What do you think?
Willa Bay #2
The Sea Star Bakery
Life is a series of decisions to make, but choosing the right one isn’t always cut and dry.
Up until a few years ago, Cassie was living her dream life – happily married to her high school sweetheart Kyle and raising their two kids together in a house with a white picket fence. When she and Kyle grew apart and eventually divorced, she was devastated. Now, she’s picking herself up and building a new life.
Her dream of owning a bakery seems out of reach, until a For Lease sign goes up in the window of the best bakery in town. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, but with a mortgage, young children and an almost-empty bank account, it feels impossible. Kyle offers to help her, but she wants to do it on her own. Besides, there are too many pesky feelings for him that she can’t seem to shake.
With a beautiful co-worker asking him for a date and a possible promotion at work, Kyle should be on top of the world. If only he could stop thinking about his ex-wife and the life they used to share.
Cassie’s friend Zoe has found her calling in life – turning the old Inn at Willa Bay into the premier wedding venue in the Pacific Northwest. However, she didn’t count on the challenge of working closely with her new boyfriend Shawn and her good friend Meg. All of the responsibility for the renovation has fallen on her shoulders and she doesn’t know how everything is going to get done before the Inn’s grand opening.
Meg knows that Zoe needs more from her, but between working at the Inn part-time and her job as a sous chef at a local lodge, she’s burning the candle at both ends. Eventually, they’ll turn the old barn at the Inn into a restaurant for her to manage, but that’s at least six months away. In the meantime the Inn’s tight renovation budget can’t afford another full-time salary. For the time being, Meg’s life is at a standstill, looking on with envy at the lives of her friends and family.
Her sister Libby leads the perfect life – except for the fact that she’s been hiding marital problems for a few months and is now at her breaking point. She’s watching her friends pursue their passions, but feeling stuck in her own life. If her husband doesn’t come clean about his secretive behavior and indifference to her, she’s going to need to make some serious changes.
Although each of the friends is at a different point in their lives, they all must make decisions that will change the shape of their futures and the small town tapestry of Willa Bay.
Up until a few years ago, Cassie was living her dream life – happily married to her high school sweetheart Kyle and raising their two kids together in a house with a white picket fence. When she and Kyle grew apart and eventually divorced, she was devastated. Now, she’s picking herself up and building a new life.
Her dream of owning a bakery seems out of reach, until a For Lease sign goes up in the window of the best bakery in town. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, but with a mortgage, young children and an almost-empty bank account, it feels impossible. Kyle offers to help her, but she wants to do it on her own. Besides, there are too many pesky feelings for him that she can’t seem to shake.
With a beautiful co-worker asking him for a date and a possible promotion at work, Kyle should be on top of the world. If only he could stop thinking about his ex-wife and the life they used to share.
Cassie’s friend Zoe has found her calling in life – turning the old Inn at Willa Bay into the premier wedding venue in the Pacific Northwest. However, she didn’t count on the challenge of working closely with her new boyfriend Shawn and her good friend Meg. All of the responsibility for the renovation has fallen on her shoulders and she doesn’t know how everything is going to get done before the Inn’s grand opening.
Meg knows that Zoe needs more from her, but between working at the Inn part-time and her job as a sous chef at a local lodge, she’s burning the candle at both ends. Eventually, they’ll turn the old barn at the Inn into a restaurant for her to manage, but that’s at least six months away. In the meantime the Inn’s tight renovation budget can’t afford another full-time salary. For the time being, Meg’s life is at a standstill, looking on with envy at the lives of her friends and family.
Her sister Libby leads the perfect life – except for the fact that she’s been hiding marital problems for a few months and is now at her breaking point. She’s watching her friends pursue their passions, but feeling stuck in her own life. If her husband doesn’t come clean about his secretive behavior and indifference to her, she’s going to need to make some serious changes.
Although each of the friends is at a different point in their lives, they all must make decisions that will change the shape of their futures and the small town tapestry of Willa Bay.
212 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2020
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 21, 2021
Nicole Ellis is a fine writer.
This book is the second in the Willa Bay series. This is a story of love, luck and hard work. It's a good story, nice characters and well...a nice relaxing read.
This is a sweetly soft read without being trite...so whether you are 15 or 85, this is a book you will enjoy reading on a summer afternoon, winter's evening, between classes or over a solitary lunch.
This book is the second in the Willa Bay series. This is a story of love, luck and hard work. It's a good story, nice characters and well...a nice relaxing read.
This is a sweetly soft read without being trite...so whether you are 15 or 85, this is a book you will enjoy reading on a summer afternoon, winter's evening, between classes or over a solitary lunch.
December 6, 2020
Looking for some light reading.
This is the kind of book that you wish you had with you to read at the beach. It’s perfect for a summer day, even if all you’re doing is sitting in your backyard or on your porch lazing away an hour or two. The author almost intentionally keeps things light, even with the romantic problems of each of the characters, and herein lies the problem.
Zoe, Meg, Libby, Cassie, et al. are all too similar in scope and personality to suit me. Even though one is married and worried about her husband, several are single, one is divorced, and they seem to reflect how things are for women today, they appear somewhat one-dimensional to me and lack the depth of character development that would make each book richer. This can’t help but affect the plots of each of the books in the Willa Bay series, which all seem to develop in the same way and with the same regularity. I just can’t help wishing for a little more something - more drama, more excitement, more passion and zest, more color, more je-ne-sais-quoi, maybe?
But if you like a fast read where each book has some definite closure but leaves you looking forward to the next book in the series, you’ve picked the right book. The Willa Bay series will leave you wondering dreamily about the vibe and way of life of a small town setting in the Pacific Northwest, and I applaud the author for her attempts to bring the color of the region to this series. The Sea Star Bakery won’t disappoint you in its subtle portrayal of the region, its craggy coastlines, and rugged hills, wishing you could catch the next train or plane out there.
This is the kind of book that you wish you had with you to read at the beach. It’s perfect for a summer day, even if all you’re doing is sitting in your backyard or on your porch lazing away an hour or two. The author almost intentionally keeps things light, even with the romantic problems of each of the characters, and herein lies the problem.
Zoe, Meg, Libby, Cassie, et al. are all too similar in scope and personality to suit me. Even though one is married and worried about her husband, several are single, one is divorced, and they seem to reflect how things are for women today, they appear somewhat one-dimensional to me and lack the depth of character development that would make each book richer. This can’t help but affect the plots of each of the books in the Willa Bay series, which all seem to develop in the same way and with the same regularity. I just can’t help wishing for a little more something - more drama, more excitement, more passion and zest, more color, more je-ne-sais-quoi, maybe?
But if you like a fast read where each book has some definite closure but leaves you looking forward to the next book in the series, you’ve picked the right book. The Willa Bay series will leave you wondering dreamily about the vibe and way of life of a small town setting in the Pacific Northwest, and I applaud the author for her attempts to bring the color of the region to this series. The Sea Star Bakery won’t disappoint you in its subtle portrayal of the region, its craggy coastlines, and rugged hills, wishing you could catch the next train or plane out there.
May 25, 2020
Lucky star, wish upon a star — the Sea Star Bakery is a dream come true!
The little town of Willa Bay is THE place for a destination wedding in the Pacific northwest. Five friends — who call themselves the Wedding Crashers — are taking the risk to quit their paying jobs and work untold hours to create their own businesses. This series is also about heartwarming family ties, friendship, and the romance of new loves. It’s a about making dreams come true, and is a joy to read.
The little town of Willa Bay is THE place for a destination wedding in the Pacific northwest. Five friends — who call themselves the Wedding Crashers — are taking the risk to quit their paying jobs and work untold hours to create their own businesses. This series is also about heartwarming family ties, friendship, and the romance of new loves. It’s a about making dreams come true, and is a joy to read.
September 10, 2026
This book felt like I am a part of the book too. The emotions and situations were demonstrated very well rather than just merely talking into it. The progress of the book also gave way to a better understanding of the flow, it will not confuse you even with the POV of different people, different situations, different emotions. I finished the book within 3 hours and that just says a lot about it. You keep wanting more. Other books are on my cart, looking forward to reading the other books too!!!
July 22, 2021
Refreshing
You get to really know the people in the books. Their strengths, concerns and their weaknesses. There are real life concerns. The book is refreshing. It is G rated, which is okay and you look forward to learning what will happen to the other characters that have drama in their life.
You get to really know the people in the books. Their strengths, concerns and their weaknesses. There are real life concerns. The book is refreshing. It is G rated, which is okay and you look forward to learning what will happen to the other characters that have drama in their life.
July 15, 2020
Bakery
I chose this rating because this book was very good. It was also easy to follow. I enjoy reading books that are in a series, it lets you keep up with the characters that you are familiar with. I look forward to the next installment.
I chose this rating because this book was very good. It was also easy to follow. I enjoy reading books that are in a series, it lets you keep up with the characters that you are familiar with. I look forward to the next installment.
August 7, 2020
Good story
I am enjoying this series so far. I hope there are many more to follow. The characters are likeable and make me want to learn more about them. The setting sounds beautiful and like someplace I would love to visit.
I am enjoying this series so far. I hope there are many more to follow. The characters are likeable and make me want to learn more about them. The setting sounds beautiful and like someplace I would love to visit.
August 26, 2020
Fun way to spend during Covid
This was a very fast read but highly entertaining book. Loved the characters and the setting. I could almost picture the bay. Looking forward to the next in the series
This was a very fast read but highly entertaining book. Loved the characters and the setting. I could almost picture the bay. Looking forward to the next in the series
August 2, 2021
Wonderful read
I'm completely sweeper away with the story . It draws you into the characters and melts your heart with the charming town of willa bay and the characters lives and friendship .
I'm completely sweeper away with the story . It draws you into the characters and melts your heart with the charming town of willa bay and the characters lives and friendship .
August 7, 2021
Wonderful
I love the characters in Willa Bay. The story of friends Andy their relationships filled with life hardships and joys. Working though difficult times. I love this series. It is a joy to read.
I love the characters in Willa Bay. The story of friends Andy their relationships filled with life hardships and joys. Working though difficult times. I love this series. It is a joy to read.
September 25, 2021
Dreams and hard work
The story was good. It had all the up and downs in love and family life. Happy that it has all worked out for most of the group. Looking forward to reading all.about the other projects to come.
The story was good. It had all the up and downs in love and family life. Happy that it has all worked out for most of the group. Looking forward to reading all.about the other projects to come.
March 28, 2022
Great fun clean wholesome read.
A wonderful story as book-2 continues with the people we met in book-1. Although it is a stand alone book it ends with you wanting to see the next chapter in another character's life.
A wonderful story as book-2 continues with the people we met in book-1. Although it is a stand alone book it ends with you wanting to see the next chapter in another character's life.
August 14, 2022
Willa Bay 2
Owning her own business was a dream for the future. Except the future is now. Getting back together with an xhusband is not very realistic. Read this awesome book to find out what happens.
Owning her own business was a dream for the future. Except the future is now. Getting back together with an xhusband is not very realistic. Read this awesome book to find out what happens.
Read
January 6, 2023I enjoyed the book and will finish the series however I find the approach of telling multiple stories concurrently off putting. I want to dig into a part of the story and get more detail rather than keeping flipping around the place.
October 23, 2023
Okay Story with Too Much Childish Language
Please stop with all the "belly rumbling;" this isn't a children's book, is it? Just keep the writing in adult-speak, and there's another star. I just find it insulting.
Please stop with all the "belly rumbling;" this isn't a children's book, is it? Just keep the writing in adult-speak, and there's another star. I just find it insulting.
July 30, 2026
A simple, predictable story about everything going exactly as well as it seems it will for a bunch of simple, predictable characters. Read this if you want to skip any emotionally challenging plotlines and just see things work out.
June 2, 2020
Loved the book! The characters were all quite believab!e, and I could only hope for their success in opening the inn and bakery, plus rekindling romance between the divorced. Couple.
July 19, 2020
Enjoyable summer read.
I enjoyed the intertwining stories of the characters. Easy reading! Will read next in series when it is released in August.
I enjoyed the intertwining stories of the characters. Easy reading! Will read next in series when it is released in August.
August 25, 2020
A lovely story
Lots of nice people. The love stories are starting to come together, as are the ambitions for developing their own businesses.
Lots of nice people. The love stories are starting to come together, as are the ambitions for developing their own businesses.
September 1, 2020
I found another great author Nicole Ellis. This is a great book for new beginnings. You'll love it.
September 12, 2020
The Sea Star bakery
I love Nicole Ellis' books. The characters are so real and I feel like I could be friends with them.
I love Nicole Ellis' books. The characters are so real and I feel like I could be friends with them.
September 17, 2020
A good story!
An interesting story about friends and community coming together to help their dreams come true. I would recommend this story to anyone .
An interesting story about friends and community coming together to help their dreams come true. I would recommend this story to anyone .
September 25, 2020
It was a continuous story. Easy reading. Enjoyed the book.
October 11, 2020
Relationships
A very nice continuous story line of the original characters from the first book. A must read. Now to continue with book #3.
A very nice continuous story line of the original characters from the first book. A must read. Now to continue with book #3.
February 10, 2021
Excellent story in real time.
Loved the Excitement in this group of friends. So many different plans come together to make all their dreams come true ..!
Loved the Excitement in this group of friends. So many different plans come together to make all their dreams come true ..!
July 11, 2021
Willy bay
Such a good series. I can not wait to read the entire series. A quaint little town with continuing stories. Each character assuming to the plot.
Such a good series. I can not wait to read the entire series. A quaint little town with continuing stories. Each character assuming to the plot.
July 23, 2021
Wonderful!
It is so refreshing to read your books. The clean content is so wonderful. Thank you for writing uplifting words.
It is so refreshing to read your books. The clean content is so wonderful. Thank you for writing uplifting words.
July 30, 2021
Loved the 2nd book of the series cant wait to read the rest.
September 10, 2021
Yay!!
I am so glad that Cassie and Kyle got back together!! The characters are so delightful!! Now on to the next installment!!!
I am so glad that Cassie and Kyle got back together!! The characters are so delightful!! Now on to the next installment!!!
September 18, 2021
Another great book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews