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Pretty Beach #1
The Boat House Pretty Beach
A sweeping, sparkly blue beach town surrounded by water, criss-crossed with sweet old laneways, filled with wonderful characters and overlooked by a quaint old blue and white lighthouse.
We meet the lovely Sallie Broadchurch and follow her bringing back to life an unloved old boathouse - pretty, forty and very much looking for a new life by the sea.
Holly and Xian are the gorgeous owners of the Pretty Beach Bakery, along with Holly’s son Rory, a doctor in the city and Sallie’s best friend Nina. Then there’s beautiful Jessica and her amazing bride Camilla of Pretty Beach Fish and Chips, Nel the local bus driver and the delectable David Windsor, businessman extraordinaire.
Top it all off with Ben Chalmers, dashing owner of Ben Chalmers Seaplanes, a lot of history behind him and wondering quite what’s happening when a new neighbour arrives in his little town by the sea.
We meet the lovely Sallie Broadchurch and follow her bringing back to life an unloved old boathouse - pretty, forty and very much looking for a new life by the sea.
Holly and Xian are the gorgeous owners of the Pretty Beach Bakery, along with Holly’s son Rory, a doctor in the city and Sallie’s best friend Nina. Then there’s beautiful Jessica and her amazing bride Camilla of Pretty Beach Fish and Chips, Nel the local bus driver and the delectable David Windsor, businessman extraordinaire.
Top it all off with Ben Chalmers, dashing owner of Ben Chalmers Seaplanes, a lot of history behind him and wondering quite what’s happening when a new neighbour arrives in his little town by the sea.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2020
626 people are currently reading
409 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
January 29, 2021
If you are a fan of unrealistic, pop romance this is it.
I so wanted this book to be more about a mature woman finding her capabilities, restoring an old building and building a life for herself in a close community. If there had to be them just a touch of romance might be nice. Unfortunately it turned out to be a jumped up teenage love story.
I so wanted this book to be more about a mature woman finding her capabilities, restoring an old building and building a life for herself in a close community. If there had to be them just a touch of romance might be nice. Unfortunately it turned out to be a jumped up teenage love story.
November 27, 2020
Have it my best shog
Silly book had all the ingredients be a good romantic story but got bogged down in agonising over stuff. Halfway through I skipped to the end to check there was a happy ending. Not to my taste
Silly book had all the ingredients be a good romantic story but got bogged down in agonising over stuff. Halfway through I skipped to the end to check there was a happy ending. Not to my taste
January 21, 2021
Just didn't flow!
June 6, 2021
Found it irritating having Sallie and Bens full name spelt out all the time. For a woman to mention her lack of funds how did she manage to complete all the work on both buildings having only lived there a matter of months and part time work in a fish and chip shop. Not a believable story.....
January 6, 2021
sweet plot, but found the flow of the story disjointed and clumsy at times.
April 5, 2021
A hunky pilot neighbour with lovely locations made it a very easy read.
June 5, 2021
Not the best book I've read. I ended up skim reading it as I knew what was coming but needed to get to end. Story a bit weak. Nearly every chapter started of with her name irritated me a bit
December 26, 2021
Not a likeable main character
I really wanted to like this book but struggled to finish it. The main character Sallie just isn’t very likeable and I didn’t feel invested in her story. She comes across as needy, desperate and just not very kind.
It was also hard to visualise the place this book was set as descriptions were lacking. I actually thought it may have been America initially and it wasn’t until over half way through that I realised it was England. This didn’t help with feeling an affinity to the book.
This book needs some serious editing as the language and sentence structure is often poor. The author also had a very annoying habit of calling the characters by their full names the whole way through the book- utterly irritating. I was pleased to make it to the end so I didn’t have to endure anymore of this dreadful book.
I really wanted to like this book but struggled to finish it. The main character Sallie just isn’t very likeable and I didn’t feel invested in her story. She comes across as needy, desperate and just not very kind.
It was also hard to visualise the place this book was set as descriptions were lacking. I actually thought it may have been America initially and it wasn’t until over half way through that I realised it was England. This didn’t help with feeling an affinity to the book.
This book needs some serious editing as the language and sentence structure is often poor. The author also had a very annoying habit of calling the characters by their full names the whole way through the book- utterly irritating. I was pleased to make it to the end so I didn’t have to endure anymore of this dreadful book.
January 5, 2021
An inspiring read portraying Sallie Broadchurch who decides to move to Pretty Beach to an old run down boat house that would make most people cringe, but Sallie has been in the business of renovating houses and she loves the idea of bringing new life to this expansive property that has so much potential, and all that on a limited budget. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the plot and the escapades within this story. It brought a smile to my face and I just kept reading well past bedtime... so much so I bought the next book in the series on finishing this one!! Polly Babbington writes well with great descriptions.
February 3, 2022
Nothing much happened then a really sudden ending. Couldn’t identify with the main character at all. How could she be forty and still drink to the point of not being able to stand up properly? This had all the right ingredients for a enjoyable romance but nobody in it seemed believable.
June 4, 2023
I love historical events like this.
Boats and historical events are what make me love reading. Could you please share the sequel books of your series?
In fact, even though I started reading very late, I'm getting more and more immersed every day.
It is a great chance to read the books of important authors. I know that. I'm looking forward to your new books.
I am writing the importance of reading a book here for friends who want to read this book. I hope it will benefit sellers and customers...
Are the top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
While reading, we have to remember different characters and settings that belong to a given story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you have to remember the details throughout the time you take to read the book. Therefore, reading is a workout for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading is a Form of (free) Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV shows and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading. Most importantly, it’s free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and the Ability to Focus
We can all agree that reading cannot happen without focus and in order to fully understand the story, we have to concentrate on each page that we read. In a world where gadgets are only getting faster and shortening our attention span, we need to constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, therefore, improving your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you came across an unfamiliar word? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary grows, along with your ability to effectively communicate. Additionally, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it is time to sleep. Now, more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. Therefore, by setting your phone aside and picking up a book, you are telling your brain that it is time to quiet down. Moreover, since reading helps you de-stress, doing so right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve the quality of sleep.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always filled with fun and interesting facts. Whether you read fiction or non-fictions, books have the ability to provide us with information we would’ve otherwise not known. Reading a variety of topics can make you a more knowledgeable person, in turn improving your conversation skills.
7. Reading is Motivational
By reading books about protagonists who have overcome challenges, we are oftentimes encouraged to do the same. The right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive, regardless of whether it’s a romance novel or a self-help book.
https://numberoneboats.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/sessa-dorado...
https://numberoneboats.com/sessa-dora...
https://theboatyacht.com/hunter-25-sa...
https://numberoneboats.com/hunter-25-...
Boats and historical events are what make me love reading. Could you please share the sequel books of your series?
In fact, even though I started reading very late, I'm getting more and more immersed every day.
It is a great chance to read the books of important authors. I know that. I'm looking forward to your new books.
I am writing the importance of reading a book here for friends who want to read this book. I hope it will benefit sellers and customers...
Are the top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
While reading, we have to remember different characters and settings that belong to a given story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you have to remember the details throughout the time you take to read the book. Therefore, reading is a workout for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading is a Form of (free) Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV shows and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading. Most importantly, it’s free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and the Ability to Focus
We can all agree that reading cannot happen without focus and in order to fully understand the story, we have to concentrate on each page that we read. In a world where gadgets are only getting faster and shortening our attention span, we need to constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, therefore, improving your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you came across an unfamiliar word? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary grows, along with your ability to effectively communicate. Additionally, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it is time to sleep. Now, more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. Therefore, by setting your phone aside and picking up a book, you are telling your brain that it is time to quiet down. Moreover, since reading helps you de-stress, doing so right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve the quality of sleep.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always filled with fun and interesting facts. Whether you read fiction or non-fictions, books have the ability to provide us with information we would’ve otherwise not known. Reading a variety of topics can make you a more knowledgeable person, in turn improving your conversation skills.
7. Reading is Motivational
By reading books about protagonists who have overcome challenges, we are oftentimes encouraged to do the same. The right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive, regardless of whether it’s a romance novel or a self-help book.
https://numberoneboats.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/sessa-dorado...
https://numberoneboats.com/sessa-dora...
https://theboatyacht.com/hunter-25-sa...
https://numberoneboats.com/hunter-25-...
November 24, 2021
It didn't work for me
There is very little content to the story, no natural flow and littered with errors. There was no chronology to the story, how long does it take to prepare for a date on a boat?? Even the timeline for certain days didn't add up, afternoons apparently lasting an eternity and the sun taking hours to set. Pretty Beach seemed to change geographically from a tiny quaint village to a metropolis considering how long it took Sallie to walk through it. It was unrealistic how much wealth was in the place and how business minded everyone seemed, but nobody saw the opportunity of a ramshackle holiday cottage?? To summarise the mistakes, in one chapter Sallie waved to Jessica as she passed by with her hastily made brunch from sourdough bread that had miraculously appeared on the doorstep. Really??? However it transpires that Jessica is in Fiji on honeymoon about three pages later!!! This was just one of many errors but so glaringly obvious. Ben's supposed rich squeeze drives a small black sports car. A black Saab convertible is not small and is not the image for a rich model, considering Saab went bust about a decade ago so the car will be old but not vintage, and is not the choice of the rich!!! Another error hidden in the middle of the Jessica sighting and Fiji debacle. As a holiday cottage owner I will ignore the whole storyline of this farce, it was all too unbelievable and too far removed from any semblance of reality, £1000 a night for the first week in January and it got snapped up immediately, come on!!! At least the romantic breakdown happened bang on the money at the 80% mark. I will leave Pretty Beach to its own madness and find another place to visit. I love this kind of romantic escapism and have read possibly 50 over the last eighteen months but this one is a leap too far.
There is very little content to the story, no natural flow and littered with errors. There was no chronology to the story, how long does it take to prepare for a date on a boat?? Even the timeline for certain days didn't add up, afternoons apparently lasting an eternity and the sun taking hours to set. Pretty Beach seemed to change geographically from a tiny quaint village to a metropolis considering how long it took Sallie to walk through it. It was unrealistic how much wealth was in the place and how business minded everyone seemed, but nobody saw the opportunity of a ramshackle holiday cottage?? To summarise the mistakes, in one chapter Sallie waved to Jessica as she passed by with her hastily made brunch from sourdough bread that had miraculously appeared on the doorstep. Really??? However it transpires that Jessica is in Fiji on honeymoon about three pages later!!! This was just one of many errors but so glaringly obvious. Ben's supposed rich squeeze drives a small black sports car. A black Saab convertible is not small and is not the image for a rich model, considering Saab went bust about a decade ago so the car will be old but not vintage, and is not the choice of the rich!!! Another error hidden in the middle of the Jessica sighting and Fiji debacle. As a holiday cottage owner I will ignore the whole storyline of this farce, it was all too unbelievable and too far removed from any semblance of reality, £1000 a night for the first week in January and it got snapped up immediately, come on!!! At least the romantic breakdown happened bang on the money at the 80% mark. I will leave Pretty Beach to its own madness and find another place to visit. I love this kind of romantic escapism and have read possibly 50 over the last eighteen months but this one is a leap too far.
April 26, 2025
I am so bemused at how this has such a high rating, are these from real people?! This has got to be the worst book I have ever tried to read. The writing is so poor, it jumps around all over the place and is full of inconsistencies and errors. The whole book is just a very boring detailed description of everything the main character is doing like ‘Sallie Broadchurch felt her phone vibrate in her pocket, she took her phone out of her pocket, she unlocked her phone, she read a text message. she went over to the door and she unlocked the door, she went outside….’ Literally the whole book is just this, wtf, this is not how you write a book!?! Has this not been edited at all? The plot is very unrealistic, which I have no problem with, I love stupid escapist romance. But barely anything happens and the people have absolutely no personality or characteristics apart from the author describing them all briefly as gorgeous, apart from the odd person who is described as fat or having big ugly feet- which is oddly judgemental and mean for this kind of genre. Now I like a silly escapist trashy book but this is infuriating to read and has absolutely no substance. It’s full of repetition but somehow never completes bits of the story, it’s like someone just wrote down a load of random unconnected sections and somehow got it published as a book. This is one of the few times in my life I have not been able to finish a book.
August 11, 2023
A lovely, sweet cosy romance book. Sallie leaves her old city life behind to move to a place called Pretty Beach. There she makes lots of new friends and also meets a handsome millionaire called Ben who she falls for. The story was like a holiday hug, wrapped up in an extra dose of sugar. But, I did get a wee bit irritated with Sallie’s constant ‘what does he see in me?’ & ‘what was I thinking?’ talk. I’m fairly certain she knows she’s attractive in the story, so it did start to grate. I also felt certain things happened which were too good to be true (free designer furniture, free help, free this, free that, you get my drift…) There were also a few repetitive phrases too (how many times did we have to read about her two marriages…?) But all in all it was a comfort read which left me with a smile on my face.
August 13, 2024
The Boat House Pretty Beach by Polly Babbington ⭐⭐⭐⭐
New Author for me. Needed a blue cover book for reading challenge, glad I did. It was an excellent book and excited that there is a book 2.
Later in life romance after a failed marriage, Sallie was not looking for anything other than fixing up a boat house and enjoy life on the beach. Till Ben comes along, not looking for a romance since his wife passed away. But the universe had other plans. Their journey is not without struggles, hope then can make it. Especially since Sallie's ex shows up. Hope you put up this book today and enjoy it.
New Author for me. Needed a blue cover book for reading challenge, glad I did. It was an excellent book and excited that there is a book 2.
Later in life romance after a failed marriage, Sallie was not looking for anything other than fixing up a boat house and enjoy life on the beach. Till Ben comes along, not looking for a romance since his wife passed away. But the universe had other plans. Their journey is not without struggles, hope then can make it. Especially since Sallie's ex shows up. Hope you put up this book today and enjoy it.
September 3, 2020
When a book makes you cry (happy tears I might assure you!) TWICE in less than half an hour then you know it’s a great book! This just happened to me, I adored this book and am now jumping straight into its sequel as I NEED to know what’s going to happen next.
Lovely characters, Lovely writing, Lovely book.
I’ve got the third one on my Amazon wishlist and cannot wait to read that too.
Lovely characters, Lovely writing, Lovely book.
I’ve got the third one on my Amazon wishlist and cannot wait to read that too.
October 6, 2020
Perfect escapism
It might not be very realistic but who needs that in a book? A wonderful window into the world of an engaging lady who works very hard for what she gets - and if Pretty Beach and its locals feel a bit too good to be true who cares? I certainly don’t! Perfect escapism from a world gone mad during a pandemic
It might not be very realistic but who needs that in a book? A wonderful window into the world of an engaging lady who works very hard for what she gets - and if Pretty Beach and its locals feel a bit too good to be true who cares? I certainly don’t! Perfect escapism from a world gone mad during a pandemic
December 17, 2020
Beautiful
A move to a run down beach house, lots of renovation and making new friends, plus a friends with benefits neighbour who isn't hard on the eye. Sallie has two admirers. Who will she pick, if she does, will her business take off and will she make friends. Beautiful, intoxicating, I wanna go.
A move to a run down beach house, lots of renovation and making new friends, plus a friends with benefits neighbour who isn't hard on the eye. Sallie has two admirers. Who will she pick, if she does, will her business take off and will she make friends. Beautiful, intoxicating, I wanna go.
July 12, 2021
I really didn't like it. I was looking for some easy to read feel good novel, I love new starts, I love house renovations, but I kept spotting unrealistic details, and all through the novel I kept waiting for some kind of plot. What surprised me most was learning that there was a sequel! It was my first time reading Polly Babbington, and it will definitely be my last!
August 20, 2025
I read this book many years ago and remembered how it made me feel, just a joy to read. I ended up listening to it via alexa on kindle as I like audible books. I wish I could get them on audible as alexa sounds a little robotic. Il be gutted when I've read/listened to them all, truly fabulous book that i just got lost in.
August 19, 2020
A lovely warm read about Pretty Beach and it's quaint customs and friendly people. I loved getting to know Sallie and felt that she definitely deserved a bit of luck after all of the hardships she'd faced. Really looking forward to reading more about her in the next story.
September 3, 2020
I absolutely adored this beautiful book. I fell in love with Sallie, her determination, her courage & her personality. I felt like I was sucked into the book & was apart of the Pretty Beach community 💙
It really is a beautiful book and can’t wait to dive into book number 2.
It really is a beautiful book and can’t wait to dive into book number 2.
January 3, 2021
Heartwarming
After this year... we all need a little feel good romance... and this was that and more.
I loved it the author made me feel like I knew the characters and made me long to visit pretty beach ⛱
After this year... we all need a little feel good romance... and this was that and more.
I loved it the author made me feel like I knew the characters and made me long to visit pretty beach ⛱
May 11, 2021
This book ambles along at a nice pace. It is a positive, hopeful story and has a couple of little twists throughout. Making you read on to see what happens.
The scene setting is wonderful.
I am now going to read the next book in the series to see what happens.
A nice light summery read.
The scene setting is wonderful.
I am now going to read the next book in the series to see what happens.
A nice light summery read.
May 15, 2021
Really enjoyable read
I finished this book really quickly and couldn't put it down until I finished it. Will deferred the next one. It a summer holiday beach read type of book with lots of interesting characters.
I finished this book really quickly and couldn't put it down until I finished it. Will deferred the next one. It a summer holiday beach read type of book with lots of interesting characters.
September 22, 2021
Feel good
This book has a really nice feel to it and Sally is very likeable, I'm so glad she's a fictional character because the world would run out of water with the amount if baths and showers she takes 😂
This book has a really nice feel to it and Sally is very likeable, I'm so glad she's a fictional character because the world would run out of water with the amount if baths and showers she takes 😂
October 20, 2021
Feel good book
A lovely story of a women starting a new life in a beautiful seaside village, she makes friends with the locals who welcome her into the wonderful community, it a romantic cosy story with likeable characters , an enjoyable read
A lovely story of a women starting a new life in a beautiful seaside village, she makes friends with the locals who welcome her into the wonderful community, it a romantic cosy story with likeable characters , an enjoyable read
July 29, 2022
Sadly so similar to “lovely little things” that I was really disappointed….. will try another of her books because her style of writing is so lovely. Easy to read and an easy, if not predictable storyline.
January 9, 2024
Easy to listen to or read. A good take of a woman starting over again in a small town... not in her 20s and all that it entails. Light hearted with some good laughs along the way. You can always count on this Author for that, yet to still provide a good cozy mystery in and itself.
February 5, 2024
I loved this book, couldn’t put it down. It’s easy, full of love, hearts & flowers, but can see why Polly has become successful. More body than your typical romance, delving into the “how the other half live”. A good read to lose myself in whilst recuperating from ill-health! 10 out of 10!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews