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The Winter of Second Chances
The Winter of Second Chances is the hilarious, heart-warming second book from the author of The Twelve Dates of Christmas, Jenny Bayliss.
Annie Sharpe has it all – an acclaimed restaurant she owns with her handsome husband Max, and two gorgeous grown-up sons. But after one indiscretion too many, she leaves behind the only life she’s ever known.
In search of a fresh start, Annie takes up a position as a caretaker of Saltwater Nook, a creaky but charming beach house on Kent’s beautiful, wild coastline. The village community is an eccentric but tightknit bunch, and Annie is swept up in a whirlwind of their traditional festive celebrations, from pumpkin carving to bonfires on the beach. It soon feels like home – she even reopens the long-dormant seafront café.
The only thorns in her side are John, the owner’s rugged but totally unreasonable nephew who has his own agenda for the house, and a persistent Max, intent on winning her back.
Salwater Nook has been the perfect escape, but Annie can’t run from her problems forever. Will she give her first love a second chance? Or step into the promise of a new life?
Annie Sharpe has it all – an acclaimed restaurant she owns with her handsome husband Max, and two gorgeous grown-up sons. But after one indiscretion too many, she leaves behind the only life she’s ever known.
In search of a fresh start, Annie takes up a position as a caretaker of Saltwater Nook, a creaky but charming beach house on Kent’s beautiful, wild coastline. The village community is an eccentric but tightknit bunch, and Annie is swept up in a whirlwind of their traditional festive celebrations, from pumpkin carving to bonfires on the beach. It soon feels like home – she even reopens the long-dormant seafront café.
The only thorns in her side are John, the owner’s rugged but totally unreasonable nephew who has his own agenda for the house, and a persistent Max, intent on winning her back.
Salwater Nook has been the perfect escape, but Annie can’t run from her problems forever. Will she give her first love a second chance? Or step into the promise of a new life?
464 pages, Paperback
First published October 19, 2021
656 people are currently reading
22068 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Bayliss
7 books1,703 followersJenny Bayliss lives in a small seaside town in the UK with her husband, their children having left home for big adventures. After having been a professional cake-baker for many years, she went back to college at age thirty-nine to study part-time for a degree in Creative and Professional Writing. Bayliss likes long walks, baking days, stationery, and shamelessly wearing party dresses to the supermarket. The Twelve Dates of Christmas is her debut novel.
See also: Jenni Jennings
See also: Jenni Jennings
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,176 reviews
November 1, 2021
Annie Sharpe and husband Max own a very successful restaurant The Pomegranate Seed in Leaming on the Lye. Late one evening she makes an eye boggling discovery about Max, not a huge surprise as he has history but she’s now had enough. She takes herself off to a hotel where she sees and answers an advert to be a custodian of a West Kent beachside apartment and business premises for the winter months. It is currently owned by Mari who is in her 80’s. She travels down to Saltwater Nook in Willow Bay, meets Mari and jumps at the opportunity offered as it will give her breathing space to decide on the direction of her life.
I really enjoyed last years Twelve Dates of Christmas and this second novel proves what I thought then - that Jenny Bayliss writes entertaining and engaging novels. In places it’s very witty and funny with some likeable characters especially Annie who you root for in her attempts to wrestle free of Max. There are a host of other good characters such as John Granger, Mari’s nephew, Alfred and Maeve who is extremely funny. The setting is wonderful and the community is portrayed so well you want to move there especially as they use any excuse to hold community gatherings with Saltwater Nook at the centre of the hub! This book will happily take you through autumn and Halloween and then up to Christmas! It’s got a bit of everything from hilarious book clubs (great choices there ladies) to some romance and tense drama. It’s pleasant, compelling, easy to read, fun and with some really good dialogue.
Overall, I daresay it’s predictable but it’s also a happy quirky read which warms your heart.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Pan McMillan for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
I really enjoyed last years Twelve Dates of Christmas and this second novel proves what I thought then - that Jenny Bayliss writes entertaining and engaging novels. In places it’s very witty and funny with some likeable characters especially Annie who you root for in her attempts to wrestle free of Max. There are a host of other good characters such as John Granger, Mari’s nephew, Alfred and Maeve who is extremely funny. The setting is wonderful and the community is portrayed so well you want to move there especially as they use any excuse to hold community gatherings with Saltwater Nook at the centre of the hub! This book will happily take you through autumn and Halloween and then up to Christmas! It’s got a bit of everything from hilarious book clubs (great choices there ladies) to some romance and tense drama. It’s pleasant, compelling, easy to read, fun and with some really good dialogue.
Overall, I daresay it’s predictable but it’s also a happy quirky read which warms your heart.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Pan McMillan for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
December 23, 2022
Though I may not have had an extensive Christmas list this year...trust me when I say this CHARMING and COZY romance was the BEST gift Santa could possibly have given me!
Annie Sharpe has built a life, started a business, and raised two wonderful boys (who are now grown) with her husband of twenty-six years, Max. Their successful restaurant has served them both well, but Annie has put up with a lot...and when she catches Max in flagrante delicto with one of the young waitresses from the restaurant, enough is FINALLY enough.
Ready to move out and move on, Annie searches for a new place to live, until an advertisement catches her eye. An old woman named Mari is renting out her precious seaside place, Saltwater Nook, to someone who can look over the property temporarily during the winter, since Mari is growing old and struggling to do so on her own.
What Annie doesn't know, however, is the battle going on over the future of Saltwater Nook, with some townspeople determined to keep the spot a historic site...but with Mari's gruff nephew John poised to sell the property. Annie falls in love with the property, the town and its charming traditions, and feels trapped in the middle. Can she put aside her tensions with John and discover exactly what sort of future this 'second chance' has in store?
After The Twelve Dates of Christmas took me through possibly the worst illness I've ever gone through last year, I had sky high hopes for this second book from Jenny Bayliss and doubted that this book could top the first for me, especially with the 'second chance' angle and subject matter.
But if her first book was a single chocolate truffle, you could consider this one was a FULL box of Godiva!
I have to admit, most times I read about a large cast of characters in a small, cozy Stars Hollow-esque town...I could live without most of them. Often times, they come off contrived, or almost like stock figures rather than real people. But Bayliss not only endeared me to this WONDERFUL cast of characters, I was honestly invested in ALL of their stories! The romance never felt overly goopy OR spicy, and Annie was a fantastic protagonist, who went on a very authentic journey.
I also adored the charming town of Saltwater Nook, the fun Victorian book club Annie started during her time in Willow Bay, and the fabulous coffee stand she ended up running along the way. There was just enough silly humor to keep things light, and the book takes you seamlessly through autumn holidays RIGHT up to Christmas, which makes this a perfect seasonal read for any of the aforementioned months...And if you had any doubt in the existence of Christmas miracles...look no further than this one: it's a cozy blanket, a warm fireplace, AND the requisite cup of cocoa, rolled into one! ☕🎄🔥
4.5 stars
Annie Sharpe has built a life, started a business, and raised two wonderful boys (who are now grown) with her husband of twenty-six years, Max. Their successful restaurant has served them both well, but Annie has put up with a lot...and when she catches Max in flagrante delicto with one of the young waitresses from the restaurant, enough is FINALLY enough.
Ready to move out and move on, Annie searches for a new place to live, until an advertisement catches her eye. An old woman named Mari is renting out her precious seaside place, Saltwater Nook, to someone who can look over the property temporarily during the winter, since Mari is growing old and struggling to do so on her own.
What Annie doesn't know, however, is the battle going on over the future of Saltwater Nook, with some townspeople determined to keep the spot a historic site...but with Mari's gruff nephew John poised to sell the property. Annie falls in love with the property, the town and its charming traditions, and feels trapped in the middle. Can she put aside her tensions with John and discover exactly what sort of future this 'second chance' has in store?
After The Twelve Dates of Christmas took me through possibly the worst illness I've ever gone through last year, I had sky high hopes for this second book from Jenny Bayliss and doubted that this book could top the first for me, especially with the 'second chance' angle and subject matter.
But if her first book was a single chocolate truffle, you could consider this one was a FULL box of Godiva!
I have to admit, most times I read about a large cast of characters in a small, cozy Stars Hollow-esque town...I could live without most of them. Often times, they come off contrived, or almost like stock figures rather than real people. But Bayliss not only endeared me to this WONDERFUL cast of characters, I was honestly invested in ALL of their stories! The romance never felt overly goopy OR spicy, and Annie was a fantastic protagonist, who went on a very authentic journey.
I also adored the charming town of Saltwater Nook, the fun Victorian book club Annie started during her time in Willow Bay, and the fabulous coffee stand she ended up running along the way. There was just enough silly humor to keep things light, and the book takes you seamlessly through autumn holidays RIGHT up to Christmas, which makes this a perfect seasonal read for any of the aforementioned months...And if you had any doubt in the existence of Christmas miracles...look no further than this one: it's a cozy blanket, a warm fireplace, AND the requisite cup of cocoa, rolled into one! ☕🎄🔥
4.5 stars
February 8, 2022
This is my second book by this author. I enjoyed The Twelve Dates of Christmas last year, so I was happy to see this new release. While it turned out to be not quite what I expected, I still enjoyed it overall.
Based on the title, cover, and blurb I was expecting a romantic story of the second chances trope. A love story about Annie meeting John and starting a new life. Instead, this is a story about the tight-knit town of Willow Bay and its quirky residents. Yes, Annie sets up a new life in Willow Bay and meets John, but the overall focus is a second chance for the people of this seaside town.
Overall, this is a heartwarming story full of fall and Christmas charm. If you're looking for a seasonal story with a feel-good plot, give this one a try. You'll get to know the people of Willow Bay and even be a part of Annie's book club.
Based on the title, cover, and blurb I was expecting a romantic story of the second chances trope. A love story about Annie meeting John and starting a new life. Instead, this is a story about the tight-knit town of Willow Bay and its quirky residents. Yes, Annie sets up a new life in Willow Bay and meets John, but the overall focus is a second chance for the people of this seaside town.
Overall, this is a heartwarming story full of fall and Christmas charm. If you're looking for a seasonal story with a feel-good plot, give this one a try. You'll get to know the people of Willow Bay and even be a part of Annie's book club.
November 9, 2021
I absolutely LOVED this book!! I laughed out loud so many times. What a fantastic cast of characters. It was a nice change to read a romcom with characters my age :)
November 10, 2024
A SEASON FOR SECOND CHANCES was a cute Jenny Bayliss novel set in a seaside town. Annie is a chef in the restaurant she and her husband own and after 26 years of marriage, she catches him cheating one too many times and leaves him. She decides to take a gig caretaking for a cottage on the English coast and opens a coffee shop. This had fun characters and was a lovely second chances story. 4/5 stars.
December 4, 2022
My favorite things about this book were the cat Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and a book club meeting in a cafe right on the beach. Annie Sharpe's story was entertaining and full of quirky local characters. Mari, the woman who owned the cottage/cafe at Saltwater Nook was actually my favorite human character. Loved the sense of community that the residents cultivated and their acceptance of Annie. It warmed my heart. The food descriptions made me hungry, so I am off to eat my dinner. One more note: too much talk about Mr. Knightley. If you read the book, you will know what I mean. . .
December 29, 2022
[3+] Annie leaves her cheating husband to winter in a stunning seaside community where she finds a smart, kind batch of bookclub friends, a hunky, handsome landlord, welcoming neighbors and even a good-hearted homeless fellow who does chores for meals. Yes, it is as rosy and pat as it sounds but no matter - I still enjoyed it. In fact, I'm ready to move to Willow Bay.
March 16, 2022
It’s March here in flyover country and not only did ol’ Phil see his shadow, but he has since proceeded to appear weekly in order to do this . . . .
And drop 8-10 inches of snow on our heads. The good news thanks to the dilemma the physical office downtown is more willing to close, allowing us suburbanites the ability to work from home in our PJs. The better news is with zero commute time and no lunch plans on said snow days I can snag a Kindle copy of what should have been a seasonally inappropriate book like this one and get it read in no time.
Annie is a 40-something restaurateur who catches her husband boffing a member of the staff and determines the camel’s back to be officially broken. Looking for a fresh start she takes on a caretaker role at a seaside property while she determines the next phase of her life. And that’s where everything gets clichéd and charming in all of the best possible ways.
I ended up really enjoying my time spent with the folks of Willow Bay. This could so easily be converted into a Hallmark movie and I would watch the ever loving crap out of it. I love stories that are heavy on the people and light on the romance. The book club gals were an absolute hoot. And what girl doesn’t love a curmudgeonly Mr. Darcy sort of leading male???? I found I was really able to let myself get absorbed into this place and was fond of every single one of its residents. If you ever need a little snow day, feel good escape, I recommend this one.
And drop 8-10 inches of snow on our heads. The good news thanks to the dilemma the physical office downtown is more willing to close, allowing us suburbanites the ability to work from home in our PJs. The better news is with zero commute time and no lunch plans on said snow days I can snag a Kindle copy of what should have been a seasonally inappropriate book like this one and get it read in no time.
Annie is a 40-something restaurateur who catches her husband boffing a member of the staff and determines the camel’s back to be officially broken. Looking for a fresh start she takes on a caretaker role at a seaside property while she determines the next phase of her life. And that’s where everything gets clichéd and charming in all of the best possible ways.
I ended up really enjoying my time spent with the folks of Willow Bay. This could so easily be converted into a Hallmark movie and I would watch the ever loving crap out of it. I love stories that are heavy on the people and light on the romance. The book club gals were an absolute hoot. And what girl doesn’t love a curmudgeonly Mr. Darcy sort of leading male???? I found I was really able to let myself get absorbed into this place and was fond of every single one of its residents. If you ever need a little snow day, feel good escape, I recommend this one.
October 25, 2021
From its small town setting to its charming cast of characters, this had everything I’d typically love.
After discovering her cheating husband in the act, restaurant entrepreneur Annie Sharpe seeks an escape in the charming seaside town of Willow Bay as a house-sitter. Discovering solace through newfound friends, it really is a beautiful journey of self-discovery.
This was definitely soft and cozy, with the story eventually leading up to Christmas. And while the romance is late to start—almost halfway in—it was sweet. But with the majority of time spent following the heroine as she becomes acquainted with the locals, the pacing was too slow moving for me. There wasn’t enough to keep me invested.
After discovering her cheating husband in the act, restaurant entrepreneur Annie Sharpe seeks an escape in the charming seaside town of Willow Bay as a house-sitter. Discovering solace through newfound friends, it really is a beautiful journey of self-discovery.
This was definitely soft and cozy, with the story eventually leading up to Christmas. And while the romance is late to start—almost halfway in—it was sweet. But with the majority of time spent following the heroine as she becomes acquainted with the locals, the pacing was too slow moving for me. There wasn’t enough to keep me invested.
October 19, 2022
*Will Annie See The Light*
To the outside world Annie Sharpe has it all. She is an award winning chef who owns a thriving restaurant along with her husband Max who is her first love and a serial cheat. She was pregnant with their twin boys at 17 and they are grown up and deep down inside she is not happy but always gives into Max after he apologises time after time.
On day she forgets something and goes back to the restaurant only to find her husband Max in a compromising position she is so shocked that she mutters a garbled nonsensical response which made me lol and she leaves to stay in a hotel while she thinks about the words that she could have said.
She decides enough is enough and goes in search of a new start. As her husband has frozen their accounts and money is short, until the money is unfrozen she ends up applying to be a caretaker which is for 6 months at Saltwater Nook, a delightful beach house owned by an aging woman full of character but it needs work, there is no rent to pay only that she is in charge of her own expenses. The old lady is staying elsewhere with a friend as an experiment organised by her nephew as he is worried about her safety.
The residents want to keep the beach house in the community but the owners nephew John has other plans for it and he clashes immediately with Annie.
Annie starts to fall in love with the place and its mixed band of characters, she ends up falling in love with the place. Her estranged husband begins his usual wooing to get her back, will she fall for his charms yet again or will she take a chance on a possible new love waiting in the wings….
This is such a cozy read with a lot of substance and I absolutely loved it.
To the outside world Annie Sharpe has it all. She is an award winning chef who owns a thriving restaurant along with her husband Max who is her first love and a serial cheat. She was pregnant with their twin boys at 17 and they are grown up and deep down inside she is not happy but always gives into Max after he apologises time after time.
On day she forgets something and goes back to the restaurant only to find her husband Max in a compromising position she is so shocked that she mutters a garbled nonsensical response which made me lol and she leaves to stay in a hotel while she thinks about the words that she could have said.
She decides enough is enough and goes in search of a new start. As her husband has frozen their accounts and money is short, until the money is unfrozen she ends up applying to be a caretaker which is for 6 months at Saltwater Nook, a delightful beach house owned by an aging woman full of character but it needs work, there is no rent to pay only that she is in charge of her own expenses. The old lady is staying elsewhere with a friend as an experiment organised by her nephew as he is worried about her safety.
The residents want to keep the beach house in the community but the owners nephew John has other plans for it and he clashes immediately with Annie.
Annie starts to fall in love with the place and its mixed band of characters, she ends up falling in love with the place. Her estranged husband begins his usual wooing to get her back, will she fall for his charms yet again or will she take a chance on a possible new love waiting in the wings….
This is such a cozy read with a lot of substance and I absolutely loved it.
January 12, 2022
I really loved this book!!! If you are looking for a PG13 or maybe a R rated type romance (mainly because of the language) this is the book for you. I really was interested from start to finish on this story.
Annie Sharpe and her husband Max own a lucrative restaurant in Leaming on the Lye. After work one night, thinking she was all alone in the restaurant she discovers Max in a compromising situation. For most, this would be a real shock but to be perfectly honest she should have known from past situations this was a possibility. Not wanting to return home and being frozen out of their bank accounts by Max, she takes a position as the custodian of a property in the charming seaside village Saltwater Nook in Willow Bay. It is owned by an elderly woman name Mari who is in her 80’s. The winter months are too much for the 80 year old, at least that is how her nephew John sees it.
Annie is a great character. She is someone you are rooting for from the beginning. I like that even though she is having a rough go of it she is never whiney. Her twin sons are awesome. Max is a real piece of work and doesn’t really deserve any of his good furtune.
All the supporting characters from the town of Saltwater Nook such as Alfred, Maeve, and I can’t remember the lady’s name with the 2 small children are interesting and funny. John Granger who is Mari’s nephew really puzzled me at first but it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with him.
GREAT STORY!!!
Annie Sharpe and her husband Max own a lucrative restaurant in Leaming on the Lye. After work one night, thinking she was all alone in the restaurant she discovers Max in a compromising situation. For most, this would be a real shock but to be perfectly honest she should have known from past situations this was a possibility. Not wanting to return home and being frozen out of their bank accounts by Max, she takes a position as the custodian of a property in the charming seaside village Saltwater Nook in Willow Bay. It is owned by an elderly woman name Mari who is in her 80’s. The winter months are too much for the 80 year old, at least that is how her nephew John sees it.
Annie is a great character. She is someone you are rooting for from the beginning. I like that even though she is having a rough go of it she is never whiney. Her twin sons are awesome. Max is a real piece of work and doesn’t really deserve any of his good furtune.
All the supporting characters from the town of Saltwater Nook such as Alfred, Maeve, and I can’t remember the lady’s name with the 2 small children are interesting and funny. John Granger who is Mari’s nephew really puzzled me at first but it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with him.
GREAT STORY!!!
dnf
December 17, 2021dnf @42%
This is taking way too long to capture my interest. 42% in and we're maybe now being introduced to the love interest? No thank you.
I adored the author's last book but this one wasn't for me sadly.
This is taking way too long to capture my interest. 42% in and we're maybe now being introduced to the love interest? No thank you.
I adored the author's last book but this one wasn't for me sadly.
March 28, 2023
4 Festive Stars ❤️
SYNOPSIS:
Annie Sharpe is a forty-four award-winning chef and owner of a successful restaurant she's built from the ground called “Pomegranate Seed” when she walks in on her husband of twenty-six years cheating on her. She eventually decides it's time to go separate ways and file for divorce. After all, it's never been easy to start from scratch, but when Annie sees an advertisement for a winter guardian position in the newspaper, she is determined to leave her restaurant and her city life behind for a brand-new beginning and a chance to start over. Upon her arrival in Willow Bay, a quirky small town with rich seasonal traditions and friendly people who welcome her with open arms, to take care of a historic seaside house whose owner is no longer capable of staying there during the brutally cold winter, she immediately becomes enamored with the cute cottage by the sea and all the remarkable folk tales and memories it carries within its walls. Little does she know the homeowner's cantankerous nephew and inheritor, John Granger, has different plans in mind for the property.
MY THOUGHTS:
A Season for Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss was my Christmas pick to read around the holidays and I'm happy to say it didn't disappoint. I was first drawn to the catchy title as I myself was in need of new beginnings, but its sweet and feel-good story filled my heart with happiness. This book consists of 84 very short, easy-to-read chapters that mainly center on new friendships, the value of history, getting over self-doubt, and the importance of helping others, but above all, it reminds you that it's never too late to start all over again and pursue your dreams. I loved the fact that the protagonist was a flawed woman in her forties with grown-up kids and a lot of life experience whose character stumbled onto all the opportunities she thought she was too old to take, especially finding love since society holds negative attitudes and stereotypes towards aging, dating and falling in love after 40 or 50; despite the fact that, in recent years, this idea of the unlikelihood of finding a partner and getting married after the age of 40, particularly for women, has been debunked.
The highlight of this book was, without doubt, the amazing beach-town setting and celebratory atmosphere the author has wonderfully drawn which was packed with so much enjoyment and fun time activities including a fantastic cast of characters, cooking and food descriptions (not gonna lie, it made me hungry every single time), coffee enthusiasts, Victorian-themed book club, and lots of different exciting celebrations. Ms. Bayliss has done a splendid job building a vibrant coastal town with a rich history and a lovely close-knit community/side characters, all of whom felt realistic and three-dimensional and added more visual depth and color to the story, that would transport you to the fictional Willow Bay and take you through Autumn, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and then right up to Christmas. I genuinely found myself wishing I could visit the Saltwater Café to order an artisan coffee with a side of homemade chocolate pumpkin cupcake and meet all its characters in real life. I think my favorite part of the book was the female friendship and the way they bonded over their love for reading to start a book club which I would very much have liked to join, and so I absolutely adored the subplot on Women's empowerment and Annie being surrounded by incredible women who support, courage, and love her the entire time without actually knowing her that well. Another element that I loved so much was the well-integrated and well-defined representation of disability and Anti-Ableism, an important topic that deserves special attention, as I do always appreciate when things like this are embraced and portrayed accurately in fiction.
My major issue with this novel was that a certain character I was most interested to read about (bloody John Granger, of course) didn't show up until midway through the book and I literally had to refrain from peeking at the next chapters to see when exactly he puts in an appearance. Therefore, the pacing in the first half was too slow for me and there wasn't enough to keep me invested since a lot of scenes were just about Annie getting to know her new town and making new friends. But from the moment she meets John's character in person, as I've already mentioned he couldn’t have picked a worse time to arrive at Saltwater Nook (It makes me chuckle every time I think of it), the second half of the book picks up the pace and develops into a more thrilling storyline with more enjoyable witty banter and the elements of enemies-to-lovers trope, a second-chance romance, and grumpy/sunshine vibes without feeling overly cheesy or dramatic. Apart from that, the book didn't really provide details on Alfred's back story and what had caused the lasting impact on his mental and emotional stability that made him homeless by choice in the first place given that the author didn't elaborate further on the matter, despite her frequent mentions concerning his situation, and decided to conclude the story with some loose ends, which was somewhat disappointing as I'd like to have learned more about his character, but I still very much enjoyed Annie's journey throughout and was content with the way the story ended.
Overall, this book is a perfect choice to read in Fall/Winter if you want a delightfully cozy, lighthearted British rom-com about new beginnings and fresh starts to get you in the holiday spirit and whisk you away to the seaside. I can't wait to pick up the author's first book The Twelve Dates of Christmas for the next holiday season. 🎄
"The plain fact is that history should belong to everyone, not just one person."
SYNOPSIS:
Annie Sharpe is a forty-four award-winning chef and owner of a successful restaurant she's built from the ground called “Pomegranate Seed” when she walks in on her husband of twenty-six years cheating on her. She eventually decides it's time to go separate ways and file for divorce. After all, it's never been easy to start from scratch, but when Annie sees an advertisement for a winter guardian position in the newspaper, she is determined to leave her restaurant and her city life behind for a brand-new beginning and a chance to start over. Upon her arrival in Willow Bay, a quirky small town with rich seasonal traditions and friendly people who welcome her with open arms, to take care of a historic seaside house whose owner is no longer capable of staying there during the brutally cold winter, she immediately becomes enamored with the cute cottage by the sea and all the remarkable folk tales and memories it carries within its walls. Little does she know the homeowner's cantankerous nephew and inheritor, John Granger, has different plans in mind for the property.
MY THOUGHTS:
A Season for Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss was my Christmas pick to read around the holidays and I'm happy to say it didn't disappoint. I was first drawn to the catchy title as I myself was in need of new beginnings, but its sweet and feel-good story filled my heart with happiness. This book consists of 84 very short, easy-to-read chapters that mainly center on new friendships, the value of history, getting over self-doubt, and the importance of helping others, but above all, it reminds you that it's never too late to start all over again and pursue your dreams. I loved the fact that the protagonist was a flawed woman in her forties with grown-up kids and a lot of life experience whose character stumbled onto all the opportunities she thought she was too old to take, especially finding love since society holds negative attitudes and stereotypes towards aging, dating and falling in love after 40 or 50; despite the fact that, in recent years, this idea of the unlikelihood of finding a partner and getting married after the age of 40, particularly for women, has been debunked.
The highlight of this book was, without doubt, the amazing beach-town setting and celebratory atmosphere the author has wonderfully drawn which was packed with so much enjoyment and fun time activities including a fantastic cast of characters, cooking and food descriptions (not gonna lie, it made me hungry every single time), coffee enthusiasts, Victorian-themed book club, and lots of different exciting celebrations. Ms. Bayliss has done a splendid job building a vibrant coastal town with a rich history and a lovely close-knit community/side characters, all of whom felt realistic and three-dimensional and added more visual depth and color to the story, that would transport you to the fictional Willow Bay and take you through Autumn, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and then right up to Christmas. I genuinely found myself wishing I could visit the Saltwater Café to order an artisan coffee with a side of homemade chocolate pumpkin cupcake and meet all its characters in real life. I think my favorite part of the book was the female friendship and the way they bonded over their love for reading to start a book club which I would very much have liked to join, and so I absolutely adored the subplot on Women's empowerment and Annie being surrounded by incredible women who support, courage, and love her the entire time without actually knowing her that well. Another element that I loved so much was the well-integrated and well-defined representation of disability and Anti-Ableism, an important topic that deserves special attention, as I do always appreciate when things like this are embraced and portrayed accurately in fiction.
My major issue with this novel was that a certain character I was most interested to read about (bloody John Granger, of course) didn't show up until midway through the book and I literally had to refrain from peeking at the next chapters to see when exactly he puts in an appearance. Therefore, the pacing in the first half was too slow for me and there wasn't enough to keep me invested since a lot of scenes were just about Annie getting to know her new town and making new friends. But from the moment she meets John's character in person, as I've already mentioned he couldn’t have picked a worse time to arrive at Saltwater Nook (It makes me chuckle every time I think of it), the second half of the book picks up the pace and develops into a more thrilling storyline with more enjoyable witty banter and the elements of enemies-to-lovers trope, a second-chance romance, and grumpy/sunshine vibes without feeling overly cheesy or dramatic. Apart from that, the book didn't really provide details on Alfred's back story and what had caused the lasting impact on his mental and emotional stability that made him homeless by choice in the first place given that the author didn't elaborate further on the matter, despite her frequent mentions concerning his situation, and decided to conclude the story with some loose ends, which was somewhat disappointing as I'd like to have learned more about his character, but I still very much enjoyed Annie's journey throughout and was content with the way the story ended.
Overall, this book is a perfect choice to read in Fall/Winter if you want a delightfully cozy, lighthearted British rom-com about new beginnings and fresh starts to get you in the holiday spirit and whisk you away to the seaside. I can't wait to pick up the author's first book The Twelve Dates of Christmas for the next holiday season. 🎄
"The plain fact is that history should belong to everyone, not just one person."
December 20, 2021
(free review copy) I loved this one just as much as I loved The 12 Dates of Christmas ❤️ Bayliss creates such amazing small towns and communities ~ the setting is as much of a character as all of the quirky, lovable people are, and this setting was absolutely magical. I adore the 40+ main character and her eventual love interest and the feminism, the community, the food, ALL of it. Keep writing, Jenny, because I want more!
Want to read
July 21, 2022got to read this bc desi recommended it
October 26, 2021
This was a HILARIOUS second chance at love story featuring a middle aged woman going through a divorce after she walks in on her husband cheating on her. Answering an ad to house sit for an older woman, Annie moves into a small cafe/cottage by the sea and befriends a cast of quirky small town characters (including her landlady's Scottish nephew).
While there Annie reopens the cafe, forms her own little book club and sets about to save the place from being sold. I couldn't put this one down. It made me miss all the hijinks and catharsis that comes from a group of women discussing good books and the problems of their lives. If you want a heartwarming, feel good holiday read look no further! This was great on audio too.
While there Annie reopens the cafe, forms her own little book club and sets about to save the place from being sold. I couldn't put this one down. It made me miss all the hijinks and catharsis that comes from a group of women discussing good books and the problems of their lives. If you want a heartwarming, feel good holiday read look no further! This was great on audio too.
May 18, 2022
My GR friend Ceecee said it best:
"This book is a happy quirky read which warms your heart".
What happens when you catch your husband of 26 years in a compromising position with a waitress in your restaurant?
This book is about new beginnings, the power of friendships, and refocusing one's life.
The author's characterizations were 5-star, and that was what elevated this book's star rating.
I especially enjoyed the witty banter between the protagonist and her two older twin sons and her philandering husband.
The author's sense of humor was over-the-top.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an amazing job with the narration. I did feel that the middle of the book was muddled and that this 12-hour audiobook easily could have been a 9-hour audiobook.
This was my first Jenny Bayliss book and I look forward to listening to future titles by this author.
"This book is a happy quirky read which warms your heart".
What happens when you catch your husband of 26 years in a compromising position with a waitress in your restaurant?
This book is about new beginnings, the power of friendships, and refocusing one's life.
The author's characterizations were 5-star, and that was what elevated this book's star rating.
I especially enjoyed the witty banter between the protagonist and her two older twin sons and her philandering husband.
The author's sense of humor was over-the-top.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an amazing job with the narration. I did feel that the middle of the book was muddled and that this 12-hour audiobook easily could have been a 9-hour audiobook.
This was my first Jenny Bayliss book and I look forward to listening to future titles by this author.
August 11, 2021
A Season for Second Chances is basically a PG-13 Hallmark movie. I didn't particularly like it. For a romance, the love interest didn't show up until 40% into the book and there were way too many scenes with Max, Annie's soon to be ex. I got irritated every time he showed up and his existence pretty much ruined this for me. Once or twice, fine, but his constant efforts to win Annie back after what he did just really put me off this book. I also didn't like the overuse of exclamation points, especially in the beginning of this book. It made the dialogue feel weird. Overall, I just wasn't into the characters in this or the storyline. I'm sure others will enjoy this more than I did, as there was nothing really wrong with it. It just was not my cup of tea. 2.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
(On another note, I wish authors would stop using the line "she let out the breath she didn't know she was holding." I have seen this line in probably 8 of the last 10 books I've read and it's just become a huge pet peeve.)
(On another note, I wish authors would stop using the line "she let out the breath she didn't know she was holding." I have seen this line in probably 8 of the last 10 books I've read and it's just become a huge pet peeve.)
October 29, 2021
I honestly adored this book so much! Let me forewarn you that if you’re looking for a quick rom-com this is not the book. I do think it’s a bit longer than necessary, but it also really takes its time building up the second chance narrative, the spirited coastal town of Willow Bay and its residents, as well as a bit of romance near the end. I went into it looking for the romance, but I liked that it didn’t immediately jump into things.
Annie is dealing with the end of a 26-year marriage, one in which her husband cheated on her repeatedly. At 44 years old it’s the first time Annie is truly on her own as an adult and she’s trying to come to grips with the end of her marriage and find accommodations while her and Max (her husband) figure out the division of assets. After a few hopeless days in a hotel Annie finds a winter guardian position in a historic seaside home and decides to leave the city life behind for a brand-new beginning. That’s the main focus of the novel. Annie will be watching over a secluded beach apartment and small (closed) business over the winter months. It’s an unpaid position but the rent is free. Since Max is being a bugger with the accounts and assets Annie is due this is just the thing she needs.
The community of Willow Bay was absolutely charming. Definitely the type of community I long to be a part of. What makes this such a stand out romance is there was never miscommunication, in fact the characters were quite forthcoming which was so refreshing. I also like that Annie had her weaker moments with Max as he set to woo her back. She knew he was bad news but after 26 years things are familiar and she knew in her heart of hearts what she deserved but she still showed those moments that made it all too real.
The romance doesn’t start until around the 300-page mark, so buckle in for a long meandering yet lovely tale of a season for second chances.
If you like this, check out Float Plan by Trish Doller.
Annie is dealing with the end of a 26-year marriage, one in which her husband cheated on her repeatedly. At 44 years old it’s the first time Annie is truly on her own as an adult and she’s trying to come to grips with the end of her marriage and find accommodations while her and Max (her husband) figure out the division of assets. After a few hopeless days in a hotel Annie finds a winter guardian position in a historic seaside home and decides to leave the city life behind for a brand-new beginning. That’s the main focus of the novel. Annie will be watching over a secluded beach apartment and small (closed) business over the winter months. It’s an unpaid position but the rent is free. Since Max is being a bugger with the accounts and assets Annie is due this is just the thing she needs.
The community of Willow Bay was absolutely charming. Definitely the type of community I long to be a part of. What makes this such a stand out romance is there was never miscommunication, in fact the characters were quite forthcoming which was so refreshing. I also like that Annie had her weaker moments with Max as he set to woo her back. She knew he was bad news but after 26 years things are familiar and she knew in her heart of hearts what she deserved but she still showed those moments that made it all too real.
The romance doesn’t start until around the 300-page mark, so buckle in for a long meandering yet lovely tale of a season for second chances.
If you like this, check out Float Plan by Trish Doller.
November 13, 2021
I really enjoyed this sweet book. I loved the character and the fact it was set in a place I know so well and had a lot of holidays in Broadstairs as a child. The descriptions of the cottage and cafe were brilliant. My only grouse was the frequent references to sex which did spoil things a little. But, apart from those I enjoyed reading about this community. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
December 27, 2021
This book is amazing! A true heroine’s journey. It definitely blurs the lines between women’s fic and romance because to be honest-the majority of this book felt like the focus was on the heroine rebuilding her life after she walks in on her scumbag husband cheating on her. She finds community, has a goal and there is a slow burn romance involved.
4.5 read for me. One that will stick with me for a long time
4.5 read for me. One that will stick with me for a long time
January 16, 2026
I honestly can't stop thinking about this book! It is a sweet story of healing, finding yourself, following your passions, and finally falling in love. But, I will warn you the relationship doesn't really even START until about 3/4 of the way through the book.
I loved our main character of Annie, who is a 40+ soon to be divorcee. She moves to the small sea-side town of Willow Bay where she rents a charming house and finds a community.
Highly recommend if you like a romance that leans a bit more contemporary or women's fiction!
I loved our main character of Annie, who is a 40+ soon to be divorcee. She moves to the small sea-side town of Willow Bay where she rents a charming house and finds a community.
Highly recommend if you like a romance that leans a bit more contemporary or women's fiction!
November 26, 2021
BOOK REVIEW - A SEASON FOR SECOND CHANCES
Drink rec: Cranberry Moscow Mule
This book felt a lot like a Hallmark movie to me, especially in the sense that with Hallmark movies you can have them playing in the background and still get a sense for what is going on in the book. But, unlike a Hallmark movie, it had little romance and wasn’t too centered around the holidays…definitely more focused on the theme of starting fresh in a small seaside town.
I read the authors other book, The Twelve Dates of Christmas, last year and definitely enjoyed that one more than this book. However, if you’re looking for a lighter book about a woman going through a divorce who decides to rent a seaside home and finds some ✨romance✨ along the way, then this one would be for you! It’s got cozy small town gives, quirky characters, and some funny moments.
I totally got suckered in because the cover of this book is to die for😍 but I think this month I’ve realized that the second chance romance trope isn’t my fav, especially if the pacing is slower 🤷🏻♀️ That being said, if you’re all about second chances, you might wanna give this one a try!
Drink rec: Cranberry Moscow Mule
This book felt a lot like a Hallmark movie to me, especially in the sense that with Hallmark movies you can have them playing in the background and still get a sense for what is going on in the book. But, unlike a Hallmark movie, it had little romance and wasn’t too centered around the holidays…definitely more focused on the theme of starting fresh in a small seaside town.
I read the authors other book, The Twelve Dates of Christmas, last year and definitely enjoyed that one more than this book. However, if you’re looking for a lighter book about a woman going through a divorce who decides to rent a seaside home and finds some ✨romance✨ along the way, then this one would be for you! It’s got cozy small town gives, quirky characters, and some funny moments.
I totally got suckered in because the cover of this book is to die for😍 but I think this month I’ve realized that the second chance romance trope isn’t my fav, especially if the pacing is slower 🤷🏻♀️ That being said, if you’re all about second chances, you might wanna give this one a try!
December 24, 2021
4.5⭐️ This book was what I needed during a month when the world felt very much too much.
If you like:
• small town life
• book clubs
• cool independent women
• Mr Knightley
• the seashore
• atmospheric weather
• village festivals
• coffee
• a little melodrama
• enemies to lovers
• bonfires on the beach
• holidays
• second chances
This was less of a Christmas book than I had expected, but I didn’t mind. It was also rather quiet and quirky, slow paced, and ultimately comforting.
CW: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Injury/injury detail, Sexual content, Toxic relationship
If you like:
• small town life
• book clubs
• cool independent women
• Mr Knightley
• the seashore
• atmospheric weather
• village festivals
• coffee
• a little melodrama
• enemies to lovers
• bonfires on the beach
• holidays
• second chances
This was less of a Christmas book than I had expected, but I didn’t mind. It was also rather quiet and quirky, slow paced, and ultimately comforting.
CW: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Injury/injury detail, Sexual content, Toxic relationship
December 19, 2025
3.5⭐️
A Season for Second Chances was a gentle, cozy read that leaned heavily into atmosphere and charm. Annie’s fresh start in Willow Bay felt comforting and relatable, especially as she navigated life after a long marriage and found purpose outside of the roles she had outgrown. The seaside setting and winter traditions added warmth and personality to the story.
The romance unfolded slowly and predictably, which worked for the book’s quieter tone but did not always bring much tension. While the pacing dragged in places, the overall message about reinvention and hope landed well. Some parts of the plot felt repetitive and I could have done with less appearances from Annie's (soon-to-be) ex-husband. It ended up being a pleasant, low stakes story that felt best suited for a calm winter afternoon.
A Season for Second Chances was a gentle, cozy read that leaned heavily into atmosphere and charm. Annie’s fresh start in Willow Bay felt comforting and relatable, especially as she navigated life after a long marriage and found purpose outside of the roles she had outgrown. The seaside setting and winter traditions added warmth and personality to the story.
The romance unfolded slowly and predictably, which worked for the book’s quieter tone but did not always bring much tension. While the pacing dragged in places, the overall message about reinvention and hope landed well. Some parts of the plot felt repetitive and I could have done with less appearances from Annie's (soon-to-be) ex-husband. It ended up being a pleasant, low stakes story that felt best suited for a calm winter afternoon.
December 6, 2021
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Long suffering wife Annie finally reaches her breaking point with her chetaing husband when she walks in on him in their restaurant, getting it on with a new waitress 20 years younger than her. At long last, Annie packs her bags and says goodbye to her spouse and business, and finds a new place to call home in Saltwater Nook - a cliffside haven perfect for a woman needing to reinvent herself. Soon Annie becomes involved in the community, but her new home is in danger from property investors who want to change it beyond recognition.
This was an enjoyable read that is great for Autumn/Winter with minimal Christmas (literally just the epilogue) so it could be read any time of year. I really appreciated following a character having up up her life and figure out what to do next who wasn;t in her twenties or early 30s but instead someone approaching 50, with grown up children and real experience with life and everything it throws at you. Annie as a character is strong, level-headed and business-savvy and I found her, and her new look on life, really refreshing.
One of the best things I think Jenny Bayliss does in her novels (having read both) is a sense of community. She writes these amazing settings that are so welcoming and real, from the types of shops and businesses you would expect to see in a little town to all the different personalities living there. Everyone is unique and you remember who everyone is - and I always find myself wishing she would write more in the same setting so I can get to know everyone a little bit better, and just stay there a while longer.
I also loved the different celebrations and festivals from Halloween to Bonfire Night, and then Christmas. All fun and different, and I loved how the Saltwater Cafe became a real highlight in the community and how welcoming everyone was to Annie and supportive of her new business.
There is a Victoria Book Club in this with Annie and some friends which contained some funny scenes but I do think some of the discussions they had about the books they read could actually have been cut down, as I'm not really reading a book to get a review of another book, and I found these conversations at the start went on a bit too long.
While I enjoyed this, it didn't hold quite the same sparkle for me as 12 Dates of Christmas - however, I will definitely be making Jenny Bayliss a yearly read if she brings out a new book every winter like I hope she does.
Long suffering wife Annie finally reaches her breaking point with her chetaing husband when she walks in on him in their restaurant, getting it on with a new waitress 20 years younger than her. At long last, Annie packs her bags and says goodbye to her spouse and business, and finds a new place to call home in Saltwater Nook - a cliffside haven perfect for a woman needing to reinvent herself. Soon Annie becomes involved in the community, but her new home is in danger from property investors who want to change it beyond recognition.
This was an enjoyable read that is great for Autumn/Winter with minimal Christmas (literally just the epilogue) so it could be read any time of year. I really appreciated following a character having up up her life and figure out what to do next who wasn;t in her twenties or early 30s but instead someone approaching 50, with grown up children and real experience with life and everything it throws at you. Annie as a character is strong, level-headed and business-savvy and I found her, and her new look on life, really refreshing.
One of the best things I think Jenny Bayliss does in her novels (having read both) is a sense of community. She writes these amazing settings that are so welcoming and real, from the types of shops and businesses you would expect to see in a little town to all the different personalities living there. Everyone is unique and you remember who everyone is - and I always find myself wishing she would write more in the same setting so I can get to know everyone a little bit better, and just stay there a while longer.
I also loved the different celebrations and festivals from Halloween to Bonfire Night, and then Christmas. All fun and different, and I loved how the Saltwater Cafe became a real highlight in the community and how welcoming everyone was to Annie and supportive of her new business.
There is a Victoria Book Club in this with Annie and some friends which contained some funny scenes but I do think some of the discussions they had about the books they read could actually have been cut down, as I'm not really reading a book to get a review of another book, and I found these conversations at the start went on a bit too long.
While I enjoyed this, it didn't hold quite the same sparkle for me as 12 Dates of Christmas - however, I will definitely be making Jenny Bayliss a yearly read if she brings out a new book every winter like I hope she does.
January 8, 2022
Saltwater Nook, all the people and the festivities give me Stars Hollow vibes.
November 28, 2022
christmastime at a seaside town is so me-core...
November 19, 2023
This book was nothing short of a freaking delight! Touching story line, hilarious quips, beautiful setting, and characters you’ll absolutely fall in love with!
January 2, 2025
After her marriage collapses, empty nester Annie starts over on the seaside.
As Annie changes from a city mouse to a country mouse, will her new lifestyle agree with her? After leaving her cheating husband, Max, I couldn't help but root for Annie to find a second chance at love... and a new career too. This was a light and sweet story perfect for the busy holiday season.
Location: Willow Bay, Scotland
Audiobook
As Annie changes from a city mouse to a country mouse, will her new lifestyle agree with her? After leaving her cheating husband, Max, I couldn't help but root for Annie to find a second chance at love... and a new career too. This was a light and sweet story perfect for the busy holiday season.
Location: Willow Bay, Scotland
Audiobook
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