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The Summer That Changed Us
The sparkling seaside village of Merle Bay, with its beautiful beach scattered with sea glass, is a place where anyone can have a fresh start.
For Katie, it is the perfect hideout after a childhood trauma left her feeling exposed. For Robyn, the fresh sea air is helping to heal her scars, but maybe not her marriage. For Grace, a new start could help her move on from a heartbreaking loss. When they meet on Sea Glass Beach one day, they form an instant bond and soon they're sharing prosecco, laughter - and even their biggest secrets...
Together, the women feel stronger than ever before. So can their friendship help them face old fears and find happy endings - as well as new beginnings?
For Katie, it is the perfect hideout after a childhood trauma left her feeling exposed. For Robyn, the fresh sea air is helping to heal her scars, but maybe not her marriage. For Grace, a new start could help her move on from a heartbreaking loss. When they meet on Sea Glass Beach one day, they form an instant bond and soon they're sharing prosecco, laughter - and even their biggest secrets...
Together, the women feel stronger than ever before. So can their friendship help them face old fears and find happy endings - as well as new beginnings?
416 pages, Paperback
Published March 2, 2022
523 people are currently reading
1352 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Bramley
66 books1,134 followersCathy Bramley is the author of the best-selling romantic comedies Ivy Lane, Appleby Farm, Wickham Hall, Conditional Love and The Plumberry School of Comfort Food. She lives in a Nottinghamshire village with her family and a dog.
Her recent career as a full-time writer of light-hearted, romantic fiction has come as somewhat of a lovely surprise after spending eighteen years running her own marketing agency. However, she has been always an avid reader, never without a book on the go and now thinks she may have found her dream job!
Cathy loves to hear from her readers. You can get in touch via her website www.CathyBramley.co.uk Facebook page Facebook.com/CathyBramleyAuthor or on Twitter twitter.com/CathyBramley
Her recent career as a full-time writer of light-hearted, romantic fiction has come as somewhat of a lovely surprise after spending eighteen years running her own marketing agency. However, she has been always an avid reader, never without a book on the go and now thinks she may have found her dream job!
Cathy loves to hear from her readers. You can get in touch via her website www.CathyBramley.co.uk Facebook page Facebook.com/CathyBramleyAuthor or on Twitter twitter.com/CathyBramley
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
August 9, 2024
Four and a half stars
Merle Bay is a beautiful place that is a home for sea glass. Katie lives there after a teenage experience destroyed her self confidence and trust in others. Since inheriting her Aunt Jean’s lingerie shop, Auntie Smalls, Katie has loved helping women with the right underwear and listening to their problems. But she is reluctant to ever turn the spotlight on herself. Robyn is trying to heal the scars her decision and subsequent operations have left on her marriage to Finn. Though there body has healed, other deeper issues have emerged in her marriage. Grace is mourning the death of her husband Myles. She comes to Merle Bay to try and figure out how to live without him. Then she meets the two younger women in rather strange circumstances. Though she is older than Katie and Robyn they remarkably form a solid friendship. Soon they are sharing secrets from their lives and become a great help to each other. But can they leave the past behind?
Sea Glass Beach lives up to its name and sounds a magical place. The setting was beautiful. I loved all the references to collecting and using sea glass but it is the relationship of the women that is at the heart of this novel. I really cared about all three of them as they seek to move on from past hurts and current issues to try and forge a new life.
Yes it is chick lit but there is a lot more going on as well, some of them quite significant issues. The story of these women absorbed me from start to finish. There is a lot about love and relationships in marriage and in families as well as friendship. Romance and true love also feature, along with the need for communication.
Perhaps a bit predictable and neatly tied up in parts but that didn’t stop me from enjoying it and becoming involved with the women and the issues explored. I would recommend it to all who enjoy women’s fiction well told.
Merle Bay is a beautiful place that is a home for sea glass. Katie lives there after a teenage experience destroyed her self confidence and trust in others. Since inheriting her Aunt Jean’s lingerie shop, Auntie Smalls, Katie has loved helping women with the right underwear and listening to their problems. But she is reluctant to ever turn the spotlight on herself. Robyn is trying to heal the scars her decision and subsequent operations have left on her marriage to Finn. Though there body has healed, other deeper issues have emerged in her marriage. Grace is mourning the death of her husband Myles. She comes to Merle Bay to try and figure out how to live without him. Then she meets the two younger women in rather strange circumstances. Though she is older than Katie and Robyn they remarkably form a solid friendship. Soon they are sharing secrets from their lives and become a great help to each other. But can they leave the past behind?
Sea Glass Beach lives up to its name and sounds a magical place. The setting was beautiful. I loved all the references to collecting and using sea glass but it is the relationship of the women that is at the heart of this novel. I really cared about all three of them as they seek to move on from past hurts and current issues to try and forge a new life.
Yes it is chick lit but there is a lot more going on as well, some of them quite significant issues. The story of these women absorbed me from start to finish. There is a lot about love and relationships in marriage and in families as well as friendship. Romance and true love also feature, along with the need for communication.
Perhaps a bit predictable and neatly tied up in parts but that didn’t stop me from enjoying it and becoming involved with the women and the issues explored. I would recommend it to all who enjoy women’s fiction well told.
May 20, 2023
This was such a feel good, hopeful, summery read - I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed reading it. I’m definitely not the target audience and this isn’t my usual genre of book, but somehow it really worked for me. We have three very different women on very different journeys, and I had a good time following them.
The writing was pretty simple but it definitely did its job and fit the vibe of the story well. I really enjoyed the sense of humour used in here and found that made me smile a few times. Some moments in here felt a tiny bit cliche and cringey, but I think that's what the whole book is about really. It’s very ultimately uplifting and hopeful, and a few cliches never hurt anybody I guess. This definitely feels like a cosy comfort book.
I enjoyed the characters, and though the plot was fairly straightforward I enjoyed it. I found the pacing was a bit on the slow side as not a lot was happening, but if you want a slow moving beach read this is good for that. I liked how distinguishable their personalities and stories were, if not a little predictable. I think they all had a great relationship and I loved the emphasis on friendship and sharing your problems to work them out together. It was really nice and feel good to read, despite some of the themes being quite heavy initially.
The writing was pretty simple but it definitely did its job and fit the vibe of the story well. I really enjoyed the sense of humour used in here and found that made me smile a few times. Some moments in here felt a tiny bit cliche and cringey, but I think that's what the whole book is about really. It’s very ultimately uplifting and hopeful, and a few cliches never hurt anybody I guess. This definitely feels like a cosy comfort book.
I enjoyed the characters, and though the plot was fairly straightforward I enjoyed it. I found the pacing was a bit on the slow side as not a lot was happening, but if you want a slow moving beach read this is good for that. I liked how distinguishable their personalities and stories were, if not a little predictable. I think they all had a great relationship and I loved the emphasis on friendship and sharing your problems to work them out together. It was really nice and feel good to read, despite some of the themes being quite heavy initially.
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February 1, 2022It’s brilliant, gorgeous, emotional and uplifting (pun intended!) I laughed, I cried, I loved it!!
March 20, 2022
My word Cathy knows how to grip you into a book this was outstanding and so well written I wanted to keep reading as so good. Full of grief friendship learning about inner strength to move forward and be happy and plenty about friendship as well. The characters are great and it is outstanding from the first page.
Three ladies like in the beautiful village by the sea and all three have issues you have Katie who owns Underwear shop and lost her aunt and took the shop on from her but she can trust people after having a trauma in her life years ago and stopping herself going to uni and moving away from home. Then you have Grace who has had a big operation to reduce her risk of getting cancer so trying to accept her new body and has relationship issues. Then you have Robyn who has grief of her own after her husband has passed away and the children are contesting the Will. The three girls form a friendship talk there issues through and Toby learns a big secret that really rocks her and can grace sort her issues out and a Katie get through the blackmail from her past and can all three be happy again and find live or be happy with the one they have.
Three ladies like in the beautiful village by the sea and all three have issues you have Katie who owns Underwear shop and lost her aunt and took the shop on from her but she can trust people after having a trauma in her life years ago and stopping herself going to uni and moving away from home. Then you have Grace who has had a big operation to reduce her risk of getting cancer so trying to accept her new body and has relationship issues. Then you have Robyn who has grief of her own after her husband has passed away and the children are contesting the Will. The three girls form a friendship talk there issues through and Toby learns a big secret that really rocks her and can grace sort her issues out and a Katie get through the blackmail from her past and can all three be happy again and find live or be happy with the one they have.
May 10, 2023
This is a great women's fiction book, which I really enjoyed.
The story is about three women, called Katie, Robyn and Grace, who are friends. We are shown how their friendship develops, while each of them cope with problems in their lives, and how they still have time to help others in their lives.
I found this book heartwarming, fun and enjoyable, I thought the characters were lovely, the setting of Merle Bay sounded stunning, and the story was interesting and relatable.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
The story is about three women, called Katie, Robyn and Grace, who are friends. We are shown how their friendship develops, while each of them cope with problems in their lives, and how they still have time to help others in their lives.
I found this book heartwarming, fun and enjoyable, I thought the characters were lovely, the setting of Merle Bay sounded stunning, and the story was interesting and relatable.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
May 23, 2023
Another light, easy read from Cathy Bramley, but also tackling contemporary issues in a sympathetic way. Bits were a little predictable but still one of her best.
.
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June 5, 2022
It was a nice change to read a story based predominantly around friendship. Some heavy hitting and real life topics but still light hearted at times. I did find it a bit too sickly sweet in places, especially the end. But it felt right that such strong female characters each got their happy ending.
April 26, 2022
Bought this as a holiday read because of all the good reviews, but sorry to say I really didn't enjoy it. It was just too slow and predictable and the main twist was painfully obvious because too much detail had been given - written better this could have been fantastic as the storyline itself was actually quite decent (just not well enough written unfortunately, the pace was all wrong labouring over detail and then revisiting it rather than anything that made me want to turn the page). Was relieved to finish it and move on to my other book.
April 11, 2022
Cathy Bramley always writes such lovely, heart-warming and embracing reads that give you that warm feeling inside and this new book, The Summer That Changed Us, is no exception. With such a gorgeous cover that really sums up the themes of the book I couldn’t wait to dive in and read all about three women, their three secrets and the one unforgettable summer that changed everything for them. Right from the beginning, you feel at home and at ease within the setting of Merle Bay, a seaside town on the north east coast of England. Thanks to the vivid descriptions by the author, I could picture the setting so clearly and you feel as if it could be real and that you would love to live alongside the main characters.
The story follows three women, Katie, Grace and Robyn, who have never previously met but a funny if somewhat unfortunate mishap leads to the women forming a close bond that by the end of the book has transcended beyond friendship and they have developed a strong sisterhood. Each women is hiding their own issues and worries and are afraid to come out in the open and express how they are feeling. But thanks to the unique closeness, rapport and solidarity that emerges between them over the course one summer they soon learn that a problem shared is a problem halved. Instead of threading water alone and wandering aimlessly dwelling on an issue that sharing the load, pushing ahead and changing direction may be the best advice they have ever learned.
Katie had lived with her Auntie Jean for ten years until her death a year ago. She has been left the lingerie shop, Auntie Small’s, and enjoys running it alongside her co-worker Nula. Merle Bay has been a haven for Katie and she has been happier there than anywhere else in the world. Instantly, the readers interest is piqued because when she mentions it’s her haven you wonder what has she been hiding? Is she running from something? Despite the success of the shop which is not just your usual lingerie shop in that they always go above and beyond for their customers and Katie has been a support system for so many women dealing with a wide range of emotional and physical problems there is an air of hesitancy surrounding Katie. It’s like she always looking over her shoulder waiting for something to go wrong. It’s as if she can’t let go of something which would allow her to fully embrace her life in the present. Thankfully, the author doesn’t leave us waiting too long to discover just what Katie has been holding back and when a mysterious and threatening letter arrives for her we discover just what she has kept secret and what has haunted her for so long.
I loved the development of this aspect of the overall plot. To me it seemed as if Katie was very much stuck between a rock and a hard place and she had no choice but to give in to demands that were being made on her. I understood completely what had happened to her when she was younger and why she had wanted to not reveal things but it appeared as if the past was catching up with her and this time she couldn’t run away. Will her friendship with Grace and Robyn provide her with the strength and tools she needs to confront what she has long purposefully kept buried? The past should not cloud her life anymore and she needed to find the courage and determination to face it head on. Especially as she has met Barney Larkin, the editor of the local newspaper, through his daughter Chloe. There is definitely a spark between them but she can’t let it ignite until the past has been resolved.
Grace is a woman who needs time away from her old life. Time to reassess and heal following the death of her beloved husband Myles. She needs to get away to a place where he is not imprinted on her mind and where she can learn who she is to be without him. Through a friend she rents Sea Glass House overlooking a stunning beach and its here where Katie and Robyn come to her rescue. Initially it’s a tentative association that is formed but the three women soon realise they are kindred spirits. Grace needs to catch her breath and reimagine herself and with the help of Katie and Robyn just as she takes baby steps in doing this, her world is once again rocked. I felt so sorry for her that just as she was beginning to find a way out of the darkness that engulfed her, her world is once again rocked to its very foundation. We learn what has happened but then things get even more dramatic and I didn’t know how she was going to handle things. I would have been so mad at what Grace learned and I don’t think forgiveness would have come so easily. When everything you thought to be true was a lie and your carefully ordered world was nothing but a façade. Betrayal features heavily in Grace’s storyline and I wondered would she ever find her way back from it?
Robyn is the last woman who form the special trio and boy was she hurting. She is married to Finn but you can tell they are experiencing a very rough patch that could if she allows it to happen develop into something much more permanent. Her outward scars may be beginning to heal but inside she is a mess. Her emotions are all over the place and I thought quite often she saw things in a different light to others, as in problems where there weren’t any. She feels useless in that she can’t contribute to the household as things aren’t going great with Finn’s fishing business but more pressingly she feels such a failure that she will never be a mother. The reasons for this really impact on you as a reader and give you plenty of food for thought. Things with Robyn aren’t as cut and dry as one would think. She questions things internally instead of voicing things vocally to Finn and you are so glad when she meets Grace and Katie as they give her the opportunity to say what is on her mind and they don’t in any way condemn or judge her for the way she thinks and feels.
I thought this quote from the book was so powerful as it summed up the three women and how they are dealing with things to perfection, but it is also something which can be said for us all. ‘People were a bit like the shingle beach, she thought, it looked perfectly ordinary on the surface, but take the time to dig a little deeper and you discover the sea glass, unique in every way, with histories and stories you couldn’t even begin to guess.’ The beach and sea glass play an important role in this story and were woven wonderfully through each woman’s unique journey. All three women hit rock bottom but the future is in their hands. ’The three of us are going to fight back. We’re not going to cower away, afraid of what others think of us. We’re going to show the world what we are made of’ And boy do they and I was rooting for them every step of the way as this wonderful story further unfolded. The three women make a promise and are filled with a determination not to let their issues suffocate and defeat them but to instead face things head on. You will cheer them on every step of the way as they learn life is too short to be anything but happy and if anything like me you will be sad to leave this special trio once you reach the end of what was an exhilarating, captivating and sparkling story.
The story follows three women, Katie, Grace and Robyn, who have never previously met but a funny if somewhat unfortunate mishap leads to the women forming a close bond that by the end of the book has transcended beyond friendship and they have developed a strong sisterhood. Each women is hiding their own issues and worries and are afraid to come out in the open and express how they are feeling. But thanks to the unique closeness, rapport and solidarity that emerges between them over the course one summer they soon learn that a problem shared is a problem halved. Instead of threading water alone and wandering aimlessly dwelling on an issue that sharing the load, pushing ahead and changing direction may be the best advice they have ever learned.
Katie had lived with her Auntie Jean for ten years until her death a year ago. She has been left the lingerie shop, Auntie Small’s, and enjoys running it alongside her co-worker Nula. Merle Bay has been a haven for Katie and she has been happier there than anywhere else in the world. Instantly, the readers interest is piqued because when she mentions it’s her haven you wonder what has she been hiding? Is she running from something? Despite the success of the shop which is not just your usual lingerie shop in that they always go above and beyond for their customers and Katie has been a support system for so many women dealing with a wide range of emotional and physical problems there is an air of hesitancy surrounding Katie. It’s like she always looking over her shoulder waiting for something to go wrong. It’s as if she can’t let go of something which would allow her to fully embrace her life in the present. Thankfully, the author doesn’t leave us waiting too long to discover just what Katie has been holding back and when a mysterious and threatening letter arrives for her we discover just what she has kept secret and what has haunted her for so long.
I loved the development of this aspect of the overall plot. To me it seemed as if Katie was very much stuck between a rock and a hard place and she had no choice but to give in to demands that were being made on her. I understood completely what had happened to her when she was younger and why she had wanted to not reveal things but it appeared as if the past was catching up with her and this time she couldn’t run away. Will her friendship with Grace and Robyn provide her with the strength and tools she needs to confront what she has long purposefully kept buried? The past should not cloud her life anymore and she needed to find the courage and determination to face it head on. Especially as she has met Barney Larkin, the editor of the local newspaper, through his daughter Chloe. There is definitely a spark between them but she can’t let it ignite until the past has been resolved.
Grace is a woman who needs time away from her old life. Time to reassess and heal following the death of her beloved husband Myles. She needs to get away to a place where he is not imprinted on her mind and where she can learn who she is to be without him. Through a friend she rents Sea Glass House overlooking a stunning beach and its here where Katie and Robyn come to her rescue. Initially it’s a tentative association that is formed but the three women soon realise they are kindred spirits. Grace needs to catch her breath and reimagine herself and with the help of Katie and Robyn just as she takes baby steps in doing this, her world is once again rocked. I felt so sorry for her that just as she was beginning to find a way out of the darkness that engulfed her, her world is once again rocked to its very foundation. We learn what has happened but then things get even more dramatic and I didn’t know how she was going to handle things. I would have been so mad at what Grace learned and I don’t think forgiveness would have come so easily. When everything you thought to be true was a lie and your carefully ordered world was nothing but a façade. Betrayal features heavily in Grace’s storyline and I wondered would she ever find her way back from it?
Robyn is the last woman who form the special trio and boy was she hurting. She is married to Finn but you can tell they are experiencing a very rough patch that could if she allows it to happen develop into something much more permanent. Her outward scars may be beginning to heal but inside she is a mess. Her emotions are all over the place and I thought quite often she saw things in a different light to others, as in problems where there weren’t any. She feels useless in that she can’t contribute to the household as things aren’t going great with Finn’s fishing business but more pressingly she feels such a failure that she will never be a mother. The reasons for this really impact on you as a reader and give you plenty of food for thought. Things with Robyn aren’t as cut and dry as one would think. She questions things internally instead of voicing things vocally to Finn and you are so glad when she meets Grace and Katie as they give her the opportunity to say what is on her mind and they don’t in any way condemn or judge her for the way she thinks and feels.
I thought this quote from the book was so powerful as it summed up the three women and how they are dealing with things to perfection, but it is also something which can be said for us all. ‘People were a bit like the shingle beach, she thought, it looked perfectly ordinary on the surface, but take the time to dig a little deeper and you discover the sea glass, unique in every way, with histories and stories you couldn’t even begin to guess.’ The beach and sea glass play an important role in this story and were woven wonderfully through each woman’s unique journey. All three women hit rock bottom but the future is in their hands. ’The three of us are going to fight back. We’re not going to cower away, afraid of what others think of us. We’re going to show the world what we are made of’ And boy do they and I was rooting for them every step of the way as this wonderful story further unfolded. The three women make a promise and are filled with a determination not to let their issues suffocate and defeat them but to instead face things head on. You will cheer them on every step of the way as they learn life is too short to be anything but happy and if anything like me you will be sad to leave this special trio once you reach the end of what was an exhilarating, captivating and sparkling story.
July 24, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. Sooo great and the characters are both lovable and inspiring.
February 21, 2023
I picked this up as a light read and became surprisingly absorbed in it. I liked the 3 main characters and their different stories . One of Cathy Bramley's best books.
July 10, 2024
What a nice, down to earth, sweet story about love, loss and most of all friendship.
March 24, 2022
Merle Bay sounds like a stunning location and the beach with its beautiful sea glass where Katie, Robyn and Grace met and forged a bond a special place. This book had some sad and painful to read parts but ultimately I did find myself laughing as the trio helped each other come to terms with their pasts. A fabulous fast paced read that proves “gal pals” are the best pals. A truly wonderful book.
July 2, 2022
What a thought provoking book, from period poverty, Breast cancer, BRACa gene testing, previvours to survivors, bra fitting, black mail, adultery.....wow the list goes on. But if anything, the girl power and importance of family and friends is exquisite.
I hope a few of them got their comeuppance!
Fabulous read, very empowering!
I hope a few of them got their comeuppance!
Fabulous read, very empowering!
July 31, 2022
Loved it all and look forward to reading more from Cathy Bramley.
February 27, 2022
I love a book that can warm the cockles of your heart and this one had me beaming! I fell in love with the three women from the start, and following their secrets, stories and subsequent friendships was just perfect.
I honestly couldn’t read this book quick enough but didn’t want to read it too quickly because then it would be over! I seriously enjoyed it and loved the steady pace which drew the reader closer to the girls and the difficulties they were facing.
With Katie, the owner of Auntie Small’s, a lingerie shop, fearing that should her secret ever surface, herself and her business may suffer. Grace, who is overcoming her own grief, having her husbands will contested and an unearthed secret threatening to upend her tranquil escape to Merle Bay, and Robyn, who has her own relationship troubles and coming to terms with her new body, has a lot on her mind. But with the new friendship of this trio, they steadily begin to overcome their struggles. It was so lovely to read! I definitely want a membership into the Sea Glass Sisterhood.
I so admired the strength of the ladies, and honestly, the book flew by. Cathy Bramley is such a consistently good author, you can guarantee any book by her will be a great read.
And can I just say, Amber’s character completely stole my heart and my heart swelled several sizes during this book. Loved it loved it loved it!!
Thank you to the publisher and author for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
I honestly couldn’t read this book quick enough but didn’t want to read it too quickly because then it would be over! I seriously enjoyed it and loved the steady pace which drew the reader closer to the girls and the difficulties they were facing.
With Katie, the owner of Auntie Small’s, a lingerie shop, fearing that should her secret ever surface, herself and her business may suffer. Grace, who is overcoming her own grief, having her husbands will contested and an unearthed secret threatening to upend her tranquil escape to Merle Bay, and Robyn, who has her own relationship troubles and coming to terms with her new body, has a lot on her mind. But with the new friendship of this trio, they steadily begin to overcome their struggles. It was so lovely to read! I definitely want a membership into the Sea Glass Sisterhood.
I so admired the strength of the ladies, and honestly, the book flew by. Cathy Bramley is such a consistently good author, you can guarantee any book by her will be a great read.
And can I just say, Amber’s character completely stole my heart and my heart swelled several sizes during this book. Loved it loved it loved it!!
Thank you to the publisher and author for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
April 6, 2022
I loved this book about three women who all lived by the sea in Merle Bay but didn't know each other until they bumped into each other on the beach and started a wonderful friendship.
Katie, owner of Auntie Small's lingerie shop, who had a secret from her younger days that resurfaces. Then there's Robyn, her husband is a local fisherman, she's recently gone through a traumatic surgery and they are struggling to move on. And finally there's Grace, who has recently lost her husband and has come to Merle Bay to reassess her life, but a secret comes to light that has her doubting her whole marriage.
The whole story is just so wonderful, three women who previously didn't know one another becoming great friends and helping each other talk through their issues, drink gin(!), laugh, and finally overcome any issues and move on with their lives. They are all women you'd love to be friends with, down to earth, funny and compassionate.
This was just a really lovely feeling book that made me want to live in Merle Bay and be part of the Sea Glass Sisterhood!
Katie, owner of Auntie Small's lingerie shop, who had a secret from her younger days that resurfaces. Then there's Robyn, her husband is a local fisherman, she's recently gone through a traumatic surgery and they are struggling to move on. And finally there's Grace, who has recently lost her husband and has come to Merle Bay to reassess her life, but a secret comes to light that has her doubting her whole marriage.
The whole story is just so wonderful, three women who previously didn't know one another becoming great friends and helping each other talk through their issues, drink gin(!), laugh, and finally overcome any issues and move on with their lives. They are all women you'd love to be friends with, down to earth, funny and compassionate.
This was just a really lovely feeling book that made me want to live in Merle Bay and be part of the Sea Glass Sisterhood!
March 2, 2022
The most beautiful read, full of emotion, friendship and wonderfullness!
The power of positivity and female friendships is central to the book, three women who meet in unusual circumstances and are all very different come together and form a friendship based on truth, honesty and safety all aided and abetted by the healing power of the sea and beach, during their walks collecting sea glass they can all confide in each other their various problems ranging from grief, adultery, exploitation, cancer, relationship woes to name but a few!
A great read that really resonated with me as I could empathise totally with Robyn as I myself am BRACA positive and have had to make similar decisions that are not easy!
A perfect read for summer highlighting how important friendships are and that they are to be treasured and cherished!
Thank you netgalley for this early read.
The power of positivity and female friendships is central to the book, three women who meet in unusual circumstances and are all very different come together and form a friendship based on truth, honesty and safety all aided and abetted by the healing power of the sea and beach, during their walks collecting sea glass they can all confide in each other their various problems ranging from grief, adultery, exploitation, cancer, relationship woes to name but a few!
A great read that really resonated with me as I could empathise totally with Robyn as I myself am BRACA positive and have had to make similar decisions that are not easy!
A perfect read for summer highlighting how important friendships are and that they are to be treasured and cherished!
Thank you netgalley for this early read.
April 22, 2022
If you want a book to sweep you away, make you laugh, make you cry and give you a warm hug then pretty much anything from Cathy Bramley will do that and this new book is no exception.
Set by the sea in Merle Bay, three women are thrown together unexpectedly and become the friends they did not realise they needed until they found each other.
Katie, runs the local lingerie shop and is keen on giving a boost to all ladies who come into the shop. But she is hiding her own secret and she cannot possibly tell anyone.
Robyn is healing but whilst she may be physically it seems the emotional scars are a long way from that and her marriage is at a crossroads. Can the strength of their love see them through?
Grace, the older of the three women is grieving. she has come to Merle Bay to find herself, to move on. However her husbands children seem hell bent on making sure they get what they feel they are entitled to until a revelation makes Grace reassess everything she knows.
The instant friendship that strikes up shows you how women can draw on the strength of others and have no hang ups or barriers about their past actions. Sometimes it is easier to talk to a stranger than someone you are close to.
Add into the mix Amber, grieving for her mother and at that awkward teenage age and her father Barney, the local newspaper journalist. There could be some consequences if the secrets all of them hold are spilled forth.
This book covers some pretty tough topics; cancer, adultery, grief, exploitation of young women and mental health. Recovery from one, some or all of these things requires many methods and this book shows you that strength can be sought in friendships, in the environment by the sea, and in the wonder of craft with sea glass that is in abundance at the beach in Merle Bay.
I loved the book without a doubt and one of the best Cathy Bramley has written.
Set by the sea in Merle Bay, three women are thrown together unexpectedly and become the friends they did not realise they needed until they found each other.
Katie, runs the local lingerie shop and is keen on giving a boost to all ladies who come into the shop. But she is hiding her own secret and she cannot possibly tell anyone.
Robyn is healing but whilst she may be physically it seems the emotional scars are a long way from that and her marriage is at a crossroads. Can the strength of their love see them through?
Grace, the older of the three women is grieving. she has come to Merle Bay to find herself, to move on. However her husbands children seem hell bent on making sure they get what they feel they are entitled to until a revelation makes Grace reassess everything she knows.
The instant friendship that strikes up shows you how women can draw on the strength of others and have no hang ups or barriers about their past actions. Sometimes it is easier to talk to a stranger than someone you are close to.
Add into the mix Amber, grieving for her mother and at that awkward teenage age and her father Barney, the local newspaper journalist. There could be some consequences if the secrets all of them hold are spilled forth.
This book covers some pretty tough topics; cancer, adultery, grief, exploitation of young women and mental health. Recovery from one, some or all of these things requires many methods and this book shows you that strength can be sought in friendships, in the environment by the sea, and in the wonder of craft with sea glass that is in abundance at the beach in Merle Bay.
I loved the book without a doubt and one of the best Cathy Bramley has written.
February 28, 2022
Cathy Bramley has written a wonderful tale of friendship, love and strength. This was beautiful to read, it flowed so easily and I was quickly caught up in the lives of Grace, Robyn and Katie. Seeing their friendship grow and their trust in each other and themselves grow was amazing and empowering. I loved how they supported each other, but more than that, the ripple effects it had on other peoples lives that they touched. They healed themselves and a small northern fishing town.
An absolute pleasure to read, I felt I was really there crunching along the sand and looking for magic sparkles.
An absolute pleasure to read, I felt I was really there crunching along the sand and looking for magic sparkles.
May 22, 2022
You are always guaranteed a fantastic read from Cathy Bramley. Her writing style and warm characters draw you in and wrap you in a wonderful bubble. You meet new friends and can just imagine yourself in the middle of the story. Some writers have a lovely way of keeping you reading from the first page. You don't have to settle in- you are there from the beginning.
Three women meet by chance and are all coping with life's challenges and between them they manage to make their lives richer just by forging new friendships. A really wonderful read.
Three women meet by chance and are all coping with life's challenges and between them they manage to make their lives richer just by forging new friendships. A really wonderful read.
June 2, 2022
I absolutely loved this book!
A story of female friendship and empowerment, it really hit the mark with me.
Robyn, Grace and Katie seem to be quite different women, but they meet on a beach in Merle Bay and as their friendship deepens, each of them reveals to the others the secrets they have been carrying.
This is not a light and breezy beach read, there are some quite heavy topics covered, but it is done in a realistic and yet positive way. I was cheering these ladies on, every step of the way.
Loved the epilogue :)
I would happily read a follow-up book to this one!
5 stars from me.
A story of female friendship and empowerment, it really hit the mark with me.
Robyn, Grace and Katie seem to be quite different women, but they meet on a beach in Merle Bay and as their friendship deepens, each of them reveals to the others the secrets they have been carrying.
This is not a light and breezy beach read, there are some quite heavy topics covered, but it is done in a realistic and yet positive way. I was cheering these ladies on, every step of the way.
Loved the epilogue :)
I would happily read a follow-up book to this one!
5 stars from me.
August 13, 2023
I've just read the most beautiful description of waves and the sea. "The air is sea-salt fresh and the sound of the waves rushing in and out is so powerful and grounding".
This book is filled with some of the most beautiful quotes I've ever read and this book was a wonderful easy read that I never knew I needed to read. I loved Katie, Robyn and Grace and I think everyone could identify with each of these characters.
I'm a big fan of Cathy Bramley and this one didn't disappoint. I would love it be made into a film. Another 5⭐️ read from Cathy.
This book is filled with some of the most beautiful quotes I've ever read and this book was a wonderful easy read that I never knew I needed to read. I loved Katie, Robyn and Grace and I think everyone could identify with each of these characters.
I'm a big fan of Cathy Bramley and this one didn't disappoint. I would love it be made into a film. Another 5⭐️ read from Cathy.
August 17, 2022
An absolutely fantastic tip top read! I loved this from start to finish. A complete rollercoaster of a read. So many wonderful characters and the setting is idyllic! What makes this book is the portrayal of the relationships through good and bad. The ability the author has to make you want to be past of this group of woman and change the world is awesome. Loved it! Loved it! Loved it!
Thank you Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley
February 26, 2022
A really lovely tale with three very different women with different experience. Love the sisterhood between them and how they supported one other. These characters are all so relatable as they explain their various lived experiences. Sweet, special and summery. Enjoyed the setting and felt like a good escapism read even with the sensitive subject matter.
Adored this.
Adored this.
July 31, 2022
Katie, Robyn and Grace - all brought together at the Sea Glass Beach and so a strong friendship begins.
This story came with heartbreak, deceit, happiness and love. It was a nice story and Cathy knows how to keep the reader gripped. I loved how the 3 of them came together and they had that bond and trust straight away, when they struggled to trust the people they were closest too.
This story came with heartbreak, deceit, happiness and love. It was a nice story and Cathy knows how to keep the reader gripped. I loved how the 3 of them came together and they had that bond and trust straight away, when they struggled to trust the people they were closest too.
January 26, 2023
Finding women who are dealing with such adverse and tragic situations in their lives, discovering betrayals, and being able to come together, and give it to the strength, is just such a tale that warms your heart. Grace, Katie and Robin are three inspiring women, who are very different stages of their lives, make you smile and give you hope that friendship is strong within the womanhood.
August 26, 2024
This story of three women is inspiring, delving into their lives and as the story unfolds, unpicking the important elements of life. The location description sounds lovely too. Whilst the book for me was easy to recognise what was inevitably going to happen, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading it.
June 15, 2023
Loved this book, ideal for a summer read. The three female characters are very likeable - strangers who form a close bond when weird circumstances bring them together. They all have their own particular stories, all of which are very believable, human interest subjects, especially to other women.
An easy and enjoyable read.
An easy and enjoyable read.
February 13, 2022
The Summer That Changed Us swept me away. The North-East coastal setting and the sea glass collecting and the heartwarming relationship of these three women. Strangers at first, they each have their troubles but as a sisterhood they support and encourage one another and who wouldn’t want that in their life? A gorgeous read with vibrant, realistic women, sensitively faced issues and heroes you’ll want for yourself.
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