At Home by the Sea

by Pam Weaver

‘A beautiful, heart-warming yet sometimes heart-wrenching book… Beautiful…  I was left with a smile on my face’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Can a second chance heal their broken family?

Since their mother walked out on them as children, Izzie’s taken responsibility for her younger sister, Linda. And when their father’s temper flares up, Izzie knows the girls are better off on their own.   But when a handsome Italian chef moves to Worthing and offers Izzie a job in his cafe, she is forced to choose between her responsibilities and her desires. Then her mother resurfaces, and Izzie discovers there’s more to her abandonment than meets the eye.   Will Izzie be able to come to terms with the past in order to pursue the future she deserves?

A gripping and emotional family drama from the Sunday Times bestselling author, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Rosie Clarke.

Readers love At Home by the ‘Such a remarkable book from start to finish… It will touch your heart… Loved it.’ Goodreads reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I couldn't put it down it was so captivating’ Goodreads reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Family saga at its best. Such lovely story lines and you actually feel like you are in the book’ NetGalley reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A warm story about love, betrayal, family… I loved the ending. It was incredible!’ NetGalley reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Loved this book, I couldn’t put it down’ NetGalley reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Lovely book, couldn't stop reading it… There are lots of secrets in this story which keep the reader gripped til the very end… Would definitely recommend’ NetGalley reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I was hooked from the first page… Read it for yourself and experience this brilliant book.’ NetGalley reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Chick Lit

391 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2021

About the author

After training as a Nursery Nurse in the 1960’s, I worked in children’s Homes, private day nurseries and as a Hyde Park nanny. My experiences are in Bath Times & Nursery Rhymes which became a Sunday Times best-seller.

I started writing in 1990’s with small magazines and specialist publications, finally branching out into the women’s magazine market in 2001. I have since written more than 200 articles and at least 150 short stories. They’ve been in Take A Break Fiction Feast, Woman’s Weekly Fiction Special, Weekly News, My Weekly and People’s Friend. Some have been in anthologies with the proceeds going to charity. The Fantastic Bubble was repeated on BBC Radio 4 and the World Service.
My novels are set in Worthing; There’s Always Tomorrow (2011) Better Days Will Come (2012), Pack Up Your Troubles (2013), For Better For Worse (2014), are all published by HarperCollins Avon. Blue Moon (2015) & Love Walked Right In (2016) are published by Pan Macmillan. I also have a couple of novellas on Kindle. Emily’s Christmas Wish (2015) and Amy’s Wartime Christmas will be released in October 2016

If you are looking for murder mystery and intrigue in a saga… look no further!

Reviews

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars
Ever since their mother left when Izzie was thirteen and Linda eleven, Izzie has felt responsible for her younger sister. Their father has a volatile temper and Izzie decides they would be better off on their own. She sets about saving money from her work, which is not easy when her father takes so much of her pay for board and upkeep. Izzie scores a job working for elderly Mrs Shilling, who is writing her memoir. That experience changes her plans for the future. Later, Izzie is offered a position for a handsome Italian chef who moves to Worthing to open a cafe. Izzie also finds out the real story about her mother whom she ends up meeting. Meanwhile Linda is flitting from job to job, stealing clothes and other things and getting in with some unsavoury young guys. But she willfully ignores all Izzie’s advice. How can Izzie provide for herself and her wayward sister? And why does Mrs Sayers have such dislike for Izzie and her family? These are just a couple of questions asked in this story.
Izzie is a likeable character and well drawn but her father and Linda both struck me as rather one dimensional. The younger Mrs Shilling is a stereotypical nasty piece of work, but the older Mrs Shilling was a delight. Izzie’s friend Esther is a lovely character and as for Italian chef Giacomo, he is a real charmer. Doris, mother of Izzie and Linda, is believable as her story is revealed.
The time is 1950. This is an interesting look at times and attitudes in England a few years after the war ended. It was a mostly engaging read though at times it did seem to bog down a little. Other times there was plenty happening. I enjoyed it. Recommended for those who like family stories and historical novels. Being set in the 1950s some attitudes may grate on m0dern readers, but I have no doubt they reflect the time in which it is set. A good read.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since their mother walked out on them as children, Izzie's taken responsibility for her younger sister Linda. And when their father's temper flares up, Izzie knows the girls are better off on their own. But when a handsome Italian chef moves to Worthing and offers Izzie a job in his cafe, she is forced to choose between her responsibilities and desires. Then her mother resurfaces, and Izzie discovers there's more to her abandonment than meets the eye.

Set just after WWII, rationing was coming to an end and lives were getting back to normal. It's mostly set around Izzie, her sister Linda and their parents. The father is a brute, and after a row one night, their mother runs away.

This is a heart-warming but also a gut-wrenching story of a family that's broken. We also get true historical facts from the era. There's stories within stories that weave together seamlessly, liking the family together. There is a mixed bunch of characters in the book which is also descriptively written. This story held my attention throughout.

#I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #PamWeaver for my ARC of #AtHomeByTheSea in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet, post-war story but I found a large proportion of the characters to be incredibly annoying, and this lessened my enjoyment of the novel.

Izzie definitely does not have it easy and when her mother suddenly leaves the family home, Izzie becomes a slave to her sister and father. It’s almost like a case of Cinderella! Her younger sister, Linda, is a spoiled brat throughout the story and I failed to sympathise with her – even when events start to go against her favour. I was frustrated that Linda manages to escape punishment for so long and wanted to see Izzie stand up for herself even more.

Similarly, Izzie’s father is a sneaky man who takes advantage of his eldest daughter. Weaver reinforces the patriarchal society of the times and I felt sorry for how suffocating the family home was for Izzie. She is forced to hand over much of her wages for housekeeping and there is no equality between the treatment of the two daughters.

Izzie eventually makes contact with her mother and I was curious to see what the truth was behind her mother’s absence. This introduces a sub-plot to the story and I liked how Weaver gradually connects this with the main narrative. Indeed, the final quarter of the story was incredibly pacy and I became increasingly curious about how the novel would conclude.

The historical setting was clearly researched in detail and I have found this about the previous novels I have read by this author. By the sea in an area I know very well, I enjoyed reading about this post-war era and how society was rapidly changing after the war, whilst still remaining trapped in some very stifling ideologies. For example, the restrictions that Izzie faces because she is a woman is a reminder of how post-war Britain had moved backwards after the soldiers had returned home.

I liked this book but disliked most of Izzie’s family. I did not get a true sense of justice and whilst the final scenes for Linda were pretty horrific, I don’t feel like any lessons were clearly learned. Izzie is a strong character and determined to succeed, but I wished she had stood up for herself against her overbearing father and lazy sister.

With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from Pam. As always with her books they are so descriptive and I enjoy reading about the 1950's. I shall look forward to reading more of her books as she writes them. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good saga and this is a great addition to the genre.
There is every type of character in this book and all of them believable. Poverty breeds cruelty from what I read in stories and it's in abundance here.
Izzie is the main character and I was rooting for her from the start. She had a lot on her shoulders and was treated very badly by her father.
She gets a job in a restaurant and begins to better herself. Then she gets reacquainted with her mother and realises the story she was told about her walking out on them had a lot more to it than her father had led her to believe.

There are numerous twists and turns in the story and to warn people, there is a rape scene. I don't like anything like this in my reading but it was handled very well by the author.
There's a romance but I found it a bit lukewarm. More could have been done with it. Anyone who grew up in want. whether it be want of money or want of love, will empathise with this story.

There's a lovely short story at the end of the kindle version too.

Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the chance to read this book early.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

1947 Worthing.
Izzie Baxter, and her dad is back home one of the last of the brave boy's from the war and he is a stranger to her, the arguments between him and her mother grew louder and he was so strict with her and sister Linda he had no job and always in the pub, one morning coming down stairs they both find their mother had gone it's February 26th 1947 and it's Izzie's thirteenth birthday they had all forgotten a search goes out and her mother is found not right in the head and is taking into a hospital, the two girl's are then sent to grandparents in Dial Post twelve miles from Worthing where they spend the next two years till their father comes to take them to a new home he has a good business and Izzie is now old enough to work. but all she wants is to find out where her mother is and answers about her father and why she left that night she won't give up.
This is such a remarkable book from start to finish that I enjoyed. It will touch your heart as you read with some gripping details will Izzie ever find her Home By The Sea? read on for yourself I highly recommend you do. Loved It.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

At Home by the Sea by Pam Weaver proved to be a complex read, with the different stories weaving to link the family together.

Starting when their mother disappears in the night, zzy is left to look after her younger sister Linda, who gets herself into trouble. Eventually Izzy meets a chef who offers her a job, Could this be her ticket out.

I was heavily invested in Izzy from the get go, her drive was amazing to watch and some of the other characters in the book were just pure evil. And sadly very believable.

From the social history point of view. I was fascinated by how life was post WW2 and it all seemed to have been well researched.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone that likes a love story but with a bit of grit.

Warning: there is a distressing rape scene.

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overhearing a fight between their parents, Izzy and Linda, just 13 and 10 respectively, are scared and worried: more so when their mother disappeared into the cold night with little but a nightdress and coat. When she was discovered near death in a shed down the street, the girls thought she’d soon be home: but that was not to be. Now living with their rather harsh tempered father who’d been gone some 6 years during the war, the girls are grief stricken and confused. After a couple of years with their grandparents providing security and safety, the girls are returned to their father’s care: Izzy is now old enough to earn her keep, and Linda will continue school.

Frustrated with the unequal treatment and taking on the role of mother and provider, Izzy makes plans to leave – to do something away from her father, while questions about her mother mount, and her sister Linda becomes increasingly difficult to manage. Spoilt and left to her own devices by her father, Linda is heading down a bad road, while Izzy, doing the right thing is right to feel misused and overworked. Fortunately for her, she’s been able to find work that both strengthens her confidence and provides her with options. Unfortunately, being a companion for the elderly woman was a time-limited job, and when the woman died, Izzy’s struggles just began. Although not without the upsides, she had found her mother, learned more of why she left, and discovered that her father was imprisoned for black market trading that led to the death of a young boy and the illnesses of many.

There is so much happening, including the disparity of treatment of women and girls during the time, the importance of “reputation’ for a girl, the struggles with a young sister with a need to have everything now and an eye for unsuitable boys, and the kindness of a café owner who, despite the age difference finds Isobelle (as he calls her) a singularly unique creature and one that he’s falling in love with. Plenty of drama, the struggles of post-war Britain, the ambitions of a young girl determined to move beyond the circumstances she’s living in and a family secret and history all revealed, the story is gripping and engaging well worth the read if for no other reason to see the changes from a mere 50 years earlier in attitude and custom.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at I am, Indeed

[Alicia Dowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

At Home by the Sea is a WWII fictional story with Izzie as a main character. Most books written during this time, is all about the action but this was more focused on "normal" life. Being the oldest, Izzie is saddled with the chore of looking after her younger sister Linda and the house after their mother leaves. Later in the story we do learn why her mother left and other family drama which caused this. Izzie does her best to keep their family together all while learning how to stand up for herself especially after she meets an Italian chef who owns a local coffee shop. I was hooked from the first page and couldn't put it down until I finished it.

I highly recommend reading this book for yourself.

I was given an ARC copy but the views are all my own.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

At Home by the Sea by Pam Weaver is an excellent post-WWII era historical fiction that kept me entertained and engaged from beginning to end.

I really enjoyed the post-war narrative of this book. So many novels take place during the war, the Blitz, or during the “action”. Not as many take readers into the lives, the adaptations, and the remnants of the lives of the British after the war has done its damage. Seeing how the small villages, its inhabitants, and families are scarred, altered, conflicted, and forever changed post-war and how they “carry on”, to me is fascinating. Such huge political, societal, and gender role changes are taking place.

I enjoyed taking an in depth peak into the town of Worthing. The complicated relationships, miscommunications, mysteries, misplaced anger, and nuclear family changes involving Izzie, her sister Linda, her father Bill whom has just returned from the war, and her mother Doris. The abrupt change between it being just the girls, then the return of Bill and departure of their mom leaves questions, misinterpretations, misplaced hurt and anger amongst many. Seeing Izzie struggle with these changes, losses, and her adaptations are at times heartbreaking. Izzie is stronger then she thinks she is. She is smarter, more independent, and she learns these tools through these losses.

But just as she thinks she has it all figured out, a new love interest, visions of a possible change in future, and the return of her mother into her life, throws Izzie into a tailspin. Will she be able to figure it all out and find her place in the world and her purpose in the process? I loved finding out.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Avon Books UK for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

[Tanya Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thankyou to net galley and Avon books for my advanced reader copy of this book, I will give my unbiased review.

Izzie is only 12 when she witnesses her parents late night argument in the 1940s which lead to her mother running out on the family. According to her father, she was unstable and had to be sectioned and after discharge from the mental hospital, didn’t want anything to do with Izzie or her younger sister Linda.

Izzie had to grow up fast, her father, who had been a prisoner of war, or so the the story goes, had anger issues and now without her mother at home, she was expected to run the household alone, while also leaving school as soon as she was legally allowed, at 15, to contribute to the family income. Whenever she seemed to gather an extra pound, her father found a way to take it off her.

I found this story to be an interesting look into the world post war, while I have ready many (and by many I mean hundreds) of books based during WW2 I have only read a handful during the 1940/1950s. I found it a snapshot of British society at the time, still dealing with rationing, and more importantly the impact of the war on people’s mental well being. This book also highlights the difference between the haves and the have nots, but the biggest take away for me was the attitudes toward women. It was hard to read some of the scenes where Izzies father hit his daughters, but equally as hard to read the lines of the girls discussing icing their faces because they didn’t want their bruises to show. This book would make an interesting book club discussion I feel!

I did feel the book did go at a rather slow pace, maybe the style of writing was suited to the era in this way, it it did feel a little detail heavy in parts.

Again Thankyou for the opportunity to read and review this book @netgalley and @avonbooks.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, heart warming yet sometimes heart wrenching book. The storyline is beautiful, weaving the story of a badly broken family and the possibility of rebuilding your life. The characters are wonderfully created with depth and personality, making them easy to like or dislike. A credit to the author for making characters that are quick to endear themselves to the reader. The setting and time period are both interesting and I liked how this wasn’t a war story as there have been so many of those lately. The small towns sounded lovely as did the idea of a tea shop where you can have a lovely full English tea.

Izzie has experienced so much loss in her life yet she is a strong character that I wanted to sit down and have a chat and cup of tea with. The supporting characters range from spoiled, egotistical, endearing, romantic, hateful and evil people that will all seem real to you, the reader. I enjoy an author that can make a character that I dislike as much as a couple in this book. There is a beautiful love story thrown in that makes you feel hopeful and happy.

This is an all round lovely story that is easy to get caught up in and will sweep you away to a different era in time. I was left with a smile on my face and content. To me that is a sign of a well wrote ex book. Kudos to the author. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC of this delightful book.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in post-WWII in Worthing, this arresting book is about courage, love, loss, family ties and how people tried to piece their lives back together after the war. Everything had changed. The author beautifully injects fascinating historical details such as King George's death and wondrous descriptions including Tiddyoggies and Italian pastries. I just love vivid multi-sensory descriptions.

After the war, Izzie and her younger sister Linda weren't prepared for her father's return home as he had been a POW since their childhood. Not only was he super strict but also cruel, especially to Izzie. What made it even worse was their mother suddenly deserting them. The relationship of the girls shifts between warm and tender to cold and untrusting. Izzie finds employment at a cafe owned by an Italian. Italian cafes were de rigueur at the time so it was the place to work and visit.

The two very different sisters clashed and domestic battles raged. Other relationships appeared. The stories within the story are seamlessly written, including the reappearance of the girls' mother. We also see the effects of war, secrets, deception and heartache. I like that the book has oomph and substance and both lovely and despicable characters. As in real life, there is good and bad and both are depicted here.

My sincere thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this wonderful book.

[Masha M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a warm story about love, betrayal, family, and internal healing.⁣
I believe the family in this book could have been happy but the father’s attitude – his hate ruined everything.⁣
⁣
It all started in 1940 when 12 years old Izzie overheard her parents arguments. In that late-night, her mother ran out. And never returned. She was taken to a mental institution shortly after that.⁣
⁣
I adore Izzie’s character. I believe she’s a strong and smart girl. Even when her father stopped her from continuing her education she worked, earning some money which she used to enroll in a school. The attitude of her dad and sister were so annoying I felt it was better for her to leave the house. They would leave all the chores for her and she didn’t complain. It was just too much. She also fought hard on her own, before landing a job at a fancy restaurant owned by an Italian, Mr Semandini ⁣
Her finally summing up the courage to search for her mother was marvellous. At last, she heard her mother’s side of the story.⁣
⁣
At last, I love the ending. It was incredible! The perfect ending except for the fact that the rapist didn’t get what he deserved.⁣
As for Izzie, she found her prince charming whom I completely adore. Her mom had found someone amazing and her dad has changed drastically. He realized that his attitude brought them nothing but misfortune.⁣
⁣
Much thanks to Netgalley, Avon and the author for this ARC copy.⁣
⁣

[Margaret Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by the same author as 'The Brighton Guest House Girls' which I have read and for me was a 5* read. This story is mainly about Izzie, her sister Linda and her parents. It begins where Izzie hears her parents having a row, the front door slams which is her mother running away. Her father is a brute. Many more people come into this story, I like the way how Pam introduces them all. You will not get confused as to who is who as Pam 'drip feeds' them to us so we get to know them, Then someone else comes into the story which is set at the beginning of the 1950's. Izzie was found a job by her father who took most of her wages for her upkeep. As her mother never returned, Izzie had to keep house, wash, iron, clean shop and cook. I do not want to give too much away, but Izzie did have a hard life. Towards the end there was a Rape followed by a court case, Pam handled this very well. At the end of the book Pam explains about the Rape part of the book which you must read. I have no hesitation in giving 5* and recommend the book. For me this book was better than the Brighton Girls


With thanks to netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a review which I willing give

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seem to have an insatiable appetite for UK-set, cozy romances. Add in a mid-century, coastal setting, and I'm in heaven.

Izzie and Linda's mother disappeared shortly after their father returns from being a WWII POW. However, Izzie learns first, that her mother hadn't disappeared but had been committed to a mental hospital, and two, that her father hadn't been a prisoner of war, but rather a prisoner of state due to a crime he committed.

Izzie must work to support herself and contribute to the household, while still doing the majority of the housework, while her father and the favored Linda work a bit and constantly flirt with the wrong side of the law. Izzie tries to ignore her growing affection for her boss, Giacomo, believing he's too old and experienced for her, but a tragedy makes her realize the depth of her love for him.

This isn't great literature, but it is a delightful way to distract oneself for a few hours and take a vicarious trip to a seaside village in the early 1950s. #AtHomeByTheSea #NetGalley

[Melanie williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book couldn't stop reading it. Poor Izzie traumatized by her mother disappearing as a young girl she takes responsibility for her younger sister Linda, after moving back home to live with their father. As they grow older Izzie is responsible for running the house and finding work. Linda goes off the rails and ends up in bad company. Izzie finds work as a companion and finds a passion for writing until the elderly lady she works for dies and she is accused of theft. Secretly meeting her mother she meets Mr Sandini and unknowingly ends up working in his new cafe.
There are lots of secrets in this story which keep the reader gripped til the very end which is a happy one for everyone. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend.

[Sara Clifford-gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The day before Izzie’s 13th birthday, her mother walks out on the family following an argument with their father, and so it falls to Izzy then take responsibility for her younger sister Linda.

But when a handsome Italian chef moves to Worthing and offers Izzie a job in his cafe, she is forced to choose between her responsibilities and her desires. Then her mother resurfaces, and Izzie discovers there’s more to her abandonment than meets the eye.

Will Izzie be able to come to terms with the past in order to pursue the future she deserves?
This was a lovely story, and although I’ve never been to Worthing the places were described in such a way that I can imagine myself walking through the streets, along onto the sea front and sipping coffee in Giacomo’s café.

With regards to the characters, Izzy seemed to take the weight of the world on her shoulders, whereas Linda was a wily little minx who needed someone to tell her a few home truths! Despite that, as characters I loved them both especially as they were so different, and I don’t think we were meant to like Linda anyway!

Raymond reminded me a lot of Pinkie from Graham Green’s Brighton Rock – he was a wannabe gangster, but in reality was a bit of a sociopath.

I’ve read many wartime sagas in my time, so it was a nice change to read one set after the war when rationing was coming to an end and life was slowly returning to a new normal.
All in all a really lovely book and I would highly recommend it.

[lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the advanced copy of this latest book by Pam Weaver. I found myself hooked from the beginning and read it in a few days. Set post second World war, it felt to be very realistic. Women had gained independence during the war years, but men returning home were reluctant to allow this to continue. Izzy wants to better herself after a difficult childhood. Her father thwarts this by ending her education early and forcing her to handover her earnings to him. She has set backs along the way, but life improves. She also searches out her mother who had been placed in a mental hospital. Her sister and father are not happy with her research.
Lots of interwoven storylines. Well researched and a good read.

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming story about second chances.
A broken family…..can they find peace in their life?
A story about how Liz…..will she be able to get over her mothers unexpected abandonment of her sister and her when they were young?
Lots of secrets going on within the story.
Lots of historical information about World War II.
The pace of the book seemed a bit slow but I did enjoy reading it.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Izzie and Linda are sisters whose mother left them when they were preteens. Their father has a temper and often treats Izzie badly, expecting her to give her wages over to him and has no expectations of Linda. He refuses to talk about their mother or where she went. I liked Izzie's character but didn't really like the other characters in this book and it was difficult to read some parts due to the bad treatment towards one another. It was a hard one for me to get through and has a lot of hard topics touched on in it. If someone has been a victim of abuse this might be a hard read for them.

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, LOVED this book! I’ve been quite poorly with common cold recently so this book caught my eyes at the perfect time -I absolutely demolished it!
Absolutely loved the whole story, adore Izzy as a character and her relationship with her mother and as a girl whose loyalty always relies with her mother and sister, I could relate to her so much.
Already a huge fan a Pam weaver as an author and can’t wait to read more - five stars from me!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really lovely read. The story was well constructed and flowed beautifully. I couldn't put it down it was so captivating. It was very sad at times and also shocking, especially when the Dad threw out his daughters. I could really feel for Izzie who tried her best to keep the family together. Thankfully, after many ups and downs, she got her happy ending.

[Emma Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book I could not put this book down very well written.

Izzie looks after her little sister Linda as their Mum walked out on them and their Dad. Her Dad seems to treat Izzie not very well while he dotes on Linda. Izzie gets a job I’m a cafe working for Giacomo who treats his staff well.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't think the title represented the book as there wasn't much to identify that the storyline was by the sea. I had trouble (sorry) liking some of the characters and felt that there was too much going on so there was quite a few storylines to keep up with. The main storyline of Izzie finding her mother and making a go of her own life was good, I just didn't like the people around her.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be enthralling and kept my interest throughout. The characters and their interlinked stories were believable and I enjoyed the factual side of life after the war.

Highly recommended.

[Sherry Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book. A great family saga set in the early 50’s. Great characters and a lovely story. I will be reading all of her books.

[Amutha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was quite mad with Izzy at the beginning. But, then I realised that this was how woman was back in the days...

[Amanda]

purchased on Kindle for 88 cents. a bargain. compelling.

[Mrs Susan McDermid · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant read

Loved this book. Couldn’t put it down. Captured my attention from page 1 to the end of the book. Highly recommend