jane’s family owns a bed-and-breakfast, Tides on the beach.
Meanwhile, there’s a new bakery, Bradford Breads set to open across the street from Claire’s bakery. Though they’d be only selling bread 🥖 Claire is worried about how much competition it will be. She’s also facing problems with the pipes in her bakery 🪠 which might cost her a fortune and would result in her closing shop for a few days even weeks.
When she learns the new bakery is having a two-for-one sale on its grand opening on the weekend, Claire decides to outdo them by planning a three-for-one cupcake sale🧁 to attract more customers.
And Rob Bradford, owner of Bradford Breads owns a chain of stores across New England s. Lobster Bay is the newest location of his chain store.
As a teenager, he’d vacation in Lobster Bay with his family and stopped visiting when his mother passed away. Now after the death of his wife five years ago, he’s back looking for a fresh start.
Rob on the other hand has no intentions of putting anyone out of business and has even enlisted Jane’s help to talk to Claire, and help her see she’s not a threat. He even suggests they work together.
After a plumbing incident brings them together, Claire starts questioning Rob’s motives: perhaps her not trying to sabotage her business after all. And can they deny the feelings they once had toward each other as teenagers?
Tells the story of three friends Claire Turner, Jane, and Maxi. Claire runs a bakery, Sandcastles 🥯 in the sleepy beach town of Lobster Bay. The town is a popular destination for both residents and tourists. She’d decided to open her bakery after her divorce. She’s also famous for her sandcastle cakes 🏰 🎂
Every two weeks, Claire and her friends get together at her bakery. Maxi’s husband, James is the president of the Lobster Bay Bank and Jane’s family owns a bed-and-breakfast, Tides on the beach.
Meanwhile, there’s a new bakery, Bradford Breads set to open across the street from Claire’s bakery. Though they’d be only selling bread 🥖 Claire is worried about how much competition it will be. She’s also facing problems with the pipes in her bakery 🪠 which might cost her a fortune and would result in her closing shop for a few days even weeks.
When she learns the new bakery is having a two-for-one sale on its grand opening on the weekend, Claire decides to outdo them by planning a three-for-one cupcake sale🧁 to attract more customers.
And Rob Bradford, owner of Bradford Breads owns a chain of stores across New England s. Lobster Bay is the newest location of his chain store.
As a teenager, he’d vacation in Lobster Bay with his family and stopped visiting when his mother passed away. Now after the death of his wife five years ago, he’s back looking for a fresh start.
Rob on the other hand has no intentions of putting anyone out of business and has even enlisted Jane’s help to talk to Claire, and help her see she’s not a threat. He even suggests they work together.
After a plumbing incident brings them together, Claire starts questioning Rob’s motives: perhaps her not trying to sabotage her business after all. And can they deny the feelings they once had toward each other as teenagers?
June 20, 2021
Cute little series about a coastal town in Maine where three friends support one another. In this story, Claire owns a bakery . The building is falling apart as Claire tries to keep her business running when a bread bakery opens across the street. Cute story with a little romance and friendship.
July 31, 2020
Great Story!
I really enjoyed reading the story and looking forward to reading the second book in this series. I enjoyed how three friends helped each other when needed and how well they understood one another. A great story.
I really enjoyed reading the story and looking forward to reading the second book in this series. I enjoyed how three friends helped each other when needed and how well they understood one another. A great story.
June 2, 2021
Like reading a Hallmark movie although it does tackle some issues like Alzheimers and elder care. I plan on reading the second one as a distraction from some heavier titles on my reading list.
July 15, 2022
Quick read
Quick read and a cute story for the beginning of a book series. Time to start book 2. Good beach read.
Quick read and a cute story for the beginning of a book series. Time to start book 2. Good beach read.
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