Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe

Borteen Secrets #3.5

by Morton S. Gray

Run away to the little beach café this Christmas ...

Five years ago at Christmas, solicitor Justin Sadler made the decision to leave his comfortable existence behind and move to the coast. Since then, he’s tried his best to ignore the festive season and, as he sits in the little beach café and reflects on that fateful night when his life was turned upside down, he expects his fifth Christmas alone to be no different to any of the others since he made his escape.

But when he encounters a mystery woman on the beach, he soon realises he may have found a fellow runaway and kindred spirit. Could Justin finally be ready to move on and let Christmas into his life again?

Genres: Christmas, Collections, Romantic Suspense

207 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2020

About the author

Morton lives with her husband, two sons and Lily, the tiny white dog, in Worcestershire, U.K. She has been reading and writing fiction for as long as she can remember, penning her first attempt at a novel aged fourteen, the plot of which closely resembled an Errol Flynn film. As with many authors, life got in the way of writing for many years until she won a short story competition in 2006 and the spark was well and truly reignited.

She studied creative writing with the Open College of the Arts and joined the Romantic Novelists’ New Writers’ Scheme in 2012. After shortlisting in several first chapter competitions, she won The Choc Lit Publishing Search for a Star competition in 2016 with her novel ‘The Girl on the Beach’. She has gone on to publish a further five books with Choc Lit 'The Truth Lies Buried', 'Christmas at Borteen Bay', 'Sunny Days at the Beach', 'Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe' and 'Summer at Lucerne Lodge' She has stories in two charity anthologies 'Cosy Christmas Treats' and 'Sunny Summer Treats' both published by Choc Lit Publishing.

Previous 'incarnations' were in committee services, staff development and training. Morton has a Business Studies degree and is a fully qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Reiki Master. She also has diplomas in Tuina Acupressure Massage and Energy Field Therapy.

She enjoys crafts, history and loves tracing family trees. Having a hunger for learning new things is a bonus for the research behind her books.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was almost Christmas in Worcester when Justin Sadler’s life changed in an instant. His response was to get into his car and drive – which eventually saw him arrive in the small village of Borteen Bay. Now, five years later he was well settled, serving the locals in his job as solicitor, with the only downside being the constant phone calls from his mother, trying to matchmake for him. Consequently, Christmas was one of the times of year Justin hated.

With his fifth Christmas looming, he was hoping New Year would arrive quickly. When he noticed a stranger being verbally assaulted by a burly man, he rushed to her rescue, unaware that his life was about to change once again. Silvie was in danger; she was frightened but wouldn’t involve the police. As Justin came to know Silvie, he knew he wanted to help her. The danger she was facing was real, but it was confusing as well. Would they find the answers as to why? Would Justin’s Christmases be different in the future?

Christmas at the Little Beach Café by Morton S. Gray is a delightful, intriguing Christmas story with a serving of lighthearted romance, a side of mystery and plenty of entertainment. A thoroughly enjoyable read which I recommend highly.

With thanks to ChocLit Publishing for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect blend of romance, mystery and drama - all set in the wonderful setting of Borteen Bay. This is book 5 in the series, but very easily read as a standalone and is the perfect festive read!

Justin is the focus of this story and he moved to the Bay 5 years ago. What prompted his sudden move and his aversion to the festive period soon become clear, and you wonder if he's ever going to be able to move on in his life and embrace the tinsel and baubles of Christmas!

When he encounters a mystery woman on the beach, it seems clear his path to a happier life may soon be on the cards! But she has secrets of her own and he is intrigued by her. Silvie is her name and she is finding life tough and seems on tenterhooks permanently. She wants to get away from something and is reluctant to let people into her life.

But there's an ease and instant connection between Justin and Silvie - maybe their past experiences bond them, and I just loved seeing how well they clicked and how they supported one another in trying to move forward in their lives!

There's plenty of unexpected drama along the way that really adds to the tension and I loved the mix of light and dark!! Fabulous festive fiction!!

[Isabelle D · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to visit Borteen again! For those of you who don't know it yet, it's a fictional seaside town in the UK, and this is the 5th book set there but they can be read in any order so, if you're in a Christmassy mood, you can safely start either with this new novella or with Christmas at Borteen Bay, saving the full-length novels The Girl on the Beach, The Truth Lies Buried and Sunny Days at the Beach for later.
This time, we're getting to know Justin, a solicitor (mentioned in previous books) whose life is about to be "over-Christmassified" and possibly put in danger when he meets a mysterious woman with a mysterious package, threatened by a mysterious man. Yes, it's all very mysterious... and Christmassy. A really good mix. I greatly enjoyed it.

[Angela Petch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seaside escape

I enjoyed being transported to Borteen , taking me away from the bustle of Christmas preparations and card writing. Christmas does not appeal to many people for a variety of reasons but I'm so pleased our hero, Justin, was converted... It was fun to follow his adventures with Sylvie, but now back to reality. Now where did I hide that present for my mother-in-law?

[Lenn ♡ | anatomyofabooknerd (IG) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Fast-paced, quick, and easy read!

[Jenni Keer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous festive read.

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

Have you discovered the Borteen Secrets series yet? If not, then I’d suggest checking these stories out if you love a bit of romantic suspense mixed in with a charming love story – or a Christmas filled romance, depending upon the time of year. Whether discovering long-held secrets or bringing someone out of their painful past into celebrating life right now, at this moment, I’ve found these stories to be a combination of fun indulgence and heart-rendering emotions that capture my imagination quite easily.

The latest release, Christmas at the Little Beach Café, tells the tale of a woman of mystery and a man who has buried his past pain of one night’s events under the cover of constant regret and puzzlement as to how life could change so much in just one night.

Silvie is in a hard place right now. A successful author, Silvie is also a daughter grieving her mother’s death – and receiving threats from a family member. She’s reluctant to involve the police so she’s escaped to the small town of Borteen Bay hoping to avoid the conflict and danger as well as get through the first Christmas after her mother’s passing. She wasn’t looking for companionship or a hero to save her from the troubles she’s facing but she found them in a sad man’s embrace – and it’s not long before Justin is drawn not only to Silvie but involved in the dangers she’s facing as well.

Justin has let an event in the past take over his life in so many ways, even down to no longer enjoying the joys of the Christmas season. For a smart man, he doesn’t realize or just cannot see the power he’s given to the person who hurt him so deeply by not letting them fade into the past. When he steps up to help Silvie he had no idea that his life was about to change once again – only this time, in spite of the dangers they face together, with a woman at his side who could be everything he dreamed of for his future. If he lets her in, takes the risk of offering his heart once again.

I had such a good time with Christmas at the Little Beach Café. Justin and Silvie are both wounded people in some ways, and people fighting their way back to a fuller life in other ways. They are a charming combination who are learning to trust and love again while facing danger and discovering that love finds a way… eventually.

If you love an outstanding love story with a touch of mystery and suspense mixed in with the romance, then you’ll feel right at home with Justin and Silvie in Christmas at the Little Beach Café. I adored both of these characters, and they worked wonderful magic together as they allow the past to slip away to where it should be (in the past) and face forward toward their future. I always enjoy returning to this small town with interesting secondary characters, a charm all its own, and always a story that touches my heart once again.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from Choc Lit/Ruby Fiction. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here we are again, back in the charming little village of; Borteen Bay, I can’t wait!! Grab your hot chocolate, put on your snuggly socks and enjoy the latest festive trip to one of the most enchanting villages!

This is the fifth book in the series, but don’t worry you don’t have to read them in order, you can do exactly what I did and jump straight in wherever you feel like it, I actually started this series with the previous Christmas novella; Christmas at Borteen Bay and since I have been hooked.

This time we have a mystery with festive cheer, don’t you love it when you pick up a book which you think is going to be a cutesy little Christmas escape and it turns into something else, something which is far better then what you were expecting? Well that is exactly what happened to me with Christmas at the Little Beach Café, I thought; Oooh, this sounds a wonderful second chances festive love story, and by the last page I was; well that was unexpected and yet completely satisfying, I love the turn of events and the story concerning the mystery woman who just happened to appear as if by magic into our lonely Justin’s life just at the moment when he needed it.

Justin hate’s Christmas, he tries his hardest to ignore the very presence of the festive season, if he could hibernate until spring then I think he would, unfortunately for him, he now lives in a village that loves the joys of Christmas, it’s like being constantly caught in a Holly bush for him, (for those like myself, who have been stuck in a Holly bush while trying to collect sprigs for Christmas, you will know it’s not pleasant). But, we learn very early on, literally within the first few pages why this festive season is so hard for him….poor Justin, no wonder he wants to hide away from every bauble and Christmas tree he sees. It’s while he is trying to hide, that he comes across a mysterious woman on the beach. An encounter that not only changes his life but changes his thoughts on Christmas.

Yes, that all sounds very sweet doesn’t it? Well, that is just the tip of the iceberg, because this mystery woman not only brings fun, love and the joy of Christmas back into Justin’s heart again, she also brings a whole load of baggage. She brings with her intrigue, threats, danger and even though Justin has been dragged into this little web of intrigue she has spun around him and the readers, he can’t help himself but want to care and look after her and in doing so his heart open’s he allows the past to settle back where it belongs into the past.

Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe is a fabulously feel-good, enjoyable and very Christmassy story, which has edges of mystery, it keeps you guessing and turning the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed my latest visit to Borteen Bay and can’t wait to return again very soon.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The opening of this book really intrigued me. Lots of people aren't fans of Christmas but why did Justin have such a physical reaction to even just hearing Christmas music? Clearly something had happened in the past to provoke such a response and I was very keen to find out what it was. Well. I quickly found out and what a surprise that was! Equally intriguing was our introduction to Silvie, who Justin meets briefly on the beach at Borteen and then again soon after in what seems like a dangerous situation. She's obviously trying to hide from someone but why?

Although we find the answers to both these questions quite early on in the story, that sense of danger and suspense runs throughout the book. Coupled with a gently developing romance and misunderstandings usually on Justin's part, this made for a very engaging read.

Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe is a sweet, short read, a beautifully told story of two people learning to trust once again and finding their way to love. There's more than a sprinkling of Christmas joy working its magic too. Borteen sounds like a lovely place to spend Christmas and such a lovely community.

[Debbie Southwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was lovely to revisit Borteen as this book is part of a series about the fictional town however you don't have to read them in any particular order as they can be read as standalone books.
Justin has made his home in Borteen following a messy split from his wife and due to the fact this happened around Christmas he dislikes it immensely.
Unexpectedly he meets Silvie one day but Silvie is being threatened following the death of her Mother who has entrusted something to Silvie which is causing concern for another family member.
Silvie needs Justin to help her but in return she is determined to ensure Justin enjoys Christmas again.
I could imagine myself near the beach at Christmas time singing carols around the tree with the citizens of Borteen.
If you are looking for a wonderful Christmas read with a mixture of intrigue this book is for you.

[Els · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I was in Borteen and it’s great to be back. It’s a lovely series and you don’t really have to read the book in a certain order. You can read them as standalones but as usual with a series it’s nice to see how the characters develop.

When you have had a bad experience in love, you want to build the highest wall possible around your heart. You are convinced that staying single is the best way to protect yourself, but it’s also the loneliest solution.

Suddenly you meet someone and the wall starts crumbling, but were you right to let the cracks get bigger or are you once again the victim of deceit…?

A nice cup of love accompanied by a delicious slice of mystery. 4 stars

Thank you, Morton S. Gray and Choc Lit.

[Donna Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justin is a solicitor who has settled in Borteen after moving away from the family business back in Worcester. He meets the mysterious Silvie on the beach after he catches her hat which has blown away. They are both keeping painful family secrets: Justin hates Christmas as it reminds him of the time he found out his wife was cheating on him; Silvie has recently lost her mother and her stepbrother is contesting the will. Can they help each other and find love on the way?
I loved reading this book. It is part of the Little Beach Café series but can be read as a standalone book.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really gorgeous romance with an added crime to add spice to this Christmas dish. The hero, Justin, is a real smoothy, the sort of guy every girl needs. Silvie, the heroine, is an author facing problems after her mother's death. Justin comes to her aid and its goes from there. I loved the way the story ran along and was rooting for Silvie from the start. Between them there is a major difference regards Christmas and by the end they are agreed. A great book to read anytime but especially in the lead up to this Christmas.

[Sally Coles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justin has hated Christmas ever since he moved to the little town of Borteen five years ago and he doesn't think he will ever shake off the unpleasant memories that sent him there. Silvie is still mourning the death of her mother and is being intimidated by her stepbrother regarding something in her mother's will so when she meets Justin on the beach he is her saviour and she is determined to bring Christmas into his life..... but will her secrets destroy them both?

A lovely Christmassy story with plenty of twists to keep your interest..... and I definitely want to live in Borteen Bay!

[Carol Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love visiting the seaside town of Borteen and its inhabitants, especially as there is a brief glimpse of past characters in each book. I enjoyed the story, which had a good hit of intrigue and drama, as well as a sprinkling of Christmas and plenty of tinsel. I enjoyed the developing romance. It made a change to have each character coming to the relationship with their own issues and baggage to overcome. This was a Christmas read with a difference as it wasn't full of fuzzy family moments, making it ideal for anyone looking for a different take on a Christmas romance.

[Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another trip to Borteen with Ms Gray, so I rubbed my hands, settled in to enjoy and I wasn’t disappointed. This is a very pleasant shorter story – easily read in one sitting for me – with some interesting characters, hidden secrets etc. It is a heartwarming read, with a HEA – just right to set us up for an escapist Christmas in a world gone mad. I can heartily recommend it.

[Anni Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Morton Gray’s Borteen Bay series of books a treat at any time of the year. But in Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe Morton manages to weave a mystery/crime element into the romance, which makes for a really exciting page turner. Thank you, Morton, for another lovely read with beautifully developed characters and story, I was sorry to get to the end of it.

[Amy Beck · Rating 3 out of 5]

The character of Justin, in fact, the entire book seemed so stilted to me in the beginning. Only later on did I feel like the book wasn't forced and so wooden, and the characters became more real to me. Although holding back on their feelings and emotions also seemed so plotted, unrealistic and gawky.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the end of the book I discovered this was a novella...which makes sense, as though I enjoyed the book, I felt it was rushed in places, and storylines were not as developed as I would have liked.
Enjoyable, but think I'd prefer a full length novel by this author.
Thanks to Joffe book weekly email for alerting me to when this book was free to download on Amazon.

[Yvonne Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely Christmas read set in a quaint seaside location. Justin is trying to escape his past and start a new life by the sea. Can Sylvia help him to overcome his dislike of Christmas but what is she running away from? Can two lost souls help each other to heal? Beautifully written.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet read

Dreams come true amidst difficult circumstances. A lady dealing with grief and a man With a painful ex marriage and a fresh start in a charming small town. Dreams can come true.

[Barbara Deeprose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Lovely Romance

Justin does not like Christmas and will do anything to avoid it, so when he meets Sylvie, who absolutely loves Christmas, how will they get along? I absolutely loved this book from page 1.

[Kerry Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, short festive romance with a bit of drama thrown in to keep the story going. The plot was interesting and I loved the mystery with the memoirs. The ending was very sweet and finished the story perfectly. I really liked Justin and Sylvie.

[Angela Peixoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful romance that kept me on the verge of my seat all the way through. A must read

[Caron Agatowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic, but easy to read. Good storyline, but it could have been a bit more intricate.

[Karen Cogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story.

A pleasant little crime infused love story. Predictable but sweet and love wins in the end. Set in England during the Christmas season.

[Coco · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the east coast of England there is a fictional town of Borteen where life is slower and everyone knows everyone. This is where Justin Sadler has made his home and is now the local solicitor. Because of painful memories from a past Christmas, Justin withdraws from Christmas celebrations.

When walking on the beach he meets successful author Silvie Walters who, after receiving frightening threats, has become so scared that she retreats to Borteen and is keeping a low profile in a rented holiday cottage. Silvie adores Christmas, with their developing friendship her enthusiasm for Christmas starts to overcoming Justin's bad memories.

A festive mix of mystery and romance.