This is Seabury - where everyone knows everyone, the average tourist hasn't got a clue it even exists, and that's just how the locals like it!
Kate Hardy’s back from London after reaching a stalemate in the battle to save her little seafront café, The Sardine. Her ex is busy playing the pantomime villain – and he’s holding her whole future hostage while he’s at it.
The perfect distraction arrives when a disaster befalls the not-so-happy couple about to celebrate their wedding at The Pebble Street Hotel. Kate joins forces with Mike Pendle and the rest of Seabury’s stalwarts in a bid to save the day.
But when the eager nudging of her excitable staff members combined with the good-natured matchmaking of the rest of Seabury mean that Kate and Mike’s growing friendship becomes the talk of the town, she wonders if working quite so closely with him is such a great idea after all.
Facing a whole heap of heartbreak, it takes some wise words from a friend (and lots of cuddles from Stanley) to make sure that Kate isn’t cast adrift.
Is Kate really going to have to sell The Sardine? Will she manage to take a step towards her future with the man who makes her toes tingle? Or is their chance of a happy ever after going to be swept away by the tides of trouble creeping up on Seabury?
Beth Rain has always wanted to be a writer and has been penning adventures for characters ever since she learned out to stare into the middle-distance and daydream.
She currently lives in the (sometimes) sunny South West, and it is a dream come true to spend her days hanging out with Bob – her trusty laptop – and scoffing crisps and chocolate while dreaming up swoony love stories for all her imaginary friends.
Join Beth in Seabury if you fancy dipping your toes in the waves, head to Little Bamton for some quintessential English village action, or take a trip down the river to Upper Bamton if standalones involving a spot of wine and wool are your thing!
Beth’s writing will always deliver on the happy-ever-afters.
I really liked this book! Kate and Mike's relationship developed beautifully and I liked how this was not ALL about romance but rather how a group of people worked together to save a wedding.
Veronica's character was truly awful. I can't imagine someone leaving a couple high and dry after taking up their wedding reception with no sense of responsibility at all. But Lionel and Kate and Mike and Sarah handled everything beautifully and I loved how everyhting was woven together such that there was no scope of finding anything undesirable.
Kate Hardy’s back from London after reaching a stalemate in the battle to save her little seafront café, The Sardine. Her ex is busy playing the pantomime villain – and he’s holding her whole future hostage while he’s at it.
The perfect distraction arrives when a disaster befalls the not-so-happy couple about to celebrate their wedding at The Pebble Street Hotel. Kate joins forces with Mike Pendle and the rest of Seabury’s stalwarts in a bid to save the day.
But when the eager nudging of her excitable staff members combined with the good-natured matchmaking of the rest of Seabury mean that Kate and Mike’s growing friendship becomes the talk of the town, she wonders if working quite so closely with him is such a great idea after all.
Facing a whole heap of heartbreak, it takes some wise words from a friend (and lots of cuddles from Stanley) to make sure that Kate isn’t cast adrift.
Is Kate really going to have to sell The Sardine? Will she manage to take a step towards her future with the man who makes her toes tingle? Or is their chance of a happy ever after going to be swept away by the tides of trouble creeping up on Seabury?
My Opinion
For such a short book there is a lot going on. This is the second book in a series I discovered through my local library - they are relatively short books but with an action packed plot. This was such a wonderful read - I listened to this as an audiobook and I was listening to it at every opportunity. I have enjoyed my two visits to Seabury so far and I am already wondering when I can return.
Kate Hardy is back from London after hitting a roadblock in her efforts to save her seaside café, The Sardine. Her ex is causing drama and putting her future at risk. But when a disaster strikes a couple's wedding at The Pebble Street Hotel, Kate teams up with Mike Pendle and the Seabury locals to try and fix the situation.
Kate and Mike's close friendship becomes the subject of gossip in Seabury, causing Kate to question if working so closely with him is really a good idea. With the support of her friend and her pet dog Stanley, Kate navigates through heartbreak and uncertainties.
Will Kate have to sell The Sardine? Can she pursue a future with the man she's attracted to? Or will the troubles in Seabury ruin their chance at a happy ending?
Some lines from this novel –
Something about that moment had made her realise that there was a life full of new possibilities and adventures waiting for her beyond this mess. There were things to look forward to, even if she wasn't quite ready to open up to them yet.
Don't let time just keep passing you by. It's finite. Do the things you want to do, love the people you want to love. Stop waiting for the perfect moment – because no moment is more perfect than right now.
Oh my gosh, I would give this wonderful book 10 stars if it was an option.
I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Seabury and all its loveliness. Kate and Stanley are still my faves but I grew to love Sarah in this book too (not that I didn't in the first book but more so in this one).
She has been through a lot in her short life and I can really relate to her. She's a lovely character and her relationship with Kate is really lovely.
I love the romantic and exciting air about about the events in this book and thoroughly enjoyed the returned of the community spirit. Everyone mucking in to make everything perfect.
We all need a seabury in our lives plus a hairy hound
The ups and downs of seabury continue life at the sardine with Ethel to help plus now large dog wish I had him at moment would like to sit outside with my coffee and cake looking at lighthouse don't know why our seaside have lost that majic I knew way back when have to wait for story to conclude about frothy sardine and Mike
What a lovely read, it was great to revisit Seabury and meet friends old and new and learn more about their stories. When trouble strikes Seabury the locals led by Kate rally to save the day. A cosy comfortable feel good read with a few problems along the way but a satisfying ending, can’t wait to read what happens next ❤️
I read this in a day. I'd have read it in one sitting if I could. You're immediately drawn in to the story, and the characters are likeable and relatable. The only warning I'd give is that you need to have read the first book in the series to get the best out of it - but that's no hardship! A lovely book and I can't wait for the next instalment.
This second book was even better than the 1st i just love the way everyone has pulled together to help each other in more ways than one. The way the whole village saved the wedding the way Lionel helped Kate try to keep the sardine. Theeir were so many things going on but it all turned out for the best including Kate & Mike. Roll on book no 3.
Second visit to Seabury. What a lovely community it is - all pulling together to help couple whose wedding plans have been scuppered by Veronica. The budding romance is a delight too. Cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
Beth Rain's characters shine in this second visit to Seabury. It was so fun reading about them all working together. They bring the little seaside village to life.
I LOVED the ending of this book, but can't say too much without giving spoilers.
Really loved this, disappointed to realise I'd read book two before book one. So starting book one now and hoping there's not too many spoilers in book two. But love Kate's story and the characters in seabury.
Great sequel and great finish. Although the finale was predictable, like “Pride and Prejudice it was what every reader use have wanted and been wishing for.